“Evening,” he said to her.

“Good evening, Mr. Tanner,” Molly said to him.

“Everything alright?” he asked her.

“Everything’s just fine, why?” Molly asked. Vin took his hat off and walked up to her.

“I just saw Josiah at the saloon and he said what happened last night. Said you got spooked somethin’ awful,” he said watching the smile freeze and ultimately disappear from her face.

“Yes, well, I’m afraid that I…that I overreacted a bit last night,” Molly stammered.

“He said you were screaming at him,” Vin continued. Molly shut her eyes briefly and when she opened them they averted his.

“I was a bit ridiculous I’m afraid. All over a stupid poem.” Vin knew when people were lying to him, even the people who were the most successful at it. His livelihood had once depended on it. But it didn’t take much skill to see the young woman before him wasn’t telling him the whole truth. Molly Gallagher was one of those rare people who simply couldn’t lie and it was now written all over her face.

“You got something on your mind?” he asked her straight out. She simply shook her head at him. In the early evening light she went from looking old to looking very young and Vin once again cursed himself inside for what he felt about her. “Well, you ever feel like you need to speak your mind, you can come find me,” he said to her.

“I appreciate that, I really do but I promise I’m fine. It was a silly, childish outburst and I’m ashamed for it,” she replied. Vin tried again to read what was in her eyes. There was something on the verge there. Something that it was clear she was desperate to get out. The meowing of a cat broke through his thoughts. A tan and brown cat had come from the side of the house and was rubbing up against his legs. Vin smiled and bent down to pick him up.

“Who’s this?” he asked. Molly let out a small chuckle.

“That’s Dune,” she said. Vin gave her an odd look at the name. “He looks like the sand dunes that are at the ocean,” she explained. “He’s perfectly ridiculous isn’t he?” she laughed at him squirming closer to the man that held him and purring for all he was worth. For a moment she wondered at the jealously she felt toward the small animal that was in his arms. Why should she be jealous of a cat? Oh, why were her feelings always so confused about this man?

“It’s gettn’ late,” Vin said walking up to her still holding Dune. He reached his arms out with the cat to hand him to Molly. Molly reached out and took the cat, her hands connecting with his. A jolt went through him at the innocent contact. She was so close he could smell the sweetness of her. He wondered if she tasted as sweet as she smelled. She took the cat from him.

“Good night, Mr. Tanner,” she said softly.

“Call me Vin,” he said to her. She smiled at that almost like she’d been waiting for permission to do so.

“Good night, Vin,” she said. Vin placed his hat back on his head, tipped the brim to her and walked away with a mass of feelings flowing through him.

Molly held Dune and watched Vin Tanner walk away. The way he’d looked at her, the concern that his gentle eyes held made her want to tell him everything. She remembered the night in the church when she’d told Mr. Wilmington what had happened to her at the hands of her professor. Somehow she knew Vin would react the same way and wouldn’t hold it against her the way some might. That knowledge wasn’t certain to her though and so she held back. She buried her face in the fur of her pet and he purred louder at his mistress. Would his touch be that soft?, her mind wondered.

Molly let out a frustrated sigh at her confusion over it all. Why couldn’t she just simply understand all that she was feeling and know for sure that what Lily said about it being natural was true? Dune squirmed to get out of her arms and Molly let him down watching as he stalked around the house to whatever mouse or small creature was to be his next hunting target. Molly walked to the front of the house her arms wrapped around her waist. There was a lot of noise coming from the saloon up the street and Molly knew they were having a busy night. She found herself walking toward the saloon and not really knowing why. She didn’t want to face Mr. Sanchez or anyone else he my have told about the incident she had at the church. Her uncle emerged from the saloon and spotted his niece. He walked toward her. Molly gave him a smile.

“Out for a stroll then?” he asked her. Molly gave him a kiss on the cheek before replying, “Something like that.”

“Well come inside with me, your father and I need to talk to you,” he took her arm.

“Da doesn’t like me going in here, especially if it’s busy,” Molly said. She caught a look at her uncle’s face. “Colum, what is it? What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’d better let your Da explain it,” he said leading her inside. The saloon was crowded and loud. It reminded Molly of why she didn’t especially like going inside the place even with out her father’s insistence that she not. Colum led her to a corner table where her father and several men she recognized from the ranch were seated. Bryan looked up at the entrance of his brother and daughter and stood abruptly from his seat.

