Tombstone.
I walked out of my office this afternoon and Jimmy walked over to me. “Howdy Miss Trin!”
“Hey there, Jimmy! How’s your arm feeling today? Natalie told me about what happened.”
“It’s ok, a bit sore, but I survivin. Hows Natalie?”
“I’m glad. She’s okay... She told me what happened after you found her by the village... She had a good talk with Miss Paisley this morning.”
“I am so glad..I was termined to find her Miss Trin...I not gonna let nuttin bad happen to her.”
“Thank you Jimmy... You’re a good friend to her and she needs that right now.”
“Have you seen Mr Thomas? I not see him today. I wus gonna ask him to write a letter to my pa for me.”
“Yep, I saw him last night and spent quite a bit of time with him,” I nodded, not wanting to tell him about Thomas getting shot until I had to.
“I really like him. He likes you a lot too Miss Trin...I think you two make a perty couple..” he chuckled.
I blushed at that and said, “Well I really like him too! He’s made me real happy.”
“I thought he kinda goffy at first cause all those big words and stuff he know. But he just like us I guess. Do you think you ever marry him Miss Trin?”
“Well... I’ll tell you a secret, Jimmy... I’ve been thinking about it. And I haven’t even thought about marryin’ a man since well, it’s been a while. But I don’t get married too easily. Takes me a while to trust men won’t just disappear on me, ya know?”
“Well Miss Trin, ifn Mr Thomas leave ya, he should be shot, and I might shoot him fer ya...chuckles holding his side as he laughed..I think you the best Miss Trin cause you love Natalie, and she my best friend.”
“Well thanks, Jimmy, that means a lot,” I chuckled.
“Hey can you arrest somebody fer me Miss Trin?”
“Who Jimmy?”
“Mr Joe...he wanna eat my bullfrog for frog legs, and then eat the momma and daddy ducks and
make orphans outta the baby ducks.”
I chuckled and said, “I don’t think they’d put anyone in jail for that, kiddo.”
“What bout one dem things that say he no can eat my pets? I don’t know what its called.but it protect my bullfrog and the ducks?”
“Don’t think so, Jimmy... You’ll just have to keep your pets away from him.”
“I catch ‘im eattin my froggy or chasin my ducks, I gonna pop ‘im in the butt with my slingshot. I wont get in trouble will I?”
“Now Jimmy... I’m sure he won’t do that. And you don’t wanna do anythin’ violent like that. These things need to be sorted out through words, kiddo.”
“Okie dokie...I guess he can have the ducks, just not my frog, I keep him safe at Payton’s swimmin hole. What ya doin Miss Trin?”
“I was just gonna walk around and see if there was anyone I needed to talk to or get a statement from... You want to come with me?”
“Sure! Can I?”
“Sure! Follow me!”
We walked down the street and waved to Joe sitting in front of his office. He greeted us and then a man walked out from around the building and I recognized him as Kory.
“You enjoy your stay in our barred hotel, Kory?” I looked over and glared at Kory.
“You..... I blame you for getting me arrested yesterday,” he growled at me.
“Me? You’re the one who pulled the trigger. You’re the one who draw first.”
“No... Your man drew first.”
“Jimmy, go stand by Mr. Joe, kiddo,” I looked at Jimmy and then back at Kory. “I was there. You held your gun out on Katie.”
“Miss Trin what he talk about yore man draw first?!” Jimmy asked.
“Jimmy, go to Mr. Joe. Now,” I ordered.
“I hold you responsible,” Kory growled.
“You shouldn’t. You broke my friend’s heart and took her money, then aimed a gun at her. Thomas was just protectin’ us.”
“Jimmy come here,” Joe said then and Jimmy ran over to him, scared.
Kory rested his hands on his pistol and said, “Missy, that was over a year ago...”
“Joe, get him inside,” I ordered as I put my hand on my gun too. “And if it was over a year ago then you best take that up with Katie. This ain’t my fight. I was tryin’ to help you by pullin’ her off of you. Next time I’ll just let her keep kickin’ you.”
“Oh but it is.”
