July 17, 1900

Black Diamond. 

I wandered aimlessly into the little town and looked around. It had been a long trip from the place where I once lived, that awful place. I was never going back there ever. I’d gotten on a train and jumped off at the first town that looked safe. There was a fountain pond in the middle of the town and there were ducks swimming around. I wandered over and sat on the edge of the fountain, and decided that the ducks should have names. “You’re going to be Daffy and Daisy and Donald and…” I started naming each of them. 

“Hi kid,” a man said near her and I jumped, startled. 

“I was just… I didn’t…” I looked around nervously. 

“I haven’t seen you around. Are you new in town?” he smiled. 

“Yes Sir…” I nodded shyly. “The train brought me. I don’t know where anything is but I saw these ducks and I figured they should have names and…” 

“You’re right. They do need names,” he chuckled quietly. 

“That one’s Daffy, and that one’s Daisy, and that one’s Donald….” I pointed out to each one in turn. 

“Those are perfect for ducks,” he nodded and handed me a piece of bread. “Would you like to feed them?” he asked and I nodded, my eyes widening as I held out my hand nervously. “I’m Alex, by the way. I’m a doctor. What’s your name?” 

I took a deep breath and looked at him. “I’m.. Nat. Nat Stark. I guess my parents called me Natalie but I don’t remember... And Nat seems to fit me better. I don’t even like wearing this dress,” I explained, as if he needed to know all of that information. 

“Nice to meet you, Nat,” he grinned and I exhaled a bit. “And why don’t you like wearing a dress? You look pretty in it.” 

“Thank you sir... It just... it gets so dirty when I wanna run with the horses…” I blushed. 

“You got a point there,” he laughed. 

“I guess it’s okay for Sunday Church and stuff but... I don’t have anything else to wear. This is all I brought with me on the train.” 

He looked at me with a concerned expression and asked, “Did you come out here by yourself?” 

“Well a bunch of other kids I guess but I don’t know where they went,” I said and he nodded with understanding. “They didn’t want me no more. I wasn’t like all the other girls. I didn’t want to sit and play with dolls or knit or any of that. I wanted to run around with the boys and ride horses and…” 

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he smiled. 

“They thought there was,” I looked down sadly. 

“Being different just makes you more special.” 

“Don’t feel all that special.” I saw a woman walking over and looked at Alex nervously, walking closer to him. 

“Well, I think you’ll fit in just fine here. We’ve got lots of horses. And dogs too if you like them,” Alex smiled. 

“Hello Alex,” the woman greeted him. 

“Hi Paisley!” he greeted her. 

“I do... like dogs…” I nodded up to Alex. 

“Who is this young lady?” Paisley asked. 

“This is Nat. She just arrived on the train,” Alex explained. “Nat, this is Miss Paisley. She’s very nice.” 

“Hi Nat. A pleasure to meet you,” Paisley said to me. 

“Hi Miss Paisley. I named the ducks,” I said proudly. 

“I have just the friend I would love to have you meet later,” Paisley grinned. 

“That would be perfect,” Alex smiled. 

“Yeah?” I looked at her but then corrected myself. “I mean... you do?” 

“Strong silent type. Will be your best friend EVER! Do you like stuffed bears?” 

I thought about the friends at the orphanage and looked down, but then nodded about the bears. “Yes ma’am,” I said softly. 

“Then, I will have to get one from behind the bar at Annie’s for you,” Paisley said. 

“Annie’s?” I looked at her. 

“I keep the bears there as children are not allowed in there,” she said. “They stay safe there.” 

I nodded, though that just made me more curious about the place. “What happens there?” 

“Not much sweetie,” Paisley said and she and Alex chuckled. 

“I’ll let Paisley explain that,” Alex smiled. 

“Must be somethin’ if kids can’t go,” I looked at her. “We’re always told not to go to the fun places.” 

“Not much you would find interesting anyways,” she said. 

