Two Weeks Later
John Hanover walked down the spiral staircase from his apartment in his mother's grand house. There was a spring in his step. Three years had passed since his wife of 8 years, Lorraine, succumbed to cholera. She'd always had a fragile constitution but her death at the age of 27, had been a crushing blow. Her demise left him struggling to get through daily life, while raising his son alone. Elmira soon suggested, no insisted, that he and Johnny move into the 2nd floor apartment in her spacious house. As usual she was right. As soon as they moved into the well-ordered home, healing began and life seemed possible again.
He paused in the doorway of the first floor parlor. Kitty Russell was alone in the room, seated at the large mahogany table with documents spread in front of her. The afternoon light poured through the window, and she looked almost like a portrait. Her beautiful face was serene and concentrated, and her hair a glowing red. He smiled beneath his mustache. It was hard to believe that Kitty had entered their lives just two weeks ago. Her warmth, her smile, her eagerness for life seemed a natural part of the household. He stepped lightly into the room. "Hello Kitty. Reviewing business possibilities?"
She turned and smiled warmly, John had been a wonderful sounding board for her business explorations. And as vice president of the St. Louis Savings and Loan, had practical advice to offer. "Hello John, Yes, I've narrowed it down to 3 places that I think my prior experience would work with, and that I can afford to buy into. There's a cafe on the park, a boarding house and a restaurant. All three have owners that are seeking partners. Would you mind talking a look, and offering your insights? You know the city so well. I'd like to choose one soon and make an offer."
"I'd be more than happy to, Kitty. Let's go through them one by one. Thorough planning is so important. But first, I – um – want to ask you something, and please feel under no obligation to say yes."
"Goodness, John what is it?" Her eyebrows furrowed with concern.
He took a deep breath suddenly feeling as nervous as a teenage boy, "First I must tell you that, since my wife passed away 3 years ago I've been something of a social hermit. Mother's been saying for over a year, that it's time I re-engage and re-established a social life. This year, as usual, I received an invitation to the St. Louis Grand Ball. It's the opening event of the season. I wasn't going to attend, but I thought perhaps – well – it's this Saturday, and I wondered if would do me the honor of attending with me."
"Oh John, I would love to. It sounds wonderful. Thank you for thinking of me."
"Excellent. Now, let's take a look at these businesses proposals."
He stood by her chair and they went through financial statements and business descriptions. They were so close, it felt natural to slip his is arm around her shoulders. She didn't mind, it felt steadying and good.
Dodge
"Mind if I join you, Marshal?" Matt looked up from the table where he'd been nursing a beer for at least a half hour. Gail Gleason held up a pitcher of beer and a mug. Matt got to his feet and held out a chair. He and Gail had shared beers a couple of times, since her first day on the job when that gun was held to her head. She was easy to pass time with. Gail eased her slender figure into the seat, filled her mug and topped off his beer.
Matt took sip and nodded across the room. "I was keeping my eye on that poker game that just broke up. The big winner practically kept you glued to him, and slipped you quite a tip before he left. I'm impressed." Gail laughed, "Here's the secret. I'm a real good at poker, so I look for the worst player at the table. I stand behind him with my hands on his shoulders and look at his hand. Then I give him subtle clues - what card to play, when to hold, when to fold. He starts winning and thinks I'm his lucky charm. He has no idea I've got a brain in my head. Winning keeps him buying drinks so Hannah's happy, and I end up with a pretty good tip without taking him upstairs."
Matt smiled crookedly, "Ever have a try at dealing?"
"Nope." She took a long swallow of beer. "That can get real risky, particularly for a woman."
"True, Kitty used to but I asked …" He paused and stared off into space. Images of Kitty flashed through his mind. He shook his head and started to rise. "I should get back to the office." Gail put a hand on his. "Matt, I came to town right after Kitty Russell left, but I heard how she built this place up from practically nothing. I also heard stories about the two of you, and all kinds of speculation about why she left. That's none of my business Matt, and I want to be clear on something. We've had a couple of good conversations since I've been here, and I like you. I'm not looking to take Kitty's place in your life, and I sure as heck am not looking for any big entanglement or romance, or any kind of future. I have my own reasons for that. But like I said, I like you, and I could really use a friend. The other saloon workers are way younger than me. Hannah's older, and besides she's my boss. The other women in town are married, church going matrons, or widows with children, not that they'd befriend a saloon woman anyway. As for the men who come in here – you know what they're looking for. Matt, I need a friend, and I have a feeling it might be nice for you to have some one to talk to who didn't know Kitty, and has no opinion about why she left and what you should do about it. What do you say? She extended a hand across the table. He looked into her deep, dark eyes, slowly reached over and shook her hand. "Thanks Matt." She took another dip of beer and stood. "Another poker game is forming. Seems we both have work to get back to."
