The church was packed already when Ethan arrived with Dakota. The children were outside playing with those of other residents in attendance. Ethan looked up and saw Darrin standing near the front talking to the two men he'd seen earlier. He found out they were two brothers, Tyler and Thomas Halloran and they were also interesting in investing in Paradise.

"It's a full house," Dakota said, "No seats left."

Ethan looked and saw that Bella and Amelia had already arrived and were sitting in the back. They both appeared in deep discussion. Claire had gone and sat with them, he noticed. Axelrod and Applegate were trying to get Charlie to join them but he went back and stood on the side with Tiny. When Ethan had come through the door, those who noticed had alerted other people and soon they all looked at him expectantly.

"You here to tell us what to do," Applegate said, "We've got some concerns about who's coming into our town."

Ethan sighed, thinking the man had forgotten just how many different times some of the arrivals that the townspeople had trusted had turned out to be con artists or worse. The man that he had put away that had come to Paradise posing as a minister.

Darrin walked up to the front of the church.

"I called this meeting with Tyler and Thomas Halloran here to address some issues that have risen as the town's launched its revitalization plan."

Ethan and Dakota just looked at each other.

"I share your concerns," Darrin said, "You are worried about undesirable elements and we must be vigilant about letting them in our midst."

Axelrod nodded vigorously from where he sat in front.

"We need to do something," he said, "We don't want what's happened in other places to happen here."

Ethan glanced over at Bella and Amelia who were watching the proceedings carefully. Dakota sighed.

"Looks like they're already getting started…"

"It's just a discussion," Ethan said, "It won't go further than that."

"Hope not," Dakota said, "I don't want to mess up my clothes."

He'd shown up wearing a nice suit that he wore when he went gambling at the casino trying to impress the women who showed up there.

Axelrod stood up.

"I say we select a committee to oversee what businesses can operate in this town."

Charlie just groaned in the corner.

"Axelrod, where are we going to find volunteers to sit on a committee?"

The mercantile owner sighed.

"We need some good strong men," he said, "I'll head it of course."

Of course, Ethan thought. Darrin nodded approvingly.

"I can fund your operations," he said, "Mr. Cord can deputize some of you or make you into marshals."

Ethan held up his hand in response.

"Now hold on Mr. Wyatt, that's not necessary."

He didn't want to wait until they started discussing lit torches and pitchforks as a means of communicating who was welcome in town and who was not. They'd come too close to that in the past but he hadn't been marshal then. Now that he'd taken that role, he wouldn't allow any type of vigilantism on his watch.

He didn't trust Darrin either but then again he'd been spending time with his daughter who seemed just as eager to draw up a new vision for their town. Martha walked up to him.

"Ethan…why don't you volunteer," she said, "You'd be a natural."

"I'm the marshal," he said, "I'm not here to protect the law for one group of people in a town full of them."

She smiled.

"You know my father's right," she said, "You know that we have to be more selective of the businesses we attracted in Paradise."

He sighed.

"It's just a ranch."

"She's an outlaw who did bad things," Martha said, "People don't change that much."

Then Ethan heard a disruption at the front of the room as both Bella and Amelia stood up. He also saw Claire standing there with them.

"Mr…Wyatt…," Bella said, "I own the land fair and square outside this town and I intend to settle and make a home there for me and the other women. I will be offering ranching jobs to any women who want to get food and put a roof over her head."

Axelrod snickered.

"You mean most of your women were bar girls entertaining the men don't you?"

Bella just looked at him.

"They didn't have any men to take care of them," she said, "And the ones who did are better off without them."

Axelrod didn't look like he liked that answer and conferred with Applegate and several others. Charlie just looked unhappy but kept quiet in his corner. The man didn't like conflict, Ethan had learned.

"How can you say that," Stan who owned a mill said, "when they sold their bodies."

Ethan sighed. If that were true, they wouldn't be the first women in Paradise to do that and if Bella was right about them trying to change their lives, then they'd chosen the best path.

"You ever have to make some tough choices to feed you or your family," Bella asked, "You ever have to do something you'd hate yourself for later just to survive?"

Stan turned to look at Axelrod who glanced at Darrin who cleared his throat.

"That's all well and good to say," he said, "But what about you? Have you changed? You really just are waiting for us to trust you so you can rob us blind one day?"

Bella shook her head.

"You don't have to trust that I've changed," she said, "But I want to be able to run my ranch and not be disturbed or harassed. I can handle it but some of the women…after what they've been through, it's not what they need."

Axelrod spat.

"Who cares what they need," he said, "It's what this town needs that's important."

Amelia stepped forward then.

