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Learning to Improvise…
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Ezra checked the hallway again before tapping quietly on the door to Maude’s room. He wanted the opportunity to say good-bye before his mother disappeared from his life again, for possibly the last time. Ezra hadn’t been able to decided exactly how he felt about it.
There was regret mingled with relief. Sorrow blended with satisfaction. Bittersweet seemed to be the only word Ezra could find to describe it. Given how many times they’d parted company it was hard to fathom that this was the last time they would undertake this particular ritual.
Vin was not keen on letting him anywhere near his mother. While he appreciated his lover’s protective nature, it was important that he have the opportunity to speak to Maude alone. Knowing it was vital for them to continue routines, Ezra had convinced Vin to take his usual morning patrol. It had been a simple matter of waiting until he’d left to slip out of his room, sneak out of the saloon down the back stairs unseen, and into the hotel.
Ezra grinned. He wondered if any of the others ever realized how easy it was for him to blend in. He long since mastered the art of disappearing into his surroundings. There had been times when the skill came in handy, back when he was on his own with no friends or reliable allies to count on. Just because he hadn’t needed it lately didn’t mean he’d lost the skill.
Maude opened the door just wide enough to see who was there before stepping back and letting him in. Ezra barely recognized her. Good. If I don’t know her, neither will anyone else.
She’d used some sort of dye to darken her hair from her natural blonde to a light brown. Realistic looking gray strands were added at her temples, suggesting an age older than she really was. Pulled back in a simple bun it was nothing like her more normal sophisticated style. Without her usual makeup a dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones were readily visible. The faded plaid, gingham dress was worlds away from her normal tailored to fit, quality materials, very expensive clothing. Ezra didn’t know what she’d done to create the look of added girth, but it was certainly a nice touch.
Ezra arched an eyebrow. "Mrs. Attkins is certainly no Maude Standish."
Her blue eyes snapped fire. "She’s not supposed to be, as you well know."
Ezra blinked at the accent. Even knowing beforehand she wouldn’t be sounding like a Southern belle anymore he was still surprised by it. He half smiled and shook his head ruefully.
"I’d forgotten how good you are at this."
She smiled at him. "Darlin’," her normal speech pattern resurfaced, "it is not just me who is good at it." She clucked her tongue, a frown of annoyance appearing. "You are wasting your god given talents here."
"So you’ve told me." Ezra commented dryly. He found this familiar topic oddly comforting. They’d had it nearly every time they parted ways since he’d become and adult.
He cocked his head studying her. It wasn’t just for his benefit that the familiar routine had begun. Green eyes narrowed slightly. "We won’t be having this conversation ever again, Mother. Acting as if this were any other parting of the ways demeans us both and denies us the opportunity to truly say good-bye."
She scowled at him. "Honesty, you could just…", she waved a hand in frustration clearly looking for the right words.
"What?" Ezra chuckled. "Allow us to act as if nothing were any different?"
"That’s just it." She spoke eagerly. "It doesn’t have to be different. Maude Standish is dead. People in this town would totally understand you wanting to leave, to put that horrible incident behind you. Ezra, you could come with me."
"I don’t want to go with you, Mother." He smiled softly, surprised to find just how true that statement really was. Even if he hadn’t made a commitment to Vin, if the others were really little more than coworkers, he still would not want to be with his mother running cons and gambling.
"You never permitted me to hang from you apron strings when such behavior would have been natural." He shrugged one shoulder. "It is hardly fitting that I do so now."
"We could be partners." She stepped close to him, laying a hand on his arm.
Ezra glanced down at her small, soft hand. He remembered how often as a child he’d hungered for her touch, for some honest display of affection. But she could not be bothered unless it was executed as part of a con, a public display. He could count on one hand the number of times she’d hugged him or kissed his cheek when no one else was present to witness the act.
Ezra raised a hand to cover hers, holding it gently for just a moment, memorizing the feel and shape of it, knowing he would never have the opportunity again. He was surprised to realize just how small her hands were, how delicate, how utterly lovely and refined. She had the hands of a lady. With a small shake of his head he pulled his arm away, and released her hand.
"We have never been equals in your eyes, Mother." Ezra sighed softly. "We could never be partners."
"Oh…please, Ezra, that is not true."
