Chapter 20- Happy New Year
Kitty kneeled next to Bird Creek, bent over washing small, colorful blankets in the cool, gentle flowing water. She wore a simple buckskin dress, her long, fiery red tresses tamed, due to being woven into one tight braid that hung over her shoulder.
A tall, prepubescent girl, also adorned in a buckskin dress with two red braids, approached her, a toddler comfortably clamped to her waist.
"Mama, look who's up from her nap," the freckled girl smiled as she scrunched her big blue eyes against the reflection of the bright sunlight dancing off the water.
"Well, hello there!" Kitty happily greeted her two daughters, clambering to her feet. She held out her arms to accept the giggling little girl with wispy, brown wavy locks and ever-so-slightly tanned skin. "How'd you sleep, my sweet Sunny?"
"Way da han, enah," the small girl answered in the language of the Osage. She hugged her mama, still clinging to her tiny rag doll.
"English, Baby. You need t' practice your English, too," Kitty kissed the toddler on her chubby cheek.
"I sleep good, Mama," Sunny wrapped her arms around her mama's neck.
"Good girl," she rubbed the child's back in large circles, "Addie, would you please finish wringing out those blankets for me?" Kitty asked as she swayed, snuggling her little one, "Any sign of your brothers?"
Addie crouched down, picking up the first colorful, soaked blanket, "Wolf is with Papa, tending t' Chief Little White Hair's sick wife, and Ezra, Jr., is still hunting with the braves. You know how he is," she rolled her eyes.
Kitty sat on the grass next to Addie, holding Sunny in her lap. She chuckled, "Your brother is bound and determined t' kill his first antelope before Laughing Crow. Those two boys sure are competitive considering they're best friends."
The pale, heavily-freckled, redheaded mother closely watched her look-a-like daughter, noticing how she resembled her biological father in her mannerisms. Adelaide Matea Roseveare had always easily passed as the daughter of the tribe medicine man Ezra Roseveare, since Kitty's husband was only half Osage and Kitty was such a fair, white woman. Only Kitty, Ezra, and his mother, Morning Dove, knew the truth of Addie's paternity, and for now, that was how it would remain. Word outside the reservation had been that Will Mannon still ruled over Deep Ford and the surrounding "Nations" and he still continued his search for Kitty and the child he'd believed belonged to him. As far as anyone knew, Matt Dillon was still alive and well, Mannon leaving him be.
"Mama, how come me and Ezra have English names, but Wolf and Sunny don't?" Addie curiously asked, laying the first blanket on the bank to dry in the warmth of the sun.
"Well," Kitty cleared her throat, "Papa and I didn't move t' the reservation until right before you were born. He wanted t' stay with his mother's people for a while t' help them, so we came, not thinking we'd be here quite this long. So, we gave you an English name and of course, named Ezra after Papa, thinking that would be easier when we moved back into a city." The stealthy mother pretended to busy herself by resecuring the toddler's moccasins, even though they'd been plenty tight.
"So, what about Sunny and Wolfie? If we ever move t' a city, what would we call 'em?"
"Come sit by me, Addie," Kitty patted the deep grass while her dark-haired, brown-eyed toddler pulled at her many beaded necklaces. "Midnight Sun," the mother lightly chastised, grabbing her fisted hand, "you know better than t' yank on these beads. Your grandmother would tan your hide if she saw that."
The small girl buried her face into her mother's chest. Kitty stroked her bouncy curls, "I'm sorry, Sweetie, but you know these are special beads. They're passed down from Papa's ancestors. We can't break them, that would be bad luck. Okay, my sweet Sunshine?"
The girl with the chocolate eyes and tanned skin smiled at her fair-skinned mama, throwing her arms around her neck, gently fingering the redhead's dangly gold earrings.
"There are all my girls," bellowed the tall, dark and very handsome Osage medicine man as he strode down the small hill, wearing his buckskin pants while remaining shirtless. "Mother said you came down here two hours ago," he bent down to plant a kiss on Addie's forehead before unceremoniously plopping down next to his wife. He placed his strong hand on the back of Kitty's neck, gently stroking her throat with his thumb. She smiled brightly, eagerly accepting his deep kiss.
