Chapter 7- Shots Fired
In the predawn hours, the young blonde with the sparkling, sultry green eyes greedily welcomed her frequent lover into her bed in the rundown hunting shack she'd come to think of as "their place". The big man was much older than almost eighteen-year-old Sadie, mainly noticeable due to his salt and pepper hair as well as his weathered face. His rigorous, daily physical labor kept his body in the physique of a much younger man, which Sadie Danko had come to find very satisfying. This man had proven time and time again that he certainly knew how to please a woman in bed.
The older, married man couldn't believe that such an attractive, nubile creature could crave him as much as she did. The first few times he'd been with her, she'd been tentative and unsure of herself, always waiting for instruction. The big man was a man of few words, and Sadie was a willing student, eager to please her teacher. Of course, the cold, hard cash he paid her could've been a factor, but he figured eventually she wouldn't even care about being paid. He knew deep down that the young working girl had fallen hard for him-a seemingly wealthy, established business man. But what would he do if she began to make demands that he couldn't meet due to the fact that he had so many other responsibilities? I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there, he selfishly thought.
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It had been obvious by the murmurings as Addie walked past some of her classmates in the school yard that something was amiss. She'd managed to steer clear of Gracie Mae the last couple of days, which hadn't been too difficult since Addie now had new friends in the sixth grade.
"Addie," Jacob Worth III approached her, "Can I talk t' you for a second?" the tall, dark-haired boy quietly asked.
"Sure," she answered, following the boy to the side of the building, stopping under a proud, leafless oak.
"Umm…I'm not sure how to tell you this," the twelve-year-old nervously began, kicking something invisible at his feet, unable to meet her curious gaze.
"Out with it, Jake. Just tell me. It's cold out here," Addie clutched her books to her chest as she rocked back and forth, lifting first the toes of her boots, then the heels.
"Okay," the boy licked his lips, "Yesterday, me and some a the boys got notes in our desks," he fidgeted some more, uncomfortable that he'd been the boy chosen to inform the Dillon girl that someone was out to slander both her and her mother.
Addie pensively chewed her bottom lip, "I know. Garth got one yesterday. What did yours say?" the eleven-year-old rolled her eyes in anticipation. She tried to put on a brave face, but inside her heart was racing as if she'd run all the way to town.
Before Jake could answer, Rupert Smythe shouted from several feet away, "Hey, Addie! I heard yer REAL pa is an outlaw!" the unkempt, overgrown sixth grader seemed to find joy in taunting the lovely, redheaded girl.
"Well, you heard WRONG, Rupert Smythe!" she growled, trying to keep her temper under control as she took several large strides toward her verbal assailant. A handful of students began to congregate in order to watch the verbal skirmish.
"Addie, no!" Jake whispered as he grabbed her coat sleeve, "Gracie Mae wants a scene. She wants the kids t' talk about it all day. Don't give 'er the satisfaction."
"Oh, she's gonna get a scene alright," she hissed, looking over Rupert's shoulder for the girl responsible for the provocative notes. After all, Adelaide was Kitty Russell Dillon's daughter in every sense of the word.
"Yeah," Rupert continued to torment, "seems yer mama done lied t' yer papa t' trap 'im," he wickedly grinned, knowing just what button to push.
Addie stood firm, just inches in front of him, bracing her legs as if she were her father facing a gunslinger. She panted, barely above a whisper, "You take that back, you filthy liar! How dare you insult my mother?! You don't have a clue what you're talking about!"
"Well all I know is, I got this here note that says-"
"It says that you're an idiot to believe something in a stupid note from a stupid girl!" the furious girl's nose was practically touching Rupert's face. Her eyes were full of fury as she spied a growing crowd over the boy's shoulder.
"I got a note, too," Pate Gibbons interjected, stepping forward out of the crowd, "but the difference betwixt you 'n me Rupert, is I'se smart 'nuff t' know it's a lie," the much smaller boy held his ground.
"Aww, Pate-you sweet on Addie, too?" the bully teased, pushing his chest against the smaller boy, "Just wait. Ever'one 'ill git their turn if she's anythin' like her mama," he threw his head back in laughter.
"That's it!" Garth Harmon went after Rupert, pulling Addie away from the fourteen-year old before she could attack him. He reasoned, "Addie's a nice girl. Don't believe some dumb note. And I swear, if you say one more word-"
"What is you gonna do, new boy in town?"
