December 26, 1900

Bisbee. 

I wandered around Bisbee today and found Jeff, Aspen and Millard standing around a snowman. I greeted them and told Jeff, “Jeff I got somethin’ for ya!”

“I think Mill and Jeff are in the outhouse,” Aspen said and I looked around, seeing they’d run off already. 

“I finished an article for the paper. I gotta give it to him by tonight.” 

“He changed the days for the paper.” 

“He did?? He not tell me.” 

“It is Saturday at midnight now. So it starts on Sunday.” 

“Oh good. You’ll like it. I wrote about our first Christmas!” 

“Ohh I will love that!” Aspen smiled. 

Jeff and Millard came over and I handed Jeff the article. “Here you go Jeff! It’s about our first Christmas!” 

“Thank you much my reporter!” He giggled and took the paper. “Woo. This is a lot of writing!” 

“You like it??” 

“You musta got a hand cramp. Yeah!” 

“With my new quill and ink from ma!” I giggled. “I been writing ALLL day!” 

“Well next week will be after new years so it starts a new year.” 

“But you gonna put a paper out this weekend right?” 

“I am yes. Almost done with it.” 

Aspen started to sneeze and we stepped away from her so we wouldn’t get the cold. They worked on decorating the snowman. 

“We should do more stuff together out here in Bisbee. Maybe I could write about the snowman that lost its head. I mean... snowgirl. Jeff you want me to take a picture of you and the snowgirl?” 

“Naw, that’s a girl one,” Jeff said and I took a picture of him. 

“Hmmm so… So how did the snowgirl lose its head?” I asked.

“Well someone pushed its head off,” Jeff said. “It wasn’t me.” 

“Ohhh so someone put the horse head on the snowman’s body?” 

“I didn’t do it. Yeah Mildew did. He did it!” 

“Horses ain’t got horns!” Mill exclaimed. 

“Someone musta killed a horse though. For that head to be there. Or they found a horse in a horsey grave. But then what is it?” 

“But… It is a cow ain’t it?” Jeff asked. 

“Ohhh is it a cow?” I asked. 

“A bull, I reckon,” Mill said. 

“Yeah see? A bull is a cow.” Jeff crossed his arms. 

“So the bull was killed a long time ago… And found in some cow grave?” I asked. 

“Or it died,” Jeff suggested. 

“Or someone blasted it,” Jeff guessed. 

“Uh huh... okay so what else..” I looked around. 

“I found it by a fence and brought it here.” Millard snickered. 

“Someone musta put the cow head where the snow head was s’posed to go,” I said. 

“Well Mildew see he found this cow head and then he dragged it here,” Jeff said. 

“Yeah and I took the apron from the orphanage,” Mill said. 

“Ooooh. Where did ya find the cow head?” 

“You’re gonna get a beaten’,” Jeff warned him. 

“Nah it’s an old one. I done said where! Dang!” Mill said. 

“Well was the carrot and stuff here?” I asked. 

“Yes.” 

“We should eat the carrot,” Jeff said and snickered. 

“I’d rather have chocolate.” Aspen shrugged. 

“Oooh chocolate is good. Where can we get some?” Jeff asked. 

I finished writing the article and gave it to Jeff. I said goodbye to them and told them I should go home before ma and pa were worried. Before going I said, “Thanks for makin the snow girl have somethin to wear so she’s not cold and beheaded.” 

“I wanna be purty like you when I grow up,” Aspen said to me. 

“Ya will! Ya not that much younger than me!” I grinned. 

“But you are already see Aspen. Yeah least the snowgirl gots some clothes on now. Kinda.” 

I waved to everyone and headed home. 

December 19, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked down the street this morning and grinned when I saw the Christmas tree near the news office where Miss Jenna and Miss Muriel were talking. “That’s a pretty tree!!!” I told them. 

“It lights up the street,” Miss Jenna stated. “That’s for sure.” 

“Uh huh! We decorated one in front of the sheriff’s office and Sheriff Angel moved it to Black Diamond.” 

“Hi Miss Stark,” Miss Muriel greeted me. 

“I’m Miss Paige now! Trin is my mommy,” I told her. 

“Ahhhh congratulations.” 

“Mr Thomas finally gave mommy a ring too! We’re a real family!” 

“Good,” she said with a smile. “I think the tree is too strong.” 

“Strong?” I tilted my head to the side.

“Bright.” 

“Yeah… kind of overpowering,” Miss Jenna agreed. 

“Bright is good though,” I put in. 

“Did you see the rough open?” Miss Muriel asked. 

“Miss Jenna have you seen I writing for the Bee?” I grinned. 

“Oh yes, I have,” Miss Jenna said. “You’ve been doing a very nice job.” 

“Thanks Miss Jenna. Just wish there was more to write about though.” 

“I will change the opening shot... but if you listen to the music... I really just need one more dissolve.. and then I can move on,” Miss Muriel went on. 

“Sometimes when I feel like that I just pick a topic at random and go for it,” Miss Jenna advised. “Sometimes it works, sometimes doing that gives me other ideas too.” 

“I’ve been interviewing lots of people to get to know everyone in town. It’s good to have somethin’ to give Jeff if nothin’ else happened.” 

“That’s a great way to keep busy and to know people.” 

“Yeah, maybe I could interview you both sometime when you’re not too busy.” 

“Anytime,” Miss Jenna promised. 

“That’s a cool camera you’ve got there,” I said as I looked over at Miss Muriel’s camera. 

“Now my plan is to wander around and shoot tight shots of decorations and interesting things around town,” Miss Muriel said. 

“That’s a great idea for Christmas Miss Muriel! I’m gonna start going to lots more of the dances and talk to people there and take pictures.” 

“That would be a good idea,” Miss Jenna said. 

“Jeff wants more pictures in the Bee!” I nodded. “Maybe I’ll talk to people ’bout their Christmas traditions and stuff.” 

“I’ve never seen so many horses and dogs and other animals wander the streets like they do here,” Miss Jenna said. 

“Yes, that is a good idea,” Miss Muriel agreed. 

“Ok I’m gonna go around and see what I can find. Bye bye!” I waved and ran off to find my next story. 

December 16, 1900

Bisbee. 

I was reading Sherlock in my room tonight when Jimmy walked upstairs and came over to me. “Hey Sis?!” 

“Yeah?” I looked up from my book. 

