Captive Hearts 4
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While Sgt. Clark urged the horses into as fast a pace as they'd go, Matt sat in the back of the wagon, holding tightly to Kitty. She had lost her battle with consciousness as he carried her out and she now lay limp and unmoving in his arms. Only by placing his hand on her chest, was he able to detect any sign of life.
Racing full speed into Dodge, Sgt. Clark pulled the wagon into the small alley by the bottom of Doc's stairs and brought it to a halt. Jumping out he ran to the back to help but Matt had already climbed down and was pulling Kitty into his arms. "I'll get the Doctor." The Sergeant offered.
"Just go on up ahead and get the door," Matt told him. Hurrying towards the stairs, he swiftly climbed to the top, his precious charge cradled tightly in his arms.
Having heard the commotion outside, Doc was waiting at the top, looking down curiously at Matt, wondering who he could possible be bringing up. It wasn't until Matt had nearly reached the top that Doc recognized the woman in Matt's arms. "Kitty!" He gasped. "Oh, my God. Matt? What...?"
"She's unconscious, Doc." Matt told him as he brought her in. "I don't know what's wrong with her though. She was holding onto her stomach before she passed out."
"Take her to the back room." Doc ordered. "I've got Pete Wells on the table."
Matt nodded and entered the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. Glancing down at her face, she looked even paler, if that were possible, then when he'd first seen her.
"Go on, Matt." Doc came up beside him and pushed him towards the door. "Get on out of here and let me check her out."
"No," Matt said stubbornly his eyes never leaving Kitty's pale, drawn face. "No. I'm staying here."
"Matt," Doc placed his hand on the big man's arm, drawing his attention. "Please, go. I'll let you know as soon as I check her out but for right now, go and let and me do my job. You can't help her but I can."
"Marshal," the sergeant called from the front room. "I need to get back to the fort but I do have a question for you."
Matt took a deep breath and looked back down at Kitty. He didn't want to leave her but he knew he could do her no good. "I'll be right out here," he reluctantly told Doc. Taking another look at Kitty, he turned and left, pulling the door closed behind him. "What is it you needed, Sergeant?" Matt asked sharply when he turned to face him.
Clark glanced over at the man lying on the exam table, and assured that he was unable to hear him, looked up at Matt. "I… I just wondered… well, that is to say, I…"
"What?" Matt snapped, not trying to hide his irritation.
"What do you think we should do with Miss Russell's baby?" The Sergeant asked.
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Back inside the bedroom, Doc carefully checked Kitty's pulse and heart rate before removing her clothes to give her a more thorough examination.
He was aghast at the marks he saw on her body. Some of them, older ones, he recognized. The scars from two bullet wounds and her abuse at the hands of Jude Bonner. But there were newer scars, marks and bruises that tore at his heart just to see them. "Oh God, honey. Oh, my girl." He whispered.
TBC
