August 29, 1869

Colorado Springs.

This morning I rode through Kansas on my way out to Oregon. A woman came over to me looking nervous about something and asked, “Excuse me... Would you happen to know where I could find the sheriff?” 

“Um... Good question. I ain't from around here. I live over in Amiville. I’m just trying to find my way to Oregon. Everything alright, Miss?” 

“Oh I’m sorry ma’am, didn’t mean to interrupt your travels. Safe travel to you. There is a man in town shooting and kidnapping folks around here” 

“Oh my!” I gasped. “Did you send out a telegram perhaps?” 

“Not yet. This all happened so fast!” 

I saw the man approaching and the woman shouted, “Oh my! Run, there he is! Sheriff!!” she shouted. 

We found the sheriff’s office but no one was there. We introduced ourselves and she said her name was Serenity. A man came over and we asked if he was okay. I walked into the clinic and looked for the telegram machine, sending a telegram for the doctor to come and help us. 

All of a sudden I heard shots outside and Serenity screamed for help. When another woman came over she said, “That man just ran off! He shot this innocent fellow and was trying to kill him earlier!” 

I looked around for the man as the girls took the injured man into the clinic. I followed close behind and then we saw the man running around again, shooting another man. James came over then and I holstered my gun, grateful to have backup. 

A man came over on a horse dragging the shooter over on the ground and I called, “That’s him!” 

“Miss I’ll put in jail this man,” the man on the horse said. 

We weren’t sure where the sheriff’s office was and the shooter said, “I had to shoot him down.” 

“Listen lady, I give to you that man,” he shot back. 

“I’m not law. I’m just a reporter. I don’t even live around here.” 

“So would you take that man?” 

“I...” 

“Yes, you.” 

I looked to James and he said, “If I may have a word in this.” 

“What am I gonna do with him?” 

“Take him. Go with him in another prison.” The man dropped the bindings on the shooter and handed them to me. “He’s an outlaw.” 

“It is not our responsibility to do so,” James argued. 

“I can’t take him to Mexico. He made a crime in Colorado.” 

“We need to find a marshal, James. There’s no local law around here,” I said.

“He is unarmed now and very well tied, so don’t worry.” 

“Since when is the army so eager to push everything on civilians?” James asked the soldier on the horse. 

I looked down at the man I was holding with the rope and asked, “Your name, Sir?” 

“I’m Wyatt Earps,” the man said. 

“Mister, if you don’t shut that mouth I’ll shoot your balls, understood!?” the soldier yelled at James. 

“Yes or not?!” 

“Not our responsibility,” James argued. 

“Not really mine either... but then, guess someone has to take care of this if you boys can’t,” I sighed. “Men will just keep arguing. Women have to solve the problems.” 

“Ok miss, next time don’t complain. Okay?” the man argued and rode away. 

“James, no one seems to listen when I put out a telegram. Can you do it?” I asked him. 

“May I speak?” Wyatt piped up then. 

“This man confessed to kidnapping!” Serenity said, looking down at Wyatt then. “He shot him right here in the street! I saw everything!” 

“The other I kidnapped too, his name is Ember. I gun him down too,” Wyatt said. 

“Why’d you do it, Sir?” I asked him. 

“He is in Amiville Clinic. I had to do he was in my business.” 

“There are safer ways to resolve those issues,” I argued. 

“I had no choice.” 

“Did he have a gun on you?” 

“No he did not.” 

“Still, I had not been involved alas I doubt any marshal would listen to me,” James argued. 

“Well I don’t see why they wouldn’t listen to me,” Serenity said. 

“I had to gun both down,” Wyatt argued. 

“When I had asked why he did it, all he kept saying is the man was in his business but said no more and avoided the questions. Then made threats to come after me,” Serenity told us. “We need to send a messenger to Amiville.” 

“I did, Serenity,” I told her. “Hopefully someone’s coming soon. I sent for doctor and law.” 

“I’m just a resigned army captain that works as courier nowadays,” James put in. 

“Ok great Trin,” Serenity said. 

“Hopefully help will come soon...” 

“I hope so, I’m not sure that man inside is going to make it,” Serenity noted. 

Fritha came riding over and I said, “Fritha!! Thank goodness! Best doctor in Amiville! This man on the ground shot the man who’s inside the clinic. This man was shot by another man who left... The man inside isn’t looking good.” 

