Bryn stared after the man in shock. "Her kind" indeed! The silly little man! Bryn snorted, then sighed. He would never have acted like that if Seamus was around. And she had better get used to being alone, without his protection.

Her thought drifted back to the man who had saved her from the lecherous drunk. Buck Wilmington, was his name. He was handsome and tall just like her Seamus, but there was an openness about him that she was unsure of. Ezra had seemed to be friendly enough with him, so he couldn't be all bad.

Bryn smiled, Ezra always made her feel safe, ever since he had saved her from the knife-weilding man in the ally during Mardi-Gras all those years ago. Seamus had taken to Ezra like a brother, and the three had become good friends. It would be so good to be with him for a while, talking about Seamus, laughing ... and crying. And if Bryn was lucky, healing enough to move on to a new life.

Bryn cleaned herself up with the water in the ewer, and dressed in a modest dark green dress, scooped neck and gray lace trim. She knew she would need to talk to Lily about pay and other details, and wanted to be seen in the saloon not as a working girl. But the dress was flamboyant enough to say she belonged in the saloon as well.

Sighing as she closed the door to her new room, she hoped this 'Terrance' wasn't going to get too unpleasant!

"So Ezra," Buck said as he finished watching Terrance lead the new singer to the second floor. "You seem to know her really well, something your not telling us?"

"Mr. Wilmington." Ezra looked annoyed as he shuffled the cards in his hands. "Up until very recently she was a married woman, and my good friend's wife. I shall not deign to answer such a scurrilous remark."

"Dang Ezra." Buck smiled puzzedly at the gambler, usually so reserved, this outburst had even drawn looks from Vin, Chris and the others seated at the next table. "I was just kidding."

Ezra's features softened a little. 'Forgive me, Mr. Wilmington. Bryn and her husband were dear friends of mine. I fear I think of her as a sister, and with the death of her husband recently, she is very vulnerable. I do not wish to see her taken advantage of."

Buck clearly heard the veiled warning in Ezra's speech. Well, if she was his friend, he wouldn't make any overt moves. But it didn't stop him from hoping. Buck settled down to the card playing, they were soon joined by the others and a quiet game commenced.

Bryn cautiously descended the stairs, Lily caught her eye and motioned her towards the bar, pouring her a whiskey.

"Welcome to the Saloon, Catherine." Lily's slight French accent put Bryn in mind of the women in New Orleans of French ancestry.

"Please, call m' Bryn." Bryn said, gulping the whiskey in one practiced shot. Ignoring Terrance's sneer of distaste. "All m' friends do."

"Well, Bryn it is then, cher." Lily smiled, eyes sparkling in the light. "And you must call me Lily then."

"Alrigh', Lily." Bryn noticed Terrance turn away from the exchange with a look of anger. What WAS his problem! Bryn just hoped he didn't make her loose her temper.... She hated that. Lily and Bryn discussed salary and tips and had just reached an agreement when Terrance demanded attention from the patrons. Lily looked slightly puzzled, but Bryn had a good idea what he was after! And she wasn't amused.

"Good evening everyone!" Terrance's smile towards Bryn was pure malice. "I would like you all to welcome our newest attraction to the aloon, a house singer. Please let Ms. Callaghan know your looking forward to her singing!"

Hoots and shouts of appreciation echoes from the crowded saloon, Bryn could see Ezra's slightly annoyed expression as Buck said something to him. Amid the welcomes were calls for a song. An introduction, anything.

"Yes, Ms Callaghan!" Terrance grinned, this was going right according to his plans. "Please grace us with a first song!"

Lily muttered darkly about having a 'talking to' with her partner, but Bryn's dander was up. And she never refused a challenge like this before and she wasn't about to let this one go either! She strode forward confidently, smiling graciously at Terrance, who was taken-aback at her calm acceptance.

They both knew he had put her on the spot and declining the request for the song would damage her standing in the town. But Bryn was going to be damned if she was going to let him win! She smiled as she turned to the gathering of men. All looking expectantly at her. Ezra smirked and winked at her, knowing what Terrance had tried to do, and he knew he was going to get shown up by the petite girl beside him.

"Good evenin' gentlemen." Bryn began, taking in the atmosphere and the crowd. Always play to the crowd, Seamus had tought her. "'m sorry I don' have m' instruments unpacked as of yet, but I will for my official first nigh'."

Bryn saw all the cowboys present and decided on a simple humorous ballad to ease the way. Laughter always worked. Bryn noticed Lily watching intently to see how she handled the uncomfortable situation.

"Well, since I'm rather on th' spot here, I'll just sing you this little song I learned on th' way here. It's called 'The Cowboys Lament' , or 'Why Billy Can't Come To Work Today'" Bryn smiled as the first notes of the song brought out her voice into the hushed saloon. She knew it was clear and the whiskey she has drank smoothed it out to a deep contralto, perfect for the rustic setting.

