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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2461693" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 129 ,“Purchasing the Lone Star Saloon”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Mitchell Berg is surprised when the Condon brothers show up on his doorstep along with Jake, Ruby and Chester. He lets them in and offers them each a mug of hot coffee. Jake says, "Sorry to bother you out of your normal business hours, but we have a business deal to broker and the seller has some particular needs. I am confident you'll be able to help." Jake indicates to the Condon brothers. "They have the money Miss West and I will be investing, and they would feel more comfortable if they put it in your hands. Imagine, someone thinking I'd use the money for a poker game." Jake laughs a little too loud and winks at Ruby. "I expect the other party to arrive shortly and the Condon's have agreed to respect their privacy" Jake finishes knowing full well the brothers will be looking out their window when Maggie Whipple arrives.</p><p></p><p>Frank says "Mr. Berg, if you could just write up some sort of receipt to indicate that my brother and I have advanced Mr. Cooke and Miss. West $ 2,000 from their bank accounts that should suffice." Condon gives Berg the money, which he counts out. Berg then writes up the paperwork as instructed writing out two copies, one for the Condons the other for Jake and Ruby. He has all four sign the paper, which he then signs as a witness. The Condons take their copy, shake hands with everyone present, and then head back next door to their home. </p><p></p><p>Berg looks over at Jake and Ruby and comments "Buying into a business together. Are you sure the paper didn't get it right when it said you two were married?” Jake laughs, "Mitchell, you are a better lawyer than you are a comedian." Jake sits down and says, "Maggie Whipple will be over any time now. Ruby and I are buying her share of the Lone Star." "And some of Tom's too, when he is ready," Ruby adds, "Which will be soon I'm certain." Chester looks from Berg to Jake. "You and Ruby are married and you're buying part of the Lone Star?" Ruby replies, "Chet, you can rest easy, there is no ring on my finger yet," Ruby says winking at Chester.</p><p></p><p>Maggie and Kate hurried through the muddy streets. As they approached they saw the Condon brothers hurrying away from the office. "Jake and Ruby must have taken care of the money. Let's go." They hurried over and went dripping into Mr. Berg’s office. "Mr. Berg, a pleasure to see you again," Kate said. Chester says, Mrs. Kale, Mrs. Whipple. It's nice to see you both."</p><p></p><p>Berg exchanges glances with everyone present. He offers Maggie some coffee and says "So, the rumors about you and Tom getting a divorce are true?" Without missing a beat and with a supreme amount of confidence she replies "Yes, I just can't take any more of his womanizing any more Mr. Berg. It's gotten worse since Tom's father and cousin arrived, they just ignore me. You must keep this in the strictest confidence but I plan to board the Wells Fargo Stage tomorrow morning while they are all at church and never look back." </p><p></p><p>Berg says "I understand. I'll write up the purchase and sale agreement for your half of the Lone Star. Would you also want me to write up divorce papers? Tom would have to sign them too and then Judge Isby would have the final decision." She replies, "Yes, write them up as well, but don't give them to Tom until Monday morning. I'm going to need a days head start to keep him from following, if he even bothers." Berg gets to work on the writing up the paperwork.</p><p></p><p>Jake looks at Ruby with raised eyebrows and an 'I'm impressed' look on his face. He gives Katherine a nod and mouths 'good job'. Kate nodded back and sat down next to Maggie. She patted her friend’s hand as they waited for the papers to be ready to sign. He gets up and motions to Chester, while Berg is doing the paperwork. He and Chester go into the corner of the room and Jake whispers, "Thanks for holding it for me, I'll take the box now." Sure thing, Mr. Cook. Here you go." Chester hands the jewelry box over to Jake.</p><p></p><p>Berg finishes up three copies of the paperwork. He has Maggie sign as the seller and Jake and Ruby sign as the buyers. Berg signs as the witness. He gives them each a copy and says that on Monday he will file the third copy with the other with the County land office for tax collection purposes. He tells the group that his fee for all of this paperwork comes to $ 12. </p><p></p><p>"Maggie this one is on me." Jake says with a small smile. "On the condition that you continue to run the operation tonight, so your family suspects nothing. And you can share with Ruby and I anything we need to know." Jake hands Mitchell Berg the $12. "Of course half the profits are ours now. Ruby you will be singing tonight won't you?" Ruby stands slowly with a smile, "Of course I'll be singing tonight, Jake. I had off last night so my voice should be all ready to shine." She pauses. "And if you excuse me for a moment I'm going to get some air..." She walks out the front door and stands on the porch, up against the wall, fanning herself.</p><p></p><p>"Chester, can you escort Katherine and Maggie to where ever they want to go?" Jake doesn't wait for an answer and heads out to the porch. "We can dump it any time we like." He says to Ruby. "No worries. It's only money. We can get more." "Jake...." She says slowly getting his attention. A big smile grows on her face and she jumps into his arms. "I don't want to dump it," and she kisses him, " And I hope you don't either Mr. Cooke." He takes both of her hands and gives her a brief kiss before letting go of her hands. "We ought to keep an eye on Maggie until she gets where ever she's going. She's got a bunch of money on her."</p><p></p><p>Thank you, Mr. Berg. We appreciate you taking time for us today," Kate said as she stood. "Are you ready Maggie?" They went back out into the rain. "Well, I have to go out to the ranch soon. Would you like to come back to the El Parador for the afternoon, or are you headed back to the Lone Star?" Maggie replies "I would like to spend the next hour or so until you have to go with you Kate. We won't get a chance after today."