Briana Rainwater glanced casually around at the landscape as the stagecoach entered the city limits of Four Corners. It had been a long journey from Fort Laramie but she was glad to have finally been assigned somewhere that might even become her home. As the stage lilted gently from side to side she looked with interest at the unfinished church and a large man busy repairing the stairs leading into it. He looked up, smiled and tipped his hat than stood and stretched. Briana smiled back as they passed. Next, she spotted a couple sitting along the boardwalk. The woman had hair of a beautiful red and was next to a gentleman wearing a fine set of clothes - a bright white shirt, black slacks and a burgundy coat. Briana smiled as the couple looked up. She waved at the red-haired woman who wrinkled her brow curiously but smiled and waved back anyway. Briana sat back against the seat and relaxed. This wasn't going to be so bad. So far, the people seemed pretty friendly.
JD slowly raised his head as he watched the stagecoach go rumbling by. He was bored and spending his time tossing the point of his pocket knife into the planks of the boardwalk. Things had managed to quiet a bit since Trina was now on the road to recovery, well, except for the language barrier thing, and Drew and Buck had gotten married so they spent more of their time making up than fighting. He smiled widely and stood when the stage came to a stop. Looking around he noticed there wasn't anyone stepping forward to meet it so he took it upon himself to be the welcoming committee. You never know, he might make the acquaintance of someone real important.
The stage driver immediately jumped down and pulled open the door for Briana. She examined her new surroundings as she emerged and smiled widely -this town felt like it was bursting with opportunity. "Thank you, driver," she said as he assisted her to the ground. She turned and waited for him to climb on top and retrieve her luggage. She wasn't travelling with much just clothes, books and some art supplies. The rest of her things would be sent for once she was settled.
"Hey, Sheriff!" The driver called with a smile, "Here to help me with this young lady's things?"
"I thought I might," JD responded as he moved past Briana and took one of her bags being handed down. He placed it on the boardwalk and was headed back for the next. First, he paused to introduce himself. "How do, ma'am, welcome to Four Corners. My name's JD Dunne."
Briana smiled and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Sheriff, I'm pleased to meet you."
JD was instantly captivated as he stared into her big brown eyes. She was beautiful. Medium-length, dark braided hair hanging down her back, a warm, captivating smile that made his heart skip a beat, and skin so smooth and beautiful he wanted to reach out and gently touch it just to make sure she was real.
"If you don't close your mouth the flies are gonna get in," JD heard Buck whisper in his ear.
JD blushed, closed his mouth than shot Buck a frown.
Drew giggled than turned and looked at Briana. "Who's our guest?"
"Briana," she responded with a smile and held her hand out to Drew, "Briana Rainwater. I just arrived in town."
"Well, welcome to Four Corners. I'm Drew Wilmington and this handsome stud." Drew smiled proudly as she held onto his arm. "Is my husband Buck. We just got married a few weeks ago."
"I see." Briana smiled noticing the visible glow between them. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Buck responded tipping his hat to Briana, "So, what brings you to our little town?"
JD continued helping the stage driver unload the rest of Briana's luggage but listened intently to the conversation. He didn't want to miss a single bit of information about this new girl.
"I'm going to be taking over the newspaper," Briana answered, "I believe it was called The Clarion?"
"Oh, boy, that's great," Drew said, "It'll be nice to have a source of information. I didn't realize how spoiled I was living in the city and being able to read about the town's happenings whenever I wanted. I'm looking forward to reading what you'll have to print."
Briana nodded. "Thanks."
"Well, that's the last of 'em!" The stage driver yelled as he climbed back into his seat and grabbed the reins. "I left ya some mail. Ya'll have a good one! Hyah!" He gave the reins a snap and roared off down the street.
After the dust cleared Drew turned towards Briana. "So, where will you be staying?"
"I should have a reservation at the hotel already," She looked up then down the street. "If you can direct me where I need to go I'd be much obliged."
JD immediately gathered up her bags and turned towards the hotel. "I'd be happy to take you there."
Buck, Drew and Briana all turned and smiled at the eager young man. Buck gave Drew a slight nudge in the ribs and laughed lightly. JD was obviously attracted to their new resident.
