gThe Winds of Change
By
AZgirl66
Chapter 7- Aftershocks
Kitty tossed and turned as she laid alone in her big brass bed. She struggled with the fact that Matt hadn't returned home to their family. It would serve me right if he was out evening the score. I just hope he wasn't careless enough to go to the Long Branch, where everyone could see his extra-marital escapade. But at least the Long Branch would be better than someone like Susan Bart. Oh, God, please don't let him have gone to get back at me with Susan Bart.
The fatigued redhead sighed, laying on her left side, propping a pillow under her right knee. Her back still ached, much like when she'd strained it when she'd been pregnant with Addie. While it was very difficult for Kitty to reflect upon that trying period of her life, those memories continued to remind her to count her ever-present blessings. She had six, and soon-to-be, seven, healthy children with a man she fiercely loved. But Kitty couldn't help but wonder, does he still love me? Surely, he wouldn't leave his children. But what kind of a marriage would that be? That wouldn't be fair to anyone. Oh, mercy, if my back would just stop hurting, I could get some sleep.
Kitty startled at the sound of a knock on her door. She groaned as she pulled herself into a sitting position, propping herself up on pillows against the headboard. She turned up the lamp on her side table, desperately wishing, please be Matt.
"Come in," she said, smoothing her hair with her hands.
"I didn't wake ya, did I?" Addie clasped the brass footboard as she nervously shifted from one bare foot to the other.
Kitty studied her eldest child. There Adelaide Jane Dillon stood, dressed in her long-sleeved, light blue cotton nightgown, her long red curls slightly mussed. But what broke the forlorn mother's heart was the sorrowful expression on the eleven-year-old's face.
"No, Sweetheart, you didn't wake me. Come 'ere," she patted the empty side of the bed, hoping her eyes weren't still red and puffy from crying.
"I have a question," Addie said as she made herself comfortable, sitting crossed-legged facing her mother.
"Ask," Kitty gently commanded.
"If Daddy doesn't come back, what are we gonna do?"
"Pumpkin," Kitty cupped the child's cheek, "please don't worry. Your daddy won't stay away long. He just needs somewhere t' go for some quiet thought is all," she offered a weak grin.
"I don't know, Mama. Adam told me and Matthew that he heard you two really yelling. He was so scared. He heard you," Addie swallowed hard, "tell Daddy not t' come back."
Kitty's expression sobered, "Addie, your little brother misunderstood. I told your father t' only come back if he wanted to be here. Someday, when you're a grown woman, you'll understand that you don't want a man to stay with you out of obligation. Hopefully, from being raised by Daddy and me, you'll have learned t' respect yourself enough to want your husband t' stay because he loves and respects you. Not because he feels like he owes you something."
The tiny worry lines on Addie's forehead disappeared once she relaxed her brows.
"Now I KNOW Daddy will come back," she confidently stated, a genuine smile gracing her little, freckled face. She tucked her legs under her body and pressed her hands into the mattress, excitedly leaning toward her mother.
"Oh?" Kitty returned her smile.
"Yes, Ma'am. I KNOW Daddy loves and respects you. Sure, he likes t' hug and kiss you, and hold yer hand. He tells you you're pretty, and he loves t' spend time with you," Addie smirked as Kitty slowly rubbed her belly, "But, Mama, most of all, he thinks you're smart and he always asks your opinion on things. He both loves and respects you."
Kitty opened her arms to receive a hug from her clever little girl. She whispered in Addie's ear, "Thank you, Pumpkin. You are so very wise. Now, it's time for both of us t' get some sleep."
XXXXXXXX
Kitty had hardly slept a wink, and neither had Doc. Together they'd made a command decision to keep the children home from school. just in case the news of Matt leaving the ranch had reached town. Kitty wouldn't be able to bear it if the children heard idle gossip at school. She and Doc had decided to tell the children a partial truth; that there were lots of chores that needed to be completed in the morning, and they both had surmised that no one except Maggie had slept well. Today was a day to get a few tasks completed and then just rest.
