Chapter Seven- Who Are These People?
"Kitty," Matt groused, fidgeting while his wife threaded his string tie under his perfectly starched collar, "why do we have to wear our Sunday best? First of all, it's Saturday. And it's just dinner at the home of one of Thad's friends."
"Quit squirmin' around like a little boy, Matt," she huffed. "For the third time this morning-these people live on the Upper West Side of town. Eighty-fifth street and they're sending a carriage for us. If that doesn't imply to dress up, I don't know what would." The tip of her tongue peeked out of the side of her mouth as she pulled the loops of his tie. "There." She took a step backward and smiled. "You look very handsome, Cowboy."
He rolled his eyes and scrunched his mouth to the side, grumbling, "How pretentious can these people be? Sending a carriage for us…like I couldn't possibly find our way uptown. Sheesh…"
Kitty was certain she'd seen the fancy, covered carriage every morning since Thad had started attending St. George Primary School. It would more than likely be the same carriage that would be picking them up.
"Oh, Matt," she soothed, placing both of her palms on his chest, "They're just being nice. If it'll make you feel better, we can walk the forty-seven blocks home." She stood on her tip-toes, glancing over his shoulder in order to look out their bedroom window. "In the snow," she flatly added, her lips taut.
As if on cue, Thad bounded into his parents' room, excitedly announcing, "Our ride should be here soon!" He stopped in his tracks, staring at his mother. She stood before him wearing what appeared to be a new, dark purple woolen dress, her hands caressing the sides of her now obviously burgeoning belly. "You look pretty, Mama," he complimented, pointing at her midsection. "My brother sure is gettin' big."
"He sure is." Kitty smiled at her tall, handsome boy.
Matt planted his hands on his waist. "What is with you two and calling the baby a boy? Like I told your mama, Son, the baby could be a girl."
"Nah, Pa. I told Mama I wanted a brother."
"It's not like ordering a sandwich at the meat shop. You get what you get," Matt commented while buckling his gun belt.
Kitty shook her head, "Thanks for comparing our child to a sandwich, Matt. You have such a way with words."
"You know what I mean, Honey. And I agree with Thad. You look very pretty today. Is that a new dress?" He'd decided to change the subject.
The redhead lifted her full-length winter coat of the bed. "You know it is. I've outgrown everything I own and I've had to loosen the laces on my corset. But I thank you both for the compliments."
The big man examined her well-rounded backside. "That's quite the bustle."
She swatted his shoulder. "Matt! Stop that! Besides, these bustles are common on more formal maternity wear here in the city. It's supposed to distract from the belly."
"Seems silly to me." He nodded from his son to the bedroom door as he splayed his hand over Kitty's lower back. "Like we don't know that babies grow inside their mothers. Never saw a pregnant woman in Dodge worry about the size of her bustle."
Kitty froze in her tracks, icily staring at her husband. "Nor were there hospitals in Dodge for a woman with child. Or more than one doctor. Or—"
"I know, Honey. I know." Matt couldn't meet her gaze as he urged her through the sitting room toward the front door. "By the way," he changed the subject once again, "what are these peoples' names? All I know is the boy, Robert."
The heavy knock on the door startled all three of the Dillons.
Thad threw open the door, revealing the coach driver, dressed from head to toe in black. The man tipped his stove-pipe hat. "Good afternoon. Your carriage awaits."
The small family quietly sat in the rounded carriage. Matt watched out of the corner of his eye as Kitty ran her gloved hand over the plush green velvet of the thickly padded seats. Thad sat with his back to them, watching the street numbers increase as they traveled north on Third Avenue.
"Kitty?"
"Yes?"
"Back to what we were talking about at home. I don't even know these peoples' names. Who are they?"
"Fannie and Franklin. At least I think she said her husband's name is Franklin."
He blinked slowly, sighing, "Fannie and Franklin who?"
Kitty chewed her bottom lip. "Well, I honestly can't recall, Matt. Fannie may have told me their last name, but I'm drawing a blank."
