"Healing Touch" (Part 1) A shooting takes place. This will be a two parter.

Matt was in Wilbur Jonas' store buying supplies for the office. Normally Festus or Newly did the chore of buying supplies for the office, but Matt wanted some fresh air, so he decided to get the supplies. As Matt was waiting for Mr. Jonas to fill both orders, he walked around the store browsing at the different items. While he was looking at a hunting knife, the little bell above the door dinged. Matt looked up and saw Kitty and Ruby walk inside.

Ruby saw her daddy and her eyes widened with excitement. "Hi daddy!" she exclaimed, walking over to Matt.

Matt took Ruby in his hands, lifting her high above his head. "Hello, sweet pea!" Matt said. His excitement matching Ruby's. "What brings the most beautiful ladies in the world to town?"

"I was going through the pantry and realized there were things that we needed," answered Kitty.

"Tomorrow's Saturday. We could've come into town then and gotten the supplies," Matt said.

"I thought about that, but I heard it might rain tomorrow. So I thought since today is such a gorgeous day, Ruby and I would take a wagon ride into town," replied Kitty.

"When we get home, momma and I are going to make bueberry muffins. Aunt Bess gave us some berries," said Ruby, still being held by Matt.

"I just love blueberry muffins," said Matt as he tickled Ruby's ribs. That caused her to giggle.

"Ingredients for the muffins are some of the items I need to get," said Kitty.

A moment later Mr. Jonas walked out from the back supply room. He was carrying a crate of the items that Matt needed. He set the items on the counter. "Here ya go, Marshall. I was able to get everything on the list. Is there anything else you need?"

"Nope, that should be all. How much do I owe you?" Matt asked.

"Let's see. It comes to $5.45," Mr. Jonas answered.

Matt put Ruby down so he could get the money out of his pocket. He gave Mr. Jonas six dollars and Mr. Jonas gave Matt a dollar back in change. Mr. Jonas then turned to wait on Kitty.

"Hello Kitty. Are you with Matt or do you also have a list?" Mr. Jonas asked.

"I have my own list," said Kitty, handing her list over to Mr. Jonas.

Mr. Jonas took the list and looked it over. "This should only take a few minutes. I'll be back shortly."

"I'll wait for ya," said Matt. "Where did you park the wagon?"

"On a side street, a couple of blocks from here," Kitty responded.

"Towards the jail?" Matt questioned.

"Yes," said Kitty.

"In that case, I'll walk the two of you back to the wagon on my way to the office," said Matt.

"Here you go, Kitty. I was able to get everything on your list," said Mr. Jonas as he put a small crate on the counter. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"This should do it," said Kitty. "How much do I owe?"

"Your total is $4.75," Mr. Jonas replied.

Kitty opened her reticule and pulled out some money. She gave Mr. Jonas the exact amount. Matt had his crate and Kitty had her crate. With their crates in hand, the Dillons left the general store. Matt and Kitty both made sure Ruby was with them.

"Ruby, daddy and I both have our hands full, so you need to make sure you walk close to one of us," Kitty said, making sure she had her daughter's attention.

"Okay, momma," Ruby agreed. "Are we going to go home and make the muffins?"

"We sure are," said Kitty. "We can have some after supper tonight and then again tomorrow for breakfast." Ruby liked that plan.

She was looking forward to baking the muffins as much as Ruby was. Kitty liked doing things like that with Ruby. She wanted to create memories with Ruby, memories she hoped Ruby would remember for a long time.

As the Dillon family started to walk to the wagon, Ruby chose to walk close to her daddy. Because Ruby had such little legs, her strides weren't nearly as long as her parents. Matt and Kitty were well aware of this and made sure they walked at their daughter's pace.

Meanwhile over at the Long Branch, Dexter Hunt had just finished a bottle of whiskey. He did go to the saloons and drink, but not the way he was currently drinking. Mr. Hunt was angry and was trying to alleviate his anger with alcohol. It wasn't working. Since the alcohol wasn't doing anything to lessen his anger, Dexter decided to go ahead with his next plan, revenge on Marshall Dillon. Afterall, the Marshall was the source of his anger.

Last Saturday he was in the general store waiting for Mr. Jonas to wait on him. Mr. Jonas was in the back of the store helping the Marshall and his family. While Dexter was waiting, he put several horehound sticks in his pocket. Before leaving, Marshall Dillon told Jonas to be sure to charge Mr. Hunt for the horehound sticks that were in his pocket. Dexter quickly explained that he planned on paying for them, but Mr. Jonas had already looked at him as though he was a thief. He did pay for them, but was embarrassed. Marshall Dillon would pay for his embarrassment.

Drunk as a hoot owl, Dexter Hunt stumbled out of the Long Branch, and towards his destination, the jail. It would be a surprise attack. The Marshall would have no time to react. He just hoped that the Marshall was in his office. As he walked towards the jail, he could see the Marshall and his family coming towards him. He saw that the Marshall had his hands full and that there was no way he would have time to go for his gun. Dexter took advantage of Matt's disadvantage and drew his gun.

"Hey Marshall!" Dexter slurred, trying to point his gun at Matt. He was so drunk that he couldn't keep a straight aim.

Kitty saw Dexter Hunt and yelled Matt's name. "Matt!"

Before Matt could do anything, Dexter had fired one shot. He tripped and fired another shot as he went down. Ruby screamed as she dropped to the ground. Matt dropped his crate and pulled his gun out of its holster, shooting Dexter, before he too dropped to the ground.

TBC