The school-aged children were relieved that they wouldn't have to face their friends and act as if nothing was wrong at home. The three of them had an impromptu pow-wow while tending to chores in the cow barn.
"Today we need t' get a lot of work done around here," Matthew instructed, "I think that would make Mama real happy."
"I think you're right, Matthew. We can get Ezra t' help, too. He's gotten really good with the chickens and he can clean up the playroom," Addie commented as she readied herself to milk the cows.
"Matthew," Adam stuck his hands deep within his pockets, "Do you think we should ask Uncle Festus t' go look for Daddy?" his sorrowful blue eyes searched his brother's face.
"Let's leave that t' the grownups. I'm sure Grandpa will know when to ask Uncle Festus to track Daddy. Besides, I think Daddy will be home soon anyway," Matthew tried to reassure his brother as he pitched hay for the cows.
"Adam, why don't ya start milkin' the goats? I suggest ya start with Milly first," Addie smiled at her little brother, knowing that the boy was completely terrified that his beloved father would never return.
"Okay, Addie. Then I'll straighten out our tack room," Adam grabbed a pail and headed outside for the goat pen, his head hanging low, focused on the ground in front of him.
Inside the kitchen, Doc, Kitty, and Festus were making a list of things that needed to be done on the ranch before the weather turned frigid.
"Festus," Kitty sat with a pencil at the ready, "do you think sometime within the next week you could start t' till a nice big garden patch for me on the side of the house?" she grinned at her loyal friend as he poured her a cup of coffee.
"You betcha, Miz Kitty. There's already a small patch thayre. Do ya want it as big as the one at the Triple D?" he glanced over his shoulder while he returned the coffee pot to the stove.
"Actually, I'd like it just a touch bigger. Next year I'm going to can even more. Luisa Martinez taught me a couple of handy shortcuts, and now we have Buck here, and this little one comin'," Kitty patted her belly as she took a small sip of the potent morning brew.
"I kin git on that later t'day. But, Miz Kitty?" Festus sat at the kitchen table, "I've got t' deliver a couple of horses to the Bradley place, ya see. Matthew was supposed t' do it, but seein' that he ain't here, I figure I should be the one t' go. Iffin' that's okay with you?"
"Of course, it is. I trust you wholeheartedly. I can find the order and read it to you if you like," Kitty placed one of her hands over her dear friend's, and Festus in turn placed his other hand atop hers. Without uttering a single sound, many words were spoken with that simple gesture.
A short while later, Doc entered the office while Kitty searched Matt's desk for the simple Bradley paperwork.
"Kitty, I'd like t' talk to you in private, if I could," Doc swiped his mustache, standing inside the frame of the office door.
She studied Doc's serious expression, "Sure, Curly. C'mon in," she sat deep into Matt's big, leather chair, folding her hands atop her swollen belly.
Her aged father figure closed the door behind him and sat across from her on the opposite side of Matt's desk. They sat in anxious silence for what seemed like an eternity.
"Kitty," Doc began, "I'd like t' believe that no matter what, Matt will be back. I don't know why you fought, and frankly, it's none of my business."
"No, it isn't," she curtly replied.
"But I'll tell you what is my business. You, that baby in yer belly, and those six children out there," he pointed toward the office door.
Kitty rested her forehead in her hands, her elbows bent on the large, ornate desk. She sighed, "What's yer point, Doc?"
"My point is," he paused, placing his hand upon her forearm, "if Matt isn't back in a couple of days, I think we should send Festus t' find him."
"I won't," she stated firmly, meeting his tired, blue eyes.
"Kitty, don't be stubborn," he pleaded.
