Note: I apologize for the long gap in time between postings. Unfortunately, the critical happenings of real life reared its ugly head and took priority. Thank you for your patience.

PT.25

Laced by Blood

As Kitty backed out of the room, closing the door slowly, to give Matt and Beth some privacy, she felt two hands on her shoulders.

Then a low, gruff voice. "Young lady, let me see you right over here." Leading her to a chair. "I want a look at that shoulder. You've been avoiding me for several days now."

Closing her eyes and shaking her head. "Now, Curly..."

"Don't you 'Now Curly' me. My Granddaughter did a damned good Job seeing to it that her momma was fixed up and healing nicely. And I think I remember correctly that she told you to keep this arm immobile. Which you have not done."

Huffing out a breath. "Doc, I've had to."

Doc just stood, scratching his head, watching over Kitty's shoulder, letting her rattle on. All the while, Grace was standing in the doorway.

Suddenly, Kitty stopped. "Curly? What's wrong? Why you looking at me that way?"

"Oh. Ohhhh." Now shaking his head and waving his hands in the air, trying to force back a laugh.

"Grandpa? Has she always been this difficult a patient?"

Now he couldn't hold back. "Are you just now learning that about either of your parents, Gracie?" He said, e Hnow in full laughter.

"Alright, you two. That's QUITE ENOUGH!" Kitty said tight jawed.

"Oh, Momma, really." Now pulling back her sleeve and looking at the wound. "You really need to not put any stress on this shoulder."

"Grace, I'm fine. It's fine." Kitty pleaded.

"No, Momma, it's not and I'm not telling you as your daughter. I'm telling you as your doctor."

"But, Sweetheart, I need to take care of…"

"Momma! No! No! You don't. I will take care of Poppa and I have Sarah, Grandpa and even Beth if need be. Now please!" She reached over, cupping Kitty's face in her hands, much like Kitty had always done to her. "Momma, please let me take care of you and poppa."

Just then a second voice rang out. "Yes! Please let us." Now Beth was standing in the doorway.

Doc just looked over at Kitty, smiled, sniffed, wiped his hand across his mustache and said, "By Golly." And winked at Kitty.

Grace re-bandaged Kitty's shoulder, also wrapping it into a sling and making her promise not to use her arm, giving it time to heal.

That afternoon, Grace, Sarah and Beth met up at the Long Branch with Sam and Ellie. The five of them decided to plan a secret surprise party for Matt and Kitty's anniversary. After everything that had been going on, they thought everyone was entitled to a night of fun.

Plus, Grace and Beth thought it would also give them a chance to give Matt and Kitty a little push towards getting past all that had happened. They both realized there was still something unresolved. Besides, there was nothing more that Sam and Ellie would love then to throw a great party. And all they had to do was tell Sam it was for Kitty and Matt. He was all on board! Now it was just to get it all together without them knowing.

Several days had passed. Doc had allowed Matt to go home to the ranch but he was to take it easy. Beth took advantage of this. She liked having the time to spend with him. They would spend afternoons fishing down by Spring Creek, and she would tell him all about her childhood and all the milestones he missed. Some days, they would just ride. He'd show her the ranch, show her what he was trying to do there and fill her in on his life. Well, the parts he felt weren't too much for her to handle.

She even asked about how and when he met Kitty. She explained that Kitty told her briefly that they knew one another for forty five years but were only married going on twenty seven years because of how he felt about his job as marshal and having a family. But that eventually, they married and had Grace and then the conversation came to him meeting Mike, her mom.

"Matt? Do you think… ummm… Do you think that if you weren't married to Kitty and weren't marshal of Dodge that you might have stayed?" Suddenly, she stopped and dropped her eyes.

Matt reached over and lifted her chin with one finger. "Beth, Honey, let me try and explain this as best I can. Your momma is a beautiful woman and in one way, yes. I did love her. Let's say a part of me did. But a very big part of me, a very big part of my heart and my soul, a part of who I am belongs to…"

And before he could finish, Beth said it for him. "I know. Kitty, right?"

Nodding. "Yes, Beth. I would be lying if I said otherwise. I wouldn't be who I am without her. She has been such a very big part of my life for so very long. We've been part of each other's…" He stopped and took a deep breath. "Look, Honey, I'm not a man of many words. Kitty can attest to that." Now rolling his eyes. "And I'm sorry I didn't know about you. But I do now and I promise you I will always be here for you no matter what. You never have to question that. If you ever need me for anything you just let me know. Deal?"

Beth just smiled at him. "Deal!" Suddenly, they felt drizzles for rain drops and before long it was pouring. The two just looked at one another and began laughing.

The smell of baked ham filled the kitchen along with fresh baked bread and peach pie.

"AHHHHHH! It smells like heaven in here." Sarah said as she wandered into the kitchen, finding Kitty by the stove. "Oh, Mrs. Dillon. You keep cooking like this and I'll never go back to Arizona Territory."

Laughing softly. "Well, Sarah, you are more than welcome here anytime and I thought we agreed, it's Kitty."

"Oh, okay. Yes, ma'am. I mean, Kitty. It's a good thing I'm a doctor because I never learned to cook. So, I guess, I'd better never marry either."

Shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, Sarah, don't be silly. Do you think I always knew how to cook?"

"Uh huh! The way this kitchen smells."

"No, not really."

"And I can attest to that!" Doc said as he entered the room.

Laughing, Kitty waved her hand at him. "Oh, Curly! Glad you made it. Grace with you?"

"She'll be along. She was talking with Sam and Ellie when I left. Said she'll catch up. Said it was important."

Quickly Sarah got his attention, wanting to make sure he didn't say too much.

Catching on, but not sure as to what, he changed the subject. "It sure is raining down cats and dogs."

Just then Matt and Beth hurried in drenched and muddy, laughing all huddled together.

"Cowboy? What on earth?"

TBC