Monday, August 31, 2015

August 21, 1900

Tombstone. 

“This morning I walked out of my office and saw a woman with a dog near the orphanage. I walked over to her and noticed something familiar about her but couldn’t quite place it. “Hello there ma’am. Nice dog ya got there.”

“Oh greetings, ma’am. Thank you,” she turned towards me. 

“Don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Detective Trin Paige.”

“Pleasure. I am Rye,” she smiled. “My husband Cole and I are new to Bisbee.” 

“Oh lovely! I’ve always liked Bisbee. Great little town.”

“I have found it quite welcoming,” she smiled. 

“And what’s the name of this dog?” 

“And this little girl is Susie,” she looked down at the dog. 

I went over to hold my hand for the dog and said, “Hey there girl.” The dog licked my hand and I smiled, petting her. 

“She was adopted by little Jeffery at the orphanage, but Jeffery is afraid that the matron will not let him keep her.”

“Oh I see... I’ve heard bad things about the new matron.” 

“So we told Susie she could stay with us and visit when we came to see the children.” 

“That’s perfect,” I smiled. 

“Well I hope when we are established, I am able to assist the matron with the children. Cole and I spent time with them last night and we fell in love with them.” 

“Yes the children are adorable. I’ve got one living with me now actually.... The matron before this one was somewhat cruel to her and I didn’t like how she was being treated so I took her in.”

“Well Cole and I have considered adopting a few of them...” she dropped her head then. “Our children were killed in a house fire when we lived in colorado. Outlaws ransacked out home and burned it and our field to the ground.” 

“I lived in Colorado before as well... Outlaws were awful there,” I nodded. 

“Yes, so we moved here and we love it so much. A new beginning. New people. Maybe a new family.” 

“It is fantastic for that. I’ve been here just over a year now and love it. Was a fresh start for me as well though I still do the same job.” 

“Well I am still trying to find my way here. Maybe when we settle I will be in search of work.” 

I got dizzy watching the dog running around and leaned down to pet her. “I wish we all had energy like this dog.”

“Oh yes, so do I,” Rye giggled.

“So you’re hoping to help out with the orphanage then? The orphanage could use some help, I imagine, and sounds like you love children. Or you could be a teacher too. They have school twice on Saturdays. I just have to convince my uh... daughter I guess she is... to go back to school. She’s quite reluctant to.” 

“No wonder why the kids hate adults school twice on Saturdays.” 

“Made no sense to me either,” I chuckled. 

“Natalie just refuses to go now. The teacher last weekend was.... not the nicest to her and I’m not sure what to do.”

“Me either... Poor children,” Rye shook her head. “Well you can let Natalie know where I live. I will teach her what I can.” 

“She needs to be in school but she won’t go back now. I think she might be helping in the clinic from time to time. She seems interested in learning.” 

“Well she did mention wanting to help with the newspaper to Cole and I last evening.” 

“Ah yes that as well.” 

“I admire her energy. I just fell in love with her...but you can tell her Mr Cole and I now have fire arms because of her....,” she whispered. “He wants to take her shopping for a sling shot.” 

“She will adore you even more for that then,” I laughed at that. “She seems quite insistent that everyone should be able to protect themselves. Especially after what happened in Mississippi...” 

“I told him we would have to ask her parents though,” Rye smiled. 

“Well I think she’s smart enough to know what to do with a slingshot. Her best friend Jimmy already has one.” 

“An with what happened in Colorado for us... Natalie is right. Well we just did not want to upset you if we did buy her one.” 

“Thank you for asking me first, “I nodded. “She’s a great little girl... Honestly don’t know what I would do without her now.” 

“No thanks needed. I would want someone to ask me first as well. And she is now our little friend and welcome to our home anytime.” 

“I will let her know that,” I smiled. “She might call you aunt and uncle.” 

“I would honestly like that... and I know so would Cole...” 

“Wait.... Cole... What was your last name?” I looked at her, having a realization. 

“Portland.” 

