Doc reached the boardwalk and was betwixt and between trying to have a nap or tell Matt about the General. With rain now coming in torrents his eyes landed in the top step of his stairs and that's where he wanted to go. As much as he could he pulled his coat close around his neck and dashed across the street trying to avoid puddles. The rain ran off the brim of his hat. He made it to the veranda of the Long Branch and shook trying to shake the cold air that the rain had brought with it.
The doctor stood for a moment and shivered as he watched the rain fall; puddles were now forming in the street. It seemed the April showers had come a few weeks early. The doctor looked over to the stairs that led up to his office and sighed; he dreaded the thought of racing across the alley and the climbing them to get to his office – he was certain to get soaked to the skin id he tried. Doc huffed and looked around the street.
Randall Clanton exited the Long Branch and stood next to the doctor, "Hi Doc," he smiled.
Doc glanced over to the young man, "Randall," he replied back.
"Did you get over to see my father yet?" Clanton asked.
"I did. He's improving, so I suggested that he continues with the pills I gave him," the doctor stated.
"Well, thanks for doing that," Randall smiled slightly.
Doc scratched his left cheek, "Well, that's what I do," he mused.
"I'll talk to you later then. Stay out of the rain," Randall said as he parted ways with the doctor. Doc watched him take several fast strides across the muddy street in the pouring rain. He was now certain that he would not to go out into that himself, but he was also desperate for some sleep. "Stay out of the rain, indeed." Slowly the doctor turned and looked over the swing-doors of the Long Branch and smiled.
The saloon was busy with folks coming and going, so the doctor's entrance wasn't as noticeable. Doc quietly walked to the end of the bar where Kitty was standing chatting with Sam. Doc placed his medical bag on the bar and sighed.
Both Kitty and Sam looked the physician, "You okay, Doc? You look terrible," Kitty asked with concern.
"Just tired, I think," Doc said as he ran his hand across his moustache and blinked at the saloon owner.
"Well, why don't you go and lay down for a while," she smiled.
Doc looked out the door, "I'm too tired to race up my stairs in the pouring rain," he admitted.
"You already look wet enough," Kitty noted. "I'll find you a room up stairs, how's that?" she smiled and hooked her arm thought the doctor's. "That would suit me to a tee," he smiled back and walked with Kitty to the stairs.
Sam chuckled to himself and then attended to a customer at the other end of the bar.
Kitty and Doc made small take as they walked up the stairs and along the balcony, where Kitty opened room four for the doctor. They both entered and Kitty assisted Doc with his wet coat, "I'll just rest here," the doctor indicated as he walked to the day bed which was located at the far end of the room near the window. The rain ran down the pane in torrents and the room was dull from the lack of sunlight.
"Doc, you've been pushing yourself too hard and you aren't over whatever was ailing you earlier. You don't need to catch another chill, so you are going to get into this bed," Kitty practically ordered as he pointed to the bed.
The look the doctor gave her was that of a child who was just scolded; his shoulders sagged as he walked back to the bed. Doc sat down on the edge of the bed and untied his neck tie, pulling it off before he unbuttoned his white shirt. He stared down at his old worn boots before he kicked them off; they reminded him of when he just arrived in Dodge, slowly he looked up at Kitty. "I only need an hour or so," he said as he slowly lay back on the large bed.
Kitty pulled the sheets up, "You sleep how ever long you want," she smiled.
"Harumph," the doctor grunted as he closed his eyes and was sound asleep.
Kitty shook her head in awe and sadness for the doctor; he was always putting others' health in front of his own, and more than once it had come back on him. The doctor was a bear when it came to listening to people who were trying to make him feel better, and Kitty didn't want to go there.
The saloon owner left the room quietly and pulled the door closed. She noticed that Matt was down on the main floor talking to Sam, so he gathered her long teal shirt up slightly as she walked down the stairs to join the men at the bar.
Matt adjusted his hat back on his head, and water rolled down the back of his oilskin coat, "Sam said that Doc went upstairs, is he all right?" he asked.
"He's exhausted," Kitty stated. "His head hadn't even touched the pillows before he was asleep," the sighed.
The marshal leaned on the bar, "I was hoping he had a change to talk to the General about his sons," he grunted.
Kitty shrugged, "He didn't say anything about it when we were talking."
"I'll see him once he's had a chance to get some sleep," Matt stated as he stood straight again. "Say how come he's not in his own bed?" Matt had to ask.
Kitty wore an impish smile, "He told us that he was too tried to climb his stairs in the pouring rain."
"He's clever, that one," Matt chuckled causing both Kitty and Sam to join in on the laugh, but their frivolity quickly faded as Zachariah entered the saloon and took a seat at one of the tables, which already had men gathered around it, playing cards.
"I bet that the General is proud of that one," Kitty hissed as she watched Zach interact with the men like there was nothing wrong. Matt looked over his shoulder, "We'll get to the bottom of this," he looked back to Kitty, "and you can bet on that."
Kitty looked Matt in the eyes. Her gaze stopped the marshal. "Matt when are you going to arrest him?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"I want to talk to Doc first. I need to get all the facts straight," he said in an equally low tone. "It's just a matter of a few hours to a day," he stated.
Kitty looked over to Zach who was now watching the saloon owner and the marshal. His eyes shifted between the two as he entered the card game. Zach wet his lips and quickly looked back at his cards. "It had better be sooner than later Matt. I think he knows you're on to him," she whispered. Again Matt looked over his shoulder, "He hasn't the guts to leave without his father and brother. I've seen his kind before," Matt seethed.
Festus was next into the saloon, but not on business, "Howdy Miss Kitty. Matthew!" he touched the brim of his hat in a kindly gesture.
Kitty nodded and looked to Matt. "Festus, Keep an eye on him, without keeping an eye on him," the marshal tilted his head to Zach. "I need to check in with Newly on something," he stated as he left.
Festus and Kitty watched the marshal leave the saloon, "This sure has ol' Matthew rattled," he said looking back at Kitty. "And you too, I recon," the hill man's eyes brought some comfort to his words. Kitty swallowed and tried to smile.