“Teaspoon!” a voice called from outside several hours later. Jimmy and Teaspoon stood and exchanged a look.

“Sam Cain!” Teaspoon said as Sam came through the door. Sam’s deputy followed behind him. “It’s been a long time.”

“It sure has. How you been Teaspoon?”

“Been worse, been better. How’s Emma doin’?”

“She’s doin’ good.”

“Surprised she didn’t come with you,” Jimmy said.

“Well, she woulda, if she’d known, but it’s probably better. I had to come this way to transport a prisoner. She’s dyin’ to see all of you, but she can’t travel much these days.”

“She alright, Sam?” Jimmy asked with concern. Emma always held a special place in Jimmy’s heart. It had actually been a little hard to see her marry Sam. But Jimmy knew she was happy, and that was the important thing.

“She’s fine, Jimmy. She’s expectin’ a baby in a month or so. So she can’t travel much.”

Jimmy and Teaspoon shared a chuckle. “Congratulations!” they said nearly in unison.

“Ain’t that wonderful, Sam,” Teaspoon said.

“Well Teaspoon,” Sam said getting down to business. “Your letter and Kid said there was somthin’ big.”

“Yeah, Sam. I’d like you to meet Alexis Dawes. Or Alex Dawes, as she’s known,” Teaspoon said walking over to the cell.

“You’re Alex Dawes? I’ve heard about you.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Alexis said flatly.

Sam and the judge talked to Alexis while Teaspoon and Jimmy listened. Sam had gotten the letter from her father when he’d last been at the territorial capitol. The judge and Sam questioned her about the situation with Robert. Sam told her that running didn’t look good for her.

“Seth would have hung me without a trial. Of course I ran,” she said strongly.

“I understand, Mrs. Dawes. Believe it or not I do,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she said looking over his shoulder at Teaspoon. “What do we do now?”

“Well, ma’am, you’re going to have to have a trial,” the judge said. “That is the law.”

“Two of my riders went to Fox Creek to get witnesses to testify for her,” Teaspoon said.

“How long will that take?” Sam asked.

“Four days at the most.”

Sam and Judge Morris looked at each other. “Clarence?” Sam asked.

The judge leaned back in his chair and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well I suppose I could go to White Bluff and Bear Creek first and be back here in five days. If your witnesses aren’t back by then, I’m sorry.”

“I understand,” Alexis said.

“Thank you,” Sam said to the judge.

“I’ll leave in the morning,” Judge Morris said. “Can you send your deputy with me?”

“Sure thing,” Sam said. “Maybe we should go talk with Dawes and his brothers.”

“They’re down in the saloon,” Teaspoon said. “I’ll go with you.”

A little while after Teaspoon had gone to the saloon with Sam and the judge, Jesse came in. Jimmy was still sitting office along with Sam’s deputy.

“Hey, Jimmy.”

“Jesse. You’re a little late today aren’t you? Been spending time after school with Becky Williams?” he asked with a smile.

Jesse flushed a little. “No,” he said strongly. That caused Jimmy to laugh. “I had to help Janus right after school. He closed early to work on his farm.” Jesse grabbed the broom in the corner and began sweeping the floor. Jimmy just chuckled and looked out the window scanning the street. On reflex he took one of his guns out and started wiping it down.

“Are you Alex Dawes?” Jesse asked, seeing her in the cell.

“Yes, who are you?”

“I’m Jesse. Why are you in here? I thought you were at Rachel’s.”

“I was. But Teaspoon put me in here because my husband’s brothers showed up.”

“Did you really kill your husband?” Jesse asked her. He’d only heard bits of conversations from the others. Ever since seeing Coulter on the road, he’d been curious about Alexis. That curiosity increased after Teaspoon had returned with her and kept her under watch.

“Yes,” Alexis said softly while looking away. As she looked over Jesse’s shoulder she saw Jimmy watching them.

“Why’d you do it?” he asked almost too eagerly.

Alexis suddenly had no stomach for telling the story anymore, especially to an eager-eyed kid. She walked over to the cot and said with her back to Jesse, “It was self-defense.”

Jimmy stood up and put his gun in his holster. He walked over to Jesse and said, “leave her be Jesse.”

Jesse went back to work as Jimmy stood at the cell door. Alexis sensed he was staring at her and she turned around. A moment passed as they looked at each other. Jimmy stood with his dark eyes fixed on hers. She matched his gaze and didn’t flinch under his scrutiny. Everything melted away into the back ground as their senses became alive. There was a charge in the air as they stared into each others eyes, layers of defenses slowly peeling away. Then the moment was broken when Jimmy turned and walked out of the office. Alexis sat down on the cot, feeling flushed and slightly breathless.