St. Louis
After hours of reviewing business investments with John, Kitty climbed the stairs to her attic room, mind buzzing with ideas. A smile crept across her face. The future seemed filled with possibilities. It was a nice feeling. On top of everything else, she was being escorted to a society ball at the fanciest hotel in the city. John was sweet to invite her, and the way he asked was charming and endearing. It would be his first big social event in three years. That made it extra special, which meant she should make sure to look her best. She opened the big oak closet that was built into the wall, and went through her dresses one by one. Nothing she owned was remotely right for such an event. She'd shop for a new gown tomorrow. What about jewelry? She lifted the lid from the carved jewelry box, she'd brought with her from Dodge. A shadow fell over her mood. So many pieces of jewelry, had been gifts from Matt – she'd forgotten that. Why on earth did she bring them – she should have left the behind.. Each piece held a special felling, a memory, a story. Wearing any one of them would fill her mind with thoughts of Matt. Frantic to be free of them, she quickly separated the gifts from Matt from her other jewelry, put them in a smaller box, and hurried down one flight of stairs to Elmira's 3rd floor apartment. She knocked on the door. "It's Kitty."
"Come in my dear." Elmira was in a blue dressing gown, gray hair hanging to her shoulders. She was not expecting visitors.
"Sorry to disturb you, Elmira."
"Nonsense my dear, come sit. You know I love to chat, and I'm curious about that box you're carrying."
Kitty sat on the embroidered settee, nervously holding the box on her lap. Elmira sat beside her, and looked at her expectantly. "Elmira, I have some jewelry here that I'd like to sell. I wonder if you know where I could do that. I'd like to do it right away."
The older woman looked alarmed. "Oh my dear, please don't tell me that you are so desperate for funds that you are selling personal items. I certainly….."
"No, no." Kitty shook her head. "These are items that I won't be wearing any more. I shouldn't have bothered to bring them with me, so I want to get rid of them. They are just – clutter in my life, and I'd like to sell them right away. Just to get it done."
Elmira's eyes searched Kitty's face. Something more was going on than her red-haired friend was saying, but her intuition told her that questions would go nowhere. "All right Kitty, I know just the place. A rather exclusive jeweler with a store not far from here. He both buys and sells. We can go together. Give me a minute to pull myself together.
A half hour later Elmira led Kitty into the Lafayette Jewelry Shop. The bell above the door jingled. A tall, stooped jeweler looked over and offered a small bow. "Good evening ladies." Kitty s set the box of jewelry on the counter. "I'd like to sell these." She paused. "I'll accept any fair price."
With a serious nod the jeweler lifted his loupe to his eye and went through the jewelry piece by piece. The assessment was going quickly, until he reached one necklace. He touched it almost reverently. A sapphire, in a silver filigree setting as delicate as lace, hung on a slender chain. The jeweler whispered. "This piece is extraordinary. Amazing workmanship and first rate materials. May I ask where you got it?"
Barely breathing, Kitty stared at the necklace the jeweler held with care. It was the last gift Matt had given her. Made by a master German jeweler, who settled in Topeka, the piece would have cost many years of a US Marshal's salary. But, Matt had saved the old jeweler's wife, by stopping a stage-coach hold-up. When the old German learned Matt's name, he told him to take any piece in the store, for what money he had in his pocket. Matt protested, and tried to explain he was just doing his job, but the jeweler insisted. She could hear Matt's voice as he tenderly put the necklace around her neck, and fastened it - So I looked at all the amazing jewelry, and this necklace jumped out. It reminded me of you. It's beautiful and looks delicate, but like your eyes, the blue sapphire glows with a special kind of strength.
"Miss, Miss did you hear me? I asked where this incredible necklace came from."
"I'm sorry, my mind must have drifted off. I don't remember where I got it." Elmira looked at Kitty oddly. Kitty merely shrugged.
The jeweler turned the necklace over again. "This one piece increases the total worth of the collection tenfold. I'll get your money straight away."
TBC