Doc was in his office when he heard a familiar jingle of spurs. A moment later the door opened and Festus stuck his head in. "Doc, you got a minute?"
"No."
The hillman came in and closed the door. "I got me a letter from my nephew Sweet Billy."
He handed Doc an envelope and the old man took out the letter. "Dear Festus..."
"You know I ain't heerd from Sweet Billy for over a year?"
Doc peered over the letter at Festus, frowning, then cleared his throat. "Dear Festus..."
"I been meanin' to go see him and Orabelle."
Doc ran his hand over his face. "Dear Festus..."
"I wonder how they been doin'?"
Doc blew up. "Festus, the purpose of a written communication is to convey information to the recipient that they would not otherwise have access to!"
"I know that!"
Doc raised his eyebrows. "What did I just say?"
Festus glared. "Why? Did you forget it already?"
Doc took a deep breath. "Dear Festus..." He shot the hillman a threatening look but Festus remained silent. "Sweet Billy and me are doing just fine. We took a little house by Lambert and Emery and we've been raising hogs. I am going to have a baby any day now and I want Doc to come and take care of me. Would you please bring him? Love, Orabelle."
A dreamy look came over the hillman's face. "Doc, you hear that? My favorite nephew is goin' to be a daddy."
"Well, of course I heard it. I read it."
Festus jumped to his feet. "Well, they ain't no time to waste! I'll fetch yore buggy whilst you get yore stuff t'gether."
"Festus!"
Festus was halfway out the door. "What is it, Doc?"
Doc steeled himself. "I can't just go running off this very minute."
Festus came back in and closed the door. "Why, Doc, you know you promised to d'liver Orabelle's first baby."
"I know, but..."
"And a promise is a promise."
"I'm aware of that. However..."
"And now she's sendin' for you to come and make good on that promise."
"Festus..." The hillman turned his gentle hazel eyes on Doc and waited. The old man ran his hand over his face and tried to marshal his thoughts, but he had lost and he knew it.