Usual disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to Play , will
put them back when I’m done!
This story is for Rhonda,… this originally was her idea,..
but , she brought it to me wanting me to write this… so this is sort’of a Meeting of the
Minds….ok, Here goes … well I let you all be the Judge of that!
PT.1
Mistaken Identity
Walking across Front Street,... wiping the sweat from his face
,.. and neck ,.. … Was this the Hottest
August he can remember? And the day was just beginning ,he thought.…
Sam had stepped up on the Boardwalk, to open the Long Branch …when he stopped
,.. surprised…. The doors were already open,..
Entering thru the Batwing doors,.. only to see Kitty
stacking up Boxes … Miss Kitty? He said with question in his voice. Looking up at him with a cheerful
smile,….Good Morning Sam! Miss Kitty?..
I, I … tilting her head,… What Sam ?... What is it? Oh, Nothing Just surprised to see you
down,.. smiling at him, Oh, that…! well
didn’t sleep much,… so I decided to get all these things together.. for
Caroline and the Children…. Caroline
was a woman Kitty befriended a few years earlier ,.. she was a farmer’s wife
who had six young Children… all Boys, and recently widowed. Sam just continued
to wipe the dampness from his face ,.. smiling...at his Boss… He had known her
to, over the years,… be the first to try
and help the families of Dodge, when they were in need … and Caroline Weller …
sure was one of those in need now ….!
Sam, without waiting to be asked, began loading up the back
of Kitty’s Buggy…. Securing them for the ride out across the Prairie…. Standing holding some of the things ……as Sam
secured them,… several Cowboys had entered … Morning Miss Kitty ,… Sam! kind’a early even for you boys, Kitty said
teasing. Slapping the back of the Man beside him… Well Miss Kitty,.. wasn’t
gonna let this here Slick sodbuster ,.. get away with all My Money… Can’t do
that now can I ? gotta win it back ..
and ‘sides….Gotta see the prettiest gal in Dodge… Come’on in … I’ll get you the cards… but,
sorry Bud … I won’t be here to watch the torture! As she
was standing on the Boardwalk, Two more men walked up….,.. they were
rancher’s… one had been there the night
before in the game… the other.. He was new…
she had seen him a few days before ... talking to Matt, just before he
left town to chase after a Bank Robber.
Matt said his name was Jay Sheridan , he was a wealthy Rancher , that
had that spread,.. from a Family Member
he had a Wife Elizabeth and Their three
sons. Well Now Little Filly, looks like My cowhands were right ,….? Quickly , scooping her up in his arms,..
spinning her and laughing…. You are the Prettiest gal in this here town! Pushing off of him,… well Thank you,.. Tiger
!!!, she said sarcastically . Gents,.. enjoy your game,.. Sam?... I
should be back by the night time crowd….
It usually took most of the day when Kitty would ride out to The Weller
farm,… or even to the Ronniger’s….she figured on … stopping in and visiting
with Bess as well…. Some of the things she packed would go to Will and Bess…
Will had been laid up with a broken leg… so it made work difficult … just the boys doing chores.
As Kitty pulled away … Jay Sheridan .. yelled out … you be
careful Darlin’! as Two other sets of
Eyes Looked on!
Jay and Elizabeth, Sheridan.. had been married, for 18
Years,.. Ranching was in his Blood,… and this ranch … was left to them by
Elizabeth’s Uncle … her being the only surviving relative ….. it was perfect,.
Since their pervious ranch burn down during a twister… or so they thought?
Kitty Made her way across the Prairie,… as she rode she had
to pass by ,… the south side of the Sheridan property,… coming across three
Boys… as they approached closer….
Morning Ma’am the oldest spoke up…. Well Now … Morning Boys… Excuse me Ma’am …
are you lost? Furrowing her brow…. No,
I’m Not … I’m just on my way to visit some friends Just up over the hill … the second
Boys now spoke up… Oh You mean The Weller’s … nodding … Yes , Misses Weller is
a friend…. Well Ma’am we could escort
you .. if you’d like ? Pa’ always says …
we should take good care of the women
Folk. All three Boys were now
surrounding her …. Oh, Now that won’t be
necessary .. But I thank you very much …
Yes Ma’am…. Kitty reached up and cupped the boys face in her hands… You
look familiar… Names’ Sheridan, Ma’am… I’m Conner, this here is Jay Jr. and
that there is Joe…. We’re brother’s … Kitty was smiling at them. thinking how adorably cute and sweet
they were. We’re new in these parts…
Pa’s a Rancher…. Well then Welcome to Dodge!… if you come
to town with your Pa’ and Ma’ … I’ll see you there… I live in Dodge… Name’s
Kitty …Kitty Russell. They youngest,… just stared at Kitty…. Like he was
fascinated ….. Well Boys I best be on My Way… it was a pleasure to meet such
Fine young men...as yourselves….
Bye Miss Russell, the three said in unison…. Bye Boys … then she
continued her ride up over the hill and out of sight…..
As she entered the Weller property,... all the children were
outside … doing different chores… when they saw her coming…. Ma’ … Ma’ … it’s
Miss Russell… hurry Ma’!... they all crowded around her….
We Hello Boys!... you sure look like you’re working real
hard? matter of factly,.. Oh Yes
Ma’am we are Ma’ needs us now .. since
Pa’ .. then he went silent. Lifting
his chin with her fingers… I’m
sure you’re Pa’ would be very proud of all you Boys .. for looking out after
You’re Ma’ Just then Caroline came from
the House,…. OH, Kitty … it’s good to see you , but You need’ent ride all this way in this awful heat…. Caroline ,.. it’s no problem,.. keeps me
busy and not worrying about’.. she stopped before finishing… looking around …
Maybe you Boys can bring these things in for you’re Ma’ …huh? They scrambled around Kitty,,.. as she handed then the boxes she
had for them… Now, Frankie… watch that one there… it has glass in it…. As Caroline went thru the boxes that Kitty
brought,… lowering her eyes,… Ahhhh
Kitty you shouldn’t have done this … I can’t afford…………. NO!.. No! Caroline you
don’t owe me anything … These were just some things I had … and well sometimes
I shop too Much … Matt will tell you!.. now the two were chuckling. Oh, and I suppose you buy too many boys Pants
and shirts? Huh? Look That’s what
Friend are for … patting her hands….. Oh, Kitty … Thank You !... you have no
idea what a help this is Bess Ronniger,.. warned me about you and what you do
for folks in Dodge you’ll let me repay
you some way? Caroline you just
continue to be a wonderful Mother … that’s all the thanks I need … and someday
you’ll help someone else… Caroline made them Coffee as she filled Kitty in on what she had been doing ,… now that Frank Senior was Dead…..
Long Branch,
The Men from that morning had started a game ,.. most of
them were from the night before …. The game went on for hours… Jay
Sheridan was cleaning most of them out … this wasn’t making for very happy
cowboys… two were extremely upset… One started … at Jay .. You Money bag
Ranchers.. think you can throw your money around … and control everything you
touch! Now Son!….. if your not big
enough to sit in this game .. maybe you should tuck your tail between your legs
and run!... now laughing at them.
Angrier … standing to storming off … yelling as they left… you best have
eyes behind you…. Watch your Back .. !
Just watch your back!... after
they left ,… Sheridan,.. looked at Sam….. Sam My Man… refills over here won’t
ya? Coming right up Mister
Sheridan Sam answered!
TBC
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