Slow Train to Dodge
PT.5
Doc sat quietly next to Matt though out the night. He could tell his mind was reeling. If only he could get him to relax.
Kitty was sitting quietly watching the young girl sleeping. Her fever was starting to break so she was resting more calmly. Her mind was now back on her Cowboy, not that it was ever very far from him to start. Gazing far off at the still sky, holding her hand to her chest, she almost sobbed. "Oh Cowboy, if only I knew for sure you could hear me. If ever you could hear me, please let it be now. If you can feel me some way, know that I'm trying my best to get to you as quick as I can. I'm going to be there no matter what it takes. Cowboy, hold on just a little longer. I'll be there and you'll see everything will be just as right as it should be." Now her eyes were pooling up and small tears were trickling down her cheek.
Suddenly she heard a slight moaning, snapping her from her train of thought.
When she turn to check on the frail young girl, she was surprised when she heard, "Oh, am I glad to see you! I didn't think I was going to make it. I wasn't sure I'd even find you."
Furrowing her brow, she asked. "What?"
Now sitting up slowly and still weak, she threw her arms around Kitty. "Miss Russell. I'm so glad to see you. I really need your help!"
Kitty, still looking stunned asked again. "What? What are you talking about and how'd you know my name?"
Now giving her a weak smile, "Miss Russell, it's me, Tracy. Don't you recognize me? Tracy Copperton!"
"TRACY? Oh my… What in the world? Tracy, wait. Are you telling me you were on your way to Dodge City to see me?"
"Yes, ma'am. I am in a bit of trouble and I couldn't think of anyone else to turn to."
"Now, Tracy, what kind of trouble are you talking about?"
Now dropping her eyes, Tracy answered. "Oh, Miss Russell, it's gonna take a lot of telling."
Wrapping her arm around Tracy, Kitty smiled. "Alright, let's see about getting you something to eat. But first, I think just maybe, if I'm right, we need to keep you out of sight."
As Matt lay restless in the bed, it was suddenly as if a calm came over him. Doc just watched.
Matt's expression changed and a slight smile crossed his face, as if a gentle hand caressed his cheek. If Doc didn't know better, he'd swear Kitty was in that very room, sitting at his very bedside and holding this big cowboy's hand, telling him how much she loves him and that he'd better get better in time for the Ford County Sociable.
Kitty managed to get Tracy some food, without drawing any attention to her. Now that she knew Tracy was in some sort of trouble, she was fairly certain, the way these men were hunting through the train talking about looking for a young girl, that it was probably Tracy.
After getting her to eat and sitting quietly away from everyone else, she looked at the girl. "Ok, Tracy. Now I know when you woke up, you obviously thought you were in Dodge. But we're not. I'm on my way back to Dodge from a business trip. So, why don't you tell me what this trouble is?"
"Oh, Miss Russell, it's Grandmother."
"Jessie?"
Nodding. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Ah." Kitty nodded.
"She wants me to… Oh, I don't know where to start. I just can't do what she wants. I just can't!"
"Now, Tracy, look. Just calm down. Let's just start from the beginning. What does Jessie want you to do?"
"She wants me to marry."
"Marry?" Furrowing her brow. "Marry? Is there someone special?"
"No… Well, yes but Grandmother wants me to marry someone… someone… well, some rich rancher."
"Oh." Now smiling with a slight pout. "And you don't love him?"
"I not only don't love him but I don't know him, Miss Russell. He's some old man that Grandmother wants to make a business deal with."
Now with a raised brow. "What? Oh, Tracy, that's awful! What's your father say?"
"Oh, Daddy died two years ago in an accident on the ranch. That's partially what this all is about. See, when I turn 18, Daddy's estate all reverts to me or to my husband. So Grandmother wants to…"
"Oh, I see," Kitty said, now nodding.
"Yes, I'll be 18 in two weeks, Miss Russell. I just had to leave. I had to get away. I know Grandmother has sent her men after me. You have to help me. Please? I thought if I made it to Dodge and found you and that nice marshal friend of yours… Well, maybe he could stop grandmother."
Thinking about Matt, at that moment, Kitty's expression dropped.
Tracy noticed the change in Kitty's fac. "Miss Russell? You will help, won't you?"
"Yes. If I can, Tracy. I'll do what I can."
Just then, the door to the car swung open. Kitty quickly brushed Tracy behind her and was now standing face to face with two dark deep set eyes.
TBC