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myself, Owen. Right now, I just need to get a start in my new profession.”
    â€œNo more pulling teeth?” Donnelly asked.
    â€œOnly on special occasions.” When he saw that his joking tone was no longer bringing a smile to Donnelly’s face, Doc added, “I’m a sporting man now. Just give me some time at my own game and I’ll start turning a profit for you.”
    â€œI don’t run no crooked games here.”
    Doc scowled enough to make the barkeep start to squirm.
    â€œWell…you know what I mean,” Donnelly amended.
    â€œYes, I do. And any complaints you get in that regard will be handled by me and will not put a smudge upon this establishment.”
    Pulling in a breath, Donnelly rubbed his chin and grumbled to himself. “We go back a little ways, John. I’d hate to have you get hurt on account of this. Especially since you’re not in the best condition. No offense or nothing.”
    The look on Doc’s face showed that he took plenty of offense from the inference that had just been made.
    â€œThen again,” Donnelly said, “if you had your own security, I might reconsider the offer.”
    Before Doc could say anything, Caleb nodded and said, “He’s got it.”
    â€œAnd you know how to handle yourself?”
    Shifting so his hand drifted toward the gun holstered at his side, Caleb nodded once more. “That posse couldn’t bring me in, so I think I should be able to handle watching over a faro game.”
    Although Doc was close to smirking, he held back long enough to see how Donnelly would respond. Amazingly enough, the barkeep was nodding with more and more confidence. “I can only pay five dollars a shift to start. That goes for each of you.”
    â€œAnd when the profits justify it, I hope the rate will go up accordingly?” Doc asked.
    â€œIf you bring in enough, I can raise the rates,” Donnelly agreed. “But I don’t care how far we go back, I won’t tolerate anything that makes my place look bad.”
    â€œOf course,” Doc said. “And what about poker games? Will I be able to organize a few of those?”
    â€œYou’ll need to use one of my dealers, but I do allow men to deal their own cards for friendly games. I got no problem with poker just so long as you kick back a piece of that action as well.” Donnelly leaned against the bar and stared both men dead in the eyes. “I ain’t stupid, so don’t treat me like a fool. You want to make a living playing cards, you best know that it ain’t a life with any guarantees and it ain’t the sort of place where friendship amounts to much.”
    Doc extended a hand over the bar and said, “That’s why I came to speak with you, Owen. You’re someone I can learn from.”
    â€œSave it until you been livin’ that life awhile, John. Maybe by then, you’ll curse me for letting you into this line of work.”
    â€œI’m gambling every day I step outside,” Doc said. “I might as well start making some money off it.”
    Finally, Donnelly’s smile returned. “I suppose so. All right, then. You can set up at the table in the back over there. That way I can say I didn’t see whatever bullshit you’re trying to pull if some angry cowboys come my way looking to complain. It’ll be open in a few hours.”
    â€œThat will give me some time to get situated. I truly appreciate this.”
    Donnelly turned and walked off. The moment he started talking to one of his customers, he regained his cheery disposition and began telling loud jokes as if he were celebrating rather than working.
    â€œAnd I do appreciate what you did,” Doc said without meeting Caleb’s eyes. It took some effort, but Doc eventually looked at Caleb directly. “If you could act as lookout for a few days, that would be fine. After that, I should have gained enough trust