Title: A Different Breed of Woman
Author: Atypicall (Yes, I know the spelling is wrong)
Warnings: mild language.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own them. Just want to use them. Don't sue me I have no money.
Authors Note: This is my first fan fiction and no it has not been betad, so be kind. The Samantha character is mine, but feel free to use her. And thanks to whoever came up with the names of the Seven's horses.
Chris Larabee's icy blue eyes swept over the main street of the little town of Four Corners. People milled all around, far more than usually frequented the Colorado town. His gaze finally rested on the colorful banner strung across the street. "I don't like it," he grumbled.
"We've had this argument before Chris," Judge Travis said patiently. "The subject is no longer up to debate. You were outvoted at the last town meeting. This horse race will help commerce in Four Corners. People are coming from miles away to run their horses and watch. It's not as if I asked you to participate in the planning or actual event. Your job remains the same."
"With all due respect Judge, my job is not the same. With all these new people comin' into town, I can't be sure where to look. Any one of these people could be a criminal. Not to mention," the man clad in black said dryly, "that it doesn't really look as if I'll get much help from my team."
The Judge chuckled as he looked down the street. All of the other six lawmen he had hired to protect the town seemed to have been caught up in 'race fever'.
"It ain't funny. Buck is chasin' all these new women around, certain that his 'animal magnetism' or whatever he calls it will work on fresh prey. Josiah's church has never been busier and Nate hasn't left his place in two days. JD is becoming obsessed with winning the damn thing. He hasn't taken a watch in a week. And Ezra," Larabee paused. He closed his eyes and for a moment looked as if he were in actual physical pain. "Ezra has been conditioning Chaucer since this race was announced. And he's trying to hire himself out as a coach, for a 'modest percentage of the winnings.' Not that I really expected him to be able to withstand the lure of one thousand dollars."
The Judge hid his smile as best he could with his hand. IT was not usual to see Chris Larabee quite so frazzled. "And what of young Mr. Tanner?"
"There are so many people in town, Vin had the good sense to pack up his wagon and take it and Peso out of town. I think he's set up camp near Lomita Ridge." Chris shook his head slowly, wondering at his best friend's sense of self-preservation.
"Is he comin' back?"
"Oh sure, for his turns at watch, but not for anything else. Actually, he ought be here pretty soon."
"Well Chris I'll leave you alone for the time being. I think I need to meet and greet some more competitors anyway. The stage just arrived with a few horses in tow. Very good looking horses actually." Before Chris could respond, the Judge wandered away, making his way toward the stage.
Chris sighed and held up his hands. "Oh no don't mind me. I just have the town's safety in mind is all." His eyes blazed and he gritted his teeth. "One more week," he muttered to himself. "Just one more week." He turned on his heel and stalked toward the Saloon.
A rather sizeable crowd had gathered in front of the stage. Not that the sight of the stagecoach was anything new. It came by a few times a week. One interested the members of the crowd, were the three horses hitched to the wagon. Four people left the stage and hurried to their horses.
A thin, fair-haired young man with a mustache, quickly went over to a large gray stallion. A small Hispanic followed close on his heels, but he went to the bay. Ezra, standing on the fringe of the crowd looked over all three horses with a practiced eye. The gray impressed him the most. The stallion stood well over sixteen hands, but was covered by a light sheet. He was dark, a steely dappled gray with a small, refined head and blazing eyes. He arched his muscular neck and struck out with a forefoot at the crowd. The young man placed his hand on the horse and it quieted almost immediately. He leaned over to the owner of the local bathhouse. The bathhouse owner pointed in the direction of the livery. He jogged in that direction, the short Hispanic following behind. The bay colt was not quite so impressive as the gray, but still a fine piece of horseflesh. He boasted enormous quarters and a heavily muscled body. He was short however, Ezra guessing him to be just shy of 15.2 hands.
The owner of the black horse did not hurry to take him to the livery. Instead, he started talking to the crowd about his horse. "This is the horse to watch ladies and gentlemen. Thunder here has beaten some of the fastest horses in the west. Y'all might as well pack it in right now, cause you're just runnin' for second place."
