To Wait in Death's Arms
I don't own the characters-I just like to hang out with them
Chapter one
The early morning sun shone weakly through the misty, winter dawn in Dodge City as its deputy, Festus Haggen, left the town's livery humming softly to himself as he packed his mule, Ruth for travel.
"Almost ready, Festus?" asked a voice from behind him.
Turning, Festus saw Marshal Matt Dillon walking towards him, a smile on his face.
"Sure am, Matthew. Just need ta grab ma bed roll and I'm ready," he said as he headed back into the livery for the roll, returning quickly.
"Try not to get into any trouble in Bucklin this time, all right?" Dillon said smiling, remembering the last time Festus had gone to Bucklin he had been mistaken for a gunfighter, been bitten by a rabid dog, shot and beaten.
"Not funny, Matthew," Festus said, shaking his head as he tied the bed roll to the back of his saddle. "None of that was ma fault, ya know."
Dillon laughed easily and slapped Festus on the back. "I know. Just be careful, all right? Josh Kendig is not a man to be taken lightly. I wish I could go along with you to bring him back here but with this trial starting up tomorrow, I need to be here."
"Don't worry 'bout it none, Matthew. I'll be back quicker'n you can say the rat ran over the roof of the house with a piece of raw liver in his mouth."
Shaking his head, Dillon smiled and stroked a gentle hand down Ruth's nose as the mule nuzzled against him, seeking a treat. Raising his eyes, he watched as his friend swung up easily into the saddle and leaned down to him. "Do ya care how I bring Kendig back, Matthew?"
Looking questioningly up into the smiling face of his deputy, he furrowed his brow. "How?"
"Wall sure. Does it have ta be in one piece? Or can I use my own good judgment?" he asked before pulling Ruth about and heading down the Dodge City street slowly. He turned back with a big smile on his face and kept riding.
"Alive would be good, Festus! Both you and Kendig! You hear?"
Festus turned away and raised one hand in farewell.
Dillon shook his head as he watched Festus ride off.
"Well now! Where's he off to this early in the morning?" Dillon turned to see his old friend, Doc Adams, walking slowly towards him.
"He's going to Bucklin to pick up Josh Kendig. I have that trial tomorrow so I asked him to go pick him up for me."
"Do you think that's wise considering what happened the last time he was in Bucklin?" Doc asked, wiping a hand across his face, trying hard not to smile.
"Doc, you know none of that was his fault. He…" Dillon stopped when he noticed Doc laughing quietly and smiled himself.
"At least it'll be quiet here. Any way you can keep him in Bucklin for a bit? No? Well, I had to try," he said before walking off to Delmonico's for breakfast, relishing the idea of peace and quiet for a time. "You comin' to breakfast, Matt? Or are you too busy?"
Dillon smiled to himself and shook his head, following Adams to the restaurant. Dodge City was sure never boring with the folks he had decided to call friends about.