Matthew's nap was interrupted when someone kicked the chair. He looked up in time to see two very familiar bags being carried out of the hotel. "Hey!" When he got outside, he saw the figure disappear around the side of the building. "Stop!" The boy with the bags was running full on, around the backside of the building, with Matthew closing in. He grabbed the boy by the coat and shoved him up against the wall. "Where did you get tho- those-"

A broad grin spread across Caitlin's face. He dropped her and staggered back. Laughter began to bubble up, and soon both of them were doubled over. Then he got very serious and pulled the wool cap off Caitlin's head. "Oh, girl, what have you done?"

After an uncomfortable silence, Caitlin said, "They'll be looking for a man and a woman, not a man and a boy."

"Yeah but…"

"I couldn't very well hide it… You're upset."

"No, no, I'm not. I'm just-" He paused. "It's brilliant. I would have never known you."

She smiled and gave him her bag. "This is for you."

"What's that?"

"Your disguise."

He opened the satchel containing a green leather coat and red pants. "No. Oh no. I can't wear this."

Matthew's clothing had always been a source of pride for him. It gave him an air of success which helped him to earn the trust and respect of wealthy men. It was also elegant enough to invite the amorous attentions of wealthy women. His white jacket made him stand out in a crowd. It was a pain in the ass to take care of, but that suit opened doors for Matthew that he needed opening. He was going to miss it.

"Matthew, they will be looking for a well-dressed man."

"Right, they won't be looking for a clown."

"Or indeed, a pimp."

"Oh, is that where this came from? I might have known."

"You can't travel looking like this. Would you rather I found you a dress?"

"No, thanks. I'll try it on."

He walked back toward the hotel. Caitlin stopped him. "Wait, I can't go back there!"

"Why?"

She gestured to her clothing. "Your bride?"

"Oh, right."

She looked around. "We need to find someplace secluded. Do you remember that barn we saw on the way in to town?"

The barn was indeed secluded. It was situated on a gentle slope leading down to a creek. It was the perfect spot for grazing animals to find shelter and water. They took a quick look around to be sure they wouldn't be disturbed, then they got down to the business of Matthew's disguise.

Caitlin rummaged through her bag to find the man's shirt. Matthew got his halfway off, but stopped when he noticed that she was staring. She had certainly seen men with their shirts off before in her father's factory, without giving them another thought. They were perhaps more muscular than this man, but seeing Matthew this way, she sensed a certain grace in his movement. He seemed to be totally at ease with his body. She had to admit, it was appealing.

She put that thought from her mind, preferring to concentrate on the task at hand. She tossed the shirt and headed for the door.

"Caitlin, wait. I need your help." Matthew took two large rolls of gauze out of his bag. He made a pocket out of a strip of gauze, and in it he laid the money, one bundle next to the other. "We're going to have a bit of a problem. See, I was planning on you wearing a corset."

He indicated to Caitlin to help him to wrap the pouch around his waist. "We'll have to come up with other hiding places."

After he had thrown the money down the river, it left them with forty-nine bundles, each containing 100-ten dollar bills. The first pouch would only take eleven bundles around Matthew's slender waist. Caitlin wrapped the packet around him using the roll of gauze. She had to reach all around him, so it was impossible not to notice his skin, his muscles, and his scent.

He made another pouch, and Caitlin wrapped it above the first one, around his chest. That took care of twenty-two bundles. The red plaid pants had lacing up the back at the waist, so they loosened it, and figured they could lay one more bundle over the lower one, giving Matthew a bit of a pot belly. This packet took twelve bundles. That left them with fifteen bundles to hide.

"You'll have to wrap them around me." Caitlin removed her jacket and vest, untucked her shirt and unbuttoned the lower section. She sucked in her breath when he first touched her, so he backed off, smiling.

"Relax darlin'. I am a doctor."

Why didn't that make her feel better?

He waited, as if daring her to ask again.

"Well, all right then. Just do it!"

When he finished the wrapping, Caitlin tucked in her shirt and buttoned her vest. Matthew shrewdly looked her over. "Actually, you look more like a boy when you cover up those curves." He walked down to the creek. "I need to shave off my mustache."

Caitlin followed. "You know, we need names. You can still be Captain Jackson, but what should be your Christian name? What do you think of 'Homer'?"

"I hate the name 'Homer'."

"Excellent. Homer it is. What about me? What do I look like?"

"Hmm… Charlie? M—mmm—Miller."

"Charlie Miller and Homer Jackson."

Caitlin produced Matthew's gun and holster from her satchel. He strapped on his gun and put on the green jacket.

"And how should we say that Charlie Miller and Homer Jackson come to be traveling companions?"

"Cousins?"

"What about the accent?"

"I'm your long-lost cousin from England."

"Ah yes, dear old Aunt Sheila and Uncle Rufus from the old country. Fond memories. Well, Cousin Charlie, we'd better go catch that train."