In an effort to deescalate the situation, Pate inserted himself between the two boys. He knew Rupert could beat Garth to a pulp. He cautioned, "Rupert, ya don't want t' speak 'gainst marshal Dillon like that, do ya? You'd be really dumb t' do that."
"He ain't the marshal no more," the bully stated with a little less bravado.
"He'll always be the marshal," Jake confirmed, looking around at his schoolmates, some nodding their heads in agreement.
The tension suddenly broke when Miss Nelson rang the school bell. She seemed a bit confused that so few students were actually inside the building, but smiled brightly wishing them all, "Good morning" as they flooded into the schoolhouse. Jake, Pate and Garth formed a human wall of support behind Addie, as Wendy Jo and Sally Ann flanked her sides.
Once seated, Wendy Jo nervously leaned across the aisle, tapping Addie on her shoulder.
"Yes?" Addie stared at the blonde girl.
"Is your pa really the marshal?" Wendy Jo gulped, hoping she'd misunderstood what had been said.
"Not anymore," Addie whispered, "He was for twenty-seven years, but he retired this past summer. He's just a rancher now," she smiled with pride.
Wendy Jo faced forward, lowering her eyes in shame. She recalled her sister telling her that the man to whom she'd given her heart and so much more was the former marshal of Dodge City. Oh, no! This can't be…It just can't be. Sadie, what have you done?! You'll ruin everything…
Meanwhile, outside the schoolhouse, Gracie Mae furiously turned on her heel as she decided to skip school for the day. She'd been watching the confrontation from the back of the schoolyard, hoping for some fireworks. She'd sparked a few, but not as many as she'd wanted. She would have to come up with another plan to soil her former friend's reputation.
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Luisa Martinez felt completely comfortable among the large Dillon clan, since she'd always desired a houseful of children of her own. While Kitty had been at Bear's, the housekeeper had not witnessed the frenzied morning routine with all the children, as Kitty had only kept three at a time with her. The kind Mexican woman had noticed the tremendous effort it had taken the mistress of the house to feed and ready her young children for the day, which was the complete opposite of the woman who'd generously shown up to assist Bear Sanderson at the end of his life. At that time, Kitty Dillon had seemed so calm, organized, and completely self-assured. The loss of her baby had surely loosened the confident mother from her moorings.
Luisa had hoped that neither Kitty nor Abelia felt as if she was usurping their authority; however, it had been abundantly clear within just a few hours that course correction had been desperately needed. The no-nonsense, organized Kitty Dillon she'd met months ago was now a floundering woman, barely able to complete one task, let alone several.
After completing the breakfast dishes, señora Martinez took it upon herself to create a plan that would simplify the ladies' workload. While consulting with a very agreeable Kitty, she'd established a laundry schedule, a cleaning schedule for large jobs, and along with her helpful sidekick Ezra, she'd also taken a thorough inventory of the root cellar in order to accurately meal plan.
"Muchas gracias, señor Ezra, for helping me," Luisa smiled at the bright-eyed boy, "I couldn't have done it without you."
"I like helpin', señora," Ezra exclaimed, "I used t' help my mama all the time," his grin remained, but the sparkle disappeared from his eyes.
The housekeeper gently caressed his cheek, "Oh, my sweet muchacho, don't you worry one bit. Before you know it, your mama is gonna be just like her old self."
At that moment, Luisa spotted the mistress of the house descending the staircase, holding Scarlett's hand.
"Luisa, I just put Maggie down for a little nap. I don't think she feels well. I've got a little project I'm working on in the small barn," Kitty then redirected her attention, "Ezra, Honey, would you like t' come out with me and Scarlett?"
"Yes'm!" the boy scurried to the side door to grab his coat, shouting, "Mama, I got Scarlett's coat, too!"
"What do you say to your brother, Baby?" Kitty prompted as she fastened the top of her cape.
"Thank you, brudder," Scarlett responded, holding out her arms to slip them into her coat.
Luisa observed the small scene before her. Muy bien, señora Kitty, muy bien. It won't be long until you feel good every day, Querida. I promise you.
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"Señora, you have a visitor," Luisa announced as she tapped on the sliding door to the small barn.
Ezra and Scarlett were running around the barn, not paying attention to Kitty as she sat on a tall stool, leaning against a large barrel that served as a table. She bit her bottom lip, deeply concentrating on the many evergreen branches in front of her, weaving them in different directions.
"Okay," Kitty mumbled, waiting a moment before glancing toward the barn door. Much to her chagrin, Elsa Ritter entered the barn, pulling her black woolen cape tightly around herself.
