While Newly went for Percy Crump, Matt helped Doc pick up Robert off the floor and bring him into their shared office. "I didn't mean to give him such a shock, Doc," April said watching Matt maneuver her son onto a cot.
"I know you didn't," Doc responded kindly. "But, he was under the impression these last ten years that you were dead!"
"That's what Holland and Tanner wanted everyone to believe," April said sadly. "But the truth is, I've been held against my will these last ten years. I wanted nothing more than to get back to my son. When I was able to break free, I was afraid to come here for this very reason. Tanner wouldn't stop looking for me and I know first hand what he's capable of. But, once he got that gunfighter to help him, I knew it was time for me to get some help."
"Well," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "It sounds like quite a story but we'd better save it for after Robert comes around."
"You're right," April said going to the cot. Sitting down on it beside Robert, she looked at her now twenty five year old son and smiled when he slowly opened his eyes.
"I've got to be hallucinating," he said quietly as April laughed and Robert sat up. "You're really here?"
"Yes," she said putting out her hands. "Here, feel!"
Robert looked down at the hands that used to cradle him as a child and grinned before he reached out and touched them. "I don't know what to say! I thought you were dead! I came home...and...found you on the floor!"
"I was only knocked out, Robbie," April said gently. "When I woke up, Holland had me locked in a closet in his house and shortly after, Tanner took me away."
"I took off and that's where you've been all this time?" Robert asked in disbelief as April nodded.
"I've been trying for years to get out of that house he brought me to but every time he left, the doors were locked and the windows were shuttered with bars over them."
"How'd you finally escaped?" Robert asked squeezing her hands.
"It took some doing," she said closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "Every time he left, I used a knife to chip away at the mortar in the wall behind my bed until I had enough loose bricks to push them out and free myself and then, I ran for my life."
"Oh, Ma," Robert said pulling her toward him in a fierce embrace. "I'm so sorry!"
April wrapped her arms around him and returned the hug. "It's not your fault, Robbie," she said breaking the hug. "I don't ever want you to think that it was!"
"Holland's dead and so is Tanner and now Stambridge and not one of them ever told me you were alive!" Robert said angrily.
"They didn't want you to know," April replied hesitantly. "And, I didn't want you to know!"
"But, why?" Robert said looking at her in confusion. "Didn't you know that thinking you were dead made my life hell!"
"Yes, I know," April said standing up. "But, I also knew that if you had no where else to go, you'd come here to find your Pa and that's exactly what I wanted you to do. I didn't want to ruin what you've done here by bringing trouble to you. So, I came into town a few days ago and I've just been watching. But, when I saw Tanner and Stambridge together, I knew I had to do something. I think, they thought you were hiding me and with you dead and out of the way, I'd come out of hiding and they'd capture me again."
"But," Matt said listening from the doorway. "Once Tanner was dead, what would Stambridge gain by killing Robert?"
"Tanner gave him a lot of money to take care of us both, Marshal," April said looking at Robert.
"It's Judge Dillon now," Robert said with a nod toward Matt as April turned in his direction.
"I guess, he just wanted to finish the job, Judge," April said as Matt nodded. "Things have really changed around here, haven't they?"
"Yeah, its really crazy," Robert said getting unsteadily to his feet. "I don't know where to start."
"Then don't," April replied with a grin. "I'm not going anywhere. We can talk later."
"That's a good idea," Doc said with a nod. "You both could use some rest."
"I'll have Kitty take April to the Dodge House," Matt said as Robert agreed with a nod.
"We'll get together later and have some supper, Ma," Robert said as April smiled. "That sounds great but before I go, I'd like to see your Pa."
"It probably would be a good idea to introduce you to Abelia first," Robert replied a little sheepishly.
"His wife," April said with a wan smile as Robert nodded. "I already know about her but you're right. I guess we should be introduced."
Robert led April back to the ward and stepped inside as Abelia sat beside Festus. "Abelia," he said when his stepmother looked up. "This is my mother, April Clomley."
"Newly told me what happened," Abelia said getting to her feet. "I'm sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, April."
"I'm not," April said taking Robert's arm. "It's brought me back to my son." Looking down at Festus, she looked back at her son. "How is your father?"
"I think, he'll be okay," Robert said looking from Abelia to April. "I wasn't sure at first but Doc found the problem with his spleen and removing it took care of the bleeding so all we can do now is wait for him to wake up."
April shook her head slowly as she looked at Abelia. "I never wanted anyone to get hurt."
"We know that Ma," Robert said as Abelia nodded. "No one blames you for what happened."
"I appreciate that Robbie but it still don't make me feel any better about your Pa being hurt," April said quietly. "I know, if I hadn't come here no one would have gotten hurt.