</p><p></p><p>"I'm glad you're happy. Let's go learn how to run a Saloon." Jake takes her by the hand and leads her back to the El Parador behind Katherine, Chester and Maggie. Back at the El Parador Jake sends Ruby upstairs to get ready. After she's gone he chats with Chester for a few minutes. "Feel like pulling guard duty one more time at the Lone Star tonight? I have a funny feeling I could use the help. Then we'll call it even on the $20. I do appreciate the help soldier." Jake gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder. "And remember, no one is to know we own half the Lone Star until tomorrow noon." Chester smiles, "Yeah. I'd be at the Lone Star anyway. Why not be of some use, too. I'll keep your secret, too, free of charge."</p><p></p><p>Once back upstairs at the El Parador and in private Maggie actually hands the $ 2,000 to Kate, telling her "You said that Mr. Gonzales would be meeting me in Tucson. Could you have him bring this? I don't trust it on myself traveling alone and also don't want to risk Tom or Father finding it." "That's a good idea. I'll take it to him." </p><p></p><p>They spend the next hour in Kate's room. She took a hairbrush and brushed out Maggie's hair, telling her all about her trip that morning. She described the elegant rooms she would stay in and the restaurant she would be running. Then she told her a little about Tom and her family as she restyled Maggie's hair. When it was nearly time to leave Kate said, "We'll write of course, and perhaps I'll be able to visit now and then. For tonight, we are actresses." Kate hugged her friend. "You're going to do well, and more importantly, you're going to be happy. I know it." They parted outside the door to Kate's room. "I'll take this to Mr. Gonzales right away. And I'll see you tonight." She kissed her cheek. "Bye Maggie."</p><p></p><p>Ruby heads upstairs to get ready. The only dress that isn't crumpled up in her bag is her new green one. She takes her time getting ready, smiling to herself all the while. She makes sure her hair is fixed nice and puts on her makeup and perfume meticulously. She heads back downstairs with her bag in hand and finds Dorita. "I'm not sure if you do laundry, but could you please take care of this?" She says extending the bag to her. "I have no clean clothes left. You just let me know how much I owe you..." Ruby smiles sweetly at her, hoping she'll take some pity on her and do it. Ruby grabs a drink and takes a seat at a table, waiting for her friends to show up.</p><p></p><p>After talking with Chester, Jake heads upstairs. He contemplates changing into one of his 'poker' shirts, but thinks the better of it. Instead just strapping on his long barrel Colt opposite his quick draw Colt. He pats the box of Jewelry in his pocket and looks around the room wishing he could do something else. He shrugs and head back down stairs. He sees Ruby and goes to sit with her. "Hi partner. You look wonderful. I really do like that dress." Then in a lower voice while still admiring the view he continues. "I feel like an idiot. I'm still carrying around the jewelry. Do you know where we can keep it safe?"</p><p></p><p>"Hi," she says smiling at Jake. She had a feeling her cheeks were going to start to hurt with all the smiling she was doing. "Thank you. You know, I was going to leave this dress here for you, if I left, because I just could never wear it for anyone but you." She pauses for a minute thinking about how much difference a week could make. "Well, all that jewelry is not going to fit down the front of my dress. It's getting crowded in there," she laughs. "Let's take it upstairs, it'll be safe there." Ruby takes Jake's hand and leads him to Mr. Gonzales room. She knocks on his door. While they are waiting for him to answer Ruby turns to Jake, "Be nice, Jake, remember how I told you we had a fight? Well, Mr. Gonzales was a little upset with you too, because I was so upset. I'm sure he's gotten over it by now, well hopefully..."</p><p></p><p>Chester changes his clothes and goes out to the stables to muck the stall. I hope this rain ends soon, so I can try out that 'hand cannon' Jake gave me. After the stall and horse care is finished, he goes to the bathhouse to wash the manure away. Returning to his room, he pulls out the gun case from under his bed. Well, I'll take a look at this thing before I blow my hand off.</p><p></p><p>Manuel Gonzales opens the door to Ruby's knock. He is dressed in plain traveling clothes. Kate is inside the room sitting on the bed. Jake had not been to the room before and immediately notices the brightly colored hand woven rugs hanging on the walls. The room is very sparsely furnished other, with a large locked chest on the floor standing out. Kate waited to speak until Jake and Ruby came inside and closed the door. "I was going to ask if you two wanted to ride out to the ranch, but I see Ruby is ready for the night. I didn't really imagine you'd want to go out in the rain anyway," she smiled. "Perhaps Mr. Martin would care to go, if you don't mind of course, Professeur aimé."</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs, "We were already out in the rain today, and we..." She looks over to Jake, who isn't smiling. "Um, anyway, Kate, why are you heading to the ranch? It's time for dinner and then we have to get to the Lone Star." Ruby walks over to Jake and retrieves the box from him. Jake just stands taking it all in and looking about the room, nodding politely to the elderly wizard and looking a bit uncomfortable. He waits for Senor Gonzalez response to the women before he speaks.</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Gonzales, could you be so kind to store this for us? We don't want to leave something so valuable hanging around in one of our rooms and I have a feeling you could find somewhere safe for it." She smiles at her teacher. "Also," as Ruby reaches inside the box, "Maybe you could take a look again at this ring. I can tell it's magical but I don't know what it does." She hands the ring to him. "Oh and that dagger I left here? Could I get it back? Was there anything special about it?" She looks up at Mr. Gonzales smiling at her. "I know, so many questions..." She sits with a plop on a shabby chair. "How about some news instead, although maybe Kate told you already. Jake and I bought Maggie's share of the Lone Star today. So I guess I'll be sticking around for a while."</p><p></p><p>He replies "I have been very busy and have not had a chance to check the dagger yet, but I will get that done this weekend, and the ring too. And yes, I will find a place for the box.” Ruby replies, "Thank you Mr. Gonzales, you are very sweet." He then asks, “Kate, shouldn't this maybe go back to Conseula?" "Huh?" Ruby says with raised eyebrows.