Marie knelt down at the grave she always dreaded weeding. Solomon Elders, her dearly departed husband. Ha! When she had married him she saw an escape from the manipulations of her mother and grandparents. If only she asked what happened to his first two wives who both mysteriously fell down the stairs and died. The night he died she lay stiff on her side of the bed waiting for him to crawl on top of her so it could be over with and she could sleep. For an hour she waited, still nothing. He couldn't be asleep she could not hear him snoring; in fact as she listened closely she could not hear the faintest sound of breathing. Later that night the doctor pronounced him dead. It took all her strength not to smile and shout like she had before she married the abusive old man. But she contained it. Burying her face in her handkerchief, so they could at least think she truly mourned her husband. And to the outside world she did. Wearing only black, staying at home when there was a church social, and taking flowers to the gravestone. Two nights after the funeral she started to have horrible nightmares. It was always the same; Solomon, decaying and covered in dirt dragging her through the cemetery and trying to throw her in his empty grave. So she never stayed long at his grave for fear of him reaching up and bringing her down to Hell. Marie wasn't crazy; she knew this would never happen, but just to be safe she kept her distance.

            Someone grabbed her shoulder and Marie screamed like the devil himself and just touched her. Poor Scott jumped back and fell backwards over a tombstone of a freshly covered grave, getting his neat three-piece gray suit covered in dirt.

"Oh my gracious, I'm so sorry mister. Let me help you. I'm so sorry, ya startled me, I didn't hear you come up and…"

"It's quite alright," Scott said with a kind smile, he stood up and started to brush himself off. "I should have known better than to sneak up on some one in a cemetery. My name is Scott Summers, and you are" He said already knowing the answer.

"Marie Beth Elders," she said extending her hand, they shook and stood there awkwardly for a moment. "Well, um I have to get back to weeding so… have a nice day." She said turning.

"Wait Ms. Elders. I'm an attorney and I have some legal matters concerning your father."

"My father? What does he want after all these years?" she said with a surprised but hopeful look on her face.

"He's dead."

"Oh" Marie said looking down quickly to cover the swell of tears.

Oh good one Scottie boy, think you could have been any more blunt? Scott thought mentally kicking himself. She was an attractive girl. But it did look like she had dealt with bad news on more than one occasion. Her light brown hair was pulled back from her face in a low bun riding the back of her neck and sun bleached blonde tendrils brushed her heart shaped face, they were so pale they almost looked white. She had big clear green eyes that were hidden beneath spectacles, not unlike his own. Her skin was creamy and flawless, only a few light freckles dotted the bridge of her nose from the sun no doubt. And she was draped in black material that was supposed to be a dress.

"Oh lord ma'am I'm sorry," He said handing her the handkerchief Kitty had given him with his initials S.S embroidered in red.

"I don't know why I'm crying, it's not like I even remember the man… I guess though," she said wiping away her tears, "I always thought there would be time to meet him and try to start to get to know each other."

"That's perfectly understandable." He said patting her hand.

"You said there were legal matters?"

"Ah, yes. I have a copy of his will here."

"Will? Did he leave me something?"

"Yep he left you everything."

"Everything?" She said stunned

"Yep," he said grinning and handing her the paperwork. "A fully operating ranch, stock, land, oh… and a saloon." He told her as she squinted at the documents. Finally with a sigh she took off her glasses and perched them on top of her head.

"Where exactly is Hazard, Texas?"

"Right in the heart of the state."

"Well, this is all very nice Mr. Summers, but I can't do it." She said handing him the will bending quickly, getting her supplies and walking towards the church. Scott stood there dumb for a second then ran and caught up with her.

"Wait! Do you know what you're saying?" he said walking briskly alongside of her.

"That will said I'd have to live in and operate a saloon called the Bumblebee,"

"Tumbleweed."

"The Tumbleweed, for one year! I don't know anything about saloons. And what in heaven's name is a tumbleweed?"

"Well it's like hay…"

"I don't care," she said entering the church undeterred Scott followed her. "Sell it and give the money to charity." She opened the door to her room

"Would that be in cash or money order?" He said putting his foot in the door and entering

"Funny," she bent and scooped up Miss Rogue, the cat, off her small cot and sat down. With just he two of them the room was quickly becoming claustrophobic.

