July 31, 1869

Amiville. 

After spending the morning talking with Jessika, I went home and practiced for the hymn sing that would be later in the evening. As I walked out of the saloon, I saw Rosa and asked him if he’d seen Buu around. She said he was helping Stacie with his community service and I continued to wander around town. 

That afternoon I relaxed in the saloon while Walter played the guitar on stage and I danced beside him as people came in and out of the saloon. Ladies came up on stage and sang with him while he played their favorite songs. Nell and Rosa got into an argument over men and judging people and Rosa threatened Nell to a fight outside. 

“No need for violence Miss Rosa,” Nell chuckled. “You’re that kinda woman huh? Can’t fight with words so you pull a weapon?”

“Come on ladies, let’s set aside our differences and just enjoy the party,” I insisted. 

“My weapon? HMM who’s not bright now? I dun need a gun miss.Perhaps then when you stop being so froggy with jumping in, then perhaps you can not judge so easily. Now why dun ya settle yerself down and be a good little girl.” 

Nell rolled her eyes slightly and chuckled. “Yes Missa, can I be a good little girl for ya? Get ya some wata, Get ya some fooood?” she smirked. “Miss I was not jumping in anything,” she shrugged. “I just go off of what I saw of you last evenin’ Miss. Kinda made an ass outta yerself.” she chuckled before looking at the barkeep. “May I have some beer please?”

“You bet, Nell,” I nodded and poured her the glass of beer, grateful they were just going to talk and not actually go outside and fight. 

“Miss shut yer mouth people trying to enjoy the entertainment before I make a haste choice of booting yer ass outta here with my temper?” Rosa glared. “Yer the one maken the ass jumping into somethin that wasn’t even about you, so dun test me little girl.” 

“I was just simply tryin ta start a nice conversation,” Nell shrugged and moved toward a seat. 

People continued to walk in and out of the saloon and I served beverages when I wasn’t dancing on the stage beside the guitarist. Outside, Clifton sat on the bench in front of the saloon and I could tell something was wrong. I was grateful that the saloon doors were wide open so I could overhear his conversation with Corri, Josh Solo’s girlfriend. 

“How ya doing, Clifton?” Corri was asking him. 

“Well, it seems I have a sister. One I never knew about. Yer mom was Shawnee, wasn’t she?” 

“Yes she was.” I watched through the window as Clif handed her a letter and she looked at him as she took it and read it. She looked up and asked, “This is about my mother and...” she nearly dropped the paper and said, “Hmm, more than just related, it seems. From this... your pa and my ma... that would make you my... brother...” 

I wished I could hear the other side of the conversation but Clif had moved just out of earshot. “I’m not sure what to say... another big brother...” Corri was saying, and I could tell from her voice that she was genuinely shocked at the news. 

They continued to talk about a judge who didn’t like Corri that much and then I finally heard Clif say, “Who’da thunk it?” 

“I never would have,” Corri laughed. “Islay line?”  she asked then, and I wondered what that was referring to now as Clif was an Islay. 

“Mmhmm. Pa was the eighth Earl of Islay, in Scotland,” Clif was explaining. “I’m the oldest son, so I inherited the title.” 

“An Earl... as in... Earl...” 

“Mmhmm. As in old knighthoods and such.” 

“I sure didn’t know you were royalty,” Corri shook her head and I raised my eyebrows hearing the word, surprised at the news myself. 

“Well I never told folks about it,” Clif said. 

“Well if you’re Earl... and I’m your sister...” 

“I guess that’d make you a Countess. Not that it’d matter much here.” 

A man named Ninx and his brother Kain came into the saloon and introduced themselves to me, so I began talking with them, still in awe at the conversation I’d just overheard. The two men were cousins and extremely attractive. I asked Kain if he wanted to dance and he chuckled. 

“You sure you wanna dance with me? Got sum big feet, ya know. But hell you know what they say...” he cleared his throat and wrapped his hands around mine. 

I held his hands and blushed. “What do they say, darlin’?” 

“Well probably should keep that a little quiet out here in the open.” 

“Whisper it,” I chuckled. 

He whispered something sweet in my ear and we talked while we danced. It was as if the rest of the world didn’t matter and we were all alone in the saloon. 

***

That evening I asked Buu to come over and talk about what happened the other day with the incident involving Kale. We met at the news office and I thanked him for coming over. 

“What do you need?” 

“I just need some information... I want to give two sides to this event , and I’m mighty confused. You know the man you shot... Kale... How he came out to be the hero to save the rest of the town from the rebels that were gathering... in front of the sheriff’s office...?” 

“I didn’t shoot anyone called Kale.” 

“Are ya sure?” I scratched my head. “Young man... said ‘let’s settle this as adults’ and ya went off to have a drawl...” 

“That was Buck. I just sat and watched.” 

“Alright, well whoever it was... Were you there from the beginning? Like, what started all the crowds bein’ in front of the office in the first place?” 

