The ladder wobbled to the left before twisting to the right as the old physician stepped inside the barn and shook his head.

"Festus!"

The hill man grabbed the ladder to keep from tumbling off as Doc pointed up at him.

"What in thunder are you doing up there?"

"What's it look like," Festus grumbled attaching another streamer of colored paper. "I'm decoratin fer the barn dance tonight."

"Well, it looks like your about to break your neck!"

"Aww foot," Festus said waving his hand. "Don't ya worry none bout me! I been a doing this here decoratin fer Miss Kitty all day!"

"Just don't come crawling to me when you fall off that ladder!" Doc yelled on his way out of the barn, he stopped short when Kitty and Abelia stepped inside.

"Doc," Kitty said crossing her arms. "What are you yelling about?"

"I'm not yelling," Doc said with a wiry grin. "I was talking loudly to the jackass on the ladder."

Abelia grinned as she looked up at her husband. "I think he's doing a nice job, Doc."

"Yes, he is!" Kitty said with a nod. "This is going to be the best social Dodge has put on in years."

"I think, I'm done," Festus said joining them.

"It looks great, Festus," Kitty said with a smile. "Why don't you go get a beer at the Long Branch for doing such a great job!"

"Much obliged, Miss Kitty," Festus said looking at Abelia. "Catch up ta you later?"

Abelia nodded Festus started toward the Saloon.

"Oh, sure," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "Ply him with alcohol for doing a job that a monkey could have done!"

"You're just jealous because you didn't get one," Kitty said giving the physician an angry look before turning to Abelia. "I'm going to get Matthew from Matt, he'll be getting hungry soon."

"I'm headed to the dress shop to get my dress for tonight, it should be ready by now."

Doc shrugged as the two woman moved in opposite directions as he turned around and decided to join Festus in the Long Branch.

Robert pounded another nail into the stage and looked up when he seen two long legs and a skirt sashay by.

"Sally," he said dropping the hammer on the top of the stage as the blonde turned around. "What are you doing here?"

"Robert," she said with a broad smile. "I was hoping, I'd find you!"

"I hadn't ever seen you in Dodge since we've been meeting down at the lake," Robert said taking her hand. "Say, are you going to the social tonight," he asked quickly.

"I don't think we'll be in town," she said evenly before looking around. "But this place looks great!"

"Thanks, my Pa and I did most of the decorating." Robert said with a broad smile. "I hope you can come. I sure would like to have a dance or two with you?"

"I don't think that my Pa will let me," she said heading for the side door of the barn. "I'll see what I can do. I got to be getting back now!"

Robert shook his head as he watched the girl go, thinking to stop her, he decided to resume his work instead but his thoughts were clearly on Sally and her situation.

Since their first chance encounter, he'd been secretly meeting her whenever possible because of her father.

Almost a recluse, the man would hardly let Sally out of his sight since her Ma died two years ago but the girl was eighteen now and eager for life outside of their small farm.

But Robert was helpless to do anything other than listen and offer a sympathetic ear. His main focus at the moment was learning all he could from Doc before going away to school in Baltimore.

"And this fella is wanted for bank robbery," Matt said as his son of six months sat on his lap. "And this one..."

"Matt Dillon!" Kitty said angrily slamming the door behind her. "What did I tell you about reading Matthew those wanted posters!"

"I know what you said, but it's the only way to keep him from fussin," Matt replied handing his wife the red haired and cherubic faced boy.

"I swear," Kitty said smiling at her son. "You're going to give him nightmares."

Matt grinned as he looked over the pile of new posters. "They give me nightmares."

"They're supposed to, that's your job remember," Kitty said ruefully. "Just don't go making a lawman out of our son before he can wear a gun belt!"