The Rescue 29
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As winter rocked on, the inhabitants of the trading post settled into a routine of sorts. Doc decided not to return to Dodge, at least for the time being and instead set up residence in one of Buster's upstairs rooms. He would spend his days, checking on Kitty, arguing with Festus, or playing checkers with Matt.
He and the older trading post owner had also developed a friendship of sorts and spent many hours discussing various things and sundry, especially the fate of a certain red head and her tall man, whom they both cared a great deal for.
Of course he also made himself available to the Atkins family as confidant, doctor and grandfather figure.
Maizie had proven to be as good a nurse to Doc as Kitty had always been and when Freddie had foolishly climbed a snow laden tree and broke his arm in the fall down, she had stood steadfastly by Doc's side, helping him to set and cast the break despite the fact that she cringed every time her baby cried out in pain.
Few travelers made their way to the post during those days, finding it safer to either to stay put where they were till spring, or head further south where the snow pack was not quite as heavy and the travel not quite so treacherous. The few who did manage to straggle in, never knew that anyone, besides the store keeper, the ornery old man with the drooping mustache and the family of four was there.
During those brief periods of time, that someone would show up needing supplies for the trail or perhaps a night's lodging, Matt, Kitty and Festus made certain to stay out of sight and sound. So far they had escaped detection and felt fairly safe. That was a blessing to Matt, worried as he was about Kitty.
Though, according to Doc, the baby was fine and healthy, the same couldn't be said for Kitty. Though she tried her best, she continued to have trouble keeping food down and despite getting copious amounts of rest, she consistently felt tired and worn out.
The latter fact irritated her more than anyone knew. Kitty had always been a doer, someone who took care of herself and, more often than not, others as well. But in the last couple of months she'd been forced to let others take care of her and it just didn't sit well.
But every time she'd reach the point of total irritation at her plight, Matt would remind her of the child she carried and his love for both of them. So she would sigh, sit back and allow herself to be waited on, albeit with gritted teeth.
There were times though that nothing Matt, Doc or anyone else could say would keep her in bed. Those times, despite the pleas of everyone, Kitty would pull herself from the bed and throw herself into work of some kind.
So far she had managed to help Buster not only update his ledgers but also identify ways he could save money. She had helped Freddie in his schooling and taught Constance, without her father's knowledge, how to apply makeup properly. She had even helped Maizie in the kitchen a time or two to prepare meals for the overflowing trading post.
Of course with each burst of energy came an even longer period of exhaustion. And when she would finally consent to return to her bed, she would spend a considerable amount of time recuperating. Doc refrained from any 'I told you so's' when that happened, knowing it would do no good. But he would hover close and make sure to check on her a little more closely at such times.
Kitty Russell was a formidable woman and one not easily kept down but she was also pregnant and not in the best of health which concerned the physician more than he let on, even to the tall man that loved her.
However, Matt wasn't blind. He saw the paleness of her skin and the thinness of her frame, despite the ever growing bulge in her mid-section. He was more concerned for her now than ever. The only thing that gave him any relief from his worries was knowing that Doc was there to care for her health and that the people who currently surrounded her, cared about her. He knew he could count on them to help him protect her if the need arose.
But he also knew there was one thing that he could for his beautiful red head, that he hadn't done so far, and it was the next thing on his agenda.
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It had started snowing about noon, on February 5 and by February 8 the occupants of the trading post were quite certain they were in for a long spell of bad weather.
The men, except for Doc, had spent a considerable amount of time chopping and hauling in wood. Festus and Matt and even Atkins had gone hunting and despite the time of year had managed to bag an elk and other smaller game.
Doc, though he'd been willing to help in the work, had been asked, by Matt, to instead stay inside and keep watch of the women and children. Matt wanted to take no chances of anything happening to his friend and the only one he could trust with Kitty's health.
On the evening of February 9, Matt and Kitty were in their room, laying side by side on the bed talking quietly and enjoying the warmth of the fire and the security of knowing they were safe, for a while a least. They had spent the day as they had the previous one. Matt had risen early and gone out with Festus to take care of the animals in the barn and various other chores that needed doing.
Kitty, having felt really good for a change, had gotten up and joined Maizie in the kitchen, helping her to prepare both breakfast and dinner before her strength failed her and she had to retire to her room. Later when Matt joined her, they laid together on the bed, simply reveling in the closeness to each other.
"You know, Matt, I've been thinking." She said as he laid beside her, his big hand splayed across her stomach feeling the baby kick.
"About what?" He asked grinning at the busy child beneath its mother's heart.
"About what we're going to name the baby." Large blue eyes captured his, impressing upon him how important this discussion was to her. "I mean if it's a boy we can name it after you but what about if it's a girl? I really don't want my daughter to have my name. She should have her own name"
Matt sat up, propping his head up with his arm and looked down at her. "I don't want our son named after me either, Kitty. I feel the same way as you do that boy or girl they should have their identity separate from ours."
Kitty sighed. "Especially mine." She said ruefully. "In a way, I hate the thought of our child even knowing who I am."
"Kitty Russell!" Matt exclaimed. "You are the most wonderful person I know. Our baby is lucky to have you as its mother."
"Lucky?" Kitty scoffed. "I'm a saloon woman on the run from the law for murdering a man and I'm pregnant out of wedlock. That's not much of a role model for a baby, Matt."
Matt pulled away from her and sat up, almost angrily scowling at her. "Kitty, I never, ever want to hear anything like that coming from your mouth again. You are a business woman, not a saloon woman. And you're on the run because you were framed for a murder you didn't commit."
"And the other?" She asked softly.
Matt took a deep breath, before gently caressing her face with his callused thumb. "The other is my fault, Kitty. Not yours. You were always clear with me about what you wanted, but you always took the back seat to my badge because you knew it was what I wanted. Things have changed now, though, and I think it's about time we remedied that last one."
Kitty arched a brow at him and pulled herself up into a sitting position. "And just how do we do that? You have a preacher in your pocket or something?"
Matt chuckled. "No, but I do have the next best thing."
"What are you talking about?" She looked at him perplexed. "I may not know everything there is to know about everyone here, but I'm pretty sure none of them are preachers."
"True," Matt agreed. "But Buster is a justice of the peace for this territory."
"You're kidding me?" Kitty looked at him in surprised joy.
"Nope." He shrugged. "He mentioned it the other day and it got me to thinking. Now I don't have a ring or anything to give you, but if you'd take my IOU for it, I'd sure like to marry you. I may not want my child to have my first name but I'd love for it to have my last."
Unbidden tears sprang to Kitty's eyes as she took in the very serious expression on Matt's ruggedly handsome face. "You… you don't have to." She said. "I… I love you, Matt. You don't need to prove your love to me."
Matt reached over and took her lips in a soft sweet kiss. "It has nothing to do with proving anything. I simply want to do what's right for you and the baby… and for me. I love you, Kitty. And now without that badge weighing me down, I can be free to say that and to show it. And the best way I know how to do that, is to marry you. If you'll have me, that is."
Kitty pulled his face back to hers. "I will." She kissed him, hard. "You bet I will."
TBC