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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2813818" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 117, "The Grand Hotel", Monday March 20th, 1882, 2:30 P.M. After the stage gets to the office and Jake collects the luggage he says to Ruby, "Where do you want to stay? I don't know which is the best place in town, but before I suggest we just get the best room in town maybe you want to find out where Eastman is staying. That might help you decide where you want to stay, or not stay." Ruby gets off the stage and stretches her arms over her head. "Ugh, I hate those bumpy rides." She rubs her neck, "I need a massage!" She looks over to Jake, burdened with bags. "Here let me take one," she says reaching for her bag. "Why would where Mr. Eastman is staying make a difference where we stay? I think the Grand is the nicest, let's stay there. I want a tub in our room so I can't take a nice long bath in peace." "Why indeed." Jake mutters. "The Grand it is then." Ruby sighs in return. "Would you like me to go to every hotel in Tombstone to find out where Mr. Eastman is staying right now so your vacation isn't ruined by you having to see him, Jake?" "No," Jake responds in a monotone, "but thanks for the sincere offer. Look there is the Grand." Ruby gives Jake a sideways glance as they walk. "It WAS a sincere offer. Maybe you don't understand that I need to relax on this trip. This has been a really tough week for us and I want us both to have a pleasurable time. It's really important to me, I think you know important. I didn't come here to to do business." Ruby pauses considering her words. "And if you seeing George Eastman staying where we are staying is going to bother you, well, I don't care of we stay in a box as long as we're together." They stop outside the doors of the Grand Hotel. "Sorry, but it didn't sound sincere. If you say it was I accept that." Jake looks her in the eye. "No, you didn't come here just to relax. Who are you trying to convince? I do believe that you need to get away, forget about Promise City for a bit and to have fun. We will. At least, I'll try my best to give you the chance." "I was sincere and suggested you might want to know where George was staying before deciding where to stay or not stay. You told me you have some personal business with George," Jake clears his throat, "and Helen. Since I don't know what exactly you have in mind, and I don't need to know," he nods his head, "how is it I could judge whether being in the same hotel or not was a good idea? If it is a surprise to you that I don't like Eastman or would rather not see him, then you haven't been paying attention. I did tell you that I wouldn't hinder you from whatever you planned and I am good to my word." Looking slightly annoyed he glances up and down the street. "Shall we check into the Grand?" Ruby purses her lips together, trying to keep a barrage of come backs from flying out. She tightens her grip on her bag and starts walking into the Grand. As she walks, without turning back to face him Ruby calls out, "I'm going to pretend like you are grumpy from the long, hot, dirty stagecoach ride we just took." She walks half way to the counter, then stops and waits for Jake. Jake walks casually past Ruby towards the counter and says softly in a light hearted tone, "I know you are a better actress than that." He puts the bags down and says to the person there, "I'd like the best room you have available for two nights. Can we arrange a hot bath in that room immediately? The young lady is positively suffering from the torturous stagecoach ride." Ruby narrows her eyes at Jake as he walks away but the thought of getting her bath immediately eases some of the tension. She walks up next to Jake at the counter and adds, "And can you arrange for two horses and a picnic lunch for late tomorrow morning please?" Jake puts some change on the counter. "Could you send a boy to let Deputy Marshall Williams know I am staying here, he is expecting me. Also, have the boy let Misters Fly and Cassidy over at Fly's boarding house know I am here. Could you tell me what time the first train from Tuscon arrives tomorrow? I am expecting someone on it." He replies, "There's a freight train that gets in between 11:30 and noon. Passenger train doesn't get in until around 4:00 P.M." Ruby raises her eyesbrows and mutters under her breath, "That's the whole damn day. So much for my picnic..." Continuing in a louder voice with a bit of edge, "Could you tell us where the room is please?" He replies, "Number 21. Top of the staircase and to the left, first door on the left. I'll get somebody to bring up your bags." "Thank you." Ruby starts walking away then stops, "Oh and the bath..." The clerk nods and heads upstairs to # 21. As they walk to the stairs they look