January 18, 1901

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I greeted Wedge and when he asked me how I was doing I said, “Alright now that a case is finally closed. Current mystery is those Ghenna marshals posters.” 

“Oh?” 

“You hear about those?” 

“No… I was about to ask.” 

“They posted one here in front of the office and Ang and Ansar took it down already so I couldn’t get any evidence. So I guess they don’t really want my help but…” I shrugged. 

“What’d it say?” He chuckled. 

“Just said Ghenna Marshals on it.” 

“Ahh…” 

Angel came over then and Wedge said he hadn’t seen the posters. Angel said that she has everything she needs to take over the Schefflin Hall for her studio, with a whole bunch of beautiful furniture for it. She said that the Cisse sisters gave it up and she talked to Adrian about making it a photo studio again. 

A man walked up behind me and covered my eyes, kissing my neck. “Guess who!” 

I blinked and heard Thomas’ voice, smiling. “Now dear... it’s a lot more affective to do that if I don’t recognize your voice.” I turned to face him and kissed him. 

“Well I don’t want you swinin round and givin me a black eye.” Thomas laughed and kissed me softly. 

“Is this the part where I gag?” Wedge chuckled. 

“Smart man, love.” I giggled. 

“Wedge you been eatin my wife’s cookin again?” Thomas asked and I tickled him. “Hey watchit!” 

“Husbands and boyfriends have to be one step ahead…” Wedge said. “Ooo…. yeah no… I just eat on my sad cookin.” 

“Who’s side are you on?” I glared at Wedge. 

“Wha?” 

“I’ve caught Vedgie raiding mine bakery vonce or tvice,” Angel put in. 

“I did not,” Wedge defended himself.

“Oh dear... I solved our case against my arsonist. Got myself a key witness who saw the whole thing,” I told Thomas. 

“Speaking of zat… I got the varrants written up but got to vait on somevone to sign em sadly,” Angel said. 

“Of course.” I nodded. “I’m taking the kids up to Canada to visit family since it’ll probably not be safe for us once those warrants get signed.” 

“Yeah, Trin is going to leave me here all alone. What am I to do?” Thomas asked. 

“Not get shot.” I chuckled. 

“Vorking iz a gut option get some money in your pockets.” Angel chuckled. 

“Yes someone’s gotta keep our house going.” I winked at her. 

“I’ll hide behind Wedge…” Thomas smiled. 

“Sounds reasonable,” Wedge said. 

“Least then Vedge von’t get shot in zeh back,” Angel said. 

“We’d like to have a roof to come home to.” I said and kissed Thomas’ shoulder playfully. 

“Only cause I get shot in the back most often.” Wedge chuckled and I laughed. 

“See vith Vedgie, you got to hide in front of him. Back’s where I paint the target on hiz shirts he still don’t know,” Angel said. 

“Would be uncomfortable to sit with a wedgie….” I joked. 

“Hey! Well then ummm, maybe I should think that over first.” Thomas said. 

“Just do what I do dear. Get higher ground,” I told him. 

“Yeah, I just barricade myself in the house and hold my ground.” Thomas smiled. 

“High low iz alvays an amazing tatctic az law,” Angel said. 

“Really?” Wedge smirked. 

“Mmhmm.” 

“Why do you think we live on a hill?” I asked. 

“Or I could always throw them, what did you call ’em, biscuits at them. That would run them off.” Thomas ducked and I tackled him. 

“I give! I give!” Thomas laughed. 

“What are you givin’?” I grinned at him. 

“I got one of zose rifles you can use from the roof. Pick an outlaw off from across town and they’d never know,” Angel said. 

“Hell… I get shot every which way....but mostly in the back,” Wedge said. 

“You cookin lessons if you promise not to make them biscuits anymore,” Thomas said. 

“Two whole weeks without cooking jokes... how will I get by?” I asked and tickled Thomas more. Thomas laughed as he tried to get away. 

“I’m just wondering… with such Bad cookin… how are you still standing?” Wedge asked. 

“Must be pick on Trin day today. But I missed the memo,” I said and stood by Ang. 

“I guess. Welcome to my world Trin,” Wedge said. 

“Vhy you standing by me miz Trin iz alvays pick on Angel day,” Angel said. 

“Awww she doesn’t cook bad all the time Wedge. Only when she’s in the kitchen. But I love her anyways.” Thomas smiled. 

“Cause at least I’ve got one ally with you.” I glared at Thomas. “You better hope God’s in a forgiving mood today when we go to church.” 

“Talk about a lob-sided compliment.” Wedge chuckled. 

“But dear…” Thomas started. 

“No but’s mister. Unless it’s yours sittin’ in time out.” I winked at him and Thomas blushed. 

“What the heck is...time out?” Wedge asked. 

Natalie came over then and waved, and we greeted her as I leaned down to give her a hug. “Pa you’re not makin’ fun of ma again are ya?” she asked Thomas. 

“Always, kiddo. Always.” I chuckled at her. 

“Nooooo....not me, would I do a thing like that?” Thomas asked innocently. 

“Comin to church with us today kiddo?” I asked Natalie. 

“Uh huh! Mr Wedgie you should come to church too!” Natalie said, looking at him. 

“Wedge mentioned puking earlier, and I thought maybe he had been eating your ma’s cooking again.” Thomas smiled. 

“His name is Wedge, Nat.” I chuckled. 

“I haven’t been to church in ages,” Wedge said. 

“But maaaa... That’s what Miss Ang calls him,” Natalie said. 

“Vell I got a speech impediment Nat. I speak vith an accent because mine first language iz not english.” Angel chuckled. 

“Well… if a female calls me that… I have to look at it as an ‘endearment’… if a male calls me that… It’s more of a dig,” Wedge explained. 

“See? He likes it!” Natalie grinned. 

“Iz because he’s old, Nat,” Angel joked. 

“But still… a loveable goofball.” Wedge chuckled. 

“Hey Daddy? What’s a frog buzzard?” Natalie asked Thomas then and I noticed Downy wandering down the street. 

“A what?” Thomas and I asked at the same time. 

