Love's Final Embers
Chapter 8
Close Call
Kitty often wondered how life could go from calm and relaxed, to a bullet-torn frenzy, without warning. It had been a most enjoyable dinner with her husband, Doc and Amelia. Bethany had approached them, needing a few minutes of the boss' time. Shortly after leaving the table, the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets.
Doc managed to stop the concerned wife, as she rushed toward the front door. "Kitty, he's got enough to worry about, without you being out there." The thought of putting him into more danger, was a strong enough deterrent to keep her inside.
The shot that drew the marshal's attention, had come from inside the bank. He tore out of the Prairie Rose, in time to confront the thief. Matt hit the ground and rolled up next to the boardwalk for cover. His first shot caught the man in the shoulder, with enough force to drop the moneybag as he whirled around. The familiar face that returned fire, belonged to none other than Slats Shafton. The injured man crawled back inside the bank, taking cover beside the doorway. "I got people in here Dillon! I'll kill 'em!"
"Then I'll just have to kill you when you come out." Matt managed to move closer to the bank. "Come on out, Slats. It's over."
"Maybe I won't kill any of these people. Maybe, killing you will be enough."
The marshal of Dodge City shook his head with a weary breath. "Just come out!"
"You don't think I'm dumb enough to do this alone, do ya?" There was a touch of arrogance in his laugh, that caused the hair on the back of Matt's neck to bristle. "Right about now, he's probably right behind ya."
When he heard that familiar voice call his name, a cold, ugly fear swept through Dillon's body. Ducking his head slowly, he turned to find Moon pointing a gun at him. The small, round eyes blinked rapidly, as the gun wobbled in his stubby fingers. "Slats says I gots to help him. He's my brother and I got no one else."
Matt kept his gun at the real criminal, but he knew this wasn't going to end well. "Moon, I know you don't want to shoot me. Why don't you just give me that gun?"
"I don't wanta, Marshal, 'cause you're my friend; but Slats – Slats says he'll cut my heart out… and feed it to our goat!" He licked his lips, while a nervous tic tugged at the corner of his mouth. Moon braced his short legs and gripped the revolver with both hands. "He'll do it!" The terror in his voice, proved the boys belief in the grotesque threat.
"Moon, I won't let him hurt you. Please, put the gun down." Matt managed to split his attention between the two brothers. "Slats will be going to jail. He can't hurt you from there."
"Don't you listen to him, you retard!" Slats shouted from the doorway. "I ain't going to jail; and if you don't shoot him, I'll skin you alive. NOW SHOOT HIM!"
Moon's body trembled with fear. Tears began to roll down his rounded cheeks and he gripped the handle of the old .45 even tighter. "Please…don't hate me, Marshal."
"Moon. Son, please-"
Anger penetrated the tension, forcing the older brother out into the open. He staggered against the door—his gun arm leaking blood—and screamed again, "Moon! Shoot Him Now!
Matt stood and fired, killing the coward in the doorway, but it was too late for the younger boy to stop. The terrified shooter pinched his eyes shut and began squeezing the trigger, exposing the marshal to a hail of bullets. One of the wild pieces of lead caught Dillon's side, knocking him to the ground. He shouted for Moon to stop, but the deadly .45 continued to point at his chest. Another shot found his shoulder, leaving the marshal no alternative, but to return fire.
Silence and smoke filled the small space of the two men. Matt struggled to get to his feet, as he stared at the small, motionless body—praying that the boy was still alive. With feet like lead weights, he trudged toward Moon. Between the loss of blood and the fear that gnawed at his gut, Matt collapsed onto the ground next to his victim. In the distance, he could hear voices, but he was swallowed by darkness before they could reach him.
((((((((((~))))))))))
Amelia filled the metal filter with fresh coffee and waited for the water to boil. She turned, leaning against the table, while letting her gaze rest on the man she had come to love. She had done her part to help, but was in awe of the country doctor.
It had all happened so fast. There was a gunshot and Matt bolted from the table. The drama then unfolded right in the middle of Front Street. Doc had wrapped his arm around Kitty and together they prayed, as they watched the marshal risk his life—again. Helplessly, they watched as he was forced to shoot a disabled young man; and then drop to the ground from his own injuries.
The lady from New York watched in amazement as Galen leaped into action. As soon as Matt went down, the doctor was out the door, kneeling beside the wounded. He was shouting orders—for volunteers to carry both men up to his office, as he rushed ahead of them to prepare for surgery. Kitty stood at his side, assisting his every move, but her eyes were constantly drawn to the man that shared her heart.
The room had exploded into a controlled chaos, as the double surgeries began. Doc moved between the two, with confidence and a sure hand. He fought hard to save his patients; and it appeared as though God had smiled on him. Both men pulled through. The crisis had passed and now, he wandered between the two, constantly checking their vitals.
