Ben watched his nephew take in the news. Poor Luke. There had been so much responsibility on his shoulder ever since Paul died. He had worried about the kid sometimes when he had been younger. But he had stepped up and faced his duties wonderfully, unlike his wayward sister.

"Old Dan Willis thought he'd seen 'er comin' out of that place," he said grimly. "So I... I went over. She was, well, all dressed up and painted as ye can imagine. Drinkin' too." The horror. "Talkin' to the men all familiar." He shook his head and took out his pipe after all. He really needed that smoke.