Jimmy's mood did not improve for the rest of the afternoon. When Melanie left almost immediately after returning from the creek, Lou suspected something had upset her friend, but Melanie would not share it. Jimmy's silence prompted her to guess the cause of Melanie's hurt, but he was not forthcoming either. Lou decided to stay out of whatever had happened between them so as not to be caught in the middle.

Jimmy was disgruntled, and no matter what he did to take his mind off the events of that morning, he kept envisioning the look of betrayal on Melanie's face when he had mentioned children. He was not a cruel man, and yet she had made him feel like the devil incarnate with one pained stare. He wanted to apologize to her properly, to make her see that he had not desire to hurt her in any way, but she had returned home without speaking to him again. Jimmy was left to wallow in his own misery and guilt, which caused his ill-temper.

When the happy family scene before him grew to much to bear, Jimmy excused himself from the dinner table and announced he was going for a ride. A look passed between Lou and the Kid, but he ignored it. They knew he was going into town to one of the saloons, and he resented their judgmental silence. Teaspoon similarly remained quiet, which was quite a feat for him. Jimmy could not wait to get away from them all before he said something he would regret later. He already had enough regrets over his ill-chosen words.

Certain parts of Sweetwater came alive at night, but Jimmy stayed away from the biggest and brightest saloons and gambling halls the town had to offer. After selecting the most discreet of establishments which had a good card game going, he ordered a bottle of whiskey and joined the nearest table. Jimmy chose his seat carefully, making sure he was facing the door. He had quickly learned in his travels that his name and renown required him to be on guard at all times and suspicious of everyone.

Jimmy nodded to the men seated around the card table – there were three rough-looking, bearded traders and one lone man in a conspicuous suit. They were an unlikely mix, but seemed willing enough for Jimmy to join them. It was not surprising, considering the way he was dressed. Jimmy knew he looked like a professional gambler, and gamblers always had money to lose.

"Sit down, friend, the game is five draw stud," the man in the suit said politely.

One trader did not wait for Jimmy's response as he went ahead dealt the cards to all of them. Jimmy swallowed a shot of whiskey and waited for the burning in his throat to subside before he placed his bet. They played a few hands of poker, all of which Jimmy won, before anyone conversed.

"You're a lucky man, sir," said the man in the suit. "You've just stopped my winning streak for the evening."

"I've found luck has very little to do with it," Jimmy replied sternly, not wanting to start a conversation with the man. He was here to play cards and drown his sorrows. He was here to try and stop thinking about Melanie Brooks. He knew with enough whiskey he could effectively block her out of his thoughts.

"Quite so," the man continued, as the cards were dealt again. "May I inquire to whom we are losing so easily?"

Jimmy eyed the man carefully, he could feel the whiskey was starting to work. He smiled ever so slightly and decided to make the man's night.

"The name's Hickok."

Jimmy never grew tired of the effect his name had on people. The traders paused in their game to look at him again, this time with new awe. They glanced at each other, a mixture of surprise and fear, before avoiding his gaze all together. The other man did not follow suit however, and let out an incredulous snort.

"Hickok, you say? That wouldn't be Wild Bill Hickok, now would it?" The man's tone was mocking, but Jimmy kept his cool.

"It would," he said curtly, as he stared at the suited man with a hard look. After a few uncomfortable seconds, the man seemed to take his word for it, and tried to cover up for his ridicule.

"My, my, we are honored, Mr. Hickok. A famous gunfighter right here in my own establishment," he said nervously. "I should have introduced myself earlier. Brooks. Howard Brooks is my name."

Howard held out his hand but Jimmy did not take it. He had not expected to hear that particular name, and he was struck dumb momentarily.

"You're the town banker?"

"That's right, sir. I am also co-owner of this gaming house," Howard said quickly. "And if I can ever be of service to you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Jimmy ignored the comment and went back to his cards. He could not believe that this simpering fool of all people was Melanie's husband. Jimmy had been wondering what kind of man had been lucky enough to marry her, but Howard Brooks was the unlikeliest of candidates.

"May I ask what brings you to Sweetwater, Mr. Hickok?" Howard asked cozily.

"No, you may not."

