All right the plot thickens, I'm adding genres people don't panic I'm just stirring in a little mystery. Oh yeah ya'll can't your eyes off me cuz ya wont know what I'm up to next. New characters get introduced which means new conflicts get in the way of Logan and Marie hooking up. But trust me the more reviews I get the faster I write. Did ya notice how long it took me to write this one compared to the last few? Yeah that's your fault. I need to feel loved. I give, and I give, and I give, and all I ask for in return is a little appreciation. Whoa I'm starting to sound like Ma.

Logan turned his attention to the street, noticing a buggy drawing to a halt in front of Scott's office. He watched curiously as Skeet Weston assisted a beautiful woman from the buggy. Her clothing would evoke envy of any woman in Hazard, and would probably bankrupt a millionaire. Atop her scarlet hair she wore a hat with a trimmed peacock feather hanging down.

            Logan lifted a curious brow. "I thought you said that you didn't have anymore appointments today."

"I don't why?" Scott asked, setting his pen in the inkwell.

"A woman –and a mighty-good-looking one- is walking this way. Skeet just brought her in."

"Skeet? George Roberts's foreman?"

            Just then dinging of the bell hanging over the door announced the woman's entrance into Scott's office. "Are you Scott Summers, the attorney?" she asked with a soft British accent.

            Scott's interest strengthened. An Englishwoman? "Why, ah…yes I am."

"I'm Ororo Monroe, Mr. Summers, George Roberts sister" she said, offering him a lace-gloved hand. "I've…I've just been out to my brother's ranch and learned of his death."  {Alright before N.E.1 bugs out on me and says that that woman is obviously NOT Ororo, I'm gonna say that this is a key moment in the plot so pay attention. }

Scott shook her hand "I'm so sorry. Please come in, Mrs. Monroe."

            "It's Miss," she stressed, eyes darting to where Logan leaned leisurely against the wall. "Oh, I'm interrupting you. Shall I return later?" she asked, the gloom lifting from her face as she scanned him from head to toe.

"No, we've been hoping you turn up soon. This is Sheriff Logan Wolf. Sheriff, Ororo Monroe."

"Please call me Ororo." She smiled invitingly at Logan.

            He boldly returned her gaze, his eyes resting on her unnaturally red mouth. He touched the brim of his hat and nodded. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Ororo."

"Please, have a seat." Scott said assisting her to a chair in front of his desk. Scott leaned against the edge of the desk. "I'm sorry you had to learn about your brother's death that way. I tried to find you."

"I've been traveling extensively, and it would have been near impossible to track me down."

"George was a fine man, Ororo, his death was a shock to everyone in the community.

Her face suddenly washing over with grief she whispered, "They told me he was murdered." She pulled a handkerchief from her reticule. As she dabbed her teary eyes, she asked "Why would anyone do such a thing?"

"The man, Mark Sheramy, said that George pulled a gun on him and he did it in self defense," Logan answered, "But if it's any consolation he's dead now."

"Ororo," Scott interjected "According to his will you are his only surviving relative. Did you know he left everything to you?"

"No I didn't" she said, smiling sadly. "Mr. Summers, George was my step-brother, and I hadn't seen him in years."

"No one knew you even existed until he told us you were coming to see him."

"Yes I had so looked forward to seeing him again." Distraught, she rose from her chair and smooth the folds of her shimmering gown. "Perhaps I should reschedule, so we can discuss George's will. I really don't feel up to it today. Would it be all right if I stayed at the ranch?"

Scott chuckled "It belongs to you now, Ororo."

"of course. I'm just not thinking clearly."

"If you need anything at all, just let me know."

"Thank you good day gentlemen."

            Scott watched Logan eye her swaying hips as he followed her across the room and opened the door. Once outside the first person they saw was Marie. She stopped abruptly on the boardwalk, her green eyes widening as she stared at the elegantly dressed woman. Then she looked towards Logan. "Is…ah …Wes here?" She asked tripping over her words

"Marie, what a pleasant surprise," Scott said stepping outside "I'm glad to see you up and about." He then introduced the to women and explained Ororo's presence in Hazard.

"I'm terribly sorry about your brother. If I can help in any way I'll be happy to," Marie said kindly

"Thank you,"

"Marie's also new in town, Miss. Monroe. Her property borders yours on the west side. Sheriff Wolf rents her house."

"Oh, then where do you live?" Ororo asked.

"In an apartment above the saloon," Marie blurted, and if so many eyes weren't upon her she would have smacked her hand against her forehead. The woman glanced fleetingly over Marie's black clad figure, an amused smile tugged the corner of her mouth.

