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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2285062" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 37, “Talking about the boys”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>"The color certainly is stunning," Kate said, admiring the fabric. "It's probably a little much for every day, but I seem to need fancy clothes more often than I would have guessed around here. The neck is a little low though, don't you think? Even lower than on my other new gown." Ruby raises her eyebrow. "Am I ever going to say a neckline is too low? Silly...But you wouldn't want a certain someone to get the idea that you are ready to move on, now would you?" Ruby holds up the stockings, smiling at Kate. "A certain what? Who in the world are you talking about, Ruby?" but her neck was turning red. </p><p></p><p>Ruby laughed. "I guess I'm not getting any input on these stockings. I'll just take them both." She turns to walk to the back of the store. "You know who I'm talking about, a certain gentleman who you've been spending many hours with..." Ruby ignores Kate's discomfort and finishes making her choices. "Done when you two are..." Ruby takes a seat on the counter, waiting for Kate and Ginnie.</p><p></p><p>Mary Kelley examines the lace and tells Ginnie that she would be more than happy to exchange them for fabric. She is particularly interested in Ginnie's reference to quilting, as she has a large wooden barrel filled with various scrap materials. Ginnie explains that her mother had taught her the "new" fad of crazy quilting before she died in Boston. her family had used the quilting as a very good way of taking lace scraps and using them as display. The materials that are used for the base pieces of the crazy quilt are the velvets and silks of the better dress shops much like the dresses available here. However Ginnie will also explain that she has some experience in pieced work also in cottons and wools and would be very happy to trade lace for scraps. </p><p></p><p>"If this is something that you have not availed yourself of Mrs. Kelly I would be happy to show you the technique I was taught." Mary Kelley says that she would be happy to work with Ginnie and suggests that she stop by for a few hours everyday, adding "I have all of the materials and tools here that we would need." I do have my lessons and they take precedence. I would need to make sure that Ma'am Kate approved but it would be nice to work with such wonderful fabrics and good light even for just an hour or so a day. Kate was still admiring the red dress when Ginnie and Mary approached. Mrs. Kelley explains her proposition to have Ginnie work with her at the store.</p><p></p><p>"There will still be time for lessons, and working is a lesson of it's own. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't spend some time here." Kate agreed. "I take it you were able to come to an agreement about the fabrics as well." Ginnie interjects, “I think we both will benefit from the arrangement Ma'am Kate. When should I be here? Early afternoon right after lunch might be best because I do a lot of my lessons in the morning and readings after supper. Would that work for you Mrs. Kelly? Ma'am Kate?” Mrs. Kelly says that is fine, that she and her husband close for lunch and noon and reopen at 1:00 PM and stay open until 5:30 PM so anytime during then would be fine.</p><p></p><p>That sounds just fine Ginnie. Thank you Mrs. Kelley. I'm sure it will work out well for both you and Ginnie." Kate looked over at Ruby and stood up straighter. "I'd like this dress please, but I think it would be a bit big for me. If you can use my measurements you already have to alter it, and I'll come back in a few days for a final fitting? Thank you." Kate paid for the dress, and Ginnie got a large bag of fabric and scraps for her quilting. Ruby jumped down off the counter, and the three went back to the El Parador to get their horses for the ride out to the ranch.</p><p></p><p>Ginnie quickly put most of the scraps from the bag in her room at the El Parador pulling just a few wool scraps and stuffing them in her inside pocket. Then she mounted the horse that Ma'am Kate had picked for her. She still didn't ride well at all and hung on for dear life saying little as they road to the ranch trying desperately not to fall off the horse as they road. Ruby shook her head. "I would offer to teach you to ride, but I'm not the expert here. It would be a smart idea to learn though." "Ginnie, you're making it harder for yourself," Kate said riding up next to her. "Meribel is very gentle, she'll be careful of you." Kate then went through a few pointers on riding, how to sit comfortably, and how important it was for her to stay calm so the horse would stay