"A" is for Apple, "O" is for Outlaw!

PT.3

Luke Dandridge sat quietly by the grave of his wife, softly talking to her. "Sue Ellen, Honey, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were feelin' that poorly. By the time I figured your fever was that bad, it was just too late and we just couldn't chance takin' you into Dodge. You understand that, don't ya? Honey I'm gonna miss ya real bad. But I promise ya, Sue Ellen, I'll get to learning the right words just as soon as Cal brings that teacher here and I'll make sure I put the right words here for ya. You'll see, Honey."

Luke's thought process was interrupted when he heard horses and Dan's voice yelling. "Luke! They're back. Luke, they're back with the teacher."

As they rode towards the front of the cabin, Kitty looked at Tom who was pulling on her reins. "What's he mean, 'teacher'?"

"Yeah, he means you, Red. The teacher."

Shocked, "What are you talking about? I'm not…"

Quickly, after dismounting, he grabbed her, pulling her down off her horse. "Lady, you sure talk a lot. Come on, Luke wants to see you." He said, pushing her inside.

Kitty was now angrier, pulling away from Tom. "What is going on here? What do you want with me? Who are you?"

"Relax, Teach. Get comfortable. You're gonna be here a while."

Huffing out a breath, "And that. Why do you keep calling me 'teach' or teacher? I'm not a teacher."

Both Tom and Calvin laughed. 'Ah, come on now, Red. We took you from that school. You were with all those kids at the school telling them all to go on inside it was time to start and you had a surprise for them in there. You did, didn't you?"

Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, now with her hands on her hips and frustrated. 'Well, I was at the school because I had purchased new books for the kids and was there to meet the new teacher. But I'm not their teacher."

Calvin looked at her, perplexed. "But all those kids that were jumping around you hugging on you."

Exhaling again, "I've known most of these kids since they were born. I've lived and worked in Dodge for a long time."

"Oh?" Calvin looked curious.

"I'm Kitty Russell. I own the Long Branch."

"The Long Branch?" He repeated.

Tilting her head, "Yeah, it's a saloon. Besides, why would you want to kidnap the Dodge teacher anyway?"

"Well, Luke wanted you."

"Luke? And who might that be?" She asked.

Just then, Luke Dandridge entered the room. "ME!" He said standing in the doorway, staring at Kitty. His eyes examined every inch of her. "I'm Luke Dandridge."

"Well, Luke Dandridge, do you mind telling me why I've be so rudely kidnapped and dragged here?"

"Well now, Boys, let's make the lady more comfortable."

"I'd rather have some answers." She remarked.

"Well, Ma'am, I'm in need of your services."

"I beg your pardon?" Kitty hoped he didn't mean what it sounded like.

"Boys, we need some privacy please." Luke took a few steps closer.

"Uhhh, now just wait one minute." Kitty backed up.

Tom, Dan and Calvin walked outside. "Now, Ma'am," he pulled out a chair, "please sit and I'll tell you exactly what you need to do."

"What? What is wrong with you? What is going on here?" Kitty demanded.

"Look, Ma'am…"

"My name is Kitty Russell."

"Okay, Miss Russell, I need you to help me."

"Help you how?" Kitty was now confused.

"My men came to your school and brought you here because I need you to teach me." Now he was pacing the room nervously.

"Teach you? Teach you what?" She asked.

"To read and write." He answered.

"What?" She couldn't believe what he wanted.

"Look, Miss Russell, I need to learn to read and write and you need to teach me. That's what teachers do, right?"

Shrugging her shoulders, "Well yeah, but…"

"But what?"

"I… I… Mister…"

"Oh, just call me Luke. We're going to be here awhile."

"Ah, Luke, I'm not…"

"Look, Miss Kitty. You don't mind I use your name do you?"

Shaking her head, "No."

"Good, well, look Miss Kitty, I'm not a dumb man, I just never had much schooling."

Closing her eyes and rubbing her face with both hands. "Luke, it's just that your men made a big mistake. I'm not a teacher. I own the Long Branch saloon in Dodge. I was just at the school to take some books I brought for the kids and meet the new teacher."

Again pacing the room, not saying anything for several minutes. Then he broke his silence. "OK!"

Kitty was smiling. "So you'll let me ride back to Dodge?"

"Miss Kitty Russell, do you read and write?"

Furrowing her brow at his question, "Well, yes of course."

"Well than, you will stay and you will teach me."

Surprised, "What? Are you crazy? You can't keep me here. Don't you realize I'll be missed in Dodge? There'll be people out looking for me and when he…"

Luke stopped her. "Oh, you think you'll be missed, do you?"

"I know I will."

"And this 'he' you speak of…? I guess I was wrong when I assumed you were a miss. But then again I didn't see a wedding ring."

She was holding back any further information, not wanting to give them any more ammunition. "That's my business."

Now snickering, "You will stay and you will teach me."

"And if I don't?" Kitty blurted out.

Huffing out a breath, and smiling, "I'll just get rid of you. No one will be the wiser. Now, it's your choice.

TBC