She's got a smile that heals me

I don't know why it is

But I have to laugh when she reveals me

"She's Got a Way" Written and sung by Billy Joel

Chapter Nineteen

Doc was as angry as she'd ever seen him, and Matt was close to reacting as he had any time a cowhand got too insistent with her at the Long Branch. In a minute the two men she loved most in the world were going to come to blows over her unless she did something to stop it. "Doc!" she exclaimed, trying to get his attention, to no avail.

"Well, let's have it, then!" Matt shouted, clenching his fists. "Just remember which one of us is her husband!"

"Matt! Stop it!" Kitty stood in front of him, facing him with both hands on his chest. "Both of you!" She turned to face Doc, holding out one hand in front of her as if to keep the two of them apart. "Would the two of you please remember that you're friends?" So far her words were having no effect. She looked up at Matt, finally getting him to look into her eyes instead of at Doc. I can't let him talk to you like that, Kitty.

"Matt, you don't have any reason to talk to Doc that way, either. You know I can take care of myself; you don't have to attack everyone who raises their voice to me. And you…"Kitty turned her attention back to Doc. "I'm surprised at you, Curly. You just told me I'm fine and the baby's fine and then you go and lose your temper like that anyway! Yes, I took care of Matt when he got hurt and then the next day he took care of me. That's how it's always been. I don't know why you thought that would change just because I'm going to have a baby. I know you're worried about me, Doc, but you have to stop treating me like a child."

Doc sighed and sat down on the chair next to the bed, motioning for Kitty and Matt to sit down, too.

"You're right, Kitty, that's exactly how I've been treating you. You know you're more than a patient to me, and I haven't been acting very much like a doctor lately. I've been acting like an old fool who doesn't think any man is good enough for his daughter, even if I did spend years trying to get that man to marry her." Matt continued to glare at Doc after hearing this.

"I want both of you to stop acting like I'm going to break. You know I'm tougher than that. We all thought my body was too damaged to carry a child but by some miracle we've been given one anyway. This baby is tougher than you think. She wants to live."

"She?" Matt and Doc exclaimed at the same time.

"You don't mind, do you Matt? I've been hoping for a girl so I guess I just started thinking of her that way."

"No, Kitty, I don't mind. I'll be happy with a little girl as long as she looks like you and not me." Matt grinned. "But I'll be happy either way, as long as the baby gets here."

"Well, Kitty," Doc pulled at his ear and rubbed his mustache. "You just might have a point there. After all, this baby has the two most stubborn parents in Dodge, maybe even in Kansas. I think she's probably determined to come into the world. Just remember what she needs most is a healthy mother."

"Doc, if I promise to take it easy from now on, will you promise not to get mad or lecture us every time I forget?"

"Well, Kitty, I"ll...I'll try." Doc gave a nod.

"And it might interest you to know...Grandpa...that a couple of decisions were made while we were gone, too. We're living in Dodge until after the baby is born." Kitty's eyes met Matt's in silent agreement. "And we're going to make an offer on the farm as soon as I sell the Long Branch."

"Well, that's just fine." Doc said in relief. The thought of Kitty spending even one night alone out there, never mind the weeks at a time Matt allowed his job to take him away, had worked at his mind so much in the last week it was no wonder he overreacted when Kitty started telling him about Matt's injury.

"Matt, you want to tell him the rest?"

"You mean there's more?"

"Kitty won't be spending any more nights alone," Matt said, casually pulling the left side of his vest away.

"Where's your badge?" Doc asked.

"Kitty has it."

"And I'd better give it back, at least for the next two weeks," she said, taking the badge from her handbag and handing it to Matt.

"Well, I'm not going to even ask how that came about," Doc said, holding out his hand for Matt to shake. "For good, this time?"

"So he tells me." Kitty smiled, putting an arm around each man. "Now, do the two of you think you can manage not to be at each other's throats every time I wash a plate or get a hangnail or something?"

"Well, I guess I can if he can. Now I think it's about time I had a look at that leg."

Matt folded up his pant leg and Doc shook his head when he saw the mangled and bloodstained boot. He unwound the bandage and then looked wordlessly at Kitty before examining the gash.

"How long ago did this happen?"

"Five days." Kitty answered, starting to feel worried. She thought it looked all right the last time she changed the bandage. Had he pulled the stitches out pushing the buggy this morning?

"Well, I'd say this is healing up about as well as could be expected. You obviously have a very fine physician." He cleared his throat and patted Kitty on the shoulder.

"Oh, Doc," Kitty protested.

"You can take those stitches out in about a week."

"You better look out, Doc. She just might run you out of business." Matt sat up, pulling his pant leg back down.

"Now, stop that, both of you!" Kitty laughed, shaking her head.

Doc put his arm around Kitty's shoulders, feeling even more embarrassed about his tirade earlier. "You did good, honey. I'm proud of you."

Matt looked at her and nodded in agreement.