Festus didn't exactly find a buggy or a wagon in the barn, but what he did find would still get Lilly and himself back into Dodge. The old cutter was a little rickety but the runners looked to be in good shape. Festus jury-rigged together bits and pieces of harness to make something that might work. The only animal in the barn was Ruth so the deputy apologized the whole time that he readied Ruth for the journey. Satisfied with his effort, Festus pulled the reigns and lead the mule out of the barn, pulling the old sleigh.

The temperature had risen somewhat since Festus went to the barn so he urged Ruth to move faster. Once he got to the front of the cabin he tied and reigns to a post and hurried inside. Lilly remained in the bed.

"Lilly. I got us an old cutter to get us back to Dodge. We gots to hurry cause the snow is starting to melt." Festus moved to the side of the bed and helped Lilly stand. "Here. You better take lots of extra blankets. If ol Doc finds out that I didn't keep you warm, he'd have me tarred and feathered!"

Lilly looked at Festus in shock. "That would be terrible! How could a doctor do such a thing?"

Festus smiled. "Foot, he wouldn't really do it. But I sure wouldn't hear the end of it, that a guarantee! Why, he'd almost have me jailed fer something like that!"

Lilly chucked at herself which made Festus smile. "Let's get going." he said as he opened the door and helped Lilly settle into the cutter's seat. "Here, wrap these all around you." he handed her the blankets before the stepped back to the cabin to check the wood stove and the close the door.

"Come on Ruth. Let's get a move on." Festus said as he flicked the reigns and the mule lurched forward. "You warm enough, Lilly?" Festus hazel eyes met her grey eyes that normally hid under her long brown curly hair. "Yes. This is very kind of you."

Festus smiled, "Wall I gits couldn't leave you out here..." his eyes darted back to the road making sure Ruth was following it before returning to Lilly. "I don't figure we'll see James any time soon. I can't even say it Billy found him."

"James is in deep trouble, isn't he?" Lilly openly asked. Festus nodded, "And he ain't makin' it easy on himself neither." Lilly moved closer to Festus and tucked her arm around his. "I'm afraid of him."

"How in thunder did you end up him anyway?! You look like a smart lady." Festus shook his head. "Makes no sense at all."

"Sometimes thing just happen, don't they?" Lilly countered.

Festus nodded. "Believe they do..." he pat her hand and they continued on their way back to town.

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James reached the cabin, hoped off his panting horse and stormed through the door. It was still warm from the fire in the stove, but the room held an odd chill - one that held fear and anger. There was no-one in sight. James' jaw clenched at the thought and his hands curled in to tight fists as he looked around the empty building. His narrowed eyes gazed at the open door. "That deputy took my girl! I was right..." he sneered. "My next bullet will kill you deputy!" James Charles bellowed and flailed his arms back in anger. With anger filling his soul he could hardly see as he crashed through the door again to his horse. After a moment he shook himself and looked at the ground where he saw the trail left by the cutter. He snorted and spurred his horse following the trail.