She stood, staring down at him, her hands remaining on the desk, "I refuse t' send anyone to retrieve my husband. I don't want him here unless he wants t' be here. And as far as running this ranch," she bit her bottom lip as a sharp pain hit her lower back, "Matt traveled a lot as a U.S. Marshall, and we managed the Triple D just fine without him during those times. So, no one, I mean it, Doc, no one will go after Matt. Do you understand?"
Doc slowly nodded, "Okay, I under-"
"MIZ KITTY!" the bellow from Festus interrupted from the kitchen.
She quickly exited the office, approaching her panicked friend, "Festus, what's the matter?!"
"I don't mean t' worry ya none, but it seems we cain't find Adam anywheres."
"What do you mean?! Have you looked in the goat pen? Or near the chicken coop? Oh, God!" she covered her cheeks with both her hands, "The creek! He isn't a strong swimmer!" Kitty ran toward the front door, but Festus reflexively grabbed her arm.
"Wait, Miz Kitty, please," he begged, "he ain't in the creek."
The frightened mother tried to pull away from her friend's grasp, her eyes wild, "Let go a me, Festus! How do you know he didn't fall into the water?!"
"I know 'cause I looked all over yonder," he held her elbows in his hands, trying to steady her swaying body, "There ain't no tracks anywheres near the creek. Not a one."
"Uncle Festus!" Addie ran into the house, "Pepper and his tack are gone," the breathless girl reported.
"Festus," Kitty whispered, her voice shaking, "I need you t' find my son. Please…"
Doc approached Kitty from behind, slowly guiding her to the settee.
"Don't ya worry none, Miz Kitty. Ol' Adam couldn't have got too far. I could take Mutt, but I'se gonna leave 'im here fer now. Trackin' ain't his thang. I'll be back lickety-split with that sweet li'l young 'un," and with that, the hillman disappeared out the front door.
XXXXXXXX
The next two hours at the Legacy D seemed like two full days. There was no sign of Festus nor Adam, and a cool autumn rain had begun to fall. Buck Lacey had been dispatched to deliver the two horses to the Bradley place, and Doc had sent Moose to ask Abelia if she could come and lend a hand for the rest of the day.
Kitty had put Scarlett and Maggie down for a nap, but she hadn't any fight left within her to argue with Ezra, so she'd let him remain awake under the supervision of Matthew and Addie. The exhausted mother had undressed and slipped into her billowy, brown dressing gown, hoping to snooze a bit herself, knowing that the chances were slim she'd be able to get any rest. All she could do was worry about her sweet little Matt Dillon look-alike.
"Ezra, help us clean up here in the playroom," Addie said to her youngest brother, "Mama trusted you t' stay up, so you've got t' show her you're a big boy, okay?"
"Sure! I'se a big boy!" Ezra quickly began to pick up his blocks and wooden toy train cars.
"What's that noise?" Matthew asked, cocking his head to the side.
"What noise?" Addie walked closer to the door to listen. A faint moaning sound was coming from down the hall. "I'll go see. You boys stay here and finish picking up."
What the child saw when she entered her mother's water closet took her breath away.
Kitty stood on shaky legs, leaning over with both arms trembling while they were braced against the edge of the bathtub, moaning as she waited for the pain to pass.
"Mama?" Addie whispered as she entered the room, deep concern written all over her pale face.
"Oh, God," Kitty breathlessly murmured, "Adelaide….please," she huffed, speaking through gritted teeth, "go…get your...grandpa."
"Yes'm," Addie retreated in a flash of lavender cotton.
Within a few of minutes, Doc materialized in the doorway, somewhat out of breath, the sight before him breaking his heart. Kitty lay with her back pressed against the wooden floorboards, her legs from the knees down hanging over the edge of the tub.
"Kitty, talk t' me honey," Doc soothingly implored, kneeling next to her, "What exactly are you feeling?"
"I…I think I'm in labor, Doc," Kitty cried, tears trickling down her flushed cheeks, "Oh, please, please tell me it isn't so, please…"
Doc nearly cried himself, listening to his surrogate daughter beg him to save her unborn child. He tenderly stroked her sweaty brow, "Before we panic, Sweetheart, let me check you, okay?" his misty blue eyes met her watery pools of blue.
