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"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2790963" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 168, “Morning in Tombstone” , Monday, January 23rd, 1882, 9:30 A.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ruby heads back downstairs to check the restaurant. They aren't there either, but she does see Emery Shaw and one of his men having a late breakfast of steak and eggs. Ruby approaches the table that Emery Shaw is sitting at. "Good morning, Mr. Shaw. How are you enjoying your visit to Tombstone? Good I hope. You know, I still feel indebted to you for bringing me here." Ruby gives him a little hair flip and a smile.</p><p></p><p>He replies, "No, I should thank you Miss. West. I have had a wonderful time. It has been too long since I've had a night alone from my daughters. I love them dearly, but it has been a welcomed break. I trust that your visit has here has been promising. Now tell me my dear, when are you planning to head back? I plan to leave in an hour or so, between ten-thirty and eleven. You are welcome to join us if you wish."</p><p></p><p>"Mind if I sit for a bit, so I don't have to be standing over you?" Ruby asks. Maybe Kate will return soon, so I'll wait she thinks. Shaw replies, "Of course." so Ruby has a seat. "I'm not sure I will be leaving just yet, although I wish I could join you." </p><p></p><p>"As for your daughters, you mentioned yesterday something about Heath Barkley? If I might be so bold, they are intelligent women, but they are just that, women. You wouldn't want them to live their lives alone, without love, would you? Like the love you had in your late wife. Maybe it's time for you to let them go a bit. I think you should let them go to California." Ruby smiles at him, "Well chaperoned, of course. And it would give you some time to enjoy yourself too." Ruby finished up her small talk with Mr. Shaw and bid him farewell. </p><p></p><p>She headed out to the street and wandered around until she found a shop that sold dresses. She entered the store and browsed though the dresses, trying to guess what Jake would like the best. She eyed a green one, but then put it back. It just didn’t compare to the one she had at home. She chose a few and tried them on, finally choosing a cream-colored dress with matching cream embroidery. The top was tight and had very small tank straps that sat on the edge of her shoulders, and the bottom was the normal, no bustle. Not really a traveling dress, she laughed to herself, but it will do, especially since she didn’t have to ride her horse back home. She twirled around in the mirror checking herself out a few times before heading out to the counter to pay. </p><p></p><p>She is distracted on the way by the men’s clothes and she remembers hearing Jake mention he needed some clothes too. Knowing his size, she picks out a few pairs of pants and shirts for him. She finally makes her way up to the counter </p><p></p><p>As she fishes out her money to pay a beautiful wine colored velvet cloak catches her eye. Might help keep the dress clean she thinks, so she tries that on too and decides to buy it. She pays for her purchases and scoops them up with the ripped dress and Jake’s shirt and heads back to the hotel to drop them off. </p><p></p><p>Jake is still sleeping so Ruby quietly dumps her purchases on the table. She then takes a seat in the chair near the window, pulls her legs up to her chest and watches the people wandering around, waiting for Jake to wake up.</p><p></p><p>Katherine and Ginnie had left the Grand Hotel and walked to Tombstone's cemetery. Tom's grave was near the edge in the newer section. Once they got close Kate let go of Ginnie's hand and walked to the simple wooden marker that had been placed there. She knelt down and laid her hand on the earth. </p><p></p><p>"Tom, my dear, I hope you know how much I miss you. Things are very different from when I was last here." Kate took a deep breath and began to talk about her life in Promise City. About the El Parador and the Lone Star, about her new studies and about how her emotions had been all over the map. She then talked about the earth spirits and what had happened on the mountain, and then about yesterday in Tombstone, both about taking Ginnie to Promise City and about Morgan and Virgil Earp. </p><p></p><p>"When we were with Storm, I kept wishing I could talk with you again. I wish you could tell me what happened; why you're not here anymore. I'd like to think you're still watching over me. That no matter what happens, we are still together somehow. I know what you would say. You'd tell me that how you left this world doesn't matter. And I'll try to.... To let it go. I think you might be upset with me if I joined you there. I'm going to make you proud, I promise." Kate sat silently then for a long while. The shadows had moved noticeably by the time she got up and brushed off her skirt. She bent down and touched the marker. "I love you," she said quietly. </p><p></p><p>Ginnie listens as Kate pours her heart out to the grave and tells herself, “What in sweet Bridget's name have I gotten myself into?" She thinks as the