The party was a huge success, Raven and Crooked Smile outdid themselves with all the decorations and service. The piano went non-stop and the laughing and dancing shook the old building's frame. Rue and Billy never made it back in time but there was still hope for New Years.

When it was all over and most of the folks had left, CrazyGoose pulled 3Gun aside and showed him the note from Rue that she had sent back with Bessie. He was mad, to say the least, at not finding out until then that Ruby was on her way back again.

Another copy of the paper came out with a glowing article about the Christmas party. There was a request for Limmericks from the revellers, to post on the saloon wall and of course the funnies, which were.

Miss Darkly was all a dither over opening her new bakery officially and seemed to have let her uncle's dilemma slide. Kae, on the other hand was like a wraith, never seen and rarely heard. Nobody knew her plans.

On yet another front, Crooked Smile and Raven were getting their heads together over some plan regarding Alister's deed. Raven was adamant that Galina not be allowed to get her hands on it. Since the news had already been spread, more and more strangers were drifting into the Gulch, which made protecting Alister all the more important.

*****

Ruby's escape back to Busted Gulch distracted Ruchari, who had left Billyat their campsite over Chistmas, and by the time she got to the county jail, Steel Diamond and the girls had escaped as well, and the Marshal was dying from the poisoned pudding. His sister Loren was trying to save him but did not know how.

Ruechari took over, knowing if she worked fast, she could save the Marshal but she also had to warn 3Gun bout the escapes. She promised Loren she would save her brother but Loren had to hurry to Busted Gulch and tell the Sheriff what happened. When the Marshal came around he immediately blamed Rue for letting the prisoners loose and wouldn't listen to her explanation. He tossed her into a cell.

After using her powers to save him, she was just too exhausted to fight back