Several weeks had gone by since Annie stopped in Dodge. She seemed to be fitting in well with all of Doc's acquaintances. All but one; Festus. So she chose to ignore him when ever possible and if Doc's small circle of friends should be enjoying a drink at the Long Branch she would sit furthest from him.
Festus on the other hand felt sick every time she was near him, so preoccupied his time with whomever sat next to him. Usually Newly or Kitty. Worse for Festus, was he didn't know how to tell Doc about what he thought of Annie not to mention how he felt more and more separated from his best friend and fishing companion.
It was a warm night and all the regulars had gathered at the Long Branch. Doc arrived with Annie on his arm, Kitty and Matt were already enjoying a drink. Newly entered next and with his typical smile took a seat at the table. Festus arrived the last. Almost a half hour after everyone else.
The small group discussed their day events and plans for tomorrow. Festus withdrew from the conversation and played with the beer glass on the table in his hands. No one noticed at first, until Kitty started to watch him. "Anything wrong Festus?" Her eyes twinkled. It was hard to lie to her when she looked that way. "Not really Miss kitty. Just thinkin' that's all..." His voice held no real emotion and Kitty knew full well something was up and he didn't want to talk about it in public.
"Festus. Could you help me in the stock room? I need a hand with some crates." She stood.
Festus nodded. "Sure thang Miss Kitty." He stood and followed. Only Newly noted that they left the table.
Festus entered the stockroom behind Kitty. She fussed for a moment then turned toward Festus. "What is it Festus?"
Festus' eyebrow slowly rose. "I don't reckon I know what you mean, Miss Kitty."
Kitty smiled. "Lately you've been moping around like you lost your family dog."
Festus lowered his head slightly and nodded. "That noticeable, huh?" Kitty could only smile in agreement and then added, "It's Doc isn't it?"
Festus didn't want to say anything so he just shrugged.
"Let me guess then. You're jealous of Annie. She's spending more time with Doc than you. Right?" Kitty probed.
Festus again just shrugged and added. "That's part of it..."
Kitty sat on one of the chairs at the small table and patted the other side of the table for Festus to join her. "What's the real problem?"
The weathered deputy sat and stayed quiet for a moment trying to formulate what the wanted to say. "Miss Kitty?" His eyes met hers. "Go on..." she urged. "Have you ever met someone that you had a strange feelin' about?" Festus really didn't know how to describe that he was feeling when he was near Annie Smith.
Kitty slowly shook her head in understanding. "Most people say that is a gut reaction."
Festus quickly looked up into eyes. "That's exactly what Louie called it too! I kinda figured that is was part Haggen instinct too..."
Kitty sat back in her chair and folded her hands on the table. "Maybe you better start from the top. You've lost me."
Festus slumped back in his chair. "Miss Kitty. When I first met that Annie Smith...I had the strangest feeling all over! It weren't a good one neither. There is something about her that is on this side of evil..." he scrunched up his left eye and peered over at her. Kitty's eyebrows rose up in surprise at what Festus said. "It's true, Miss Kitty. Really!" He replay to the look on her face.
Kitty blinked and tried to grasp what Festus had just said to her. "Oh." Was the only think that she could utter.
"Furthermore, I'm afraid that ole scudder in thare is falling in love with her!" Festus was up and out of the chair. "He can't be, Miss Kitty...he just can't be!"
Kitty sighed. "Well, one thing is for certain Festus. I think you are right about Doc. But Annie. She is really sweet. Maybe you just need to get to know her better." Kitty said while standing and heading to the door.
"Thanks for listing Miss Kitty..." Festus had removed his hat and played with it in his hands. His eyes looked down knowing that he had little support for his theory. "I'll just let myself out the back way here..." he said as he headed to the back door.
Kitty watched the deputy leave. She knew Festus was a man of conviction and always tried to protect his friends even if it meant hurting himself...mainly his heart. She sighed and tried to think back on events of the last few weeks in Dodge since Annie arrived. Was there anything that might prove Festus right?