Doc smiled at Kitty when he first heard the squall of one baby and then another as Festus entered the Long Branch carrying a large basket with the twins inside.
"Here now," Doc said taking Festus son out of the basket as Kitty picked up his daughter. "What are you doing to these babies?"
"Awww foot," Festus said waving a hand. "I ain't ta did nothin ta them youngin's. One starts ta squalling then the other has ta start."
Kitty giggled as Doc put Galen on his shoulder. "That's just the way it is, afraid your going to have to get used to it."
"Where's Abelia," Kitty asked rocking Katherine.
"She'll be along directly," Festus said yawning. "She's takin Marianne and Johnny ta school."
"I suppose your not getting much sleep either," Doc said gruffly.
"How can I," the hillman said taking a seat. "This one gots ta eat and be changed, then that a one and then the first one wants it again! Tarnation, havin more than one youngin at a time is just one to many!"
Doc shook his head as Matt stepped though the double doors. "Morning," he said tipping his hat up. "What's all the fussing about?"
Festus yawned again before he replied. "Taint no fussin Matthew," he said looking at his boss. "What ya needing me ta do today."
"Well I'm not to sure I can use you at all today as tired as you look," Matt groused as Abelia walking in.
"Morning everyone," she said taking off her hat.
"Well," Doc said handing Galen to her when she reached out for the boy. "Don't you look chipper."
Abelia smiled as she looked at her husband. "I wouldn't be if Festus didn't get up both times with the babies last night."
But the hillman didn't hear her as his head rested on the table and light snoring was heard by all.
"When he wakes up," Matt said with a grin. "Tell him to go home and sleep. He ain't going to be no help to me today."
Abelia smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Marshal. I'll make sure he gets some sleep tonight."
Matt nodded as he turned around and headed out the double doors just in time to see the stage pull up.
Watching Burke open the door and the passengers climb out, one dark haired woman in particular stood out.
His eyes narrowed as he wondered if the sun was making him see things, but when the woman turned around and smiled in his direction, he knew he had been right.
She approached him shyly at first but then when Matt smiled at her, she returned the smile.
Hello Marshal," she said timidly putting out a hand. "Nice to see you again."
"Sarah," Matt said taking the hand. "It's been a long time. I didn't think you would come back."
"I wasn't sure if I would," Sarah said looking around. "But I have my Ma and Pa's old place to see about."
Matt nodded. "I had heard you were living with an Aunt in Garden City, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Sarah said casting her eyes downward. "For a time I did, but she's passed away now."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," Matt said. "Will you be staying in town?"
"Just until I get the house livable again Marshal," Sarah replied as Festus and Abelia stepped out onto the boardwalk together.
"I'm not fixin ta go home," he said as Abelia crossed her arms.
"Matt said you could," Abelia replied angrily. "So stop being so stubborn!"
Matt noticed the color drained from Sarah's face as she recognized Festus and for a moment the Marshal wondered if she would faint.
Stepping past the Marshal, she approached the couple who seemed to notice her presence about the same time.
"Festus," Sarah said as the hillman scrunched up his eye.
"Sarah," he said slowly as the woman nodded.
"How are you?" she asked looking at Abelia.
"Good," Festus replied indicating his wife. "This here's Abelia, ma wife."
"Your...married," she said gently the distress in her voice was evident. "That's...well that's great."
"Yes," Abelia said looking at the tall petite woman with raven black hair. "We have two children as well."
"I...I got to be going now," she said backing away. "I'll see you again."
"Marshal," Sarah said rushing past the lawman toward the Dodge House.
Matt clinched his jaw as he turned back toward Festus and Abelia.
"Who was that? Abelia said looking at Festus as Matt opened the doors to the Long Branch.
"Festus," he said as the hillman followed the Marshal meekly inside.
"I'm waiting for an answer," Abelia said once they were back inside with Doc and Kitty.
"Matt," Kitty said putting Katherine in the basket beside her brother. "What's wrong?"
"Sarah Guthrie is back in town," Matt replied looking at Festus and Doc. "And she recognized Festus."
"Who is Sarah Guthrie," Abelia demanded looking at her husband. "And how does she know you?"
"Wal," Festus said squirming slightly. "That there's a long story from a long time ago."
*Riddle me this...what episode did Sarah Guthrie appear in and how did it pertain to Festus?*