“A frog buzzard. Mr Chris said they was over at the mines in Pearce. But when I went there all I saw was some body there with Mr Dave and Mrs Meg. And Mr Dave thought I was callin him a frog buzzard.” 

“I don’t know dear. Never heard of such an animal.,” Thomas said. 

“It’s an animal?” 

“Well… it was Chris sayin it,” Wedge pointed out. 

Suddenly Natalie fell down, crying. “Owww!” She exclaimed. 

“Natalie! What the?!” Thomas blinked. 

I looked around, startled, and knelt down beside my daughter. “Nat, are you okay??” 

“What the heck?” Wedge asked. 

“You alvright little vone?” Angel looked at her. 

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Thomas asked.

“What are you doing down there?” Wedge asked. 

“It... owwwwww!” Nat cried and held her head. 

“It’s okay sweetie, Momma’s got you.” I looked at Tom with worry, pulling Nat close as Tom knelt down to look at her head. He held up a pebble on the ground and looked around. Nat cried and trembled against me.

“It came from the sky!!!” She cried. 

“What did?” Wedge looked around, confused. 

“Honey, rocks don’t just fall from the sky unless you’re in Ghenna,” I said, looking from Tom to Nat. 

“Someone threw this at her.” Tom held out the pebble for everyone to see. We heard Downy muttering something about birds pooping stones and Tom looked over at her. “You say something?” 

“Come on sweetheart, let’s get you to the clinic.” I helped Nat up. “I think I can get some asprin from in there and you’ll feel better.” 

“Ah saw wut happened MISS TRIN... a large bird shat a pebble on her.... must be some kinda OMEN don’t you think?” Downy asked. 

I blinked hearing Downy and looked over at Tom, then back at Downy. “No one else is around and I don’t know bout any birds that poop pebbles.” I helped Natalie up and walked her towards the clinic as Angel asked if she could come with and I nodded to her, so we walked down the clinic together. 

“Are you okay sweetie?” I held Natalie’s hand as we sat in the clinic. Tom joined us as well and sat down beside the bed. 

“I know dang good and well she threw that stone.” Tom muttered.

“She’s a mean lady.” Natalie whimpered. 

“What kind of a woman throws stones at kids?” I asked. 

“Ain’t no voman that vould, Miz Trin. No lady neither,” Angel said and I tried to keep my anger together in front of Nat. 

“She mean.” Nat hid against me. 

“Buzzard took off out of town.” Wedge walked back into the clinic, shaking his head. 

“She threw a rock at my kid!” I looked over at him. 

“If I would have saw that… I think it might have been the first time punched a woman,” Wedge said and shook his head. 

“Now Vedge, be fair. Downy ain’t no voman,” Angel said. 

“Fine… I would have anyway.” Wedge chuckled. 

“Thanks, Wedge. I appreciate.” I nodded to him.

“You all should be safe in here am going to head back to mine office. If you need me shout,” Angel said. “Don’t think Downy vill show up again soon. But you see her, call us.” 

“Ma I need.. I hurt…” Nat said then as Wedge and Angel walked out to their office. 

“You got a bump munchkin, but thank goodness no blood.” Tom hugged Nat gently and rubbed her shoulders. I looked at Tom with anger towards Downy in my eyes but sighed with relief when he said that. 

“We missin’ church.” Natalie leaned against her pa. 

“It’s ok sweetie, right now you’re what’s important.” Thomas hugged her gently. 

“Gonna look for the asprin.” I said and went to the cabinet and took out the pills, taking them over to Nat. I got a cup and filled it with water, taking it back to the bed. “Here sweetie, drink this and swallow one of these.” 

Natalie took the pill and the cup and swallowed the pill, then drank the water, swallowing it down between tears. 

Tom took a piece of paper out of his vest pocket and handed it to her. “Guess what that is munchkin.” 

“Uh..” She looked at him and tilted her head. 

“You ever heard of a diamond?” 

“Like those Apache tears hangin’ in the cave in Benson?” 

“Yeah sorta...this one come from way off while I was on my trip. There was this place people could go hunt for them, and I found one for you.” Tom smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile at that. 

“Wow, for me!?” Nat eyed it. 

“Yeah. Just for my little munchkin. It’s a rare one too, it’s yellow.” 

“I need a minute outside.” I said, looking over at Tom. The sight of my daughter in the hospital was too much to bear. 

“Momma?” Nat looked over at me with worry. 

“Trin?!” Tom looked over at me. 

“I just…” I said, holding back tears as I stepped outside. I leaned back against the wall and let the tears fall freely, looking over at the location of my burned down office. I shook my head in anger. 

Tom came outside and I fell in his arms as he asked, “Dear what is it?” 

“It’s too... it’s not... fair.” I cried into his arms, breaking down. 

Tom held me tight and held me up. “I know love. But she will be ok. It’s just a little bump on the head.” 

“It’s not just that…” I trembled against him. 

“I don’t know what to say love. If you’re worried about that woman Downy, well she will get hers. No half wit is going to throw a rock at my daughter.” 

“She did it all, Tom. I’m sure of it. She broke in, she threatened, she burned, and now she threw a rock at my kid.” I leaned against him. 

“What?! You think she is the one who broke into the house, and also who burned down the office?” 

“I’m pretty sure. I got a statement from Millard yesterday.” I handed it to him to see and said, “Angel said it was enough for a warrant against her and Lot.” 

Tom took the statement and read it as Natalie walked out of the clinic towards us. “You okay kiddo?” I asked her. 

“You feelin better munchkin?” Tom asked her. 

“I just didn’t wanna be in there no more.” Nat looked between us. 

“I understand that feeling hon.” I nodded. 

“What dya say we all go to Bisbee and have some ice cream. On me?” Tom suggested. 

“That’s a great idea, dear. Let’s get out of here.” I smiled at him. 

“Ma?” Nat took Tom’s hand and walked with him, looking around nervously. I sighed and shook my head, continuing to walk down the street. 

Bisbee. 

Natalie came up to hug me tightly right away and said, “I love you ma, even if some people don’t.” 

“I love you too, babygirl.” I hugged her tightly, wiping away the tears. 

“So what will my lovely ladies have?” Tom asked. 

“A vacation?” I looked over at him hopefully. 

