Chapter Twenty-Three: Hello Red
The next week for the Dillions went quietly. There was no sign of Albert, no one taking pot-shots at them. Matty and Lilly had settled down to a routine with school. Jessica was helping Maria and taking walks with Newly O'Brien. Johnny kept busy and was finding working the bar and fixing up furniture not so bad. Dakota's and Festus's arms along with Doc Sammatha's leg healed. As far as Kitty Russel, life was good, the families happy, business was great. Now if only the children weren't so noisy in the morning.
Jessica Dillion finished everything that she intended to finish. The younger two were in school, Johnny promised to go and walk them home. Her father left two days ago for Garden City. A prisoner to be brought back for a trial. Her mother went back up to her room for a nap and, well, Maria was busy preparing for the lunch the Long Branch put out at noon. She did have an appointment with Doc to have the cast on her arm taken off. She stopped by the bar and informed Sam that she had an appointment and that she might stay a bit to visit her grandma.
Once the cast was off and Doc washed her arm, he examined it. "A bit stiff Jessica. You need to work on it. Ask your mother for some nickels and dimes. Practice picking them up and putting them in a stack. Do dishes in hot water. Don't put this off little girl, or you will have hardly any movement in that wrist."
"I understand grandpa." She smiled at him. "Is grandma awake?"
"Her leg was hurting, so I gave her something for it. She's sleeping right now."
Jessica stood up from the table and gave her grandfather a big kiss on the cheek before she left the office. Walking slowly down the stairs, she decided to head over to Mr. Jonas' store for the material her mother had ordered. Jessica became sidetracked by a particular sign that said "Gunsmith, Newly O'Brien." She decided to peek inside the shop, curiosity as to what it was like. She heard his voice talking in an adjoining room with a customer.
Jessica looked around, "My it is a bit dirty here." She whispered to no one. The case held several pistols and a rifle. On the shelf behind the case there were several boxes of ammo. A workstation was on one side. Curiosity got her even more and she went behind the counter. Startling her, the door to the shop opened and two large burly men enter.
"Hey gunsmith" the first man yelled.
"Hey Jonesy, lookie here. O'Brien went and turned into a girl." the second man pointed.
"May I help you?" She stated flatly.
"We are looking for the gunsmith. Need a couple boxes of rifle ammo. Being a girl and all, you should go and gits him." The first man said.
Snickering, the second one repeated what the first one said.
Looking up at the shelf, she pulled down the correct shells for their rifles. "That would be 5.00 each box."
"Well, well, well. Lookie there Smithy. We have a woman that thinks she knows the prices."
"Jones, Smith. You know the price of the ammo. It says on the end of the box." Newly stepped out with his other customer, who took off out of the shop with his own weapon. "Now pay the lady."
"You gone all soft have you O'Brien?" Smith attempted to hurrah the gunsmith. Jessica extended her hand.
"No money, no ammo boys." Jessica stood firm and looked them in the eyes. The men, looked from her to Newly. They grumbled, paid, picked up the boxes of ammo and left. Once they exited, Newly turned her to face him, his hands holding onto her arms.
"What are you doing here, and alone. Your uncle could be in town, and we would not know about it."
Jessica knew he was right, and she was in trouble. "I was heading from Doc's to Mr. Jonas's store. I got my cast off today." She showed him his arm. "Newly, I get so bored at the Long Branch, I just needed something to do."
"If it is a job you are thinking about, try one of the dress makers. I am sure they would take you on."
"Of course they would. I am the marshal's daughter. I am sure that they would see that their eligible sons would meet me."
"Jessica, I do need help, but I am not sure if this is a place for a woman.
"My mother owns a saloon, and she doesn't have to entertain men. Why can't I work here."
He shook his head and took off his apron. "Your father is going to skin me alive Jessica. Let me walk you back to the Long Branch." Newly grabbed his hat and escorted her back to her home. "I will come and get you tomorrow. I don't want you to walk here by yourself."
"You worry about me to much." Her smile and tilt of her head delighted him
"I could stop." He looked down at her, smiling.
"Don't" she told him and then turned walking into the bar. "I like it." And then she scampered off up the steps.