"Thanks, that'd be nice," Briana said with a smile. She followed after JD then turned and waved to Buck and Drew. "Nice to meet you both. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."
"Nice to meet you too!" Drew replied with a wave. Once the pair was out of ear shot she and Buck burst into laughter. "She was nice. But, Buck, you need to give JD some tips about women - he's going to hurt himself if he's not careful."
Buck shook his head. "Our little boy is growin' up." He wrapped an arm around Drew's shoulder and pulled her towards him.
Drew laughed than spotted Trina and Ezra sitting down the street. They decided to go and say their hellos.
When JD and Briana arrived at the hotel JD waited while she checked in.
"Good afternoon," the desk clerk asked, "May I help you?"
"Yes sir. My name's Briana Rainwater and there's supposed to be a reservation for me made by John Clum."
"Oh yes, miss," he replied, "We've been expecting you." He turned the register towards her. "If you'll just sign here I'll get your key."
JD couldn't help smiling as he watched Briana signing in. Everything about her was amazing. But who was this John Clum who'd made the reservation. A boyfriend? He frowned slightly as he realized he may not even have a chance to get to know her better if she was already spoken for.
"Here we go," the desk clerk said handing her the key, "You'll be in room number eight - at the top of the stairs and to your right. Mr. Dunne can show you the way."
Briana took the key, nodded and turned towards JD. "Thank you."
JD started up the stairs and tripped as he got halfway up. One of the suitcases opened and some of Briana's personal things spilled out. JD turned a bright shade of crimson as he hurried to replace them in the case, but was feeling even more embarrassed that they were her private undergarments he was touching.
Briana was amused by his behavior and brushed him gently to the side. "Why don't you take the rest upstairs and I'll get this one."
JD nodded, grabbed the other suitcases and disappeared up the stairs. Briana glanced down and saw the curious desk clerk looking up at her. What could she do but smile and shrug. She finished putting her items in the suitcase and continued up towards her room. JD was waiting outside it for her.
"I - I'm real sorry about my clumsiness," he apologized, "Did you find everything?"
Briana smiled at him as she unlocked the door. "Yes, thank you."
JD brought her suitcases in the room and placed them on the bed. "There you go. Can I do anything else for you?"
Briana shook her head. "I think I can take it from here." She reached in her purse, pulled out two bits and placed them in JD's hand. "For your trouble."
"No trouble," JD replied softly. Her touch was like electricity. Stunned, he slowly backed from her room into the hallway. "Thank you."
"Thank you, JD," Briana answered sweetly. She waved and smiled as she stood in the doorway. "I'll see you soon, okay?"
JD nodded, turned and left.
Briana stepped into the hallway and watched him go. He wasn't the most polished of men she'd ever met, but there was something special about him. She smiled as she closed the door and began to unpack her things.
JD left the hotel and walked down main street towards the Sheriff's office. He glanced up to the window that was Briana's hoping to catch another look at her, but she wasn't there. Turning, he lowered his head, stuffed his hands in his pocket and kicked a rock down the street. What a fool he'd acted like. He felt the coins in his pocket and remembered the excitement he'd felt when she'd touched his hand. Pulling out the coins he suddenly stopped as he looked at them. What had he been thinking? You don't accept a tip for helping a lady. He wasn't the bell boy he was just trying to be helpful. He let out a low groan as he clasped the money tightly in his fist.
"What's wrong with you, kid?" Vin asked from where he was seated on the boardwalk.
JD let out a sigh and dropped down in the chair next to the tracker. "Ah, nothin'"
"Don't sound like nothin' to me," Vin replied as he continued whittling on a piece of wood, "Whatcha got in your hand?"
JD slowly opened his hand and revealed the two coins.
"Seems to me money would make a man happy."
JD jumped up and moved against the post. "You wouldn't understand."
Vin stopped whittling and tilted his hat back with interest. "Maybe not, but try me."
JD looked towards the hotel and let out a sigh. "Her name's Briana. Briana Rainwater."
"Girl trouble, eh?" Vin answered.
