The next day came, just like any other day.

And just like any other day, people came to knock at your door and demand for the saloon to be opened.

Familiar faces looked up to the lit windows of your apartment. The way they met you with grim faces told that they demanded entrance.

A sigh made your chest shiver.

"It's time.", you messed up Ginny's hair. "I'll be out late. Don't go to bed too late. And make sure Karl ate something before bed."

Ginny frowned.

"We're coming with you.", he said as if it was the only possible answer.

"No. Not today."

"But we waited all day to help you out.", Karl said with big eyes. "Ginny told me everything I need to know. But I can also just polish the cups if you want me to."

A soft smile appeared on your face.

It was sweet to see how much the boys cared despite their tender age. They wanted to take responsibility.

But a gut feeling told you that it would be best to keep them out of the saloon.

At least for this night.

"Thank you, boys.", you reached to the top shelf of the cupboard and pulled out a box of candy. "Take one and go to bed. I can handle this alone today."

Without hesitation, Karl took some sweets out of the box.

But Ginny just stared at it.

There was some sort of emptiness inside those eyes of his.

He was thinking.

With his lips pressed into a thin line, he stepped forward and took some candy too.

But he wasn't as thrilled as he usually was for the sugary treats.

"Be careful.", he said and walked away towards his room. "Some guests should stay outside toady."

The door fell shut behind him.

You frowned.

It was strange that he would say such a thing.

Yet again, Ginny was a smart little fella. Maybe he had seen something you had missed.

Or maybe he was just trying to be more mature.

A deep sigh escaped your lips.

Your head hurt.

"Why?", you mumbled to yourself as you walked down the stairs into the saloon. "I was careful. Why do I feel this way?"

The lock of the saloon door opened with a soft click and the first few people came in.

Some of them looked fresh and ready to have a fine night.

Others were already unstable on their feet.

Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be going on.

Your eyes wandered through the crowd and over the tables as you took your place behind the bar and started to hand out the first rounds of the night.

Some wealthy customers didn't show up, but maybe they were just careful after the incident with the outlaws.

You reached for a bottle of whiskey on the shelf behind you, as a shadow suddenly appeared in the corner of your eyes.

You froze mid motion, turned your head to have a better overview of the saloon and glanced at the person who was waiting at the bar.

At first you thought it was Arthur.

Your heart skipped a beat, maybe out of surprise.

Maybe out of excitement.

But as a familiar face appeared, that excitement died real quick again.

With a red face and lowered eyes, father McLean looked at you.

With bated breath, you put on a polite smile.

"Father.", you turned towards him, bottle in hand. "May I get you something?"

The priest was already drunk. It was easy to tell the way he sat at the bar, barely able to keep himself up.

His eyes were wrapped in a dark veil. He seemed aggressive.

Without saying a word, he sat there and stared at you.

A man bumped into him.

He didn't react.

"Father?", you asked, a big concerned and tried to approach him slowly.

All at once, life lit up inside those eyes of his and his hand snapped forward to grab you by the collar.

Out of reflex, one of your hands shot forward to push yourself away from him while the other wrapped around his hand to give it a warning squeeze.

"Father.", you said in a more serious voice. "I think it's time for you to leave, father McLean."

A mocking huff crossed his reddened lips.

"You're one with em' outlaws, ain't ya?", he asked, but didn't sound like he wanted an answer. "I've seen you. You're nothing but trouble. I said it as you arrived and I'll say it again. You're a sinner. You ruin this town."

Your eyebrows pulled together.

There was no way that he could have known about the deal with Dutch and his boys.

Yet again, father McLean was a noisy man. Maybe he had seen you talk to Arthur. After all, you did spent quite some time with him the past days.

But it would be best not to play into his cards.

"I must ask you to let go of me.", you tried to force his hand open. "And leave my establishment."

His eyes wandered over your face.

"You think you're smart, don't you? You think you can do anything and just get away with it. The outside of you and that brat might be prim and proper, but it's nothing but a lie. You're nothing but one of them dirty outlaws."

At this point his drunk voice was so loud that a few people stopped what they were doing and started looking instead.

Your heart started to beat faster.

"Let go of me!", you demanded again, so loud that anybody was able to hear.

"I'd be damned.", another voice suddenly said.

All the eyes moved to the entrance.

Your face fell.

With a grim expression on his face and some black eye, Karl's father stepped into the saloon.

The first thing you noticed about him was that he reeked of alcohol.

The second thing was that shiny colt of his that dangled in a holster on his hip.

You swallowed hard.

"Gentlemen.", you said, eyes fixed onto the weapon. "It would be a shame to make this fine business a bloody scene."

Karl's father huffed.

His eyes were foggy.

"It would be, wouldn't it?", he asked and let his fingers run along the handle of the gun. "Let's settle it anyways."