Ezra ignored the husky man's boasting and studied the horse. The black horse was big, almost as tall as the gray, but heavier and not so refined. His head was large with a coarseness Ezra found unappealing. He had good bone to his legs and a deep girth, but there was something off about him. He seemed disproportional, sections of himself being too large for the rest of him. He bore not a single mark of white on his entire body and Ezra could barely make out his tiny eyes. Ezra left to search out the gray's owner. He wanted a look under the sheet at perhaps the best horse to arrive in Four Corners yet.
Ezra's search was rewarded outside the only hotel in town. The young man was apparently having it out with the owner of the establishment. "You're booked! Is there anyplace else in town where I can rent a room?" The man was obviously agitated, but he kept his voice low and calm. The manager of the hotel merely shrugged.
"I believe that I may be able to aid in you predicament." Ezra called out. The young man turned slowly, eyeing Ezra warily. Ezra Standish would have stood out almost anywhere, but in the dusty little town, he was a beacon. Especially the young man thought, in that red jacket.
"Exactly how can you help me?" The young man asked, taking a few steps closer to Ezra.
Ezra was immediately struck by how young the man looked up close. He was perhaps 5'10'' and thin. He had large hazel eyes that reminded him of JD's, in their expression. He had sideburns and a thin mustache the color of copper. From what Ezra could see, his longish hair was the same color. The rest of his face however, was shrouded by the shadow from a plain tan hat. "Well you see sir, I am the current manager of that saloon over yonder and do, in fact, have a few spare rooms for the disposal of our race goers. Would you be interested?"
"How much?"
"Only a dollar a day for each. Would you like two?"
"Thanks, but I'll only be needing the one. Jose, my rider, prefers to sleep with the horses."
"As you like it then. Oh, and how ungracious of me to forget my manners. My name is Ezra P. Standish. And yours?"
"Joseph Hunter." The man in the red jacket nodded and headed towards the saloon. Joseph noticed that the man did not offer to help carry either of his two bags, although he most definitely had seen them. With a small shrug he hefted the two bags over his shoulders and followed.
"He ripping you off you know." A rich, deep voice intoned. Joseph turned to see a handsome black man leaning against a hitching rail. "Ezra'll take you for all you're worth. Those rooms of his aren't worth any dollar a night."
Joseph walked over to the black man. "I know that, but I'm so sick of sleepin' on the ground I just don't care. Joseph Hunter," he held out his hand. The black man took it and shook.
"Nathan Jackson, but people round here just call me Nate or Doc."
"You're a doctor?" Joseph asked, surprised. "I mean, no disrespect or anything."
Nate laughed. "Oh hell, I ain't no doctor, but I've picked up a few things along the way."
"Good to know. I'll be seein' ya." With a quick wave, Joseph hurried after Ezra.
Ezra led the way up a flight of stairs in the back of the saloon. He paused outside the last door on the aisle and opened it slowly. Inside were a small desk, a washbasin, a full-length mirror, a trunk and an unmade bed. A stream of light came through a tear in a cloth covering a chipped, dirty window. From his vantage point Joseph could see the livery down the street. Ezra dared not step into the room after the man. The room was so dusty it might as well have been outside. Instead he hung by the door. "I'll leave you to find your bearings and come back later with some linens for the bed." With that, Ezra quickly closed the door and trotted back down the stairs.
ON the ground level of the Saloon, Ezra found Vin Tanner. The ex bounty hunter sat at the bar, sipping a shot of whiskey. His hat was pulled low over his eyes and his long curly hair found its way to the countertop. "Ah, Mr. Tanner. Just the man I have been searching for. I have a gentleman upstairs greatly in need of some linens and simply do not have the time to undertake the task of finding some myself. Would you be so kind as to bring them up to his room."
"Well pard, I'd love to help you an all, but I have to start my shift in a few minutes." Vin told Ezra in his lazy Texas drawl.
"Not to worry Mr. Tanner. This task shall only encroach upon a few moments of your time. The sheets are in storage. Ask Inez to help you find them if they are not in plain sight."
"Ezra!" Vin called, but it was too late. The Southern con man had already left the Saloon. Vin stood and made his way to the back room. He grumbled to himself, "Damn it, he did it to me again."
