August 10, 1900

Pearce. 

After five days in Canada celebrating my brother’s wedding, Natalie and I rode the train back home and settled back into our house in Pearce. Natalie wanted to go play and find Jimmy and I stayed behind, unpacking and settling back in. I was exhausted from the long ride, but I was happy. The trip went so well and Natalie had done great with my family. The wedding had been beautiful and I was so happy for Josh and Leslie. I had constantly deflected my families’ questions about my own marital plans, though my mind had gone back to the man I’d kissed by the river before leaving for the trip. 

Suddenly out of nowhere there was a loud knock on the door. I jumped at the noise and gripped my gun. “Who is it?” I called, wondering who would be so loud and obnoxious. 

“US Marshall! Open the door ma’am, we are looking for a fugitive!” The voice called. I didn’t recognize it and wondered what the heck I’d missed while I was away, and who they’d hired to be a marshal. I walked over to the door and opened it tentatively and chuckled when I saw Thomas standing there. “Howdy Miss Trin!” he smiled wide at me. 

I reached for his hand and smiled, relieved it was him. “Well hey there! You’re a funny lookin’ US Marshal. Who’s this fugitive you’ve been looking for, hmm?” I winked at him and pulled him inside. He was holding a handful of flowers and and my eyes went wide. “Are those for me?”

“Well I heard she was the beautiful, long haired woman who snuck off up north on a train..and someone wants her back! Yes my dear, just for you, the prettiest lady in all of Arizona,” he bowed to me and took my hand, kissing it. 

I giggled and took the flowers, setting them on the table so I could wrap my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “Oh, I so missed you!”

“Someone who you know, very little, who was on the trip with you, told Jimmy who told me that you had made it back to town,” Thomas said. 

“And Jimmy told you, hmm? I’m so glad to see you,” I leaned back a bit, still holding him close, looking deep in his eyes. “How have you been, dear?”

He hugged me back and looked back at me. “I been better. Jimmy showed me around a bit, and I decided no more tonic selling. It no better than lizard oil anyways. How are you doing Miss Trin? You look tired.”

I smiled and kissed his shoulder lightly. “I am very tired, but very happy to see you. We had a fantastic trip and Natalie was wonderful with the family.”

He turned his head and kissed my cheek softly as he held me close. “I am glad. I know two gentlemen who missed two very pretty ladies very much, and are so glad they are back home where they belong.”

I smiled and turned to look in his eyes, desperately wanting his lips on mine as I pulled him to the couch. “Have a seat, dear... Tell me what I’ve missed this week... I’m not ready to go into town tonight. I will face work officially tomorrow again. I’m sure there is a lot to do.”

He took me in his arms and sat down on the couch, holding me close. “Well not much to tell really. Indians were in town looking for that man Fat Bill, and a Kris someone got shot in the process. Poor Jimmy, two kids told him he was eating horse stew at the orphanage. He thought it was a horse he took care of.”

“Oh no... That Clydesdale? They wouldn’t make stew out of that. This is why I was so desperate to have Natalie out of that orphanage... I didn’t want her learning all those things that the kids would teach her. She is much better off here. How is Jimmy doing at the orphanage otherwise? You two seem to be getting along quite well.”

Thomas caressed my cheek and looked into my eyes. “He is doing ok, he is staying more time with a Miss Joan now, he said she plans to adopt him. He also said she wants to adopt a young lady named Payton, but the courts wont allow but one child at a time. I would really like to do something for the orphanage. They shouldn’t be having to eat horse, if they really are. I hear the new Matron is mean as can be according to Jimmy.”

“New Matron?” I looked at him with confusion. “What happened to Angi?” I traced my finger around his chest, loving being so close to him again. “I highly doubt they’re eating horse stew... just like they weren’t eating rats. Though they eat something with lizards which I don’t get either but... I’m still confused why there’s no more Angi...”

“Jimmy said Nora told him her name was Miss Irelund. He hasn’t met her yet, but Nora says she is strict, and supposedly beats kids. I don’t know if there is any truth to that though. We both know how kids can be.”

