Chapter 21- Big Storm's A-Brewin'
A/N: This chapter brought to you by a friend of mine who has been cheering for me from the sidelines. She begged for me to post it and I am granting her wish.
Matt Dillon stifled a yawn as he sat at a round table in the enormous, crowded barn of the Worth family. He'd been exhausted all day and never did get a chance to have a rest. He bit the corner of his bottom lip, wondering what his wife was doing to celebrate New Year's Eve. He'd hoped she'd been able to enjoy the holiday with their friend, Ezra. He also hoped that their friend would be able to help Kitty feel more like her old self before she returned home.
"Isn't she jus' somethin', Matthew?" Festus asked as he jangled over, plopping himself down next to his best friend.
"Beg yer pardon?" Matt yawned again, slightly shaking his head.
"Looky theyre at our sweet girl, Addie. I swear t' ya, she's gonna be the prettiest young woman in Dodge," Festus complimented, nodding in Addie's direction.
Matt followed Festus' stare to the side of the barn, just off the makeshift dance floor. Within the circle of young people, Addie seemed to be the center of attention, dressed in a long-sleeved royal blue velvet dress that Kitty had ordered with this particular party in mind. Jake Worth III, Garth Harmon, and two other boys Matt didn't recognize were doting on her, giving her their full attention. Oh, my God. I'm gonna be in so much trouble in a couple of years, Matt worried, She's just as beautiful as her mother.
"She certainly is her mother's daughter," the big man sighed, suddenly feeling a little melancholy, "I sure wish Kitty was here," he turned his empty beer mug with one hand on the table top.
"I knowed it ain't m' place t' say, Matthew, but I thank this trip t' help someone else is gonna do Miz Kitty a heap a good," Festus finished his frothy beer, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve.
Matt glanced at his ever-faithful sidekick, "I owe you a debt of gratitude, my friend."
"What'cha talkin' 'bout? You don't owe me nothin'. Never have, never will," Festus scrunched his right eye, closely studying the former marshal.
"You took me t' task a little while ago," Matt took a deep breath, "You made me examine some of my recent actions. I've made some mistakes, and starting tonight, I vow to find my old self. Let's just say, I'm obliged t' ya, Festus."
Before the former deputy could reply, the small group of musicians started to play a slow song. Matt quickly stood, asking his dear friend, "Festus, can ya keep an eye on the boys while I dance with my girl?" he thrust his thumb over his shoulder in his daughter's direction.
"You betcha," the hillman grinned from ear to ear as he watched the gentle giant slightly limp across the barn to his eldest child. Festus' heart filled with pure joy when he witnessed the bright smile that lit up Addie's face when her big, strong daddy had asked her for a dance.
"Kitty's gonna be so upset she didn't get t' see this," Abelia commented, sitting next to Festus as she placed a fresh beer in front of him, "I thought ya might could use a refill."
"I thank ya kindly, B," he placed his hand atop hers on the table.
She shyly smiled, "The boys asked me if they could go outside. I told 'em ten minutes was all and t' not make any trouble."
"Sounds fair. I shore hope Miz Kitty's gettin' t' have her ownself a good time t'night."
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Kitty and Ezra swirled around the dance floor, talking and laughing. Discussion during dinner had consisted of the saga of Bear Sanderson, his addled state, and his gift of the ranch to Kitty. The mood had finally lightened a bit during the dessert course, the subject having metamorphosized into a dialogue about the Dillon children and their different personalities, as well as their escapades.
As the handsome couple danced in the middle of the parquet floor, they hadn't noticed other guests commenting on the heavy, unexpected snowfall. Within a short amount of time, the number of patrons in the hotel's ballroom had thinned greatly, due to the severity of the storm raging outside.
At the end of a waltz, Ezra surveyed the room, surprised at the number of people who had departed before the stroke of midnight. When Kitty had excused herself to powder her nose, he made his way over to the bar and asked for a couple of glasses of water. The doctor in him figured that Kitty had probably already had too much to drink.
