“It has its advantages,” agreed Father William. “Especially for a man of the cloth who donates all his money to charitable causes.”

Charlie grinned. “Are you a preacher?”

“I am privileged to serve the Lord in that and other capacities,” replied Father William.

“Can’t be much work for you on a little backwater world like this.”

“As I told you, I’m on vacation.”

“Stupid place to come for a vacation.”

“Ah, but I’m vacationing,” said Father William with a smile. “Are you working?”

“I’m working on this bottle, is what I’m working on,” said One-Time Charlie, his words starting to slur.

Moonripple returned with the sandwiches and placed them down before Father William, then went back to her post behind the bar.

“Those sandwiches look pretty good,” said One-Time Charlie. “I think I’ll have some, too.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but they’re not one of our services,” said Moonripple.

“If you can make them for a preacher, you can make them for an honest worker,” said One-Time Charlie irritably.

“Really, I can’t, sir,” said Moonripple. “These come from the owner’s private kitchen.”

“I don’t give a damn where they come from!” growled Charlie. “If he can have them, so can I.”

Moonripple looked across the room at Father William, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

“All right, sir,” she said to One-Time Charlie. “I’ll be right back with your sandwiches.”

She went into the kitchen, and he turned triumphantly to Father William and Cain.

“You just have to know how to talk to these people,” he said smugly.

Both of them stared silently back at him, and after a moment he returned to his drinking.

Moonripple emerged a few minutes later, carrying two platters. She set one of them down on the bar in front of One-Time Charlie and carried the other, which held Father William’s dessert, to the preacher.

“Ah!” he exclaimed happily. “You found strawberries for my cheesecake! You are truly an angel, my girl!”

“That’s really good cheesecake?” asked One-Time Charlie sullenly.

“The best!” enthused Father William. “The girl is an absolute artist in the kitchen!”

“I’ll have a piece, too,” he told Moonripple.

“I’m afraid there isn’t any more,” she replied.

“We’re not going to go through all that again, are we, honey?” he said. “I told you I wanted a piece of cheesecake.”

“She’s telling you the truth,” said Father William. “She only makes one a day. I prefer them fresh.”

“Then make another one,” said One-Time Charlie.

“I can’t, sir,” answered Moonripple. “I buy the makings each morning. Father William doesn’t like me to use frozen ingredients.”

“You’re Father William?” asked One-Time Charlie, surprised.

“That’s right.”

“The bounty hunter?”

“When God so wills it.”

“Is this girl any relation to you?”

“No.”