“Thank you for dinner, Miss Dunne. It was delicious,” Sam said putting his napkin down on his plate.

“You’re welcome, Marshal Cain,” she said as she got up to clear the table. She shot a look to riders to get them to help.

“Call me Sam. Teaspoon, boys, it sure has been nice catchin’ up with you.”

“Next time you’ll have to bring Emma,” Kid said.

“She’d sure love to see all of you. But if you’ll excuse me,” he said standing, “I think I’m goin’ to head to the hotel. It’s been a long trip. Goodnight boys, Teaspoon, Miss Dunne.”

“It’s just Rachel,” she said gathering more dishes from the table. “You’re welcome here any time for supper.”

Everyone walked out with Sam to continue the evening. They hadn’t seen him since they’d moved from Sweetwater and were enjoying having him around. After talking for a little while longer, they finally said goodnight and Buck and Kid walked back into the bunkhouse.

“I’m gonna relieve your deputy,” Teaspoon said and started towards the jail.

“Sam? Can I talk with you?” Jimmy asked.

“Sure Jimmy. Why don’t you walk with me?”

They fell in behind Teaspoon and walked together, casually talking. Teaspoon settled in to watch Alexis and Sam’s deputy went to the hotel. As they walked away from the Marshal’s office Sam cleared his throat.

“What’s on your mind, Jimmy? Got somethin’ to do with Alexis Dawes?”

“Huh?” Jimmy said caught off guard.

“Well I noticed you didn’t say anything while Teaspoon was here. And I saw the looks you were giving her. She sure is a pretty woman.”

“Sam, you’re a married man.”

“Yes I am. But I’m not blind,” he said chuckling. “So what’s the problem, Jimmy? Think she wouldn’t be interested in you because she’s recently become a widow?”

“I don’t know Sam,” Jimmy said as he stopped and sat down on a bench. He waited until Sam sat down also. “There’s just somethin’ bothering me, and I couldn’t go to Teaspoon with it.”

Sam pulled a cigar out of his pocket and lit it while he waited. He hadn’t seen Jimmy in a while and he could tell Jimmy wasn’t as brash and hotheaded as he used to be. He’d grown wiser and thought about things more, which Sam was glad to see.

“Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

“Alexis? Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I’m just reminded of Sarah Downs.”

“Sarah Downs? Oh, the woman who set you up for the murder of her husband.”

“Yeah, I was so quick to believe her story because she said her husband beat her. My father used to hit my mother, so I bought every line she told me.”

“And so you wonder about Alexis. I can understand your hesitation. But from what Teaspoon said, and the doc who saw her here, those were some nasty bruises considering how old they were. Sarah Downs may have fooled some of us for a while, but you get a feeling for people. I think believe Alexis is telling the truth. She killed her husband in self-defense.

“If Cody and this other rider, Noah, can bring back someone to testify for her, then I think she’ll be cleared of the charges. So, is that all that’s botherin’ you?”

"What do you mean Sam?”

“Well, I’ve heard some of the things that have happened with you. That “Wild Bill” reputation that writer Marcus gave you has caused you some problems. Drifters callin’ you out looking to make a name for themselves. You sure you weren’t tryin’ to come up with some reason to push her away and ignore your feelings?”

Jimmy looked at Sam a little dumbfounded. “You sounded like Emma talkin’ there.”

“Well,” Sam said with a laugh. “I guess that comes from hearin’ her sound advice all the time. I’m surprised you haven’t found a nice young lady yet.”

“Kinda hard sometimes. Things ain’t always easy with my life.”

“Jimmy, take some advice from someone who knows. I caused some trouble in my days, but I decided I wanted something different. Your life is what you make it, not what others dictate it to be.”

“Now you sound like Teaspoon,” Jimmy said shaking his head. “But thanks, Sam. I feel better having talked with someone.”

“Any time, Jimmy. And just think about what I said. I’ve seen the looks you’ve given Alexis and I’ve seen the ones she’s given you.” Sam then stood and tossed his cigar down. He walked off to the hotel leaving Jimmy on the bench.

Jimmy sat there for a while thinking about what Sam had said. He really did feel better now. Alexis was different from Sarah. Sam was right there. But Sam’s last remarks left him with a whole new problem to think about. He stood and walked back to the bunkhouse grateful for his run tomorrow. He always thought things through better while out on a run.

On to Chapters 11 and 12!