July 1, 1899

Tombstone. 

While entering town this morning I saw a man sitting in front of Kate’s. I walked over and leaned against the pole, looking over at him. “‘Morning, Sir. Don’t think we’ve met.” 

“Don’t think we have. I’m Lawrence. Please, have a seat.” 

“I’m Trin,” I smiled and sat down beside him. “Well, if you insist.” 

“Pleasure to meet you.” 

“How long have you been in town for?” 

“Oh, just got here. But it is not my first visit.” 

“Oh, you’ve been here before?” I asked and he nodded, taking a swig of his beer. “What made ya leave if ya don’t mind me asking?” 

“I’m a traveller, it’s what I do,” he smiled. 

“Sure,” I chuckled. 

“So what is your occupation?” 

“I’m a detective actually,” I said proudly. “And a lawyer.” 

Dodgy almost choked on her whiskey and mumbled, “Pinkerton.” 

I looked over and asked, “Got somethin’ wrong with that, Dodgy?” 

“A lawyer, you say? Good to meet someone who is well-read around here,” Larwence said and Dodgy didn’t even turn around to answer me. 

“Yes sir. When I ain’t writin’, I’m readin’.” 

“Music to my ears. So what is it you write?” 

“I’ve been trying to catch up on my journals from my time in the west... I’ve got snippets of conversations written down that I kept for case information and all... but tryin’ to put them into journal format,” I smiled at him. 

“Sounds interesting. I knew someone here once who kept a journal. Surprising what people overhear.” 

“Mmhmm... that it is. Good to write things down though especially if I have to look back for a detail or two.”

“Makes for a good lawyer.” 

Ali walked over then and I nodded to her, introducing the two of them. “What is it you do for money while you’re travellin’ around, Sir?” I asked him eventually. 

“Do without.”

“How do you buy food then?”

“Oh, I manage,” he smiled and I chuckled, wondering if I wanted to know how he managed. “Must watch my mouth though,” he smiled at me. 

“And why’s that?” I looked to him. 

“Never know what you might write down.” 

I chuckled at that and winked. “Wit, we like that ‘round here, eh Ali?”

“Very much so,” Ali nodded. 

“Seems Dodgy over there don’t like me so much. Ain’t sure why,” I told Ali as Dodgy swigged her flask and wiped her nose with her sleeve. 

“How was your weekend Miss Trin?” Ali asked. 

“Uneventful since that chaos Friday night, Ali. Think my arm’s finally starting to heal up a bit.”

“What happened?” Lawrence wondered. 

“Oh there was a big shootout in the streets... Over the clock that’s still stolen,” I sighed. 

Ali looked at me and I could see she was trying not to laugh. “Ain’t that a shame, all those wounded and no clocks.”

“Who stole it?” Lawrence asked. 

“The clock’s out in Ghenna in outlaw country so I reckon it could be anybody,” I said, though I knew exactly who it was. “Either way we can’t get it back till we find a posse and some wagons or somethin’... Helps if the sheriff gets reinstated too,” I gave Ali a look. 

“Ah, so the gentleman I met a few days ago is not the desired sherif?” 

“Who’d you meet a few days ago?” I asked him and looked over at Ali with surprise at the news that there’s a different sheriff. 

“I haven’t heard anything about the sheriff. She and the deputy were in town. I believe it was yesterday. Unarmed, as far as I could see,” Ali told me. 

“He mighta meant AJ... the sheriff over in Benson,” I said hopefully. 

“Perhaps he’s talking about TJ,” Ali suggested. 

“TJ!?” I blinked. 

“Possibly,” Lawrence nodded. 

I jumped up in my seat angrily and asked, “TJ is the new sheriff?!”

“Not that I know of, he’s not,” Ali shook her head. 

“Then he’s impersonating as a sheriff?!” I looked at her. 

“Well I’m confused,” Lawrence sighed. 

“I just heard he was telling some folk he was. I reckon he was just funnin’ if it’s true,” Ali said. 

“Oh he’s really,” I shook my head, getting even more upset. “He’s got some nerve...” I sat back down with frustration. 

“Sounds like you need a drink,” Lawrence suggested. 

“Yeah, that would cheer me up,” I looked over at him. “Maybe I should mix the whiskey in the coffee this morning. That might make me feel better.”

“Good idea,” Lawrence smiled. 

“I’ll be right back out,” I stood and pushed the door open so it swung loudly. I walked into Kate’s and poured myself some coffee, mixing half with whiskey in the mug. I turned back and headed outside again, sitting down beside Lawrence. “Sorry ‘bout that folks. Just.. don’t tell me these things without my morning coffee,” I winked at Lawrence and he smiled. 

“I finished my decorating my balloon, but i’m rather embarrassed to put it out. The ones out now are really nice,” Ali changed the subject. 

“Decorating your balloon, huh?” I asked. 