“Not at all...” serenity agreed. 

“We could really use your help.....” 

“I’d better go to the clinic first then,” Fritha said and walked into the clinic. 

“I’ll take this guy into the clinic with us then,” I said about Wyatt. “Careful, Serenity.” I dragged him into the clinic and looked down at him. “Can you get up yet, Sir?” 

“Hello mister. I’m doctor Fritha from Amiville. I’ll see what I can do for you,” the doctor said and started to work. 

“I’ll keep this outlaw tied up, Fritha. I don’t want him running off. I’m still hoping law will get here soon .” 

Fritha started to work on the patient and I asked, “Fritha, how is he?” 

“Suffering loss of blood. His heart is weak and rapid.” 

Serenity said that she would step outside and I made sure Wyatt was feeling okay. Soon Stacie walked into the clinic and I told her what had happened. When she said that I could take off the bindings of the man, I did so and then she said that I was free to go. I walked out of the clinic with James after a while, ready to get out of the clinic. 

“Anyone need some bourbon? Freshly bought,” James announced. 

“I’ll take some of that!” I smiled to him and then looked over to Sayler who was waiting outside with him. “Sayler, I think we can head out of here. Can you fill this with Bourbon?” I asked James, holding out my flask to him. 

“Let’s go then,” Sayler said then. 

“Home?” I looked from James to Sayler. 

“Want some too?” 

“I can’t say no to that,” Sayler said and took the bottle from James.

“So gentlemen... back to Amiville?” I asked, looking between them. “Home sounds just about perfect. I’ve got to write an article about this.” 

“Want me to walk you home?” Sayler offered. 

“Don’t tempt me with the other hint, darlin’. I might just take you up on it today,” I chuckled. “James you joining us?” 

“Won’t be much choice,” James said. 

“Let’s go home boys,” I said and we rode back to town. 

Amiville. 

In the saloon we sat down, drinking whiskey and talking about the day with Gramps. James told Icca about what had happened in Colorado Springs as I wrote in my notebook the article for the newspaper. Icca admitted that he was a red rebel rider. He said some people think they are a gang and he said that Buck was apart of it but not Rat Boy. 

“You’re associated with people that tried to hurt me and have threatened me several times, Iccc,” I sighed. 

“I was just seein’ what the union did ta ya is all,” Icca defended his questions towards James. 

“How did you think I was gonna react?”

“I will do something about it,” Icca promised me. 

“Ha. I’ve heard that line before,” I laughed. “Just let it be, Icc. I don’t feel like drudging up old wounds.” 

“It goes by rank, they will listen,” Icca sighed. I leaned forward and looked at the bar, tempted to say something to Icca but I knew that I’d lost a friend in him. He looked back at me and said, “Bye, ‘friend,” and walked out of the saloon. 

I kicked the bar counter and swore under my breath as he left. I asked Gramps if he could get me some more whiskey and he poured me a shot. I drank the whiskey and looked over to James. “No woman claimed ya yet?” 

“That’s how it is,” James answered. “Guess bein’ express rider makes one not popular with the ladies.” 

“I suppose,” I chuckled. “If It helps I ain’t lookin for anything serious.... I just value our friendship. Wouldn’t want to tie ya down or anythin’.” 

“Guess your curiosity acted up,” he laughed lightly. 

“Guess so, darlin. Or I just really need some companionship right now... Been pretty lonely since Bravo and I...” 

“I see, I see.” 

“Maybe we could have a dance? Unwind from the day we’ve had?” 

We danced a while and then Rosa walked in. We talked for a while about men and relationships. Sheriff AJ walked into the saloon and we continued to talk as Lali joined us as well. James told me that he lived over in the hotel across the road and then we talked about what happened this morning with those who came into the saloon. 

Later I moved the Observer to a more local place and then finished furnishing it so we could work in it. I showed the office to Fritha and talked about making a new sign for the building. I showed her my room upstairs and told her how if something was happening at the clinic or the sheriff’s office, I could hear the shouting now. 

In the saloon there was a crowd of people. Chels was dealing with a situation between Karan and a man I hadn’t met yet, so I listened in while I went to get a coffee. 

“You’re lucky those ladies in there didn’t, as I’m sure you wouldn’t be walking now,” Chels warned him. 

“Chelsey, he was being very disrespectful to me! He said things... awful things...” 

“You gonna arrest him for startin’ a fight?” the man asked. 