Ezra Roseveare wrapped his arm around Kitty's shoulders, then kissed her on the cheek before taking the animated moppet from her mother's lap.
"It's so beautiful today, Ezra. I just wanted t' enjoy it," Kitty smiled at her husband, fingering his long, wavy salt and pepper hair, "Where's Wolf?"
"Spotted Wolf is celebrating with his big brother. Kathleen Roseveare, your nine-year old son has killed his first antelope!"
"He did?!" Kitty threw her arms around her husband's neck, nearly knocking him over, "Ezra must be so proud!"
"That he is, Mama," Ezra stood, planting Sunny's feet on the ground. He swiftly helped Kitty to stand, "Adelaide Matea, come along. We can get the blankets later. Let's celebrate your brother," he nodded in the direction of the lodges, holding out his hand to his eldest child.
Addie clasped his hand, smiling from ear to ear. She was very proud of her medicine man father-the only father she'd ever known. Sunny ran a few feet ahead of her family as Kitty wrapped her arm around her husband's naked waist, leaning her head against his upper arm.
"Kitty," Ezra gently shook her shoulder, "Honey, you need t' get ready. We've got a long ride. Kitty-"
"Wha-What?" she gasped, looking around the room, forgetting for a moment where she was.
"You need to get up, sleepy head. You have to get ready for tonight. Remember, I've got a big surprise for you and we need t' leave by three."
Kitty gently shook her head, trying to shake away the cobwebs. What on Earth was that all about?! I have got to get more sleep.
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"You look very pretty this afternoon, Miss Kitty," Lydia complimented as she watched her new confidant flutter around her make-shift hospital room, picking up before Clarence Colburn arrived to celebrate ringing in the new year with his bride.
"Why, thank you," Kitty sat on the edge of the bed, "I ran out t' buy this dress right after my nap. Ezra said t' dress up and I didn't bring anything fancy," she smiled, happy that the normally reticent woman was initiating conversation.
Eyeing how elegantly dressed Kitty was, Lydia's curiosity was piqued as to the true nature of her doctor's relationship with his out-of-town female "friend". Her dress skirt was made of a rich, black velvet and the low-cut bodice was a beautifully crafted combination of velvet and lace that barely caressed the redhead's lightly-freckled alabaster shoulders. It didn't go unnoticed by the simple farmer's wife that the attractive visitor had applied a modicum of face paint that accentuated her delicate features.
"Where are you two going?" the patient asked.
"I don't rightly know. Ezra said we'll have dinner out, somewhere very symbolic, whatever that means. I haven't been out t' dinner this much in probably twelve years or more. And never to places this posh. Dodge City is definitely not the same as Kansas City," Kitty chuckled, "But I do wonder why we have to leave so early."
"What do ya think your family's doin' t'night?" Lydia asked, genuinely curious.
Kitty grinned, getting a faraway look in her eye. She leaned back on Lydia's bed, her arms propped behind her, supporting her upper body, "Well, the little kids are more than likely going t' stay home with their grandfather. He'll do something special with them and call it an early night. And if Matt feels up to it, he'll take the older children to a big party that some nearby neighbors throw every year. If I know my husband, he won't want t' go, but he will to make the children happy."
"That sounds fun," Lydia tilted her head, "Just how many children do you have, Miss Kitty?"
Kitty smiled, joyfully looking at the brunette, "Six."
"Six?!" Lydia sat up straight, her eyes bulging.
"Yes, six. Addie, Matthew, Adam, Ezra, Scarlett, and Maggie," the lovely redhead beamed with pride, placing one hand over her heart.
"Wait…you have a son named Ezra?"
"I most certainly do," Kitty stood and began to busy herself again, putting the day's newspaper back together, "All of my children have very carefully chosen names."
The brunette shook her head, bashfully inquiring, "He doesn't belong t' the doc, does he?"
Kitty's hand jerked to her chest, "Mercy, no!" she nearly choked, her eyes wide in surprise, "Ezra Roseveare was a hero to me. I explained to you that he helped t' keep me alive when I was with Mannon. Just what kind of a woman do you think I am?" she asked, the color draining from her face.
Lydia glanced downward, studying Kitty through her barely-there dark lashes, "I was just askin' is all. I think you're just a normal woman." She withdrew her statement, "On second thought, you're not a normal woman. You're awfully kind and helpful. You have an easy way about ya. I see why the doc is so…so fond of you."
