Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity by Beth Roose (smart ebook reader TXT) 📗

the coast was clear, came out from behind the tree and took both troublemaking men into custody. Both Bat and Wyatt marched both down the street to the jailhouse and threw the cowhands into their new rooms for the night. Suddenly, Wyatt noticed Wolfe, the dog that saved the day. “Hey, isn’t that your dog, Bat, and didn’t I see him carrying your cane to you?” Bat replied with a proud smile. “Yes, you did, Wyatt, and no, it is not my dog. It is sweet Miss Marsha’s dog. Guess he likes me!” Wyatt chuckled, “You sure, Bat? That dog is not just a way to get to know that little lady, is it?” Caught red-handed, Bat blushed. “Maybe, Wyatt. I think she is pretty and smart and I really like her.” Bat leaned down, and stroking Wolfe’s head, he spoke to the dog. “You are my hero. We should go find your mommy and tell her how brave you are and what a hero you are to the town.” Standing upright and adopting his deep, manly voice again, Bat addressed his friend. “Wyatt, are you able to handle these two drunks?” Wyatt smirked a little. “Yes, Bat. Go find Miss Marsha. I am sure she is missing her hero dog.” And with that, Bat stormed out of the jailhouse, in search of his new found love.

 “Miss Marsha, I am sorry for the delay. I want you to know you have a hero here in this dog. He helped make sure that no citizen was killed or shot today. He is this town's hero. A dog, and a good feller at that!” Bat laughed. “Well, I guess Miss Marsha, I am feeling obligated to give you a sliver of this stone under the tip of my cane. Shall we go to the butcher to slice off a piece of this for you?” Marsha exclaimed with an expression of pure joy, “Oh, Bat! Thank you so much! Here is the note. Please make sure they put this in your coat when your time comes. Just know, you will have a wonderful great great grandson. His name is Myles. He is helping save humanity on the other end.” The pair both smiled at each other. Bat reached out for the beautiful and eloquent Marsha. “Miss Marsha, may I have your arm?” Marsha beamed and accepted Bat’s extended arm with her free hand. She slipped the Rue’s and Wolfe’s leash onto her free wrist and the pair walked down the street to Leon’s Meat Market. A tiny bell signified the owner that the couple had entered the store. “Why, hello there, Mr. Bat! How can I be of service to you today?” Bat returned the smile and then lowered his voice. “Hi, Leon! I was wondering if you would pop the tip of this cane and cut off a sliver of the gemstone?” Leon, looking astonished by the request, knowing how important Bat’s cane was to him, answered, “‘Course, sir. Bring it back here. I never knew you had a gemstone hidden in this cane. Learn something new every day!” Leon pried the tip off and began to work on shaving off a piece of the precious stone. Finally, after a while, Leon exclaimed, “I got it, Bat! Will this work, sir?” Both Marsha and Bat peered their heads over to the counter that Leon was working on. “Yes! That should do,” said Marsha. Bat revealed a big smile, happy that he was able to appease the pretty lady. “Well, you heard her, Leon. Wrap it up for the little lady.” Leon wrapped the stone carefully in brown paper and tied it with some twine. “Here ya go, Bat,” said Leon. Waving with his hand, Bat requested, “Oh, just give it to the little lady. Would you be so kind to put the tip back onto my cane, please? The store owner turned on his heels and headed back towards his working station to put the gemstone back in its proper place. While Leon was not looking, Bat gently took Marsha’s hand and gave it a light, delicate kiss. Looking up at her with gentle eyes, he began to speak. “When you get back, please give Myles my love and tell him I am proud he is living up to the Masterson legacy.” Keeping her hand and kissing it once more, Bat was pleased to hear Marsha reply, “I will surely do that, Bat. You must be so incredibly proud of him, even though you have never met him.” Leon made his presence known once again and handed Bat his cane and, in turn, Bat flicked Leon a gold piece. “Wow, Bat! Thank you so much!” Leon exclaimed. Marsha took Bat’s arm and they strolled down to the cozy boarding house that Marsha was taking residence at. “Bat,” she began, “would you like to come in?” Bat smiled his most charming of smiles. “What a tempting offer, Miss Marsha, but I really should be going.” Marsha pleaded quickly, “Well, Bat, I would like to show you something. I have not told you about this before and I need to before we try the jump back to my time.” Both of them strolled through the door and over the threshold of the boarding inn. Making sure the coast was clear, they quickly headed up to Marsha’s room. Signaling Bat to take a seat in the comfy chair in the corner, she reached up to her broach and removed it, placing it on the bed. Suddenly, a tiny little mosquito walked off the feathered broach. “What in the world is that?” Bat exclaimed. “I thought it was an awesome piece of jewelry.” Stunned at the moving object, Bat sat there in silence. “Hello,” the mosquito chimed, speaking in a squeaky, quiet tone. “Mr. Masterson, it is an honor to meet the great Bat Masterson. My name is Morgan, sir. I am half human and half mosquito with a dash of hornet slipped into my DNA. This