A Flicker of Light In The Darkness
Chapter 15
Calleigh's Plan
It had been three long weeks since Matt had left for Hays, on what was supposed to have only taken one week at the most. His prisoner had been an especially ruthless character, whose crew had vowed to cut him loose, before Matt could get him to trial.
Kitty was concerned, as always, during the first week. She became a little more tense, during the second week; and by the end of the third week, pity anyone who crossed her path. It was so bad in fact, that Doc finally insisted she come up to his office for something to calm her down. Of course, she had objected at first, but Doc pulled out his bully card and took the upper hand: Calleigh watched from the doorway, while Doc fussed with the powders, mixing up a strong sedative.
The hair on the back of the young woman's neck stood on end, as she felt a presence behind her. Within seconds, a low husky voice whispered in her ear, "Hi, Sweet Pea." Calleigh turned around, relieved to see Matt finally home. She hugged him briefly, then stood out of the way. He looked straight ahead, his blue eyes locking onto Kitty's.
She seemed to wilt, as all the tension left her body. Would she have fallen? He was so quick to cross the room and scoop her into his arms, they would never know. For just a moment, they held each other; and then Matt dipped his head, pulling her into a kiss. Not a hurried, out of control kiss, but one that was slow and passionate.
Doc quietly placed the bottles back within the cabinet. Kitty obviously wasn't going to need anything to help her calm down now. He glanced at Calleigh and she nodded toward the door. They silently agreed and slipped out together.
"Buy you a cup of coffee?"
"And pie to go with it?"
"You little beggar." Doc shook his head and wiped his mustache between his fingers. "I suppose. C'mon, let's get over there."
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Doc held the door, letting the young woman cross in front of him. She took a table by the window, already searching outside as though she were looking for something. Within minutes, Tony had set two cups of coffee in front of them and promised to return with some apple pie.
"Tony's such a nice man."
"You think everyone is nice." Doc grumbled.
"Everyone but you, you old goat."
"You want that pie, don't you?"
Calleigh giggled softly, "Sorry Poppy. She blew softly, making tiny ripples in the black liquid. She continued to watch through the window, as though she were searching for something.
"What are you looking for?"
A contented look settled on her face and she turned her attention back to Doc. "Nothing now. You know, every one of those trips gets a little harder on her. I wish...I don't know what I wish. I know Matt was born to be a Marshal, but I just hate to see the way it hurts her. I'm glad to be home, so I can be there for her now."
Doc shifted around in his chair so as to face her more directly. "Well, it sure doesn't seem like you've been gone for almost three years. Every time I turned around, you were back."
"Weekends, Poppy; and holidays. Besides, I had to keep an eye on you, make sure you didn't hire someone else to be your assistant.
"Say, when do I get my name on that shingle?" Calleigh began to write in the air with her index finger. "Dr. Calleigh Reign Russell, MD," she fell back in her chair laughing, "Bet you didn't think that would ever happen, back when you started taking me on rounds with you, years ago? Although, you did say I was a natural."
Doc sipped his coffee, his mind drifting back to when she had first arrived—having been trained by an ex-professional gunslinger. She was a natural at that too. Yeah, her life could have taken a mighty bad road.
"Are you listening to me, Poppy?" Calleigh's eyes took on a sudden sparkle. "Did you ever notice; sometimes, it's like Matt and Kitty just suck all the oxygen out of the air when they're together?" Her sigh was not that of a doctor, or a gunslinger, but just a romantic young girl.
The older man tilted his head and tugged gingerly at his ear as he studied the fresh young face. Calleigh had grown into a gorgeous woman, just like Kitty. It was hard to tell if they actually looked alike, or was it that all beautiful women just seemed to resemble each other?
He knew Matt had had many sleepless nights, fussing about the boys swarming around her. Although, he need not have worried, as she never gave any of them the time of day. Her heart belonged to Newly. She would have followed that young man to the ends of the earth, if he had asked.
"I do know what you mean, Calleigh and I agree; I've never seen a couple so in love after so many years. I know they kind of brushed you off back there, but you know that Matt was glad to see you?"
