PT.15

Dillon Ranch

Arriving home, Mary and Frank knew, seeing the look on Grace's face, something wasn't good.

"Grace? What is it? Did you hear something?"

Nodding, "Yes, Mary, Poppa and Uncle Festus found Momma."

Tilting her head. "Well, that's great news."

"Wait, Mary, there's more."

"Momma's in the hospital." Throwing up her hands, 'Now, I don't have much detail but Uncle Festus says she's real sick."

With her hands over her mouth, "Grace!"

"No, now wait. I'm heading to D.C. I need you to hold things together here. I need to go find out what's going on from Poppa and talk to Momma's doctor. Ok?"

"Yes. Yes, Grace, go. And don't worry about the girls. Frank and I can take care of everything here."

"Good and Chet will be here."

Washington, D.C.

Matt sat vigil by Kitty's bedside through the night, softly talking to her. "Kit, Honey, I'm not sure what happened out there but you're safe now. Honey, I'm so sorry. So sorry I didn't get there in time." Ever so often, she tossed her head, moaning. "Ssshhh, I'm here, Honey, I'm here."

"Matthew?" Festus peaked in the room. "Matthew, if'n you want to git ya somethin' to eat, I kin sit with Miz Kitty."

Shaking his head, "Thanks, Festus, but no."

When the sun started to rise, Dr. Boyd entered the room. Both Matt and Festus were sitting on either side of the bed, holding her hands, slightly drifting off to sleep.

Clearing his throat, the doctor woke Matt. "Good morning."

"Oh, morning, Dr. Boyd." Festus looked up, squinting. "Doctor, this is Festus Haggen, a close family friend."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Haggen."

"Likewise, Doctor."

Boyd began checking Kitty. "Well, her vitals are steady. Still, she's quite hot. Mr. Dillon, do you have any idea how she ended up in the creek or long she was there?"

Exhaling, shaking his head. "No, Doc. Sorry, no."

Rubbing his chin, "This time of year, that water is quite cold. Well, we're giving her antibiotics. Her lungs seem congested. Time will tell." As he began to leave, he stopped. "Oh, Mr. Dillon? While I was examining Mrs. Dillon, I did notice a rather extensive scar on her right side."

Rolling his eyes, nodding. "Yes, many years ago, Kitty was shot and our friend, Doc Adams, saved her life. We were close to losing her. The damage was serious."

"Hmmm, I see. Ok, I'll keep that in mind."

E.H. Harriman's Office

Harriman entered his office. It had been a long night trying to strategize what they would do to get out of the mess he was now in. "Miss Davis, I'm not here to anyone."

Half an hour later the door opened. As he looked up, he had his back to the door. If that's coffee, please add my favorite whiskey to it." Suddenly, he sensed a different feel in the room. Spinning his chair around, he straitened up. "Oh, Jennings."

"I'd wish you good morning but..."

"Can I get you coffee?"

"Harriman, this isn't a social call."

"OH?" Now widening his eyes.

"Harriman, I have a warrant, for your arrest. Can we make this simple?"

"Warrant? What's the charge?"

"Kidnapping and attempted murder."

Harriman just sunk back into his chair.

When the train arrived in D.C., Grace had her bags delivered to the Winsor Inn but headed straight for the hospital. Approaching the desk, "Hello. I'm looking for Kitty Dillon's room."

"And you are?" The nurse asked.

"Her daughter."

"If you'll wait here, I'll check with her doctor."

"Wait. I've come a long way and I..."

Just then, Dr. Boyd walked down the hall. "Can I help here?" He asked, looking at Grace. "I'm Dr. Boyd."

"Hello, Doctor. I'm Grace Owens. I'm here to see my mother, Kitty Dillon."

"I guessed."

Tilting her head, "You did?"

Smiling, "Yes, I see the resemblance."

"Thank you. Can I see my mother? I want to check on her condition. I'm very concerned. How is her vitals and her respiratory system?"

"Your father has told me of your mother's past heath issues and a Dr. Adams."

"Oh, yes, my Pap-Pap. Oh Dr. Boyd, I too am a doctor. I took over my Pap-Pap's practice. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to help out in Momma's care."

"Well, let's go see your mother and maybe you can convince your father to get some rest."

"Let me guess. He hasn't left her side?"

"You'd be right."

Grace went with Dr. Boyd, first to his office, so he could discuss with her what he knew thus far of Kitty's condition. Festus convinced Matt to leave the room long enough freshen up and have coffee, knowing Kitty was still asleep.

Kitty was sleeping peacefully as the door opened. Standing at the foot of the bed, "Kitty, I'm sorry. I never intended for you to be hurt. I know no one is going to believe that. Harriman said that all he wanted was for me to just help lead you out so they could hold you. They thought Matt would change his mind and stop standing in their way, then they'd let you go. Honestly. Mason and Lane, they screwed up. I liked you when I met you and come on, you know how I felt about Matty." Wrapping her arms around herself, rubbing her arms, "Kitty, please be alright. Not for me. Do it for Matty."

Suddenly she heard the door, then a voice. "YOU DID THIS?"

Quickly turning her head. "Hi?"

Grace stood, face red with anger. "Who are you? What are you doing in here? You're the reason my momma is lying in this bed?"

"Ah, I… I... No, wait, I…"

Stepping closer, "I just heard you. Lady, and I use that word lightly, you'd better hope my momma wakes up and is alright." Now Grace was getting loud. "I will tear you to shreds." Without warning, Grace slapped Joey just as Matt walked through the door.

"GRACIE!" He yelled out. He had heard her from the hall and was now grabbing her to hold her back..

"Poppa, she did this to Momma. I heard her." Grace was now so angry, tears were building.

"What? What are you saying, Honey?"

"Poppa, I walked in and heard her talking to Momma, saying she did this or at least was responsible for helping."

Matt turned his eyes burning into Joey.

Quickly, Joey looked at Matt. "Now, Matty, you need to let me explain. You don't understand."

His jaw was tight. "MAKE ME understand."

She just swallowed hard, still rubbing her face that was burning from Grace's slap.

"Poppa? Who is she? Why would she do this to Momma?" Grace now moved to sit beside Kitty on the bed, holding her hand, brushing the loose curls off her face. "It's ok now, Momma." She whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Gritting his teeth. "I'm waiting."

TBC