“I certainly hope she doesn’t beat children. Going to have to look into that... Either way I’m glad Natalie is here with me so she doesn’t have to worry about it anymore.” I traced a finger around his jawline and looked into his eyes. “So how have you been keeping busy, hon?”

Thomas looked at me and took my hand in his, entwining his fingers with mine. “Well before I decided to finally stop with the tonic sales, I sold one case to Miss Pet. I told her what it was first though, she thinks she can sell it as a sleep helper. I want to find a honest job here somewhere, and try to help out kids at the orphanage like little Jimmy, Natalie, and Payton. I grew up with both parents, so I can only imagine what they are going through. I also agree, I hope she don’t beat kids, I am not sure the towns people would take that kindly. Most people seem to love the kids around here.”

“It is a good town for kids to grow up in. They are mostly safe from the violence that we adults deal with. Nat often complains about how they don’t get to do that much though. I taught her how to say some Apache words in case the Natives come into town. I like that you want to help children,” I smiled, resting my head comfortably on his lap. 

“Well Miss Trin, you might find this hard to believe, but I use to tudor young children in learning how to read and write back in Philadelphia. You would be so surprise at how many people can’t read or write even in the east.”

“You should be a teacher, Thomas! That would be wonderful!” I smiled widely. “The wedding was beautiful... Josh looked so happy... I only wish father would have been alive to see it... Our family has been through so much it was good to get together for a positive reason.”

“Oh, what happened to your father if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Well... he fought in the civil war with the Natives as a special group of soldiers... We’ve got Native blood four generations back from me. Anyway... he survived the war but he had this medal that they all wore to be united. Some men from his group came and killed him ‘cause he wouldn’t give up the medal. Josh found me in Colorado Springs at the time... Told me the news and passed the medal onto me because Dad wanted me to have it.”

“Oh! I am sorry you lost your father. Were you two close?”

“We were. Our family owned a ranch when I was growing up and he taught me everything I knew about horses. Anyway.. This all happened back in ‘69... Eventually, as you know the story, I moved here to Tombstone. Well... one of his fellow soldiers from that group found out I had the medal and came after me. His name was Sunset. He came around a lot scaring me and trying to get me on edge. Almost worked too until he realized he couldn’t kill me because it would be wrong to kill another Native... And it would be wrong to betray my father, his friend. Unfortunately... someone who was lookin’ for him found him here in Tombstone too and shot him dead right in front of me. Almost got me too but I found my way out of the situation and escaped,” I shuddered at the memory of Harmini ordering me to hang Sunset myself. 

Thomas wrapped his arms around me and hugged me as I talked. “It’s ok, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t wish too. It just help a guy to know more about the woman he is in love with.” His eyes went big then and he blushed bright red. 

I blinked and looked in his eyes, tracing my hand up to his shoulder. “In love with? We’ve only... Really?” I looked in his eyes, in awe. It had been so long since someone had said those words to me. 

He murmured and said, “Oh I was just kidding. You know, how us men can be, we say we love just about anything if we think it will make a pretty lady smile and happy.”

I searched his eyes in confusion but caressed his cheek lightly as I pulled him close, kissing him softly, showing how much I missed him. 

He kissed me just as deeply and held me close, moaning against my lips as his hands rested in the middle of my back. “Mmmm, what was that for?”

I leaned back and smiled a bit. “When I was at the wedding my family constantly asked me when it was my turn... I couldn’t help but keep thinking of the man I had kissed and danced with back in Tombstone, but I didn’t know how you felt about me. When I’m with you... Thomas... I feel alive. More than I have in so long.”

He looked in my eyes and said, “You wanna know something Miss Trin? I feel the same way when you are near me. I will admit I was in a hurry to get here this evening after Jimmy told me you were back home. I think I almost ran to get here.”

“Darling would you mind if I fall asleep here? I think my eyes are about to close here soon... Can I just... Lay here?” I rested against him. 

He smiled and put his arms around me. “Nope, I am sorry but you have to get up before my lap goes numb. I am kidding sweet lady, I would be happy to let you fall asleep here with me. As long as you don’t mind me sleeping on your couch.”

“Nothing would make me happier,” I shifted so I could lay against him and closed my eyes against him. “It’s so good to be home,” I whispered and fell asleep against him.