woman talks about dragon spirits that are the land and dead centaurs that talk to her and saloons and new ranches with wood elfs and Indians and books and bandits and magic. She listens without really being close enough for anyone to believe that she could to hear what is going on so this crazy woman can speak freely. Ginnie says to herself, "She's either insane or things are about to get really exciting. Maybe I will need a new dress?" </p><p></p><p>A moment late Kate turned back to Ginnie and offered her a hand. The woman said, "Let's go back to the hotel. It won't be that much longer until it's time for the stage." Ginnie decided that it wasn't good to make crazy or powerful people mad. Ginnie wasn't really sure which one this woman was but obviously she was one of the two. </p><p></p><p>"Ma'am if we still have time I would like to get a little material and some thread to make a dress. I've been thinking about cleaning up after the horses and the things that I have will work but I will need something that doesn't smell like manure when I study so the books won't pick up the smell. </p><p>With that statement Ginnie decided not to run, at least until she really found out what was going on. </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "We still have time. Why don't we get enough for two dresses? We could just buy them ready made you know, but if you'd rather make them yourself that's up to you. After you've been in Promise City for a week or two you might decide that pants would be better for working in. But that's for later." </p><p></p><p>Kate had stayed long enough to in Tombstone to know a few places, so they were able to find a general store quickly. Although she would have liked to have gotten a few more things for Ginnie, she didn't want to make her uncomfortable or frightened, so for today she got only what Ginnie requested as well as some new petticoats for herself, as she'd torn hers up the day before. </p><p></p><p>Once the shopping was done they stopped for Ginnie's stage ticket and went back to the Grand Hotel. Back in the room they packed up their things and brought them down at lunchtime. Kate again drank tea as Ginnie ate lunch. "Is there anything you'd like to know, or tell me about? What you'd like to study perhaps?"</p><p> </p><p>Ginnie looks at Kate with clear eyes that stare off into the distance before she answers. "What do I want to learn? Everything Ma'am. I don't want to spend the rest of my life making lace and taking things that aren‘t mine. I've taught myself to cipher a bit and I can read a little but only what I've been able to teach myself, my writings not bad but only words I know can't seem to get that ancient Greek stuff very well, and I haven't had much of a chance to work on it, I've spent a lot of time just trying to keep myself out of trouble. </p><p></p><p> I've had about three months of really going to school, the headmaster spent a lot of time trying to trip me up. There are not a lot of girls in the school and I don't think he liked the idea of me being there. I think he wanted me to quit but I didn't let him make me and no man's gonna switch me again. I'd like to learn some of the stuff you do and just learn everything if you know things people can't take advantage of you and you don't have to depend on anyone if you can take care of yourself. Life's safer that way although I'm racking up some pretty big debts to you but I promise I'll pay them all back somehow.”</p><p></p><p>Kate exclaims, "You've been trying Greek on your own? My dear, if you are getting anywhere with that at all, you're going to learn all I have to teach you in short order. I don't want you to worry about paying back debts, alright? You'll be doing that everyday. In teaching you I'll be refreshing my own knowledge as well. I'll have an extra hand to help with the ranch, and something to occupy my mind. </p><p></p><p>Let's see, I can teach you to speak, write, and read French. I can also teach you a great deal of history as well as chemistry, math, and writing. If you wish, I can also teach you to ride a horse, some basic horse training skills, and how to play the piano. And Promise City is working on getting a school up and running which you could attend when it's ready. </p><p></p><p>As for the other thing you referred to, my education has just begun. It may be some time before I'm ready to teach it, and it can be a burden as well as a blessing. But you've already learned how to be discreet.... We'll have to see. You might want to think about what you'll want to do to support yourself as an adult. Then we can tailor your education to it."</p><p></p><p>Ginnie replies, "Ma'am in all honesty I haven't been able to think about growing up as I never really thought I'd make it that far. I know that I want to do something so that I'll never have to be hungry again and I know that I want more than being a lace maker but other than that I haven't been able to think that far.”</p><p></p><p>"Well, for now then you can sample a little bit of everything. There's no need to make a decision right now," Kate smiled. "Most girls of twelve years old are trying to discover how to get out of studying. I always enjoyed it myself. I don't doubt you would have made it that far, you were taking care of yourself. But now you can concentrate on your learning. Have you been making lace to supplement your income?"