"Is that all, Sir? You and the missus may need some brandy t' warm up before you head home in this storm," the friendly, mustachioed bartender advised, nodding toward the wall of windows, "Looks like a downright blizzard."
Ezra sighed, leaning onto the mahogany bar top, "Well, the missus and I are taking the train back to Kansas City tonight, right after we welcome the new year."
"Sir, I wouldn't count on the train tonight," the man said while drying a beer mug.
"Why would you say that?" Ezra immediately stood to his full height of six-foot-four, knitting his brows together.
"Whenever we get really heavy snow, the train doesn't stop in Lawrence. Not enough passengers get off and on here, so the city gets skipped. That way the train'll arrive at the bigger stops on time," he shrugged, turning his attention to the next customer.
Ezra hurriedly made his way toward the hotel lobby in search of Kitty. He needed to get some answers regarding the train schedule. Kitty had heard Ezra before she saw him. He was standing at the front desk, his volume increasing with each sentence.
"I just don't understand. How can the railroad just skip stops?!" the tall, imposing man leaned over the counter, staring into the beaty eyes of the short, bald clerk. The hotel employee had just received word via messenger regarding the cancelation of both the train and all stagecoaches due to the snow storm.
"I don't have an answer for you, Sir. I'm just the hotel clerk, but I can tell you this happens when the weather gets bad. I gather you aren't from this area?" he cautiously eyed the large, muscular, angry man over his spectacles.
"Do you have any rooms left for the evening?" Ezra eagerly asked, gripping the edge of the counter, praying the clerk would answer in the affirmative.
"I only have one, Sir. And it's on the fifth floor," he teasingly dangled the key just out of the tall man's reach.
"Ezra, what's going on?" Kitty tipsily asked as she gently squeezed her friend's elbow, smiling as she leaned into him.
"It seems that the railroad has decided that the train doesn't need t' stop in Lawrence t'night!" he growled.
"What?!" Kitty gasped, unable to believe her ears.
"Yep," Ezra seethed, biting his bottom lip. He turned his attention back to the hotel clerk, "I need two things, if you could. Firstly, I need a messenger to send a telegram for me. Second thing," he wrapped his arm around Kitty's waist, pulling her in close, "My wife and I need that room for the night."
Kitty slowly turned her head to Ezra's face. Her eyes widened as she took in his serious expression, wondering what on Earth he'd been thinking.
She waited until he led her back into the nearly empty ballroom before asking, "Ezra, why did you ask for one room? We need two."
The frustrated man sighed, "I'm aware. However, they only had the one room. I didn't want to risk losing it while I wandered the snowy streets of Lawrence looking for a place with two rooms."
"Settle down," she patted his expansive chest, her eyes glistening from all the liquor she'd consumed, "I'm not mad. We can get back to Kansas City in the morning, right?"
His chocolate eyes explored her watery blue orbs, "I think you need to sit down."
"Are you two stuck here, too?" a middle-aged woman dressed in a beautifully tailored crème-colored gown asked as she approached them.
"Yes, Ma'am," Ezra politely answered, firmly cupping Kitty's elbow.
"My husband and I were supposed to begin our journey to St. Louis tonight, but it seems Mother Nature had other plans," she smiled, holding up her martini glass, "Care t' join us for a drink at our table?" she motioned toward her husband, sitting with another couple across the room.
"That would be lovely," Kitty accepted the invitation, repeatedly lifting her eyebrows as she gazed at her handsome escort.
Ezra whispered in her ear, "Kitty, maybe we should call it a night. I think maybe you've had enough t' drink."
"One more isn't gonna hurt," she drawled, her expression playful, "Don't be such a stick in the mud…Darling." She grabbed his hand and led him to the boisterous quartet.
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"C'mon, Kitty, one more flight a stairs," the frustrated doctor coaxed, tightly clutching the inebriated redhead around the waist, assisting her to conquer each step.