He snorted. "Did you know when you lie you shift your focus slightly. Staring at my forehead is not the same as making eye contact."
She huffed in annoyance, before turning her back to him, facing the window. "You were always a difficult child."
"How would you know? You missed most of my childhood." Ezra laughed lightly, amazed to find his amusement to be genuine. Somewhere along the line the bitterness and betrayal had faded. Not gone completely, but those emotions no longer dominated his ability to interact with her. The experiences of his life, while not ideal, had shaped him into the man he was. He smiled to himself thinking that man was someone Vin Tanner fell in love with, so he couldn’t be all bad. eHe smiled stoihmself
Ezra still didn’t trust his mother, wasn’t entirely certain that he even liked her, but it was increasingly less difficult to simply see her as the woman she was and not as the woman he wanted her to be. His mother would never be like Mrs. Potter, loving her child unconditionally, placing their well-being above her own. It had taken some time to accept it, but he was making progress toward doing just that.
"You are still my child." She turned to look at him again.
"No." He shook his head sadly. "My mother is dead. Remember?"
She glared at him. "I’m not dead."
"Maude Standish is well and truly dead." He kept his voice even. "The same way Ezra Stanton died when the Esmerelda went down at sea."
He held up a hand when she would have spoken again. "It was the first lesson you taught me. You don’t just pretend to be someone, you are that person." Ezra smiled slightly. "There is no other way to keep all the names straight if you don’t consistently regard each one as a separate, definable entity. From here on out, you will never be Maude Standish ever again." He paused for a second, debating his words before simply stating baldly, "She had a son…you don’t."
Ezra could almost see the effect of his words hitting her. He knew he’d surprised her. She hadn’t thought this con all the way though. Hadn’t considered all the consequences. But then, she never did. It was one of the reasons she kept coming back to him for help.
"I sincerely hope you show greater forethought the future." He smiled slightly. "There will be no one to catch when you fall."
She stiffened. "This was just an aberration. Hardly something that is likely to happen again."
"Aberrations that occur with sufficient frequency rapidly become the norm." Ezra sighed. "This is not the first time you’ve failed to fully appreciate the consequences of your actions. For your sake I do hope it will be the last."
He stepped forward, close enough to touch, but refrained from doing so. "I do mean that, Mother. I have already buried you once. I am not looking forward to having to inter you for real."
"Ezra, don’t be so melodramatic." She waved a hand dismissively. "This setback was temporary. Nothing to be worried about."
Ezra had long ago realized his mother was something of an optimist, forever chasing after the next best thing with a single-minded purpose that left no room for doubt. She routinely landed on her feet, although, those around her could rarely claim to be so lucky. He briefly wondered if she ever gave those who had gotten trampled along the way a second though. Ezra, you already know the answer to that.
"Your plan worked rather well." Maude continued speaking, not noticing Ezra’s momentary laps in attention. "I am impressed with how well your companions undertook their roles." She laughed. "I was not sure they would cooperate."
"They had similar doubt about you." Ezra felt compelled to point out.
She blinked. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Ezra snorted, not believing for a minute her put upon look and pout. "You are hardly the most trustworthy of individual. Not to mention your suggestion to sell me to Vuocolo."
"That was just a misunderstanding."
Ezra smiled tightly, anger flaring again at having her so easily brush off her words and actions as something so mundane. It served to emphasize just how little importance she placed on his feelings, his thoughts, on him at all. He took a deep breath and let it go.
"It was ‘misunderstanding’ that could very well have cost you your fingers."
"Oh posh." She rolled her eyes at his statement as she moved to assess her appearance in the nearby mirror. Her confidence was again firmly in place.
Ezra knew it was just the usual high of a successful con talking and the fact that she was not presently sharing space with any of the others. He knew full well that Chris’ dark presence, Vin’s intense gaze, and Josiah’s emotional distance had all served to keep her from breathing as easily as she normally did. His mother was simply not used to dealing with such a constant, subliminal threat of violence to her person.
But perhaps the most damaging had been the somber expression Buck adopted around her. The jovial man usually had a smile for everyone. JD’s continued avoidance of her had been the most telling. The young sheriff had always shown her a certain amount of deference that had most definitely been lacking lately. Buck and JD did more to hammer home the general dislike, distrust, and desire to be rid of her than anything said or done by the others.
