With a standing ovation to Ruechari for the 3Gun concert poster.

The saloon was rocking with the celebration. Toasts were followed with raucous laughter and jibes. It felt good to have everyone all together and happy. 3Gun tried to thank Rue out of earshot of the others but she would have none of it. And he resigned himself to the fact that he would just accept what happened and leave it alone.

Billy winked at him and nodded at Rue. He knew the history of 3Gun with the Kit Kats and Ruechari's family. 3Gun tipped his glass toward him and both men smiled. Missy's muffins were disappearing faster than volunteers for a bull ride. Eyes were glazing over and movement seemed to reduce to slow motion as the sound became one analogous hum.

3Gun's New Reality

3Gun stood and went to the storeroom and fetched his guitar, beginning to laugh and wander around the room strumming chords and muttering unintelligibly. To him it was clean, clear and melodious. He hopped up on the stage that Miss Treelane had used and began singing to the customers in the saloon. Pretty soon the place filled up and they were even hanging over the door and peering in the windows.

He did three sets and had the crowd screaming for more. The mayor took him aside and convinced him to sign a contract. 3Gun would be the saloon's new house entertainer, and he would share in the profits along with a sizeable salary.

******

He saw stannbear at the card table in the corner of the saloon, silver sleeve garters holding up his mauve, silk shirt. The black Stetson tilted rakishly over to one side and his nimble fingers flipping the cards around the crowded table. In front of him stood a mound of chips in various colours and on his hip 3Gun could see the pearl handle of one of his revolvers.

******

He watched CrazyGoose saunter up to the bar, nodding at Crooked Smile as he placed her standing order of lemonade in front of her. She sipped and then leaned back on the bar and surveyed the room, the huge gold sheriff's badge glistening on her vest. Not much slipped past the steely eyes of Busted Gulch's sheriff and few ever questioned her authority more than once.

******

Across the street in the bakery, Raven was wearing his huge chef's hat and whipping up recipes for all occasions. His specialty, a Bunkhouse Chocolate Torte was the current order placed by Kae, the town's newspaper editor. Raven would be serving at the luncheon, which also included Unger, the barber and the vet Doc U.B. Well.

For her Pulitzer prize for the coverage of the Clover gold deed episode, Kae was having a special party on the hotel terrace, invitation only.

******

Up at the town church, Billy was leading the choir in his arrangements of rockin' psalms, and raising the roof with record attendance.

******

The Gulch hotel had been purchased and renovated by Ruechari and was now the centre of retail in town. The main floor was all boutiques with a collection of confection stores while the second floor held all the latest fashions from back east for both men and women.

Rue was the go to person for all things 'IN', whether food or clothing. Life in Busted Gulch was a fairy tale for all.