"Oh Kitty," Abelia said picking up a pink layette. "This is so pretty! I wish I knew if I was having a boy or a girl."

"Hmmmm," Kitty said looking over the baby clothes. "I got an idea! Why don't we get both, you never know when you'll need the other right?"

"I hadn't thought about that," Abelia said picking up the blue and pink layettes. "I will get both!"

"I don't know Matthew," Festus said once the trial recessed for the second day. "That Dalton fellers attorney is a tryin ta pin every thang on me, I don't know how ma testimony tomorrow is gonna make a difference."

"I know," Matt said sighing deeply. "It sure does look that way. And the jury only has to have a reasonable doubt to find him not guilty." Matt added thoughtfully.

"That's what's got me worried," Festus said noticing Abelia and Kitty stepping out of a nearby store.

"Hi cowboy," Kitty said smiling after Matt stopped them on the busy street.

Festus saw Abelia step out of the store with a package as a burly man passed directly between them.

"Excuse me friend," the man said bumping into him.

Festus eyes were solely on Abelia as Matt turned around, his eyes narrowed when he seen the flash of a metal object in the sun light.

Pushing Kitty out of the way, Matt ran toward the man as Festus watched the man raise his arm.

Seeing something in the man's hand, Festus raised his arm in defense as Matt tackled the man from behind, knocking all three to the ground.

"Festus!" Abelia screamed as Kitty grabbed her.

Matt struck the assailant in the jaw knocking the man unconscious.

"Festus," Matt said grabbing his friend.

"I'm alright Matthew," Festus said as the Marshal pulled him to his feet.

Matt pulled him away from where the assailant fell and over to where Kitty and Abelia were waiting.

"Festus, what happened?" Abelia said dropping the packages, she threw her arms around him.

"Are you alright," Kitty asked.

"Don't rightly know," he said grimacing.

Only then did Abelia notice the blood seeping between his fingers as he clutched his arm.

"You're bleeding," she said grabbing the bandana from around his neck.

"Let me see," Kitty commanded pulling his hand away from the gash in his forearm.

"It looks deep," Abelia said wrapping the wound with the bandana.

"It ain't nothing," Festus said holding the arm. "Just a scratch."

"You alright," Matt said putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Fine Matthew," he said watching as the sheriff took the attacker away. "Why do ya suppose he did that."

"Well," Matt said grimly. "The sheriff there just told me that man has ties to Daltons gang. It looks like someone doesn't want you in that court room tomorrow."

"I want to go home," Abelia said worriedly. "Please Marshal."

"Bee," Festus said gently. "I can't just up and leave in the middle of a trial."

Matt sighed before he spoke. "Yes you can," he said as Festus turned to look at him with surprise. "Your testimony isn't going to matter if your dead. They already made one attempt, I'm not giving them the chance to do it again."

"Matthew," Festus said slowly. "Do ya know what yet saying."

"Yes," Matt replied. "Either way they're going to find Dalton not guilty, but I can't protect you here at least in Dodge I can."

"I agree with Matt," Kitty said. "We've had enough of this place let's go!"

"I already told the Sheriff to let the court know you wouldn't be back," Matt said. "We're going back to the hotel to pack, we're leaving tonight."

"I hope ya know what yer doing Matthew," Festus said putting an arm around Abelia.

Doc's eyes narrowed as the weary travelers pulled into Dodge early in the evening the next day.

"Well," he said stepping out of the Long Branch with Newly beside him. "I didn't expect you all to be home for a few more days yet. That was a quick trial."

"Didn't finish the trial Doc," Matt said climbing down off his horse, he looked at Newly. "We had some trouble."

"Oh," Doc said swiping his mustache he went to the buggy and helped Kitty out as Festus reached for Abelia. "What happened?"

"That Dalton gang hired a hit man," Abelia said angrily. "They tried to kill Festus!"

"What," Doc said looking from Abelia to Festus. "You alright?"

"I'm standing here lookin at ya ain't I," Festus said waving his arm. "Matthew stopped em before he could da sank that knife in ta ma back."

"I wasn't going to give them a chance to try again," Matt said as Barney ran over.

"Marshal," he said handing the lawman the telegraph. "I didn't expect to see you here, I was bringing this to Newly."

"Thanks Barney," Matt said opening up the message. He looked at Festus as he read it.

"Jimmy Dalton was acquitted," Matt said folding the message. "He'll be released in the morning!"