Festus remained still on the floor and listened to Billy and Lilly talk. Other than the fact that they were both scared there seemed to be no other connection between them. Festus' heart ached for the situation the young woman seemed trapped into. He continued to listen.
"Billy. You gotta go after James. You know that. Maybe Mr Haggen is right in saying that if he gave himself up the judge would consider differently..." She tugged at Billy's arm.
"What about him?" Billy pointed to the deputy. "No judge will see that lightly. I mean shooting a man in defence is one thing, but James just out right shot him. Just like he did the shop keep."
"Oh, Billy. I just don't know what to think anymore." Lilly started to cry and that forced Festus to roll over on to his back. He groaned as the bullet had creased his rib and likely broke it. "She's right Billy. Judge Brooker isn't just any judge..." Festus groaned and held his side.
Lilly moved toward the hill man and tucked a blanket under his head. "You hurt bad?" she asked lifting his coat to look at the wound and then fetched water and clean cloths to wrap his side.
"Bad enough." Festus said as he tried to sit. Billy knelt down to assist the lawman to his feet and to a chair. "I'll go after him, but you have to promise that you'll keep your word and that he gets a fair shake."
Festus squinted up his right eye and looked deep into Billy's eyes. "The day this Haggen lies he dies." he gave the young man a wink for reassurance. Billy nodded and looked over to Lilly. "You both take care." Billy pulled on his coat and placed his hat on his head. "Mr Haggen. Thanks. And if you can get Lilly into Dodge to see the doctor, I would be truly thankful." His boyish charm made Festus smile. "I'll look after yer sister, don't you worry none about that. Ol' Doc'll see that she gits all that she needs." Festus was almost blushing at his own words. "Now go find that feller..." Somehow Festus still missed the connection between the three and his heart kept getting more soft for the young woman that was tending his wound.
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James pushed his horse hard into the night and he was uncertain where he was headed. All he really knew was that there was no way he was going back to Dodge with that deputy. His thoughts slowed down and be began to think about the situation and he nodded to himself, "Yeah...you take her back there and that doctor will treat her and she'll have my baby and then I'll take her away..." he felt his plan was infallible and smiled to himself. Now James Charles just had to find a place to stay until he had fully moulded his plan and was ready to execute it.
Festus watched the gentle hands cut and tie the material to cover his wound. His hazel eyes couldn't help but look into the light blue eyes that were so intently looking at what they were doing.
Lilly could feel his gaze and tried to ignore it, but her eyes couldn't resist; they lifted and looked into the hill man's eyes. "You're doing a mighty fine job with that bandage." Festus smiled. "Ol Doc might want you to work fer him..."
Lilly looked down at her handy work and then back tot he weathered face. "You're not from Dodge are you?"
Festus shook his head no. "I only came this way a few years back. I used to hunt wolves fer a living."
"I didn't think you were a city man. You're too gentle and not all tied up in wanting money and land. Wished it were the same for..." Lilly trailed off and she turned her face away fearing she might cry.
"Miss Lilly?" Festus asked and reached out with his hand to turn her face back to his. "Why are you mixed up with that scallywag?"
Lilly couldn't answer instead she did cry. Festus pulled her into his chest and gently wrapped his arms around her and gently placed a light kiss on her forehead be fore he closed his eyes thinking he might too cry for her. He could feel a lump building in his throat.
