Tombstone.
I walked into Kate’s this morning and saw a man sitting at the bar. “Hi there. All alone in here?” I asked and he arched an eyebrow. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Could,” he mumbled and I looked at him with a confused expression. “Woman’s place at home and making babies.”
I raised an eyebrow at that and said, “This woman is a detective with a gun.”
“Ha,” he laughed.
I held out my hand and said, “Detective Trin Paige. And you are?”
“Twain,” he said, ignoring my hand.
“Just Twain? That the last name or the first one?”
“You arresting me Missy?”
“Nope. Just askin’ and bein’ friendly. I don’t arrest, I just investigate.”
“Not much to know about me.”
“Alright then. Have a good day I guess.”
He nodded and I walked out of the saloon. Seeing a woman in a black dress I greeted her with a smile, “Hi there. Teela was it?”
“Yes, Teela Thompson.”
“That’s right, we met a few weeks back.”
“I remember.”
“How have you been settling in?”
“Thanks, I’m doing well... and how about you?”
“Not much to report really. Things have been pretty quiet,” I shrugged.
“A good thing... but I heard there was a shooting yesterday again.”
“Oh was there? What happened?”
“I don’t know. I just heard of it.”
“Oh. Well I guess I’ll poke around then. Who told you ‘bout it?”
“Miss Jewell... she was there when it happened.”
“Thanks, that’s helpful. Reckon I should let you go then. Have a good day.”
“You too, miss. stay safe,” she nodded as Twain walked up to her.
“Same to you,” I said and turned towards the office. I felt someone following me and turned around to see a man. “Hello there,” I greeted him.
“My apologies if I scared you ma’am,” he tipped his hat and smiled.
“Oh it’s alright,” I smiled. “Nice day out ain’t it?”
“Very nice day for sure.”
“Don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Trin Paige.”
“Montana.”
“Pleasure to meet you sir. That a first name or last name?”
“The name I go by.”
“That works. New in the area?”
“Yes and no. Almost a week in town.”
“That’s great. Got yourself all settled in then?”
“Not as of yet. My definition of settled may differ from yours.”
“Usually most people’s definitions of things are different from mine.”
“A man like me is never settled until he has a woman breaking his spirit to roam.”
“I see.”
“Otherwise. this is a temporary stop in the grand scheme.”
“And what is the grand scheme?”
“Oh I want to go to Mexico and make my fortune.”
“Oh I see. Well I wish you luck with that.”
“When I saw you I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you. Just had to make your acquaintance,” he said and I blushed, looking down. “Lovely woman like you shouldn’t be doing a dangerous job as you do.”
“It ain’t that dangerous. I ain’t been shot since August. That’s gotta be a record ‘round here.”
“Well you shouldn’t have to get have to get shot at all.”
“It wasn’t a particularly wonderful day,” I nodded, the memory still clear.
“You should be wearing fine silk dresses... appreciated and cherished.”
“I work over at the Oriental sometimes, though business is slow so they ain’t needed me much.”
“Well some lucky man will sure treat you royal.”
“That train has left the station a long time ago. I have little faith that it will happen again. I’d rather focus on my work, though I can hardly rely on that these days either.”
“Well maybe if the right man came along... Educated, former calvary officer, entrepreneur...”
“I don’t much believe in happy endings anymore.”
“They are out there.”
“If you say so.”
“Seems you don’t believe me.”
“Been disappointed too much I guess. I should get back to work. It was nice meeting you, Montana.”
“I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
“Have a good day.”
“Good day,” he bowed slightly and tipped his hat as I turned and headed for my office.
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