“Did you want me to stand back and just let her beat you up, Kory? Cause I can do that next time.”
Kory pulled his gun out and aimed it at me. I blinked and pulled out my gun but barely had time to draw at him while he shot at me and hit me in the arm.
“Oh boy...” Joe said.
“Miss Trin!” Jimmy exclaimed.
I fell to the ground as the pain in my arm overwhelmed me and the world went back. I lay there unconscious until I started to come to and then Joe helped me to the clinic. I made it to the clinic and sat on the bed, still dizzy and in pain. I lay back on the bed and started to see stars again. The pain overtook me and the world went black again. As I lay there unconscious, all I could see was me and Thomas sitting by the river near my house.
Suddenly I started to smell something awful and started to wake up. I looked around, not sure where I was as I didn’t recognize anything. “Where... Jess...? What...”
“How are you feeling?”
“I... hurts like heck... My arm... Where are we?”
“You were shot. You are in the clinic. And you got some morphine so you may be a bit goofy.”
“It’s.... different,” I looked around.
“Yes isn’t it nice?”
“It... yeah,” I looked at her strangely then looked at the cast on my arm. “Damn it... almost went three months....”
“Maybe you should stay a few more minutes so the morphine will wear off more,” Jess suggested.
I nodded and started to rub my arm. “Jimmy... he was... Is he okay...?”
“Jimmy is your hero. He is the one who got help for you. He is just fine.”
I sighed with relief and said, “First Nat goes missing... Then Thomas got shot last night... Now this... In front of Jimmy..” I tried to stand and said, “I’m going after Kory...” I leaned against the bed, feeling wobbly.
“You take care,” Jess looked at me. “Wait until you feel more like yourself.”
I nodded, knowing she was right and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Jess... How much do I...”
“Enjoy your time with Jimmy. He was really concerned about you.”
“I will... thank you...” I hugged her and saw Jimmy walk into the clinic.
“Miss Trin!” he exclaimed.
I leaned down to hug the boy and said, “Looks like we match, kiddo...”
“She’s okay Jimmy now the both of you have a boo boo,” Jess said.
“Uh huh, are you ok?” Jimmy chuckled, crying but smiling now.
“Thanks to you...” I rubbed his back. “You wanna go to Bisbee and see if Mr. Cas is playin’ some music...?”
“I try findin Aly or Mr Kris, but no luck..where lawman when ya need ‘im?”
“I know buddy.... We’ll get stuff to Mr. Jimmi and he’ll sign a warrant for us. Let’s make a quick stop at the courthouse.”
“Okidokie.” Jimmy took my hand and walked with me. We wrote and dropped off my report in the courthouse and then headed for Bisbee.
Bisbee.
We walked into the saloon and Cas was playing music from the turn table. Alex was tending bar and he noticed my bandaged arm and frowned. “What happened to you?”
“Whiskey. Then we talk,” I said as I sat down at the counter.
Alex got out a glass and filled it with whiskey, handing it to me. “Here you are. How’s you’re arm Jimmy?”
“It’s ok..I survivin..can I has a root beer?”
“You sure can!”
“Oooo what happened?” Sabi asked as she sipped her lemonade.
“Thanks hon,” I looked at Alex, taking a sip of the whiskey as he poured some root beer for Jimmy. “Well let’s see, Alex... After Nat went missing and Jimmy went off to find her near the village... I was sittin’ in front of Kate’s when I saw Katie and some man she called Kory figtin’ in the street... Kory drew his gun on Katie, Thomas drew his gun on Kory. Kory shot Thomas. Then today.... He found me in front of the undertakers’ office. Joe and Jimmy were there... He came up to me and said he blamed me for what happened last night. Gettin’ him arrested and all. When I was the one pullin’ Katie off him to stop her from beatin’ him up.”
Jimmy looked at me then and asked, “He shot Mr Thomas? The same man?”
I nodded to Jimmy sadly and said, “So I said okay, next time I’ll let her beat you up...”
“Is Thomas okay?” Alex asked.
“Then he drew his gun on me and shot me down.”
“Yikes!” he cringed.
