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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3299115" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-thirty-four “Night Rides”, Sunday June 11th, 1882, 9:30 P.M. Nanuet finds out Minerva's whereabouts from others and makes his way to the drover's.  He stands in the background for a few moments listening to her speak and then when she has a quiet moment he approaches and says "I see your job as priestess is never done.  Sorry that I have been of little help since my return, there just seems to be so much going on I am not sure where I should be or what I should be doing.  I knew that you would be doing some good so I figured by your side would be a wise choice."Warm feelings of joy and relief wash over Minerva when she feels the soft breath of her lover's voice tickling her ear. As she turns into his arms to greet him, she is knocked back by the waves of disbelief and anger that begin to roll though the room in the wake of the news that  Derek Avery has been murdered. Her eyes dart around the room as she tries to assess the severity of the situation. "Well you are just in time then! Although I'm not so sure about your choice being a wise one. By the gods! This was supposed to be kept quiet!  Nanuet, we must do something before this turns into another mob scene!" She looks to Nanuet for answers as the dull roar escalates to shouts of outrage.Nanuet takes Minerva's arm firmly and attempts to soothe her.  "Let's stay calm first.  I think people are just scared and nobody here means to do harm, at least not right now.  Let's stay here and keep an eye on things for the time being, deal with anything serious as it arises."  Minerva and Nanuet walk through the crowd speaking calmly to individuals here and there, re-assuring everyone that the law is handling the situation and advising them that the best thing they can do is to go on home.  When the building begins to empty, Nanuet and Minerva leave as well and make their way home.Kate had no idea how long she had been playing when she felt Conrad come in, nor how she knew he'd entered the saloon.  He chose the same place that Jake had left, and when the piece was over she walked over and stood next to his chair.  "We can talk about it tomorrow," she said and offered her hand.   He accepted it and squeezed.  "Alright, Katherine.  Alright."  He stood up slipped one arm around her waist.  "Why don't we go over to the El Parador?" "Actually, Jake is going to take me out to the ranch for the night.  We wondered if you might come was well and you can ride back to town together."   He replies, "The Long Branch cleared out after the lawmen finished, so I have the time."  They walked out to wait on the porch for Jake to come back.  They talked quietly while they waited, but not about their fight earlier, or about what had happened behind the Long Branch.  Instead they talked about commonplace things until Kate began to feel more like herself. When Jake returned they went back to the El Parador to get the horses and fetch Ginnie before they started out for the ranch.    The cool Arizona night was refreshing.  Jake remained quiet and rode behind the three of them.  Katherine and Conrad were making small talk, and Jake quickly understood something remained strained between them.  He listened and watched for something out of place, but it never happened.  Not that he minded riding at night, Jake was a creature of the night.  Not like those dark souls that sucked the life from others, but he reveled in the night without asking or taking from another.  Poker not withstanding. Once in a while he rode up beside Ginnie, and pointed up at the sky.  She precociously instructed him in the constellations and in the science of astrology.  Mostly he nodded and smiled and ignored her lectures.  There was something about Ginnie that he liked, but that was not it.  After each little vignette of learning he would let his mount slow and fall behind.  He enjoyed the cool breeze, the dark sky with stars that twinkled like diamonds, and the shadowed landscape that was silhouetted against the edges of the sky.  He felt confident that he would not need them, but his pistols hung reassuringly at his sides.Kate's mind drifted through the ride, even as she talked.  The moon was nearing full and it's presence gave her some comfort.  All the talk of Diana being the moon was silly of course, but it was a reminder that she was not alone.  As was the presence of Jake quiet behind them, and Conrad despite their argument. It was a short ride, shorter than she would have liked.  Ginnie ran over to Sonoma's house looking for Mr. Gonzales as soon as they arrived, leaving Kate to unsaddle and turn the horses loose in the corral.  Jake had gotten down off his horse, and managed to look like he was helping without actually doing it.  While Conrad was hanging Ginnie's saddle, Kate went over to Jake and said, "Thank you for coming out, I do appreciate it.  It's still... hard for me to ask for help when I need it."   "Not to worry.  Glad to be there for you."  Jake gives her a smirk and says, "I will let you know when you become a burden.  Good night Katherine."  "You're not getting out of here quite that easy," Kate said with a sudden flash of humor.  