July 12, 1869

Amiville.

A couple of days went by without seeing Dutch or his family. Around town people seemed to be moving on with their lives as if it didn’t matter that someone who was once thought dead was now alive again. I couldn’t help but wonder when I would see Dutch again. That moment we’d shared outside his brother’s cabin was special and part of me wanted to hold onto that feeling but I knew that when I saw him next I would be too nervous to speak to him. 

I sat in the saloon with Sayler when Dutch finally came in. I almost went up to talk to him but he walked out of the saloon and I exhaled deeply. Sayler looked over at me in concern and I shook my head, changing the subject. 

“So Sayler, what have you been up to today?” 

“Oh I’ve been engaged in some world class laziness.” 

“Oh have you?” 

“I excel at that endeavor,” he chuckled. 

The saloon doors swung open and I smiled seeing Foxie, the saloon manager. “Quiet in here?” she asked us. 

“Has been, yes,” Chels answered from where she was sitting at the bar. 

“Good!” Foxie exclaimed. 

“Foxie, I put in an application to be a dancer!” I told her. I’d known I needed to find some sort of income if I was going to be living here more permanently. 

Foxie asked for a copy of my application so I gave her a sheet of paper and she promised to look at it quickly. I pulled out my notebook and started to work on the book about Dutch. 

At length Sayler said, “I need all these women to let me alone. I’m have to swat ‘em off like flies.” 

“Women problems, Sayler?” I chuckled. 

“Well dang it, Sayler, you just so handsome, Darlin’,” Foxie winked at him. 

A woman I didn’t know said, “You know Sir Sayler, the way to get those women off you is to tell them you’ve gone into the priesthood.” 

“That’s a great idea,” Sayler said and left the room, making me just laughed. 

People came in and out of the saloon and I continued to write, letting the conversation flow around me. Before long Dutch walked into the saloon and said, “Ladies.” 

“You want anything to drink, Dutch?” Chels asked him. 

“Naw I’m good I think,” Dutch replied, looking over at me. I watched as he poured himself some whiskey in a flask and asked, “What ya writin’ there?” 

“Ya need to ask?” I chuckled. “Attemptin’ to figure out this sordid tale of yours, my friend.” 

“Let me know if ever ya get it all figured out.” 

“The more I write, the more bloody confused I get.” 

“Well it is rather a spider’s nest.” 

“You can say that again,” I said and he nodded. “Seems as though the web is still being weaved though.” 

“It does appear so,” Dutch agreed. “I’d like to read the book when you finish.” 

“Oh you will, don’t you worry,” I promised. “You’ll be the first to read it.” 

“I’m sure it will be a page turner.” 

“Heck it’s a page turner and I’m the one writing it...” I said and we both chuckled. “Just waitin’ on you to give me an ending...” 

“Well thankfully I haven’t yet.” 

“I don’t think this book will end, Trin,” Chels pointed out. 

“I’m hoping it don’t end too soon,” Dutch said. 

“It’ll end when we know who wanted you dead, Dutch.” 

“Well that could be any number of people. I guess time will reveal all. It usually does.” 

I looked over at him knowingly and said, “That it does.” 

“Hey, I did it,” Foxie chuckled. “I killed him. Put me on trial... hang me... I can die.” She laughed and we joined in the laughter. “I did it as the doc. I stabbed him... cut him open during the autopsy.” 

“Ya wish now, don’tcha Foxie?” I laughed. 

“I’ll be most happy to die,” she said. 

Dutch started to open his chest as if to give her a target and I felt my heart start to pound until he said, “Oh never mind.” 

“Or maybe it was my twin,” Foxie laughed loudly and I shuddered at the word ‘twin’. “God forbid there are TWO of us!” 

“Or three,” Dutch said, making me look over at him. 

“Or four,” I added, thinking about Dutch’s siblings. 

“Egads,” Dutch exclaimed. 

“Okay, three and a half...” I winked at him and he laughed. 

“Probably him and a sister, dressed up like a man,” Foxie suggested. 

“Could be,” Dutch said. “Never can tell.” 

“Ain’t that the truth,” I sighed. 

“Oh I bet I can,” Foxie chuckled evily. 

“I am certain, Miss Foxie,” he blushed and waved to me as he left the saloon. 

Sayler walked in and stood behind me. “There, I’m safe now.” 

“Hiding behind me are you?” I looked at him. 

“No... Safe from women.” 

“Using a woman to hide behind in order to hide from all women... interesting,” I looked back at him, noticing that he was no wearing a new outfit. “You’re a priest now, hmm?” 

“Well that might do it,” Chels looked over at him and laughed. 

“Was the only plan that made sense,” he said. 

“Foxie and Sayler both left then and soon Sayler walked back into the saloon. “Has it worked yet, Sayler?” Chels asked. 

“I walked plum to the other side of town and was not bothered once.” 

“Well there you go!” I chuckled, wondering if it was common for priests to be carrying so many weapons. 

“Well see, you’re safe now,” Chels said. 

I got up then, thinking I should head home. Looking at Sayler I said, “If ya need a safehouse, Sayler, ya know where I live.” 

“Yes, I do... but until I know who aims to marry me, I cannot take any chances.” 

I nodded to him and waved to Kitty who was coming in as I was heading out. I walked home and spent the rest of the day writing at my desk.