My apologies to my readers. This is being reposted with corrections. Somehow I managed to post a draft, and not edited copy of the first chapter - fully loaded with multiple embarrassing mistakes. The story content is not changes, only the appalling collection of errors. (I have no doubt I still managed to miss one or two!)

The sun was much higher than it should've been when Ezra finally forced himself out of bed. A look in his pocket watch confirmed his suspicions. He'd been allowed to sleep much later than was expected. A situation that never would've happened had Chris been with them. He could only assume Buck had been enjoying himself far too much to be in any hurry to move on, and JD had been unable to convince him otherwise. Or, a more likely scenario, had been unable or unwilling to track him down at whatever den of iniquity he had ended up in.

Spending the night away from Four Corners had been expected. The trio was on a simple prisoner delivery, and for a pleasant change of pace, it turned out to be just that. No drama, no escapes, no unexpected surprises. After handing the miscreants over to the law in Riverton, the men had the remainder of the day to themselves. Buck wasted no time finding an appropriate way to spend his time, and Ezra had similar success settling into a poker game. JD stayed in the saloon, watching the game from a safe vantage point. He had neither the desire, nor the funds, to go up against Ezra right now. And it didn't take him too long to see that had been a good decision.

Ezra was hotter than a $2 pistol. The cards were going his way with a disturbing regularity. So much so that the local deputy had stepped up to the table at one point, making sure everything was going alright. The others voiced no objections, having been watching the out-of-town player like a hawk, and more than frustrated to find there was no reason to doubt him. In fact, the only problem came a little later in the evening when Ezra came to the conclusion one of the players was getting signals from an observer. One well placed bullet from his derringer whipping past the ear of the watcher and imbedding itself in the wall behind had been all the incentive needed to put an end to that gambit. When the deputy came rushing back at the sound of the shot, he found the game proceeding as if nothing at all had happened.

JD stuck around for a while longer, wanting to make sure no one tried anything to get back at his friend, but soon concluded that was unlikely to happen. He wandered out, debating briefly about following Buck's lead, and seeking out some company for the night, but when Casey's face had flashed in him mind he knew he wouldn't feel right about that choice. So, he opted to go back his room, finish off the latest adventure book he was reading and settle for a good night's sleep before hitting the trail in the morning.

After a leisurely preparation to face the day, Ezra made his way down the stairs. The diner that served the hotel looked to be close – too long past the breakfast trade. The eatery from the previous night was open for business, and while he had no intention of sampling their food again, he suspected that was where the others would be. Sure enough, Buck and JD were settled in, their plates empty in front of them.

"To what twist of fortune can we credit our tardy departure?" He pulled over a chair to join them as he made his enquiry waving away the waitress.

"Telegraph from Chris. Stagecoach from here has been running into troubles lately, so we're sticking around another day to escort it." His relaxation at the comment confirmed to the others that Buck had already lined up his activities for the evening. And likely for the afternoon as well. JD looked less pleased.

"So what are we supposed to do with ourselves all day? And no Buck, I don't want you introducing me to any of your new friends."

"You really got to learn to relax more kid."

"Casey would disagree with you."

"Who says she has to know?"

Ezra "tsk"ed softly. "You should be ashamed Mr. Wilmington. Corrupting morals of such an upstanding an upstanding individual. His loyalty to his young lady is an admirable and honourable trait."

JD beamed "Thank Ez."

"Don't let it go to your head. He probably is hoping you can shill for him in a card game to draw in some new marks."

JD looked with disbelief at the confirming and hopeful grin on the gambler.

"Two of you are terrible." He pushed away from the table angrily.

"My apologies Mr. Dunne. You have every right to be indignant."

JD looked back at him. "You messing with me again?"

Buck burst our laughing as Ezra attempted to look as if his pride had been wounded. "No Mr. Dunne. I am not. Allow me to demonstrate my sincerity. Adjourn with me to the local Mercantile and we shall see if I might purchase another of your fascinating novels to allow you to pass the time today, safe from the unsavory influence of myself and Mr. Wilmington."

"You don't have to do that Ezra. I believe you."

