Chapter 13

He watched the pair of redheads ride down Front Street. After being in Dodge City for over a week, he made inferences based on his observations. He was more confident in some of his inferences that were made than other ones. He was certain that the woman was the wife of Marshal Dillon, and the little girl was their daughter. What he wasn't too certain of was their relation with the town doctor. His best guest was that the woman was the doctor's daughter. If that were true, then that made the little girl his granddaughter.

When Kitty and Ruby arrived at the school, Kitty parked the buggy off to the side, away from where the children were playing and waiting for Miss Grey to ring the bell. While she climbed down from the buggy, Ruby scooted over towards her momma. She put the basket of muffins on the seat and let her momma help her down. Kitty gave Ruby the basket of muffins and went to retrieve her knapsack out of the boot.

"Let's go inside and give Miss Grey the muffins," Kitty told Ruby.

"Do you think they'll like the muffins?" asked Ruby.

"I don't see why not," said Kitty. "You did a wonderful job baking them."

Kitty and Ruby walked in the school and found Miss Grey sitting at her desk correcting papers. She heard Kitty and Ruby and looked up from the papers in front of her. She smiled at the pair.

Hello, Mrs. Dillon, Ruby. Are those the blueberry muffins for the picnic?" Miss Grey asked, pointing to the basket Ruby was holding.

"Yes, they are," Kitty answered. "We made two dozen. I hope that's enough. I forgot to ask how many students you had."

"That's perfect," Miss Grey replied. "We have twenty-three students." She looked over at Ruby. "Did you help your momma bake the muffins?"

"Yes, I did," Ruby replied. "Momma gives me the 'gredients, and I put them in the bowl. And I got to crack an egg."

"Wow, it sounds like you were a big help," Miss Grey commented.

"She most certainly was," Kitty agreed. "It looks like you have a table of food over there. Would you like us to put the muffins over there?"

"That would be great," Miss Grey answered.

Kitty and Ruby walked over to the table and found a spot for the muffins. Kitty knelt down so she was at eye level with Ruby. "Momma will be back to pick you up after the picnic. You be a good girl."

"I will Momma," said Ruby, nodding her head.

"I know you will," Kitty responded. "Give me a kiss 'n a hug." Ruby gave her momma a kiss and a hug. "Love ya, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Momma," said Ruby.

Kitty left the school and drove the buggy to the Long Branch. She had a coffee date with Sam. Once a week the two of them would enjoy each other's company over a cup or two of coffee. They looked forward to their coffee date.

"Miss Kitty," Sam smiled when he saw her. "I have the coffee already."

Kitty joined Sam at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee. "Mmmm. Sam, you make one mean cup of coffee."

"Thank you," Sam said. "Is Miss Ruby excited for her school picnic?"

"Most definitely," Kitty replied. "We made blueberry muffins for the picnic."

Sam and Kitty continued visiting with each other for another half an hour. Kitty finished her coffee and told Sam she had to get home. Sam told Kitty he had work to do before things become too busy. Before leaving, Kitty went to her office and got her ledgers.

Festus was whistle singing as he walked down the wooden boardwalk of Front Street. He was in the mood for a game of checkers, so decided to see if Doc was available to play. Seeing that Doc was in his buggy and about to ride away, Festus quickened his pace.

"Hey Doc!" Festus shouted. Doc stopped. Where ya goin?" Festus had his hands on Doc's buggy.

"I'm riding out to the Rehman farm to check on Mrs. Rehman and the twins," Doc answered. "Is there something you need?"

"No, I don't need nothin'," Festus answered. "I was just gonna ask ya ta play checkers."

"Well, I can't play checkers right now," Doc replied. "If you have the patience, you'll have to wait until I get back."

"I can wait," said Festus. "I'll see ya directly."

The morning could not go by fast enough for Miss Grey's students. They were very eager for their picnic. If she was being honest with herself, Miss Grey felt the same way as her students. The food on the table looked and smelled delicious. At half past eleven, Miss Grey decided to start the picnic.

"Alright class, I can tell you are all very excited for your picnic to start," said Miss Grey. "I was going to wait until noon, but I'll start the picnic now."
"Yay!" The class cheered.

"Settle down," Miss Grey instructed. "I need you to listen." The class calmed themselves down. "Thank you. We are not going to take all of the food out right now. We will save the blueberry muffins and cookies for our dessert and bring those out later. I need a few of my older students to help carry the other food, and the rest of you may go outside."

Three older girls stayed behind to help Miss Grey, while the rest of the students scurried outside. Luckily the kindergartners sat in the front of the classroom and were the last ones outside. If not, chances are they would have been trampled by the older students. Miss Grey quickly realized she should have dismissed her students grade by grade.

You could not ask for better picnic weather. Miss Grey and the kids enjoyed ham sandwiches, deviled eggs, cornbread, watermelon, and apples. When they finished eating, the students decided they wanted to play before they had their dessert."

"That's fine," said Miss Grey. "I'm going ta bring what little leftovers we have back into the school. Now, I have some work ta do in the classroom. Let me get that done, and I'll bring the muffins and cookies out when I'm done." Miss Grey gathered the leftovers and went inside.

The stranger made his way toward the schoolhouse. He could hear the laughter of the children. Looking around, he did not see the teacher. Now was the perfect time to make his move. He had no idea when she would return. He approached Ruby and a few of the other younger students.

"I see yer havin' a picnic," he said to them."

"We already had our picnic," one of them replied. "Now we're playing 'n having fun."

"I bet you had some really good food." The kids nodded. "I thought so. Listen, I'm kinda thirsty. Do ya think I could have some lemonade?"

"We don't have lemonade," a little boy answered. "Just water over there." He pointed to the barrel of water the younger students used.

"Just water at a picnic is kinda boring," he said. He patted his pocket with the chloroform. "Hey, it just so happens I have some special stuff to make water taste nice 'n sweet. Do ya wanna try it?"

"Yeah!" the young ones exclaimed.

"Alright, follow me," he instructed.

The students followed the stranger to the water barrel. They were eager to try some sweet water. The man took the water dipper out of the barrel, poured the chloroform in it, and pretended to take a drink of it. He also pretended to pour some in the barrel.

"That was absolutely delicious and refreshing," he said. "Who wants to be the first to try some?"

"Me! Me! Me!" They said in unison, all jumping up and down.

"Okay, I can see you all want some, but you have to take turns." He scanned the kids in front of him and stopped at Ruby. "Let's start with you. Here you can have the first drink." He handed Ruby the dipper full of the chloroform water. Ruby gladly took the dipper full of water and started to drink.

TBC