The Rescue 44

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They stayed at the shack for a week. Kitty didn't think it near long enough for Matt but he refused to linger another day.

"We can't afford to stay any longer, Kitty." He told her. "I doubt Grafton was the only one to see that poster and I don't much feel like waiting around for another one to find us."

"But, Matt," she protested. "We've been here close to two weeks and no one other than Grafton has come near this place. Besides, your side…"

"My side is fine." Matt reassured her. "Good enough to ride anyway. And we need to ride."

"Ride where?" Kitty asked wearily. "We don't have a home, Matt. No place we can go would be safe for us or the people around us. And in case it slipped your mind, I'm almost 7 months pregnant. I'm not sure I can ride."

Matt nodded. "I haven't forgotten that, Honey, or anything else. I just..." He stopped seeing the defeated expression on her face. She was losing hope of them ever getting out of this. She was just about ready to give up.

Taking her hand, he pulled her to him with a kiss. "Look, I have a friend who lives south of here, maybe another two week's travel. He and his wife have a large ranch and plenty of room. I have no doubt we could stay there with them for a while. At least till the baby comes. That'd give us time to make some plans and decide where we go from there."

Kitty sighed. She didn't know what to do. They couldn't go back and though the weather was getting better with each day, they couldn't remain at the little shack. "Alright." She agreed. "Guess we have no choice."

Matt held her tightly to him, kissing her on the forehead at first then moving his lips further down till he found hers. "It's gonna be okay, Kitty." He assured her. "It's gonna be okay."

Their trip took longer than the two weeks Matt had predicted but at least it gone uneventfully. They encountered few people on the trail and no one who seemed to recognize them.

Kitty couldn't ride for too long before needing to get off the horse and take a rest. Matt knew how difficult this was for her physically and when, after three days they came up on a small farm, he used his rescued badge and the last of their money to coerce the farmer into selling him his wagon and some supplies. Though the traveling was easier on Kitty it did slow them down quite a bit.

But finally, after eighteen days, Matt steered the wagon into the drive of a large ranch called the Circle Bar T. Kitty was lying down in the back of the wagon, being no longer able sit on the hard bench seat beside Matt. As usual, she'd made no complaints during the trip but he could tell how relieved she was to have arrived.

"You sure they'll welcome us?" Kitty asked as she sat up and took in the large house and well appointed grounds. These people look awful rich, Matt. I'm not sure they'd want a wanted murderer in their home."

"They wouldn't." Matt agreed. "But then again, you're not a murderer. Don't worry, sweetheart. They'll accept us."

As Matt pulled the wagon into the large circle drive in front of the house, several men came from several places all curiously looking at the strangers. "Hello." Matt greeted the nearest one. "I'm looking for Grant Hawkes."

"He's the owner." The man answered. "What do you want with him?" He had just spotted Kitty in the back of the wagon and was even more curious now.

"My name is Matt Dillon." Matt answered. "I'm a friend of his."

"Yes you are." A gruff voice sounded from the right before the ranch hand could respond. "Matt Dillon, how in the world are you?" The tall blond man with a dapper mustache and green eyes came up as Matt jumped down from the wagon, grabbing his hand and pulling him into an embrace. "I haven't seen you in ten years or more." He exclaimed.

"I know." Matt answered stepping away from his friend and to the back of the wagon to help Kitty down. "And I hate coming here now, like this, but I need help."

Grant saw the seriousness of the situation in his friend's eyes then took a look at the woman he'd helped from the wagon. "Come on inside." He said suddenly. Turning towards the house, he motioned to one of his men. "Take care of their wagon and horses. Get em' put up."

Once inside the house, Grant led them into the great room. "You all have a seat. Linda, my wife, is in town. But she should be home in little bit. Can I get you all something to drink or eat?"

"Not for me." Matt answered as he helped Kitty to sit down on a chair. "Kitty?"

Kitty shook her head. "No."

Grant poured himself a glass of whiskey and then turned to his guests. "Before you say anything, Matt, I must tell you I already know about your friend here. I saw her poster in town about a week ago."

Matt swallowed hard. "She's my wife." He said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "And if you don't want us here…"

"I never said that, Matt." Grant stopped him. "You both are welcome here. I don't base my friendships on words on a paper. Besides,that poster's been withdrawn. From what I understand she's no longer wanted."

Matt and Kitty both looked up sharply, equal looks of surprise and disbelief. "What are you talking about?" Matt asked. "How…"

"Well, I don't know everything of course." Grant sat down opposite them and took another sip of his whiskey. "But I was in town again yesterday and was passing by the jail, when the Sherriff was pulling the paper down. As you can imagine, wanted posters of pretty women aren't seen too often, so I was kinda curious when I saw him take it down and tear it up and I asked the Sherriff why."

Matt gave Kitty a gentle squeeze, feeling her tremble next to him. "And what'd he say?"

"He said he wasn't sure. He just got a wire from some judge in Kansas saying to tear em up and she wasn't wanted anymore. I figured it was because she was caught but I see that's not the case. Or at least not the way I thought."

Matt looked down at Kitty with a grin before pulling her to him and hugging her tightly. "I told you it'd be alright." He whispered. "I told you."

Stunned, Kitty could say nothing as she clung tightly to Matt. Her head was swirling and she suddenly began to feel faint. "Matt?" She said, taking a deep breath. "I need to lay down."

Suddenly panicked, Matt looked up at Grant but he didn't even have to say a word.

"Let's get her to a room where she can rest, Matt." Grant rose and stepped over to help Kitty up.

But Matt beat him to the punch. As quickly as he got up, he swung Kitty up into his arms. "Show me the way."

Granted nodded. "Follow me." Turning he led the way from the room and down a hallway to a bedroom near the end. Opening the door, he stepped back out of the way so Matt could enter with Kitty. "I'll send one of my men into town for the doctor."

Matt nodded as he laid Kitty down. "Good idea." He said. "We've come so far now; I don't want to take any more chances."

TBC