“People talk about um... politics there. It would be boring for a kid,” Alex said and I looked at him, not believing them. 

“Yes, rather boring… But, I will bring one for you later,” Paisley said. 

“Like um... William.... McKinley?” I asked curiously. 

“Yes, boring…” Paisley nodded. “You would have more fun counting the stars on the flag. The one outside the courthouse that is.” 

“Yes, the president and other stuff,” Alex nodded. 

“He’s the twenty-fifth prezzy of the States, you know,” I said proudly and they looked at me, impressed. 

“You are a smart one,” Paisley smiled brightly. 

“I had a lot of time to read on the train,” I looked between them. “The girls were all knitting and stuff but I wanted to read.” 

“I approve of reading. I read a lot too,” Alex nodded. 

“So I read about the place we were going to.” 

“Both are excellent skills,” Paisley nodded. 

“Is there a library here, Mr. Alex?” I wondered. 

“Yes, Nat there is a nice library over in Tombstone,” he said and I beamed excitedly. 

“Many journeys to take there..” Paisley said. 

“Have you heard about Mr. Holmes?” I nodded to her and looked between them. 

“Hmmm... Sherlock?” Paisley asked. 

“That famous detective?” Alex smiled. 

“He does all this stuff and looks at these fingerprints and stuff and…” I nodded excitedly. “He puts away the bad guys when the sheriff and other guys need help.” 

“You know, I have a friend here who does that,” Alex chuckled. 

“You do?!” my eyes grew wide. 

“She doesn’t like wearing dresses either,” Alex nodded and grinned. 

“Does she have a horse?” I beamed. 

“She does have a horse.” 

“Do you?” 

“I do! His name is Leo. Short  for Leonidas.” 

“Can I meet him, Mr. Alex?” 

“Sure, I’ll get him. I tied him around the corner,” he said and walked around the corner to get his horse. He came back with the horse and jumped down, looking at me. “This is Leo.” 

“I had a horse at the orphanage. I named him Raven,” I looked at miss Paisley and then turned to Alex’s horse. “He’s so pretty!” 

“A wonderful name! I bet was a black horse,” Paisley said. 

A girl wandered over then and greeted Paisley and Alex. I was so distracted by the horse that i didn’t see her until Alex said, “Sabi, this is Nat. Nat, this is my niece, Sabi.” 

“Hiiii Nat!” Sabi greeted me. 

I stayed hidden behind Alex’s leg, looking out at the girl. “Hi,” I said simply. 

“I am Sabi,” she stated. 

“You two are about the same age,” Alex chuckled. 

“You have a pretty dress Nat!” Sabi said but I stayed close to Alex, nervous. 

“Sabi makes really good bakery stuff,” Alex smiled at me.

“Muffins? Pie?” I looked up at him. 

“Only a mess Uncle Alex. If not for mama and Miss Aeryne it prolly wouldn’t be very good,” Sabi said. 

I reached up to pet Leo, letting the movement relax me as we talked about the cafe in Black Diamond. I stepped a bit closer to her but stayed near Alex. “Mr. Alex…?” I looked up at him nervously then, having a sudden thought. “Do I HAVE to stay at the orphanage?” 

“There are quite a few wonderful children there Nat,” Paisley nodded. 

“Um... well, it’s probably the best place to start out,” Alex agreed and I looked down, about to cry. “You can meet the other kids in town and it’s really nice there.” 

“That hafta eat rats ta survive…” Sabi whispered and I moved closer to Alex in fear. 

“I can bring your bear to you there a bit later,” Paisley said. 

“That isn’t helpful, Sabi. She’s scared,” Alex shot Sabi a look. 

“They have plenty of nice meals. I know they do serve chicken,” Paisley looked over at Sabi. 

“They don’t eat rats there, Nat,” Alex assured me but my eyes were starting to water. “I’d shut the place down if I thought they were serving rats to the kids.” 