"Listen, it would not be like you are alone Ms. Elders. It's a really small town. Everyone is everyone's best friend. There are two girls who serve drinks and are really nice. There is a piano player, Kurt, and I just hired a janitor Chad. Between that and the sheriff and I stopping by quite often you will never have a moment to yourself."

"And after one year I could live at the ranch?" She said stroking the kitten's ears.

"Well, the sheriff is renting it now, but in one years time he will either be dead, or he could rent the apartment you will be living in. So yeah."

"Dead within the year? Is he old or sick?"

"Uh no, you see he's the fastest gun in the west and well, a lot of men want to be the fastest and you can only do that when you kill the fastest. So he's kept pretty busy."

Marie took a look at her surroundings sighed a very heavy sigh and said

"When do we leave?"

            Logan rode passed the cemetery on his way home from the jailhouse that night, in the twilight he could see the silhouette of Charles Xavier's tombstone. Just shipped in from Dallas. He smiled when he remembered the night he decided to just pass through Hazard. Back then he was a wanderer a drifter. He went in The Tumbleweed for a drink and was approached by Charles. He had a reputation so most people didn't want him in their establishments, but he would stare at them with his eyebrow cocked until they lost their nerve. But Charles didn't ask him to leave. He sat right next to him and just started chatting away as if the had been best friends for life. Hours went by, glasses were emptied, and he laughed long and hard at Charles's jokes, something Logan forgot he knew how to do. So his passing threw turned in to 'I'm just here for a few days' on the third day everyone in town knew him, respected him, and truly liked him. On the fifth someone challenged Logan to a show down. The man, Ernie, was like Logan just passing through. He caught wind that the fastest gun in the west was staying in town and decided to have some fun. Well, poor Ernie turned out to be the second fastest gun in the west. Logan stood there in the dusty rode for a second before returning his gun to the holster. The whole town had showed up to watch the event. Time to get going. Logan thought, as the silence became deafening. He turned and saw Charles briskly walking out to the where he stood. Without a word Charles handed him the gold piece of tin that was now pinned to his vest. When Logan accepted it the crowd broke out in cheers and whoops. So he had been the sheriff for two years this June. That was enough to last him a lifetime. The town was safer then it had been in years, every now and then there was family disputes and petty arguments. Being the fastest already had some men in an uproar, but being the fastest and the greatest sheriff of the west really irked people. But he promised Charles, and until he felt sure his promise was met he couldn't quit.

            The coach was speeding through the desert at an alarmingly fast speed, or so it seem to Marie as it went over a bump and her head rammed against the ceiling for what it seem the hundredth time that day. A very disgruntled Miss. Rogue had her claws dug into the seat and hissed every time they turned or went over a bump. Scott was trying desperately to keep a straight face as he watched the pair hiss in unison as they went over yet another bump. One out of pain because her hatpin just dug into her scalp, one out of pain because her mistress had just landed on her tail.

"Don't worry ladies were almost to your new home."

"Thank the Lord." Marie said.

When they reached the town they couldn't be let off in front of the saloon because there was a showdown blocking the way.

"Looks like Logan has made a new friend." Scott said as they looked through the small window.

"So you're the lean mean sheriff that has everyone all in a ruckus. Hell, you don't look that tough to me." The man said his hand wandering dangerously close to his gun

"Listen bub, it ain't got to be this way. Just pass on through and maybe with a little luck, and if you don't piss off anyone else you'll live to see the sunset." Logan said his hand too, over his gun

"Shut the fuck up you pansy ass son of a bitch." The man said his face getting red

"Alright don't say I didn't try to warn you. By the way fella, what's your name?"

"Gilbert Owens!" He yelled as he pulled his gun. Even though he started a good two seconds early Logan fired the first and only shot. Gilbert fell to the ground in a heap. Three men with a wheelbarrow came and picked him up.

"Good shot Wolf! Ya got 'em right in between the eyes." Logan flicked a coin at the men before entering the Jailhouse

"Make sure the poor bastard is properly buried."

Scott glanced over at Marie who seemed to me drained of all blood.

"Ms. Elders?"

"I'm fine just a little motion sick is all."

"We're not moving."

"We aren't?"

