THE NEXT MORNING, BELLE KEPT to her word and woke Charley up extra early to help her with her morning work. Everything went swimmingly, Belle could tell that Billy was feeling more at home with help from Belle's encouraging glances and nudges. 

Belle was sat on the porch, trying to read her book. She had a perfect view of the front yard, meaning that she could keep an eye on every boy as they did their work. Chevez was tending to the chickens, stopping every once in a while to play with his knives. Charley and Steve were ploughing, laughing at a joke that either one of them cracked. Billy was pointing his gun at a pig as he hopped over the pen's fence. Dick, John and Josiah were tending to the horses in the open stable. Belle's eyes lingered at the stable, travelling along Josiah's figure. 

A blush crept up Belle's neck and settled on her cheeks as she noticed that Josiah turned his attention to her. Belle lifted her book higher up her face to hide her red face. Josiah noticed her actions, sending her a big smirk and a wink before turning back to John and Dick. Belle blushed harder but tried to turn back to her book, as if nothing happened. 

"Are you and Doc together?" 

Belle jumped in her seat, clasping her book to her chest in panic. Belle whipped her head to her left to see Billy leaning against the pig fence by her side. "Excuse me?"

"You and Doc. You're together?" Billy asked again with a smug smirk.

"No. That would be quite inappropriate, for him to court the daughter of his benefactor. He's a fine gentleman and an incredible friend, but no we're are 'not together'," Belle said sternly. 

"So, that means you are single?" Billy stepped closer to the girl.

"I don't see how that's any of your business, Billy," Belle deadpanned, opening her book once again. Billy studied her face intently, taking in every small detail. 

"Well, what if I was interested in courting the daughter of my benefactor?" Billy asked smoothly. Belle's eye widened and closed her book once again. She leaned forward in her chair, coming closer to Billy's smug face. "Well, Belle?"

"That's Miss Belle to you, Billy. And if you were interested in that, then I would keep that to yourself. You wouldn't want my father to hear that" Belle answered with a smile, then turned back to her reading. "Billy, please go back to your work, the pigs can't feed themselves."

Billy stared at the ginger girl and huffed in annoyance. Billy turned back to the pig pen and hopped back in. Belle laughed as she watched him fall over and come face to face with a pig. Belle's attention was ripped from Billy to the clatter of horses in the distance. Belle remained seated as she watched a group of men riding down the pathway to the ranch. John, Josiah, Dick, Chevez, Charley and Steve all gathered around the front of the porch to see who the visitors were. Once they got close enough, Belle could identify a few men as Mr Murphy, Mr Dolan and Sherriff Brady. 

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," John greeted politely as he approached the group. 

"Afternoon, John," Sherriff Brady greeted back. "Mr Dolan and Mr Murphy here are complaining about their merchandise wagon being plundered on several occasions on their way into town. Quite frankly, John, they think you're behind it."

"That's a fargin' lie and you know it!" Richard shouted out behind John, but John dismissed him.

"Sheriff Brady, Mister Murphy is going to continue coming to you claiming I've taken his property until I'm pronounced a thief and shaken out of Lincoln. I've never touched his property. I have no cause," John countered calmly.

"Well, the Belted Earl has spoken. Look behind you, Earl... all I see are hired thieves," Mr Murphy commented with a hearty laugh.

"These boys are promising young men acquiring an education," John countered back, gesturing back to his regulators.

"Well, I had you pegged as the type that likes... educating young boys," Mr Murphy joked, resulting in his men to chuckle with him and for Belle to scoff. "I do hope your lovely little daughter over there needs some educating too, I could help there," Mr Murphy continued wiggling his eyebrows at the ginger girl. Belle almost gagged and turned her head away from the scene and back to her book. She peeked over the pages after a few seconds to see Josiah with a tense jaw and red face as he stared at the older man. "Rumour has it that you want to be bidding against me for the government beef contracts. It is just a rumour, isn't it?" 

