Bryn exited her room the next morning, smiling slightly as she passed Lily's door. SOMEONE had a very nice time last night! The excitement of the fight gave way to feelings of confusion for Bryn as her new friend Liisa had voiced her racism towards Mr. Jackson. Having been on the recieving end of prejudice, Bryn hated to see anyone judeed that way. Well, Bryn would just have to wait and see.

It had seemed however, that Liisa and Ezra had hit it off famously, and for that Bryn was grateful. Ezra needed to find someone, whether it was Liisa Kurri or someone else, only time would tell.

Bryn sighed and made her way to the saloon. Mr. Larabee and Mr. Tanner were already there sipping their coffee and saying nothing. Just sitting and enjoying the early morning stillness. Bryn nodded shyly to the two, grabbed herself a warming cup and headed for the piano. It needed tuning badly!

Sighing, she laid out the instruments, lifted the cover and peered inside. What greeted her as she peered in made her cure violently. Whomever had tuned it last hadn't known what they were doing... she would have to start all over! This would take hours!

She was quickly engrossed in her woork and didn't even notice when Buck and JD came in and joined the other two. Josiah soon followed as did Nathan.

Buck looked at the young widow with admiration. He had come to enjoy her singing more and more each day. She was like an angel sent from heaven. He regretted his promise to Ezra not to pursue this one. She was a fine woman, out of his league, but ther was something.....

"Mooooo..." JD whispered.

The others at the table giggled quietly. Buck was surely caught by this forbidden fruit. Amazingly, he had also kept his promise and done nothing at all to attract her to him. A first. He must really like her, Chris thought. She certainly was good looking woman. had intelligence, a calm, quiet demeanor.......

A string of colorful oaths startled the six men into astonishment. Was that......from Bryn?

Bryn swore as the piano wire broke in her hands. The strings were old and she was on the last one. So, of course it had to break! Cursed thing. She turned around to meet the half-astonished, hald- amused stares of the six men at the table.

"Wha'?" Despite her controll, she felt herself blushing "Ya ne'er heard the likes of tha' before?"

"Not from a Lady." JD piped up, smiling.

"I'm Irish, m'laddie-o." Bryn smiled wickedly. "Get used t' it!"

With that she left to find the wire from her supplies. She closed the door to her room and noticed a card sitting on her dresser. She pulled the card out of the envelope.

My dearest songbird,

Words cannot describe what feelings your pure voice of the heavans give to me. I am in rapture by your thrilling stanzas. Please don't think me forward o send this to you. I look forward to hearing you again, oh voice of the Angels!

An admirer.

On the dresser was also a red rose. Well, wasn't this a fine development. Bryn decided not to pursue looking for the sender, she didn't much feel like another suitor coming calling so soon after her Seamus had died. It was far too soon. So she continued looking for her wire.

Finding none, she sighed. She would have to wait and purchase some, but from where? Bryn walked downstairs and out into the now bustling town.

The figure watched as the woman strode across the boardwalk unescorted. What she needed was a man in her life. And he was determined that he would be that man. He had been watching her for days now, drinking at the sight if her. And with every passing hour, falling more and more for her.

What he saw next was NOT on his agenda! No, this wouldn't do at all!

"Bryn!" Ezra hailed his friend as he saw he walking out of Ms. Potter's store. She smiled and he quickly joined her, Buck Wilmington with him.

"Mornin' Ezra." Bryn smiled, green eyes glinting. "Yer up a wee bit early."

"My normal ascending hour, I assure you." Ezra waved her off, grinning. "Mr. Wilmington tells me of your... misfortune, with the piano this morning. Have you found any wire?"

"Nay, but I know a company in Denver tha' can send some. I'm off to wire them now." Bryn smiled, wondering if Buck had told Ezra of her outburst too.

"Well allow me to sent the wire for you." Ezra smiled. "The least I could do for you."

"As ya wish Ezra. I thank ya." Bryn loked off to where Josiah was entertaining some children in fornt of the church. "If ya don ' mind. I'll wait fer ya' t' come back at th' church. Been far too long since I've been in one."

"I'll escort you there ma'am." Buck held out his arm politely to her, Ezra started to frown but at a nod from Buck, went off on his way without a word.

"I take it he warned ya off m' then." Bryn teased the tall cowboy with a smile.

Buck laughed heartily, "You got it right, ma'am. But to tell the truth, your much too fine a lady for my rough ways."

"Oh I doubt tha', Mr. Wilmington. 'm not tha' 'fine' a lady at all." Bryn scoffed. "Jus' a poor irish girl lokin' t' make her way."

"And you do a fine job singing ma'am." Buck paised her, feeling like a heel for talking so much. Damn, he was begining to ack like JD around a woman!

"Why thank ya Mr. Wilmington. Tha's a lovely compliment ya paid m'." They had made it to the Church and Bryn nodded Buck releasing her, and she walked into the church.

Inside, Bryn sighed. It didn't matter the church denomination or how big or small it was, she could never feel more safe than she did right now. She walked forward to the rough crucifix on the wall, kneeled down and said a few prayers, then walked over to the candle rack and lighted a candle for her family in Ireland, hoping they were well and happy.

"Oh!" A voice, startled, said as Bryn turned around.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean t' give ya a fright." Bryn smiled at the girl Ezra had pointed out to be Molly Gallagher. The girl who had cried in the saloon that night in the doorway.

"No, it's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." The girl said nervously, looking like she was going to bolt any second.

"Your originally from Ireland then?" Bryn said trying to make her feel more at ease.

The girl nodded and the two women began to talk.

Later that afternoon, Bryn walked back into the saloon to see Lily and tell her the iano was missing a string. Lily wasn't too worried, for Bryn had brought several instruments with her. Terrance, however, seemed furious, and with a few well placed comments from Lily, he desisted his tirade at Bryn.

"It's no real problem cher." Lily said once Terrance left. "We can replace the wire."

"I already have put an order in fer it." Bryn assured her. "Should be in th' next week or so."

"Sounds perfectly fine to me." Lily asked. "After last night's racket down here, ya sleep alright?"

"An' which racket would tha' be?" Bryn smiled wickedly. "The one b'fore I went t' bed...or the one after?"

Bryn was amused to see Lily blush. "Now the one after is NONE of your business!"

"Well, I know ya enjoyed yersel', so I guess th' details are irrelevent." Bryn teased.

"Bryn!" Lily giggled. "So what do you have planned for tonight's entertainment?"

"You'll jus' have t' wait and see now, won' ya!" Bryn laughed and spied Liisa coming in, looking as though she were searching for something. "Liisa?"

"Oh there you are Bryn!" Liisa said. "I was wondering if you and Lily would join me for lunch?"

"I'd b' delighted. Lily?" Bryn looked to the saloon owner.

"You two go ahead." Lily smiled. "I have to go over the books yet. if I finish quickly, I'll join you."

The two women nodded and headed out for the hotel restaurant. Neither saw the figure following them, watching their ever move, and scowling darkly when Ezra joined the two for lunch.