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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2551768" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 56, “Dinner for Three”, Thursday, March 16th , 1882:Kate, Conrad and Ginnie left the Marshall's office and walked toward their new acquisition.  Kate tells Conrad, "I'm sorry if I was harsh earlier. You surprised me, and I wasn't quite sure what to do. I hadn't intended for you to lay out your own money for this, or to even take more than a few minutes of your time. I don't seem to handle shocks very well anymore." He replies, "I'm sorry as well. We should have discussed it first but I saw an opportunity and time was of the essence. By mentioning the Judge leaving town that prompted him to act fast. In my profession I've learned to act quickly. As for the possible resale of the store, you would best do that negotiation. The potential buyer is the miner Patrick Seawell. He and the Morand family have partnered but he hasn't established an office yet. I get the impression from what I heard that he would like it to be independent of the Morand Complex at Fremont and Sierra. The location that we just bought would be near the Morands but also separate. You know Seawell far better than I based upon what you've said about when the bandits attacked your stage and he assisted you in saving Deputy Marshall Earp's life." "He's a good man. It will ease my mind some to sell the store building to someone who deserves a good deal. I still feel uneasy about benefiting from Mr. Bauer's misfortune." They arrived at the store and locked up the building. "Let's go take a look inside the house. If I'm going to use it for a school, I suppose Ginnie and I could use the upstairs for bedrooms when we need to stay in town overnight."  It is a twenty-by-thirty foot two-story wood-frame house. The door is indeed unlocked and Mrs. Bauer has taken everything that wasn't nailed down with the exception of the large cast iron wood stove in the kitchen, which must have been too heavy for her wagon. The first floor is divided into three rooms, one of which is a large living room that would work well for a classroom. A staircase leads up to the second floor which has slightly less floor space due to the pitched room beginning just five feet above the floor on the two sides. The second floor has a hallway down the center and the rest is divided into one large master bedroom and two smaller rooms.Kate came back down the stairs with a smile. "It will do very well. Much better than the store building. We can use the lower floor for the school and the kitchen, and Ginnie and I can stay upstairs when needed.  Conrad, you and I will have to discuss the financial arrangements tomorrow. I owe you at least the amount for the house. I'm afraid I've already missed the Committee meeting, but I still have time to get out to the ranch and help out. And give Ginnie her riding lesson, of course."He replies, "Very well, but before we settle on any finances why don't you see if Seawell is interested in the store and how much he'll pay you for it. And don't feel guilty to get what you can for it. You may want to mention to him that Bauer's selling price for it was $ 750." "I'll do that, then we can talk tomorrow afternoon." Kate stood for a moment, uncertain. There was still a tension there she didn't know how to break.   "I appreciate what you did to help me today. I hope someday I'll have the chance to do something to help you. I even appreciate you wanting to hit Tony Lucky. I wanted to hit him. Unfortunately, I'm not very strong, so I doubt it would have knocked any sense into him." Kate walked over and offered her hand. "I'll see you tomorrow." She and Ginnie finally got back to the El Parador where she dropped off her packages and changed into riding clothes. She made the ride out and the ride back Ginnie's lesson. She wasn't unsympathetic to the girls dislike of riding, but it was important she know how. Once she was competent, she could stop the lessons and let Ginnie concentrate on something she loved.  They helped out with the evening chores and made it back in time for Kate to bathe, get dinner, and head over to the Lucky Lady to help out for the night.Ruby walks back to the Lucky Lady in thought.  