PT.12
Coming to slightly, seeing the worried look on his face, reaching up, Kitty touched his cheek with her fingers. "Cowboy?"
"Shhhhh, Kitty, just rest. Doc and Grace said you needs lots of rest."
Batting her eyes open and closed, "Nah, Mary, she needs me... us."
"Kit, Honey, Mary's home. She's safe and Grace, Doc, Frankie and yes me, we'll take good care of her. But right now her momma needs to rest. Doctor's orders."
"Cowboy, I don't care about that. Mary, I need to see her."
Nodding, "Yes, I know and you will after you get some sleep. Kitty Russell Dillon, you've got to be the stubbornest woman…"
Beginning to laugh, mixed with coughing, "Is that a fact?"
"You're damn right." He answered. "And for once, in all these years, I'm gonna win this one if I have to sit on you to keep you in this bed."
Standing at the door, listening to their banter, Mary watched. She was being trailed by Tessie and Eva who were now tugging Mary's shirt. "Miss Mary? He's too big to sit on your ma. Why he wanna hurt her like dat?"
Snickering, "Oh, Honey, Poppa won't really do that. Momma is just stubborn. Really, he doesn't mean it. He just wants her to listen to my sister and Pap so we can get her well."
Matt turned to see the three, waving them in. "See, Honey? Mary's fine."
"Thanks to you, Frankie and Uncle Frank and you Poppa. And of course, Uncle Sam and Uncle Festus."
In a hoarse voice, "Mary, Baby..." motioning with her hand to come sit beside her.
Sitting close, "Momma, please, just rest. I was so worried about..."
Shaking her head, "No, no, sweetheart. Momma's fine."
Crawling up beside them, "Your pa and Miss Grace said we can be a big help to help make you better."
Furrowing her brow, "My pa?" Kitty questioned.
"Yeah, the little man with the mustache. Miss Grace and Miss Mary called him Pap-Pap. He says he close to bein' your pa."
"Oh. He said that, did he?"
Matt sat watching Kitty interact with the girls. She was beginning to relax. He knew having her family with her and safe, she was in her element. He always knew she had so much love to give. He'd experienced that first hand.
Frank went back into town, collecting Jamie and Adam. They were anxious to see their ma. Adam was still excited about his fish. "Grandpa? Grandpa, did you and Pa finish? Can we go home and see Ma now?"
Frank smiled, hugging both boys. "We sure can, Boys. Your ma is waiting to see you both."
Suddenly Adam's face dropped. "Grandpa? Miss Ellie had to cook our fish. She says they'd go bad. But you saw them. You can tell Ma how I catched them, right?"
"You bet, Adam. Your ma will be so proud." Plopping him up on his horse, and helping Jamie up behind him, Frank turned to Ellie. "Miss Ellie, I do thank you for looking after the boys."
"Oh, Frank, they were no problem. How is Mary and Kitty? Sam told me what happened out there."
"Mary's good, shaken but good."
"And Kitty?"
"Grace and Doc say she'll be better in time. She just needs lots of rest."
Riding off with both boys in tow, "Grandpa? Is Granma tired?"
"Aw, boys, Granma helped us with some folks that had a fire at their place. But Aunt Grace and Pap-Pap say she just needs rest so that means you boys have to be on your best behavior.
Noticing a rider coming up along side them. "Mister Reardon?"
As he turned, Chet, Newly's deputy. "Chet Owens, right?"
"Yes, sir. I was just on my way out to the Dillon ranch. I heard from Marshal O'Brien that Miss Mary was..."
Motioning to Chet, not to say anything in front of the boys.
"Oh, well actually, I thought I could call on Miss... Doc Grace. I know my timing's not good but I just want her to know I'm..."
Now Frank smiled up at him. Waving his hand, "I think I understand, Chet."
Reaching the ranch, Adam talked Chet's ear off about his trip with his pa and grandpa.
"Sounds like a good time you had."
"Sure did, Mister Deputy."
Approaching the ranch, Doc and Grace were on the porch.
"Pap, you know Tessie and Eva were right. With their granny and pa gone and Jeb too, I'm not sure what's going to come of Edmond. He can't care for those two little girls alone."
"Gracie, Edmond, he's not capable..."
Just then, "Pap-Pap, Aunt Grace." Quickly hopping down.
"Well, hi, boys." Hugging them both.
"Where's Ma?"
"She's up in Granma's room."
Running and up the stairs they went.
Chet stood with his hat in hand. "Miss... Doc Grace, glad to see you're ok."
"Well, thank you, Chet."
"I understand your family's been through a lot but I was... I mean I..."
Now, Frank and Doc put an arm on one another's shoulder.
"Doc, how bout a drink?" Frank asked realizing Chet wanted to talk to Grace but feeling awkward.
"Doc Grace, I'm wanting to ask if... well, if when things settle..."
Raising her brow, "Chet Owens are you trying to ask if you can take me out?"
Now red faced, "Well, Doc Grace, yeah. Yeah, I guess I am. Doc Grace, you're the prettiest woman in town and I'd understand if..."
Tilting her head, "If what, Chet?"
"Well," now fiddling with his hat, "well if maybe you'd not want to be seen being courted by a deputy. You being a doctor and all."
Squaring her shoulders and hands on hips. "Chet Owens, I would be proud to be courted by you. Your job is just as important as mine. Remember, my poppa was Marshal before you came to town and you have much reason to be proud of what you do. I sure am."
"Well then, I'll give you time. Take care of your sister and momma."
She walked up close. "Thank you, Chet." Kissing his cheek.
Hearing the sound of thunder rushing up the stairs. "Ma! Granma!" Rushing in the room then stopping when they saw all the people in Kitty's room.
Kitty looked up and smiled. "Well now, there's my lil cowboy's. Well come on give me some love." Holding her arms open to them.
Jumping up on the bed, hugging Kitty and then Mary. Tessie and Eva watched. Mary saw the look on their faces. "Tessie, Eva, these are my little boys, Jamie and Adam. Boys, say hi."
"Hi," Adam answered first.
Just then, Doc standing in the doorway. "Okay now, alright. All you get on out of here. This lady needs rest."
Eva clung to Kitty. "But… but..."
Scrubbing his mustache, "Eva, honey, Miss Kitty needs sleep. You can visit with her later. Besides, it's getting late and you kids all need sleep too."
Then rubbing her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "You need to be well rested if you're going to help me, understand?"
Looking sad about leaving, lowering her eyes. "Yes, Sir."
Quickly, Kitty wrapped her arms around Eva. "I'll be right here in the morning. I promise."
Once Mary and all four kids left. "That means you too, you big lug." Now looking at Matt.
"Nah, Doc, I'm staying."
"Well then, let her rest. That's an order!"
Kitty snickered. Nodding, "I will, Curly. I will."
Once alone, Matt was holding her face in his hands. "Ah, Kit honey, I was so scared."
"Cowboy, I'm fine now. Cowboy," she started as she moved the quilt, patting the bed. "Com'ere. You and the children are all the medicine I need. But right now, I need you to lie down here and hold me."
Shaking his head, "Kit, Honey..."
"Et et. Now, Cowboy, please?"
Without a word, he relieved himself from his boots and gun belt then his garments, slipping in beside her. Enveloping her in his arms, her head rested on his chest. "Kit, I… I..."
"I know, Cowboy, and I'll be fine." Tilting her head back, placing a kiss on his chin then as he looked down, connecting with his lips. Whispering, in her soft sultry voice, "I love you, Cowboy."
"And I love you." Snuggling her close.
TBC