“I been lookin through all our books for what Mr. Cole wanted me to find our about your horse. But I can’t find nuttin.” 

“Wanna go to the library and see what we can find?” 

“Yeah, I bet they got something surely.” 

I stood and put Sherlock away for the night. “"Was just gettin’ good too. The story is about this guy who’s dad got killed and everyone thinks it was the son that did it ’cause he was seen fightin’ with him, but Sherlock thinks it’s not him.”

“Oh wow. I might start readin Sherlock Holmes too… he sounds like an awesome guy.” 

“Come on, let’s go to the library!” I grinned and then stopped. “Oh! Guess what!” 

“What?!” 

“Ma showed me somethin’ real perty today. She got a ring from Mr Thomas! We’re a real family!!” 

“Pa proposed to ma finally?!” 

“Well I dunno if it was proposin’ but.... she called it their um... commitment thing. To show it was real true love. And actually I talked with Mr Cas once about this. He said he don’t want no wedding ring cause then he’d have to come home. This way he just wants to and it’s a whole lot better.” 

“Well ya know Mr. Thomas been calling Trin his wife for a long time anyways. Cause he loves her like a wife just like he loves us as his own kids.” 

“I think she just not used to bein callin him husband. Ma been hurt too much. She gotta get used to the idea that it’s really true love this time. Come on let’s go to the library!” 

Tombstone. 

We headed to the library and I looked over at Jimmy. “So where do we start?” 

Jimmy looked around, amazed at all the books, and said, “Ummm, I dunno. I never looked at books when I was in here before.” 

“Well what’d you look at when you were here before?” I giggled. 

“Ummm, well you actually. Cause we were hiding upstairs in our secret hidin spot. Remember!” 

“Right…” I giggled. “I forgot bout that! Hmm okay you wanna know bout horses, right?” 

“Yeah!” 

I looked around for the animal section and found the right book, pulling it out. I plopped down on the floor and looked over at Jimmy as we read quietly for half an hour. “Find anything yet?” 

Jimmy looked up from his book with an odd expression on his face. “Ummm, I found more than I think I really wanted to know.” 

“Find your answer though?” I chuckled. 

“Ummmm, yeah, 21-27 days, and a mare is pregnant for 340 days.” 

I heard gunshots outside then and looked over at Jimmy. “We better stay here. Wonder who’s shootin’ out there this time.” 

“I don’t know… but we best stay in here until no more shootin.” 

“WHO WANTS TO SEE A LYNCHING TONIGHT?!” One voice shouted. 

“A Wild Buncher will never compare to James boy!” Another voice shouted. 

“Sounds like we have a gang war goin’ on out there,” I said with a sigh. 

“It’s crazy out there. We better not go out there unless we have to. Then we better head home when we do,” Jimmy said. 

“Either that or we sleep here tonight,” I said as I looked around. “How long they gonna shoot at each other, bro?” 

“Wild Bunch are all talk!” Another voice shouted. 

“I don’t know sis. But maybe we be better sleeping in our hiding spot upstairs tonight,” Jimmy said. 

“Ma and pa might worry ’bout us though.” 

“Yeah, that’s what I am thinking...they wont like us being out when gun play is happening. Especially since pa got shot the other night.” 

“Yeah... I heard bout that. They been extra protectin’ of us lately.” 

“Where ya goin sis?” 

“Was gonna see if the shooting stopped,” I said and walked downstairs slowly. 

“Okay kids, let’s get out of here while it’s quiet,” Irish called to us from outside. 

“Uncle Irish!! He saved us!! How he know we in here?” I exclaimed and ran out to him. 

“Woah that sounds like Irish!” Jimmy said and ran out with me. 

“I is psychic,” Irish laughed. 

We hopped on the horse with him and hugged him tightly. “Thanks for saving us Uncle Irish! We was doin homework for Mr Cole.” 

“Yes, and the adults are being foolish.” 

“Thank ya Uncle Irish...Ma and Pa will be happy,” Jimmy said. 

Bisbee. 

We rode together to Bisbee and I hopped off the horse, feeling better. “Well that was a fun adventure.” 

“Yay! No more shootin, we home now!” Jimmy slid off the horse and hugged me. 

“Okay, home, safe and hole-less.” Irish grinned. 

“Well we got Jimmy’s homework done at least,” I said, hugging Jimmy back. “Thanks Uncle Irish!” 

“Yes. Very confusing, but I got it,” Jimmy said. 

“True your Uncle Cole should be home tomorrow,” Irish said. 

“Yeah, thanks Uncle Irish.” 

“Good horsey. What’s her name?” I asked as I pet the horse. 

“WindRunner,” Irish answered. 

“I like that name,” I said with a smile. 

“She’s a perty horsie!” Jimmy grinned. 

I fed the horse an apple and said, “There you go Wind.” 

“Ok kids you go up to the house and wait for your mom and dad.. I need to get..” Uncle Irish said. 

“Okay thanks Uncle Irish!” I waved and he waved back. 

“Ok Irish, have a good night, thank you for saving us.” Jimmy held my hand and we headed into the house as he shut the door and locked it behind us. 

December 12, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked over to the sheriff’s office and greeted sheriff Angel. “No bad guys around?”

“Not that I’m avare of.” 

“Last night I was talkin to mr Anthony and um... he shot mr grant. Right in front of me. Cause Mr Dominic dropped his guitar and then Mr Grant got otu his gun and then… But then I ran to the orphanage... and then we saw Mr Mac and Lot hangin’ some guy in the gallows. We could see it right from the window of Miss Abi’s!” 

“Oh my! Ayvone else see zis all going on?” 

“I ran out and pa was there. He promised he gonna take care of it. I told him Mr Grant and Miss Bree were the only not bad guys there. I guess I not count as a witness.” 

“Ve’d need a vitness statement.” 

“Pa is gonna get statement from em,” I said with a nod. 

“Gut.” 

“It was real scary.” 

“I’m sure it vas little vone.” 

“Pa let me sleep with him and ma last night. I gonna go wander round now.” 

“Alvright be safe.” 

I waved to the people coming over and went to the stables to ride around.

December 11, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked into town this afternoon and didn’t recognize anybody who was sitting in front of the hotel. The only one I recognized was Mr. Lot, who was standing on the balcony of the undertaker’s office. I asked him if I could interview him for the paper, but he ignored me. I looked at another man, but he said that I should scram off the street and that he didn’t want to be in the paper. 

