Ben watched with great interest as Roy Coffee abruptly broke off their conversation to hustle over to the stage office. Curiosity soon got the best of Ben as he witnessed the animated sheriff's side of a conversation. His view of the other participant was blocked by the stagecoach that had just arrived, so Ben strolled across the street to get a better look. He was surprised to find a disgruntled Roy Coffee speaking with a short, round woman of uncertain age. Ben guessed her to be in her forties, but the woman's stature and rotund physique made it difficult to determine. Since it was obvious that she was not stranger to Roy, Ben stepped closer hoping for an introduction and put end to the intrigue.

"Oh Ben, let me introduce you to Thelma Louise Coffee, my late brother's gal. Thelma this is my good friend, Ben Cartwright." There was a desperation in Roy's eyes that Ben was having difficulty interpreting. "She's just in from visiting some family in Denver."

With much jostling of brown curls and great jiggling of flesh, Thelma poised her right hand for Ben to accept in greeting.

Taking her hand, Ben managed to keep his composure and beam a smile downward, despite the fact that there was a chuckle that was doing it's best to escape. "I'm very pleased to meet you Miss Coffee. How wonderful that you've come to Virginia City to visit your Uncle Roy."

"Why thank you, Mr. Cartwright", Thelma purred up at Ben. "Any friend of Uncle Roy's is a friend of mine. I'm just thrilled to finally get to Virginia City for a visit. It's been a long time…."

Ben's raised eyebrows caused the sheriff to interrupt his niece's prattling. "Yes, well, now Thelma, let's go and get you settled at the hotel."

Thelma pouted. "Hotel? Why Uncle Roy, I thought that I would be staying with you! I was so looking forward to cooking you some good meals and giving your place a thorough cleaning. Aunt Mary would not have expected anything else from me. I'm sure it could use a woman's touch..."

Ben's eyes grew wide as he listened to Thelma's rapid fire response. He began to feel sorry for his friend wondering how long Miss Thelma Louise Coffee was planning to stay in town. "Why don't we all go and get some lunch. It will be my treat. Your bags can be stored here at the stage office for the time being."

Thelma batted her eyelashes at Ben. "Why that's so kind of you, Mr. Cartwright. I could just tell from your wonderful smile that you are indeed a generous man - not that Uncle Roy would have friends that weren't good people, mind you."

"Uhh - thank you, Thelma - and Roy. Shall we then?" Ben motioned for them to move on down the boardwalk in the direction of the cafe.

Shifting his weight back and forth from one foot to the other, Roy hesitated. "Well, now, I really got some work that needs tendin' to at the office. Can't wait. Got a prisoner that needs sent to Carson. Uh - Ben - if you're a mind ta take Thelma ta lunch, then ya can bring her by the office when you're done."

Ben did a double take when he realized he would be doing battle alone and have no backup for lunchtime conversation with Thelma. Unable to politely retract his offer, he gave Roy a strained smile. "Certainly, I'd be happy to do that."

Thelma slipped her arm through Ben's and pulled him away from her uncle. "This will be lovely and honestly I'm famished! It was quite a trip, you know…."

Ben's long legs struggled to adjust his stride to the much shorter woman who waddled along beside him. With a grimace, he turned to look back at Roy while Thelma continued her steady stream of words. Ben had the feeling that he had just been played by the look of satisfaction and relief on Roy Coffee's face.

Thirty minutes later and with his plate still nearly full, Ben sat stunned as he watched Thelma consume copious amounts of food. He was utterly amazed at her ability to talk, chew, and dab her mouth with her napkin in dizzying fashion. Food and a perceived listening ear was all Thelma Louise Coffee needed to keep herself entertained for a good spell. Only an occasional nod or a single word response here and there was required of him. Ben could not remember a time that he had felt so mentally exhausted. With a great sigh, Thelma proclaimed that she was finished with her meal. He was shocked when the bill came. Ben thought to himself, Must be Hoss in disguise! His hand came up to cover his mouth when he was suddenly struck with a fit of coughing in response to his private joke.

Thelma jumped from her chair and began clapping Ben on the back. "There, there, you dear man! Let me help you!"

Now legitimately coughing and struggling to breathe, he croaked. "Oh, thank you, Thelma - but - I'm fine."

