July 24, 1869

Amiville.

This afternoon I walked into town and sat outside by the saloon. I couldn’t see sitting inside on such a gorgeous day, so I sat out on the chair and pulled out my parchment and quill, writing about what was going on in the town today. 

From inside the saloon I could hear Rosaline and Sayler talking with Gramps. The first thing I heard Sayler say was, “Yes, my dear. That would be lovely.” I heard Sayler’s voice in the saloon and decided to just stay outside, avoiding more trouble between myself and Rosaline. I had been dancing with Sayler last night in the saloon, just as friends, and Rosaline had heard about it and I guess had become upset and jealous with me. Regardless, it made me more nervous of being in the saloon when both of them were around. 

“I kinda left you hanging there,” Sayler was saying to Rosaline then. 

“Howdy Gramps,” Rosaline greeted Gramps. “Find a seet, love. I’ll bring you your drink.” 

I heard Clifton sitting in front of the courthouse down the street and smiled over at him. “Hey Clifton! Nice day, eh?” 

“Plum beautiful, Miss Trin,” he replied back. 

“Just couldn’t see myself sittin’ inside on a gorgeous day like this!” I told him. 

“Not at all. Figure I’ll enjoy it while I can.” 

We sat in silence then as I overheard the conversation in the saloon, as James entered the room then. Rosaline and Sayler kept talking about swimming, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at hearing them. It seemed so fake, like they were putting on a show for everyone that they were this happy couple. I knew for a fact, though, that Sayler was quite popular among the ladies and that Rosaline was just trying to tighten her grip on him for herself. I felt bad for my friend, wishing that he had found someone better, but there was nothing I could do about it anymore. I had told him my feelings last night and he’d informed me that he was with someone else now, even though he still had feelings for me. I knew that would be his response, but he needed to know the truth. I couldn’t hold it back any longer and it was getting more and more awkward being around him and Rosaline. Not only that, but especially after how he had held me while we danced last night... I felt something between us and it couldn’t go unnoticed any longer. I guess I would just have to settle for being one of his close friends and not expect anything more from my relationship with him. 

Zakk came over to the courthouse then and I greeted him, making small conversation about the weather and how quiet the town seemed today. I overheard Sayler ask how many women he could be married to at once in this territory and I sighed, thankful that I wasn’t inside having to interact with him when my feelings for him had grown to be so strong. 

As I sat in my chair with my feet up on the barrel in front of me, I realized how much I enjoyed this spot and how perfect it was for hearing and seeing everything around town, inside and out of the saloon. 

Inside, I heard Rosaline joking with Gramps after finding out he was single, then telling Sayler that she would have to ditch him for Gramps. Zakk asked me what was happening in the other saloon then, and I said, “Other saloon?” and he just smiled. 

Chels walked over then and I greeted her with a smile. Zakk informed me that there was a saloon down around the sheriff’s office and I was surprised. 

“Chels, how goes the marshalin’ today?” I asked her. 

“Been quiet today,” she replied. 

“Howdy there, Josh,” I greeted the man who had walked over. 

“Howdy Trin,” he greeted me. 

“Ya out and about causin’ trouble again today, Josh?” I winked at him. Remembering how he’d almost gotten in trouble yesterday for having an unholstered gun while he was trying to remember how to use it. 

“Not today,” Josh winked at me. 

“The other saloon’s down here, Trin!” I heard Zakk shout from across town and I put away my parchment and quill, looking at Josh. 

“Shall we go check it out?” I asked him. 

“Sure!” He agreed and followed me to the sheriff’s office where Zakk was waiting for us. 

“The other saloon,” Zakk smiled. 

“How come no one hangs out here?” I asked, looking at the building. It was small, and a bit outside of the main area of town, but it looked nice enough. 

“Well it just opened up the other day,” Zakk explained. 

“Did it now? S’pose we should go inside?” 

“JJ opened it,” Zakk said as we walked inside. 

