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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2099043" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Seventeen, “Fairy Tales”, Saturday, March 11th, 1882, 5:00 A.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Katherine woke screaming. She hadn't had a dream like that since Morgan Earp had left Tombstone. Kate sat up in bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. There would be no more sleeping tonight unless she.... Kate pulled the blanket tight around her. She would not go downstairs for a drink. If she didn't sleep she didn't sleep. </p><p></p><p>It started well enough. Kate arrives in Tombstone and Tom was waiting for her on the platform. The sun was shining, setting off the red in his blond hair and lighting up his eyes. He called her his bonny Katie and kissed her. And then Morgan Earp appeared behind him with that knife. His brothers pulled her away as she screamed for help, covered in his blood. It was worse than any she'd had before. She was still awake when the sun crossed the horizon.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet woke early as always and took a walk around the town watching the sunrise. He thought about stopping at the jail to see Jake and Chester but decided that by himself he might not be welcome and probably wouldn't accomplish much. Once the town started waking up he headed back to the Lucky Lady and made himself something to eat and coffee. He left the pot on in case anyone else would be around. </p><p></p><p>The next morning Ruby woke late, as usual. She lay in bed just staring at the other empty side. The worry was not gone but she still hadn't come up with any ideas of how to help Jake and Chester. They were just going to have to depend on Mitchell Berg. She hadn't eaten in a while and she was hungry. She dragged herself out of bed and went down to the kitchen. Someone else had made the coffee today and Ruby was thankful for it. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet had sat down and was enjoying his second cup when Ruby made her way down stairs. "Good morning Miss Ruby, you are up early this morning. Hope you got some rest." Ruby sighed and cradled the coffee mug in her hands. "Not much, but that is to be expected, right? Thank you so much for your help last night. My head was in the clouds." She carefully took a sip. "I’m going to head over to the jail, I want to give something to Jake. Would you care you take a walk?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Sure, I would actually. I was out and about already this morning watching the world wake up but I didn't stop over there. Figured I would wait for you I guess. Better get a shawl or something, it's a bit chilly outside this morning." </p><p></p><p>Ruby runs upstairs. She rummages through a draw until she comes up with what she is looking for, a book. She heads over to the desk and carefully puts the letter she wrote the night before in an envelope, labeling it Mr. Cook, and tapes it inside one of the pages. She grabs her jacket and heads downstairs. Nanuet and Ruby head over to the jail. When they arrive Nanuet holds the door for Ruby and follows her inside.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet heads over to Chester’s cell and chats with Chester for a few minutes while Ruby approaches the Marshall. Nanuet says, "Hey Mr. Chester, or just Chester I mean. How are you? Well I guess that is a stupid question. Is there anything you need? We got some books for Mr. Jake but didn't get you anything yet, sorry about that." He replies, "I'm doing OK, Nanuet. How are you? Books would be fine, thanks. Oh and a copy of the latest Harper's Monthly, if you can find it." </p><p></p><p>Ruby shows Earp the book. "Something else for Jake to read..." He quickly holds it up and fans the pages then nods. Ruby takes the book and walks towards the jail cells. "Morning Jake, Chester. I won't bother asking how you slept." Jake can immediately tell Ruby is nervous about something, although she isn't acting much different than yesterday. She tells them about last night, how the crowd was large, and she gives them a copy of the Promise City Herald to read. "Who brought you breakfast?" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet then walks over to Chester, and Ruby gets closer to Jake. She hands him the book through the bars. "I brought you some other, um, reading, one of my favorite books." Jake looks at the book as Ruby slides it to him. It's her book of Fairy Tales by Hand Christian Anderson. Ruby gives Jake a smile. "I really hope you like it."