A few hours after Sarah had successfully removed the bullet from Matt's abdomen, his fever was going down and he was sleeping peacefully. Kitty remained at his bedside, while Sarah made a simple dinner of cold ham, boiled potatoes and green beans. When the table was set and the food laid out, Kitty sat down to eat, but Sarah couldn't help but notice that Kitty's eyes kept returning to Matt's sleeping form. She was curious, "Kitty, if you don't mind me asking, how did you meet the marshal?" Kitty smiled as she recalled, "Many years ago I was on a stagecoach heading west, to find a better life for myself. The stage made a short stopover in Dodge. It was a cold and rainy day, so I hurried over to a restaurant to eat some hot oatmeal before getting back on the stage. I was just about finished when Matt came in. I didn't know who he was, but I sure noticed him. There was something that drew me to him, something so undeniable and powerful that I stayed. That was more than 18 years ago, and since then we've had good times and hard times." Kitty paused and thought for a second before adding, "But even the difficulties that came our way, always brought us closer together." Sarah said softly, "It sounds like you found that better life that you were looking for." Kitty smiled almost to herself, "So I did."
Kitty looked up, "Now, it's your turn. Please tell me about life in New York City." Sarah spoke about the museums and theaters. She described the beautiful houses on 5th Avenue, but she also talked about the over-crowded tenements and the epidemics that were prevalent there. She mentioned that she had done charity work, raising money for those less fortunate, but Kitty couldn't help but think about how welcomed Sarah's medical skills would have been.
The night was growing chilly. Sarah got another blanket for Matt and made tea for herself and Kitty. They continued their conversation long into the night as they kept watch over Matt. Being businesswomen, they compared notes about owning and running a business, and although their businesses were quite different, they enjoyed trading stories about difficult customers.
It was after midnight when Sarah noticed the hour, "Kitty, I don't know where the time went. I've so enjoyed our conversation, but I'll leave you now to get some rest."
Kitty took Sarah's hand, "I've enjoyed it too, very much." Sarah went to bed in the store and Kitty kissed Matt lightly on the forehead, before going to sleep on the cot beside his bed.
The next morning Kitty woke feeling rested. She looked at Matt. He was still sleeping, and his color was much improved. She was getting herself a cup of coffee from the pot that sat on the stove, as Sarah came in from the shop saying briskly, "Good morning, I'm glad you found the coffee. I'm going to check on the wound."
Sitting on the side of the bed she gently cut through the bandages. Matt woke suddenly and was startled to see the dress shop owner touching him. He whispered with all the firmness he could muster, "Mrs. Markman, what are you doing?"
Sarah answered with quiet authority, "Examining your wound marshal."
Kitty quickly moved to his side and interjected, "Matt, Sarah removed the bullet."
Matt was shocked into silence. Sarah nodded in satisfaction and re-bandaged the wound, "It looks good, quite good. I'll return to the shop now, but I'll be back ." Hurrying out she turned to Kitty, "Please get him some broth. He needs liquids and nutrition, and I'm sure he can handle at least that."
Matt looked at Kitty in disbelief. Kitty sat at the side of the bed and explained what had happened. Matt whispered, "I remember some things, but it's all hazy."
Kitty kissed his forehead, "You rest, I'll go get that broth."
Matt took her hand before she had a chance to rise, and whispered weakly, "Kitty, how about a better kiss than that, and how about some steak or something to go with that broth."
Kitty laughed, glad to hear Matt sounding a little more like himself. She kissed him lightly on the lips, "That will have to do for a kiss, and broth is what you're getting."
A little while later Kitty returned with the broth, and she and Sarah helped Matt sit up with pillows behind his back. He was spooning the warm liquid into his mouth when they heard loud, agitated voices coming from the shop. Kitty immediatey knew it was Doc and Festus, but before she could even stand they burst in.
Doc entered first. His jaw dropped when he saw Matt sitting up. He looked pretty bad – pale and drawn but not near death's door as Doc had expected.
Kitty rushed over, "Doc, I'm so sorry. Matt was in terrible shape when I sent the telegram. He was wounded and the only one around to treat him was a barber who made things worse. After I sent the message, a real doctor appeared, but I knew you had already left Dodge so I couldn't get word to you."
Festus was looking at Matt with amazement as he rssponded, "That's all right Miss Kitty. The important thing is Matthew."
Doc agreed, "That is absolutely correct, but I'm going to check that wound myself."
After examining Matt, Doc rubbed his mustache, "That there is a fine, fine job. An excellent job in fact. I'd like to meet that doctor."