calm. </p><p></p><p>Ruby turned and looked around the ranch. "Wow you've made a lot of progress. Kate, is that your house?" Ruby looked over the land curiously. She watched carefully, ready to grab the reins if necessary as she talked to Ruby. "He's just a friend," she said, picking up the conversation that had begun at Kelley's store. "Right and Jake's my brother." Ruby hopped off her horse. </p><p></p><p>Kate ignores the comment and says, "That's Sonoma's house there, ours is the one that's still unfinished. It should be ready soon. Do you have any of those bedframes still free, we're going to need some." Kate slid down off the stallion and helped Ginnie off Meribel. "I think it's riding lessons today dear." She replies, “Wasn't riding out from town the lesson? After all, I didn’t fall off.” Ruby laughed at Ginnie. She could be so cute and innocent when she wanted to be. And that was a good thing as far as Ruby was concerned. Kate tells the girl, "Not falling off is a good start. But you should learn how to fall without hurting yourself, and how to stay on without making your whole body hurt." </p><p></p><p>"Well, it looks good," Ruby said looking off into the distance. "Almost done, that's great. You need a fresh start and you said you wanted a home of your own." Ruby got lost in her thoughts for a moment before snapping out of it. "Bedframes.. I'm not sure but I think there should be some left. Is there anything I can do right now?"</p><p></p><p>"You could help feed and water the horses. It won't take too long. Then I'm going to work with Ginnie a little bit on riding. I don't think we'll stay out too long today. Let's go take a look inside my house first." "Sure, I can help with the horses." Kate began to lead Ruby and Ginnie over to the house. "I may have to put a small outbuilding in the back. I'd like to get back to studying chemistry, but that's not something you want to mess with in the house." As she opened the door Kate leaned over to Ruby and said, "I didn't know you and Jake were related. Interesting relationship you have there."</p><p></p><p>"Are you developing a sense of humor, Katherine Kale?" Ruby cocked her head at Kate before flipping her hair. "Fine, have it your way, you and Mr. Booth are just friends... we'll see about that." Ruby wandered the house looking it over. "This is so exiting. I'll never have a place like this, so I'll just have to borrow yours on occasion, when I get the urge to be homey." Ruby touched her lip before chuckling. "Like that will ever happen." </p><p></p><p>She continued to wander before calling out from the back room. "Mr. Eastman offered me my own mansion, with servants. And my own concert hall. And as much traveling as I want. Plus he says I wouldn't have to do anything I don't want to, like all that fake society crap." Ruby sighed. "That all sounds pretty tempting, I admit."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I've always had a sense of humor, Ruby. I just hadn't been feeling much like letting it out. It is tempting Ruby. To have the home, to travel, everything you could want without having to deal with society rules. What did Jake say?"</p><p></p><p>"I didn't tell him. Actually I lied and told him he had nothing to worry about." Ruby started to get uncomfortable. "I never dreamed I could or would have any of that. Then again, I never dreamed there would be Jake either. But now it's a problem. Mr. Eastman seems to have an extraordinary amount of money and if this would have been 3 months ago I might be considering his offer." She looked up at Kate, "Ok, so I am considering his offer anyway. Not really because of him but because of Jake." </p><p></p><p>"Jake said he wasn't sure if he loved me and he didn't know how long we could make things last." Ruby kicked at the floor. "So I went to dinner and didn't tell Mr. Eastman what I should have told him." Ruby paused to adjust her dress. "But then I came back to the Lucky Lady and Jake was there and he said without me he would suffocate. Is that true or just Jake trying to get what he wants? I so wish it was true and I could just believe him. I know he loves me, he has to! But then I thought what if he really doesn't and I'm just fooling myself? I was so confused!" </p><p></p><p>"But then I decided, I have to follow my heart, right? And that belongs to Jake, so that's where I have to stay. And now I have to make Jake realize it too. And tell poor Mr. Eastman I can't marry him, that I love someone else." Ginnie interjects, “You are better off telling yourself the truth first. Label each man with the side of the coin when you go to flip the coin. You'll have one side that you want it to land on while it's in the air the way you want it to turn out is the answer to your problem. You can make a decision knowing you'll know where your heart lays is it Jake or the money.” </p><p></p><p>Ginnie says, “Ma'am Kate while we're here I'd like to check Mr. Flint's jacket and pants for rips I brought some wool scraps so at least I can reinforce the elbows if nothing else.” They locate Flint who is happy for the company of the women. He owns two pairs of clothing so changes into the less tattered set and gives the others to Ginnie to repair. The clothing is dire need of both repairing and cleaning.