“It’s quite funny, I think. Yes, for the balloon race and contest,” Ali chuckled. 

“Ah you mean for the fourth of July festivities?”

“Yes. I think however, I need to add two more pieces.” 

“It’s Canada Day today back home... Missing my ma. Joshua’s been so busy with whatever he’s doin’ around here I ain’t been able to show him around yet,” I reflected. 

“Has he arrived to town already?” Ali asked. 

“Happy Canada day Miss Trin,” Lawrence smiled. 

“Yeah he’s in town just been so busy,” I smiled. “And thank ya, Lawrence. I grew up on a ranch in Canada before moving down to Texas about twenty years ago or so.”

“Should have known you were Canadian with that smile,” Lawrence said. 

“Well ain’t you sweet,” I blushed at the compliment. “Between the whiskey and the sweet man this is already turnin’ out to be a better day. Nice men who ain’t goin’ around shootin’ people are hard to fins in these parts.” 

“Nice to be unique.” 

“Well, I aint see him shoot anyone...yet,” Ali looked at Lawrence then to me. 

We started to talk about the fourth of July festivities and then moved on to discuss what was happening with the orphanage and about people we hadn’t seen around town in a while. Lawrence told us that he had spent most of his time in the United Kingdom. I joked that I’ve been in America for so long that I felt like I was part-American, but my roots would always be in Canada. We talked about Ali’s baby that would be coming soon and Lawrence went inside to get me another coffee. 

He handed me the cup and I brushed my knuckles against his while reaching for the cup. “Thanks so much, darlin’.” 

He hesitated a little and said, “You’re welcome.” 

“You alright, Lawrence?” I asked as I took a sip of the coffee. 

“I’m fine, Miss,” he smiled at me. 

We talked a bit more about Annie’s and the hotel in the area and then Ali said goodbye, leaving the two of us alone. I played with the coffee mug on the table between us and asked, “So you got a wife or girl back home, wherever home is?”

“I have a companion yes, but it’s complicated.” 

“Complicated how?” I looked slightly disappointed at him. He put his cup down and shrugged and I drew my hand back to my lap. “It’s alright, I understand.”

“Did I tell you I could read palms?” 

“Oh can ya?” I asked, looking over at him. 

“A little,” he nodded. 

I wondered if it was just a line for him to touch my hand and chuckled, deciding to play along. “You wanna read mine?”

He placed down his empty coffee cup and said, “Of course.” 

“Does it matter if it’s left or right?”

“Which hand do you write with?” 

“My right one.”

“Ok, then the left would be better.” 

I held out my left hand and lay it flat on the table with the palm facing up. He gently took my hand with his right, holding it up gently. I felt the warmth of the contact but held my hand steady in his, keeping his gaze. He gently ran a finger over the lines, looking closely. “H hmm, so you’re not from round here...somewhere north I think.” 

I smiled, knowing I had told him that part already, but played along. “Mmhmm..” 

He nodded and said, “Seems you are very intellectual, a scientist or involved with literature somehow...” 

“Literature more so. Science is over my head.”

He gently ran a finger over my palm and smiled, “I was close then?” I felt mesmerized by the touch and looked into his eyes, smiling. He leaned forward and ran a small line below my index finger. “Come in closer and look at this,” he said softly. 

I swallowed hard and leaned closer to look at it. “What is it?” 

“Well this one tells me you are a very beautiful woman, both inside and out... And this one tells me...” he gazed into my eyes. 

“Tells you what...?” I whispered, my heart starting to race. 

“That you’re about to kiss me,” he whispered and leaned in to gently kiss me. 

I kissed him back and squeezed his hand as I did so, feeling the warmth from the kiss. I leaned my forehead against his and exhaled deeply, looking into his eyes. “That was... unexpected?” I smiled. 

“I agree,” he nodded. “Shall we go for more coffee?” 

“Sure, we could do that,” I smiled and stood. 

“Where do you recommend?” 

“Hmm...” I Looked up and down the street, considering. “Let’s um... Follow me,” I winked and led the way to Bisbee. 

Bisbee. 

As we walked into town, he told me that he had once rented a house in Bisbee a long time ago. I debated whether to take him to my house or to the saloon and decided to stay safe, leading him to the saloon. I told him how I played there on Thursdays and we began to dance. 

***

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I walked back into town and talked with some folks in front of the hotel after going in to get some more coffee. I sat down in front of the hotel with my notebook and began to write in my journal. Lawrence walked over and I smiled, asking him to join me. 

“So what are your plans this evening?” he asked. 

“This evening?

“Depends what comes up I suppose. Did ya have somethin’ in mind?”

“Seems a nice hot day. Fancy going to cool off?” 

“That sounds like a good plan. Where bouts?” I smiled. 

“I know a nice little creek. Care to come?” 

I smiled and stood, following him out to a private creek out of town where we got into our underclothing and kissed as we waded in the water. The night was magical and it was a moment I would never forget.