October 22, 1869

Colorado Springs. 

This morning I walked around town and then saw Adder walking over with a badge on. “Taurus? Are you...?”

“Looks like it, doesn’t it?” he grinned. 

“We’re back in business together?” I smiled widely. 

“Aye,” he nodded. 

“Would it be unprofessional of me to hug you, sheriff?” I stepped closer. 

“Probably, but I won’t stop you.” 

I chuckled and looked around, seeing no one around, and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “I’ve missed you so dang much, Taurus,” I whispered and stepped back after we hugged. 

“Let’s get a drink and celebrate, hmm? Did ya hear about my first win as attorney yesterday?”

“Aye, I caught the end of the trial, well done!” 

“Thanks, Taurus. I didn’t even have to give my closing statement,” I chuckled. I knew there was more business to discuss with that case but I let it go as I was too overjoyed to be working with him again. “Only thing here.. no bartender... What can I get ya?” I asked as we walked into the saloon. 

“Coffee please,” he said and I smiled, wondering why I asked. I reached for the coffee machine and started making the drink. “Seeing as how I’m working now I can’t really hit the beers.” 

“You might not be able to... but it helps me focus.”” I winked. 

Adder too his mug and said, “Cheers, Trin.” 

“To working together again,” I smiled. 

“I’ll drink to that,” Adder nodded. 

“We do need to talk business but I’ll wait till after the coffee... that situation at yesterday’s trial will come up again, I’m sure of it.”

“Aye he didn’t look like the sort of fella who’d just behave now,” he nodded again. 

“Poor Amelia’s terrified of when he gets out. I told her we’d protect her. Her father doesn’t seem to have the... most faith in us.” I looked down, not wanting to think about last night’s interaction with him in the saloon.

“Well, we’re used to that from Amiville.” 

“True. Just glad I ain’t alone anymore.” 

“So what was that fella on trial for?” 

“A guy named Santos... he came into the saloon and aimed a gun on the mayor and the sheriff.”

“Ah. Well that’ll get ya in court.” 

“The night before he’d harassed Amelia too...”

“And now she’s scared he’ll be back?” 

“She’s afraid he’ll come after her again when he’s out.”

“Well, a face like his will be easy to spot if he does come back.” 

I nodded and asked, “How many people do you know with a glass eye?”

“Just him. And then theres that scar on his cheek.” 

“Was the main point about my case in the trial. We had them right from the beginning, Adder. It was brilliant.”

“Great work.” 

“Then the whole jury decided they had to disappear so there was one person left. And then they said well since there was just one person there they didn’t need a jury.”

“At least the witnesses were aware it was on,” he laughed. “I was looking through a list of the law folks for this town. I see my good buddy TJ is a judge here too.” 

“Is he?” I asked and he nodded as we continued to drink our coffee and talk. 

***

I was sitting in front of my office when Adder came over and told me about his new place. We walked over to the cabin which was on the road to Amiville. He showed me around and we talked about how I had moved in above the post office for myself. We sat down on the couch for a while and talked and then we went to the saloon to play Poker. 

While we were there, Bill and Nell walked in and sat down in the corner and I ignored them as we kept playing. I wasn’t going to show them that they had any kind of control over me by trying to come and intimidate me. When Nell said howdy to us, I nodded to her but focused on the game. 

At one point Bill said, “I wonders how long you know who will last here before ran outta this town.” 

“Come on be nice, they ain’t hurtin’ nothin...fer now,” Nell said to him. 

“Trust me it wont be longs before the mouth starts and I will be hired fer a jobs agin...” Bill said. 

“Then we do what we do,” Nell said, looking to him. “Maybe East is a better place for em. Less people to piss off.” 

“Wells I hope so...the mouth isn’t allowed back in Amiville...fer their troubles makin fer good folks thar,” Bill said then and I wondered who he meant as we continued to play. 

Adder won the game and then Tiggy came in and joined the group at the table. I asked Adder if he wanted to join me at the office and we headed there to get some paperwork done.