</p><p></p><p>Kate interjects, "She said the jewels were part of another life; that she had no need of them now. To be honest, the presence of reminders of the past can be painful." Kate paused, her hand against the hard shape of Tom's pistol in her pocket. "All she wanted was the family photo. But I think the box itself should certainly be returned to her." "Don't worry," she smiled to Jake and Ruby. "I'll count it out of my share. You made a major purchase today, you need to recoup a bit." Ruby exclaims, "You actually found the woman who owns the jewelry? That is pretty amazing.</p><p></p><p>Kate comments, "It's a dwarven holiday, and Flint needs to come into town tonight. Mr. Gonzales has agreed to stay out on the land and keep an eye on things. But he hasn't been there before, so Sonoma and I are going out as well. I wanted to exercise the horses today, but not in this rain. I don't really need dinner, I had an enormous lunch and I'm not hungry at all. It's only a mile out, I should be back in plenty of time for work." Ruby says, "Oh, I forgot. Good things I know lots of dwarven drinking songs. It's going to be a fun night! Well, I guess we can go for dinner now. Don't get too wet riding out there you two." Ruby takes Jake's hand and guides him out of the room. "Thank you!" she calls over her shoulder. They go back downstairs and order some drinks, the when Chester and Nanuet show up they order dinner.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet meets the others for dinner. When he finds out Kate is going to head out to the ranch, he remembers about the dwarven holiday and that Flint will be leaving the mine for a couple days. "Well, let me grab some food quick and then head out with her. Sonoma has spent the day elsewhere so I might as well keep myself busy. If no one needs me around here tonight I might spend the night out at the ranch myself." Ruby replies, "Well, it will be busy at the Lone Star and we could use you to help keep the dwarves in line. But I'm sure we'll make due if you have other plans."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet, Kate, Chester and Manuel bundle up and prepare to ride Flint's ranch. The dwarven holiday being here now becomes apparent as every available room at the El Parador are rented out by dwarven prospectors who are arriving, and it appears that they are staying five or six to a room (or as one dwarf puts it, "Just so there's enough floor for me to pass out on"). The dining tables soon fill up with dwarves who keep Pedro, Carlos and Jose all hopping filling up drink orders. </p><p></p><p>Ruby and Jake pass time at the El Parador waiting to see if the doc will show up and take them to Pinto Joe. Jake is also looking for Angela Young selling newspapers. Jake catches up with the pregnant teenage girl over at the Silver Dollar Saloon where she is selling copies of the Promise City Herald. She has around fifty papers inside of a leather satchel over her shoulder. Her eighteen-month-old son is also in tow. The paper is four pages long and the lead story is about the Condon Bank Robbery.</p><p></p><p>"I'll take one." Jake says to the young newspaper toting woman and turning on the charm. "Is this fine looking young man going to follow in the family footsteps and be a newspaper publisher?" Jake quickly scans the newspaper looking for the section that explains who the publisher, editor and so on are. "I saw you taking notes the other day, which stories in here are yours? Or do I need to ask? I could probably tell by the ones that have the facts straight, that doesn't seem to be Baxter's strong point. I guess I was spoiled by the Philadelphia Inquirer and their dedication to the facts." </p><p></p><p>She replies "Oh, I'm not a reporter. I always carry a notebook and just happened to be there. Baxter wrote the story up from my notes. Thank you for buying a paper sir." "You're Welcome." He replies and smiles down to the toddler, "Does your husband work for Baxter as well? If you believe the paper Baxter does all the work himself." She replies "Josiah is the paper's typesetter and I sell them. Mr. Baxter pays us well for our efforts and even rents us a house for us and little Mark" gesturing to the toddler. "In addition to the paper we will also print handbills and broadsheets." </p><p></p><p>While Jake is talking he notices something new about the young woman, some mild points at the end of her hears and along with the angular face suggests perhaps an elvan grandparent. "Really. Little Mark is certainly cute." Jake smiles one more time for Angela. "Pleasant speaking with you Mrs. Young." Touches his hat with his right hand and is on his way. </p><p></p><p>Jake heads right back to the El Parador, shaking off the rain as he enters. He sits down with Ruby and relates what he learned and saw talking to Angela Young. He says to her quietly while he looks about to make sure no one is hearing, "It seems a shame to ruin the young couples life taking care of Baxter. I had a couple of ideas on how to put him out of business and wanted to see which ones might work. I don't know, I think I'm going soft." He looks her in the eyes. "Don't you be telling anybody that," and laughs. "For now just keep what we know in mind, I'm sure we can pay Baxter back." Ruby takes Jake's hand. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone," she leans over and gives him a kiss. "I have faith that we'll find a way to get Baxter back..." </p><p></p><p>Doc Eaton arrives. In a flat voice he says "The Marshall said that I should bring you back to my place. I'll be honest with you, I was at the trial the other day and have read about you two in the two latest Heralds and I don't care for your type. People like you and this" as he gestures to the El Parador, "...have no place in a decent town that's trying to attract respectable folk to raise families. If you cause any trouble at my office and you're out of there, and out of town if I have anything to say about it, and I don't care if you are friends with the Marshall."</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks up at him from her seat. "People like what, Doctor Eaton?" He answers, "Gamblers, saloon girls, that sort. Attracts the wrong element." Jake answers, "Sorry you feel that way Doc. It's a free country, you're entitled to your opinion. Just let me say that Baxter didn't exactly take care to get any facts before publishing his paper, or someone is spending some money to make sure he doesn't. Maybe you could judge us on what you see, not what Baxter prints in his rag." </p><p></p><p>Jake gets up. "I'm not going to bring any further harm to Weems, I just want to ask him some questions. He was involved in the attack on the miners a few days back. I'd like to help Wyatt get some information to keep you from having anymore townsfolk customers with bullet wounds by the Cowboy Gang." Jake holds out the chair for Ruby to get up. "Look, as long as folks want saloons there will be saloons. I hope you find we're not really a bad sort. At least better than some." "And," Ruby says while standing, "I am a singer and Mr. Cooke here is a business man..."