Mother of the Heart

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

PT.1

Growing up in a town like Dodge, to some people, depending on where you're from, can take on a different meaning. My beginning? Well, we'll get to that later. For now, I'd like to tell you about some of the people I've grown up knowing and have grown to love and respect.

Such as:

Our Marshal. Matt Dillon. He's a good man. He is very loyal to his job, his Badge and the citizens of Dodge City. He will put their needs above his own, for even the smallest of issues; sometimes to a fault.

Then there is Dr. Adams. He's been the Doc here in town as long as I can remember. I think he's delivered every baby in Dodge and treats people, no matter their ability to pay or not.

Festus Haggen. He's a deputy. He's not very educated but he has a heart of gold.

Mr. Newly O'Brien. He's a deputy too also a gunsmith. And he studies with Doc Adams to learn medicine.

Then there is Miss Kitty Russell. She owns the Long Branch. She's a real good lady. Helps everyone. She's friends with Doc Adams, Festus, Newly… oh, and I know this is supposed to be a town secret, but we in Dodge all know she's the Marshal's special woman, although they say they're just friends.

Dodge is a good close knit town. We all pull together whenever anything happens, especially the Marshal, Miss Kitty and Doc. There isn't anything they wouldn't do for the folks when needed. Why, I remember just last winter. It was an extremely warm December and then….

(her mind drifting back)

Pushing through the batwing doors of the saloon, David yelled out. "Miss Kitty? Miss Kitty!"

Looking up from tending to a sick child on a cot and shaking her head. "Oh no."

"I'm afraid so, Ma'am. Where do you want me to put these two?" He was struggling to hold up a frail, gray haired old woman who was weak and chilled to the bone and barely hanging on. Her son, was not in much better shape than she.

Quickly, Kitty led David over. "Here, there is room by the stove. Put her here by the fire on the cot. I'll get them something to eat."

She headed into the small kitchen she had in the back of the Long Branch. One of her girls, Sue, was fixing coffee and soup and some fixing of stew with what they had and a few loaves of bread.

"How are we doing in here, Sue?"

"Ah, Miss Kitty we still have a little to go around. I guess, I tried thinning the soup and stew some but I don't know how much more we can get from it. Oh, but I saved some for you, Ma'am."

Shaking her head, "No, no, Sue. I don't want any. We'll use what we have for those who need it most. But thank you." Smiling at Sue, she made two cups of soup and carried them out to the bar, scanning the room, the worry working across her face. Breaking her train of thought was the sound of the doors opening and seeing Matt standing covered in snow, chilled through.

Handing the cups to Flo, "Here, Flo. Take these, please?"

Moving forward towards Matt. "Oh, Cowboy! Look at you."

He stood brushing the snow off his coat and hat.

"Matt? How bad is…"

Before she could finish, "Kit, the storm is bad. Me and Newly have searched nearly 50 to 70 miles outside of Dodge, for anyone caught in this and if there is anyone still out there…well…"

"Matt…"

"I know, Kit. I know."

"Cowboy, let me get you some coffee to warm you up some. Here, get this coat off you and come sit over here, closer to the fire. Matt, is there any sign of it slowing up?"

"I can't say for sure, Kitty. Heck, no one even saw this one coming."

This storm had hit Dodge City and actually most of Ford County totally by surprise. Just two days before the weather was like a normal fall day, then suddenly the winds picked up and before long the chilled winds set in and were followed by extreme cold and then snow. Lots of snow. Not that the children of Dodge weren't wishing for snow, after all it was December and it was nearing Christmas. But this was an out and out blizzard! One that NO ONE in Dodge or Ford County was prepared for.

Kitty wrapped a blanket around Matt's shoulders.

"Ah, Kit that's not…"

"No, now Cowboy just sit and warm up. No arguments. Matt, Doc has a full office. Ma's place is full and as you can see we're…"

"Yeah, Kit, I can see."

"Matt, what are we going to do? Doc was over here earlier and," now leaning in close, "we're running low on food and supplies."

Grabbing hold of her hand, "It'll be okay, Kit. We'll get through this." He smiled, squeezing her hand.

Just then David came and knelt beside Kitty. "Ma'am, don't know how to say this."

"What is it, David?"

"Well, Miss Kitty, Marshal, the old woman I brung in earlier… Ma'am… well, she… she's dead, Miss Kitty."

Dropping her head, "Oh no, Matt. Mrs. Sawyer and her son. David brought them in. They tried getting in here to town on foot. Their wagon couldn't make it any further through the snow so they walked. Matt, it was just too much for her. I tried to…" now covering her face with her hands.

Rubbing her shoulders, "Kitty, it's not your fault. You did what you could."

"Yes, young lady, I agree." Doc agreed standing behind her. "Mrs. Sawyer was 87 and had a weak heart. This storm was just too much on her."

"Well," Matt stood and put his coat on once again.

Doc and Kitty both with raised brows, "Where you going?" Kitty asked.

"Kitty, I need to go find supplies, food, whatever we need."

"But, Matt…"

"No, Kitty, Matt's right. Someone has to go and find supplies."

Just then, Festus entered in behind them. "Matthew? Why don't ya let me be the one ta go and git them supplies. Ya know'd I'm good fer trackin' in this here weather."

"Ah, Festus…"

"Festus, Matt's right." Kitty added. "It's not safe for either one of you."

"Aw, foot, Miz Kitty. It's got ta be did. Well then, Matthew. If yer a going I'm a going with ya. Ya ain't talkin' me out of it."

TBC