HE watched her walk to the doctor's office, and he waited. The people of Dodge seemed to know her, greeting her as she walked. When she took a small side street and entered the gunsmith's office, he waited. Two men went in and came back out. He crept up to the window and looked in. "My, my. She is still sweet on the man." He mused to himself. When they were moving to leave, he moved off, out of sight. Then he followed them to the Long Branch. Albert Spenser smiled to himself. Now he knew where to get to her, when he was ready. To put the next step in play.
Matty and Lilly had spent the week adjusting to school, new schedules, homework and bedtimes. At school, they both made friends and Lilly actually had a playdate. Matt or Johnny would pick them up after school, and today was Johnny. Their father was out of town and the job fell to him. He arrived at the school ahead of dismissal. When he eyed the swing, Johnny drifted to it, sat down and pushed off with his feet. Reminded him of his own young childhood. Maybe someday they would have a home and he would build a swing for them, along with a playhouse, and several other things. Like a shooting gallery.
"Johnny", Lilly's voice sounded out. He got off the swing and caught her as she leaped into his arms. Johnny hugged her and swung her around.
"How was school today? Where's Matty."
"Over there, around the schoolhouse. He and an older kid named Billy have been fighting." Johnny put her down, took her hand and headed over to where the two boys were. He stopped and motioned for Lilly to stand over to the side and he advanced on the two boys. Billy looked up and smirked to Matty.
"Hey Dillion, big brother is here. Gonna bail you out is he."
"Johnny, I can handle this." Matty shouted to his brother, his voice still sounding a bit monotone from the hearing loss. Several of the older boys laughed at him along with Billy who pointed to him.
"I don't have time Matty." Johnny's voice was harsh. He walked up to Billy, took his hands and popped both ears.
"Why ja do that." Billy rubbed his ears, glaring at Johnny. "I'm telling my pa." And with that he and the other boys took off.
Matty also glared at his brother. "You just make more trouble for me." He started to march away from him, and Johnny snagged his collar.
Holding onto Matty's collar and Lilly's hand, he escorted the children back to the Long Branch. Taking them up the back way, so that they don't walk through the bar area. Matty shrugged off his brother and went into their bedroom slamming the door. Lilly looked up to her older brother. "Matty is mad."
"I can see that. Go get your cookies and milk, do your homework and let him know I went downstairs so he can do the same."
Johnny headed down the stairs and went over to the bar. Looking at Sam over the counter, he shook his head. "If a kid named Billy's father comes in looking for my parents, I caused it. Where is ma?"
"She is in the office right now. What did you do?" Sam inquired about Johnny's statement.
"Popped his ears." Johnny moved around the counter and grabbed a tub of dirty dishes. He took the tub to the kitchen area, and then went and knocked on the office door.
"Come in," Kitty called out. Johnny opened the door and entered, closing the door behind him. Kitty looked at her eldest son. He looked so much like his father. Shorter and younger, but he had his fathers facial looks and stance.
"Did something I shouldn't have done."
"What would that be." Kitty stood up and placed her hands on her waist.
"This boy at school, Billy wanted to beat up Matty because of how he speaks. So, I popped both ears on him. Matty is mad at me."
"Oh, Johnny." She came over to him and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "That was definitely not a smart move. I understand that you were just trying to protect your brother. Matty needs to deal with things on his own. You go on and finish up anything that Sam has you doing. I will talk to the father if he comes here."
Johnny nodded as he left, he looked back at her. "Pa is going to be mad, isn't he?"
"You let me deal with your father"
Johnny went into the main room and stopped at the counter to talk to Sam.
"Two things Sam. First, I am going down to the cellar to work on the tables." He headed to the door that lead downstairs.
"And the second thing Johnny?" Sam asked.
"I am never having children." Sam chuckled to himself as he watched the young boy go down into the cellar.
HE watched the children play at recess. The boy he thought grew an inch or two, the girl, still petite as usual. It would be easy to grab them up from the school. But not now, it was too early. He was surprised when he watched Johnny popped the boy's ears. Johnny always did have a short temper. It would be easier to take the children when Johnny was walking them. Maybe in the morning verses the afternoon. Albert knew he needed to find a place to hide them. Another step in the process of his plan.