“What is this?” he asked Colum, anger clouding his voice.

“You tell her,” Colum said. “Right now, you tell her what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

“This isn’t your place,” Bryan said to him.

“You tell her, you tell her what happened the day the soldiers came,” Colum said. “She deserves to understand.”

“Understand what?” Molly spoke for the first time. “Da, Colum, what is going on?” she asked looking from one man to the other. Lily noticed from behind the bar that Molly had been led inside by her uncle. They walked over to a table in the corner that her father and several men from the ranch at been at for sometime. Just like every time the group came in they asked for a couple of bottles and didn’t partake in any of the normal activities of the saloon. She thought for sure when Bo Jun walked in looking stunning as she did they would at least pay her some mind like most of the men in the saloon did but they hardly stirred. They had what looked to be papers, ledgers and maps just like always. They were polite and never caused trouble so Lily let them be figuring they were getting ready for auctions and the like.

Now as she watched the looks on the faces of Molly and several of the men she wasn’t so sure. She looked toward a table that had several of the town’s protectors seated at it. She caught Buck Wilmington’s eye and let her gaze drift to the group where Molly was. Buck nodded to her knowing what he wanted her to do. He nudged JD and the pair along with Nathan walked over toward that side of the room. Lily made her way over and heard Molly’s desperate question.

“Can I get you gentleman anything else?” she asked. They all offered her a smile, some of which seemed forced.

“We’re managing,” Malley said to her. Lily turned to Molly and put a hand on her shoulder.

“What about you Cherie? I think I have some lemonade in the back?” Molly just shook her head at her. Buck, JD and Nathan had made their way over and could tell there was tension in the air despite Lily’s efforts to dissipate it. Colum seemed to ignore the exchange.

“You tell her, tell them all,” he said.

“Tell us what?” Molly asked. “About when the house was taken in Ireland? I know the story.”

“No, no you don’t know the story,” Bryan said to her. “God help me you don’t.” He took in a breath and met his daughter’s eyes. “You were three. The soldiers came in the morning. We didn’t have the money they wanted and even if we did, they’d say it was higher than what we had. Your mother, she heard them coming. She left you in your crib and gathered what she could grab into a blanket. Before she could get you they came in the house and pulled her out. The captain ordered the house set on fire. You were still inside. Your mother was screaming, begging them to get you out. You were crying from inside. There was a young soldier, no older than your JD there who ran inside the house and got you. When he crossed the doorway his captain shot him dead, you still in his arms because he disobeyed, because he let a stupid ‘Patsy’ child live.”

“Oh my god,” Lily murmured, her hand to her mouth. She’d heard stories of what happened to the people in Ireland but that’s all she thought they were, stories and exaggerations. She noticed that Buck, JD and Nathan had expressions on their faces that she knew mirrored her own.

“We’re leaving in two days,” Bryan continued.

“Where you goin?” Buck asked. Bryan looked at him.

“We’ll be gone awhile,” he said, not answering Buck’s question. The three protectors shared a look. JD looked at Molly, tears had formed in her eyes and confusion was written on her face. Molly looked at her father. He seemed so old, so tired. A sudden realization dawned on her about all that had happened the past months, everything was starting to make sense now. AJ Cinders had been partly right but they weren’t selling the guns Molly had accidentally found that day behind the house. Molly drew in a sharp breath as she met her father’s eyes. They were secretly getting them to Ireland so that the people could protect themselves! Bryan looked at his daughter and for a moment saw his wife after he’d told her what Colum and him had planned with an underground group of people from Ireland, Canada and America. It was a mixture of shock and fear and then understanding and support. One of the men stood holding a glass in the air. He raised it in a toast of sorts.

“Erin go bragh,” he said. Each man in turn did the same and the ancient words rang out in the saloon, causing nearly all activity to stop and all attention be focused on the small group.

“Erin go bragh,” it was echoed by her father and uncle in turn.

“Erin go bragh,” Molly said, pride in her shaky voice. After a moment the activity and noise returned to it’s normal loud level. One by one the men all gathered their things and quietly filed out of the saloon. All of them stopped in front of Molly to either tip their hats to her, or pat one of her hands. Bryan and Colum were the last of the group to leave. Neither one said a word to Molly but each kissed her knowing nothing needed to be said. Molly let out a sigh.

“You don’t be here long,” Bryan said to her, looking at Lily who nodded her understanding.