</p><p></p><p>Eaton just nods and says "Yes, but this is a house of ill repute and I'm not spending another minute in it. Come with me or stay, your choice." And at that he heads out the door and heads west down South Street. Ruby and Jake follow him to his office to see how his patient is doing.</p><p></p><p>It is a fairly short walk to the office of Doctor James Eaton, just a block down South and turning right onto Allen. The office is the building between the Promise City Hotel and Cafe at the corner of South and Allen and the Promise City Cooper Shop on the corner of Main and Allen. The one-story whitewashed frame building is a mere twelve-feet wide by twenty-feet long. Jake remembers from the night of the ore wagon accident that Eaton lives in a home on the west side of town. A sign is on the inside wall listing his prices as "Tooth or bullet removed $1; Bone set and split $ 1; Buckshot removed $ 2; Burns treated $ 2; Social diseases treated $ 2; Treatment of fever $ 3; Amputation of Limb $ 6; False teeth made $ 10" </p><p></p><p>The room itself has a desk, two chairs and two beds. A shirtless and bandaged up Pinto Joe Weems is lying in one bed and appears to be asleep. A man who is apparently Warren Earp, bearing a sharp resemblance to his older brothers, is seated in a chair in the corner with a shotgun in his lap. He reacts to Eaton walking in with two more people but the Doctor says "Relax, your brother Wyatt sent these two over. They're the people who saved your other brother's life on Tuesday." Warren stands up and walks over to Jake, still holding the gun in his left hand while extending his right hand in greeting. "A pleasure sir, ma'am."</p><p></p><p>Jake accepts his hand and shakes firmly, looking him clear in the eye. "Good to meet you. Has Weems been talking or even awake at all?" Looks back and forth to the doctor and Warren Earp. "Oh, Warren before I forget Wyatt suggested you could check on some serial numbers of $20 bills. I'll write 'em down and you can see if the banks in tombstone know who they issued them to." Jake glances down at Weems to make sure it doesn't look like he's reacted, and is really sleeping. "Did Wyatt tell you about it?"</p><p></p><p>"Haven't spoken to Wyatt since breakfast. We're each watching our own member of the New Douglas Gang here so can't exactly get together. Doc says Weems might be stable enough soon that I can move him over to the jail so I'll see him then." The Doctor says, "He was awake for around an hour at lunch time but still feverish. The fever seems to have broken. I'll try the smelling salts." </p><p></p><p>The salts have the desired effect and Weems begins to wake. The Doctor gestures to the others not to interfere and stands over the man, blocking his view of the others in the room. "Pinto Joe, its Doctor Eaton. You were shot yesterday robbing the bank but you're going to live." The man blinks but does not respond. Eaton hands the man a bottle with clear liquid and tells him to drink it. Weems takes one sip and spits it out, saying "Tastes like piss." Eaton says "Unless you want to risk coming down with Tetanus I'd suggest you ignore the taste and drink it." The man hands back the bottle and says "I'll take my chances." Eaton replies, "Don't say I didn't warn you." The Doctor then steps away and goes back over to his desk. </p><p></p><p>Earp walks forward and says "Weems, I'm Warren Earp. You are under arrest for attempted robbery of Condon's Bank." Warren's voice then changes, lowering an octave and he says "But we really aren't concerned about small potatoes like you. Lead us to Deadeye Douglas and we'll let you walk away from this." Weems says "I betray Douglas and I won't be around to walk anywhere. As I told the Doc, I'll take my chances." Warren then nods towards Jake and Ruby.</p><p></p><p>Jake says, "Weems, I'd like you to tell me who put you up to stopping the miners a few days ago. I have it narrowed down to a couple of folks. We also have those new $20 bills that are traceable. I can't speak for the Earps but since Morgan nearly died in that raid, they may appreciate your cooperation." Jake scratches his beard. "I would like to have it confirmed by you who put you up to it, and I'm not talking about court just here between us. You tell me and I'm done bothering you." </p><p></p><p>Weems looks Jake in the eye and says "Go to Hades." “Heh," Jake laughs "and there I thought you were gonna say I'll take my chances. I know the Doc don't approve, but I've spent some time around gambling tables and know a little bit about chances. It's pretty simple if you think about it, more chances is good, fewer bad." Jake looks to Ruby and smiles. </p><p></p><p>"Since you don't want to help me out, seems I'm going to need to press charges. And so will Morand Cartage and the miners, all upstanding citizens in town. And of course the outlaw you hired who is now in the jail cell over there will testify against you, and I will testify that another of your bunch gave me your name. I'm sure one of those upstanding citizens will have seen you that day too. Morgan Earp a local law man nearly died that day of a bullet fired by someone you hired, maybe even you?" Jake starts to button up his duster. "I'm sure Warren here will tell you about local the judge if you aren't familiar with him, 'Hanging' Isby." </p><p></p><p>"Now with so much against you people will begin to speculate. They'll bet you are making a deal. It does look pretty bad for you. Unfortunately that Baxter newspaper guy here prints almost anything, fact or not. So I'm sure that it will hit the local newspaper in no time. I'll need to have a talk with him to make sure it doesn't come out before you’re safely in the jail, we don't want the Doc here in any danger." Jake puts his collar up. "I'm sure glad I'm not you. I don't know what you were paid, but anyone who can hand you $400 to pay others just to sidetrack a wagon full of miners is not someone you want believing you are ratting them out. And put Deadeye Douglas on top of that, whoa. The Earps are fine and capable law men and I'm sure will be doing everything the can to protect you, regardless that you almost got their brother killed." </p><p></p><p>Jake takes Ruby's arm. "Sorry to trouble you Doc Eaton. Good night, Warren. Farewell Mr. Weems." Ruby adds with a sweet smile from the doorway, "and don't worry. We'll all be watching out for Sally for you. We know how much she means to you."