The Contract
An ATC to Mannon
By
AZgirl66
Chapter 10-Secrets
Kitty closed her eyes and lifted her face towards the warmth of the June sun. She sat alone on a bank of Bird Creek, happy to have another day without Will Mannon anywhere near her. A smile came to Kitty's face, as she realized this place reminded her of Spring Creek, near Dodge. Oh, Matt, I miss you so, she sadly ruminated.
Kitty rubbed her belly, stating out loud, "Good thing you're here to always remind me of your daddy, huh, Baby?" The baby within gave Kitty a small kick and it made Kitty laugh-a genuine, from the heart, laugh.
She unbuttoned the top few buttons of her white blouse, and untucked it from her oversized black skirt. Kitty was happy to have been introduced to Sabine Schultz, the only seamstress and tailor in Deep Ford. Dr. Roseveare had thought the women could be friends, and Sabine could make Kitty some dresses for her blossoming figure. So far, she had made Kitty two dresses, for which Mannon had actually paid, and she had added extra panels to two of Kitty's own skirts. Luckily, Kitty had been able to buy a couple of larger blouses as well as undergarments from the local mercantile.
Eager to cool-off in the crisp, creek water, Kitty removed her boots, stockings, skirt, petticoats and blouse, leaving her only in her drawers and a chemise. She didn't see any point in wearing a corset just to walk out to the creek to wade. Besides, hers didn't correctly fit her anymore anyway, and Mannon sure as hell wasn't going to pay for a maternity corset from a catalogue.
As she waded into the creek up to her knees, Kitty shivered slightly. She bent over to splash some water onto her arms and to wash her face, desperately trying not to get her unmentionables wet. She continued her conversation with her unborn child, which she'd begun to do whenever she'd had some private moments. "Baby, this is cooler than yesterday. I guess the rain last night really changed the water temperature. Sorry if you don't like it."
"Hello, there!" came a voice from the small grove of trees. Out walked Dr. Ezra Roseveare, toting a picnic basket in one hand and a large quilt over his other forearm. He continued to approach the creek and Kitty instinctively crouched in the water, soaking her whole body.
"Ezra!" Kitty shouted, "You scared the daylights outta me!" She pushed her long hair out of her eyes with one hand and covered her chest with her other.
The doctor continued to walk toward the creek bank, not even realizing Kitty's state of undress. "Oh, mercy, Kitty. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I saw you heading toward the creek a while back, and I thought I'd bring ya some lunch. I didn't think you'd be swimmin'."
Kitty remained crouched in the water and sarcastically replied, "Neither did I."
"Beg your pardon?" Ezra asked, cupping his hand behind his right ear.
"Nothing," Kitty grinned and then said to the man who kept staring at her, "Um, Ezra, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, Kitty. Anything," he smiled brightly.
"Could you please grab that towel over on that bush and bring it to me?" She nodded her head in the direction of the shrub and smiled without showing her teeth.
"Sure, sure." Dr. Roseveare quickly turned, placed the picnic basket and blanket down by the shrubbery, and grabbed Kitty's towel. In four large strides, the tall, handsome man was back at the edge of the creek, ready to help the lovely lady.
"Here you are," he held out the towel.
Kitty internally rolled her eyes and asked, "Could ya turn around? Please."
It wasn't until that instant the doctor realized Kitty was mostly in a state of undress.
"Oh, dear. Kitty, I'm so sorry," Dr. Roseveare blurted, as he quickly turned his whole body around, but for his arm holding the towel out to Kitty. His whole face flushed pink.
Kitty slowly exited the water, looking all around, making sure no one was watching from the grove of trees or from behind any large rocks. She snatched the towel from her friend's hand and quickly wrapped it around herself. "Okay. You can look now."
Ezra Roseveare turned to face Kitty and his heart nearly stopped beating. He had never seen a more beautiful woman-even with her hair wet and every which way. "Kitty, you are absolutely glowing," he complimented.
Kitty pulled her hair behind her shoulders and concentrated on the grass beneath her feet, replying softly, "Thank you, Ezra. You don't have to say that. I know I must look like a drowned rat. A drowned, fat rat, that is."
"Nonsense," he held out his hand for her to take. "C'mere. I'll spread the blanket here in the sun for you. It will help you dry faster."
Kitty grabbed the doctor's hand and he gently pulled her along to the perfect spot. She helped him spread the pink and purple quilt he'd brought. "Thanks," she smiled genuinely, as she awkwardly attempted to lower herself to the ground.
While coming to Kitty's aid, Dr. Roseveare commented, "I heard you talking to your baby. You know, doctors are beginning to wonder if babies in utero can actually hear things. I personally think they can." He winked and sat next to Kitty on the quilt.
Kitty stated matter-of-factly, "Oh, I know my baby hears me. She answers me, too," she smiled widely and winked back.
"Answers you?"
"Uh-huh," Kitty placed both of her hands on her towel-covered, rounded belly, "she kicks me when I say things."
"Oh, really?" he teased.
Kitty moved her hands in circles over the swell, still captivated by her pregnancy. She shyly answered, "Well, I like to think she answers me."
Dr. Roseveare offered kitty a canteen, "Water?"
"Yes, please," Kitty eagerly took a few swigs.
"So, you think you are having a girl now? I thought in my office you said you had a feeling it was a boy. You know, when your husband wanted you to…um…"
"Get rid of it?" she interrupted, deciding to save him from the awkward moment. She glanced at him sideways, from under her long eyelashes.
"Yeah," Dr. Roseveare replied and didn't look up.
