Stranger in a Strange Land

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"I hope we didn't scare you off. Timothy and I both stay at Mrs. Brown's. I just automatically presumed that with all your trunks, and everything you would be looking for a boarding house. Well, we can stay and help you get your things to the hotel." Katie smiles at him. Sh realizes that she may have messed things up.

[James Vaughn]

Scared wasn't the word James would've chosen but he had changed his mind about taking the room in the boarding house because of what Katie had revealed about him.  Things she could only have learned because Mrs. Brown had been talking about him.  But he was too much a gentleman to say so.

"You needn't worry.  I just decided that I preferred my privacy. "  James did his best to convince her.  "That's very kind but I don't want to put you out."  

He looked to Troy,  "Assuming you're still willing to help me."

[Troy Slater]

Troy's brow furrowed when James said he would not take the room at the boarding house but at the hotel for privacy, resolving to tell James about the empty house just behind his own home  when they were alone as not to embarrass Katie. 

"Of course I will."  He told James. 

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Caroline watched as yet another person approached the town's newest visitor. It was the boarding house owner, she knew her by face only because
it was a small town but it was not like they had ever associated publicly or privately. For some reason though the old lady called her by her first name?

"Hello, Mrs. Brown," Caroline returned the greeting.

 Caroline just stood there listening as so many people made a gallant attempt to help the newcomer out. It was certainly friendly enough
 but probably also a little overwhelming for the young man who did not seem - in her first assessment - to be a very social outgoing sort. Well,
she wasn't needed here and didn't want to add to his obvious discomfort.

"Mr. Vaughn, I think you are certainly in good hands here, you and all that luggage. Good luck to you. Oh, and if you ever want to even see me
again....for a friendly talk or something.....you can find me in the Golden Valley Palace, it's the saloon down the street. I work there. And I
promise, hon, I don't bite," she gave him a big smile then prepared to leave.

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Angela felt sorry for the young man. He seemed a little lost, so she decided to give it another try. She walked back over to where James was. "You know if you are looking for your privacy, the hotel is kind of busy. The room at the house is at the opposite end of the hall from Katie's and Tim's rooms. The rent includes 2 meals a day, and full use of the house. I usually have snacks in the kitchen. I also have a collection of books, you would be welcome to enjoy. I'll even let you stay a couple of days free to check it out. If things don't work out, I'll help you move to the hotel."

[James Vaughn]

James offered Caroline a nod, not bowing this time, but he did incline his head in lieu of a full-fledged bow. “My thanks for your good wishes.” He murmured, cheeks flaming when she suggested that he should visit her at the saloon where she worked, teasing that she didn’t bite.

James let out a quiet sigh, feeling much more at ease since most of the women had left, leaving only Katie still in the vicinity though she was in the minority since the sheriff was there as was her strangely quiet brother.

When Mrs. Brown returning, making another attempt to get him to stay at the boarding house, even going so far as to offer him free nights, the color drained from his already pale face and he tightened his grip on the satchel that was still slung over his thin shoulder. “That’s quite kind of you Madam.” He said faintly, unease gripping him as he remembered tales from the penny dreadfuls he’d read as a boy. Not that he really believed Mrs. Brown would kill him after taking him in as a boarder in front of the sheriff. But what if the sheriff’s in on it too? He wondered, swallowing before forcing a smile to his lips. “I do not wish to inconvince you Mrs. Brown. The hotel will suit me just fine.”  He knew that to take her up on her strange but kindly meant offer would only end with having to move to the hotel in the end.  He'd never be at ease in her presence, even should he learn that she hadn't been gossiping about him, if for no other reason than he'd wronged her by jumping to conclusions.

His gaze averted, James busied himself with digging through his satchel until the others had taken their leave before looking sheepishly over at the sheriff.  James watched his things while Troy fetched the wagon, blinking at the easy way Troy manhandled the trunks onto the bed of the wagon before seeing James safely settled at the hotel.

Ended