around. Downstairs has a parlor and the walls are adorned with rare and costly oil paintings. The furniture is of walnut with rich cushions of silk and a piano is in the far corner. The adjacent dining room is of the same good taste, with three chandeliers, handsome centerpieces on each rich walnut table, and place settings of cut glass, china, and fine silverware of the latest style in cutlery. There is a wide and handsome staircase covered by an elegant carpet and supporting a heavy black walnut banister. Upstairs they see a main hallway leading to several rooms. Ruby walks slowly, taking her time admiring the hotel. She finds #21 and opens the door, knowing the room will be just as nice. As Ruby heads up the stairs, Jake just stands there and says, "Mierda." He takes a deep breath before quietly saying to the man, "Apparently my lady friend will need some extra care for this stay." Jake tries a smile and puts a five dollar bill in the man's pocket. "That is for you. Do what you can. We'll still be wanting thoses horses and lunch for tomorrow. Have someone find us a bottle of Kentucky bourbon and several bunches of red flowers. The flowers can wait until after dinner, I'm afraid I need the bourbon as soon as you can. Thank you." Jake follows Ruby up the stairs. Jake and Ruby enter the room and it's the same luxury as the rest of the hotel. Ruby drops her jacket and hat to the floor and plops down on the huge fluffly bed, pushing her shoes off as she does. She arches her back and stretches trying to release all the stress that has been building up the past week. She closes her eyes, her breathing measured. She lets out a huge breath, "Where is that bath?" She turns her head and looks at Jake. "You know what I want more than a bath right now?" Jake pushes his hat back on his head while Ruby stares at him from the bed, "A kiss." Jake deposits his pack of weapons on the floor and walks over towards the bed. "Damn, I asked for the clerk for a bunch of stuff to be sent up but I didn't ask for one of those. I thought I had remembered everything." He talks off his hat, scratches his head and looks perplexed. Dropping his hat, he lunges down and pulls Ruby up by the arms and gives her a kiss, interrupted only a couple of times by laughing. Ruby wraps her arms around Jake's neck and continues their kiss. She pulls off Jake's duster and throws it on the edge of the bed. She is still laughing but her laughter slowly fades away and she touches their noses together, just staring at Jake. She finally says, "No more fighting Jake, promise me please?" He replies, "Fighting? What fighting? Woman, when Jake and Ruby start fighting people will clear the streets. Instead of worrying about fighting start thinking about amusement. I'll find out about the show you want to see. We can plan dinner, maybe the show tonight and cap it off at the Silver Dollar afterwards if we still have time." "Oh when are you going to do all that, find out about the show I mean? And why wouldn't we have time? We're in Tombstone, we can stay up all night playing cards if you want." Ruby pauses for a moment, "And I want you to keep me company while I take a bath." She pauses again, "I guess you don't have to, it might be better to get the show taken care of." He states, "We can just send someone to arrange seating for us and tell us the time, we are having a holiday aren't we?" "Yes we are," Ruby says slowly with a extra wide smile, "Send the boy who comes to draw the bath. That way you won't even have to leave the room and can spend the extra time kissing me! " Jake happily obliges Ruby until the boy shows up. He draws the bath and Jake asks him to find out what time the show is and to inquire about getting a box or some seats for tonights show. The boy fills the tub with bubbles which delights Ruby, and he winks to Jake on his way out. The door isn't even shut before Ruby is throwing off her clothes and climbing in with a satisified "Aahhhhh...." Ruby washes, happily taking her sweet time enjoying the hot water and bubbles. Then she leans back to soak but can't seem to get comfortable. "Do you want to join me or are you busy?" she asks, already knowing the answer. "Busy?" Jake snorts. He pulls a chair over near the tub and hangs his clothes and gunbelts on it. Coincidentally, his guns are in reach of the tub. The tub not being very large, it takes a few moments, movements, giggles and laughs to get both of them settled inside. Ruby very contentedly snuggles up to Jake, the feeling of his breathing and warm body on hers reassures and relaxes her. They rest like that for a while before Ruby breaks the silence. “Baby… we need to...” Ruby pauses not wanting to continue, “...Talk,” she says hesitantly, “About George Eastman.” She feels Jake tense up immediately so she turns to face him. “Listen, I know you are…I know you don’t want to talk