“How about you come with me and we have a little talk, Mister?” Chels asked. 

“He is right,” Del admitted. “I was the one starting the fight. The man only defended himself.” 

“Kalli, what’s going on?” I asked as I watched the first man lean back into Chels as she turned around to him. 

“And you started the fight because?” Chels asked. 

“He tried to rob him after Mr. Greybeard was on the floor!” Karan cried. 

“He’s a pig,” Sara put in. “Was being rude to Karan while she was dancing and Mr. Greybeard hit him, and a fight started.” 

“Yes, but he robbed me...” Del said. 

“Well when I came in and that guy there,” Kalli pointed to the man with Chels, “He was hitting on Karan and trying to get her to go to the hotel with him. He was down right rude and made out like she was nothing more tan some street walker.” 

“I was doin’ no such thing,” the man argued. “I was just makin’ sure you were alright. I don’t want murder on my conscience.” 

“I will pay for the fight,” Del grinned, “but two saw him taking money from my pockets. Now if you will want to arrest me, later, I think I will be in the infirmary.” 

“Empty your pockets, stranger,” Chels told the man. 

“Chelsey, this stranger here told me he would put Mr. Greybeard’s money back if I went to a hotel room with him!” Karan told her. 

The man did as he was told and said, “You see, I have nothin’ taken.” 

“You lie!” Kalli gasped. “I heard you and saw you with my own two eyes! You were asking her to go to the the hotel and she ain’t no whore, Mr. Better not try that again.” 

“And thank goodness Lain was here to help me!” Karan said. 

The man then took the stolen coins in his hands and pulled them out from his inner pockets, showing her nothing as if he was hiding the coins in his fist.

“Men. Who knows what the heck God made them for anyway,” Kalli grumbled. 

“Ya best dig deeper,” Chels told him. “Or do you wish me to let these ladies loose on you? Wouldn’t be a pretty sight.” 

“I could go for some of that,” the man laughed. 

“You’re disgusting and an insult to these fine ladies,” Kalli glared at him. 

Chels noticed something in his hands and said, “Open your hands.” 

“The man is a pig! Come on Mr. Greybeard. Let me fix you up!” Karan said and headed out of the saloon with Del. 

The man tugged back in the pockets and said, “Alright,” he showed her his empty hands.

Chels looked at him and said, “I guess you’re leaving me no choice. You’re under arrest for harassment and theft.” 

“Look? A bald eagle!” the man pointed to the sky and ran off, then Chels ran off after him. 

I started to serve drinks to those around and talked with them while the fighting continued outside. Before long, we heard gunshots and I said, “Reckon there’ll be more people in the clinic tonight.” 

“Well here’s to... whatever,” Dulci laughed and held up her drink. 

“I’ll sure drink to that,” Sayler agreed and I laughed at Dulci. 

Seeing that everyone had their drinks, I went up to the stage and started dancing. After a while I asked Kris, “So Kris did you tell your uncle to come by here?” Kris reddened then and I asked, “What’s wrong, Kris?” 

“Nothing Miss Trin, I was just...” he stopped sweeping for a moment and looked at me, then continued. 

“Just...?” 

“Never mind. What did you ask again?” 

“If you told your uncle to come by sometime.” 

“Oh yes I did. He will, he said.” 

“Oh, good to hear,” I smiled at him. 

“Trin, you want a drink?” Sayler offered me. 

“I’m alright for now, Sayler,” I smiled. 

“I feel like buying you lovely ladies a drink.” 

Kris moved over to the stage and whispered, “He sure is a smooth talker that fella.” 

“Oh is he? Sayler?” I smiled. “He’s harmless. A good friend, really.” 

“I got to try them lines about weak knees on a girl in school someday,” Kris said and I chuckled. 

“You met a girl in school hmm?” 

“Well not yet, just in case.” 

Del and Kitty came into the saloon then and I asked Del if he was alright. Kitty was looking for Chels and I told her she ran off a while ago. I got some rum for Del and Kitty went out to look for Chels before coming back without having found her. We talked about what happened that evening in the saloon between Del and Karan and the man. 

Later in the evening, Sayler informed me that Nell was expecting a child and that the father was either him or another man. He said that there was no way to tell who the father was exactly, and he was worried that he might start raising a child and it would turn out to look like one of the other men in town. He went out for a walk to clear his head and I decided to head home.