“They do too. Annie tried to sell my mama a bunch of rats a while back. She said they was good eatin,” Sabi nodded and I buried my face against Alex’s leg. “I am sorry Uncle Alex but thems tha facts. I wouldn’t wanna stay there neither.” 

“Nora is very nice and so is Anie who just returned,” Paisley said. “And you may see Poppy there too.” 

“Ruby is another young girl who you will meet there,” Paisley said as Alex patted my head reassuringly. “You can play with all those girls while there. I believe they all also have bears I made. You can all have a bear party. I will be around town. You can stay by me anytime you wish.” 

I looked at Alex, the names of girls not helping, but I nodded to Miss Paisley as she went on. “And hm.. let’s see… Jeffery and Millard are there as well. They like fishing.” 

“Can I stay with you?” I asked and then perked at the boys’ names. “I love to fish,” I said. 

“You do? I also like fishing.” 

“There are some good fishing spots around,” Alex said. 

“Maybe I will take you later. Would you like that Nat?” she asked and I nodded excitedly. “Then we will go later on sweetie.” I continued to pet Leo, though my mind was still on the orphanage. “I can also show you some places around town. Help make you feel more at home,” she said and I nodded to her, looking at Mr. Alex and then looking over at Sabi, unsure of her. “Has she met Aly yet Alex?” Paisley asked. 

“No, not yet,” Alex shook his head as Sabi frowned a bit and shuffled her foot in the dirt. “You’ll have to meet my wife, Aly. She’s a sheriff.” 

“I like your horse,” I nodded to Alex. 

“She’s also a really good cook so maybe you can come to our house for dinner,” Alex smiled. “He’s a good horse.” 

“Are you getting ready to go for rounds Alex?” Paisley asked. 

“Yeah, pretty soon,” Alex nodded as someone named Ben came over to greet us all. I backed up a bit as Alex nodded to me. “Sure, I can show you around a bit.” I focused on petting Leo and I looked up to him and whispered, “Can I trust him?” 

“You will find out fer yerself what tha orfanij is like. When ya do and ya need us tha Lollipop Gang ’ll be there for ya,” Sabi looked at me and I frowned at that, looking from Alex to Paisley. Sabi glared at the adults and stomped off. 

“"I don’t know him well,” Alex frowned a bit. “It’s probably best not to trust too many people. You can trust me and Paisley.” 

“I know of him. I do not know him well at all Alex,” Paisley said. 

“Have you been to the orphanage yet?” Alex asked. 

“I was wandering around and found the ducks,” I shook my head. 

“What are the rounds, Mr. Alex?” 

“I go around to the towns to make sure the clinics are stocked and check on any patients.” 

“The ducks are fun to watch. Where did you find her Alex?” Paisley asked. 

“Right here in front of the ducks.” 

I knew that when adults talked about me like I wasn’t there that I was in trouble and I looked down. “They were just there and I…" 

“You are ok sweetie,” Paisley smiled softly. 

“It’s okay, Nat,” Alex chuckled. 

“I have just seen ducks all over.. I just wanted to know where is all… Mr. Alex…? Are there Indians?” 

“Yes, there are Apache and Navajo around here.” 

“Are they nice?” 

“Well, like people of any group, some of them are and some are not.” 

“All of the ones I have met are all very proud of who they are,” Paisley said. 

“What if I wanted to look like an Indian? Would they get mad?” I asked. 

“They might. They might steal you to they village too, thinking you’re one of them,” Alex told me. 

“While you may feel it is paying them a compliment, they may not,” Paisley said and I stepped closer to Alex. 

“If you’re respectful to them, you’ll be fine,” Alex promised. 

“Could we look around?” I looked at him. 

“Sure, I can show you around a bit. I think I should show you the orphanage. Don’t mind what Sabi says about it.” 

“I guess I have to sleep somewhere.” 