"O-Okay," Kitty stuttered as she fought off another gripping pain across her abdomen.
"Addie," Doc spoke without looking over his shoulder, "Get me several clean towels out of the wardrobe in the hall and then boil a little pot of water for me. Can ya do that for me, Honey?"
"Yes'sir!"
"Doc, don't let her see this, please, I'm begging you," Kitty grabbed the front of his shirt, her eyes panic-stricken.
"I promise I'll do my best, but Honey, no one else is here t' help me. Abelia and Moose should be back soon, and Buck, too," Doc palpated her abdomen, eliciting a loud groan from Kitty.
"Where's Adam, Doc? My poor boy! It's raining and I'm sure he's so scared. You know how skittish he can be," Kitty closed her eyes, crying harder.
"Festus will find him, don't you worry. Let's lower your legs, Kitty. I need t' check you."
"No! If I keep them up high, the baby won't come out," she unreasonably argued.
"It doesn't work that way and you know it," Doc assisted her in placing her feet firmly on the floor. Once her feet were in position and her knees bent, a small pool of blood began to form.
Addie reentered the room holding out the towels for her grandfather.
"I put the water on," she calmly said, "What else do you need?"
"When it boils, take it off the stove and throw my scalpel and scissors in there for fifteen minutes. Keep Ezra and Matthew away from this room, too. Got it?"
"Yes, Grandpa, I understand," and again, the obedient child disappeared.
"Lift your bottom, Kitty. I'm gonna put these towels under you. So far, it doesn't appear that you're hemorrhaging. Just seems like premature labor."
All Kitty could do was weep. She sobbed, turning her head from side to side when a pain would engulf her.
"Oh, God," she whimpered as she felt a rush of warm water between her legs, "Did my water break?!"
"I'm afraid so, Sweetheart," Doc sadly answered, "It shouldn't be too much longer now. You're nearly fully dilated."
"Is this really happening?! Please...please tell me it's a nightmare," she whimpered, staring at the ceiling.
"I'm just flummoxed. When did the pains start?" Doc checked to see if the baby was crowning.
"A few days ago, my back started t' hurt, but I thought I'd just wrenched it doing housework or lifting Scarlett," she gasped at his intimate touch.
"Did that hurt?"
"A little," she cleared her throat, "Doc, if something happens t' me-"
"Kitty, stop right there. You're not bleeding excessively-"
"Let me talk!" Kitty pleaded as she lifted her head off the floor, "Please…" she whispered.
"Okay, Honey. Go ahead."
"If something happens t' me, please make sure you find Matt. And please, tell the children that I love them with all my heart. That I wanted them all so very much. Please, promise me," her expression was serious as her tears continued to flow.
"I promise. I swear, I promise," he touched the top of one of her knees, still covered by her dressing gown.
Addie entered the room, the sterilized instruments wrapped in a clean, white towel. She cringed upon seeing the blood-stained towels.
"Stay in the bedroom, Adelaide, just in case I need you t' get something else," Doc softly spoke.
"Yes'sir. And Mr. Lacey is back, too, if we need him," Addie said before she disappeared into her parents' bedroom.
"Doc!" Kitty shrieked, "I gotta push! Oh, no, no, no," she cried as she bore down.
In a matter of two pushes, Kitty Dillon's stillborn child was resting in Doc's hands.
He placed the unbelievably tiny infant atop a clean, white towel, as he waited for the afterbirth.
"You're almost done, Kitty," he whispered, tears escaping his eyes.
Her head rested on the floor, "What is it?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
"A girl."
"A girl? I had a feeling it would be another girl," she mumbled before her body stiffened, the final contraction hitting her.
"One little push and it will be all over," Doc sadly coached.
Kitty obeyed, thinking, it will never be over.
TBC
