Lost and Found

Chapter Four

Paul was finishing washing the dinner dishes when they heard a knock at the front door. Sawyer sat in the big chair by the hearth in the front room, a slumbering Kitty in his arms. Carefully standing so he wouldn't wake her, he crossed the room and opened the door to find a solemn-faced Mrs. Richardson and Doc Brennan.

"Evenin' Mrs. Richardson," Sawyer motioned them inside and closed the door behind them, "didn't think I'd be seeing you again this evenin' Doc."

Mrs. Richardson, in all her ample-bosomed glory, was a small woman in stature. But, due to her wide girth, both in her chest and hips, no one would ever say she was tiny. Her mouth appeared permanently pinched in displeasure, as though she always sucked on a lemon wedge, but her pale green eyes were warm with kindness.

Her graying hair fought the confines of her bun as she smiled compassionately at Kitty and purred, "Let me take her Sawyer. Poor little angel must be tuckered out after such a terrible day. Doc told me all about what's happened."

Taking Kitty carefully into her arms, Mrs. Richardson hummed a tune and walked further into the room. The burgundy skirts draping her wide hips swayed gently with each movement.

Sawyer watched the older woman as an emptiness, from no longer holding Kitty, settled into his heart, "You can take her to the East room upstairs, Mrs. Richardson," he looked at Doc, "figured they should stay here for the night. I'll take them home in the morning and see if I can speak with Gabe."

Doc cleared his throat and shifted his feet, looking uncomfortable, "Well, that's why I came with Mrs. Richardson, Sawyer... " clamping his mouth shut, he glanced to where Paul stood. The boy held a towel in his hands as he watched the adults from the entry to the kitchen area.

"Perhaps you'll step outside with me?" Doc murmured, looking expectantly to Sawyer.

Sawyer nodded before he turned and smiled reassuringly to Paul, "I'm just gonna get some air with Doc." At Paul's nod, Sawyer opened the door and followed Doc onto the porch.

Once they left the house, fresh night air greeted them, caressing the exposed skin of Sawyer's neck like a forgotten lover. After closing the door, he turned and asked, "Something wrong, Doc?"

Doc heaved a sigh and nodded, "Unfortunately, yes... " He looked absently at Sawyer and pursed his lips.

Sawyer leaned against the doorframe and waited for Doc to continue. A small crack in the corner of Doc's spectacles drew Sawyer's eyes to the haggard expression on the older man's deeply lined face. 'He looks tired,' Sawyer thought as he wondered what hour Doc's morning had started.

"Well, there's no easy way to say this," Doc took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, "I stopped at the Sutter's when I left here earlier, figuring I would let Gabe know what happened this morning with his children and I wanted to make sure he knew they were safe with you."

Crossing his arms across his chest, Sawyer growled, "No doubt, you found him passed out or drunk." He wished he could wrap his hands around Gabe's throat and shake some sense into him, or choke the life out of him, whichever one happened first he'd be more than fine with.

Doc's mouth pulled in a grim line, "Dead, actually."

Sawyer's arms fell to his sides, "What?"

Doc nodded, pacing to the porch railing, then turned back to look at Sawyer, "Been dead at least a day from what I could tell, most likely died sometime last night. Looks like he choked on his vomit, found him in his bed covered in it."

Sawyer stared at Doc. "Dead? I can't believe it."

Doc nodded, "As a doornail, no doubt about it. Poor kids are on their own now—not that it was much better when the pitiful fool was alive." Sighing, he removed his spectacles and rubbed his tired eyes before placing them again on his patrician nose.