The Next Morning
Face devoid of all expression, Lola sat on the side of the bed in Doc's back room with her useless legs dangling down. The reality that she wouldn't walk again had fully sunk in, making the contents of that duffle bag even more important to her. Kitty stood nervously at her side. "I talked Doc into letting you go back to your room. He was concerned about you being on your own so soon after the stabbing, but I assured him folks would be nearby to look after you."
"Thank you Kitty. Is there some way I can get to the boarding house now? I know my wheel-chair isn't here yet, but I want to get over there."
"I thought you would, so I asked Matt to carry you over. He'll be here in a minute. Doc's waiting for the stage-coach from Topeka to arrive. Your wheel chair will be loaded on top, and he'll bring it to you as soon as it gets here." Kitty sat down next to her friend and took her hand. "I understand why you want the privacy and quiet of that nice big room at Ma's, but please remember the offer of a free room at the Long Branch is always open."
The kindness in Kitty eye's squeezed Lola's heart, but before she could answer Matt came through the door. He politely tipped his hat. "Good morning, Lola. Kitty says you're real eager to be out of Doc's office and back to the comfort of your room. Believe me, I know how that feels, so allow me." He bend over. "Just put your hands around my neck." She clasped her hands around him, and he lifted her like a feather. She felt his strength, smelled the scent of manhood and leather, and looked up into his clear blue eyes. It was hard to resist leaning into his chest. A woman could fall for a man like this real easy. That's the problem with women, they fall for men too easy and give up too much.
Kitty opened the door, and led the way to Ma Smalley's. Folks smiled kindly as they passed, whispering about terrible thing that had happened to Kitty's beautiful friend. Ma was waiting outside Lola's room when they got there. "My dear, I'm usually somewhere around the place. so holler if you need anything. My hearing is not what it used to be, so you'll have ta holler loud. I'll leave you now, and let you rest."
Matt carefully set Lola down on top of the large bed. Kitty fluffed her pillows and helped her settle in. Lola flashed a smile at Matt and then Kitty. "Thank you both. Doc will be here with my wheelchair soon, and I plan to practice getting in and out of it, and maneuvering around. I – um - I'd prefer that no one witness my first awkward attempts. Kitty, I know I can send for you any time, or holler for Ma Smalley, but I'd appreciate having my privacy. So much has been taken from me."
Kitty nodded with tears in her eyes, and Matt gently ushered her out of the room. He felt her unease and put his large hand on the small of her back. "How about a cup of coffee? We can go to my office."
Danny
Danny O'Brian walked out of the abandoned cabin he'd been squatting in for the past few day, and saddled his horse. It was time to head to Dodge to retake possession of the duffle bag and his wife. The more he thought about it, the more pleased he was that his sister's knife hadn't killed Lola. This way, along with the bag he could get his wife back. Now that she was crippled, she wouldn't dare try to run away. He liked having her around. She was beautiful, talented and fun, not to mention a wildcat in bed. He hoped her crippled legs wouldn't change that last part – nah – Lola would find a way.
Matt's Office
Matt stood by the stove in his office and filled two cups with dark, steaming liquid. He knew how hard it was for Kitty to leave Lola alone in her room. Maybe unwinding in a normal way, would steady her. He held out a cup of coffee. "I can't vouch for the taste, Chester made it, but I know it's strong." Kitty took a long, deep swallow. "Sometimes strong is all a person needs." She glanced down at the floor next to the stove. "Matt, what's that big pile of papers? You're usually so careful about wanted posters, letters and reports." Matt sighed and set his cup down on his desk. "That's Chester's pile. He's been holding onto posters and flyers for years, and they piled up in the back. Guess he likes looking at them – ads and flyers for carnivals, shows, acting troupes, things like that. Some of them are 2, 3 even 4 years old. Anyway, yesterday Chester got the idea, that on hot days, he could get out of chopping wood for the stove, if he used these old papers as kindling. I have to admit, it's not a terrible idea." Matt saw that Kitty's cup was empty, and grabbed the pot from the stove. "Want another?" Kitty shook her head. "No thanks Matt, I think I'll head back to the Long Branch. That's where Lola will send word if she needs me." She looked up at him. "Matt, I know you're trying, but you haven't found out who did this to Lola and you have to. Whoever did it has to punished. Let me know when you make some progress."
Matt watched Kitty leave and close the door behind her. He hadn't told her about the duffle bag he found in Lola's room, and had no intention of doing so until he had more information. A bag stuffed with so much wealth was a bad sign, to say the least, but Kitty believed Lola was a good person, and he didn't want to ruin that belief unless he was sure he had to.
Lola
Lola tapped her fingers on the side of the bed. Where the heck was Doc and that wheelchair? She sighed and closed her eyes. Wheelchair – that was her life from how on, thanks to her husband and his knife throwing sister. At least she'd be a rich person in a wheelchair, which was far, far better than being a poor person in a wheel chair. The money, gold and jewels were all hers. Besides, she still had her looks and brains. As soon as she got that wheelchair and could move around, she'd find the part of town where useless, losers hang out looking for an easy way to make a few bucks.. Every town had such a place. She'd hire a sober, half-wit to help her into a wagon, and drive her to another city. That was her way out. Too bad she couldn't say goodbye to Kitty, or tell her how miraculous it was that her heart was still so big.
TBC