Chapter Thirteen: Shots in the Dark
Johnny snapped awake. Something or someone bumped into the wood pile, knocking some of the logs off. Not sure what to do, he didn't do anything but listened. He looked around for Rolf. When his eyes found him, Johnny waved to get his attention. Rolf quietly came over to Johnny with his rifle ready. "What?" Rolf questioned quietly as he looked around.
"I heard something. By the wood pile."
Rolf moved very slowly towards the wood pile with Johnny close behind. Whoever was creeping up to the stable stopped, realized that someone was watching the place. He had bumped into the wood pile and surely alerted someone if they had a guard. Risking being caught was not what he was being paid for. Being killed was definitely not worth the $50.00 that Mr. Spenser paid him. He was only paid to let the horses out of the barn and scare them off.
Johnny spotted the man first, nudged Rolf and then took aim. Rolf saw the man, called out to him. "Put your hands up. We have you covered."
The man panicked, drew his gun, and fired recklessly at them. The bullet grazed Rolf's left upper arm and he grunted. Johnny, unsure of himself, aimed, fired, and missed the man. The intruder turned and ran as fast as possible to his horse. Johnny and Rolf followed him, rifles aiming. The man mounted his horse quickly, fired off two more shots and took off. Johnny ran closer to the man and fired again. He thought he might have gotten him when the man lurched forward but didn't fall off. Into the night the man rode, Johnny aimed but realized he could not hit the man again. Swearing under his breath he went to Rolf.
Matt felt Kitty roll over onto her left side and he followed, half awake and half asleep. He drew her up against him, his right arm and hand draping over her stomach. Matt made sure that their blankets covered them and once settled, he snuggled his face into her hair. He always loved the smell of her hair. He was almost totally asleep when the sound of the first gunshot rang out in the night air. Matt bolted upright, throwing the covers off of him. Kitty herself sat straight up at the sound. "Matt" her voice cracked. "Was that…."
Matt grabbed his pants and hastily put them on. Years of practice taught him how to do this quickly and in the dark. "Kitty, get to the children."
Matt retrieved his gun belt from the bed post and pulled his colt from the holster as Kitty climbed out of bed. She picked up her robe and put it on as she left the room behind Matt. "Please be careful." Matt shouted back at her that he will, as he headed down the stairs behind Newly.
Newly had been walking the hallways, thinking about the cup of coffee that Dakota would bring to him. It was quiet which made the night wear on. He was at the far end of the hallway when the sound of a gunshot made itself known. Newly knew it had to come from the stable and he ran to the stairs. Passing the Marshal's door, he saw the big lawman come out of the room. Newley began going down the stairs two at a time. He knew that Matt was behind him and realized that the front door was open. Unsure if Dakotas was the one to open the door, or if someone actually penetrated their defenses, he slowed down his descent.
Dakota put coffee on the stove, retrieved two cups, one for him, one for Newly. "Newly has to be as tired as I am" he stated out loud to nobody.
"I am sure he is." Doc's voice sounded behind Dakota causing Dakota to jump, turn and grab his rifle.
"Damn, Doc. A good way to get your head blown off." Dakota put his rifle down and continued. "What are you doing up this late?"
"Couldn't sleep. Worried about the judge's meeting later. It will kill Kitty and Matt if the judge rules against them for not being married. Is that coffee ready?"
"Yes, let me get you a cup. Take a seat Doc." Dakota took one of the cups and started pouring coffee into it. "They seem to love each other. Why don't they just get married?" Dakota placed the cup on the table in front of Doc.
"Well son." Doc did not elaborate any more as the sound of the gunshot pierced the air. Dakota snapped into action, seizing up his rifle and headed out the door. Doc followed but did not go to the door that led outside. A moment later, the sounds of footsteps came down the stairs and then stopped. Seeing Newly, Doc shouted that Dakota went outside.
With Matt on his heels, Newly moved outside and stopped next to Dakota. "Where?" he asked. Dakota answered, "Don't know", while the sounds of gunshots and horse hoofs were heard. Matt came up behind them, "Where?" he asked the two men.
"Came from the barn and then towards the road to the gate. Someone was here."
Johnny lowered his rifle and went over to Rolf. "How bad is your arm?"
"I am fine. Wonder if we got him." Rolf headed towards the house and the group of men that stood on the porch.
"Don't know. I think I might have, at least nipped him." Johnny fell into step with Rolf. "You should have Doc look at you. I am sure he is awake. I am sure everyone is awake."
