Jacob heard the words of the madame.  He forced a smile toward Victoria.  A lovely lady.  She had  mother bear mentality.  She didn’t like his proclivities, even if her girls didn’t complain.  He tipped them.  It was money for god, money given by those seeking to pay lip service to their spiritual side.  But what was he going to spend it on?  His church was still standing.  He did his voluteer work, his daughter was-  he pushed the thought aside.  “Not even for the road?  What a shame.”  He had a bottle at home.  “Wish Miss Diane a good night for me.”  He was nothing if respectable and polite.  He already knew he was on thin ice sometimes.<br/><br/>Miss Cassie approached.  She had the look of a warrior with that height and build.  A face that probably saw as much evil in the world as he did.  He didn’t like to listen to rumors.  Many told him secrets, and many others had gossip and judgement on their tongues.  He was a man that didn’t want to add any evil to the world.  She seemed to take his arm and there was no way she wasn’t getting her way.<br/><br/>“Evening Miss Cassandra.”  He said with a pleasant candor.  He stumbled but she caught him.  “Oh thank you.  Apologies for getting into a state.”  He made a comment about what he had heard before they noticed him.  “You’re looking for more employment at this fine establishment.  Good.  Any reason to see more of my friends is a good reason.”  It was better to call everyone friend, the old habits die hard.  She declared him to leave, he pointed as the coat rack went by. “B-But my hat.”<br/><br/>Once retrieving it, he made sure to tip it when he passed Victoria.  “Good evening Miss Victoria.  Miss Casandra.  I’ll see you both on Sunday I hope.”  This was a common farewell he would give everyone, a paltry way to see if people come to church as was his job.<br/><br/>The Nanny had already gone for the night, and little Katie was already asleep when he came in with the candle.  He smiled gain.  She slept soundly.  Thank god.  It was the only thing he was thankful for these days.  He ran a hand over her hair and kissed her forehead.  The only light in the world.<br/><br/>---------------------------<br/><br/>Jacob bothered to shave today, a good sign that he was in the mood to atleast look he part.  He was to go over the mines, start giving the last rights to those brave men who lost their lives in that terrible accident.  It was the least that could be done.  He would meet with the undertaker, some of the families of those lost.  He had to schedule this.  Four funerals a day atleast.  It was considered that the sooner Onyx Landing could put this tragedy behind them, the better, now with the mines declared to be opening.  He would probably be called, leading the gathering in prayer before the mayor made his political talks.<br/><br/>He was making his way from the church at the edge of town, a satchel around his shoulder carrying the good book for reference and the items for the day.  Katie would be with the Nanny who brought her to the school house already, leaving him time to work.<br/><br/>Two things caught his eyes.  A wagon infront of the old barber shop, a number of its contents already laid out from the back, a woman nearby in the process of loading up the new building.  Finally someone rented it out.  Good.  The abandoned building added to the town’s dreariness.<br/><br/>There was also a new comer, setting his horse to the trough near the Dusty.  Tall feller too.  And mean looking.  Another gun to the west.  Another that life had beaten down and now they crawled to the corner of the desert to lick their wounds or die lonely.  He hardly seemed the type to be approachable, but in Jacob’s experience, those were the men who needed most a word.  Though he was honestly just expecting an insult.  He prepared himself for such.<br/><br/>“Good morning sir.”  He said, his shoulders squared, the white collar of a man of the cloth around his neck.   “Welcome to Onyx Landing.”  He recognized faces, and this was a stranger.  He’d offer the man a few simple words of welcome before walking past with a tip of the hat and a smile.  The woman needing a hand with her unpacking offered a rare moment where he could actually help someone.  Maybe he could get the man’s attention so that he could help as well.  One good deed spawns another.  It was those moments where he actually felt like things mattered.  “A couple of newcomers today, and they look like they need help moving in.”  It was an obvious ploy for the gentleman to start off on the right foot, lending a helping hand if he was so inclined.<br/><br/>The Preacher approached the wagon, the boxes, the woman in simple yet professional refinement.  His hands free, he tipped his hat, his simple black vestments seen through his open top coat.  “Good morning Madame.  Welcome to Onyx Landing.”  His first thoughts of Miss Jess were that she was a quite handsome woman.  Very distinguished features and a hungry commanding look.  “Do you need a hand with all this?”  His eyes glancing to the crates and boxes, from what he saw, it seemed like the woman collected newspapers