What could Jake have in mind? I wasn't really worried about dinner until he said not to worry, she thinks. And how could Jake know how I want things to work out? At any rate, I'll just tell Mr. Eastman, er, George, no again and hopefully that will work. But this time I HAVE to be more convincing. Right, more forceful. I can do that, I’m GOOD at that. It was like she was convincing herself. Why IS it such a problem with him? She sighs out loud. Ruby knew the answer to that question but she already made that decision. And what was I thinking agreeing to dinner with the Judge? I know, hopefully it will pay off in the future... She gets back to the saloon and heads up to her room. It takes her a long time to decide on the cream colored dress. What is appropriate to wear to dinner with someone who wants to marry you AND a conservative, strict judge? It showed off her neck, with the straps sitting on the edge of her shoulder, but is wasn’t the lowest cut dress she had and that was a good thing. Too low for a judge though? Oh, forget it, what am I worried about? None of this matters anyway, right? She starts dressing while she grumbles to herself. She takes her time dressing carefully. She makes sure everything is where it should be but not too much of anything is showing. Not an easy feat in anything I own, she laughs out loud. She brushes the wildness out of her hair, taming it into some curls. She looks herself over in the mirror, stopping to caress the heart shaped earrings dangling from her ears. She hadn’t taken them off since Jake gave them to her. She puts her smile on, nods to herself, and grabs her wrap and heads downstairs. She sits at the bar, having a glass of wine, and waits for George to show up.George Eastman arrives promptly at five minutes before five. He is attired in a different suit than she had seen him in before, this one a chocolate brown with a tan and gold print vest and gold silk tie over a white shirt. He is wearing a brown bowler hat that compliments the rest of the wardrobe. His beard is neatly trimmed and his hair is combed back and looks to be a little wet, implying that he just came from the barber and bath shop. His face breaks out in a warm smile upon seeing Ruby.Ruby stands to greet him. "Hello, George. You look very put together." She returns his smile, "Ready for dinner?" Ruby takes his arm. "I want to take you to one of my favorite eating establishments, the El Parador Cantina. You've traveled all over, I'm sure you like a little variety in your life and your food." She gives a little laugh. "Plus I'm friends with the owners. They've become, uh, protective of me, I guess you could say. Anyway, I'm sure you'll enjoy it."Jake Cook walks into the room promptly after George Eastman does, almost like he was waiting. On his head is his flat brimmed black hat, which barely holds down his full head of brown hair. His beard is neatly trimmed and frames nicely his broad smile. His white silk shirt only rustles slightly as he crosses the room purposely towards Ruby and George. Across his black linen pants is strapped his Colt Peacemaker. His well-worn boots are polished. "You must be Mr. Eastman? Good evening. Very kind of you to invite us all to dinner tonight. Ruby was telling me how much you wanted to meet me. I must say I was a bit curious to meet you. I'm glad you are not the kind of man to be embarrassed by the situation." He smiles at both of them. "Shall we go?" At first Ruby stands there with her mouth hanging open. She manages to get it closed and she pulls her arm away from Eastman. "You look nice Jake," she says while giving him a cocked head, 'what in Hades are you doing?' questioning look. Jake flashes Ruby her 'go with it' look. "Thank you Miss West, you always have the kindest things to say." Jake gives her a warm and reassuring smile.Ruby nods, but stares at Jake for a moment before turning back to George then back to Jake. Her hand shoots up and starts fingering her earring before she finally returns the smile to her face. "Mr. Jacob Cook, this is Mr. George Eastman. George, this is Mr. Cook... Jake, my boyfriend." She looks at Jake affectionately as she says his name. Then she stands back and waits.Eastman gives Cook the once over, then walks towards him so that their faces are no more than a foot apart and says "Sir, I am taking Constance Grace to dinner, not you. At no point were you invited. I had wanted to meet you last night but you were far too interested in playing cards to pay myself or Miss. West any attention. I would suggest that you spend this evening doing more of the same.  And for the record, I am not the least bit intimidated by your firearm display bravado. In general I've found that those who feel the need to draw attention to weapons are merely compensating for other deficiencies."Jake replies, "Harsh words Mr. Eastman. I suggest you owe Miss West an apology, she is usually quite a good listener and to suggest that she may have misunderstood what you said in such a gruff manner is unbecoming. Furthermore I agreed to change our previous engagement for tonight to accommodate you sir." Jake follows that with several tsk, tsk sounds. "Such a display of anger and verbal abuse is quite unbecoming."Eastman replies, "Sir, if anybody owes Miss West an apology it is you. We had made dinner plans for just the two of us. Based upon her facial expression a minute ago I would say that she was just as surprised with you inviting yourself to our dinner as I am. In proper society Mr. Cook a gentleman does not invite himself to places where he is not welcome."