Saturday nights, the men head to Gunnison, pay in their pockets, and I am usually among them. Jack sometimes is with us, usually going his own way once there. Dutcher sticks with us, which I don’t mind so long as Jack is elsewhere. Then, the Saturday after my failure to look into that window, they both ride in with us and I can’t help but think back to Dutcher staying over and what will happen in town. I want to turn back but don’t, as that would draw attention.
Jack seems in high spirits when we reach Gunnison, and he buys us all a drink, saying things are going well on the ranch. After this, Dutcher sits in at cards, which offers me relief from my torment. Jack treats me no different from the other men and I work to accept this since I’m the one who ruined things long ago. I hold onto t
