Carrying 2 full canteens and a handful of mint leaves, Molly hurried back to Kitty. Finding the mint plants had been lucky. Chewing mint could ease Kitty's pain some, and heating the leaves in water would make a soothing drink. Collecting mint wasn't a grand act of friendship, but it was a gesture that she hoped Kitty would remember.

Kitty was curled up in pain when Molly reached her. The blood stain was growing.

She knelt beside Kitty and offered some mint, "Chew on this, it might help a tiny bit."

Matt looked alarmed, "What did you give her?"

"Just some mint to chew, I've seen it ease women in her situation." She handed over the canteens. Take a swig, you haven't had water since yesterday, then give Kitty a long slow drink. I'll tear a strip from my petticoat so you have something to wet and wipe her face with."

Matt followed the instructions without comment. He accepted the strip of cloth, wet it and gently wiped the perspiration from Kitty's face.

Tears formed in Molly's eyes at the sight of the huge marshal's tenderness. She let out a breath and slowly backed up towards her horse. The marshal didn't notice. She got to her horse, climbed on and took off. She patted her pocket. Finding Daniel's gold watch had been a stroke of good luck. She'd sell it for a good price.

The sound of galloping made Matt look up. Kitty followed his eyes and saw Molly disappear into the distance.

"She's leaving Matt. I - I thought she cared, and now she's leaving just like that."

"Molly saved us Kitty, but she knows the part she played in this thing. She should be arrested and face a trial. I'm sure she knows that."

"You going after her Cowboy?"

"Nope. I'm staying with you, lady. I wish she hadn't run though. I wish she'd stayed to help see you through this, and then face the consequences of her actions." He offered Kitty another sip of water. "In the direction she's headed she'll reach Great Bend in 4 hours or so."

"You going to look for her there? I mean after we get back to Dodge."

"She's clever. She'll probably take the stage or train from South Bend and get lost in some bigger city. It would be near impossible to track her down."

Kitty was about to answer that near impossible never stopped him, but a cramp grabbed her hard and more blood appeared.

Matt took her hand. Seeing Kitty in pain was worse for him than a bullet in the chest. "Kitty, I wish I knew how to help you. I'd go get Doc, but I don't want to leave you."

She squeezed his hand hard and whispered, "Matt, I'll be all right. I've seen women go through this since I was a teenager. There's nothing you can do and there's really nothing Doc can do." She sounded sad and resigned. "I'll be fine. I just have to get through the pain and bleeding."

"I still wish Doc was here in case of infection or some kind of complications."

"Matt, lots of women miscarry. I'll get through it. I'm glad you're with me."

He continued offering her water and wiping her forehead. She finally fell asleep and he slowly got to his feet. It was a good time to take care of Daniel McLaughlin's body.

Matt dragged the body outside the cabin and then went back and got the rusty shovel.

He glanced over at Kitty. She was sleeping soundly. He dragged the body to the creek where he knew the dirt would be soft. He didn't want to work hard to bury Daniel McLaughlin.

Digging quickly, he was soon almost a foot down. His eyes widened. He let out a laugh and dug more. In the hole sat 8 bags bursting with cash. He tossed them out and set Daniel's body where the cash bags had been. After closing the hole he removed his hat and stood over the grave. He'd buried many people: friends, enemies, and a few who had been both. He never felt right walking away without offering some words. Looking down at Daniel's grave he was at a loss, but finally muttered, "Heaven or hell, I'm not the judge but I hope you meet your father. You two have a lot to talk about."

He put on his hat and hurried back to Kitty. She was still asleep but sweat was pouring down her face. He gently wiped her brow, but she was getting hotter and hotter. Cooling her was hopeless, her fever was growing. He was experienced enough to know that some kind of infection had set in. She needed Doc and he tried to figure out what to do. He could rig a travois and drag her behind his horse, but that would mean a lot of flying mud and dust, along with painful bumping. He could put her in front of him on his horse, but he didn't think she could sit up. Even if she could, it would be a slow and painful ride. He could leave her and go get Doc, but he didn't want to her to be alone.

Kitty moaned and he felt her head. She was on fire. He had to do something. His options were bad but he had to pick one.

"Matt, Matt."

Stunned at the sound of his name, Matt turned towards a familiar voice. Doc was coming his way yelling at the top of his lungs.

Matt waved him over, relieved beyond words. "Doc, how'd you know where we were?"

"Molly told me." Doc climbed down from his wagon and grabbed his bag.

"What? Molly went off in the opposite direction from Dodge."

"I don't know anything about that. All I know is that she banged on my door and told me I had to get to the old Gleason place to make sure Kitty was all right. I can see she isn't."

Doc hurried to Kitty and did brief examination. "Matt, lift her onto my wagon. I have pillows and blankets set up there."

Matt nodded and gently lifted Kitty in his arms.

"Matt, there – well – there is a lot of blood, so I have to ask if you know what that means?"

"I know Doc. Kitty was carrying our baby, but the baby – well she – we – lost the baby." Matt's voice was flat.

"That helps me know how to talk to you about it." He squeezed Matt's shoulder. "We'll talk more, but let's get Kitty home."

Matt carefully set Kitty in the wagon. Doc climbed in and sat beside her. "Get us to Dodge Matt, but try to avoid bumps."

"Yep." Matt quickly tied his and horse to the back of the wagon. Almost as an afterthought, he grabbed the bags of cash and tossed them into the wagon. Then he climbed up and took the reins.

Doc rubbed his mustache, "What's that – I see it's money – but there's an awful lot of it. Where did it come from?

"Someone buried it here for Liam McLaughlin." Seeing Doc's puzzled expression he added, "It's complicated. I'll explain later.

TBC