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2461693, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 129 ,“Purchasing the Lone Star Saloon”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:[/B] Mitchell Berg is surprised when the Condon brothers show up on his doorstep along with Jake, Ruby and Chester. He lets them in and offers them each a mug of hot coffee. Jake says, "Sorry to bother you out of your normal business hours, but we have a business deal to broker and the seller has some particular needs. I am confident you'll be able to help." Jake indicates to the Condon brothers. "They have the money Miss West and I will be investing, and they would feel more comfortable if they put it in your hands. Imagine, someone thinking I'd use the money for a poker game." Jake laughs a little too loud and winks at Ruby. "I expect the other party to arrive shortly and the Condon's have agreed to respect their privacy" Jake finishes knowing full well the brothers will be looking out their window when Maggie Whipple arrives. Frank says "Mr. Berg, if you could just write up some sort of receipt to indicate that my brother and I have advanced Mr. Cooke and Miss. West $ 2,000 from their bank accounts that should suffice." Condon gives Berg the money, which he counts out. Berg then writes up the paperwork as instructed writing out two copies, one for the Condons the other for Jake and Ruby. He has all four sign the paper, which he then signs as a witness. The Condons take their copy, shake hands with everyone present, and then head back next door to their home. Berg looks over at Jake and Ruby and comments "Buying into a business together. Are you sure the paper didn't get it right when it said you two were married?” Jake laughs, "Mitchell, you are a better lawyer than you are a comedian." Jake sits down and says, "Maggie Whipple will be over any time now. Ruby and I are buying her share of the Lone Star." "And some of Tom's too, when he is ready," Ruby adds, "Which will be soon I'm certain." Chester looks from Berg to Jake. "You and Ruby are married and you're buying part of the Lone Star?" Ruby replies, "Chet, you can rest easy, there is no ring on my finger yet," Ruby says winking at Chester. Maggie and Kate hurried through the muddy streets. As they approached they saw the Condon brothers hurrying away from the office. "Jake and Ruby must have taken care of the money. Let's go." They hurried over and went dripping into Mr. Berg’s office. "Mr. Berg, a pleasure to see you again," Kate said. Chester says, Mrs. Kale, Mrs. Whipple. It's nice to see you both." Berg exchanges glances with everyone present. He offers Maggie some coffee and says "So, the rumors about you and Tom getting a divorce are true?" Without missing a beat and with a supreme amount of confidence she replies "Yes, I just can't take any more of his womanizing any more Mr. Berg. It's gotten worse since Tom's father and cousin arrived, they just ignore me. You must keep this in the strictest confidence but I plan to board the Wells Fargo Stage tomorrow morning while they are all at church and never look back." Berg says "I understand. I'll write up the purchase and sale agreement for your half of the Lone Star. Would you also want me to write up divorce papers? Tom would have to sign them too and then Judge Isby would have the final decision." She replies, "Yes, write them up as well, but don't give them to Tom until Monday morning. I'm going to need a days head start to keep him from following, if he even bothers." Berg gets to work on the writing up the paperwork. Jake looks at Ruby with raised eyebrows and an 'I'm impressed' look on his face. He gives Katherine a nod and mouths 'good job'. Kate nodded back and sat down next to Maggie. She patted her friend’s hand as they waited for the papers to be ready to sign. He gets up and motions to Chester, while Berg is doing the paperwork. He and Chester go into the corner of the room and Jake whispers, "Thanks for holding it for me, I'll take the box now." Sure thing, Mr. Cook. Here you go." Chester hands the jewelry box over to Jake. Berg finishes up three copies of the paperwork. He has Maggie sign as the seller and Jake and Ruby sign as the buyers. Berg signs as the witness. He gives them each a copy and says that on Monday he will file the third copy with the other with the County land office for tax collection purposes. He tells the group that his fee for all of this paperwork comes to $ 12. "Maggie this one is on me." Jake says with a small smile. "On the condition that you continue to run the operation tonight, so your family suspects nothing. And you can share with Ruby and I anything we need to know." Jake hands Mitchell Berg the $12. "Of course half the profits are ours now. Ruby you will be singing tonight won't you?" Ruby stands slowly with a smile, "Of course I'll be singing tonight, Jake. I had off last night so my voice should be all ready to shine." She pauses. "And if you excuse me for a moment I'm going to get some air..." She walks out the front door and stands on the porch, up against the wall, fanning herself. "Chester, can you escort Katherine and Maggie to where ever they want to go?" Jake doesn't wait for an answer and heads out to the porch. "We can dump it any time we like." He says to Ruby. "No worries. It's only money. We can get more." "Jake...." She says slowly getting his attention. A big smile grows on her face and she jumps into his arms. "I don't want to dump it," and she kisses him, " And I hope you don't either Mr. Cooke." He takes both of her hands and gives her a brief kiss before letting go of her hands. "We ought to keep an eye on Maggie until she gets where ever she's going. She's got a bunch of money on her." Thank you, Mr. Berg. We appreciate you taking time for us today," Kate said as she stood. "Are you ready Maggie?" They went back out into the rain. "Well, I have to go out to the ranch soon. Would you like to come back to the El Parador for the afternoon, or are you headed back to the Lone Star?" Maggie replies "I would like to spend the next hour or so until you have to go with you Kate. We won't get a chance after today." "I'm glad you're happy. Let's go