"She just arrived today. Gonna be takin' over the newspaper," JD turned towards Vin, "I think she's got a boyfriend, though. Some guy named John Clum."
Vin wrinkled his brow. "The Indian agent?"
JD shrugged. "All I know is he made her reservation at the hotel." He turned his head and leaned it against the post. He looked towards the hotel. "And she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
"Well," Vin went back to whittling. "If it is the Indian agent than I think he's already married."
"Are you sure?" JD asked sitting back down next to Vin, "How do you know?"
"Heard it somewhere." Vin stopped and thought for a moment. "Josiah or Nathan might know since they work with the reservation people sometimes."
JD nodded. "I'll have to ask one of them."
Vin smiled. "JD, why don't you just ask her?"
"I suppose I could," JD said as he leaned back and let out a frustrated sigh. "But right now she thinks I'm the biggest yokel that ever walked the streets."
"She just got here," Vin replied, "Why would she think that?"
"I took this tip from her, I dropped her bag on the stairs and her stuff went everywhere, I can't stop staring at her." JD let out a low moan. "Oh, I am a big yokel!"
"Well, the way I see it," Vin answered, "You'll just have to change her mind otherwise."
JD smiled and stood. "Thanks, Vin."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Later that evening JD sat in a chair outside the front of the hotel. He was waiting for Briana to come out so he could talk to her again. He'd carefully rehearsed his apology and was prepared to show her around town and maybe even ask her to dinner. He brushed some dust off his jacket and straightened his tie.
"Well, well, Mr. Dunne," Josiah said as he let out a low whistle, "Don't we look spiffy tonight."
JD blushed. "I'm waiting for someone."
Karol and Josiah exchanged curious glances. "Who?" Karol asked.
JD cleared his throat and pulled off his bowler hat. "She's new. No one you'd know."
Josiah smiled knowingly. "The young lady on the stage."
Karol looked to Josiah for an explanation.
"She arrived this afternoon." Josiah gave Karol a small hug and kissed the tip of her nose. "I saw her when the stage was coming into town."
Karol smiled as she looked towards JD. "Is she pretty?"
"Oh yes!" JD responded with a wide smile. "VERY pretty."
Josiah smiled.
"Well, when do we get to meet her?" Karol asked eagerly.
JD lowered his eyes and began to play with the edge of his hat. "Well, um, I don't know."
"Well, aren't you out here waiting for her?" Josiah asked, "I assume you're taking her to dinner the way you're all dressed up."
JD shook his head. "I was out here kind of waiting for her to walk by so I could show her around Four Corners."
"So why are you all dressed up?" Karol wondered.
"So he'll be ready for when she says yes to his proposal," Josiah answered.
"Proposal?!" JD exclaimed nervously, "I'm just gonna ask her to dinner."
Josiah chuckled. "That's what I meant, JD." He gave Karol a tight hug. "Well, we're headed to the restaurant so if you two would like to join us we'd be glad for the company."
Karol nodded. "I want to meet her. Do you even know her name?"
"Well, yeah!" JD responded abruptly, "It's Briana. Briana Rainwater."
"JD?" It was Briana. "Did I hear my name being mentioned?" She walked up to the trio of people.
JD paled and looked to his two friends for help. He wondered how much she had heard him say.
Karol smiled sweetly. "How do you do." She held out her hand which Briana shook. "I'm Karol Mason and this is Josiah Sanchez." Josiah bowed slightly and tipped his hat.
Briana smiled. "It's nice to meet you both." She looked to JD curiously. "What are you doing here?" She noticed his polished appearance and smiled knowingly. "Ohhh, you have a date. How exciting."
Josiah and Karol watched the pair with amusement.
"No I don't," JD blurted out, "I don't have a date."
Briana was taken aback. "Really? Well, you should. You look real nice and all." She leaned forward and got a whiff of his cologne. "And you smell good too."
JD felt a small ripple of excitement radiate through him and he laughed lightly. She was bold and he wasn't used to that in a woman. Well, except for Drew and she was kind of an exception to the rule.
