Victoria spent a restless night, tossing and turning, thinking about her first 'big business' deal. Could she really be cut out to take over her father's business affairs? She went over in her mind every possible scenario that could evolve during this transaction and the image of her father constantly crept to mind. What would he do? How would he handle this? She felt a sense of reassurance as her father's voice spoke to her, recalling to memory all the things he so earnestly taught her. She also felt a sense of greater comfort knowing she wasn't out here all alone. These people, the ones she could call friends, they cared for her and were eager to help her. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but the thought of having someone really look out for her best interests gave her a peaceful calmness that had escaped her for some time now and she finally fell asleep.

***************

A knock on her door awakened Victoria. It was Rachel coming in with a wash basin and some towels. "Victoria honey, you must get up now or you'll be late."

"What time is it?" she asked half groggy.

"It's almost eight o'clock, so if don't get outta bed now, you won't be on time."

"Alright." she responded as she tore herself from the bed.

Rachel filled the wash basin with water as Victoria started to regain her senses and get moving. "Quickly!" she urged clapping her hands. "The boys are almost through getting the horses ready so get a move on." she finished, leaving the room.

Victoria managed to get herself together quickly, deciding to wear the outfit Cody had chosen for her the previous day. A periwinkle colored dress, cuffed at the elbows with a short flare. The neckline and cuffs were accented with a fine trim of lace that added nicely to the look. Her hair had been pinned to the sides of her head with a pair of small silver combs that allowed for her brown locks to fall gently on her neck. She wanted to make the best impression she could, not that it would've mattered much being who she was...a very rich and powerful woman. Early on in life she had noticed how people would treat her different and cater to her every whim once they knew she was wealthy. Money had a strange effect on people she thought. Finally Victoria made it downstairs. Rachel had been setting a plate for her, for breakfast.

"Bye Rachel."

"Aren't you gonna eat something?"

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry." she said as she hurried out the door.

"Hope everything goes okay and be careful!" she shouted in a motherly tone.

***************

Jimmy and Kid had gotten their horses ready and Cody had of course decided that this time it was he, who would ride alongside Victoria in the buckboard. The three had been discussing the trip to town. "I just hope we don't find any trouble." said Kid.

"You mean you hope trouble don't find us instead." reiterated Cody.

"Well if it does, you know what to do Kid. You get her outta there as fast as you can." said Jimmy as he checked the chamber of his gun.

Kid and Jimmy noticed the smile that suddenly appeared on Cody's face. They turned around to see that Victoria was approaching.

"Tell me I haven't died and gone to heaven." Cody said as he walked to meet her.

" 'Morning Victoria."

"Good Morning Cody." she greeted with a smile.

"I say, that dress looks even better today than it did yesterday."

"Cody!...You're embarrassing me." she said as they walked along.

"I'm sorry if I am but I just feel that beauty should always be complemented." he said as his eyes shimmered in the morning sun.

She felt taken in by his flirtatious comments. She had to admit to herself that she enjoyed it. "Are you always so charming?"

"Only when I see what I want."

Victoria didn't know what to say. His bold comment caught her totally off guard. The blush on her face made that quite apparent. Cody had put his cards on the table. He was interested in her...she sensed it now without a doubt.

"You're a very bold man."

"When I have to be."

"I like that." Cody felt like jumping for joy. He had definitely scored some points with her. 'This is just the beginning.' he thought. He had many more charming techniques up his sleeve.

They reached the buckboard where Kid and Jimmy had been waiting. They could see from a distance that there was something more going on than just a casual 'Good Morning'.

They tipped their hats to Victoria. "Good Morning." they each said.

"Good Morning Kid, Jimmy." A big smile came over her face when her eyes met with Jimmy's. She couldn't help it. She felt a bit embarrassed hoping they had no clue as to her conversation with Cody.

"You look very nice." said Jimmy with his usual smile, as his eyes roamed her body.

