Black Diamond.
This morning I walked down the street and saw Stormy and Ben talking in front of the office. Ben talked about wanting to be law again and then I headed back to the office.
Later in the afternoon, I walked over to Aly’s house and she looked excited. “Trin get your cute butt here!”
“What’s goin’ on, woman?”
“Hi! So...” she started.
“Don’t tell me you’re engaged.”
“Where is your favorite place in all of Black D---oh my goodness!” she coughed. “Uhm. Yes! Trin I’m so much in love with him! It just happened today! And it was real important that I tell you because...well...”
“You both said you weren’t ready. You both said you’d take time before it...” I shook my head.
“You’re my best friend, and he was uh..kinda yelling it around town earlier. We weren’t but we are, it doesn’t make much sense I know, but it feels right!”
I looked at her, my heart pounding from the shock. I had just been getting used to the idea of them dating and now I was overwhelmed with the reality that they would be getting married.
“Trin when we said we weren’t ready we weren’t... but he asked me today.”
I bit back the emotion as Bree and another woman walked over and I said that I needed to get a drink. I walked over to the saloon and got some whiskey, not wanting to talk about the engagement with other people around. Alex had been the last man that I’d been serious with... the last man who’s ring I’d worn, well, the only since Charlie had died in Texas. I knew that we were not meant to be together romantically but it was still so hard to leave everything in the past.
Gathering myself together, I knew that I needed to be happy for my best friends and set my own feelings aside, because it had very little to do with me. I walked back over to the tree and was happy to find Aly there alone.
“I’m sorry, I wanted to wait till the others were gone so we could talk about it alone. Congratulations, hon.”
“That’s ok Trin. Thank you. He makes me very happy.”
“He’s a good man..”
“When I was with Mark.....things were so stressful... not sure if I ever told you that. Being engaged to him...I’d freak out. Thinking about being a part of the Grey family... it freaked me out!”
“I don’t blame you.”
“A part of me thinks I would have been in a kitchen all day making pies,” she laughed.
“I’m just... surprised at how fast this happened.”
“And with Cal...we were engaged for five years...but we were more like brother and sister...it would have been a convenient marriage.”
“And I get it, you guys were in the moment and wanted to do it. But you both insisted on not going too quickly. I’m just concerned I guess.”
“Alex and I have been friends for three months. Mark and I were together for three weeks...”
“And you’ve been dating what, a week?”
“While it’s true we have only been romantic for a little while, I feel like I’ve known him my whole life.”
“I get that, I do.”
“I’ve tried to find the if, and’s and buts...”
“Just understand that’s why I was so shocked.”
“I’ve tried searching for that reason...the one that wants me to flee when I hear the word wedding.... marriage... that reason...it’s just not there. Both of us were starting to look forward to going to other weddings....which...is amazing. We both use to hate them. We’ve been to three together already! We dance...and the rest of the world...it just seems to fade out. Mark and I dance...and the rest of the room knew where his hands went,” she laughed.
“Can I explain something to you...?”
“Of course!”
“Without you being upset?”
“Okay.”
“Aly, the last time I felt that was when I was with Alex. Like really felt it. So I need you to understand how delicate this is for me.”
“Do you still?”
“I’m really trying hard to be happy for you but... sometimes I still wonder what would have happened if I’d just said yes to his proposal instead of it just being a promised ring.”
“I understand that, Trin, but that’s in the past. You have got to move forward, or you’re never going to be happy.”
“We’re better this way, I know we are... We’re there for each other more than we could have been if romance got in the way but... I’ve never felt like this with any other man.”
“Then the right man hasn’t come along yet. You have to have patience. God knows. it’s hard.”
“I long for that again, Aly. I really do. The peace I feel with Alex is different than a romantic peace. I know that. So if I seem jealous or concerned or whatever it’s not because you’re with him. It’s not because I want him back. It’s just that he reminds me of what I lost when I told him I loved him. We both knew it wasn’t the right kind of love that we had... the kind of love you need for a marriage. Does that make any sense?”
“Yes, those feelings don’t go away. But Trin you can’t stay focused on that sense of loss.”
“I know, Aly. And I’m not. It was just the initial reaction. I gave myself time to process it and now I was able to talk to you about this and the real feelings behind my reaction. Life goes on, I know that.”