"Oh, Poppy," she reached across the table and gently laid her hand on his. "I have no insecurities where they're concerned. I know they would die for me, either one of them. No, the way they are with each other…it's kind of like having this really strong force behind me, backing me up. Plus, it gives me something to aim for."
She pulled her hand away and absently fingered the edge of her napkin. "I see the other girls and their parents and… I know that their folks love each other..." She paused, a tiny frown pulled at her lips, "…maybe with the exception of Mavis Penshaw—but that's another story. But, even the ones that do, Poppy, it's not like Matt and Kitty. It's like…comparing a sparkler, to one of those giant 4th of July fireworks they shoot off at the county fair." Calleigh leaned into the table as though she wanted to make sure no one else could hear them. "I have a secret, but if you tell, it will mean both our necks. Want ta hear?"
Calleigh had been confiding in Doc since she was thirteen. He had been her sounding board for many things and many secrets. "Do you remember when we were still living at the Long Branch? Well, when I was about fifteen, I was spending the night with Annabelle Myson. We stayed up way too late and about two in the morning, we got this brilliant idea to go horseback riding in the moonlight. I went home to get some riding pants, and...I heard a sound coming from Kitty's room. I thought Matt was still in Wichita, so I started down the hall to make sure she was okay. Anyway, the door was partially open. Just before I started to go in…" she paused and bit her lip nervously, "I realized Matt was in there too."
Doc stared at her for a second waiting and then realization struck him, causing color to flush through his cheeks. "Calleigh, you are the most precocious child! Why are you telling me this?"
She giggled again, "Well, it's not just to embarrass you, but it seems to be doing just that. And I'm not some kind of pervert; I didn't stay. My point is, it wasn't like those men and women I had heard in the brothels when I was a kid; it wasn't like that at all. It was beautiful, Poppy, breathtaking. I want someone to love me like that someday. I don't want a dry, ordinary sort of love. I want what they have."
Doc remained silent, his embarrassment past, as he contemplated the girl's honest remarks. What she wanted was what we all want, he thought pensively. Love, real love; the kind that literally consumes you. "I want that for you, sweetheart. And you have someone in mind. You think he can give you that?"
"Of course I do," she slumped back in her chair, her face encased in a sulking expression, "if only he knew it."
I thought when I came home from college, he would come around." She stabbed absently at the checkered tablecloth with the end of the fork. "Poppy I'm almost twenty years old and he still treats me like a child. It's gotten worse, instead of better. It's obviously not a case of 'love at first sight' like it was with them. He told me he didn't love me, that he had met someone else. He's a terrible liar. I happened to know he has not dated anyone while I have been away."
"Newly's kind of shy you know; maybe he's just waiting for the right moment."
His words seem to bring a spark of life to her. "Well, I have a plan. I'm going to make that moment happen."
"What kind of plan?" Doc's eyes narrowed. "Just what have you got in mind? Calleigh Reign, you remember who you are! You're a doctor now, not some lovesick girl."
"Just you wait and see." She began to gather her things as though she suddenly had someplace to be.
"Don't you go off on some half baked idea."
She wiggled her brows and flashed a mischievous grin, "Oh, it's fully baked."
"Stubborn woman, just like your mother." Doc muttered under his breath. He tugged his ear again and checked his watch. "I s'pose it's safe to go back to my office."
"Oh. Poppy," Calleigh was standing behind him now. She leaned down wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's safe. I saw them sneak into the Long Branch right after we came in here. I don't think they could wait long enough to get back to our house." She hurriedly kissed his cheek and ran for the door before he would scold her for being so brash.
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Calleigh followed the young blonde woman around the bedroom. "Libby, please, you gotta help me!"
Libby stopped so quickly Calleigh nearly ran over her. "Do you know what your mom—I mean Miss Kitty—would do to me if she thought I was helping you with this crazy idea?"
"I won't let her fire you, I promise."
"Fire me! Hell girl she'll kill me; and then I won't need a job! Besides, you're not even allowed in the Long Branch at night."