Tom laughed and hugged us both tight. “I love you both. But I meant ice cream.” 

We both ordered chocolate and then when we had our ice cream Nat told us, “Oh I didn’t tell you guys bout school last night!!! You’ll never guess who taught us!”

“Oh dear. Who is that munchkin?” Tom shook his head with laughter. 

“I’m afraid to ask.” I cringed as we sat down at the table outside. 

“He talked bout morals and stuff!” Nat insisted. 

Tom sat down with our ice cream and asked if it was vanilla we wanted, but we both said we wanted chocolate at the same time and he set the ice cream down. 

“So you gonna guess who taught us?” Nat looked between us. 

“Okay kiddo, who taught you?” I asked her. 

“Well he talked ’bout how if the bank door was open and Miss Bree weren’t in there then we hadta tell an adult. And how he COULD rob it or he could just tell a grownup about it. But how the moral thing to do was to tell a grownup.” 

“Hmm… It weren’t Mr Cas was it?” I guessed. 

“Nope!” 

“Mr… Wedge?” 

“Surely it wasn’t Lot,” Tom said. 

“Nope but you’re close daddy!” Nat giggled and shook her head. 

“Oh good gosh.” I shook her head and ate her ice cream. 

“And ma, he said I hadta tell you hi!” Nat told us

“Um….” Tom looked at me with worry. 

“Was it... hi like a good hi or hi like a ‘I’m gonna cause trouble for you’ hi?” I asked. 

“Um well... sounded good. I remember we met him when we was in front of the theater long time ago. He was a friend of yours from before Tombstone!”

“Um…  Oh no, tell me it wasn’t…” I started to realize. 

“Not TJ is it?” Tom guessed. 

“It was Mac!!!” Nat finally said. 

“MAC!!” Tom exclaimed. 

“Mac was teachin’ bout open bank doors???” I asked with surprise. 

“Yeah but ma he said the right thing to do weren’t to just go in there and rob it. He said it was to tell someone with a badge ’bout it. Cause someone might be in there with a gun.” Natalie said. 

“Dear, what has our school come to?” Tom asked. 

“Doves and outlaws are teaching our children now…” Nat shook my head. 

“It was a real good lesson.” 

“Well I guess that’s better than Outlaw Doves teaching them.” Tom smiled. “You going to eat your cherry munchkin?” 

“Uh huh! Savin’ the best for last!” I grinned at him. 

“That’s my girl.” I grinned and then Tom leaned over to kiss me and left a chocolate smudge mark on my cheek. 

“Ma! He made your face dirty!” Nat exclaimed. 

Tom leaned over to kiss my cheek and left the same smudge mark. “Now you both match.” 

“Heeeeey!” Nat giggled. “If I gotta have a bath it’s your fault!” 

“Oh my! A chocolate kiss from a beautiful woman. I don’t think I will ever wash my cheek ever again.” Tom winked at me. 

“I gonna find Jimmy and see what he’s doin’.” Nat stood. 

“Alright kiddo, you two have fun and stay around the house okay?” I told her.

“Yes ma.” 

Tom handed Nat a bowl of ice cream and said, “Take him this ok. He shouldn’t be left out.” 

“Thanks Pa!” Natalie kissed his cheek and ran towards home up the hill. 

I took Tom’s hand once we were alone and he reached into his pocket, handing me a piece of wadded up paper. “I got you one too sweetheart.” 

I grinned, taking the paper. “Thanks, love. I will carry it with me while I go to Canada. I wish you were coming along.” 

“Me too, but you and the kids need to get away for a while. I will be ok. Just be careful when you go ok?” 

“Of course dear. We’ll be safer away from here. Once those warrants get signed... I’m worried for you, dear.” 

“I will watch my back. I might take a little break myself and go up in the hills and do some fishing.” 

“That’s a good idea, love.” I nodded to him. “I guess we should head back to the house, hmm? I don’t want them alone for too long. Especially after Downy threw a rock at Nat.”

“Yes for sure dear. Also to make sure they dont ramshackle the house. Them two can be a mess.” Tom stood and took my hand as we walked to the house. 

January 17, 1901

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the sheriff’s office and greeted Angel. “Was wondering if we could chat for a bit inside…” 

“Sure,” she said and followed me into the office. 

“I’ve got something serious to get your advice on and I don’t want the entire town to hear it,” I said as I sat down at her desk. “I’ve got a case I’m trying to figure out and I need your help.” 

“Vat can I help you vith Trin?” 

“You heard my office was set on fire…” I looked at her and she nodded. “Alright so… I only have one witness. But it’s a pretty good one, except for his age.” 

“Zer young?” 

“Millard saw the whole thing... wrote down a statement for me… Saw Downy and Lot doing it. Said Sam and Christopher were around but getting Christopher is difficult these days. Thing is… While he was writing his statement, Downy was threatening him. Got all mad that he’d snitched on her to me. He even added that in the statement. But I can’t use it in court cause he’s a kid, can I?” 

“Good. You can.” 

“I can?” 

“He’z of an adultish age. Hez able to vright and decide for himself. Iz not like hez three.” 

“But is one statement enough to close this?” I nodded. 

“Yes.” 

I handed her the incident report and said, “It includes everything including the breakin at our house in Bisbee which I can’t prove. But it all ties together, I believe.” 

“Any statement that names suspects and iz done by somevone of sound mind is good enough.” 

“The charges are written down there... not sure I can prove it but I think there’s conclusive circumstantial evidence that can. I’m gonna call that case finally closed. Only took me a month to solve it.” I rolled my eyes and Angel chuckled and nodded. “Got one other case going. The note posted in front of your office talking about lawdogs. Noticed it yesterday.” 

“Ah vell am not vorried on zat. Ansar took it down. More vorried on the vone vho’s really vandalizing the sherrif’s. Gli keeps claiming tis Rikki but han’t looked likerikkis vrighting. Also had a Ghennah marshals flag put up we had to take down.” 

“Right… So you don’t need me to look into that sign that was posted by the kid?” 