Meanwhile, up in the room, Joseph Hunter stood facing the full-length mirror. He pulled off his boots and shed his trench coat. The man, who had previously stood near 5'10", was now much closer to 5'8". He then stripped off a vest and two shirts, casting them at the foot of the bed. Now he stood, with slim arms upon his hips. "I think," his voice lilted slightly. "That it is time for Mrs. Hunter to make her appearance. He lifted his hand and peeled away the sideburns and mustache, tucking them safely away in a small bag. He, now most definitely a she, turned and took the false bottom from her bag. She withdrew a dark blue skirt, a lighter blue shirt and a thick mass of coppery hair.
She took the hairpiece off the bed and sighed. "Such a waste. I wish I could let it grow out again. Oh well." With an intricate series of clasps and ties, Samantha Hunter was soon looking like her old self, her coppery hair running halfway down her back. Samantha smiled and pulled on her skirt. She was reaching for her shirt when the sound of the doorknob turning made her freeze in her place.
Vin Tanner was never more surprised than when he walked in on Samantha Hunter changing. "Oh shit," the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. His face burning he dropped the sheets he had been carrying and spun around to face the wall. "So sorry ma'am. I didn't realize anyone was on here. I mean... I knew, but I though it was a man. And, sorry for cussing."
Samantha didn't know whether to be amused or irritated. Had the man walked in on her five minutes earlier, he would have discovered her secret. "I think you can relax. I'm pretty sure that I haven't got anything you haven't seen before. And besides, I'm wearing clothes."
"That's not really my point ma'am. And, they may be clothes, but they aren't much of clothes."
Samantha looked down at her corset and smiled, seeing the stranger's point. Quickly, she got into her shirt. "All right you can turn around now." Vin turned cautiously, relaxing when he saw that she was in the midst of buttoning her final button. She began stuffing her blouse inside her skirt. "I thought I locked that door."
"Must be broken. I'll tell Ez."
Samantha grinned. "What's your name? Don't worry. I won't bite. Not usually anyway." She offered her hand. "My name's Samantha Hunter."
"Vin, Vin Tanner." He smiled openly for the first time, revealing a set of white, straight teeth. His blue eyes sparkled. Never in his life had he met a woman who would brush off such and incident as unimportant. He noted that her handshake was firm, and that her hands showed plainly of years of hard work. Samantha Hunter, he admitted to himself, was probably one of the most beautiful women he'd seen in his life. She had large, friendly eyes and a slim figure. She had fine boned features and high cheekbones, although her face, much like her hands, showed that she had not been pampered much in her life. Small lines had appeared by her mouth and under her eyes and she had a small scar running down her cheek from just under her hairline. She also gave off an air of strength, something he valued highly in people. "I have to admit it was kind of a shock to see you in here. Ezra said somethin' about a gentlemen renting the room."
"That," Samantha told him, "would be my husband Joseph." She sat on the bed and laced up a pair of boots. "He's running his horses in the race." Vin nodded, his eagle eyes searching the room. Odd he thought, that her husband is out, but without his hat or his boots.
Samantha was about to go on when she heard a loud neigh emanate from the livery. Every nerve in her body became tense. "Chance," she whispered. Before Vin could blink, Sam rushed past him, out the door and down the stairs. Confused, Vin followed.
Samantha raced down the street, her heart in her throat. If anyone had messed with Chance her dreams were finished. She didn't even notice the footsteps following close behind her. The light was beginning to fade, but Chris was still able to see the unmistakable figure of her horse in the stable yard. Two men held onto lead-ropes attached to Chance's halter for dear life. One of the men was a big man with dark hair and a mustache. The other was a thin, dark haired youth that was being dragged as Chance reared repeatedly.
Samantha fumed. "Hey!" She yelled. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Stay back there little lady." The tall one with the mustache called out. "Wouldn't want to see you get hurt." Samantha began to walk forward. "Vin! What are doin'? Grab her before she gets hurt." Vin remained just outside the livery door, a look on his face that Buck couldn't place.
"Now Darlin'" he was cut off when Chance reared again, his slim legs slashing the air. He had all he could do to hold onto his rope. "Stay back!"
"Let go of the ropes," she commanded in a steady voice. Her eyes never left her horse.
"Are you plum loco woman? This horse'll kill you."
