The next morning had come in the way of roosters cock-a-doodle-doodling. I looked at my phone, which seemed to be missing from the side table. I got up, got dressed and went into the other room. I found Moo and his deputies sitting at the table, having breakfast.

"So, that's where my phone went to. Suppose you wanna know how it works, huh?"

All 3 nodded their heads. "Without getting technical, it would be hard to explain the inner workings of it. You 3 would look lost if I tried to explain."

"You also got a call. I didn't answer it cause I don't know how to."

"Much appreciated and that's ok. I better return the call. I'm surprised I have reception considering where I'm at." Then I picked up my phone and saw who called.

I went back to the guest room, closed the door and sat down on the bed. 'How the hell am I going to explain this to him?'

I dialed his number and waited for him to answer. I was hoping that he'll understand everything I'm about to tell him.

"Michelle, honey. I got worried. You didn't come home after the game. Your bike is still at the stadium, but you're not. Where are you?"

"Would you believe me if I told you I ended up in an alternate reality where the wild west still thrives?"

"You're right, that is hard to believe. Could you send me a picture to prove where you are?"

"No problem. Give me a few." Then I got up from the bed, opened my door, took a quick pic of Moo and his deputies, then sent it.

Modo got it shortly after I sent it. "Who are they?"

"Law cows. They found me out in the desert yesterday. Believe me now?"

"Yes, I do. Any idea on how you're gonna get back here?"

"Not yet. I'm trying to figure out how I got here to begin with. The Marshall and I share the same last name. Here in the wild west, his parents had passed away, but mine are still alive where you are."

"Are you able to keep your phone charged?"

"Yeah. I have my solar charger and cord with me. Since there are no power outlets in the wild west, I'm glad for the solar charger. When I figure out how to get back there, I'll let you know. I'll call you tonight, honey. I wanna conserve the battery for today."

"Ok. Be careful."

"I will. Love you, Modo."

"Love you, too, Michelle." Then I hung up. I put my cell phone in the side table drawer after shutting it down for the day.

I opened the door and walked back out to the other room.

"Everything ok?"

"Yep. My boyfriend was worried that I hadn't returned home after the game. I explained what happened and how I'm trying to figure out how to get back to my time."

Dakota noticed something about me that didn't make him happy. Moo noticed the look on Dakota's face.

"You ok, Dakota?"

"You're wearing Miss Kate's belt and buckle I gave her."

I looked down at the buckle, then back up at Dakota. "She's letting me use them while I'm here. Don't worry, I plan to give them back to her before I leave."

"I think it's the fact that you're wearing them."

"Get over it, Dakota. I'm wearing them for the time being." Dakota didn't like my statement, so he got up from the table and walked out.

"Maybe you shouldn't have said that. Cowlamity is a special woman to him."

"I didn't mean any disrespect. Maybe I better go after him and apologize."

"Let him cool off for a bit before you do that."

"You know him better than I do. Anyway, what's the plan for today?"

"You're staying at the office today, while Dakota, Cowlorado and I do our daily patrol of Cow Town."

"I thought I would stop into the Tumbleweed and play some music for the patrons. They seemed to like my playing and singing yesterday."

"That they did. Like I said, you put Cowlorado to shame."

Cowlorado looked at Moo. "Just what does that mean? She can't play and sing better than me. There's no way."

"Wanna put a friendly wager on that, Kid? Loser helps Miss Lily for the week."

"You're on."

"I hope you enjoy being her errand boy, Kid."

Moo just chuckled at the friendly banter.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The Tumbleweed Saloon. Cowlorado and I were at the piano, switching back and forth to see who was the better player and singer. Moo stood at the bar counter and watched us. Lily had come from the back to see Moo standing there.

"Well, good morning, Moo."

He looked over his right shoulder and smiled at her. "Morning, Miss Lily."

"What's with those 2?"

"Cowlorado challenged Michelle to see who the better player and singer is. Loser helps you for the week."

"This should be interesting. I've already had some patrons ask if she was going to be coming in to play and sing today. They really enjoyed the music, even if they weren't familiar with it."

"She'll be glad to hear that."

I had been playing and singing every Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and FGL song and all Cowlorado could play was the same songs over and over. He didn't know anything new. Everyone that had gathered around us, were cheering me on. They enjoyed my playing and singing.

Cowlorado called it quits. He flew the white flag. He knew he couldn't keep up with me.

"Like I said, Kid, enjoy being her errand boy for the week. Better ask what she may need cause it starts today."

Cowlorado walked over with his head hung low. "I knew you wouldn't beat her, Kid."

"Why didn't you stop me, Moo?"

"You had to learn your way. Since you're going to be here today, I'll take Michelle on patrol with Dakota and myself."

