Georgetown.
This morning I walked into Georgetown and nodded to the man and woman sitting on the bench on the street. “Howdy,” the man smirked as he looked at me. He adjusted his hat over his face, casting a shadow on the ground.
“Good day folks. Nice day out hmm?” I walked over to them.
“Hello miss. Lovely day indeed,” the woman said.
“Every day above ground is a good day,” the man said.
“Indeed,” I chuckled at him.
“For you my love, this is true,” the woman said to the man.
I looked at the man closer, recognizing something in his voice. “Sir I’m sorry... Do I know you?” When the man said nothing I asked, “So you folks live around here?”
“O’ course,” the man said.
The woman smiled softly to him and then nodded to me. “I am lead doctor o the medical clinic here in town.”
“Oh that’s good to know,” I smiled at her as the man turned away, lighting a cigar. I looked at him curiously, still feeling like I should know him.
“Have to be handy when things get a bit, rough so to speak,” the woman said.
“Things get rough about here?” I raised an eyebrow.
“At times we have our share of trouble,” she said. “Natives on the warpath... things of that nature.”
“As does everywhere I s’pose...” I looked between them and then back to the man. “Sir Are you sure I haven’t met you before?”
“Mm.... where there are people there are always injuries of some sort.”
“True enough,” I nodded.
“Maybe. A lot do,” the man grinned a bit but kept looking at my feet.
“Most in the territory know my Rebel. He is a bit of a wild card,” the woman said and I swallowed hard then.
“I’m very well known, actually,” he said.
“Rebel...” I nodded, remembering everything. “Fancy meetin you here again,” I said and he started to whistle Dixie, making me roll my eyes. “Some things never change, hmm?”
“He does like to be dramatic at times,” the woman chuckled.
I looked between them and said. “Didn’t know you got hitched, Rebel.”
“Got hitched?” the woman laughed. “Been hitched well over a year now.”
“Well congrats,” I smiled.
“Was a good day for us both, and thank you,” she said and Rebel dragged on his cigarette and nodded simply. “When he and I met in Arizona he was much wilder than he is now by far, sometimes he can’t keep the wild inside and goes off on a bit of a streak but, for the most part he has a good heart.”
Rebel walked over to her and pecks the girl’s cheek, then looked at me. “See...?”
“Well I should head on my way. I’ll see you folks around I’m sure,” I chuckled as they kissed.
“Do take care Miss. There was a wild pet alligator running around not far from here,” she warned. “And wolves are on the hunt.”
“I’ll leave you two alone. Have a good day both. Will do,” I waved and walked away. It wasn’t long before I heard Dutch’s voice and stopped dead in my tracks. “Well Duth Solo, I live and breathe!”
“Miss Trin, how are ya? Heya Middy,” Dutch greeted me and the woman and Rebel who had walked over.
“I’m doin just great! Been a while since I’ve seen ya,” I said.
“I been around. Hidin’ in the shadows. You know how I am.”
“I sure do...”
“Never know who’s hubby is lookin’ to shoot me this week,” Dutch chuckled.
“Some things never change eh?” I laughed.
“No ma’am, never.”
“There a saloon around here? Would love to catch up. Interested?”
“That there looks to be new. Ain’t been to Georgetown in a good long spell. Sure, why not.”
We walked towards the saloon and took a seat at the bar. When we’d gotten our whiskey he asked,
“Miss Trin what the heck ya been up too lately?”
“Well Dutch I started up a newspaper office in Nebraska. It covers about five different areas... including Georgetown.”
“Well I’m sure it keeps ya busy.”
“It’s starting to now that I’m getting a team of writers around.”
“A team ya say? I figured you’d do all your own writin’.”
“I’ve got an office set up... Looks great. Been kind of a ... liason between the Natives and the marshals...”
“Well there surely needs to be one.”
“There are three different villages around Nebraska... They’ve all been getting attacked quite a bit lately. In one week there were six attacks on three villages. Bet you can guess who was doing the most of the attacks...”
“Lord have mercy... that can’t be good. Who was doin’ it?”
