If there was one thing that both Buck and Manolito knew they hated: it was shopping. Not just any shopping, but shopping for their sister, Victoria. Normally, Victoria had no trouble doing the shopping by herself; but seeing as she was in a delicate condition, she wouldn't leave the ranch very often, and so the boys had been saddled with running their own errands and picking up everything Victoria needed. The two of them had just stepped out of the mercantile with bags full of groceries.
"You know, Mano. I know Victoria can't exactly tell when the baby is coming and all; but if she could hurry it along somehow, I'd be obliged." Buck said.
Manolito sighed. "Ah, three more weeks, amigo, and then we'll be free aves."
The stage suddenly came around the corner and stopped at the station. The first passenger out was a young woman, her brown hair fastened into a bun and her face stern.
"Doesn't look might happy to be here, does she?" Buck said.
"I would have to agree, amigo."
"Well, if someone is going to welcome her to Arizona. It might as well be two gentlemen who just happen to live on the largest ranch this side of Tuscon, right?"
"Who better?"
Buck and Manolito eagerly crossed the street and approached the woman; both of them tipping their hats in greeting.
"Howdy, ma'am. My name is Buck Cannon, and this here is my brother-in-law, Manolito. Welcome to Arizona."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, gentlemen. If you'll excuse me." The woman said.
"Ah, we can't help but notice that you only have one bag with you. A short stay?" Manolito said.
"Not at all. I plan to stay in Tuscon for sometime. My bags have been sent ahead and are at the hotel. Which is why I must be going, I have a lot of unpacking to do."
"If you'd like, we could go and help you with that?" Buck suggested.
The woman sighed and faced the men. "I appreciate the offer, but the idea of two gentlemen walking up to a lady's hotel room is rather questionable, wouldn't you say? Besides, it seems that you both are very busy."
"Oh, well, you see. We were just runnning a few errands for our sister." Buck explained.
"How very kind of you."
"Well, that's us. We'd do anything for Victoria now." Buck said, chuckling nervously.
"Ciertamente." Manolito added.
There was an awkward silence as both of the boys gave a nervous laugh, before the woman started to walk away again.
"Seeing as you'll be here awhile. Shouldn't we know your name?" Buck called out.
The woman smiled and once again turned to the boys. "I suppose you should. It's Julia Newland. Good day, gentlemen."
"Julia Newland. Newland. How come that name rings the bell, Mano?"
"Don't you remember, Buck? It was in the papers. A millionaire named Anthony Newland was murdered a year ago in San Francisco."
A dumbfounded Buck could only stare as Julia entered the hotel. What would a young widow be doing so far from home?