"Is that a compliment I didn't have to force?"

"Oh, I'm not as difficult as you think." he responded still smiling.

"Well thank you."

"Hope Cody didn't drool on you too much." joked Kid, making her blush. By Kid's comment she could discern that everyone at the station knew that Cody had an interest in her.

"Who Cody?" she asked turning in his direction. "He's too charming to drool." she stated as she looked at him with those brown eyes that melted away his heart. He conjured a smile at his two friends and helped Victoria unto the buckboard. The idea that something could develop between her and William wasn't far-fetched in her mind. 'Why not?' she thought. Cody was afterall a very handsome man, from his long blonde hair to his sparkling blue eyes; quite a nice body from what she had gotten to see, but it was his vivacious personality that she thought was his biggest assest. He could find a witty comment for any situation. She found that part of him to be very refreshing.

Even though she might've considered such possibilities with Cody, was she really ready for a relationship? A relationship of any kind? Her luck with men was not the best. Just one year ago she would've been a married woman, but due to certain circumstances the union did not materialize. Could she ever trust another man? Her feelings of uncertainty as to having a possible "nomal" love life with anyone, was a constant battle inside her. All she knew is that she didn't want to be alone for the rest of her days; an old maid so young. She wanted a man who would fulfill her desires, her passions, someone to totally consume her in his love; a man with whom she could share every possible crevice of her being. Could this man be William Cody? she didn't know, but she was tired of playing the waiting game. It had gotten old and always attracted the wrong kind of men. It was time she took matters into her own hands if she wanted to find the man of her dreams, ready or not.

***************

They arrived in town without incident and were met by Teaspoon, Buck and Lou in front of the bank. "Glad you made it all right." said Lou.

"So far, so good." said Kid.

"Well our friends haven't shown their faces yet, but I reckon they won't fail to show. Buck, Lou and I will be just an earshots away, so if anything starts a' happenin', you boys know what to do." They nodded at Teaspoon in agreement.

At that moment Mr. Miles, the banker, walked outside to greet them. "Good Morning Marshal Hunter, boys."

" 'Morning Miles...This here is Ms. Victoria Sutton, she come to claim that land on Murphy's Canyon."

"Oh, Ms. Sutton," he said shaking her hand. "are you okay?" he asked noticing the slight bruises on her face.

"Actually, I had a little accident on my way to Rock Creek but I'm fine now, thanks to Mr. Hunter and his boys."

"I'm sure glad to hear it. I must say I'm surprised to see you. I was expecting your father to be here instead."

"I'm sorry but my father has passed on."

"Goodness, I didn't know. My condolences to you."

"Thank you."

"Miles, I'm sure Ms. Sutton along with the rest of us is quite anxious to get this thing done with, so can we please get the show on the road." motioned Teaspoon towards the bank.

"Oh of course. Please follow me." said the slender man as Victoria, Kid, Hickok and Cody, who had his rifle flung over his shoulder, followed.

Mr. Miles had her sit at a desk where several documents were neatly arranged awaiting her signature. She handed Mr. Miles the matching deed. "I need your signature here, here and here." She picked up the fountain pen and whispered, "Well daddy, I kept my promise." and signed where designated.

"Congratulations Ms. Sutton. I'm sure you're going to love this property. It is one of the choicest around here. Your father had a very good eye." She just smiled.

"Well I'd say that went smoothly." said Cody.

"Not so fast." added Kid who had been looking out the window. "We have company."

The Adams boys along with some of their cronies, pulled up to the bank.

"Oh my, I hate confrontations." said Mr. Miles with his timid voice.

"We'll handle it." said Jimmy checking his gun once again.

Chet, Kyle and Taylor dismounted and entered the bank. " 'Morning everyone." greeted Chet as his eyes met with those in the room.

"We don't want any trouble." Mr. Miles managed to say through his quivering voice.

"Shut up!" shouted Kyle, pushing the smaller man.