Calleigh took a step back. Libby had a point. Contrary to what most of the pious women in Dodge thought, the young woman was never allowed in the Long Branch at night, especially when the cattle drives came through.
Calleigh always thought it strange that Kitty never tried to hide or apologize for her life; but at the same time, she didn't want it to touch her daughter. The ironic part was, despite the fact that she made her money in a saloon, Kitty was one of the most respected ladies in town. Only a true Lady could pull that off, Calleigh thought with a smug grin.
"Get one of the other girls to help you," there was a definite whining quality to Libby's tone.
"Kitty likes you, Libby, you know she does."
"Yeah," it was more of a huff, than a word, "And I want to keep it that way!" Libby had always like Calleigh; the girl had always treated her like an equal, but this was risky, "Calleigh, you don't understand. My life isn't like yours and... You're a doctor now, you've got everything going for you. Miss Kitty... She's awful good to me; to all of us girls." She could see her words were getting through, but she could also see utter defeat present itself on Calleigh's face.
"You've got it bad, don't you kid?" Libby reached out, placing a consoling hand to Calleigh's arm. "I seen you two at the barn dance last Saturday. He was dancing with you."
"Uh-huh. It was like dancing with Matt, or Poppy. He was stiff as a board; and we talked about the weather and old man Pherson's new baby calf." Calleigh rolled her eyes in an irritated gesture. "Not exactly what I was going for."
Libby studied the girl carefully, then shook her head—essentially a sign that she was about to make a big mistake. "Okay…" It was more of sigh, than an acknowledgment, but Calleigh jumped on it. She ran to Libby's closet, pulling out the dress that she wanted…and the makeover began.
Sometime later, Calleigh stood admiring herself in the mirror. She twirled around, watching the ruffles on the dress glide up on her thighs. With a little shove, she pushed her breasts up, making them more visible in the low-cut costume.
Libby watched the little performance with great misgivings. "Are you sure this is the look you're going for, Calleigh? I mean, being a doctor and all," she paused for a moment, her brows furrowed with concern, "You look...uhm… Well, the idea is to dress to interest the customer, not show him all your wares right up front." Libby turned to stand beside Calleigh and looked at them both in the mirror, hoping things would look better from this angle.
It wasn't just the dress; Calleigh had put on enough makeup to paint the side of a barn. "Honey, I don't think this is what Newly is after. You looked so pretty at the dance—in that dress Miss Kitty got for you from New York." Libby's speech became hurried, as she thought she had found a way to stop this fiasco. "The blue silk matched your eyes and made you look sooo pretty! Why don't you wear that one?"
Calleigh placed her hands on her hips and stared into her reflection, more determined than ever. "Because he didn't notice—the dress or the eyes." She cocked her head to one side. "He WILL notice this."
"Yes, and so will everyone else in the bar," Libby muttered under her breath, dreading what Miss Kitty would do when she saw this, "Okay, so what's the plan now?"
"You go on down and I'll kind of hide out in the hall there. I'll watch for you; when Newly comes in you cross over to the stairs and look up. That will be my signal to come down."
Libby nodded and against her better judgment, turned around and headed down the stairs.
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The Long Branch was at full capacity, but it seemed to be a friendly crowd. Matt pulled up a chair with Kitty and Doc at the back table. "Looks like it might be a semi-quiet night," he observed, as he pushed his hat further back on his head.
His hand brushed against Kitty's arm as he slid in next to her and he heard a trace of a gasp, as the electricity still coursed between them from this morning's lovemaking. Their eyes met, blue on blue, and Matt forced himself to look away before his body betrayed him.
Doc wiped down his mustache and took a long drink of his beer. "I don't suppose either of you have seen that girl today?"
"No, we haven't. I thought Sam said he saw you two over at Delmonico's having coffee," Matt tossed down a drink and glanced up at Doc, "and I'm guessing pie?"
"That goes without saying," Doc chuckled, as he tugged on his ear from habit. "To be honest, she's got me worried. Kitty, she's got some plan to attract Newly and well…" he brushed his hand nervously across his mouth, "She can be so headstrong. I'm afraid to guess what it is she's up to."
