Enjoying the love story unfolding in front of them, the townspeople thought it was romantic watching the tall ranger and school teacher walking out together, Daisy and Anna holding the man’s hands, like he was their knight in shining armor. On Sunday they attended church services, a family in the making. Except for the dandy, Rutherford, who continued to loiter at the hotel, life was falling into a smooth routine, Mabel conducted cooking lessons in the mornings and school days filled with lessons and new friendships. Mirroring Anna and Sissy, Patience Carpenter and Olivia had begun to warm up to one another, both women pleased how the friendship between the girls was motivating them become more sociable. Dinners at the hotel with Jed were the highlight of the day for Olivia, she enjoyed listening to his day and witnessing the developing relationship with Daisy and Anna.<br/><br/>On a quiet afternoon, the somnolent classroom was disrupted by Patience coming in to share a bit of news. Making a deposit at the bank, she saw Miss Mabel, a saloon girl, rush in to speak with Jed, who happened to be doing some bank business. Apparently, an unsavory man by the name of Texas Kid had arrived in town, raring to confront Jed. Word was, Rutherford paid him a sizable amount of money to take the Ranger out. Olivia’s green eyes reflected concern for Jed and her growing anger with Rutherford. Maintaining a calm exterior, she calmly got to her feet, demeanor reassuring the class nothing out of the ordinary was happening outside. She went to stand by the windows to witness the duel. Jed, unmistakable even from this distance, stood casually waiting for the hired gun to step into the street. He stood like it was just another afternoon, bored, no worries in the world. Her heart in throat, she watched the confrontation unfold. Jed made the showdown look impossibly easy, disarming the criminal and packing him off with Billy. After that, him headed into the saloon, reemerging with Rutherford in tow. Saloon patrons spilled out to watch the spectacle of the dandy being dragged off to jail, cheering raucously.<br/><br/>Street clear of activity, Olivia called a recess and saw the children out before calmly walking towards the jail. Her heart pounding loudly in her ears, she walked the distance to the jailhouse. Glaring at Rutherford and The Kid, she moved towards Jed, looking at him with a slight smile on her face. “I witnessed everything from the classroom window.” Impulsively she grabbed his hand in her cold grip and said, “I know you're busy, but please let us know if you’ll be unable to join us for dinner.” Stepping away, she continued, “How about we bring dinner for your prisoners, the girls and I? My own dinner?” Eyes sparkling impishly, they both knew her cooking was still unfit for human consumption.<br/><br/>Rutherford finally getting his comeuppance. The boorish man outlasted his welcome and perhaps some forced time in a cold, sparse cell would motivate his departure. Charges for conspiring murder were severe, but knowing his wealthy connections back east, Jed sensed more antics from privileged easterners were forthcoming. Olivia and he, ignored the prisoner's cursing, enjoying the moment standing side by side, unaware of the newcomer arriving on the evening train.