Later in the evening, Virgil took Lucy to the local hotel and got her settled in her room. It was small and did not have much. An oil lamp, a bed, a water closet, a wardrobe and bare walls. That was it.

"How do you like it?" Virgil asked.

"Oh, it's wonderful, Uncle Virgil. It just seems a bit bare."

"I knew you would say that. How about we move you to my house?"

"No. Uncle Virgil, Katherine was born not too long ago and you and Aunt Ally need some private time. I would only be a bother. Besides, the room may be bare, but it's lovely."

"You are so much like your mother. Growing up, she always placed me or your grandparents before herself."

"Well. In all honesty, I think I am nothing like her."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because I love Aunt Ally and I would never hate you for falling in love."

"Which is why you are the best niece I've ever had."

Virgil kissed Lucy on the cheek and gave her a warm hug.

"Get some rest, Lucy."

"I will, Uncle."

Virgil left the hotel room and Lucy unpacked her luggage. Afterwards, she bathed in the water closet and then went straight to bed. In the middle of the night, gunshots rang through the air and woke Lucy instantly. Panicked, Lucy dressed herself in her night robe and then ran downstairs. Joe was pacing the floors.

"Mr. Whittfield, what's going on?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know. I woke up to get some fresh coffee and then I heard gunshots."

"Oh my. I need to get to my Uncle Virgil. I need to be sure he's okay."

"No, Miss Cole! I can't let you go out there. Not if someone has a gun."

"Gun or no gun, Mr. Whittfield. My Uncle is the Sheriff. I don't want to see him get hurt."

"All right. You stay here and I'll go get him."

Joe rushed from the hotel and left the frightened Lucy alone. Lucy waited for about an hour before Joe returned, panting and sweating.

"Thank heaven. Is my Uncle all right?"

"He and the Marshall are riding after the shooter. Is it all right if I sit down, Miss Cole?"

"Of course."

Joe sat down in an open chair and then Lucy saw it. Joe was bleeding. His whole shirt was stained in blood.

"Oh good Lord. Were you shot?"

"Almost. The shooter was shot and the bullet almost hit me. Thankfully, the blood just got on my shirt. I'm only resting because I ran all the way here."

"Why did you run? Surely you needed sometime to recover from the shock."

"I didn't have time. I was worried."

"Worried? Worried about what?"

"About you, Miss Cole."

"About me?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Mr. Whittfield, I do understand your concern but I was just fine here."

"I'm sorry about the Sheriff and The Marshall."

"You shouldn't be. They'll be back soon. In the meanwhile, you should change out of that shirt."

"I will."

Joe went upstairs to change while Lucy decided to stay up and wait for Virgil and Everett's return. Lucy fell asleep in the hotel's lobby and she was woken up when a kiss was placed on her cheek. She looked up to see Virgil.

"Uncle Virgil, you're safe."

Lucy stood up and gave Virgil a hug and then kissed Everett on the cheek.

"You should be in bed, Lucy. I can't have my niece being som...som...Everett, can you help me find the word?"

"Somnolent?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Well, I'm not very tired. Not after my scare with Mr. Whittfield last night. Also, staying up and worrying about both of you."

"The shooter rode until the river crossing. We lost him after that."

"Do you think he'll be back, Uncle Virgil?"

"I hope not, Lucy. I hope not."

"I'll make you both some coffee."

Everett and Virgil sat down and Lucy went into the hotel kitchen. She carefully held the coffee beans in a pan over a lit fire and soon dumped them in a percolator and began to brew the coffee. After it was done, she poured three cups of coffee. One for her, Virgil, and Everett. She served them on a tray.

"Still the best coffee I've ever tasted."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Think that Whittfield is thirsty?"

"Oh Mr. Whittifeld. I've forgotten. I sent him to bed last night. I'll go wake him."

Lucy went upstairs and knocked on Joe's door. She creaked it open and saw Joe laying in bed.

"Mr. Whittfield?"

Joe did not respond. He was obviously sound asleep. Lucy giggled and removed Joe's boots and covered him with a blanket. Quietly, she left the room and allowed Joe to sleep some more.

"He's resting. I'd prefer not to wake him." Lucy said.