about him. But you have to understand something.” Ruby sighs, “I know you care about me. Aren’t there many things you would do for me?” "If I need to understand something, explain it to me." He says rather sternly. "Do you think that I don't like Eastman becauses he offends my delicate sensibilities? Arrrrrghh." He takes a sharp breath and let's it out long and slow with a sigh. "I'm listening." Ruby blinks at Jake's cold response but composes herself before continuing. "You didn't answer my question, but we both know the answer. There are many thing you would do and have done for me. That is all George was doing." Ruby sighs softly, “George was one of the only people nice to me when I was young. And the truth is, he always was in love with me. I believe he truly loves that girl, the one from our youth, but I’m not that girl anymore, he just doesn’t realize, I was NEVER that girl. He never really knew me, I didn’t let him. Maybe if I did things would have been different for me…” Her voice trails off and she looks away. “I can understand you being nervous about him,” she looks back at Jake staring him in the eyes, “But you don’t need to be. Even though you don’t feel the same way for me,” she clutches his face with her hands, bubbles dripping off her arms, “I LOVE you, I can’t help myself. I’m crazy about YOU and you don’t need to worry about me running off with George or anyone else for that matter.” Jake stands up and steps out of the tub. He begins dressing without drying himself. "Did I tell you I believed you before? That you wanted to stay with me and not leave with George. I did. I told you that. I believed you. What is so hard about that? You want me to say it? You want to hear it out loud? OK. I'm jealous. I'm afraid to lose you. I'm scared you are trying to convince yourself, because the only other person in the room believed you. I wasn't even suspicious when we chased Eastman here to Tombstone." He ties up his pants without even slowing down in his tirade. "Blasted George is just like me, just trying to do things for you? Hermes! Well Jake Cook didn't try and make a backroom deal. He didn't make an offer to buy you for cash like a whore or some slave, without your say in the matter. Jake Cook wants you to be with him, but more important he wants you to be happy. Jake Cook let you choose because he cares what you want, cause he believes you can make your own choices. Jake Cook won't keep you if you don't want to be kept." "So George was nice to you. Terrific, send him a thank you card. Bake him a bloody cake! Maybe things could have been different? Things can be different if you want them too. You are smart, talented and beautiful and can have anything you want. Anybody you want for that matter." Jake finishes buttoning his shirt untucked over his pants. "Where is that blasted clerk with the bloody bourbon." Her turns and looks at Ruby, "I am crazy about you, make no mistake. It's just too crowded in that tub right now with the three of us there. I need a drink." He slings his favored Colt gunbelt over his shoulder and walks to the door. "I'll be downstairs at the bar waiting for when it's just you and me again. I will believe you, just be damn sure you do too." Jake slams the door on his way out. Ruby blinks in shock at Jake’ reaction to what she said. “Didn’t I say I loved him?” she says loud out, the shock wearing off, the anger setting in, “And THAT is the reaction I get? Telling him I love him isn't enough enough anymore? What the hell is wrong with that boy??” Furious, Ruby climbs out of the tub and without drying off grabs the nearest towel and stomps down the stairs, leaving bubbles as she goes. She finds her way to the bar, ignoring the glances from the other patrons. Jake is sitting there, seething. She walks up to him holding her towel with one hand and grabs him roughly by the face with the other, turning him to face her. “And I was going to say before you stomped off, that if I don’t return his ring it will always be between you and I, don’t you understand? So I have to see him and finish this, for us. That is, if there still IS an US as one of US is acting like a damn child and what is that particular person going to do every time this happens, because in my experience it happens a lot. So unless that person is prepared to get married so by law he can shoot every person who looks in the other person’s direction… we have a problem.” Ruby turns and starts stomping off. "I didn't start name calling," Jake says forcing his voice to stay calm, "I didn't put something between us, I didn't spoil a private moment by talking about how wonderful someone else is, and bartender I DIDN'T get that whiskey yet." The bartender very quickly hands him the whiskey. Jake take the whiskey and continues, "I also don't quite understand what in your experience happens a lot? Ruining