Opening: Day 8

Word Count: 48,007

Summary of Events:
Chapter 15:
Keiller woke up to no breakfast and found Sophia was sick, so he went and got the doctor to see what it was that was making her sick and was told by Dr. Carrigan that Sophia was pregnant, which thoroughly stunned Keiller.
Chapter 16:
Sophia had mixed emotions about the news herself, and had no idea what to feel, but decided that there wasn't really anything she could do about it. Keiller let Julius out of his cell, positive that Julius would never break into the saloon again.

Excerpt of the Day:
"Sophia finished eating and cleaned up her dishes while Mr. Bartlett had a second helping. He always had a second helping, which Sophia felt was a compliment to her cooking knowledge — limited and rudimentary though she felt it was.
"I think it would be good if you went to stay with the Carrigan's," Mr. Bartlett said when Sophia resumed her seat. "Then you'll be closer to Dr. Carrigan when things start to happen, and Mrs. Carrigan has had children before and can give advice — not to mention she's a woman — she could probably even get you some proper dresses too, and then there wouldn't be any risk to my reputation either."
Startling, Sophia looked at Mr. Bartlett. Risk to his reputation? Was he really conceited enough to think that? He hadn't seemed at all conceited until this moment; he'd been quite selfless, giving her clothing, shelter, food, even surrendering his own bed to her, and doing what he could to ensure her safety, and yet he was scared of risking his reputation?
It seemed ridiculous; if he was afraid of risking his reputation, then why in the told had be brought her into his house off of his back porch in the first place? Why hadn't he left her there to shiver and be soaked? In fact, why hadn't he just killed her? if he cared about his reputation that much surely he wouldn't be above killing someone.
"Is something the matter?" Mr. Bartlett asked. "Have I upset you?"
"No," Sophia replied. "But, for as gracious and selfless of a host as you've been, you suddenly appear to be quite conceited."
Mr. Bartlett startled and looked at her with what she was sure was the same expression she'd been looking at him with moments before.
"You seemed perfectly willing to talk me in, give me food, shelter, clothes, and even surrender your own bed to me," Sophia continued. "But now all of the sudden you're worrying about risking your reputation." A thought occurred to Sophia: "Or is it just because I am now with child? Was it all fine until you discovered I'm no longer a pure, virginal woman? Is it now time to get rid of me because I am defiled? Or even because you've now been deprived of the opportunity to defile me yourself?"
Mr. Bartlett's head reeled back like she'd slapped him. Sophia got to her feet.
"If that's the case then you are a hideously conceited man," Sophia said. "What kind of an officer of the law can you possibly be if you're out only for your own benefit? I feel sorry for the poor people in the community you're responsible, having to suffer under a sheriff who does things based on himself and his reputation.""