"Lawrence, you have a beef outfit and a store. I have a beef outfit and a store. You're going to try to make money, I'm going to try to make money. It's simple and it's fair," John commented as Murphy guided him away from the men and towards the pigsty. Suddenly, Belle remembered that Billy was still in the pigsty, hidden away. The Sherriff is most likely still on the lookout for him, so her anxiety sky-rocketed. The two men continued to make quiet conversation about their businesses, until John loudly stated, "So, I'd like you to take your threats and your sheriff and get off my property!"

"You're ambitious, Earl! But you'd be better off selling ladies' undergarments in Hempstead, hey, even your ditzy little daughter could help you with that," Murphy laughed along with his men. Belle fumed at his comment, along with the regulators in front of her. Josiah reached for his gun, pointing his rifle at Murphy, the other regulators following his actions quickly. Unfortunately, the regulators were heavily outnumbered by the guns from Murphy's men. Belle jumped from her seat, strolling up to her boys, placing her hand on Josiah's shoulder. 

"That's enough, Doc," she whispered, but he didn't drop his gun by his side, just sent her a comforting side glance. "Gentlemen," Belle said louder towards the men in front of her and her family. "I believe my father told you to get off his property, so it would be wise if you do so."

"Of course, Miss Belle, sorry for the intrusion. You enjoy your day Miss," Sherriff Brady said, removing his hat, a few men following his actions. 

"Good-day, gents, now if you'll be so kind as to let us carry on our work, thank you, Sherriff," Belle bowed slightly at the man. 

"Back to work, chaps," John announced to his boys. "Thank you, Belle, that was admirable work," John praised his daughter. 

------

Later in the day, Belle's housework came to an end as a knock sounded at the front door. Belle slung her dishcloth over her shoulder and opened the white door. A young gentleman stood outside with two bags slung over his shoulders. "Hello, can I help you?"

"Miss Tunstall?" The boy asked. Belle nodded, waiting for the boy to continue. "My name's J. McCloskey. I heard you're having some trouble finding help."

"McCloskey?" Belle asked. "You're one of Murphy's men, aren't you?"

"I used to be. He fired me. I called him a fat sow," McCloskey admitted. Belle laughed at his confession. 

"Did you, now?" Belle laughed. "Lovely. Now, I'll have to confer with my father, but I don't see an issue for you staying with us. The bunkhouse is just around there, if you go find a vacant room, you can make yourself feel at home."

"Thank ye, Miss Tunstall," McCloskey tipped his bowler hat.

"Miss Belle is just fine, Master McCloskey, dinner is at dusk, don't be late, and make friends with my boys."

------

Belle was sat outside with her boys, watching in awe as Chevez threw his beloved knives at the water bucket. Belle was sat between Josiah and Dick on a fence. Belle and Josiah still haven't discussed their encounter from the night before, but that didn't stop Josiah from slinging his arm over the girl's shoulders as they watched Chevez' talent. Josiah looked down at the girl as she applauded the Mexican-Indian man, and a toothy smile flashed across his features. 

But the look left as soon as it came as multiple bullets pierced through the bucket out of the blue. Belle jumped and fell back from the fence, causing Josiah to come down with her. Josiah managed to shot up, still holding Belle tight as he pointed his pistols in the direction of the roof. Belle's eyes were clenched shut in fear, but laughter soon filled the tense air. She peeled one of her eyes open to see Billy sat upon the roof with his pistols in hand, laughing his lungs out. Josiah stood up with an annoyed huff and held his hands out for Belle. Belle latched onto his outstretched hands, hauling herself up to her feet. Belle landed chest to chest with Doc, her heart still racing with adrenaline, the pace not stopping due to the close proximity of the two young bashful adults. John came storming out of the bunkhouse, but Josiah and Belle remained in their position. 

"Regulators!" John shouted, looking up at the fawn haired man on the roof then back at his boys and daughter on the ground. "Let's dance!" 

Belle squealed with excitement. She had been waiting for months to wear one of her special dresses. She always loved the Lincoln Town dances, but they hardly ever went. Finally, Belle could get dolled up and feel her best. Josiah smiled down at the excited ginger girl as she ran off to her room to get ready. But before she made her way into the house, she kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you, daddy, this means so much to me,"

"No need to thank me, dear, as long as you stay close with Doc, then everything should be fine, understand?" John asked. Belle turned back to glance at the man in question with a smile.

"That can be arranged."