The child they thought wasn't paying them any mind piped up. "Edson. My friend is Robert Edson."
Matt pursed his lips, using two fingers to shove his hat off his forehead. "Edson…Franklin Edson…oh, no," he murmured.
The redhead placed her hand on his shoulder, whispering, "What's wrong, Matt?"
He swallowed hard. "Franklin Edson was sworn in last week as the mayor of New York City."
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"Can I interest you in a drink, Marshal?" The well-dressed man of average height offered, holding up a crystal decanter full of amber liquid. "Kentucky bourbon. My absolute favorite."
"Sure," Matt answered, "if you're going to have some." He glanced at the various photographs on the wall, most of them of the new mayor glad-handing with high profile constituents. J. Pierpont Morgan and Andrew Carnegie were probably among the most famous faces to adorn the wall, but one particular man caught the lawman's eye. As nonchalantly as possible, Matt leaned over, squinting to confirm the man in the photograph was indeed, Owney Geoghegan.
"Here you are," Franklin Edson handed the crystal tumbler to his guest. "Please don't think me vain, Sir. My wife set up this home office for me so I could conduct some of my meetings at home. She thought it appropriate to display the photographs and plaques. Please," he motioned with his arm and a slight bow, "make yourself at home."
"Thank you, Mayor." Matt unbuttoned his grey suit coat and sat in one of the richly upholstered Queen Anne wingback chairs thoughtfully stationed in front of the glowing fireplace.
"Oh, please don't be so formal. Call me Franklin." The bearded man claimed the other fireside seat.
"Only if you call me Matt." The big man offered his host a small, perhaps uncomfortable grin.
"I hope you are finding our fair city to your liking," Edson examined his drink as he swirled it.
Always the diplomat, the polite guest answered, "It sure is different from Kansas. I can attest to that much." He took a sip of his libation and bit the corner of his mouth. "My wife loves it here and our son is thriving in school, so that's all that matters to me."
Without blinking, the mayor firmly stated, "You hate it, don't you?"
His directness caught the lawman off guard, causing him to nearly spit out his bourbon. Matt coughed, "Hate is a strong word, Franklin. It's just going to take some getting used to is all."
"New York City is an acquired taste. I'm no fool. I know you're a true outdoorsman, probably feeling trapped in this crowded, dingy city. That's why I ran for mayor. I'd really like to…" The politician lowered his timbre, looking the lawman straight in the eye, "…clean up the place." Edson then cleared his throat, resuming his normal tone. "I'm originally from Vermont myself. In fact, Fannie and I own a small, three-acre farm in the Bronx. Morris Heights. Please feel free to take your horse and ride around the property any time. There's a stable there with some horses suitable for children. I invite you to take your boy anytime you wish."
Matt viewed his host through a whole new lens. "I thank you for the offer. Don't be surprised if I take you up on it sometime."
The mayor rose and made his way to his large desk, tapping on the lid of his humidor. "Cigar?"
"No, thank you."
"It's Cuban. You sure?"
"I'm sure." Matt could tell that the newly elected mayor had something else he wanted to discuss with him. He became comfortable in the silence, waiting for his host to gather his thoughts.
Franklin Edson walked toward the fireplace, slowly puffing his cigar to life. He concentrated on the flickering orange and yellow ribbons. "I'm anti-Tammany, Matt. I ran on that. I don't want you to think of me as a crook. I'm a straight arrow." He took a long puff before turning to face his guest.
Matt remained seated, simply answering, "I don't know you well enough to see you as anything except as the new mayor of this city and the father of one of my son's classmates."
"Your reputation precedes you. You are as honest as the day is long. Anyone who knows anything about the west knows that. I'm sure Captain Finnegan is annoyed as hell that the powers that be stationed you in his precinct house."
"Oh?" The big man took another slow sip of his drink.
"You're cautious, too. Deliberate. I like that." Edson reclaimed his chair, pointing at Matt with his cigar. "And I like you. I think in time you'll see that you can trust me. And when you do, I think together we may be able to change a few things around here."