“You don’t even wanna hazard a guess?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I ain’t been around in a spell, Miss Trin. I couldn’t guess.”
I leaned over and said softly, “Harley Buu.”
“Ahh that scoundrel.”
“Thing is the natives won’t go to the marshals for help, so he keeps getting away with it.”
“Figured someone woulda hung him by now.”
“He’s wanted dead in Amiville last I hear,” I chuckled. “Apparently he shot Ami and Richie.”
“Worse part is I get along with ole Buu. He’s just a rascal of epic proportions.”
“Do ya,” I looked at him. “So I should tell you that he held a gun at me and shot down a friend of mine?”
“Well as I said... he’s a rascal. Just ‘cause I get along with the man don’t mean I agree with his doings.”
“He’s got a target on his back, Dutch. From a few people I know.”
“I took my badge off a long time ago. Ain’t in no hurry to put it back on.”
“I understand. I don’t work with the law either. I was gonna be a detective in Nebraska but seems like there ain’t much law out there to be helping... So I started the newspaper thing. Missed doing the work.”
“You’re a right fine writer. Be a shame if ya wasn’t doin’ it,” Dutch said.
“Thanks Dutch,” I smiled. “So tell me about you... What have you been up to?”
“Oh just wanderin’. Taking my time gettin’ back into things, as it were.”
“Great to see ya back,” I nodded.
“Well thank ya miss Trin.”
“So you livin around here then or ya just goin back and forth between places?”
“Really just wanderin a bit. Ain’t settled in anywhere just yet. If and when I do, it will likely be right here.”
“Glad to hear it,” I nodded. “I wander over here when things get quiet in Nebraska.”
“This is a good place to be, good folks about.”
“I saw Karan and Chane and Mel the other day.”
“How are they these days?”
“They’re doin fine it seems.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Seems they were openin up a business around here... A sort of... social gathering for men...”
“Social gatherin’?”
“Drinks, conversation, women...”
“Women eh? You got me attention now,” Dutch chuckled. “Swear, a woman’s bound to be the death of me yet.”
“Mmhmm just a shame I wasn’t able to be the one who did it...” I winked at him.
“Well ain’t either of us dead yet. Ya never know,” Dutch chuckled.
“True enough, ya never know...” I said, thinking about Kale and wondering where in the heck he’s disappeared to. I looked over at Dutch and remembered everything between us and suddenly blushed, looking down.
“What ya blushin’ for, girl?” Dutch smirked at me.
“Just... remembering...” I sighed. Dang him for noticing everything.
“What ya think of this cold front? Been right chilly ain’t it?”
“Hate it. I miss summer. Snow finally came to Nebraska last night.”
“Eh, I appreciate em both to be honest.”
“I learned how to hunt... Been making traps... Seems the bison and boar are right vicious in Wyoming...”
“That’s good. It’s a good thing to know.”
“Is a lot of work though.”
“It’s worth all the work in the end.”
“This is a nice little saloon they’ve got here,” I nodded and looked around.
“Yeah it ain’t bad at all. Always did like it over here. T’is a right fine town here.”
“Dutch ya need to walk around the place some more... there’s quite a lot different around town and what not,” Downy said then and I looked over, noticing she was there.
“I will do that miss Downy. Excuse me Trin let me do some sight seein’,” Dutch said.
“I should head home. It was good to see you again Dutch.”
“Be careful ya don’t get scalped!”
Nebraska.
This afternoon I headed home and met Lonely Eagle near the house. We wandered around, looking for supplies and making traps. I found Nichola and Mak and asked them about Nichola being a writer in Nebraska. I introduced Lonely Eagle and explained that Mak was the senior editor for the Western Herald.
Kansas.
In Kansas I heard Molly across the river and we talked about the newspaper and about her father Crow doing warrior testing.
I headed back to Hawk’s village that night and talked with Sasha and Pat and the others about the newspaper. Pat said he was a ranger in the area. Pat suggested I should ask his wife Gracie to be a writer for the paper as well. Dondy told us a story about a pet crocodile and he said that he was an animal healer in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Hawk joined us and we talked while the others headed out.
