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for—”
    â€œA few days, my ass,” Caleb interrupted. “You said we worked well together, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
    â€œAnd here I thought you were bent out of shape about not heading to Denver.”
    â€œDenver’s not going anywhere,” Caleb replied. “And this place has potential. I can feel it.”
    Doc chuckled and lifted his glass. “You’ve got good instincts. I’ve even thought of a few good ways for us to make even more than five dollars a shift.”
    â€œYeah. I’ve had a few ideas of my own.”

8
    One of the few things Doc had brought with him from Dallas was his faro setup. The case was waiting for him at the stagecoach office, where it had been left when the driver finally headed off to Denver, and was small enough to have been missed by nearly everyone on that stage. Caleb didn’t know how long the driver had waited or if he’d waited at all, but it seemed more than a little fortuitous that the one item was waiting for them when they checked for it at the station.
    Since Donnelly provided a room for each of them at a sorry excuse for a boardinghouse not far from the Beehive, Caleb and Doc didn’t need much money those first few days in Fort Griffin. Both of them quickly realized they were missing something very important to a professional gambler, however: a reputation.
    Nobody knew Caleb from Adam and what little they knew about Doc revolved around the increasingly wild rumors that were coming out of Dallas. Reports had Doc doing everything from shooting a group of Indians full of holes to being chased down by the same posse Donnelly had mentioned.
    Doc took it all in stride, denying whatever rumors he didn’t like and embellishing a few that would help ease him into the gamblers’ circles. The next few weeks passed fairly quietly as Doc and Caleb settled into the lives of sporting men. While Doc perfected his shuffle and card-handling skills, Caleb became acquainted with the people he considered to be his competition.
    As he studied names and faces, Caleb kept on the lookout for one face in particular. It wasn’t too long before he spotted that pretty face on Griffin Avenue.
    â€œLottie!” Caleb shouted. When he saw her glance his way, he waved at her and crossed the street.
    She met him with open arms and quickly pressed her soft lips against his in a way that nearly stole all the breath from Caleb’s lungs. Even after she’d ended the kiss, Lottie held him at arm’s length as if she didn’t want to let him go.
    â€œIf it isn’t Caleb Wayfinder,” she said. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!”
    â€œYou remember my name?” Caleb asked, thinking back to if he’d introduced himself fully or not.
    â€œI’ve been hearing about you and Doc Holliday. I’ve heard even more about the game you two run.”
    â€œHope you’re not taking any losses because of it.”
    Lottie nudged him with her elbow and stepped back so Caleb could get a full look at the way her black satin dress hugged her hips and wrapped around her body like a tangle of expensive sheets. “Doc may know his way around a card table, but I’ve got assets of my own.”
    â€œThat you do, Lottie. That you do.”
    â€œSorry I haven’t tracked you down, but I didn’t know you were going to stay in town after what happened the last time we met. Once I started hearing about you working at the Beehive, I found myself engaged in some business of my own.”
    â€œNothing dangerous, I hope.”
    â€œNot too bad, but not too good either,” she said with a wink.
    â€œDid they ever find the asshole who killed Earl?”
    She shook her head and continued walking along the side of the street. The sun was on its way down, which marked the time of day that had started to become like dawn to Caleb and Doc. As with most other gamblers, it was the time