It was also the knowledge that she was leaving, free and clear, that added to her ability to lightly dismiss Vin’s earlier threat. He was rather proud of the restraint his lover had executed at the time. Ezra knew it was for his sake and his sake alone, that Maude was not missing a digit or two.
"Do you have a plan for where you’ll be going?" He asked. Mrs. Attkins would be joining her daughter in Santa Fe. From there Maude would adopt a new persona and continue her journey.
"Naturally." She turned to look at him again. "I will be heading Charleston."
He frowned. Charleston had been a favorite place for Maude. When she spoke of that city it was always with a fondness Ezra didn’t understand. He’d long ago added that detail to the list of things about his mother that he couldn’t quite fathom. "Are you sure that is wise? Someone might recognize you."
"Perhaps." Maude shrugged carelessly. "It has been over a decade, since before the war." Her eyes dimmed slightly. "Damn war. It certainly made a mess of things."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. That is one way of putting it. He knew his mother had ridden out the war in the North, hiding out in Boston, preferring to be far from the line of fire. It was where she learned to mimic the accent. He never mentioned his own service in the war because Maude had never asked. The time they’d spent apart had never been discussed in detail.
"I doubt anyone there remembers me." Maude smiled brightly. It seemed forced to Ezra but he chose not to comment. "And even if they do, it is decidedly unlikely that anyone there has any dealings with Mr. Vuocolo."
"You have sufficient capital to sustain you?"
She gave him a slanted look. "Are you offering me funds?"
He hesitated for a moment and then nodded. Ezra was sure she hadn’t shown up completely penniless, but that didn’t mean she had the financial wherewithal to make it very far without being forced to gamble or con. Maude would need to maintain her cover as Mrs. Attkins for at least three days, maybe more. A Boston matron could not be seen playing cards. And whoever she became once leaving Santa Fe might also be unable to secure funds the Maude usually did.
He held out a small pouch full of double eagle gold coins. Maude tentatively took the offered pouch, hand moving to weigh it. Ezra no doubt that she knew exactly how much money was in it even without having to look. He’d learned how to count money by its heft from her when he was five.
The pouch contained three hundred dollars. While a substantial amount, it was hardly his entire life savings. It would be more than enough to see her safely to Charleston. If she was frugal, something he very much doubted she was capable of being, there would be money left to get her set up there as well.
She gave him a calculating look. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Consider it a parting gift."
The look on her face once again let him know the reality of the situation was hitting home. She tried to hand the pouch back to him, as if by refusing she could somehow alter the fact that they would probably never see each other again, but he shook his head.
"Take it."
"Ezra—"
"Take it." He repeated with more force, new anger rising from old. "It was money you came here for after all. It would be a damn shame if you left empty handed. Why the entire trip would have been a complete waste of your time. Lord knows simply seeing your only son can hardly be considered sufficient compensation."
She paled, with anger or shame he couldn’t quite decide. He took a deep breath and then another, letting both out slowly. He didn’t want to mar his last moments with his mother. Wanted to end this chapter of his life with no regrets. He reminded himself the time would be better spent considering the future, not rehashing the past.
"We both know what is in that receptacle means more to you than I ever have. Do not in a moment of sentimental foolishness lose sight of the principles that have guided you your entire life." He smiled sadly. "Not taking it will serve no good purpose, as you well know. Taking it means you will have an easier time getting to where you need to go."
She stared at him, blue eyes measuring. Slowly her hand curled around the pouch and she placed it in her handbag. Maude swallowed hard and cleared her throat.
"So this really is….good-bye then?"
"Yes." He considered finding some way to soften that, but realized there was no way to.
She hesitated. "I never expected to---"
"I know." He shook his head, realizing the irony of it all.
By all rights she should have come to terms with their parting company permanently a long time ago. She should have given him up for dead when the Esmerelda was lost at sea. But she’d not even known the Esmerelda had gone down, had never bothered to ask after the ship or her son once it left port. When they met up in Baltimore, after the war, she’d just assumed he finished his agreed upon term with St. John and had come looking for him. It was only dumb luck and chance that he was in the city at the same time she was.
"You always did." She said that as if coming to a dawning realization.
Ezra shrugged. "How could I not?" He sighed heavily. "You left me so frequently I was less certain of your return than I was that you would leave me again."