Dondy took me to see his village and we talked about the fights lately and then I headed on.
Wyoming.
I went over to the Cherokee village and talked with Sounds of Thunder. He brought me over to the village and I saw a white boy standing among them, sensing tension as I stood beside Thunder.
“Maybe this woman can help with this little one,” Grey Wolf suggested.
“This boy say him parents gone and that Thunder leave him here in the village,” a woman explained.
“He will only bring trouble from the whites,” Grey said.
“Noo.... I fells asweep near nice wady. I was cold so I snuggled wit hers,” the boy insisted. “And Mr. Jeebus took my parents I was out gettin fishies and my waft broke! I’m a famous lawdog!”
“You say you fell in, Thunder and a few others fish you out?” the woman asked.
“Yes, I can’t swim wells but all lawdogs should knowed hows,” the boy said.
“Ma’am, I don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Trin, a friend of the village’s and of Chief Bear’s,” I said, showing my bracelet the chief had given me.
“Well we’ll keep him fed and warm till someone comes to claim him,” Grey said.
“So you say Thunder pull you out and then no one else is here from then I try only find out who know you here?” the woman said.
Another woman looked from behind a man and asked the boy, “Where are your parents or the people that care for you?”
“Mr. Jeebus TOOK DEMS TO HIS HABENLY COURT!” the boy stomped his foot and exclaimed. “Dear was a wady and another scary man but nice. Can’t says his name it hard.”
“Do you remember her name?” I looked at the boy.
“So your parents are dead little one?” Grey asked.
“He may still cause much trouble from pale face...” the first woman said.
“Dey nots dead dey with mr. jeebus in eternals lifeses.”
“Well... There is an orphanage in Nebraska I could take him to...” I suggested. “If you didn’t feel safe having him here I mean.”
“Okay little one they are with Jesus,” Grey nodded, understanding.
The boy pointed to his small badge on his coat and exclaimed, “I’m a lawdog!”
“Not sure there’s anyone there right now but I understand your concern of having him stay here.”
“I was sworns in and eberydins,” the boy insisted.
“Uh huh,” I chuckled.
“You are welcome to stay here and we will find away to get you back to your people,” Grey said. The boy started to feel a bit more calmer and Grey asked, “Are you hungry, little one?”
“If need be he can stay in my care though. I have two girls as well,” the other woman chuckled.
“Name’s Andy,” the boy smiled up to the lady. “You pwetty miss but you can’t be my gurlfends otays? I gots more den I can’t handle.”
I chuckled at him and the woman giggled as she said, “I not be your girlfriend we can most surely agree on that.”
“I gaurds da sawoons and looks out for swear words and helps wadies cross da street oh and sell fishies,” Andy insisted. “For selling.”
“Yes...” Grey nodded.
“Uh huh, sounds like a cowboy to me,” I chuckled.
Andy turned to me and smiled up at me, wiping his dirty cheek. “Same goes for you. But we fends otays?”
“Dear wife please feed him looks like he needs to fill out his cloths a bit,” Grey said.
“I hungry... garsh,” Andy said and I laughed.
“We have no beans but I’m sure our woman can get you something to stick to your ribs,” Grey promised.
The other woman knelt down and asked, “You want to go with white woman?”
“Little Sky hasn’t been around today has she?” I asked.
“Buts buts.... I just met you all,” Andy made a protesting look. “But I know you no wants lawdog here. Dat my indian name. Bt my name is Andy otays..” he nodded. “If you are worried about my fends I don’t got many. Plus I have no ideer where I’m even ats.”
“You want food then?” the woman asked.
“Why do you think we don’t want you here little one?” Grey asked.
“I hearded dem talking earlier.”
“Well, you do look dangerous.”
“Herd who talking that say not want you here?” the woman tilted her head.
“Dey say pale facers could comes. I would defend yous you all nice until my boss can find me. He
nice.”
I heard him talk about a boss and looked at Grey with concern as the woman asked, “Well yes Pale face could come but that I not think a huge worry.”
“Who is your boss, little one?” Grey asked.