I rolled my eyes and went over to the man with the guitar, who I then recognized as Mr. Grant, who was still singing. I waved to Miss Jess and then Mr. Grant told me, “You want a story? I got you a story about these two men here.” 

I giggled and looked at the man. “What’s the story?” 

“Hey Natalie, how are you?” Miss Jess asked me. 

“Well the story is…” Mr. Grant said, “These two men here are the infamous ‘James brothers’  and they rob...molest and kill folks...and steal gittars.” 

“They stoled your guitar!!?” I gasped. 

“He would like to and he may, but I will be shot first,” Mr. Grant said. 

“No little one I merely asked this man if I could play a tune, and he is making bold accusations,” the man said. 

“Mr Grant, you’re not s’posed to lie,” I looked at him with a frown as Miss Bree came over and greeted us. 

“Grant you should not make things that may not be true,” Miss Jess said. 

“Now sir may I see the guitar so I can play a tune for these lovely people?” The man asked Mr. Grant. 

“It ain’t made up Jess, I swear,” Mr. Grant said. 

“See Mr Grant he asked nicely,” I said and looked at him. 

“You are goin to get yourself shot,” Miss Jess told him. 

“Hmm… only if the ladies here want you to, Little James,” Mr. Grant said. “What you say ladies?” 

“Would you like to hear a tune ladies?” the man asked and I nodded ecitedly. 

“Natalie, if he steals my gittar will you put it in the paper?” Mr. Grant asked. 

“Course, mr Grant... but he gonna be nice and just play it,” I said. 

“Oh Grant, friend, I have bad headache don’t play just now I beg ya,” Miss Bree pleaded. 

“I promise I will not steal your guitar,” the man said with a sigh. 

“His name is Dominic James,” Mr. Grant said and handed him his guitar. “You best be good.” 

“Dom’s very good,” another man said. 

“Oh James? Gosh,” Miss Bree put her hands to her head. 

“Hey Mister?” I looked over at the other man and poked his shoulder. 

“Yes?” he looked down. 

“I’m interviewin’ everyone for the Bee, it’s the kid’s paper. Can I ask you questions?” I asked him. 

“So your nickname is ‘Dom,” Mr. Grant said to Mr. Dominic. “Okay Dom. Show us what you can do.” 

Mr. Dom took the guitar and smiled. He strummed a joyous chord and then raised the guitar over his head, bringing it down hard as he could over Mr. Grant’s head. The guitar broke and Mr. Grant screamed at the sight. 

“Mr Dominic! You broked his guitar!!!” I exclaimed. 

When Mr. Grant took out his gun, I jumped behind the other man and then he drew his gun too. Gunshots went off and I jumped seeing Mr. Grant get shot right in front of me. “Noooooo!!! He shot Mr Grant!!!” 

“More dang critters causing trouble,” Miss Bree muttered. 

Mr. Dom grabbed his stomach and leaned against the post. “God damn coward pulled his gun.” 

I ran and cried, hiding in the corner of the hotel. Miss Bree came over to me and hugged me tightly, and I hid against her. “Is shame you see all this,” she said to me. 

“Coward sunuvabitch, when I’m patched up I’m going to deal with you,” Mr. Dom muttered and walked down the street towards the clinic. 

I ducked into the corner of the hotel and plugged my ears, trembling scared to death. The gunshots were still ringing out loud in my ears and I could barely hear her talking as I hid in Miss Bree’s lap. 

“Child, you safe,” Miss Bree patted my back. 

“But... he just… I was just… And…” I clung to her. 

“I know poor mister Grant I wish I not asked him not to play. I never dreamed this would happen.” 

“He should not shoot in front of me like that. I just a kid!!!” 

“I reckon a critter never change dear. I always hope they will. Where oh where is some Law?” 

“I want my pa…” I cried, and whenever I closed my eyes I saw the scene happen again in my mind. 

“I know love… I sorry. Momma no here?” 

I shook my head and looked up hopefully. “Mr Cole? Or Uncle Irish? Mr Chris?” 

“I looked before I no see them honey.”

“I should write bout this for paper. What their names out there? The guys who were there? Who stoled mr Grant’s guitar?” 

“Oh yes that will get mind better dear. Let’s go to dining rooms where more room.” 

She helped me up and we went to the dining room after getting some milk and cookies that were still warm. “So who’s the man who shot Mr Grant?” I asked when we sat down. “Oh wait that was Mr Anthony. Who the guy that took the guitar from Mr Grant?” 

“Honey I think a James brother but not sure.” 

“I know I should o help doc Jess but I don’t feel steady enough to help tonight. I think am getting a terrible cold. And Tarra is with her Daddy thank goodness. Miss Jess will fix mister Grant.” 

I nodded and started to write notes for the paper. I ran to the orphanage when I saw more men with guns and cried, still shaking, as I saw Miss Abi sitting outside. I ran in and sat down by the Christmas tree and the fireplace. When the door opened, I jumped as Evey, Frances and Miss Abi came in. I continued to tremble a bit as they got settled and played with a dog that was there. 

I finally looked up at Miss Abi and said, “Mr Anthony shot down Mr Grant right in front of me when I was askin’ him questions for the paper.” 

Frances’ mouth dropped and she asked, “Wait... what?” 

“Why did Anthony shoot Grant?” Miss Abi asked. 

“Cause he went to shoot Mr Dominic,” I told her. “Cause Mr Dominic took his guitar and dropped it and Mr Grant got mad. But I was just askin’ Mr Anthony for the paper and… It was right in front of me! They not s’posed to do that!!!” I started to cry a bit more again. 

“Just like children. They have never grown up,” Miss Abi muttered. 

“I never saw anythin’ like that since Miss Ashley got killed in front of me.” I looked up at Miss Abi with tears in my eyes. 

“I’m so sorry honey,” Miss Abi said to me and I hid against her, clinging to her. “While the dog is resting are you ladies hungry?” 

More gunshots went off and I wrapped my arms around my legs in fear. Miss Abi told us to go into her office and we went there, closing the door as we let the dog come in with us. We looked out the window and I clung to Frances nervously. 

“It was so scary Frances. I wrote bout it for the Bee. People gonna know bout this.” 

“We will stay here for a bit until the trouble dies down,” Miss Abi said as she came in and locked the door. 

