Chapter 5

The police officers were able to pry Matt's hand's off the man's throat before severe damage could be done. "Sir, we know you're angry, but let us handle this. We're taking him to jail."

"As far as I'm concerned, that's not punishment enough," Matt seethed.

"Let the courts and the law handle it," one of the police officers said as he escorted his prisoner out of the hospital.

Evening rolled in and Matt was allowed to see Kitty for short amounts of time. Nurse Thompson went home for the evening, but a new nurse took her place at the admissions desk. Her name was Nurse McGill. She was just as kind as Nurse Thompson. Nurse Thompson gave Nurse McGill on Kitty and her husband.

"Mr. Dillon, I'm nurse McGill. I'll be on duty until tomorrow morning. Nurse Thompson filled me in on your wife. She told me the two of you are in St. Louis on vacation. Listen. Why don't you head back to your hotel for the night, grab a bite to eat, and get a good night's rest. Your wife is going to need to be strong and healthy for her. Not eating or sleeping isn't going to help."

"My heart hates the thought of being away from her, but my brain knows you're right. Because it's what's right for Kitty, I'll take your advice. Just let me go tell Kitty goodnight," Matt said.

"Of course," said Nurse McGill as she walked back to the desk.

Matt quietly stepped into Kitty's room. He placed his large calloused hand over her soft small one. "Honey, I'm gonna head back to the hotel to get something to eat and to try to get some sleep. I'm not sure how much sleep I'll get knowing that you're here. I'll get back here as soon as I can in the morning," Matt whispered as he bent down and kissed her on the forehead. After one final glance, he walked out of her room.

Walking down the sidewalk, towards the hotel, Matt ran into Sheriff Will Oleson. Both Matt and Will knew each other well. Sheriff Oleson held his hand out to Matt and said, "Matt, long time no see. What brings ya to St. Louis?'

"Kitty and I are on vacation here," Matt answered.

"Where is that beautiful wife of yours? Don't tell me she got sick of ya and needed some time alone," Will joked.

"She's at St. Luke's. We were involved in a horse and buggy accident. She was severely injured," Matt told Will.

Will's demeanor quickly changed. "Oh Matt I'm so sorry. I heard there had been an accident, but I had no idea who was involved. Is Kitty going to be okay?"

"The doctors aren't one hundred percent sure. I keep praying and hoping."

"You definitely have my prayers. I see you're walking away from the hospital. Do you want to join me for a quick drink?" asked Will pointing to a nearby saloon.

"Thanks, but I really want to get back to the hotel for a bite to eat and hopefully some sleep. Hopefully we can have drinks some other time."

"I completely understand. Take care, Matt. Kitty will be in my prayers." Both men continued on their way.

As Matt continued back to the hotel, he saw a telegraph office. It was at that moment he thought that he should probably wire Doc and let him know about Kitty. He knew Doc considered Kitty to be like a daughter. If Matt didn't send word, he knew Doc would be upset. Matt entered the office and told the man behind the counter he wanted to send a wire to Doc Adams in Dodge City, Kansas. He took in consideration what he wanted the telegram to say. Matt knew that telegrams in Dodge City weren't too confidential. Finally he decided on the following, "Horse and buggy accident. *stop* Kitty injured *stop* At St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis. *stop* Matt. *stop*"

Matt left out the part about the baby. He was pretty sure news about Kitty's accident would spread like wildfire throughout Dodge. He didn't need news about Kitty's pregnancy to spread the same way. Besides, Kitty hadn't officially told him yet. Matt didn't ask Doc to come to St. Louis. He would let Doc decide that on his own.

Telegram sent, Matt finally arrived at the hotel. He went to the restaurant and ate a bowl of beef stew, and then headed upstairs to the room. He took off his gun belt and stripped himself of the rest of his clothes. He didn't even bother with his nightshirt. He climbed into bed and was asleep the minute his head hit the pillow. He did not realize how tired he was.

Dodge City

The wire reached the telegraph office in Dodge. The moment Barney was done taking the message, he went straight to Doc's office to give it to him. "Doc, a wire came for you from Matt. Sounds urgent."

Doc took the telegram from Barney and began to read it. His heart dropped into his stomach. "Oh my goodness." Doc did not even have to think twice. He would be on the next train to St. Louis. Dodge would have to make do without him for several days. He wanted to be there for both Matt and Kitty. He could be there the following evening.

