PT.11

Orphan Train

After a full swing of a day's celebration, the folks of Dodge were ready for the Ford County Barn Dance. As promised, the new young doctor made his way to the Long Branch. He was anxious to escort Melinda. As he entered, "Well, hello folks!" Then walking over to Melinda. "Miss Dillon, I hope I didn't keep you waiting?"

Blushing slightly, she stuttered over her words. "Why... why… no..." Shaking her head, "Not at all."

Doc looked to Matt and Kitty, holding back a laugh. Both Charlie and Melinda stood staring at one another as if they were in the room alone.

"Well, Melinda. Are you going to introduce us to your new found friend?" Matt said.

Breaking away from their stare. "Oh… Oh yes, of course, Pa. Charlie, this here is my pa and momma and my Pap-Pap and this is Uncle Sam and his wife Ellie. Everyone this is Charlie. I mean… Charles Montgomery. We met today during the celebration. Actually he saved me from a dip in the trough."

"Well, Charles, why don't you sit and join us a moment?" Kitty asked.

"Thank you, Ma'am, and please call me Charlie. We'll all be heading to the dance."

Then Doc spoke up. "Doctor Montgomery here is new to Dodge, Kitty."

"A doctor?" She repeated.

"Oh yes, Ma'am, Mrs. Dillon, have been for a few years. Studied back east. But decided to make my way out west where I may be needed more. I'd like to set up here and provide a stable home for my son, Jacob."

Now Matt's ears were up. "Your son?" Matt repeated and Kitty echoed the same.

"Yes, Sir."

Matt was a little disturbed at this announcement.

Kitty grabbed Matt's arm before he said what she knew was on his mind. Then Kitty looked up at Melinda. "Sweetheart, can I have a private word with you?"

"Momma?"

"Please, Melinda?" As they walked away from the group, "Sweetheart, I know you're not a child but, did you accept an invitation from this man to the dance?"

"Well yes, Momma."

"Melinda…"

"Momma, I know what you are thinking and just listen."

Kitty was watching over her shoulder at Matt. Matt stood up. "Son, I think we need to talk. You say you want to put down roots here for your family?"

"Yes, Sir, for me and my son."

"You and your son?"

Charlie now realized what he must be thinking. "Oh, just a minute, Mister Dillon. It's not what you think."

Standing with his hands tucked in his buckle. "It isn't?"

"No, Sir. If you're wondering about Jacob's mother, my wife Amy, she died two years ago. So Jacob and I are on our own."

Matt let out a big sigh. "I understand and I'm right sorry for your loss. But you understand she's my daughter. I just want to…"

Waving his hand, "I know. You want to protect her."

At the same time Melinda said. "Momma, he's a widower with a little boy."

"Well then, ok, sweetheart. I just want to make sure you are not hurt."

"I know, Momma." Leaning over and kissing her cheek. "Well, Charlie, I guess we should go. We can catch up with some of my friends. I'd like you to meet them."

"I'd like that." He answered. Placing his hand on her back and leading her out the door. "See you all there."

Matt sat quietly.

"Cowboy, Melinda is a grown woman and she's a good girl. You can take that worried look off your face."

With a twisted smile and rolling his eyes. "This coming from the woman who is upset that our grown son wants to go away to school?"

Swatting his arm. "That will be enough out of you."

Doc, Matt, Mark, Sam and Ellie all began to laugh.

"Oh, ok. All of you stop." Kitty was annoyed at the teasing.

Later at the dance, Melinda and Charlie as well as John and Becca were enjoying the music and dancing.

"Cowboy, they do look happy." When the band began a slow sound. "Well, Cowboy, what do you say to whirling me around the floor?"

"As long as you know what you're getting into, Mrs. Dillon."

"Cowboy, after all these years…" Now chuckling. "I'll take my chances."

Over the next couple of months, Melinda and Charlie began spending a lot of time together. They both fell in love. She was in love with both Charlie and Jacob. A small family wedding was put together to join the two as man and wife.

For as much as Kitty worried about letting go, this time, it was Matt who struggled with turning his little girl over to the man she would have as her husband.

Mark had gone off to school. Kitty was dealing with the separation a day at a time. She made him promise to write often.

John and Becca also were spending all their free time together. Matt figured these two would be next to want to get married and knew this would be another blow for Kitty.