“I’ll see her home Mr. Gallagher, don’t you worry,” JD said to Bryan.

“As long as it’s you I won’t then,” Bryan said, his good humor seeming to have returned. Molly watched the two men walk out of the saloon.

“Cherie, what did that mean?” Lily asked about the odd phrase that she’d heard the men utter on more than one occasion. For some reason she thought it held more meaning then she imagined after witnessing what she just did.

“Erin go bragh?” Molly asked. Lily nodded. It was one of the few Gaelic phrases that Molly was ever taught. “It means Ireland forever.”

“I don’t understand,” Nathan said from behind them. Molly turned and smiled at the man.

“You’d have to be Irish,” she said to him. Buck and Nathan looked at each other and shrugged turning to go back to their table. JD stayed with Lily and Molly. Lily turned to JD,

“Could you give us a moment?” she asked him. JD nodded.

“I’ll wait here for ya,” he said to Molly. She smiled at him, the kind that made his heart jump. Lily led Molly over to the table that the men had just left. She began to gather the glasses and bottles. Molly started to do the same from the other side of the table.

“Are you looking for a new job, Cherie?” Lily teased Molly. “I dare say your father would have fits if you found yourself employed here.” Molly didn’t reply. Lily stopped what she was doing and walked over to the girl, sitting her down in a chair Lily pulled a chair directly in front of her.

“Mr. Sanchez told you want happened, didn’t he?” Molly asked, shame in her voice and expression.

“He did,” Lily replied. “Would you like to tell me your side of things?” she asked the girl gently.

“I’m perfectly embarrassed at what happened,” Molly replied, fidgeting with her hands like Lily knew she did when she was nervous or upset. “I know I should apologize to him.”

“I don’t think that’s what he’s after, Molly,” Lily said. “He was worried about you.” Before Lily could continue she caught site of Vin Tanner walking into the saloon. His gaze fell on the pair. “Vin seemed to be as well. Did he go find you?” Molly nodded. Lily wasn’t quite sure what to say next. She knew the last person in this town that would ever hurt Molly was Vin. But Vin Tanner was older and had experiences that Molly couldn’t even imagine. Molly’s experiences were sheltered and controlled. Lily recognized the look that Vin had whenever he caught site of the girl. It was always only ever there for seconds but Lily’s “trained” eyes caught it each time and knew what it meant.

“Molly, do you remember not long ago when I made you promise not to let anyone do anything to you until you were ready?” Molly nodded. “I just want you to always keep that in mind. I know you think you’ll wait until your married but trust me, Cherie, sometimes the best of our intentions don’t always turn out the way we think they will.” Molly nodded her understanding. Lily caught site of JD waiting just outside the doorway for Molly. She had more she wanted to say to the girl but wanted to do so in private when it could be more personal. She was pleased the JD wanted to walk Molly home. Perhaps this business with her and Vin Tanner was just a minor crush on both their parts but somehow Lily didn’t think so. She stood and Molly stood with her. “You’d better go, you don’t want your father to worry.” Molly impulsively kissed Lily on the cheek. “What was that for?”

“For always being so kind to me. I don’t know that I would have made it this far here without you,” Molly answered her before walking out the door with JD. Lily sighed as she watched her go. She wondered what the girl would think of her if she knew she was unmarried and pregnant or worse, what her past life’s adventures truly had been. Lily shook the thoughts from her head and went back to the bar.

Molly woke the next day and flung herself from her bed, trying to catch her breath. Someone was chasing her, trying to get her. She realized that she’d only been dreaming. Her nightgown was soaked through with sweat, as was her hair. A knock on the door startled her even more.

“Molly, are you all right?” her father’s voice asked. Molly swallowed and tried to steady her breathing.

“I’m fine, Da. I was just dreaming,” she said. Molly walked slowly over to the desk and sat down. It was one of her worst dreams about that dreadful night to date. She remembered the end most vividly almost as if she was really there.

Her professor had her in his parlor. She tried to run but just kept ending up in the same room. Then Molly began screaming for Cheyenne. She couldn’t know why. She didn’t know Cheyenne then, why would she be yelling for her help? Molly stood up. Cheyenne. She’d been dreadful to her. Somehow Molly had to try and make it up to her. Resolved, she stood up and began to dress and freshen up. She emerged from her room and went to the kitchen. Bryan was at the table working. He wanted to get the bank’s ledgers current before they left. He watched as Molly went into the kitchen and began digging for pans and taking out various igredence. His mind went to another time and he saw her as a little girl standing on a stool next to her mother, an apron on her that was so long it dragged on the floor. His gaze came back to the present and the young woman before him. Molly caught his eyes. “What?” she asked.