"I’m sorry."
Ezra resisted the urge to laugh. The apology sounded so earnest, so heartfelt. He couldn’t really determine if she meant it or not. That fact was part of what he found so amusing. He did appreciate the gesture, even if it was too little and far, far too late. With a small smile of acknowledgement, Ezra made a conscious decision to believe her to be sincere and accept her apology.
He reached out to cup her face with both hands. Green eyes studied her face, memorizing the details. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing her.
"I’d tell you to be careful, but I’m not sure you know how. So I will settle for asking you to be well, Mother. Be happy." He smiled feeling oddly lighter as if he’d released a heavy burden he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying for a very long time.
He moved toward the door. The stage would be arriving soon and it wouldn’t do for anyone to see him leaving Mrs. Attkins room. Ezra halted his reach for the door when she called his name.
"Yes?" He didn’t turn around.
"I did love you, darlin’."
He glanced over his shoulder, turning slightly to make eye contact, unconsciously gauging her sincerity. Ezra smiled slightly, knowing she was telling the truth as she saw it. In her own way, she’d always expressed a certain amount of affection for him. Unfortunately, Maude Standish put herself and her own concerns before anyone or anything else. She was always center-stage in the drama that was her life, never sharing the spotlight, never stopping to consider anyone else.
"I will always love you."
Just for a second he was sorely tempted to deny her the affirmation she was clearly looking for. For just a moment, he wanted to deliberately ignore her declaration as though she hadn’t spoke, the same way she had done to him so many times as a child, easily overlooking any signs of distress and failing to hear any stated desire to not be left behind. Ezra brushed aside thoughts of being petty.
"I love you too." It was true. Against his better judgement and in defiance of good sense he did lover his mother. Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat as he opened the door. "Take care of yourself, Mother," he whispered, "from now on there won’t be anyone else available to do it for you."
Ezra shut the door quietly behind him. He checked the hallway again, having a ready excuse handy should he need it. He didn’t expect anyone to be, but knew better than to be caught unprepared. He breathed easier finding the hallway empty just as it should be.
Ezra slipped down the stairs, moving silently. The lobby was just as empty as it had been when he’d silently made his way upstairs earlier. He knew the staff was busy elsewhere which was why he’d selected this time to visit his mother. Excuse ready or not, it was better not to need one.
He made is way out the back door and down the alley. With a nonchalance practiced for so long he no longer had to force it, Ezra stepped up on the boardwalk and headed for the saloon. The porch would be an ideal vantage point to see the arriving stage. It was also a perfectly logical place for him to be.
He sat in his usual chair outside, taking out his ever present deck of cards to shuffle them as he waited. Ezra waited here regularly for the stage. All of the peacekeepers did at different times, alternating between the Saloon and the jail.
He could see Chris sitting slouched in his usual chair in front of the jail. Ezra suspected Vin had made the gunslinger promise to keep an eye on him until he got back from his patrol. He’d half expected to find Chris camped out in front of his door when he went to leave earlier. He was damn glad he didn’t have to exit his room using the window and shinnying up to the roof. Ezra made a note to thank Chris for giving him the space he needed.
Ezra smiled when JD took the chair next to his. The younger man glanced his way before slouching with a spineless finesse Vin would have envied. "You say good bye to your mother, okay?"
"Yes." Ezra didn’t even bat an eye. He knew of all his friends, JD would understand his desire to speak to his mother privately. Of course, there was a great deal JD didn’t know that the others did.
I really do need to rectify that. He has been more than patient. Ezra sighed softly. "You had some questions, I believe. Questions we both agreed should wait until a more appropriate time." He took a deep breath. "I have time now if you still care to interrogate me."
JD raised both eyebrows. "Interrogate? Hell, Ez, I don’t want to treat you like one o’ our prisoners."
Ezra dipped his head to hide a small smile that formed. He should have expected JD to appreciate the semantics. "Forgive me, JD. I did not mean to imply that you would harangue me in such a fashion. I misspoke."
JD smiled. "S’okay. Figure if it isn’t something you want to talk about it probably feels like an interrogation."
"Good point."
JD pursed his lips. "You know…you don’t have to tell me anything." Dark eyes met green. "I don’t have to know."
