Thursday and most of Friday slipped by and Matt still hadn't heard a word from Sharif Harden. Curiosity got the best of him as he walked over to the telegraph office. Barney was busy with Harry Bodkin who was sending out several telegraphs. Matt waited patiently.
After a few minutes Bodkin turned to leave and greeted Matt on his way passed him to the door. Matt smiled and then quickly stepped over to see Barney. "Any thing yet?"
Barney shook his head no, "Not a one marshal. Want to send another one?"
"Yes. Just repeat the message from Wednesday and date it for today."
"Sure thing marshal." Barney retrieved the file with the previous message and started tapping the key. Matt thanked him and left.
As he walked back to the jail house he heard Doc call his name. He was the last one that Matt wanted to talk to at that moment. "Oh, hi Doc." Matt stopped and turned to his friend.
Doc sauntered over Matt. "Just wondered if you, Festus and Newly will join me for a few drinks tonight at the Long Branch. Last night as a free man!" He laughed slightly at his own joke.
"Er, yeah. Sure." Matt sputtered. He wished he had concrete evidence on Annie so he could take Doc aside and sit him down to tell him the news. Deep down he knew he was going to have to say something some time but he was hoping that the poster and the sharif had made a mistake or at the very least it wasn't the Annie that Doc was going to marry tomorrow.
"Well, don't sound too excited..." Doc commented on Matt's lack of enthusiasm.
"Sorry Doc. I just have something on my mind at the moment." Matt said sheepishly. "We'll join you for sure. What about Annie?"
"Oh, Kitty said that she would take her to supper and then have a few drinks in her hotel room with her. I think that Annie bought a dress today, so Kitty is going to help her fit it, or some such thing." Doc played with the top of his right ear while wearing a funny little smile on his face.
"Sam mentioned that he's helping you with a tuxedo later tonight too, right?" Matt smiled back at his doctor friend.
"You don't miss anything do you?" Doc laughed. He winked at Matt and smile. "I'll see you three tonight then."
"Sure thing Doc." Matt watched Doc Adams walk away. He'd never in all his years as marshal and a friend of the old physician, seen the man happier. Matt sighed and looked back at the telegraph office. It was going to be another long night.