I blinked and looked at her with surprise. “Cole Portland!!!!? As in the one married to Gemini portland?? From Bear River Cherokee tribe?” I wasn’t sure if I was happy about the news or cautious, seeing how things had ended with the Cherokee. 

“Yes, Cole and Gemini,” she lowered her head. “Gemini passed away many years ago from a illness.” 

“I knew them both... When I was running from an outlaw named Buu and another one named Bill. They were very kind to me but the majority of the tribe... not so much. The chief almost......” I sighed and looked down. 

“Cole is very accepting of every man and woman. He did not see the evil that others thought they did.” 

“The undertaker Icca had shot at the chief. The chief was not happy about this and in spite my attempts to save him from Icca again, the chief never once thanked me. Then he wanted me to tell him where to find the undertaker and said he would burn the whole town down. Didn’t matter that I was there.” 

“Those days are in the past Trin. New days new beginnings,” she reached over to take my hand. 

“I left before anything went down. But your husband was always the flicker of kindness in that tribe. I’m sorry to hear about Gemini. I’m sorry... it was over fifteen years ago but I hear a name from that time and I am taken right back there in my memory.” 

“It was hard on the family with gems loss.” 

“I can imagine,” I nodded. 

“Yes it has many moons since then.” 

“I cannot wait to see him again. Is he still with a tribe or have you broke off from the Native groups?”

“Well I think Cole is out gather food or looking for work.”

“I won’t be able to sit down and chat long. Unfortunately I have some business I need to get to. But be assured we will all sit down and chat soon! I can’t wait to see him again!”

“Yes of course. Well we are in the big red house on the hill in Bisbee. Please stop in anytime for tea.” 

“Ah yes, lovely. I definitely will come and find you.” 

“Please. It’s been a long time Trin. It is so great to see you again.” 

Rye stepped over to give me a hug and I sighed against her, wondering if the past would really be in the past as I headed back to the office.

*** 

This afternoon I walked into the clinic and found Zeth and Aly laying on the beds. I saw Viper standing in the middle of the room and Joan gave me a look as I walked over to Aly’s bed. 

“You alright hon?” I asked her. 

“Yeahhh!” she giggled loudly and I smirked, guessing she was on medication that was making her act differently. 

“She gonna be okay, Jess?” I asked but Jess was busy taking care of Zeth. 

“Who shot ya, hon?” I asked Aly but she managed to stand and moved close to Viper so I stepped back. 

“This ain’t over. If i weren’t so incapacitated I’d be all over ya right now. and not in a good way,” she threatened him. 

“In your dreams, swine,” Viper laughed. 

“You gonna talk to a sheriff like that, Sir?” I walked over to them. 

“I assure you, you ain’t in my dreams,” Aly rolled her eyes and walked past him, bumping his shoulder roughly. 

“All law are swine in my eyes....” Viper grinned and I walked past him, heading out after Aly. 

I followed Aly into the sheriff’s office and saw Conway standing in the cells, watching over David who was sitting on a bed in a cell. 

“Thank you Conway for your assistance with him. Where we at?” Aly asked Conway. 

“Oh my gosh, I hate nosey people, “David muttered. 

“You’re welcome,” Conway nodded.d 

“Who is nosey?” Aly asked. 

“Hey there, Dave,” I said to him. 

“The Pinky,” Dave glared at me. “Who invited the pinky?” 

“Picture is crystal clear now. I’ll be outside, Aly,” I chuckled. “If you need me.” 

“Get use to it, She’s my best friend,” I heard Aly say as I walked out of the office. I smiled at that and leaned against the post, getting comfortable. 

Laurie and Zeth walked over and I talked with Zeth about the gunfight, but he seemed to be fine aside from a bit of a bruise to his ego. Jimmy walked over and asked if Payton was going to jail but I assured him that she wasn’t. He seemed thrilled at that news and then Joan walked over to us and thanked me for how we had handled the situation with Payton. 

Bree walked over to us then and told us about TJ coming to shoot law and Joan said that her general was being held hostage. Neither of them good give me a location of the incident, though, so I wasn’t sure how to help or if I could. Joan suggested Jimmy go back to the ranch and he said goodbye, running back home. 

