Festus took Abelia's arm as he helped her down Doc's steps the next day.
"I'm fine," she said cracking a wiry grin. "Besides, what are folks gonna think?"
"I don't give a hoot what anyone thinks," Festus replied walking with the auburn haired woman.
"Well it sure is nice of Ma Smalley to put me and the children up until we find a permanent place."
"Wal it's just a room really," Festus said. "But we'll find ya a place soon enough."
Abelia nodded as she stepped up onto the boardwalk in front of Ma Smalley's. "I'd like you to come with me to the bank tomorrow Festus. I'm ready to make a sale on the farm."
"I will, if in ya want me to," Festus said with a smile. "Here's ya room. You going to be alright?"
"Yes," Abelia replied taking his hand. "As long as your nearby."
"Wal I won't be to far ever," Festus said with a smile. "I gonna get the youngin's from school later and if in ya filling up to it, we can get some vittles together."
"I'd like that," Abelia said leaning into kiss him on the cheek.
Festus blushed as he pulled away. "I'll be back later, you get some rest now."
"Alright," Abelia said stepping into the sparsely furnished room.
Festus headed over to the jail to check in with Matt and found the Marshal and Doc playing a game of checkers.
"Matthew, Doc," he said before helping himself to a cup of coffee.
"Festus," Doc said tugging at his earlobe. "Did you get Abelia settled at Ma's?"
"Sure did," Festus replied turning around. "What?" he asked as the two men watched him.
"Nothing," Doc said winking at Matt. "Looks smitten to me."
"Yep,"Matt said making a move on the checker board.
"Wal what ya'all talkin bout?" Festus said angrily.
"Just how you was falling all over yourself helping Abelia," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "And don't you deny it!"
"Why you ol scudder," Festus replied indigently. "The woman's been though a real bad time."
"And that's the only reason?" Doc asked.
"Wal maybe not the only reason," Festus said sipping his coffee as Matt and Doc made eye contact.
Later that night, Festus dressed in a new shirt, took Abelia and the children to dinner at Delmonico's.
"Well would you look at that," Doc said looking at Matt and Kitty.
"Doc," Kitty said swatting the man on the arm. "You need to leave Festus alone."
Doc smiled as Festus brought over Abelia and the children.
"Sit down," Matt said after everyone had exchanged pleasantries.
Festus held a chair for Abelia to sit down, then got a chair for each of the children.
"Now," Festus said looking at Jonathan and Marianne. "What would you youngin's like to eat."
"Chicken," Marianne said as Jonathan nodded.
"How about it Ma," Festus said looking at Abelia.
"Chicken it is," Abelia said with a smile.
After dinner as the adults sipped coffee and talked, the children played nearby and Festus realized he liked having Abelia and the children around.
Walking Abelia and the children to Ma Smalley's later, he reached over and took her hand.
"Festus," Abelia whispered. "Are you tryin to court me?"
"Where I come from its called sparkin," Festus replied evenly.
Abelia laughed. "Alright Mr. Haggen," she said blushing slightly in the moon light. "You have my permission to...spark me."
"Why thank you Ms. Johnson," Festus said pulling the woman close. "But I was a fixin to spark ya whether I had yer permission or not."
Abelia giggled before she replied. "And I would have let you."
Looking beyond the woman for a moment, he saw the children playing nearby as he bent his head to brush her lips with his.
Abelia smiled as they broke the kiss. "They never touched me," she whispered. "I didn't give them the chance and then you were there."
Festus nodded as he held Abelia tighter. "Ya don't never have ta worry bout that again," he said. "I'm a not gonna let anyone hurt you again."