Annie seemed to reflect on that. "ThatDickens, he has a soft heart for people. Always helping the moreunfortunate. And he's not a wealthy man, well, I don't think he isat least."
"Yes, I wondered why he wanted all my corn,then he told us about the people near the river who were starving,said they'd be glad to get it. I was amazed at how generous he was.I don't think I ever met anyone like him before."
"He's a fine man. Just sorry he lost hisfriend. He'll miss him."
Kate nodded. "I hope they get that catbefore anyone else is hurt. My husband is fond of Dickens too. Isaw the look on his face when Wes was telling him about it. They'llget that cat, I'm sure of it."
"Wes went after him once already. Said he'dhave had him, but a skunk got between them and that was the end ofthat hunt."
Annie laughed, "A skunk?"
"Yes, Wes said the cat ran but he just stoodthere very still for about an hour until the skunk becamedisinterested in him."
"My, oh, my." Annie laughed.
The women worked on a quilt for a while,then Annie and Kate fixed supper. Kate went in to see if Dickenswas awake, but he was still out of it. She leaned over him andkissed him on the forehead and whispered, "I'm mighty glad you aresafe now."
When she went back in the other room, shelooked at Annie. "You know, if I'm going to be staying here, Imight have a problem. I didn't bring any more clothes."
"Not to worry, I've got some that I used towear a while back." Annie told her.
"Oh, that would be great."
"And you can wash your underthings out atnight and hang them to dry by the fire, since the men aregone."
"Great, I appreciate it. I'd go home, andget my things, but we don't know where the cat is for sure."
"Nonsense, you can use my things."
"Do you think the men will be gonelong?"
"Catching a cat isn't easy, hon. They arefast on their feet, and sneaky too. And with half the town goingout after him, he's liable to be traveling a lot. Yes, it will takesome time, so don't get too anxious." Annie warned.
"I'm glad I'm here, I wouldn’t want to behome alone."
"I feel the same. Cats are something to beafraid of."
Chapter Eleven
Half the town heard about Bubba being killedby the cat and Mr. Dickens hurt so bad. Lots of men came from allaround to help find and kill the cat. Anytime a cat like thatstarted killing, everyone knew the cat had to be put down. And menwould gather for miles around to get rid of it. It meant protectingtheir stock and their very lives.
Kate and Annie watched wagonloads of mengoing out after the cat and several of the women from town came outto check on Dickens.
Poor old Mrs. Johnson, a spryninety-year-old woman came out and checked on him. "My, he's gonnabe upset about Bubba."
Annie smiled, "Would you like some tea,dear?"
"That would be lovely."
"I've got a fresh pie made too, why don't wecut into that too."
"Sounds wonderful." Mrs. Johnson went intothe room where Dickens was and peaked in on him. After a shortwhile she came to join Kate and Annie at the table.
"Doc must have given him a big dose oflaudanum, he's sound asleep."
"Probably best he sleep, or he'd break openthe wounds moving around in there."
"How long has he been out of it?"
"Three days, off and on. I didn't realize heknew about Bubba, but he said he died in his arms. The doc's beenby and told us to give him laudanum when he wakes so he'll restbetter and stay still. But I saw tears in his eyes when he talkedabout his friend." Kate told her.
"Probably a good thing he's sleeping. Manlike that can't be still. And it's awfully hard to lose a friend."Mrs. Johnson told them. "And Henry at the hotel said they got threeof his best hogs. He really cared for Bubba. But then Dickens caresfor a lot of people."
"Yes, he was the first one to help me and myhusband when we moved here."
"Sounds like him, sure does. I never metyour husband, but then I never get to town. Is he on the hunttoo?"
"Heavens no, Mrs. Johnson, the cat killedher husband weeks ago." Mrs. Tate explained.
"Oh, I'm so sorry dear, I didn't realize.Joe Willard was killed by that cat not more than three days ago. Helived alone, had a small farm out west of here. Knew that boy allhis life." Mrs. Johnson shook her head.
After most of the company went home, Katelooked at Annie. "I didn't know so many people knew and likedDickens."
Annie snickered. "Well, at first everyonetook him for a no-account pig farmer. But Dickens is so much morethan that. When most of them found out he was one of the biggestcontributors to the church, they started rethinking him. Mr.Dickens is a pig farmer, but he's one of the best around. He keepsthose pig's cleaner than some keep their children." Annie chuckled."He's helped so many in the community, they can no longer ignorethe man."
"Yeah, he's always busy when I go out to seehim, but he's also always got time for some coffee." Katechuckled.
They all sat and talked for a long time,then Mrs. Johnson told them she had to get back before dark.
"Thanks for coming, we'll tell him you cameby."
"Please do, I'll come back again later inthe week to see how he's doing. Is there anything I can do in themeantime?"
"No, just coming by is enough." Annie toldher. "It is so good to see you."
"Thanks, I'll be back." She grinned andleft.
Leaving Kate and Annie alone, they sat atthe kitchen table for a while. Annie got out some pinto beans andthey picked through them as they talked putting them in one bigbowl.
"Annie, can I talk to you about something?"Kate murmured.
"Sure, what is it hon?" Annie sat down afterpouring them more coffee.
Kate tried to grab her emotions
