A wet, naked Buck stood; rivulets ran down his skin into the water trough, which now contained the residue of tar and feathers.

Chris watched -- admiring, wanting, planning.

"You know JD can't keep a secret," Chris finally said. If only Buck had kept his mouth shut, no one would've ever found them out.

"He didn't mean no harm," Buck replied, taking the towel Chris offered.

"Reckon it doesn't matter now."

They couldn't stay here any longer, not after what had happened to Buck. Undoubtedly, Mary was behind it, stirring up the good townsfolk, but whether it was out of jealousy or merely the concern of a decent citizen, Chris wasn't sticking around to find out.

"So, where should we head?"

Buck shrugged. He dried his broad shoulders, and then wrapped the towel around his waist. "Never been to Denver; hear they don't so much mind men fucking men there."

Continued...

March 2003

Comments would be most welcome if sent to: C.V. Puerro

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Characters from "The Magnificent Seven" were used without permission and this story in no way signifies support of, or affiliation with, The Mirisch Group, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment, or CBS Worldwide, Inc. The story itself belongs to the author. This story will not be sold for any reason.