Devon Day and the Sweetwater Kid were on the way back from a very successful banking transaction \u2014 that is, Chance Knight and his partner Kye Devon were headed to the Inter-Ocean Hotel in Denver. Dev and Sweet had, with their usual panache, vanished like the puff of smoke from a gunshot after the robbery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only problem, in Chance\u2019s opinion, was that there was no train service to Nevadaville. Thus, to reach the bank, they\u2019d been forced to utilize this inferior mode of travel \u2014 and after most of a day, the stagecoach was starting to wear on Chance. Not to mention the condition of his rear end on the hard seat. Their driver seemed to go out of his way to hit every hole in what passed for a road in the benighted wilderness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they stopped in yet another mountain hamlet, he took the opportunity to stretch his legs, leaving his snoring partner inside the stage with their unremarkable canvas bag as his pillow. Maybe a cup of coffee would settle Chance\u2019s stomach. He stepped up to the door of the tiny cafe next to the stage stop, just in time to open it for the Classy Lady inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He put on a Suave Face and gave her a little bow as he held the door for her. Fine shoes, the latest fashion in skirts (emerald green velvet with gold trim), topped with a sensible traveling hat over expensively-coiffured auburn locks. The Lady was Classy all right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chance had never met a woman who wasn\u2019t lovely. Sometimes you had to look a bit harder, but they all had that certain something. This Lady though \u2026 big green eyes, flawless complexion, a delicate chin and a mouth that needed kissing often. He felt a genuine smile stretch his own lips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood afternoon, ma\u2019am,\u201d he murmured as she passed. She smiled down at him, but said nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chance noted with interest that she headed for the very door though which he\u2019d exited. Was their little party to be enlarged by one? One such would certainly make the time pass more quickly.<\/p>\n