March 4, 1901

Bisbee. 

Today we spent the day moving into a bigger house and set up the furniture so that we were ready to call it our home. We let the kids and Shira into the house and then I called a family meeting as we sat down on the couch. 

“Now listen here you two.. There’s a reason we moved, and it ain’t just to save money and get a better view,” I told them. 

“Is it closer to Diamond where pa works?” Natalie asked. 

“You didn’t burn down the kitchen in the old house did ya ma?” Jimmy asked. 

“No, I didn’t.” I chuckled and looked over at Thomas. “Honey, help me out here?” 

“Well he had a good point dear. I mean, you are learning, but....she’s right kids. We had more serious reasons.” 

“That’s not quite what I mean by helping.” I nudged him. 

“Was it to get away from miss Downy’s new hotel?” Natalie asked. 

“You think she tried cookin a turkey again?” Jimmy nudged Natalie. 

“Jimmy thats enough! Apologize to your ma!” Thomas ordered. 

“I sorry ma...I love ya even if you cant cook as good as pa!” 

“Uh huh. Now listen. You two remember how Mr. Lot and Downy came to our old house over Christmas time and we had to clean up from the mess they made…” 

“Yeah how they stole our stuff.” Jimmy nodded, and Natalie just sighed and looked down with a nod. Jimmy leaned over and hugged Natalie with a worried look on his face. 

“Well... they ain’t the only ones who don’t like your ma and pa. Thing is... with both of us working more now... more people ain’t gonna like us.

“Kids, we don’t want you running off into Tombstone alone anymore. Not unless one of us is with you. Or unless an adult we trust is with you,” Thomas said. 

“But what if we wanna go to school? Or just visit at the orphanage?” Natalie asked. 

“I think to the orphanage is fine... and school... but not down by the saloons. Too many outlaws own those buildings now,” I said with a sigh. 

“Ma, somethin’ else is wrong. Ya don’t usually get this worried over nothin’ like this,” Natalie said and looked at us. 

I reached for Thomas’ hand and said, “This house is our home. It’s where we want to raise you children and we want to keep you safe. You need to be very careful with who you talk to about where we live. Don’t tell anyone we’ve moved, okay?” 

“What about Jeffery, Aspen and even Millard? Can we tell them?” Jimmy asked. 

“Not right now kids. We don’t want everybody knowing we moved. Once things are a little settled, and we been here a while, then you can. If you have to go to the orphanage, the school or into Tombstone, go together. Never go alone,” Thomas said. 

“What if Jimmy’s at the bakery and I wanna go to see Aspen and Jeff? Is it okay if I take Shira?” Natalie asked. 

“Yeah, and I have to go to the bakery. Can I take Shira or go if I run and not stop anywhere till I get there?” Jimmy asked. 

I sighed and leaned my head against Thomas’ shoulder, not sure what to say. Thankfully, Thomas began to explain. “Kids! We know you want to play and have fun....sighs trying not to tear up...What we are asking, for the first time in your lives...be responsible about where and how you go to places. Jimmy, the bakery is in Pearce, I understand, but you can stay on the outskirts of Tombstone and get there. Natalie, you can go to the orphanage and play with the kids. But by no means go into downtown Tombstone, unless Miss Abi is with you. Understand?!” 

Natalie blinked and clung to Jimmy’s hand and said, “Yes pa.” 

I looked between them and said, “We’re not saying this stuff to make your life awful... We just want you two to be safe. It’s dangerous out there, and getting worse. There are some bad people coming back to town and we don’t want them to know about you two or where we live, okay? That’s why we’re being so cautious right now. We don’t want what happened in our old house to happen here.” 

Jimmy looked from Natalie to us, tears threatening his eyes. “Iis it something we did? I mean are we the cause of all this?” 

“We’re not upset with you buddy, we just want you two to be safe,” I said to him.

“Ma...? Is one of your old cases back in town? Is that why you don’t wanna relive the past and keep writin’ about it?” Natalie asked then. 

“Jimmy, Natalie, you did nothing. This is for all of us as a family. Don’t ever think you two cause any of what happens,” Thomas said and squeezed me tight. 

I nodded to Natalie and clung to Thomas as I said, “You’re right sweetie. You both saw how scary it was for us at Christmas time. We just... don’t want that to happen here. Let’s make this our secret hideout place, okay?” 

“Ma, Pa, what do we do if we feel or see someone following us? Like that crazy ole woman who tried to get us on a train?” Jimmy asked. 

“Run to the orphanage,” I told him. 

“You run either to the orphanage, or to the bakery in Pearce, or the sheriff’s office. Look for someone you know,” Thomas said. 

“Like you both did when that lady followed you around town. You ran back to the orphanage even though you’d just been there all weekend. And we were very proud of you,” I told them. 

“I so didn’t wanna be locked up there again just to get away from the crazy lady,” Natalie stated.

“Yes, you did the right thing. There is always safety in numbers,” Thomas assured. 

“Ok ma and pa. Looks at Shira and rubs his eyes and yawns himself. I sleepy, can I go get in my own bed?” Jimmy asked then. 

“Jimmy, Natalie, you can go to bed, and why don’t you two sleep together tonight. Being we’re in a new house and its gonna feel strange,” Thomas suggested. 

“Can we just shove our beds close together?” Natalie asked. 

“Sure kiddo.” I nodded. 

They hugged us goodnight and when we were alone, I looked over at Thomas and said, “That went well, thank you honey.” 

“Yes it did. better than I thought… they’re wonderful kiddos aren’t they?” 

“They sure are... And you’re a great father.” I nodded. 

Thomas sighed and wiped his eyes. “You’re a great mother. I just worry about ya’ll so much. Especially with all thats happened.” 

I nodded to him and wiped away his tears. “I know dear... but we’ve made the right decision in moving here. Let’s head up to bed sweetheart.” 

We walked upstairs and I pet Shira and smiled at the family picture on the wall before heading up to our new bedroom with Thomas.