Chapter 7

*Author's Note: Thank you Fanfavorite for your review. I wish I could send you a private message.

"Well golly bill, Mathew. I didn't mean for Mizz Ruby not ta answer her teacher," Festus explained, after Matt told Festus what had happened with Ruby at school. "I jest wanted ta make sure she didn't become a tattletale. Kids that age can be. Why, I remember my cousin Rufus. He was always a snitching and a tattlin'. One day a feller got tired of it, 'n popped him one the mouth. He ended up with stitches."

"Mmmm hmmm," said Matt. "And I'm guessing you told Ruby that story, and that snitches get stitches."

"I reckon I did," Festus confessed. "But I didn't mean for her ta get inta no trouble."

"Kitty 'n I understand that," said Matt. "But couldja do us a favor? Will you talk with Ruby? Kitty 'n I already did, but it might be better coming from her Uncle Festus."

"Will do, Matthew," said Festus. "You know Matthew, ya say that this here little Toby feller has been bothering her. Maybe he be likin' Miss Ruby. Boys sometimes tease girls they like. He could be yer future son-in-law."

"Future son-in-law? Festus, Ruby is only five years old. The last thing I'm thinking about is a future son-in-law. She's growing up too fast for me as it is," said Matt.

"And it ain't gonna slow down none," Festus pointed out.

"Geeze, Festus. Pour salt in an open wound," said Matt with a shake of his head.

Festus left the office with a knowing smile on his face. He recalled "putting salt" in Matt's "open wound" several years ago when Kitty had gone to a friend's wedding in Wichita. Festus teased Matt that Kitty might just find a nice fellow in Wichita and decide to stay there.

The folks of Dodge City could not ask for a more beautiful fall day. The sun was shining and the temperatures were cool, but not too cool. Winter would be coming, so folks were taking advantage of the current weather.

It was Saturday, and the Dillons were in town doing their shopping. They were in Jonas' store waiting for him to fill the order on Kitty's list. Her list consisted of coffee grounds, flour, sugar, and a bushel of potatoes. She never did get them the day before. Matt had a list too, but his was for the jail. Ruby didn't have a list, but she was eyeing the sugar candy, particularly the lollipops.

"Momma, can I have a lollipop?" Ruby hopefully asked. "Please."

Kitty seriously considered telling her daughter no. Yesterday Ruby had been sent home early from school for tripping Toby Stollman. She certainly shouldn't be given a lollipop today. However, the more Kitty thought about it, the more she was leaning towards letting Ruby have a lollipop. Afterall, Ruby did spend time in jail yesterday and had a timeout.

"You may have one," Kitty replied. Ruby's eyes lit up.

Matt, Kitty, and Ruby were walking down Front Street, with Ruby proudly holding her lollipop. As they were walking, they could see Mrs. Stollman ahead. She had walked out of the dress shop, and was heading in their direction. Mrs. Stollman eyed the Dillons.

"Well, I wouldn't think you would reward a child that injures other children," she remarked as she saw Ruby with the lollipop. "Your child rearing techniques are less than satisfactory."

"I don't think it's any of your business how we raise our daughter," Kitty stated, her tone low. "But since you brought up the subject, I hope you talked to your son about teasing and bothering little girls."

"He's a little boy. Boys will be boys. They tease little girls," Mrs. Stollman replied.

"I'll take that as a no," said Kitty. "And I don't care if Toby is a boy. He should be taught how to respect all people, including little girls. If he was my son, he'd be taught that."

"I guess you don't have to worry about that because he isn't your son," said Mrs. Stollman.

"Amen to that," Kitty responded.

"Hmmph." Was all that Mrs. Stolman said as she walked away.

"I swear the woman can bring out the worst in me," said Kitty.

"You better be careful," Matt warned. "I'd hate to lock you up for being a public menace." He then winked at her.

Kitty recalled the time when Matt made a similar statement. It was when Groat had bothered her while she was standing outside, and Chester came to defend her. Both she and Chester tried to fight the big galoot, failing miserably. Thankfully Matt came and helped them.

"You would too!" Kitty laughed.

Later that evening Doc pulled his buggy next to his office. He got out of the buggy, grabbed his old, tattered medical bag, and began to wearily climb the steps to his office. He had been away from his office all day and he was hungry and tired. Newly saw Doc return, and went over to him.

"Hey, Doc," Newly greeted. "I haven't seen you since I saw you leave this morning. Are you just now getting back?"

"Yeah, Mrs. Rehman ended up giving birth," Doc replied.

"That's great," Newly commented. "Another citizen for Dodge City."

"Two more," Doc corrected.

"Two more? Twins?" Newly questioned. "I didn't know she was having twins."

"Neither did I," Doc confessed. "Each time I checked on her during her pregnancy I swear there was only one heartbeat. The second baby must've been directly behind the first."

"That must've been quite the shock for the Rehman's," said Newly.

"It was quite the shock for everyone," said Doc.

"Boys? Girls? One of each?" Newly asked.

"Two boys," Doc answered. "Christopher and Emerson. Look, I'm gonna head up to my office and take a quick nap. When I wake up, I'm gonna have some supper at Delmonico's."

"I have some work to do in the gun shop, and then I'm gonna meet Festus at the Long Branch. He owes me a beer for beating him in checkers," said Newly.

"I'll join ya," said Doc. "He owes me a beer for the exact same reason."

"Matt paid us yesterday, so I know he has money," said Newly. "We might as well get our beer while we can."

A couple of hours later Newly, Festus, and Doc were sitting around one of the tables at the Long Branch. Each man had a mug of beer in front of him. That round of beer had been paid for by Festus.

"I must say that I'm surprised that you didn't weasel your way out of buying us a beer," said Doc, swiping at his mustache.

"Now listen hear, ya ol' scudder," said Festus. "Us Haggens always make good on our promises and any bet we win or lose. It's the Haggen way. Oh, Newly tells me that Mrs. Rehman had two youngins."

"She did," Doc confirmed. "Two little boys."

"When my momma had me 'n and Fergus, it was the time that our sow had that record litter of piglets" said Festus.

"It's a good thing there wasn't a record litter of Haggens," Doc laughed.

"Yer jest full of it tonight," said Festus. "I betcha charged double for the Rehman's twins."

"You've surprised me again," said Doc. "I had no idea you knew twins meant double."

"There ya go again, ya ol' scudder," said Festus. "And I hope ya didn't charge double. It ain't their fault they got them twins."

"Actually, it kind of is," said Doc as he pulled on his ear.

"Next round's on me," said Newly, who had enjoyed the entertainment of Doc and Festus' conversation.

Doc, Newly, and Festus continued enjoying each other's company. While they were having a good time, a dark figure crept up the steps of Doc's office and slowly made his way inside.

TBC