“Alright. Nobody owes me an apology… yet.” Ruby sighs. "George, I'm sure I don't need to remind you that this isn’t proper society and I’ve already mentioned my disdain for it. As a matter of record, you agreed that you would be happy to leave it behind. I did tell Jake that you wanted to meet him, I thought you did.  “But why don’t we make the best of things and just go to dinner please. I’m hungry.” She smiles at both of them and flips her hair. “That is if the two of you can get along…”Eastman says, "Constance, this may not be proper society but good manners call for people to not invite themselves where they are not welcomed. I have no intentions of dining with this man. We should leave now for that restaurant that you suggested. I am only asking you for a few hours of your time. That obviously threatens this man. If you and he have any sort of a real relationship then he shouldn't feel threatened by that."She exclaims, "He may not be welcomed by you, but he's welcomed by me. If you want to have dinner with me tonight you'll have to have dinner with him. Aren't you interested in my friends and things I care about?" Ruby steps closer to George and looks him in the eyes. "Now, please can we go to dinner?"He states, "No Constance, I will not reward this man's bad behavior. I had planned to have a private conversation with you. I am going now to the restaurant that you suggested and I hope that you will choose to join me. As for interests, I think it is obvious what each of us has for our primary interest. Constance, my interest is you. I traveled far and wide to be with you. I love you, I wish to marry you, and to give you everything that you have ever wanted. As for Mr. Cook's interest..." He turns back and faces Jake. "Sir, I have but one question for you to answer right now. And I would appreciate an honest and immediate Yes or No answer. If Miss West should decide to leave this gambling establishment which you own would it suffer financially because of her departure?"Jake replies, "Mr. Eastman, you clearly wish to see things only in black and white, and in money. Miss West is one of four partners in this establishment, and her talents and interest in it do contribute to it's success. So, yes it would suffer some setback if she decided to move on." Jake puts on a serious expression, "The hole that Miss West would leave behind if she left Promise City is far more than financial and impossible to fill."Eastman turns to her and says, "Well, that should give you pause to think at least. I am leaving. My suggestion is for you to take some time now in private Constance to think over what he and I have both just told you. I suspect that he will instead force his company on you, just as he attempted to force it upon me. But I at least will give you that time to think. You are a grown woman and quite capable of making your own decisions. I will be at that restaurant for the next half hour if you wish to join me."Ruby watches George walk away. She turns to Jake, "What was that all about?" She shakes her head. "I don't understand." "I guess George doesn't like me very much." Jake scratches his beard. "Funny reaction to the gun. Like I would go anywhere in town without it, let alone leave you unprotected. If I wanted to intimidate him I'd have done it differently. Hermes, his cousin wears a pearl handled one under her dress. I suppose he'd find that intimidating." Jake points up with his finger. "Look, we need to talk. Please?"Talk? Sure, we can talk." They make their way upstairs to their room. Ruby plops down on the bed. "Do you think I should go and talk to him still?"  He says, "First off, take the ring box out and open it." Ruby looks questioningly at Jake. "Uh... ok." She takes the box out of her pocket. Before she opens it she looks up at Jake but doesn't say anything. She looks back down at the box and opens it slowly. The large sparkly diamond is missing from the setting of the ring. "Um, I'm guessing you have something to do with this?"He says, "Yes. I was going to use that as a way to have Eastmen react under stress. I figured it would cause an angry outburst and give you a chance to make it easier to tell him to get lost. Of course, I would have assured that you were safe and that it was more elegant than that." He scrapes his foot on the floor. "The stone is in the box, under the velvet ring holder. I didn't substitute it or anything. Tell him it fell off or something. I don't want to complicate things for you. It's