"Why's the room so far away?" Kitty giggled like a school girl, "My breasts hurt, Ezra. I'm gonna need some help gettin' outta this dress."
"Atta girl, Honey. Keep steppin' up for me."
"You called me 'Honey'," she let out a loud, bawdy laugh.
"I knew I shouldn't have left you with those folks to take our coats and your basket up t' the room," he shook his head, "Those men kept orderin' more booze for ya."
"I'm not a child," she retorted, her expression briefly sobering, "Did you see the look on that woman's face when she asked how many children we had. She acted like I said sixteen instead of six!"
"Lower your voice, please. It's nearly one in the morning. Some people are trying to sleep."
"Oh, Ezra, you worry too-whoop!" Kitty let out a loud squeal when her embarrassed companion threw her over his shoulder in order to hustle to their room at the end of the hall. He skillfully unlocked the door and unceremoniously deposited her on the bed.
The tipsy redhead lay flat on her back while Ezra turned up a lamp. He was relieved to see that an employee had already started a fire in the large, stone fireplace. The room was warm and well-appointed, with not only a large canopied bed, but also a cozy sitting area in front of the fireplace.
"Ezra," Kitty sighed, staring at the ceiling, "Would you do me a favor? Please take off my shoes. I don't think I can sit up t' do it myself."
"Sure," he removed his suit jacket and folded it neatly over the back of a desk chair. He sat at the end of the bed and removed Kitty's black formal shoes, gently placing her feet back on the bed. "I asked that weasel desk clerk t' have someone fill the tub for you. I'll go check," he rose, patting her thigh before he headed to the water closet.
"Oh, a hot bath sounds won-der-ful," Kitty rolled to her side, pushing herself up on one elbow, "My goodness, I have got t' use that contraption you gave me before my breasts explode."
Ezra exited the water closet, wiping his hands on a small towel. He stopped to stare at the beautiful woman desperately trying to free herself from her snug dress. She stood next to the bed, one arm bent over her shoulder, the other arm bent under her opposite shoulder, trying to have them meet somewhere in the middle of her back.
"Kitty, let me help you," he snickered, shaking his head, "Here, turn around." He couldn't help but notice the dramatic contrast of her creamy white skin against the black lace that seductively hugged her shoulders. His big, smooth hand tenderly caressed the back of her neck before he started to unfasten the dress. Ezra moved at a snail's pace, gingerly using his huge fingers to unfasten the miniscule hooks from their loops. He could swear with the release of each binding, Kitty moaned in relief.
When he finally completed the task ending at Kitty's waist, she turned to face him, holding up the lowcut garment in front of her with one hand. She released a long, slow breath and leisurely stretched her neck, turning her head from side to side.
"Thank you so much," she lightly massaged her neck with her available hand, "I thought I'd bust right outta that dress. I'll be out in a little bit." And with that, the captivating creature turned in a flowing swirl of black velvet and disappeared into the water closet.
Ezra Roseveare hung his head, wondering how on God's green Earth would he get through the night without his heart exploding into a thousand pieces. Does Kitty even know what she does to a man? Mercy, I'm in trouble.
To occupy his mind while Kitty splashed in the bath, the distracted doctor fed the fire and set up a comfortable pallet for himself in front of the dancing orange and yellow flames.
"Ezra," Kitty peeked her head out of the water closet, her dripping, flowing tresses clinging to her cheeks, "I've got a little problem."
"What's that?" he kept his distance.
"What am I gonna sleep in?" she arched her brows, a tiny, mischievous grin forming.
The doctor knew exactly what to do. He stripped off his white dress shirt, quickly walking to the door, "Here ya go, Kitty. It's mostly clean."
The redhead had been struck momentarily speechless as she stared at the man's expansive, bare, tanned chest. When she rediscovered her tongue, she whispered, "Thank you," closing the door once again.