“Was shot in his shoulder. He’ll be okay... It’s just been a lot at once. Not to mention little Jimmy here breakin’ his arm while lookin’ for Nat.” I looked over at Jimmy and saw he was about to cry. I reached for his hand and said, “It’s okay buddy. We’re all okay. That’s what we gotta focus on.”
People came into the saloon to join the dance and Jimmy looked at me, confused. “But no law round. How they stop him? He need be in jail.”
“Jimmy, we gave the report to Jimmi at the courthouse, remember? And Kris arrested Kory for shooting Thomas last night...”
“Then why they let him out?”
“Cause they only stay there for a little, Jimmy... Then they gotta go to court. If they’re guilty they go back.”
“I see him do it, that say he guilty...now someone go get him.”
“Yep they will kiddo.”
More people came in and out and Alex continued to serve drinks from behind the bar. Jimmy sipped his root beer and muttered, “I wish I grown up Miss Trin..I would get him and then whoop ‘im.”
“Jimmy.... What’d I tell ya before I got shot?”
“But he shot you and Mr Thomas..he need whoopin.”
“I know, Jimmy... but did you notice something? I didn’t take my gun on him. Not till he drew his. I tried to settle it with words first. But we can’t control what other people will do.”
“Well I not shoot him...I would just whoop ‘im and make him stop being bad man!”
“But if I’d shot him first, because he shot Thomas... What would that make me?”
“An outeylaw like everyone else?” Sabi guessed.
“Right, Sabi,” I nodded. “I ain’t a deputy. It’s not my place to arrest them. All I can do is try to avoid more crimes.”
“Yanno that nice lady that used ta takes care of me is an outeylaws now.”
“Which one, Sabi?” I looked at her.
“Miss Susan.”
“Susan Davis?”
“Uh huh.”
“Ah, I met her back in July.”
Jimmy scratched his head and said, “I dunno...I just a kid..but he could shoot somebody else Miss Trin. What if he go after you again, or Mr Thomas..Mr Thomas no gunfighter.”
“I know he ain’t, Jimmy... It’s one of the reasons I love him.”
“Just hire Mr Garth ta shoot whoever ya wants... heck he will prolly do its fer free,” Sabi giggled.
“Good Lord, what happened to your arm?” Bianca looked over at us then.
“I got shot,” I answered to Bianca and looked over at Sabi, “That ain’t the solution either, Sabi.”
“I hear Mr Lot do it too...” Jimmy chuckled.
“Why not Aunt Trin?” Sabi asked.
“Help me out here?” I looked between the kids and back at Alex for help, but he just chuckled.
“Are you okay?” Bianca asked.
“I’ll be fine physically, Bianca, thank you.”
We talked about the new clinic on Allen Street and I let the conversation surround around me. Eventually I decided to head home to rest and said goodbye to everyone as I left the saloon. Jimmy told me to say hello to Thomas and I promised I would.
***
This evening I walked back to Bisbee and looked around for Payton. I found her and Cole sitting on the front porch of their house and Cole waved over to me. “Come on up!”
“Hey there you two,” I greeted them.
“Hey Miss Trin!” Payton hopped up. “Here.. have a seat an relax.”
“I was hoping to find you two. Thanks, Payton... I sure could use some relaxin’. You both doing alright?”
“Good. Thought ya might wif all the work ya do,” Payton lay on the porch on her stomach, putting her feet up.
Cole looked over at me and asked, “You forget to duck, Trin?”
“Almost went three months without getting shot. Woulda been the anniversary tomorrow. He couldn’t have waited one more day...” I looked at him.
“Ya.. guess... the doption takes FOREVA.. but its for the best they say,” Payton shrugged.
“Where is Rye?” I asked and they both sighed and shook their heads.
“Resting...” Cole said simply.
“Mommy isn’t feelin well,” Payton told me.
“I need to talk to you both about something. Payton... have you been approached by a woman named Mara...?”
“No.. found out she is lookin for me though,” Payton shook her head.
“So you know she’s in town...”
“Yes ma’am,” she nodded. “Been runnin from her when I sees her though.”
