The first significant snowfall of the winter was late in coming, in fact it was late December. Although not a lot of snow fell, it did stay and seem to brighten the dreary month up some. Even the dark nights seemed just a little brighter.
Doc checked his wood stove and placed another log on; he'd be sure to ask Jonas to check on it later in the day, as he didn't expect to be back until almost night fall. It wasn't so much a long trip out to the Person farm, but with Sarah's first child about to be born, no one can predict how long her labour would be. Tom made in it into town the day before; worried of course, but after he explained to the doctor what was happening, Doc was able to calm him down, and send him home with the promise that he'd be out to their farm, first thing the following day.
The sun had barely poked up over the hills and for all it was worth, it didn't seem to be a bad day weather-wise. Doc pulled on his winter coat and stuffed his furry gloves into the pockets before he picked up his medical bag and a bag of supplies.
After stuffing one of the begs under his left arm, the last thing the doctor picked up was his black felt hat, placing it on his head. He then reached for the door and stepped out onto the landing, pulling the door closed behind himself. He carefully moved down the snow covered stairs and reached the boardwalk below.
Wilbur Jonas was busy sweeping the snow away, "Good morning Doc," he smiled. "I'll get to your stairs in a few minutes," he stated.
"Oh, that's fine, Jonas. I won't be here for most of the day anyway," he smiled. "If you wouldn't mind checking on the stove up there later, that would be much appreciated," the doctor ticked his head.
"Oh sure, Doc. Where you heading?" the store owner paused as he asked.
"Oh, out to the Person place. Sarah's first is due any time now," Doc smiled.
"Well, I hope everything goes all right," Jonas stated with a smile. "I'll check on the wood stove later," he nodded and went back to work.
Doc began to walk toward the livery stable then stopped, "Say. How's your hand?" he asked the store owner.
Jonas shrugged, "I guess the worst is over," he then smiled quickly and went back to work.
Doc frowned slightly. He knew that he didn't diagnose Jonas' had correctly at first and with everything that happened in between, he felt badly that he never got to look at it again. With a slight sigh, the doctor walked along the boardwalk to the stable.
The doctor paused at the door was he watch Festus Haggen working on hooking up Doc's horse to his buggy. Doc slowly approached, "What are you doing?" he gruffly asked.
"Oh, hiya, Doc!" the hill man stopped for a second from what he was doing.
"I asked you what you are doing," Doc growled again.
Festus fully stopped this time, "What's it look like I'm doing?" he snapped back.
"I'm capable of hooking my own horse up to my rig," Doc stated as he placed the two medical bags on the floor of the buggy and glared at the deputy.
"Wall I know that, Doc!" Haggen stated with a fling of his hands. "But Matthew wants me to got with you to the Person place," he smiled gently.
"Why?" Doc snapped; his eyes narrowed. The doctor liked to be on is own now and again.
Festus squared himself to the doctor, "Matthew said that I have to go with you to make sure you aren't liftin' heavy thangs and not gitten proper rest. Why you ain't fully recovered from your shootin'," the hill man sputtered.
"Look," Doc paused as he wagged his finger at the deputy, "I'm feeling just fine and I'm more than capable of lifting some water buckets and logs if need be. I don't need you to tag along," he growled.
Festus looked slightly rejected, "Wall, Matthew also said that he heard of some buffalo hunters that have been stirring up some troubles," he said quietly.
"You are just looking for a way to get out of doing your job here in town!" Doc finally barked, just as Matt strolled into the stable. Festus stood speechless.
"I thought you two would be gone by now," Matt huffed.
Doc's eyes narrowed as he turned to the marshal, "It's true? You want him to go with me?" he thumbed over his shoulder.
Matt looked at the doctor and then to the deputy and back again, "That was my thought," he smiled slightly noting the annoyance on the doctor's face. Festus felt like saying "I told you so," but he bit his lip.
Doc huffed and turned toward Festus, "Well, keep going. I have a baby to deliver," he growled motioning the hill man to finish with the rigging.
"Did you get up on the wrong side of your bed?" the hill man snapped back.
"Look, Doc. I know you like to get away on your own, but there's," Matt began.
"A bunch of marauding buffalo hunters roaming the plains looking for doctors," Doc grumbled.
"Well, part of that's right," Matt stated as he tucked his thumbs over his gun belt.
Doc drew his hand across his moustache, "Well," he blinked as he slowly gave in to the fact he wasn't travelling alone. "Fine. But I don't want a word out you all the way out there. I just want to enjoy the sounds of the morning," Doc pointed at the hill man.
"Wall foot, Doc," Festus began before Matt cut the two of them off. "Look. I'm serious about these buffalo hunters. I'd go with you myself Doc, but I'll be here should they get into Dodge. We don't need anymore troubles here," he stated.
"I got a shotgun, Matthew," Festus pointed at the weapon under the seat.
Doc all but rolled his eyes, "Maybe we should get moving," the doctor then ushered to get into the buggy. Festus nodded and quickly finished with the reins before he handed then to the doctor. Doc made a face, "You drive," he huffed. "I'm going to try and get some more sleep," he muttered.
"You could use it," Festus huffed as he stepped up into the buggy. "We'll get back as soon as Doc's through," he smiled at Matt.
Matt nodded and watched the buggy leave the stable. He smiled to himself knowing despite their going's in, the two men were the tightest of friends.