The Rescue 34
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Doc had, as expected, not been in agreement with Matt and Kitty's plans and had stated so in no uncertain terms. "You two are crazy." He declared, taking an angry swipe of his mustache and even furiously tugging at his ear. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"We know, Doc." Kitty said in her most placating tone of voice. "We also know that staying here any longer is too dangerous, not only for us but for everyone else here. With the warmer weather, the trails up here will be easier to travel, which means people will be coming. People who just might recognize one of us."
"But, Kitty, in your condition…" He started to protest but she cut him off.
"My condition is part of the reason why we want to leave in the morning. Doc, if I wait much longer, I won't be able to travel and we'll be sitting ducks." Kitty stepped over to him and placed her hands on his arms. "Doc, please. Please don't make this any harder than it already is."
Matt, who'd stood silently by for the most part, finally stepped up next to Kitty, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I hate to admit it, Doc, and I felt the same way as you at first, but what she says makes sense. We need to go as soon as we can. Right now the weather is holding and the both of us are physically able to travel fairly quickly."
Doc plowed his hands into his pockets with an exasperated shake of his head as he looked at the two people he cared most for in the world. What they said did make sense, but it didn't make him feel any better knowing they were leaving and he might never see them again, or the child he wanted so desperately to claim as his grandchild. Then a thought hit him. "I'll go with you." He suddenly declared. "As accident prone as you two are, it might be best."
But Matt, after a quick glance at Kitty to see her reaction, shook his head. "You can't, Doc. We can't let you. You've already placed yourself in too much danger, as it is, for us. You and Festus both. From here on out it needs to be just us two."
"But, Matt…" Doc began, but Matt cut him off.
"No, Doc. We have to go alone from here on in. It's the only way we stand a chance."
Kitty lightly squeezed his arm. "Please, Doc, please understand. He's right. We have to do this alone."
"I'll get a bag ready for you." Doc finally said with a sullen look. "When that little one comes, there's some things you'll need. I get them and I'll also write you out a list of what you'll need to do. I doubt you'll be anywhere there's a doctor around."
Kitty reached over and kissed him on the cheek. "No matter where we go, Doc, you'll always be with us. Thank you for understanding."
Doc shook his head in irritation. "I didn't say I understood, only that I'll help you."
Kitty looked up at Matt with a small smile and a wink. "Oh, okay." She grinned at him.
Just like Doc, none of the others understood the couple's desire to leave so suddenly, or their intent to go alone, but unlike Doc, they kept most of their arguments to themselves. They doubted it would do much good and besides, they figured perhaps the former lawman just might know something they didn't.
Festus, who had alone remained quiet on the subject, went about the day as though nothing was happening. But he had no intentions of letting them go off on their own. He had already promised Doc, privately, that they'd not leave without him along side them. That fact alone was about the only reason Doc was managing to keep from arguing further on the subject.
The day was spent in preparation and expectation and resignation. All at the trading post had become close and no one wanted to see Matt and Kitty leave, especially under the circumstances they faced. But they understood and did their best to remain upbeat and not dwell on the danger the two faced alone.
Matt, noticing how quiet Festus was, took a moment to pull him aside for a quiet talk. "I know what you're thinking." He told his scruffy friend. "But you're not going with us, Festus. From here on out it's just me and her alone, until that baby's born."
Festus squinted one eye at him. "I ain't said, I was a fixin' on goin' with ya, Matthew."
Matt grinned. "You ain't said you weren't either. Festus, believe me, I appreciate everything you've done for us. But it's time you stopped. You don't need to get in any deeper. No one out of here knows you helped me and it's best they don't. Kitty and I have to do this alone." Matt watched his friends face for several seconds but Festus was hard to read. "Well?"
"You got your plans, Matthew." Festus said cryptically. "And I got mine. I ain't gonna stop you and Miss Kitty from havin' or doin' whatever you've a mind to, but I ain't gonna let it stop me neither." Without another word, he turned and walked off.
"Stubborn, stubborn man." Matt shook his head.
Late that evening, after a hearty meal of venison roast prepared, for the last time, by Maizie and Kitty together, the adults sat around and talked, after sending Constance and Freddie to bed.
"I know you can't tell us where you're going." Percival spoke. "But do you have any plans once you get to wherever it is?"
Matt shook his head. "Truthfully, no. Not long term plans anyway. Our first objective is to get as far from here as we can before the baby is born. Then we'll find someplace safe to stay until Kitty and the baby can travel again and we'll go from there."
"If you'll forgive me," Percival wiped his mouth with his napkin and moved back a little in his chair. "That does not sound like a well thought out plan."
"Percival!" Maizie reprimanded her husband.
"No, he's right, Maizie." Matt raised a hand. "It doesn't. But right now it's all I can tell you. I do have some ideas of where to go and what we'll do but I'm not going to tell you or anyone else. The least you all know about us the better off you'll be. It's safer for you and us."
All sat quiet for a moment, digesting that thought before Buster stood. "Well, I'm gonna get me a nip of that good corn I got and them I'm headin' to my cot. Anybody want any?"
The men all accepted while Kitty and Maizie stood and began to clear the table. "Kitty, leave that." Maizie admonished. "You should be resting. Tomorrow's most likely going to be a long day."
Kitty smiled. "It probably will be, but even if I go to bed right this second, I doubt I'll get any more rest. There's too much to think about."
Maizie reached over and gave her friend a hug. "I know there is and I know you're worried. I am too, so is everybody here. But you keep in mind that we'll be keeping you in our prayers that the good Lord will keep watch over you and Matt. You two are special."
Kitty smiled but said nothing, for fear of crying. She figured there'd be plenty of that when they left. She just didn't realize how soon that departure would be.
TBC