*****Part 4

Ezra was trying to enjoy himself in the poker game but his heart wasn't really in it. In fact, over the last couple days his heart hadn't been in any of the games. Luckily, the people he played didn't really offer a challenge, and he was able to win most games and accumulate a sizable amount of financial security. He nursed a bottle of whiskey as he folded, settling back in his chair. He knew the man to his right was cheating but he didn't even feel like calling him on it. He looked over to the gentleman on his left, a farmer by the looks of him, about Chris' build and age…Lord, he had to stop comparing everyone to his previous associates. The farmer had light brown hair and the look of desperation in his hazel eyes. At one time Ezra would of pounced on this weakness, like a lion going in for the kill but today the prey would escape.

There was a couple hundred dollars in the pot and the farmer was studying his cards intently, absently rubbing his thumb along his bottom lip, just like Vin…Stop it! Ezra inwardly chastised himself and took a swig of whiskey, watching the confrontation that was unfolding before him. The person across from him folded, which left only the farmer and the cheater, who glared hungrily across the table at his victim. Ezra took another swallow and saw the perspiration break out on the farmer's forehead. The farmer reached into his threadbare coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, laying it on the table.

"This is the deed to my farm," he stammered, looking across the table.

Ezra stopped in mid swallow and put the bottle down. It was one thing to lose money, quite another to put your home on the line, especially on a crooked game.

"Sir," Ezra drawled, slightly inebriated. "You really don't want to do that."

"Shut up, this is none of your business," the cheater sneered. Ezra glared at the man and picked up the deed, handing it back to the bewildered farmer.

"This man is cheating, he has two aces up his sleeve," Ezra calmly remarked.

"Why you son-of-a..." the man yelled drawing his gun. Ezra ejected his derringer and fired, striking the man in the head. The cheater's trigger finger twitched as he fell to the wooden floor, causing his gun to discharge hitting Ezra in the shoulder.

A nearby patron quickly checked the dead man's sleeve, pulling out two aces. "Good call mister, this man was cheatin'"

The farmer regarded Ezra with a mixture of astonishment and gratitude. "Mister, I owe you one."

"Sir, your gratitude is misplaced. I did nothing but save my own hide, and I wasn't entirely successful in that endeavor." Ezra winced and grabbed at his shoulder as pain raced down his arm, numbing his fingers. The farmer got up and came to his side, pulling open his jacket.

"Damn, that looks bad. C'mon I'm taking you to my place. My wife can fix you up."

"Sir, that isn't necessary you are under no obligation to..." Ezra began as he tried to stand. His head spun and he had to use his uninjured arm to grab hold of the table so he wouldn't fall. The farmer grabbed him throwing his uninjured arm over his shoulder and leading him out not giving Ezra a chance to object.

"I won't take no for an answer, you're hurt," the farmer insisted.

Ezra looked at the man and had to swallow the sudden lump in his throat.

Anna and Hiram Stopka and their son Tommy had only recently journeyed west from Virginia. They had used every bit of their savings to purchase a small homestead and farm; everything was perfect until they discovered that they had been swindled. The person who sold them the homestead did not own the land. The Stopka's needed $200 by the end of the month or they would be evicted. Hiram had decided to take a chance and try to win the money playing poker, even though his gambling skills were sorely lacking. He told Ezra this as they rode out in his wagon to his modest farm.

"Why would you wager your deed?" Ezra asked clenching his teeth as the wagon encountered another pothole sending a sharp pain streaking between his shoulder blades.

"Figured I had nothing to lose, this was my last chance. There's no way I can come up with $200 in less than two weeks, either way we lose the farm." Hiram released a long shaky breath. He looked over at Ezra who had grown more pale and urged the team faster.

Darkness enshrouded everything by the time they reached the homestead. Ezra was only barely conscious as Hiram helped him down from the wagon and led him to the house. The door opened, releasing some of its warming light onto the porch. A slender, blond haired woman met them at the door a wry smile on her oval face.

"Get some water boiling, Anna. He's been shot," Hiram said as he helped Ezra to a back room and laid him down upon a soft bed. Anna was only mildly surprised at the injured stranger her husband was struggling with. Hiram was always one to help another, it was one of the things she loved about him. Hiram lit a kerosene lamp, which sat on a rough-hewed table and removed Ezra's jacket, weapons and boots. Anna came into the room carrying bandages and a basin of water, followed by a young tow-head boy.

"Who is he, pa?" The young boy asked his eyes lit with excitement as he took in the stranger's fancy clothes and the derringer strapped to his arm.

"He's a gambler and he saved our farm and probably my life," Hiram murmured, ignoring his wife's concerned glare as he removed Ezra's blood soaked shirt. Ezra moaned slightly and tried to swipe Hiram's hand away.

"Easy son, don't worry we'll take care of ya," Hiram gently uttered, placing his hand on Ezra's chest to stop him from rising. The words seemed to calm the agitated gambler and he surrendered to the calling darkness.

Anna looked down at the stranger's blood covered chest and knew her questions would have to wait. She immediately went to work on the gambler's shoulder. The bullet was still in there, but it wasn't too deep. She expertly removed it and then cleaned and bandaged the wound. She could feel the fever that was already building within his weakened and pain ridden body. She drew the blankets up to his chest and left him to sleep.

Anna took time to put Tommy to bed. He was going to have to sleep in their room since the stranger now occupied his bed. Anna returned moments later to find her husband sitting in the huge chair, which sat in front of the fireplace, staring morosely into the flickering orange and red flames.

"Do you know who he is, Hiram?" Anna asked, not masking the worry she felt. She had seen the small arsenal that the stranger carried and noticed several bullet scars on his muscular body. This man had been in many dangerous situations.

"His name is Ezra Standish. He's just a gambler I met in the saloon."

"Well, how did he get shot? And what's this about saving our farm?" Anna angrily asked her husband.

Hiram bowed his head unable to look his wife in the eye. "I got desperate I bet the deed." He heard her small intake of breath. "Ezra stopped me and the other guy got mad, it's my fault he was shot." Hiram put his head into his hands feeling his wife's delicate hand on his shoulder. He brought a hand up and grasped her slender fingers. "I've never seen anyone so fast, the other guy had gone for his gun first, but Ezra still managed to shoot him." Anna caught the awe in her husband's voice. "Ezra killed the man, but not before taking a bullet."

Anna looked at the closed door with worried eyes, she didn't want any trouble coming to her family and that man looked like trouble followed him where ever he went.

Ezra's fever grew worse during the night and Anna stayed by his side, moping his brow with cool water. She listened to his quiet ramblings and started to see the insecure little boy inside the aloof man. Much of his murmurings she couldn't understand, but parts mirrored her own life, especially the parts about being alone. She would definitely have to get to know this man better.

TBC