Matt knocked on the Jonases front door and within a few seconds Ellen opened it, "Marshal?" she said while looking out passed the marshal to see if Wilbur was also there.
Matt tipped his hat, "Mrs. Jonas," he smiled.
"What's wrong?" she said noticing the bloodied handkerchief wrapped around the marshal's forearm. "Where's Wilbur?" she asked with growing panic in her voice. Matt held his hands up to calm Ellen down, "Wilbur is all right, aside from the black eye and a cut. He's over at Doc's right now," Matt stated, "But I'm more concerned about you right now," Matt said.
"Me? What's wrong marshal?" Ellen asked. "What happened to Wilbur?"
Matt wet his lips, "Wilbur told me what happened a few years ago with Sal Coolidge," he said.
Ellen's mouth dropped open - she was confused and couldn't make the connection to Wilbur's black eye and Sal Coolidge. She had asked Wilbur not to ever mention that incident again, to anyone - ever. "He didn't tell you that, did he?" she whispered and looked at Matt straight in the eyes. Matt nodded, "I needed to know why he has it out for Sal," Matt said.
"Why would he just come out and say that?" Ellen asked and looked ill and sounded angry with her husband. Her eyebrows knitted together.
"I take it that Wilbur hasn't told you that Sal Coolidge is back in the area, then," Matt frowned.
"Sal Coolidge? Here?" Ellen repeated and covered her mouth with her hand asa here eyes grew wide and now realized what was happening. Matt nodded, "And he's on the loose with a gun. That's why I came here. I want you to come into town with me for protection," Matt stated. Ellen nodded, "Certainly marshal," Ellen said as she gathered her purse and bonnet from the small table just inside the door, before leaving the house. Ellen pulled the locked door closed behind her.
Matt's eyes scanned the streets as they made their way back to Front Street. He was thankful that Sal was nowhere in sight, "Come with me to Doc's office. You can talk to Wilbur there," he smiled weakly to Ellen. She nodded as the two walked up the boardwalk toward the doctor's office, "How did Wilbur get a black eye?" she asked looking up at the marshal. Matt sighed, "We were bringing Sal back into Dodge and somehow he got free," Matt said as they reached the stairs to Doc's office. "Poor Wilbur," Ellen sighed.
Matt couldn't help but feel sorry for the store owner - after all it was his suggestion that Jonas joined him to witness the horse tracks and once again Jonas managed to get tangled up into something and hurt.
Both Matt and Ellen climbed the stairs, and Matt opened the door allowing Ellen through first. She gasped at the sight of her husband, "Oh, Wilbur!" she said and quickly moved to his side. "That looks dreadful," she said as she wanted to touch his cheek.
"I'm sure it looks worse than it really is," Jonas tried to reassure Ellen that he was fine.
Doc scoffed, "You are a pretty good liar, Jonas," he said as he drew his hand across his moustache. It felt good not to feel the other whiskers on his face. Jonas frowned at Doc's comment, "I merely mean that you can admit that it hurt, because I know full well that it does," he chastised the store owner in a bemused manner. "Humph," Jonas snorted.
Doc's eyes then shifted to Matt, "What happened to you?" Doc looked at the marshal's arm. "Oh, wait," he said looking up at Matt, "You scraped your arm on a stick..." Matt didn't have time for Doc's jokes, "Sal grazed my arm, but I don't have time to have you look at it just now," Matt's voice held a tone that Doc knew meant business. He looked at the marshal, "All right, as soon as you are done, doing what whatever it is you are doing, I want to look at that," he pointed at Matt's arm.
Matt nodded, "It's a deal."
Doc pushed his hands down into his trousers, "You look like you have a lot on your mind?" Doc's eyes narrowed at the marshal. Matt nodded, "I do," he said as he walked closer to the doctor. "I want you and the Jonases to stay here together. I'm going to bring you a couple of rifles and ammunition," Matt stated.
"What in heaven's name for?" Doc barked.
"Sal Coolidge is on the loose and he's armed. I figure he's heading back into Dodge," Matt stated as he tucked his thumbs over his gun belt. "I have Festus and Newly over at the jail house," he ticked his head.
Doc pursed his lips and looked over at the store owner and his wife, "I understand," he said as he slowly looked back at Matt. Doc could see the concern in his eyes for the people in the room and those at the jail.
"I'll be back shortly," Matt said and left the office.
Doc looked over at Ellen who was looking at her husband's bruised face. The doctor smiled, "Looks like we're room mates for a while," he stated as he walked to the little wood stove and stirred a pot of soup he had placed in the stove earlier. Ellen and Jonas watched the doctor and slowly he looked up at Ellen, "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Ellen," he said in a tender caring tone he blinked his eyes.
Ellen looked down at the floor, "It all happened so quickly."
Doc nodded and walked over to Ellen, "Sit in my chair. You can tell me if you want to," he offered his chair to the woman. Ellen smiled and slowly lowered herself, "Wilbur saved me from a very bad situation," her voice wobbled.
"I know he did. He told me all about it. I just wish you had of told Matt about it sooner," Doc said.
Both the store owner and his wife exchanged glances. Ellen finally spoke, "Wilbur wanted too, but I insisted that he didn't. I didn't want that to get around town," she sniffled and pulled a handkerchief from her purse to dab in her eyes.
"I respect that," Doc smiled. "I just hope you know that both the marshal and I are here any time for you both to talk to," he placed a reassuring hand on Ellen's shoulder.
"Thanks, Doc," Wilbur said. Doc smiled, "Would you both like to try my soup? I seem to have been overpaid with chickens this month," he chuckled. Ellen's face slowly lit up, "Thanks, Doc. That would be lovely," she smiled.