Doctor Ward checked the time as the train pulled into the station a few days later.
"Well, Galen," he said giving his friend a hug. "It's been a great visit but I think next time you need to come see me!"
"In Boston?" Doc scowled. "I'm to old to be making trips like that."
"Oh, pish," Ward replied giving Doc a look. "Old, why we're just in the prime of our lives."
Doc laughed as Albert climbed onto the train. "Goodbye my friend," Ward said as Doc waved. "Enjoy that hospital of yours!"
"I will, thank you for everything!" Doc yelled as the train pulled away.
Doc shook his head as he turned around and headed back toward the center of town.
Passing the jail as Matt stepped out of it, he nodded at the Marshal.
"Albert just left," Doc said as Matt handed him a piece of paper. "What's this?"
"Everything we found in the tack room at the stable," the Marshal replied. "What I couldn't figure out, Robert helped me on."
Doc glanced over the list before handing it back to Matt. "He took care of the organs?"
"Yeah," Matt said with a nod. "He going to be alright?"
"I think so," Doc said swiping his mustache. "He's got a lot of Festus in him and that's a good thing but if you ever say, I said that..."
"I know, you'll deny it," Matt finished with a grin.
"Damn straight," Doc said walking toward the hospital as Matt followed. "Where is he anyway?"
"He'll be along," Matt said evenly. "He and Newly took Sally's body out to where Patricia's buried. Newly said, he didn't mind having her buried out there and I think it made Robert feel better than having her buried on Boot Hill."
"He talked about it yet?" Doc asked as Matt shook his head no. "Well, I think he will when the time is right."
"I got somethings to do, I'll see you later," Matt said heading off toward the telegraph office.
Doc nodded as he entered the hospital alone and climbed the stairs to the ward where Abelia and the baby slept soundly.
Doc smiled at Vera who had decided to help out along with Kitty on nursing duty since Abelia still wasn't able to get around normally.
"Any problems," he asked quietly as Vera shook her head no.
Festus came bounding up the stairs and entered the ward so loudly both Abelia and the baby woke up.
"What?" the hill man said when Doc shot him an angrily look.
"You're supposed to be quiet in a hospital," Doc said sternly as the baby wailed in disapproval until Doc picked up her up.
"Give her ta me," Festus said holding out his hands.
"No," Doc said cradling the tiny newborn. "Poor child, hasn't even got a name yet!"
"Yes, she has," Abelia said sitting up slightly. "Festus and I discussed it this morning."
"Sure did," Festus said with a smile as he played with his daughters chin.
"Well," Doc said slapping Festus hand away. "What's it going to be?"
"Abigail," Abelia replied with a smile. "After my Ma."
"And Rose," Festus said with a grin. "After my Ma."
"Abigail Rose Haggen," Doc said letting the name roll off his tongue. "I think, I like it!"
"We'll call her, Abby for short," Abelia said with a nod.
"Course, she is gonna need a pappy," Festus said eyeballing Doc with one eye. "You up to the task?"
"And why wouldn't I be," Doc hollard. "You think, I'm to old? Why, I'm just in the prime of my life!"
"Oh hush, ya ol scudder," Festus said angrily. "Didn't nobody say ya was to old!"
"Good," Doc said passing Abigail off to Festus before turning to Abelia.
"I think you both can go home tomorrow," Doc said looking at Festus. "As long as she can get plenty of rest and keep the baby warm and close by."
"I can do that," Abelia said with a smile as Kitty walked in with several packages.
"Wait till you see what I got," she said putting the packages on Abelia's lap.
"Kitty, this is so cute," Abelia said opened the first package and pulling out the tiniest pink layette she'd ever seen. "How did you find one so small?"
"I didn't," Kitty replied opening the next box. "I had them made especially for Abby."
"Thank you, Kitty," Abelia said putting the baby clothes away.
Robert placed the last stone on Sally's grave before wiping the sweat from his brow.
"I really have to thank you for this Newly," Robert said quietly. "I couldn't stand the thought of her being buried on Boot Hill."
"I understand," Newly said evenly. "I'll leave you alone now," he said sensing Robert's need for privacy.
Robert watched Newly leave before pulling a small box from his pocket, opening it, he took out one small solid gold ring and knelt down next to the grave.
Unable to bring himself to put the bauble on Sally's finger before he buried her, he felt it was only fitting that he leave the ring with who it had been intended for all along.
Removing a few of the stones, he dropped the ring before replacing the stones and lying a simple sprague of flowers atop the completed grave.
Standing up, Robert looked around before climbing onto his horse for the ride back to town.
Matt completed his report on the murders and set it aside for filing as Newly walked in.
"Robert with you," Matt asked as Newly shook his head no.
Matt nodded as he stood up and headed toward the door. "I'm taking my wife to dinner. Can you handle things here?"
"Yes, sir," Newly said as Matt nodded.
Stepping out onto the boardwalk, Matt headed toward the Long Branch but stopped just in front of it when he seen Kitty walking toward him from the opposite direction.
"Mrs. Dillon," he said tipping his hat at her. "I was just coming to see if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight?"
"I would like that very much," Kitty replied with a smile as Matt took her arm.
"You're sure, your husband won't mind," Matt teased as Kitty giggled.
"I don't think he'll mind in the least," she said stepping into Delmonico's.
Once Robert turned into the road that took him back to Dodge, he noticed two riders stopped just ahead of him.
"Howdy," the taller of the two said as Robert nodded.
"Something I can do for you?" Robert asked as the man smiled.
"This the road to Dodge?" he said looking around.
"It is," Robert said warmly. "I was just headed that way myself."
"Mind if we ride with you?" the man asked as Robert shook his head no. "My name Stephen, my brother here is Ernest."
"Nice to meet you," Robert replied. "I'm Robert. What brings you to Dodge?"
"Business," Stephen said with a wiry grin. "Where's the best place to get a beer?"
"That would be the Long Branch," Robert said with a smile as the three rode into town and stopped at the saloon.
"Can I buy you a beer?" Stephen asked sliding down off his horse.
"Only if I can return the favor," Robert said as Stephen nodded.
Brushing the dust off their clothes, Stephen and Earnest followed Robert into the darkened saloon and up to the bar.
"Sam," Robert said as the bartender approached them. "Three beers, please."
Sam nodded as he poured the beers and put them on the counter. "Who's your friends?"
"This is Stephen and his brother Ernest," Robert replied introducing the two men. "They rode into Dodge with me."
"Nice to meet you," Sam said taking the coins that Stephen gave him.
"Likewise," Earnest said looking around. "Nice place."
"Yes," Robert said walking to a table. "The owner does keep it up."
"You know quite a bit about this town?" Stephen said with a smirk. "And, you don't dress like a cowboy. What are you, some kind of business owner?"
"No," Robert said taking a sip of his beer. "I'm a doctor."
"Really," Stephen said with a sideways glance toward Earnest. "Well, that's great."
"Don't meet many young ones like you," Earnest stated as Stephen agreed.
"Just got out of school almost a year ago," Robert replied proudly.
"Congratulations," Stephen said with a nod. "Here's to a long career, Doc!"
Matt sighed as Newly walked into the restaurant and made a beeline for their table.
"Sorry, Marshal," he said handing the telegraph to Matt. "But, I thought you should see this right away."
Matt opened the paper and scanned the message before he looked at Newly. "Get Festus and meet me over at the jail in thirty minutes."
"Yes, sir," Newly said rushing out the door as Kitty met Matt's eyes.
"Trouble?" she said as Matt nodded.
"Not sure yet," Matt said squeezing her hand. "I'll see you later."