“You will have your bear to keep you company at least,” Paisley reminded me. “And safe. And Jeffery and Millard are strong too.” 

“Can’t wait to meet them,” I nodded to Paisley and followed Alex as he showed me around. 

He showed me the Pinkerton office and said, That’s where my friend works. I’ll introduce you to her sometime and maybe she can show you what she does with fingerprints like Sherlock Holmes.” 

“That would be fun!” I smiled and bounded over to the office, leaning against the window. “There’s all that stuff like in the book!!” I noticed a nose print I left behind and looked over, “Think she’ll be able to tell who I am by this nose print?” 

“Yep, she’s got lots of interesting equipment,” Alex said. 

“Maybe,” Paisley smiled. “She sure will wonder on the little nose…” She pressed her nose against the window, leaving a print behind too. 

“Trin’s going to have two nose prints now!” Alex laughed. 

“Yep! And I won’t tell…” Paisley said and we laughed as she put a finger to her lips. 

“Wonder if we put Leo’s nose up against the window…” I suggested and we brought Leo over to the window and let him leave a print. “I can’t wait to see if Trin finds it!” 

“She will. She notices everything,” Alex said. 

“More fun than that Lollipop gang would have I bet….” Paisley said and I shuddered at the word ‘gang’. 

“Gang sounds too much like bullies,” I frowned. 

Paisley told us about the gangs in New York City and then we headed down the street to explore. I saw a chipmunk and Paisley said I had to meet a woman named Muriel who kept squirrels. When they brought up rats, I frowned and remembered Sabi’s words. 

“Nat, if they serve rats at the orphanage, I swear to you I will take you out for food for each meal,” Alex promised, and I frowned, knowing how adults were with promises. “Let’s go check out the orphanage so you can see it. “It might not be as scary as yo think. They have toys there.” 

“And books? Like not kid books like the trains and stuff but like Sherlock?” I asked. 

“And books. And if they don’t have enough books, the library i just across the street.” 

We started talking about rooster fights and headed over to the orphanage. We saw Sabi near the water and I got scared again, looking down at the water as I started to cry. “I won’t go back there. I won’t!” I cried against Alex, clinging to him for dear life. 

“Hey it’s okay. Look, Paisley brought you a bear,” Alex hugged me and I cried against him, not looking at the bear. 

“They’ll just... and they... and I don’t want…” I cried. 

“It is ok Alex. It is not easy,” Paisley said. “It is not easy losing your parents. I know.” 

“It’s not that,” I cried. “I was little... I didn’t know them…” 

“But is is part of it.” 

“I just... They were... and…” 

“My mother was 10 when she passed away. I was 10 I mean… it always chokes me up a little. She passed on August 1. Almost 13 years ago sweetie.” 

“They’re just gonna send me away again. No one will want me. I’m just…” I looked at Alex. 

“The won’t send you away,” Alex promised. 

“The other place did. I wasn’t good enough.” 

“That’s not why they sent you away. There are just a lot of kids who need homes so they thought you might find a better one out here.” 

“Really?” I looked at him. 

“Alex is right. Did I mention I made these bears?” Paisley asked and I finally looked over at the bears. “A friend gave me a pattern to make them but… Many years ago it was my mother who taught me to sew. I can never bring her back.. Her love of sewing is in each one through me..” 

“Maybe I could have one…?” I looked at Paisley. 

“You know what? That bear probably needs a home too and would really like to have a little girl,” Alex said. 

“You sure can sweetie!” Paisley offered me the bear and I squeezed it tightly. “I think of my mother when I make each one.” 

“That means they all have a lot of love in them,” Alex said. 

“I guess we can.... go in and see…” I said hesitantly and it felt like the bear was giving me courage. 

“That bear will be with you anytime you wish.. just take a hold of him. Tell your fears to him… tell your dreams to him.” 

Sabi walked over and set a basket on the steps and then stepped back. “Mr. Alex? That there basket is for Miss Nat. Just in case.” 

