Doc finished with Kitty and left her to her bathing, which she had ready. He had warned her not to get the wrap around her ribs wet, as it would led to further irritations. He knew Kitty was uncomfortable but there was little else he could do for broken ribs – a person has to breath after all.
"I'll stop by later," the doctor said as he picked up his medical bag and hat on his way to the door.
"Thanks, Doc," Kitty smiled from her chair while wrapped in her dressing gown. Doc nodded, "And go easy," he further warned with his index finger pointing, "You're going to be very tender for a while." Kitty nodded with a hint of a smile. Doc ticked his head and moved to the door and opened it.
The doctor stepped out into the hall and pulled the door closed behind him. "One down, two to go" he muttered to himself as he walked along the hall to the open door of room number four. He knocked gently on the door jam to see if Jonas was awake – he wasn't.
Doc stepped into the room and closed the door offering some privacy as he intended examine the store owner and to suture the gash closed on his forehead.
Doc moved the small wooden chair over to the side of the bed and sat down, "Jonas?" he spoke softly.
Wilbur Jonas' eyes slowly opened and when he realized he didn't know where he was they flashed wide open and Jonas jumped with a startled look on his face.
Doc placed his hand on Jonas' shoulder, "Easy, now, Jonas," Doc said in a quiet voice. "You're in the Long Branch," he said before Jonas asked.
Jonas exhaled and relaxed and fell back into the pillow, "I must have been really out," he's voice was as tired as he was.
"I wouldn't doubt it," Doc mused. "You've been through a lot over the last couple of days. How do you feel?"
Jonas looked over to the doctor, "Every joint aches. I must have really banged my left knee, because it hurts to walk on that leg," he said as he slowly sat up with his legs hanging over the side of the bed.
"Lets have a look," Doc said as he pushed Jonas' left trouser leg up past his knee - Jonas squirmed. Doc gently touched the knee, "Yeah, it's a pretty good bruise you've got there. Looks like you might have twisted it slightly too, the way it's swollen," Doc concluded. "Just go easy on it, and you'll be all right," he added as he pulled the trouser leg back down.
Jonas watched the doctor with interest and then he spoke, "You're a very caring man, Doc," his voice was firm and held deep appreciation.
Doc slowly looked up into the intense blue eyes that watched him. He was at a loss for words; "Thank you, Jonas," was all that he could think of to say.
Doc stood and walked to the dresser and poured water into the basin, which he then brought back to the bedside with and sat it on the little table. He pulled a piece of cotton cloth from his medical bag and dipped it into the water. Doc cupped Jonas' chin in his free and gently wiped away dry blood from his face and silver chevron moustache, "I think you'll clean up just fine," he smiled as he continued to wipe away dried blood. Jonas chuckled slightly at the doctor's comment.
Once finished with the cloth, Doc set it in the basin of water – the dry blood re-hydrated and stained the water red. Jonas was almost shocked to see how much blood there was, "I gather that the cut on my forehead is a little more than a cut," the store owner added.
Doc nodded, "That's' one reason why I'm here," he stated as he began to remove the handkerchief from around Jonas' head. Carefully Doc lifted the blood-clotted cloth and examined the wound, "Yeah, it's more than a cut," he said. Jonas watched the doctor as much as he could – he felt more than he could see. He winced every now and again ad Doc began to clean the gash.
"I'm going to be as gentle as I can, but I know this will still hurt," Doc said as he prepared one of the curved suture needles. Jonas made a face of trepidation as his eyes locked on to the sharp object Doc held in his hand.
Doc moved closer to Jonas, "Sorry about this," he said softly and began to close the wound. Jonas bit at his lower lip trying to yelp. Doc could feel Jonas' pain and he tried to hurry. The whole procedure only lasted ten minutes and Jonas was never more relieved once Doc said he was through. Jonas drew a deep breath and released it.
Doc patted Jonas on the shoulder, "I think you can go home now," he smiled.
Jonas nodded and slowly stood up, "Thanks, Doc," he said as he limped to the door where he stopped. Jonas turned and looked at the doctor who was busy cleaning up, "Doc? How are Miss Kitty and the marshal?"
Doc looked up from what he was doing. "Kitty will be fine in a few weeks. It's hard to heal broken ribs," he said with a bit of a smile. Doc's face grew grim when he spoke about Matt, "Matt's in for a fight. He's lost a lot of blood and I'm certain that he bullet has moved from all that walking we did."
Jonas blinked and nodded as he took in the information, "Thanks again, Doc," he said in a meek voice and left the room. Doc continued to look at the empty door. He had come to realize that Wilbur Jonas was really a decent man. Sure he had his opinions and his way of doing things, which sometimes irritated people – who doesn't? Doc smiled and went on with his business.
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Major Shayne stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he listened to Sergeant Williams explain what had occurred. "I see," the major said as he walked purposely to the window and looked out to the parade square. "And what do you think you should be doing about this?" he turned back to the two men.
"I feel we need find out where this stagecoach was supposedly held up and what the passengers have to say," Williams stated.
"What about Hodgson, Elcombe, and Doris?" Shayne asked.
"As far as I'm concerned they are innocent until proven otherwise," Williams said as he straightened his back.
Shayne nodded, "Alright, Then select a few men and ride over to Dodge and talk to this deputy Festus Haggen to find out what the hell is going on," Shayne ordered. "I want this mess straightened out immediately," He concluded abruptly.
Both sergeant Williams and sergeant Cox nodded in understanding and left the major's office. "If Hodgson, Elcombe and Doris are guilty, I'll shoot them myself," Williams growled as he cross the parade ground looking for volunteers.