“Trin... do you want to get married some day?”
“I really don’t know.”
“Ok listen... People that don’t want to get married immediately say NO. Without question.”
“So the fact I didn’t means that maybe I do want to?”
“Which means a part of you does. You want that happiness.. Yes, or at least a part of you does. It’s like when you ask someone if they want children. Some people aren’t meant to have children...and some people would say no right away. Some will say...maybe.”
“See and I know I don’t want children of my own. I’m not a mother. I know that.”
“There you go. That’ s a no...but... When I asked you about marriage... You didn’t say that.”
“Right. So maybe part of me still wants to. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make this about me.”
“I would say so. And I think you and I have that in common....”
“I just wanted to explain myself before it became something between us.”
“If someone had asked me a few months ago if I wanted marriage, I would have said the same. But it was scary as hell Trin, until now. Yeah and I”m really glad you did.”
“It was just so fast, Aly. You’ve barely been dating a week. I just thought you were going to take longer to get to know each other this way.”
“But it wasn’t. Our friendship is much deeper than the romance...and even during our friendship, we developed this amazing...thing...that is above friendship. We both feel like we are meant for each other. Trin we’re not getting married tomorrow.”
“That’s what you said about getting engaged.”
“Yeah, it is, but we’re moving at the pace that feels right for us. It feels right. for both of us.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
“Trin I’m in love with him!” she shouted and I leaned back against the branch, looking up into the sky.
“Who is running?” Aly asked then and I looked down to see Sommer. I looked over at her with concern and she asked, “What’s going on?”
“Maybe we should check the bank...” I suggested, knowing that when Sommer and Jack are around usually there’s a robbery involved.
“Bree?” Aly shouted and we went over to the bank, finding the door open.
As I walked into the bank, Aly ran off down the street yelling, “Stop!”
The bank looked empty but the door to the back was open so I went to investigate and found Bree sitting on the floor by the safe. “Bree, what happened?” I heard gunshots outside and tried to focus on Bree. “Bree, are you okay?”
“My head,” she moaned.
“Let’s get you up,” I tried to help her stand. “Did they take anything? Did they hurt you?”
“Safe was robbed.”
“Hey, don’t help her,” Jack said to me and I blinked in surprise at his sudden appearance in the bank.
“Noooooo, hurtin’ me bad...” Bree cried and Jack tied her back up with a gag around her mouth.
“Now get down there with her,” he ordered to me. I looked at him and took out my gun, pointing it at him. “I said drop that gun!”
I ignored his order and started shooting around him to try and get him out of the bank, away from Bree. We ran through the town shooting at each other and I felt the bullet rip through my arm. I ran into the clinic and sat on the bed waiting for a doctor. Aly and Sommer came into the clinic wounded too and I wondered what had happened with them.
Jack came into the clinic and I swore at him as he came in and out. Ger and Mysti came in with him and Mysti went straight to Sommer to look after her while Ger asked Jack what happened.
“Sis... Trin... what happened?” Mysti asked.
“We saw Sommer running through town and figured something was up...” I explained through the pain.
“Ger, can you get Aly?” Mysti asked and he went into the back room with Aly and then shouted,
“Trin, we need some help at the clinic!”
I moaned from the pain and explained, “So we figured we should check out the bank ‘cause they’re known for robbing stuff... Bree was in the back and I went back there to help her. Jack went in and started threatening to tie me up too so I drew my gun.”
Jack was standing outside and he stared into the window and I glared at him as I went on. “Started after him and he shot at me. So I got myself to a clinic.”
“Okay who is shot where?” Mysti asked, pulling out her supplies.
“I didn’t know you were here, Trin,” Ger said then.
“My arm’s pretty messed up,” I told Mysti. Jack came into the clinic and looked at his wife to make sure she was okay. I looked over at him and said, “Don’t you ever threaten to tie me up again.”
Stormy walked in then and Aly groaned, saying that both Jack and Sommer were under arrest.
“Trin, you are lucky,” Mysti said to me as she worked on my wound. “I see an exit wound so no digging around... just need to clean you real good and sew you up.”