Howard's eyes narrowed imperceptibly at the rebuke, but he did not let that stop him. A powerful man like Wild Bill Hickok did not come around too often, and he meant to stay on his good side. With such an ally he would sure to gain the respect of the town – something which so far he had been unable to do.

Howard glanced over his shoulder to the corner of the room and brusquely motioned to the girl who sat there. She approached the table slowly, much to his annoyance, and when she finally came within reach her pulled her closer.

"While you are here, Mr. Hickok, I can offer you a comfortable room upstairs and some friendly company, if you so desire." Howard placed his arm around the thin girl beside him and leaned in conspiratorially. "I know from first hand experience that you won't be disappointed in Bella here. Anything you desire she'll be more than happy to oblige."

Jimmy looked at the girl who could not have been more than eighteen. Her bony shoulders stuck out of her corset, and her gaudy skirts could not hide her slight frame. Bella's eyes were dull and unimaginative, and her weak smile did not hide her bored countenance. Jimmy glanced back to Howard Brooks with his sly smile, and he had the strongest desire to pull out one of the ivory-handled colts strapped to his hips and wipe the grin from his smarmy visage.

"Thank you for the offer, but I believe I'll decline," Jimmy said to Bella rather than Howard. The girl shrugged and sauntered back to her corner.

"I have other girls if you have a particular preference, Mr. Hickok…"

"I'll let you know," Jimmy muttered. The only girl he was interested in the Howard Brooks could supply was his wife. Jimmy thought it a cruel irony that Melanie had married a man who preferred spending his time with ugly whores in a saloon. It did not seem right that she should be saddled with such a man when there were others who would worship her. Jimmy had not known her long before he realized that Melanie Brooks was a woman worthy of worship. He had barely known her for two days and he already did. Jimmy smiled bitterly to himself as he spent the rest of the evening playing cards with her husband.

By the next morning Melanie's calm disposition had returned, mainly due to the fact that Howard had spent the night in town and had not bothered her. She decided to forget Jimmy's comment from the day before – she knew she was too sensitive about the subject of children and he wasn't to know how she would react. When they day was as perfect as that clear, sunny morning, she had a hard time holding grudges. She could be thankful for her surroundings, and her friendship with Louise and her family. Melanie felt a kind of optimism on such mornings that resurrected her faith in her life choices.

She left for her morning ride as usual, but instead of heading out into the open plains she decided to return to the creek. She did not know why she chose to do so – the ride was shorter and less interesting, but something drew her back there. Melanie would not have admitted it was in the hopes of seeing Jimmy alone again, not after the way she had behaved yesterday.

But when she arrived at the creek and saw his roan horse tied to a tree, Melanie spirits lifted in a way that shocked her. It was more than shock though, she felt excited, nervous and relieved all at once. Dismounting, she led her horse to the water's edge where she saw his dark figure squatting by the stream, waiting. Waiting for what she did not know, but deep down she hoped it was for her.

"You're not considering throwing yourself in, I hope," she said after clearing her throat.

Jimmy jumped up immediately, startled by her quiet approach. Their eyes met and they smiled, an intimate silence following.

"No, I told you, this is a new suit."

"Oh, of course, how could I forget," Melanie replied lightly, a smile still tugging at her lips. She let her horse's reins go as the animal dipped his head to drink.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you wish I would throw myself in. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday." Jimmy voice was sincere and she acknowledged his admission.

"It's all right, it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't be so sensitive about it."

Melanie smiled at him again so he would know she was telling the truth and felt no ill will towards him. When he still seemed a little uncomfortable, Melanie turned to face him squarely, offering him her hand.

"Perhaps we should just start again. Melanie Brooks."

"James Butler Hickok," he replied, relieved. "But you can call me Jimmy."

"A pleasure to meet you, Jimmy."

"The pleasure is all mine, Melanie," he said, as his hand closed gently around her own before he added quietly, "and I mean that."

Melanie held his meaningful gaze fearlessly, before she withdrew her hand. Smiling again, she retrieved the horse's reins. "I'm expected at the ranch soon, perhaps we could go there together?"

"I'd like that," Jimmy replied simply, though he knew the gesture meant more than a simple ride together.