Before he could react she gave him a very sisterly hug.  "Good night." Jake patiently waited a respectable distance away so Conrad and Katherine could say their good nights or not without him hearing.  He gazed in the direction of Promise City, but in the inky darkness of the desert night there was no sign that the little town even existed.Conrad walked her over to the door of her little house where they'd had their argument earlier today.  The kiss they shared before he left wasn't like their others, usually long-awaited and passionate by the time they found themselves alone.  Instead it was tentative, neither sure what the other wanted.  Kate squeezed his hand, hoping he understood that a fight didn't end the world, then sent him off to Jake for the ride back to town. Ginnie already had the lamp lit and was busily studying at the table.  Kate kissed her on the forehead and went straight to her bed where she tossed and turned through a nightmare-haunted dreams.   Conrad mounted up and rode over to Jake, "Ready?" Jake nodded his assent, settled into the saddle and they rode quietly towards Promise City.  For the first quarter mile the only sounds were the crunch of the horses hooves on the dry trail and the single call of a small owl. Jake asks, "Troublesome day Conrad?"  He replies, "The first real argument that Katherine and I have had.  Blast it Jake, why can't she see that any contact with the Earps, ever, puts her in danger.  And she sold him a horse from this ranch!   I know she hasn't had many visitors out here so not many other folks would recognize it as a former horse of hers, but there's still the chance.  And whether she sold it or gave it to him will be a moot point with those Sheriff Deputies, they'll see it as aiding a fugitive either way and lock her up for it." Jake answers, "Yes, I understand your frustration.  Katherine is a trusting soul and does not consider the implications of many of her actions.  If it were me I would have reported the horse stolen some time ago.  She has a traumatic and emotional link to the Earp family.  It is unrealistic that she will behave rationally dealing with them, especially Wyatt."   Jake pauses and considers his words.  "Wyatt has been stopping by to see me now and again.  He and I were not what I would call friends, but I think there is a certain respect between us.  So I would tell him what I knew and he would do the same.  The information that he has shared may have kept Katherine or the others from coming to harm, so I did not dissuade him from meeting with me.  He has been acting like a crazed lunatic, and he has not taken any counsel I have given.  I was not telling the others that he was seeing me for my own protection as well as theirs.  I took the risk knowing I had the best chance of protecting myself if it was discovered.  Besides, I am not above lying about it and saying his visit was forced at gun point." Conrad replies, "Well, you're a big boy Cook, you can take care of yourself.  Katherine however, is far too trusting a soul.   This does create an odd situation, always before when a woman and I argued I would just say that I was wrong, whether I was or not.   I can't do that this time, because I don't believe I was wrong this time and I'm not going to lie to Katherine."    "But you would gladly lie to other women?"  Jake chuckles, "No, no, do not be offended, I am only teasing you.  Yes of course you do not wish to lie to Katherine.  I do not see what is odd about the situation unless you are like me and have times where telling the truth has an odd feel."  Jake laughs.   "That does not mean you should leave her wondering about how you do feel.  Women are meant to be appreciated and complimented, not to be understood.  Even if you do have a different opinion do not let her wonder if it affects your feelings for her.  Make it clear it does not, that in spite of your differences, change your feelings for her.  Maybe even let her know it increases your feelings for her.  The same attention that women crave works whether you are arguing or not.  Compliments, flowers, gifts, rapt attention and the like still works wonders.  A woman's imagination if far greater than our own meager ones.  If you allow any doubt, that doubt will immediately grow and fester like dandelions in the field."  He spares a glance across at Conrad, "You already know all this.  Being in love can make a man stupid." Conrad says, "I'll take your word for that Jake, I've never been in love before, this is a whole new experience for me."    Jake says, "Not much else useful I can tell you about love.  I have not been too successful with it.  Best I can do for you is to be a frightful example and wish you luck."  A short silence passes between them before, "Do you know anything interesting about Avery's murder?"   Conrad replies, "No, although Berg thought I may have.  He questioned me for a good half-hour about it, wanting to know every detail of what I saw or heard during the entire evening."   Jake asks, "Did he question the others that thoroughly?  Why did he single you out?" Conrad answers, "He singled me out because he's noted that I am observant of details so I don't take offense at that.    