August 27, 1900

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I was waiting in front of the sheriff’s office in case someone could come and help me work through some cases. Joe walked over and told me he was going on a trip for a few days. 

A few minutes later, Jimmy walked over and greeted me. “I heard you had a rough night.” 

“I’m okay I guess,” he nodded with a frown. “Yes ma’am, it not so good, but I better now.” 

“I’m glad to hear you’re better now. Natalie told me she learned how to make tea and gave you some.” 

“Oh yah, it was camel tea...it tase pretty good..I never hav tea fore last night.” 

“Camel? You mean chamomile?” I chuckled. 

“Ummmm, YAH! That stuff....it was good.” 

A man walked over then and introduced himself as Rock Janic. He asked where he could buy guns and Jimmy led the way to Winslow where we showed Rock the guns that were available. When Jimmy left, I asked Rock what he needed guns for. He announced that he needed to make money quick because if he didn’t pay a gambling debt, he’d be dead. I told him I didn’t intend to be an enabler and give him the money to do illegal shooting and then headed back to town. 

This evening I met Thomas near the stagecoach and we headed for Pearce in the midst of all the shouting around Allen Street. 

Pearce. 

We sat near the water and I leaned back into his arms, feeling comfortable and relaxed. “This is so nice,” he smiled and snuggled against me. 

“Yes, so comfortable here by the water... Can almost hear yourself think out here.”

Thomas pulled his coat around me so that I could be warm in spite of the cool night air. “This is far better than getting show in the middle of Allen Street.”

“Natalie has really come to love working in the clinic. Last night she learned how to make tea and today she learned all the different bones in the skeleton. Well not all, but way more than I know!”

“Natalie is becoming a regular little busy body it seems. Which will help keep her busy so you aren’t worried so much. Did you or her ever see Jimmy? I have yet to see him, and he normally comes to see me at least once a day.”

“Yes, Jimmy and I have spoken a few times... He’s back at the orphanage and no longer wants to stay with Joan at her ranch. He got a letter from his mother that told him he was part-Apache. I want to help him understand the culture a bit and maybe he can find some peace in it like I did... Before things went downhill, anyway, for me.”

“Oh my. So that’s why that Calvary lady was riding all over the place today. Someone mentioned that was Joan. I am so sorry for Jimmy. I knew he was looking forward to be adopted. Did you say he is part Apache? I thought his ma had passed away when he was little.” 

“Yeah, that’s what the letter from his ma said... He seems to be okay now that he’s accepted living at the orphanage but I assured him he wasn’t alone. He’s got me and you and Natalie... Lots of friends at the orphanage.. I only wish we could make things easier for him like I could for Natalie.”

Thomas snuggled me close, kissing my lips softly as we relaxed by the water. “I wish there were something I could do to help too. I like the little fella, and he is smarter than people think. What he does with horses, and how he takes care of them is so amazing for a ten year old. I think him and Natalie have bright futures ahead of them in the new century. What do you think?”

“I think they do too... I just wish that I wasn’t working completely alone. If I had a deputy to work with or maybe if Aly were less busy and could go over things with me... or if Ansar were around too... I just feel like I’m tryin’ to do this job all by myself and I can’t do everything. All I can do is paperwork.”

“A deputy? What does a deputy Pinkerton Detective do?”

“Well it would just be a deputy... who does the arrests and help the sheriffs. All a Pinkerton Detective can do is paperwork... gathering statements and evidence to help solve crimes and tell the deputies and sheriffs who to arrest.”

“Hmmm, well I don’t think I would make a good deputy. I am not good with a gun. I would end up laying in the street shot full of holes, and you would have to find another courter.” 

“We wouldn’t want that, now would we?” I kissed his lips softly again. “I still think you would make a good lawyer, dear... Or a teacher...”

“Well lawyer I could see. Though I am not sure how well these backwoods courts and judges would like me after a trial. A teacher could be interesting, but they seem to have plenty of teachers. I wonder if they could use help at the orphanage? Have you ever met their matron they supposedly have?”

“I have not met her personally, no....” I leaned back in his arms, feeling the warmth there. “I’m not convinced she exists, but that’s just me. You do seem to be good with the children... Or perhaps there is a need at the newspaper office still.” I leaned my head on his chest and exhaled deeply. “I don’t know what I would do without you...”

“I know..you would probably end up with that Garth guy, barefoot and pregnant, smoking and drinking whiskey when he wasn’t around,” he chuckled. 

I laughed at that and nudged him in the shoulder. “I would not go near anyone like Garth... anymore....” I cringed, knowing I couldn’t lie to him as I remembered how I used to be back in Amiville. “That time of my life is over, believe me. I like the smooth-skinned, charming, sweet, handsome kind now,” I kissed his shoulder. 

He laughed at that. “Oh so you had a much wilder side before I met you huh? I cant imagine you having a wild side, but seeing the type of sleepwear you prefer, I could be wrong.”

“Look at all the pretty waves,” I looked out at the water, trying to dig myself out of the hole I found myself in. 

He growled playfully in my ear and nibbled my neck a little, then squeezed his arms around me. 

“Mexican jail cell is all I’m sayin’, dear,” I whispered and traced my fingers around his arms, remembering fondly. 

Thomas and I continued to joke and enjoy each other’s company while the water continued it’s peaceful melody beside us.