PT.7

Return To Dodge

Entwined Hearts

After two days of riding, the train pulled into the Dodge City depot. Festus was there to greet Kitty as she stepped off the train. "Miz Kitty! Miz Kitty!"

"Oh, Festus." Quickly she hugged him, so happy to see her dear friend. "How is Doc?"

"Miz Kitty, that ther' ol' scudder is as strong as an ox!"

"Now, Festus!" Kitty smiled at him.

"He'll sure be plum happy to see you!"

"I'll sure be happy to see him too. Let's go." She said, taking his arm.

They headed for Doc's office. "Miz Kitty, you go right on. I'll git yur things."

"Thank you. I'm staying at the Long Branch while I'm here."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Placing a hand on his cheek, "I've missed you."

When she entered Doc's office, Hannah was in the outer office. "Miss Kitty, welcome back."

"Thank you, Hannah. Just wish it was under better circumstances. How is he?"

"No change."

"Newly with him?" Kitty asked glancing at the bedroom door.

"Yes."

Kitty headed to the back room, sitting softly beside him on the bed. He looked pale-gray, tired and weak. Tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Curly. What happened to you? If you wanted me to visit you didn't have to do it like this." Taking her hand and placing it on his clammy cheek, "Don't you leave me. I need you. I really need you, Curly. You know that? Who do you think has kept me together all these years? I couldn't have done it without you. She laid her head alongside him on the bed and began to cry. "Please, please, don't leave me."

Matt was about half way back. When the train made a stop, he sent another wire to check on Doc. Newly had told him there was no change and that Kitty was in town. It was a relief to know she would be there when he got there, but he was still unsure what he would say to her, or if she would still even talk to him. But he would worry about that then.

As he got back on the train, the conductor told him they would be in Dodge sooner than scheduled. Things were looking good.

When the train pulled into Dodge, Matt headed straight for Doc's office. Hannah was leaving as he entered. "Marshal! Glad you're back."

"Thanks, Hannah. How's Doc?"

"No change. Kitty's in with him now."

He stiffened his jaw and then nodded. Slowly walking into the room, seeing her lying on the edge of the bed crying, he bent down beside her. "Kitty, it's going to be alright. Doc's a strong ol' buzzard."

Through a crying voice, "How do you know?" Rocking her head back and forth, "I can't lose him, Matt. I just can't!"

Gently he placed a hand on her back. "I know, honey, I know!"

"How long have you been here?"

"A few days." She answered.

"Have you slept, ate?"

"Shaking her head, "No, and don't tell me I have to either. I'm not leaving him."

"Kitty, it won't do you or him any good if you get sick too."

"I don't need you to tell me…." Then she stopped. "Look, don't you have somewhere you need to be? Someone you need to chase?"

"Kit, don't. Please. I was hoping we could talk."

"I think we said all we have to."

"Shhh, I have a few things I need to say, to tell you."

"I have nothing to say to you, Matt Dillon."

"Ok, good. Then you can just listen."

"UGH! Matt Dillon, you infuriate the hell out of me."

"Then that must mean you still love me."

Just then Newly and Hannah walked in. "Miss Kitty, Hannah said…. Now, I don't want any argument. You're going over to the Long Branch and get a good night's sleep."

"Oh, no…"

"Et' et', no arguments."

"Damn, you've spent too much time around DOC." Kitty and Matt both laughed!

"Oh, alright. But just for a little while, and I'll be back."

"Kitty, can I walk you over to the Long Branch?"

"Suit yourself."

As they left the office, he placed his hand at the small of her back, and guided her down the stairs. "Now about that talk...:"

"What talk?" Kitty asked looking at him.

"Correction. I talk, you listen!"

She just huffed!

TBC