“Naw if it vas a kid am not vorried more vorried on the signs the Ghennah marshals keep posting iz odd how this all starts happening az Gli comes to town. Iz not like Rikki to put her flag on mine office since she’s mine sister. But I can’t prove iz Gli.” 

“Yeah I agree... Rikki would have done this long ago. I didn’t even know that Ghenna had marshals.” 

“Exactly. Vell iz Rikki’s gang.” 

“I can look into the marshal poster. That’ll be my new focus.” 

“But to many in her gangiI know zat.” 

“I’m taking the kids with me to Canada next week for two weeks... Need to get them out of town while you track down Lot and Downy over this case. It’s not safe for them to be here. Wonder where to start with this Ghenna poster stuff... Could lift for prints and see if there’s any I recognize.” 

“Ve alvredy too kit down along vith me scrubbing the paint off that named Rikki and Gli as sheriffs. But is odd cause before Gli got here Rikki vould do that but vith a nail and baord she painted on and never mentioned Gli.” 

“Very odd.” I nodded. “So I can’t lift it for prints then.” 

“Yha Ansar kinda ripped the flag down in pieces by accident. Told him the bench vas vwobbily but noooo.” 

I shook my head and said, “Hard to do my work and help you guys if you won’t ask sooner.” 

“You vernt about and I couldn’t leave it up.” 

“Can always send me a telegram anytime. Office in Diamond still receives em.” 

“I’ll try but can be hetick haz been the past few nights.” 

“I know. Just saying, you know I’m around plenty even if I’m not in town. Am easy to be reached if you need me. Except for when we’ll be away for two weeks but... that’s for the kids’ safety. Thomas will still be here.” 

“Vell I’ll be getting to making the varrants miz Trin don’t you fret.” 

“Fantastic. If I didn’t find you I was going to give it to Thomas before we left and say, ‘Here honey.’” I chuckled. “Takes the honey-do list to a whole new level, eh?” 

“That it doze.” She chuckled. 

“So…” I looked over at Angel’s left hand. “I see congratulations are in order!” 

“Hmm? Oh vell not yet… but soon.” 

“I figured it had to be.” I grinned. “I’m looking forward to heading home... Will be good to see my mother and Josh and Leslie.” 

“Alvright Miz Trin, iz alvays good talking to you.” 

“Yup I should get back to the salt mines, as they say. Thanks for helping me solve this one, Ang.” 

“Make sure to not lick the valls! Anytime, miz Trin.” 

“Is a load off my shoulders for sure.” I waved and headed down the street. 

I saw Joe sitting in front of the undertaker’s office. “Joe, glad I caught you.” 

“I ain’t done anything,” Joe slurred as he wrinkled his nose and lowered his flask. 

“Not yet but ya will.” I chuckled. “I’ve got a pile of lumber over in Black Diamond ready to be taken to the office when you’re ready.” 

“I am all ready. Been making place safe.” Joe nodded and mumbled.

“Fantastic, I appreciate it.” 

“Well need the work so not much choice.” 

“And I need the office repaired for when I get back.” 

“And that will be when?” 

“We’ll be back beginning of February.” 

“It will be done after all not much doctoring to do.” Joe chuckled. 

“ I need to head to Diamond and sort some paperwork now that that case is done.

 Thank you for your help, Joe. I appreciate it a lot.” 

“Work is work.” He shrugged and I nodded, giving him a gentle hug before heading to Diamond. 

January 16, 1901

Tombstone. 

I walked into town this morning and waved to Zeth. When he greeted me I told him, “Been tryin’ to figure out who set my office on fire. Pretty sure I’ve got a good idea. Just need a few solid witnesses to nail them.” 

“All I have seen is that some things changed since I got back.” 

“Things have changed?” 

“Well saw that sign above me.” 

“Yeah… What about it?” 

“Well it seems new.” 

“Not really something to be concerned about.” 

“And I noticed someone placed posters down on the sheriff’s station.” 

“They’ve got bounties on them.” 

“The sheriff tried to take them down.” 

“The sheriff didn’t put them there?” 

“True.” 

“Well that’s odd.” 

I got out my fingerprint equipment and started digging around for prints. 

“There’s about two posters. One on the wall the other on the post.” 

“There’s three here.” 

“Three? I saw two. I didn’t count the board there.” 

I investigated the ‘good woman’ poster and saw the match for prints and said, “These ones match Lot’s prints.” 

“Not sure about these other two,” I said and went to look at the other one. 

“This one and this one.” 

“Why the heck is there a poster from Ghenna…” I blinked and went to read the other. 

“These two are the ones I was talkin’ bout. Second looks like a child wrote it.” 

“Since when does Ghenna have marshals?” 

“New to me.” 

I smiled, reading the note on the post. “Looks like a kid wrote that.” 

“True.” 

“The grammar alone proves that but also look... smaller prints.” I showed him with the magnifying glass. Zeth looked through and I said, “Not sure which kid but…” 

“Makes me wonder is there a difference between boy writing and girl writing?” 

“If you want we could punish ’em for sayin’ bad things about the law.” I read it out loud and said, “‘Lawdogs wear girl bloomers and girl lawdogs gots hairy arms and smell funny.’” I shook my head and said, “Gonna have to ask Miss Abi to look into that.” 

“If it was a normal person doing that would be defacing public property, wouldn’t it?” 

“ Looks like I’ve got myself another case. It’s still defacing public property even if it’s just a kid.” 

“Destruction of public property and harassment if it was against a normal person.” 

“We can still punish a kid for destruction of property. Just... in a different kind of punishment.” I took a picture for evidence.

“Are you able to get fingerprints?” Zeth asked. 

“As I said already.... They’re little prints. Just don’t know whose.” I collected the prints with my coal dust and lifted the prints off the poster, putting them in a bag. 

“Guess you’ll need fingerprints of the orphans,” Zeth said. 

“Guess so.” 

“My son is a adult now anyways,” Zeth said and then looked over as Grant Cole walked over. 

“Howdy you two.” Grant grinned. 

“Well, well, well... Sniper owes me money. Grant you know anything about this here note?” 

“What note is that, Trin?” Grant moved closer and I pointed to the note posted written by a child. 

Grant look closer at the note and laughed. “Either by a child or and adult writing as a child I would say.” 

