Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed in the past.  For God calls each even back in its turn.”  –Ecclesiastes 3:15, NLT

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     My hand went instinctively to my gun.  I pushed Doc to the side, ready.  

     “Miles!  You scared me!” cried out Luciana.  “Mateo told me what happened and with the boys in school I thought I might come by to help the Senora.”  She then looked over my shoulder to where Molly was sitting.  “She is all right, is she not?”

     I was a bit disturbed at myself, ready to draw, and shoot if need be and it was only Luciana.  I nodded, “Thank you for coming.  Uh, let me open the door so you can get inside.”

     She stepped in, saw Doc and gave him a greeting and hug, then hurried over to where Molly was at the table.  Molly gave me a little wave, so I went on out the door, closing it behind me.  

     “Let me go check on my patient.  I’ll get back to you later,” said Doc, then he rushed on across the street.

     Rushing up the boardwalk, I wasn’t paying any attention and almost ran over Betty Chapman.  “Why Miles, you should be more careful and observant of your surroundings,” she muttered with concern.

     She was right, of course.  What was going on in my head?  I apologized profusely, she took it, then gave me a smile, nodding her head as if she understood.  I’m glad she did.  She informed me that she was coming down to see Molly and help clean up the diner.  I turned to watch her continue on her trek.  Friends–that’s part of what life is all about.

     Continuing on up to the jail, I entered to see Lucas closing the door to the cells.  For some reason, my attention was drawn to the fact that he was wearing a gunbelt.  I knew he did, but it really never caught my attention.  “You gettin’ any good with that pistola?”  

     He gave me a slight smile.  “Charlie says I’m getting faster each time he takes me out.”

     Nodding at him, I remarked, “Fast is good, but you have to be able to hit your target.  I’ve known several who were faster than the person they faced but are now lying beneath God’s good sod.”

     “Faster than you?” his eyes opened in amazement.  “Senor Miles, you’re the fastest I’ve ever seen.”

     “Lucas my boy, you ain’t seen much, but one of the reasons I’m still standing is that I didn’t miss.”  For some reason my hand went to my side, the location of one of my many scars.  It became quiet, and I said, “I pray that you never have to use that against another man.”  Lucas dropped his head, then gave a slight nod.

     To break up the solemnity, I asked, “How’s the prisoner?  I came up to talk with him.”

     “He doesn’t complain, even at the coffee I bring him,” replied Lucas, then he chuckled.  “He said it reminded him of drinking tar.”

     I slapped Lucas on the shoulder, “Well, Lucas, I don’t ever plan to drink tar, so I won’t have to make the comparison.”  He smiled as I took the keys from his hand to open the door.

     “Okay, Thornton, or is it Short?  I want some answers.”

     “Marshal,” he muttered as he moved to sit up on the cot.  “Are you really going to hold me here?  I’m truly not wanted in Colorado.”

     “How about Kansas?  I was told you’re a wanted man there.”

     “This Thornton fellow might be, but as my dearly departed friend told you, I’m Josiah Short,” he paused for a moment then continued.  “My brother, Luke, ain’t gonna like you locking me up in here.”

     “I know Luke and I don’t reckon he’ll be a bother.”

     His eyes widened quickly when I mentioned that I knew Luke Short, then he quickly gained his composure.  “Give me the names of the other two men,” I ordered sharply.

     “Uh, the one with the fur was Frank Upton; the other one from the kitchen was Curly Coy.  He was a crazy man,” he told me, shaking his head.

     “This doesn’t sound like something Teeter would do.”

     Before he answered Lucas came into the cell area with a telegram.  There was concern etched on his face when he handed me the telegram.  “Sheriff shot, Peters dead — STOP — need your help.  Deputy Lucius Tanner.”

     “I’ll get back to you,” I told the man in the cell, then followed Lucas from the cell room.  “Don’t say anything to your sister until you hear from me!  Got it?”  I headed for the train station to check the time of departure…

And I know that whatever God does is final.  Nothing can be added to it or taken from it.  God’s purpose in this is that people should fear him.”  –Ecclesiastes 3:14, NLT

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     I watched, smiling.  That’s how it should be, the wounded caring for the wounded.  No one knows the pain and ache like another person who is suffering.  Hours earlier, both Molly and Doc were forced into a situation that no one should ever have to find themselves.  A situation where they had to take the life of another human.  The weight and burden of that will forever be upon them and it will be only the good Lord in His comfort that will ease the pain they both are currently feeling.

     After Molly finished praying, they continued to sit with heads bowed and eyes closed.  I didn’t want to interfere with the healing process that was taking place.  Both were strong people and with the help of the Lord they’d pull through all right.

     Doc finally broke the silence.  “Miles,” he began, then started shaking his head bringing his hand up to wipe tears away, “I don’t know how you do it.  How can you ever get used to it?”

