Lily Patterson shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was anxiously awaiting for the train to make its next stop so that she could step on to solid ground. Her travelling companion studied her quietly from the opposite seat.

"Lily? You don't look well." Terrance Sullivan handed Lily a hankerchief. He watched as she mopped her forehead.

"I've certainly felt better. How much longer do we have to endure these dreadful conditions?"

"I'll go check for you, darling." Terrance left Lily and walked through the car to the next car in search of the conductor. Lily smoothed out the front of her dark brown wool suit. She longed to be sitting in a dark cool gaming house winning money. She was beginning to question the decision to move to Four Corners.

"Four Corners . . ." Lily said the words aloud quietly. She remembered back to just a few weeks ago when Terrance had approached her with the idea.

The loud banging on the front door woke Lily from her nap. She rolled over and pulled the bedcovers over her head. Lily's head was pounding. She suspected it was from too much whiskey the night before.

"Damn it." Lily pulled herself from the bed and threw on her dressing gown. "Annabelle? Annabelle?" Lily sighed loudly remembering that her maid, Annabelle, had the day off. As she descended the stairs she could hear the man on the other side calling her name.

"Lily? Lily, are you here? We need to speak." Lily frowned. It was Terrance Sullivan, her partner. Lily examined her reflection in the mirror before opening the door. She hair hung to her waist in a loose braid. Lily tightened the belt on her dressing gown so that Terrance wouldn't see more of her than necessary. She opened the door reluctantly and motioned for Terrance to enter.

"Was it necessary to stand on my doorstep and create such a comotion?" Lily looked away from Terrance's leering gaze. She hated the way he was always undressing her with his eyes. Terrance followed Lily into the parlor.

"I felt it was necessary to speak to you as soon as possible. We have a small problem." Lily watched from the couch as Terrance poured himself a glass of brandy. He offered her a glass but she waved him away. "It seems that some of our investors have become rather disenchanted."

"I knew you could only get me in trouble with this deal." Lily wondered silently why she continued to do business with Terrance. Terrance had convinced Lily to use some of her connections to help swindle some well to do members of San Francisco society. "I take it that you have some idea on how we can rectify this situation. Personally I know I don't plan to end up in some dirty old prison and I don't see you in one either."

Terrance sat close to her on the couch and laid his hand on her knee. Lily shot Terrance a look that could kill but he didn't seem to notice. "So what is this plan of yours?"

"An associate of mine knows a man who is in desperate need of money and he just happens to have a drinking establishment for sale."

"Drinking establishment? You mean a saloon?"

"Well I suppose you would call it a saloon. But think of it as an investment. As well as our ticket out of town."

"And where is this fine establishment located?"

Lily sighed again. As soon as Terrance had told her how far they would have to travel Lily knew she should have rejected the idea. She hated leaving California. For half of her life it had been her home. Lily closed her eyes and hoped that her stomach would stop churning soon.

"It won't be much longer darling." Lily's eyes stayed closed when Terrance rejoined her.

"That's good to hear." Lily could smell the sickly sweet smell of Terrance's cologne and a wave of nausea swept over her.

"It'll only be about another hour before we reach Ridge City, we'll spend the night there and then continue on tomorrow to Four Corners by stagecoach." Lily nodded weakly to Terrance's comments hoping that he would take the hint and be quiet for once.

Vin leaned against a post outside the sheriff's office. He blowed aimlessly into his harmonica. It had been quiet in Four Corners for a couple of weeks. Too quiet, Vin thought to himself. He watched as Ezra exited from the saloon and shielded his eyes from the harsh noonday sun. He crossed slowly to where Vin stood and sat down with a thump in the chair that leaned against the outside of the sheriff's office. Vin flashed a wry grin at the tired gambler.

"Good morning Mr. Tanner."

"Actually it's afternoon." Ezra squinted at the sun and noticed that it was well past the halfway point in the sky.

"So it is. Perhaps you can verify something I heard last night. The bartender said that the saloon's new owner is expected today?" Ezra was intrigued to meet the new owner, especially after he'd learned it was a woman.

"That's what I hear." From the other end of town the men heard the familiar rumble of the stagecoach. The stagecoach came to a halt almost directly in front of the two men. Vin chuckled when he saw all the luggage piled on the roof of the stage.

"With all that luggage, makes it look like Maude's back in town." Ezra shot Vin a cutting glance.

"That's not something to joke about Mr. Tanner."

The first passenger to exit was a tall thin man. From the first glance Vin didn't like him. His dark hair was oiled and combed back. His gaze swept over the gambler and the former bounty hunter, his lip curling in a sneer.

"Do you get the impression that the gentleman doesn't care for us, Mr. Tanner?" Vin didn't respond but kept his keen eyes on the stranger.

"Anyone interesting?" Chris Larabee had appeared seemingly from nowhere behind the two men. Both men knew that even though he used different words Chris's real question was Anyone that might cause trouble?

"We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the saloon's new owner. Rumor has it that it's a woman."

Chris snorted in disapproval. He still firmly believed that this was no place for a woman. The three watched the dark haired man turn back toward the open door of the stagecoach and extend his hand to someone inside.

A gloved hand accepted his and a female figure slowly began to emerge from the stage. The woman was dressed in a well tailored dark green wool skirt and jacket. The outfit accentuated her full bosom and small waist. Her hair was bound up tightly and almost hidden under the hat she wore.

The woman noticed the three men watching her and gave them a hesitant smile. She said something in a low voice that they couldn't hear. The dark haired man placed his arm around her waist and she leaned against him for support.

"See to it that our bags are taken to the hotel." Terrance barked the order at the stagecoach driver.

"I need to sit down." Lily's voice had an almost pained tone to it.

"It's not that far to the hotel."

"I'm not sure I can make it." Terrance noticed the perspiration forming on her forehead and the way the color had drained from her face. Terrance guided Lily toward a chair just down from the three men he'd noticed watching them.

"Can I get anything for you?"

"Just let me sit here for a moment." Terrance paced impatiently in front of Lily. "Please stop pacing, you're making me dizzier than I already was."

"Can I help you with something?" Lily recognized the tone of distaste in Terrance's voice. She turned to her right to see who his disgust was aimed at.

"My compatriots and myself do not mean to intrude, we merely wanted to inquire as to whether or not the lady required any assistance." The man's southern drawl washed over Lily.

"The lady is fine. You can continue on your way and . . ." Lily cut off Terrance's words with the wave of her hand.

"It is not necessary to be rude, Terrance." Lily turned her gaze toward the three men. With men this attractive I should have moved out here a long time ago, she thought to herself. "Thank you kindly for your inquiry. I'll be fine, I was merely overcome for a moment by the heat."

"Excuse me for being forward, but you must be our new saloon owner. Allow me to introduce myself, Ezra Standish, at your service." Lily accepted his outstretched hand.

"A pleasure, Mr. Standish. I am Lilian Patterson, but please, just call me Lily."

"Well, Lily, this is Mr. Tanner and Mr. Larabee."