</p><p></p><p>The girl says, “My whole family were lace makers. That's how we were able to make the money for the passage. I've been making lace for about six years. I started just by making simple chain designs but now I know about 100 patterns. I was beginning to design my own patterns before mama died. Here's some of the lace I was working on but selling it was drawing too much attention so I had to stop selling it I still make it though it's something I know and don't want to loose.” With that she pulls out a line of needle-tatted lace that Kate knows would rival the top Belgium laces that had been imported into Boston.</p><p></p><p>"Do you realize the quality of this work?" Kate asked, turning it over in her hands. "You may not want to be a lace maker, but you'd certainly support yourself easily doing it. If you really want to pay me back, you can continue doing this, and make some that I could send to my mother and my little nieces in Boston."</p><p></p><p>When Jake finally opens his eyes he sees Ruby looking out the window, her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on her knee and looking like a daydreaming young girl rather than a woman. If I had any doubts about her being a woman thinks Jake last night would have dispelled them. Without moving he says "Nice Dress. I don't remember that one." He slowly sits up and stretches his torso, shoulders and finally extends his arms up and out ending with a large yawn. "What's for breakfast?" he asks with a broad smile.</p><p></p><p>Ruby lifts her head and looks at Jake. "Anything you want, Mr. Cook," Ruby smiles. "Are you ready to get up? I went and checked on Kate, she isn't in her room. I hope she isn't getting into trouble before we leave." </p><p></p><p>"As for the dress, the desire to get a new one suddenly came upon me," she laughs as she stands up and spins around. "You really like it? It seems to fit." As if on cue both straps fall off Ruby's shoulders. She walks over to the bed and sits next to Jake. She pushes some hair off his forehead. "It's time to go home."</p><p></p><p>"I won't argue there, let's get the hell out of this town." Jake puts the straps back up on Ruby's dress but they don't stay. He chuckles a bit and starts to get dressed. "I don't have to talk to Morgan, I hope I can find out about the serial numbers on the $20 bills from Warren. I also hoped Marshal Marshal", Jake makes a face and shakes his head, "would talk to us this morning. I don't feel like looking for him either. Don't want to seem too anxious." He packs everything he isn't wearing into his carpet bag, adjusts his gun belt and wiggles his Colt in the holster before saying, "I'll eat anywhere, but let's make sure we have a seat on the stage first. Let's get the hell out of Tombstone."</p><p></p><p>As Jake is getting dressed Ruby offers him his new clothes. “Hope you like them. I figured as long as I was there. Besides I need some new shirts to sleep in,” as she winks at him. Ruby helps Jake pack up the rest of his stuff. “Alright, first stop Wells Fargo office. Then the Palace to check on your $20 bills. And finally The Grand to pick up Kate. We can eat there.” Ruby takes one last look around the room with a smile before they head over to The Wells Fargo Office to buy their tickets.</p><p></p><p>Ruby and Jake buy their tickets for the stage. While there Ruby informs them she will have a horse to hitch to the back. She turns to Jake. “I’m going to the Grand to check on Kate. You can go to the Marshall’s office and check on your business or come with me, that is up to you. But I’m getting worried about Kate so I’m going there now.”</p><p></p><p>He says, "No, lets go to the Grand. Like I said before, I can get with Warren in Promise City. I don't need to chase down any Earps here." "Good idea," she smiles and takes Jake's hand. They walk over to the Grand, and see Kate having tea with Ginnie. "Morning Kate, and Ginnie is it?" Ruby gives her a knowing smile. "Mind if we join you for lunch?" Ruby doesn't wait for an answer before sitting. "Where did you go? I stopped by earlier..." When the waitress comes Ruby orders a big breakfast. "Kate, have you eaten?"</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I ah... I went to the cemetery this morning." She was quiet for a moment. "And then we picked up a few things. Now we're just waiting for the stage. Strange, in Promise City we have to rush to be ready, here it's wait."</p><p></p><p>"Are you feeling ok then?" Ruby looked sympathetically to her friend. "Yes, it's strange for me to want to get back somewhere. Usually it's how fast can I get away," she laughs. "Well, it's almost time for the stage so we can eat and leave. I hope our trip is a quiet one," as Ruby rolls her eyes. Breakfast shows up and Ruby starts eating and Kate is still just drinking her tea. "And you didn't answer me before if you ate or not. Eat this," she says pushing her toast to Kate. "You have to start eating now, you're getting too skinny." Kate shrugged. "I'm feeling about as ok as I expected to. And if I eat that I'll be sick in the coach and you don't want that."