Disclaimer - These characters are not mine. I do not profit from them and never intend to. I'm just making up stories.

Authors Note: I wrote a story called Decisions, Reactions & Change. This takes place 6 months later, but no need to read the other story. This stands on its own.

It was a fall evening, but the chill in the air already carried the feel of winter, and although the days had been sunny the more mountainous areas were already covered with snow. Matt was outside of his house, stomping the dirt off of his shoes before opening the door. He had just been in the lower acreage of his ranch looking over the yearlings he planned to put on auction in early spring. He was pleased. Most of them were beauties that were sure to bring an excellent price.

In the three years since he had retired as marshal Matt had built the KStar Ranch into a very successful and highly regarded operation. He and Kitty had laughingly agreed that sometimes it felt like a horse and baby ranch. Galena was 3 years old and the twins, Bessie and Hannah, had just celebrated their first birthday. Matt couldn't help but smile at the thought of his tiny read heads - the unexpected words and phrases that were always tumbling out of Galena's mouth, and way the twins were always tumbling as they started walking on their own.

Opening the door he entered the foyer and was greeted by Margaret Jones, affectionately called Pegs by everyone. Pegs was their housekeeper, all around helper and friend.

When Kitty had become pregnant with the twins it was clear early on that the pregnancy was going to be a difficult one. Matt wanted to hire household help so Kitty didn't have to do so much. She had resisted. She was worried about the expense and insisted that she could take care of her home and child herself. Then Doc threw his opinion in loud and clear, stating that it was essential that she get a lot of rest during the pregnancy. Doc's and Matt's insistence wore her down, and she truly didn't want to do anything to jeopardize her pregnancy, so she and Matt set about finding a housekeeper. The first two women they met with were all wrong for them, one was very formal and stern, and the other way too timid - then Pegs turned up.

Pegs was a widow of about fifty who had moved to Dodge with her much younger half-brother, Frank Clancy about 2 years before. Frank worked for the blacksmith and Pegs took care of their household needs. Around the same time a new schoolteacher came to Dodge, Mary Jane Harper. She was a pretty blond with fine features and a real sweetness about her. All of the school children loved her. Mary Jane and Frank met at a church social and hit it off immediately. After a short courtship they were married. As custom had it Mary Jane left her job as teacher when she became Frank's wife. Only single woman worked as teachers, part of their salary being the room and board provided by the families of students.

Mary Jane and Pegs liked each other very much, but the older woman thought it best for the young couple if she moved out, and let the couple be alone to build a life together.

Around that time, Pegs was in Mr. Jonas' store, and he mentioned that the Dillons were looking for help, saying emphatically that finer folks couldn't be found. After making an inquiry, she went to the ranch for an interview. As soon as Matt and Kitty met the energetic Pegs with her dancing dark eyes, ready smile and slight Irish brogue they were enchanted. Galena took to her right away, and climbed up onto her lap. On Pegs' part, the minute she walked into the Dillon's house she felt at home. She could see that it beautifully decorated in bright, attractive colors, but she could also see that it was a place filled with love and happiness. In fact, when she met Matt and Kitty she couldn't help but smile inwardly. She had never, ever seen two people so much in love.

Matt and Kitty described their life to her – a toddler, twins on the way, a ranch that had started making a profit but was still very much a work in progress - Pegs smiled at them and responded, "As my mother always said – 'full hands and a full heart.' Right then and there both the couple and Pegs knew that they were right for each other.

Later that year when the twins were newly born and things felt overwhelming to Matt and Kitty they'd repeat the quote to each other with a smile – 'full hands and a full heart.'

When Matt entered the house on that cold fall evening, Pegs was in the foyer holding 1-year-old Hannah. As he hung up his coat, his little girl started squirming and holding her arms out, calling "Papa, papa."

Matt smiled and took her in his arms. He kissed her cheek, and held her in one arm. Pegs chuckled, "Your girls sure love being with their daddy."