“It’s by a child. The fingerprints are small.” I shook my head. 

“Ohh I see, okay. But it is harmless, right?” 

“Just ain’t sure which one but I’m determined to find out.” 

“Why Trin, it’s just a prank.” 

“Not if they decide to grow up doing similar things that will escalate because they think they can get away with this.” 

“Hmm why not report it to the orphanage or the school then?” 

“That’s the plan. Once I find Abigail.” 

“Anyway, I have bigger fish for you to fry.” He frowned. “Did you hear about my getting shot last night along with a few others?” 

“Nope. Was there law around?” 

“Yes, Amara… But were many involved… Gli and Rikki for two I know of.” 

“I just got back so it’s new to me,” Zeth said. 

“Sure she handled it then.” I nodded. 

“Tj was injured so was me and Jess the doc,” Grant said. 

“Did you write a statement and give it to someone?” I asked. 

“I am pretty sure Gli started it.” 

“Found he’s wanted,” Zeth said. 

“If Amara knew who was there then I’m not needed this time,” I said. 

“Well I made a statement to Amara… she was there yes,” Grant said. “I guess it has been taken care of then.” 

“I need to get some paperwork done. See you later, gentlemen,” I said and headed to the office. 

January 14, 1901

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I greeted Millard and David talking in front of the clinic and I greeted them. 

“Crap… I mean, hi Trin,” David replied. 

“Nice to see you too, Dave.” 

“Yes I am sure it is,” David said. 

“Was you able to save anything from the fire?” Millard asked. 

“Not a thing. Not even any evidence.” I shook my head. 

“Wait, fire?” David asked. “Who had a fire?” 

“I don’t even know if anyone was around to see it.” 

“I seen it,” Millard said. 

“Yeah, my Pinkerton office here in town.” I nodded to Dave. “Joe’s working on the repairs for it. I need to gather wood.” 

“Need wood do ya?”” Dave asked. 

“Mr Lot and ummm... dern I forgot who else was around…” Millard said. “Miss Downy maybe? I don’t recollect for sure.” 

“Of course.” I sighed at that. “Any other adults around, Mill?” 

“Umm... yeah, an old fella. I’m so bad at rememberin’ folks names and faces.” 

“Oh it’s okay Mildew,” David said. 

“You have some wood, Dave?” I asked. 

“It was an older fella who had just come back to town,” Millard said. 

“Ah I see. Don’t think I know who you mean.” 

“Yes I always have wood,” Dave told me. 

“Just wish I could use you as a witness, kiddo.” I sighed and watched Downy stroll by. 

“I’ll try to remember who the old man was,” Millard said. 

“Could you liaise with Joe about that wood, Dave?” I asked. 

“Why can’t you? Boys old enough to drink and smoke,” David said about Mill. 

“That would help, Mill. I s’pose he is... can you write me a statement Mill? Wouldn’t hurt.” 

“Yesum,” Mill nodded and took the statement from me. “I’ll get this back to you later on” 

“Um I really would rather not show Joe my wood,” David joked. 

“David, there’s a child around for goodness sake,” I said and rolled my eyes at him. 

“Hell the boy probably heard worse then that,” David said. 

“Our family will be going on vacation soon… Glad you find the fact that my life is in danger amusing, David.” 

“In danger? How?” 

“I’ve been receiving several threat.” 

“Maybe you just misreading them?” 

“The least of which was just before Christmas when folks came into our house and stole the presents and hanged a letter on the kitchen cabinet.” 

“Some threats could be up side down love letters.” 

“That said that the hangman’s noose would soon be around my neck. With a dagger And ‘WB’ traced in blood underneath.” 

“‘WB’…” David said as he thought about it. 

“And the mayor’s hat sitting on the kitchen table which had been stolen by some woman named Jane Downs.” 

“Oh! Now I remember!” Millard said then. “It was ol’ man Grey.” 

“Mark? Sam?” I guessed. 

“Sam.” Millard nodded. 

“Oh good. I know him well.” I said. 

“I think Mr Lyric may have been around too,” Millard said. 

“That’s even better.” I smiled. 

“So who you think WB stands for?” David asked. 

“WB? Maybe it’s somebody initials,” Millard said. 

“Well… considering I’d just won a big hanging trial before Christmas… Against one of the Wild Bunch members… It don’t take a genius…” 

“Or maybe its short for other words… Like wagon or water.” 

“But yeah I reckon they can tell you about it. Mr Lot was accusin’ ol’ man Grey of settin’ the fire,” Millard said. “Or maybe it was Miss Downy that was.” 

“Pretty sure it was a signature,” I said to David and then looked at Millard. “That’s good to know. If you can write it up for me that’d be a big help.” 

“I know!” David brightened. “Maybe they saying welcome back in some strange manner?” 

“Yessum, I will. I reckon I will now, excuse me,” Millard said. 

“With a threat to hang me and a dagger?” I looked at Dave. 

“Maybe.” 

“Finally, a witness.” I sighed. 

Dave headed out then and I leaned against the sheriff’s office post, knowing there was no point talking to Downy, but then I got an idea. “Hey Jane? Jane Downs?” I called across the street towards Downy. 

“Any luck with yer burnin?” Glicea came over and asked. 

“May have just caught a break,” I told her. 

“I seen you in here through the window but see, Miss Downy was awful mad askin’ if i told on her,” Millard said to me with a nod. 

“Make sure that you include that in your statement. She won’t see us back here.” I told him. 

“Oh, I reckon I better add it.” 

“Mmhmm. Shows her guilt.” I gave him a pen and he worked on finishing his statement, handing it back to me. 

“How’s that?” 

“Thanks Mill. I better hang out in here and you might wanna go out the back way..” I suggested. 

“Yessum, bye.” 

“Stay safe kiddo. Thanks,” I said to him and headed home. 

January 12, 1901

Tombstone. 

I walked into town to check my mailbox and found the office in ashes, and the wood still burned. I couldn’t believe someone had burned down my office and kicked at something nearby crying, “Dang it!! Who did this?!??!” I looked around for any piece of evidence, but there was nothing. All I could see was that the oil lamp that used to be hanging by the door was now gone and I could smell oil still. I found a piece of a dynamite box that was blown up inside and saw the word ‘dynamite’ from the maker, labeled on the piece of a burnt wood. 