obvious that he will only have his conversation with you. If you still want to have it." Jake takes off his hat and throws it in the corner. "The way you asked me for help, it was, uh.... Well I didn't want you to even have to think about it. So I didn't tell you that I was going to go to dinner and about the ring. I was wrong, I should have share that with you. I have a few things to say and will make them quick if you still want to go and talk with him."Ruby looks at the ring setting while speaking, “It was a good idea Jake.” Then she is quiet. Finally she looks up at Jake. “I’m sorry if I asked you to help in a way that put pressure on you. I told him no already, I don’t know why he didn’t accept it. I shouldn’t have involved you too in this mess.” Ruby starts biting her lip, “I should go speak to him, try to reason with him again, even if I don’t want to.” “Jake,” she says touching his hand, “I want to hear what you have to say, and you don’t have to rush. Mr. Eastman, the whole world as far as I am concerned, can wait until you say what you have to say.” Ruby looks him in the eyes and smiles warmly. "No, don't ever feel like you shouldn't involve me in your problems, what are friends for?" "Eastman is a strong willed man, that much is clear, and accustomed to getting his way. He probably will not be bound by society ethics either. I won't badmouth him, I don't need to. He was trying to make it clear to you earlier that I wanted you to stay because of the money you make me at the saloon." He holds up his hand. "No, don't answer. I know you don't believe that. He said that I didn't trust you and don't let you make your own decisions, and we know that isn't true either." A short pause. "If you want to send him away you need to do it firmly, it is not a negotiation. The El Parador is probably a good place to do it too." Jake moves over to the corner to pick up his hat and begin to pace. "He has a lot of money, something I can only aspire to. It is a tempting situation, enough money for the rest of your life, even if you don't stay married to him. He might actually love Constance Grace, or at least believe he does." Jake starts to play with his hat. "Ruby for a long time I didn't ask very much of you, just what ever you wanted to share with me. I was very happy with that. When we first met I was afraid that asking too many questions would make you nervous and drive you away. I was sure you were going to leave anyway, and I was determined to make every day count until then." He clears his throat. "I still am, except I stopped worrying about you running off. The truth is I have a hundred questions, but I just got into the habit of letting you give what you would and figured the answers would come soon enough. Now I realize that you might have thought it was because I didn't care. Or care enough." Jake stops his pacing near the bed and looks down at her. "I know you have had a tough time in life. I've heard the conversations you had with Katherine, I know the pieces you have told me, and I know that you don't learn to do private dances of the kind you showed me at church socials. I am also confident that is only part of it." Jake takes a deep breath and puts the hat on his head. "I won't say I don't care, because that isn't exactly right. What I mean is it doesn't make me want you any less. What happened to you, for good or ill made you what you are and brought you here to me. Ruby West, the road you traveled made you what you are. George wants his Constance Grace, Jake needs his Ruby West." Jake steps away from the bed and Ruby looks like she is going to speak. "No, I'm not done." "Look here." Jake takes his gun out of his holster in a non-threatening manner. "This is a gun. Call it a pistol, a Colt Peacemaker, a revolver, a side arm or whatever you like. When we say the words we know exactly what it is. Exactly what it is for and what you can do with it." He puts it back in its home. Pointing around the room he continues, "Window, bed, desk, dress; when I say it you know exactly the same." He walks to the table that holds the decanters and pours himself a drink in a leisurely fashion as if he has all the time in the world. He takes a sip, and seems to savor it. A faint sigh escapes his lips. "Love." He begins again and looks right into her eyes. "Can you say the same thing about it? Maybe you can. Maybe you can explain it to me, I know you tried to, uh, show me." He looks uncomfortable for a second takes a deep breath and continues. "You asked Jake to tell you the truth. So I did. I don't know what it is or means like I do those other things. Sure I love my sister, but that is brother and sister love. So if I tell you I love you I'd be lying. Not because I don't, but because I don't know love like I do window, bed or