Dakota's arm began to heal, and both doctors were pleased at the progress. The three of them discussed the design of the clinic downstairs. He enjoyed the evening meals with them and even made breakfast for them one morning.
Early in the morning, Dakota walked down the stairs to the lower building that Doc's office was over. He opened the door to the building and coughed a couple of times as dusty scurried out. He heard his name from behind him and smiled when he saw the whisker deputy walking over without the sling. Doc must have released him.
"Morn' Festus"
"Purity day out." Festus looked around and then into the building. "Whatja git going on here."
"This here is going to be the Adams Family Clinic. Come inside and look at it. Needs a lot of work and I could sure use your eye." Dakota walked into the building with Festus behind him. "What do you think? Docs want a couple of rooms back here so people could heal. Two separate rooms over here for examinations. And the front here a reception room. We would also need a storage room and a room for their study."
Festus whistled. "Sure lots of work boy. Youse doing it all yourself is you?"
"Nope, was going to hire a few men. Want to be the foreman?" Dakota offered him.
"I'se know a few men who needs the work." Festus looked around the floor and supporting beams. "Them there beams are good, but this floor is more dead than alive."
"You let me know what supplies you need, and I will see to it." Dakota slapped Festus on the back and the two men walked out.
Later that night Dakota, Doc Adams and Doc Sammatha sat around their dining table. Dakota told them about talking to Festus and the plans for fixing the building for their clinic.
"Doc Sam, do you think you could comb out my hair and braid it again. I am going over to the Long Branch and play some poker. Don't want to look a mess."
"Of course Kota, I can. I did not know you gamble."
"Yeah, once in a while I do. I umm, thought tomorrow I would start looking at wanted posters and see what's out there."
"Son, you don't need to do the bounty hunter jobs any more. Find something here in Dodge and enjoy life." Doc looked seriously at him.
"Doc, these men need to be brought in. Can we have a serious conversation about it tomorrow. Let me sleep on it and then you can give me all the reasons not to do it."
"I suppose dying is not a good enough reason." Doc rubbed his hand over his mustache.
"I need to get dressed and go. Excuse me please." Dakota stood up and went into his room. Emotions began to rise from confusion to anger. Shortly after he got dressed, he went out into the main room, expecting another debate with Doc. Doc was not there, Doc. Sammatha was. She had waited for him to come back out so that she could do what he requested.
"Come, sit down Kota and let get to that hair." Sammatha patted the chair in front of her. Dakota nodded, came over to the chair and sat down. It felt good to him that the tangles and snags in his hair was being removed by her. "Kota," she started as she ran a comb through his hair. "I know Galen seems hard, but he does worry about you."
"Why?" Dakota turned his head and messed up slightly what she had accomplished. She smacked the top of his head, told him to sit still and she continued.
"You went, took care of and protected someone he cares deeply about."
Dakota thought hard. "Has to be Miss Kitty."
"Yes. He sees her as a daughter, and she sees him as a father figure."
"I was hired to go and protect her and the children."
"Did you actually get paid for the job." She walked around to face him.
"Well, no. I decided not to accept money." He stated as he stood up and straightened his clothes. "Just didn't seem right."
"Like charging for taking care of family. You better go if you want to go gambling. See you in the morning."
Dakota started mumbling to himself, trying to figure out what just happened. Emotions moving through him like crazy, he told himself to get it together if he was going to the saloon and gambled. A night of gambling, winning a bit of money, Dakota left at closing and headed home. Yawning, he stopped at the top of the stairs, took out one of his thin cigars, lit it and as he smoked, he pondered where he landed this time. Should he risk it again, or should he leave. Dakota spent some time looking around. The hairs on the back of his head was sticking up and has been since he left earlier this evening. He felt like someone was following him and watching perhaps waiting in the shadows to kill him. Once the cigar was gone, Dakota stood up, looked around and went into the office and his bedroom. As he laid in bed and stared at the ceiling, an uneasy feeling overcame him. For Dakota Smith, it was going to be a long, long night.