“Joe???? Are you here?????” I called, knowing he was usually around at this time of day. 

“Yes, I think so,” Joe called back. 

“I need you! Pinkerton office!” I cried. When he came over I pointed to my burned down office and cried, “Look!” with anger in my voice. 

Joe looked at me and then at the office, tilting his head. “Ya decorating?” 

“Yeah, I decided to decorate my office in ashes and oil from the lamp that’s now missing.” I growled, pissed off to no end. “Good thing I don’t keep my paperwork in that office, is all I’m sayin’.” 

“So somebody been a burning then.” Joe wrinkled his nose. 

“Clearly. Found a piece of wood from a dynamite box in there too. Musta blown the whole damned box.” 

“Well ya wont be working there for a while, now will you.” Joe looked at me and the building. 

“You’re still a carpenter, right?” I sighed and shook my head. 

“Well can do, he looks at the building, but thats a major rebuilding.” Joe mumbled. 

“I know Joe but... This is my office. I have one in Black Diamond as well but I’d really rather not have to walk or ride all the way out there all the time. But I’ll start if they’re gonna keep this up.” 

“This will take me days to do, and I don’t have lumber. It’s not the sort of thing we keep in Ghenna.” Joe squinted at the building. 

“I know... Well, me and the family have been talking about a trip to Canada to see my mother and brother. Maybe it’s a good idea to do that sooner rather than later.” 

“Well you sort out the lumber and have it here, and I’ll do the work,” Joe scratched his head. “And will be sorted when ya back.” 

“Where’s the best place to get lumber around here?” I nodded to him. 

“Well if I was an outlaw I would take it off another building.” Joe laughed. “But must be a shipment coming in on the train.” 

“Yeah, I’ll look into it. You’ll have all the lumber you need by the end of this week I’m sure. And I’ll pay you, Joe. Handsomely.” 

“Ya better. I don’t work for charity. I’ll get a sign made up, saying ‘under repair’. Ya had better do your forensics I guess and look for clues.” 

“I’ve looked for clues... There’s nothing. Other than the fact that there’s oil spilled all over the place and there’s a box with the dynamite’s maker in pieces on the floor... No prints. Nothing. All I can pray for is witnesses.” 

“Amazed any of the place is standing at all.” Joe muttered. 

“I need to find out when this happened. I’m guessing sometime last night because I didn’t notice it yesterday. I went to the office after church here to check the mailbox.” 

“Well I doubt ya got mail!” Joe chuckled. 

“Clearly I got something delivered to me after I checked though.” I pointed to my burned-down building. 

“Well I’ll have to get some ladders and then make the place safe and then take it form there until then needs boarding up,” Joe said. 

“Okay. I’ll ask around and see if I can find any witnesses that were around last night. Thanks Joe.” I stepped closer to him, overwhelmed by the frustration. 

“I’ll use the remnants to border up the doors and such. Until then it’s out of action. Ya will have to use the Black Diamond office.” 

I nodded to Joe and saw Bianca walking over, looking a little confused. “Were you around last night at all, Bianca?” 

“What on earth happened?” Bianca asked. 

“Someone burned down my office is what happened. That’s all I know.” 

“Ya don’t want kids here Trin. This place is dangerous,” Joe said as he found some nails and a hammer. 

“Yeah, the kids spend more time outside of Tombstone lately anyway. I checked the mail after church here yesterday… It was fine. So it must have happened last night sometime.” 

Joe hammered away, blocking off the stair well, and Bianca looked over at me. “Sorry Trin I took a trip a into Tuscon and ended up staying the night cause I missed the train home.” 

“I’ve convinced Joe to help me in the remodel.” 

“Good… he’s been complaining that he doesn’t have any work.” 

“Well, now he’s got lots to do.” I nodded. “I’m thinking about taking Thomas and the kids to Canada next week for a couple weeks…” I waved to the man riding over on his horse and asked, “Hi Sir. You weren’t in town last night by any chance, were you?” 

“Now I am complaining I have too much work,” Joe swore as he hit his thumb. 

“Evening ladies,” the man tipped his hat. “No ma’am, I just rode in today.” 

“Alright. Just trying to figure out who used my office as a bonfire last night. Trin Paige, welcome to Tombstone, sir.” 

“Ya’ll wouldn’t know how to get to the canyons, would ya?” The man asked. 

“How are you feeling Sir?” Bianca asked him. 

“Ya gotta ride south through Bisbee and Black Diamond to get to the Canyon. Don’t believe we’ve met, sir?” I looked at him. 

“Sorry where are my manners? Name’s Conner Lee,” he replied. 

“Howdy there…” A woman said as she came over. 

“Nice to meet you sir. Hey there. Lots of new faces today,” I said, trying to focus on them instead of the building in ashes behind me. 

“I couldn’t say why some one would burn down your office, but in my ride if I run into anyone out there I’ll ask around,” Conner offered. 

“Thanks sir. I need to figure out who did this.” I nodded to him. 

“That’s gonner have to do for now, only scrap wood around here,” Joe said eventually. 

“hanks Joe. It’s a good start. At least people will avoid going up there.” I looked over at him. 

“Hey doc, the arm’s doing a lot better. Thank you,” Conner said to Joe. 

“I’m Trin. You new to Tombstone, ma’am?” I asked the woman.

“Yes I am.” She nodded. 

“Well Adios, if I hear anything ill come a runnin.” Conner tipped his hat. 

“Much appreciated, Conner.” I nodded to him and looked over at the woman. “Good to have you here. What’s your name, ma’am?” 

“My name is Saga,” the woman said. 

“Well that’s a few week’s work,” Joe said as he looked up at the building. 

“Pleasure to meet you.” I looked over at Joe and nodded. “I know it’s a lot of work but I don’t trust anyone else with this job.” 

“Ya trust an old soak like me?” Joe snorted and laughed. 

“More than I trust anyone else, yep.” 

“Ya must be desperate then.” 