</p><p></p><p>Jake smiles. "Thanks. I know what this one means to you." He hands her a book from his bed. "I'll pass on the Garfield book, I don't think I could get through that tedious history. Maybe Chester will want it. And this one..." Jake takes the other one off the bed and holds it up without opening it. He speaks in a formal tone. </p><p></p><p><em>"Last night I saw the sunset melt through my prison bars, </em></p><p><em>Last night across my damp earth floor fell the pale gleam of stars: </em></p><p><em>In the coldness and the darkness all through the long night-time, </em></p><p><em>My grated casement whited with autumn's early rime.... </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>All night I sat unsleeping, for I knew that on the morrow </em></p><p><em>The ruler and the cruel priest would mock me in my sorrow. </em></p><p><em>Dragged to their place of market, and bargained for and sold, </em></p><p><em>Like a lamb before the shambles, like a heifer from the fold!" </em> </p><p></p><p>"Heh. Back in school I thought Whittier couldn't get any more depressing. I was wrong." He makes a slight grimace before laughing a bit. "I'll read yours though. Fairy tales are about hope, right?"</p><p></p><p>"Ugh, that's horrible," Ruby grabs the book through the bars. "No more reading that. We can give the other one to Chester. I can bring you something different if you want." She hands the book to Nanuet to pass on. "I'll be back later, with your lunch." She reaches in squeezes Jake arm quickly before starting to follow Nanuet out. She looks back at Jake over her shoulder, "Fairy tales ARE about hope, and happily ever afters, Jake. But mostly they're about love." With that Ruby walks out.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet says to both Jake and Chester, "We are doing what we can guys, I hope you know that. Hang in there." Chester winces at the last sentence. "I wish you hadn't said that. I know you're doing your best. I just hope it's enough to get us out of this mess. Thank you." Nanuet says, "Oh true, didn't mean it that way, you know that."</p><p></p><p>"Thanks Nanuet. You know I appreciate it." Jake calls out to the Indian as he leaves. Jake gazes out after Ruby leaves for a short while before he lays back down on what passes for a bed in his jail cell. He just stares at the ceiling for a while, lost in his thoughts before he picks up the book. He glances over to make sure that his jailer isn't watching him before he thumbs through it.</p><p></p><p>When he's sure he is not being watched, Jake opens the book and flips through to check it's contents. He notices a piece of paper that doesn't belong. He backs up a number of pages before it and pretends to be reading one of the stories. He paces himself, taking the appropriate amount of time on each page. When he gets to the letter, he has to read it sideways to keep the book upright and the letter concealed. </p><p></p><p><em>Dear Jake, </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Here I sit awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I knew this would happen. I thought of drinking until I passed out but realized that I might be more useful if I was clearheaded. So now I’m awake and miserable, thinking about you and missing you and worrying about you. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I’m sure you noticed I couldn’t look at you yesterday. You don’t belong in jail, we both know it, and it was torture to see you there. Not being able to hug you or kiss you or get close to you, well, you know that’s even worse torture for me. I didn’t want you looking in my eyes and using that uncanny ability you having of reading people, reading me, and seeing how upset I am, knowing everything I am thinking and feeling. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>The more I think about what happened today the more nervous I get. How can it be that telling the truth and doing the right thing leads to this? I do blame myself for your current position. I know that were I not a thought in your mind you would have done something different, maybe spoken up sooner, maybe left town, maybe done worse, but you would have done something. You will not change my thoughts on this, I know it to be true. Maybe we have been spending too much time together? </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>So I decided today that I must make myself spend more time away from you, once you get out. You’ll have things to keep you busy, the silver mine and our saloon and I’m sure you’ll find other ways to keep yourself occupied. I will distract you less and it will help you be more on top of important things you and I both should be on top of. It’s for both of our good, when you think about it. I’ll spend my time missing you, but absence makes the heart grow fonder they say, right? So how could my plan be bad? </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Then I realized how stupid I sounded thinking I would be able to stay away from you. This whole jail situation brings up feelings I have never felt before and never thought I would feel. You were right that horrible day you got shot, you do have all the advantage on me, for my feelings must be completely obvious to everyone but myself and I feel foolish now that I am forced to see them. And why have I been ignoring them? I guess I like the ways things are and don’t want them to change. I guess I still don’t believe that things could be different for me or admitting that they finally are could make me lose what I have gained. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I told you I never believed in fairy tales, but I do believe in you and you’ve given me one, tiara and all. This is the happiest I’ve ever been but it’s also made me the most scared. Scared that I would lose all this and scared that I would lose you. I could make my argument that it makes me weak but I like your argument better, that it’s just life. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Now I’m laughing at myself because I written a whole letter and not said what I wanted to say. I wanted to say it when I left you yesterday but couldn’t, I was too afraid. And if you were here you would probably tease me for being a silly girl. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Some time ago I gave you some advice, I told you not to fall in love with me because in the past it always led to trouble. Well, foolish girl that I am, I did not take my own advice. I’ve fallen in love with you. I need you and want you all the time. I KNEW the day I met you that you would be trouble for me, I just didn't think it would be like this. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I’m terrified because I don’t know if you feel the same way but feel excited that you might. Maybe knowing will make you happy, maybe it will terrify you too. Maybe you don’t feel the same way. No matter what please don’t tell me something just because you think it’s what I want to hear. I only want the truth, I’m tired of men telling me they love me when they don’t. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I guess it’s a good time to tell you while you have some time to think it over so you can decide how your heart really feels. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>That day in the rain I told you I cared about you and it is still true but that only required a little piece of my heart. Now you have my whole heart, it belongs to you. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I love you Jacob Alistair Cooke. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Yours, </em></p><p><em>Ruby </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Oh and I will be so nervous to see you after you read this, so no matter what you have to say, please be kind!</em></p><p></p><p>He keeps his poker face, concealing his response throughout. He maintains his measured pace of flipping pages until the end of that fairy tale. He doesn't read those pages any more than he read the ones before the letter. Jake closes the book and puts it under his pillow. Ever so faintly he mutters, "The truth has been nothing but trouble. Do you even know the truth Silver Jake Cook?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, “Let’s go back to the El Parador and eat. It’s still early enough for breakfast.” Ruby and Nanuet head over and let Dorita make them a nice breakfast. Kate managed to get through Ginnie's lessons despite her sleepless night, and when they went downstairs the others were there having lunch. Ruby picks at her food, too nervous now to eat even though she had been so hungry earlier. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that she made a mistake. Having doubts was not like Ruby at all, but this was what Jake did to her. She liked things how they were and she was happy, so why did she take the chance of ruining everything? She heard someone calling her and realized she has been ignoring everyone at the table. “Oh, uh, sorry. I was just thinking… Kate, you know I’m sure Jake and Chester would like a visit from you…” She looks up at the face staring at her. “You know, I’m going to go for a walk.” Before anyone can protest Ruby is gone. </p><p></p><p>When Ruby mentioned it, Kate assured her that she was going to go see Jake and Chester, but Ruby was distracted and left a moment later. Nanuet left soon after, and Kate and Ginnie were on their own again. "Ginnie, why don't you take some time for yourself? I have an errand to run, and then I should go to the jail. I'll see you at dinner time, alright?