romantic moments by talking about how nice other men are? Or should I be expecting a large number of ring bearing men to show up that I can be judged against? I don't even know WHAT in Hades you are on about now, we weren't even talking about how men look at you or that blasted ring!" Ruby takes a few deep breaths. She had stopped stomping when Jake started speaking but she didn’t turn to face him. Her hands are shaking and she clutches at the towel tightly so it wouldn’t show. “Then I guess I owe you an apology then, for ruining your romantic moment and putting something between us, and for having someone who would want me to marry him,” she says softly. Her anger was quickly tuning into hurt feelings and she knew how bad she was at dealing with that so she starts walking away again without another word. Jake turns to the bartender and in response to the whiskey says, "Thanks. I really need that." Jake is quiet for a bit after Ruby goes back to the room. He motions the bartender over again, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to growl at you." He waves his hand over his glass. "Fill it up again." Silver Jake Cook sighs a heavy sigh, "That woman makes me crazy some days. I'm usually a patient man." Jake laughs at himself, "No that's not true. It is true that she can spin me around like nobody I have ever met." Ruby stoped at the main desk on her way back up the stairs, the poor clerk looking frightened. “Can you please tell me if Mr. George Eastman is staying here?” Ruby asks. “Um..I’m, um…” he stammers, “Not supposed to…” His voice trails off seeing Ruby’s glare. “14, He’s staying in room 14.” Ruby doesn’t bother to thank him, she just walks back upstairs to her room. Ruby is upset and confused as she pulls on her black bathrobe. It is sheer and frilly, not usually something she would wear but it was to have been a surprise for Jake. She takes out a fresh dress and lays it carefully on the bed. Next she throws the few items she had taken out back into her bag. Every feeling in her was telling her to run away, and as hard as she was trying to fight it, she wasn’t winning. She sits at the vanity, picks up a brush and starts mindlessly brushing her hair. She focuses on herself in the mirror and she notices a few tears stream down her cheeks. “This is what you get for trying to care about someone,” she says out loud to herself, shaking her wet head, “Only heartache and hurt. And it’s ALWAYS your own fault. And,” she gulps and forces out the last words, “He will never understand and he will never love you like you love him. He will never love you at all because you are a stupid, foolish girl.” Ruby heart is beating fast with her realization and she momentarily braces herself on the vanity looking closer at herself in the mirror before going back to mindlessly brushing her hair. After her hair has been more than sufficiently brushed 5 times over Ruby rises from the vanity and she puts her dress on in a daze. She doesn't pay much attention to herself, she is lost in her thoughts. She makes sure her bag is packed up and ready to go. She pushes the black velvet box into her pocket and, forgetting her shoes she wanders down to room #14. She wipes some tears off her face then knocks softly. "George?" Meanwhile, downstairs, Jake soon drains the second glass of whiskey in one shot. "What's the name of the best restaurant in town? Our little fights can be fierce, but making up is worth it." That familiar twinkle starts to return to Jake's eye. The bartender says, "The best restaurant in town is the one right here, and I'm not just saying that because I'm an employee, ask anybody in town and they'll tell you the same. But after this place I'd suggest Gregory's over on Fremont Street." As he suggests that Jake remembers dining there once before with Ruby two months earlier. "Well my good man since you are so bold as to recommend this fine establishment I will trust you. That works out just fine. Please let the chef know the Cook party of two will be dining here tonight before the show. Have him select the menu, and make it memorable." Jake stops in to see the desk clerk and asks for the best tickets he can acquire for the show tonight. "Let me know what the start time is, and have the chef let us know what time to be down for his special dinner." Jake starts to walk away but turns back and asks, "Oh, and did you manage to find any Kentucky Bourbon?" He replies, "Yes sir, but it wasn't easy to acquire. The liqour distributor only had one bottle left and he was saving it special for one of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach drivers. I had to tip him an extra dollar above the selling price to obtain it for you." Laughing hard Jake replies, "I bet I just outbid myself for that bottle. Put it on my bill."</blockquote>

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