     “You don’t,” I said in a subdued voice.  “If a person ever gets used to it, then they are hardened almost beyond repair.”  I sighed, feeling the cup in my hands was now almost empty.  “Doc, you’ve seen the scars my body carries from near death experiences.  What you don’t see are those invisible scars.  Wounds that I have had to work through.”

     Molly took one of her hands from Doc and placed it on mine, then gave me a smile and slight nod knowing what I had been through in my life.  “Doc, I’ve laid plenty of men, bad evil men in their grave.  I had to come to grips with the Lord on what I was doin’.  I still don’t understand it all, but I do know that I have been called to help protect the innocent and bring evil men to justice.”

     I got up then to pour another cup of coffee.  Holding the pot I motioned it toward Doc who put his hand over his cup.  Sitting back down, I continued on.  “Doc, I believe that God calls people to certain vocations in life.  I’m a lawman, you’re a doctor,” I stopped to give a half-grin.  “Sometimes you have to patch up the work I’ve done on someone, and, sometimes you have to patch me up.”  He gave a little chuckle.

     “I believe that Molly was called to open this diner and the people that work here fulfill an important part.  None of us know exactly how this all fits in with the Lord’s plan, but we all do our part, where we are, with what we have.”  I took a long swallow after that little speech, then added.  “Sermon over!”

     After another swallow, I said, “Doc, why don’t you and Edith go up to see the Parson.  Just talk things over with him.  It would do you good, and it would help Edith know what you’re feelin’.”

     I looked over at Molly who shook her head.  “I’m fine for now.  I want to get the place cleaned up so we can open for supper.  I’m surprised that Marta hasn’t come down to check on things.”

     “Most likely she’s helpin’ Lola get through this.  She has begun to understand what it’s like to be the wife of an officer of the law,” I remarked.  I looked at Molly, “If you’re all right, I’m goin’ to go check on the prisoner.”

     Doc grunted shaking his head.  “Funny thing, the man you were going to arrest only came out of this with a bump on his head.  His compatriots are all dead,” he paused, then added.  “I need to check on Candless.  I told him to stay in bed today.  His friend was with him and I’ll be sure to tell him that you’re going to speak with the mine superintendent.”

     I threw the last few drops of coffee down my throat.  “Be back in a little while.  You sure you’re okay?”

     She nodded and smiled.  I went to her to give her a comforting hug, then headed for the door with Doc following me.  Just as I was unlocking the door, the knob turned…

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” –Ecclesiastes 3:13, NLT

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     Molly was putting the CLOSED sign on the front door.  Mateo had escorted Lola home after he came back from taking Thornton to jail; she had settled down some by that time.  I was up by the stove filling my cup with coffee.  It had been a traumatic day.  We still hadn’t heard from Doc on how his patient was faring.  

     Motioning with the pot, I asked, “Want some coffee?”  Molly was walking back toward the table where I was sitting.

     “I’d prefer some tea right now,” she muttered wearily.  

     “I’ll get a pan, it won’t take long to get some water heated,” I informed her.  

     “Don’t bother,” she began, but I cut her off.

     “No bother, sit yourself down.  I’ll be right back.”  I went on back to the kitchen where I found a small tea kettle.  On the shelf above there was a jar of tea and a strainer.  I filled the strainer, put water in the kettle and headed back to the table.  On the way I spotted a jar of honey so I grabbed it.  She gave me a half-smile as I put the kettle on the stove next to the coffeepot.

     Pulling the chair out I sat down, “Tell me what happened in the kitchen,” I implored her while waiting for the water to get hot.

     “Emelda was over at the stove finishing up some enchiladas, Lola was standing near waiting to plate them when that man came in the back door.  Oh, Miles, if you could have seen the look on his hideous face.  He looked at me, smiled, then over at Lola.  The scream you heard was when he started to approach her.  I reached in my pocket for my pistol, pulled it out and told him to stop.  He just turned, saw the gun in my hand then lifted his arm toward me pointing his gun.  When he cocked the hammer and sneered, I pulled the trigger.  I don’t know exactly where the bullet hit but it shocked him.  His eyes widened and rolled back showing only the whites.”

     She shuddered, but I encouraged her to continue.  I knew where the bullet hit, right above his breastbone.  He was a dead man as soon as that bullet hit.  

     “That’s when his gun went off, firing up in the air.  He started staggering and went out of the kitchen.  I followed to make sure he wouldn’t shoot anyone out there.  That’s when he fell, and the commotion started.”

     Commotion was a light word for what took place.  “Miles, that was the man who grabbed me walking by the park.”

     I got up to check the teapot.  The water was hot and as I reached for a cup on the shelf behind the stove, Doc Jones came in.  I was almost positive he could read, so he must have ignored the sign.  “Pour me a cup while you’re standing there.”

     “Coffee or tea?” I questioned holding up the tea kettle.

     “Coffee!”