As the men continued to get to know each other, Kitty and Fannie chatted in the parlor. The two women got along swimmingly, the conversation flowing like the Mississippi River. The gracious hostess stood, nodding at her maid as the woman carried a silver tea serving set into the room.
The middle-aged servant set the tray upon a small table as Kitty smiled and thanked her.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Dillon." The small brunette in a crisp, black uniform faced her boss. "Anything else, Mrs. Edson?"
"Not now, Alma. I'll serve the tea. Thank you." She looked at the redhead, "Sugar or milk?"
"One sugar, please." Kitty marveled at the menagerie of photographs in ornate frames perfectly placed on the mantle. "Are those your children, Fannie?"
"Yes." She handed Kitty a delicate china cup, noticing her guest counting the frames. "I have seven."
Kitty nearly choked on her first sip of chamomile. "Seven?"
"Yes. They're spread out over twenty years, though. Only three are still at home-Edith, Robert, and Ethel."
Kitty glanced around the beautifully decorated room. "You have exquisite taste, Fannie. Your home is lovely."
"Thank you so much. The house is a bit too large for the five of us, but it's been home for a while now. Enough about me. When are you due, Kitty?" Fannie asked, playfully lifting her eyebrows, acknowledging Kitty's midsection.
"The end of May," the redhead grinned, lightly tapping the top of her swell. "I can hardly believe in just a few months we'll have a baby in the house."
"Would you like a girl? I had four boys before I had my first girl."
"I don't know," Kitty shrugged her shoulders, tracing her finger over the rim of her cup. "I would sort of like another boy. Thad's been asking for a brother."
Fannie set down her tea cup and folded her hands in her lap. "Have you thought of any names?"
"Well," Kitty bit her bottom lip, whispering, "if it is a boy, I think I'd like to name him after Matt. But I don't know how he'll feel about that."
"Then you would be just like me," Fannie explained while reclaiming her cup and cradling it between her palms. "Our oldest is a boy and we named him Cyrus. We named our second son after Franklin."
So that wouldn't be so odd after all…Maybe Matt would be okay with that, since people wouldn't wonder why Thad isn't named after his father.
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Kitty watched her husband through the looking glass as he exited the water closet, wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. She feverishly brushed her hair, admiring his naked form as he donned his union suit.
"Thanks for the great fire, Cowboy. You sure know how to build 'em fast."
He combed his damp hair before pulling back the covers of their bed. "Years of practice out on the prairie. Make a fire fast or freeze to death."
She hung her head upside down and continued taming her fiery tresses. "Are ya hungry? I was so stuffed after that five-course dinner, I didn't even think about supper until Thad asked if he could have some left-over soup and bread."
"I must confess," Matt climbed into bed, yawning, "I made myself a sandwich while you were taking a bath."
She swiveled on her velvet covered vanity seat, rubbing lavender scented cream into her elbows. "Good to know you won't starve to death when I'm in the hospital having the baby."
"I was single a long time, ya know."
She sauntered to the bed and lay on her side, propping her head up with her bent elbow. "Oh, I'm well aware you were single a long time, Marshal."
Matt mirrored her body's position. "Did you have a nice visit today, Honey?"
"I did. Fannie is a kind, friendly woman. Thad sure had a wonderful time with the children. You?"
"I sure learned a lot. Franklin Edson is an interesting person. I think he was feeling me out."
She pushed his damp curls off his forehead. "Feeling you out? About what?"
He slowly sat up, pulling her with him as he leaned his back against the headboard. "As to whether or not I'm on the take. He flat out claimed he's anti-Tammany, and I do believe him. He also says he hopes to 'clean up the city.' And I don't think he was referring to street sweeping and scrubbing windows."
Kitty rubbed her palm against his chest, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You're new here. What does he think you can do about it?"
He tenderly held the hand she'd rested on his chest, studying her curious expression. "Maybe he thinks my being new in town is an advantage." Noticing her wrinkled brow, he grinned, kissing the tip of her nose. "Don't worry, Kitty. I think he was just thinking out loud."
TBC