Ryan watched the sheriff with impatience. He didn't like having anyone loitering in the hotel lobby and especially the law; sent a bad message. Nathan was leaning on the reception counter, his fingers working the brim of his hat and his lips moving silently. When he saw Allison coming down the hall he stood up and framed the whole scene with his eyes before segregating it into separate parts: the hair, the eyes, the nose and mouth.

She smiled warmly and his picture puzzle scattered.

"Something wrong?"

"Huh? No, nothing . . . nothing at all," he put his hat on and offered his arm. "You look mighty fine, Allison."

"Thank you." She took the offered arm and hesitated, thinking they were going to the dining room.

"I thought we might- that is if you don't mind." Nathan fumbled.

"I'd have to know what I might not mind first." Her look flushed his mind empty and he could only point to the street door.

Outside, he gathered his thoughts again and began his practised speech.

"I was thinking we might walk a bit. There's a wonderful view of the sunset from behind the church. This weather has added a little special something to the display." His words rang stiff and phony in his ear and he watched with unease the tiny smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "Uh- I mean if that's okay with you."

"It sounds very nice, Nathan and with the evenings cooling somewhat, a pleasant idea."

He knew she was going along so as not to embarrass him and his mental kicking was pushing him further along the same path.

"The view is from the church cemetery; I hope that won't bother you. I mean, some folks get uncomfortable in- in graveyards." Another kick. Why couldn't he just shut up?

"No, that doesn't bother me at all." Her am tightened briefly on his, signalling her comfort.

They stepped down onto the road and crossed diagonally to the picket fence fronting the church property. Nathan opened the small gate and they followed the dirt path around behind the building.

"This is quite lovely actually," she said with mild surprise.

"The ladies guild sees that it's kept up. We also have a Boot Hill at the other end of town." More useless information, he thought.

"So many graves, I'm surprised."

"The town is around forty years old. Started as a way station for stagecoach and Pony Express riders because of the river at the other end of town and the fact it runs underground through the town. Lots of well water available."

"Jenny Lum has a big well behind her shop."

"Right! She would for all that washing and such. How was the room anyway?" He led her to a small wooden bench facing west and they sat silently for a moment just watching the sky change.

"It is perfect. I wasn't expecting it to be so- so- well, nice. I mean, being in back of a laundry and all. It even has its own entrance . . ." She paused at the implication then quickly pointed to the sky. "Oh look! How beautiful!"

They sat and watched the sky turn bloodshot as the sun dipped below the horizon then darkness gathered around them like a cloak.

Allison looked to Nathan for direction. "I suppose we should head back to some light so we can see where we are going."

"We're okay, I can see fine." He took her hand and led her from the cemetery out to the street.

"I'm glad you showed me that, Nathan; it was beautiful." She took his arm and they stepped up onto the walkway and strolled back to the hotel.

"I hope you are hungry, I kind of asked for something a little special."

"Nathan . . . I am really grateful for everything you have done for me and- and . . . I'm just not-"

"So help me, Allison this is just dinner. I- I just wanted you to feel more comfortable . . . you know- about the west . . ." Could he sound more ridiculous! Her smile told him no but she was too much a lady to say it. They arrived at the hotel and he bumbled about getting her seated and waving to Margaret at the kitchen door.

The special dinner was a huge success and Allison was truly delighted with the grilled fish caught in Parkerville's own river. Maggie fussed and fiddled almost to the point of having Nathan stick her in jail. Accepting her thanks along with her relief from duty, Maggie left the couple in the dining room - alone.

"She's a wonderful woman, Nathan. I've never had a friend like that."

"Yeah Maggie's kind of special. She came here with her husband when the town was still young and they worked hard together getting this place established."

"This place? You mean the hotel? Maggie owns the hotel?"

"She's just a partner now. Her husband was killed in a brawl in the saloon and Ryan, along with Jennie Christie stepped up with money to keep her in business. They are all equal partners. Ryan runs the hotel. Maggie runs the saloon and dining room and Jennie manages the third floor."

"The third floor?"

"Uh- can I get you another drink, tea, coffee?"

***********

"That was a wonderful evening, Nathan and the meal was delicious."

They sat out on the walk in front of the hotel on a long wooden bench. A moon with wisps of gossamer cloud strung across its face made wave-like patterns on the hard rutted street. Nathan didn't notice; his attention was all on Allison's profile in the same moonlight.

"I hate to see it end but now that I am working I need a night's sleep."

"Hmmm . . . oh, right, yes of course! I'll see you to your place."

He walked as slowly as he dared, sensing the gentle touch of her hand on his arm. Nathan had never had an evening like this before. He felt different with Allison. If he was honest with himself he felt something for her the day he first saw her get off the stage. He prayed she had given up any thoughts of returning east.

