September 6, 1869

Amiville. 

It was only two days later when my fear for more danger from Bill would come true. I was in the saloon with my friend Sara, drinking an Irish coffee and getting some writing done. We talked for a while, getting to know each other and discussed what had brought us to Amiville. We heard Bill shouting and I swallowed, nervous. It had been a couple of days since the trial and I knew that he would be out of jail by now. Sara asked me what was wrong and I explained that because of the article on the front page about Kitty being captured in Georgetown, I would be Bill’s number one enemy. 

Before long, Bill walked into the saloon and Sara asked him if she could get him a drink. “Yep, s’pose ya cans, ma’am,” he answered. “I like a glass of bloods... Trin-flavored.” 

I swallowed nervously, wondering where the heck my protection was. “Sara I think I should...” I stood shakily. 

“I don’t think so’s,” Bill shook his head and blocked my way to the door. 

“Bill... Just let it go...” I pleaded, noticing Sara tense up at the realization of who this man was. 

“Ya gots a bigs mouth lady..and I am about ta shuts it once and fer alls.” 

“Sara... Call for...” I told her and then looked at Bill. “Bill, Come on. It’s my job.” 

“Lawmen to the saloon!” Sara called then. 

“I didn’t tell ‘em anything they didn’t know already,” I argued. 

“Yer lies wont be spread around abouts me no more.” 

“Chels!” I breathed easier when I saw her walk into the saloon. 

“Might of known it would of been you Buck,” Chels rolled her eyes. 

“Stay outs of it Marshal, if ya knows whats good fer ya.” 

“Well Bill when ya go around bothering town folks, it is my business.” 

“I been all buts fair to ya but then ya tells folks around heres I loves ya...” Bill glared at me. 

“What?!” I asked, shocked. “I never!” 

“Well I am about ta prooves I’ms not.” 

“Other people said it, Bill. Not me. They observed how you acted around me.” 

“Ya mean this is a lovers quarrel... Just kiss and make up...” Chels advised. 

“Chels... I don’t love him! I don’t!” 

“But he loves you,” Chels pointed to Bill. 

“He’s making it up! He...” I looked away, swearing under my breath. I had no idea where this was coming from. 

“Doesn’t really sound like love,” Sara muttered. 

“Acted...hell thens that means I loves all the gals then...ya aint no different then thems Trin’s..I sometimes just wants ta have funz...but I aint lettin no more bull sheeeeits bein......” 

“Well marshal..looks like i am goin ta have ta defends myself.” 

“Chels I never said anything like that to anyone,” I argued. 

“Now ya both to shy to admit it.... but its about time ya did and no more of this foolish nonsense,” Chels ordered. 

“Well that thar cell needs some companies Marshal... ya likes ta go backs?” 

“No but our cell misses you,” Chels chuckled. 

“I be waitin’ outside fer yas,” Bill said and walked out. 

“Just sit and relax,” she told me and I did so, utterly frustrated. 

“He’s gone,” Sara came over to me and put a hand on my shoulder to help me calm down. 

“He’s not gone, Sara. He’ll be back. I’m sure of it.” 

Sara got me a glass of whiskey and I tried to tell her why I was so upset. Chels came back in and said, “Now both of you, stop showing fear. They play on it.” 

“But he...” I started. 

“He what, Trin?” 

“Never mind. You wouldn’t understand.” 

“Well just try me... I was locked in his cell for two days; no food no water.” 

“He pretended to blow me up with dynamite, keeps comin round and standing right close to me so I can feel his presence, watches me dance like...” I saw Kitty walking into the saloon and stopped talking then. 

Bill joined in soon and he sat with Kitty at a table while they had a drink. I tried to ignore them and focus on my writing as Chels started to talk to them like it was no big deal. Bill walked over to the counter then and talked to Sara while he leaned down and set something on the floor. All of a sudden there was a huge explosion and Sara and I jumped to the back of the saloon while the others ran out the front door. Smoke filled the room and I blinked hard, trying to get my vision back. 

“You two alright?” Chels coughed, coming back into the saloon. “What ya go and do that for, Bill?” she asked him as she looked between us. 

Sara and I both said that our vision was fuzzy and I tried to calm down, frustrated that I had been right in Bill’s threat to me and that not even the law could stop him from blowing up the saloon. We ran outside and went to the clinic where the doctors took care of us and helped clear our lungs of the smoke. I knew, though, that this wasn’t the end and that Bill was just getting started with his plan of revenge.