It would have been nice to see Katherine then though given our earlier fight." Then the building peaks finally became visible on the horizon they were surprisingly close to town.  Few lights cast their feeble glow against the darkness.  By unspoken mutual consent they ended their conversation, neither wanting their words to be heard by the denizens of Promise City. They parted when Jake left his horse at the El Parador.  Grant woke but Jake waved him off and sent him back to bed.  When the brown haired gambler finally stood in front of his house he paused.  His gaze turned towards the Lucky Lady, barely visible from there in the blackness.  He was tempted to spend the night at the saloon, his unease finally becoming clear to him.  No, not tonight.  Soon though.  As Jake entered the house he marveled at the way the quiet and solitude of the darkest hours brought a peculiar clarity to his thinking.  The last action he took before laying down in bed was to hang his pistol on his bedpost.  The days traumatic events easily slipped away from him and he entered an easy sleep.  Note everything was not in place yet, but at least he knew what he wanted.Kate and Ginnie arrived back in town shortly after sunup escorted by their teacher.  He took the horses back to the El Parador for them so they could bathe, eat, dress, and be ready for school on time.  A night of bad sleep had left its traces on Kate's face in the form of dark circles under her eyes and a pale complexion.  Since she would be in court today she dressed in her dove grey gown and made sure her hair was securely pinned.  She even brought down her gloves which were not worn nearly as much as they used to be. Eventually they heard Mrs. O'Hara and Mrs. Caudell arrive.  Kate went into the schoolroom and it was obvious by their faces that her bad night was showing.  She quietly explained that she would have to leave to testify this morning.  "I'm not sure I'll be up to returning for the day.  Do you think you'll be able to handle things without me?"  They indicate that they can.   A short while later Deputy Marshall Neil Cassidy stops by the school to tell Katherine Kale that she will be needed in the courtroom.    He walks her to the Arizona Territorial Office Building.Chumbley has a Monday morning paper out early.   The lead story is of Derek Avery's murder although there is a lack of any real details other than the fact that he is dead and that a wake will be held at the Rio Grande Saloon on Monday evening with a Tuesday morning funeral.    The story says that his fiancé Liza Brown is distraught with grief and not taking any visitors. There is a full account of the previous night's debates, including the full text of Jake Cook's speech.   The story also mentions Jake being fined $ 100 for his outburst.   There is a short story about the Sunday night wake at the Alhambra for Sara MacBridger and Dave Carleen of the Palace.    Steve Lord and Prosper 'Deacon' McCoy both gave short speeches for the deceased.   Evan Adair made a short appearance but did not speak. Another story mentions that Ike and Jesse Sherman have decided to leave Promise City.   They have telegrammed the home office for the Papago Cash Stores Company to request management of a Papago Store in a different community.   Judge Isby also sent the Papago Company senior managers a wire explaining that the misfortune the befell the Shermans in Promise City was in no way their fault and adding his recommendation to their being entrusted with a store elsewhere.     The remainder of the paper is mostly advertisements, including a full-page advertisement for the Lucky Lady which mentions the Friday night play, the Saturday night poker tournament and also reiterates their position as requested by Helen Barker on not promoting prostitution.Emery Shaw walks Emily to the Hoover Memorial School for her first day of class.   She has a school bag with the various items she may be needing for the day as well as a boxed lunch that Bea Russell had made for her.    They reach the door of the schoolhouse and he says, "Well dear, here we are.  Have a good day and do well on the tests.   I'll come by and get you at the end of the school day and we'll go look at a house.   The Sherman's, who owned a store that got blown up yesterday, have decided to move away.   They own a two-story wooden house in the residential western end of town and are willing to sell it to us if we find it acceptable."   Emily exclaims, "Really?  I thought you weren't going to buy a house unless you won the election?  I'd like to be in a house.  The boarding house is very nice, but it's busy."Emery replies, "Given what has been transpiring in this town I would feel safer with a house of our own.   You'll like the neighbors too, Travis Calhoun's place is behind it and Neil Cassidy's is across the street.   Both of those men are founding members of the Committee for Racial Equality which helped pave the way for the right of non-humans to vote.  The man that this school is named for was another member of that Committee."   "I know you wouldn't buy us a house that didn't have nice neighbors," Emily said with a smile, followed by a sigh.  "I suppose I should go inside.  Thank you, Uncle.  I'll see you later."</blockquote>

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