Ezra sat in one of the gray wingback chairs, making quick work of removing his shoes and socks. He stretched his arms high above his head, eliciting a silent yawn. The swarthy man nearly choked on his own saliva when the lovely redhead emerged from the water closet, clad only in his white dress shirt.
He tried not to stare, but it was nearly impossible. The tail of the shirt hit her about mid-thigh, but with every stroke of her hairbrush, the shirt would creep up a little higher, revealing more of her shapely, creamy thighs.
"That felt wonderful," Kitty commented, slightly tilting her head back, running her fingers through her hair as she stood in front of the crackling fire, "What's this?" she asked upon turning around, noticing the pallet.
Ezra cleared his throat, hoping his voice wouldn't crack like a school boy's, "I figure I'll sleep here and you can have the bed," he nodded toward the canopied elephant in the room.
"Oh," she studied her bare feet, "I thank you."
"You're welcome," he stared at her lightly freckled, paint-free face, the face he'd only ever known before today, "I'm gonna get cleaned up right quick. We'd better get some sleep."
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Ezra Roseveare exited the water closet, fully expecting to find Kitty Dillon snuggly tucked into the only bed in the room. He froze in his tracks, one hand holding a towel around his waist, his other hand using a towel to dry his damp salt and pepper waves. Kitty rested in one of the wingback chairs, casually rebuttoning the shirt she wore.
"I'm sorry," he shook his head, quickly turning his back to her, "I figured you'd be in bed already, Kitty."
"No need t' be sorry," she explained, securing the last button, "I just realized I'd misaligned the buttons," she glanced up from her task, finally noticing her friend's state of undress. Still feeling the effect of her alcohol consumption, the redhead playfully quipped, "After all, we were married once."
Ezra turned his torso to face her, his expression solemn, "Yeah, kinda, huh?" He disappeared into the water closet for a moment and reentered the room wearing his suit pants.
While he'd disappeared, Kitty had poured each of them a small brandy, the decanter a fixture in the upscale room.
"How come you don't wear a union suit?" she asked, licking the amber liquid from her upper lip.
"I don't like 'em. I didn't expect the weather to turn, either," he picked up his snifter from the side table, lifting it to his eye level, "I think maybe we could do without these."
She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms in front of her chest, "Oh?"
"It's pretty late and we've got a train t' catch at noon."
Kitty scoffed, "I bounce back real quick. See, you don't know that side a me, Doctor."
The handsome man sat in front of her on his makeshift bed, resting his elbows atop his bent knees, "You a heavy drinker these days, Miss Kitty?"
"I used t' be. Only I didn't really know it at the time. I owned a saloon, so I could hold my liquor pretty good. Maybe not so good anymore, 'cause I don't partake much," she blankly stared past his shoulder into the dwindling fire.
"The old Kitty from Deep Ford didn't drink much," Ezra spoke softly, trying to make a point without hurting her feelings.
"That Kitty was a hostage," her tone was flat and emotionless, "And I'd appreciate it if ya didn't bring that up. Please."
"I'm sorry," he reached up to tenderly pat her knee, "I guess I wasn't thinkin'."
The redhead swallowed the last of her brandy and gently placed the glass onto the side table, smirking, "I had a dream about us earlier."
"Oh really?" Ezra perked up, a grin widening across his handsome face.
"Yep. I suppose you planted the seed when you asked if I'd ever thought about what our life would've been like on the reservation."
"Do tell," he twisted his body to throw a couple more logs on the fire.
"Okay," Kitty smiled and plopped herself onto his pallet, patting the spot where she wanted him to sit, "Ya ready?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he happily sat cross-legged where he'd been told, his legs touching Kitty's knees as she sat with her legs tucked under her body.
Kitty pulled her copper hair in front of one shoulder, stroking the ends of it hand-over-hand. She coyly purred, "Let me begin by telling you, Dr. Roseveare, that you are a very good kisser."
TBC