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby makes her way out of town and just walks and walks and walks. She walks past the spot where she and Jake had buried the green ball so long ago and decides to sit and think. Promise City has turned out much differently than I thought it would. Finally she gets back up and wanders back into town. She nods to all the familiar faces but doesn’t stop to chat. </p><p></p><p>She arrives at the Lucky Lady and as soon as she walks in Maria is yelling at her. “You’re late! Those boys are probably starving for their lunch! I was just about to go myself.” Ruby replies, “Oh I lost track of time, what time is it?” “It’s 2:00!” Maria says while stuffing Ruby’s hands with the package of lunch and shaking her head. “Opps,” was all Ruby said before heading out the door. </p><p></p><p>Jake had spent most of the morning and early afternoon just staring at the ceiling. When he is sure no one will see, he uses his skills to move the letter from the book to his hidden wallet. Once back at the jail Ruby found it hard to walk in. She paced a few times back and forth before finally entering the jail. She stopped at the Marshall’s desk while he poked through the food. Ruby refused to look up. When he was done she brought Chester his lunch. "Hi Ruby. What kept you? We were about to eat our blankets." Chester pauses when he sees Ruby's face. "Is everything OK?"</p><p></p><p>"I hope everything's ok, Chester. I'm real sorry keeping your lunch from you. I went for a walk and lost track of time. How are you holding up in here? Anything you need?" She stayed in the same spot while talking to Chester, near Jake, and didn't move. "I'm OK, Ruby, although bored to tears." Chester shrugs. "But I can deal with that. I thought something had gone wrong when you didn't stop by earlier. I asked Nanuet to get me some books. That should tide me over. Do you know when this trial is supposed to happen?" She replies, "Monday. I know, not soon enough for any of us. Now eat your lunch, it's probably cold already." </p><p></p><p>She then walked over to Jake. Handing him the lunch, without looking him in the eyes, she says “I shouldn’t have given you that, um, book, I'm sorry. You have enough to worry about right now.” Ruby stood there a few moments feeling very awkward. "I'm uh, going to leave I think. And maybe send someone back with dinner who can get here in a timely manner." He replies, "Lunch looks good. It's fine, Ruby. I'm not mad at you. I'm just angry that I'm in here. That's all. Good luck tonight." </p><p></p><p>Jake sits up and watches her stand awkwardly outside his cell. She is just about to leave when he says. "Thanks again for the book, I really like it. I know you feel awkward here in the jailhouse, but don't stop coming. Heck, then all I'd have to look at is Chester or the Marshall." He stands and chuckles. "I was never big on literature, so I won't pretend to understand all the stories in there. Maybe you can teach me about them when I get out. Although I seem to have plenty of time, it's hard to concentrate in here."</p><p></p><p>Ruby turns towards to Jake and walks back to him. She grabs the bars of the cell and leans her head up against them. “Jake…..” She stands there for a few moments with her mouth open trying to say something but nothing is coming out. She stays there staring at him until finally she smiles. “I don’t know that I understand all the stories either. I never did before anyway. Maybe we can teach each other.” Her smile grows a little wider, “Besides you’re the brains of this operation, I’m just the distraction...” Ruby bites her lip, "Don't worry Mr. Cook, I'll make sure to come back. I don't have anywhere else important to be."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2099043, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Seventeen, “Fairy Tales”, Saturday, March 11th, 1882, 5:00 A.M.[/B] Katherine woke screaming. She hadn't had a dream like that since Morgan Earp had left Tombstone. Kate sat up in bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. There would be no more sleeping tonight unless she.... Kate pulled the blanket tight around her. She would not go downstairs for a drink. If she didn't sleep she didn't sleep. It started well enough. Kate arrives in Tombstone and Tom was waiting for her on the platform. The sun was shining, setting off the red in his blond hair and lighting up his eyes. He called her his bonny Katie and kissed her. And then Morgan Earp appeared behind him with that knife. His brothers pulled her away as she screamed for help, covered in his blood. It was worse than any she'd had before. She was still awake when the sun crossed the horizon. Nanuet woke early as always and took a walk around the town watching the sunrise. He thought about stopping at the jail to see Jake and Chester but decided that by himself he might not be welcome and probably wouldn't accomplish much. Once the town started waking up he headed back to the Lucky Lady and made himself something to eat and coffee. He left the pot on in case anyone else would be around. The next morning Ruby woke late, as usual. She lay in bed just staring at the other empty side. The worry was not gone but she still hadn't come up with any ideas of how to help Jake and Chester. They were just going to have to depend on Mitchell Berg. She hadn't eaten in a while and