They arrived at the laundry and Allison led him around to her private entrance. The moon wrapped itself in more cloud and crept away unnoticed leaving the couple in the dark and quiet save for the perceptible bump of two hearts. When the embrace came, neither recognized the moment for what it was, lost instead in the physical act. The kiss was first gentle, sweet, changing quickly to passion and desire.

Allison pulled away and placed a finger against her lips, her thoughts stampeding wildly through her head. Visions of the attack in the cabin danced menacingly behind her eyes and she gave out a small cry.

"Allison . . . I'm so sorry . . . I shouldn't have- I don't know what . . . I'm sorry."

"Please, I need to go inside." She stood shaking and he hurried to assist her into her room.

"It was- I am so sor-"

"Don't. Don't say that again. I need to lie down . . ."

"Of course . . . look, Allison- I know that was a mistake. I had no right- you were still-"

"Nathan, I need to lie down." She held the door until he stepped outside then turned back before closing it. "It wasn't a mistake . . . just too soon."

He repeated her words in his head, his eyes locked on hers in the fading light and as if they had actually touched her, she raised her face to his.

"Good night, Nathan . . . thank you again." The door closed with a soft click.

He stood staring at it, listening once again to her words and feeling a rush of relieved surprise. A swirl of emotions took over his mind as he wandered back to the street and wasn't paying attention when he stepped off the walk and crossed the alley beside his office. The phrase, 'too soon' still flirted with his tongue when he quickly recognized the sharp jab in his back and stopped hands half raised.

"I want to know where that murderin' whore is, Sheriff."

"You are making a big mistake, Mr. Wellman."

"I'll show you who's makin' a mistake you don't tell me where she is."

"She's gone back east - in a state of shock too. Your brother-" The gun jabbed hard.

"That's a lie! And don't you go blamin' my brother for what she done."

"She's not here so put that gun away before you make more trouble."

Nathan felt the sharp crack of the gun on his head and he stumbled forward into the jail wall.

"That's for the punch you gave me, and I still say you're lyin'. I'll find her myself."

Nathan grabbed his head, thankful his Stetson absorbed some of the blow and watched Wellman join his two friends, heading for the saloon. He hoped like crazy Allison stayed in her room and nobody in the saloon mentioned where she was. He squeezed his eyes and shook off the blur as he made his way into the office.

The pain returned and he tried to see in the tiny office mirror just how much damage was done. There was blood on his fingers where they probed the sorest spot and he got a small towel, soaked it in water from the pitcher and wiped gingerly over the spot. He felt he had to get up to the hotel, there was no telling what that Wellman would do; he'd arrest him for assault, that would stop his crazy hunt.

Setting his hat carefully on his head, Nathan headed back up the street to the hotel. Three horses were tethered at the rail outside with tack he recognized as Wellman and his boys. Inside, Ryan was closing up the registration desk and he made a face at Nathan, jutting his chin toward the saloon dining room.

"I hope you are here to keep an eye on those three that just came in."

"Did they say anything?"

"Asked if a woman was staying here, I said no then Margaret came out and told them, bare-faced, that the only woman that had been here was the poor dear who was attacked by her intended husband and when she was released for defending herself against that animal, she caught the stage back east. The one man, I thought, was going to gun her down right there but the others led him away into the saloon."

"They causing any trouble?"

"No. But the one, the angry one, he's drinking up a storm."

Nathan thanked him and went into the saloon area of the dining room.

"Back for more are ya?" Corbin immediately started to rise. Several men moved back along the bar away from what looked like danger.

"I'm here to tell you and your friends to grab your horses and leave now or I'll be arresting you for assaulting an officer of the law."

"Just try it."

"Don't tempt me, Wellman. Just the three of you skedaddle- now."

"We'll see-" Gus grabbed Corbin's hand as it came up with his gun and the two staggered back, knocking over a chair and wrestling noisily. When Corbin shook free he was staring down the barrel of Nathan's pistol and as he moved he heard the hammer cock.

"Your choice, Wellman, leave now on your horse or strung over it."

"C'mon, Corbin," Jethro pleaded, "We've done enough drinkin'."

Gus took his arm and Corbin snatched it away as they shuffled reluctantly toward the door

"This ain't over!" Corbin's finger jabbed toward Nathan. "I know she's here somewhere and you ain't gonna stop me from findin' her!" He shrugged off his men again as they urged him out of the room.

Margaret had witnessed the entire scene from the dining room and she approached Nathan with fingers to her lips and concern carved into her features.

"Nathan, your bleeding!"

He put his hand to his neck and saw what she meant. Blood had leaked down under his hat and onto his collar.

"Guess I better . . ." He slumped sideways and grabbed the edge of a table for support while he sagged onto a chair.

"Get Amos!" Margaret shouted to the room.