“There’s not much I can do as a detective. This is more your department, Joan,” I said and she nodded. 

“I know, but I deputize you.” 

She ran after Bree and I sighed, knowing that Rangers couldn’t deputize and that neither of them had told me where anything was happening, so there wasn’t much I could do to help the situation. 

Bisbee. 

I walked through Bisbee later this evening and saw Jimmy coming towards me. I asked if he wanted to meet a friend of mine and he came with me. Rye met us in the middle of the street and I smiled. “Rye! Hey there!” 

“Well hello Trin!” she greeted me back. 

“I was just comin’ to find you! This here’s Jimmy; he’s Natalie’s best friend.” 

“Howdy ma’am!” Jimmy looked up to her. 

“Hello there Jimmy. I am Rye pleasure to meet you,” Rye looked at him. 

“Jimmy, this is my friend Rye. Her and her husband were friends of mine way back in the town I lived in before coming to Tombstone! Over fifteen years ago!” I exclaimed. 

“Nice to meet you too Miss Rye!” 

“Is your husband around?” I looked at her. 

“The pleasure is all mine and no Trin. Cole is off in another town right now. He will be around later in the day.” 

“Oh okay.” 

“Who is your family, sweetie?” Rye asked Jimmy. 

“Mrs Joan dopting me Mis Rye. Before dat, my name is Wheeler. But I only one roun here..Ma ma she die when I lil, and pa he in prison. So I orphan.” 

“Oh your a orphan as well...well let me tell you a secret. When Mr Cole and I are settled I wanted to talk to the matron to help out there with all you wonderful children.” 

“Oh wow, well we need someone nice there. The matron she meaner dan a bag o hornets. But I hope I not be there much longer, Mrs Joan wan me as her son.” 

“Just glad you’ve got somewhere else to stay, Jimmy,” I looked at him. 

“All the children tell me she is mean...I am not liking hearing that,” Rye nodded. 

“Me too Miss Trin..I no like eatin horse stew, or gilla monser chili.” 

“Well I know Mr. Cole went to another town and he found some very nice things that he brought back by wagon for some of the children in the orphanage. I have them and would like to gift them to everyone. I was heading my way there now to see the children if you both would like to join me.” 

“Oh wow, I don think we ever get gifts before..not since I been der. Corse we thing a good meal a treat ese days,” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Well there is a new lady in town that I don’t mind all you children calling me Aunt Rye. Matron may be mean but my home is always open for all you children anytime,” Rye winked at him. 

“Oh wow, thank you Miss Rye, Also, ifn you never need a horse, or need someone tend yore horses, let me know!” Jimmy exclaimed. 

“Maybe you could show us your home, Rye? I don’t think I know exactly where it is. I just know you live here in Bisbee.” 

“Well you may need to talk to Mr. Cole. I think he would like a horse but we would need to find a place for it. We don’t really have a yard,” Rye said and looked at me. “And I really would love to show you my home but there are still crates all over the place. We are still needing to unpack.” 

“No problem,” I giggled. 

“I work at the Coral in Tombstone, and the Black Diamond stables, I can help if you need sometimes,” Jimmy said. 

“I really appreciate that Jimmy that would be very helpful for Mr. Cole.” 

“I knew there was a reason I had to introduce the two of ya!” I smiled at them both. “I think I’m gonna see if I can find Natalie. Would you like that Jimmy? She might be at home readin’.” 

“So I wonder for now if you both would like to join me with the other children?” Rye asked and nodded to me. “Sounds good meet me over there. And let Natalie know I miss her.” 

“Where shall I get her to meet you?” 

“I am walking to the orphanage with the other kids,” Rye said. 

“Get ‘er to meet us at the orphanage Miss Trin..I miss Natalie too,” Jimmy nodded. 

“Jimmy would you like to walk with me while miss Trin goes to find Natalie?” Rye asked. 

“Sure miss Rye!” he nodded. 

“Will do. I’ll see you both tomorrow!” I smiled and walked back to Pearce. 

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