Kitty noisily cleared her throat, "I thank you for your compliments, but I'm hardly anything special. I'm just," she shrugged, "me."
"You are somethin' alright," Lydia redirected her line of questioning, "So Addie was the Deep Ford baby ya told me about?"
"Yes," Kitty distractedly checked her hair in the looking glass that hung on the wall, not wanting to let the other woman see that her questioning had truly flustered her.
"And ya knew right off she was yer man's baby? You called him your lover, I believe," Lydia wrung her hands, studying her nails intensely.
For being practically comatose a few days ago, this gal has a mind like a steel trap. Kitty finally turned to face the brunette, "I didn't know right off, but pretty quick," she made her way over to the wingback chair, "I never did ask. How did your husband take the news about your pregnancy?"
Lydia took a deep breath, still not meeting Kitty's eyes, "He got mad. Threw the empty bowl a soup across the room."
"I'm really sorry t' hear that. It's a very difficult situation."
"I cried. A lot. That made Clarence feel real bad and he hugged me real tight."
Kitty reached out to hold Lydia's clammy hand, "Is there any chance at all this is your husband's child?"
She shrugged, "I s'pose."
"Then hold onta that, Lydia. Hold onta that real tight. It may be the only thing to get you through some rough days ahead."
"You say that like ya had t' think like that. But ya didn't," she sniffled, "You knew Addie belonged t' yer lover. It's not the same," wavy lines creased her young forehead.
Kitty took a deep breath, squeezing the young woman's hand, "I'm gonna share something with you. Something that still haunts me. You see, Matt and I got married right after he found me in Deep Ford, mostly because of Addie. My husband was a United States Marshal who'd made lots of enemies, and one day…one horrible day, about seven years ago, one a those enemies came lookin' for me and my children…"
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"Ezra Roseveare, where are you taking us?!" Kitty sat close to her companion in their small buggy in order to keep warm. "I swear with each clip clop of the horse's hooves the temperature drops another degree," she flipped up her white, fluffy coat collar to keep the early evening chill off of her slender, exposed neck. The pickings had been slim for an ornate gown at the eleventh hour during the day of New Year's Eve, so Kitty had settled for a gown that had been far more revealing than she'd intended. She'd regretted choosing the off-the-shoulder black velvet and lace number that suddenly seemed tighter than when she'd tried it on in the store. Fortunately, she'd been informed they would be out for several hours, so she'd discreetly packed the breast pump in a picnic basket, hidden under a dish towel. I should be able to get some relief…if we ever stop.
"My plan seemed like a good idea at the time," Ezra shot Kitty a side glance, "but now I'm second guessing myself. Here, take the blanket off my lap and wrap your upper body in it."
"Don't mind if I do," Kitty whipped the blanket from his waistline and wrapped it around herself, "There. That's not so bad. Are we almost wherever it is we're going? We've been moving here at a good clip for hours."
The doctor and the mother of six had plenty to catch up on, so their ride was anything but dull. Kitty had shared the tale of Trudy June and Weston kidnapping Addie and Maggie, resulting in Addie having found out about her mother's time with Mannon. Ezra had felt terrible that the child had to find out about the atrocities perpetrated against her mother, not to mention the child's own kidnapping. He let his mind wander in the eventual silence, Damn that crazy Trudy June. If only Kitty had stayed with me and gone to the Osage.
Ezra blinked several times, bringing himself back to the present, "We should be there soon," he urged the rented gypsy to move faster, "See those lights in the distance?"
Kitty peeked through the small opening she'd allowed for her face, "Yes. Thank goodness. Ezra, we're gonna have t' eat and rush back out for crying out loud."
"Nope! I rented this horse and buggy for one way and got us train tickets back. It will only take an hour and a half t' get back t' Kansas City," he smiled brightly, his white teeth glimmering in the darkness against his swarthy skin.
"Ezra?"
"Yes?"
"Why the buggy at all?"
"I thought it would be fun. You know, a chance for us to catch up. Sorry, Kitty. Maybe I should have consulted you first, huh?"
Kitty arched one manicured brow, "Yeah, maybe so," she snickered.
