This story is dedicated to UNCLE DUB, who is full of wonderful remembrances of life with the cast and crew of our beloved show!
Flame Holiday 2018 - Once Upon a Time
Chapter 1
It's Called Chaos
Two feet of snow and Christmas only a day away, did not deter the criminal element of Dodge City. To them, it was just Saturday night—and a wild one at that. By eight o'clock, Matt had two near-shootouts at the Oasis; both over Frieda Pillar, the new girl. Ferg Narbons, tried to stab Ig Slackie, because he thought Ig had cheated him on a horse deal a week ago. Then, last but not least, Tiffin Mosk and Eb Ribley, decided to rob Jonas' store. Sadly, they were both so drunk, Tiffin fell through the front window and Eb had to go and fetch the marshal for help.
Ned, gladly offered to stay at the jail, to watch Eb and Tiffin, so that Matt could go home for a little peace of mind. Unfortunately, the LadyK did not offer him any such respite.
Exactly six days earlier, Hadley had shown up for breakfast with a sprinkling of spots on her cheeks. With two doctors in the house, it was quickly diagnosed as chicken pox. By noon, Cooper was sporting a similar pattern on his cheeks. Dealing with a pair of whiny, sickly children, was tiring enough, but the situation soon got worse.
The following morning, Calleigh appeared at the back door, teary-eyed and covered in tiny red blotches. It seemed as though Newly had never contracted the childhood disease and neither of them wanted to subject him to the illness at this stage of his life. They agreed to stay apart until the contagious period was over. Every morning, Newly would show up outside the window. Then, every morning Calleigh would cry and he would leave heartbroken. This was definitely not what they had planned for the holidays.
Kitty was struggling with a full holiday schedule at the restaurant. Bethany had set up three banquets, two Christmas parties, one wedding and the Cattlemen's Association Dinner. That was before her twins were also stricken with the exasperating red spots.
Everyone was exhausted, frustrated to be quarantined and just downright short-tempered. The little ones were afraid Santa wouldn't come, because of the 'chicken spots' and the adults were ready to shoot the fat man for making the kids cry!
It was the afternoon of the sixth day of confinement, when Doc came up with a possible solution to the Christmas blues, something to take their minds off the holiday for a moment. He made a trip into town, to purchase a dozen cookies from Sally Folken. Each of the oversized sugar cookies had been expertly decorated. Bright colored icing proudly showcased Christmas trees and candy canes. A couple even had an excellent outline of Santa. Doc's next stop was the Prairie Rose, where he picked up a half-gallon of hot chocolate.
Upon his return to the LadyK, Doc went into his room and scrounged through his keepsake trunk. A satisfied grunt announced the finding of a very special book. A smile rooted into place, turning up the corners of his mustache, as his memory took him back to Calleigh's childhood. His fingers traced lovingly over the worn edges and his gaze wandered over the faded colors. This was her favorite story of all time. She had fallen in love with it when she was thirteen.
Tucking the book under his arm and securing the goodies in both hands, Doc climbed the stairs at the LadyK. Once at the top, he yelled out for all the sickly kids, big and small, to come out of their rooms. Then he herded them into an extra bedroom and demanded they all climb into the full-sized bed.
"What are you doing, Poppy? I was trying to get some rest."
Doc cast a scolding glance at his oldest patient, as he unloaded the food and drink. "I am tired of all the whining and complaining. Now, we are going to eat these special cookies, that Sally made just for you; drink cocoa; and I am going to read you a story."
"Oh, goodie! Cookies!" Hadley scampered across the top of the bed, to snuggle in between her siblings. Greedy little fingers reached out and were promptly given a sweet rewarded. "It's Santa! Look Sissy, Santa. See Coopie." Both siblings were only given seconds to admire Sally's artistic ability, before the head of the man in the red suit was gobbled up.
"Is it 'Squooch,' Poppy?" Hadley licked the last bit of crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
Doc shook his head, as he pulled the book from under his arm. "No, it's not 'Scrooge' and before you ask, it's not 'The Fir Tree' or 'The Night Before Christmas'."
"Is it a new Christmas story?"
"No, Cooper. It's something different."
Those piercing, Dillon eyes studied his grandpa's words. Cooper definitely needed a little more information, before giving his approval. "What kind of story is it?"
"It's called, 'The Lady at the Inn'." Doc dipped into the box and handed a cookie to Calleigh.
Calleigh had just bitten off the corner of a Christmas tree, when he announced the title. She shoved the chewed up treat to one side of her mouth and squealed with excitement. "Oh Poppy! I love that book! I always thought it was their love story." She grinned happily and tucked the toddler in closer beside her.
"Is this a kissy story?" The tone was dubious, the scowl born of skepticism. A week in quarantine with Hadley, had left the boy a little impatient. "I'll take my cookie and go back to my room."
"You will take your cookie and climb right back in bed, beside your sisters! Now, I'm going to read this story and you are all going to be happy and full of cookies, cocoa and smiles! Understand?"
Three voices, not necessarily in unison, did respond as was commanded.
"Okay." The elder physician settled into a chair beside the bed and opened the old book.
TBC