“Good!” Frances patted me on the shoulder. 

“Miss Abi? Why they shoot him right in front of me? Why not they care I was there?” I asked. 

“They don’t care about anything,” Miss Abi said. 

“But…” 

“If any of you had been shot they would have had to deal with me,” Miss Abi said firmly. 

“I almost was Miss Abi. He coulda….” 

“I could have been shot when I opened the door to look out,” Miss Abi said. 

“You’re fine. All in one piece,” Frances said as she patted my shoulder again. 

“You all stay in here I am going to see if they are gone,” Miss Abi stood and walked out of the office. 

“I thinks someones in trouble now!” Evey said as Mr. Lot called something to Mr. Mac. 

“I just want my pa,” I said with a sigh and told them that my pa was a deputy. 

They continued to shout outside and then all of a sudden we looked out the window and saw the bad guys hanging the James brothers. I ran from the window and heard someone coming in but it was just Mr. Chris. 

“Everybody ok in here?” He asked. 

“They gonna hang him!!” I exclaimed. “Or them!” 

“They alls going to jump off of there? I tells ya adults are so silly sometimes! They just needs to haves a spanking likes us...whens we being so bad!” Evey said. “He’s gonna drop…” 

“We can see from Miss Abi’s office!” I said, and I was officially freaked out and scared. “Mr Chris.... Mr Anthony shot down Mr Grant right in front of me and ... and now…” 

“Get that Rope around him Brother!” Mac shouted then. 

“Now they gonna hang them!!!” I cried to Mr. Chris and ran to cling to him. 

“I’m lookin’... I think the floor part opens up,” Frances nodded, looking out the window with Evey still. 

“There’s a kid out there!” Evey exclaimed then. 

“It’s gonna be ok, Sweetie,” Mr. Chris promised. 

“There’s a kid out there?” Frances gasped. 

“I scared... They just.... right in front and…” I shook my head. 

“Come on out. Come away from the window,” Miss Abi instructed. 

“Why? They can’t see us, Miss Abi,” Frances asked and looked over her shoulder. 

“But I’m loo-” Frances tapped her foot and raised her voice, gasping loudly. 

“Out to the main room,” Miss Abi instructed and they came out to join us in the main area. 

“Hey Francis. Hi Evey. Y’all ok?” Mr. Chris asked them. 

“Did you see that?” Frances mouthed to Frances. 

“What’s they doing out there?” Evey asked as we heard more gunshots. 

“Why are they so close to the orphanage?” Miss Abi asked. 

“Because the gallows is back there, Miss Abi,” Mr. Chris told her. 

“Why is they so close to here?” I asked. 

“Who are they hanging?” Miss Abi asked. 

“Maybe cause they wants us to show them how to ties them up! And then tickle them till they fall over and stops breathing!” Evey said.

“And I say let them kill each other off,” Mr. Chris said. 

I cried and ran out of the orphanage then, seeing Pa standing near the bridge towards Bisbee. “Pa!!” I clung to him and cried against him, shaking so hard. 

“Nat!!” he exclaimed and caught me. “What’s wrong?” 

“Why don’t you two come inside?” Miss Abi asked as she came out, but I hid against Pa. 

“Miss Abi?... Nat out there? Is she okay?” Frances asked, looking out. 

“Home... let’s just... go... home... “ I cried more and clung to him. 

“Nat are you okay?!” Frances called out. 

“Her Pa is out there,” Miss Abi told her. 

“They shot him and then they hanged him and then…” I cried against Pa. 

“Natalie, whats wrong?!” Pa held me tight, kneeling down to look at me. 

“Hoooome, daddy!!” I cried more and started to pull him to Bisbee. 

“What’s been going on? Are the kids all safe?” Pa asked Miss Abi. 

“Daddy!” I tried to pull him back towards Bisbee more. 

“Natalie, come here sweetie!” Pa called and I ran over to him, scared. 

“Frances, what happened?” Pa asked. 

“We saw a man got hung…” Frances frowned. 

“Daddy... I was over by the hotel… Mr Grant was playin guitar. Then Mr Dominic took the guitar,” I told pa. 

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know Nat would get scared! I’m sorry!” Frances pouted. 

“Then Mr Dominic took the guitar,” I went on. “Then Mr Dominic dropped the guitar.” 

“Mister Lot just dribbled on the window Miss Abi!” Evey gasped then. 

“It’s dangerous out here,” Miss Abi said. 

“Then Mr Grant got mad,” I went on. “Then Mr Grant pulled out his gun. Then... then Mr Anthony... while I was askin him bout the paper stuff… Mr Anthony shot Mr Grant. Then… I went to the orphanage cause I was scared… Then we heard em closeby. Then we looked out the window in Miss Abi’s office…” 

“Miss Abigail, are all the kids ok?” Pa asked her again. 

“And we saw Mr Mac and Mr Lot and people hangin someone!!!” I went on. “Then I ran out here and found you!” 

“Is everyone ok ...is that your dad Miss?’” Evey asked me. 

“It was a bad man! They only lynch the bad ones!” Frances said, starting to quiver a bit. 

“There area still two guys back by the gallows,” Miss Abi said. “Be safe, Natalie and Thomas.” 

“Miss Abi, please take the girls inside and keep the door locked. Don’t let in anyone unless it’s the sheriff or someone you trust. Ok?” Pa told her and then looked at me. “Come Natalie, lets get you home.” 

Bisbee. 

Pa picked me up and carried me home, hugging me tightly as we went. We sat down on the couch and he hugged me tighter, wiping my eyes and kissing my cheek. “You ok sweetie?” 

“He just... shot him daddy,” I said, shaking my head. “They was just talkin. I was talkin to Mr Anthony and he just... took out his guns right there. Then Mr Grant went down. So much blood... Loud noise…” I hid against him and clung to him. 

“Sweetheart, there are bad men in the world. I am so sorry you had to see that. Did Mr. Grant get any medical help? Was the a doc around?” 

I shook my head. “I dunno I was scared and Miss Bree took me to the hotel and gave me cookies.” 

Pa held my hand and rocked me gently as he pulled his coat around me. “I will have to thank Miss Bree for watching out for my little rugrat.” 

“They just... right there daddy. You should ’rrest them.. I can tell ya who was there... So you can get them in jail… Lets see... it was Mr Grant... Miss Bree... and that’s it. I guess I don’t count as one yet, do I daddy?” 