HE watched the young man enter the saloon, and when the saloon closed, he followed him back to his home. When the young man sat on the top step and lit up a thin cigar, he lifted up his rifle. "Pow", Albert stated to no one. "Too easy, not the right time. This one needs to pay dearly." Albert lowered his rifle. He had much to do the next day. Heading back to the Bulls Head Saloon and his room, Albert smiled to himself. This would be better than he could hope for.
Kitty was tired, her feet ached, she wanted her hair down, a cup of tea and bed. Not to mention a certain tall lawman. Walking up the stairs slowly after she said goodnight to Sam and locked the doors, she wondered if he would make it home tonight. Walking through the curtain that separated the saloon potion from the family section, she noticed a light seemed to be on in her room. Slowly she walked to her door and listened. Hearing Jessica humming in her room, Kitty opened the door and entered.
Jessica looked up and smiled. "Mother, the day is over?"
"Yes, it is, and not a minute to soon. And what may I ask why you're here and not in bed?"
"I need a mother/daughter talk." Jessica picked up a cup and saucer with hot tea and handed it to Kitty. "I had a hot bath ready for you, and afterwards I can comb out your hair. While you're bathing, I can get a fire going."
Kitty chuckled quietly and shook her head. This must be serious, and Kitty would bet any amount of money, one Newly O'Brien would be the subject of the discussion. Jessica helped Kitty out of her dress, corset and under garments. Wrapping herself up in a robe, Kitty went into the washroom. On the chair was a nightgown, towel, washcloth and lavender soap.
While Kitty was enjoying her bath, Jessica started a fire in the fireplace. She wished that her father was home so he could hear her request. When Kitty came out from her bath and sat down in front of her vanity, Jessica stood behind her and helped her take out the hairpins.
"Does father do this for you?"
"Every night that he is home. He loves to brush my hair also." Kitty looked into the mirror at her daughter. Jessica smiled and yet blushed a bit. "Come, let us sit on the couch, enjoy the fire and tea so that you can tell me what is on your mind."
The mother and daughter curled up on the couch, one on each side. Kitty lifted her cup of tea and took a sip of it. "So…" she prompted.
Clearing her throat, Jessica asked her first question. "Do you like owning the Long Branch?"
Kitty tilted her head slightly. "Like all business there are good days and bad days. There are times I wish I didn't have to own it, but it does give me freedom and independence that most women don't have. And your father has been very supportive of it. You're not thinking of starting a business."
"Oh no mother but working for one."
A feeling of fear entered Kitty's heart. "Surely Jessy, your not thinking about being a dance hall girl."
"Oh, gosh no. No, No. I mean…" she stumbled on her words. "I was talking to Newly and he wanted to know if I would work at his shop."
Kitty placed her hand on her chest. "Thank the heavens. I thought you wanted to work on the floor of the Long Branch. Newly's gun shop. Not necessary a place for a young lady would work at. You know you don't have to work."
"I need something that would be for me. I get so bored in the afternoon and want to do something. Would you let me? Would father?"
"I would want to talk with Newly about this. As for Matt, I don't know how he is going to handle this news."
"Can I ask something more umm personnel?"
"You cannot live at the shop." Kitty looked serious at her.
Jessica smiled. "No, that's not the question. You and father truly love each other. Why have you not married?
"Oh Jessica, that is a long tale to tell. Tonight is not the night. I suppose for the short answer I am waiting for a proper proposal. I believe that all women deserve that, and it should be something special between a man and a woman. Where it is done, how it is done, words that are spoken. I am just waiting for you father to figure it out."
Matt Dillion rode into town just shortly after the Long Branch had closed. With a prisoner in tow, Matt shoved him into the office. Festus, hearing the door open, rose up and padded over to the prisoner. Matt told him to lock the man up and that he would see him sometime in the morning. Matt then took Buck over to Moss's, unsaddled him and brushed him down. "Here you go boy, enjoy." Matt put oats into his trough and water in a bucket.
Walking the quiet streets of Dodge, Matt thought of the woman whose bed he shared. The four children that slept under the same roof. And where he was a year ago. He was happier now, content with life and all that went with it. When he stopped in front of the Long Branch, he took notice that a candle was not lit in the window as usual when he was gone. However, there was light in their bedroom, so maybe Kitty had not gone to sleep yet.
