"This brings back memories," Henry said casting his pole. "Don't it Festus?"
"Yep," Festus said lying back against a log, he was feeling totally relaxed for the first time all day. "Just like when we was youngin's."
"Hey, look Festus ya got one," Henry said as the hillman sat up and and grabbed his pole. "Here let me help ya!"
"No,"Festus said pushing Henry's hand away. "You go on now!"
"But Festus," Henry said pulling on the line. "Yer gonna lose it!"
"Henry!" Festus yelled pulling on the pole again as Henry let go of the line making the hillman loose his balance and into the pond he went.
"Tarnation Festus," Henry said smiling. "I didn't think ya wanted ta go swimmin to."
Festus smacked the water with his fist before he replied. "I didn't ya damn mule! Now help me outa here. I'm ready ta go back ta Dodge."
"Oh, alright," Henry said reaching for his cousin.
Festus slid in the mud before finally getting a good enough hold to pull himself out of the pond.
"Where'd ya tie up the animals," Festus said looking around.
"I didn't tie em up Festus," Henry said. "I was a thinkin ya did it."
"Golly Bill Henry," Festus said angrily. "Now we gotta go find yer horse and Ruth."
"Well, I'm sorry Festus," Henry said running a hand though his hair.
(Dodge)
Abelia sighed as she tossed and turned in the bed trying to get comfortable but it was no use, the ache in her back just wasn't going away.
"Festus," she said aloud.
"What is it Ma," Johnny said coming into the room.
"Where's your papa?" Abelia asked her son.
"He ain't come back yet," Johnny said. "You want me to go fetch him for ya Ma?"
"Yes," Abelia said softly putting on a brave face. "Tell him to hurry home!"
"I'm telling you the truth," Doc said looking at Kitty. "I wouldn't have believed it."
"Well there has to be something to those old wives tales," Kitty said giggling.
"Hey," Matt said looking toward the bar. "Isn't that Jonathan?"
"Sure is," Doc said waving the boy over. "What are you doing wandering around at this late hour young man?"
"I was looking for papa," Johnny said. "Do you know where he is Doctor Adams."
"Well," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "He went out to do a little fishing with his cousin but I expect him back by morning. Everything alright?"
"No sir," Johnny said worriedly. "Ma was asking for him. She told me to tell him ta hurry home."
"Uh oh," Kitty said as Doc stood up.
"Well let's go see about your Ma," he said as Kitty and Matt followed him.
"There they is Festus," Henry said going after the horse and Mule. "I told ya they wouldn't be far."
"Far enough," Festus said grabbing Ruth's reins. "Let's get back ta Dodge, I wanna change outa these wet clothes."
Doc followed Johnny into Festus and Abelia's house. "She's in the bedroom," he said as Marianne slept on the sofa.
"Abelia," Doc said stepping into the bedroom to find the pregnant woman sitting on the side of the bed.
"I thought it was just my back aching from being on my feet to long," she said gasping as another contraction hit her. "But I was wrong."
"Don't you worry," Doc said evenly. "I told you they could come early."
Abelia nodded as the physician turned to Matt and Kitty. "I got to get her up to my office but I don't think she's going to be able to walk."
"I'll get your buggy Doc," Matt said leaving the house.
I'm going to take the children to Ma's," Kitty said scooping up Marianne. "I'll be right back."
Doc nodded as he returned to Abelia's side. "How far apart are they," he asked taking out his pocket watch he took her pulse as he watched her breathing.
"Close enough to be uncomfortable," she said lightly. "Where's Festus?"
"Well," Doc said tugging on his ear. "I sent him out with his cousin to do some fishing. As soon as we get you settled, I'll have Matt go find him."
Matt stopped at the fishing holes nearest to Dodge that Festus was known to fish at and when that didn't turn up the hillman or his kinfolk, he headed out further.
"Festus," Henry said rounding the bend. "Ain't that Marshal Dillion."
"Sure does look like it," Festus said pushing Ruth into a gallop.
"Festus," Matt said meeting him in the middle of the road.
"Matthew," Festus replied. "We're ya lookin fer me?"
"Yep," Matt said tipping his hat up. "Abelia's in Doc's office, looks like she's about to have them babies."
"Now," Festus said as the color drain from his face.
Matt smiled. "Yep," he said smacking Ruth on the rump. "Let's go, you can't keep her waiting!"
