Jessica managed a room for Jimmy and accepted Emmeline's money for payment without comment. She also made an exception for meals after her regular hours, leaving the pair alone at a corner table away from the expected crowd.

"I appreciate you making these arrangements, Mi- Emm."

She smiled and tilted her head, "My pleasure, Jim. Mind telling me your story, you heard mine over dinner."

"I don't see how you can expect to do what you say on your own. This Taggart fella sounds like he has an army behind him."

"Your story, Jim," she prompted tolerantly.

"Right. Sorry." He turned his beer glass slowly on the table. "I came from back east with my parents. I was seventeen." His voice hitched and he sipped some beer. "Our train was attacked. . . Comanches. Out of six wagons, there was nobody left but me and two little boys. Those that weren't killed were taken. We hid under the wreckage of one of the wagons."

"I'm sorry, Jim. Must have been hard on you at that age."

"You said you were only nine."

Emmeline's eyes drifted away to the window, the memory haunting her momentarily before she pushed it down.

"What happened after that?"

"We were found by a family who took the two boys in and dropped me in Ebbotville. They allowed as how they couldn't afford another adult. Guess I changed my behaviour to get help – tryin' to sound needy all the time." His face coloured and he hid it with his glass.

She made a sniffing sound and looked at him. "You don't look too needy to me, Jim. How old are you now?"

"Just turned thirty couple months ago."

"Really."

Her tone had him sitting up, cautiously, and he finished his drink. "You, uh, want another?" A nervous hand held up his glass.

"No thanks, but I'll tell you what I would like."

He swallowed.

A few minutes later Jim stood looking at the bed and heard the door latch click behind him.

*****

Nestor swaggered back and forth in front of Rafe sitting on his favourite stump. His rant included a dozen ways he'd treat the woman when he got his hands on her, along with his displeasure over doing nothing.

"What are we sitting around here for? You asked me to git here to help, well here I am, and I say we just ride in and get her."

"From what I heard happened last time you met her, didn't think you'd be too quick to meet her again." Rafe smirked. "Heard she collected some money on your old pal, Orly too. You couldn't even rob a stage right."

There were some muffled laughs from the other men standing around, and Nestor shot dark looks at everyone.

"Orly got hiself shot. And in the saloon she had her gun out afore anything even happened. Scared she was." He stopped and stood with his arms folded. More laughter made him curse.

"You think it's funny? Well, we'll see. I ain't waitin' around while you sit on your thumb, I'm goin' into town and we'll soon see who laughs then."

"I've got eyes and ears it town, Nestor, don't you be doin' anything stupid."

"I just don't get why you're waitin'."

"Our friend is also a hard case bounty hunter, which means she knows a lot of lawmen, and that could mean a possible trap."

"You're crazy . . . probably even like one of them parrynoids. I'm goin' in and if I get the chance I'm takin' her out."

Rafe sat and watched Nestor and his three friends mount up and ride off at speed. He rolled a new cigarette and lit it, blowing a long stream of smoke into the air.

"You just gonna let him go?"

"Singer, if he can do the job I'm happy to let him. I think we're all gettin' a little long in the tooth for showdowns. Better he gets it done."

"And if he don't?"

"Then me and you boys will find a better way."

*****

Jim woke with a start, his mind a blank as he stared across the bed at the old floral patterned wallpaper. Slowly memories returned, like water from a leaky pump, gradually collecting like a puddle. He turned over and caught his breath. Emmeline was washing from the pitcher on the dresser and she was bare to the waist.

He plunged his face back in the pillow, panic racing through him from head to foot.

"Sleep okay, Jim?"

The question was like a hammer blow. Did he? Did he sleep at all? He must have, he just woke up. Dammit man, get a grip "Uh, yeah, yeah I think. You?" He rolled back over, hoping it looked a lot more casual than it felt.

"Eventually." She strolled over to the bed, slipping on one of her new shirts and buttoning it from the bottom up. "Did you know you snored?"

His eyes followed her fingers and he nodded, blinking. "Yeah . . . that uh- that was just me protecting you." Oh God, his father used to say that "It's what a man does . . ."

Her laugh was genuine amusement and in no way disparaging. "Well I guess I was really safe then." She leaned over and kissed his head. "I'll wait for you downstairs. We can grab some breakfast."

He sat dazed, staring at the door. What happened? The realization that he was naked almost scared him. What happened! As he hunted down his clothes and partially dressed, bits and pieces began seeping back into his memory. The latch clicking. The sound of ancient bed springs. The soft whispering and the feather touch of fingers.

He groaned and filled the basin, sloshing the cool water over his face and torso. The only towel was still damp from Emmeline, and he could almost feel her presence as he scrubbed himself dry. You might have sparked girls before in your broken life, but never – never – felt anything like this He pulled on his shirt then boots, introduced himself to the mirror, and left the room, no longer needy Jimmy . . . but Jim.

She was at the corner table nursing a coffee when he stopped and stood looking down at her. A twinkle in her eyes matched the hint of grin on her face and he dragged a chair out and flopped down beside her.

"Don't think I've ever been quite so confused around a woman before."

She nodded, smile still in place. "Don't think you've ever been around a woman before."

His face lit the room and he sat back, fingertips gripping the table. Jessica arrived with two breakfasts, pausing at the look on Jim's face. She glanced at Emm's smile and tried, but failed to keep away one of her own.

"Would you like coffee, Mister . . .? I don't think I know your name." Jessica put a hand to her mouth.

"Jim is fine . . . Jim Rogers if you need to know, and yes please, coffee – strong."

"Rogers, eh?" Emmeline echoed. "I never even thought to ask."

"No. I reckon you were too busy." His face flushed again, and her smile changed to apologetic sympathy.

"Two breakfasts and a strong coffee." Jessica unloaded the tray and left, her earlier smile still dancing around her eyes.

"Whoa!"

"What's wrong?" Emmeline scanned the room.

"This coffee. You could float horseshoes in it."

Emm laughed. "You did ask."

They finished their breakfast in silence and just as they did, a young man entered the room, looked around and strode to their table.

"I'm Jody. My uncle said you were takin' me to Ebbotville to help Mister Gore?"

"Right." Jim stuck out a hand, relieved at the change of focus. "You want anything before we go?"

"I et already, thanks."

"Okay, I'll go grab my stuff and we can be on our way." He looked at Emmeline, wet his lips and then got up. "Back in a minute."

Jody smiled sheepishly at Emmeline and asked if she was joining them.

"Nope, I'm here doing something else. I was surprised to find another livery with a blacksmith shop. I thought Ebbotville was a first."

"Our families bin doin' it forever seems. Uncle Drury wants Carl and me to take over one day."

"Hmm, say, you aren't travelling without a gun are you?"

"Got me a Winchester rifle. Pretty good with it if I say so too"

"Good. Pays to be careful."

Jim came down the stairs calling for Jody, and he gave Emmeline a long, undefined look as he headed for the door.

"Safe trip, Jim." She showed a brief salute, her words a bit wistful. He nodded and hurried out.

"One-night stand?" Jessica joined her with a fresh pot of drinkable coffee and a mug for herself.

"Unfortunately, it seems." The expression was a mix of happy sad, as was the answer. She left the table and went to her room.