Doc rolled onto this left side and slowly opened his eyes; he blinked at the brightness of the room with the sun shining though the window. The doctor slowly sat up, feeling better than he did the day before. He ran his hand down his face then looked at the window again. He remembered looking out it last night, but it seemed all foggy to him.
Doc slid his feet into his slippers and then winched as he also remembered his toe. He made a face as he stood up and limped to the window and looked out.
The spring birds had returned to Dodge and they were singing as they flew from rooftop to rooftop looking for mates and places to build their nests. There was something settling about the varied songs they sung. Doc caught himself smiling, then realized why he was at the window, and the smile turned into frown. The looked down to the alley below and tried to decide it in fact he did see people down there last night. Certainly there were foot prints, but they could be days or weeks old, as there was little normal traffic in that area.
The doctor shrugged and limped over to the chair where his trousers and shirt were hung. He felt well enough to get dressed, but maybe not to do much more. He wasn't the only one stirring. The sounds out on the street where familiar with the early morning routines of the milk man and lamplighter as they made their business rounds for the day.
Doc finished pulling on his black leather boots and then tucked his white shirt into his trousers before he opened the door to the office. Newly was still at the desk with his arms folded and head resting on them as he slept.
The doctor rested his hand on the young deputy's shoulder, "Newly?" he spoke kindly.
Newly lifted his head and for a split second he didn't know where he was. It finally came back to him, "Doc? How are you feeling?" he asked as he got to his feet.
The doctor looked a little sheepish; he loathed being sick and the centre of attention. Doc blinked at Newly's question, "But better, thank you," he nodded slightly as he turned to the wood stove and the coffee pot. He picked up a cloth and then the lid of the pot; he peered in and took a sniff – the coffee was burnt and thick. Doc made a face and placed the lip back on the pot. "I'm going to see if Kitty has any decent coffee," he walked to the door and picked up his hat and coat on the way.
"I'll join you," Newly stood smiling as he picked up his hat from the chair next to the roll-top desk. Doc was pleased, that was until he heard the jingle of large spurs that seemed to be heading up the stairs. Festus opened the door and looked at the doctor, "What?" Doc barked as he gruffly placed his black felt hat on his head.
"I can see that you're feelin' better," the hill man stated looking the doctor over from head to toe.
"Of course I'm feeling better. Why else would I be out of bed?" Doc said as he ran his hand across his moustache; his tone was both scolding and kind – typical Doc.
"Yer grouchiness didn't get any better," Festus grunted. "Here I take time out of my busy day to see how you are, and you are just as much of a grump-head as you was before," the hill man stated with hurt in his voice.
Doc frowned, "I need a coffee," he looked at the two deputies; Newly was trying hard not to laugh, which made the doctor that much more irritable. The doctor stepped around Festus and went for the door, "You coming or not?" he looked watched the two men then left the office. Both Festus and Newly followed him.
The trio walked down the stairs and crossed the alley to the Long Branch. With the spring-like weather Kitty had the front doors open for the first time in a long time; it also allowed the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to waft out the doors. A slight smile curved the doctor's mouth as he pushed though the swing doors and stepped down into the establishment with the two deputies right behind.
Kitty looked up from the bar where she was pouring over her ledger from the night before, "Well good morning, Doc! You look a sight better," she smiled.
Doc ticked his head, "I feel it too. Thanks," he said as he joined the red-hair at the bar.
"How about a coffee?" Kitty asked the three men.
"If it improves his grouchiness, I'd give him three of them," Festus muttered. Doc shot him a look but said nothing to the hill man. He looked back at the saloon owner, "I'd love one," he winked.
With Sam busy mopping the floor and taking the chairs down, Kitty pour a cup for each man, and another for herself, "You just be sure to take it easy for a few days," she spoke kindly to the doctor. "Well, I'm certainly in no shape to move any mountains, right away," he commented before he sipped from the mug. "Newly and Festus can do that for you," Kitty winked which garnered he a glare from the doctor causing her to laugh. "That wasn't funny," Doc grumbled and went back to his coffee.
Clement sat on the end of his cot and stared out the window, watching the birds. He heard Randall stir and looked over to his brother, "I'm hungry!" he said with enthusiasm.
Randall rubbed his eyes with his knuckles and yawned, "You were born hungry," he mused with his brother, then kicked Zack's bed, "Get up," he joked.
Zachariah groaned; his head was pounding. Slowly he opened his eyes and had to shelter them from the bright daylight.
"What did you two get up to last night?" Randall asked as he stood and walked over to the basin and pitcher of water, splashing some into the large bowl to wash his face.
"Once we ate, we went to a saloon!" Clement exclaimed. "Zachariah found a pretty lady," he added.
Zach tried to stop his younger brother from talking any more of Jane Rose, "We only had a few drinks together," he interjected.
"She sure is pretty," Clement stated with a big smile on his face. "I'd like a girl like that," he then lamented.
"No girl in their right mind would take you," Zach stated as he turned to sit on the edge of the bed; he ran his hands through his tussled hair and then remembered the scratches on his face. Gingerly he touched his cheek and was thankful that the area wasn't bleeding. His mind raced to put a believable story together about how he managed to scratch his face.
Randall chuckled at the two brothers as he dried his hands. It was then he saw the red marks on Zach's face, "What happened to you?" he leaned in for a closer look but Zach stood up and out of the way, "I had too much to drink last night and fell into a wall on my way back here," he hung his head in shame.
"Don't tell father that," Randall stated. "He'll bring down temperance on all of us, and I haven't even been to the saloon yet," he half joked.
"I won't say a word," Zach looked up. "And you'd better not either," he glared at Clement. Clement shook his head no, "I want more beer," he exclaimed.
"Well you're getting breakfast first," Randall said as he picked up his hat. "I'm checking in on father, and I'll meet you at the restaurant." Both brothers nodded and followed Randall out of the room, where they parted ways.