“My boss is Sheriff Wogan.”
I sighed, hearing the name. “Of course it is,” I muttered.
“We used to be bandits and fought dwagons down south ol Mexico way,” Andy said.
“Have a feeling this boss not a very good role model for this little one,” Grey said.
“Otays some food will be nice but dis isn’t a daters otays?” Andy smiled. “Oh he good. Always tells me to walk wadies cross the street. It’s that Mr. Buu. He gots the debils in hims. He picked me up and dwopped me and told me wolves was gonna eats me.” I gave him a quick look at that, concerned.
“My wife will get you some food little one,” Grey said. “Follow her and she will make sure you get something to fill that belly.”
“Do you want me to make some food for you?” A nearby man asked.
“Yes pweese,” Andy said. “If your husband catches us I got my horse out the winder I’ll jump!”
We walked over to the campfire but then I said, “I should head home before it’s too dark.”
Grey insisted that I joined them to eat so I sat at the fire as Andy continued to talk about people in Amiville and I just looked down, not wanting to remember the past. Andy asked me what I did for work and I told him I ran a newspaper. We continued to talk with the tribe as we ate and then Andy said, “I really should gets back do after I eats.”
“I’d be happier if he stayed here with you...” I said, not wanting to hear more stories of the town I was bullied out of.
A woman talked to me about a rude paleface man who tried to kidnap her but she didn’t know his name. She said it happened in Wyoming and I asked if she’d told the chief about it. I advised that the woman never left without her wolf for protection. I met the one woman who said her name was Tsi Quilisda, which meant ‘blackbird’. We talked with Andy about where he lived and he said he guarded the orphanage with Miss Lali and Miss Dulci. Two Moons came to the village and we continued to talk for a while as Andy continued to make up stories. I smiled as it was so good to see everyone at the village again as they all started to filter into the village.
From off in the distance I heard Logan’s voice shouting, “Andy? Andy are you out here boy?”
I stood then and said, “Andy, sounds like Logan’s out there. Let’s go see him. Good evening, everyone.” I waved to the tribe and then shouted out, “He’s here, Logan. We’ll be out soon!”
“Safe paths Trin Lady.. little man in big hat...” Two Moons smiled.
I led the boy out of the village as I said, “Let’s go, Deputy,” and gave him a wink. We walked out of the village and called out for Logan. “Logan where are you?”
“Well, I’m near a river... and a uh... tomato patch?” Logan shouted.
I tried to think of where the heck a tomato patch was and then we found Logan. My heart quickened as I smiled at the sight of my old friend. “Well well well... If it ain’t Sherrif Callaghan... Oh I’m sorry, is it Mayor Callaghan now?”
Andy grinned and took out his slingshot and aimed it for Logan’s hat, firing it off perfectly. “HI BOSS I MADE FENDS DEY MAKE GOOD FISHIES!!”
“Andy you little... get down here boy,” Logan smirked as his hat popped off and then he shook his head. “Voting hasn’t been done yet.”
“Boss, I mets fends!” Andy exclaimed.
“Though competition is basically narrowed between Ami and I,” Logan told me.
“I twied to get fishies!” Andy said excitedly.
“Well you certainly are obtaining quite a collection of hats,” Logan looked at the boy’s hat. I found myself speechless in front of him, a thousand questions racking through my brain.
“Oh dis my old hat my papas.”
“It fits you well boy,” Logan nodded.
“I can go back to the village if you wants,” Andy said.
“No Andy, you’re fine,” I shook my head at him. “I just... It’s been a while, Callaghan.”
“Indeed it has been. Not intentional I assure you. Just with running the orphanage and well... “ he smiled at Andy, “The deputy and I have been maintaining the law on our own so it’s been a lot of work.”
I nodded, not surprised at the news that there was no other law in the area.
“Dem bass turds,” Andy muttered.
“Perhaps you two would be interested in coming to my place in Nebraska? We’ve got some catching
up to do, Callaghan,” I suggested.
“Tristan and I.. and of course Andy here, re the only one actually working. at the moment. The others have wandered off,” Logan continued to explain.