she was hungry. She dragged herself out of bed and went down to the kitchen. Someone else had made the coffee today and Ruby was thankful for it. Nanuet had sat down and was enjoying his second cup when Ruby made her way down stairs. "Good morning Miss Ruby, you are up early this morning. Hope you got some rest." Ruby sighed and cradled the coffee mug in her hands. "Not much, but that is to be expected, right? Thank you so much for your help last night. My head was in the clouds." She carefully took a sip. "I’m going to head over to the jail, I want to give something to Jake. Would you care you take a walk?" He replies, "Sure, I would actually. I was out and about already this morning watching the world wake up but I didn't stop over there. Figured I would wait for you I guess. Better get a shawl or something, it's a bit chilly outside this morning." Ruby runs upstairs. She rummages through a draw until she comes up with what she is looking for, a book. She heads over to the desk and carefully puts the letter she wrote the night before in an envelope, labeling it Mr. Cook, and tapes it inside one of the pages. She grabs her jacket and heads downstairs. Nanuet and Ruby head over to the jail. When they arrive Nanuet holds the door for Ruby and follows her inside. Nanuet heads over to Chester’s cell and chats with Chester for a few minutes while Ruby approaches the Marshall. Nanuet says, "Hey Mr. Chester, or just Chester I mean. How are you? Well I guess that is a stupid question. Is there anything you need? We got some books for Mr. Jake but didn't get you anything yet, sorry about that." He replies, "I'm doing OK, Nanuet. How are you? Books would be fine, thanks. Oh and a copy of the latest Harper's Monthly, if you can find it." Ruby shows Earp the book. "Something else for Jake to read..." He quickly holds it up and fans the pages then nods. Ruby takes the book and walks towards the jail cells. "Morning Jake, Chester. I won't bother asking how you slept." Jake can immediately tell Ruby is nervous about something, although she isn't acting much different than yesterday. She tells them about last night, how the crowd was large, and she gives them a copy of the Promise City Herald to read. "Who brought you breakfast?" Nanuet then walks over to Chester, and Ruby gets closer to Jake. She hands him the book through the bars. "I brought you some other, um, reading, one of my favorite books." Jake looks at the book as Ruby slides it to him. It's her book of Fairy Tales by Hand Christian Anderson. Ruby gives Jake a smile. "I really hope you like it." Jake smiles. "Thanks. I know what this one means to you." He hands her a book from his bed. "I'll pass on the Garfield book, I don't think I could get through that tedious history. Maybe Chester will want it. And this one..." Jake takes the other one off the bed and holds it up without opening it. He speaks in a formal tone. [I]"Last night I saw the sunset melt through my prison bars, Last night across my damp earth floor fell the pale gleam of stars: In the coldness and the darkness all through the long night-time, My grated casement whited with autumn's early rime.... All night I sat unsleeping, for I knew that on the morrow The ruler and the cruel priest would mock me in my sorrow. Dragged to their place of market, and bargained for and sold, Like a lamb before the shambles, like a heifer from the fold!" [/I] "Heh. Back in school I thought Whittier couldn't get any more depressing. I was wrong." He makes a slight grimace before laughing a bit. "I'll read yours though. Fairy tales are about hope, right?" "Ugh, that's horrible," Ruby grabs the book through the bars. "No more reading that. We can give the other one to Chester. I can bring you something different if you want." She hands the book to Nanuet to pass on. "I'll be back later, with your lunch." She reaches in squeezes Jake arm quickly before starting to follow Nanuet out. She looks back at Jake over her shoulder, "Fairy tales ARE about hope, and happily ever afters, Jake. But mostly they're about love." With that Ruby walks out. Nanuet says to both Jake and Chester, "We are doing what we can guys, I hope you know that. Hang in there." Chester winces at the last sentence. "I wish you hadn't said that. I know you're doing your best. I just hope it's enough to get us out of this mess. Thank you." Nanuet says, "Oh true, didn't mean it that way, you know that." "Thanks Nanuet. You know I appreciate it." Jake calls out to the Indian as he leaves. Jake gazes out after Ruby leaves for a short while before he lays back down on what passes for a bed in his jail cell. He just stares at the ceiling for a while, lost in his thoughts before he picks up the book. He glances over to make sure that his jailer isn't watching him before he thumbs through it. When he's sure he is not being watched, Jake opens the book and flips through to check it's