"We were just headed to the restaurant to get some dinner," Josiah finally interceded, "Would you care to join us, Miss Rainwater?"
Briana shook her head. "I had something sent up earlier, but thank you for the invitation." She turned and looked up the street. "I was headed over to take a look at the newspaper office." She turned and looked at JD. "I don't know if JD told you but I'm the new editor-in-chief."
"That's great news," Josiah answered, "Since Mary left there's been a real void."
Karol agreed. "Well, good luck with that. We enjoyed meeting you and I look forward to getting to know you better. Maybe tomorrow I can introduce you to some of my friends."
"That sounds great, Karol," Briana responded with a smile, "Thank you."
"JD, will you be joining us?" Josiah asked knowing the young man's answer.
JD shook his head. "See you guys later." They walked off and JD looked down and began to play with his hat again.
Briana leaned down trying to catch JD's eyes. "Would you like to walk with me?"
JD raised his head abruptly and smiled. "Well, yeah!" He cleared his throat and shifted nervously. "If you um, if you don't mind."
Briana shook her head. "Not at all. I'd appreciate the company."
The two made their way over to where The Clarion used to operate from. It'd been vacant for over a year and was starting to show signs of wear from the weather and dust. Briana had had the land office send over a key to the hotel earlier and she pulled it from her purse. "Did you know the woman who used to run the paper?"
JD nodded. "Mary Travis. She was nice, but I didn't know her too well."
Briana opened the door and stepped inside. It was dark, dusty and a bit untidy. "The place sure could use some tender loving care, don't you think?"
JD found a few lanterns and lit them. A soft glow filled the room and now they could clearly see the press and several past issues of The Clarion hanging on the walls.
"My own newspaper office." Briana smiled widely as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "This is a dream come true."
JD smiled as he sat on one of the wood stools. "So this is all yours?"
Briana turned and leaned against one of the tables. "Well, me and my partner."
"John Clum?"
Briana's brow wrinkled with surprise. "Do you know him?"
"I heard you mention his name today at the hotel," JD answered softly, "Is he your boyfriend?"
"Oh, heavens no." Briana laughed. "He's just a good friend. He's an Indian agent for the government."
"Vin's heard of him."
"Vin?"
"Another friend of mine."
"I see," Briana responded with a grin, "You been talking about me to all your friends?"
"Nothing bad I promise." JD panicked. "They were just curious about you, that's all."
Briana nodded and laughed lightly as she crossed her arms across her chest. "And what about you, JD? Are you curious about me too?"
JD cleared his throat. He'd never felt so nervous around a woman before. When he'd first met Drew it was different because deep down he knew that Buck was the one truly interested in her, but Briana was his - well, for now, at least. Once she met some of the others than she'd see what a bumbling idiot he really was and not want anything to do with him.
"JD?" Briana asked moving closer to him, "It's getting kind of late. Would you mind walking me back to the hotel?" She had obviously put him on the spot and made him feel uncomfortable. She wasn't sure why she'd done it. Sometimes she had a way of coming on too strong with guys and scaring them away.
"Oh, sure," he responded jumping up.
They walked from the newspaper office towards the hotel - neither person saying much. It'd been a long day. As they ascended the stairs Briana turned and looked at JD. "Thanks for going with me."
JD smiled. "My pleasure." He tipped his hat. He so badly wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her like he'd seen Buck do so many times with Drew, but Buck was smooth with the women and he wasn't. "Can I - can I come see you again?"
Briana smiled brightly. "I'd like that." Without thinking she blew him a kiss. "Goodnight, JD." She turned and rushed into the hotel.
JD grinned from ear to ear as he watched her leave. He stepped back into the middle of the street and looked up towards Briana's window. Soon he saw a light come on. It was his cue she was safe and he could head home.
Briana finished straightening the last of the furniture in her new office. Stepping back she smiled, admiring how good the place was looking. This was only her third day in Four Corners, but it was already feeling like home. JD, Buck, Drew, Karol and Josiah had spent most of the previous day helping her with small repairs, wiping down the furniture and counter tops and touching up the faded wood. They'd all been a huge help.