“If Andy would like to,” he nodded and held out his hand to Andy. “Coming up partner?”
“We ridin partners!” Andy said, picking up Logan’s hat as he climbed up on the horse.
We rode over to Nebraska and rode over to the newspaper office.
Nebraska.
“Here we are. The Western Herald,” I said as I dismounted the horse.
“Well isn’t this nice,” Logan smiled.
Andy pointed to me and said, “Now members, don’t get handsy. Dis not a date. I gots a gurlfriend!”
I chuckled and held the door open for them as we walked inside. Logan laughed and nudged Andy.
“Come on you...”
“I live upstairs, but this is the office down here,” I explained, showing them around.
“Garsh dis nice,” Andy said, taking off his hat.
“Spacious too,” Logan looked around.
“I just got my team together as of today actually. We’re officially up and running,” I nodded. “Come on upstairs.”
“Who on team? I wanna helps when not being lawdog. Oh,” andy tugged on Logan’s sleeve. “Dat my Indian name.”
“Well,” Logan smiled. “You’re just a regular business lady now.”
I smiled and walked upstairs with them. “This is my place. Nice and cozy.”
“It certainly is,” Logan nodded and looked around. I looked at him and thought how I’d never imagined having Logan in my house again.
“Have a seat,” I held my hand out to the couch. Andy played with the candles on the table and I said, “Careful with those, Andy. They’re not toys.”
“Otays,” Andy said and put them down.
“Sorry... Can I get you a drink, Callaghan? Andy here had his fill at the village I think.”
“So any weviting stowwies? I wike stowwies,” Andy looked between us.
“So how are things Miss Paige? You seem to be doing well,” Logan stretched his legs out.
“Fairly well I suppose. Been here a few weeks now... It’s good to be back in the newspaper business again. I’ve missed it,” I said, looking down.
“Last I heard you were over in Colorado East. Then suddenly you disappeared.”
“Was actually a District Attorney there for a short period... Believe it or not. I had reasons.”
“I can see that,” he nodded.
“It is much... safer for me out here.”
Logan smirked as he looked over and I followed his gaze to see that Andy had taken a seat in the dog bed. “I gots da best seat in da house!” he exclaimed.
“Yes you do for sure,” Logan smiled.
“That’s where my wolf shadow sleeps... When he’s here. He seems to have disappeared.”
“It’s the way of the beasts.”
I looked over at Logan and said, “You’ll never guess who I ran into today.”
“Oh, who?”
“Dutch Solo. Haven’t seen him in months.”
“Who is that again?”
“When I first got to Amiville there was a whole mystery over who killed Dutch Solo... Was the first book I ever wrote based on my adventures there. Turned out he wasn’t dead, it was in fact his triplet brother who they’d killed.”
“He a zombie!” Andy gasped and we laughed. He ran and darted under the bed and said, “Where ya steaks and shovel!”
“No no boy we’re not having steak,” Logan laughed.
“Anyway... I got to meet the man I’d been writing about for three weeks or so... Who everyone had thought was dead but there was something about it that made me think he could still be alive,” I explained. “And well... we started up this romance... And then just like that he was.. gone. Didn’t hear from him for weeks. Then he came back in town expecting everything to be the same. But then... He was gone again. And now three months later I see him in Georgetown.”
“Maybe it wasn’t really him, but just the other triplet brother?”
“It was him,” I looked at him, sure of it. “Anyway... Was good to see him again today. And now you... Seems like a very ‘Trin Paige this is your life’ kind of day.”
“Well you weren’t exactly easy to find out here,” Logan grinned sideways.
I was relieved at the fact I wasn’t easy to find but then looked at him. “You were looking for me?”
“Well I wasn’t going to go into Colorado east for obvious reasons...”
“Taurus,” I nodded.
“And his female...”
Andy continued to sit on the carpet at the bed and I reached into my pocket to take out a yoyo that I threw to him to play with.
“Kate... Last I heard you two were together... Was surprised to hear of that... Cause last I’d heard before that , Taurus and Kate were together.”