More shouting went on and Pa squeezed me tighter. “Well I have to wait for warrants before I can arrest someone. Sweetie, is Jimmy and your ma asleep upstairs?” 

“I think so.” I nodded to him. “I not go to sleep yet. I close my eyes and I see Mr Grant on the ground bleeding. I so glad I not doctor no more.” 

“It’s okay Natalie. I won’t let nothing happen to you,” he leaned back on the couch with me as he held me. 

I cried against his shirt and said, “I was just so relieved to see you tonight Pa. I was just gonna run home. I didn’t wanna watch no hanging.” 

“I know honey, and no kid should have to. You can sleep with me and your ma tonight if you want. I will protect you.” 

“I not wanna sleep alone tonight.” I looked up at him and wiped my eyes. “Daddy?” 

“Yes sweetie?” 

“Why they gotta do that so close to kids?” 

“I don’t know sweetheart. Some people don’t care who is around. Anthony is a very bad guy, and he will pay for shooting Mr. Grant.” 

“I hope so. I just dunno how I gona forget bout this. It like when Miss Ashley was shot in front of me and I was hidin’... before I came here. She was gonna be my mommy. Then she got killed cause she didn’t wear no guns.” 

“It will take time, but you will forget about it sweetie. I am sure Mr. Grant will be ok. He is tough, and they cant seem to keep him down.” 

“I just glad you here, pa.” 

“Yep, I’m here now munchkin. You are safe, and no one is going to hurt you.” 

Pa held me in his arms until we went to bed where I cuddled between Pa and Ma and tried to go to sleep. 

December 9, 1900

Tombstone. 

I was sitting by the pond near the orphanage watching the fish in the pond. Jimmy ran over and hugged me tightly. 

“Did you see the big fat one yet? He likes to pop up and spit water at people,” Jimmy said. 

“Ya!” I giggled. “But we have an agreement. He not gonna spit at me and I not gonna catch him.” 

“Why don’t you tell him to let me catch him, and I promise to not eat him but just get a picture of me holding him? Then I can tell everybody I caught the big one.” 

I giggled, looking over at him. “Don’t forget to breathe when ya talk, little brother. And no catchin’ fish. They didn’t do nothin to you.” 

Jimmy chuckled and sat down beside me. “But how can we eat ’em, if we dont catch ’em?”

“Um.. I dunno. I hadn’t thought of that…” I waved at Miss Abi as she came over and we gereted her. 

“Catch anything?” Miss Abi asked. “Or just sitting?” 

“Nah, just watchin the fish… Natalie won’t let me catch nuttin, cause she say they not do anything to us,” Jimmy told her. 

“Well Jimmy, if if you get hungry there is food on the stove,” Miss Abi said and giggled at me. 

“Awww thank you Miss Abi, we might need it if ma keeps trying to cook us dinner…” Jimmy nudged me. I nudged him back, trying not to push him in the water. “Sis, you thought bout what ya gonna get ma and pa for Christmas?” 

“Oh man no... I hadn’t had any ideas. What about you?” 

“I dunno...I asked pa, he trying to find her some new something to help her in being a detective… but I not know what to get her.” 

“Maybe we can get her some cookin lessons from Miss Pet…” Jimmy chuckled. 

“You’re awful Jimmy. You should try to be nicer to ma. She feels bad bout that turkey. OH!! I just got an idea!!!! WE could make Christmas dinner!! And clean it and everything so that ma and pa don’t gotta do nothin! Cause they work so hard all the time.” 

“I know, and I told her I loved her turkey no matter have burnt it was. Pa said she couldn’t help it, ma knows I just playin with her. Make Christmas dinner?! Well I think I know how to cook the ham, but do you think pa let us cook in the kitchen?” 

“Okay well what if we get pa in on it... and he helps us cook some of the harder stuff... but we do all the serving and setting the table and everything and then we clean it all up afterwards so that they don’t gotta do nothin?” 

“I like that...we do all the prep, and setting up, and serving, and stuff, then the clean up after. All they gotta do is set back and relax,,,right?” 

“Yeah!! Oh and guess what. Ma said we got two doggies now. Her dog Shadow came back today!” 

“You know what we could do, maybe we could get Miss Pet to help us make it a total surprise for ma and pa. She had a dog named Shadow?” 

“Uh huh. From way back in Wyoming and she came all this way to find Ma. Oh that’s even better! Miss Pet could help us cook the meal.” 

“Oh wow...thats a long way… how did she find her way to here to ma?” 

“I dunno but I guess she’s a good track dog to find ma.” I looked at the door of the boy’s room at the orphanage and sighed, seeing Jeff wasn’t coming out. “You wanna go wander?” 

“She must be to come all this way...have you seen her yet?” Jimmy looked down and saw a frog near the edge of the water. “Hey froggy froggy!” 

I jumped back then, running backwards away from the frog. I held my arms around my stomach and shuddered at the sight of the frog.

“What’s wrong, sis?” Jimmy looked over at me. “What is wrong with you Natalie… It’s just a frog! Want me to get him so you can pet him?” 

I shook my head, staring in fear. 

“Ok ok...I won’t touch him…let’s go roam around town. See if any stories pop up for the Bee.” 

I nodded and walked away, not answering him out of fear. We walked down the street and stopped in front of Annie’s. 

“Hey sis, you ever been in there?” Jimmy pointed at Annie’s. 

“You ever wonder what really goes on in there? My ma worked at a place like that... my real one I mean.” I giggled as we both thought the same thing. “Like one mind, little brother.” 

“Yeah I know. What kind of place is it sis?” 

“Well I know my ma was shot and killed while she was workin at that kinda place. Miss Trin told me bout it when she told me what really happened to em. We found this out when we got papers from my orphnage finally.” 

“Oh my. Is this where Miss Reb and Paisley work?” 

“Miss Paisely told me all bout it,” I said with a nod. “They dance and have fun with men. Miss Angi told me that if I wanted to keep hanin out with Miss Paisley I’d become a bad girl like her. But Miss Paisley said she just like to dance for people.” 

“Oh! My pa use talk bout a place like that… called it a cat house.. he say he ummm played with the ladies all the time there… I don’t know what he mean by play, you think they gambled or something.” 

I shrugged and said, “Well I know they dance and stuff but I dunno what else... but whatever Ma did... she got killed while doin it at a place like this. And then when pa found out about her bein killed... he wouldn’t help the Pinkerton cause they were blamin’ him.” 