learn how to run a Saloon." Jake takes her by the hand and leads her back to the El Parador behind Katherine, Chester and Maggie. Back at the El Parador Jake sends Ruby upstairs to get ready. After she's gone he chats with Chester for a few minutes. "Feel like pulling guard duty one more time at the Lone Star tonight? I have a funny feeling I could use the help. Then we'll call it even on the $20. I do appreciate the help soldier." Jake gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder. "And remember, no one is to know we own half the Lone Star until tomorrow noon." Chester smiles, "Yeah. I'd be at the Lone Star anyway. Why not be of some use, too. I'll keep your secret, too, free of charge." Once back upstairs at the El Parador and in private Maggie actually hands the $ 2,000 to Kate, telling her "You said that Mr. Gonzales would be meeting me in Tucson. Could you have him bring this? I don't trust it on myself traveling alone and also don't want to risk Tom or Father finding it." "That's a good idea. I'll take it to him." They spend the next hour in Kate's room. She took a hairbrush and brushed out Maggie's hair, telling her all about her trip that morning. She described the elegant rooms she would stay in and the restaurant she would be running. Then she told her a little about Tom and her family as she restyled Maggie's hair. When it was nearly time to leave Kate said, "We'll write of course, and perhaps I'll be able to visit now and then. For tonight, we are actresses." Kate hugged her friend. "You're going to do well, and more importantly, you're going to be happy. I know it." They parted outside the door to Kate's room. "I'll take this to Mr. Gonzales right away. And I'll see you tonight." She kissed her cheek. "Bye Maggie." Ruby heads upstairs to get ready. The only dress that isn't crumpled up in her bag is her new green one. She takes her time getting ready, smiling to herself all the while. She makes sure her hair is fixed nice and puts on her makeup and perfume meticulously. She heads back downstairs with her bag in hand and finds Dorita. "I'm not sure if you do laundry, but could you please take care of this?" She says extending the bag to her. "I have no clean clothes left. You just let me know how much I owe you..." Ruby smiles sweetly at her, hoping she'll take some pity on her and do it. Ruby grabs a drink and takes a seat at a table, waiting for her friends to show up. After talking with Chester, Jake heads upstairs. He contemplates changing into one of his 'poker' shirts, but thinks the better of it. Instead just strapping on his long barrel Colt opposite his quick draw Colt. He pats the box of Jewelry in his pocket and looks around the room wishing he could do something else. He shrugs and head back down stairs. He sees Ruby and goes to sit with her. "Hi partner. You look wonderful. I really do like that dress." Then in a lower voice while still admiring the view he continues. "I feel like an idiot. I'm still carrying around the jewelry. Do you know where we can keep it safe?" "Hi," she says smiling at Jake. She had a feeling her cheeks were going to start to hurt with all the smiling she was doing. "Thank you. You know, I was going to leave this dress here for you, if I left, because I just could never wear it for anyone but you." She pauses for a minute thinking about how much difference a week could make. "Well, all that jewelry is not going to fit down the front of my dress. It's getting crowded in there," she laughs. "Let's take it upstairs, it'll be safe there." Ruby takes Jake's hand and leads him to Mr. Gonzales room. She knocks on his door. While they are waiting for him to answer Ruby turns to Jake, "Be nice, Jake, remember how I told you we had a fight? Well, Mr. Gonzales was a little upset with you too, because I was so upset. I'm sure he's gotten over it by now, well hopefully..." Chester changes his clothes and goes out to the stables to muck the stall. I hope this rain ends soon, so I can try out that 'hand cannon' Jake gave me. After the stall and horse care is finished, he goes to the bathhouse to wash the manure away. Returning to his room, he pulls out the gun case from under his bed. Well, I'll take a look at this thing before I blow my hand off. Manuel Gonzales opens the door to Ruby's knock. He is dressed in plain traveling clothes. Kate is inside the room sitting on the bed. Jake had not been to the room before and immediately notices the brightly colored hand woven rugs hanging on the walls. The room is very sparsely furnished other, with a large locked chest on the floor standing out. Kate waited to speak until Jake and Ruby came inside and closed the door. "I was going to ask if you two wanted to ride out to the ranch, but I see Ruby is ready for the night. I didn't really imagine you'd want to go out in the rain anyway," she smiled. "Perhaps Mr. Martin would care to go, if you don't mind of course, Professeur aimé." Ruby laughs, "We were already out in the rain today, and we..." She looks over to Jake, who isn't smiling. "Um, anyway, Kate, why are you heading to the ranch? It's time for dinner and then we have to get to the Lone Star." Ruby walks over to Jake and retrieves the box from him. Jake just stands taking it all in and looking about the room, nodding politely to the elderly wizard and looking a bit uncomfortable. He waits for Senor Gonzalez response to the women before he speaks. "Mr. Gonzales, could you be so kind to store this for us? We don't want to leave something so valuable hanging around in one of our rooms and I have a feeling you could find somewhere safe for it." She smiles at her teacher. "Also," as Ruby reaches inside the box, "Maybe you could take a look again at this ring. I can tell it's magical but I don't know what it does." She hands the ring to him. "Oh and that dagger I left here? Could I get it back? Was there anything special about it?" She looks up at Mr. Gonzales smiling at her. "I know, so many questions..." She sits with a plop on a shabby chair. "How about some news instead, although maybe Kate told you already. Jake and I bought Maggie's share of the Lone Star today. So I guess I'll be sticking around for a while." He replies "I have been very busy and have not had a chance to check the dagger yet, but I will get that done this weekend, and the ring too. And yes, I will find a place for the box.” Ruby replies, "Thank you Mr. Gonzales, you are very sweet." He then asks, “Kate, shouldn't this maybe go back to Conseula?" "Huh?" Ruby says with raised eyebrows. Kate interjects, "She said the jewels were