2. Chapter 2

Around the same time as Wynonna returned to Purgatory, there was another new comer to arrive to live within the small town. The four-door pick truck that was being driven by this person pulled up in front of a semi detached flat. As the truck’s door opened, a tall slender red headed woman stepped out and looked around at the street, noticing that it was quiet, much to her liking. The red headed Alpha woman had been working as part of the police department in Toronto, but originally coming growing up in Winnipeg. Circumstances lead the woman to desire for a much simpler life and when she noticed a job opening to join the Purgatory sheriff department in Purgatory, she jumped at the chance.

The life she had set up for herself in Toronto had come to a halt, when the woman she had been dating, decided that as a Doctor, it was no longer cool to date a cop. Leaving the red headed woman heart broken and longing for a change. The red headed woman walked to the back-passenger door of the truck and opened the door, she reached in and pulled out a cat carry cage. Inside the cage came a loud ‘Meow’ sound. Looking inside the cage, the red headed woman said, “It’s ok Calamity Jane, we are here now. Soon you can get out and check out our new home. We just have to wait for the real estate agent to arrive with the keys.”

Minutes later a red Cadillac pulled up behind the red heads car, once the engine was shut off, a brunette woman stepped out and smiled at the red headed woman, holding a cat cage. “Sorry I was planning to have the place already open for you, but something came up at the office. Nicole Haught it is so nice to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine and Calamity Jane’s.” Nicole says reaching out her hand to shake the hand of the real estate agent.

“My name is Rosita Bustillos, but you can just call me Rosita. As I said over the phone, the place comes already furnished. Now let’s get you and your cat inside out of this cold air. Purgatory can get rather cold and if your cat does not like snow, then I would advise that she be kept inside during the winter months.” Rosita says as she leads Nicole and Calamity up the stairs to the flat.

Once inside Nicole took off her jacket and placed it on the coat rack beside the front door. As soon as the door was closed, Nicole places the cat cage down onto the floor and opens the little door, she allows Calamity Jane time to come out of her cage at her own pace. Nicole walks throughout the flat, following Rosita, who was giving Nicole the grand tour. There was two bedrooms, one being larger than the other, indicating that it was the main bedroom. Inside the main bedroom, there was a king size bed and two bed side tables on each side of the bed. In one of the corners of the bedroom was a lavender coloured love seat and behind that there was a large walk in wardrobe. Also, within the bedroom was a chest of double drawers. The other bedroom was the same as the main bedroom, only that it had a double bed instead of a king.

Within the bathroom, there was a large spa bath, next to a double doored shower. Rosita blushed when she said, “The previous owners were newlyweds, and the husband wanted to be able to have enough room to shower with his wife. Hence the reason for the large shower, there’s enough room for two inside.” Rosita blushes.

“Oh, that won’t be a problem for me, Calamity Jane does not like to shower.” Nicole jokes.

Rosita hands Nicole the keys to the flat and reminds Nicole that if there is anything she needs or help with, she’d only have to give her a call at the real estate office. By the time Rosita has left the flat, Calamity Jane has exited her cage and was meowing while she rubbed up against Nicole’s legs. Nicole picks Calamity up and strokes her hand through the cat’s hair, while walking towards the front door. Nicole places Calamity Jane onto the floor, “Now Calamity, you stay here while I unpack the truck. When all the boxes are inside, I’ll be able to get you your dinner. What do you say, Calamity, sounds like a plan?” Nicole goes outside to her truck and within an hour, she has the truck unpacked. Nicole feeds Calamity Jane and then unpacks her boxes, placing her clothes away. Nicole makes sure that her Police uniform is ironed and pressed for her to wear tomorrow, as she starts her new job. Calamity Jane comes into Nicole’s bedroom and makes herself at home on the new bed, watching Nicole shinning her boots.

Around 6pm Nicole hears a knock at her front door, surprised as the only people to know that she lives at the flat is the real estate agent Rosita and her new boss Sheriff Nedley. Opening the door to her flat, Nicole comes to face with an older gentleman with a greyish moustache and holding a black Stetson hat in his hands. The gentleman is dressed in a Purgatory Sheriff Department uniform and his name badge reads, ‘Sheriff Nedley’.

“Hello, Nicole Haught?” Sheriff Nedley asks.

“Yes, you must be Sheriff Nedley. I’m pleased to meet you, after talking to you over the phone. Please come in.” Nicole says while she steps back for Nedley to walk in.

“I know that you have only arrived today, and I thought that you might like to join me and my daughter Chrissy for dinner at the local bar, Shorty’s?” Nedley asks Nicole.