Before anyone else could speak Sarah responded, "I'm afraid the doctor is no longer here." After a pause she added, "I'm sorry, you don't even know who I am. My name is Sarah Markman. I own this shop."
Doc looked perplexed, "You mean to say a doctor showed up out of no where, operated on Matt, did one of the finest pieces of surgery I've ever seen, and left? Did this doctor have a name?"
Sarah answered quickly, "I must admit I didn't catch the name. I don't think Kitty did either, and the marshal was unconscious."
Doc looked at Kitty who just shrugged.
Still mystified, Doc shook his head.
Festus looked at Matt and then at Kitty, "Well, like I said, I sure am glad Matthew is on the mend." Addressing Doc he added, "Maybe you and me should go get us something to eat. I'm hungrier that a pack of wolves. Then we can visit with Matthew a bit before headin home."
Kitty protested, "Don't you two want to at least stay over night?"
Doc shook his head, "There is no reason for us to stay Kitty. We'll come visit for a little while after we eat, but it's still early in the day. We might as well head back." Doc started towards the door before he stopped and turned back, "It's awfully strange, awfully strange that you and Sarah can't remember the name of the doctor."
Shaking his head, he and Festus left.
A few hours later they returned, bickering over why Doc had just paid for both of their meals. Kitty smiled and said, "Doc, it's a losing battle." Doc sighed, "I know." Then looking at Matt he said, "I want to take one more look at that wound." After examing Matt again, Doc was satisfied that he was truly on the mend, and the two men headed back to Dodge.
Once they were alone Matt spoke frankly, "Kitty, I'm amazed that Sarah still wants to keep the fact that she's a doctor a secret."
Kitty nodded, "I know Matt, it is such a strange thing to have that talent and training, and hide it."
Matt shook his head, "It's worse than that. She allows unqualified people to do the things she is qualified to do. She has to confront that."
"Yes I do marshal."
Matt and Kitty hadn't realized that Sarah was standing nearby.
She walked over to check Matt's pulse, "Your pulse is quite strong. I'd say surprisingly so, but after seeing the scars on your body I can tell that you must have quite an amazing constitution. As to my future – Can I remain a dress shop owner in Hays? Perhaps, perhaps not, but I know I can't go back to being a doctor. To have a job, in which the life of another is in your hands, is a never-ending struggle. Decisions can be complicated and difficult. I don't want that life. I'm sure you of all people understand that marshal."
Matt looked at Sarah and she found herself drawn into his clear blue eyes. He said softly, "Sarah, I quit my job more than once for lots of reasons, good reasons - I was tired of shedding blood, I killed a man I shouldn't have, I didn't want to arrest a man who saved my life – lots of reasons. Each time I had a good reason, and each time I was reminded that the job had to be done, and it was mine to do. A long time ago someone told me that maybe that was too bad for me, but it was too late to do anything about it – way too late."
Sarah avoided Matt's eyes as she shook her head, "I can't go back."
After taking a deep breath Sarah looked at her patient, "What I came in to say was that I believe you are strong enough to be moved to your hotel room. I'm sure you'll be more comfortable there, and I'll come over check on you regularly."
Deputy Carter and a few other men came over to help Matt to the hotel. Before they left Sarah looked at the marshal, "If you need me send word and I'll be right over. The main thing is that you need quiet, sleep and rest. I mean a lot of quiet, sleep and rest. You seem to have an amazingly strong constitution, but you are human."
Kitty put her hand on Sarah's shoulder, "I'll make sure he follows your instructions."
Sarah smiled, "I'm sure you will."
In the hotel Matt was sitting up in bed watching Kitty brush her hair. "Kitty I wanted so much to make up, at least a little bit for the way our trip to St. Louis turned out, but we've had a bee attack, a crazy couple, a hail storm, a rattle snake, a broken wheel, you being taken hostage and me being shot – how is all of that possible in just a few days?
Kitty had to giggle, I don't know Cowboy, but I do know nothing else could possibly go wrong. We'll be spending a lot of time right in this hotel room enjoying the quiet and the time alone as you recover.
Matt reached over and kissed her. She kissed him back, but couldn't help but notice how tired and depleted he still seemed, "Cowboy, you need sleep. Lie down, I'll tuck you in."
Without arguing, Matt slid down into bed and quickly fell sleep. Kitty sat up in bed looking at The Delineator magazine, examining latest fashions. She felt content to benext to her sleeping giant, feeling his warmth and steady breathing.
TBC