“Trin and I were talking,” Aly explained as Ger started to work on her wounds. “And I saw Sommer run by. Trin said we should check the bank. I saw the door open, then somer running again, I told her to stop, and without a word she shot me.”
“I went into the bank and saw Bree there wounded..” I continued the story again as Mysti started to stitch my arm. “Then Jack came in and tied her up. Then he threatened to tie me up so I drew my gun on him. We ran around town and he shot at me.”
“Knew this dang day was too good to be true!” Aly grumbled.
“I’ll write a report for you when I get the feeling in my arms again,” I told Stormy.
“Who shot you Trin?” she asked.
“Jack,” I answered as Mysti finished working on my arm. Sommer ran out to arrest Jack and I leaned back, letting Mysti work on me as I heard Aly being loud and in pain in the next room.
“How do you feel, Trin?” Mysti asked as she tied off the bandage.
“Stings like heck... Feels like something’s ripping through my arm. More mad at him than hurt though.”
“You know the drill hon.. clean and dry and come see me if swelling or fever,” Mysti said. “I’m gonna take a look at Sommer. Why don’t you rest there for a bit?”
“Sure,” I nodded and sighed. “Damn it... almost made it nine months without getting shot...”
“Are you made of rock?!” Aly called from the other room.
“Just didn’t piss anyone off enough I guess!”
“Lost the steak knives Trin?” Ger chuckled and I smirked.
“Ready Aly?” I heard Ger ask Aly.
“Ready for what?”
“To get the bullet out.”
“You haven’t done that yet?”
“I’m a better patient than you are, Aly,” I chuckled at that.
I sat up in the bed as the others continued to get healed and Ger asked me to get some ho tea made. I walked over to the stove and made some tea and Sommer asked if I was okay but I was too focused on making the tea. I took the tea over to Ger and Aly.
“Thanks Trin,” Ger took the tea and added a few herbs, stirring it, then pouring out two cups. “Here Trin, you drink a cup, and you too Aly.”
“Turned a new leaf my foot, Ger,” I muttered about Jack as I drank the tea obediently.
“What happened?” Ger asked as Aly drank her tea.
“He threatened to tie me up with Bree and I wasn’t gonna stand for it. Damn it, Bree... Where’s Bree?” I looked around.
“Jack?” Ger asked and I nodded.
“I took out my gun and shot at him. He ran out so I chased him around town but he got me in my arm as we were running.”
“Can I get up now? I need to arrest Somer. be cute to see her and Jack in the same cell,” Aly giggled as Ger placed gauze on the wound and wrapped her abdomen to hold it in place.
“I need to write a statement... That should be fun with this arm,” I sighed.
“In a minute sis...after I an done with this, I want to check the stitches in your leg,” Ger said.
“Ger...Alex already did me earlier. Checked. The stitches.”
“That was before this fiasco.”
“True..been runnin’ around on it.”
I tried to move my arm around but found that I couldn’t and swore at the pain.
“Are you okay?” Aly asked me and I shook my head.
When she was ready to go, Aly got off the table and went to help Stormy arrest Sommer. “Ger...” I started and looked at him. “I was strong for Mysti in there ‘cause I knew she had to deal with Sommer. I let her put the bandages and stuff but... it hurts like hell.”
“That tea will take the edge off the pain Trin... I heard you had a through and through.”
“That helps I guess,” I nodded and heard Aly arrest Sommer and take her out of the clinic.
“Sommer, take it slow, and you too Aly and Trin. Don’t any of you be running of ‘cause could tear stitches,” Mysti instructed.
“Trin, make eveeryone write their own reports...you shouldn’t be using that arm for a few days,” Ger instructed.
“I have a report to write too...” I sighed. “Jack’s not getting away with this.”
“Have Stormy do it,” he said and I looked at him, but sighed, knowing he’s right. “Don’t argue Trin...you know I know what I am talking about.”
“I should go to the office. Thank you both for coming so quickly,” I leaned into him and said, “Still proud of myself for going nine months. See you guys soon,” I smiled and walked over to the sheriff’s office.
Jack and Sommer were already locked up in the same cell as the deputies stood in the main office.
“Feel good to have your first arrest under belt, Aly?” I smiled to her as she looked at the chart on the wall.
