Brian MacGregor sat in his living room of his large stone ranch house. He'd built it himself from the rocks and lumber from the lands he'd bought up ten years earlier. It was a spacious building with a large stone mantle over the hearth fireplace that once served as the cooking fire. Now his wife had a proper kitchen with a proper kitchen cook stove at the side of the house. He knew she loved the kitchen from the meals that she prepared from it for the past years for the family.

However, MacGregor wanted more for his family, but there was one thing - one person in his way from achieving it - that was Tobias Dyer who was buying up land everywhere near Dodge including the waterway that he had always assumed was his. At least that is what the survey said three years ago, but Dyer wouldn't listen and the bitter land battle began.

MacGregor chewed on his pipe stem as he watched his eldest son Peter stroll into the room and sit down. "You look like you've got somethin' on your mind, son," MacGregor said in a low tone.

Peter looked at his father, "I don't think it's anything to worry about..."

MacGregor's greying eyebrows arched, "With a statement like that, I can't be sure. Furthermore, shouldn't I be the judge of what I worry about or not?"

"I suppose so," Peter stood and looked over to the kitchen to see what his mother was doing. Satisfied she was busy he abruptly turned back to his father, "I think Dyer has poisoned the water hole near the old homestead," the young MacGregor stated.

Brian MacGregor slowly rose to his feet holding back angry words about the Dyers, "What makes you say that?" he stepped firmly toward his son.

Peter looked down at his well worn boots, "There's a few dead calves and rabbits down there," he wasn't happy with sharing the news.

Brian MacGregor cursed under his breath then turned to his son, "Where's William?"

Peter shrugged, "I expect he's looking over the fence on the west side. At least that's what he said he was going to do."

MacGregor drew a deep breath, "I curse the day that Tobias Dyer became my neighbour," his eyes narrowed, "I could tell from the first meeting he was going to cause trouble..."

Martha MacGregor stepped from the kitchen, "Brain, how could you say such a thing? You've only met him once and you said that was over cards at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City."

Brian huffed, "I could tell then he was a cheat and a mean one..." he sneered. Peter made a face to his mother then shrugged, "I can only speculate, Ma."

Martha sighed, "Exactly. And that is all it is - speculation. Did you see Mr. Dyer poison the water?"

"No, but," Peter started.

"Then you can't just out rightly accuse him of it. Your father's silly notions are clouding your own thoughts," Martha shook her head in sadness and returned to the kitchen. Peter looked sharpy at this father, "What now?"

MacGregor set his pipe down on the holder, "We'll prove he did it..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doc was about an hour into this trip when he pulled his rig into the lane of Douglas and Lilly Stewart. He'd know the Stewarts as long as he'd been the doctor in Dodge. He was always amazed that the couple's resiliency and how they managed to carve a farm out of the land and still keep it during the war and then to have it flourish every other year. Not to mention their ages, but they were both old then Doc. Sadly every year he visits them, they seem to be slowly winding down - a sad fact of life.

"Well, hello Doctor Adams! It's good to see you again. I can't believe it's been six months already." Douglas waved with a rake in hand having stopped to clear a patch from their little vegetable garden. Doc smiled and ticked his head, "Douglas, how are you and Lilly getting along these days?" Doc asked as he set the brake and stepped down from his buggy.

"Oh, you know Doc," Douglas set the rake against the fence, "we have our aches and pains, but we manage," the old farmer smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that," Doc smiled and waled with Douglas to the little shack he and Lilly called home.

"Lilly?" Douglas called, "we have a visitor."

Doc smiled knowing that Lilly was get all fussy over a 'visitor' and drop whatever it was she was doing to talk to someone other than Douglas.

"Oh, heavens," her voice lilted through the screen door, "a visitor! I have to make my self presentable!" Both Douglas and Doc could hear her scurrying around inside the house. Doc hid his smirk from Douglas who was now waiting somewhat impatiently at the door, "Woman, you don't need to get all gussied up! It's Doc Adams!" he pointed back toward Doc. Doc's face quickly changed, "Humph", Doc grunted. For a felting second, Doc felt he was talking to Haggens.

Lilly pushed her long silver hair back and looked out the door, "Oh, Doc...it isn' that I'm happy to see you..." Doc tipped his black felt hat to the older woman while he rolled his eyes, "I understand Lilly. There's no need to explain anything," Doc's eyes drifted to Douglas who was now looking down at his hands and trying not to make eye contact with Doc. It was sort of a game of his.

"So what brings you out here all the way from Dodge?" Lilly asked bluntly.

"Well, it's my job. I have to pay folks a visit now and again to see how they are and to see if they need anything..." Doc stated. The physician stepped froward, "Do you?"

"Do I want?" Lilly leaned forward.

"Need anything," Doc watched the woman. She drew her lips tight in thought and then her jaw shifted as she continued to think. Douglas looked at this wife and then to Doc, "You might be here all day..."

Lilly frowned at her husband and then looked to Doc, "I can't think of anything. How long have I got to answer you?"

Doc made a face, "How about you think about it and I'll stop by on my way back to Dodge..." Doc said as he headed back to his buggy and climbed in. As he picked up the reins and pulled the brake release he called back to the old couple, "You think about it. I'll be back..."

Both of the Stewarts waved goodbye to the doctor and then wondered why he stopped by in the first place. Doc wondered too.