"Niños, come with me, por favor," Luisa held out her arms to the little ones, "it's time for your dinner and rest."
As if she'd cast a spell upon them, both children immediately obeyed, running toward the housekeeper without complaint.
Kitty remained on the stool, blankly staring at her visitor.
"Is this a bad time, Kitty?" Elsa tentatively asked as she slowly approached the redhead.
"What do you need, Mrs. Ritter?" Kitty curtly inquired; her big blue eyes as cold as ice.
Elsa wrung her hands, "Oh, Kitty, I haven't been sleeping well. I feel terrible about the way things ended the other day," the penitent woman bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes filling with tears.
The redhead slightly tilted her head, "Uh-huh," was all she slowly replied.
"Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" Elsa pled, taking another step toward the lady of the house.
Kitty folded her arms and sighed, "You were new to town. I befriended you. Hell, my whole family befriended yours. I was happy that you were becoming comfortable in Dodge-that you were making new friends. Isn't it a shame I deceived you? That is the word you used, Mrs. Ritter- deceived. How a former harlot-a plain old hussy- could pull one over on such a respectable woman, I'll never know," Kitty returned to her task of arranging her branches.
"I had no right t' say that to you, Kitty. No right. I, why I…" Elsa Ritter studied her folded hands, "I was taking something out on you, is all," she whispered, "I have reason t' believe that…that my Josiah…when he accompanies your husband-"
Kitty quickly stood, facing her husband's slanderer, "When Josiah accompanies my husband?! I do believe you are somewhat confused."
"Josiah explained that Matt needs him t' go out with him, so that way he can-" she suddenly stopped talking.
"So that way he can what? Go ahead and say it all," the fiery redhead spat, standing within inches of her unexpected visitor.
"Josiah has never gone out this much in the past. Now he is out a few nights a week. When I pressed him on the matter," she paused, clearing her throat, "he told me that Matt needs him for…for cover. That your husband likes to…visit…with the saloon girls."
Kitty rubbed her temples as she studied the dirt floor of the barn. Once she'd regained her composure, she looked Elsa straight in the eye, quietly replying, "What a load of horse shit."
Elsa gasped in shock, covering her mouth with one hand, her other hand reflexively covering her heart.
Kitty smirked, chuckling, "C'mon-who are you kidding?! You have two grown men for sons. You've never heard the words horse shit before?! Oh, that's right. You're a lady. Well, let me tell you somethin', Dame Elsa. I've seen and heard it ALL- from New Orleans t' Dodge City. Whatever horse shit story your Josiah is givin' you, is just the opposite of what he says. Trust me," she nodded her head in confirmation and defiantly refolded her arms in front of her chest.
"Well, Kitty Dillon…I never expected this. I thought we'd patch things up. But clearly-"
"But clearly, I don't want to," the redhead growled, "I can't be friends with someone who not only believes the worst of me, but someone who believes the worst of my husband. My husband gave most of his adult life t' this town. He almost lost his life several times. But you wouldn't know that, would you? I believe you know your way home, Mrs. Ritter."
Kitty turned her back until she heard Elsa's buggy pull away. It was at that moment Kitty Russell Dillon crumpled to the floor of the barn and wept for what seemed like hours.
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"What are we gonna do, Addie?" Adam asked with concern written all over his six-year-old face, "Mama and grandpa won't know that Miss Nelson let us out early," he clutched his lunch pail.
"Don't worry, Adam. We're gonna start walkin' home. We'll stay on the road, just in case someone from the ranch is coming into town early," the tall girl reassuringly rubbed her brother's back.
"I wish Miss Nelson would get sick more often," Matthew stated, swinging his book strap with one hand, his lunch pail in the other as he slowly skipped down the boardwalk.
"That's a terrible thing t' say, Matthew," his sister chastised, secretly happy that her miserable school day had been cut short. Addie had quickly grown weary of the whispers about the notes Gracie Mae had dispersed among her male schoolmates.
"Wendy Jo!" Adam shouted to the blonde girl milling around the schoolyard, "We'll wait for ya!"
Wendy Jo was probably the only student in the Dodge City school that cringed when Miss Nelson had announced that she'd suddenly felt ill and she'd have to release the students early. The new girl in town had become accustomed to staying late in order to walk home unnoticed to Rat Hole Alley.
The blonde twelve-year-old sighed, straightened her spine and shouted, "Coming!"
Her voice caught the attention of Pate Gibbons as he was horsing around with some of the other boys at the end of Front Street. He knew how much Wendy Jo wanted to keep where she lived a secret, and for some reason, he felt compelled to help his neighbor in her endeavor.
