June 14, 1901

Tombstone. 

This evening I wandered down Allen Street and waved to the women standing in the street in front of the hotel. I talked with Bianca about how things had been going at the hotel and she got out some wine for me to drink with them. 

“How are things going at the office… any new crimes?” Bianca asked me as we sat down in front of the hotel. 

“Only thing I have open is for that girl’s sister... Who’s description is minimal at best and no one seems to recognize her.” 

“Still can’t find her huh?” Bianca asked as we greeted Sarah who came to join us. 

“Nope. And ain’t seen the girl who’s come askin’ me ’bout her either.” I looked over and saw Sarah was looking sad and asked, “She okay, miss B?” 

“Her aunt has a bad case of the love sickness,” Bianca said, looking back at Sarah then at me. 

“Oh really? Love is in the air in Tombstone, eh?” 

“But sadly the man doesn’t seem to notice her.” 

“Hmm… Wonder which man…” 

“I know but it’s not my place to say,” she said. 

We greeted Abi as she came over to join us and Sarah insisted she was going to make her aunt happy again. 

“She’s got what I have on Jimmy. And there’s this other girl who’s in love with the guy auntie likes,” Sarah explained. 

“What you have on Jimmy? You have a crush on my little boy?” I blinked, looking at her. 

“No, I like him as a friend. Like auntie does. That’s what miss B said,” Sarah said, but I could see her blushing. 

“You’re right, Bianca. I needed this wine tonight,” I said, looking at Bianca. 

“Best way I could explain it Trin… I don’t have children so I wasn’t totally sure how to explain what Bella is going through,” Bianca said. 

“I’ll tell you what I told Natalie when she was starting to have these feelings,” I said and looked at Sarah. “It’s okay to have lots of friends as boys... Even maybe like one more than the other.. but… Just take time to get to know each other, okay? And have fun playing and exploring. There’ll be enough time for all that other stuff later, when you’re older. Then you’ll wish you could just be kids again. Understand?” 

“Sarah I don’t think Preacher Chris is the best person to talk to your aunt,” Bianca told her. 

“Okay,” Sarah said with a smile. “He’s still my best friend though, like Nat?” 

“That’s great,” I said and smiled at her. I was a bit sad though because I didn’t have a best friend who was a girl anymore, and I sipped some more wine. 

“But Mr. Chris makes me feel better all the time,” Sarah said to Bianca. 

“So I didn’t help huh?” I looked at her. 

“Yeah. I understand, Miss Trin. Stay kids and worry about boys later,” she said with a nod. 

“Sometimes it’s better for a grown up girl to talk to another grown up girl about things,” Bianca told her. “Men aren’t the easiest to talk to about feelings.” 

“It’s true,” I said with a nod. “It’s okay to have feelings about boys… But just... get to know each other as friends for a while. Even big people should do it that way.” 

“Miss Trin is right,” Bianca agreed. 

“You got that right,” Sarah said. “When I tried to ask Jeff to help me get Auntie and Mr. Chris together he said, ‘I don’t understand about girls and love.” 

“Oh.... It’s Mr. Chris, is it? Yes, then definitely don’t go talk to him about boys,” I said as I started to put the pieces together. I saw Bianca sigh with relief and I chuckled, winking at her. “I don’t wear this badge for decoration, you know.” 

“I’m gonna give these cookies and milk to auntie. She likes cookies,” Sarah decided. 

“That’s a good idea, Sarah. And find some shoes, kiddo.” 

“Okay,” Sarah said and nodded to me. 

“So yes you have figured it out and I didn’t have to say a thing,” Bianca observed. 

“Not my first rodeo, B,” I said with a grin. 

“I don’t know Chris that well so I have no clue what to tell her,” Bianca said. 

“I know him pretty well... but it’s not our business unless Bella asks us for help in the match-makin’,” I said to them. 

“Oh know… I’m not gonna play match maker… if things go wrong then I’m the one that gets blamed and Joe will have my hide for meddling,” Bianca said. 

“Well I’m going to go wander the streets a bit,” I said then, standing. 

“Since you know him more Trin and you are the detective you play match maker,” Bianca suggested. “And I’ll provide you all the wine you need for any stress.” 

“Only if Bella asks me to,” I said with a chuckle. “I’ll take you up on that. I’ll talk to you later, B. Thanks for the wine. If Sarah’s got a crush on my little boy, sounds like I’ll need more of it.” I winked at her, noticing that Sarah had wandered off with Bella. I waved to Bianca and went back towards home.