</p><p></p><p>Kate greeted Flint with a smile. "We'll have a cup of coffee together before we leave, it must get lonely out here.” He replies, "Not so much lately, I've had me a regular visitor these days." "Who is that?" Ruby asked suspiciously. He replies, "An Apache woman. She'd noticed how inept I was at doing things and took pity on me. Showed me how to do some simple things to control the animals and also how to better tend the land. She's been visiting me for a few weeks now. Comes over most nights at around sunset and stays until around midnight. We couldn't speak each other's languages at first but have now managed to teach each other a few hundred words of each."</p><p></p><p>Ruby interjects, “"Flint, I'm impressed, taking help from the Apache. What's her name?" He replies, "Her formal name is Naki-Yai but she calls herself Etenia, not sure what the name means yet. And don't go getting any wrong ideas, there ain't nothing romantic going on here. Just a helpful woman keeping me from letting this ranch go to ruin due to my own ignorance about such things."</p><p></p><p>Kate comments, "Etenia, hmm? Well, I'm sure I'll meet her when Ginnie and I begin spending some nights here in the house. You said she noticed your troubles? I wonder if the Apache are keeping an eye on us?" ," Kate said seriously with only a hint of a smile. "I haven't been out here enough, I'm sorry. Although I have to say, I don't really know how to make the ranch run either. Thank goodness Sonoma has a head for that. </p><p></p><p>Kate says, “Ruby and I are just going to take care of the horses a bit and we'll be back." They started walking toward the corral. As Ruby walked with Kate she pulled at her hair. "Even the kid knows more about love than I do, what the hell do I know?" Ruby shakes her head. Kate answers, "You finally admitted it to yourself, that's a good start. I think that Jake is more cautious, more wary than you are. Once you decide to do something, you throw yourself into it. Jake is always thinking, always looking for the pitfalls and the dangers. I don't doubt his feelings for you, and you shouldn't doubt them either. It's just going to take him longer to let himself relax. And yes, you have to follow your heart. I can't say I understand how a man you haven't seen for four years is so certain he's in love with you, but some men are like that."</p><p></p><p>Ruby answers, "No, Mr. Eastman can't possibly love me. He doesn't know me. Sometimes I think even if Jake really knew me he might not be as. well.. forget it. But Mr. Eastman is no different than all the other men who call love what is really just attraction or excitement or lust or whatever you want to call it. That's nothing new. But for once I want it to be different. And different is either Jake or Mr. Eastman's money. I'd prefer Jake." </p><p></p><p>"Jake may not be perfect but he has many endearing qualities about him. He knows just what to say to me at the right moments, he knows what I need, at least most of the time. And have I ever told you how good he is in bed? He knows how to make me melt, he knows exactly the right spots and..." Ruby caught Kate blushing. "Ok, I'll stop," Ruby laughed. "But what about Conrad Booth? You say you're only friends but you certainly have been spending a lot of time with him lately..." Kate immediately answers, "We would never be so bold as to assume any romantic attachments.” Ruby gives he a very skeptical look. Kate answers, "Friends spend time together, Ruby. He's been kind to me these last few months, but all we have been is friends. We went for a drive last Friday. He saw me at the El Parador with my hangover and got Dorita to bring me something to clear it up. Ginnie had gone to the ranch and I didn't want to be by myself, so when he suggested a drive I said yes. </p><p></p><p>I showed him the ranch, then we took a drive and had something to eat by a stream in a little grove of trees. And we talked. We talked about my past, about Tom, my family. He didn't know any of it, he's never pushed. He told me I transform people, that he had experienced it firsthand. I wish I had asked him how." Kate paused, uncertain. "He does care for me," she added, not meeting Ruby's eyes. "But he knows I'm not ready, and he respects that. We will be just friends until I'm ready to decide if there could be more."