desk." He pauses only to run his hand through his hair. "Yes, yes you will say but love is not like that, it is not that simple, you'll know when you are in love. I've seen loads of folks claim to be in love and it doesn't last. This boy's been through a lot since he left home, but being in love wasn't something that happened to Silver Jake. I suppose if it had I wouldn't be here." He shakes his head. "I don't even know what I'm trying to say anymore. I need to earn your trust and affection every day. That and what you know about me and how I have treated you since we've met are all that I can use to convince you to stay with me. If you must have more right now, then you'll need to look elsewhere." He takes another sip of the bourbon followed by a grim smile. He turns and sits in a stuffed chair, his body quickly finds its familiar slouching position. Jake's free hand taps his hat back at a rakish angle and the boyish grin creeps slowly back to his face. "Ruby West, I'm Silver Jake Cook. I may have surprises left in me, but it should be no surprise to you of all people who I am. Stay with me for the ride, or not. But when you are sure either way, look me in the eye and tell me. I don't know how to get rid of George Eastman, at least not by talking." He snorts. "I'm still willing to help you anyway I can if you want it, but I no longer have any ideas."Ruby stays completely silent, just looking down at the floor. For the longest time it seems to Jake that she doesn’t even blink. Finally she gets up and shaking slightly pours herself a generous glass of bourbon. She drinks half of it and then refills it before sitting back down on the bed, on her feet. “Friends?” Ruby says slowly, “I’m not sure what you are trying to tell me Jake. You giving up on me?” She has a sad look on her face. “No, don’t say anything, now it’s my turn for you to listen to me.” “Once upon a time, I was a young, foolish girl who believed in love.” She stares deep into her glass of bourbon. “I used to believe that loving someone meant you would much rather see that person happy than yourself, and you would give them up if it meant they would be happier without you. I thought it meant you would do anything, and I mean anything for them. That you could trust them and know no matter what you did they would still be there for you.” “Then I started hearing men tell me they loved me everywhere I went, because they thought I would sleep with them, they thought I would pay attention to them. So maybe I was wrong about what love is.” Ruby shrugs. “I don’t know what love is either. I do know that you’re the only who hasn’t said it, and that makes you different from the rest. Maybe that means you do? No matter, I respect the fact that you won’t lie to me about it.” She continues quietly, “That foolish girl’s version of love, that is how I feel about you. I don’t know why it happened but it did. I would rather see you happy and safe without me than with me if that’s what it takes. I thought I might be able to make you see that you love me too, besides caring for me, but now I’m not so sure. I’m not confident anymore, I’m confused.” “I was growing tired of the constant running. If I’m going to be miserable I should at least do it with some comfort, no? I don’t care about George Eastman. I truly doubt that he loves me, I can’t see anyway that is possible, he knows nothing about me.” Ruby pauses. “Three months ago I might not even be thinking this over, I might have just agreed. But then there was you. And you tell me you can’t breathe without me, that you want me and need me and that makes me very happy.” She finally gives a little smile. “So my choice is this. Stay here with you, share a bed with you and be happy while it lasts, but be unsure. As far as I know, it could end tomorrow but that’s the risk I take. Or go with Mr. Eastman and be miserable knowing I’ll never love him but at least I’ll be comfortable knowing what my future holds.” Ruby runs her hand through her hair then rubs her eyes. “Maybe if I tell you some things you want to know it will help. What do you want to know about me? Let’s see, my parents were afraid of me because I was born with red hair, an embarrassment to them, so they never cared or loved me in any way. Decided it would be better to get rid of me by marrying me to Mr. Eastman and banishing me to Rochester. So I stole from them and ran away from home. I was 14 years old.” Ruby tells her story slowly and does not to make much eye contact with Jake. “I tried singing some places to make money, that always worked at first. I would play cards, which I learned from my friends back in New York, if you could call them that, to make more money. But unfortunately everywhere I went, everywhere I go, people want something from me and I would end up having to leave.  