Louie Pheeters wiped his brow as he took a breather from sweeping the boardwalk in front of the Long Branch. It was late in the day, however, he enjoyed helping around town and even more so helping Miss Kitty. He knew he was a shoe in for a free drink or two. He was just about to start sweeping again when he noticed Sam and Newly riding up the street with the carry bed in tow. He dropped the broom and ran into the saloon.
Kitty was busy with her books and her sadness almost slipped into depression and anger. She looked up sharply at Louie who was calling her name.
"Miss Kitty! You have to come quick! Newly and Sam are coming in..." he didn't get to finish before Kitty rushed past him and out onto the street.
The two riders stopped at the foot of the doctor's staircase. Newly caught the look on Kitty's face and he smiled reassuringly. "He's hurt bad, but he'll be okay." He jumped from his saddle and joined Sam to carry Doc up to his office.
Kitty rushed over and looked down at her dear friend who lay unconscious on the carry bed. She held her hands to her cheeks as tears fell from her eyes. "Oh, Doc..." She wanted to hold him tight to ensure he knew he was safe again. Instead she watched as Newly and Sam carried him up the stairs to his office. Quickly she shook out of the trance she seemed in and followed them up staircase squeezing by them to open the door.
Carefully they layed Doc down on the examination table. Newly quickly removed his gun belt, hat and rolled up his sleeves before he started to examine the doctor's injuries. "I'm gonna need hot water, plenty of it." He said without looking at anyone in particular as he pulled the holy blanket back to have a better look at Doc's left arm.
Kitty and Sam started a fire in the little potbellied stove and poured water into the pot on the top. "I'll be ready in a minute or so..." Kitty offered. She stood by the stove and watched Newly remove the bloodied cloth from around Doc's arm. She winced at the sight.
Sam stepped forward. "Miss Kitty. I don't think Doc has had much to eat in the last few days. I'm going over to Ma Smalley's to see if she has any soup."
Kitty touched the barkeep's arm tenderly. "Thank you Sam." She smiled warmly at him as he left the office.
The warmth of the office and the familiar voices caused Doc to stir. Kitty moved to his side and looked down at him. His eyes slowly opened and he blinked to clear the blur. Kitty smiled at him. "Hello." She spoke softly.
Doc swallowed and smiled. "What no 'Hello handsome'?" He said wearily.
Kitty almost laughed and her right eyebrow rose, "Under normal circumstances maybe, but you haven't looked in a mirror lately." She gently brushed his hair back into place.
"That bad, huh?" Doc muttered and reached for Kitty's hand. He held it tight and ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "I feel awful..." He whispered.
"Well at least you match how you feel then...cause you look awful..." Kitty bent and kissed him on the forehead. "Glad you're safe." Doc nodded in acknowledgement.
Newly fussed with the remainder of Doc's makeshift bandage which caused Doc to flinch. "Easy, Newly!" He barked.
"Sorry Doc. You tied that last knot pretty tight. This wound looks really nasty." Newly said as he examined Doc's arm.
"Well it don't feel good, neither." Doc tried to sit but fell back to the bed in pain. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Newly? Can we prop him up with blankets? So he's not flat out?" Kitty suggested.
Newly looked up from his intense exam of Doc's arm. "Sure. He'll probably feel better. Grab that stack of blankets and when I get his sitting put them behind him." Newly's eyes were filled with emotion. He wanted to help his friend, but also he didn't want to upset Kitty. On the count of three he hoisted Doc upward and Kitty stuffed the bundle of blankets behind the doctor. "Hold tight, Doc." Kitty said as she noticed him grimacing in pain. It was going to be a long night.