The night wore on and the light of dawn cut through the dark grey storm clouds. The sun's rays peeked through the windows of the little log cabin and caused Festus to stir. At first he was alarmed to find Lilly still in his arms and then he relaxed knowing that she was safe with him. He gently shook her and pushed her off of him. "Miss Lilly. I'm gonna take you into Dodge. Ol' Doc will have a look at ya, as you should I figure in your state..." he said bashfully.
Lilly understood and nodded as she pulled herself together. "You're too kind Festus."
"Ah...foot. It ain't nothin'." he brushed his hand through the air as if swatting a bug. "Jist ain't right you stayin' out here by yer self..."
Lilly smiled. "I don't know how I can repay you."
Festus smile and looked down at his wounded side. "I figured I owed you anyhow." He pulled on his coat and plopped his hat on his head. "I'll see if there's a buggy or somethin' in the barn. Be easier travelling fer you." He smiled as Lilly Stewart smiled back, "I said you was too kind..."
Festus felt all warm in side and smiled to himself as the closed the cabin door behind himself. "She sure is a purdy one..." Festus didn't realize it at the time, but his heart was hung out on his sleeve and he was falling head over heels for the young mother-to-be.
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Doc walked from his office to the jail house. He was hoping to find Matt with news of Festus, however, the marshal wasn't in. Doc scratched the top of his ear thinking and then drew his hand across his moustache before turning up the street toward the Long Branch.
The snow was starting to melt, as winter in Kansas had not yet set in. The slushy snow made for muddy streets and a few grumbling people, including Doc. Carefully the doctor stepped his way over to the boardwalk and stood for a moment while looking back at this tracks. He shook his head in amusement. "I just bet one day they'll find a way to fix the mud..."
Doc's attention turned back to seeking out the marshal to find out what happened to his hillbilly friend. He walked to the outer doors of the Long Branch Saloon. The doors were closed only because of the cold, and no other reason. The doctor pulled on a handle and stepped through. Sam was behind the long dark wooden bar laughing as he poured coffee for Miss Kitty and Matt. "I figured as much..." Doc grumped as he stepped down and walked toward the threesome.
"Mornin' Doc!" Kitty chirped. "You seem to have something on your mind."
Doc stepped put to the bar and drew his hand over his moustache. "Is this what my hard earned tax money goes to?" He quipped at Matt.
Matt leaned on his elbow. "Did you get up on the wrong side of bed?"
"Maybe I did. And just maybe I didn't get to sleep!" Doc barked and somehow thanks Sam at the same time for the cup of coffee.
"Why didn't you get to sleep?" Kitty asked with concern.
"Well..." Doc's eyes lifted to Kitty's and then to Matt's and back again. "There's robbers on the loose..."
Kitty smiled and looked at Matt, who's eyebrows crept up his forehead. "I see. But I suppose this has nothing to do with the fact that Festus hasn't returned yet?" Matt shot back.
Doc sipped on his coffee and the gently placed his cup back down on the top of the bar. "Of course it does. Last night's weather wasn't fit for man nor beast..."
Matt stepped toward his old friend and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now, Doc. You and I know that if it were anyone else out there, they would never make it. Festus knows what he's doing."
Doc nodded. "Sure Matt. I know you're right." He continued to drink his coffee as Matt and Kitty exchanged glances. They knew that Doc's concern was real, but they also knew Festus was more than capable of looking out for himself when it came to the elements and that's all they hoped he was dealing with. "I just hope he hasn't run into those robbers, that's all."
Kitty and Matt exchanged another look. They also knew Doc's insight was also right.