St. Louis

The next morning brought clouds and drizzle to the city. Matt figured it didn't matter how gloomy the weather was. He would be inside the hospital with Kitty. By the time he reached the hospital, he was somewhat wet, but that didn't bother him. He wasn't soaked and he knew he would be dry soon enough.

He walked into the front doors of the hospital and up to the front desk where Nurse Thompson was on duty again. "Mr. Dillon, good morning. "Nurse McGill told me you went back to your hotel for food and sleep. I'm mighty glad you did. Your wife is awake. Go ahead and go see her."

Hearing Kitty was awake took some weight off Matt's shoulders. He smiled at Nurse Thompson and went to Kitty's room. He opened the door and noticed she was still laying flat on her back, with her head on a pillow, but she was awake. Kitty heard the door open and turned that way. Seeing Matt walk in, her face lit up in a small smile.

"Hello, Cowboy. How are you doing?" Kitty asked.

"I should be asking you that," Matt said as he sat down in the chair next to her bed. "Has the doctor said anything else?"

"No. It's basically a waiting game to see what my liver does. He told you about the baby didn't he?" Kitty softly asked.

"Yes, but I saw the booties in your reticule before he told me, so I had my suspicions. Sweetheart, why didn't you tell me about the baby?" Matt wanted to know.

"I wanted it to be a surprise. I found out a week before our trip. I thought the trip would be a perfect way to give you the news. When we were at the general store, I saw the booties. I bought them without you knowing. I was going to use the booties as a way to surprise you about the baby. Those plans obviously didn't work out," Kitty sighed.

Matt wanted to be careful with his next words. "He also told me it may be necessary to take the baby if things got bad for you."

Placing her hand on her stomach, Kitty quietly said, "I know." She didn't want to think about the possibility of losing this baby. "Matt, are you happy about the baby?"

A smile slowly spread across Matt's face. "Oh yeah. I admit I was certainly surprised, but I am very happy. It's exciting to think there's a baby growing inside of you, a baby made from our love."

"It's definitely the miracle of life."

Matt stayed with Kitty all day. Nurse Thompson practically had to kick him out early afternoon so he would get a bite to eat. She would remind him that he needed to keep his strength up for his wife and unborn child. When Matt left to eat, the hospital gave Kitty some broth to eat.

Evening rolled around and Doc's train pulled into the St. Louis station. Carpet bag in hand, he exited the train and walked onto the platform. He spotted a man with a horse and buggy and was able to get a ride into the city. He had the man take him to St. Luke's. He would worry about his hotel later.

Matt knew the time was coming when he would have to leave for the evening. He dreaded it, but knew that KItty needed her rest. Before he left, Kitty let out a slight moan. She had been experiencing a dull pain in her abdomen most of the day, but wasn't too concerned with it. Dr. Samerson told her there was an injury to her liver. But the pain she was having now wasn't the dull pain she had been having. This pain was more intense.

Hearing her moan, Matt nervously asked, "What's wrong?"

Kitty closed her eyes, as she tried to take deep breaths. Seeing she was unable to answer, Matt quickly got the nurse. Nurse Thompson came into the room and one look at Kitty immediately went to find the doctor. What was supposed to be a peaceful goodbye had turned into chaos. Matt was ushered out of the room so Kitty could be attended to by the nurse and doctor.

It seemed like an eternity had passed when Dr. Samerson came out to talk to Matt. Matt stood up. "We have to operate. There's no choice."

Matt felt his knees go weak. He had to sit back down. "Will she and the baby be alright?"

"I can't make any promises. I need to get back in there," Dr. Samerson said.

All Matt could do was nod and stare blankly ahead. He didn't even notice Doc walking in the front doors. Doc saw Matt sitting in the waiting area and walked up to him. He placed a hand on Matt's shoulder and said, "Matt, how's Kitty."

"Doc, what are you doing here?" Matt asked, shocked to see Doc standing in front of him.

"Where else would I be? When I got that wire about Kitty, I took the first train here. Now answer my question. How's Kitty?"

"Oh Doc, I could lose them both." Matt could tell by the look on Doc's face, he knew about the baby.

TBC