"Do you work there?"

Marie's face reddened. She hurried to explain. "Yes, I-I own it."

Ororo smiled, "How interesting. Well it was nice meeting you Mrs. Elders. Perhaps we can get together after I'm settled. I must be going now. It's dreadfully hot and I left my parasol in the carriage." She turned to Logan and her small pink tongue ran enticingly over her rose-colored lips. "Sheriff Wolf, since we are neighbors, you must stop by and have dinner with me, my door is always open."

"I'll remember that. Good day Miss. Monroe…Ororo." He said tipping his hat and watching her shapely curves as she left.

            Marie hadn't missed the admiring looks Logan and Scott had given the woman. She wanted Logan to look at her that way. Still, she would settle for the way he looked at her when he had come to visit her. But then she hadn't looked like a crow. She'd had on the pretty gown Mrs. Flowers had given her. A pained expression gripped her features. The new dress she wore now had touches of white ribbons and lace to soften the harsh color. Oh, she was sick of wearing black. If only she could…No, that was out of the question. She watched the carriage roll out of sight.

Scott noticed the envy in her eyes. "How are you felling Marie?"

"Oh, much better the bruises are barely noticeable now."

Scott smiled. "You are wearing a new dress I see."

Marie looked at Logan and caught him rolling his eyes. "Yes I went by the dress shop and picked up my new dresses this morning."

"So you've taken my advice. I hope you ordered a green one to match your eyes." Scott interrupted with a smile.

Strange he had mentioned green. Mrs. Flowers still had that bolt of emerald and had mentioned again she'd like to make a dress for her from it. "No, Scott, I'm still in mourning."

"Still?" Logan said mockingly.

Her chin shot up haughtily. "Yes still."

"God forbid that you should do something improper," He taunted

Hurt by his insult, Marie turned to Scott. "If you'll excuse me I have some more errands to run."

"Sure Marie, I'll see you tonight,"

"Good day Scott…Sheriff."

Marie fumed as she made her way down the boardwalk. If it wouldn't call attention to her self she would have stomped. Nodding her head and pursing her lips just so, she mimicked, "Sheriff Wolf you must stop by and have dinner with me, my door is always open." Miss. Monroe had blinked her big blue eyes as if a swarm of gnats had attacked her. "Humph, wonder what else her invitation entailed? Oh excuse me I forgot my parasol, I don't want my make-up to melt under this sun. Parasol, I don't even own a parasol." As she thought about it, there were a lot of things she didn't own. Did it make her a better person because she deprived her self? What would it be like to wear beautiful shimmering clothes? "God knows I could afford it…No I'm in mourning." Mourning? Mourning for what?

An unusual trio made their way to Mrs. Ida Flowers dress shop, later that morning. Their intent was questionable, as the widow stopped her progress several times and shook her head negatively. The girls, Jubilee and Kitty, begged, pleaded, cajoled and finally threatened the widow with pictures of Logan and Ororo having "dinner" together to continue the journey. Upon reaching their destination, it was several hours later when they departed the dress shop, laden with boxes of varying sizes and description. A lengthy visited to the druggist saw additional packages added to the growing number. Last but equally important, was a stop at the bootery, where Marie was measured for several pairs of soft leather shoes.

The girls collapsed on the sofa in Marie's room sighing with the relief of a successful shopping spree.

"I never dreamed spending money could be so tiring." Marie said rubbing her feet as she took off her shoes.

"That's for sure."

"I'm going to go tell Chad to bring up some hot water for your bath, then I'll trim your hair." Jubilee said getting up and going out the door.

"My-my hair?"

"Yeah, you can't where that hairstyle with all these new clothes now, can you?"

"No I suppose not."

            Marie undressed in the separate room while they filed the tub and the girls picked out a new outfit for her to wear. When Marie entered the room in the ugliest wrapper this side of the Mississippi she was assailed with lovely smells and the girls bustling about the room. It was obvious that they did not intend to leave.

"Marie you don't have anything we don't have, so feel free to run around buck naked in front of us." Jubilee said with a smile. Marie sank lower in the tub from embarrassment. Kitty saw this and sought to ease her mind.

"Honey you have a fine figure, all the curves in the right places. I bet the sheriff could really appreciate the turn of your body."

"I don't see how, I don't have near as much up…" Marie cupped her hands just above the water and bounced them a couple of times. This resulted in the girls busting out in a huge fit of laughter. Which resulted in Marie sliding even farther down in the tub, glowing scarlet.

"If you had any more you'd be positively top-heavy." Jubes said catching her breath.

