July 29, 1869

Amiville.

The next morning I went to the saloon and a man saying he was Corri’s brother invited me for a drink. He slid the glass of whiskey over to me and I smiled, thanking him. 

“So... Corri’s brother, hmm?” I asked. “Ya sure we haven’t met before?” 

“Think I’d remember a lovely lady like yourself.” 

“Aww, yer so sweet...” I blushed. “How long ya been in Colorado?” 

“A few months. Thought Cor was dead then got word she was living here, so came to find her.” 

“Oh my... Why would ya think she was dead?” 

“After the war, found all my family was dead and Cor disappeared.” I reached over and put a hand comfortingly on his and he nodded. 

“Well I can sure tell ya Corri is alive and well. I’ve spoken to her many times.” 

“That she is.” 

“Alive and happy, I s’pose,” I sighed, thinking about the Solo boys. 

“Really was hoping to see her today. Seems this man she’s got keeps her smiling.” 

I nodded but stayed quiet, then changed the subject. “So yer law, sir?” 

“Yes ma’am... Trin.” 

“Sheriff? Deputy? Marshal?” I clarified. 

“Deputy.” 

“Well I’ll sure feel safe around ya then,” I chuckled. 

He asked me if I had been in town long and I said I’d been there for just about over a month. I said it felt like home now and he agreed, saying that he was feeling the same way. He asked me if I’d met the Solo’s and said he’d met Dutch back in Utah and his woman there. I swallowed, nervous at the mention of Dutch’s name and looked away, wondering where on earth Dutch had disappeared to. When he told me he was thinking about hanging up his badge, I was grateful for the change of subject. 

“Why are ya hanging up your badge?” 

“Can’t be here as much as I like. Business takes me out of town a lot.” 

I asked him if he was married and he said that he hasn’t met the right one who could put up with him. Lil walked into the saloon. I introduced them and she told us that she would be riding shotgun on the stage. She said she had to prove she was no longer an outlaw before she could become a healer. We talked about the past is in the past and I told her I took over the newspaper in town. We talked about the job and another lady walked into the saloon who wanted to become a dancer. 

Sayler walked in and I asked him how he was doing. He said he was doing alright and that it looked like he had good company. Michael and Sayler introduced themselves to each other and Sayler called him the ‘notorious kissing bandit’. 

“Oh.... so that was you huh?” Lil asked. “I thought it was a dream.” 

“Yes Lil, I just kissed you last night. You had no idea did you?” 

I laughed and Lil grinned, but then I thought about how long it had been since I’d been kissed. “Ya know, don’t think I was ever one of yer victims, really, Sayler... Been a long time since someone’s tried to kiss me...” 

“Now that is a shame, Miss Trin,” Michael said. 

“Well, Trin... I’m certain there are some around here convinced I have kissed you, Trin.” 

We continued to talk as more people came in and out of the saloon. They started talking about TJ and I looked away, and Lil warned me to stay away from him. That afternoon I went to the church and listened as Richie gave a sermon. After he finished the sermon he listed prayer requests and then prayed for us. Then to end the service, he started the music and people danced in the aisle, letting the joy of the Lord fill them. 

After the service I went to the main field across from the theatre where Crows was setting up a Native story time session. I sat with Molly while we waited for things to get started and then Crows began to tell us about what the colors painted on the horses’ feathers meant. 

That night I spent time in the saloon while I wrote about the event of the Native story time. Buu and Aurora kept bugging me and I got upset at them for saying that I flirted with so many men when the only man I really ever flirted with obviously was Dutch. I left the saloon and went home.