PT.2
“The test of Time”
After traveling in the August heat,…..Kitty was glad to have finally reached San Francisco…..
The Palace Hotel, had sent a Porter to meet her.. with a carriage…As Kitty, was standing on the landing
at the depot…a Young man approached…Are You Miss Russell? Kitty turned, Why Yes…
I’m Kitty Russell. Miss Russell, My Name is Daniel… I was sent from The Palace Hotel to escort you back To the Hotel and get you checked in Ma’am. Oh,…I wasn’t expecting… You are here for the conference? Yes, That right. She said. Well Ma’am… Then the carriage is for you. I’ll get your bags… well, alright, Kitty said. Thank you Daniel… That’s Kind of you…. Kitty found it not to be quiet as Hot in San Francisco…as in Kansas… Maybe being close to the ocean?….She always loved This city… Maybe I’ll have time to take it in .. she was thinking to herself.
Arriving at The Palace Hotel… It was so spectacular… on such a Grand scale…. She found herself thinking how much she wish Matt was with her.. How she would love to show him the Ocean….
Matt was doing his normal routine in Dodge… But Festus, Newly, and most of all Doc.. noticed
He wasn’t in the best of Moods….? Not much was happening… Thinking to himself…
“And Kitty said I’d be too busy to Miss her HUH?…” how wrong was she ? Finally Doc, couldn’t take it
Anymore…Matt, What in Thunder is wrong with you, ? Not that he didn’t already know. Who Me?…
Oh, No that big lug behind you. Yeah You. Nothings wrong with me. Matt said. Why?
For Heaven sakes…Matt ! Kitty’s only been gone a few days… I know Doc…I know…
Doc just.. ..not being able to hold his laugh anymore……swiping his upper Lip….you are really something!
You walk around here like a caged cat! Now Doc was really Laughing at Him….
Festus’ came up and not know what was going on…Doc ? What so Funny? Oh No… I’m not gettin’ into this with you. Gittin in’ what wit me? Festus ask. Matt, I got work to do… and Doc stood to leave… but Festus’ went on , Matthew.. I got a letter fur ya here… Matt Jumped, let me have it. Doc, looked back at him…Well, are ya happy now?… Kitty sent you a Letter…there now we can all relax, then Doc stopped because. Matt just put the letter in his pocket…didn’t open it….. Doc know from his expression…. That should have made him happy…But when Matt looked at Doc….Doc knew something was Wrong!
Kitty, Had several of her meetings while she was at the conference.. and also took some time to see some of San Francisco’s sites… Still wishing Her Cowboy could have been there … At least then she could make him see Why… all those years ago she talked about this City so Much… She knew he was a Texas born Cowboy, …and even Mountain at heart… but, there was no one else in this whole world she wanted to share all this with… But , Her Big Strong Cowboy…. ! But she did make sure ..to get in some shopping…
That she knew Matt would tease her about….
Kitty took the time to look up old friends….. Since she knew she had a few days before her trip home….
She even found a few people that she knew from New Orleans. Even some from Panacea’s old place.
Gambler’s mostly… who were very surprised to see Kitty in San Francisco. She had stopped into a small café on the water front , and heard a familiar voice… Kitty?…Kitty..? She turned to see who and where the voice was coming from…. Standing just steps from her was a gambler she knew from Pan’s place…
Edward La Fontaine… Don’t you remember me? I surely remember you ..How could I forget that beautiful face and fabulous Red hair…? Kitty looked surprise… Edward?…why it’s been ..
NO, don’t say it… Kitty started to laugh…Ok I won’t she said. Oh, kitty And that laugh… now I’m sure it is you. What are you doing in San Francisco? Well, actually ..I’m here on Business. She answered.
Looking surprised.. Business? Yes , she went on …I live in Dodge City , Kansas… and I own the Long Branch Saloon. I came here to a Business owner’s conference. Kitty I knew you were Different!
She just laughed. You did , did you? Let me buy you Dinner? Oh, Edward.. I…I.. you have to eat don’t you?… Ok, I’m staying at The palace Hotel.
Edward, showed up a few hours later at The Palace Hotel…approached the desk…Miss Kitty Russell’s Room?… I’ll ring her for you Sir.. A few minutes later, Kitty showed up ….Edward…..Kitty You look Lovely… but then again you always did. Thank You. Shall we Eat here , or did you have some place else in mind? looking at him with a smile. Kitty would much have preferred the dining room…
Although Edward came from a well to do New Orleans family… there was still a part of her that , knew just how far she could trust gambler’s… she learned that first hand. And Edward, put her in mind of her Father.