“For about a week.... till I discovered that she was trying to sabotage my relationships with my friends with lies. Then I told her to leave me alone.”
Andy started to play with the yoyo and then hit himself in the eye and cried out. “You better show him how that crazy thing works Miss Paige,” Logan said and I nodded, showing him how to do it, then gave the yoyo back to him.
“Been a while since I’ve been called ‘Miss Paige’,” I looked at Logan. “You should’ve been there for that case in Colorado though, Callaghan,” I said changing the subject. “I didn’t even have to give my closing statement the case was so brilliant.”
“That’s good to hear,” Logan grinned.
Andy continued to play with the yoyo, knocking over the candles on the table.
“Anyway... The case... It helps when the jury disappears and the only one left is the wife of the defending lawyer, and then the defendant starts lying on the stand cause he wasn’t sworn in and his lawyer gives up on his case.”
“I suppose that would be helpful,” Logan laughed.
“Was a great case. Best part was that Clif was there to witness it... He’s always been my mentor... Meant a lot for him to be there to watch my first case. And my last...” I looked down and Logan looked knowingly at me while bantering with Andy as well.
As they continued to banter I thought back to when I’d shown Logan my saloon dresses in the jail cells and him pretending to arrest me, with the whip, and I told myself to stop my train of thought. I saw him grin over at me as he and Andy continued to talk and I blushed, avoiding eye contact.
Andy decided to head back to Amiville and then looked back at me. “He’s a good patrol man.”
“I bet,” I smiled as the child left. Now that we were alone, I let myself look into his eyes for the first time all night. I took a deep breath, still a thousand questions going through my mind. “You didn’t answer my question before... You’d been looking for me? How’d you know I disappeared from Colorado? I never saw you in Colorado Springs.”
“Well yes, when I had a chance too. I would ride through there occasionally and you weren’t there. The town was near empty.”
“You would?” I looked at him, amazed.
“Aye, of course,” he nodded. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I... It seemed like you didn’t have any need for us when we left Amiville... You stayed behind in spite of...”
“I don’t have any need for Adder... and well, I figured you sided with him. A reasonable assumption.”
“Taurus and I have always been just friends,” I shook my head. “I left with Jake and Chels and Adder.”
“Well I know that...” he laughed. “But after that mess with Katherine, everyone stopped talking to me. So I assumed that I had been abandoned.”
“Then Jake and Chels fritted off to Kingsley and I went to Colorado Springs. Adder followed me there. Said not much was happening in Kingsley and wanted to be his own sheriff. So he stayed in Col Springs... I worked there for a while until... certain people who shall remain nameless found me again... That’s when I moved out here. I wasn’t running from you, Logan... I...”
“No, but I figured you had just gone along with the rest.”
I started to get emotional, remembering everything, and looked down. “You remember what happened, don’t you? Why I left Amiville? I would have been a sitting duck, Logan. With all of them gone... we thought you were coming with us... I had no chance in hell of surviving there.”
“Oh I know that, But there is always the mail. I never got a letter or anything.”
“I couldn’t risk anything being traced back to me... Logan if they heard that I’d sent you something... If they saw that letter... They would track me down and you know it.”
“Well let me put it this way... this whole mess was caused by one person. She caused me to stay in Amiville, where I am in so deep that i can’t just walk out now.... she ruined my friendships, and took many things away from me. Not to mention that she hardened my heart.”
I sighed as I listened to him, holding his gaze and trying not to show his emotion. “Logan... Hear me on this. The fact that she did that to you had nothing to do with my not contacting you. Period. Was I upset when I heard from her in the saloon that you were running for mayor and that you were together? Sure, I was. But I knew that showing my face anywhere outside of that saloon to come talk to me would lead to a target on my back.”
Logan nodded. “Well the only reason why I ran for mayor was because she goaded me into it.”
“I tried to go back a couple of times to Amiville... It just didn’t seem the same and I didn’t see you either of those times... I just... I couldn’t be there long, Logan. It hurt too much.” I got more emotional and wiped the tears from my eyes. “That town had turned its back on me. Quite literally.”