"Now Kyle, take it easy. We ain't here to start no trouble, especially with this fine lady here in our midst. I just come to see the man that's responsible for kicking me off my land."

"He ain't here." informed Kid.

"Well where is he then?!" shouted Chet.

"He's gone." added Cody.

"Well where did he go?" asked Chet wryly. There was no response.

"Hey, maybe this one'll tell us." Kyle said as he grabbed Victoria by the waist from behind.

"Get your hands off me!" she yelled as she tried squirming out of his strong hold.

In unison, Cody, Kid and Jimmy pointed their guns at Kyle. "Let her go." demanded Hickok. "I mean it, or I'll drop you where you stand."

"Let her go Kyle!" cried the youngest of the brothers.

"Shut up Taylor. He's bluffin'." retorted Kyle with a smirk.

"Try me." replied Hickok as he cocked his gun, his eyes focused intently on Kyle.

"Let her go Kyle." said Chet.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"NOW!!" shouted the elder brother. Kyle responded immediately and let Victoria go, who in one swoop swung around and slapped him. He reached for his gun at once.

"Don't do it." warned Hickok. Kyle withdrew his hand knowing Hickok would not hesitate to kill him on the spot.

"Calm yourself down Kyle." said Chet as he made his way towards Victoria with the documents in hand. "I never thought the person I'd be looking for would be so...pretty." he said as he looked her up and down.

"What you talkin' 'bout Chet?" asked Taylor.

"It seems by these papers here, that a Ms. Victoria Sutton is the one claiming our land. If my guess is right this must be you. No wonder you've got these boys protectin' ya. You pick your friends real good."

"I try." she responded.

"You look like a smart woman. I know you're a very rich one for sure, but you see, we got us a problem with this here purchase." he said waving the papers in the air. "You see Ms. Sutton, a large part of our land is connected to what's called Murphy's Canyon and we're kinda partial to it...BUT! being the business folk we are, I'm willing to make ya a deal. I'm willing to sell ya my portion of land say, for 3,000 dollars and you'll never see or hear from us again."

"That's extortion!" shouted Mr. Miles. Victoria's face turned stone cold. She hated being pushed around especially by the likes of someone like Chet Adams.

"You're a sorry excuse for a man."

"Maybe so, but I ain't here to win no merits. Do we have us a deal?"

"I don't know who you think you are. Did you think you could easily intimidate me because I'm a woman? You know my daddy always said "Never call a dog out to a fight that you don't know nothing about", and you just called the wrong one."

"Are you threatenin' me?"

"I don't need to threaten you Mr. Adams. All I know is that you're now on my land. I'm giving 30 days to clear out!" She snatched the papers from him and walked away.

"You know, you may own that land, but you takin' possession of it, well... that's a different story." he said menacingly.

"Well we'd have a problem with that." said Cody. " 'Cause you see, we're here to make sure she gets that land. If you threaten her, you got problems with us."

"It's okay Cody. Mr. Adams apparently doesn't know that in case any unfortunate calamity were to befall me, that land would belong to the United States government, transferred to them immediately upon my death and I'm sure you wouldn't want the army to vacate you by force, now would you? I told you, I have the upper hand." she stated unfazed by his threat.

Chet seeing she wasn't intimidated became angry. "You think this is over? Well it ain't!" he shouted at her just inches from her face. He continued with a soft evil tone in her ear. "Your friends here, they ain't always gonna be there at your side. Keep that in mind, 'cause I sure will. C'mon boys." Kyle and Taylor followed their brother out of the bank. Chet walked over to his horse, where he was met by Teaspoon.

"Marshal."

"I heard what went on in there and I'm giving you fair warning Chet. You as much touch one hair on her, you're gonna have to wrangle with me."

Chet just smiled, not acknowledging the Marshal's warning and mounted his horse. He galloped away followed by the others.