I nodded to him, knowing he knew how desperate I was. “Alright I need to keep asking around. Thank you for your help Joe. I’ll let you know when the wood’s in.” 

“Well if everyone will excuse me I need to get going,” Bianca said and walked off. 

“See you soon, Bianca. See you both soon,” I said and headed down the street.

I walked into Annie’s to see if anyone was there, but Paisley was dancing for a man at the bar. I decided not to interrupt as I backed out and went to sit in front of the sheriff’s office. 

***

A few hours later, I found Kris and Glicea talking in front of the sheriff’s office. “Hi Kris,” I greeted him. “Had an interesting morning today you should know about. Someone set my office on fire. I’m looking around for witnesses to find out who did it. Was sometime last night.” 

Glicea chuckled and I spun around. “Something funny, ma’am?” 

“Who me?? Oh no, I was just chucklin cause someone torched yer office is all,” she said and I recognized her as the Young Guns boss. 

“Well I don’t find it all that funny.” 

“Well, everyones sense o’ humor is different I reckon.” 

“Would you be happy about someone setting your gang’s hideout on fire?” 

“Probably not, but I’m not even sure we even have a hideout anymore, so that’s kinda a moot point an all.” 

“My point still works even hypothetically.” 

“I reckon... so you got any leads?” 

“Leads, that’s funny.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Yeah leads, you know… suspects.” 

“I know what ya meant. In this town that’s a humorous idea though. That would have to involve people leaving clues behind.” 

“So all yer files burnt up?” She chuckled. 

Kris woke back up then and asked, “What’s up?” 

“If you hear anything about who burned my office down, I want to know about it,” I told him. 

“Probably Lot,” Glicea guessed and then waved as I started to walk down the street. “Bye Trin! Was good seein’ you!” 

I rolled my eyes and she followed me down the street. “Boy they did a number on your office,” she commented. 

“Yeah they did.” 

“That was a heck of a fire, make’s me kinda jealous and all.” 

“Yeah…” I waved to Jade and Frances and asked if they were around last night, but they weren’t. I waved to them and headed back home to think. 

January 11, 1901

I walked into church quietly this afternoon and sat down beside Natalie, who hugged me and sat close to me as we listened to Brother D preach and read from the Bible. 

“Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise. Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.  The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’ The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.’” 

“A reading from the Acts of the Apostles,” Brother D went on and we turned in our Bibles to the right location as he read, “‘Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying, ‘In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea,  beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.’ The word of the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. ‘The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, listen to him.’ Alleluia, alleluia. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle Mark.” 

Natalie turned the page in the Bible to the right place and listened as Brother D read, “‘This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee 

and was baptized in the Jordan by John.  On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Gospel of the Lord.” 

I sat up straighter as Brother D began his message. “A dove descended upon Jesus and God proclaimed this is my son who I am well pleased Since that day many have come forth claiming to be sent by God. Some claim to be acting for God when they commit heinous acts. These are the false prophets which we are warned about! Our God, the true God, is a God of love and forgiveness. In his life on this earth Jesus was often insulted, mocked , even assaulted and eventually crucified. Never did he urge others to violence. He could have called legions of angels to protect him from those who would harm him. But he never did.” 

“Cause he weren’t afraid!” Natalie piped up then and covered her mouth. I smiled at that point and wrapped my arm tighter around her. 

“Even in the garden of Gethesmene when he was seized by armed men and one of the apostles took up a sword striking off the ear of one of his attackers,” Brother D went on. What did Jesus do? He healed the man and told his Apostles to put away their swords. So any that will do violence to others in God’s name is not acting for the true God. Many are lead astray by false prophets we should forgive these fools. But they will be held accountable by the laws of man and God in due time. Those who advocate violence in God’s name have been led astray. But the harm they do to others must be prevented on this earth. God says to turn the other cheek.” 

Natalie waved to Mrs. Pet and Mr. Bass and I leaned down to whisper to her, “No pointing, kiddo. Listen to Brother D.” 

“But he does not say we cannot and should not protect others,” Brother D went on. “Jesus is the true God. Any who kill others in their God’s name are acting not for God.” 

We recited the Apostle’s Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, and then prayed for the needs of the people and the church. Brother D recited the words of the communion and then blessed us as we went. “The mass is ended I hope you all will enjoy God’s favor this week and he will look upon you with grace and wish you well in your lives. May God be with you this week. May you have cheer and God’s bounty with you throughout the week until we meet again. May the LORD bless you, and keep you;  May the LORD make his face shine to upon you, and be gracious to you; May the LORD turn his countenance to you and grant you peace. “ 

Natalie watched Brother D walk out of church and then looked over at me. “Service is over?” 

“Yup but now we get to meet your pa at Miss Pet’s service.” I nodded. 

Natalie went up to Pet before she could leave the building and asked, “Miss Pet? I got a question.” 

“Yes child.” Pet smiled. 

“Well okay... I was interviewin’ Brother Dave for the paper, right? And when I asked if he was married… He said he didn’t get married in his order. Cause he dedicates his life to Jesus.” 

“Alright.” 

“But then I thought ’bout how you and Mr Chris are both married… So why’s it different?” 

“You will need to ask him why it is different. Only he can answer his choice to you, not me,” Pet told her. 

“Well he said that it was cause you serve Jesus in different ways. But then church started.” 

“Not really,” Pet said. 

“So then you can dedicate your life to Jesus and Mister Bass?” Ma asked her. 

“You really should ask him about the specifics concerning his order. Am I being interviewed?” 

“That’s a very good question, Kiddo, but I think Miss Pet’s right. That sounds like a better question for Brother D.” I smiled proudly at my daughter. 

“I was just curious Miss Pet. Guess we should go outside.” 

“Good to see you, Pet.” I smiled at Pet. 

“Thank you for understanding. Good seeing you as well,” Pet said to me. 

Natalie ran off outside and I chuckled, watching her. “Mr uh.. reverend uh... Brother D?” Natalie asked D. 

“She’s infinitely curious about these things.” I chuckled. 

“She is.” Pet chuckled as we walked outside together. 

“Well um... can you explain why your order’s different than Miss Pet and Mister Chris?” Natalie was asking. 

