Festus walked quickly away form the Long Branch - the more distance he put between him and that Annie Smith was probably still wasn't enough.
Matt was heading toward his favourite saloon when he spotted Festus scurry into the stable. He thought it rather odd as the time was only past nine o'clock. He shook the sight off and continued to the Long Branch where he met up with Kitty, Doc, Newly and Annie Smith.
Matt entered the saloon and as usual, took a quick inventory of who was in the establishment then headed to the table where his friends sat. "Evening everyone." His eyes went around the table and stopped on Annie.
Doc stood when he noticed. "Matt. This is Mrs Annie Smith. She just might be the newest citizen of Dodge for you to look out for." Doc smiled and then sat again.
Matt tipped his hat and smiled. "Planning on staying awhile, Mrs Smith?" he asked in a welcoming tone.
Kitty smiled at Matt and his congenial tone toward Annie. "Will you join us for a drink...Marshal?" Her left eyebrow rose in question.
Matt knew he was busted and sat down next to Kitty. "Sure. I'll have a beer please." He looked slightly humbled.
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Louie sat on his cot at the back of the stable and watched Festus entre the door shaking his head. "You look awfully puzzled Festus." His voice was slow and controlled.
Festus plopped himself down on his own cot. "Puzzle ain't what I would call it." Festus looked at his boots with ire in his voice.
Louie studied Festus for a moment before he spoke. "Puzzles can be the end of some folks. Especially the kind that mankind seems to make for themselves every day."
Festus looked up into Louie's eyes. As bloodshot as they were; what was behind them in his mind and life experience was worth a heap of gold. "Louie? Did ya ever have a feeling about someone, that when you met them fer the first time, somethin' didn't seem right. Like they were not tellin' the truth or something?"
Louie pondered Festus' question for a moment. "First impressions and gut feelings can be a powerful thing, Festus. You should follow them..."
Festus straightened his back. "Gut feelings!"
Louie nodded. "The first time you met someone, you can feel if they are good or bad, if you know how to look."
Festus stood up and almost stormed off as if what Louie was telling him was hogwash.
"You know how to look Festus. You have done it before..." Louie stopped himself and watched Festus turn around. "Who is it that you are feeling this way about?"
Festus sat down again. "It's that Annie Smith. She came in on the morning stage and, well...Doc's been kinda lookin' after her and showing her around Dodge. But, Louie," Festus's eye became cold as he looked his friend in the eyes, "There is somethin' about that Annie Smith that I don't like at all. She sent a cold chill through my body like a wind in January."
Louie shook his head. "That ain't good Festus. Ain't good at all."