At Last

PT.4

Early the next morning, Kitty woke, got up and dressed and descended the stairs with Jamie in her arms catching the attention of the few people in the saloon.

"Well, Kitty, good morning." Hannah called out.

Smiling, "Good morning, Hannah. I didn't realize just how much I needed that sleep. I hope this little one didn't keep you up."

"Oh, you kidding, Kitty? Not at all. Didn't hear a peep."

Feeling the eyes in the room on her, Kitty looked around.

Hannah took Jamie, being playful. "Hey little one." With her brow raised, "Questions?" Quickly they looked away. "Kitty, you had to knew that would happen."

"Yeah. But, Hannah, what people here in Dodge talk about doesn't concern me as to how it deals with me, but when it comes to Matt…"

"Ah, Kitty, the love the two of you have for one another… This is one lucky little boy."

Kitty just rolled her eyes.

"Honey, you going up to see Doc?"

Nodding her head, "Uh huh. I thought maybe seeing Jamie would cheer him up. That's what he whispered to me yesterday. 'Bring me my grandson.' then winked at me."

"Grandson, huh?" Hannah laughed.

"Closest Doc will have to a grandson, Hannah. Doc's been like a father to Matt and me for…" She began to choke up. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost…"

Placing her hand over Kitty's, "You're not going to find out, at least not now."

Matt was sitting by Doc's bedside. "Well, Doc, you're not looking any worse for wear."

"Oh, that your professional opinion, is it?"

Matt chuckled. "Your mood is back I see."

"Did you come to cheer me up or torture me?"

"Well, Doc Dayton says you're looking pretty good."

Nodding, swiping his upper lip, "Yeah, I feel pretty good. I just need to get out of this bed."

Matt frowned.

"Ok, out with it." Doc ordered.

"What?" Matt replied.

"What did you do?"

"Why you think I did something?"

"Cause you're you. Kitty was here last night."

"Yeah, I know. So was I."

"Well, have you two talked?"

Rolling his eyes, "Kind'a." Matt answered, huffing out a breath.

"Oh, I see."

"No, you don't see, Doc. Come on, you know Kitty. You know her as well as I do. That temper?"

"Well, Matt, she left here a year ago honoring your wishes."

"What?"

"Yeah! Do you think she just left Dodge, her home, her friends and her business because she wanted to or just because she was mad at you? Matt, for twenty years that young lady loved you with everything she had and still has. She stood by my side and not only watched but helped me dig bullets out of you and sew up knife wounds. What did you think she did? Just feed you hot broth and put cold cloths on your head and hold your hand? Matt, each and every time she died a little but she never stopped loving you. And never once did she give you an ultimatum, not once. And with everything that has happened to her in the name of being your woman, not your wife, your woman, she had every reason or right to run for the hills. But where was she? Right by your side. And last year, when she thought you were hurt and wouldn't have use of your arm again, she was still willing to stand by you. But when you still refused to take off that badge…"

"But, Doc, it's my job."

"And that's what you told her. Once again, after twenty years, that badge came first. Matt, Kitty left to honor your wishes. She knew how you felt, as long as you wore that badge. And once she knew she was with child, there was no way she could stay in Dodge and protect you."

"Protect me?"

"Yeah, you, you big lug. When did Kitty ever worry about what people said about her? But now you…" He was now waving a finger at him. "She'd move mountains to protect you and that baby. Don't you realize by now the kind of woman that loves you? And if she is fuming now, she must have a reason."

"Well, she did say something about my taking the badge off six months ago and still…" Matt was now hanging his head.

"Hmmm. You didn't go after her."

"Doc, you might think I'm wrong but I have reasons."

Now getting angry. "Well, damn it, man, don't tell me. Tell Kitty!"

"I tried. She won't listen."

Just then, standing in the doorway, "What is going on in here? I can hear you all the way out on the stairs?" Kitty stood holding Jamie.

"Well now, there's the medicine I need. Bring that little man over here to his grandpa." Kitty walked over placing Jamie in Doc's arms. "Good Lord, isn't he a big boy?"

Smiling, "Like his poppa." Kitty answered, glancing at Matt. What were you two arguing about?" She asked.

"Kitty, we're not arguing. Doc's just doing what he usually does, telling me what a fool I am."

"Oh, I see."

"Now, Kitty, can we not go through this again?"

Closing her eyes, waving a hand. "Doc, how you feeling?"

"Better, Honey, and with this little visitor…" Jamie was cooing and smiling at Doc. This was cheering him up.

Sitting and watching Doc in all his glory playing with Jamie, Matt pulled up a chair next to Kitty. Slowly, he reached over placing his arm around her shoulder. Then he whispered close to her. "Think Grandpa found his medicine?"

Slowly glancing sideways, she tried resisting the urge to lean into him. "Yeah, yeah, just might be great medicine."

Suddenly, they could feel four more eyes from the door way. Newly and Festus peered in. "Hey there. Jest wanted ta see if'n Doc was feelin' better?" Festus tried to reach over to play with Jamie.

Doc smacked away his hand. "Don't you touch this baby."

"Why? I ain't gonna hurt um. Miz Kitty I wouldn't do nut'in ta hurt yer baby. Don't ya know?"

"Of course, Festus. Doc, leave him alone."

"What's going on in here?" Ben Dayton walked in. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on Dr. Adams getting his rest folks."

"Oh, now wait," Doc protested.

"No, now, Curly, the doctor's right. We're all overwhelming you." Kitty told him.

Newly and Festus left first.

Matt pulled Kitty aside. "Kit…"

"Matt, I've said what…"

"No, Kitty, I need to explain."

Throwing up her hands, "Matt, it was you that always said you didn't feel we needed explanations. So, after twenty years…?" Shaking her head. "Look, Doc needs his rest. And Jamie is due for feeding."

"But Kit…"

"Oh, Matt. Please?" Doc kissed the baby and she scooped him up and left.

Twisting his face, "See what I mean, Doc? She just won't listen. That stubborn streak…"

"Ummmm, sounds a bit like what she says about you." Doc was now chuckling.

After Kitty returned to her room at the Long Branch, Matt made his way down the stairs. Barney was headed for the marshal's office. He had a telegraph for newly that had just came in across the wire. He felt it was important enough he should deliver it right away. "Marshal O'Brien? This just come in for you. It's urgent. It's from the prison. I thought you'd want to see it directly."

Newly began to read.

Marshal O'Brien, Dodge City, Kansas

Prison Break. Stop. Five prisoners on the loose. Stop. May be headed for Dodge. Stop. Highly Dangerous. Stop.

Warden John Edgars, Leavenworth Prison, Leavenworth, Kansas

Just as Newly read the wire, he spotted Matt heading for the Long Branch.

"Mister Dillon! Hold up."

"Ah, Newly, I was just headed for the Long Branch. Join me?"

"Sir, I… I…"

"What is it, Newly?"

"I realize this is no longer your job but I thought you might want to know. I just received this wire from Leavenworth prison. There's been a prison break. 5 escapees, Sir."

"Thanks, Newly."

Newly entered the batwing doors, with Matt following, just as a loud shot rang out.

TBC