Luke walked out onto the front porch Monday morning to find Maisy at the table finishing some schoolwork. "Hey Maise," he said as he strolled up to the table.

"Hey," she replied quietly, keeping her focus on the task at hand.

"Watcha working on?"

"Arithmetic; didn't get a chance to finish my homework this weekend," she mumbled.

Luke was already feeling guilty with what had transpired over the past couple days, and seeing his sister in a sullen mood didn't help that feeling. "Need any help? I'm real good at your level of arithmetic," he offered.

"Nope."

Luke sat down beside Maisy. "Look, Sis, I know you're mad at me, but that doesn't mean I can't help."

"Like you helped last night?" she snapped.

"Hey, I didn't ask you not to tell Pa, that was your choice," he countered.

"I'm not Mary, Luke! I don't squeal on people!"

Luke's expression softened a bit. "Well you might as well have told cuz Pa figured I had done something."

"Why, what happened?"

"When you ran out of the house last night, he sent me to my room then came in about a half an hour later. Told me you were on restriction for the next two weeks and that I would be doing all your chores along with my own. Said he didn't know how I was involved, but that he was sure I was."

"You got off pretty easy, if you ask me," Maisy huffed.

Luke knew she was right, but Maisy didn't have to go through all this trouble to buy their father a gift. She should have drawn him a picture instead, as Luke had suggested to begin with. "Was pa tough on you?" he enquired.

"Well, let's see...he's returning my present to the store, I have to donate all my money to the orphanage, I'm restricted to my room for two weeks where I have to read and study the bible – Ma added that one – and to top it all off I've got a sore backside from one helluva tanning. So excuse me if I can't feel sorry for you about some extra chores," she said dryly.

"Boy, that's pretty tough, all right," he shared sympathetically. "It's not like you robbed a bank or anything."

"Yeah, I know," she agreed gloomily.

Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out a little felt pouch and placed it on the table in front of Maisy.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Twenty-four dollars; I figured you deserve it seeing that you played the game against Wiley, not me. Plus it ain't fair you had to give your share to charity."

Maisy picked up the pouch and held it in her hand. "Thanks Luke, but I thought I gave you forty dollars," she casually mentioned with a cocked eyebrow.

"I still get forty percent, Maisy. I may be nice, but I ain't that nice," he smiled.

"Sure you are," she chuckled then rose and hugged her brother.

"Alright, alright, don't go getting all 'female' on me," Luke said with mock annoyance as he gently pushed her away.

Maisy placed the pouch in her dress pocket. "Too bad I couldn't keep the hundred bucks I used for the bet, eh?"

Her words made Luke jolt to attention. "The hundred dollars we borrowed from Pa," he whispered. "I completely forgot about the money! What are we gonna do?"

"So now it's WE?" smirked Maisy. "I already put it back, so don't fret, big brother."

"But how? When?"

Maisy went on to explain that when Adam was questioning Luke, she left her room and snuck into their parents' bedroom to retrieve the safe box key again. At around two in the morning, Maisy quietly crept down to the office and put the money back.

"How'd ya put the key back without Ma and Pa seeing you?"

"I was late for breakfast this morning, remember?" she winked.

Luke smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "You know Maise, you really are the Queen of Sneakiness."

Maisy gave her brother another wink then let out an infectious giggle as she gathered up her books in her arms. She started to walk off the porch when a horse and rider came into the front yard, causing her to pause momentarily.

"Morning, Luke. Morning, Maisy."

"Morning, Uncle Hoss," Luke greeted. "Why are you here?"

"What, can't an uncle visit his kin?" Hoss said, pretending to be offended.

Knowing his uncle was joshing, Luke decided to play along. "Depends, did ya bring us anything?"

Hoss started to chuckle. "No, but if you keep that sass up, I might come up with something to give you."

"Message received, sir!" Luke grinned as he stood at attention and gave his uncle a salute.

Hoss and Maisy burst out laughing at the site of Luke acting like a soldier.

"What's so amusing?" a voice called. Maisy and Luke turned to see Adam exiting the house and walking towards them.

"You gotta pretty funny boy there, brother," Hoss commented as he leaned forward on his saddle.

"So I've been told," he said, ruffling Luke's hair with his hand.

"You ready to go?" Hoss asked.

"Just about," he answered then turned to Luke. "Son, will you please go saddle up my horse?"

"Sure thing, Pa," he said then ran to prepare his father's ride.

"Where ya going, Pa?" Maisy asked.

"Your uncle and I have some business in Carson City," he replied.

"Oh, right," she unhappily mumbled, recalling the handkerchief full of money she had handed over to him last night.

"You don't need to be sad, Maisy, Your pa and I only have a meeting with some fellows about an upcoming contract; we'll be home by dinner time," Hoss explained.

"I don't think that's why she's upset, Hoss," Adam told him.

"Not sure if I follow," Hoss said rather puzzled.

"I'll explain on the way. I need to make a stop at the orphanage while we're there, if you don't mind."

"Don't mind at all, we best be on our way though, or we'll be late."

"Right you are. I'll grab the paperwork then we can head out," said Adam as he turned and hurried into the house.

Maisy's glum expression continued when she saw Luke lead their father's saddled horse out of the barn. I can't believe he's actually going through with this, she thought. Sure, the orphanage needed all the help they could get – Maisy could attest to that fact – but it was her money. Despite what her father had said, Maisy felt she had earned the money and was fair about the games she played. If the boys were stupid enough to have played against her, then that was their fault. She shouldn't be punished because they competed so poorly. She also hoped Adam wouldn't share with Mother Lioba where and from whom the money came. Even though she was no longer living under the nun's supervision, Maisy didn't want to add the pressure of eternal damnation to her list of punishments. Plus, secretly, the woman had always scared her a little and for a hellion like Maisy, that was saying a lot.

Adam walked out of the house carrying his coat, a small sack of food, and to Maisy's surprise, the leather saddlebag. He thanked Luke for preparing his ride then slung the bag over the horn of the saddle and checked to make sure it was secure.

"That's a pretty good-looking saddlebag you got there, Adam," Hoss noticed as his brother mounted his ride. "Your wife sure has fancy taste. First the Colt now this; looks like you were spoiled for your birthday."

"I was indeed, but Evelyn didn't get me the bag, it was a gift from my Maisy," Adam grinned as he gave his daughter a wink.

Maisy's face lit up when she realised just what his little wink meant.

Hoss let out a whistle. "A fine saddlebag like that must have cost you quite a bit, girl."

"You have no idea, Uncle Hoss," Maisy chuckled slightly, "you have no idea."