"This was the best idea you've had in years, Pa," Robert said lying against the bank of the river next to Festus and Doc.
After seeing the hospital completed, the trio decided it was time for a fishing expedition.
"Sure is," Doc said with a wiry grin and a wink. "He don't get many thoughts in that mule headed brain of his but when he does, their mighty good ones."
"Smart aleck," Festus said looking at his old friend. "Wal, yer just a cranky old scudder, ya know that?"
Robert smirked as the two men argued. It was times like these that he cherished the most. Especially after all they'd recently been though together.
Meanwhile back in Dodge, Matt went though the mail and the telegrams before one in particular caught his eye.
Putting it aside for discussion later, the Marshal turned to the wanted posters instead.
"You ready son," Festus said wrapping up their three day fishing trip as Robert nodded.
Climbing onto his horse, he took a deep breath before following Festus who drove a wagon with Doc beside him.
"If you get tired," Festus said narrowing his eyes. "You let me know and we'll stop."
"I'm alright, Pa," Robert replied with a boyish grin. "In fact, I feel better than I have in a long time."
"Good," Festus said with a sideways grin. "We'll have ta do this more often then won't we?"
"See," Doc said looking at the hill man. "Anything to get outa working a full day!"
"Oh hush, ya old scudder," Festus said angrily smacking the rump of the horse with the reins.
Kitty shook her head when Abelia came though the doors of the saloon with a fussy Abby.
"I heard her crying all the way down the street," Kitty said taking the six month old from her friend.
"She's teething I'm afraid," Abelia said the exasperation in her voice betrayed her frustration. "Festus seems to be the only one that calms her."
"Let me try," Kitty said with a slight wink before going to the bar and opening a bottle of whiskey.
Putting a small amount on the tip of her finger, she rubbed it over the baby's gums and smiled when Abby stopped her fussing.
"Of course," Kitty said putting the infant on her shoulder. "It'll work until her Pa gets back anyway."
Abelia nodded as she took a seat at a table near the bar and Kitty joined her.
"I've missed having Matthew this small," Kitty said wistfully cradling the baby.
"I don't know if I'll miss it," Abelia said with a grin. "After seven children, I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet and it just being me and Festus."
"Yes, but then, you'll have grandchildren," Kitty said with a mischievous grin.
"Don't remind me," Abelia said rolling her eyes. "I know one day, Robert will find a nice girl and settle down and Johnny and Marianne are almost grown and out of school and the twins aren't far behind."
"At least you've got a good size family," Kitty said with a smile. "Matthew will be starting school soon and so far he's the only one."
"Don't despair, Kitty," Abelia said with a look at me grin. "I still got pregnant at my age."
"Well," Kitty said nuzzling the baby. "I'm not holding my breath."
Abelia cleared her throat as Matt walked in and sat down between the two woman.
"Matt," Kitty said with a wiry grin. "What's going on?"
"Not much," he said bleakly before opening a letter. "Kitty, do you remember the Pickett's?"
"Isn't that the family the Sprague's had problems with about their testimony to put Ira Pickett away for murder," Kitty replied thoughtfully.
Matt nodded. "That's the one," he said looking over the letter. "I got this from the warden, seems Osgood Pickett died in prison and his boy Joseph just got released."
"He's not coming here, is he Matt?" Kitty asked remembering that it was Matt's bullet that took Ira's life.
"I don't think so," Matt said standing up. "I just wanted you to be aware of it."
"Alright," Kitty said narrowing her eyes. "You let me know if you get anything different."
"Sure," Matt said tipping his hat at Abelia before leaving the saloon.
"Worried?" Abelia asked quietly as Kitty hugged Abby.
"With a capital 'W',"she said meeting Abelia's eyes.
Festus stopped the wagon in front of the Long Branch and climbed out as Robert slid off his horse.
"I don't know bout you fellers but I'm gonna get me a beer," the hill man said as Doc met Robert's eyes.
"Sounds like he's buying," Doc said nudging Robert in the side.
"It does, don't it?" Robert replied with a grin aimed at Festus.
"Now wait a minute," Festus said following them into the saloon. "That ain't what I said!"
Kitty grinned at Abelia as the three men came though the doors. "Speaking of the devil," she said handing the baby back to Abelia.
"Kitty," Doc said smacking the bar. "Three beers please and Festus is buying!"
"Well," Kitty said making the drinks. "Sounds like you all had a good time."
"We did," Robert said with a smile. "How's things here?"
"Mostly quiet," Kitty said evenly.
"That don't sound to promising," Robert said looking at Abelia. "What's wrong?"
"You might as well tell them, Kitty," Abelia said. "They're going to find out from Matt anyway."
"Find out what?" Festus said the agitation in his voice evidence by his demeanor.
"You remember the Pickett's?" Kitty asked quietly looking at Doc and Festus.
"Ya," Festus said angrily. "I remember that Ira Pickett being a mean little cuss."
"That's the one," Kitty said with a nod. "The father died in prison and Joseph just got released."
Festus shook his head as he met Kitty's eyes. "Don't you worry none bout it Miss Kitty. If in I know Matthew, he ain't gonna loose no sleep over a feller like that!"
"I hope you're right, Festus," Kitty said worriedly.