Doc and Festus made their way out to the Person place in good time. The normally muddy road was frozen, although snow-covered, it still made for an easier ride. It also helped that Festus knew all the roads around Dodge fairly well, so to avoid any potholes. The hill man kept looking out from under the roof to the sky. Doc caught him several times and finally had to ask, "What on earth are you looking for?" Doc grumbled. "All the geese are south now," he added.
"My Uncle Herkle always said that a checkered sky would not leave the earth twenty-four hours dry, and by the looks of them clouds he's gonna be right," the hill man stated.
"Well it isn't going to rain, for heaven's sake!" Doc sputtered.
"No, but I guarantee you that them clouds will be bringing snow," Haggen pointed out.
"Oh hush," Doc quipped. "It can snow after Sarah's baby is born and I'm back in Dodge," he grumbled further.
Festus made a face, "Wall I can't change Mother Nature's mind. Neither can you. Facts is facts," the hill man stated as he turned the buggy up the lane toward the Person house. Tom was busy chopping wood and stopped as Festus pulled the rig to the front door.
Doc slowly stepped down, his side still tender, but he reused to let anyone know about it, especially the deputy; the last he wanted to hear was some finger-wagging doctoring coming from the hill man. Doc picked up his black medical bag and asked Festus to carry the other one.
Tom met the men at the door, "I think you're just in time, Doc!" he looked like he'd seen a ghost. "Sarah is in a lot of pain, and I'm doing my best to help her," the farmer spoke quickly as he opened the door letting the doctor into the house.
It was a small farmhouse, but cozy inside with a fire place and large cook stove, the latter one lit with water boiling. Doc pulled off his coat and placed it on the settee with this hat, then moved to the only bedroom to be with Sarah.
Festus stood at the door, "I could finish chopping that wood for ya, Tom," he said as he placed the larger medical bag down near Doc's coat.
Tom wore a look of confusion, "I sure hope everything is okay," he sputtered as he pulled off his coat and dropped it over the back of a chair before fussing with the fire in the stove.
"Sarah's in good hands with Ole Doc," the hill man smiled. "You stay here and help with the water and such. I'll finish up the wood," he stated as he left the room, closing the door behind him. The winds were beginning to pick up and a light snow was beginning to fall. It swirled around the deputy as he picked up the axe and began to chop the last few logs in the pile.
Matt pulled his coat collar a little tighter as he walked along the boardwalk then entered the Long Branch Saloon. Kitty had the two outer doors closed and the large pot-belly stove was doing well to heat the large room. Matt brushed the few snowflakes from his shoulders as he walked to the bar, perching next to the saloon owner, "If I didn't know any better, I think it's gotten colder out there," he said as he adjusted his hat.
"I just hope Doc and Festus get back to town soon," Kitty looked up at the marshal.
"I'm sure that the Person's will put them up if need be," Matt said trying to reassure Kitty that their friends would be all right. "You know more about babies than I do, so you don't know how long they could be," he added.
"True," Kitty smiled. "I hope that Sarah and the baby will be strong and healthy," she nodded with a tick.
"I'll drink to that," Matt smiled as he looked around the establishment.
Kitty smiled at the marshal. The thought of her and Matt having children together warmed her heart, even though there was no signs of marriage in the future, even into the distant, distant future, "Sam, two drinks," she pulled her mind back to the present. A slight smile curled her lips.
Festus finished with the wood and gathered an armful then picked up the axe to return to the house. He placed the axe down near the wood box, but decided with the snow getting a little heavier, he'd take what he had in his arm into the house. As the hill man entered there was a chorus from tiny lungs coming from the bedroom. A smile broke across the deputy's face as he placed the wood into the box next to the stove.
Tom entered the room from the bedroom – beaming. "It's a boy!" he said shaking. "We have a boy!"
Festus stepped over to the young farmer and shook his hand, "Wall, congratulations, Tom! I told you that Sarah was in good hands," he nodded sharply as he pumped the farmer's hand with delight.
Doc stepped out of the bedroom while rolling down his sleeves, "I can't remember an easier birth!" he smiled. "Tom, you are a new father now, and that brings on a whole lot of new responsibilities," he stopped at the table.
Tom nodded, "I know Doc. I asked my ma to come once the baby was born. She being alone and all," he smiled. "She agreed to stay on until spring," he smiled.
"Well, it looks like you're going to have to add another room to this place eventually," the doctor said as he looked around the little farmhouse.
"Oh, I plan to!" Tom beamed.
Doc couldn't help but chuckle then he turned serious, " Now both Sarah and the baby are doing just fine. I don't see any reason for me to be here any longer," he stated as he began to gather his things.
"Should I bring them into town in a day or so?" Tom asked.
"If the weather holds," Doc glanced to Festus and then back again. "If not, give Sarah one of these a day for the next few days if she's in any pain. Personally, I don't think she'll need one," Doc indicated with a tick of his head as he place a small bottle on the table. "She's a strong woman," he added.
Tom nodded in understanding, "Alright, Doc. Thank you so much for everything," he continued to smile.
"My pleasure. Now you make sure you also get some rest," Doc cautioned as he pulled on his heavy coat and then hat.
"Oh, I will," Tom grinned. "Thanks again," he said as the two men left the house with the things they brought. The snow was getting heavier, although there was still ample daylight left.
Doc placed the bags on the floor of the buggy, "I hope we can make it back to Dodge before night fall," he stated as he looked up to the darkening sky as he took his seat in the buggy.
Festus climbed aboard and sat down, "I'll do my best Doc," he said as he clipped the reins over Popcorn's rump.