The day Edward had set as their timeline passed, and the Connor house dining table was crowded with the group gathered to hear each other's tales about how the plan had progressed. All that was left was the grand finale to celebrate. Harley Duggan sat with his daughter, just shaking his head, unable to stop grinning. Jake was the centre of attention with his demonstrative telling of getting Huber's papers ready, and the man's urgency in getting them signed.

"He was overjoyed to think his deal was better than yours, Harley, and that you wouldn't be getting the one promised."

"He told Henry and I about it." Edward laughed. "Said he was going to be the biggest trade and shipping business in the entire county. The man let everything we told him soak right into his being. When we told him we would be presenting his deal to RRC with our recommendation, he nearly burst."

Galen held up a hand and spoke to the group. "Jake, you Edward and Henry all leave on the first train in the morning. You can hang out of sight behind the station house, just in case, and board it at the last minute. No chances, okay?

"Harley, you and Audrey go to work as usual. If Huber comes around for any reason, remember, you don't know anythin'. Nobody from any railroad company ever spoke to you, and you certainly don't have a lawyer."

They all agreed, congratulating one another on what they had accomplished without any violence.

"I'll be keepin' an eye on Huber for a bit too," Abner said. "He's got a crew of about fifteen men down there, flailin' away with sledgehammers, and totin' rubble away in wheelbarrows."

Harley stood and fumbled with his hands a moment before expressing his thanks for everyone putting themselves at some risk for him and his daughter. His eyes glistened, and before he embarrassed himself, Lydia stood and gave him a hug.

"It's what friends and neighbours do when needed, Harley."

Cheers went around the table, and then they began leaving one at a time so as not to attract attention.

******

The sun split the street into shadows, as it rose above the falls behind the town, and it became alive with the commerce of the day. Wagons rolled up and down the road. People coming and going for whatever duties called them. Abner leaned on the jail house door, rolling a cigar in his fingers and blowing smoke clouds into the still air. He saw Huber striding up the road with determination, and kept a close eye on him as he yanked open the bank door and vanished inside.

Several moments later he burst out, pivoting side to side, hands jammed onto his hips. Abner smiled behind the big cigar as Huber crossed the road to the saloon, repeating his performance a few minutes later. When he caught sight of the sheriff, he began a stomp in his direction. Abner tapped the ash from the cigar and hooked his thumbs in his belt, anticipating a tirade.

"How's the work comin', Darcy?" Abner pre-empted, any outburst. "Sure raisin a mess of dust and racket."

"I'm looking for three men. Two from the railroad consortium and a lawyer named O'Haloran."

"Don't know no O'Haloran. Don't know any lawyers really, 'less you count Pederson, the barber. He has some knowle--"

"I don't care about any barber. What about the railroad men?" Darcy stamped in a circle.

"You mean them two fellas that were messin' around on the dock? They left on the early train this mornin'."

Huber's eyes bugged and his jaw dropped. "What?" The word came out in a thready cough. He raised his arms and marched back down the road, muttering curses that had a few ladies bustling to the other side of the street.

"Upset, was he?" Galen came and leaned beside Abner.

"You could say, son." Abner chuckled, and rolled the cigar to the other side of his mouth.

"I rode past his office. It's pretty much gone, he was really drivin' them to get it done. Guess the fireworks will come soon. Just saw Ellis, and he said Darcy was livid when he told him that the RRC had changed their plans about doin' business with the bank.

Abner straightened up and faced Galen. "You sure took on a pile of work and trouble to do this, son. What's behind it?"

"Just who I am, sheriff. I don't like bullies or thieves."

"Huh, maybe you should have my job."

He laughed. "No thanks. Don't much like answerin' to anybody either."

"I'd say you got a lot of trouble then, what with that Miss St. Claire sharin' a space."

Galen laughed again and stepped down onto the road. "Guess it depends on who's askin' - I never thought about it that way"

******

Audrey came out of the schoolhouse and paused.

"I didn't expect to see you here again, Miss St. Claire. Is anything wrong?"
"Not at all. I just found I was enjoying our little time together, hearing about your lessons."

"What about your work at the playhouse?"

"That isn't a daily job. Only when there's a performance being staged - and I'm not used in all of them anyway. I just got lucky lately."
"Are you happy with that?"

"Well I'd like to be working all the time, but then living with Mr. Helliwell has some exciting moments."

"Do you wish you were married so you could have children of your own?"

Lydia swallowed, not prepared for questions about marriage, children, or morality.

"I think I'm more of the auntie type, not the motherly. Like you and I. This is what I like."

"Me too." The voice brought them both up short. "Two fine lookin' women, like a bowl of fruit. One fresh, one ripe."

Lydia looked around, realizing they were on a stretch of the street that was unoccupied except for some idle wagons and a few pieces of old farm equipment.

"Just ignore him and keep going, Audrey."

"Now that ain't too polite." The man moved around to block their path.

"You'd be wise to step aside." Lydia stared boldly at him.

"That a fact." He moved forward quickly and grabbed her arm, pulling her close as he tried to kiss her. Audrey grabbed her other arm and tried pulling her away, but a hard slap to the side of her head sent her sprawling on the street.

"You're next, missy. Right now this filly needs breakin'"