“Things have changed for me Miss Paige,” he looked at me with his expression unchanging, “I’ve learned not to trust anyone. I don’t trust my own town. I don’t trust neighboring towns. All I do is focus on getting the outlaws and rescuing children.”
“The judge wanted to sell me to them for two thousand coins. The other judge couldn’t have cared less. Clif was gone... Then all my friends, I thought, who were law were leaving.” I sighed, hearing the hurt in his voice and understanding it. I tried to stand and went to join him on the couch, looking at him.
“Well Adder was my only good deputy. Now I’m left with the stragglers that were there before and I’ve refused to hire any more.”
“Logan I... I don’t know what to say.”
“What do I have to cling to anymore? It’s all but ripped completely away. My heart was broken, I lost my closest friend... I have no close friends in Amiville. Other than Rayce of course.”
“Logan, I...” I looked down, hearing the name.
“All of my work... in the long run, I’ll be left with nothing but the broken pieces of what once was. Each person leaving their distinct mark on my mind but their presence only fleeting. Nothing lasts forever.”
“Logan...” I reached over to touch his foot softly, but he drew his legs closer to himself, wrapping his arms around them. “I’ll be fine. but I’m glad that you are doing so well out here. At least you still have the... old crew, I suppose.”
“Old crew?” I looked at him. “I moved out here because it was closer to Hawk’s village, where I’ve always gone for peace...”
“Well you have Adder and Jakob and Chels.”
“The only times I talk with Adder are when there’s an issue to discuss relating an attack on one of the native villages around the area... Jake and Chels...” I looked down.
Logan held his face in a stern expression. “I’ve honestly been hurt very badly and I’m still not fully recovered.”
“I never talk to them, and when I do it’s usually unpleasant. I’ve been trying to make a life for myself out here, Logan. I’m trying to have a fresh start but my past still haunts me. It leads me to believe that there’s still something I need to forgive.. something I need to have closure from.”
“Talking to Jakob is unpleasant? I thought you were friends...” he said and I looked away. “What...?”
I swallowed hard and said, “Every time I tried to talk to them in Colorado... It would seem as if they weren’t listening or they didn’t care. I never could talk to him alone because she was always there. She treated me like I was stupid and should have known things better than I did. She made me feel like the outlaw. He barely offered a constructive solution to anything I brought up so eventually I just gave up trying.”
He nodded and said, “I saw the three of them... He, Chels, and Adder in Amiville the other day. They simply stated to one another, ‘Well teir sheriff is here so he can handle it...’ and they disappeared. Do you know how much that hurts me? My closest friends no turning on me simply because of a stupid woman who screwed up everything for me.”
“I’ve been looking into the attacks on the native village in the areas... There’s been several since the end of October... The marshals are the only ones who could do anything about it but no, they just say they don’t know what they can do. And then last week...” I looked down, shaking my head.
“Tristan is the only marshal that I ever see and well... he is a bit busy with Jade at the moment.”
“The marshals were all standing around with Kale, a friend of mine from a long time ago, and Buu. I walked over and the marshals walked away. Buu looked at me and said ‘oh, still as nosey as ever.’ I walked home and told Kale I’d meet him there but I saw the marshals standing across the river, just standing there. Buu took a few shots in their direction but they just stood there watching. Then I walked home and I heard more shots... So I ran back to see if Kale was okay. He’d been shot down. Had to take him to a healer in Iowa to be recovered. They did absolutely nothing, Logan...”
“Who is they?”
“Adder came out after the fact and I told him what happened... But nothing’s been done. It was all of them... Chels, Jake, Adder, Mack...”
“Adder won’t do anything either... he is just as far up Katherine’s arse.”
“You want to talk about how I have the whole crew here, Logan? Does that sound like I have anything?”
“No I figured you still spoke to them all.”
“Harley pointed his gun at me... when he said I was still nosey as ever. I’m alone out here, Logan. I’m trying to help the native people survive against the attacks from Buu and others like him...”
“And there isn’t much that i can do about it,” he sighed.