They choose to stay there at the Hotel… seeing that it was so elegant …
While they waited for their Dinner to be served… Edward looked at Kitty, Kitty , My dear…Tell me all about what you’ve been up to since I’ve seen you last …smiling slightly, she said : Now Edward…
We’re only here for Dinner… and it’s been more then twenty years… Kitty could see his wheels turning
Well then shorten it for me… Please tell me there isn’t a Mr.? No, I’m not married…but, whew
You scared me there for a minute… he began. But Kitty continued…Why do I think you already knew that?
What? No I … Edward…Let’s just say.. I’m not married ..but not available either. Now looking at him with a raised brow… and something tells me that isn’t a surprise either. Kitty! You shock me…
Edward… why don’t you cut to the chase…. Oh, I know you didn’t follow me here…. But , you’ve been hedging at something… What is it? Laughing he started… you always were a woman to get right to a point
Well , Kitty you could save me… Now She just laughed out loud!!!! What??? I wasn’t sure how I was going to figure this out but when I ran into you this afternoon … it was a Devine intervention…
Edward La Fontaine, What on earth are you talking about? Marry me Kitty? Kitty almost chocked on her drink…..What did you Say???? Marry Me Kitty? ..after she was able to catch her breath…
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” is that such an aweful thought? He asked. YES!.. No. YES!
Kitty let me explain….. Oh Yes… Please do! She said sarcastically . I don’t really want you to be my wife… I don’t love you. Oh, well now that we cleared that up.. Please, go on…she said smiling with a smirk. I’m in love with a Woman Johanna Graham. Oh, by all means don’t stop now…Kitty’s now more confused. Our families are at odd’s and I can’t get my inheritance .. If I marry Johanna Edward, You’re a grown man.. If you truly love Johanna …Kitty, wait…My family they’ve always been fond of you.
I’m sorry Edward… I can’t ….Kitty you don’t know what it’s like to have money then lose it?
Oh, Edward…. I know better then you think… so, are you still saying NO. Don’t you know what it is to have to sacrifice for Love..? Now kitty was getting a bit angry… how dare this man sit here and presume to know anything about her life.. And what she will or will not do in the name of the Love of another person. Edward, My answer is still NO…. If you’ll excuse me… I’m not feeling well.
And I have things to do. Thank You for Dinner… Good bye.
When Matt was alone… he pulled the letter from his pocket, debating if he should open it…?
A feeling in the pit of gut told him this wasn’t going to be something he wanted to read….
It was the post mark that bothered him….. Just as he started to open it.. A knock on the door…
As it opened… Doc, came in.. Matt… thought you might want to join me for supper..?
Doc, still saw that troubled look on his face… and if your in a mind to … My ear is free…
What? Supper , want to join me? Doc repeated. Yeah sure. Let go I’m starved.
And let go before Festus shows up. Festus?.. Yeah… you know that whiskered fella you let hang out here
That thinks he’s of help . Oh, he went to Hayes for me this morning Doc. Matt said , still thinking …
Doc smiled. Oh Boy there is a GOD! I can eat in peace. But Matt.. I gotta say… I’m Missin’ Kitty myself… been lonely without her . Matt didn’t say anything right away.. Then , as they were walking
It hit him what Doc said. Yeah , Doc… It’s been lonely… it’s been lonely without Kitty….
While they were eating… Doc finally brought it up… Matt , I wasn’t gonna say anything till you did ,but,
You’ve been acting strange ever since Festus gave you that Letter. What’s going on? Is it bad news?
No, I mean I don’t know. I haven’t read it yet. Well for heaven sake … why not? Doc asked ,looking at Matt trying to figure what has him worried. I hate to say it Doc.. But, after all this time…
Doc shook his head swiped his Mustache… All This Time? Why would I get this Letter now Doc?
Well, Matt your not gonna know if you don’t read it…! And how can you be worried when you haven’t even opened it yet?…. Matt turned the envelope to face it to Doc… , Now Doc could see the return
Address, and post mark…… Oh, My heaven’s…. how long has it been? Matt you better open it…
TBC
No comments:
Post a Comment