“Well it don’t sound like a place for us… I ain’t lettin you get killed for a dance.” 

“So the Pinkerton shot at him to make him scared but ended up killin’ him too,” I said with a sigh. “I never even really knew em. I was little when they was killed.” 

Jimmy came over and hugged me. “It will be ok sister. We got ma and pa now, and they love us very much.” 

“Then hadta go to the orphanage cause Aunti Winter couldn’t take care of me.” I nodded and hugged him with a smile. “And we got each other too!” 

“Yes we do...they want us to stick together too...so we not get in trouble.” 

“I really needta get a story for the Bee. I can’t jes keep givin him stories about Payroll and interviews.” 

“Where do you think we can get one?” 

“Hmm… We could talk bout the different buildings in town… Show a different one each week. I jes don’t know what else to write about. I want somethin like Sherlock..” 

“But what do we know about all these buildings?” 

“I dunno but we could find someone who does know. We could even write bout buildings in all the other towns where there’s people at em.” 

“Yeah, but who would that be? Mr. Wise, Miss Pet, who?” 

“Anyone I guess,” I said and shrugged. “Come on!” 

“Grant, you leave that lady alone!” Miss Rikki shouted then. 

“Maybe we should um... go to Black Diamond first,” I suggested and we headed to Diamond. 

Black Diamond. 

We walked over to Diamond and saw a nativity scene on the hill along the way. “Jimmy!! Look!” I exclaimed. 

“Wow sis… That’s ummm a what do they call it? The baby Jesus on Christmas!” 

“Yeah!! The shepherds and there’s Mary and Joseph and the angel and…” I went right up and looked down at the baby Jesus. 

“Sis how long ago you think it was baby Jesus was born?” 

“Hmm.... Ma says it was bout two thousand years ago . I hope they read us that story at Christmas. OH!! I have an idea!” 

“Wow, that’s old.” 

“WE can read it! As part of our gift! I can narrate and you can do all the voices!” 

“Oh wow, that would be so neat… do you really think Jesus’s head was that big? That baby has a big head.” 

I giggled and shook my head. “I don’t think so.” I nudged him and said, “You not s’posed to make fun of baby Jesus.” 

“I ain’t makin fun of baby Jesus...but that baby has a big head...looks, it’s almost as big as me..” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Come on Jimmy!” I giggled and we headed on towards town.

December 7, 1900

Tombstone. 

I went over to the orphanage tonight looking for Frances and called in to see if she was there and was invited to come inside. I grinned seeing a bunch of people sitting around the campfire. “

What ya’ll doin?” I asked, blushing at the sight of Jeff. 

“It’s storytime!” Francis clapped. 

“Oh! I was gonna see if Frances wanted to meet my daddy. I saw him over by the sheriff’s office.” 

“Shoot I do! But... I don’t wanna miss the story! Uh oh!” Frances bit her lip. 

“Oh okay. I’ll let you hear the story. Daddy’ll be around.” 

“Have a seat Victoria and Natalie,” Miss Abi invited. 

“I gonna go back to Daddy. I told him I’d be there,” I said. 

“Okay,” Miss Abi nodded. 

“Make him come listen to the story!” Frances laughed. 

“I just wanted to see if Frances wanted to come but that okay.” 

“You’re not staying for the story Natalie?” Jeff asked. 

“Oh maybe I ask him that too! I ask daddy if he wanna come! I be back!” 

“Okay,” Jeff said. 

“You could bring him to story time,” Miss Abi told me. 

I ran through town and I called out for Pa. I asked him to come to story time and pulled his hand to drag him towards the orphanage. “Ok ok ok… don’t pull my arm off!” he chuckled. 

“But daddy can I ask ya somethin first?” 

“Shore, what ya got?” 

“Uh... what’s it mean when you have a dream bout a boy?” 

Pa looked at me with a weird expression on his face and asked, “What do you mean dream about a boy?” 

“Well um… We was playin. Like I used to dream about me and Jimmy, before we became bro and sis.” 

“We? Whose we?” 

“Uh…” I blushed, shifting on my feet. “Maybe we should just go to story time.” 

“Natalie?!” Pa exclaimed and I looked down. He knelt down and looked me in the eyes and said, “Come on now, tell your pa, you can tell me anything… I promise.” 

“But you’ll tell ma and she’ll get all worried and stuff.” 

“No, I wont say a word… I swear.” 

“It was me and Jeff,” I blushed beat red and looked down. 

“Jeff? You mean Jeffery? You ain’t kissed him have you?” 

“Ewww! Daddy!!” I gasped. 

“Well I don’t know what you two do… you said playing… you two coulda been kissing and all sorts of stuff.” 

“Come ooooon daddy. Les just go to the story time,” I said, unable to stop blushing. 

“Ok munchkin, you lead the way, but no kissy kissy with Jeffery during story time, or I will arrest him,” Pa chuckled. 

We went into the orphanage and my face was beat red and I pulled pa in to have a seat. Pa greeted miss Abi and we greeted people as they came in. I met a woman named Victoria and introduced my pa to everyone. Pa looked at Jeffery and then at me and shook his head, and I nudged him in the arm. 

Jeff started to read the story and held it open with pictures on the pages. “Okay everyone, this is a story about the little march girl. I not know if any of you ever heard it before but I’m tellin it. And I got pictures to show ya. Okay, I’m starting now,” he said and put a picture up on the board. “The weather was frosty and cold. It was growing dark, and a heavy snow had begun to fall. It was Christmas Eve. A little girl wandered in the darkening streets. She wore ragged clothes, and she carried a bundle of matches in her hand. All day, the Little Match Girl had been trying to sell her matches. ‘A penny for a match!’ she had called in a small, pitiful voice to shoppers on the streets. But the people just glanced at her and then hurried on their way. Now it was almost night. The poor girl had not sold a single match. As she walked along, the Little Match Girl grew very cold. She wore only an old, thin pair of slippers. She had no socks, for she could not afford them. Suddenly, a voice bellowed, ‘Out of my way!’ At that moment, she heard the thundering sound of horses’ hooves. Did everyone see this picture?” Jeff asked and changed the picture. 

Pa wrapped his arm around me and hugged me close as we continued to listen to the story. 