“Good. I don’t like the sound of her and how she was actin’. I want you to stay away from her.”
“Yes ma’am,” she nodded.
“She was askin’ too many questions ‘bout you for my liking. Sayin’ she was the ‘bad seed’ of the family.”
“And yes I knew about her Trin.. Rye hasn’t been told yet cause she is still sick,” Cole said and I nodded to him.
“I wanted to make sure you knew of the situation as well.”
Payton looked back at Cole and nodded. “Yes ma’am.. my birth daddy was with a indian.. an she is their baby.. my birth momma found out .. and started ta do things ta make money for me an my older brother .. but pa left .. then my older brother left.. she wasn’t nice ta me at all.”
“When Payton found out about it she came to me .. and I told her she needed to talk to you so you could find out if she is wanted else where,” Cole said.
“That’s good. I can look into that.”
“She is sneaky evil...” Payton nodded. “Smile in yer face.. stab ya when ya ain’t lookin.”
“And in no way am I going to let her sink her claws into Payton..” Cole said.
I nodded to her and said, “Then you better be careful and tell me if you see her.”
“Can we special permission for Payton to stay with us more than three nights a week?” Cole asked.
“Payton, where was Mara living before comin’ here?”
“She was out Boston way.. she kept showin up an tryin ta talk ta me but momma didn’t let her. She was back an forth with the natives out there too. Mostly the ones that was startin trouble.”
“I’ll ask my associates in Boston if there’s anything on her there then,” I nodded. “Which tribe?” I asked and Cole nodded to me. I gave him a knowing look, remembering that he knew my history with the Natives better than anyone.
“Thinkin it was .. Camanchi..” Payton tried to think.
“Sounds like them...” Cole nodded.
“Camanchi?” I tilted my head and looked at Cole.
“Yeah they like half bloods who can move in both worlds .. we ran into them at Bear River a time or two..remember?”
I shook my head, trying to remember my journals but I hadn’t caught up to them to get to that part yet. “I... I’m not sure I remember. But... it’s been a long day... My mind is not sharp right now...”
“Well it has been awhile back..and you were in and out of town a lot then,” Cole said.
“And in the last twenty-four hours I....” I shook my head, trying to focus.
“No.. started with a P...” Payton went on.
“A p...?” I looked at her.
“Ya.. they started a war.. in .. ummm... 1630..... 1637.”
“Just relax..Payton go get miss Trin some mint tea please with honey..” Cole suggested.
“That’s it! Pequot!” Payton jumped up. “Yes sir.. mint tea coming up.”
“Pequot...?” I looked at Cole as Payton went into the house.
“Not a good tribe in any time.. Eastern tribe Trin.. Canada mostly..”
“I’ve done a bit of research in the day on most Native tribes... That war sounds vaguely familiar...”
“Started with the french and carried over with the english and americans in the early 1700’s.”
“I remember someone mentioning the Comanche.... In Bear River... Tribe found in Mexico I think if I remember right...”
Payton came back then and handed me some tea. “Miss Trin... I put quarter teasponon willow bark in... That way it will help yer arm but .. won’t knock ya out like I accidentally did ta myself.”
“Thanks hon,” I took the tea from her and smiled.
“Yes I forgot and left the willow bark down and Payton tried a little self medicine.” Cole chuckled at Payton.
“Willow is the best thing for pain, or so Natalie tells me,” I chuckled.
“You did put it back out of Sabi’s reach Payton? Your mommy to be was mad enough at me for the last time,” Cole looked at her.
“Yes sir it is,” Payton giggled and nodded.
“Good thing willow isn’t deadly unless you fall down the stairs...smiling.”
“I know.. if Swift wern’ here I would have fallen down the stairs.”
“Yes unlike overdosing a six yr old .. would like to smack that doctor who treated Sabi..”
“Swift?” I looked between them.
“Yes ma’am... Swift Fox,” Payton sighed and nodded.
“Payton’s little friend,” Cole grinned.
“Haven’t heard that name yet. Ooh, Payton has a little friend?” I looked at her.
“Yes,” Cole grinned and I chuckled. “Very protective and loyal..”
