Kate awoke feeling a little less than refreshed. She'd had some...very active neighbors last night. After she dressed, she wandered downstairs to ask for directions to John Tunstall's place. It took a fair bit of coaxing, but eventually the sour man behind the desk gave her some vague ideas about where to go. Better than nothing...maybe. she thought as she saddled her horse and rode out. If she followed this road, he'd said...and then...well, she'd deal with later when it came.

Dick was watching the cattle, as he did every day, when he saw something out of place. A single rider on a horse, coming pretty fast. He squinted into the distance, but couldn't make out the rider. A few moments more and he saw it was a woman in a dark red and white dress. No need to get the Regulators...and he rode toward her alone.

She hoped the man who rode towards her was a friendly one. She slowed her horse as he approached, and waited to find out, hand on her pistol, just in case. His horse came to a stop right in front of hers, and she saw that he wore a dark hat, had a stern but honest face, and his eyes held a hint of suspicion. She took his moment of hesitation to speak first,

"Is this...John Tunstall's place?"

"Who's askin'?"

"I am," she joked. At his obvious lack of amusement, she added, "I'm sorry, it's private business. Family business from London. Is he here now?"

Dick only nodded, and led the way up to the house.

John was sitting outside as the two of them arrived. He stood as Kate dismounted, and asked Dick,

"Well, Richard, who is this young lady?"

"She said you'd know," he answered.

"Well, I'm sorry that I don't, Miss...?"

"Kate," she said, drawing a silver locket from her dress.

John held the locket in his hand, examining it, then raised his head.

"Katherine? My Katherine?"

At her ecstatic smile and eager nod, he swept her up into a tight embrace. Dick looked on, wondering if this girl was John's wife.

"How you've changed!" he said, releasing her.

"And you! You look so...American!"

They laughed, as if this were some joke they'd shared in the past.Dick still stood next to his horse, unsure of whether to return to his duty or try to learn more. John turned and noticed him.

"Oh, Katy, this is Richard, one of my Regulators."

"Oh, yes. I thought he had to have been," she held out her hand and Dick kissed it.

"Well, Miss Kate, I best be gettin' back to work. Been a pleasure," he said from his saddle as he tipped his hat to her. She nodded and curtsied. Once Dick's horse was clear of the horizon, Kate unloaded her horse and carried her bags inside.

"You know, I almost didn't make it here." she told John when they sat down in the living room.

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it was very odd, actually..." and she told him of why she'd missed her ride.

John smiled to himself as he realized the reason she'd been late was outside feeding the pigs, but out loud he expressed nothing but disbelief and concern. Then Kate sighed and ventured a guess,

"They don't know who I am, do they? The Regulators." Kate sounded almost disappointed.

"I scarcely believed I'd ever see you again, love. I had no reason to believe they needed to know," he said in apology.

He hugged her again and kissed her cheek.

"Now then. How was your trip, love?"

"My trip was...goodness. I do need a bath," she complained, fingering her hair.