“She scurried across the street,” Jeff went on, “Barely managing to get out of the way of a large carriage pulled by two enormous horses. When she stopped to catch her breath, the Little Match Girl looked down at her feet. In fleeing the carriage and horses, she had lost her slippers. Now the Little Match Girl had no shoes at all. The Little Match Girl wandered through the streets as the hour grew later and later. Up ahead, she saw a light shining through the window of one of the houses. The Little Match Girl looked in the window and saw a table spread with a white tablecloth and set with candles and silver. On the table was a grand Christmas feast -- a fat goose stuffed with the traditional apples and nuts, cakes and pies of all sorts, puddings, and every imaginable fruit. The Little Match Girl had never beheld such a feast.” 

I grinned, remembering the Thanksgiving dinner and started to giggle, but covered my mouth to stay quiet as Jeff changed the picture and went on. “A family came into the room and sat down at the table. The little girl wished that she could join the mother, father, and three young ones who were about to eat this beautiful Christmas dinner. How hungry she was! The Little Match Girl sighed and turned away, then continued down the street. Soon she saw a light shining from the window of another house. This time when she looked inside, the Little Match Girl saw an extraordinarily lovely Christmas tree. There was a gold star at the top, and candles flickered on the branches. Gaily wrapped packages were piled beneath the tree. While the Little Match Girl watched, a group of joyous girls and boys entered the room. They clapped their hands with delight when they saw the tree and all the presents.” Jeff got a little teary as he read, and holds his head down so no one could see. “How the Little Match Girl wished she could have laughed and played with the children around the Christmas tree! As she turned away from the window, the Little Match Girl heard singing from a group of carolers nearby.” 

Changing the picture, he went on. “When they finished singing, the carolers were invited to come inside a brightly lit kitchen. Standing near the door, the Little Match Girl could smell bread baking inside. Once again, she was all alone. Now it was growing late, and the Little Match Girl was very cold. To keep warm, she decided to light one of her matches. She struck the match, and the light flared. In the bright glow of the match, she imagined herself sitting at a table eating a Christmas feast just like the one she had seen through the lighted window. The Little Match Girl was eating Christmas goose, with pudding and fruit and cake and pie. How warm and full and happy she was!Just then, the match went out. The bright light was gone, and the Little Match Girl was alone again in the dark. She shivered with cold.” 

I frowned, looking down, and snuggled closer to Pa as people in the room started to cry too. 

“The Little Match Girl decided to light a second match to try to get warm again. She struck the match, and once more a warm glow and bright light appeared. In the light from this match, she saw herself with the boys and girls around the Christmas tree. She was about to open a Christmas gift wrapped in red paper and tied with a gold ribbon.” 

“This ain’t gonna end well is it?” I whispered to pa. 

He snuggled me close, holding me tighter without an answer as Jeff continued to read. “I don’t know, sweetie.” 

“She was anxious to see what might be inside. Just then, the match burned out. Suddenly, everything was dark, and again the Little Match Girl was cold and alone. Except for the light from street lamps, the night was utterly dark, and the Little Match Girl grew so cold that she decided to light the entire bundle of matches.” Jeff took a deep breath and went on. “When she struck all her matches, the whole world suddenly seemed to light up. Stars shot down from the sky. The Little Match Girl felt warm and wonderful. As she looked around, the Little Match Girl had an amazing vision. She saw an angel dressed all in white. The angel was smiling and coming toward her with outstretched arms.” 

Jeff changed the picture and went on, “The angel picked the Little Match Girl up in her arms and smiled upon the small face. The angel started to walk, carrying the Little Match Girl. ‘Where are we going?’ asked the girl. ‘I am taking you to a place where you will never be cold,’ the angel replied as they rose slowly into the night sky. ‘It is a place always filled with light and warmth. We will go where there are only laughter and smiles, and where you will never be hungry again.’” Jeff smiled at everyone as I started to cry and he went on. “The next morning, those who emerged from their houses saw the bundle of burnt matches lying in the snow. They wondered what had happened. What they could not know was that the Little Match Girl had gone to a place where she would always be warm and loved and happy -- so happy that every single day would seem just like Christmas!” 

“Did she die??” I looked at Pa and asked. 

“The Little Match Girl finally found her way ‘home.’ In that same home, The Littlest Angel experiences many ups and downs that ultimately teach her to grow,” Jeff said as he finished the story. “Yes she went to heaven,” Jeff said to me. “But now she is warm and not hungry.” 

“Yeah, she went to be with God sweetie, so she would never be cold or hungry ever again,” Pa looked down at me as he held me close. 

“You think my first ma and pa are in heaven? And miss Ashley?” I looked up at Pa. 

“My momma and daddy are…” Jeff said after some thought. I looked over at him, seeing we had something in common, and he just nodded. “Well I’m going to heaven.” 

“My ma and pa both were killed. And the lady who almost was my ma,” I said. “So they gotta be with the angels. Lookin over us right? Like the ones in Abi’s room!!” I said excitedly then. 

“Welp the story wasn’t so long but I liked it,” Jeff said. “But we all gots a warm place to stay.” 

“It was a sad story but a good one,” Neilty said. 

“But Miss Abi is an angel so she gots angel pictures,” Jeff said. 

“I wrote bout it in the Bee! This weekend she talk bout how all the angels watch over us. Right Miss Abi?” I looked at her. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. 

“We all have a guardian angel watching over us,” Pa said. 

“Well if anyone gots anything they wanna tell or anything they can,” Jeff said. 

“Hey pa? What happened to your ma and pa?” I asked him. 

“I know something we can do we can tell a special Christmas story we member. A special time,” Jeff said. 

“I have a story I would like to share,” Pa said. 

“Ok Mr. Thomas,” Jeff nodded. 

“Yay!! Pa!!” I grinned. 

“Anyone here ever hear of the bluebonnet?” he asked but everyone shook his head. “It’s a beautiful blue and yellow wild flower thats grows in Texas.” 

“There a song about that, Pa?” I started to wonder. “I heard ma sing it sometimes. Cause that where she moved to first when she left Canda.” 

“There was once a little indian girl who lived in a village in Texas. They were the Cherokee indians.” 

“They was mean to ma,” I frowned. 

