December 26, 1900

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I found Thomas and Jade talking in front of the sheriff’s office. I walked up behind him and slid my arms around him. “Guess who!” 

“Howdy Trin.” Jade smiled to me. “If you both excuse me we was on our way see Irish and Cole.” 

“Is this you’re horse Miss Jade?” Thomas asked her. 

“Yes sire both are stallion and mare. We are planning on breeding them in the spring,” Jade told him. 

I kissed Thomas’ shoulder and he jumped, laughing. “Well hello there my love.” To Jade he said, “Both are beautiful horses Miss Jade.” 

“Good to meet you, Ma’am.” I smiled and nodded to Jade. 

“Thank you. Can’t wait to see what comes of breeding them. You Trin. Pleasure as always,” she said to me. 

“Miss Jade, this is Trin, my sweetheart, Trin this is Miss Jade. She raises horses round these parts,” Thomas introduced. 

“They are lovely horses.” I smiled to her. 

“Aww that is nice. You’re both sweethearts.” Jade smiled. “Oh, might have to come out to the ranch then, Trin. Look over horses one time.” 

“That would be great.” 

“Miss Jade, how is your other horse, that got loose and almost drowned?” Thomas asked. 

“You mean happy mare? Resting still. Getting better.” 

“I am glad to hear. I came across two wild mares the other day, I bet you would have loved to own.” 

Jade headed off to her ranch and Thomas looked over to me. “How are you dear? Feeling ok?” 

“Actually? Yes, I am. I’ve decided not to stress about the threats at the house... Not until we can get in touch with the mayor. There’s nothing we can do until they do something else so there’s no point worrying.” 

Thomas held me tight and rubbed my shoulder and back gently. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached in his vest and pulled out a wrapped package. “Merry Christmas dear.” 

“Oh honey... Thank you! How is your horse doing? Have you named it yet?” I blinked and opened the package, seeing a small brown diary. “Oh darling, it’s perfect!” 

“I got one for Natalie too. It’s at home, I didn’t get them in until today.” 

“That’s great, dear. Can we go back to the house? I want to put that note and dagger into storage now that we’ve sufficiently checked it for prints.” 

“Yes of course.” 

I looked closer to him and asked, “Are you growing a beard, dear?” 

“No but I thought I might let my moustache grow out a bit. What do you think?” 

“It suits you. As long as there’s no beard to cover that adorable chin.” I took his hand and led him back to the house as he kissed me while we walked. 

Bisbee. 

We went into the kitchen and I got out my gloves, going to take the dagger and the note off the cabinet. I had already made enough copies of the message to show other lawmen. I took the evidence upstairs and put it in the safe, locking it tightly and looking over at Thomas. “There, now the kids don’t have to wonder about that.” 

“Thank goodness. I am glad. It was hard to hide it from them for sure.” 

“We’ll leave the hat for now until we can get Adrian to come over here and look at it.” 

I went over to the sheriff’s office in Tombstone and pinned the poster of the found hat to the post,  hoping someone would recognize it and contact me soon, then headed back home.