Part 2:

Justin left the saloon. Heather’s husband had come back. He didn’t want to stick around any longer, remembering the past and wishing for something that could never be. He thought about what he could do. He couldn’t stay at the hotel. Erin had made it clear he wasn’t welcome there. Oh well, it wasn’t his style anyway. Angel. That was it, he’d go see Angel. He untied his horse and climbed on, heading to the other end of town.

 

"I don’t get it, Chris. Why bother with me? He doesn’t want me. He made that clear enough. I’m nothing but a whore, remember?" Angel said icily.

"I’m sorry. You know I didn’t mean that, and neither did he."

"His father did. His brother too. Even his mother said it. And they’re right. I’m a whore. But I’m damn good at it. So my answer is no. If I never see that man again as long as I live, it will be too soon. I’ll thank you to leave now."

Chris just shook his head and left Angel’s room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Angel waited until she heard his footsteps on the stairs before throwing herself on the bed. "Why now?" she whispered. "I was just getting over it. Why did he have to bring it all back up now?"

 

Sarah looked up as she heard a knock at the front door. She walked over and opened it, gasping in shock at who stood there. "Sarah!" she cried, hugging the other woman. They had been best friends for years. The Sarahs. She hadn’t seen her friend in years. She pulled the other woman inside. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to keep house for my brother. You remember Lance, right?" she said, motioning to the blond man standing behind her.

"Of course."

"Hello again Sarah. It’s been a long time."

"What are you doing here, Lance?"

"I’ve been hired as the new school teacher."

Katie came around the corner. "YOU WHAT?" she cried in astonishment. "Oh, Miss Blake is so not going to like this! This is great!" she cried gleefully, earning yet another glare from her mother. "Katie," Sarah Chasez hissed warningly.

"Ma! You know she doesn’t like me, or Allie or Missy or anyone. And we don’t like her either!"

"That’s enough, Katie. Go up to your room this instant! Your father will talk to you when he gets home." Katie trudged up the stairs, muttering. "I don’t know what has gotten into that girl, lately. I’m sorry you saw that."

"It’s fine," said Sarah Bass. "I remember someone else who was even worse at her age." She laughed as her friend blushed.

"She’s quite a handful, like her mother," Josh said, coming in the door.

 

Justin opened the door to Miss Beckie’s place, making the bell ring. Luke made a waving motion and he went straight up the stairs. He opened Angel’s door to find her on the bed, sobbing. He closed it quickly, flipping the lock before going to her. He silently pulled her into his lap and she clung to him as the sobs wracked her body. He stayed in her room for a while, waiting until she drifted into a peaceful sleep before he left, going back down to the parlor. Angela was there, and Monique. He smiled at them and headed for the corner, for Elisabeth.

 

The train whistle blew once more before the engine pulled away from the station with a groan. He sighed and leaned back against his seat. He had a long ride ahead of him, followed by a day’s journey by stagecoach before he would reach this Sweetriver or whatever the town was called. He didn’t understand why his father didn’t send someone else, like his brother. Oh well, he thought. At least he would be away from home for a while. Away from the memories wrapped around everything in sight. Besides, he had heard things about this Miss Beckie’s place. It might prove a worthwhile distraction.

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