     First I put Molly’s cup in front of her, then turned to get a cup for Doc.  “Am I supposed to stir this with my finger?” she asked, mockingly moving her finger around the edge of the cup.  

     I went to where the utensils were kept, picked up a spoon to give to her.  Then poured a cup of coffee for Doc who looked battered.  As I handed him the cup, he stared at the dark liquid, then spoke.  “I’m supposed to use these hands to heal people, not kill them.”

     He was being battered for sure; battered by the demons that were attacking his mind.  “Doc, you sure enough saved my bacon…”

     Glancing at me, he gave a snort.  I didn’t know if that meant “thanks” or “is your sorry hide worth it.”

     Molly reached over the table to grasp his hand.  “Doc, I’m thankful you did what you had to.  By the way, how is the man who was shot?”

     He took a sip before answering, making a frown, but only looking at me, not saying anything.  “He’s fine, but he was supposed to go to work first of next month.  There’s no way he can do a hard day’s work with that wound.”

     “Where’s he supposed to work?” I questioned.

     “North Star Mine, but Miles, he can’t do it, not at least for a couple of months.”

     I took a long dreg of my coffee, finishing the cup, then answered, “I know Brewlinski.  I’ll go up and talk with him.”

     He gave a half smile, then put his head in his hands.  Molly reached over, took his hands and began to pray…

So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can.”  –Ecclesiastes 3:12, NLT

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     With that shot I dropped the man I was dragging, when he head thudded on the floor, a second shot was fired from the kitchen, this one a more powerful caliber.  I glanced toward the kitchen and my eyes caught the fur-man who had pushed his chair back.  His gun was out and he fired at me.

     What I feared the most happened.  His bullet hit the man at the table that was between us, who grunted and fell to the floor.  Thankfully in one way, that gave me time to draw and return fire with no one in the way of my target.  I shot twice, as the man tried to cock and fire his gun again.  He looked surprised when first, his gun didn’t fire, and second when my bullet plowed into his chest.  Dropping his gun, his hand flew to his chest, then he stared at me before his eyes glazed over and he fell down across the table and onto the floor.

     Before I could rush to the kitchen, a man came out with a sneer on his face.  He sort of twirled in a half circle, dropped his gun, then he crumpled to the floor.  “Molly!” I hollered.  “Lola!”  

     I took two steps when I heard the shotgun boom.  I had forgotten Teeter, not figuring that he had enough gumption to try anything, but then my back was to him.  Turning I saw that he was on his back, pistol in hand.  My eyes then went to Doc who was holding the Greener.  Only for an instant though; I had to check on Molly.

     She met me at the kitchen entrance with the pistol she kept in her work dress in hand.  With a sob she fell against me, and I walked her over to the table where Doc had been.  The Greener was on the table, and I saw Doc up where Teeter lay on the floor.

     “You all right?” I asked hurriedly.  She nodded.  “Lola?”  She nodded again, pointing towards the kitchen.  

     I rushed in that direction and upon entering the kitchen, I saw Lola sitting on the floor near the woodpile.  “Lola, Lola, are you hurt?”

     When she didn’t say anything I reached down for her.  She blinked her eyes several times, maybe I was out of focus, but she grabbed hold of my arm and I helped her to stand.  “Let’s go sit with Molly.”

     Reentering the dining area, I saw Doc working on the downed man, the one fur-man shot.  “Oh, Lord,” I prayed aloud.

     I took Lola over to Molly, then went toward the man.  Doc was giving his friend and another man instructions and they helped the still conscious man out the door and towards Doc’s office.  I was thankful that he was conscious but there was a pool of blood on the floor where he had been lying.

     “Miles,” came Doc’s voice.  “Check on the man by the kitchen, see if he’s dead.  I’ll look fur-man over, and then head on over to the office to work on Dickinson’s wound.”

     “He goin’ to make it, Doc?”

     Doc gave me a little shrug, then bent down to check on the condition of fur-man while I went to see about the other.  “Dead,” I muttered loudly, and upon saying that Doc went up and out the diner.

     The others who were in the diner were slowly getting up off the floor where they had taken refuge during the gunplay.  It was at that time that the door burst open, immediately my hand pulled my gun.  The man hollered, “Miles!  Molly!  What’s happened?”  He stopped as he looked at my pistol pointing at him.  “Miles, put that away.”

     It was Solly Vendor from across the street.  I was still on edge, but fortunately I recognized him.  “Solly, we’re all right.  Go get Parker.”  He turned and rushed back out the doorway.  I yelled on his way out, “Get Mateo over here.”

     I stood then started walking to the table where Molly and Lola were sitting.  “More business for Paul Parker, the undertaker,” I thought to myself.

     Molly was holding Lola around her shoulders.  “Neither of you were shot?” I questioned.  “I was sure I heard him fire once.”

     When I said that, Lola began to cry and she buried her face in Molly’s chest…