Kitty came out from the kitchen holding Bessie, she had been cooking and had a bit of flour on the tip of her nose. Matt walked over and kissed her nose and then her lips, lingering there for a few seconds. When their lips separated, Kitty smiled, "Matt, could you take Bessie too? Pegs and I want to finish making dinner. Doc is already here. He's in the den with Galena. Festus and Abigail should be here soon."

Matt nodded and took Bessie in his other arm. He gave Kitty another quick kiss and headed toward the den.

As he neared the door of the den, Matt carefully set the twins down on their feet and stooped over so he give a hand to each. Doc grinned when he saw the stooped over Matt, his big feet taking tiny, tiny steps, with a twin on each side holding onto one of his long fingers. Doc whispered to Galena, who was sitting on his lap, "Just look at your sisters. They are walking."

Galena shook her head saying seriously, "They're trying Grandpa, but they sure fall down a lot."

Matt and Doc laughed. Matt sat down in the chair next to Doc and sat each of the twins on the floor front of them with their dolls.

Doc looked at Matt, "Matt who would have ever thought that Festus would be getting married? I'll tell you something, he'd never have had the nerve to propose if he wasn't earning a good living as foreman of your ranch."

Matt reached over and helped little Hannah take hold of her doll, "Maybe Doc, all I can say is I'm sure glad for them that they reconnected. They were childhood friends until her grandma sent her off to school. It was quite a co-incidence that she moved to Dodge a couple of years ago. Festus saw her sitting in the window of the dress shop sewing, and they picked up where they left off."

Matt heard a knock on the door and called out, "Come on in, it's open."

A few seconds later Abigail and Festus walked into the den. Matt stood and went over to the couple. "I'm glad to see you both, I understand a date has been set for the wedding."

Abigail smiled, "Yes, a month from today. We'll tell you all about it over dinner, but right now if you'll excuse me I'll go see if Kitty and Pegs need any help in the kitchen."

Abigail hurried into the kitchen and Festus immediately sat down on the floor and started playing with Bessie and Hannah. Galena giggled and slid off Doc's lap to join them.

Doc shook his head, "You see Matt, when you look down on the floor the only way you can tell that one isn't a child is by his whiskers."

Festus replied without even looking up, "You ole scudder, you be quiet and let a body have some fun."

Doc was about to answer, but Kitty came in to announce that dinner was ready, and the conversation was cut mercifully short.

Everyone went into the dining room and sat down. The food looked delicious and was plentiful – bread, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, collard greens, yams and there was a promise of apple pie to follow. Matt looked around the table. Kitty was glowing, and had never looked more beautiful to him. Festus and Abigail were in great spirits. Doc was looking at his grandchildren with pride and Pegs was obviously enjoying herself. The twins were in high chairs and Galena on the booster seat, that Matt had made for her. Matt had one of those rare moments in life when time slows for a few seconds, to let you appreciate how blessed you are.

As everyone started digging in, spirits were high. The twins were quite a sight with more mashed potato on their faces then had gone into their bellies. Festus and Abigail were talking excitedly about their upcoming wedding and then Doc was telling everyone the story about the foolish farmer that managed to get his arm stuck in his own fence. Galena made everyone laugh when she looked at Matt's plate and said in amazement, "Papa, you made a mountain."

Through the chatter and laughter a knock on the front door was heard. Pegs quickly rose, "I'll get it."

A few minutes later she returned to the table and looked at Matt. "It's Marshal O'Brien, Matt. He wants to talk to you."

"Pegs, he should join us for dinner. Kitty we can set another place can't we? There's plenty of food."

Kitty smiled and nodded happily. She started to stand to get another place setting. Pegs lightly put her hand on Kitty's shoulder and continued speaking to Matt, "I invited him in, but he said he couldn't stay. He asked me to get you, he said it was urgent that he speak to you."

Matt put his napkin on the table and looked at Kitty. She looked back. They shared an unspoken acknowledgement that whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Matt excused himself and rose from the table to go and speak to Marshal Newly O'Brien.

TBC