Ezra felt a flash of warmth at the obvious display of trust. It felt right to return that trust in equal measure. "I know I don’t have to, JD. I want to. Ask whatever you wish, I will answer as best I am able."
JD nodded. He shifted slightly in his seat so he could face Ezra more easily. "What did Maude do that made Chris so mad?"
Ezra took a deep breath and held it, eyes moving to study the street. It was oddly reassuring to see the citizens of Four Corners going about their business as if nothing had changed. He considered giving JD an edited version of events before opting to simply tell him all of it letting the chips fall where they may. Somehow knowing Chris and Vin had been able to accept his past gave him hope JD would as well.
It was often overlooked because of his age and youthful exuberance, but JD was easily more worldly than the others gave him credit for. Ezra suspected JD had seen a lot growing up in Boston and his solo trek west had to have been an eye opening experience. Yet, the young man has persevered, showing astonishing amount of courage and loyalty to those he considered his friends. The gambler had not forgotten that JD was ready to take on Vin on his behalf if the tracker had been playing fast and loose with his feelings.
Ezra explained about how he came to be sailing on the Esmerelda. Told JD about St. John, picking his words with care, but relaying the full nature of what had occurred. His eyes never left the street as he spoke finding it easier to tell the story if he didn’t look at JD, speaking as if it happened to someone else.
When he was finished he risked a glance toward JD. The sheriff was so very still, hands curled around the armrests with a white knuckled grip. Ezra immediately regretted his decision to be honest, thinking he’d over estimated his young friend’s ability to deal with what he’d been told.
"JD—"
"Holy Mother of God." JD whispered, eyes wide. "Boston is big enough to have all kinds and people talk, more than they ought to. Heard a lot I probably shouldn’t have when I was a kid. I never really understood what was being said, not really. I just knew there were places where children disappeared and something horrible happened to them."
JD swallowed hard. "Momma always said there were predators that prowled the streets day and night, that it wasn’t safe to be alone in places where they might get me. When I was a kid I thought she meant wolves…like from the stories she read to me. Never realized that wasn’t quite what she meant."
He stared at Ezra. "Christ, Ez. You were just a kid."
"Yes." Ezra kept his tone neutral.
JD shook his head. "What kind of mother does something like that?" It was clearly a rhetorical question so Ezra remained silent, letting JD verbalize his thoughts. "I know stuff was always rough for my mother…hell, there were times when we didn’t have two nickels to rub together, but she would never have even thought of," JD shook his head again, obviously unable to find the words. "God."
He blew out a breath in a huff. "No wonder Chris was so pissed at her. Kind o’ surprised he didn’t shoot her outright. Hell, if I’d have known she did that, I’d have been tempted."
Ezra let out the breath he’d been holding, relief washing over him. He hadn’t misjudged JD. The sheriff could handle the truth, didn’t regard him as being any less for his past.
JD frowned heavily. "The others all know this?"
"No." Ezra shrugged one shoulder, hands moving to shuffle the cards he still held. "Only Chris and Vin know."
JD nodded, accepting that. "Can see how you wouldn’t want to share that sort of information with just anyone." The younger man sat up a little straighter realizing he’d just joined a cadre of very select individuals. "Thanks, Ez."
Ezra tipped his head in acknowledgement. "You are welcome."
"So what do the others know?" JD bit his lip. "I mean Josiah’s been real cold to Maude. Could see him being that way if he knew about, well about St. John. Course I could see him being more apt to just strangler her too if he knew that. And Buck…he never treats a lady badly, but he seemed to just hate being anywhere near Maude. He acted like it hurt to smile around her."
Ezra’s fingers moved to execute a complicated shuffle as he considered how to word his answer. "Josiah and Buck are aware that Mother often left me with individuals who were rather heavy handed when it came to discipline. Her attention to my welfare was essentially non-existent at times."
JD snorted. "That just a polite way for saying they beat you and Maude didn’t give a shit?"
Ezra gave him a rueful look. There were times when he forgot just how much JD had grown. "Yes."
"Thought so." JD nodded. "Used to get smacked around by the man o’ the house where my momma worked. Know what that’s like. Course, my momma did her best to keep that from happening."
He pursed his lips. "Beginning to think us killing Maude was doing you a favor." JD flushed, looking decidedly embarrassed for speaking his thought aloud.