“We need two saloons?” I asked, looking around inside. It was indeed small, but I could invision it as an office of some sort moreso than a saloon. 

“Just a quiet place,” Zakk said. 

“‘Tis a nice small place. Might have to hide out here and write. Would be more productive,” I chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve met JJ yet.” 

“JJ is an old timer here,” Zakk explained. “Been here almost as long as I have been.” 

“It’s rustic out. The wood is rotten,” Josh observed. “We should fix it up some.” 

“Ah well I’ll find him ‘round here soon enough, I’m sure.” I looked around and then had another thought and asked, “Hey Zakk, where’s the newspaper office?” 

“It used to be next door.” 

“Used to be?” 

“Where Valk’s shop is. We don’t have a paper anymore unless Dione is starting it again.” 

“I heard she was running one. The paper is outside the saloon all the time. I was interested in working on it if she was.” 

“Well, that stack of paper’s been there a long time,” Zakk laughed. 

“I’d love to turn it into something again,” I said. “As bad as the whole Dutch thing turned out.. I found I loved the investigation side of it.” 

“I’ll let her know you’re interested, Trin,” Zakk promised and we headed out of the building, back into town.

That evening I walked into town to see what was happening. I walked up to the saloon and found Crows Silverfall and his daughter Molly standing in front of the building, so I stopped to say hi. 

“Well hello there, Mr. and Miss Silverfall!” 

“Hi Ms. Trin! How’s you?” Molly asked. 

“I’m doing just fine, Miss Molly. How’s you?” 

“Daddy come and go when him not answer,” she giggled. 

“Daddy keeping into trouble, hmm?” I guessed. 

“Molly not know. Got lot to keep self out of,” Molly giggled, making me laugh. “Streets so quiet is spooky.” 

“Aww that just means there’s finally peace, Molly,” I assured her. 

“That good. Like peace before a storm?” 

“Hope not,” I laughed. “Yer not in there gettin’ root beer tonight, Molly?” 

“No, had some earlier,” she informed me. “Then we tried to play a game but one left game and it would not pass her.” 

“Would not pass her?” I scratched my head. 

“Then come to see if any animals out here,” she looked around. 

“Ah, I guess we don’t have any animals out here now.” 

“Bebe was just here. There,” she spotted the donkey. “Hi Bebe!” To me she said, “I been hunting grain to give her. Water she will take. Not sure if her do apples, forgets.” 

“Ah yes, she does like water and grain,” I smiled. 

“Cannot find grain. Guess just try stuff until find what her will eat.” 

“You have fun there, Molly,” I said as Molly went over to feed the donkey. “I’m gonna go inside.” 

“Ok Ms. Trin,” she said and I walked into the saloon. 

“Hello ladies!” I greeted Karan and Melany who were inside the saloon, sitting at the bar. 

“Hi Trin!” they greeted me. 

“You doing well today, Trin?” Karan asked as I took a seat at the bar. 

“Yes, very well. I just went to see a production in another town and am feeling mighty inspired!” I declared, referring to the play I’d gone to see in Kansas. 

“Oh really?” Mel asked. 

“What was it?” Karan wanted to know. 

“It was about this local woman who was trying to make her way through being an actress... the struggles she faces as the times change,” I explained. 

“Sounds good,” Karan smiled. 

“Yes, it was very good. Was out in this field in Kansas. Very well done. Of course,” I chuckled, 

“Now all I want to do is write and write!” 

“Inspiration is a good thing,” Karan said. 

“Indeed it is!” I agreed. 

“Crows inspired me to want to be a better person,” Karan said. 

“That’s great, Karan. He’s a good guy.” 

“I’m desperately in love with him.” 

“Good thing, ‘cause he’s your husband,” I winked. 

“Some days I think he is Molly’s,” she joked. 

“Molly’s...?” I raised an eyebrow, confused. 

“They spend a lot of time together. I was kidding.” 

We continued to talk a while before I headed home for the evening.