Within a matter of minutes, they pulled onto a civilized road, complete with a sign that read, "Lawrence, population 996."
"Lawrence," Kitty whispered, staring at her friend's face, "Why are we in Lawrence?" the redhead's pulse began to race, remembering what Mannon had done in Lawrence at the behest of Quantrill.
"You'll see," Ezra gently patted her knee as he masterfully guided the horse through the busy streets. At last, he pulled the rented horse and buggy to a stop in front of a five-story, opulent building constructed of limestone and brick. Chiseled in the decorative marble was the moniker, "The Eldridge Hotel".
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Kitty exited the ladies' room, not only grateful for the chance to freshen up, but for the chance to use the breast pump she'd hidden in a basket. The washroom attendant had scrunched her face when Kitty had asked her to assist her in unfastening the back of her dress, but the discomfort Kitty had felt in her breasts made it so she hadn't cared one iota. Nor had she cared when a few other well-dressed women eyeballed her as she'd exited her stall, carrying a picnic basket, asking the attendant to refasten the back of her dress. The attendant had quickly changed her tune and offered Kitty a hearty, "Thank you," upon having received a hefty tip for her assistance.
Sweet relief, Kitty thought as she approached her ever-so-patient friend, at least now I can enjoy myself.
"Do you feel better?" Ezra asked, standing tall as he relieved her of the picnic basket.
"Boy, do I!" Kitty sighed, running her hand over the bodice of her dress.
After checking the basket with the cloak room attendant, the handsome couple made their way to the main dining room of the Eldridge Hotel.
"Dr. Roseveare," Ezra offered his name to the maitre' d, resting his palm against the small of Kitty's back.
"Yes, Sir. I have a reservation for two. If you and your wife would please follow me," the tuxedoed man lead Kitty and Ezra to their secluded booth, but not before the two exchanged a conspiratorial wink.
"Ma'am," he handed Kitty her menu once Ezra had taken his seat. "Sir," he did the same for Ezra, "Your waiter shall be with you shortly."
"Thank you," they both replied.
"Ezra, this place is so, so…elegant," Kitty commented, glancing around the dining room, "but why are we here? There are plenty of upscale restaurants in Kansas City that we could have gone to."
Ezra motioned for the sommelier to bring over the liquor cart. Once they'd decided on a suitable red wine, the handsome, olive-skinned doctor reached across the table and held both of Kitty's hands within his.
"The Eldridge Hotel is symbolic for you, Kitty."
"It is?" she tilted her head, her voice lilting.
"In eighteen-sixty-three, Mannon and Quantrill burned the Eldridge to the ground during their raid on Lawrence. Look around, Kitty," he nodded his head toward the center of the room, "The Eldridge has been rebuilt, lovelier than ever. It's like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, same as you. Mannon tried to break you, as did Bonner. They couldn't. And recently," he whispered, leaning over the table, "life dealt you a dastardly blow, with the loss of Angela," he paused, alarmingly noticing Kitty's eyes fill with tears.
"It sure as hell did," she acknowledged, freeing her hands from his to wipe away her tears before they could trickle down her cheeks.
Ezra immediately dug for his handkerchief in his jacket pocket, "Here. I certainly didn't mean to make you cry, Honey. What I'm trying to tell you is you're a survivor. This is the eve of a new year. Another chance for you to start anew. A chance for you to rise from your ashes."
Kitty picked up her wine glass and swirled the nearly purple liquid. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a long, satisfying sip. She gently placed the glass back on the table and folded her hands in front of her, asking, "So in this new year, are you suggesting that I 'get over it'? Like someone else I know."
Ezra Roseveare surprised Kitty Dillon when he resolutely answered, "Not at all. I'm suggesting you acknowledge the loss every day. Maybe first thing in the morning, almost like a prayer or a ritual. Then Angela can walk with you all day, in your heart. She won't be a separate part of your life. Then after a while, you'll just start t' feel like your old self. I promise you, Kitty Dillon, you are a strong, resilient woman. This will work."
Before the redhead had a chance to respond, a waiter wearing a charcoal gray suit approached to take their order. Kitty deferred to her dining companion, except for her choice of libation.
"Scotch, neat. And keep 'em comin', please."
TBC