</p><p></p><p>Ruby exclaims, "Kate, your clothes are falling off you and you are pale, practically bones! You HAVE to start eating. This has been a rough few days, I'll admit, but once we get back you are going to start to eat. You're making me worry and I don't like to worry." Ruby lets the subject fall and she finishes her own breakfast. "Alright, we ready to go? Let's get to the stage." </p><p></p><p>As they walk, Ruby realizes that Kate is bringing the kid with them. She grabs her hand and walks them behind Jake and Ginnie a bit. "Kate, what are you doing with this kid? You really bringing her to Promise City?" Kate replies, "Yes, I really am. She needs someone, Ruby, and I promised I would help her. Don't worry, she's not going to rob me blind. If it makes you feel better, I'll ask Mr. Gonzales to keep my valuables in his rooms."</p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "That's up to you. I just want you to be careful is all. You might not be in the best state of mind right now to be making big decisions like that. Don't worry, I'll keep my eye on her too." Ruby gives her friend hand a squeeze. "You have a big heart Mrs. Kale." They look up and are standing at the stage. "After you," Ruby gestures</p><p></p><p>Kate squeezed her friend’s hand and looked around for a moment. She wished she could turn her back on this town forever. But she would have to make this journey again in two weeks, and Tom would always be here. She sighed and got herself and Ginnie onto the stage with their few possessions. Kate leaned her head against the side of the coach and closed her eyes, waiting for the jerk and sway of the coach starting on it's way.</p><p></p><p>After Kate gets into the coach Ginnie looks at Ruby her eyes the color of cold steel. "If I was going to rob her blind it would have already been done and you know it. I know what you saw and I heard what she said. I know what she can do, and some of what you can do too. I know that the Marshal is after her and why. I know what she did for Colby Tucker and what's she's planning to do for me. If I wanted to cause trouble she'd be dead or in jail already and there wouldn't be anything left in that trunk of hers. She's giving me a chance and I'm taking it and not you or anyone is going take the chance of learning away from me" With that Ginnie hops up into the coach and put herself again the far door between the door and Kate making sure that there is no way anyone else is going to be able to sit near her.</p><p></p><p>The trip back to Promise City starts off uneventfully. That changes as they enter the southern part of the Dragoon mountain range. A group of thirty armed Apache line the hills to both sides of the stagecoach and look as though they are prepared to attack.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2790963, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 168, “Morning in Tombstone” , Monday, January 23rd, 1882, 9:30 A.M.[/B] Ruby heads back downstairs to check the restaurant. They aren't there either, but she does see Emery Shaw and one of his men having a late breakfast of steak and eggs. Ruby approaches the table that Emery Shaw is sitting at. "Good morning, Mr. Shaw. How are you enjoying your visit to Tombstone? Good I hope. You know, I still feel indebted to you for bringing me here." Ruby gives him a little hair flip and a smile. He replies, "No, I should thank you Miss. West. I have had a wonderful time. It has been too long since I've had a night alone from my daughters. I love them dearly, but it has been a welcomed break. I trust that your visit has here has been promising. Now tell me my dear, when are you planning to head back? I plan to leave in an hour or so, between ten-thirty and eleven. You are welcome to join us if you wish." "Mind if I sit for a bit, so I don't have to be standing over you?" Ruby asks. Maybe Kate will return soon, so I'll wait she thinks. Shaw replies, "Of course." so Ruby has a seat. "I'm not sure I will be leaving just yet, although I wish I could join you." "As for your daughters, you mentioned yesterday something about Heath Barkley? If I might be so bold, they are intelligent women, but they are just that, women. You wouldn't want them to live their lives alone, without love, would you? Like the love you had in your late wife. Maybe it's time for you to let them go a bit. I think you should let them go to California." Ruby smiles at him, "Well chaperoned, of course. And it would give you some time to enjoy yourself too." Ruby finished up her small talk with Mr. Shaw and bid him farewell. She headed out to the street and wandered around until she found a shop that sold dresses. She entered the store and browsed though the dresses, trying to guess what Jake would like the best. She eyed a green one, but then put it back. It just didn’t compare to the one she had at home. She chose a few and tried them on, finally choosing a cream-colored dress with matching cream embroidery. The top was tight and had very small tank straps that sat on the edge of her