The jailhouse was clean and organized. Simply decorated, it was a bastion masculine of power. Olivia smiled as Mr. Walker came around his desk to greet her. His new deputy, Billy, looked to be an honest sort, and with good reason he idolized the Ranger. Agreeing to join him in grabbing some lunch, she appreciated his gesture of offering his arm. Whatever they did together would be food for scandal, and it was better to be as open as possible. The more people to see nothing indiscreet was happening, the more supporters against rumormongers. Walking past the saloon and the ‘house of ill repute,’ a bevy of attractive woman catcalled Mr. Walker, asking him to buy them a drink for an equal payment in sexual favors. Nothing new to Olivia, thinking he’d be impressed with the quality of the whorehouses in Boston, some even touted as ‘places of entertainment.’ Most men, regardless of class, enjoyed a tumble with a doxy. Samuel was the only man who wasn’t swayed, but then Claire was someone special. They met the evening of Claire’s coming out party and it was love at first sight. Courtship was on the borderline of proper and scandalous, she refused to step out with anyone else before agreeing to marry him. But Daisy’s birth a year later, confirmed nothing indelicate had happened.<br/><br/>“If you have no commitments this evening, would you care to join us for dinner at the restaurant?” Reflecting it might be their last for some time, his acceptance made her smile. “I look forward to seeing you then, Mr. Walker.” Wishing him a good day, she felt lighter in spirit. Hours later with the school day done, students seen off at the door, Daisy and Anna were only too happy to share their experiences. It was a balm to Olivia’s heart, hearing their spirited observations and plans for the days to come, an outward sign of their resilient constitutions. Daylight on their side, they moved what little they had to the new home. Small for a large family, it was cozy for the three of them. The girls would share one room and Olivia would have the second bedroom. Besides bedrooms, it had a small kitchen with rectangular dining table and chairs, a front room, equipped with a small potbelly stove and comfortable chairs. Taking note of supplies they would need soon, including food (none in the house), they hurried to join Mr. Walker.<br/><br/>He was waiting for them in the front room of the hotel and stood when they entered. Restaurant as full as the day before, they entered together. Mabel waited to show them to a table farthest from the rest of the diners. Olivia and Mr. Walker were only too happy to let the girls prattle on about their day. Anna was the quieter one, allowing her sister to take center stage in sharing stories about fellow classmates. She was just warming up to tell them about the Mayor’s children when a flurry of activity drew everyone’s attention to the lobby of the hotel. Dressed in the latest fashion with a fair complexion, a tall man with dark hair, and brooding dark eyes stepped into view. His deep voice announcing his presence and the need for the best room in the house. Daisy, seeing the man, piped up, “Auntie, isn’t that man the one who kept coming by the house?” Blushing furiously, Olivia nodded. “His name is Jonathan Rutherford, of the Boston Rutherfords.” She looked at Mr. Walker, “I’m not sure why he’s here, Mr. Walker, but he was a suitor of mine. It’s been ages since we last saw each other at a garden party.” The audience in the dining room enjoyed the drama unfolding between the new school teacher and the two men, the Best of the West meeting the Bon Ton of the East.<br/><br/>Impatiently waiting for the lobby clerk to finalize room arrangements, Mr. Jonathan Rutherford glanced into the restaurant, his bored eyes finding Olivia, lit up with relief. Ignoring everyone else, he advanced confidently towards her. “Can it be? Is this ‘The Miss Olivia Webster’?” Before moving too close, Jed stood and gave him a measured look. Everyone knew The Ranger could be intimidating when he so chose and the man in front of him brought out the protector and guardian in him.