After some quick handy work to stop the bleeding, Doc enlisted Newly and Festus help to get Matt back into bed and now all they could do was wait.
"Coffee," Mike asked handing Doc a cup.
"Thank you," Doc said taking the mug. Watching her down half a cup of the black liquid, Doc tugged at his ear before he spoke. "And you need to limit how much you drink."
Mike nodded as she looked at Matt. How's he doing?" she asked as Doc continually monitored the Marshal's pulse.
"Not much better," Doc said shaking his head as Mike closed her eyes.
Kitty sat in Doc's chair just beyond the room where Matt fought for his life. Alone with just her thoughts, she rested her head against her hand as Mike returned to the stove.
"I didn't know he was so stubborn," Mike said turning to look at Kitty. "But I guess you already knew that."
Kitty nodded before she spoke. "We've been together eighteen years."
"And in all that time, you never married," Mike replied. "But, he isn't the marrying type, is he?"
"No," Kitty said shaking her head again.
"I could tell that about him right off," Mike said leaning against Doc's desk. "I guess that's one reason why I was drawn to him, he just has this way of...looking at you."
"Yes," Kitty said with a knowing nod. "I suppose he does."
"Well," Mike said standing up. "I've decided that, I am leaving as soon as he's better."
"Where will you go?" Kitty asked curiously sitting up straighter.
"Back home," Mike replied. "Where my husband and I settled. I can rebuild."
"What about..." Kitty started to say but then trailed off embarrassingly.
"What," Mike asked quietly. "How..."
"It wasn't Doc," Kitty replied quickly. "I overheard what he said when I came to get you at the jail."
"Well, now you know," Mike said harshly. "I suppose you'll be telling Matt."
"You're not," Kitty asked slightly surprised.
"Hadn't planned on it," Mike replied evenly. "He wants you, you want him, all a baby and me is going to do is mess things up. You got a good thing going, I'm not going to be the one to ruin it for you."
"I don't know what to say," Kitty replied meeting Mike's eyes. "If you ever need anything, I can help."
"I won't," Mike said with a wiry grin. "I've done just about everything since Johnny died, married or not, I'll take care of this baby just fine."
"I'm sure you will," Kitty replied.
"I have to tell you," Mike said with a forced smile. "It's not easy having two good men and loosing them both."
Kitty nodded as the door to Doc's office opened and Festus stepped inside.
"Any word on how Matthew is?" he asked taking off his hat and looking at Kitty and Mike.
All eyes went to the door of Doc's spare room as the physician stepped into the doorway.
"Well," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "His heart rate isn't where I'd like it to be but its better than it was."
"That's good," Mike said smiling as Kitty nodded.
Festus moved away from the door as it opened and Doc was surprised to see Marshal Sanders walk in.
"Doctor," Sanders said with a slight nod before turning his attention to Mike. "I'm well aware that I can't hold Dillon till he's recovered but that doesn't mean I can't hold you Mrs. Yardner!"
"You're arresting me, Marshal?" Mike said in disbelief.
"I'm only taking you in on a temporary order until I've talked to the Marshal in your county to find out what happened!"
"What ya think she's a gonna do," Festus yelled angrily stepping in front of Mike. "Take off in the middle of the night!"
"Maybe," Sanders said looking at the hill man. "And I'll thank you to not question my authority!"
"I'll question it if in I think it's needed," Festus said harshly. "Ol Matthew would've never taken a woman ta jail."
"I'm not Dillon," Sanders said sternly. "Now get out of my way!"
"No, sir," Festus said squeezing his hands into fists. "I ain't fixin ta let you put no woman in jail!"
"Don't push me, mister Haggen!" Sanders yelled as Festus took a step forward.
The step was all Marshal Sanders needed to draw his gun.
The hill man used his weight to knock the taller man off balance and as he slammed into the door of Doc's office, the Marshal brought the butt of his gun down hard on top of Festus head.
"Stop it! Stop this," Doc yelled as Kitty and Mike watched helplessly.
Sanders struck the hill man a second time before reaching over and grabbing Mike's arm.
"I'll deal with him later," the Marshal said as Festus crumbled to the floor in a heap at his feet.
Pulling Mike out the door, Doc and Kitty kneeled down next to the unconscious hill man.
Doc gently rolled his friend onto his back and involuntarily grimaced when he seen the large gashes on Festus head.
"I need some water and a clean towel," Doc said as Kitty scrambled to gather what he asked for.
"What happened?" Newly asked stepping into the office his eyes went from Kitty to Doc and then to Festus.
"That Marshal Sanders," Doc spat angrily as he pulled out his glasses to get a better look at Festus injuries.
"Can I help?" Newly asked stepping forward.
"Yes," Doc said getting to his feet. "Help me get him off this floor!"