“Thank you, Sabi. That was awfully nice of you,” Alex smiled at her. 

“It’s all the leftovers from tha bakery,” she said. 

“Thank you, Sabi. Now I won’t have to eat rats…” I nuzzled against the bear. 

Alex stood and reached for my hand. “Shall we take a look? I’ll be right here with you.” 

“Don’t let go,” I nodded and held onto his hand as we walked inside. 

“See? There’s a rocking horse AND a bookshelf!” Alex smiled as he looked around. I dragged him over to the books and then my eyes lit up when I saw the piano as Alex said, “Oo even a piano. Maybe you can learn to play.” I sat on the bench and started to play Fur Elise perfectly. “Wow, you’re really good!” 

“I guess she can, Alex!” Paisley smiled. 

I finished playing the song and looked over. “When I wasn’t reading or on horses.... I played.” 

“This seems like a good place for you. Books and a piano,” Alex pointed out. 

“I guess it’s not so bad,” I said, holding my judgment before I met the other adults. 

“Just because one person does not like something does not mean another can not be ok with it,” Paisley pointed out. 

“Exactly. It’s always good to keep an open mind,” Alex nodded. 

“And you will always have adults you do trust no matter what.”

“Maybe I can... read a bit? Before I meet someone else?” I asked them. 

“You look a little tired. I think that would be a good idea to read some and get some rest,” Alex nodded again. 

“You can find either of us later if you like sweetie,” Paisley said and I hugged them both, thanking them as they assured they would be around together. They headed off and I found a copy of Sherlock. I was surprised it was there and sat down on the rug by the fireplace, escaping into the world of investigating.

*** 

A few hours later I finished reading and decided to wander around. I walked through the streets and saw Miss Paisley but I didn’t recognize anyone else. A woman waved to me as I wandered over to the news stand, nervous of the crowd. I listened to them talk and Paisley held her hand out to me. I walked over to her and she got her friend Adrianna to bring me some lemonade. She got me some cookie and I tried to hide my nerves around the other adults as I focused on Paisley. 

“Miss Paisley I read a whole case about Sherlock!” 

“You did? Wow!” 

“He had to figure out who put the treasure in the roof! And how the other guy got killed. And he did it! Just by seein’ things!” 

“The roof? What an interesting place to hide treasure!” 

“That’s why the guy did it. No one would think he’d put it there. But someone found it. And killed the other guy.” 

“Well, I certainly would not think to look there. Holmes is a smart detective.” 

“But Sherlock had to find the treasure first and then he had to figure out who owned it. Then who killed the guy who was the owner.” 

Adrianna came over to me and handed me the glass of lemonade and Paisley told me it was okay. I thanked her and she introduced me to them. I corrected her when she used my ful name and said my name was Nat. I said I couldn’t pay for it but Mr. Trent paid for my drink. I thanked him and continued to meet people as we talked. 

Mr. Trent gave me a turquoise stone and said that I could have it. We talked about people in history and I met more people. We talked about books and how romance existed in books but not usually in real life. I suddenly got nervous around all the people and Paisley put an arm around me. 

“I’m gonna go find a tree to sit in,” I said then. 

“You sure sweetie?” Paisley asked. 

“Are you alright, little Miss?” Adrianna asked and I shrugged, looking up at Norwood who had been particularly negative about romance. 

“Yes lil Miss, can I help you? Maybe you knows my nephew Buster?” Norwood asked. 

“You gonna go read for a bit Nat?” Paisley asked. 

“Gonna read the paper,” I said and shook my head at Norwood. 

“Ok, You come find me, or Alex later on,” Paisley said. 

“I will, ma’am,” I said and thanked the others for the lemonade and showing me the stone. I went and found a tree near the entrance of town and climbed up, holding tight to the newspaper. I went to buy a dress and got one for free because I was new. I went back to show Miss Paisley my new dress. 