I walked up to everyone at the bar. "Its nothing personal, Kid. I just happen to know more music than you."

"After the first song, I knew I was gonna lose, but figured that I should at least try. You do play and sing great. My hat goes off to you, Michelle."

"If I teach you some of those songs, I'd like you to play your guitar along with my piano playing. Maybe tomorrow morning?"

"A duet? With you? I'd love to."

"Great! I'll start teaching you a few of the songs tonight, then we'll play those tomorrow morning."

"I can't wait."

"Since he's going to be here, helping out Miss Lily, how would you like to patrol the town with Dakota and I?"

"He's still upset with me. I'm not sure he'll want me on patrol."

"I'll talk with Dakota. In the meantime, let's get you the proper law enforcement gear at the office." Then he nodded to Lily. I did the same.

"I'll see you tonight, Cowlorado. Make sure your guitar is tuned."

He nodded then I followed Moo out to his horse.

"We need to get you a horse. Cowlamity might have one you can use for now."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Moo's office. We got off his horse, walked into the office and he went looking for the spare gun belt and guns along with a Marshall's badge. He brought them out from the backroom and handed them to me.

"A Marshall's badge? I thought I would have been given a deputy badge."

"I can go grab one, if you prefer that."

"No, that's ok. I was just shocked. I noticed someone watching us as we left the Tumbleweed. He was wearing an ugly purple suit. Who is he?"

"That's the mayor of Cow Town. Mayor Oscar Bulloney."

"And the fat bull with a neck problem?"

"Sheriff Terrorbull."

I rolled my eyes at the play on the names and chuckled. "That's funny. Their names are a play on words. The mayor's name alone says "I'm named after lunch meat." In my time, his name would be Oscar Mayer Bologna. The Sheriff's name is just that, terrible."

It took Moo a few mins. to figure out what I meant. When it did hit him, he chuckled. "You're right! I never thought about it like that. How's the gun belt fit?"

I put the gun belt on and buckled it. "Fits fine. I've never seen guns like these before."

I had pulled out one of the guns from the holster. It was shaped like Moo's guns.

"They're trick guns. Meaning that if you aim at something, it will ricochet and hit the object you were aiming for. I'll show you what I'm talking about."

He pulled out his gun, aimed and shot his gun. The star ricocheted all over and hit its intended target.

"Cool. Why stars, though?"

"You know, I never did ask T-Bone about that. He taught me everything I know about being a law cow."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"What do you remember about your parents? How old were you when they gave you to the orphanage in Miller Glen?"

"I was told I was about a month old when I was given up."

"So, you have no idea if you have any siblings?"

"None."

"I did some research and made some calls last night before I went to bed. It turns out that my parents didn't tell me that I have a baby brother. I was in college when my mom had my brother. I never got to meet him before they gave him up. Thing is, I don't even know his name."

"So, what did you do?"

"I called my dad. I asked him what my baby brother's name is. He told me his name is Martin, after himself. He also told me that when he tried to say "mama", it came out moo. So, it became a nickname. My baby brother's name is Martin "Moo" Montana. I think my parents created some kind of time travel machine, travelled here, gave him to the orphanage with the name Moo Montana. I told my dad that I think I found my baby brother here in the wild west."

"What did he say?"

"He was shocked to hear that I had found you. He also told me that he sent me here to keep you out of trouble. I don't think he realizes that you're all grown up and in law enforcement. I didn't tell him that, either. I was also told that this trip was…"

"Was what?"

"It was a one-way trip. I'm stuck here. I don't know how I'm gonna tell my boyfriend back in my time. He's not going to be happy."

"I won't lie to you. When we found you in the desert, there was something about you that seemed familiar to me. Then I had a dream last night and you were in it."

"I think I had the same dream, but I was on Mars, where I was born and grew up. You were standing right next to me, as you are right now, but as a Martian Mouse like me. I think when dad brought you here, it somehow changed your body to fit in with the people around here."

I pulled out my wallet, opened it, then pulled out the picture I had of him as a baby. I showed Moo the picture.

"I had gotten this mailed to me before my Junior year in college and 4 yrs. before I met my boyfriend. I don't know why dad decided to send me a picture of you when I had no knowledge of your existence."

"Did you ask about mom?"

"Yeah, I did. She passed away in her sleep last night."

He looked back down at the picture I handed him. He grabbed a pen from his desk, then drew what he looks like now on the picture. When he was done, he knew I was right. He was my baby brother. Moo looked back up at me.

He showed me the picture, now modified and smiled at me. "You were right. Mom and Dad did bring me here."

"I just can't believe that I happen to stumble across my baby brother."

"I can't believe I have a sibling. All this time, I thought I was an only child."