"You've never been the best authority on that Axelrod."

He cast her a scorning glance.

"You left Paradise to go to pursue better opportunities and then came back," he said, "What gives you any stance to tell those of us who stayed what to do."

Amelia didn't blink an eye.

"I've seen this town boom and bust, at its best and at its very worst," she said, "That gives me the right to speak to what it needs and another vigilante mob isn't it."

"Mrs. Lawson, you've got no right," he said, "You should be ashamed of yourself for associating with a woman like her."

"You should be ashamed for all the customers you shortchanged, both on the buying and selling ends of your store."

Axelrod's face turned red and Ethan knew Amelia's comment had hit its mark. The room fell silent for a moment and Amelia glanced over at him. Then Axelrod recovered.

"How dare you accuse me of any improprieties," he said, "when you're associating with a known criminal…defending her."

"I'm not defending her," Amelia said, "I'm defending the right of the women to support themselves doing some work that's not degrading."

Some of the men snickered.

"Some of them enjoy it," one man said, "Else why would they keep coming back to the saloon?"

"They didn't have a choice. And sometimes someone else makes that choice for them."

Ethan knew what Amelia was talking about, the men who controlled the women with an iron fist and took all their earnings or most of them. Saying the women had debt to pay off before they could be released. No woman he ever knew had ever done that and walked away free.

Darrin glanced over at her.

"You sound like an expert on what these women have done," he said, "You speaking from experience like Bella Rogers over here?"

Ethan felt his body tense at what the man had said, it angered him because it had nothing to do with her. Darrin waited for Amelia answer clearly enjoying himself. She looked away for a moment and then focused back on him.

"No I don't," she said, "but I understand it. I want these women to have a better life."

Axelrod and Applegate and several others stood up at that point to object and they jostled to get closer to Bella and Amelia. The room clearly getting riled up, Ethan saw and he flexed his jaw knowing he'd have to act.

"Why'd you pick Paradise then," Axelrod said, "A town of good honest people…"

Amelia smiled.

"There have always been bars and saloons here," she said, "No matter what else happened. Gambling, drinking and sometimes violence…what we're doing is the opposite. It'll be good for Paradise."

Bella nodded.

"Any woman who wants to be hired to do any job," she said, "We'll hire them…any barroom girl or women pushed to sell herself to survive…there's another way."

Amelia folded her arm.

"We'll get a lawyer if you cause trouble," she said, "and that'll make it clear that we're serious."

Axelrod looked over at Darrin who put up his hands.

"No need to do that," he said, "I'm sure if we sit down, we can talk and work something out. Find another place for your working ranch to go."

Bella shook her head.

"No…we won't agree to that," she said, "Amelia was right when she said this was the perfect place to get a spread of land and build something. That's what we intend to do whether you like it or not."

Several men stood up and headed towards her and Ethan and Dakota moved closer to step between them.

"Why don't you gentlemen sit down and rethink what you're doing," he said, "These women will be allowed to work their ranch without trouble…or I'll put anyone responsible in jail."

Axelrod recoiled.

"You wouldn't…"

Ethan looked him in the eye.

"Oh yes I would," he said, "I told you when I took this job, I'd uphold the law for everyone not just a few and I meant it."

"Even if it hurts our businesses…you'd protect an outlaw."

They all gathered around him then, and protested.

Amelia had slipped out of the meeting having had her say. She realized how much little had changed n Paradise since her departure. The atmosphere had grown quite hostile, the room stuffy and she just wanted to leave and get some fresh air.

"It's not going well is it?"

She looked up and saw that Claire had followed her out. She tried to smile.

"Business as usual I'd say," she said, "I knew they would not like us being here but I didn't know how much."

"They're wrong," Claire said, "Anyone should have the right to live where they choose."

Amelia nodded.

"Well, I agree but we're not the majority."

Claire shrugged.

"Majority of Paradise isn't here."

Amelia knew Claire had a point but the minority who did show up were the most actively involved town folks, many of the store owners. Most of the ranchers were too busy even at night to make a fuss either way.

"Yeah but often it's the minority interest that gets its way."

"Uncle Ethan will make sure that won't happen."

Amelia sighed.

"There's only so much he can do Claire…but we're not leaving. I made a promise."

Claire smiled.

"It's good to see you back," she said, "We missed you."

Amelia put a hand on her shoulder.

"I missed you…thought about and your brothers most of the time I was gone."

"We missed you too," she said, "So did Uncle Ethan."

Amelia looked back to where she had left where he likely was left to restore order to the furor that had erupted. Bella had remained there too.