part of another life; that she had no need of them now. To be honest, the presence of reminders of the past can be painful." Kate paused, her hand against the hard shape of Tom's pistol in her pocket. "All she wanted was the family photo. But I think the box itself should certainly be returned to her." "Don't worry," she smiled to Jake and Ruby. "I'll count it out of my share. You made a major purchase today, you need to recoup a bit." Ruby exclaims, "You actually found the woman who owns the jewelry? That is pretty amazing. Kate comments, "It's a dwarven holiday, and Flint needs to come into town tonight. Mr. Gonzales has agreed to stay out on the land and keep an eye on things. But he hasn't been there before, so Sonoma and I are going out as well. I wanted to exercise the horses today, but not in this rain. I don't really need dinner, I had an enormous lunch and I'm not hungry at all. It's only a mile out, I should be back in plenty of time for work." Ruby says, "Oh, I forgot. Good things I know lots of dwarven drinking songs. It's going to be a fun night! Well, I guess we can go for dinner now. Don't get too wet riding out there you two." Ruby takes Jake's hand and guides him out of the room. "Thank you!" she calls over her shoulder. They go back downstairs and order some drinks, the when Chester and Nanuet show up they order dinner. Nanuet meets the others for dinner. When he finds out Kate is going to head out to the ranch, he remembers about the dwarven holiday and that Flint will be leaving the mine for a couple days. "Well, let me grab some food quick and then head out with her. Sonoma has spent the day elsewhere so I might as well keep myself busy. If no one needs me around here tonight I might spend the night out at the ranch myself." Ruby replies, "Well, it will be busy at the Lone Star and we could use you to help keep the dwarves in line. But I'm sure we'll make due if you have other plans." Nanuet, Kate, Chester and Manuel bundle up and prepare to ride Flint's ranch. The dwarven holiday being here now becomes apparent as every available room at the El Parador are rented out by dwarven prospectors who are arriving, and it appears that they are staying five or six to a room (or as one dwarf puts it, "Just so there's enough floor for me to pass out on"). The dining tables soon fill up with dwarves who keep Pedro, Carlos and Jose all hopping filling up drink orders. Ruby and Jake pass time at the El Parador waiting to see if the doc will show up and take them to Pinto Joe. Jake is also looking for Angela Young selling newspapers. Jake catches up with the pregnant teenage girl over at the Silver Dollar Saloon where she is selling copies of the Promise City Herald. She has around fifty papers inside of a leather satchel over her shoulder. Her eighteen-month-old son is also in tow. The paper is four pages long and the lead story is about the Condon Bank Robbery. "I'll take one." Jake says to the young newspaper toting woman and turning on the charm. "Is this fine looking young man going to follow in the family footsteps and be a newspaper publisher?" Jake quickly scans the newspaper looking for the section that explains who the publisher, editor and so on are. "I saw you taking notes the other day, which stories in here are yours? Or do I need to ask? I could probably tell by the ones that have the facts straight, that doesn't seem to be Baxter's strong point. I guess I was spoiled by the Philadelphia Inquirer and their dedication to the facts." She replies "Oh, I'm not a reporter. I always carry a notebook and just happened to be there. Baxter wrote the story up from my notes. Thank you for buying a paper sir." "You're Welcome." He replies and smiles down to the toddler, "Does your husband work for Baxter as well? If you believe the paper Baxter does all the work himself." She replies "Josiah is the paper's typesetter and I sell them. Mr. Baxter pays us well for our efforts and even rents us a house for us and little Mark" gesturing to the toddler. "In addition to the paper we will also print handbills and broadsheets." While Jake is talking he notices something new about the young woman, some mild points at the end of her hears and along with the angular face suggests perhaps an elvan grandparent. "Really. Little Mark is certainly cute." Jake smiles one more time for Angela. "Pleasant speaking with you Mrs. Young." Touches his hat with his right hand and is on his way. Jake heads right back to the El Parador, shaking off the rain as he enters. He sits down with Ruby and relates what he learned and saw talking to Angela Young. He says to her quietly while he looks about to make sure no one is hearing, "It seems a shame to ruin the young couples life taking care of Baxter. I had a couple of ideas on how to put him out of business and wanted to see which ones might work. I don't know, I think I'm going soft." He looks her in the eyes. "Don't you be telling anybody that," and laughs. "For now just keep what we know in mind, I'm sure we can pay Baxter back." Ruby takes Jake's hand. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone," she leans over and gives him a kiss. "I have faith that we'll find a way to get Baxter back..." Doc Eaton arrives. In a flat voice he says "The Marshall said that I should bring you back to my place. I'll be honest with you, I was at the trial the other day and have read about you two in the two latest Heralds and I don't care for your type. People like you and this" as he gestures to the El Parador, "...have no place in a decent town that's trying to attract respectable folk to raise families. If you cause any trouble at my office and you're out of there, and out of town if I have anything to say about it, and I don't care if you are friends with the Marshall." Ruby looks up at him from her seat. "People like what, Doctor Eaton?" He answers, "Gamblers, saloon girls, that sort. Attracts the wrong element." Jake answers, "Sorry you feel that way Doc. It's a free country, you're entitled to your opinion. Just let me say that Baxter didn't exactly take care to get any facts before publishing his paper, or someone is spending some money to make sure he doesn't. Maybe you could judge us on what you see, not what Baxter prints in his rag." Jake gets up. "I'm not going to bring any further harm to Weems, I just want to ask him some questions. He was involved in the attack on the miners a few days back. I'd like to help Wyatt get some information to keep you from having anymore townsfolk customers with bullet wounds by the Cowboy Gang." Jake holds out the chair