"Why don't we go into town for a quiet dinner tonight?" the doctor suggested as I finished piling the last of the wood next to the house.

I considered his offer for a moment. "Okay, let me get cleaned up and we'll go," I agreed.

"That's not necessary," the doctor chuckled. "The hotel where I'm staying provides baths and massages and we can get one before dinner."

I laughed. "I know the place. I stayed there briefly when I first moved here."

"I know," replied the doctor with a twinkle in his eye, "I've heard of you from the manageress, among others."

It was my turn to chuckle and roll my eyes. "I'm sure you have. That sounds much better than any other plan I could have come up with. I'll saddle my horse and we'll be off."

We rode into town, talking all the way. We stopped off at the boarding house, walking in and greeting the manageress. She smiled at the doctor, but her face froze when she saw me. I grinned broadly at her and was rewarded with a sniff and an upturned nose for my efforts. The doctor turned his head so she couldn't see and winked at me. We clomped up the stairs to his room to drop off his pack. The doctor returned to the lobby to order a massage and bath for each of us, paying the manageress handsomely.

After our massage and a long soak in a hot bath, accompanied by generous portions of whisky poured by one our masseuses, the doctor and I dressed for dinner.

"I don't know about you, but I'm thoroughly relaxed," the doctor chuckled as he checked himself in the mirror.

"I have no complaints, whatsoever," I laughed, stretching before slipping into my jacket. "Since you've been so generous this afternoon, allow me to buy you dinner."

"I certainly wouldn't turn down a good steak," the doctor replied, pulling on his own coat. "Do you know where we can get one?"

"Absolutely," I laughed. "And the whiskey is almost as good as the entertainment, too."

"Excellent!" the doctor replied, joining me in my laughter and clapping his hands. "While we're eating, there's something I need to talk to you about. I've been wanting to do it all day, but this feels like the right time to do it."

"Well, if you've been leading up to something, you've definitely got me in a receptive frame of mind," I told him as we proceeded out the door. We walked down the stairs, ignoring the glare of the manageress and out into the street. I guided the doctor to the saloon. where we were both greeted enthusiastically by the girls on duty. "I see you've already made an impression here," I said.

"Nothing more than stopping in for a quiet drink," the doctor said, waving off my comment. We ordered dinner and drinks and sat back, sipping our whiskey and enjoying the noise and actions of the crowd around us. "I was wondering if I could impose on you to help me find a place to live out here," the doctor said quietly.

I choked on my drink and stared at him. "I can do that," I said slowly, "where were you thinking of settling?"

"I like the view from your place," the doctor replied. "Is there any land close by that's for sale?"

"Well, let's see," I said slowly, rubbing my chin. I took another sip from my drink and stared about the room. "I believe the only parcel available is next to mine and the owner is notorious for being difficult to deal with."

"Really?" asked the doctor, raising his eyebrows. "Do you have any tips on dealing with him?"

"Oh, let's see," I stretched, "maybe buy him a good massage, a hot bath with a pretty girl pouring whiskey and let him buy you a steak dinner."

The doctor threw his head back and laughed. "Excellent. Now all I need is help building the house. . .or will the seller supply that too?"

"Oh I'm sure he can be convinced. He's probably ready for a good neighbor since he's been on his own for so long. When were you planning on starting construction?" I asked.

"Probably as soon as the supplies to build the house come in," he told me. "In the meantime, I'll hold down a bed at the rooming house and make daily trips to my new property."

"In the meantime, a toast. . .to new and good neighbors!" I proclaimed. We tipped our glasses to each other and drank to our new and budding friendship. We then drank to new beginnings, old friends, past adventures and the days to come. At the end of the night, we staggered off to the doctor's rooms for a good night's sleep.