"Well I know I hurt him by leaving."

"Yes you did. But I think he understood," Claire said, "He does a very important job but sometimes it's scary…especially when he's out late."

Amelia nodded.

"I used to worry about him when he didn't show up," she said, "I thought the worst. I just couldn't live like that…but it was so silly."

"It's all right. I think I stayed up a few nights too. Ben and George, they always believe he'll come back no matter what. But I know all kinds of things could happen."

"You're right but I worried about him when I was miles away from here," she said, "I couldn't run away from him or how I felt…so I…"

She heard some footsteps and knew they belonged to Ethan without turning around. She just rested her hands on the rails looking out into the empty street.

"Amelia…meeting's just about over."

She nodded.

"Did I miss anything?"

He stood right next to her, their shoulders brushing.

"No…Axelrod and the others are upset but I laid it down to them. I think they'll reconsider the committee," he said, "But it's Mr. Wyatt who concerns me."

"And his daughter…?"

Ethan grew silent and she felt like she'd intruded on something. But he had to know how tightly she believed in what Darrin planned to do.

"She's set on adding culture to Paradise, says it's lacking."

Amelia shrugged.

"She's right in terms of the lack of theaters and music halls, museums but that doesn't mean it doesn't have culture."

Claire looked at them.

"I'll look for the boys."

She left them alone as she went off to fetch them.

Ethan paused.

"You spoke well in there," he said, "but then that doesn't surprise me."

"I said what I meant Ethan," she said, "Bella and the rest of us, we're staying right here."

"I know Bella's not going to let anyone tell her what to do not even me," Ethan said, "but how did you end up with her. Run into her in your travels?"

Amelia nodded slowly.

"You can say that," she said, "Ethan, she's been looking for quite a while for the right place to set up the ranch and this is perfect."

"You told her it was perfect."

"Yes I did and I'm right," she said, "They'll do real well here at building a new life…if the townspeople don't get in the way."

"I'm not going to let them Amelia," he said, "Dakota and I laid down how it's going to work and I think they'll back off."

"Most of them maybe but not Mr. Wyatt…"

She knew that by instinct. Something about him, well it reminded her of herself and the way she used to be. She prided herself on being a successful businesswoman in the climate least hospitable to a woman intent on doing that without a man supporting her. But through hard work and sheer perseverance she had done that. But for what…her husband had sold the bank out from under her…her bank so in the end, being a woman on her own hadn't left her much power. A team of high priced lawyers hadn't had to tell her that.

"Don't worry about him."

"We're going to look out for ourselves."

He paused and she wondered what he thought.

"I missed you."

She smiled.

"I missed you too," she said, "I'm glad to be back."

He paused a bit longer.

"I'm taking the children for some late supper," he said, "Would you like to join us, we can catch up on your adventures."

She looked down at her hands sitting on the rail.

"Thank you but I think Bella and I'll be heading back now," she said, "Besides I think Martha probably has her own plans."

"I imagine she does but I haven't seen you in so long."

"Yes but I'm back now and we'll see each other," she said, "So there's no rush."

He sighed.

"If you need any help…out at the ranch."

"We'll be doing some repairs mostly," Amelia said, "The house and cabins are in good shape but the barn…needs some work and supplies."

"I can help with that," Ethan said, "Other towns folks will too. Not everyone's going with Axelrod."

She nodded.

"Maybe…I'll tell you if we need anything."

Bella joined them.

"I thought I'd find you here," she said, "The meeting was rather interesting…Amelia, I'm heading on back. What about you?"

"I'll join you."

Bella raised her brows.

"Thought you two would want to catch up."

Ethan and Amelia looked at each other and then Amelia rubbed her neck.

"I'm feeling tired and we've still got chores to do," she said, "Maybe next time."

"Ethan…there you are…"

They all looked to see Martha walking up to them.

"What are you doing here," she said, "We're going to dinner at the hotel. The children are free to join us."

Ethan hesitated.

"We might head back to the ranch," he said, "They've got school tomorrow."

Martha frowned.

"Oh…I thought we'd spent some time alone," she said, "I didn't see you much today."

Amelia looked at the both of them.

"Well we'd better be heading back," she said, "It was good to see you Ethan."

She and Bella left and he watched her go.

"Ethan…I thought you two were in the past."

He turned to look at her.

"We are…but I haven't seen her in almost a year," he said, "Wanted to know what she'd been doing."

"Traveling…seeing the sights…doing things…what's there to tell?"

Ethan didn't answer. He saw Amelia and Bella getting on their horses and riding into the night. He turned to Martha.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Then he left to go gather the kids with her in his wake.