for Ruby to get up. "Look, as long as folks want saloons there will be saloons. I hope you find we're not really a bad sort. At least better than some." "And," Ruby says while standing, "I am a singer and Mr. Cooke here is a business man..." Eaton just nods and says "Yes, but this is a house of ill repute and I'm not spending another minute in it. Come with me or stay, your choice." And at that he heads out the door and heads west down South Street. Ruby and Jake follow him to his office to see how his patient is doing. It is a fairly short walk to the office of Doctor James Eaton, just a block down South and turning right onto Allen. The office is the building between the Promise City Hotel and Cafe at the corner of South and Allen and the Promise City Cooper Shop on the corner of Main and Allen. The one-story whitewashed frame building is a mere twelve-feet wide by twenty-feet long. Jake remembers from the night of the ore wagon accident that Eaton lives in a home on the west side of town. A sign is on the inside wall listing his prices as "Tooth or bullet removed $1; Bone set and split $ 1; Buckshot removed $ 2; Burns treated $ 2; Social diseases treated $ 2; Treatment of fever $ 3; Amputation of Limb $ 6; False teeth made $ 10" The room itself has a desk, two chairs and two beds. A shirtless and bandaged up Pinto Joe Weems is lying in one bed and appears to be asleep. A man who is apparently Warren Earp, bearing a sharp resemblance to his older brothers, is seated in a chair in the corner with a shotgun in his lap. He reacts to Eaton walking in with two more people but the Doctor says "Relax, your brother Wyatt sent these two over. They're the people who saved your other brother's life on Tuesday." Warren stands up and walks over to Jake, still holding the gun in his left hand while extending his right hand in greeting. "A pleasure sir, ma'am." Jake accepts his hand and shakes firmly, looking him clear in the eye. "Good to meet you. Has Weems been talking or even awake at all?" Looks back and forth to the doctor and Warren Earp. "Oh, Warren before I forget Wyatt suggested you could check on some serial numbers of $20 bills. I'll write 'em down and you can see if the banks in tombstone know who they issued them to." Jake glances down at Weems to make sure it doesn't look like he's reacted, and is really sleeping. "Did Wyatt tell you about it?" "Haven't spoken to Wyatt since breakfast. We're each watching our own member of the New Douglas Gang here so can't exactly get together. Doc says Weems might be stable enough soon that I can move him over to the jail so I'll see him then." The Doctor says, "He was awake for around an hour at lunch time but still feverish. The fever seems to have broken. I'll try the smelling salts." The salts have the desired effect and Weems begins to wake. The Doctor gestures to the others not to interfere and stands over the man, blocking his view of the others in the room. "Pinto Joe, its Doctor Eaton. You were shot yesterday robbing the bank but you're going to live." The man blinks but does not respond. Eaton hands the man a bottle with clear liquid and tells him to drink it. Weems takes one sip and spits it out, saying "Tastes like piss." Eaton says "Unless you want to risk coming down with Tetanus I'd suggest you ignore the taste and drink it." The man hands back the bottle and says "I'll take my chances." Eaton replies, "Don't say I didn't warn you." The Doctor then steps away and goes back over to his desk. Earp walks forward and says "Weems, I'm Warren Earp. You are under arrest for attempted robbery of Condon's Bank." Warren's voice then changes, lowering an octave and he says "But we really aren't concerned about small potatoes like you. Lead us to Deadeye Douglas and we'll let you walk away from this." Weems says "I betray Douglas and I won't be around to walk anywhere. As I told the Doc, I'll take my chances." Warren then nods towards Jake and Ruby. Jake says, "Weems, I'd like you to tell me who put you up to stopping the miners a few days ago. I have it narrowed down to a couple of folks. We also have those new $20 bills that are traceable. I can't speak for the Earps but since Morgan nearly died in that raid, they may appreciate your cooperation." Jake scratches his beard. "I would like to have it confirmed by you who put you up to it, and I'm not talking about court just here between us. You tell me and I'm done bothering you." Weems looks Jake in the eye and says "Go to Hades." “Heh," Jake laughs "and there I thought you were gonna say I'll take my chances. I know the Doc don't approve, but I've spent some time around gambling tables and know a little bit about chances. It's pretty simple if you think about it, more chances is good, fewer bad." Jake looks to Ruby and smiles. "Since you don't want to help me out, seems I'm going to need to press charges. And so will Morand Cartage and the miners, all upstanding citizens in town. And of course the outlaw you hired who is now in the jail cell over there will testify against you, and I will testify that another of your bunch gave me your name. I'm sure one of those upstanding citizens will have seen you that day too. Morgan Earp a local law man nearly died that day of a bullet fired by someone you hired, maybe even you?" Jake starts to button up his duster. "I'm sure Warren here will tell you about local the judge if you aren't familiar with him, 'Hanging' Isby." "Now with so much against you people will begin to speculate. They'll bet you are making a deal. It does look pretty bad for you. Unfortunately that Baxter newspaper guy here prints almost anything, fact or not. So I'm sure that it will hit the local newspaper in no time. I'll need to have a talk with him to make sure it doesn't come out before you’re safely in the jail, we don't want the Doc here in any danger." Jake puts his collar up. "I'm sure glad I'm not you. I don't know what you were paid, but anyone who can hand you $400 to pay others just to sidetrack a wagon full of miners is not someone you want believing you are ratting them out. And put Deadeye Douglas on top of that, whoa. The Earps are fine and capable law men and I'm sure will be doing everything the can to protect you, regardless that you almost got their brother killed." Jake takes Ruby's arm. "Sorry to trouble you Doc Eaton. Good night, Warren. Farewell Mr. Weems." Ruby adds with a sweet smile from the doorway, "and don't worry. We'll all be watching out for Sally for you. We know how much she means to you." [/QUOTE]
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