"I said let the ropes go." Buck sighed and nodded to the youth. They let go their ropes and dove into nearby stalls. They gray stallion rose once more, his eyes bright. "Chance you clown, quit." The horse landed lightly and bobbed his head, nickering softly. Samantha trotted to her horse and planted a kiss on his velvety muzzle. She unclipped the leads and the horse docilely followed her into an empty stall.
Once secure, Samantha whipped around, her face distorted by anger. "Who the hell are you two fools?" She barked.
"Hey," the younger man protested, "it was Ezra's idea. He wanted to see your horse without its sheet."
Ezra stepped into the light, a small smile crossing his lips. It quickly slipped from his face when Samantha charged him. She hit him square in the chest with both hands, sending him toppling into a pile of horse manure.
"Excuse me, but this jacket was expensive. It was shipped from France."
"I don't care if it came from Timbuktu. That is an expensive horse. You're just lucky no one got hurt. If you wanted to look at Chance up close you should have just asked me or Joseph, you dumb shit." Ezra looked at the raging woman, who was beautiful despite her anger. Something about her eyes perplexed him, but he shoved the thought from his mind. Samantha turned to leave. Halfway out the door she turned around. "Oh and by the way, you can forget the dollar a day for the room. My room has just been comped." Then she walked away.
No one in the livery moved a muscle. A few minutes later Chris arrived, and he was in quite the mood. "Vin, where the hell have you been? Your shift started half an hour ago. I had to ask Josiah to fill your spot until you showed up. Buck, JD, get up out of the hay, you look like children. And Ezra, why are you sitting on the ground?" An odd look crossed Chris's face. "In manure?"
JD snickered and Buck began to laugh. Vin merely shook his head and offered Ezra a hand. The con man took it and was soon out of the dung pile. "It seems that I have failed in my attempts to ingratiate myself with one of the competitors. I will redouble my efforts."
"Gee there Ezra," Buck grinned. "That little lady was madder at you than a rattler with its tail stepped on. Although I must say, I wouldn't mind the chance to ingratiate myself with her either. I'm not sure your charms are goin' to work here Ez. That girl is no ordinary woman."
"I think you just may be right Mr. Wilmington. In fact, she may be a whole new breed."
THE END of Part 1
Please tell me what you think. There is more coming.
Author: Atypicall (Yes, I know the spelling is wrong)
Warnings: mild language.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own them. Just want to use them. Don't sue me I have no money.
Authors Note: This is my first fan fiction and no it has not been betad, so be kind. The Samantha character is mine, but feel free to use her. And thanks to whoever came up with the names of the Seven's horses.
Chris Larabee's icy blue eyes swept over the main street of the little town of Four Corners. People milled all around, far more than usually frequented the Colorado town. His gaze finally rested on the colorful banner strung across the street. "I don't like it," he grumbled.
"We've had this argument before Chris," Judge Travis said patiently. "The subject is no longer up to debate. You were outvoted at the last town meeting. This horse race will help commerce in Four Corners. People are coming from miles away to run their horses and watch. It's not as if I asked you to participate in the planning or actual event. Your job remains the same."
"With all due respect Judge, my job is not the same. With all these new people comin' into town, I can't be sure where to look. Any one of these people could be a criminal. Not to mention," the man clad in black said dryly, "that it doesn't really look as if I'll get much help from my team."
The Judge chuckled as he looked down the street. All of the other six lawmen he had hired to protect the town seemed to have been caught up in 'race fever'.
"It ain't funny. Buck is chasin' all these new women around, certain that his 'animal magnetism' or whatever he calls it will work on fresh prey. Josiah's church has never been busier and Nate hasn't left his place in two days. JD is becoming obsessed with winning the damn thing. He hasn't taken a watch in a week. And Ezra," Larabee paused. He closed his eyes and for a moment looked as if he were in actual physical pain. "Ezra has been conditioning Chaucer since this race was announced. And he's trying to hire himself out as a coach, for a 'modest percentage of the winnings.' Not that I really expected him to be able to withstand the lure of one thousand dollars."
The Judge hid his smile as best he could with his hand. IT was not usual to see Chris Larabee quite so frazzled. "And what of young Mr. Tanner?"
"There are so many people in town, Vin had the good sense to pack up his wagon and take it and Peso out of town. I think he's set up camp near Lomita Ridge." Chris shook his head slowly, wondering at his best friend's sense of self-preservation.
