The Next Morning

Matt sat on the edge of his bed pulling on his boots in semi-darkness. The rays of the rising sun had started penetrating his window way too soon in his opinion. He hadn't slept well. Between thinking about Felix and Peter Brooks, and the oddness of spending the night in his rented room, sleep had been elusive. He stood and looked around. His room had become a place to keep his things and take an occasional nap if he was exhausted. He spent his nights with Kitty, unless something interfered. She was his home. Folks often spoke of home as a place, a house, a specific location. For him home was a person, Kitty. No matter where he was or what he did, he had to return to her. After looking around the four walls one more time, Matt put on his hat and left to make morning rounds.

He saw nothing unusual as he went around town and headed to Moss Grimmick's stable. Always his last stop of the morning, the stable was the best place to learn of comings and goings during the night. Sure enough he spotted an unfamiliar bay in a stall.

"Morning Moss, it looks like someone new's in town."

Moss set down his bucket of grain, "Marshal, I was going to tell you about it. About an hour ago Gus Stringer rode in, that fella you arrested last year."

Matt nodded, "Yep, it was the second time I arrested him and the second time he got off. Thanks." He left not pleased that the gunslinger was back.

Kitty

"Mama, mama." A high-pitched voice pierced the air. Kitty eyes popped open. She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before remembering that she was in Rita's bed with 1-year-old Molly beside her.

She turned over and hugged the toddler, "You'll see mama soon honey. Let's get you fed and cleaned up."

Kitty took some carrots from the food basket she'd purchased, and set them to boil. She wasn't much for eating an early breakfast, but sure wanted a cup of coffee. She searched the cabinets but found no coffee and little of anything else. Just how poor the Clarks were, hit her with full force, and she was glad she'd thought to send the basket.

The carrots were cooked, and Kitty mashed them up and feed Molly. Breakfast done, she washed and dressed the little girl, "All right my beauty, and let's go to Doc's to see your mama."

Doc heard them coming up the stairs and opened the door. Kitty looked in and could see Rita sitting by her son's bedside. It was clear she'd barely slept. Kitty set Molly on her feet and held her small hands until she stood steadily. When Rita saw her little girl, she smiled and held out her arms. Molly tottered over giggling all the way and Rita scooped her up onto her lap. She looked at Kitty, "Thank you. I've been so wrong, I…"

Kitty cut her off. "We're friends now, and friends help each other. I'll be back later."

She turned to go and for the first time noticed Chester standing by the window holding a rifle. She whispered to Doc, "Why's Chester here?"

"Matt's worried that whoever tried to kill Felix will come back to finish the job, so the boy can't identify him."

"Felix hasn't even woken up."

"No. but whoever strangled him doesn't know that."

"I guess that's the sad truth. Doc, I have to get to the Long Branch, if you or Rita need anything please send for me."

As she entered the Long Branch Kitty gratefully took a mug of coffee from Sam, "I'll be in my office, if anyone wants me."

She'd been working on her books for about an hour when she heard a knock.

"Who is it?"

"Peter Brooks."

Surprised, Kitty closed her ledgers and pushed them aside. She realized that she'd forgotten to mention Peter Brooks to Matt, and wondered if they'd met. "Come in Mr. Brooks."

Peter stood just outside the room. "Miss Russell, the bartender told me I'd find you here. I wonder if I could have a moment of your time."

Kitty smiled and pointed to a chair, "I don't see why not. Please have a seat."

He sat across from Kitty and scanned her face. She was even more beautiful in the light of day than at night. Very unusual for a woman. He noted again, that there was no sign of the plumpness that his current mistress Lorraine displayed. Yes, Miss Russell could do nicely as Lorraine's replacement. Of course he wasn't a heartless man. When he threw Lorraine out of the apartment he kept for her, he'd let her take a few of the items he'd given her. Selling them would keep her fed and clothed for a time.

"Mr. Brooks?"

Kitty's questioning voice stirred him from his reverie. "I'm sorry Miss Russell, I got caught up in my own thoughts. I apologize." He flashed the self-deprecating smile he knew women found charming. "Please call me Peter, and may I be so bold as to address you as Kitty?"

Kitty shrugged with a small smile. "All right."

"Thank you. Kitty, I've noticed in the short time I've been here that you are a woman of extraordinary taste and elegance, and I would like your opinion about something."

He set two small, elegant boxes on her desk. They were hinged and covered with white satin.

She was intrigued.

He flipped back the lids and she almost gasped. In each box, a pair of exquisite diamond earrings rested on a bed of dark blue velvet.

Peter was not surprised by the look on her face, "They are beautiful aren't they? Cut from the finest diamonds, the settings are pure gold. The craftsmanship the best that all of Europe has to offer."

Kitty's eyes were glued to the earrings. Each pair had to be worth more than she could even imagine.

"Here is my dilemma. Which pair would a woman of taste and elegance, such as yourself, choose? You see I own several important businesses in New York, Paris and London. In each city I attend any number of social events, balls, theater parties, state dinners, even coronations. My greatest pleasure is attending those occasions with an exceptional woman on my arm. A woman who would wear earrings such as these with distinction. Which pair would such a lady choose? Please tell me."

He pointed to the boxes, "Please."

"Well if I had to pick, I'd choose the teardrops."

He lifted an earring, "Ah, an excellent choice. It's marvelous how the diamonds glisten in the light." He reached across the desk and held the dangling earring up to her ear. "Amazing beautiful with the shape of your face and your coloring."

He returned the earring to the box. "If you don't mind my asking, how did you come to settle in Dodge?"

"About 4 years ago I thought I was just passing through, but there was something here that made me want to stay."

"Interesting, but running a saloon in a place like this must be difficult. After all drunken cowboys are not known for their gallant behavior." He smiled knowingly, "As a businessman I know that the finances of a place like this are a challenge. It can't be easy to make a profit. Isn't that correct?"

Kitty shrugged, "I guess so"

"Kitty, a woman such as yourself could so easily lead a charmed life with no worries."

He pushed the box with the teardrop earrings towards her. "Please wear these tonight, just to try them out."

Kitty looked at the earrings. It would be fun to wear them for one night, but she didn't want Brooks to think she was even considering his not very subtle offer.

She pushed the box towards him and smiled, "Thank you Mr. Br - Peter, I'd rather not."

She stood to signal the conversation was finished. He snapped the boxes shut. "Please let me know when you change your mind."

"When?"

"Yes, when. You are a beautiful and intelligent woman who understands what I have to offer. I'm sure you'll see the wisdom of accepting."

She watched him leave. She'd never met a man that rich, and probably wouldn't again. She wondered what his game was.

TBC