Chester carefully guided the wagon down the trail heading toward Dodge. It had been a quiet and in many ways lonely trip since they left the cabin. He glanced briefly over his shoulder, checking on his passengers. Marlow was still securely tied to the back part of the wagon, so that he was facing forward. Matt sat with his back to the buckboard's seat, holding Chester's rifle in his lap, Miss Kitty sitting next to him, with Doc's head in hers. In the twilight just before dawn, Chester couldn't tell who among them might be asleep, other than the unconscious Adams. Feeling an overwhelming emotion rising up when he thought about Doc, Chester turned back around to face the open trail, swallowing hard.

A slight bump stirred Kitty, and she came awake. She glanced to her right, and Matt was dozing, the rifle held securely in his arms, where she admitted to herself, she would rather be. She looked forward to Marlow, who was also asleep, although she wondered how, given that his arms were bound tightly to one of the iron rods of the wagon frame. She gazed down at the man whose head rested softly in her lap, and absently ran her fingers through his thick curls, willing her strength into him.

"We're on our way home, Doc." Her voice grew sad, almost desolate, "We're taking you home."

"Didn'tcha think to bring any blankets?"

Kitty blinked, not believing she heard his voice, then she smiled through the tears that welled up in her eyes. "That your way of tellin' me you're cold?"

"Like an icicle in January."

Kitty elbowed Dillon gently. "Matt, you have an extra blanket next to you? Doc here says he's cold."

The marshall jolted awake, and looked at Russell. "What?"

Kitty smiled. "Doc's cold." She looked over her shoulder. "Chester! Chester, stop the wagon for a second, and hand me a blanket. Doc says he's cold."

The wagon came to an immediate halt and Goode turned in his seat. "Doc? You're okay?"

"I'm not okay for pity's sake, I'm freezing! Is someone gonna get me a blanket, or are ya just gonna make me shiver all the way home?"

Chester reached down and handed back two blankets, which Kitty wrapped around Doc. "Now stop complaining, and get some rest!"

"Well now I will, if you stop fiddling with me like I'm a baby!"

Kitty arched a red eyebrow. "You wanna lean against the marshall here all the way back to Dodge?"

The doctor's face lit with a sour expression. "The hell you say..."

Kitty pulled him a little closer. "Well then, stop complaining!"

Grinning to himself, Doc relaxed against her. "You just let me know when you've made enough money for me to retire to that rockin' chair..."

Kitty laughed in spite of it all. "Honestly..."

Dillon glanced with amusement at the old man, his voice hinting at sarcasm, "Glad you're okay there, Doc..."

The old man mustered as much impish timbre in his voice as his weakened state allowed, "You're just jealous of the seating arrangements."

Dillon laughed heartily, and gently pat Adams on the shoulder. "Well now, you might just be on to something there, Doc." Matt smiled at Goode. "Chester, let's get him home."

"Yes sir, Mr. Dillon!"

He slapped the reins against the horses and the wagon began moving once again. Chester glanced toward the East and watched as the sunrise began to paint the morning sky. He took in a long breath of crisp air and marveled at the shades of pinks, oranges and yellows that began to take flight; they mirrored the warm feeling emanating from within his soul. Chester Goode knew right then and there that there would never be a better day than the one that was beginning today, until the miracle of tomorrow took shape.

The End