Kitty
The setting sun was casting the city in a beautiful red/orange light when David and Kitty drove into St. Louis. David steered the carriage downtown looking for the St. Louis Grand Hotel. They went passed Lafayette Park, and Kitty got a glimpse of the gardens and sculptures she'd seen in pictures. She was filled with longing and melancholy for what had never been. She and Matt had been on their way to St. Louis not long ago, but Matt was called back to Dodge before they got there. Just recently they'd started making plans to try again. Matt even got a magazine with pictures of the city's sights. The gesture touched her. Late at night they'd pored over that magazine, both of them seeming confident that their trip would work out this time, neither really being sure. Now here she was in St. Louis, but with another man. A man she didn't love but soon would marry. Pain wrapped around her heart and squeezed. She didn't notice the carriage had stopped until David spoke. "Here we are. We'll check in and then go have dinner. I'm starving."
He helped her down and turned the carriage over to a young, well-scrubbed hotel groom in a dark blue uniform. They entered the hotel together, but Kitty stopped to gaze around the lavish lobby. Pale blue walls were trimmed with gold, a chandelier hung from a domed ceiling and the couches and chairs were covered with deep blue velvet. David grew impatient when he saw her look around. "You'll see finer things in London. Let's check in." They were shown to separate but adjacent rooms and after freshening up, set off to find a restaurant. As they walked down Chateau Avenue, Kitty could see that David wasn't in the best of moods. He'd used blackmail to get her to marry him, but maybe something had changed. With a glimmer of hope in her heart she spoke. "David, I get the feeling that now that we've traveled together you're realizing I'm not exactly the woman you thought I was. If you don't want to go through with the wedding I…"
He interrupted, suddenly assuming a cheery air, "My love, of course I want to marry you. I'm sorry I've been a bit sour. I confess that traveling was more tiring than I anticipated, and those two rogues showing up threw me off. Come my dear, this looks like a fine establishment. Let's go in and enjoy a good meal and some wine."
Nigel and Harry
It took Nigel and Harry several hours to find their horses. When they did, they headed towards St. Louis riding hard. They had the best saddle horses that money could buy, but after a time even these animals were visibly tiring. Nigel spotted a ranch, "Harry, I have an idea. There's a horse ranch, let's see if we can sweet talk the rancher into trading our tired horses for some fresh ones. We'll throw in a little cash if need be."
After a conversation with the ranch owner they rode off on fresh horses. The rancher watched them go and counted his money in amazement. He'd gotten two outstanding horses and $50 in exchange for two vastly inferior ones. Go figure city folks.
It was dark when the two men reached St. Louis. They found a stable near Lafayette Park and after leaving their horses, set out to find a hotel. Nigel was worried, "Harry we have to find them fast. If Calvin is right about David, he'll find a way to marry quickly, perhaps as soon as tomorrow morning.
Harry looked around at the surrounding buildings and threw up his hands, "Nigel, it's impossible. We'll never find them in a city like this. I say we give up."
"Give up on $20,000 each? My friend, you don't really want to toss away that opportunity, do you? Look there's a gorgeous hotel right across the way. Let's check in and plan our next move."
The crossed the street and checked into the St. Louis Grand.
Matt
The train from Dodge arrived in St. Louis at 10 PM. Matt stiffly climbed down onto the platform with one arm across his stomach. Doc looked up at him, "All right now what? We're here, how do we find Kitty?"
Matt thought for a second, "Doc, you say that Miller fellow wears fancy duds and seems to have a lot of money, is that right?"
"Yep."
Matt looked around and signaled the stationmaster. The man ambled over wearing a smile, "How can I help you gentlemen?"
"We were wondering what you'd consider the finest hotel in St. Louis."
The stationmaster assessed the tall man and his short, mustached companion. They didn't appear to be well off, but you never know. "The best hotel by far is the St. Louis Grand." He couldn't help but add, "It is quite pricey."
Matt thanked him and turned to Doc, "You think between the two of us, we can afford a night there? I'm pretty sure it's the hotel David Miller would choose."
Doc looked at Matt quite pleased with himself, "I made a big bank withdrawal before we left. Let's go."
Kitty
Kitty and David left the restaurant after an excellent dinner of seafood and fine wine. David took Kitty's arm with a doting smile and they started walking back to their hotel. They were a block away from their destination when Kitty saw a woman frantically waving in her direction. After a few seconds recognition dawned. It was her good friend Claire, Claire Hollis. She waved back and remembered the last they'd seen each other.
It was a few years before. Matt had been shot down in the street while stopping a robbery, and when she saw him lying there, fear and pain overwhelmed her. She felt she could no longer watch him face danger day after day, and left Dodge. She ran to Claire, a saloon owner in the town of Ballard. Matt followed and to her horror, took on the corrupt powers in that town. He prevailed with the help of a Ballard lawman named Johnny Dawson. Of course she returned to Dodge and to Matt. She loved him.
When the two ladies got closer they ran to each other and hugged. David walked quickly to catch up, annoyed that Kitty knew someone in St Louis.
"Claire it's wonderful to see you. Do you live here now?"
"No, I'm visiting someone."
"Is Johnny with you? From your letters I know you two are quite the couple."
"He couldn't come. He had to work, you know how it is with lawmen."
Kitty smiled slightly, but ignored the remark, "Who are you visiting?"
"My brother and his wife. She just had a baby."
"Claire I didn't know you had a brother."
"He's a lot older than I am so we didn't really grow up together, but I've always looked up to him. I'm so proud of him. He's a judge, Judge Joshua Hollis."
David spoke for the first time, "A judge?"
Claire was startled, as if she hadn't noticed Kitty was with someone.
Kitty took David's arm, "I'm sorry Claire, I was so surprised to see you that I failed to introduce my fiancé. This is David Miller – David, my dear friend Claire Hollis."
When Claire heard the word fiancé, shock flashed across her face. She recovered quickly, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Miller."
David tipped his hat, "The pleasure is mine Miss Hollis." He looked lovingly at Kitty, "I'm sure Kitty hasn't had time to write you about me. It was a whirlwind courtship, love at first sight." He smiled at Claire, "Miss Hollis, I was interested to hear your brother is a judge. You see, Kitty and I want to marry as soon as possible. Do you think your brother would be willing officiate at a wedding tomorrow morning? Of course we'd love to have you attend and bear witness."
Claire blinked a couple of times trying to take it all in. She turned to Kitty, "Are you sure you have everything ready? Do you need to shop for anything, because if you do I'd love to go with you."
Kitty smiled, "Thank you Claire, but I am ready. Please do see if your brother would perform the ceremony tomorrow."
Keeping her eyes on Kitty, Claire nodded, "All right, I'll speak to him tonight. I'm sure he'll make time if I ask. I'll leave word at your hotel with the details. Where are you staying?"
Kitty and David answered together, "The St. Louis Grand."
tbc