The song followed the first day at work of an eager young cowboy. Slightly bumbling and accident prone he kept messing things up and hurting himself. With each little hijinx, slightly funnier and more injurous than the last, the song made for good fun. At first the mistakes were minor and funny, but by the end of the song he had shot himself in the foot, roped the bull and got dragged through cactus, only to be thrown off a cliff, the other half of the rope was tied to the cow. Deciding the only way out was to cut the rope, he did so, and then realized the only way to go was down.

The song ended with the hapless cowboy laid up in town, jobless and lamenting his fortune. Everyone in the saloon was shaking their heads or openly laughing at the antics in the song, and Bryn was pleased at her performance. The applause that greeted the end was heartfelt and Bryn felt she justified herself.

Ezra was waving her over to his table, and she threaded her way through the throng, all smiling at her now, to his side.

"Perfect as usual, my dear." Ezra, rising from his chair gallantly, kissed her hand. "I'd like to introduce you to my compatriots here."

"I'd b' delighted." She turns towards the table.

"I believe you've already met JD Dunne and Buck Wilmington." She nods to the two, smiling at JD's enthusiastic grin. "The man to his right in the black is Mr. Chris Larabee."

The man sat comfortably in his chair, a wry grin on his face. "Wonderful song ma'am. haven't heard that one in awhile"

"Thank ya." She smiled, he was intense in his gaze and someone who looked like he had the cares of the world in his soul.

"Next to him, is Mr. Vin Tanner." Ezra continued.

"Ma'am" Vin touched his brim to her, eyes looking right through hers. Reading her like a book. But there was a gentleness to him she found reassuring.

"Next is Mr. Nathan Jackson, our resident healer." The man Ezra pointed to gave her a brilliant smile, and his deep clear voice surprised her with its flexibility. She bet he could sing very well.

After him Bryn was introduced to Josiah Sanchez, his clear blue eyes and gentle manner immediately put her at ease. And when Bryn found out he was restoring the church in the town, she knew she could not fail to like him.

After a few minutes conversing with them about her music, she left them and went up to her room, to bed. It had been a long day, and tomorrow with Mr. Dunne's and Mr. Wilmington's help, she would gather her instruments and belongings from the stage and settle in. But for now she was tired and morning would come early.

The next morning was bright and clear, Bryn dressed into the last clean dress she had in the little bag, and vowed that she would get her belongings as soon as possible. But first she had to get some things from he general store.

Walking into the structure, Bryn noticed a motherly looking woman behind the counter, she smiled warmly at bryn and introduced herself as Ms. Potter. Bryn instantly liked this woman and hoped all the people in this small town were as friendly. Ms. Potter surprised bryn by knowing who she was already and told her if she needed to, she could buy now on some credit until she was paid from the saloon, touched, Bryn thanked the woman and as she turned to look around the store, she bumped into someone.

"Oh!" Bryn exclaimed, mortified. "Pray pardon! I Didna see ya there!"

"No harm done." The woman smiled. "I wasn't watching where I was going either."

Bryn looked down at the floor, embarrassed. "Yer too kind."

"I'm Liisa. Just got into town." The woman wore working clothes and had a hidden smile, and held out a hand to Bryn.

"I got in yesterday mysel'" Bryn tried a shy smile, and took the proffered hand. The handshake was firm and comfortable.

"Well, hey there Ms. Callaghan." Buck's voice intruded on the greeting. "JD's waitin on you in the Livery, we'll get your stuff from the stage as soon as we know what's yours."

"Why thank ya kindly Mr. Wilmington. I'm on my way." She winked at Liisa "Nice meetin' ya, Liisa"

"Well hello there, ma'am." Buck flashed her a smile. "I don't believe we've met!"

Bryn shook her head. He wouldn't get too far with her, she could feel it! She walked down to the livery. JD waited for her by the door, and upon seeing her, broke into a smile.

"I knew you'd be up early!" he smiled and opened the door to the barn, where the baggage piled on top of the stabled stage lay. "Stage driver gave me permission to get your things this morning, so just tell me what's yours and I'll get it down."

"All I have is one large trunk with m' instruments an a carpet bag mostly green." Bryn peered up as JD agily vaulted up to the roof where the luggage was stored.

"Found them." JD gently set her bag down on the ground. "I'll need help with the trunk, but Buck and I will bring it to you now I know which is yours."

"Aye, I'm afraid it's a bit heavy." Bryn said, knowing just how heavy it was.

"Well don't you worry, we'll bring it by in not too long." JD looked around the door. "As soon as Buck gets here, that is."

"Well, I'll be in m' room waiting then." Bryn smiles at JD. "Thank ya again. Mr. Dunne.

JD tipped his hat and watched her head back to her room. Bryn looked over at the saloon and saw Terrance shoot her an annoyed look. Things were going to be interesting in this town, that was a certainty!