PT.4
Surviving The Badlands
Kitty gathered a few things then sat back by Matt. "Cowboy? Cowboy, there is nothing around for as far as the eye can see. How's this leg feeling?"
"Ah, Kit, I'll be alright."
"Yeah, sure you will." She shook her head. "Ah, Matt. That bullet has got to come out of there. You know that, as well as I do. Well, I've seen Doc do it hundreds of times." Then huffing out a small giggle, "Many of them out of you! I'm game if you are?"
"Now, Kit, wait a minute. I trusted you to handle a blade when it was to shave me, but, and believe me, if I wasn't stuck in a bed…."
"Well, Cowboy. You didn't have much choice then and you have less of a choice now." She said, smirking back at him. "And with that remark, it's a good thing I love you."
Matt Just twisted his face and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's a good thing!" He looked around. "Kitty, maybe we need to try and find a way to some shelter first. We can't stay here for long."
"Yeah, you're right, Matt. We'll be losing daylight before long and we need to find water."
"Say, Kit, that young girl, what's her story?"
Exhaling, "Well, I've only talked to her a little but I have the feeling there's something…"
"What, Kit? She in some kind of trouble?"
"Well, she was really jumpy when she got on back in Joplin. Matt there's several things I can't quite put my finger on with this child."
"Like what?"
"Well, for one, she's not who she says she is and two that girl is running scared. I'm not sure from what, or who, but she's running hard. And I can't help but think there's something between that Morgan fella and Ann."
"Ah, now, Kitty…"
"No, Matt. There was something when the guns were firing and he decided to go with those two men."
"Kitty, what are you talking about?"
"Matt, I saw something in his eyes, the way he looked at Ann before he rode off with them and the way she looked at him. Matt, I know women and I definitely know men. Volumes were said between those two without a word."
"Kitty, now, how'd you get all that?"
Shaking her head, "Matt Dillon, I've always said it and it's true. You have so much to learn about women and their men. Believe me, I have the feeling, with time, there's a lot more we will learn about this child, before this is all over."
As Matt and Kitty were talking, Parnelle yelled over. "So, Lady! You a Doctor or what?"
Looking over her shoulder, "No! But I'm the closest you're gonna get to one out here."
"Well, this arm is bleeding again."
Shaking her head, "Let me look at it." He was shuffling all around. "Well, if you'd sit still and stop moving it, like I told you, it wouldn't be bleeding again." She rewrapped his arm. It was really barely a flesh wound but he carried on like it was much more.
After finishing up with him, she went to check on Ann who was sitting quietly off by herself. Sitting down beside her, "Ann, are you ok?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, Miss Kitty, I'm fine. Is your friend going to be alright?"
"Uh huh. Matt will be fine. I'm gonna have to take that bullet out but he's a strong man. Look, Ann. We're going to have to try and get out of here. That means we are going to have to walk out of here."
"Oh, walk?"
Nodding and furrowing her brow. "Well, it's either crawl or walk and I'd rather walk. How about you? We'll all go together. We just need to find some shelter and more water and possibly some help. You think you can do that? Walk, I mean?"
Just then Ann stood and took off the cloak she was wearing. With her back to Kitty, saying as she turned, "Well, I guess I can, for a little while."
Kitty's face now dropped. Ann was not only expecting but she was much further along than Kitty had realized. Once she removed the cloak she was hiding under, Kitty couldn't hide her surprise. "Oh, Ann. I guessed, back at the weigh station, that you were expecting but…"
Dropping her head and nodding. "Yes, I know. My cloak hides just how much."
"Oh, it sure did. Ann, when exactly are you…"
"Oh, Miss Kitty, in about four weeks."
Kitty threw up both hands, shrugged her shoulders, threw her head back and said, "Oh, of course you are." Now rubbing her neck and saying to herself. "Oh, Heavens!"
Kitty rejoined Matt. "Ohhh, Cowboy. I think we're making camp here tonight."
"Kit, honey, you ok? You're white as a sheet."
"Matt, I need to get that bullet out of you. I have a high faluting banker over there who's useless and a pregnant girl that is surrounded in mystery. Oh and by the way, she's expecting that little bundle in four weeks!"
"What? Wait a minute, Kitty. She didn't look…"
"Oh, I know. The cloak hid a lot. Wait till you see her."
TBC