Ben tried to wave her off, but to no avail. The woman persisted with her thumping which forced him to push back his chair and stand to demonstrate his full recovery.

"Thank goodness you're alright, Mr. Cartwright. You had me quite frightened for a moment." Beads of perspiration were standing on Thelma's forehead. She dabbed at them with her napkin and then proceeded to vigorously fan herself.

With all the eyes of the lunchtime patrons now on them, Ben quickly pulled some money from his wallet, tossed it on the table, and pointed Thelma toward the door.

As they walked to Roy Coffee's office, Thelma noticed a poster announcing a concert to be held at the opera house in two days. She jerked Ben to a stop to get a good look at it. "Oh I would just love to hear Miss Urso sing!" Thelma's face took on a dreamy look, but it soon dissolved into a frown. "But I just know that Uncle Roy won't have time for such things."

"Roy is a very busy man." Ben did not want to give her false hope and put Roy in a difficult spot.

"But I'm certain a cultured man such as yourself would thoroughly enjoy an evening of music, wouldn't you, Mr. Cartwright?" There was expectation verging on pleading in Thelma's words.

"Uh - well - yes - I'm sure it will be a marvelous concert."

"And it would be a tragedy for a handsome man like you to attend such an event unaccompanied, now wouldn't it?"

"Well now, I don't know about that. I attend all sorts of events by myself."

"Yes, but, a gallant man like you would never allow a visiting lady to attend such a magnificent concert unescorted, would you Mr. Cartwright?"

Frustrated that Thelma seemed to have him at every turn, Ben gave in. "Thelma would you do me the honor of attending the concert Saturday evening?"

"Why Mr. Cartwright, I would be flattered to accompany you to Miss Camilla Urso's concert. Thank you for inviting me."

"You're welcome", he offered flatly, then mentally chiding himself for what he had done.

Thelma was quite pleased with the outcome of their conversation and sashayed her well-endowed backside with enthusiasm as they continued on their way to Roy's office. A stocky, bespectacled man came walking toward them. Heinrich Rottman raised his hand in greeting and paused so that he could have a word with Ben.

Rottman tipped his hat and spoke with a heavy German accent. "Good afternoon, Mr. Cartwright - ma'am. He gave Thelma a genuine smile that took Ben by surprise.

"Good day to you Henry. Thelma, this is Heinrich, or better known as Henry Rottman, our local gunsmith. Henry, this is Sheriff Coffee's niece, Miss Thelma Coffee."

"I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Rottman." Thelma extracted her hand from Ben's arm to offer it to the gunsmith.

Heinrich gently took Thelma's hand and looked directly into her eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Coffee."

The exchange between Thelma and Rottman struck Ben as odd. To Ben's knowledge, the reserved gunsmith, who poured himself into his quality workmanship, had never shown any interest in women since his wife passed away several years ago.

After Rottman released Thelma's hand, he turned to Ben. "Mr. Cartwright, the rifle that you asked me to repair is ready. I think you will find it in good working order once again. I am heading back to my shop. If you have time to stop and pick it up, I will have it ready for you."

"Thank you, Henry. I will stop in after I take Miss Coffee to the Sheriff's office. See you shortly."

"Very well. Good day to you Miss Coffee." Heinrich Rottman tipped his hat and proceeded down the boardwalk toward his shop.

Thelma tucked her hand back into the crook of Ben's arm. "Mr. Rottman seems like a nice man. I believe that I'm going to enjoy getting to know the people of VIrginia City."

Thelma's last statement made Ben uneasy. "How long do you plan to stay in Virginia City?"

"I'm not sure Mr. Cartwright, but if everyone is as congenial as Mr. Rottman and you are, I may just decide to make it my home for good."

Ben's throat tightened. "Well now, wouldn't that be nice, but I wonder what your Uncle Roy will say." There was an uncharacteristic squeak in his voice.

"Oh I don't intend to stay with Uncle Roy for very long." Thelma squeezed Ben's arm and leaned into his elbow.

Ben was thankful that he had not eaten much at lunch because he was beginning to feel queasy. Fortunately both Roy and Clem were in the office when Ben and Thelma arrived, relieving Ben from delivering Thelma to Roy's house. After saying he would pick her up for the concert at six-thirty Saturday evening and offering a hasty goodbye, Ben dashed out of the office door.