000O0O000
It had been an exhausting day, but Amelia was in desperate need for a cup of coffee. She glanced into the master bedroom, on her way to the kitchen. Somehow, they had managed to get the big man back to the LadyK. His daughter was dozing in the chair beside his bed, while Doc stayed behind at the clinic, with Moon.
The woman had been a guest of the Dillon's long enough to know there was always a pot of coffee brewing. What she didn't expect, was to find the lady of the house, busy working on a batch of fresh bread. Kitty glanced over her shoulder when she heard the faint gasp from the doorway.
"I couldn't sleep. It's strange, isn't it, how you can be too tired to sleep?" the midnight baker confessed. "In my old life, I would wash glasses and polish the bar in the middle of the night." She glanced over her shoulder with a contented smile. "But now, baking helps me to relax. Can I get you something?"
Amelia walked over to the cabinet. "I smelled the coffee and could really use a cup. May I freshen yours?" Kitty offered a grateful nod and Amelia filled both cups before replacing the pot. "I see your daughter is keeping a close watch over her father."
"Yes, I tried to get her to go lay down, but she won't leave him, just yet."
"He is going to be all right, isn't he?"
Kitty wiped the traces of dough from her hands. "Somehow, Doc and prayer have always pulled him through." She accepted the cup Amelia handed her and for a moment, she was caught up in the past…the many, many times Matt had lain on that table bleeding. Sometimes he'd been wounded in the line of duty; while other times, the big man with the fast gun was just a target for some up-and-coming gunslinger.
"I don't know exactly what you're thinking, but from the sadness on your face, I get the gist of it. I do remember the fear of watching James ride off and wondering if he would be coming home again. I've also had my share of watching bullets being dug out and knife wounds being stitched up."
Kitty had forgotten that her guest had been, not only the wife of a prosperous surgeon in New York, but she had also been the widow of a Texas Ranger. A question came to mind that the marshal's wife had to ask. "And the last time…when he didn't return?"
"The last time." Amelia repeated softly. Her smile was one of great sadness and heartbreaking loss. "Anne Marie was at my house when they came to tell us the news. I was in my last month and confined to bed. It was my third pregnancy, but I had never carried one that long. James was so excited. We thought that this time…" She looked into the compassionate eyes of her host. A heavy sigh preceded her memory of that night. "Matty had been the one to answer the door. Even at his young age, he knew what it meant when he saw the captain of his dad's regiment at the door." Amelia winced when she was forced to give the memory a name, "Captain Leander Taylor."
Even after so many years, the memory was obviously still painful. Kitty felt ashamed to have resuscitated that heartbreak. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have –"
"No, it's all right. I know the fear you carry, but you have learned to live, in spite of that fear. No matter what tomorrow brings…Matty has a loving wife, beautiful children and friends that love him. I am just so grateful that he stepped out of the shadow of that badge, to take a chance on life—and love." A ghost of a smile crossed her lips before she added, "Even though Galen says he was about to give up hope on the stubborn galoot."
"I think we all were." Kitty mused. "But it was more than the badge. It was his fear that he would leave me alone—or worse—with a child, like his mother. Amelia, I am so grateful to you, for destroying those twisted memories and setting him free. I also wanted to thank you for helping out today. So many women just can't handle the chaos, but you did quite well."
"I was amazed at the way Galen handled everything. He is quite accomplished, despite the fact that he refers to himself as, just a simple country doctor. As far as my handling the situation…well, I was married to a surgeon."
Kitty balanced the rim of the cup between her thumbs and forefingers. "Did you assist him?"
"Only a few times. My job was to handle the financial part of his practice. Galen says you are responsible for the financial success of this family."
"Doc brags too much. I made a couple of good purchases; and some luck came my way."
"I think you are being modest, but nevertheless, he's very proud of you. Yesterday, he took me up to the ridge for a better view of the ranch. It is beautiful."
Kitty laughed, as she settled back in the wooden chair. "You mean by that old crab apple tree? That's always been his favorite spot. He's always threatening to build-" Blue eyes blinked slowly, as the signs began to fall into place. "Amelia…did Doc, ask you to marry him?"
The blush of a much younger woman, flushed through Amelia's cheeks. Even without words, Kitty knew. She was instantly out of the chair, hugging her future…in-law? Whatever the term was to be, Kitty was excited. "How wonderful! When?"
"We haven't set the date yet. But, I'm so glad to have your approval."
"Of course I approve! So, he's finally going to get that house. I know you two will be so happy. Doc is a wonderful man." Kitty continued to boast of the older man's many qualities—and quirks; but at a point, began to notice how quiet Amelia had become. "Is something wrong?"
Amelia simply did not have the courage to tell this woman that she was taking Doc away from all those that loved him. This news should come from the man himself. "I know Galen wanted to be the one to tell you. I wonder, could we keep this between us and let him make the announcement?"
Kitty knew how hard it was going to be to keep the secret, but it was Doc's privilege. For him, she would keep her word.
TBC
