Grant Morgan looked as calm and as cool as ever, Roseanne warily thought. Something wasn't as planned.

It didn't matter whether Joel or Grant won, she'd be walking out of this saloon a powerful woman. She stood at the bar watching the whiskey slosh in her glass. She'd better start liking tequila, they supposedly drank it a lot in Austin, she'd heard.

Her chest started to ache and she looked over at her father and frowned. She tried to wipe it away, but it just stayed. Her father had chosen Lilyanne over her. He never touched her in that manner, never hit her, never talked to her other than like the princess she was.

She'd lost the power over the one man she'd valued most. She'd lost it to that bitch.

Well, people in Austin would never know she'd had a sister and they sure as hell wouldn't care, she said with a calming breath. She looked over to the bag sitting by the piano and smiled. Victory flowed through her veins like a rush of water and she stood up straight and sauntered over to the table with an air of majesty.

She'd make these monsters dance to her tune, sure enough.

--

Paul Gunn surveyed the two men sitting in front of him. He ran a hand down his mustache and watched as they studied their cards and laid their bets. Each one took careful time laying just the right amount of chips down and wagering back and forth. Grant had a considerable lead, but Joel seemed no less enthusiastic to stick to the game. Poker was something that could change like the wind.

He dealed some more cards out and watched as the two studied their hand once again and then each other.

Roseanne came and ran her manicured hand down Joel Bodine's neck. Getting her nails done had cost him two dollars and twenty six cents. He never forgot about money. He knew every last penny he spent. Her dress, a whole twenty bucks, and the man who'd taken her out that night had paid seventy. She sure wasn't all the money he'd spent, no matter what the profit. No woman was. That's why we was going to start all over.

This game here was gonna make him a pretty profit, prettier than anybody here knew. He smiled inwardly and thought of the safe hiding in his bedroom, full to the brim of the money these suckers had paid. He'd be gone to the east coast before anybody was smart enough to check to see if it was counterfeit. Stupid bastards.

He leaned back in his seat and enjoyed the show happening before him.

--

Grant stood on the porch of his ranch house and watched the sun set. The yellows, pinks, and purples seemed to pour from a heavenly pitcher into the deep blues of the mountains.

He laid his bag of supplies near his feet and took a deep breath of air. He was on his way to San Francisco and before he left he'd needed to go to the one place he could find comfort.

"Pap." Grant said as he knelt in the dirt and set his lantern at the foot of a large grave covered in the new spring growth of wild flowers. They gently swayed in the breeze as he cleared his throat. "I've never asked for anything. Lord knows, you've given me more than I've ever asked for. More than I knew I truly needed." He paused and thought of the beautiful and thriving ranch behind him disappearing in the black of night.

"I don't even know what I'm asking for, it just seems like I need you with me. Maybe people never truly change. Maybe gamblers and the like are always greedy at heart. Maybe I'm going for the wrong reason, but I feel I've got to. I can't explain it. Forgive me."

He stood from the grave and let his eyes sweep over the large, wooden cross erected in the dirt to mark the grave. It's tall, white form seemed to glow in the light of his lantern. His heart felt heavy with guilt and yet his mind was anxious with the thrill of revenge.

The game was coming to fifteen hours and Grant was tired of the madness. He watched Paul shuffle the cards as Joel puffed on a cigar and turned in his chair to watch Lily playing the piano. The soft curls of her hair were coming undone and she'd peeled off her shoes. The events were wearing on her as well.

Paul dealed the five cards to each man and Grant carefully picked them up. Two aces, the queen of diamonds, an eight of clubs, and a three of spades. Not great cards. Not necessarily bad either. He looked up at Lily softly tinkling on the keys and tried to catch her eyes for a bit of encouragement. As if on cue, she turned and gave him a shy smile. She clutched her hands in her lap and he could see them shaking.

Joel laid down a sizable bet and watched Grant do the same. Both men passed their discards to Paul Gunn. Grant had given up his eight and three in hopes of something better.

Paul slid two more cards over and Grant methodically captured them in his hands. He said a silent prayer and stole a glance at the girl sitting on the bench, watching him with something that looked a lot like adoration. She was beautiful. He picked up the cards and only looked for a second before laying them down and folding his arms over his chest.

Suddenly, a movement made both men look up from their game as Lilyanne Gunn pulled on her shoes and stood up. She cautiously walked over to the table and both men stood up to greet her in respect.

"Gentlemen." her soft voice creaked and she stood there at the end of the table, with both men on each side, and motioned for them to continue.

Grant studied her nervous gaze as she bit her lip and held her hands behind her back. This was the first time he'd been given the vantage point to see her perfectly shaped body, petite and yet very curvaceous.

"Nice of you to join us." her father drawled. "And be sure to be kind to these men, Lilyanne. One of them is going to be taking you home." His laughter ran through the saloon and she nervously swallowed.

Grant wanted to reach over and punch the man, but he just took a drink and studied his hand.

The deep voice of Joel Bodine interrupted his concentration.

"Let's make this interesting."

Grant looked up to see Joel giving Lilyanne the once over and squeezing his glass.

Here it comes! Hip Hip hooray!