I wandered off again and noticed a man sitting on the chair with a badge on his chest. My eyes grew wide and I wandered over to the library where a woman walked over. “I was just looking at the library.” 

“That’s a good place. I go there once in a while.,” she smiled. 

“I’m Nat. What’s your name?” 

“The kids around here call me Miss Aly,” she smiled. “It’s actually Alyssa but Aly is ok too.” 

“Are you... Mr. Alex’s wife?” I asked her. 

“Yes I am,” she smiled fondly. 

“He has a nice horse! His name’s Leo!” I said excitedly. 

“You know, I never noticed it. I never really got a good look at his horse. you sound very observant! I think next time I see him on it, I’ll be looking more closely now,” Aly laughed. 

“I like horses, m’aam. And Mr. Alex was nice to me. He made me not afraid of the orphanage.” 

“That’s great! There are other kids to play with and I know miss Angi really cares about the children. Your with good people there.” 

Paisley walked over and I showed her that I’d found Aly and the library. Seth rode over and I commented on the size of his horse. We talked about how he was like Wyatt Earp, fighting the bad guys, and how Aly did too and how Alex was a doctor. I told them I’d read the article in the paper about Miss Trin in court and a man walked over, who Aly greeted as the mayor. I walked over to Paisley nervously, looking up at him. 

“It is quite alright Nat,” Paisley assured. 

“Does he fight the bad guys too? Seems everyone around here does.” 

“Mayor Wise and I are very good friends,” Paisley said. 

“Wise? Does that mean you have lots of ... wisdom?” I asked. 

“He sure does,” Paisley giggled a bit. 

“Well Hello Madame. Little one,” Mr. Wise said. 

“Mayor, this is Nat,” Paisley introduced. 

“Nat.. pleased to meat you,” he smiled at me. 

“She’s a bundle of questions! I love that!” Aly exclaimed. 

“Do you attend school here in town?” Mr. Wise asked. 

“I just came here today, Sir,” I told him. “On the train. Awful train,” I looked down. 

“She is quite adorable,” Paisley said and looked over at me. “Well, that journey is over and a new one awaits.” 

I headed back to the orphanage to relax.  

*** 

Tonight I walked into the orphanage and saw a boy at the table. “Hello,” he said to me. 

“Hi.” 

“You want somethin’?” 

I shook my head and said, “I’m Nat.” 

“You’re a bug?” he asked. 

“Not a bug.” 

“Well uhh it’s nice to meet you.” 

“Nat. Short for Natalie.” 

“Oh.”

“Who are you?” 

“I’m Millard, but folks calls me Mildew” 

“What about Mill?” 

“No.” 

“Why Mildew?” 

“Cause my name’s Millard Dewey. Folks kinda shortened it down to Mildew a long time ago.” 

“Are the ladies who run this place nice?” 

“Uh huh.” 

“So um... What do you do for fun around here? Do you fish?” 

“I NEED A DRINK!!!” I heard someone shout. 

“Come to Annie’s and get one!” Paisley shouted back. 

“Yeah I do,” Millard said to me. 

“I love to fish,” I told him. 

“YOU NEED TO STAY CLEAR O ME IS WHAT YOU NEED!” another woman shouted. 

“Even baitin’ the hooks?” Millard snickered. 

“I’ll put worms on them,” I nodded. 

“Hmm…” 

“I don’t know how to do the knife and the fish though... The guttin’ stuff.” 

“Miss Angi ain’t no good at that, she about cuts off her fingers trying.” 

“Who’s Miss Angi?” I chuckled. 

“The matron, who else?” 

“I just came here today... On the train…” I told him. 

“What are you doing here then?” 

“No one wanted me back there. Wasn’t good enough of a girl.” 

“Heck that don’t make any sense,” he blinked. “Why would somebody sent you here of all places?” 

“I hate dresses and dolls and knitting and.. And they just put us all on a train. The ones they didn’t want. And just sent us off not caring where it went.” 

