<i>"I forget myself sometimes and, truly Miss Turner, I meant no offense in my questions."</i><br/><br/>“No offense taken,” Victoria claimed tersely, not slowing her pace despite Missy’s insistence and Cassie attention on the dog. “But I’m a very busy woman, Miss Huntington, and I rarely have much opportunity to socialize with someone who isn’t paying for my time.”<br/><br/>Instead of speaking to her directly, Missy spoke to her man, making arrangements. Commanding an authority born of her station, an authority that rivalled Victoria’s own.<br/><br/>Victoria didn’t appreciate the rivalry.<br/><br/><i>"My gift to you Miss Freeman. I hope you don't find it improper, but your barkeep mentioned something of a shortage while we had a chat."</i><br/><br/>She couldn’t deny how nice the gift sounded, which only served to annoy her further. She didn’t want to like Missy, and she sure as hell didn’t want to be indebted to her. “I can’t accept it as a gift, but I’m willing to pay for it. What would be a fair price?”<br/><br/>Missy didn’t get a chance to answer before they entered the bank. Right after opening, so there wasn’t yet a line, just one person ahead of her, speaking with the teller. A newer building and business, one she’d lobbied for after nearly getting robbed after a session with a patron. He left with a slug in his right arm, but he nearly left with her savings of $500, as well as her earnings for the day. She did enough for the town to risk her life protecting her money; Someone else ought to do it. Besides, it helped a few people around here start farms, which brought even more people to town, which brought in even more money for her.<br/><br/>More trouble too, but that was a whole ‘nother story.<br/><br/>Victoria nodded politely to the guard, a retired sheriff out of Kansas with a bushy mustache and round belly, and waited for the lone teller to finish. It only would have made sense to make conversation with Missy, but she really didn’t want to encourage the girl to continue following her around like a lost puppy.<br/><br/>The doors opened with a slam, followed by the thunderous roar of a shotgun.  Before she could even think of reach for her gun, three men entered the bank, their shotguns aimed at the guard and the three women. After briefly entertaining the notion of hiding or fighting back, Victoria lifted her hands into air. “We don’t want no trouble.<br/><br/>“Ain’t nobody gotta get hurt,” the leader yelled, waving his gun from Cassie, to her, to Missy, “But don’t try me, cuz I ain’t scared to shot.” He motioned towards his comrade, pointing with his chin towards the women. “Take their guns, and any bits of precious they have on them.”