Chapter 12 "Ruby's Injury" (Part 1) Ruby is injured.

Matt, Kitty, and Ruby were enjoying a supper of chicken and biscuits. Ever since Kitty married Matt and even before that, she had been improving her cooking skills. She wanted to be able to cook for her husband and child. The meals she cooked were nothing too fancy, but they tasted good and they satisfied her family. Sitting down together to share meals was something that both Matt and Kitty relished in. They loved spending time together as a family, even if it was something as simple as eating a meal together.

"So, Matt, do you have any plans for next Saturday?" Kitty as she put a forkful of chicken and biscuits in her mouth.

"Not at the moment, but I have a feeling that's going to change," said Matt, pouring Ruby some more milk.

"Well, I thought next Saturday would be a perfect day for the two of us to go on a picnic," said Kitty. "I already talked to Bess. She said we could bring Ruby over there, and she could play with Rosie and Mary."

"Why Saturday?" asked Matt. "We could go any day this week. I just don't understand why Saturday is so important."

Matt knew exactly why Kitty wanted to go on a private picnic on Saturday. It was their sixth year anniversary. He knew it was their anniversary, but decided to have a little fun with Kitty. Every once in a while to have that fun, he would tease her. This was one of those times.

"Matt Dillon, if you don't know why this Saturday is so important," Kitty started to say, but stopped when she saw Matt's knowing smile.

"Happy anniversary, darling," Matt said, taking her hand.

"Oh Matt, you're such a tease, but I still love ya," said Kitty. "Besides, our anniversary isn't for three more days."

Matt was about to respond, but Ruby spoke. "What's a 'versary?" she asked.

"An anniversary is when you celebrate the day you got married," Kitty answered her daughter. "Your daddy and I are going to celebrate the day we got married."

"I went to Miss Maisey's wedding. It was fun. How come I didn't go to your wedding?" Ruby asked as she took a sip of her milk.

"You weren't born yet," Matt replied. "You weren't even in momma's tummy yet."

"Oh," said Ruby. "Can I go on the picnic with you?"

Matt was going to let Kitty answer this one. He knew she wanted to spend time alone with him, and he wanted to spend time alone with her. As much as they loved their daughter, they still needed some alone time. Matt could see that Kitty was contemplating on how to answer their daughter.

"Sweetheart, daddy and I are going to go on the picnic by ourselves. But when we get back, we will celebrate as a family. We can have some pie and ice cream at Delmonico's," Kitty said. She hoped her answer satisfied Ruby.

"Yeah!" Ruby exclaimed. "I wike pie and ice cream."

Relieved that Ruby wasn't upset that she couldn't go on the picnic, Matt and Kitty finished their meal. They weren't really surprised that Ruby didn't throw a fit. She rarely did. She accepted what her parents told her and that was that. Of course it did help that pie and ice cream were involved.

Three days passed and it was Saturday. Matt was packing the food, a bottle of wine and the other necessities needed for a picnic, while Kitty was getting herself and Ruby ready. He could hear Ruby's excitement over going to the Ronigers' house. She liked playing with Rosie and Mary. Rosie was a year younger than Ruby and Mary was a year older. All three girls played so well together.

"Momma, I'm so 'cited to go to Unca Willam's and Aunt Bessie's house," said Ruby. I wike pwaying with Rosie and Mary."

"They are so excited to have you come over," Kitty told her daughter. She finished braiding her hair. "Now let's go see if daddy is ready."

When Kitty and Ruby walked out of Ruby's bedroom, Matt was walking out of the kitchen with the picnic basket and a blanket. "Are my two lovely ladies ready to go?"

Ruby giggled and Kitty answered. "We sure are."

"Alright then, let's get going," said Matt.

Matt opened the door and Kitty and Ruby walked out. He followed. Matt put the picnic basket and the blanket in the back of the wagon, and then helped Kitty and Ruby. With everything set, Matt took off towards the Roginers' place. It only took about fifteen minutes to get there. Kitty stepped down from the wagon and then went to get Ruby down. Before she did, Ruby gave her daddy a kiss goodbye. Matt gave Ruby a kiss on the cheek. Kitty and Ruby walked up to the Roginers' door, knocked, and walked inside. Matt stayed on the wagon and waited for Kitty to return.

"Bess, thank you so much for letting Ruby come over for the afternoon. Matt and I really appreciate it," said Kitty.

"Kitty, it's our pleasure. Rosie and Mary have been looking forward to Ruby's visit. You and Matt go and enjoy yourselves," said Bess. "Where are you going?"

"Matt and I are going to have a picnic on Willow Creek," Kitty answered. She didn't want to give too much information. The place they were going was their private picnic area.

"Sounds romantic. Like I said, enjoy yourselves and don't worry about Ruby," said Bess.

"We will. Ruby, give me a kiss goodbye and behave yourself," said Kitty.

Ruby gave Kitty a kiss and then walked over to Auntie Bessie. Kitty walked out the door and got back on the wagon. Matt helped her back up onto the wagon.

"Is Ruby all situated?" asked Matt.

"Yes," Kitty answered.

"Well then, Mrs. Dillon, let's go on that anniversary picnic of ours," said Matt.

"Sounds like a plan, Cowboy," said Kitty. She and Matt took off towards their private picnic area at Willow Creek.

Bess took Ruby into the kitchen and out the back door. Rosie and Mary, along with some of the other Roginer children, were playing on the merry-go-round. Rosie and Mary saw Ruby and wanted to get off of the merry-go-round. They ran over to greet their friend. Ruby gladly accepted their welcome.

"Girls," said Bess, getting their attention. "I'm going to go into the kitchen and make lunch. I want you to play back here, so I can see you from the window."

"Okay," all three girls agreed.

Bess went back into the house and was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch. While she made sandwiches for the kids, she could hear their laughter and shouts of joy. Every now and then Bess would look out the window to make sure the kids were fine. It was when she went back to making the sandwiches, that she heard a scream. It wasn't a scream from a happy child. It was a painful scream. Bess quickly looked out the window and saw Ruby on the ground. She immediately went outside and to the crying child.

TBC