***************

Victoria had excused herself to the small room that was Mr. Miles' office. Kid, Jimmy and Mr. Miles had made their way outside to make sure their new nemesis left without further incident. Cody started out, but followed Victoria instead. Her back was to the door. "Are you all right?" he asked most concerned.

"I don't know." she answered, the words getting stuck in her throat.

He approached her and turned her around. "You're trembling." he said as he held her arms. "Oh Cody!" she cried, falling into his chest.

"Hey, what's this all about?" he lifted her face towards his. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I've never had anything like that happen to me, I was so scared."

"I'd say you handled it better than I expected."

"No one has threatened my life before. I'm so scared Cody." she repeated as she buried her head in his chest once again.

"Don't cry." he consoled, as he kissed the top of her head. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you." Victoria didn't know why, but she felt so safe in his embrace; she didn't want to let go.

"What's going on?" asked a voice from behind them. They looked toward the door. It was Jimmy. The instant he saw them locked in such an intimate embrace he felt a twinge. He couldn't tell if it came from his stomach or his chest, but the sight of Cody and Victoria was very disconcerting to him.

Victoria separated from Cody and turning away from Jimmy's direction, wiped the tears away from her eyes. The thought of Hickok seeing her cry was too much for her to bear. He was a strong man and he liked his women strong, she thought. 'Pull yourself together' she told herself. "Nothing's going on." she said finally.

"Didn't sound like nothing from what I heard." he meant the sounds of crying.

Victoria turned around to face him. He could see that indeed, she had been crying. Her eyes gave away the signs she was trying to hide. "I'm in big trouble." she blurted.

"What do you mean?" asked Cody. "What kind of trouble?" followed Jimmy.

"I lied." she paused. "I lied when I said I had the land secured in case something happened to me...I don't," she finished softly.

"You mean the whole time you was bluffin'?!" asked a very surprised Cody.

"I can't believe that." added Jimmy with a smile.

"Hickok! This is not funny!" she said raising her voice. Jimmy covered the smile with his hand. "If they ever find out about this, who knows what they'll do to me!"

"Kill ya for one." teased Jimmy.

"You know Hickok, I'm so glad you find this so very amusing because I DON'T! You may be used to people pointing guns at you and threatening you around every corner but I'M NOT!!" She stormed out of the room visibly upset.

"Victoria! C'mon, I-I was just kidding!" he yelled, walking after her.

Cody stood next to his friend as they watched Victoria and began shaking his head. "Jimmy, you sure have a way with the ladies...remind me not to take any lessons from you."

"Shut up Cody."

***************

"Best poker face I ever seen." said Cody later that night at dinner. "You and I both." said Kid. "I can't believe it. And they fell for it?" asked Lou. "She had us all fooled" added Jimmy. "You gotta hand it to her. She was backed up in a corner; she had to come up with something." said Buck. "Yeah, but that something could cost her her life." said Kid.

Rachel came over to join them. "How is she?" asked Teaspoon. "Not good. She's been in her room ever since ya'll got back. She doesn't want to eat, doesn't want to talk. I'm worried. I think this whole thing took more out of her than we realized."

"I guess I didn't make it any better by taking light to it."

"Well that's in the past Jimmy. Now, who all knows about this?"

"Just us here." replied Cody.

"Does Miles?" "Nope." answered Jimmy.

"Good. Let's keep it that way. As long as they think such a paper exists, she'll be all right."

"Try convincing her of that." said Rachel.

"You know Rachel, I come to appreciate in my many years, that a person's conscience is a very delicate little thing. That little voice in our heads needs some talking to once in a while. It needs to be convinced that it did the right thing. Sometimes, it needs the help of other little voices, you know what I'm sayin'?" he said raising his one eyebrow.

They got Teaspoon's message loud and clear. They had to help Victoria realize that no matter what, her decision was a smart one. She had to protect her vulnerability and of course she wasn't there to handle things by herself anymore. She had them.

**************

On to Chapter 6...