October 11th, 1871

It was almost a month since Arthur had taken his position as Sheriff. Things seemed to be going well.

As usual, there had been several disputes between some of the ranchers, The Gill and Foster ranch lands backed each other and at least once every few months arguments broke out over a damaged fence or missing cattle. Sheriff Ellis had made Arthur had handled these situations while he was a deputy, and so he was able to resolve them smoothly as sheriff.

His first real test had been last week when one of the townsmen had drank too much. After Eames closed down the saloon, the man ended up starting a fight on the street. It was a stupid place to do it; Eames owned the saloon less than a ten minute walk from the Sheriff's station. Arthur was able to get things under control and had the man sleep it off in one of the jail cells. Any time there were fights there, it was easy to get to them and break them up. More difficult down by Nash's place, because that was all the way across town. It only took about five minutes to get there on his horse but by the time someone ran down to the station to tell him what was going on and for him to get out there, people had usually gotten wind of his upcoming arrival and disappeared.

When he got to the men fighting in the road that night, his heart had been pounding and his adrenaline was so high that he was almost shaking, but when he used the booming, demanding voice he had picked up from his father and Sheriff Ellis, people actually listened. He figured he would use it to pretend he was in control until he had the confidence to believe that himself.

So far people seemed to take to his new position well. He had gone around to all the houses in and around town to reintroduce himself as the Sheriff and everyone seemed ok with it. Maybe they were just being polite, but still, he appreciated the sentiment. He also appreciated all the food he got to eat at each house. Everyone told him he was just too skinny and he was only too happy to oblige them.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday he went home to have dinner at his parent's house. To be honest he missed his mother's cooking, it was FAR better than his, but he was always able to take home leftovers. He had mastered cooking pork and venison over the fire and could make a decent stew. And then cooking eggs and making coffee were easy, but anything to do with baking…He was stumped. His dinners consisted of meat and vegetables when he wasn't at his parent's house.

Over dinner his family liked to hear about the things he did during the week. He thought they were usually pretty boring, but every now and then he had an exciting story. His dad still had contact with friends in Denver, so whenever a shipment came in to the depot for the general store, there were a few newspapers from Denver and Cheyenne for the Mayor. Because of that, he was able to keep them up to date on what was happening in the rest of the country. His sister Abigail liked to hear Arthur's stories. She was his older sister, but looked up to him and lived vicariously through his adventures.

Things seemed to be going well. Arthur was pleased about how smoothly things had gone. He tactfully avoided his mother's prying questions about marrying Ruth, and was starting to accept his future as a bachelor. He could have never guessed that future would be turned around before the beginning of 1872.

Abigail Wilde had always found herself pretty. Ten years ago she never would have thought she would grow to be an old maid. Who could have guessed that? She had pretty long chestnut colored hair, beautiful, deep brown eyes, rosy cheeks and a slim figure. She kept up with the latest fashion trends, had a solid education from a private academy in Denver, knew how to cook and run a house, and was proficient in quilting, mending, playing the piano and entertaining. While she didn't use them on a regular basis, she knew French and even some Spanish. No one in the family had thought she would wait long for a husband.

At 26, she had long ago abandoned hope for finding a husband. It wasn't that she didn't want to be married. She longed for children, a home and a man to look lovingly in her direction, as if she were the only woman in the world. But those dreams had died when she was 17. She had had her chance at that life but had thrown it away. After that she let her shame and ruined reputation spoil any chance of marriage in Denver. When they moved to Juniper Springs, Abigail never allowed herself to fall prey to the flirtatious ways of the townsmen.

Abigail looked at herself sadly in the mirror of her vanity for a few moments, thinking of a life she would never have.

No moping today, you know you get those ugly dimples on your chin when you frown. Besides, you have a schedule to keep today! She thought with some happiness. Abigail had agreed to help her mother and was looking forward to the opportunity to do something useful. She finished brushing her hair and put it up in a bun with several pins. Several stray curls refused to stay put, but otherwise she was happy with her appearance. She pinched her cheeks for some color before going downstairs.

"Good morning Miss Wilde"

Abigail jumped at the sound of someone's voice and turned to see Joseph Eames walking up beside her.

"Come to confess your sins, Mr. Eames?" Abigail had come to the church early to get the ladies circle ready. It was the least she could do while her mother was baking breakfast, and it was nice to get out of the house. Her dad had tried to walk her over, but it was around the corner. She told him she didn't need to burden him with it being such a short walk, and left unaccompanied.

Too bad the church was so close to Joseph's saloon. Of course… Of course, out of anyone in town, it would be him I would run into this morning. She thought with chagrin.

"Ah well you would like that wouldn't you, darling? Then I would be a man repented before God and we could finally get married" He replied with a cheeky grin.

Abigail rolled her eyes and turned away so he couldn't see her grin. This was the third proposal already this month. Not that they really counted as proposals, he's never serious. She thought.

It would make things easier if he wasn't an attractive man. He was much more refined and mature than any of the ranch hands that came and went through town, and several years older than her. Plus her age never seemed to deter him. Every other man in town who had originally tried to win her affections had given up around her 22nd birthday. Eames seemed different though…

But still…

She had decided long ago that she wasn't going to let another man break her heart. And Joseph Eames was definitely the sort of man who would do just that.