“Sounds like Jimmy and Nat,” I chuckled.
“Yeah.. he stays at the orphanage...” Payton said.
“Mmhmm sorta... just like,” Cole nodded.
“No, not really,” Payton blushed and turned away, drinking her tea.
“He is teaching her to frog and fish ..and how to camp..native style,” Cole said.
“She’ll fit right in with you and Rye then,” I laughed and winked at Cole.
“She already does...grinning..but we need to teach Sabi to swim as well Payton..” Cole said.
“Mmhmm,” I said.
“Well.. sometimes that ain’t easy.. she sinks like a rock..” Payton nodded.
“Who, you or Sabi?” Cole asked.
“Daddy...... Sabi, of course,” Morgan blinked.
“Teasing, sweetie,” Cole laughed.
“Well you two, I need to head home and get some sleep... Payton, what was that tribe Mara hung out with?” I looked at her.
“Them, yeah... Heard she was always wilder than me .. bad crowd .. I jus want her ta go away ..”
“Don’t blame you there. Someone I wouldn’t mind going away too...” I sighed.
“I almost have a family again.. don’ want her ta ruin it,” Payton sighed.
Cole hugged her close and whispered something to her, then looked at me. “Trin go rest ..being shot is no quick fix..and that willow will help you sleep.”
“I almost lost my daughter when she went missing. Jimmy broke his arm lookin’ for her. Then
Thomas got shot. That was all yesterday. Then today, I got shot too.”
“Sounds like it was a busy day.”
“Well... when I get ta be a vet ... I will have shots for the outlaws.. though they may not like the shots I am gonna give em,” Payton nodded.
“The last two days have been awful, Cole...”
“What happened if you want to tell me and how is Thomas..and Jimmy?” Cole asked.
“Thomas and I witnessed a fight between two people in the street yesterday. The man went for his gun and drew it on the woman. Thomas pulled a gun on him and then the man shot Thomas. Then today, he shot me because he blamed me for him getting arrested, when I was tryin’ to help him by pullin’ the woman off him. Next time I’ll let the woman beat him up.”
“I would too..serves him right.. Did you find Natalie?”
“Yes... Jimmy found her before it got dark last night, thank God. She’d gone up near the village to think... Like she read that I did, in my journals,” I looked at Cole. “I don’t want her to get hurt by the natives like I did. Every single tribe I tried to help left me to die on my own without a care for me.”
“And lost track of time right..” Cole nodded.
“She found out that her mother had been a dove and her father had been killed by Pinkertons. It was a lot for her to process. No one had ever told her the full story. Like her age... Until we got the papers from Mississippi with her birth certificate this weekend.”
“Ah heavy load for a little one.”
I nodded and looked over. “Payton... Maybe you could make things a little easier for her.... Try to distract her somehow? When she’s not workin’ in the clinic, I mean. She needs good friends like you and Sabi right now. And Ruby.”
“Yes ma’am. I know who she feels.. so I am sure I can try ta help.”
“Maybe you two can help each other. I’ll contact the Agency in Boston and see what they can tell me about this Mara woman.”
“See told you Miss Trin would know what to do..” Cole smiled.
“I already told her if she disrupts your life at all she’ll have to answer to me,” I smiled at them both.
“Yup.. aunty Trin always knows what ta do,” Payton giggled.
“Sure is better than Daddy getting arrested for hitting a bad woman..” Cole smiled.
I stood and set the empty mug on the table. “Thank you for the tea, Payton. And thank you for being there for me too.... You two are good friends.”
“Ya .. then ya might have ta kidnap me cause they wouldn’t let ya have me,” Payton nodded. “You’re welcome.
“She didn’t make it too strong did she Trin?” Cole asked.
“Not at all, Cole. It was perfect.”
“Yeah.. wasn’t me that it was for,” Payton blushed and giggled.
“I’ll see you both soon. And tell Rye I’m thinkin’ about her,” I smiled.
“I will and you be safe...” Cole said.
“I’ll try. Goodnight, you two.”
“Night Trin,” Cole said and I headed home to send a telegram to Boston’s Pinkerton Agency.
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