Matt sat his empty glass down, his expression changing to one of bewilderment. He looked more to Kitty for an answer to his question, than Doc. "You know, I was grateful that he didn't take advantage of the situation when she was younger, but I don't know what's stopping him now. He looks at her like a lovesick calf. Not the hungry way those boys used to look at her."
"You mean the ones you continually terrorized if they came near her?"
Matt shot a sidelong glance in Kitty's direction. "I knew what they were after and not with my kid. Huh-uh. Not while there's breath in my body."
"And bullets in that gun," Kitty added with a smile. She could tease Matt, but she knew those boys were as afraid of her as they were him, when it came to Calleigh.
"Newly is a good boy," Matt said. "Do you think he's afraid of us?"
Kitty motioned to Sam to bring a couple more beers. "For one thing Matt, he's not a boy. He's what—twenty-four, Doc?"
"Almost twenty-five," Doc responded "She's just about to turn twenty. I don't think age is the problem anymore. Maybe he's just intimidated. She's gorgeous. She's going to be a doctor. Probably a damned good one. Not to mention, she can out-draw him any day of the week. And…she's a rich woman."
"Well when you put it like that, Doc, I'm beginning to feel right sorry for him." Matt snatched up the fresh mug of beer. He downed a swallow and nodded toward the door. "Guess we could ask him, he's just coming in the door."
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Newly started for the table in the back, not noticing Libby, as she passed over toward the stairs; nor did he notice the girl just starting down them.
Although he didn't notice, the rest of the bar seemed to, and the room seemed to grow quiet around him. Newly's gait slowed, as he deliberated on the strange expressions shared by Matt, Kitty and Doc. He saw Kitty start to rise and Matt put his hand on her arm and whisper something in her ear. What in the heck was going on with everyone? He glanced around in time to see a fiery little redhead take a final step from the staircase, to the floor. He had to blink several times, trying to adjust his vision to what he thought he saw. Calleigh? He stepped closer, still unable to grasp the sight before him.
Calleigh pulled her feather boa around her completely bare shoulders. With one hand defiantly on her hip, she stepped closer to Newly. "Buy me a drink?"
Hearing her voice seemed to snap him out of shock. "Calleigh, what in the heck are you doing!?"
"I'm just trying to enjoy myself at the Long Branch, how about you?" She cast him a wink and a sultry smile, as she started to stroll past him to the bar.
At Matt's request, Kitty had settled back into her seat, but it was taking every bit of control she had to stay there. Her first reaction was to drag that little girl back up those steps and tan her backside.
"Let's wait and see what Newly does, Kit." Matt saw the look on that young man's face and recognized the expression—it was the look of a man in love, being driven crazy by a woman. He glanced over at his daughter; it appeared to him that she was in the driver's seat.
From somewhere behind him, Newly heard a couple of whistles and catcalls that weren't exactly proper for a lady. He turned in time to see her walk past him, toward Kitty's table. Calleigh had no idea what she was going to say to anyone sitting at that table... That part, she hadn't thought far enough ahead about.
It didn't really matter, because she wouldn't get the chance to say anything. She had barely reached her destination, when Newly came up behind her. He reached out grabbing her arm and pulling her back to him. "Calleigh," the shock was turning to anger and his voice was more of a seething hiss. "Get back upstairs!"
She pulled back from him, looking him straight in the eye. "Why Mr. O'Brian, are you inviting me upstairs? I don't think they allow that at the Long Branch, but maybe…" she paused, running the tip of her tongue across her upper lip seductively, "maybe we could go somewhere else?"
Newly's eyes grew wide and his face hardened with the implications of what she had said. "Either you get upstairs, or so help me, I'll take you!"
Probably the worst thing Calleigh could have done at that moment was to cock her hip to one side and take on an insolent attitude, but that was the path she chose. As far as Newly was concerned, the conversation was over. Before she could react, he had picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and charged back up the stairs.
