The group at the corner table in the hotel dining room leaned forward in their chairs listening intently to the speaker. Drinks were left unfinished as appetites waned with the impact of Nathan's news.

"Are you saying Morley Ashbridge has actually forged papers confirming this Playford fella as owner of the Wellman property? How do you know they're forged, Nathan? Willard mopped at the dampness on his cheeks. "They might have come in between the time I spoke to him and when he saw Morley at the bank."

"That was only a matter of minutes, Mayor but never mind that. The stage hadn't arrived and there was nothing from Jepson at the telegraph office," Nathan raised a hand, "I checked."

"I can't believe it," Maggie sat back twiddling the fork on the table in front of her.

"Money's a powerful draw." Nathan said.

"Well what are we going to do?" Willard looked ill.

"I was hoping you might get on to the office and see if they did send any confirmation and maybe contact the Deputy Marshal; he should be interested knowing about Corbin Wellman's killing and the fact that a known gunman, Trace Banner, is involved." Nathan glanced at Allison who had been sitting quietly beside Maggie. "I hope this isn't upsetting you, Allison, all this talk about- abo-"

"Nathan just stop your blatherin'. Allison is fine and a might more compi- comel- able to speak up for herself if need be."

The little Maggie tirade silenced the table and there was a lot of coughing and foot shuffling until Nathan posed his request to Willard once more, receiving an uncertain nod and a hasty departure.

"So what are you going to do now, Nathan?"

"Well . . . without blatherin' too much, I thought I would wait until Willard does his part and meanwhile ask Allison if I could buy her a lunch."

"Damnation! Of course you can and you can have this table right here to yourselves." Maggie stood up frowned at Nathan and gave Allison a sweet smile. "I'll make the lunch myself right away."

"I guess that's settled," Allison chuckled softly. "Thank you, Nathan."

"I wanted a chance to- to discuss the other night. I wanted to know how- what-"

"That was my fault, Nathan," she closed her eyes, shaking her head as he started to object. "No, it was my fault. You have just been so good to me since- since . . . I just did what suddenly felt natural . . ."

Natural. He reached for her hand and they sat silently, each wrestling to find the right words. Nathan wanted to hold her right there and then and his chosen words bubbled up into his throat-.

"Here we go, now dig in and you two just talk things out." Maggie appeared with two plates of food and fresh drink, set them down and stood clasping her fingers together, grinning from ear to ear all the while.

He swallowed his speech and sat back with a sigh, swallowing some lunch so Maggie would be satisfied and leave.

"I think we need somewhere we can talk without Mother Maggie hovering." He laughed and looked after the departing woman fondly.

"We could go to my place . . ." Her voice sounded uncertain and hopeful and very soft.

**********

Deputy Marshal Winston Bates read the letter from the mayor of Parkerville and went through his files, finding two old posters claiming Trace Banner was wanted in two states, one being Winston's. They had been shoved away and forgotten by the previous Marshal along with a number of others; it seemed his predecessor didn't spend a lot of time following up leads.

He tapped the letter against his teeth and let a mischievous grin leak into his features. Dora Cutter would be the perfect deputy to accompany him on this trip. Fearless, a more than competent rider and a surprisingly wicked shot with her colt and the Winchester she wore slung over her back. Dora was also very easy on the eye - certainly on his eye.

The allegation of a conspiracy to take control of a section of a public waterway and a county transportation initiative had Bates warming to the idea of meeting the people involved. Facing a notorious name Like Trace Banner added some spice to the prospect and the Marshal immediately set off to meet up with Dora and make stagecoach arrangements to Parkerville.

*********

Playford turned his beer glass slowly on the table, dragging moisture rings around in aimless patterns. Things had not settled the way he had hoped with the confirmation forgeries. The Sheriff didn't believe a word of it or of Wellman's killing and losing control over his hired gun was a setback as well.

The telegraph operator had given him a bit of a wild steer look when he composed a message to some men he knew would take any order he gave for money. They weren't the calibre of Trace but they would make that up in numbers. He picked up his glass and drained it as Trace came down from upstairs and joined him.

"You should take a break and head up there, Playford, some fine fillies ready to pleasure."

"I'll get my pleasure when this land business is settled. You should know, I've sent for some more men."

"Wire stringers?" The tone was mocking.

"They can handle a gun too, Trace."

"What a bargain."

Playford leaned toward him, his face a palette of frustration and anger. "At least I know they'll do what I pay them to do."

"I did what you paid me to and I even stuck around for you generous double offer out at the ranch."

"That's if we need it."

"If I'm any judge, we'll need it."

"You mean you'd like it."

Trace just smiled.

Playford signalled the bartender for more drinks just as Jennie came down the stairs. She picked up the two beers and sashayed to the table, setting them down and boldly sitting herself.

"Looking for business?" Trace sneered.

She turned to Playford. "The drinks are on me; it's to say don't come up to the third floor."

"Girls couldn't handle me, huh?" Trace winked at Ansen.

She gave him an assessing look. "They all asked me for a raise if I was going to lower the standards." She stood from the table as Trace dropped his hand to his holster.

"You got a nervy mou-" his words froze in his mouth when her hand came up with the silver Derringer aimed at his face.

"Enjoy your beer, cowboy and remember what I said." Jennie turned her back and strolled back to the stairs, returning to the third floor.

Ansen never said a word, burying his satisfied smirk in his beer glass.

**********

Nathan stood with his hat in his hand just inside the door of Allison's room. He took in the tiny dresser and dressing table with the tall mirror and her hand mirror and comb laid out beside the floral decorated wash bowel and ewer. Her clothes were hung on a rod across one corner with shoes and boots aligned neatly below and then in the corner a single wide bed with ornamental wire head and foot board.

He looked at that uncomfortably and sought out the small side chair, edging toward it while Allison put her things away.

"I don't have any liquor, would you like some tea or coffee?"

"Ah no- I think I'm fine . . . maybe some water?"

She went to a little cupboard he hadn't noticed and took down a glass. "Jenny Lum gave me a few dishes and things; she's very nice."

Nathan accepted the water after she came back from the well and took the opportunity to sit down. Allison folded her hands in front of her and perched on the edge of the bed.

"So-" They both said in unison and laughed, waiting before attempting more words.

"Uh, Allison . . . about- about the other night-"

"It's fine, Nathan. You don't have to say anything."

"But I do! I have to get this out and said." She looked down as his face began to look like he was in pain. "Allison- Allison I'm glad that happened and I'm sorry I wasn't- didn't . . ." He stopped as she stood and came toward him, holding out her hands.

Nathan set his glass on the floor and reached out as she slipped between his arms and buried her face in his chest. His hands automatically found her back and he hugged her toward him, praying he wouldn't say anything to spoil the moment. Her face tilted up and he felt suddenly disoriented staring so closely into her eyes. When they closed he felt the brush of her lips against his and now he prayed he wouldn't lose his footing.

This kiss alternated between firm and tender and he did feel their bodies begin to sway. A moment later they had tilted onto the bed, coming apart and watching each other' face without a word. When they came together again, Nathan knew he had fumbled and apologized for the last time - the lines were drawn by both and they joined.