Towards the end of the following year, John invited Becca to supper with the family. After supper, while enjoying desert. "Momma, Pa, I have something, well, we have something to tell you.

Arching her brow. Matt held tight to her hand. After all, he saw this coming. He and John had, had several talks during their work day about how much he loved Becca and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Kitty asked.

"Well, Momma," then looking to Matt. "I asked Becca to marry me and…"

Quickly Becca finished his sentence. "And I said yes! But we'd really like it if we'd have your blessing?"

Kitty remained quiet then uttered the word, "Married?"

"Yes, Momma."

Matt placed a hand on John's shoulder. "Congratulations, Son. And, Becca, I'd be proud to have you as part of the family."

"Momma? Please tell me you're happy for us?"

"Oh, John, yes. Yes, I am happy! I can't believe two of my children will be off and married."

"Momma, we're not going anywhere. I'll still be around."

"I know that, John. Yes, Dear, you have our blessing. Becca, welcome to our family."

Once again there was a wedding held at the Dillon ranch. Matt and Kitty decided to ask the children to stay and live there with them since John works with Matt they'd be spending a lot of time there and it would give them a chance to save for their own place and Becca's parents weren't far away.

Following year….

Melinda and Charlie were expecting their first child. And while visiting with Kitty and Matt, she was becoming very uncomfortable sitting or standing.

Doc watched her as they talked. Then he began thinking, this was probably the beginning of her labor. "Melinda, look I know you have a doctor in the house, but this is your Pap speaking. Why don't we get you to lie down. Charlie." He pulled him aside. "How long has she been this uncomfortable?"

"Oh, I've been keeping an eye on her but she insists she's fine."

"Son, I've delivered many a baby. I'd say today, you two are going to be parents."

"Doc? Did you just say…"

Nodding, "Yes, Kitty. And I'm…"

But before Doc could finish, "Oh… Oh, Pap, Momma." As she looked down, she noticed her water had broken and the pain in her stomach was getting stronger.

"Kitty, I'm gonna need your help. Let's get her into bed."

"Doc, that sounds like a fine idea. Matt, Charlie?"

Quickly all three men got Melinda into bed. Kitty prepared everything Doc would need. She had done this almost as much as Doc.

"Ok, Charlie, Matt, I need you two to leave." And they left, knowing better the to argue with Doc, moving back to the parlor.

John and Becca were just returning from a visit to her parents.

"Pa, Charlie, what's wrong?"

Charlie took a deep breath. "Melinda's having the baby."

After several hours of contraction, "Momma, don't leave."

Kitty reassured her she wasn't going anywhere. "Melinda, Honey, just breathe easy. It's almost over." …

"Ok, young lady, give a good push."

Gritting her teeth and squeezing Kitty's hand, she did as Doc asked.

A few minutes later Charlie, Jacob, John, Matt and Becca heard the sounds of a baby crying. They all started jumping with excitement.

Kitty entered the room with a blanket bundle, smiling at them all. "Charlie, say hello to your daughter." And she handed him the baby.

Holding the little bundle. "Awww. Miss Kitty, she's so tiny."

"But she is so beautiful." Kitty added.

Just then Doc called out for Kitty.

Not knowing what was wrong, she said, "I'll be back." And as she entered the room, "Doc, what is it?"

"Kitty, I need you again."

"What?"

"It looks like that little baby has company."

"Doc, you mean….?"

"I certainly do. Ok, young lady. Let's bring this one into the world." And with just a few light pushes, it was over. Melinda and Charlie were the proud parents of two beautiful daughters.

Kitty told them all, they could come in.

Charlie came through the door and Melinda smiled at him. "Charlie, come sit with us."

As he looked down at her, she was holding another bundle. "Two?" Was all he could get out. Kissing her gently, "Melinda, Honey, I can't believe this."

Now standing in the doorway was little Jacob. Kitty guided him over to the bed. "What do you think, Jacob? You have two little sisters."

"Two?" He repeated with eyes as wide as half dollars. "Do they have a name?" He asked with a serious look.

Melinda whispered in Charlie's ear then into Jacob's. They all nodded.

"Well, everyone, we've decided our daughters will be named for their grandmothers…..

Kathleen Marie and Caroline Elizabeth"

TBC