Three stunned faces sat around Kitty's table. The girl had been whisked away, right before their eyes. They could hear her screaming, something about Matt shooting him, but they seemed not to care. Doc took a long drink, his eyes still on the spectacle. "Think we should... do something?"
Matt pushed his hat back on his head and laughed. "Doc, I wouldn't touch that mess with a ten foot pole. I told you he would handle it," he whispered to Kitty. The girl's appeals for help went unheeded and finally disappeared behind the door to Kitty's rooms. There was the sound of yelling and breaking glass.
Kitty pulled on Matt's arm, "Oh, I hope that wasn't the vase you brought back from Denver!"
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Once inside the room, Newly dropped Calleigh to her feet. She swung wildly at him, but he managed to shield himself from the blow.
"Calleigh! Stop it!"
"Why you...you," words weren't coming, only rage,"You Neanderthal!" Those words were delivered with a crystal vase, that shattered next to his head." How dare you treat me like that!"
"Me? Look at you! What the hell are you made up for ... Halloween? You look like a..." He struggled not the say the word he was thinking. "Wipe that stuff off your face and get out of that dress!"
"It's a little late to proposition me now, Newly O'Brian!" She reached for another breakable item, but Newly closed the space between them before she could take aim. He grabbed both wrists, trying to hold her back, for his own safety.
"I'm not propositioning you. Stop squirming!"
"If I had a gun right now..." she was too involved in pulling and struggling for her freedom to finish her sentence Newly had to wince at the thought; he knew if she did have a gun right now, he would be a dead man. Still, he wasn't going to back down. She had twisted around and the only way he could keep her confined was to pin her to his chest. He couldn't believe she wasn't wearing down, because he was tiring out something fierce.
"Calleigh, please. Can't we just talk about this?"
"Talk! What do you want to talk about? The weather. Pherson's calf! No, I don't want to talk!" With that, she freed one hand and attempted another swing.
"What were you trying to do?!"
She was becoming breathless. "I wanted...you...to see...me as a...a woman."
"My God, you little fool! Why do you think I have to keep my distance? You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. If I thought I was half good enough for you, I'd have married you already."
As though his words threw a switch, Calleigh suddenly became still in his arms. "What?'
Newly relaxed his grip and she leaned back, looking up into his eyes. "Do you really think I didn't know you are a woman? My God, Calleigh." She found herself looking into pools of brown velvet, so inviting she just wanted to drown in them.
His lips came down on hers, so gently at first, she thought she was imagining it again. But, as the kiss lingered, years of pent-up passion took it over. He began to release the pins in her hair, allowing the captive curls to spiral free around her face. Somewhere in the small recesses of his mind, a voice was telling him to stop, but he kept trying to silence it. He had waited long enough.
When Newly came up for air, he nuzzled his lips along her jaw and down her slender neck, that was so inviting.
"Still want me to get out of this dress?" Calleigh's voice was husky and breathless.
With every ounce of strength he could muster, he held her away from himself. "You are going to get me shot. You realize that Matt Dillon is right downstairs; and we are in Kitty's old bedroom? If he doesn't get me, she sure will!" Her body moved seductively, pressing closer to him. Newly let out a long breath, "I was always so worried that I was too old for you; but honey, I don't think I'm old enough!"
It was enough to break the tension and they started to laugh. "Do me a favor," he asked, placing a kiss to her temple. "Please wipe that stuff off your face and could you find something else to wear?"
Calleigh left the security of his embrace and whirled around, allowing him full view of the outfit. "You don't like it?"
"I don't like it. I especially don't like it on you." He repeated sternly, "Please take it off."
Calleigh disappeared into the water closet and he could hear the water splashing, wiping away her alternate personality. After a few minutes, Calleigh appeared through the door, wearing a pale blue dress with lace around the neck and sleeves. She had run a quick brush through her hair, putting some control back into the curls. She felt as though Newly's eyes were burning her flesh as she walked toward him. "Better?" she whispered.