“Huh.”

“The girls were mean. I read the whole way here. Wouldn’t talk to no one.” 

“So where’s the others that was on the train?” 

“Who knows,” I shrugged. “Who cares? They were all mean to me. Probably found better homes right away.” 

“But you just came off the train you said, I reckon they got off it too or is still on it to the next stop?” 

“Probably the next stop.. I was the only one who wanted to get off here. Everyone else stayed on the train.” 

“Oh. Well you picked a heck of a place to jump off! Hey!” 

I did?” I asked nervously. “Why did I pick a heck of a place to drop off?” 

“Cause folks is nuts around here mostly,” he laughed. 

“What you mean?” 

“Just what I said, folks is nuts.” 

“Mr. Alex and Miss Paisley weren’t so nuts. They were real nice to me. Miss Paisley made me a bear. And Mr. Alex told me that they don’t make us eat rats here.” I noticed a woman leaning against the wall and looked over at Mill. “Who’s that?” 

“That’s miss Angi.” 

“Nora, you think I can sneak my peacemaker into court?” Angi asked and my eyes grew wide as she noticed the other girl had gone to bed. “Oh she went to bed... what do you think, Millard?” 

“The lady who runs this place?” I asked. 

“I probably shouldn’t... I don’t want them to take it away when they hang me.” 

“I dunno,” Mill shrugged. 

“I want it to go to Jeffery. It sure does itch,” she touched her nose. I walked over to miss Angi and looked up nervously and she asked, “Are you my lawyer?” 

“No ma’am,” I shook my head. 

“And I ain’t got no hair on my chest.” 

“I’m Nat Stark. Well, Natalie, but everyone calls me Nat.” 

“And I drank all them drinks.. But I threw ’em up. So maybe that’s why,” Angi yawned. “Tomorrow is the magic day.” 

I looked over at Mildew and said, “She makes no sense.” 

“Sounds like folks is shootin’ up the town again,” Mill said as we heard shots outside. 

“That always happen at night?” I looked at him. 

“Day or night,” he said as we heard shouting going on. 

Another boy walked in and he introduced himself as Skyler. I heard Aly’s voice shouting and I said, “I just came today. I don’t even know where the beds are.” 

“Even I ain’t so blind not to see them beds,” Angi pointed at the bunk bed in the foyer. 

“Just two beds and a crib?” I blinked. 

“Well thems the beds for new folks,” Mill said. 

“I ain’t plannin’ on goin’ anywhree.’,” I frowned. 

“We’ll if’n you want a bed to sleep in, thems the ones you gotta pick from right now,” Mill shrugged and I nodded to him. 

“I ’ad to sleep in one o’ them beds when I first got ’ere. O’ course it’s easy ta sneak out at night....err...not tha’ I ever did tha’,” Skyler yawned. 

“Yeah I guess I should sleep too…” I sighed. 

“They might be hanging miss Angi tomorrow,” Mill said and I blinked. 

“Oh? Why?” Skyler asked. 

“She shot some fella,” Mill said. 

“I don’t wanna live somewhere where the main lady shot someone….” I started to get nervous. 

“I BET SOMEONE DIED!” Angi looked excited then. 

“Err uh, you going somewhere Miss Angi?” Mill asked as the woman skipped out. 

“Blimey,” Sky yawned again. “I think I’m gonna lay down. I’m tired.” 

“She... shot someone…?” I looked between the boys. 

“Well see somebody was trying to kill her or something. That’s how come her face is all busted up,” Mill said. 

“So she was protectin’ herself? Why would someone wanna kill Miss Angi?” 

“I ain’t sure all the details,” he shrugged. 

“Mlidew…” 

“What?” 

“Do we have to be in bed by like a certain time?” I asked as Skyler went off to bed. 

“When Miss Angi says, I reckon so.” 