That previous night, she'd gone to dinner with JD and during their conversation found out they really had a lot in common. There was a few things Briana wasn't ready to share with him, but they did discover they both had come from back east, that they both had lost their mothers and that they both had a passion for the heroes of the west. Briana had corrected JD on a few false statements regarding several of the western leaders and a couple of the Indian leaders. JD had been having so much fun talking about it he didn't even care about being wrong. The night had been a lot of fun especially when Buck, Drew, Karol and Josiah had decided to join them for dessert. Briana knew JD didn't want them there, but he sucked it up and enjoyed their company just the same.
"Good afternoon!" He called as he entered the office, "It's lookin' real good in here."
Briana smiled. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without your help."
"Glad to be of service." JD lowered his head. "Listen, I have patrol tonight so I can't have dinner with you. I hope that's okay."
Briana smiled. "Of course." She moved towards him and placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to baby sit me, JD. I can take care of myself."
JD smiled and blushed slightly. "It's not that. I like bein' with ya and well, we had some trouble not too long ago with the McGregor gang. You just need to be careful around town, that's all."
Briana smiled at how protective he was being of her. It was really sweet and she liked it. "Wow, those guys are bad news. Wish I'd been here to write about it. I could've submitted it for dime store publication and made some money." She snapped her fingers. "Darn my luck."
"Kid, you comin'?" Vin called from the street. He was already mounted and had JD's horse with him ready to go.
"Please don't stay too late," JD pleaded with Briana, "I'll be by tomorrow to check on you, okay?"
Briana smiled as she sat down beside her press. "I'll be looking for you. Bye, JD."
JD smiled as he walked out the door. "Bye." He got on his horse and Briana saw the two lawmen ride away.
She continued sorting the small, metal letters into the proper places of the print tray. Several of the full trays had been knocked over and all the letters were now out of order. It was going to take some time, but she enjoyed the busy work. After a while Briana decided to take a break and get some tea. She had installed a small pot belly stove for warmth in the winter and to heat up some water for tea in the off season. Walking to the dark back room she felt around for a match to light a lamp but was grabbed and her mouth covered by a strong hand.
"Don't say a word, Bri," a voice said coolly in her ear, "It's only me."
Briana's heart leapt with joy. It was her brother. He slowly released her and she spun around and gave him a tight hug. "Oh, Tommy, I'm so glad you're here!"
A lamp was lit and Briana saw the sun tanned face of her brother. His long, dark hair was pulled back into a pony tail and a brightly colored bandanna was wrapped around his forehead.
"How did you know where to find me?" Briana asked.
"Chief Red Hawk knew. He sent me to check on you," Tommy replied, "Your intended, Running Bear, has also been very worried about you. He sent you this." Tommy held out a small packet wrapped in cloth.
Briana frowned. "I'm not going to marry him, Tommy, I thought I made that very clear when I left the reservation with Mr. Clum."
Tommy firmly grabbed Briana's shoulders and pinned her against the wall. "We owe our lives to Chief Red Hawk. If he hadn't taken us into his home when our parents were killed we would've never made it. You are a part of the Indian people and owe it to the Papago tribe to keep that legacy alive."
Briana narrowed her eyes and shook his arms off. "I'm doing what I feel will help the survival of any future for Chief Red Hawk's people. How come you don't see that? He does!" She pushed her brother back slightly and crossed th e room to get her tea. "We discussed it and he agrees that marrying his son would not be the best way to utilize me."
"I thought you loved Running Bear?" Tommy responded moving up beside her, "He certainly loves you."
"I love him like a brother," Briana answered, "He's been a good friend and he's taught me much, but I don't want to be his squaw and wait on him hand and foot. I can be so much more than that."
"But it's your duty to the people."
"That's what you think." Briana shook her head. "I don't happen to agree."
Her brother frowned. "I have seen you with that white boy," he hissed, "He is the reason you will not return with me, isn't he?"
"Have you been spying on me?" Briana asked angrily, "How dare you!"
"I am your brother, sworn to protect you," Tommy said, "We are not a part of this world anymore. Although we are white we belong with our red brothers and sisters. War is coming and they will need our help."
