Finding Mary

Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play; will put them back when I'm done! :-)

A/N: By now, many of you have been faithful and loyal readers, which I appreciate more then you know.

And you are well acquainted with many of the characters throughout most of my stories. So hopefully you will remember and recognize the ones in this one as well. I hope you enjoy.

MKMKMK

A gushing blast of wind rushed across a wide-open stretch over the north side of the range where Festus and several men were rounding up horses. This was the last of what they'd figured to be Mother Nature's final huff before the spring softly glided in.

The winter had been a rough and harsh one. Almost five months of frozen ground. Frozen everything for miles for that matter. It would be a pleasure to see a spot of green again.

Corralling the horses together, Festus could see Matt headed towards him. "Matthew! Matthew, this here be the last of um. Then Hank, Clint and me, be hav'in um all ready ta be go."

Nodding, that's just fine, Festus. You boys get yourselves something to eat and we'll start just after you're all done. Kitty's up at the house."

"Ahhh, foot, Matthew."

"Now, Festus, you know better than to argue with Kitty."

Shaking his head, Shore do, Matthew. Come on, boys."

In Town

Grace was treating a small boy for a sprain. She had him sitting up on her table, while she was wrapping his shoulder. "Now, Petey, I want you to keep this wrapped, dry and clean. That means no rough housing. You understand me, young man?"

Dropping his eyes, "Yes, Dr. Grace."

Lifting his chin with her finger, "Are you sure?"

Peering up at her, "I promise."

Grace turned to his mother. "Mrs. Cullen, bring him in, in a few days and I'll check him and... " Now handing her a small bottle, "you can give him one of these if it starts to bother him too much."

"Thank you, Doct…" hesitating, "I'm sorry. I'm not used to a lady doctor."

"That's ok. A lot of people feel that way. But I promise, I'm a real doctor."

As she left, the door opened again. "Grace? It's just me, Mary. Thought maybe I'd buy my little sister lunch. Even if she is a big doctor in town."

"Well, I've had a busy morning and have some stops to make this afternoon but…"

Just then, the door swung open. "Doc Grace? Doc Grace? It's Bessy. The baby. I know it's too soon but she's in real pain and she's asking for you. Please? You gotta come."

"Ok, George, calm down. Bessy will be fine. I'll be right there. Let me get my bag and some things. Mary, can you stay here in case anyone comes looking for me? Sorry about lunch."

"No, no go. Bessy needs you. Momma will be in town later to see the dress maker."

Ezra Webb and his family moved outside of Dodge, about 10 miles, into a small abandoned cabin. Webb and his family were mountain people. They were very untrusting of anyone outside of their own. They took care of their own.

Granny was always the one to care for the sick. Ezra provided for the family, such as food, hunting, a place to live etc. The boys would do the chores, chop wood, help hunt, fish, protect the family, the women. But now there was a big problem. Granny, she was down sick, burning up with fever, shaking, couldn't eat. They needed help. Granny hadn't taught the girls enough just yet. They were still young. Their momma had passed so she was also filling in.

Outside, Ezra gathered his boys. "Listen up. I'm gonna remark to ya, what we be need'in, what Granny be need'in and you boys bes go fetch in that there town. I heared they be havin' a medicine person. Ya boys bring um here fur Granny. Cause if'n ya don't be quick about it..."

"Ahhh, Pa, we be jack rabbit quick. You bet'cha' we will." As they jumped up on the horses and rode off towards Dodge!

Mary decided to make herself useful by helping Grace with some things in the office by folding sheets and bandages and stacking them in the cabinet for her. Mary was always good with figures so she would go over Grace's book and records and keep things up to date for her.

Then she heard a familiar voice, "Hello, Sweetheart."

"Momma!"

"Where's Grace?"

"Oh, George came rushing in here in a panic. Seems Bessy's time came early." She started laughing. "Men think everything has to run on a time table."

Smiling, "Uh huh! And it never does."

"Momma, I was going to take Grace to lunch, but..."

"Oh? So Momma is second choice, huh?"

Shaking her head, "No, I didn't mean it like that. But I knew you were coming into town sooooo…"

Nodding, "I understand. And yes, I'd love to have lunch with my beautiful girl. Just let me run over to the dress shop first, ok? I'll be right back."

"That's ok. I'll just finish up here. See you in a few minutes."

As Kitty left the office and crossed the street, two men on horses nearly ran her down on Front Street. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Kitty yelled at them, shaking herself off and continuing into the dress shop.

"Kitty are you alright?" Sarah asked.

"Oh, yes. I thought I was going to get trampled."

"Oh, Kitty, these kids. They just are soooo…" now waving her hand. "Anyway, I have your dress. Here, try this on. I'd like to make sure the hem is right."

"Ok." Kitty answered, walking behind the screen.

Mary was finishing up when again the door opened. "Momma, that was fast."

Standing in the doorway were two large figures, rather tattered dirty large figures, just staring at her. Mary was standing, holding instruments she had just cleaned.

Looking at one another, nodding, "Yep, uh huh. You're comin'. We need you." One said, grabbing her by both arms and the medical bag on the table. One opened the cabinet, grabbing bottles not knowing what they were but just grabbing.

"Come on, lets go."

"But... Where… Who are you? Where we going?"

Forcing her on a horse, they rode down Front Street as fast as they could.

Sarah quickly turned from the window. "Kitty, hurry! Come here!"

"Sarah, what is it?"

"Kitty, Mary just rode off with those two wild men that almost run you down in the street."

"What? Sarah, what are you talking about?"

"Mary, just rode off with those two. Kitty, I just saw them with my own eyes."

"OH MY GOD, Sarah!" Kitty gasped, quickly, rushing out the door, heading for Newly's office. Rushing through the door, Kitty startled him. "Newly! Newly!"

"Miss Kitty, what's wrong?"

"Newly, it's Mary. They took her!"

Newly was stunned. "Took her? Who?"

"I don't know." Grabbing him by his vest, "I don't know, damn it! Newly. They took my baby, Newly!"

"Now, Miss Kitty, calm down." As quick as the words crossed his lips he knew it was a mistake.

"Newly O'Brien, don't you dare tell me to calm down!"

"Ok, ok, try and slow down so I can understand."

"Newly, we're wasting time."

Sarah, standing behind Kitty, spoke up. "Newly, two men rode down Front Street a little while ago. They almost ran Kitty down. Then while she was in my shop, I saw them ride off in a hurry with Mary."

"Did you know them?"

"No, no, I didn't."

"Did you see which way..."

"They went south. Newly, I… I need to get ahold of Matt."

"We will."

Furrowing her brow, still holding his vest. "Newly?"

Now hold her shoulders, staring her in the eyes. "We'll find her, Ma'am. We'll find her."

TBC