shoulders, and the bottom was the normal, no bustle. Not really a traveling dress, she laughed to herself, but it will do, especially since she didn’t have to ride her horse back home. She twirled around in the mirror checking herself out a few times before heading out to the counter to pay. She is distracted on the way by the men’s clothes and she remembers hearing Jake mention he needed some clothes too. Knowing his size, she picks out a few pairs of pants and shirts for him. She finally makes her way up to the counter As she fishes out her money to pay a beautiful wine colored velvet cloak catches her eye. Might help keep the dress clean she thinks, so she tries that on too and decides to buy it. She pays for her purchases and scoops them up with the ripped dress and Jake’s shirt and heads back to the hotel to drop them off. Jake is still sleeping so Ruby quietly dumps her purchases on the table. She then takes a seat in the chair near the window, pulls her legs up to her chest and watches the people wandering around, waiting for Jake to wake up. Katherine and Ginnie had left the Grand Hotel and walked to Tombstone's cemetery. Tom's grave was near the edge in the newer section. Once they got close Kate let go of Ginnie's hand and walked to the simple wooden marker that had been placed there. She knelt down and laid her hand on the earth. "Tom, my dear, I hope you know how much I miss you. Things are very different from when I was last here." Kate took a deep breath and began to talk about her life in Promise City. About the El Parador and the Lone Star, about her new studies and about how her emotions had been all over the map. She then talked about the earth spirits and what had happened on the mountain, and then about yesterday in Tombstone, both about taking Ginnie to Promise City and about Morgan and Virgil Earp. "When we were with Storm, I kept wishing I could talk with you again. I wish you could tell me what happened; why you're not here anymore. I'd like to think you're still watching over me. That no matter what happens, we are still together somehow. I know what you would say. You'd tell me that how you left this world doesn't matter. And I'll try to.... To let it go. I think you might be upset with me if I joined you there. I'm going to make you proud, I promise." Kate sat silently then for a long while. The shadows had moved noticeably by the time she got up and brushed off her skirt. She bent down and touched the marker. "I love you," she said quietly. Ginnie listens as Kate pours her heart out to the grave and tells herself, “What in sweet Bridget's name have I gotten myself into?" She thinks as the woman talks about dragon spirits that are the land and dead centaurs that talk to her and saloons and new ranches with wood elfs and Indians and books and bandits and magic. She listens without really being close enough for anyone to believe that she could to hear what is going on so this crazy woman can speak freely. Ginnie says to herself, "She's either insane or things are about to get really exciting. Maybe I will need a new dress?" A moment late Kate turned back to Ginnie and offered her a hand. The woman said, "Let's go back to the hotel. It won't be that much longer until it's time for the stage." Ginnie decided that it wasn't good to make crazy or powerful people mad. Ginnie wasn't really sure which one this woman was but obviously she was one of the two. "Ma'am if we still have time I would like to get a little material and some thread to make a dress. I've been thinking about cleaning up after the horses and the things that I have will work but I will need something that doesn't smell like manure when I study so the books won't pick up the smell. With that statement Ginnie decided not to run, at least until she really found out what was going on. Kate says, "We still have time. Why don't we get enough for two dresses? We could just buy them ready made you know, but if you'd rather make them yourself that's up to you. After you've been in Promise City for a week or two you might decide that pants would be better for working in. But that's for later." Kate had stayed long enough to in Tombstone to know a few places, so they were able to find a general store quickly. Although she would have liked to have gotten a few more things for Ginnie, she didn't want to make her uncomfortable or frightened, so for today she got only what Ginnie requested as well as some new petticoats for herself, as she'd torn hers up the day before. Once the shopping was done they stopped for Ginnie's stage ticket and went back to the Grand Hotel. Back in the room they packed up their things and brought them down at lunchtime. Kate again drank tea as Ginnie ate lunch. "Is there anything you'd like to know, or tell me about? What you'd like to study perhaps?" Ginnie looks at Kate with clear eyes that stare off into the distance before she answers. "What do I want to learn? Everything Ma'am. I don't want to spend the rest of my life making lace and taking things that aren‘t mine. I've taught myself to cipher a bit and I can read a little but only what I've been able to teach myself, my writings not bad but only words