contents. He notices a piece of paper that doesn't belong. He backs up a number of pages before it and pretends to be reading one of the stories. He paces himself, taking the appropriate amount of time on each page. When he gets to the letter, he has to read it sideways to keep the book upright and the letter concealed. [I]Dear Jake, Here I sit awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I knew this would happen. I thought of drinking until I passed out but realized that I might be more useful if I was clearheaded. So now I’m awake and miserable, thinking about you and missing you and worrying about you. I’m sure you noticed I couldn’t look at you yesterday. You don’t belong in jail, we both know it, and it was torture to see you there. Not being able to hug you or kiss you or get close to you, well, you know that’s even worse torture for me. I didn’t want you looking in my eyes and using that uncanny ability you having of reading people, reading me, and seeing how upset I am, knowing everything I am thinking and feeling. The more I think about what happened today the more nervous I get. How can it be that telling the truth and doing the right thing leads to this? I do blame myself for your current position. I know that were I not a thought in your mind you would have done something different, maybe spoken up sooner, maybe left town, maybe done worse, but you would have done something. You will not change my thoughts on this, I know it to be true. Maybe we have been spending too much time together? So I decided today that I must make myself spend more time away from you, once you get out. You’ll have things to keep you busy, the silver mine and our saloon and I’m sure you’ll find other ways to keep yourself occupied. I will distract you less and it will help you be more on top of important things you and I both should be on top of. It’s for both of our good, when you think about it. I’ll spend my time missing you, but absence makes the heart grow fonder they say, right? So how could my plan be bad? Then I realized how stupid I sounded thinking I would be able to stay away from you. This whole jail situation brings up feelings I have never felt before and never thought I would feel. You were right that horrible day you got shot, you do have all the advantage on me, for my feelings must be completely obvious to everyone but myself and I feel foolish now that I am forced to see them. And why have I been ignoring them? I guess I like the ways things are and don’t want them to change. I guess I still don’t believe that things could be different for me or admitting that they finally are could make me lose what I have gained. I told you I never believed in fairy tales, but I do believe in you and you’ve given me one, tiara and all. This is the happiest I’ve ever been but it’s also made me the most scared. Scared that I would lose all this and scared that I would lose you. I could make my argument that it makes me weak but I like your argument better, that it’s just life. Now I’m laughing at myself because I written a whole letter and not said what I wanted to say. I wanted to say it when I left you yesterday but couldn’t, I was too afraid. And if you were here you would probably tease me for being a silly girl. Some time ago I gave you some advice, I told you not to fall in love with me because in the past it always led to trouble. Well, foolish girl that I am, I did not take my own advice. I’ve fallen in love with you. I need you and want you all the time. I KNEW the day I met you that you would be trouble for me, I just didn't think it would be like this. I’m terrified because I don’t know if you feel the same way but feel excited that you might. Maybe knowing will make you happy, maybe it will terrify you too. Maybe you don’t feel the same way. No matter what please don’t tell me something just because you think it’s what I want to hear. I only want the truth, I’m tired of men telling me they love me when they don’t. I guess it’s a good time to tell you while you have some time to think it over so you can decide how your heart really feels. That day in the rain I told you I cared about you and it is still true but that only required a little piece of my heart. Now you have my whole heart, it belongs to you. I love you Jacob Alistair Cooke. Yours, Ruby Oh and I will be so nervous to see you after you read this, so no matter what you have to say, please be kind![/I] He keeps his poker face, concealing his response throughout. He maintains his measured pace of flipping pages until the end of that fairy tale. He doesn't read those pages any more than he read the ones before the letter. Jake closes the book and puts it under his pillow. Ever so faintly he mutters, "The truth has been nothing but trouble. Do you even know the truth Silver Jake Cook?" Ruby says, “Let’s go back to the El Parador and eat. It’s still early enough for breakfast.” Ruby and Nanuet head over and let Dorita make them a nice breakfast. Kate managed to get through Ginnie's lessons despite her sleepless night, and when they went downstairs the others were there having lunch. Ruby picks at her food, too nervous now to eat even though she had been so hungry earlier. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that she made a mistake. Having doubts was not like Ruby at all, but this was what Jake did to her. She liked things how they were and she was happy, so why did she take the chance of ruining everything? She heard someone calling her and realized she has been ignoring everyone at the table. “Oh, uh, sorry. I was just thinking… Kate, you know I’m sure Jake and Chester would like a visit from you…” She looks up at the face staring at her. “You know, I’m going to go for a walk.” Before anyone can protest Ruby is gone. When Ruby mentioned it, Kate assured her that she was going to go see Jake and Chester, but Ruby was distracted and left a moment later. Nanuet left soon after, and Kate and Ginnie were on their own again. "Ginnie, why don't you take some time for yourself? I have an errand to run, and then I should go to the jail. I'll see you at dinner time, alright?" Ruby makes her way out of town and just walks and walks and walks. She walks past the spot where she and Jake had buried the green ball so long ago and decides to sit and think. Promise City has turned out much differently than I thought it would. Finally she gets back up and wanders back into town. She nods to all the familiar faces but doesn’t stop to chat. She arrives at the Lucky Lady and as soon as she walks in Maria is yelling at her. “You’re late! Those boys are probably starving for their lunch! I was just about to go myself.” Ruby replies, “Oh I lost track of time, what time is it?” “It’s 2:00!” Maria says while stuffing Ruby’s hands with the package of lunch and shaking her head. “Opps,” was all Ruby said before heading out the door. Jake had spent most of the morning and early afternoon just staring at the ceiling. When he is sure no one will see, he uses his skills to move the letter from the book to his hidden wallet. Once back at the jail Ruby found it hard to walk in. She paced a few times back and forth before finally entering the jail. She stopped at the Marshall’s desk while he poked through the food. Ruby refused to look up. When he was done she brought Chester his lunch. "Hi Ruby. What kept you? We were about to eat our blankets." Chester pauses when he sees Ruby's face. "Is everything OK?" "I hope everything's ok, Chester. I'm real sorry keeping your lunch from you. I went for a walk and lost track of time. How are you holding up in here? Anything you need?" She stayed in the same spot while talking to Chester, near Jake, and didn't move. "I'm OK, Ruby, although bored to tears." Chester shrugs. "But I can deal with that. I thought something had gone wrong when you didn't stop by earlier. I asked Nanuet to get me some books. That should tide me over. Do you know when this trial is supposed to happen?" She replies, "Monday. I know, not soon enough for any of us. Now eat your lunch, it's probably cold already." She then walked over to Jake. Handing him the lunch, without looking him in the eyes, she says “I shouldn’t have given you that, um, book, I'm sorry. You have enough to worry about right now.” Ruby stood there a few moments feeling very awkward. "I'm uh, going to leave I think. And maybe send someone back with dinner who can get here in a timely manner." He replies, "Lunch looks good. It's fine, Ruby. I'm not mad at you. I'm just angry that I'm in here. That's all. Good luck tonight." Jake sits up and watches her stand awkwardly outside his cell. She is just about to leave when he says. "Thanks again for the book, I really like it. I know you feel awkward here in the jailhouse, but don't stop coming. Heck, then all I'd have to look at is Chester or the Marshall." He stands and chuckles. "I was never big on literature, so I won't pretend to understand all the stories in there. Maybe you can teach me about them when I get out. Although I seem to have plenty of time, it's hard to concentrate in here." Ruby turns towards to Jake and walks back to him. She grabs the bars of the cell and leans her head up against them. “Jake…..” She stands there for a few moments with her mouth open trying to say something but nothing is coming out. She stays there staring at him until finally she smiles. “I don’t know that I understand all the stories either. I never did before anyway. Maybe we can teach each other.” Her smile grows a little wider, “Besides you’re the brains of this operation, I’m just the distraction...” Ruby bites her lip, "Don't worry Mr. Cook, I'll make sure to come back. I don't have anywhere else important to be." [/QUOTE]
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