“Good? No. Safer? Yes. She gets 25 minutes for shooting law.”
What happened to Bree...?” I asked, looking around as Jack and Sommer started to smoke. “Aly, you wanna help me write this statement?” I asked.
“One of you come and assist me with searching Jack,” Stormy said.
“A moment Trin I need to be sure Jack gonna cooperate. He needs to be frisked,” Aly said.
I went to sit in the desk, satisfied that all I had to worry about was statements and not the arresting or searching part. I listened as they worked and wasn’t surprised when Ger walked in. When they were finished, Stormy and Aly sat at their desks and Ger sat down at Aly’s desk while I sat across from Stormy.
“Now, what happened?” Ger asked.
“I’ll let Aly tell her part first,” I looked over.
“I was sitting in my tree talking to Trin about the engagement and Sommer ran by. So I got down, and Trin suggested we check the bank. Went over there, door was wide open. In the distance I saw Sommer and Jack running.”
“Okay...” Ger nodded.
“So I yelled after Sommer to stop and chased her. Didn’t have my guns out or anything. I was going to ask her about the bank.”
“Why?” Ger asked.
“Because I had no intention of shooting. I saw no crime. But then she shot me. I was worried because I saw the bank door open and Bree wasn’t inside.”
“She wasn’t hidden behind the counter?” Ger asked.
“I only saw an open door, didn’t go in. When I see people run, it’s my job to find out why. she wouldn’t have been in danger then.”
“Can I continue that part of the story?” I asked then. “I ran back because the door was wide open. I wanted to see if the safe had been tampered with. Bree was sitting on the floor, hurt and shaken. I leaned down to help her but then Jack came in. He started to tie her up and told me to get down with her. I wouldn’t hear of that though and drew my gun on him. We ran out shooting at each other. I still don’t know what happened to Bree but she did tell me they robbed the safe.”
“Aly,” Ger sighed. “Make sure you write down in your report your guns were not drawn...”
“Yes. Of course. I only drew them after being shot at first.”
“And I only drew mine after Jack told me to get down beside Bree.”
“What are the charges for Jack?”
“Let’s see... Shooting without killing, Bank Robbery,” I told him.
“I didn’t see anything with Jack except for him running...that was Stormy. And Trin.”
“Unholstered weapons... Can I add harassment? Against Bree?” I asked.
“Do you feel harassed?” Aly looked at me.
“Bree certainly was. Not sure if she was shot though. Didn’t have enough time to examine her. I’m still worried about her...”
“Sometimes when a man says he’s gonna tie up a woman, it’s a compliment. Sorry, it’s not funny,” Aly giggled.
“You think it’s funny that an outlaw wanted to tie up your best friend?” I looked at her.
“No! Sorry! God. humor? Ok!”
“Good then,” I nodded.
“Bree said they both robbed the bank? Or just one?” Ger asked.
“Let me think, Ger... Um...” I looked at him. “She said the safe was robbed. That’s it. And something about her head. Then Jack tied her up.”
“Okay...get her statement... Did he say why?” Ger asked.
“He wasn’t in the mood for talking, Ger. Except to tell me to get down with her. Instead of letting myself get tied up, I shot at him and got him out of the bank away from Bree.”
“Ok, so all we know is Jack was tying people up...” Ger said.
“And the safe was robbed. Before we saw Sommer and Jack running through town.”
“Jack what are you doing?” We heard Sommer ask Jack.
“Push ups, love. I hate cages.”
“Don’t mean nothing Trin....” Ger said.
“And we all know that when they’re running... in light of every other charge against them... That means robbery of some sort,” I added.
“Knowing that and proving or seeing...” Ger started.
“Really, Jack...crunches? now?” Aly asked but then joined me in staring at Ger in disbelief.
“Look Trin, I want this nailed down tight, so I am thinking like a defense attorney and what they will say in court.”
“You mean what you’re going to say in court. I’ve seen you defend them before,” I looked at him seriously.
“Yeah, twice.”
“Ger there is no doubts about shooting here. Can you at least do me a favor, brother?” Aly looked at him. “If you’re gonna talk about the defense part here, can we wait until the criminals are NOT within earshot?”
“Were you writing while I was giving my statement? Can I sign it?” I asked Aly.
