~4~

Will was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, when there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

Kitty entered the room with a gingham covered food tray. She closed the door and walked over to the bed. "Do you need help sitting up?"

"I can manage." Will said, as she pushed herself up and slid back against the headboard.

As soon as she was settled, Kitty put the tray on Will's lap and removed the gingham cloth. "It's still hot." Kitty warned.

"Much appreciated."

"Do you want some company while you eat?" Kitty offered.

"Oh, Miss Russell, I'm sure you have more important things to do then entertain me."

"It's Kitty." She grabbed a nearby chair moving it next to the bed. "And I don't often get the chance to spend time talking with another woman."

"Ok." Will smiled, and started eating her broth. "Kitty, I was wondering if Festus and his family live here in Dodge?"

"He does, but Festus isn't married and his kinfolk are in Texas." Kitty thought she saw a spark in Will's eyes for a moment.

"What does he do for a living?"

"Odd jobs when he isn't working for Marshal Dillon as a deputy."

"A lawman, huh." Will quantified.

Kitty chuckled. "I'd like to see his face when you call him that."

Will scrunched her brow. "I don't understand."

"Festus didn't cotton much to the law when he first came to Dodge. He's come a long way since then. He's a good man with a big heart."

"Then I'm grateful he came into that cave."

"Oh, before I forget, I took the clothes, you had on, to the laundry. I hope you don't mind."

"That was nice of you. How much do I owe you?"

"I'll let you know. You mentioned that you worked on that ranch for twenty years. Did your family own it?"

"No. I was ten when my parents died. The ranch foreman, Lloyd, was my father's best friend and he took me in, got me a job cleaning the stalls and taking care of the horses. From there I worked my way up to ranch hand."

Kitty was amazed to find out that the woman sitting before her was only a year younger then her, as she looked younger.

Will put the spoon down and started to move the tray, when Kitty stood up. "Are you done?"

"Yes, thank you."

Kitty took the tray sat it on the dresser and looked at Will. "You ready for that bath?"

"You bet." Will threw the covers back and got out of bed. Her legs were steadier than before, but her energy was still lagging. She moved slowly to where her saddlebag was and picked it up.

Kitty escorted Will to her room next door. Will looked around the room in awe when they entered it.

Kitty noticed the look on Will's face. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

Will smiled. "Oh, no. Your room is very elegant. The saloon business has been good to you."

"Thank you, it has." Kitty admitted. She walked over to the washroom doorway. "You can clean up in here. The tub is already filled with hot water. There are clean towels and nightgown on the chair for you."

Will walked into the washroom and dipped her hand into the bath water. "I can't thank you enough for this."

Kitty smiled, "If you need anything just call out. I'll be out here getting ready for work." Kitty told Will as she closed the door.

Kitty was putting the final touches on her hair that she had just swept up into an updo, when she looked at the clock. She stood up and walked over to the washroom door and knocked. "Will, you didn't fall asleep in there, did you?"

"No," came Will's reply through the door. "I'll be out in a moment."

Kitty walked over to the full-length mirror and checked her dress. She was wearing the deep red satin, baroque print dress with a low cut, sequined trimmed front, high-back collar and sleeves that were sheer. She looked up into the mirror at the washroom door behind her when it opened. She watched Will walk into the room wearing a clean union suit.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so long. It has been a while since I had a bath in a tub, and I wasn't to eager to get out."

"I wasn't trying to rush you, Will." Kitty said with a look of remorse.

"It's okay, Kitty. I would have fallen asleep if you hadn't checked on me. I forgot how relaxing that could be."

Kitty took in what Will was wearing. "Will, your welcome to wear my nightgown that I left in there for you."

Will tucked her damp hair behind her ears and looked down at herself and back up at Kitty. "Oh, um, I appreciate that, Kitty, but I'm not one for frilly things." She stated as her cheeks turned slightly pink. She never had the need for the fine clothes that woman wore, given her line of work.

"Will, you're a pretty woman, and shouldn't be embarrassed."