"Wendy Jo! Wait up!" he chased after the small group.
"Hi, Pate," Addie greeted, "I'm glad you caught up. I wanted t' thank you for helping me out this morning," she raised her eyebrows, hoping he would know to stay quiet about the specifics of the incident in the presence of her little brothers.
"No problem, Addie. Rupert's an ass," the boy innocently commented.
Adam's mouth fell open at the casual utterance of a curse word, "Addie…" he pulled on the sleeve of her coat, "Pate said a bad word," he whispered from behind his cupped palm.
Quickly realizing his mistake, Pate apologized, "Sorry 'bout that. I take after m' old man sometimes," he redirected his attention to his neighbor, "Wendy Jo, I wanted t' make sure ya didn't ferget that ya said ya'd help me with some school stuff t'day. Can ya still come t' my house?" he winked as he smiled.
Wendy Jo grabbed his thoughtful lifeline like a drowning sailor, "I didn't forget, Pate. I can still come over."
As the group of five casually strolled south on the dirt road leading out of Dodge, Jake Worth III ran to catch up with the group.
"Addie! Pate! Wait up!" the boy shouted, frantically waving his arms.
The children all paused, waiting for their schoolmate to join them.
"This is kinda fun," Matthew said, "we never get t' goof around and talk with friends on the way home."
"Well not everyone gets a ride home every day, Matthew. Trust me, walkin' home ain't no big deal," Pate said.
Matthew wasn't sure how to take the boy's statement. He decided to change the subject, "Do ya think we'll have school tomorrow? What if Miss Nelson is still sick?"
"Who knows?" Jake asked, shrugging his shoulders, "Addie, can I talk t' ya in private for a second?" he whispered in her ear, his warm breath caressing her cheek.
The eldest Dillon child searched his eyes, chewing her bottom lip, "I suppose. Can it wait till Pate and Wendy Jo turn off the main road?"
"Sure," the tall, handsome, dark-headed boy answered, his confidence showing as he straightened his spine.
Within a few minutes, two of the children made their way down the road toward Rat Hole Alley.
"Thanks for helpin' me out, Pate," Wendy Jo offered with a genuine smile.
"Tweren't nothin'. I saw you was kinda in trouble."
"You can say that again."
After a couple more minutes strolling in silence, Wendy Jo asked, "So ya live with yer ma?"
"Yup," the underdressed boy nodded, sticking his hands deep into his pockets, "my pa left us a few years ago. Actually, Jessie Gibbons wasn't really my pa. He married my ma when I was about two. At first, he was real nice, but then he started t' drink a lot and he was a real mean drunk. He liked t' gamble and that's how we ended up in Rat Hole Alley," he sighed.
"Ransom ain't my pa either. My ma died and me and Sadie got stuck with 'im."
"How does yer sister feel 'bout yer pa peddlin' 'er?" Pate nonchalantly asked.
Wendy Jo bit her bottom lip, shocked that the boy was so blunt, "I don't know…" she softly answered.
"Don't you dare let 'im do that t' ya. Yer smart and nice. If he ever threatens it, all ya gotta do is let me know," the boy studied his walking companion's face.
She offered a half smile, "Thanks, Pate. That's real nice a ya."
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As the three school aged Dillon children made their way up the drive to the big white house, Addie became lost in her thoughts. Once her brothers had run ahead toward the drive to the Legacy D, Jake had taken the opportunity to invite Addie to be his date for the New Year's Eve Dance at his family ranch. She mulled over the conversation in her head, hoping her responses didn't make her sound like a baby.
"I thank you, Jake, but I'm not allowed to accept invitations from boys yet. My parents told me so," Addie informed him.
"Oh," the boy sighed, "I guess I understand," he half smiled, "Maybe I could have one dance with ya, since the whole family will be comin'."
"I'm only eleven. Maybe in a few years I'll be allowed," she grinned, reflexively squeezing his hand.
"So, if you were allowed, Addie, you'd say 'yes'?" he smiled brightly.
Addie returned his smile, "I do believe I would, Jake Worth."
"That's good enough for me, Adelaide Dillon. Cause someday, you're gonna be my girl."
Jake quickly and gently kissed her cheek before continuing down the main road to his family's ranch.
Addie stood completely still, her mouth half opened. She then quickly looked around, making sure no one had seen the surprise peck.
The girl slowly, semi-consciously stepped up the stairs to her house. She didn't even hear her mother ask why on Earth the children were home so early.
TBC