"You're hard to find, my dusky little rose," the sides of his mouth curled up into a sinister smile.

In truth, she knew the second Guillermo died that he'd be on his way. However, the days and weeks had passed without incident and she'd assumed he'd moved on from his infatuation.

"How did you find me?" she seethed retreating to the far corner between the chalkboard and picture window.

Lowering his feet to the floor, his spurs spun and clinked causing Teresa to flinch at the sound. How many times had she heard that horrible noise in his presence? As he advanced like a stalking panther, she continued to cautiously stare into his murky emerald orbs. They seemed to narrow with glee as the gap between them shrunk. Teresa pressed her body further into the corner as if she could pass right through to the other side. Before she knew it, the points of his boots were parallel to her toes, and she could smell the mixed scents of tobacco and musky cologne. He leaned over trapping her with his arms, as he rested his hands on the walls.

No longer able to maintain eye contact she stared fixedly at his mouth. His lips had once been full and soft, however not they were chalky and salacious. She prayed desperately that none of the children entered at this moment. The man was unpredictable, sly, and dangerous as a viper. Holding her fisted hands against her heart, she began to panic, as she dryly swallowed.

"I believe I promised as long as he was alive, I would desist in pursuing you, dawlin," he forcibly took one of her fists and forced each finger to uncurl.

Doc took to pressing her captive hand to his sallow lips, when the door flung wide.

"Mrs. Morales, I've just got to-" Jake stood stunned.

The stranger seemed to be coiled around her like a snake. Teresa's face was stricken with utter terror, and when her eyes fell on him, they seemed to be pleading. Every muscle in Jake's body went rigid as rock as the stranger swiveled around to face him. Jake cocked his arm reading to pull his pistol from its holder only to find that his wasn't wearing it. Narrowing his eyes at this devil man, he knew that he would rush him at point blank.

However, the man only smiled. He slithered towards Jake as though they were old friends, and biting innocently on his thumbnail, he peered deeply into Jake's angry eyes.

"It is the idle lover," Doc mocked him, never loosing his boyish smile. "She is fresh, isn't she? I can see that soil of a man did not succeed in crushing her bloom. But I can see you're after it too."

Jake stretched himself to his full height. His brain rushed to except what the stranger had just said. "Say what you mean by-"

"I've been rude," his southern drawl spilled lazily from his lips. "Doc Holliday."

Although panic spread throughout Jake's body at the sound of Doc's name, he couldn't allow him to hurt Teresa. Taking a step around him towards Teresa, he was surprised to find the man turn and tip his hat to them. Doc smiled and bowed to Teresa with all the charm of a southern gentleman.

"I'll take my leave, of you turtledoves," he said disappearing out the door.

Unconsciously Teresa found herself pressed under the crook of Jake's arm. He had been protectively shielding her out of instinct. They resigned themselves momentarily to the comfort one another's bodies. Only the sound of the oncoming children forced them to separate. Awkwardly they gazed into each other's facings with longing. Jake wanted desperately to question her about notorious gunslinger which had slithered out moments ago. However, when he saw her face soften and she smiled painfully up at him, he felt his knees go weak. All he could think about was how beautiful she looked in her maroon dress. And he found his hand reaching out of its own accord to tuck her hair behind her ear for her.

At this gesture, the tension melted from her body. She was instantly warmed and her hand rested on her cheek, as she smiled. Stepping closer into the shadow of his body, she summoned every ounce of courage possible.

"Mayor Slicker."

"Mrs. Morales?" his voice dripped with desire.

"I-," she began only to be cut off by Brian running in at full speed.

"It's him! It's really him!" Bryon shouted excitedly.

Jake couldn't fathom how the children could take a shine to that lunger.

"We've seen him," Jake rolled his eyes.

"Can you believe Wyatt Earp is at the train depot?"