Kitty continued, "Well, I said what I needed to say at the time. Surely, you understand that, Ezra? I'm sure you have seen all kinds of situa-"
He cut her off by placing a finger on her lips, "No need to explain, Kitty,"
Kitty closed her eyes and lifted her face towards the sun again.
"Do you mind if I ask you some questions?" Dr. Roseveare asked tentatively.
Kitty paused, still soaking in the sun. "I guess it depends on the questions," she replied flatly.
"Well, I guess I'm wondering…." he spoke slowly and Kitty didn't move a muscle. She just waited for him to finish.
Ezra Roseveare studied Kitty's face closely before he continued, "Why are you with a man like Will Mannon? His reputation is downright criminal. He is known as a killer and thief. He takes over whole towns by intimidation, using his fast draw," he paused, looking for a reaction from Kitty. She never flinched. "You, on the other hand, are a true lady. Sweet, kind, and friendly. You're smart and savvy. I just don't understand. Why, Kitty?"
Kitty inhaled deeply and searched her friend's dark brown eyes before she replied, "You would never understand. You could never understand. Not in a million years, so don't even try to figure it out."
"Try me."
"No," Kitty said softly and turned her head away. She bent her knees up as far as her belly would allow, embracing them with her arms.
"Why not? Do you stay with him because of the baby?"
Kitty chuckled, but kept her face turned away, "Hell, no."
"Then why?"
Kitty whipped her head towards her inquisitor. "Because!" she shouted and tried to get up to storm off towards the shade trees. She struggled to get to her feet, embarrassed when the doctor stood and grabbed her arm to help her up.
"I can do it myself!" she shook off his assistance, once gaining her balance. Kitty yelled, "When will you get it through your thick skull, Doctor?! I'm here by choice, believe it or not!" She blew some wayward auburn locks out of her eyes as she hissed, "It's just the way it is! Period." Tears trickled down her flushed cheeks and she almost chuckled at the irony of her last statement.
Immediately, Dr. Roseveare pulled Kitty to his chest in a warm embrace. Her towel fell to the ground, but at this point, Kitty didn't care. She wept uncontrollably, as he comfortingly rubbed her back.
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Kitty Russell and Ezra Roseveare sat companionably in the shade, finishing the last few bites of the picnic lunch he had brought to share. Kitty enjoyed this man's company so much. The conversation flowed so easily between the two, she even seemed to forget that she was sitting with a man while only wearing her undergarments and her oversized blouse.
"Ezra, I'm so sorry for my outburst. Please, forgive me," Kitty stated as she looked up at him through her thick eyelashes.
"Kitty, you have apologized ten times already. You were upset and I pushed too hard. It's my fault," the doctor responded placing his hand upon hers. He was trying to act casual about the fact Kitty was still not fully dressed. Kitty didn't seem to notice, so the conversation continued.
She wiped the crumbs from her lap and continued, "You have been a good friend to me, Ezra. Please don't think I'm not grateful. My life is complicated. That's all there is to it. The one bright spot is this baby. She has given me a whole new reason to go on."
"There you go again, thinking it's a girl."
"It has to be. I certainly don't want to give Will Mannon a boy…could you imagine?" Kitty scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Kitty?" Ezra dared.
"Yes?' she smiled at him.
"Who is the real father of your baby?" Ezra whispered, "You were so upset at first, and then…when I said you were further along…you were happy. I figured…" his voice trailed off.
Kitty leaned close to Ezra's face and said barely above a whisper, "It's better for all of us, including the baby, if you forget all about that. Promise me?"
"Okay," Ezra promised. He felt his face get hot at the closeness of this beautiful, half dressed woman. He had the urge to kiss her, but instead he leaned in closer to whisper in her ear, "I could take you away from here. Will Mannon would never be able to lay a hand on you again."
Kitty kept her face within an inch of Ezra's, replying, "I thank you for saying that. And I believe you think you could protect me-"
"I know I could," he interrupted, "my mother is Osage. We could go be with her and her people. They'd protect us and the child." Ezra put his hand behind Kitty's head, holding the gaze of her big, blue eyes.
"No," Kitty shook her head and pulled away. "I can't tell you exactly why, but I can't leave, no matter what. And I certainly can't put your life in danger. Besides, Ezra…" Kitty hesitated, looking over his shoulder, not able to meet his eyes anymore. "Besides, I don't love you like that. It wouldn't be fair to you."
The doctor was visibly embarrassed by her words. He scooted a couple feet back from her and bit out, "Oh, but you love Will Mannon? C'mon, Kitty! That's ridiculous! "
She understood his hurt. "I worry that Will has eyes and ears everywhere. He has told me as much, so keep your voice down. If you care about me the way you say you do, please listen closely. I will only say this once," she paused and whispered, "if anything bad happens to me…before, during or after childbirth…I mean, if I die-"
"Kitty! You're not gonna die-"
"Listen to me," Kitty rose to her knees and leaned over to squeeze Ezra's chin with her thumb and pointer-finger, so he would look her in the eye. She implored, "If anything happens to me, you save my baby. Save. My. Baby. Understand?"
Ezra nodded, as her fingers remained tightly gripping his chin, her expression deadly serious.
Before continuing, Kitty took in her surroundings one more time, checking for unwanted company. "And if I die…you get word and my baby to Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City, Kansas. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Dr. Ezra Roseveare nodded his head in the affirmative, indicating he heard and understood Kitty's words loud and clear. He vowed in his heart, at that very moment, that he would guard this woman, her child, and her secret with his life.
TBC