</p><p></p><p>"Well, I'm sure your friend Mr. Booth will enjoy your new red dress then, as a friend of course." Ruby smiled and shrugged her shoulders before starting the walk back to the cave. "Ruby?" Kate hurried to catch up with her friend and hugged her tightly for a few moments. "Life used to be a lot simpler for both us of, didn't it?" Ruby hugged Kate back. "Yes it really did." </p><p></p><p>They finished up the ranch work before long, and Kate spent a half hour riding with Ginnie, trying to get her used to the feel of a horse beneath her. Ginnie pulls Kate and Ruby aside during the riding lesson “Um... is there any way we or you could... you know do something um... "quickly" to get this pair of pants and shirt cleaner. I've patched it best I could but I think it might be able to stand by itself, and I'm not sure if there are visitors living in it but there might be.” Kate laughed. "Yes, we can take care of that." She let Meribel's body shield her from view and cast a couple quick prestidigitation spells and a mend spell, cleaning the clothes and strengthening a couple of the spots where Ginnie's fabric hadn't quite been able to cover the holes. I don't know how long he'll keep them like that, but it's better for now."</p><p></p><p>They spent some time talking with Flint before they prepared to ride back to Promise City and their evening appointment with Mr. Gonzales. Once they arrive back at the El Parador Ruby puts her horse away and speaks with Kate. "Kate, what time is dinner tonight? Mr. Gonzales said wear something special, it's too bad your red dress won't be ready. What are you going to wear. Any idea where we're going?"</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "No, I have no idea. I heard nothing about this before this morning. I'm guessing we might be going to see Maggie, but I can't be sure. He could be planning on taking us to Boston for all I know. I have some nice gowns from Boston that I haven't had the opportunity to wear here. I'll pull one of those out. Hopefully I won't be overdressed. As for what time, I'd guess around seven maybe? Would you like me to help you get ready?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "Oh yes, that would be fun! Maybe I'll even wear some jewelry...hum.... Not sure what to wear though. You do such a nice job with my hair. This is exciting, I like surprises, don't you? I am going to go back to the Lucky Lady. What time will you come by to help me get ready?" "Oh, about five-thirty, alright? We'll need to get back to the El Parador with time for me to dress." Sounds perfect. Meet you there!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2285062, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 37, “Talking about the boys”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:[/B] "The color certainly is stunning," Kate said, admiring the fabric. "It's probably a little much for every day, but I seem to need fancy clothes more often than I would have guessed around here. The neck is a little low though, don't you think? Even lower than on my other new gown." Ruby raises her eyebrow. "Am I ever going to say a neckline is too low? Silly...But you wouldn't want a certain someone to get the idea that you are ready to move on, now would you?" Ruby holds up the stockings, smiling at Kate. "A certain what? Who in the world are you talking about, Ruby?" but her neck was turning red. Ruby laughed. "I guess I'm not getting any input on these stockings. I'll just take them both." She turns to walk to the back of the store. "You know who I'm talking about, a certain gentleman who you've been spending many hours with..." Ruby ignores Kate's discomfort and finishes making her choices. "Done when you two are..." Ruby takes a seat on the counter, waiting for Kate and Ginnie. Mary Kelley examines the lace and tells Ginnie that she would be more than happy to exchange them for fabric. She is particularly interested in Ginnie's reference to quilting, as she has a large wooden barrel filled with various scrap materials. Ginnie explains that her mother had taught her the "new" fad of crazy quilting before she died in Boston. her family had used the quilting as a very good way of taking lace scraps and using them as display. The materials that are used for the base pieces of the crazy quilt are the velvets and silks of the better dress shops much like the dresses available here. However Ginnie will also explain that she has some experience in pieced work also in cottons and wools and would be very happy to trade lace for scraps. "If this is something that you have not availed yourself of Mrs. Kelly I would be happy to show you the technique I was taught." Mary Kelley says that she would be happy to work with Ginnie and suggests that she stop by for a few hours everyday, adding "I have all of the materials and tools here that we would need." I do have my lessons and they take precedence. I would need to make sure that Ma'am Kate approved but it would be nice to work with such wonderful fabrics and good light even for just an hour or so a day. Kate was still admiring the red dress when Ginnie and Mary approached. Mrs. Kelley explains her proposition to have Ginnie work with her at the store. "There will still be time for lessons, and working is a lesson of it's own. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't spend some time here." Kate agreed. "I take it you were able to come to an agreement about the fabrics as well." Ginnie interjects, “I think we both will benefit from the arrangement Ma'am Kate. When should I be here? Early afternoon right after lunch might be best because I do a lot of my lessons in the morning and readings after supper. Would that work for you Mrs. Kelly? Ma'am Kate?” Mrs. Kelly says that is fine, that she and her husband close for lunch and noon and reopen at 1:00 PM and stay open until 5:30 PM so anytime during then would be fine. That sounds just fine Ginnie. Thank you Mrs. Kelley. I'm sure it will work out well for both you and Ginnie." Kate looked over at Ruby and stood up straighter. "I'd like this dress please, but I think it would be a bit big for me. If you can use my measurements you already have to alter it, and I'll come back in a few days for a final fitting? Thank you." Kate paid for the dress, and Ginnie got a large bag of fabric and scraps for her quilting. Ruby jumped down off the counter, and the three went back to the El Parador to get their horses for the ride out to the ranch. Ginnie quickly put most of the scraps from the bag in her room at the El Parador pulling just a few wool scraps and stuffing them in her inside pocket. Then she mounted the horse that Ma'am Kate had picked for her. She still didn't ride well at all and hung on for dear life saying little as they road to the ranch trying desperately not to fall off the horse as they road. Ruby shook her head. "I would offer to teach you to ride, but I'm not the expert here. It would be a smart idea to learn though." "Ginnie, you're making it harder for yourself," Kate said riding up next to her. "Meribel is very gentle, she'll be careful of you." Kate then went through a few pointers on riding, how to sit comfortably, and how important it was for her to stay calm so the horse would stay calm. Ruby turned and looked around the ranch. "Wow you've made a lot of progress. Kate, is that your house?" Ruby looked over the land curiously. She watched carefully, ready to grab the reins if necessary as she talked to Ruby. "He's just a friend," she said, picking up the conversation that had begun at Kelley's store. "Right and Jake's my brother." Ruby hopped off her horse. Kate ignores the comment and says, "That's Sonoma's house there, ours is the one that's still unfinished. It should be ready soon. Do you have any of those bedframes still free, we're going to need some." Kate slid down off the stallion and helped Ginnie off Meribel. "I think it's riding lessons today dear." She replies, “Wasn't riding out from town the lesson? After all, I didn’t fall off.” Ruby laughed at Ginnie. She could be so cute and innocent when she wanted to be. And that was a good thing as far as Ruby was concerned. Kate tells the girl, "Not falling off is a good start. But you should learn how to fall without hurting yourself, and how to stay on without making your whole body hurt." "Well, it looks good," Ruby said looking off into the distance. "Almost done, that's great. You need a fresh start and you said you wanted a home of your own." Ruby got lost in her thoughts for a moment before snapping out of it. "Bedframes.. I'm not sure but I think there should be some left. Is there anything I can do right now?" "You could help feed and water the horses. It won't take too long. Then I'm going to work with Ginnie a little bit on riding. I don't think we'll stay out too long today. Let's go take a look inside my house first." "Sure, I can help with the horses." Kate began to lead Ruby and Ginnie over to the house. "I may have to put a small outbuilding in the back. I'd like to get back to studying chemistry, but that's not something you want to mess with in the house." As she opened the door Kate leaned over to Ruby and said, "I didn't know you and Jake were related. Interesting relationship you have there." "Are you developing a sense of humor, Katherine Kale?" Ruby cocked her head at Kate before flipping her hair. "Fine, have it your way, you and Mr. Booth are just friends... we'll see about that." Ruby wandered the house looking it over. "This is so exiting. I'll never have a place like