Isabelle flew off of Vin's horse before he could pull it to a stop and raced off toward Nathan's clinic. Vin was at her side as soon as he hopped off his horse and tied him to a tie-out. Belle threw open the door at the top of the stairs and startled Chris Larrabee out of a rough nap.

"Miss Belle." He stood up quickly from the spot he was sitting in by Mary's bed, tipping his hat to her. "I'm very happy to see you alive."

Belle smiled at him. "Likewise." She walked over to her sister's side and took the seat Chris had just left. She clasped Mary's hand in hers and wiped off her forehead with her free hand. "Mary. Are you alright?"

She whispered the question, hoping not to disturb her sister, but also hoping that she would wake up.

Mary's eyes flickered open and she smiled weakly at her. "Oh, Belle. You're alright." Her smile vanished. "What happened to your pretty face?" She tried to touch Belle's lip, but she was still too weak to move very much.

Belle shushed her. "Don't worry about my lip. It will heal. Just worry about getting better. Billy needs you." Suddenly Belle was alert and panicked. "Where is Billy?" she stage whispered to Chris. He nodded to a far corner; there, underneath a colorful saddle blanket was her nephew, fast asleep. Belle smiled warmly at him, and mouthed "Thank you" to Chris. She returned her attention to her sister. "Are you feeling better?"

Mary laughed softly. "Considering I was just shot, I feel fine." Her serious expression returned and she smiled up at Belle. "I'm so glad you are safe now."

"I'm glad you are alive. And don't worry, I'll take good care of Billy while you get better."

Mary nodded, as if she knew Belle would take good care of her little boy. Then she turned her head to the side and fell back to sleep. Belle held her hand a little longer before turning back to Chris. "Nathan should be up soon and I would be personally grateful if you would stay with her, just a little longer."

Chris tipped his hat again. "Be my pleasure."

Belle stood up, gathered her skirts in her hand, and moved out of Chris's way. She walked over to Billy and was leaning over to shake him awake when Vin appeared at her elbow.

"Don't wake him. I'll carry him home." He smiled sheepishly. "It will make me feel useful."

Belle smiled in appreciation and moved aside to allow Vin room to pick up the sleeping boy. Then she opened the door and led the way to Mary's house by the paper office. In a few minutes, they had Billy tucked back in, and she had a pot of coffee brewing on the stove.

"Suppose I should get cleaned up," she murmured as she poured Vin a cup. "Would you like to wash up?"

Vin shook his head. "I'm not all that dirty. You could use it though." He smiled at the dirt on her pretty cheeks.

She tried to look insulted, but it was hard when she knew she must look a fright. She took a sip of the hot coffee and when she felt her spirit was slightly rejuvenated, she headed toward the wash basin down the hall. She washed her hands and face, then headed up to her bedroom. Once there, she brushed her hair and slid out of her dirty dress. She found a clean muslin and slipped it on. She tied some ribbon into her hair and looked at herself in the glass; much better.

Belle walked back into the kitchen and was almost surprised that Vin was still there. He didn't seem like the type to stay inside for so long; he liked the outdoors and she couldn't blame him there. She smiled at him when he looked up from his cup, his mouth open wide.

"Do I really shock you that much in my appearance?" She walked over to the table and took a seat.

"Only because you have had a rough past few hours." The girl still took his breath away, which was a shock in and of itself; it had been a long time since seeing a woman had given him that much pleasure.

Belle shrugged. "I suppose so, but it's only going to get worse when Terrence finds out I've given him the slip." She sighed and leaned her head onto her hand. "What are we going to do?"

Vin took the seat opposite her and took her hand. "We're not going to do anything. I'm going to organize the men into watches on either end of town and one by the house for you and Billy. I shouldn't be the one down here because I am too close to the situation. I'll take a shift on the end of town closest to the Connellys' ranch. I think I will have Ezra watch you two."

Belle was slightly annoyed, but she knew he wouldn't let her go without someone watching her. "I don't understand what difference it makes if you watch me or not. You'll just be distracted by the thought of me."

"Maybe, but I trust Ezra where you are concerned and I don't think he'll let you get hurt." Vin sighed, knowing he had to get to work, but not wanting to leave her side. He rubbed her smooth skin with his rough fingers. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Belle smiled softly and stood up, walking over to Vin. She sat down on his lap and kissed him sweetly. "Please be safe," she whispered.

"You, too." He handed her a pistol from his holster. "I want you to keep this just in case. I figure you know how to use it."

Belle nodded. "I know how, but I'm hoping I won't need to." She looked deep into his eyes. "I'm scared."

"You'll be fine. We won't let anything happen to you." He brushed a stray hair out of her eyes. "I should go assign posts." Vin kissed her and stood up, making sure she was steady on her feet before walking away. He didn't want to leave her, and it broke his heart to hear the door shut behind him. He didn't think it would be the last time he saw his Belle, but you could never know what would happen in a gun fight.