"Johnny, Marianne!" Abelia yelled as her two oldest came bounding out of the room they shared. "You two sit down and eat or you'll be late for school!"
"Alright, Ma," they said in unison taking places at the kitchen table next to their eighteen month old brother and sister.
"What bout ma breakfast?" Festus asked leaning over to kiss the twins before putting a hand on Johnny's shoulder and tickling Marianne's neck.
"I got yer's coming up," Abelia said putting his plate on the table. "C'mon and eat up or you'll be late."
"Yes, ma'am," Festus said while digging into his plate of eggs, bacon and toast.
"Pa," Johnny said looking toward Festus. "You know I'm gonna be twelve next month."
"Is that's right," Festus said playfully. "I forgot all bout that!"
"Johnny," Abelia said taking a seat at the table. "What's your point?"
"Can I have a new shot gun for my birthday," Johnny said as Abelia shook her head.
"There's nothing wrong with the one you got," Abelia said firmly.
"Except it's for kids!" Johnny said looking more than disappointed. "It's only a ten gage Ma!"
"Johnny," Festus said shooting the boy a look. "Mind yer Ma!"
"Can I be excused," Johnny said as Abelia nodded. "Let's go Marianne. We're gonna be late for school."
Festus watched the two oldest children leave before looking at Abelia.
"What?" she said harshly. "He don't need another gun!"
"I had a twenty gage when I was his age, Bee," Festus said sipping his coffee. "The boys growin up. Ya can't keep him a kid fer ever!"
"We'll talk about it," Abelia said looking at the time. "We got to get going. I promised Kitty I would help her order stock today."
Doc stepped though the doors of the Long Branch and smiled when Kitty handed him a cup of coffee.
"How is it that you always know what I want?" Doc said sipping the dark brew.
"Well," Kitty said with a wan smile. "You won't touch the stuff in Matt's office so I have to assume your here for mine."
"That's right," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "You know why, cause Festus makes it!"
Kitty giggled as Festus and Abelia stepped though the doors of the Long Branch together.
"All's I'm saying," Festus said nodding at Kitty and Doc. "Is the boys old enough fer a better rifle and besides, Matthew and me want ta take him huntin this year and we can't do that if in he don't have a better gun."
"Then maybe he should earn it," Abelia said firmly.
"Aww foot, Bee," Festus said quickly. "It's fer the boys birthday, he don't have ta earn a gift!"
"Just because we have the means to get him what he wants don't mean we should!" Abelia said crossing her arms. "Am I right Doc, Kitty!"
"Oh no,"'Doc said putting his coffee cup down and headed for the doors of the Long Branch. "There's one thing I don't do, get between a husband and wife quarreling! Forget it!"
"What ya think Miz Kitty?" Festus said looking at the Saloon owner.
"I'm with Doc on this one, sorry," Kitty said smiling. "You two are on your own!"
Abelia sighed as Festus looked at her with this deep and expressive hazel eyes. "We'll see," she said giving the hill man a kiss. "And don't look at me like that!"
"Like what?" Festus said smiling. "I'll see ya fer lunch?"
Abelia nodded as the deputy headed for the door. "Men," she said looking at Kitty.
"Tell me about it," Kitty said with a smile as Abelia sat down with a cup of coffee across from her.
Kitty worked on her books while Abelia sipped her coffee until she noticed the Long Branch's deposit bag sitting on the table.
"Would you like me to take this to the bank for you," Abelia said as Kitty looked up.
"Would you?" she said looking at her books. "I can finish this and start on that order when you get back."
"Alright," Abelia said picking up the canvas sack. "I'll be right back."
Matt had left Festus to hang new wanted posters while he headed over to the post office and telegraph office. It wasn't until he had started back toward the jail that he heard the first of several gunshots coming from the direction of the bank.