He uttered a husky groan, as he pulled her back into his arms. She had washed away the heavy perfume that Libby had given her and all he could smell was the fresh scent of lilacs from the soap. Instantly, he was lost in her essence again. She was so pliable in his arms, so willing to surrender herself to him. "Calleigh," his voice was rough almost painful, "We have to stop."
She pulled back in his arms. "If you say so; just remember—Russell women love for life."
"If you'll agree, I want to make you an O'Brian woman for life." Once again, Calleigh was throwing herself into Newly's arms.
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The patrons of the Long Branch had resumed their normal evening. Only a few even noticed Newly coming down the stairs with a face-freshly-scrubbed girl. The couple walked to the table in the back. With a nod, Newly acknowledged each of them by name. He pulled out a chair for Calleigh, before seating himself. Her eyes were downcast, trying to avoid the scrutiny of Kitty's burning gaze.
"My don't you look pretty tonight. We must talk later about your first choice." Kitty's tone dripped with sarcasm, causing Calleigh to let out a heavy sigh, knowing there was no way out of this. Her response of yes ma'am, was barely audible. "We will...talk later."
No one had ever seen Calleigh so quiet. She was waiting for Newly to make the announcement, but she was about to explode. Being shy just wasn't a part of her make-up. Kitty spotted the slightly puffy lips and began to suspect that shyness wasn't the cause, so much as contentment from some serious kissing.
"Well, she certainly seems to have come around to your way of thinking, but don't think you've tamed her down." Matt offered a bit of advice, "I know my daughter and that fiery red hair comes at a price." he glanced over to Kitty with an ornery grin, "Believe me, I know."
Kitty shot him a warning glance and whispered in a husky tone, "Be careful, Cowboy."
Newly smiled and shot a sidelong glance to Calleigh, remembering only a few minutes ago and how hard it had been to not only try to control her, but to keep a handle on himself, "I don't expect it will be easy, Matt, but...with your permission, I sure want to try. I'm asking for her hand."
"Wha… Her hand?! What do mean her hand? What happened to courting? I mean, why so suddenly, what's the hurry?" Matt looked to Kitty for some kind of help. "Kitty…? Sweet Pea…? Doc…? Would somebody back me up here?"
"I know it seems sudden and that's my fault." Newly dropped his gaze, just a little embarrassed, "I was just too afraid to speak up. I really thought it was just a schoolgirl crush and that it would pass." His eyes fell on the love of his life, "But, she just kept growing and getting more and more beautiful. Then, when she came home from college—a doctor no less—I didn't think I had anything to offer her."
Newly stopped for a moment, as though he were suddenly hearing himself say that. In that sobering moment, he wondered—what did he have to offer? But he felt Calleigh's hand slip into his and squeeze softly. He turned, their eyes meeting again and he remembered what he had to offer.
He straightened up, looking Matt straight in the eye, "I know that I will love her for the rest of my life and will work every day to prove myself worthy of her." His gaze shifted again back to Calleigh. "Courting is to get to know each other. I think we've already crossed that bridge."
"Well, I guess if Kitty has no objections," Matt glanced over and was greeted with a confident smile and approving nod. "Damn, let's plan a wedding. Sam drinks on me, my daughter's getting married!"
It wasn't clear if they were excited about free drinks, or the upcoming wedding, but there was an awful lot of yelling and cheering.
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It was such a beautiful night, Kitty convinced Matt to go for a stroll. The moon was so full, it seemed to drip light all over the trees. "Did you see the way they looked at each other?" she asked. "They'd better get married in a hurry."
Matt snaked his arm around Kitty a little tighter. "You saw that too. She's a little pistol. I don't know if Newly really knows what he's getting into. She IS her mother's daughter." Matt offered a boyish grin, "I tell you one thing, if he can hang in there, it will be a hell of a ride."
Kitty stopped, causing Matt to stumble a little. "Excuse me, Marshal, but are you trying to sweet talk me?"
The lawman pulled his wife around in front of himself so that he could look into her eyes. Pulling her up into his arms, he kissed her and nuzzled the crook of her neck. "Is it working," he whispered. Kitty just offered a sweet smile and led him back down the street toward home.
TBC