"Is he comin' back?"
"Oh sure, for his turns at watch, but not for anything else. Actually, he ought be here pretty soon."
"Well Chris I'll leave you alone for the time being. I think I need to meet and greet some more competitors anyway. The stage just arrived with a few horses in tow. Very good looking horses actually." Before Chris could respond, the Judge wandered away, making his way toward the stage.
Chris sighed and held up his hands. "Oh no don't mind me. I just have the town's safety in mind is all." His eyes blazed and he gritted his teeth. "One more week," he muttered to himself. "Just one more week." He turned on his heel and stalked toward the Saloon.
A rather sizeable crowd had gathered in front of the stage. Not that the sight of the stagecoach was anything new. It came by a few times a week. One interested the members of the crowd, were the three horses hitched to the wagon. Four people left the stage and hurried to their horses.
A thin, fair-haired young man with a mustache, quickly went over to a large gray stallion. A small Hispanic followed close on his heels, but he went to the bay. Ezra, standing on the fringe of the crowd looked over all three horses with a practiced eye. The gray impressed him the most. The stallion stood well over sixteen hands, but was covered by a light sheet. He was dark, a steely dappled gray with a small, refined head and blazing eyes. He arched his muscular neck and struck out with a forefoot at the crowd. The young man placed his hand on the horse and it quieted almost immediately. He leaned over to the owner of the local bathhouse. The bathhouse owner pointed in the direction of the livery. He jogged in that direction, the short Hispanic following behind. The bay colt was not quite so impressive as the gray, but still a fine piece of horseflesh. He boasted enormous quarters and a heavily muscled body. He was short however, Ezra guessing him to be just shy of 15.2 hands.
The owner of the black horse did not hurry to take him to the livery. Instead, he started talking to the crowd about his horse. "This is the horse to watch ladies and gentlemen. Thunder here has beaten some of the fastest horses in the west. Y'all might as well pack it in right now, cause you're just runnin' for second place."
Ezra ignored the husky man's boasting and studied the horse. The black horse was big, almost as tall as the gray, but heavier and not so refined. His head was large with a coarseness Ezra found unappealing. He had good bone to his legs and a deep girth, but there was something off about him. He seemed disproportional, sections of himself being too large for the rest of him. He bore not a single mark of white on his entire body and Ezra could barely make out his tiny eyes. Ezra left to search out the gray's owner. He wanted a look under the sheet at perhaps the best horse to arrive in Four Corners yet.
Ezra's search was rewarded outside the only hotel in town. The young man was apparently having it out with the owner of the establishment. "You're booked! Is there anyplace else in town where I can rent a room?" The man was obviously agitated, but he kept his voice low and calm. The manager of the hotel merely shrugged.
"I believe that I may be able to aid in you predicament." Ezra called out. The young man turned slowly, eyeing Ezra warily. Ezra Standish would have stood out almost anywhere, but in the dusty little town, he was a beacon. Especially the young man thought, in that red jacket.
"Exactly how can you help me?" The young man asked, taking a few steps closer to Ezra.
Ezra was immediately struck by how young the man looked up close. He was perhaps 5'10'' and thin. He had large hazel eyes that reminded him of JD's, in their expression. He had sideburns and a thin mustache the color of copper. From what Ezra could see, his longish hair was the same color. The rest of his face however, was shrouded by the shadow from a plain tan hat. "Well you see sir, I am the current manager of that saloon over yonder and do, in fact, have a few spare rooms for the disposal of our race goers. Would you be interested?"
"How much?"
"Only a dollar a day for each. Would you like two?"
"Thanks, but I'll only be needing the one. Jose, my rider, prefers to sleep with the horses."
"As you like it then. Oh, and how ungracious of me to forget my manners. My name is Ezra P. Standish. And yours?"
"Joseph Hunter." The man in the red jacket nodded and headed towards the saloon. Joseph noticed that the man did not offer to help carry either of his two bags, although he most definitely had seen them. With a small shrug he hefted the two bags over his shoulders and followed.
"He ripping you off you know." A rich, deep voice intoned. Joseph turned to see a handsome black man leaning against a hitching rail. "Ezra'll take you for all you're worth. Those rooms of his aren't worth any dollar a night."