“I’ve got Chief Hawk and Chief Standing Bear protecting me when I need it, when I need to run to their tribes for protection. But Dom, Charles and Brent are barely here... our three lawmen in Nebraska... I visit Mack and Amee at their house but there isn’t anything they can do either. Men come and are gone so fast it’s like night and day... Heck... My wolf hasn’t been seen in days.”
“That’s one thing that Amiville can say. Their Sheriff is always there,” he smiled a little.
“You’re not even listening, are you?” I looked at him.
“Did I not just say something relevant?”
“I don’t want to talk about Amiville,” I sighed and shook my head. “They forced me out and now I’m a sitting duck.”
“I realize that you are alone as you say out here... but even one ounce of welcoming is better than none. I have no one at my back Trin. No one.. If a gang out outlaws comes to Amiville.... you know who has to protect the town? Me... by myself. They’ll kill me. What we had was so good... and now I’m left a broken man as that all shattered away to nothing.”
“Logan I...” I sighed, knowing he was right.
“And you know, I don’t blame you a bit for not going back to Amiville. I wouldn’t either if I were you. But I’m right glad that I didn’t leave because I would have been cast out of Jakob and Adder’s little crew all the same. And that would have been more painful. At least i can pretend that i matter by being sheriff.”
“Logan.. you want to know what I thought of when I first saw you again tonight? When I let myself think..?”
He closed his eyes for a moment and asked, “What?”
“I remembered the good times... All those times with you and me... When we were working together.. It reminded me of the good things about that town. Don’t tell me you don’t matter. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to look positively on that town ever again. You made me remember the good.”
“I’m glad for that at least,” he sighed.
“You should be. That’s no small feat. I will say this though... And I think in this kind of conversation it needs to be said so it’s all on the table...”
“Though I want you to know that not for one moment do I ever forget what Ami did to you. I know what kind of person she is and honestly, I really want to beat her in the campaign for mayor just so that she can see how she has let her town down.”
I nodded and said, “Logan I have to tell you something.”
“You’re pregnant?” he asked and I looked at him, suddenly nervous. “What?”
“I know this means absolutely nothing now as there’s been so many months since our last interaction and you’ve obviously been hurt in this area but... Ever since I met you, I had a massive crush on you, Logan Callaghan,” I said and he grinned sideways. “I know nothing could possibly happen and you’re not thinking that way at all but... I just... I thought you should know.”
He still smiled, with a bit of a straighter face. “Well I’ll have to admit Miss Paige, that you are quite the attractive woman yourself.” I blushed and then he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Though I know you understand that I’m far too dangerous for you. You are a gentle innocent woman and I’m afraid that someone like me could only ruin you.”
I thought to myself I had heard that from Dutch Solo before and sighed. “I’m not as innocent anymore as you think, Callaghan, but I understand.”
“I’m not as gentle as you may expect,” he smiled wickedly.
“You think I don’t remember the whip? Or the time you almost arrested me?” I winked at him.
“That was only a very small taste. I’m not the cuddley type at all.”
“Look, Logan I get it. I’m not trying to start anything here... I just... Well we’re being honest about everything else so I figured...” I said, suddenly embarrassed.
“No no don’t worry. I’m just feeling rather icy and cold lately... I’m still wounded,” he grinned at me.
“It’s getting late...” I felt my eyes starting to close, and nodded to him.
“I’m not exactly accustomed to dealing with women who pretend like you’re their world and then suddenly turn out to be serpents.”
We stood then and I said, “Logan... Before you go...”
“Yes?” he asked and I wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him in a close hug. “I do hope you feel better.”
“Don’t ever think you don’t matter, Callaghan,” I said, not letting him go.
“I’ll try to remember that,” he smiled.
I rubbed his back and then stepped out of his arms. “And don’t be a stranger? I can’t come visit you but... You know where I live now.”
“I’l come by again. Now that I’m more certain that unwanted people won’t be popping in.”
“They’re never around. No one really is. See you soon, Callaghan,” I reached down and squeezed his hand.
He nodded before tipping his hat. “Of course. You sleep well, Miss Paige.”
I watched him go and shook my head, sitting back down on the couch to gather myself.
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