August 19, 1869

Amiville. 

This afternoon I spent the afternoon with Bravo and then went to the church service where I found it hard to forgive those who had been harsh to me and him after what had happened that weekend. I walked over to the saloon after the service and saw Josey in the distance. I shuddered at his presence but then sighed with relief when I saw Bravo. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close, not looking behind me as he kissed me on the forehead. 

“Can we go in there and get a drink? I need one. Maybe two.” 

“Sure darlin’,” he chuckled and we walked in together. 

Nell and Will were in there and I smiled at Will weakly, greeting him. I looked over at Josey and said, “Josey, let it go.” 

“The hell are you talking about?” he asked, feigning innocence. 

“I ain’t writin’ about the damn fire so you can relax,” I shook my head, frustrated. 

“What fire?” Tessa asked and Josey looked at me confused and I just sighed. 

“Calm down, you,” Will said to Josey. 

Josey laughed and spit on the floor, quircking a brow at Will. “Calm down? I’m not even upset.” 

“The both of you I mean,” Will said as Josey started to whistle Dixie. 

“You want me to calm down, Will? Seriously?” I asked with anger in my voice. 

Stacie walked in and I shook my head as Will said, “Trin...” 

“Will...  You have no idea what I’ve been through the last few days.” 

“Ain’t sure how I’m all upset,” Josey said then. “Ya’ll know how I am when I’m upset.” 

“You have two officers of the law in here,” Will told me. “There’s nothing to worry about.” 

“I had four law in here last night and there was lots to worry about.” 

“Well lucky I wasn’t here then huh?” Josey chuckled at me. Bravo gave him a look that was meant to burn through him and he just grinned back. 

Bravo turned away from him and looked at me, kissing my forehead. I smiled and leaned back into him, feeling safer in his arms. Jaycee walked in and I greeted him with a smile. Josey eventually made a ‘neck slit’ gesture and then left the saloon. 

I rolled my eyes at him and turned my focus to the conversation with people in the saloon. I felt safe in Bravo’s arms and just enjoyed the feeling, trying to forget about the tension I’d felt in the past few days. 

“We’re working on getting the paper out tonight or tomorrow,” I announced. “Bravo and I are plannin on getting out of town tomorrow for a couple days, ain’t that right darlin’?” 

“Yeah love, we are,” he poured some more tequila for me and him. 

“Would serve anyone well to escape this crime-ridden town every now and then,” Will agreed to the plan. “Went for a ride myself. Down to New Mexico. Luckily didn’t encounter any Indians.” 

Buu came into the saloon and I stayed quiet, trying not to show my frustration because I knew that they would play on it. We continued to sit and drink as the day passed. 

***

That afternoon I saw Bill walking into the saloon and my hand froze as I backed into Bravo, almost pushing him over. He wrapped me in his arms so I didn’t see him, and I tried to relax. JC, Buu and Bill all talked while Bravo and I sat with Will, trying to ignore the other crowd. 

After a while Bravo asked, “Darlin’, wanna go fer a walk?” 

I shook my head, knowing that the second we left the saloon we would be in danger. Buu talked about gunning Bravo down last night for talking trash about him, Aurora and Raven. Bill went on talking about how Bravo wanted Bill’s woman for himself and that he took the third choice, being me. 

“Darlin’, Will says he’ll cover us so we can go,” Bravo leaned over and whispered in my ear. I nodded to him and followed him out of the saloon while Will walked us out. 

We made our way back home and Bravo closed the door tightly, locking it behind us. “No one followed us?” 

“Nah. Will covered us.” 

“Good. I’ll have to thank him when I see him. You locked the door?” 

“Yep.” 

I leaned into him as we sat on the couch. I reached over for my notepad and continued to work on layout for the paper. “Sorry I have to work tonight, I just wanna get this out before we go out of town.” 

“Ok, it’s fine...” he wrapped his arm around me, kissing my cheek. “It’s alright, love.” 

“I don’t want you to be bored, babe...” I turned to look at him. 

“Darlin’ I’ve got my own thing ta write.” 

“Okay then,” I smiled. 

Bravo pulled out a sheet of stationary and started writing. He spoke out loud as he wrote, “I hereby retire from the serve of the Amiville police department...” 

I raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “Darlin’?” 

“Yes, angel?” 

“Resignation?” 

“Yeah darlin’... I think it’s time to retire and live out my life in peace.” 

“But...” 

“Yes Love?” 

“What if... You can’t have unholstered guns in town...” 

“What if what?” 

“If they come... and...” I started to panic. 

He sighed and said, “Darlin’, nothin’ will happen. I’m gonna talk it over with Clif and Ami to see if they can get us a place somewhere in the hills where they can’t hurt us.” 

“That sounds like a good idea...” 

“Cause I don’t want nothin’ to happen to you.” 

“Then I can still come in town to do the paper and yet I’ll be safe...” 

“Yes, love.” 

“I feel like I’m always movin’,” I looked around the office, “but I know you’re right. I just don’t wanna give up the paper. I love it too much.” 

“Darlin’,” he smiled at me and said, “You don’t have to.” 

That evening we moved out to Sean and Kalli’s ranch where we bought houses across from each other. We spent the night moving in and playing cards with the others, enjoying the feeling of being safe and surrounded by friends.