Ezra sighed. "You may be right about that, my friend." It is hard not to view it otherwise.
JD cleared his throat. "Well, knowing she weren’t around and let you get hurt explains Josiah. Bet it was a real eye opener for him to find out Maude wasn’t the ‘exquisite creature’ he thought she was." JD clucked his tongue. "That man is absolutely pathetic when it comes to woman."
Ezra couldn’t help but laugh. "Indeed."
"And Buck…well he has a world of reverence for his momma. Think he just assumed all mothers were like his. In a way, it’s a damn shame more aren’t, because his mother raised a real good man. Must have been a huge disappointment to him to find out Maude wasn’t what she made herself out to be. Can see him taking it real personal that she didn’t take better care of you. He likes you, Ez. Buck would do damn near anything for a friend."
"I know." Ezra smiled. He found JD’s assurances rather heartwarming. I wonder if Buck is aware that his young protégé has a genuine respect for him…not just a childish sense of misplaced hero worship.
"What about Nathan?"
Ezra shrugged. "He knows I moved around a lot as a child and is aware my childhood was far from idyllic. As to specifics…I have not delved into those with him." Ezra worked the cards between his fingers again. "I believe Vin may have taken upon himself to correct some assumptions Nathan made."
JD nodded. "Seemed to remember Vin saying something about talking to Nathan when you guys went to work on Nettie’s roof. Course, just telling Nathan that Maude planned to swindle the town would probably have been enough to get him to help out."
"Agreed."
JD gave Ezra an assessing look. "You really okay with your mother leaving town?"
Ezra smiled easily. "Yes."
"Good." JD stated firmly. "She ready to leave?"
"I believe so." Ezra turned his head to see the stage come trotting into town, a cloud of dust swirling behind it. He watched as Chris move to lean against one of the pillars, hand resting casually on the butt of his gun, smoke from the cheroot in his mouth rising lazily. Buck stepped out from inside the jail and joined him a second later.
He spotted Nathan on the balcony of the clinic. Ezra looked for Josiah but didn’t see the big man. He suspected the former preacher might have taken refuge in the belfry of the church. From there he could see the entire town without being seen. It was a good perch but not one Ezra cared for. It was too easily accessible.
The stage came to a stop, horses blowing and prancing, clearly still fresh. Ezra knew by the time they made the next stop the horses would be spent. Horses with the stage line seldom lasted more than a few years.
He watched with only vague interest to see who departed. Still technically mourning the passing of his mother, Ezra planned to refrain from gambling until the end of the week. That plan could change assuming a worthy adversary happened to arrive.
The only passenger exiting the stage was a young woman. Her hair was pulled back in a severe, no nonsense bun. She gave the town a thorough look, mouth making a moue of distaste Ezra could see easily from his vantage point, her posture stiff with indignation. He raised an eyebrow, already mentally working the odds on how long she would likely remain.
"The lovely Abigail Edmonds I do believe has arrived." He commented dryly, suppressing a grin thinking he’d be back to teaching the children in less than a month.
"Who?" JD straightened up slightly trying to get a better look.
"The new school marm." Ezra sat back in his chair, nodding toward where the young woman was primly directing the driver on the unloading of her luggage from the boot. "I had wondered if perhaps she had changed her mind regarding employment in a fair hamlet."
"Sort o’ thought the same thing since she was supposed to be here more’n a week ago." JD rested his elbows on his knees, dark eyes slanted toward Ezra. "Think she’ll last a month?"
"Three to one odds."
JD took out a coin and offered it to Ezra. "Bet she doesn’t make two weeks."
Ezra gave him a speculative look. JD grinned. "Overheard some of the boys saying something about a snake or two in the desk."
"Ah." Ezra nodded sagely. "That could shorten her stay rather dramatically." He took the offered coin. "Say, five to one?"
JD nodded. "That’ll do."
Ezra’s gaze returned to the street. He had expected Buck to bound over to assist the newcomer. Most female passengers, married or single, young or old were treated to Buck’s gallantry. Today, Buck remained on the jail porch, watching and waiting.
