Kitty balanced a tray in her hands and knocked at the door. Doc opened it, frowning. "I know I said to spend time with Festus, but you're spoiling him."

She gave the old man a look. "He could use a little spoiling right now."

"Oh, all right! Go ahead, don't listen to me. I'm just the only doctor for a hundred miles around."

Kitty kissed Doc's cheek. "You're also a terrible fraud." She went to the bedroom door and called, "Festus? Are you up?"

"Yes, ma'am. You come right on in." Kitty opened the door. Festus was sitting by the window, looking out at Front Street. He smiled as she drew up another chair to the little table in front of him and set the tray down. "My, that looks good. Are you goin' to have some?"

"No, I've already had my dinner."

Festus started in on the food, then laid the knife and fork down and regarded Kitty with a strange look. "Miss Kitty, there's somethin' I been meanin' to ask you."

"What is it?"

The deputy looked down at the table, then got up and took a turn around the room. "Well, you're the onliest lady who comes to see me, aside from Mrs Smalley, and you come oncet or twicet ever' day..." He blushed. "I been wonderin' 'bout that."

Kitty caught his drift and stood up. "What have you been wondering, Festus? If I'm your woman?"

He looked at her nervously. "Yes, ma'am."

Kitty paused a moment to collect her thoughts. "No, Festus, I'm not."

"Wuz we ever..."

"No. Not once, not ever."

Festus looked relieved. "It's not that I wouldn' be proud to claim you, Miss Kitty. As sweet and pretty as you are, any man could count himself fortunate to have you."

Kitty sat back down. "Well, thank you, Festus."

He looked out at Front Street again. "Do I have a girl?"

Her lips twitched as she tried unsuccessfully to hold back a smile. "You've had a lot of girls, Festus. You just never wanted to hold on to any of them."

He sat down now. "I kinda figgered that about myself, but I had to ask you. It's been worrisome, not knowing if we wuz married up or somethin' and me not knowin' and not providin' for you. I had to know, don'tcha see?"

Kitty nodded. "I see, Festus." He went back to eating and she blinked away her tears.