“Oh okay. I’m too scared to sleep,” I looked down. “What if that guy… Or girl... or person…” 

“Huh?” 

“That guy.. That shot at Miss Angi… What if he comes here to find her?” 

“I reckon we’ll go find the sheriff or marshal.” 

“Wonder what happened with all that shootin’ out there tonight.. Thought I heard Mrs. Aly shouting.” 

“Folks got drunk down at Annie’s and come out fightin’.” 

“So that’s what Annie’s is,” I frowned. “Mr Alex said they talk about politics and stuff.” 

Someone came in the door and I ducked behind Mildew but was relieved when it was just Paisley. I ran over to her and she hugged me tight and I told her, “Someone wanted to kill Miss Angi. She might get... a rope…” 

“I heard a lot of noise and wanted to check on you sweetie,” she said. 

“I can’t stay somewhere if a man comes to find her here again and…” 

“Oh my…” Paisley hugged me as I buried my face against her. 

“I have to stay in a bed out in the open. I don’t even get a door. What if he… And I’m… And…” 

“No one is going to come to find her.” 

“But… Mildew said some guy shot at her. And she shot the guy back.” 

“I know it is scary stuff to hear sweetie.” 

“And now she’s gotta go to court. And she might get roped. And then what? What happens to us?” 

“Yes. I do not know on that, but you all will be taken care of.” 

“But…” 

“Would you like me to sit with you for a bit?” 

“I don’t wanna sleep out in the open,” I cried. 

“You won’t sweetie,” she pulled a hankie from her sleeve and handed it to me. 

“What if the girls come and... put something in my bed…?” 

“Put it back in theirs.” 

“But what if.. Look…” I dragged her to the bunkbeds. 

“First night in a new place jitters sweetie.” 

“That’s real close to the door, Miss Paisley.” 

“You have your bear to help you.” 

“Folks don’t bother us too much none here see, cause there ain’t nothing to steal much,” Mildew said. 

“Winston can’t shoot nothin,” I told her, referring to the bear. 

“And Millard is here,” Paisley assured. “Have you met Jeffery?” 

“Some guy named Skyla… and um… Miss Angi but she seemed to talk stuff that don’t make sense.” 

“Miss Angi is just not feeling well is all Remember Mayor Wise earlier? The long hair can look scary at times” 

“The door gets locked right?” I asked. 

“Well, he is very protective. He will not let anything bad happen to you children. Which bunk is yours? Top or bottom?” 

“Doesn’t look all that comfy.” 

“Well, bear makes it all the more comfy.” 

“Winston.” 

“Nice strong name for a bear. Winston will help you sleep.” 

I reached for Winston and showed Mildew. “See? Miss Paisley made him for me. It reminds her of her mommy.” 

“Huh?” Mill looked up. 

“My mother taught me to sew and I think of my mother when I sew the bears,” Paisley told him. 

“I didn’t know my mommy or daddy.” 

“I was 10 when she passed. Almost 13 years ago.” 

“The orphanage lady told me they died when I was little,” I said. 

“That does happen sometimes. I still had my father though,” Paisley said. 

“What happened to your parents Mildlew?” I asked. 

“Derned if I know,” Mill shrugged. 

“How old were you when you came here? I mean like how old are you…?" 

“Folks reckon ’bout 13.” 

“Four years older than me.” 

“I know what I wanted to ask you Millard.,” Paisley said then. “When are you and Jeffery planning the next rooster fight so you all can have chicken here for a bit.” 

“I dunno miss Paisley,” he shrugged. 

“Mildew… Do they... do we have to eat rats here?” I asked him. 

“Nah, just lizard sometimes,” he said and I blinked, looking at Paisley as I squeezed Winston. 

“It tastes like Chicken and is a good protein. And is not a rat.” 

“The injuns eat rats though,” Mill said. 

I decided I was getting sleepy so I climbed up into the top bunk and Paisley sat beside me to make sure I drifted off to sleep.