The man riding shotgun dropped off the mailbag into the waiting arms of the telegraph operator. Nearly everyone in town trusted the man to ensure the mail was delivered to the appropriate parties. Ezra wondered if perhaps he might not have a letter waiting him. Maybe his Aunt Mattie had written. He would have to inform her of Maude’s untimely demise. Mattie will definitely get a kick out of hearing the whole sordid story. I’ll have to put pen to paper this afternoon and send off an epistle to her.
Almost unnoticed, Mrs. Attkins has made her way from the hotel to the stage. She was carrying only one bag as befitted her station. Only his earlier visit enabled Ezra to even recognize his mother. All of the peacekeepers knew she was leaving today so they were aware that the sweet looking, elderly matron preparing to enter the stage had to be Maude. There were no other passengers.
He felt JD stiffen in the seat next to him. Without turning to look at the sheriff, Ezra admonished him, "Please do not draw undo attention to Mrs. Attkins, JD. She is just another transient visitor getting on with her journey to somewhere else."
JD sat back and relaxed. He gave Ezra a frank look. "I never would have recognized her."
"That is the whole point, JD."
"Right, right." JD waved a hand.
Ezra waited for his mother to turn and look at him on last time. He knew she would. She always did. It was ironic that while she was the one physically leaving, he was the one forcing their parting.
Blue eyes met green. Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. She didn’t acknowledge his salute until the driver helped her inside the coach and shut the door behind her. Maude tipped her head slightly, disguising the gesture by raising one hand to lightly pat her hair, making sure it was still in place. She sat back with her hand lightly resting in the open window making a gesture that could mean nearly anything, but Ezra recognized it as a parting wave. He smiled, holding up the ace of spade and queen of hearts where she could easily see the cards.
The driver clamored back up into his usual seat, the drover riding shotgun joining him a second later. Reins were slapped and horses set in motion once more. Ezra watched as the stage jerked forward, gaining speed as it headed out of town.
Having already said his good-byes, he didn’t feel any regrets, no unresolved longings. He actually had several days to come to terms with this eventuality. It was the first time in his life that parting with his mother had been painless. Ezra took a deep breath and reveled in the feeling.
"You okay, Ez?"
"Fine, JD." Ezra smiled. "But I am in sore need of a libation. Would you care to join me?"
JD grinned. "Would love to."+ + + + + + +
Vin smiled watching his lover. Ezra’s head was pillowed on Vin’s shoulder and he found his fingers repeatedly combing through soft curls as he listened to Ezra read to him. Vin had long since lost track of the story, just enjoying the sound of Ezra’s voice, letting it wash over him like warm sunlight.
It had been over a week since Maude left and Ezra was finally back to wearing his usual clothes. Vin was surprised how reassuring he found the sight of Ezra’s favorite red jacket. It was like a signal that all was right with the world again.
After lunch they had left town, sneaking off to one of their favorite hiding spots. Both of them had felt a bit stifled after being in town more or less constantly the entire time Maude was there. Not to mention Ezra’s need to continue the farce of mourning her death thru the end of the week. It felt good to just relax and not have to focus on anything but each other.
Ezra chortled at something he read, green eyes rising to meet Vin’s. "These dime novels JD enjoys so much are hilarious."
"Don’t think they are meant to be." Vin observed.
"Oh, I’m sure the authors took themselves far, far too seriously."
Vin grinned when his lover actually giggled. He had never heard Ezra make that sound before. He made a note to borrow another book from JD sometime.
"Our intrepid hero has managed to annihilate the dastardly villains. All eight of them, with a single bullet for each from his trusty colt peacemaker." Ezra chortled. "I am sure it will come as a great surprise to any and all that one can fire eight shots from a gun that only holds six."
Ezra turned the page, still laughing. "And the action is not complete without a swooning female." He glanced back up at Vin. "Tell me honestly, have you ever seen a woman swoon?"
"Not that I can recall." Vin’s lips twitched. "Course, I don’t really know what all swoonin’ entails."
Ezra grinned, gold pre-molar flashing. "Miss Edmonds reaction to the garter snake in her desk draw comes rather close." Green eyes twinkled with mischief. "Although, I really do believe it would have been far more dramatic if she hadn’t done all that screaming before she fainted."
Vin chuckled. The new school marm hadn’t endeared herself to anyone in town. She insulted nearly everyone by making her unflattering opinion of Four Corners and its residents known. Can’t figure out for the life of me what she thought the job was going to be. Had to know Four Corners wasn’t some big city. Can’t think Mrs. Potter woulda lied to her when she offered her the job.
