With the final dinging of the bell, the train pulled to a halt in front of the station. The conductor opened the door, then stepped down to place the small step stool down onto the platform. Thomas picked up this camera case and Mary-Anne's carpet bag and followed her to the door. Several other passengers were getting off as well, which slowed the departure.
Mary-Anne looked out the window to the station and street beyond. Suddenly her heart skipped a beat when she spotted the two cowboys who were walking away from the depot. She strained her eyes, "It can't be..." she murmured to herself.
Thomas noticed the look on his wife's face, "Honey?"
Mary-Anne stood quickly, "Oh, sorry, Thomas. I just thought I saw someone I knew a long time ago..." she tried to smile but Thomas could see that there was more to it than what met the eye.
Thomas Flynn's eyebrows slowly pulled together as he looked out the window to see if he could catch a glimpse of whom his wife had seen, however, he didn't see anyone. He further didn't like the thought of Mary-Anne being upset by someone from her past and if he found out who, he'd set them straight, there was no doubt about it. He knew she moved from Dodge to forget someone, but she really never said who.
Mary-Anne watched her husband and smiled, "Oh, Thomas. Please don't worry. Maybe I just thought it was someone from way back...you know how I get when I'm tired and this has been a long trip," she meekly smiled at her husband who smiled warmly back.
The conductor spoke up, "Are you two getting off here or not?" he said with a hint of humour in tone as he had been watching the couple for a few minutes and waiting.
"Oh, sorry, conductor," Thomas said as he then nudge Mary-Anne forward, "we were just admiring the view," he said as he stepped passed the older man to exit the train. Mary-Anne followed and smiled, "Thank you for a pleasant trip."
As she and Thomas stepped down from the train and stood next to the station, she saw Doc in his buggy and a man following closely behind, "Well, looky there, it's Doc Adams!" she smiled widely and looked back to Thomas.
Flynn looked at his wife with a smile of understanding - someone she knew and a doctor to boot, "Seems you should go say hello to him, the way you look. I'll get our room at the Dodge House," he smiled and walked toward Front Street.
Mary-Anne clasped her hands together over her chest, "Oh, Doc..." she said to herself, "I'm mighty glad to know you're still alive and kickin'" she almost laughed to herself, "but I always knew you came from good stock and would last a good long while. Too bad you just couldn't see that at the time for yourself...I often think of what could have been...and then that awful night," she sighed with deep remorse.
Mary-Anne picked up the front of her skirt and quickly stepped down off the boardwalk to follow Doc's buggy to the livery stable. She wondered if he'd remember her and her family. She felt that he should do, as he pulled them through an influenza epidemic that hit Dodge at the time.
Doc pulled his buggy to a stop and pushed the break with his right foot, "Matt, I'll see you at the Long Branch in a few minutes," he said as he stepped down from the rig.
"Sure Doc. Kitty's gonna love this one..." Matt made a face as he handed Buck to the stable boy.
"I just bet she will..." Doc frowned as he waited with Popcorn as Hank took Buck to his stall. After a moment, Hank pulled Doc's horse and rig into the livery stable. Doc watched from the street before he heard his name called. "Doctor Adams?" the sweet voice called from behind. Doc turned, "Yes?"
"Well, you haven't changed a bit...except you look like you need someone caring for you..." Mary-Anne smiled and looked at the doctor's tired and bristled face.
"Hum...well it so happens I've been very busy lately and haven't had much time for personal grooming," he stopped at narrowed his eyes at the young woman before him, "Further more, why should I offer any explanation to a perfect stranger?"
Mary-Anne giggled, "Oh, Doc...you don't remember me do you?"
Doc drew his hand across his mustache and shook his head, "No, I'm afraid I don't," he glanced away and then back at the woman, "But I'm sure you're' going to remind me," his crystal blue eyes narrowed in pessimism.
Mary-Anne sighed, "No, you haven't changed at all..."
Doc was about to say something when a male voice from behind cut him off, "Neither have you, Mary-Anne. Still as pretty as ever," the man in black smiled. Charlie smiled even broader. Doc turned quickly, "Who are you?"
The man in black stepped forward and smiled eerily at the doctor, "Best ask Mary-Anne," he looked at the woman, "Look at her, she knows. Don't you?" Doc's eyes drifted to Mary-Anne's and he could see something was wrong. Very, very wrong.