A welcome sight greeted the exhausted Marshal in the early afternoon when Kitty's eyes fluttered open.
Swallowing the lump in his throat as he wrung out the rag of cool water he'd been using to keep her fever at bay, he replaced it on her forehead then gently caressed her sweat damp cheek, "I'm mighty glad to see those beautiful blue eyes open up. How ya feeling, sweetheart?"
"C-can I have a glass of water, Matt?" she asked, her voice raspy as she tried to make her parched lips smile, "I-I'm awful thirsty."
"You sure can!" he jumped to obey, gently slipping a strong arm under her shoulders to help her sit up, "Just a few sips." he cautioned, noting the greedy look in her eyes as he held the glass, "Careful, Kit. Not so fast."
"I-I got shot, didn't I?" she asked, remembering as he laid her back down.
He hesitated only slightly before answering. "Yeah, honey, you did."
"D-did you catch him, Matt?"
"Not yet, sweetheart." he answered while fastidiously adjusting the blanket he'd tugged around her bare back; the knife torn dress and corset clung but limply to her shape now, "But I'm counting on him wanting to get paid. He'll have to ride all the way in with the herd if he wants his money. They should be getting here sometime this evening."
"I'm sorry I've been holding ya up." she apologized softly.
"You don't need to be sorry about anything, Kit." he caressed her cheek again, "You didn't do anything wrong."
"You could take me back to my room, you know..." she answered, "I'll be alright, Matt. I-I don't wanna be in the way. I'm sure one of the girls—"
"You're not going anywhere." his eyes bulged, "Not until Doc gets back and says you're okay. He's left town this morning to deliver a baby but hopefully he'll be getting back pretty soon." Gently tracing down her neck with his fingers, his eyes bore into her, "But let's get one thing straight right now, Kitty Russell. You're not in the way and you never will be. I love you. I wouldn't have spent today any different."
"B-but, what if that guy doesn't come back? What if he goes out and shoots somebody else?"
"Then he won't get paid for one." Matt answered matter-of-factly, "I'll have a talk with the trail boss to see if they know where he went then I'll have some riding to do." He shrugged indifferently, "Don't worry about him. I'll get him."
Suddenly the door opened and Chester limped in with Doc on his heels.
"Miss Kitty!" the assistant's eyes lit up, "You're awake!"
"Speak of the devil!" Matt grinned, rising out of his chair, "Boy, am I glad to see you, Doc!"
"No rest for the weary around here, I see." Doc waved aside the greeting as he came forward, "I got accosted by this guy before I got down from my buggy."
"Well, I didn't want to miss ya." Chester began, "Miss Kitty needs—"
"I'm glad he did." Matt's grin broadened as he gently maneuvered Kitty onto her side, "Thanks, Chester. How'd I do, Doc?"
Doc's practiced eye gleamed with satisfaction as he appraised the Marshal's stitching, "Fine, Matt. You did fine." He patted the Marshal's back, "In fact, if you didn't have a steady job, I might start worrying that you'd take over for me."
"Nooo, thank you." Matt chuckled, shaking his head, "I don't know how I got through that."
"You got through it because Kitty needed ya too." Doc sagely patted his back again, "That's how I do it when one of you gets hurt."
"How'd the birthing go?" Matt changed the subject.
"Oh, fine, fine." Doc nodded a few times, "There's a new little boy out there on the prairie. Someday he'll probably take to lazing around Dodge with the likes of a new generation of Chesters."
"Well now, Doc," the assistant began, his face turning pink, "a body needs a little rest every now and again—"
"Well, I know that, Chester. I'm a doctor."
"As long as he pays his bills." Matt felt the day's heavy burdens lift as the bantering started, "And doesn't steal or murder."
"Well now, I know plenty of so-called outstanding citizens of this fair town who don't pay their bills." Doc eyed the two lawmen.
"Now, Doc," Matt and Chester spoke in unison, "you'll get—"
"Would someone please get me outta here?" Kitty's voice recalled them with a sour glare, "I wanna go home and get some rest."
"Well, you're not going home right now, young lady." Doc put his hands on his hips, frowning seriously, "Matt is taking you back to my office so I can keep an eye on you for a while. Gunshots are nasty business."
"I know, Doc." she answered, "I've been shot before. But, I—"
"Don't argue with him, Kit." Matt pressed his mouth to her ear as he scooped her into his arms again, "Come on. I'll take you over now." He glanced at his assistant, "Chester, did you check for mail?"
"Well, no sir, not yet." Chester headed for the door, "I've been waiting for Doc. I-I'll right now."
Following his two friends outside, the Marshal made sure to keep the blanket wrapped around Kitty's exposed back as he stepped into the wagon and he glared at anyone who didn't avert their eyes fast enough as they drove along.
"This will help ya get some sleep." Doc whipped up a liquid concoction as Matt settled his patient onto bed.
"Good…" she answered around weary sips, already tired from the activity of the last few minutes and hurting more than she cared to admit, "You guys are too much sometimes."
"Hmm, now that's the first time I've ever heard you say that, Kitty." Matt leaned down to kiss her temple as her eyelids began to droop, "Sweet dreams, honey. I'm sorry I hurt ya this morning and I'll be back later."
"Chester told me what happened." Doc caught the Marshal's attention as he headed for the door, "You gonna ride, Matt?"
"No." Matt shook his head, "I don't think I'll have too. Zeke strikes me as the kind of guy who wants his money, even if it means running the risk of getting arrested for attempted murder. I'll be waiting for him."
Author's Note: Thank you Phoenix and Beverly for your reviews. I'm glad you're enjoying my story!