“I was going to just going to get some take out, but I would like to have some company. Let me grab my coat.” Nicole says as she reaches for her jacket, keys and wallet. Calling out to Calamity Jane, “I’m going out Calamity, be a good girl.” Nicole walks out to join Nedley and his daughter and they head towards Shorty’s.

They soon arrive at a old looking building, which has a simple sign above the door that says, ‘Shorty’s Bar’. Nedley opens and holds the door for his daughter and Nicole to walk in before entering himself. Nicole is amazed at the interior of the bar, it has a real country bar with a hint of old-time western feel to the place. Nicole notices on the wall behind the bar is a sign that reads, ‘Drink where Wyatt Earp drank.’ Nedley steers Nicole and Chrissy to a table where they can talk without too much noise.

Chrissy excuses herself as she says, “Dad, I’m just going over to say hello to Waverly. Would you like a drink, Nicole?”

“Yes, I would like a beer, thank you. Here’s some money to cover the drinks.” Nicole reaches into her back pocket and starts to pull out her wallet. Nedley stops her by placing his hand on her arm and saying, “Nicole, these are on me. I was the one to ask you to join us, you don’t need to pay.”

‘Thank you, sir. Please at least pay for one round during the night.” Nicole asks.

“Alright, just call me Randy when we’re not at work, Ok, Nicole.” Nedley says while looking around the bar. “The food and service are great, when you don’t feel like cooking, just come here and you will get a fantastic meal, and it will be serviced with a smile.” Nedley looks over at the bar and sees his daughter is returning with their drinks. Nedley gets up out his seat to collect his and Nicole’s drinks from Chrissy.

The rest of the evening Nicole and Randy talked about the township and the people of Purgatory. Nedley filled Nicole in on who to watch and who to avoid when dealing with the public. Nicole was having a good time, listening to Nedley, and watching the locals interacting with each other. The cute brunette barmaid caught Nicole’s eye and while she was looking in the direction of the barmaid, Chrissy said to Nicole, “That’s my friend, Waverly Earp.”

“Oh, I um, wasn’t staring, I was amazed at how fast she serves. That’s all.” Nicole starts to blush at being caught.

Just about this time, Waverly has emerged from behind the bar and walking collecting empty glasses and tidying up the tables. When Champ walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her in close to his body. He whispers into her ear, “So, when are you finally going to be mine? Your daddy promised you to me, remember?”

Waverly pinches his hand, causing Champ to loosen his grip, allowing Waverly the chance to pull out of his hold. She turns around and says loudly, “I’m not interested Champ. And yes, I remember, but you don’t seem to respect me, not enough to wait for me.” Waverly is about to walk away, when Champ grabs her wrist hard and tight.

“I said NO, Champ.” Waverly says as she slaps him across the face. Champ become angry at the fact that Waverly had made him look like an idiot in front of his friends. So, he throws a drink that has been left on a table at Waverly, causing her shirt to become soaking wet. Before Waverly could do anything, she hears a strange voice, saying, “I believe the lady said No. I think it would be best that you respect her wishes and leave her alone.”

Waverly turns around and is struck by the beauty of the red headed woman standing before and defending her honour. Champ turns to face Nicole and says, “This is none of your business, so I think you had better go back to where ever you came from.” Champ starts to move towards Waverly but is stopped in his tracks, by Nicole who has placed herself between Waverly and Champ. Champ realises that he was not going to get what he wanted from Waverly, so he walks away.

Nicole turns around to look at Waverly and says, “Oh, I didn’t know that Shorty’s had a wet t-shirt competition?” Waverly laughs and to Nicole she thinks that it’s the sweetest laugh she has ever heard.

“Thank you for that, Champ can be an idiot when he’s drunk. How can I make it up to you? Wait I don’t even know your name. My name is Waverly Earp.” Waverly extends her hand out to shake Nicole’s hand.

“My name is Nicole, Nicole Haught. I just joined the Sheriff’s department at Purgatory. You could get a coffee with me at some time. Here’s my number, call me and we can set up a date to ger coffee.” Nicole smiles at Waverly as she hands her a card, with her name and number on it.

“That sounds like a good way to thank you. I’ll call you later in the week, when you’ve settled in.” Waverly finds herself smiling back to the officer.

“I had better go, my food has arrived, I’m glad that you are alright. Just call me if he starts making any problems for you. I’d be only to happy to help you.” Nicole flirts with Waverly by smiling and raising one of her eyebrows. As Nicole starts to walk away, she looks over her shoulder and says, “I mean it.” Nicole then winks at Waverly.

Waverly grabs hold of a chair near her, as her legs feel like they are turning to jelly. Waverly looks at the card, Nicole had given her before placing it into her back pocket of her jeans. Waverly made a mental note to make sure that she did ring the Officer and arrange that coffee date. There was something about Nicole, that was drawing her in towards the Deputy.