Lily took a brief look over her shoulder at the retreating figure. She'll be fine, she reassured herself silently. She'd go and see Molly tomorrow and have a talk with her. She couldn't understand what had disturbed the girl so badly, it was only a kiss. It certainly couldn't have been her first Lily mused to herself.

The stairs to Nathan's rooms seemed a mile long as Lily climbed them slowly. She knew Chris wasn't dead. The bullet had caught him in the leg. But there had been blood, lots of blood.

Ezra, who'd been keeping guard outside Nathan's, stood as Lily reached the top step. Even in the lantern's dim light he could see that she looked pale. He didn't wait for her question.

"Mr. Larabee's going to be fine. In our brief acquaintance it is not the first time he has been shot. I believe it will take more than a stray bullet--"

Lily interrupted his words. "Stray bullet? You don't think it was related to the bank robbery?"

"All three men that Mr. Tanner apprehended were in the bank and there's been no indication that they had other accomplices. Most likely it was a ranch hand who imbibed too much and accidently let a shot go."

Lily nodded her head in agreement, although she didn't believe the explanation was that simple. "May I see him?"

Ezra gave a quick knock at the door before turning the knob. The room was bathed in a low glow from the lantern next to the bed. Josiah who'd been just inside the door stepped aside to let Lily enter.

"Nathan, why don't I help you go get some more water?" Nathan turned at Josiah's voice. He took a glance at Chris and nodded in assent.

Lily waited till the door closed behind them before crossing to the bed. His eyes were closed but she knew that Chris wasn't asleep. When she was close enough he reached out grabbing her arm pulling her down next to him on the bed. She waited till he released the grip on her arm before she spoke. His fingers slowly ran down the length of her arm.

"I take it that you're feeling better Mr. Larabee." Chris' eyes remained closed. "I . . . ," a knock at the door kept Lily from finishing her thought. Vin and Nathan entered with Josiah and Ezra following close behind.

"Everything taken care of?" Nathan and Josiah had told Chris about the bank robbery as they were carrying him up to the clinic.

"Yeah . . . " Vin shook his head and sighed heavily. "Hated to lock the boy up though."

"Boy? Which boy?" Lily looked back and forth between the men.

"Uh, don't know how to tell you this Lily, but Casey was one of the men we caught trying to rob the bank."

"I just can't believe that. I know the boy has . . . but . . ." Lily's voice trailed off in disbelief. "I want to see him."

"How about that waits till tomorrow. With all the excitement tonight I think it would be good if everyone got some sleep." Josiah's words made sense but it still didn't make Lily feel any better. Chris started to move toward the edge of the bed.

"Whoa, where do you think you're going?" Nathan put out a hand to stop him. "You need to stay off that leg for at least a couple of days." The bullet had caught Chris in the upper thigh.

"Well then someone help me over to the boarding house." Josiah started to reach out a hand.

"Nonsense. Please help him over to the saloon. I have a couple of spare rooms upstairs." Lily turned back toward Chris. "I insist."

It had only taken a few minutes for Josiah and Nathan to move Chris into the empty room next to Lily's. They'd said goodnight and left the pair alone. His eyes watched her move around the room.

"Come here." She sat down on the bed next to him. He ran his fingers along the lace trim of the scalloped neckline of her dress. A wry grin played across his face. "So were you planning on staying here tonight, just in case I might need you in the night?"