"Every time you'd try to take a step you'd fall on your nose!" Kitty said bent over.

            They washed her hair with sweet smelling vanilla shampoo. And then presented her with a vile of the same scent. They helped her out of the tub and Jubilee brushed her hair while Kitty reached in Marie's sewing bag for scissors.

"How much are you going to take off?" Marie said, eyes huge.

"Well, about three inches." Jubes said eyeing the long length of hair that fell to the top of Marie's tail bone. Kitty handed her the seemingly five feet long shears. Kitty noticed the worried look on Marie's face and the tears that threatened to spill and asked.

"Marie have you ever had your hair cut?"

"Once," she began, tears streaming, "when I was about eight. Mama always did my hair in two braids down my back for church, well, one Sunday I noticed Sarah McMahon and a few other girls where wearing theirs in soft curls decorated one way or another. I figured since we were all the same I could wear mine like that too. So the whole week I practiced and practiced, but I never could get those soft curls to fall right. It still looked nice, so that Sunday morning I rushed into breakfast to show my mother and grandparents and they hit the roof. Grandpa Erik was so furious he told me I looked like a wanton. He took gardening shears and chopped my hair off up to my ears. He said I would have to bear the shame for being so vain." Marie buried her face in her hands and wept. Jubilee and Kitty exchanged sympathetic looks and hugged her.

"I promise it will look great, trust me?" Jubes said, tears in her eyes. Marie nodded and help her breath as hair fell in soft clumps on the floor. Kitty swept it up and Jubes brush her hair dry. Kitty then applied lotion to Marie's hand and a cleansing mask to her face as Jubes curled her hair. As the mask set Kitty buffed her nails a healthy pink.

"Wait until you meet Marge Tulley, and it's time for her to come into town. She and the boys make the trip in about once a month to pick up supplies. Boys, that's what Marge calls them, but let me tell you, Cole and John are men if there ever were any. Big ol' strapping fellows. They could snap you apart like a green sapling if they were of a mind to."

"Jubes quit drooling."

"You have to admit they are right-good-looking boys."

"Uh hum, Marge looks like her boys. She's a big woman and doesn't take any mouth off anybody. She's as rough as a cactus and could say things that will curl your toes. She's a strong woman and expects other women to be strong. If she approves of you then you will have a friend for life if not, then she won't have anything to do with you." Kitty said holding up a few dressed to Marie.

"Her husband abandoned her with two children to raise alone. If any body knows about hard knocks firsthand it's Marge. Anyway, when they come into town to get supplies , Marge spends several hours here in the saloon while her boys are visiting Lila's." Jubes said

"I think the green one. Who's Lila?" Marie asked

Kitty cleared her throat while Jubilee busied her self with pulling back Marie's hair from her face with combs.

"She runs the town brothel." Kitty said quickly.

"A house of prostitution," Marie said without hesitation

"You know about such things?" Jubes asked shocked.

"If it has anything to do with sin then believe me, I know about it. My grandfather preached long and hard about the sins of mankind." Jubes and Kitty laughed, and each reached out a hand to touch her.

"You really are something, Marie Elders."

"Thank you, I think. Know back to Marge, you mean to tell me she knowing lets her boys frequent such a place?"

"Here turn your head to the side. Marie, these boys are looking at the backside of their twenties. They're men, and men have their needs. Marge knows this.

"I see." Marie said not understanding at all.

            Marie turned several times in front of the mirror. She couldn't believe her eyes, her hair didn't look like dead grass anymore. IT was elegantly pulled back from her face and fell in a mass of curls down her back. Jubilee had shortened her platinum strands in the front and they framed her face. The bridge of her nose still held a few freckles but the ointments and creams softened it and made it glow with a radiance. The dress she wore was an apple green with a high neck of cream linen lawn edged with delicate embroidery and matching cuffs. A close fitting bodice with tiny covered buttons fit her body like a lovers hand. The deep shirring at the hem was inset with the same linen lawns and complemented with tiny embroidered ribbon tied into delicate bows. Her undergarments brought a blush to her face just thinking about them. Fine cotton embraced her body, gently whispering against her nakedness when she moved. Never had she imagined herself wearing anything so soft and delicately trimmed.

Marie smiled, smoothing the fabric of her dress. "It dose look nice doesn't it?"

"You look wonderful!"

"Absolutely fabulous."

"I can never thank you both enough." She replied and remembering her lesson from Logan, She gave them both hugs. After the girls left Marie busied herself putting her newly bought clothes away. Every time passing by the mirror she would stop and glance at her self. Pretty soon, she could hear the crowd down in the bar.

"It's time."