“I was Trin, but it’s not ready for a signature yet. Have patience, I’ll get it. I just write... slow.”
“No problem, Aly. Just feeling the pain.”
“Try to relax.”
“Ladies...I have been sitting here and they haven’t asked me to represent them...” Ger said.
“They’re waiting until they get you alone so they can tell you their version, Ger,” I looked at him.
“Seriously! You’re still talking about this!” Aly frowned.
“And here Trin, is where you need to stop being holier than thou...” Ger looked at me.
“Wow, that’s really rude,” Aly shook her head.
“I’m not trying to...” I blinked.
“You have to think both sides....what will the other do to undermine your case. And fill up those holes.”
“Gerric!” Aly exclaimed, looking angry.
“Yes, you’re right. I’ll give you that point,” I nodded. “But NOT in front of the defendants.”
“This isn’t for discussion right now!” Aly exclaimed. “You wait until this office is cleared of everyone not law. Now... I need quiet...so I can write this. Ok?”
“I welcome that discussion fully, Ger. Because you’re right,” I said.
“Trin, you to. Let it be. Let me focus,” Aly ordered and I shut up. “Thanks.”
“Someone needs to find Bree and get her statement ..and make sure she is ok,” Ger suggested. “Good job for a deputy.”
“Yeah, one that doesn’t have a busted leg, a hole in an abdomen, and is trying to finish paperwork here,” Aly agreed.
“You want me to go, Aly?” I stood.
“Please Trin, thanks,” she nodded.
“I was thinking Stormy,” Ger said.
“I’m on it,” I gave him a look and headed out. I hopped on Phoenix and rode off to Allen Street.
Tombstone.
I walked into the Oriental knowing there was a dance on and looked around. “Hey everyone... Have ya’ll seen Bree?” I asked the group.
“Hi Miss Trin. I haven’t seen her today, no,” Cas said from behind the turntable.
“She is at a wedding rehearsal,” Lil said.
“Well if she’s at the rehearsal she got away okay then. Better than bein’ left in the bank wounded... We just had a robbery and shootout over in Diamond and she was caught in the middle. Just wanted to make sure she was okay,” I explained. “I was focused on getting Jack away from her.”
“Trin, this is an event,” Lil stated and I nodded and apologized, walking out to the bar area of the saloon.
I saw Ger sitting at the bar and shook my head, guessing he had come to check up on me. “Any luck finding Bree?” he asked as another man walked into the saloon.
“No. She’s at a wedding rehearsal apparently,” I said and he nodded. “Guess she’s doin’ alright. I’ll get a statement from her tomorrow.”
“Want you to meet a friend of Jer’s and mine,” Lil said to the man then and I turned, smiling at him.
“Evening sir,” I greeted him.
“Gerric , this is Trent; Jer’s brother.”
“Sir, Nice to meet you,” Ger nodded to him.
“Nice to meet your sir as well. Nice to meet ya both,” Trent tipped his hat and smiled.
I started to reach out my right hand to shake his but felt the pain and winced, pulling it back. “Hi Trent, I’m Trin.”
“It’s okay ma’am, I can see you’re injured. Been an eventful night.”
“Nice to meet ya, Ms. Trin. Folks, I’m Trent. You’re still standing, so not that bad,” he smiled at me.
“True enough,” I smiled back. “Just gonna make writing a bit hard which is all I do for my job.”
“Well, with a face as pretty as yours, you shouldn’t have to write a thing,” he said and I blushed.
“You are good at asking questions too Trin,” Ger said.
“Thanks, Ger. Just most of bein’ a detective involves writing. You live around here, Trent?”
“Yea, living at the Ashland ranch with my brother and his beautiful wife there Lil.”
“Sounds great. Nice to have family close by.”
“Yea. All the family is here now, so we’re loving it.”
“What do you do for a living, Trent?”
“We’re all ranchers.”
“T’is nice to have help on the ranch,” Lil smiled.
“Right, sure,” I chuckled at my own question.
“Let me know if and when you need a Vet...I’m the county vet for tombstone,” Ger told him.
“Ah, my brother mentioned you sir. I heard today you are to be mayor soon is that correct.”
“He is. Going to be a great mayor,” I nodded.
