The Rescue 15
(Author's note: The Trading Post described is not wholly a figment of my imagination. I'm good but not that good. I actually did see something like it in an old book on frontier buildings. I can't find the book nor remember the name but it is as accurate as I can remember.)
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The journey to the trading post was quicker and easier than Matt expected, which worried him. Whoever had shot Kitty hadn't just considered it a job done and quit. They'd most likely want to make sure she was dead, which meant they were still out there.
When they reached the long L-shaped two story log building which housed the trading post and the only hostelry for 150 miles, Festus opened the door as Matt carried Kitty in past the centrally located counter and staircase and laid her down on a table in the far corner of the L which housed the kitchen/dining area.
"Matthew, I'll go take care of them animals." Festus said as he hustled back towards the door. He was no good at things like this.
Matt didn't reply as his eyes never left Kitty. She was beginning to come to and Matt grabbed her hand to reassure her.
"Oh… mmm…" She opened her eyes to see Matt standing next to her. "Matt? Wha… what hap… pened?"
"You were hurt, honey." He said quietly. He was aware of several people standing on the opposite side of the long room and he didn't want to reveal too much. "You're going to be alright though. Just relax."
"Looks like she were shot to me?" A grizzled old man with all of his hair on his chin said as he walked up to stand beside Matt and stare down at Kitty. "You do it?"
"NO!" Matt shot him a glare. "Don't know who did or why. We were on our way here when it happened." He turned his attentions back to Kitty.
Just then another man stepped forward and stared long and hard at Kitty then at Matt. "I betcha I can tell ya who shot her and why."
Matt turned back and looked at the small little man with a pair of spectacles perched on the end of his long nose and a dirty apron tied around his protruding midsection. "Who are you?"
"Names Musgrove. Buster Musgrove. I own this place." He looked at Kitty again. "That poster on her, don't do her justice." He remarked. "Even shot, she's prettier than that drawing."
Kitty tightened her grasp of Matt's hand and a small gasp escaped her lips when she heard what he said. Matt offered her a reassuring squeeze of the hand and a small smile before releasing her and turning back to Musgrove. "Mr. Musgrove. Can we talk over here?" He grabbed the man's arm and almost propelled him across the room. "What poster are you talking about?"
Musgrove shrugged as though his knowledge was common. "The one that Hill feller and his friends brought in. Just a minute." He stepped away from Matt and went behind his counter, coming back out a minute later with a flyer issued by Judge Henry authorizing anyone who found her, to hang Kitty from the highest tree with the full blessings of the law along with a reward.
Matt's mouth went dry as he read the words. He looked up quickly at Musgrove. "You plan on following this?" His tone held a clear warning in it.
Musgrove shook his head. "I ain't the law in Kansas and this ain't Kansas. Besides, I figure that Hill fellow will be coming back afore long. He's the one that's anxious to hang her. Not me."
Hill. Quaid Hill. Matt now knew who had shot Kitty. Glancing back at her, he looked across at the other people sitting at a nearby table. "Who are all these people?" He asked.
Musgrove didn't know why, but something about the big man exuded authority and he felt compelled to answer his questions even though he suspected he was as much a fugitive as the woman was. "The man in the frock coat over there is Percival Akins. The woman, the boy and girl are his. They're on their way to Oregon. The old miner is Cash Hogle. There are four others around here somewhere's but I ain't got any idea who they are, other'n they come in with that Hill a few weeks back. Just like that young fellow sitting over there by himself. Names Seth Brody. "
Matt looked over to the small table by the window and saw Seth Brody sitting there, a worried look on his face. "I know who he is." He glanced once at Kitty. "She's hurt. Do any of these people know anything about doctoring?"
Musgrove shook his head regretfully. "Don't know much about any of em, sides me and Cash, but I doubt it." He followed Matt's gaze and realized how uncomfortable the table, the woman was laying on, must be. "We can at least make her a little more comfortable." He said. "I got a cot in back that we can place over there by the fire and some corn whiskey that might help take some of the sting out of her."
Matt gave him a grateful nod. "I'd appreciate that."
Musgrove shrugged. "It ain't much. Help me with the cot."
Matt nodded and followed the man into the back room behind and to the left of the counter. The cot was small and light and Matt easily lifted it up and carried it into the main room, sitting it beside the fire. As Musgrove went for blankets, Matt returned to Kitty's side. "I'm gonna move you over there by the fire, honey." He told her. "You'll be a little more comfortable."
As he reached for her though, Kitty shook her head. "I can walk, Matt. You don't have to carry me."
"Who said anything about having to?" Matt favored her with a lopsided grin before picking her up and swiftly carrying her to the cot. "Now you rest." He told her as he laid a blanket over her. "I'm going to see what I can do about getting you food and something for that shoulder."
Kitty reached out with her good arm and took his hand, shaking her head. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Matt. But I heard that man. They know about me, don't they?" She looked around at the people who'd gathered on the other side of the room and were now watching her intently.
"Doesn't matter what they know or don't know." Matt told her. "I'll take care of things. You just rest."
"Alright," Kitty said as she laid her head back and closed her eyes. Although rest was the last thing she wanted, it was for the moment the only thing she could do. Her shoulder ached unmercifully and her nausea grew worse with each beat of her heart. If they were to come to hang her right then, she wasn't sure she wouldn't welcome it for the relief it would offer.
Matt gently placed a kiss on her forehead, then stood and looked around at the people in the room with him. He didn't know what was going to happen but other than Musgrove and Festus, who had just returned, he doubted he'd have much help from any of them.
"How's she doin'?" Festus asked as came up beside Matt.
Matt shrugged. "She's resting. See anything out there?" He asked, gesturing to the yard beyond the window he was looking out of."
"They was four fellers out near the barn, but they was dead drunk. They didn't even know I was about. Otherwise I didn't see not nary a thing." Festus answered. "It's as quiet as a mouse tiptoeing on cotton. Kinda makes me nervious. I doubt that feller what did the shooting has quit though. He'll be a coming, Matthew. I betcha a dollar he will."
Matt nodded. "Yeah, I know, Festus. But at least we're in here and he's out there. We stand a better chance than he does as long as we keep him and those four men out there in the cold."
"Them there men part of this, ya reckon?" Festus asked.
Matt nodded. "Yeah. The man that owns this place told me Quaid Hill and those men outside in the barn, as well as Brody over there, have been here for several weeks. And you know what Hill wants."
Festus nodded sadly. "Ya, I reckon I do. Ya want me to throw Brody out there with the rest of them yahoos?"
Matt shook his head. "No, but keep an eye on him. Don't let him near Kitty."
Musgrove returned just then with a jug of corn and a small glass. "This ain't nothing you'll find at the Long Branch." He offered a toothless grin. "But it'll take her mind off her shoulder for a while."
Matt took the old man's offering and started towards the cot, but stopped when he reached it. Kitty had already drifted off. Placing the jug and the glass on the nearby counter, he tugged the blanket up tighter under her chin and settled in to wait and watch.
Early the next morning, after taking a careful look around and assuring himself that the four ruffians of yesterday, and Quaid Hill, were nowhere around, Festus hustled out to the barn.
He was concerned for their animals, but Festus' thoughts were on Miss Kitty. The brief glimpse he'd had of her wound didn't look life threatening, however he knew how bad a wound like could turn without a doctor's care. And a doctor's care was one thing they didn't have.
"Shore wisht ya was here, ol' Doc." He muttered. "Miss Kitty shore could use ya."
"She's gonna need undertaker, is what she's gonna need." Quaid Hill said from behind him as he raised his gun and landed a blow against the back of the hill man's head. "I'll make sure of that." He grinned.
TBC