In one city I got cornered, not unlike Maggie Whipple. But unlike Maggie Whipple I only had myself and it wasn’t going well. But out of no where my hero appeared and saved me, he beat the crap out of those two guys. Jimmy Douglas was his name.” Ruby looks up at Jake. “I don’t believe there was any connection to Deadeye.” She looks away again. “Anyway he took me in. I can’t tell you how many times after that I wished I died in that alleyway.” “At first things were great. He owned a Saloon, like the Palace, but all I did was sing. He wouldn’t let anyone touch me and I was attracted to someone wanting to take care of me. Eventually we were together, even though he was quite a bit older than me. I thought I loved him, he told me he loved me. Then things started to change. He started showing me a few skills that he thought I would be good at and he was right. You know I’m good with my hands,” she smiles but her eyes are still sad. “I found out he also ran a gang with his brothers. Most of the time he stayed at the Saloon but when he wanted fun he would go out with them too. He taught me how to crack safes, with and without dynamite, but I mostly did it without. They started taking me with them on ‘trips’ to far off towns to rob banks. Oh and Jake, believe me when I say, I was good at it, very good at it. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice anymore.” “Then things started getting bad. Jimmy wanted me to start dancing so we could scam customers. I would get them drunk, pay attention to them, and tell Jimmy which ones had the money. Found out I was good at that too, very good in fact. Started getting drunk all the time, either that or was high all the time, so all this stuff that was going on didn’t matter. He would share me with his brothers, his friends and anyone who offered enough money. I was out of my mind so I didn’t care. Except that I did care. I thought about trying to leave, but I didn’t have any money of my own. Besides, no one leaves Jimmy if he doesn’t want you to leave.” “So one day we made a trip to a bank. When we got there we saw the bank was larger than any we had tried before. I tried to talk them out of it but it was no use. We went in, and I tried to crack the safe but I couldn’t. It was new, and too big. They were yelling at me, the whole thing went bad. The law showed up, big shootout, one of Jimmy’s brothers was killed, plus two other members of the gang, along with a bunch of innocent people.” Ruby starts to look very uncomfortable, fidgeting with her dress. “We got back and I thought Jimmy’s brother was going to kill me, blamed me for his brothers death. Jimmy took his brother downstairs and they were drunk and high and screaming at each other. It was my chance to escape, so I quickly shoved a few things in a bag and headed out. Except when I opened the door Jimmy was standing there, furious. I told him I was leaving, said I wasn’t doing any of this anymore. He tried changing my mind by beating the life out of me. Then he took advantage of me, which in the end saved my life. Because he was paying attention to what he was doing and not me. He left his gun on the bed and didn’t see me grab it until I shot him dead, right though the heart. Then I passed out.” “When I woke up I was at the Doc’s. He had very kindly told everyone I died. We both would have been dead if Jimmy’s brother found out I was alive and he knew it. He told me the law came and arrested Jimmy’s brother and was going to hang him. Found out later he escaped. The Doc helped me recover, got me off the drugs, and gave me another chance at life. It took a couple of months before I was well. I left there in the middle of the night and never looked back. I heard the Doc was murdered not long after I left though. That made me sad. He was one of very few people to ever me nice to me, not wanting anything in return.” Ruby is visibly upset by the revelation of her story. “Since then been doing what I have to for me to get by. I promised myself I wouldn’t let anyone take advantage of me like that again. Easier to just stay away from people then get attached to them.”  She continues very quietly while still looking down, “So you see, I really am what the good citizens of this town think I am.” Tears start falling down her cheeks. “I’m a murderer for helping Jimmy, an alcoholic and drug addict, a thief and a whore. Maybe not all things at the moment, but that will never change, that’s who I am.” She stubbornly pushes the tears off her face. “So, I wouldn’t want to truly love me either. I’ve never done anything to deserve it.” Ruby covers her face with her hands, trying to hide her crying. “You’re the only one I ever told any of that to.”</blockquote>

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