Page 200 of Christmas Kisses

“I feel better. You make me feel better.”

She looked as if she was about to say more, even opened her mouth, but then closed it again, and he could almost hear her thoughts.Not tonight. Tonight’s the grand opening. It can wait.

To ensure she didn’t change her mind, he went to the door, pushed it open a little and peeked out. “Man, the place is jumping, and it’s still early.” They would repeat their floor show twice tonight, and it was nearly time for the first run.

“I’m glad. I want the Long Branch to be successful, Bobby.”

“Not afraid I’m gonna put you outta business anymore?” he asked.

She shook her head firmly. “No. You were right, it’s an entirely different sort of place. I think it’ll complement mine, not compete with it. Yours is for tourists and special occasions. Mine’s for the locals. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you in the beginning.”

He shrugged, letting the door fall closed and facing her fully. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, Vidalia.”

“Oh yes I do, Bobby Joe. And I’m gonna tell you all about it...soon. But not tonight.” She heard the gasp of the crowd and then the sounds of Joey’s grand entrance as he burst into the saloon through the batwing doors, shooting his guns in the air and growling, “Hand over the cash, barkeep!” The barkeep was Robert, who hadn’t wanted to play, but had agreed to tend bar and at least put his hands up and act scared when the villain burst in.

“You’re on, Miss Kitty,” Bobby Joe said. “Head on out there.”

“I’m nervous, can you believe it?” She headed for the door, and Bobby Joe attempted to smack her on the backside as she passed, but the layers of slips and crinoline prevented it from amounting to much.

Then she made her entrance, sashaying across the saloon to the center of the floor, where an area had been cleared of tables for this to play out. She put her hands on her hips and a heap of attitude into her tone as she called, “Just what do you think you’re doin’, Mister? Put those guns down before I show you a new place to keep ‘em.”

Feigning shock, then pushing his hat back a bit and admiring her much like his father had just done, Joey said, “Well now, ma’am, far be it from me to insult a beautiful lady, but I got business here.”

“If your business is robbing this saloon, then it’s my business too. Now put those guns away and get out of here before I do what your mama should’a done years ago.”

“And what would that be, ma’am?”

“Oh, I’ll show you what that would be.” She had, by that time, maneuvered her way to the authentically aged braided leather bull whip that was curled up and hanging on the wall, and she yanked it down and gave it a snap that cracked deliciously.

Technically, Miss Kitty had never used a bull whip inGunsmoke. It was Barbara Stanwick as Victoria Barclay who had often put bad guys in their places with a whip back in the days ofThe Big Valley, but Bobby Joe had taken a bit of poetic license, and Vidalia agreed it was a nice effect.

As she swung the whip for a second time, Joey caught it and jerked her forward, pulling her around in front of him and turning them both to face the doors just as Bobby Joe, dressed as Matt Dillon walked in, drew his gun, and ordered, “Let the lady go, pard.” He’d gone out the back door and come around the front to make his entrance, just as planned.

“Drop your gun or I’ll drop your woman, Marshall.”

“Don’t listen, Matthew!” Vidalia cried. “Shoot him in the head. You won’t miss!”

“Yeah,Matthew. Shoot me in the head, and maybe hit her instead. Or put your gun down,” Joey drawled.

Bobby Joe lowered his gun. Vidalia stomped on (beside, actually) Joey’s foot, then spun away from him, and Bobby brought his gun level again and fired twice.

Joey jerked with each blast, got one shot off that went astray, knocking a painting off the wall—it was rigged. Behind the scenes, Jason had simply pulled a cord that sent the picture to the floor. It took Joey five minutes to finally die, and even after he hit the floor he kept kicking and gasping for a while. But he finally ended it. Saloon girl Selene was ruining the ruse by giggling at his antics behind her gloved hand.

Matt Dillon swept Miss Kitty into his arms, bent over her and kissed the living daylights out of her while the crowd whooped and roared. The piano player started tickling the ivories again, and a couple of dusty cowboys (Cory and Jimmy) came in and dragged Joey out of the bar.

But Vidalia wasn’t paying attention anymore. She was in Bobby’s arms and that was right where he wanted her to be. When he lifted his head, she stared into his eyes. “That wasn’t in the script,” she whispered.

“It is now.”

“Bobby, I have something I’ve got to tell you. And it can’t wait any longer.”

He frowned and set her upright again. Then taking off his hat and waving it at the still cheering patrons, he scooped her up into his arms and strode right out the front door, and around to the rear of the saloon.

* * *

There wasn’t much out there, Vidalia thought. A patch of scrub brush, bare ground, and a creek meandering along a few yards back. That was where he carried her, despite her protests. And when he set her down on her feet again, he kept his hands around her waist. “You look so good as Miss Kitty I can’t take my eyes off you. No one could.”

“Oh, stop it Bobby Joe. This is serious.” She lowered her head, unable to look him in the eye. “I should have told you a long time ago. But I just.... I was so ashamed.”

---