“Bass, how are you?” I asked him with a smile. 

“Just fine Trin… good to see you as well,” Bass replied. 

“We take Holy vows to remain poor, never marry or break our celibacy as a sacrifice for God,” Brother D explained. “Some in other orders vow to never talk again” 

“Never talk!!” Natalie blinked. “I could never do that!” I chuckled, knowing that was true. 

“I know one woman who took vows in an order to never talk.” Brother D said. 

“That is a big sacrifice,” Pet said. 

“After five years see was allowed to speak to the mother superior. She was only allowed one sentence so she said my mattress is to hard. Then she had to wait five years before she could speak again,” Brother D explained. 

“So then um.... you just take different sacrifices than Miss Pet and Mr Chris?” I asked curiously. 

“The next time she came in she said my room is too cold,” Brother D said. “Then five years later she came back and was allowed to speak one sentence again.” 

“Wow…” Natalie giggled and wrote things down in her notebook. 

“The mother superior stood up and said thats enough I have had it with you the only we have heard from you since you got he is complaints,” Brother D said. 

“So Brother Dave.... You take different sacrifices than Missus Pet and Mr Chris?” Natalie asked. 

Pet and Bass headed off down the street and Brother D nodded to Natalie. “Yes we do, but we serve God together.” 

“Well that makes more sense. Thanks for answerin’ that for me Brother D.” 

“Surely,” Brother D said to her. 

“We should get to Tombstone, Kiddo.” I told Natalie. “Thanks for the sermon today, Brother D.” 

We said goodbye and headed towards the church in Tombstone. 

Tombstone. 

We went to the church and Natalie ran inside right away as I smiled, seeing Thomas walking towards me. “Hello my love... I’m so glad you could come. Natalie’s already inside.” 

“Oh I am so glad she came. Jimmy still isn’t feeling good so I told him to stay home in bed and rest.” Thomas hugged me tightly and kissed me softly. 

“Probably a good idea. We just went to the service in Bisbee and she was askin’ about why Brother Dave wasn’t married when Chris and Pet were.” 

“Yeah it’s that time when both Jimmy and Natalie are going to have a lot of questions.” 

“Mmhmm. I also believe she has her first crush.” I chuckled a bit. 

“Uh oh. Let me guess, Jeffery?” 

I smirked and nodded, taking his hand, and headed inside. We greeted others as they came in and Natalie was excited to see her pa there. 

Pet looked around, blushing as she greeted us. “I can’t tell a fib, I have missed you all. Our honeymoon was lovely and we will find ways to make sure it doesn’t end, but… Today’s message… ‘Loved Into Change’ might be a bit of a mind bender.” 

Natalie rubbed her head and sighed, whispering, “Not more mind benders….” 

“So I’m gonna pray that the Lord opens your spiritual vision a bit,” Pet went on and started to pray. “Father, we don’t always get it right, but with your help we come might close to pleasing you. So Father, I’m asking for grace to understand and the wisdom to follow through for each man woman and child here today. I ask this in the name of your son and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” 

I looked back at the door when it opened and smiled seeing my old friend Chet, from Colorado and Georgetown, and he waved. I turned back to focus on Pet as she began to preach. I held Tom’s hand, grateful to finally be able to be in the moment. 

“Love yourself manifesto. I read a powerful article recently and I’d like to share it with you. ‘As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day and I call it FULFILMENT. As I began to love myself I understand how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I KNEW THE TIME WAS NOT RIGHT and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today i call it RESPECT. As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY. As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to GROW. Today I call it MATURITY. As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is not good for my health - food, people, things, situations and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF.” 

I looked over at Thomas knowingly and leaned my head closer to his neck as he held me close. 

“‘As I began to log myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is MODESTY,’” Pet went on. “‘As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today I ONLY DO WHAT BRINGS ME JOY AND HAPPINESS things I love to do and that makes my heart cheer and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it SIMPLICITY. As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my mind, became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection WISDOM OF THE HEART. We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problem with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today i know THAT IS LIFE.’” Looking up she said, “I am pretty sure you know this passage, but I’m gonna share it with you anyhow. “ She grinned. “In the gospel of Matthew, he says, ‘But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.’” 

“Were the sadducees always sad?” Natalie whispered to her pa and he whispered something back to her. 

“‘And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets,’” Pet went on. “This begs the question, are we capable of loving others, we we do not fully love ourselves? Can we be tolerant of another, when we are so intolerant of ourselves? Can we forgive another if we cannot forgive ourselves? Even our heavenly Father exclaims that our meter we use to measure others will be used to measure or examine ourselves. Further inspection of God’s word tells us the length LOVE will go… ‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?’” 

“I’ll be unpacking that little passage in the weeks to come,” Pet said and looked around. “The Psalms gives us a method and tells us the end result of this type of loving. I will close by praying Psalm eighty-six. ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. A prayer of David. Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.’” 

“Now that last verse is ver special to me,” Pet said to us. “So much so I have it needle pointed on a small pillow of me.” 

“I wanna see!” Natalie perked up then and covered her mouth as Thomas patted her head. 

“Show me off... use me... let others see how you treat and bless those who are yours,” Pet went on. “But it is also sometimes hard to live up to because to have God show you off for HIS goodness. Means first ya gotta be good. Second you gotta remember, you cant show off for yourself. There is only one way to express love of self. That comes thru seeing yourself thru the eyes of the ONE who created ya in His image and likeness. If it weren’t for the love of the Lord, we’d all be wallowing in the muck and mire and doing all manner of strange things to survive. God be praised for this love that we can love ourselves, love others and return the Love He’s given us right back to Him. Let all those who have experienced God’s leading, guiding, comfort, joy, peace and love say AMEN!” 

Pet finished her sermon and we stood up and hugged each other. I walked over to Chet and hugged him tightly, congratulating him on his engagement. It was so good to see him and he introduced me to his fiance Jade. I introduced him to Thomas and Natalie and it was so good to see him again. 

Natalie looked around for someone and we continued to talk to Chet about how he owned a store in Black Diamond. I asked Tom to bring Natalie home and Tom said that she was going to have a talk with her about boys. I waved to him and the others and headed to the office.