Jonas struggled with the top button on his shirt collar and finally managed to fasten it. His right shoulder wasn't strong enough to allow his right hand to be much use for anything at the moment.
The store owner then struggled with his gold-toned brocade vest and suit coat. He decided to forgo the sling for the time being. With one more check in the mirror Jonas picked up his eyeglasses and slipped them onto his nose where they normally perched.
He then noticed that his shaving job as a bit of a hit and miss effort, but it was the best he could do with his arm the way it hurt. He pursed his lips in thought before he headed to the door, picking up his bowler hat along the way.
Jonas stepped out the door and looked down at the flowers in the garden that Ellen had been growing. He decided that he would take a small bouquet to his wife as a reminder of home. With his small pocketknife he cut a few of the daisies and neatly gathered them into a small bundle. He looked at the flowers and smiled.
Jonas walked along the lane and reached the street and then along the boardwalk across in front of the Long Branch where he stopped at the foot of the stairs that led to the doctor's office. A twinge of nervousness swept over him; he wasn't sure how to handle Ellen's condition or prepare for what Ellen might say to him about his antics the day before. He wet his lips and began to climb the stairs. The store owner stopped at the top and drew in a breath before he entered the office.
Doc was sleeping at his desk again. His head lifted from his folded arms with the sound of the door opening and a slight smile curled his moustache, "You cleaned up pretty good, Jonas," the doctor stated as he sat back in his chair and yawned.
Jonas looked down at his suit and then back to the doctor. He looked like a nervous suitor ready to Ellen on a date, "Thank you," his voice was soft and he smiled weakly; more out of nerves if anything.
"Ellen might be asleep again, but I told her that you'd be here," Doc stated.
Jonas nodded and walked forward and stopped at Joe's side. Doc watched with interest. Jonas stepped closer to the unconscious man and gently placed his hand on Joe's shoulder, "Thank you for everything you've done for my Ellen," he said in a hushed voice.
Doc smiled and said nothing as Jonas moved to the back room to visit his wife.
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Kitty leaned on her elbow with her chin propped up in her left hand, "Well, I've given you my two-cent worth," she said to Matt who was starring at his half empty glass.
"I know. And I thank you for your thoughts," Matt looked over to the redhead sitting next to him. "Now I feel bad that I barked at Doc, too," he said sheepishly.
"Doc can take it, after all he dishes it out enough himself," Kitty smiled.
Matt snorted a chuckle and picked up his glass, "Good point," he said before he sipped his drink.
Kitty looked at her glass, "Well, if anything, Joe will be thankful with your decision," she said picking up her glass and sipping from it.
"I think most of Dodge will be thankful. It seems like everyone who has met Joe has had the same feeling about him. It's really too bad that he got caught up with the others," Matt said before he finished his drink. "Sorry too that I've chewed your ear for so long, Kitty," the marshal said as he began to stand.
"It's not like the place is busting at the seams with customers," Kitty looked around. "Have another drink," she waved to Sam to bring Matt another drink. Matt lowered himself into the chair.
"You know what's bothering me the most?" Matt looked Kitty in the eyes.
"Hum, let me guess," Kitty played along. "Would it be the fact that Major Beaumont reminded you that it is up to you to set any punishment that Joe would receive?"
Matt smiled, "You're not only pretty. You're smart too!" he winked.
Kitty chuckled, "Well, it isn't as if you have nothing else on your mind," she smiled.
"I know," Matt said. "It's still no excuse, though," the marshal sat back enough to allow the barkeep to remove the empty glass and set the full one down in front of the marshal. "If you don't mind me saying so, marshal," Sam began, "It might be a blessing in disguise that Joe's fate was left in your hands and not the army's," the barkeep stated.
Matt smiled, "Thanks, Sam," the marshal said. "You're right," he picked up the glass and toasted Sam's words.
Sam walked back to the bar and waited on a few other patrons. Matt watched him for a moment, "Sometimes the answer is right in front of you and you can't see it," he looked back to Kitty.
"Like you can't see the forest for the trees?" Kitty asked.
"Yeah, something like that," Matt sipped from his glass. Kitty smiled, knowing Matt was going to handle Joe's case with care and understanding.
"As soon as I finish this drink, I'll go over to Doc's and talk to him, and Joe, if he's up to it," Matt paused. The marshal looked at his drink, "If they're up to it," he twisted his mouth in thought knowing that Doc was likely a little more than upset with him.
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Wilbur Jonas sat on the wooden chair next to his wife. She smiled at the flowers and played with the white peddles of the daisies, "Thank you for bringing these," Ellen looked up at her husband. He sat quietly and studied his wife.
Ellen handed the flowers back to Wilbur, "It's best if yo put them in some water," she smiled.
"Of course," Jonas stood and looked around the room for something to put the flowers in. The glass next to the bed was the only thing he could find. Jonas placed the stems into the glass and added some water from the pitcher which sat next to them.
"Wilbur. Doc told me about yesterday," Ellen said. Jonas froze.
"Why did you do it?" she asked.
Jonas swallowed and nervously turned to his wife and returned to his seat. He looked Ellen in the eyes, "I was so afraid that I was going to lose you. I wasn't thinking straight," he wet his lips and looked up at the ceiling blinking his eyes, "I got very angry at everything, including in Joe," his eyes slowly drifted down to his wife's. He then looked down at the floor out of shame and embarrassment.
"Oh, Wilbur," Ellen reached out for her husband's hand, "you shouldn't have gotten so worked up. I'm going to be just fine. It'll take time, but I will be fine," Ellen closed her hand over Jonas'.
Wilbur's jaw muscles flexed in thought, "You're right. I was just a fool, that's all," he looked back at Ellen.
"A concerned fool," Ellen smiled.