PT.17

Grace tapped slightly on Dr. Boyd's door.

"Well now, Dr. Owen's. You looking for me?" He asked as he walked up behind her.

"Oh yes Doctor. I wanted you to know my mother is awake. She's still running a slight temperature and a slight cough but I expected that. She may have remembered some of her ordeal."

"Well, let me come and check on her."

Marc Jennings took Joey to his office where he had already had Harriman locked up.

Unlocking the cell, "Harriman. Come have a seat."

Harriman walked out, seeing Joey, wondered how much she had told Jennings.

"Now, let's sit and get this all squared away."

Harriman stared at Joey.

"Oh, don't look at me like that." Joey sighed. "He knows it all and so does Matt Dillon."

"Ok, so let's start from the beginning." Jennings said.

Just then the door opened. "JOEY!? What's going on here?"

"Oh, Sam..." Joey gasped.

"And you are?" Jennings asked.

"He's my husband, Sam Benson."

"Well, Mr. Benson, your wife here is under arrest."

Joey just nodded. Sam lowered his hat.

"Harriman, we told you this would never work. We told you Matt Dillon would never go along with what you wanted. Yeah, he loves Kitty and even though he took off that badge, he's still all business. You also don't threaten what's his and then, of course, there's Mrs. Dillon."

Harriman turned with a questioning look. "Meaning?"

"She's not his woman... ah, wife for nothing, ya know! Those two don't bend. They stand hard and tall together."

Matt sat holding Kitty as she slept. Dr. Boyd continued explaining to Grace that in his opinion, Kitty had a slight infection in her lungs, probably from swallowing river water and then being in the cold water so long. But he felt with medication and proper rest, she would recover.

"Doctor, that in itself is the task at hand." Grace said, smiling at him.

"Oh?" Now looking curiously.

"Dr. Boyd, you don't know Momma." Just as they entered the room, Boyd was surprised to see Matt lying close to Kitty, holding her.

"Oh, ah..." Quickly Grace grabbed his arm.

"Dr. Boyd, Momma and Poppa have been through so much together in their many years together. I've learned from My Pap-Pap and seen for myself, they are the best medicine one another can every need. There is no explanation, none you'll find in any medical journal." She said, smiling.

Grace gently rubbed Matt's shoulder. "Poppa." She whispered.

Matt stirred. "Gracie?"

"Poppa, Dr. Boyd is here."

"Mr. Dillon, I've determined that Mrs. Dillon has a slight infection in her lungs. It's most likely due to swallowing river water."

Just then, "Pretty good guess, Doc." Kitty said in her husky voice.

"Well, Ma'am, I feel, as I've told your daughter here, with some medication and much rest, you should make a full recovery."

"You hear that, Momma? MUCH REST. And I'm going to see that you get just that."

"Now, Grace..."

Raising her brow, "Didn't I tell you, Doctor?"

Now furrowing her brow, pursing her lips. "Tell him what?"

Now smirking, "Just what a stubborn momma I have."

"Well, that won't be a problem. She'll rest." Matt chimed in. "And no argument."

"Matt…"

"I said NO argument." Now, she sat quiet and pouting.

"Doctor, can I talk to you for a moment?" Matt led Boyd out of the room.

"Oh, Momma, don't be angry. Poppa and I are just worried about you. We all are. Momma, this family needs you. You know that, right?"

"Oh, I know that, damn it. I just hate it when you all hover. It's my job to take care of you all."

"You do, Momma. You take great care of all of us and we want you around for a long time. So, please? Let us take care of you. I want you around when..." Now she stopped and smiled.

Kitty tilted her head, placed her hand on Grace's cheek. "When what, Sweetheart?"

Grace took Kitty's hand, placing it on her mid-section. "When your grandchild is born, Momma."

Kitty's eyes fill with tears. "OHHHH,Grace! Sweetheart!"

"Gracie?" Did you just say..."

Now they both looked at Matt standing in the door way.

Smiling with tears in their eyes, Yes, Poppa or should I say Grandpa."

Matt quickly grabbed her swinging her around, "Uh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt..."

"No, it's ok, Poppa. I'm fine. Chet and I were going to wait and tell you both when you came home but..."

"Well, looks like I need to get out of this bed and get back on my feet real soon then."

"Oh no, you don't. We have time. I'm still your doctor and I am calling the shots."

"Matt, when did she get so bossy?"

Huffing out a laugh, "She's your daughter."

"Is that a fact, Cowboy?"

Kitty fell off to sleep. Grace convinced Matt to go with her to get something to eat and talk about a plan for Kitty's recovery. There was a small café across the street from the hospital.

Kitty began to stir when she heard the door open to her room.

"Hello, Mrs. Dillon."

TBC