"Unless you would like to be part of the ladies circle this morning, Mr. Eames, I suggest you let me get to my work. Mother has a whole fundraiser meeting planned for this morning and Pastor Brown was nice enough to let us use the church." Abigail told him with a formality that she hoped would end the conversation.

"Well how perfect that you have come across such a capable and willing companion. I would be delighted to help you get the church ready." His grin was getting bigger as he walked up the steps with her.

Really the gal of this man!

She couldn't come up with a real excuse to make him leave. And if she allowed herself to be honest, the heavy, thick curtains were almost impossible to pull back alone.

"Fine," she sighed as she walked into the church, "but I need you to pull back the curtains on all of the windows. And be quick about it, the meeting is starting in less than 15 minutes."

"Yes m'lady" he tipped his hat to her as he walked in beside her. "Can I help with your coat?"

"No thank you, I have managed to undress myself for years, I don't need your help now." The words flew out of her mouth before she realized the connotation behind them. She blushed furiously and looked away so she didn't have to meet his eye. Hearing a soft chuckle she looked up and he winked at her.

Her stomach did a little flip and she knew her face was beet red. She really couldn't help it when he winked at her. Especially after what she had said! He really is handsome… And maybe if he would ever stop teasing me I might… NO! She thought suddenly, you know what will happen. He will break your heart, just like Trenton did.

Eames couldn't help but look over his shoulder at Abigail as she was reading something in the front of the church. Preparations for her meeting, no doubt. Someone surely needed new baby clothes or help recovering from a broken leg, or maybe there was a new quilt to be made.

Boring and tedious work is what he thought about it. Maybe he was just bitter that he was almost never on the receiving end of their charity. A new quilt would be nice… he thought as he turned back around.

When the church was first built in 1860 it was the third building in town. Well it couldn't really be called a town at that time. But the Brown's had settled down with the hope that others would follow. Pastor Brown's wife had constructed these heavy curtains to keep the cold out that first winter, before they could afford glass for the windows. Even after they finished putting all the glass panels in, they left them up. Mainly because they kept the church nice and cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

These curtains are damn heavy! How Abigail would have managed this alone is beyond me. I'm surprised her father did not come to help her. Arthur was most likely already at the station. That boy takes his job way too seriously… Eames got lost in his own thoughts as he completed his task.

When he was done he turned to look for Abigail again. She was the prettiest little thing in this whole town. She was very similar to her brother in many ways; she liked things orderly and was very smart. And of course, she just couldn't seem to stand his teasing. Arthur was always such a spoil-sport about that kind of thing too. Eames was never rude to either of them; they just didn't take well to many of his comments.

She seemed to sense him looking at her and turned to look in his direction. Several soft brown curls had fallen out of her bun and fell lazily against her neck and her face glowed in the morning light that was now streaming through the widows.

Well there's an angel if I ever saw one, he thought. After her comment about undressing herself, Eames couldn't stop thinking about it. He was pretty damn sure she was beautiful under all those fancy dresses too…

Did she think she was too good for him? Is that why she always dismisses me, he thought. Sure, as the mayor's daughter she held a place of distinction among the townspeople but she's never acted like she's better than anyone else…

Maybe you really do just annoy her. She rejects you daily. He thought wryly as he walked towards her. Regardless of her reasoning, he didn't think he would be stopping anytime soon. It brought him endless amusement to see her get flustered by his advances. Plus her cheeks would get rosy when she blushed. It was really quite adorable. And to be honest she was more of a woman than any of the young girls in town. He loved her smart mouth.

"Alright, your Highness, I have done as you commanded. Do you need anything else before I go?" He asked, his voice had dropped into a whisper as he came up to stand much too close to her.

He could see her become noticeably flushed, and she took a step back as she stuck her hand out.

"No thank you Mr. Eames. I can manage from here." She said and swallowed, still uncomfortable with his closeness. She's probably still thinking about what she said earlier,he thought. Her hand was still out, waiting for his to shake. He took it, and when she closed her fingers around his hand he tightened his grip and brought it up to his lips. If she was uncomfortable before, she was now visibly aghast at his forwardness. She pulled her hand back and tried to compose herself.

With her head held high and her nose tilted up in the air, she glared at him and said, haughty look, "Good day. Now please leave me in peace Mr. Eames." And without further ado, she turned around and walked away.

He felt rather pleased with himself. Not only had he seen her today, but he had kissed her.

Well… her hand…But still.

Eames smiled at himself remembering the look on her shocked little face. He couldn't even imagine what she would do if he had kissed her where he wanted to.

With thoughts of her on his mind he couldn't help but think that it was going to be a good day indeed.

All throughout the meeting Abigail tried to pay attention. The White's had just had a new baby and Charlotte would surely appreciate new stockings and diapers for the little one.

Then there was the whole business of the new teacher coming to town. They would need to help her meet all the students before the spring term started. Also did the school have all the necessary books and supplies? They might need to put in an order at the general store to bring some supplies in before the term started. Mal promised to speak with her husband about the budget he had for the school.

They also talked about throwing her a party… Mal said she was shy but would surely enjoy meeting everyone. She and Dom were going to pick Miss Nicola up at the station when she arrived. Ultimately they decided they would wait to plan anything until she got here.

The others all put in ideas with enthusiasm as to when and where they could accomplish their goals but Abigail remained largely silent. She had never said something so forward to Eames before. The problem wasn't so much that she had said it; it was that she couldn't stop thinking about it.

And all the while her hand tingled where Eames had kissed it.

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