“Yep, of Black Diamond,” Ger informed.
“My brother says your a fair man. So congrats.”
“Thank you, Trent.”
Jack and Sommer soon made their way into the saloon and I glared at them. “Now Trin, they’re welcome in here,” Lil said then.
“Sis, I’m gonna head back to the ranch. Bro is there alone. Gonna check the cattle,” Trent said then.
“He’s the one who put the bullet through my arm,” I grumbled. “Trent, you mind walkin’ me back to Diamond with ya?” I looked at him, ignoring Jack and Sommer. “If it’s on the way...”
“Sure. Would like that a lot,” Trent nodded.
We walked out of the saloon and I felt much better being away from the Oriental. As we approached Bisbee I said, “Thank you for the company... I needed to get out of there.”
“You okay?” he asked with concern.
“Not exactly.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Yeah... Want to go to the saloon in Bisbee?”
“Well...” he looked down the road. “Promised my brother to meet him at the ranch. We can talk there if u wish.”
“Oh.... Sure, I guess that works. Lil wasn’t exactly nice to me back there though.”
“Why not?”
“Who knows. Just don’t know if she’d like me bein’ at her ranch.”
“Hmm well... last I checked, my brother is the head there so... come on.”
“If you say so. Could use a friend.”
“You’re my guest. You got one.”
“Lead the way.”
Canyon.
“Welcome,” he said as we entered the ranch.
“It’s gorgeous here,” I looked around.
“Come meet my brother,” Trent said and I followed him over to the fence where a man was talking with a woman on a horse. I met Trent’s brother, Blaq, and then we headed over to the pond where we sat down in the wooden chairs and looked over the water.
“Mind telling me how you got shot?” he looked over at me and smiled.
“Well... Aly and I were sitting in the tree talking about how she’s marrying my best friend... And as I was getting over the shock of that... We saw Sommer running through town. I figured we should check the bank ‘cause well, Sommer and Jack are known for their robbery. So we went over to the bank and the door was wide open. We didn’t see Bree though so I decided to go in and look around while Aly took off after Sommer... Bree was sitting on the floor saying somethin’ about the safe being robbed. I knelt down to help her but Jack came in and was like ‘Don’t help her. Get down beside her.’”
“Oh wow.”
“So instead of letting myself get tied up by him, I drew my gun and chased him out of the bank. All I could think of was getting him away from Bree. He shot me in the arm though and I made my way to the clinic to find out Aly had been shot by Sommer.”
“Wow.”
“Ger and Mysti healed us all up though and Aly and Stormy arrested Jack and Sommer.”
“Breathe, darlin’,” he said and I exhaled finally.
“It’s been a long night.”
“This is why we don’t go into town much.”
“This is the first time I’ve been shot in almost nine months, Trent.”
“Well I’m sure you have a nice strong man to tend to your wounds.”
“You’d think, wouldn’t you?” I sighed. “James came into town a couple weeks ago, an old friend from long ago. We hit it off but I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“Hmm.. I’ve heard that a lot.”
“I don’t know what we are, if we’re exclusive or if we’re really dating or what. I mean I’d guess I’m still free woman since he ain’t around much but... When he comes back?”
Another man walked over and Trent introduced him as Greg, another brother. He walked over to the house and I continued my description of the evening.
“So tell me...” Trent started as he poured me some coffee. “Do you ever wear a dress? Or all jeans?”
“You’ve been watching me?” I sipped my coffee.
“Well yes ma’am, I have.”
“You have?” I blushed.
“Hard not to stare at a flower,” he said and I looked at him with surprise. “What? You don’t like I speak the truth?”
“No, I’m glad you did... I’m’ just... surprised,” I smiled.
“Why? I’m sure you get compliments all the time.”
“Not really... I focus on my work and that keeps me happy but... it does get lonely sometimes.”
“Well.. if you ever need a friend, you got one.”
“I really appreciate that... Things haven’t been easy lately.”
“Do u live around these parts?”
“In Diamond,” I smiled. “Not too far away.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“No woman gonna get jealous of me with you, are they?” I looked at him.
“Huh? Woman?” he laughed. “Come on.”
“Alright then,” I took his hand and smiled as he walked me back to my office and said goodnight.
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