Joseph walked over to the black man. "I know that, but I'm so sick of sleepin' on the ground I just don't care. Joseph Hunter," he held out his hand. The black man took it and shook.
"Nathan Jackson, but people round here just call me Nate or Doc."
"You're a doctor?" Joseph asked, surprised. "I mean, no disrespect or anything."
Nate laughed. "Oh hell, I ain't no doctor, but I've picked up a few things along the way."
"Good to know. I'll be seein' ya." With a quick wave, Joseph hurried after Ezra.
Ezra led the way up a flight of stairs in the back of the saloon. He paused outside the last door on the aisle and opened it slowly. Inside were a small desk, a washbasin, a full-length mirror, a trunk and an unmade bed. A stream of light came through a tear in a cloth covering a chipped, dirty window. From his vantage point Joseph could see the livery down the street. Ezra dared not step into the room after the man. The room was so dusty it might as well have been outside. Instead he hung by the door. "I'll leave you to find your bearings and come back later with some linens for the bed." With that, Ezra quickly closed the door and trotted back down the stairs.
ON the ground level of the Saloon, Ezra found Vin Tanner. The ex bounty hunter sat at the bar, sipping a shot of whiskey. His hat was pulled low over his eyes and his long curly hair found its way to the countertop. "Ah, Mr. Tanner. Just the man I have been searching for. I have a gentleman upstairs greatly in need of some linens and simply do not have the time to undertake the task of finding some myself. Would you be so kind as to bring them up to his room."
"Well pard, I'd love to help you an all, but I have to start my shift in a few minutes." Vin told Ezra in his lazy Texas drawl.
"Not to worry Mr. Tanner. This task shall only encroach upon a few moments of your time. The sheets are in storage. Ask Inez to help you find them if they are not in plain sight."
"Ezra!" Vin called, but it was too late. The Southern con man had already left the Saloon. Vin stood and made his way to the back room. He grumbled to himself, "Damn it, he did it to me again."
Meanwhile, up in the room, Joseph Hunter stood facing the full-length mirror. He pulled off his boots and shed his trench coat. The man, who had previously stood near 5'10", was now much closer to 5'8". He then stripped off a vest and two shirts, casting them at the foot of the bed. Now he stood, with slim arms upon his hips. "I think," his voice lilted slightly. "That it is time for Mrs. Hunter to make her appearance. He lifted his hand and peeled away the sideburns and mustache, tucking them safely away in a small bag. He, now most definitely a she, turned and took the false bottom from her bag. She withdrew a dark blue skirt, a lighter blue shirt and a thick mass of coppery hair.
She took the hairpiece off the bed and sighed. "Such a waste. I wish I could let it grow out again. Oh well." With an intricate series of clasps and ties, Samantha Hunter was soon looking like her old self, her coppery hair running halfway down her back. Samantha smiled and pulled on her skirt. She was reaching for her shirt when the sound of the doorknob turning made her freeze in her place.
Vin Tanner was never more surprised than when he walked in on Samantha Hunter changing. "Oh shit," the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. His face burning he dropped the sheets he had been carrying and spun around to face the wall. "So sorry ma'am. I didn't realize anyone was on here. I mean... I knew, but I though it was a man. And, sorry for cussing."
Samantha didn't know whether to be amused or irritated. Had the man walked in on her five minutes earlier, he would have discovered her secret. "I think you can relax. I'm pretty sure that I haven't got anything you haven't seen before. And besides, I'm wearing clothes."
"That's not really my point ma'am. And, they may be clothes, but they aren't much of clothes."
Samantha looked down at her corset and smiled, seeing the stranger's point. Quickly, she got into her shirt. "All right you can turn around now." Vin turned cautiously, relaxing when he saw that she was in the midst of buttoning her final button. She began stuffing her blouse inside her skirt. "I thought I locked that door."
"Must be broken. I'll tell Ez."
Samantha grinned. "What's your name? Don't worry. I won't bite. Not usually anyway." She offered her hand. "My name's Samantha Hunter."