“Just thinking of when you were a little one, baking with your mother. And about how much you favor her now,” he said. Molly smiled at him.

“What are you up to?” he asked her.

“Soda bread,” Molly answered. “I’m making soda bread. You and Colum need some for the trip and I want to see that Bo Jun Caine and Cheyenne both get some.” Bryan gave her a confused look but didn’t want to ask. He watched her work and wished there was some other way of doing what they were about to do without leaving her. He shook the thoughts from his mind and allowed contentment to fill him as he watched her.

Molly walked with purpose toward the saloon. She’d felt horrible about the news she read to Bo Jun in the letter she’d received. She knew the bread that was in the basket she held wouldn’t bring her much comfort but it was the only thing that Molly could think to do. She walked behind the saloon to the kitchen door where she thought Bo Jun might be. Molly walked inside and through kitchen to the main area of the saloon and caught site of the woman. She looked different.

She was wearing a silk dress that was similar to the dresses Lily had. Her hair was pulled away and up. Molly had thought her pretty before but now she was extraordinarily beautiful. Molly timidly walked up to her. “Miss Caine?” Molly said. Bo Jun turned around to see the young girl that had read her letter to her. She had something held in her hands wrapped in a towel. “I…um…I brought this for you,” she said, handing Bo Jun the bread. Bo Jun unwrapped it to see a round loaf of what looked to be some kind of bread. “It’s Irish soda bread,” Molly said to her. “I never really got a chance to say how sorry I am about your father.” Bo Jun lowered her eyes to the girl.

“I have nothing for you,” she said to her.

“Oh no that’s not necessary. I just wanted to give you something that’s comforting. Silly I know. You don’t need to give me anything, I was happy to do it,” Molly said to her. “Just enjoy it,” she said and turned to walk away but stopped and turned back around. “I don’t mean to be forward and this might not be my place but if you wanted, I could teach you how to read and write English. You speak it very well and it would be my pleasure,” Molly said to her. Bo Jun looked up in surprise at her.

“You would do that?” she asked. “In exchange for what, I have nothing to offer you,” she said.

“The opportunity to make a new friend?” Molly said to her. “You don’t need to tell me now, just let me know. I would enjoy it,” Molly said before turning again and walking back outside. Her last stop was going to be the more difficult one. She made her way to the church hoping that only Cheyenne would be there. She did owe both her and Mr. Sanchez apologies but some how the apology to Cheyenne seemed the lesser of the two evils. Molly walked inside the church and made her way toward the back room that she knew was where Josiah and Cheyenne lived. The door was partially open and Molly lightly knocked. It was open by Cheyenne. She seemed a bit taken aback by the site of Molly standing in front of her. Molly wasted no time in getting to the point of why she was there.

“I’ve come to apologize for my behavior the other night. It was inexcusable and I’m ashamed for it. I foolishly over reacted and I’m sorry,” she blurted out, nervousness in her voice. She held out the bread and Cheyenne hesitated in taking it. “It’s for you and Mr. Sanchez whom I also know I should apologize to.” Cheyenne walked out into the church and sat in one of the front pews.

“Come sit with me,” she said to Molly. Molly hesitated but walked and sat down next to he woman. “We were here not long ago and I told you what happened to me. I trusted you enough to share my horror with you. Now I am asking you to do the same, to trust me enough to tell me your horror.” Molly shut her eyes and took in a breath.

“What happened to you was horrible. I can’t even begin to imagine what that was like for you. . .” Cheyenne cut her off

“This is not about the difference between you and me,” Cheyenne said. “Tell me what he did,” he said prompting her. She could tell the girl was about to break.

“You don’t understand,” Molly said frustration in her voice. “This is different, he was my professor…” Molly abruptly cut herself off and stood up, her hand to her mouth as though she could shove the words she’d just spoken back inside it. She’d already said too much. She tried to pull herself together. “I hope that you and Mr. Sanchez enjoy the bread,” she said, turning to walk to the front door of the church. Cheyenne stood.

“You were in my dreams,” she called to her. Molly froze. How could that be? She slowly turned around to face Cheyenne.

“What do you mean?” she practically whispered.