The saloon had finally emptied out for the night. Leaving the manager Inez and the
gambler Ezra all alone in the now vacant establishment. Inez was busy cleaning up after a
brawl that had broken out between two ranchers over some women named Liz. This
was going to be a long night she thought as she carried two empties glasses over to the
sink to be washed. She had been so engrossed in what she was doing that she did not
see Ezra move from his usual perch until she felt his breath on the back of her neck.
"A gentleman does not allow a beautiful women, such as yourself, to engage in menial
labor if he is present." he remarked in a cool southern drawl.
His closeness made her tense up. She had always found him handsome and intriguing but
they had not become close friends. Everywhere she turned Señor Wilmington seemed to be
standing there. His flirting didn't bother her but it did prevent her from being able spend
time with other people.
After a brief silence, she answered him. "Señor Standish, I thought you said you weren't
cut out for honest labor."
He merely chuckled at that as he picked up a towel off the bar to dry the dishes she had
been washing. His laugh was intoxicating and contagious. She couldn't help but smile.
They continued to converse back and forth while they continued to do the dishes. Inez had
become so consumed by the conversation that she was not watching what she was doing and
jerked a glass out of the soapy water. The glass had been filled with dish water and the
contents of the glass hit Ezra squarely in the face. Water droplets hung from his face and soaps
suds were displayed on his nose.
She watched minor annoyance set in on his face as he shook his head and tried to dry of his face
with a towel. Despite her best efforts to stifle her laughter, she could not. She burst out laughing.
Ezra watched her slightly amused. If Inez had been paying closer attention she would have seen a
mischievous glint in his eye.
"You find this amusing?" he asked smiling.
She tried to form the word no but only laughter seeped out. With one swift movement Ezra ran
his hand through the water and splashed her. She yelped as the water hit her and at first a look
of indignation adorned her face. She began to rub the water off her face with her hands when
that sweet southern voice floated up to her.
"Allow me, darling."
He took the towel he was holding and lifted it to her brow and slowly moved it across her face.
His eyes fixed on hers and hers fixed on his. They stood there a moment lost in each other's eyes.
As Ezra dropped the towel, he titled his head and his lips slowly brushed against hers. They
pulled back slightly to look at each other. In each other's eyes they saw permission granted. This
time their lips met in a passionate kiss which lingered well into the night.
The End