this, so I'll just have to borrow yours on occasion, when I get the urge to be homey." Ruby touched her lip before chuckling. "Like that will ever happen." She continued to wander before calling out from the back room. "Mr. Eastman offered me my own mansion, with servants. And my own concert hall. And as much traveling as I want. Plus he says I wouldn't have to do anything I don't want to, like all that fake society crap." Ruby sighed. "That all sounds pretty tempting, I admit." Kate replies, "I've always had a sense of humor, Ruby. I just hadn't been feeling much like letting it out. It is tempting Ruby. To have the home, to travel, everything you could want without having to deal with society rules. What did Jake say?" "I didn't tell him. Actually I lied and told him he had nothing to worry about." Ruby started to get uncomfortable. "I never dreamed I could or would have any of that. Then again, I never dreamed there would be Jake either. But now it's a problem. Mr. Eastman seems to have an extraordinary amount of money and if this would have been 3 months ago I might be considering his offer." She looked up at Kate, "Ok, so I am considering his offer anyway. Not really because of him but because of Jake." "Jake said he wasn't sure if he loved me and he didn't know how long we could make things last." Ruby kicked at the floor. "So I went to dinner and didn't tell Mr. Eastman what I should have told him." Ruby paused to adjust her dress. "But then I came back to the Lucky Lady and Jake was there and he said without me he would suffocate. Is that true or just Jake trying to get what he wants? I so wish it was true and I could just believe him. I know he loves me, he has to! But then I thought what if he really doesn't and I'm just fooling myself? I was so confused!" "But then I decided, I have to follow my heart, right? And that belongs to Jake, so that's where I have to stay. And now I have to make Jake realize it too. And tell poor Mr. Eastman I can't marry him, that I love someone else." Ginnie interjects, “You are better off telling yourself the truth first. Label each man with the side of the coin when you go to flip the coin. You'll have one side that you want it to land on while it's in the air the way you want it to turn out is the answer to your problem. You can make a decision knowing you'll know where your heart lays is it Jake or the money.” Ginnie says, “Ma'am Kate while we're here I'd like to check Mr. Flint's jacket and pants for rips I brought some wool scraps so at least I can reinforce the elbows if nothing else.” They locate Flint who is happy for the company of the women. He owns two pairs of clothing so changes into the less tattered set and gives the others to Ginnie to repair. The clothing is dire need of both repairing and cleaning. Kate greeted Flint with a smile. "We'll have a cup of coffee together before we leave, it must get lonely out here.” He replies, "Not so much lately, I've had me a regular visitor these days." "Who is that?" Ruby asked suspiciously. He replies, "An Apache woman. She'd noticed how inept I was at doing things and took pity on me. Showed me how to do some simple things to control the animals and also how to better tend the land. She's been visiting me for a few weeks now. Comes over most nights at around sunset and stays until around midnight. We couldn't speak each other's languages at first but have now managed to teach each other a few hundred words of each." Ruby interjects, “"Flint, I'm impressed, taking help from the Apache. What's her name?" He replies, "Her formal name is Naki-Yai but she calls herself Etenia, not sure what the name means yet. And don't go getting any wrong ideas, there ain't nothing romantic going on here. Just a helpful woman keeping me from letting this ranch go to ruin due to my own ignorance about such things." Kate comments, "Etenia, hmm? Well, I'm sure I'll meet her when Ginnie and I begin spending some nights here in the house. You said she noticed your troubles? I wonder if the Apache are keeping an eye on us?" ," Kate said seriously with only a hint of a smile. "I haven't been out here enough, I'm sorry. Although I have to say, I don't really know how to make the ranch run either. Thank goodness Sonoma has a head for that. Kate says, “Ruby and I are just going to take care of the horses a bit and we'll be back." They started walking toward the corral. As Ruby walked with Kate she pulled at her hair. "Even the kid knows more about love than I do, what the hell do I know?" Ruby shakes her head. Kate answers, "You finally admitted it to yourself, that's a good start. I think that Jake is more cautious, more wary than you are. Once you decide to do something, you throw yourself into it. Jake is always thinking, always looking for the pitfalls and