"I'll get your bags."

They were now in front of the saloon and Scott was helping the driver unpack the bags from the top of the coach. Marie was walking up the steps when the batwing doors flew open and a small mob of people flooded out Marie was knocked on her back and her skirt went up to show her legs to the knee to who ever wanted a look. And apparently everyone did.

"My apologies ma'am I guess I was in kind of a hurry to see our new boss." A man said reaching down grabbing her hands and hauling her to her feet.

"Well I had expected to drop in and say hello, but good Lord." She said trying to laugh while her cheeks burned from embarrassment. They all laughed and helped her dust off her dress. Then they ushered her in and started introducing themselves. Her two barmaids were Jubilee a pretty Asian girl and Kitty a petite blonde. The man who had knocked her down was the piano player Kurt, and a man with a beat up hat and beard was Chad. Marie told them a little about herself and asked them questions. Then she went upstairs to change into a plain black dress. It was too hot for petticoats she decided, plus she was going to be working up a sweat anyway from all the cleaning the saloon was badly in need of. The girls had to sleep or they would be dead on their feet tonight Marie thought so they got out of any cleaning. She sent Kurt out to get the order of liquor that was arriving by coach (even though Marie had some serious feeling about selling alcohol) Then she wrote up a list of things they would be needing from the general store and gave it to Chad.

" This is a list of items we need for the saloon. On the back is a list of chores for you to do when you get back."

"Ya mean I got chores?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"Hell no, do they have to be done every damn day?"

"Yes and while were on the subject of what you do every day. Please watch the swearing around me. I know that this is a saloon and it's normal for you but when it's you talking to me please refrain from doing it."

"Well I'll sure as hell try." He said walking out the door

"Thanks." Marie looked around the now empty saloon. She noticed the huge mirror that covered the wall behind the bar. It was filthy; she rolled up her sleeves, tied a towel around her waist, took off her shoes, and went to work perched on top of a stool.

Logan's eyes gleamed in appreciation as the woman reached up to clean the top of the mirror. He was just walking by when he noticed the doors propped open. Usually they were locked up until dusk. He entered to see this and leaned against the door jam. Her breasts pressed against the glass and his gaze dropped to were a towel was knotted low on her waist, just over a shapely rear. When she stretch just so it showed a flashed of a creamy leg. Logan shifted his weight and she saw him in the mirror. Startled, she lost her balance, her hands slid across the smooth clean glass, she tensed waiting to hit the ground for the second time within the hour but she never did. She felt strong arms holding her and when she opened her eyes she saw the most beautiful man she had ever laid her eyes on.

"You alright?" Beautiful asked setting her to her feet

"Uh huh." She stuttered "I-I'm Marie Beth Elders, Charles Xavier's daughter." She held out her hand and Logan shook it.

 Logan stared at her, did Scott say she was a widow? Or could it have been old maid? Well, she'd fit both parts. Her hair was plastered to her head with loose strains hanging over her face. Her eyes were big and very pretty but were covered by spectacles. She was wearing a shapeless black dress that hung on her, he almost demanded her to turn around so he could see if it was the same woman. Logan would be his whole life's savings that she had a cat. Marie took his close scrutiny for about a minute before finally asking

"Do you have a name mister?"

"Sheriff Logan Wolf ma'am"

"Very nice to meet you sheriff. Wait you're the sheriff?"

"Yeah," he gestured to the badge on his vest, did she have a hearing problem too?

"You were one of the men in the gunfight earlier today weren't you?"

"Well it wasn't really a fight I was the only one who got off a shot, but yeah." He said

"Does that happen often?" she asked, shocked a the casual tone in his voice

 "Anytime I can't talk the son of a bitch out of it."

"Don't you belive in the golden rule?"

"The what?"

" 'Do unto others as they would have done unto you' " she said a little annoyed

"Well hell, he would have done unto me what I did unto him but I just did it first." Logan said laughter in his voice

"I suppose that's true," she said a little embarrassed, luckily for her Chad and Kurt walked in.

"I got the whiskey Marie."

"Hey Marie I got the broom, now just tell me how to use it."

"Well I can see you have a lot on your hands, I'll be by later tonight, see you then Widow Woman." Logan said walking out the door.