"Tommy, look around. I want to be a part of the white world. I'm running a newspaper now and can print things that will educate all people about the goodness in the Indians." Briana softened. "I can make a difference by working with the government and help them understand why the Indian people get so upset when treaties are broken. I make a difference here, in our white world, Tommy." She grasped her brother's hands. "You don't have to live there either. Stay in Four Corners and help me run the paper. I could use your help."
Tommy let out a soft snort as he snatched his hands back. "John Clum has poisoned your mind, little sister. There will be no honored treaties for the Papago Indians or any other Indians for that matter. We will reign victorious in the end and I will mourn your death by your gravesite. Chief Red Hawk has forbid me to force you to come back with me, but I promise you this, if you ignore my wishes to stay away from the white eyes then I will go after him and warn him to stay away from you."
"Tommy, no," Briana pleaded, "He's just a friend. Nothing more."
"You belong to Running Bear," Tommy stated. He placed the small packet in her hands, turned and slipped out the back door.
Briana let out a frustrated sigh, looked down at the package and opened it. It was a beautiful bracelet made of various colored beads. Inside was a note from Running Bear telling her how much he missed her and wanted her to come back and be his wife. He promised to make her happy any way possible. Briana shook her head, folded up the note and tucked it inside her apron pocket. She loved his people but she just wasn't in love with him. She slowly walked to the front of her office and gathered up her things. It was already dark outside and she had promised JD she wouldn't be there when he returned from his patrol. JD. What was she going to do to protect him from Tommy? Her brother was serious and she needed to think of a way to keep him from hurting JD. As she locked the door she decided she would send a message to Chief Red Hawk through John Clum. If the Chief demanded Tommy to stay away than he would have to obey. Yawning, she walked back to the hotel to get a good night's rest.
Briana was going to have trouble avoiding JD all day. She had gotten up early in order to mail the telegram to John Clum and fortunately JD must have been out on patrol late because he wasn't around during breakfast. Buck and Drew had asked her to join them and she happily obliged. As Briana was leaving the restaurant she passed Trina and Ezra walking in. "Good morning," Briana said with a smile. Ezra responded with a 'hello'. The red-haired woman looked like she was about to say something but instead restrained herself and just smiled. Briana continued out to the boardwalk and paused for a moment.
"Good morning, Briana," JD said, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Briana felt her heart jump. He looked so good this morning with his dark hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. "Yes, thank you." She smiled as she looked him over. He wasn't wearing his plaid jacket today just the pants and a crème colored button up shirt. Boy, did he ever look handsome. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"The red-haired woman." She turned and gestured towards Ezra and Trina. "Is she deaf?"
JD looked over Briana's shoulder. "Trina? She's not deaf. What makes you say that?"
"I don't know," Briana answered as she started down the boardwalk towards the newspaper office, "I've smiled and waved at her a couple of times. Just now, I thought she might say hello, but she didn't."
"She doesn't speak English."
"What?"
"Well, she did, but someone shot her in the back a few weeks ago, she got a bad fever and when she recovered from it she couldn't speak English anymore. Just Scottish." JD answered.
"Wow, that's tough. I went through the same thing when," Briana suddenly stopped not ready to tell JD about growing up in the Indian village.
"When what?"
"Nothing. It's not the same thing." Briana turned to JD. "Listen, I have a lot of paperwork to go through today so I better get to work."
"Can I help?" JD asked eagerly.
Briana shook her head. "I'm sorry, JD, you'd just get in the way."
"Oh," he responded a little stung by the comment. "How 'bout we get some dinner together tonight."
"Maybe," Briana responded, "Let me see how things go, alright?"
JD nodded as they approached the newspaper office. "Well, don't work too hard. I'll see you later, okay?"
Briana nodded. She watched him walk away then slowly went into her office. This wasn't going to be easy staying away from him - she really enjoyed his company. But she cared more about his safety. This would only be temporary until she heard back from John that Chief Red Hawk had spoken to Tommy. But how long would that be? She dropped down in the chair and began writing an article for the first edition of the paper.