I know can't seem to get that ancient Greek stuff very well, and I haven't had much of a chance to work on it, I've spent a lot of time just trying to keep myself out of trouble. I've had about three months of really going to school, the headmaster spent a lot of time trying to trip me up. There are not a lot of girls in the school and I don't think he liked the idea of me being there. I think he wanted me to quit but I didn't let him make me and no man's gonna switch me again. I'd like to learn some of the stuff you do and just learn everything if you know things people can't take advantage of you and you don't have to depend on anyone if you can take care of yourself. Life's safer that way although I'm racking up some pretty big debts to you but I promise I'll pay them all back somehow.” Kate exclaims, "You've been trying Greek on your own? My dear, if you are getting anywhere with that at all, you're going to learn all I have to teach you in short order. I don't want you to worry about paying back debts, alright? You'll be doing that everyday. In teaching you I'll be refreshing my own knowledge as well. I'll have an extra hand to help with the ranch, and something to occupy my mind. Let's see, I can teach you to speak, write, and read French. I can also teach you a great deal of history as well as chemistry, math, and writing. If you wish, I can also teach you to ride a horse, some basic horse training skills, and how to play the piano. And Promise City is working on getting a school up and running which you could attend when it's ready. As for the other thing you referred to, my education has just begun. It may be some time before I'm ready to teach it, and it can be a burden as well as a blessing. But you've already learned how to be discreet.... We'll have to see. You might want to think about what you'll want to do to support yourself as an adult. Then we can tailor your education to it." Ginnie replies, "Ma'am in all honesty I haven't been able to think about growing up as I never really thought I'd make it that far. I know that I want to do something so that I'll never have to be hungry again and I know that I want more than being a lace maker but other than that I haven't been able to think that far.” "Well, for now then you can sample a little bit of everything. There's no need to make a decision right now," Kate smiled. "Most girls of twelve years old are trying to discover how to get out of studying. I always enjoyed it myself. I don't doubt you would have made it that far, you were taking care of yourself. But now you can concentrate on your learning. Have you been making lace to supplement your income?" The girl says, “My whole family were lace makers. That's how we were able to make the money for the passage. I've been making lace for about six years. I started just by making simple chain designs but now I know about 100 patterns. I was beginning to design my own patterns before mama died. Here's some of the lace I was working on but selling it was drawing too much attention so I had to stop selling it I still make it though it's something I know and don't want to loose.” With that she pulls out a line of needle-tatted lace that Kate knows would rival the top Belgium laces that had been imported into Boston. "Do you realize the quality of this work?" Kate asked, turning it over in her hands. "You may not want to be a lace maker, but you'd certainly support yourself easily doing it. If you really want to pay me back, you can continue doing this, and make some that I could send to my mother and my little nieces in Boston." When Jake finally opens his eyes he sees Ruby looking out the window, her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on her knee and looking like a daydreaming young girl rather than a woman. If I had any doubts about her being a woman thinks Jake last night would have dispelled them. Without moving he says "Nice Dress. I don't remember that one." He slowly sits up and stretches his torso, shoulders and finally extends his arms up and out ending with a large yawn. "What's for breakfast?" he asks with a broad smile. Ruby lifts her head and looks at Jake. "Anything you want, Mr. Cook," Ruby smiles. "Are you ready to get up? I went and checked on Kate, she isn't in her room. I hope she isn't getting into trouble before we leave." "As for the dress, the desire to get a new one suddenly came upon me," she laughs as she stands up and spins around. "You really like it? It seems to fit." As if on cue both straps fall off Ruby's shoulders. She walks over to the bed and sits next to Jake. She pushes some hair off his forehead. "It's time to go home." "I won't argue there, let's get the hell out of this town." Jake puts the straps back up on Ruby's dress but they don't stay. He chuckles a bit and starts to get dressed. "I don't have to talk to Morgan, I hope I can find out about the serial numbers on the $20 bills from Warren. I also hoped Marshal Marshal", Jake makes a face and shakes his head, "would talk to us this morning. I don't feel like looking for him either. Don't want to seem too anxious." He packs everything he isn't wearing into his carpet bag, adjusts his gun belt