Proposals and Propositions

PT.10

Annie arrived with the doctor from town. When Doctor Markem walked through the door and looked around, he spotted Kitty resting her head on her hands. "Maggie? You're back?"

Lifting her head quickly, "Doctor Markem, I'm not…"

Shaking his head, "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry, forgive me, Miss Russell, was it?"

"Kitty. Please." She said. "Doctor Markem, he just collapsed and I... I…"

Nodding, "You did right, sending for me. Here, let me get in there and see what's going on.

As Kitty began to stand, Joe McAndles gripped her hand and mumbled, "St..ay."

Leaning in close she said, "Joe, Doctor Markem is here. He's going to take good care of you. Doctor, do you need anything?"

"Yes, maybe some cool water."

Kitty walked to the kitchen to get water and fresh cloths. Annie suddenly looked at Kitty. "I'll take them to him, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Annie."

"When Annie returned, she looked at Kitty. "Here, Dear, sit. Let me make you something."

"Oh, no. That's alright."

"Coffee? Tea?"

Shaking her head, declining.

Then Annie reached into the cupboard and pulled out a bottle and two glasses. "Here, maybe this is better?"

Kitty smiled at her. "Yeah, sure."

Annie sat pouring the brandy into the glasses. "Now, you want to tell me that long story?"

With a soft smile. "Ok, I guess."

"Well, not so long ago, I was dealing with my cousin and some others in New Orleans over my Aunt Constance's will. Well, long story short, they wanted to have her declared insane, to get access to her money. Family money. And when I wouldn't go along, it seems they had a doctor friend of theirs, drug me with something that caused me to lose my memory and dropped me in a wooded area near the ranch here.

Turns out a hand that worked for Joe was in on it and he knew how much I looked like Maggie McAndels. They were also trying to pull off a scam to defraud ranchers in the area of their land and money. I was to be a big distraction for Joe. Joe honestly believed I was Maggie, returning home after fifteen years.

Anyway, something in me told me I belonged somewhere else and when I had an accident, here on the ranch, something triggered my memories. And well…"

Annie laid her hand atop Kitty's. "Oh, Dear."

"And well, Annie, I felt awful. It really broke Joe's heart. And I didn't want to do that. But my home is in Dodge. My life, my business…"

"And your man?" Annie added.

"Well," smiling and nodding, "yes!"

"And would that be this Marshal Dillon, you wanted me to contact?"

Nodding again, "Yes. Matt Dillon. I thought Joe understood. It was never mine nor…"

"Miss Russell. I understand and I did send off a telegram. So I'm sure this man of yours will come."

Doctor Markem came from the room. "He's resting."

"Doctor? What is it? What happened to him?"

"Well, Miss Kitty, it appears that Joe has suffered a heart attack."

Placing a hand over her mouth, "Oh no! Is he going to be alright? It's just, he was trying so hard to get me to…"

Waving a hand up, "You don't have to explain. I've been warning Joe to slow down for some time now. Back off the work load."

"Doctor, what can we do?" Kitty asked with a pain in her eyes, thinking of how sick he was now.

"Mag… I'm sorry, Miss Kitty, right now, rest."

"You know, I can't help but feel respon..."

"Oh, no. You didn't do this. Joe's heart has been weakening. I'm going to stop back in a day or two. Just keep him quiet."

After several days, Kitty heard a horse ride up in front. Quickly rushing to the door, now shocked.

"Sergeant Holly? What on earth are you doing here?" Standing with her arms crossed her.

Jumping down and sweeping her up in his arms. "Sergeant Emmett Holly, to the rescue." He spun her around. "Private Horse ain't white but you git the idea."

"Ser-geant." She said exhausted. "How'd you know I was here?"

"A kind lady named Annie Brady sent word."

"To Matt." She added .

"Oh, well now, Ol' Holly here, is takin' advantage of gittin' some time alone with my favorite gal before ol' Big Fist finds you." Now he pulled her tighter and planted a kiss on her lips.

Pushing away. "Sergeant Holly! Stop that. NOW!"

"You can't keep a hiding under Big Fist's jaw bone."

Sitting at the table, Holly helped himself to a drink. "Miss Kitty, if you're gonna part ways with Marshal Big Fist, you should stick with Ol' Holly."

"Sergeant, I'm not parting ways and I'm not taking up with anyone else, nor you!" She continued to fill him in on what happened. Then Annie let Kitty know that Joe was asking for her.

"Kitty!" Reaching for her hand. "Looks like we may have to put this wedding on hold."

Inhaling, "JOE!"

"I do love you, but you need a strong man and Doc Markem tells me I'm quite ill."

"Joe, please don't try to talk. Just rest. Please?"

"Kitty, Dear. It'll be ok. I'm sure, soon, someone will come for you. Perhaps you're Marshal friend?"

Nodding, "Yes, Matt is coming."

He was weak, closing his eyes. Annie looked in and told Kitty there were riders coming.

"Thank you, Annie."

Just as Matt and Festus rode up, they saw Holly standing in the door frame. Matt looked up, took a deep breath, and huffed out a big sigh. "Holly, what are you doing here?"

"Hehehe. Like I said, Big Fist. She's softening." Shaking his head, making a clicking sound and winking at Matt. "She's softening. Hehehe."

TBC