"Please. Allow me." The two men headed off, and Buck grinned after them at the way Ezra could manipulate the kid. Sure, he wouldn't be shilling this time, but for the simple cost of a book he had JD beholden to him, with a touch of guilt to sweeten the deal. His grin remained until he realized that their departure meant he was on the hook for JD's breakfast. He just knew Ezra would be chuckling about that.

After a far too quiet day, the ride out of town the next morning was eagerly anticipated by two members of the trio. JD and Ezra were both anxious to get on their way. A brief discussion over dinner the night before, which once again Ezra barely touched, ("I swear to you gentlemen, something on that plate was moving!") gave them the plan. One would ride up top with the driver, while another would take on the role of passenger. The third would follow behind escorting the other's horses, and to serve as back-up if needed. Buck was torn between wanting to be in on the action and wanting to enjoy a peaceful, quiet ride home. His conscience said capture the crooks, but his body, exhausted by from so little rest and so much exertion, was voting for peaceful.

"Look, no offense, but of the three of us, I am the most intimidating looking. Might scare our targets off."

"If by intimidating you mean burly, unkempt and unwashed, then I would have to concur."

It was easiest to let Ezra's insult past, mostly because there was more than a small grain of truth to it.

"Well I should get to ride inside for a change."

"I don't think so JD," Buck argued. "You look a lot more like an apprentice driver."

"Not if me and Ezra switched out clothes. He'd look scruffier and I could play the part of the well off passenger."

"Heaven forbid!" The mere thought was more than a little disturbing to Ezra. "But I concede to your perception that taking the positions for granted is unfair. We shall cut cards for the right to select our roles."

"Nope – not cards." JD wasn't going to fall for that. The gambler had uncommon good luck when cards were involved.

Ezra shrugged his acceptance of the concern. "Buck shall hold and shuffle them. You may even have the first cut if you choose." JD knew he should trust his friend and felt a bit guilty that he didn't, and more guilt that Ezra was aware of that fact.

"Fine."

Buck took the cards from Ezra and shuffled them thoroughly before holing them out to JD for first draw. In an effort to make up for his veiled accusation, he passed his turn to Ezra. With a faint grin, Ezra reached out, pausing before making contact. He pulled back, and without a word pushed his sleeves as far up on his arms as they could go, without exposing his hidden weapon. His he turned his arms to clearly show JD there were no cards tucked away.

"Damn it Ezra, you didn't have to do that." JD's voice was small, and Buck felt bad for both of them. Ezra reached out and cut the deck, turning over his card – the three of clubs. "I suppose I will have to retrieve my riding clothes from Chaucer's saddlebag before we depart." JD's glee at winning was tempered by his shame over the way the exercise had played out.

"Not yet Ezra. JD still needs to take his card." Buck reminded them. The young man reached over and absently placing the card faceup without looking. "Guess maybe I can get some more reading done on the ride. Or just close my eyes and rest up. Be a nice cha –" he stopped, staring curiously at Ezra who was grinning broadly. He shifted his gaze to the card in his hand. "Two of spades? What the hell?"

"I see no reason you cannot read from your position beside the driver." Ezra advised.

"You pull the three of clubs and I get a deuce? That ain't right. What are the odds?"

"It would be a simple matter to calculate that Mr. Dunne. With my card gone the deck had 51, and with 4 deuces available –"

"Never mind." JD interrupted. "It was just one of that historical questions."

"Rhetorical Mr. Dunne."

JD rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"If you two are finished?" Buck looked at them, trying to make sure there was no real trouble brewing. JD was about as good a sport as he'd ever met, but even the kid has his breaking point. This didn't seem to be it though, as the youngster sighed, accepting his fate. "OK then. I have plans for the evening, so I will see you both bright and early. Stage leaves at 8:30, so if you plan on breakfast, best be sure to be up early enough." His eyes were focused on Ezra for the last sentence.

"I shall decide in the morning between sleep and food as the preferable option."

"Since you didn't get much dinner, I would think breakfast would be the smart choice."

Ezra chuckled. "You really do not suit the roll of 'mother' Mr. Wilmington. The moustache rather weakens the effect."

M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

TBC