"Thank you for the offer just the same." Will declined with a warm smile. She took in how Kitty looked, and thought the dress made her look sexy as hell.

Kitty noticed the way Will was looking at her. "Is there something wrong with my dress?"

"Uh, no. You look amazing. I was just admiring it. I'm sure it draws a crowd."

"It does what it's suppose to do." Kitty smiled.

Both women laughed until Will's laughter was cut short by a yawn which she covered with the back of her hand, "I guess cleaning up took more out of me then I thought it would. If you'll excuse me, I'll head back to my room so you can finish getting ready."

"Ok, its best you don't over do. I'll check in on you later." Kitty conveyed.

Will and Kitty said their goodnights, and Will left the room. Festus was in the hallway about to knock on Will's door when she came out of Kitty's room. "Looking for me, Mr. Haggen?" Will enquired.

Festus turned and looked at Will. "I was, and I go by Festus. My pa was Mr. Haggen."

Will smiled. "Ok, Festus. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself in the cave. I'm Will Curtis."

"You look a might better then the last time I saw ya." Festus wasn't sure where he should look, as Will was standing in front of him in only her drawers.

"I'm feeling much better, all thanks to you."

"Shucks, I didn't do nothin'. Miz Kitty did all the tend'n to ya. She's the one deservn' the thanks."

Will walked up and stood close to Festus. "No, Festus. I owe you a great deal of thanks. If you hadn't come into that cave, I would have frozen to death as bad as my fever was. There was no way I would have been able to keep a fire going to stay warm."

Will rose up on her toes and gave Festus a soft warm kiss on the lips before slowly pulling away. She looked deep into Festus's chocolate brown eyes. "Thank you, Festus." She told him in a warm sexy voice.

Festus swallowed hard, "Yo- yourn' welcome."

Will was very attracted to Festus and grabbed his shirt with one hand, placing the other hand on the back of his head pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Festus felt the kiss all the way to his toes and wrapped his arms around Will, kissing her back with equal passion.

Will let out a soft moan as she nudged Festus lips apart to deepen the kiss, as their tongues mated and danced.

The sound of Will's moan made Festus's blood race as his hands started roaming up and down her back.

As much as Will wanted things to go farther, she slowly pulled them out of the kiss. She looked into Festus's eyes and licked her lips. "I was right, you are as good of a kisser as you are sexy." She smiled.

Festus looked into Will's hazel eyes, "That's the first time a woman's kiss made my toes curl." He confessed.

"Is that so?" Will whispered.

"If I'm lyin' I'm a dy'n." Festus retorted.

Will gave a huff of laughter. "Someone once told me to leave a man wanting more. Good night, Festus." Will winked as she opened her door, entered her room closing the door behind her.

Kitty came out of her room and saw Festus standing at Will's door. "Festus?"

Festus turned and looked at Kitty. "Howdy, Miz Kitty." Festus greeted as he tried to look innocent.

"You come to see Will?" Kitty wondered.

"Yes 'em. Sam said you brought her something to eat."

"I did and then she cleaned up in my room. She was worn out after all that. She's probably asleep by now." Kitty offered.

"Oh, well," Festus looked at Will's door and then at Kitty. "Best let her rest then."

As they walked down stairs, Kitty could tell that there was something on Festus's mind. When they reached the bar, Kitty looked at Festus. "Can I buy you a beer, Festus?"

Festus looked around the mostly empty bar. "Thank you, Miz Kitty, that's nice of ya."

Kitty walked behind the bar and poured two beers, joining Festus at the end of the bar near the office door.

Kitty noticed Festus was starring off into space as she took a drink of her beer. "Something on your mind, Festus?" When he didn't answer Kitty nudged him with her hand. "Festus?"

"Oh, uh sorry, what'd ya say there, Miz Kitty?"

Kitty gave Festus a curious look. "I asked if you had something on your mind."

"Oh, I waz a just a wondern' bout Will. Did you get a chance ta jaw with her?"

"I did." Kitty went on to tell Festus what all she knew about Will.

TBC