Unlocking the door to the Long Branch, Matt entered and then relocked the front door. He was looking to sweep Kitty up in his arms, make passionate love to her, sleep and have breakfast with his children. Taking the steps one by one, he turned and headed towards the family quarters. Kitty heard his footsteps and smiled. "Speaking of your father." She stood and went over to the door. Jessica stayed on the couch and in a small way, glad she was told to leave. This would be very intriguing to watch.
Matt opened the door and looking up at him was her, his girl, the love of his life, his soulmate. And she was beautiful. Tossing his hat onto the hook that was reserved for his hat, he took Kitty's face in his hands, moved his lips down onto hers and kissed her deeply, moaning into her mouth. Before Kitty could say anything, he swept her up in his arms, whispered how much he loved her into her hair and what he wanted to do to her. Carrying her over to the bed and placing her down, he began to place kisses on her neck. Jessica blushed unsure of how to escape. She did not wish to watch her parents make love, so she slid down onto the couch.
"Matt, Matt, you need to stop" Kitty placed her hands on his chest.
"Honey, what's wrong? Is it that time in the month. I know I said we should wait for six months, but if it happens, would that be so bad?" He ran his hand through her hair. When Kitty laughed quietly at this he was confused.
Caressing his face, "That's sweet love, however, our eldest is over there on the couch."
The expression that crossed Matt's face was priceless to Kitty. His eyes were wide, he started to disengage from her and when it dawned on him that he had an erection, he just laid there unsure what to do.
"Jessica."
"Yes Father?"
"Leave."
"Yes Father." Jessica felt and sounded so relieved. She left the room as fast as possible and headed to her room. She started to laugh at the entire situation and wonder how it would be in the morning.
In Kitty's room, Matt sat up. "Well, that was different."
Kitty started to laugh. "Matt. I wasn't expecting you to do what you did when you came in. Not that I mind it, just not in front of the children."
Matt placed his hands on both sides of his head and sighed. "Something I need to know when I come in. Check for children."
"There's hot water in the tub, go take a bath. Come back after it and we can pick up where we left off."
"Alright Kitty. Just no more surprises." He placed a kiss on her lips as he went to the washroom and bathed. Once he was done, he returned, climb into bed and proceed to make love to her. Afterwards, they laid in each other's arms and slept the night away.
HE could not sleep, thinking of the plans he was developing. He had to do this right in order to have her and the family lands back. He would wait until Red was alone, and then let her know he was in town. There would be nothing the lawman could do. He had done nothing wrong, or at least nothing they could pin on him.
He would wait until she was alone, in the saloon, in the afternoon. The young children would be in school, Jessica would be at work, as would the brat Johnny. Maria would be in the kitchen cooking, The doctor would be with patients, perhaps the boy would be with him. And as for the big marshal, he would be dealing with his job.
His chance came two days later. Albert had been drinking a bit heavy at the Lady Gay. He need a bath, shave, and a haircut. He did not care; she would grow to love his new look. Grabbing some flowers he headed over to the Long Branch. Peeking over the batwings, he only saw her and the barkeep.
"Miss Kitty, we need a new barrel of beer up here. Do you know where Johnny is?"
"He and Maria took the wagon and picked up supplies."
"Alright Miss Kitty I will be back up in a few."
Kitty nodded to Sam and went back to her books. Standing at the end of the bar closes to the office she did not look up when she heard the batwings open.
"I will be with you in one minute." When she did not hear a response back, she looked up, dropped the pencil, and a hand went to her mouth. "Albert", she said with venom in her voice.
"Hello Red. Missed me." His hand with the flowers extended towards her.
{Thus ends The Lives and Times of Dodge City Part I}
{Stay tune for The Lives and Times of Dodge City Part II, The Courtship of Kitty Russell}
{Will Albert come to an end; will it be done by his wife}
{Will Matt come to understand what Kitty wants from him in a proposal. Will somebody tell him}
{Will there be a wedding between Matt and Kitty}