"Vin, Vin Tanner." He smiled openly for the first time, revealing a set of white, straight teeth. His blue eyes sparkled. Never in his life had he met a woman who would brush off such and incident as unimportant. He noted that her handshake was firm, and that her hands showed plainly of years of hard work. Samantha Hunter, he admitted to himself, was probably one of the most beautiful women he'd seen in his life. She had large, friendly eyes and a slim figure. She had fine boned features and high cheekbones, although her face, much like her hands, showed that she had not been pampered much in her life. Small lines had appeared by her mouth and under her eyes and she had a small scar running down her cheek from just under her hairline. She also gave off an air of strength, something he valued highly in people. "I have to admit it was kind of a shock to see you in here. Ezra said somethin' about a gentlemen renting the room."
"That," Samantha told him, "would be my husband Joseph." She sat on the bed and laced up a pair of boots. "He's running his horses in the race." Vin nodded, his eagle eyes searching the room. Odd he thought, that her husband is out, but without his hat or his boots.
Samantha was about to go on when she heard a loud neigh emanate from the livery. Every nerve in her body became tense. "Chance," she whispered. Before Vin could blink, Sam rushed past him, out the door and down the stairs. Confused, Vin followed.
Samantha raced down the street, her heart in her throat. If anyone had messed with Chance her dreams were finished. She didn't even notice the footsteps following close behind her. The light was beginning to fade, but Chris was still able to see the unmistakable figure of her horse in the stable yard. Two men held onto lead-ropes attached to Chance's halter for dear life. One of the men was a big man with dark hair and a mustache. The other was a thin, dark haired youth that was being dragged as Chance reared repeatedly.
Samantha fumed. "Hey!" She yelled. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Stay back there little lady." The tall one with the mustache called out. "Wouldn't want to see you get hurt." Samantha began to walk forward. "Vin! What are doin'? Grab her before she gets hurt." Vin remained just outside the livery door, a look on his face that Buck couldn't place.
"Now Darlin'" he was cut off when Chance reared again, his slim legs slashing the air. He had all he could do to hold onto his rope. "Stay back!"
"Let go of the ropes," she commanded in a steady voice. Her eyes never left her horse.
"Are you plum loco woman? This horse'll kill you."
"I said let the ropes go." Buck sighed and nodded to the youth. They let go their ropes and dove into nearby stalls. They gray stallion rose once more, his eyes bright. "Chance you clown, quit." The horse landed lightly and bobbed his head, nickering softly. Samantha trotted to her horse and planted a kiss on his velvety muzzle. She unclipped the leads and the horse docilely followed her into an empty stall.
Once secure, Samantha whipped around, her face distorted by anger. "Who the hell are you two fools?" She barked.
"Hey," the younger man protested, "it was Ezra's idea. He wanted to see your horse without its sheet."
Ezra stepped into the light, a small smile crossing his lips. It quickly slipped from his face when Samantha charged him. She hit him square in the chest with both hands, sending him toppling into a pile of horse manure.
"Excuse me, but this jacket was expensive. It was shipped from France."
"I don't care if it came from Timbuktu. That is an expensive horse. You're just lucky no one got hurt. If you wanted to look at Chance up close you should have just asked me or Joseph, you dumb shit." Ezra looked at the raging woman, who was beautiful despite her anger. Something about her eyes perplexed him, but he shoved the thought from his mind. Samantha turned to leave. Halfway out the door she turned around. "Oh and by the way, you can forget the dollar a day for the room. My room has just been comped." Then she walked away.
No one in the livery moved a muscle. A few minutes later Chris arrived, and he was in quite the mood. "Vin, where the hell have you been? Your shift started half an hour ago. I had to ask Josiah to fill your spot until you showed up. Buck, JD, get up out of the hay, you look like children. And Ezra, why are you sitting on the ground?" An odd look crossed Chris's face. "In manure?"
JD snickered and Buck began to laugh. Vin merely shook his head and offered Ezra a hand. The con man took it and was soon out of the dung pile. "It seems that I have failed in my attempts to ingratiate myself with one of the competitors. I will redouble my efforts."
"Gee there Ezra," Buck grinned. "That little lady was madder at you than a rattler with its tail stepped on. Although I must say, I wouldn't mind the chance to ingratiate myself with her either. I'm not sure your charms are goin' to work here Ez. That girl is no ordinary woman."
"I think you just may be right Mr. Wilmington. In fact, she may be a whole new breed."
THE END of Part 1
Please tell me what you think. There is more coming.