the dangers. I don't doubt his feelings for you, and you shouldn't doubt them either. It's just going to take him longer to let himself relax. And yes, you have to follow your heart. I can't say I understand how a man you haven't seen for four years is so certain he's in love with you, but some men are like that." Ruby answers, "No, Mr. Eastman can't possibly love me. He doesn't know me. Sometimes I think even if Jake really knew me he might not be as. well.. forget it. But Mr. Eastman is no different than all the other men who call love what is really just attraction or excitement or lust or whatever you want to call it. That's nothing new. But for once I want it to be different. And different is either Jake or Mr. Eastman's money. I'd prefer Jake." "Jake may not be perfect but he has many endearing qualities about him. He knows just what to say to me at the right moments, he knows what I need, at least most of the time. And have I ever told you how good he is in bed? He knows how to make me melt, he knows exactly the right spots and..." Ruby caught Kate blushing. "Ok, I'll stop," Ruby laughed. "But what about Conrad Booth? You say you're only friends but you certainly have been spending a lot of time with him lately..." Kate immediately answers, "We would never be so bold as to assume any romantic attachments.” Ruby gives he a very skeptical look. Kate answers, "Friends spend time together, Ruby. He's been kind to me these last few months, but all we have been is friends. We went for a drive last Friday. He saw me at the El Parador with my hangover and got Dorita to bring me something to clear it up. Ginnie had gone to the ranch and I didn't want to be by myself, so when he suggested a drive I said yes. I showed him the ranch, then we took a drive and had something to eat by a stream in a little grove of trees. And we talked. We talked about my past, about Tom, my family. He didn't know any of it, he's never pushed. He told me I transform people, that he had experienced it firsthand. I wish I had asked him how." Kate paused, uncertain. "He does care for me," she added, not meeting Ruby's eyes. "But he knows I'm not ready, and he respects that. We will be just friends until I'm ready to decide if there could be more." "Well, I'm sure your friend Mr. Booth will enjoy your new red dress then, as a friend of course." Ruby smiled and shrugged her shoulders before starting the walk back to the cave. "Ruby?" Kate hurried to catch up with her friend and hugged her tightly for a few moments. "Life used to be a lot simpler for both us of, didn't it?" Ruby hugged Kate back. "Yes it really did." They finished up the ranch work before long, and Kate spent a half hour riding with Ginnie, trying to get her used to the feel of a horse beneath her. Ginnie pulls Kate and Ruby aside during the riding lesson “Um... is there any way we or you could... you know do something um... "quickly" to get this pair of pants and shirt cleaner. I've patched it best I could but I think it might be able to stand by itself, and I'm not sure if there are visitors living in it but there might be.” Kate laughed. "Yes, we can take care of that." She let Meribel's body shield her from view and cast a couple quick prestidigitation spells and a mend spell, cleaning the clothes and strengthening a couple of the spots where Ginnie's fabric hadn't quite been able to cover the holes. I don't know how long he'll keep them like that, but it's better for now." They spent some time talking with Flint before they prepared to ride back to Promise City and their evening appointment with Mr. Gonzales. Once they arrive back at the El Parador Ruby puts her horse away and speaks with Kate. "Kate, what time is dinner tonight? Mr. Gonzales said wear something special, it's too bad your red dress won't be ready. What are you going to wear. Any idea where we're going?" Kate says, "No, I have no idea. I heard nothing about this before this morning. I'm guessing we might be going to see Maggie, but I can't be sure. He could be planning on taking us to Boston for all I know. I have some nice gowns from Boston that I haven't had the opportunity to wear here. I'll pull one of those out. Hopefully I won't be overdressed. As for what time, I'd guess around seven maybe? Would you like me to help you get ready?" Ruby replies, "Oh yes, that would be fun! Maybe I'll even wear some jewelry...hum.... Not sure what to wear though. You do such a nice job with my hair. This is exciting, I like surprises, don't you? I am going to go back to the Lucky Lady. What time will you come by to help me get ready?" "Oh, about five-thirty, alright? We'll need to get back to the El Parador with time for me to dress." Sounds perfect. Meet you there!" [/QUOTE]
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