FEBRUARY 12, 1860

It was the end of a long night and Lara was tired, and ready for bed, but the saloon needed to be cleaned up before Lara could head up stairs. She was dying to get out of the tight fitting dress that she was in. There had been one or two fight's that evening, and Lara seemed to be drenched in a lot of people's drinks. Lara looked over at her boss and thought that she looked as tired as she was. Kimberley saw her looking and smiled.

"What are we going to do, Lara?" Lara looked back confused, and Kim explained, "I don't want to go to this dance alone."

Kimberly put the tray of glasses she was carrying down with a bang, and Lara raised her eyebrows.

"Whatever we do, leave me to pick up the glasses, okay? We don't want any more breakage�s. But I can't understand why none of us have dates either."

Kimberly shot her a questioning look.

Lara shrugged, and nodded "Okay, I do understand, but that doesn't mean I like it, maybe I won�t even go to this dance." Lara had decided that she was sick and tired of the look's she got from some people in town, so maybe it would just be better to avoid them.

Kimberly looked alarmed, "What do you mean? You have to go. I refuse to go by myself, so you have to come with me." Kim looked at her like it was all decided. Lara thought for a moment and decided that she owed Kimberley, and after all she did not have to stay for very long.

"Alright, why don't we go together then." Lara said as she wiped down the tables.

Kimberly looked pleased at the plan, "Why not, then at least I have someone to talk to."

Lara realized that Kimberley was as nervous as she was, and felt better about the evening. "Oh and someone to dance with!" Lara flicked the cloth she held and twirled about.

Kimberly laughed and grabbed Lara around the waist, and the two women danced between the still dirty saloon tables.

"Ahem"

Lara and Kimberley stopped and spun around to see Tyson grinning at them.

"Hmm so this is an interesting way of cleaning up," he laughed.

"Um, yeah, we were just testing the floorboards, weren't we Lara?" Kim
stated and tapped her foot.

Lara giggled "Yeah, that's it." She said and picked up another glass.

"Yeah sure," Tyson nodded, "Practicing for the dance, huh? I thought neither of you had dates"

Kimberley placed her hands on her hips and looked straight at her brother. "Well, we've decided to go together."

"Oh really?" Tyson looked pleased, "Well I hope you will allow me the pleasure of escorting the both of you, as I don't happen to have a date either," Tyson extended both of his arms to the girls.

Lara was pleased at the plan, "Well, I guess you do now!" She smiled. "Kim, you go on up, I will finish here. I guess I was not as tired as I thought."

Kimberley smiled and walked upstairs with Tyson.

Lara turned back to the table of glasses, and started to hum a tune that her father had taught her in Ireland.