What was worse, in Vin’s opinion, was how she openly scoffed at the idea that Ezra had taught the children anything. It wasn’t just that he didn’t appreciate anyone bad mouthing his lover, it was also the fact that she tended to belittle the children. She kept insisting that they had to follow a regimented course of study that was in many ways far less advanced than what they’d been learning with Ezra.
Vin settled his back more firmly against the tree he was leaning on, enjoying the feel of Ezra stretched out against him. "Sort of wonder how she’s going to react to a polecat in her outhouse."
Ezra’s eyes widened. "You didn’t!"
"Nope." Vin winked. "I just showed couple o’ the girl how to lure one in there."
Cece Potter and two other little girls had come to him in tears. They were angry, frustrated and hurt by Miss Edmonds behavior not understanding why it was wrong for them to want to know more about astronomy, botany and history. Ezra’s curriculum had been diverse and engaging and they wanted to continue learning more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.
"Figure it’ll take them at least a week to pull that off." Vin mused, keeping his expression innocent without any real difficulty.
He didn’t think Ezra needed to know that Chris and JD had been more than willing to help as well. They both took her statements about Ezra at least as personally as Vin had. He couldn’t prove it but he suspected Buck and Josiah might be up to something as well. If Nathan wasn’t helping outright, the healer knew something about it, and was keeping his mouth shut.
"Without your assistance it would take that long." Ezra sat up slightly, giving him a knowing look. "With your help, why they’ll have one in less than a day, I would wager."
"A wager?" Vin’s eyes lit up a bit. He smiled sweetly. "You know money don’t interest me much. So what would you be offering up as currency?"
Ezra’s eyes darkened and he licked his lips suggestively. "A kiss perhaps."
Vin shuddered at the husky tone. "Just one?"
Ezra smiled. "I should not reward bad behavior. It sets a bad precedent."
"Precedent?" Vin grinned. He loved it when Ezra got playful. "Think we already set one o’ those."
Ezra eyes twinkled. "Ah then it is already too late."
"Much, much too late." Vin agreed. The tracker shifted so he could lean forward, lips hovering just inches from Ezra’s. "You told me you liked it when I was a bad boy."
"Oh that I do." Ezra whispered, reaching to pull Vin closer, book lightly tossed aside where it would not be damaged.
Vin rolled so Ezra was under him as he plundered that sweet mouth, tongue moving to taste and tease. He delighted in mapping familiar territory, in taking his time to leave his lover breathless and shaking with desire. Vin’s hands moved to cup Ezra’s face as he broke the kiss.
"I love you Ezra Standish."
Ezra smiled warmly. "I love you, Vin Tanner. Completely, totally, unconditionally."
Vin grinned. "Forever and always."
Ezra’s eyes sparkled as he replied, "Always and forever."
Vin was once more struck by how all was right with his world. He took a moment to appreciate it, his spirit giving thanks. The seven of them had weathered a lot of storms, probably would see a lot more, but they were still strong, still together. ‘Seven men, one destiny’ Josiah was fond of saying, and Vin was beginning to believe the big man might just be right. He had a feeling they’d be together until they breathed their last.
Four Corners was still a place they could call home. With any luck they’d be calling it home for years to come. Not that it mattered. Home wasn’t a place to Vin. It hadn’t been for some time.
Vin studied Ezra’s beautiful face, memorizing details, knowing home wasn’t a place. Home was Ezra. It had been for some time and Vin couldn’t picture it ever not being that way. The light he saw shining in Ezra’s eyes told him his lover felt the same way.
Things in town would be back to normal once they got rid of Miss Edmonds. Back to riding patrols, breaking up brawls, and doing whatever it took to get the job done. None of that mattered right now. All that mattered at the moment, all that ever mattered, was right here in front of him.
Vin dove in for another kiss. Everything else could wait until later. Much later if he had anything to say about it.
THE END
As I indicated earlier, this will likely be the final chapter in this series. Rest assured I will continue writing. I’m having far too much fun with this hobby to give it up completely. I simply don’t intend to do more with this series. Thank you all for the previous feedback you’ve given me. I am rather gratified to know that so many enjoyed my efforts.
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