When the two of them arrived at the porch, Matt looked surprised to see Johnny. Newly noticed that Rolf's upper arm had blood on it. Dakota walked down and went over to where he saw the horse and rider that went pass them.
"Rolf, we should have Doc look at your arm," Newly motioned to him. Rolf, realized that father and son might need a talk and that he should have his arm looked at, walked up the steps and went with him. Clara and Maria along with Doc were waiting in the kitchen. Seeing Rolf's arm, Doc headed to his room to get his bag. Clara gasped seeing the blood running down her husband's arm. She went to him immediately, and he took her hand. "I will be alright."
Johnny walked slowly up the stairs to the porch. Standing next to his father for the first time he realized how much taller his father was then he. Perhaps it was because Johnny felt like he was a man, perhaps it was because he never paid attention. Johnny stood at 5'7" where his father was a very tall 6'7". Johnny had not filled out yet, slender in body, whereas his father was very broad and muscular. He was determined to stand toe to toe if he needed to with his father.
"Didn't you think you should have told us that you were planning on doing this?" Matt asked him.
"Thought about it. Figure you would tell me no, so I decided to make a man's decision and do it." Johnny retorted.
"A man's decision huh. You just figured I would say no."
"What would you say if I asked you?" Johnny's voice was a bit challenging.
"I would have listened to your reasoning. And yes, I might have said no, but I could have said yes." Matt's voice challenged back.
"Ma would have said no, and you would have backed her up."
"Yes, I would have backed her up. Unless you would have given me reasons that I could have used to convinced her."
"I am a man Pa. I have been defending this family for the last two years while you haven't been around. I made a man's decision, and I am standing by it. I need to get back to the stables." Johnny's voice sounded angry.
"And was your man's decision to scare the hell out of your mother? Since you felt no responsibility to let us know, she went to your room to find out that you're not there. She would have figured you would be mixed up with all this. She wouldn't know though if you had gotten hurt or not. Did you even think about that?"
Johnny's face turned a bit red with frustration. No he really didn't think about that. "I will talk with her in the morning." He turned around and headed to the barn, first as a walk then faster into a jog. Matt took a deep breath and let it out. Dakota headed to the porch and stopped, waiting for the conversation to end. When Johnny took off, Dakota approached Matt.
"There are tracks, but no horse or rider. Too dark to follow, but I'll try to track them when the sun comes."
"Thanks Dakota." Matt turned and went inside and saw a very worried Kitty standing at the top of the stairs. Once she saw Matt, she descended down the stairs, stopped in front of him looking up. "Johnny was not in his room Matt. I don't know where he is. Neither do the other children. Please tell me that he is alright."
"He is alright honey. He decided to make a man's decision and with Rolf guarded the barn. He just went back out there." Matt rubbed his hand on her back for comfort.
"He is a boy Matt. You go get him and bring him back to the house."
"He is trying very hard to be a man." Lowering his forehead onto the top of her head, he quietly stated, " He let me know that he has been defending this family for the last two years while I have been absented."
Shocked, but not surprised about this outburst, "Oh Matt. I am so sorry." Kitty wrapped her arms around his waist. "Words about life can be cruel sometimes."
"I know. We should get the children back in bed." Matt stood up to his full height, and gently caress her face. " I love you so much." He will whisper.
"Father, I can do that. They both will be in my room." Jessica took Lilly's hand and placed her other hand on Matty's back. "Come on you two. Off to my room with us." Lilly and Matty nodded and headed towards Jessica's room.
Matt took Kitty into his arms and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back tightly and whispered, "They grow up so fast, don't they?"
Breakfast came and went Monday morning. Dakota left word that he was tracking the hoof prints from the night before. Rolf hitched up the buggy for Matt and Kitty. Newly saddled his horse and met them at the front door.
Jessica stood beside his horse, waited for her parents to come out, "You take care of yourself, and my parents. All three of you are to come home. You hear me Newly O'Brien?"
"I hear you Miss Jessica, and I will." Newly smiled down at her. At the sound of the door, both looked up to see Matt and Kitty leave the house.
Matt helped Kitty up into the carriage, and climbed up after her and grabbed the reins. Newly mounted his horse and tipped his hat to Jessica. She moved back up the stairs and watched as they left the property. Doc moved up behind her, "He is a good man."
"Yes, my father is." She said simply, looking at him.
"Well, yes your father is also." His eyes twinkled while he pulled on his ear. Jessica found herself blushing, stated something about reading to Lilly, turned and went into the house. Doc chuckled to himself.