Chris found Vin in the livery. The two men stood silently across a stall from each other for several minutes before Chris finally spoke.

"So, you wanna tell me what's goin' on?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Like hell you don't." Chris raked his fingers through his hair. "You and Molly Gallagher." It took Vin several more minutes before answering the unspoken question.

"I don't know."

"That's not an answer."

"Well it's the only one I got." Vin wanted to say more but he didn't know how to put what he was feeling into words.

"It ain't right." Chris struggled for the right words. "Maybe what you're really feeling is a bit of guilt over what happened in the jail that night." The look in Vin's eyes showed that the same thought had crossed his mind. "You couldn't protect her then and you're trying to make up for it?" He turned and walked toward the door. "Think about it."

Lily sat at a table near the rear of the saloon trying to balance the numbers in the monthly ledger. It was late afternoon and the room was nearly empty. In a couple of hours it would be crowded again. She liked these quiet moments in the day. Her blue eyes looked up as a shadow fell over the book.

"How are you today Ms. Patterson?" Guy Royal took a seat across from her at the table.

"Mr. Royal, what can I do for you today?"

"I wanted to discuss my proposition again. I was hoping that you might have reconsidered."

"No, I have not reconsidered. I have no desire to sell you any part of the saloon." Lily couldn't believe he had approached her again about this. She thought she had been more than clear during their lunch that she had no intention of selling the saloon.

"That is unfortunate. I was hoping that we could do business." He paused for a moment pretending to examine the cuff on his coat sleeve. "You know it isn't easy for a woman out here alone. I would hate to see anything happen to you."

Lily stood suddenly stepping back from the table. "I do hope that wasn't intended as a threat Mr. Royal."

"Not at all Ms. Patterson. Just stating a fact. Being in business with me would offer you a measure of . . . protection." He drew out the last word slowly.

"Protection?" Chris's voice came from behind Royal. "That'd be like lettin' a fox protect the hen house." He stepped into view taking a place to Lily's left. The two men studied each other silently for a minute before Royal moved.

"Well then, I guess this is settled, for now. You know, Ms. Patterson, a woman of your obvious breeding should be careful of the company she keeps." Royal tipped his hat to Lily and strode from the saloon.

"Joseph," Lily called to the young man behind the bar, "I'll be upstairs for a few minutes if you need me." He nodded in acknowledgement and continued to sweep. Chris followed her up the stairs closing the door to her room behind them.

"So, what was all that about?" He had only heard the last of the conversation.

"Mr. Royal was interested in buying me out of the saloon. I told him before that I wasn't going to sell."

"Before? When?" Chris moved closer to her.

"When he and I had lunch. The box social?" Lily moved some clothing in her bureau placing the ledger under them. A ball of crumpled yellowed paper caught Chris's eye from under the edge of her bed. He recognized it as being the type of paper used at the telegraph office. He snatched it up quickly stuffing it into a pocket.

"So that's what you two talked about then, him buying you out?"

"Yes, that was the main reason for his bidding on my lunch." Chris moved in closer to her his hands encircling her waist. She leaned back against him.

"Well I guess next time he'll know that you can't be swayed by a pretty table." Lily stiffened slightly.

"Pretty table?"

"Yeah, that table he set up outside for you two with all that expensive stuff on it." Lily turned around at his words.

"How did you know that?" She was sure that she hadn't told him about the table and the lunch. She had made it a point not to talk about it. Chris hesitated before answering her.

"I followed you two out there and kept an eye out while you ate." He could see the anger flash in her eyes.

"You did what?" She pushed his hands from her body. "Why did you do that? Didn't you trust me?"

"It wasn't you that I didn't trust. It was him."

"That . . . that doesn't matter. I can't believe . . ." Lily's voice trailed off. She was too dumbfounded to speak. Chris reached out to grab her arm. She pulled away from his touch. "No, don't. Leave."

"What?" He looked at her in surprise. "Leave?"

"Yes. Leave, get out."