“All those damn citizens trying to help law.” 

“But Buu what was going on against the law?” 

“I don’t know. They had Buck surrounded when I walked up.” 

“Oh. But he didn’t really tell me much about why it started...” 

“I flashed em me guns and then all those civilians started gathering round.” 

“He said somethin’ about you goin to court... I guess they wanted to get you out of it somehow...? Why were you goin’ to court? Was it for the thing I witnessed with that man callin’ Aurora names? And how she said she’d drawn the first shot?” 

“I was in court for reasons none of your business.” 

“It’ll be public at the trial, Buu..” 

“I already had the trial.” 

“Well then it’s already public. I’ll just go find Stacie and she’ll...” 

“I ain’t got time for this,” he shrugged. 

“Buu... Don’t ya wanna give your side of it? Or should I just show Zakk and the law’s side of it and have the town be against ya?” 

“The town’s already against me.” I sighed and he said, “And I don’t give a damn what ya’ll think of me.” 

“Fine,” I sighed. “Then I’ll just get my answer somewhere’s else.” 

“And don’t you go telling no one about why I was in court,” he looked at me with angry eyes, his voice quiet.

“Buu, it’s public.” 

“But it don’t have to end up in the paper.” 

“But it’s the reason for the event the other day...” 

“It ain’t got nothing to do with that. That fella... Kale, you said his name was... Was rude to Buck. So Buck taught him a lesson.” 

“I can’t just tell the end of the story without explainin’ the context.” 

“So why don’t you write a story about not being rude to people like me and Buck and do some good for a change.” 

I sighed and he asked, “We done here?” 

“I guess so.” 

“Remember, Trin. I don’t like people poking their noses in my business.” 

“Your business affects the rest of the town when it involves some local boy gettin’ shot at. Whatever, Buu. We’re done here.” 

“He ran his mouth. You towns folk like to do that a lot, but you don’t like the consequences.” 

“I like the truth, Buu.” 

“Truth is that civilians should not be trying to help law. That’ll only get you hurt. You can use that as a quote if you like.” 

I thought about Dutch and nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. “We’re done, Buu. Thanks for your time.” 

“Ya alright over there, Miss Trin?” Richie asked from across the street. 

“Just remember Trin,” Buu showed me his gun on his waist. “We dangerous men.” 

I swallowed and nodded, looking over to Richie. “I’m fine, Richie. Just gettin’ nowhere.” 

“Now run along, little reporter.” 

“Story of my life it seems,” I sighed and started to head back to my cabin. Stopping then I asked, “Richie?” 

“Yes?” he turned to me. 

“Can I ask ya a question? Or are ya busy?” 

“Was on me way back to town, but ya can ask. Ya in trouble ma’am?” 

“Are you alright Miss Trin?” Ami asked with concern. 

“No, just confused...” 

“About?” Ami asked.

“Well you remember how Kale stood up for the town the other day against Bill...” 

“Yes,” Ami nodded. 

“Well... I’m just tryin to find out why he was goin to court I guess... Or if I even need to include that in the article.” 

“Buu?” Ami clarified. 

“‘Cause I know pretty much the gist of why the standoff in the street happened...” 

“I think there was a warrant. Maybe miss stacie will know,” Ami told me. 

“It was all public at the trial, right?” 

“Best ask the law about that,” Richie advised. “Or a judge.” 

“Yes,” Ami agreed in answer to my question. 

“‘Cause it gives context to what happened... So I need to include it, right?” 

“If ya think it’s important, yes,” Richie nodded. 

“In the newspaper? Yes if it is public knowledge.” 

“That’s what I thought...” I sighed. “I tried to tell Buu that it was already public and was jsut giving him a say in his perspective of it... Wanted to give both sides... But... He was all ‘it ain’t your business or the town’s.’” 

“Humm he is not a very nice fella,” Ami observed. 

“Sounds like he is not,” Richie agreed.

“But I was like it is our business if a man had to stand up for the town and got himself shot.” 

“Yes indeed,” Ami nodded. 

“And he said civilians shouldn’t need to help protect the law.” 

“But they have a right to,” Ami said. 

“Every citizen has the right to defend themselves.” 

“That’s what I thought. That’s why this story needs to be printed,” I nodded. “Guess I’m just trying to get at it from every angle,” I smiled at Richie. 

“Hell, I would shoot too. And I blow off heads to protect me family,” Richie said then. “You do what you think is right,” Ami said. 

“Alright... I just wanted your opinion.” 

“The people have the right to know,” Ami agreed. 

“Do you know if Zakk’s around?” I asked them. 

“Might find him at sheriff office or the saloon?” Richie suggested. 

“He was, I am sure he still is,” Ami added. 

“Alright, thanks Richie I’ll look. I appreciate this, both of you!” I smiled to them and Richie tipped his hat as I went off to find Zakk.