“But these were the friendly kind Natalie… I promise,” Pa looked at me and went on. “Her people were a great tribe, and they all worked together to survive the harsh heat and weather of Texas. At the time, they were in a serious drought, and her people were scared. Well the elders of the tribe gathered, and the little girl was the great chief’s daughter. They were deciding what to do, before they all died from starvation and thirst. There had been no rain for their crops or for their animals. So the great chief asked everyone in the tribe to cast the most prized possession into the great fire, so it would please the great God and bring rain back to the land.” 

I thought about what great prized possession I would give and thought it probably would be my Sherlock. I stayed quiet as pa continued to tell the story. 

“The little indian girl, being she was only a child, had nothing worthy to throw into the fire to please the great God. All she had was a beautiful doll her grandmother had given her that was hand-made. The little girl waited and waited until everyone had thrown their item into the fire...and she went out to the great fire all alone, by herself, at night, once the others were asleep, and wanting to please God, and asking for rain and food to return to her people, cast the doll into the fire. She watched it burn and fell asleep by the fire. When she woke the next morning, the fire had burned out, and the ashes from the great fire had blown all over the tribal land, and up popped the beautiful Texas Blue Bonnet...her people had food and water, and to this day the Texas Blue Bonnet grows wild every year during the Spring.” 

I blinked and smiled. “That’s a good story pa! What would you guys put in the fire? I’d put my sherlock in probably. It’s what I use the most.” 

“Hmm… My hat,” Neilty said. “Either that or my teddy bear.” 

“Well… if it saved all the folks and gave them life again and water,” Jeff said. 

“I know what I would throw in there. That Thanksgiving turkey you ma cooked Natalie,” Pa chuckled and I giggled, laughing hard. 

“I would give my BB gun,” Jeff said slowly. “Santa gived it to me last year.” 

“Then the turkey could grow into lots of other little turkeys,” I said and blinked at Jeff. “You got a gun!??!” 

“I would give away ... my sling shot,” Neilty said. “My mom gave it to me before she disappeared.” 

“Now Natalie, little girls don’t play with bb guns,” Pa smiled. 

“But…” I frowned. 

“I would give my favorite pair of boots,” Miss Abi said. 

“It is a good sling shot too,” Neilty said. 

“I’m not like other girls! I wearing pants, see??” I said and held up my legs for pa. 

“I’ll show ya my bb gun Natalie,” Jeff promised. 

“Yay!” I grinned wide and smiled triumphantly at Pa. 

“I would throw all of Mister Lots candy apples in the fire….” Evey said. “Cause they makes you run to the outhouse.” 

Pa rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Yeah, well we will have to fix that if yore gonna start dating.” Pa smiled and rubbed my head playfully. 

“DADDY!!!” I blinked and looked at him in awe.

“Okay so what’s a special Christmas you had before, Miss Abi?” Jeff asked, and I relaxed as he obviously hadn’t noticed it. 

“The best one was when my brothers came home from the Military right in time for Christmas,” Miss Abi said. “Did not need anything else that year.” 

“Jeffery, when do you plan to start courtin my daughter here? So I know when to get my shotgun and rockin chair ready?” Pa asked him. 

“Pa!!” I blinked and covered pa’s mouth. 

“When we are a hundred sir,” Jeff looked seriously at him and I giggled, exhaling with relief. 

“Hmmm, I like the sound of that number....see Natalie, he’s a smart boy,” Pa said. 

“I gonna sick Shira on you!!” I glared at Pa and Jeff giggled. 

“What’s courtin’? Isn’t that like where you go to court?” Neilty asked. “For doing something wrong?” 

“Naw it means to kiss girls Neilty, and hold their hands,” Jeff told her. “And then smile and stuff.”

“Are you trying to tell me I’m in the doghouse with you?” Pa chuckled. 

“Ewwww no kissing Jeffrey!!” I blushed beat red and Jeff giggled and turned red too. Looking over at Neilty I tried to change the subject and asked, “So your ma disappeared??” 

“Yep yep,” she nodded. 

“Maybe ma could help find her.” 

“I lost her when we were headin to San Franscico,” Neilty said. 

“Pa is that far from here?” I asked. 

“Well… How you lose your whole mama?” Jeff asked. “Where she go?” 

“My parents lost me or threw me away,” Evey shrugged. 

“I dunno we went here and left me at the tracks and said she’d be right back,” Neilty said. “And then I never heard from her again. That was three years ago.”

“Natalie, Evey and Neilty, I have something for you,” Miss Victoria said then. 

“You do??” I blinked at that. 

“Hmm…” Evey said. "Must have taken the turn my parents did…. so she lost you too!” 

“I would like to give out a present to all the little ones here if I may. Since I don’t know what to get everybody, I thought I would give a silver dollar to each one of you if you would allow me Miss Abigail,” Pa said. 

“That is fine Victoria,” Miss Abi said. 

“I get an allowance?!??” I grinned wide. 

“Only if you don’t sick Shira on me,” Pa looked at me and chuckled. 

“Only if you stop talkin bout me and Jeff!” I giggled at him. 

“But I know my mom will show up one of these days,” Neilty declared. 

Miss Victoria gave us each two silver dollars each and we thanked her for it. 

“And you can’t throw your hat in the fire, cause then you be lost with out a hat!” Evey said then. 

“It’s one of my most favorite things,” Neilty said. “I found these in the trash. I got these shirt hat and pants miss and these shoes.” 

Pa reached into his vest and took out a handful of silver dollars, handing one to each kid.

“I gonna take mine to the bank!” I exclaimed. “Then it’ll turn into lots of other silver dollars!” 

“Well I ain’t. I not gonna trust no bank with my loot. I’m taking mine to the candy store,” Jeff declared. 

“Oh yeah... banks ain’t safe are they?” I remembered. 

“They sure ain’t.” 

“Maybe I should put mine in the safe with ma. With her stuff.” 

“Yeah that would be a good idea Natalie,” Pa smiled and looked down at me. “You getting tired munchkin?” 

I nodded and curled against him, about to go to sleep already. “You gonna have to carry me to Bisbee. Wish we had a carriage or somethin.” 

Pa kissed the top of my head and hugged me. “Everyone, I best take my little munchkin home to bed...also its time for me to get some rest too.” 

“Thanks for the story time Jeff!” I smiled at him. “I see your bb gun tomorrow maybe Jeff?” 

“Night Natalie,” Jeff said to me.

Everyone said goodnight and I invited them to our house. On the way out I glared at him and told him I’d wanted him not to say anything and he just hugged me and carried me back home.