The Rescue 21

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Matt's plan, though simple, was never the less dangerous. But if it worked, as he thought it would, they would soon be clear of Quaid Hill and his men and maybe able to get Kitty's name cleared. If she lived that long. And looking back over at her, he was beginning to seriously worry about that. She was putting on a brave face but she was ashen faced and he could read her well enough to know how much pain she was in.

After dispatching the men to the various things he needed them to do, Matt turned back to gaze out the window. He had to get Quaid Hill to either listen or Matt would kill him. And right then, he didn't care much which it was.

"Mr. Dillon." Maizie left Kitty's side and stepped up next to him. "I'm seriously worried about Kitty." She whispered. "Her temperature is rising and that shoulder is getting worse."

Matt nodded. "Yes, Ma'am." He said. "I know, but right now, I don't know what to do for her. She needs a doctor, which we don't have."

Maizie worried her lower lip for a second before finally taking a deep breath. "I am not a doctor." She said finally. "But my brother is. Before marrying Percival, I worked with my brother and have helped him on occasion since. I believe I can get that bullet out but I'm not going to lie to you, it could be risky for her. I obviously don't have surgeon's tools here or any sort of anesthetic..."

"I do." Musgrove said behind them.

Matt and Maizie turned and gave the trading post owner a speculative look. "You do?" Maizie asked.

"Well, maybe." Musgrove amended. "They was a doctor come through here a year or so back, hunting gold. He needed supplies but didn't have nothing but his medical bag. I tried to get him to change his mind but he wouldn't listen to me. I got it back there behind the counter. Ain't sure what all's in it though."

Maizie turned hopeful eyes towards Matt's direction. "If what I need is in there…"

"I'd appreciate anything you could do for her, Ma'am." Matt nodded.

As Maizie followed Musgrove over to his counter, Matt hobbled back over to the cot. "How you feeling?" He asked Kitty as he gingerly sat down beside her for a moment.

"You've got to stop worrying about me, Cowboy." She tried to smile, but the pain was making it hard. "I'm just afraid of what will happen if your plan fails. I don't want you or Festus or any of these people hurt."

Matt bent over and gave her a gentle kiss. "Nothing is going to happen to any of us. We're going to get those men out there to stop and we're going to get your name cleared. But first, we're gonna get your shoulder taken care of. Mrs. Atkins' brother is a doctor, she told me. She says she used to help him and she thinks she can help you. That is, if you'll let her." He studied her face for signs of distrust. He'd never let anyone touch her that she didn't trust.

Kitty looked cautiously hopeful. "Really?"

"Yeah," Matt nodded. "But only if you trust her to do it. I… uh… I'm not sure what else we can do, if you don't but we'll try to get you back to Turtle Crick or something if you're not comfortable with her."

"She's a good person." Kitty reassured him with only a second's thought. "I trust her."

"I'm glad to hear that." Maizie said as she stepped up beside them. "Kitty, I'm going to do the absolute best that I know how for you, but I'm not going to lie. This won't be easy. I don't know how deep that bullet is or what it's damaged and I don't have anything but Mr. Musgrove's corn whiskey for a pain killer. I do have a little ether to knock you out before I start, but maybe not enough to keep you out the whole time."

Kitty took a deep breath and considered her words for a second before looking back up at Maizie. "It's alright. You do what you can."

Maizie nodded then turned towards Matt. "Mr. Dillon, my daughter is going to assist me, but if you want to stay here…"

"NO." Kitty spoke up before he could reply. "Take care of those men outside, Matt. It'll be best. Please?" She knew how he was and she didn't want him there beside her in case Maizie's efforts were in vain and she didn't make it.

Matt bent over her and kissed her one more time. "I'll take care of them. But I'll be close." Reluctantly he rose to his feet and turned back to the others. "Let's get this thing going."

"Remember, Kitty." Maizie said as she prepared what few instruments were in the well-worn black leather doctor's bag. "I'm going to be as fast and as easy on you as I can be. But I'm not a doctor. I wouldn't dream of doing this at all if…"

"It's alright." Kitty reassured her. "I understand. Besides, there's not much other choice is there?"

Maizie shook her head sadly. "No."

Just then Constance came up with a kettle of hot water, followed by her little brother carrying a wash basin. "Where do you want this, Mama?"

Constance patted the top of a small table Musgrove had brought over to her. "Sit the basin right there and pour the water into it." When the girl completed her task, Maizie carefully dropped the bullet probe and the small forceps into it. Then using the larger forceps, she moved the instruments around in the boiling hot water before pulling them out and laying them on a clean towel to dry and cool off.

Lying beside her, Kitty watched while she worked, remembering the many times she'd seen Doc do the same things and the many times she'd helped him. If this didn't work, or if Matt's plan failed, she knew she'd never see it again, or Doc either for that matter.

Maizie grabbed some cotton and the almost empty bottle of ether, she'd found in the medical bag, and turned back to Kitty. "You ready?"

Kitty nodded and laid still as the cotton was placed on her face and Maizie tilted the bottle over it.

On the other side of the room, Matt and Festus stood and watched, both praying for Kitty to make it through this.

""Matthew, ya sure ya want to do this your ownself?" Festus asked. "With that leg and all…"

"My leg will be fine, Festus." Matt almost snapped at him. "This is mine to do." He said in a little softer tone of voice.

Festus nodded. "I reckon so." He looked back over towards the corner where Maizie was putting some cotton on Kitty's mouth and nose and pouring something onto the cotton. "But if'n ya don't make it…"

Matt turned his head and looked over to where his heart rested. "Then I want you to kill Quaid Hill and get her out of here." He said seriously. "Now come on. Let's go."

As Matt went to the front door, Festus crept over to the window and took his place. Looking over to the other window, he gave a curt nod to Brody, who was already in his seat, writing on a piece of paper and patiently waiting.

Upstairs, Percival Atkins was poised just out of sight at an upstairs window with a view of the barn. Musgrove, also upstairs, was in another room, with a view of the back of the house.

Taking a deep breath, Matt squared his shoulders, opened the door and walked out.

"HILL!" He called as he walked out into the open, hands raised. "I want to talk to you."

TBC