and wiggles his Colt in the holster before saying, "I'll eat anywhere, but let's make sure we have a seat on the stage first. Let's get the hell out of Tombstone." As Jake is getting dressed Ruby offers him his new clothes. “Hope you like them. I figured as long as I was there. Besides I need some new shirts to sleep in,” as she winks at him. Ruby helps Jake pack up the rest of his stuff. “Alright, first stop Wells Fargo office. Then the Palace to check on your $20 bills. And finally The Grand to pick up Kate. We can eat there.” Ruby takes one last look around the room with a smile before they head over to The Wells Fargo Office to buy their tickets. Ruby and Jake buy their tickets for the stage. While there Ruby informs them she will have a horse to hitch to the back. She turns to Jake. “I’m going to the Grand to check on Kate. You can go to the Marshall’s office and check on your business or come with me, that is up to you. But I’m getting worried about Kate so I’m going there now.” He says, "No, lets go to the Grand. Like I said before, I can get with Warren in Promise City. I don't need to chase down any Earps here." "Good idea," she smiles and takes Jake's hand. They walk over to the Grand, and see Kate having tea with Ginnie. "Morning Kate, and Ginnie is it?" Ruby gives her a knowing smile. "Mind if we join you for lunch?" Ruby doesn't wait for an answer before sitting. "Where did you go? I stopped by earlier..." When the waitress comes Ruby orders a big breakfast. "Kate, have you eaten?" Kate replies, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I ah... I went to the cemetery this morning." She was quiet for a moment. "And then we picked up a few things. Now we're just waiting for the stage. Strange, in Promise City we have to rush to be ready, here it's wait." "Are you feeling ok then?" Ruby looked sympathetically to her friend. "Yes, it's strange for me to want to get back somewhere. Usually it's how fast can I get away," she laughs. "Well, it's almost time for the stage so we can eat and leave. I hope our trip is a quiet one," as Ruby rolls her eyes. Breakfast shows up and Ruby starts eating and Kate is still just drinking her tea. "And you didn't answer me before if you ate or not. Eat this," she says pushing her toast to Kate. "You have to start eating now, you're getting too skinny." Kate shrugged. "I'm feeling about as ok as I expected to. And if I eat that I'll be sick in the coach and you don't want that." Ruby exclaims, "Kate, your clothes are falling off you and you are pale, practically bones! You HAVE to start eating. This has been a rough few days, I'll admit, but once we get back you are going to start to eat. You're making me worry and I don't like to worry." Ruby lets the subject fall and she finishes her own breakfast. "Alright, we ready to go? Let's get to the stage." As they walk, Ruby realizes that Kate is bringing the kid with them. She grabs her hand and walks them behind Jake and Ginnie a bit. "Kate, what are you doing with this kid? You really bringing her to Promise City?" Kate replies, "Yes, I really am. She needs someone, Ruby, and I promised I would help her. Don't worry, she's not going to rob me blind. If it makes you feel better, I'll ask Mr. Gonzales to keep my valuables in his rooms." Ruby replies, "That's up to you. I just want you to be careful is all. You might not be in the best state of mind right now to be making big decisions like that. Don't worry, I'll keep my eye on her too." Ruby gives her friend hand a squeeze. "You have a big heart Mrs. Kale." They look up and are standing at the stage. "After you," Ruby gestures Kate squeezed her friend’s hand and looked around for a moment. She wished she could turn her back on this town forever. But she would have to make this journey again in two weeks, and Tom would always be here. She sighed and got herself and Ginnie onto the stage with their few possessions. Kate leaned her head against the side of the coach and closed her eyes, waiting for the jerk and sway of the coach starting on it's way. After Kate gets into the coach Ginnie looks at Ruby her eyes the color of cold steel. "If I was going to rob her blind it would have already been done and you know it. I know what you saw and I heard what she said. I know what she can do, and some of what you can do too. I know that the Marshal is after her and why. I know what she did for Colby Tucker and what's she's planning to do for me. If I wanted to cause trouble she'd be dead or in jail already and there wouldn't be anything left in that trunk of hers. She's giving me a chance and I'm taking it and not you or anyone is going take the chance of learning away from me" With that Ginnie hops up into the coach and put herself again the far door between the door and Kate making sure that there is no way anyone else is going to be able to sit near her. The trip back to Promise City starts off uneventfully. That changes as they enter the southern part of the Dragoon mountain range. A group of thirty armed Apache line the hills to both sides of the stagecoach and look as though they are prepared to attack. [/QUOTE]
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