Ezra didn't have to wait long before hot water was delivered to the room. It wasn't quite a bath, but clean was clean and Ezra was grateful for what he was getting. By the time he'd washed up and changed clothes, Mama was back at the door of the bedroom telling him breakfast had arrived. Having not had anything to eat since the previous afternoon, the news was welcome. Going back into the sitting area of the suite Ezra was surprised to see a tray piled high with food. If Mama had any interest in punishing him because of his failure, it was obviously not going to be through lack of food.

"Eat," Mama told him before he could say anything. "I need to go out for a while," she continued gathering up her hat and purse. "If you finish before I get back, go on to bed, and I want you to sleep in the bed."

That was another surprise. Since Mama was supposed to be alone, she had a suite with only one bedroom, which of course she used. Ezra had been sleeping on the settee in the sitting room. It wasn't a bad arrangement; the settee was plenty big enough and comfortable too. He would have been more than content to use it to sleep on today. He was curious as to why Mama wanted him to sleep in the bed, but he didn't question it, just nodded once as he sat down. "Yes, ma'am."

Mama went to the mirror to adjust her hat. "I'll be back soon," she said pulling on her gloves and turning her attention on him. "Don't let anyone in while I'm gone."

"Yes, Ma'am."

With that, she left him alone with his breakfast, which was far more than he could eat.

Mama wasn't back by the time he was done, and Ezra spent a few minutes waiting to see if she returned. Being full and worn out didn't make a good combination for fighting off sleep, however. It didn't take long for him to decide he could talk to his mother later and go into the bedroom to take advantage of the big feather bed.

He groaned with satisfaction as he sank into the downy mattress. He still couldn't figure out why Mama wanted him in here today, but he wasn't going to complain. It had been a while since he'd had a bed this big and comfortable all to himself, and he intended to enjoy it while he could. All thoughts of how luxurious the bed was and how good it felt to his exhausted body soon faded as sleep took him.

"He's not ready."

Ezra wasn't sure the voice actually woke him, but it was the first thing he was aware of when he did wake up. A voice he didn't recognize.

"It could have happened to anyone." That was Mama's voice.

Ezra sat up, bewildered. The first voice had sounded angry, as did Mamas. Who was here? And what were they both upset about?

Quietly he got out of bed and padded across the room, leaning against the door so he could hear better. It did occur to him that this was a bit like eavesdropping, and not very polite, but then again they had been talking loud enough for him to hear them through the door in the first place so maybe it didn't count.

"Things don't always go as planned. You know that well enough."

"He panicked," the first voice snapped. "That's the issue. It could have happened to anyone, but look at how he handled it. By running, and he left evidence behind."

Ezra grimaced. He still didn't know who was with Mama, but he knew why they were upset. It could only be him they were talking about.

"It's all working out. Nothing has been tied to any of us, and as long as he stays out of sight it will remain that way."

"What about the next time? You brought him here for a reason, Maude."

Ezra was already flush with the door but he tried to lean in even further. He was desperate to know who was out there. There weren't many people who were familiar enough with Mama to be allowed to call her by her given name.

"He is learning."

There was a moment of silence that stretched on for so long Ezra was starting to wonder if the visitor had left. He strained to hear any sound, and then he heard the voice again, lower and not nearly as agitated sounding. "What if he hadn't made a clean break? What if he'd been caught? What if he'd ended up with Tyson, or the police? He's a liability."

"What do you propose?"

"You know what you need to do."

Ezra jerked back from the door like it was hot. Instinctively, in his gut, Ezra knew what that meant. He was going to be sent away again. No longer having any interest in what was being said Ezra went back to the bed. Climbing under the covers again he found some measure of comfort, even if only a little.

Most everything he'd heard went out of his head; it was only the last two sentences that he kept replaying in his mind. Mama was going to send him away again. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. He had failed, and miserably. And this time, he hadn't just messed things up for Mama, he'd messed them up for a lot of people. He felt tears burning his eyes but he refused to let them fall. He was too old to be lying in bed crying because things weren't going his way. But he'd wanted so badly to stay this time. Part of him had honestly thought he could stay, until he'd messed things up again that is.

He couldn't hear much more than the mutter of voices now, for which he was grateful, and he tried to block that out. He didn't want to know who was talking to Mama anymore, or what he was saying. He didn't want to hear Mama talking about the particulars of what place she would banish him to this time either.

A few minutes later he heard the door open and close, and he assumed the visitor was gone. Afraid Mama might come in the bedroom he shut his eyes and tried to relax. For some time he lay there trying to look like he was asleep while his mind thought about what he'd just heard. Well, at least he now knew why Mama had always had someone ready to send him to. She had work to do, and after his failures at the spa and the barn, it was obvious he got in the way of it.

When he felt like the man had been gone long enough for him to get up without raising suspicion, Ezra got out of bed and dressed. Before going out into the sitting room Ezra went over to the vanity and looked at himself in the mirror. He hoped none of the disappointment and hurt he was feeling showed on his features. The last thing he wanted was for Mama to know he'd heard any of the talk she'd had today.

Going out into the sitting area he was surprised to find himself alone. He hadn't heard his mother leave but it was just as well, he wouldn't have to worry about her thinking he was awake too soon after her visitor today. Getting one of his books out of his trunk, Ezra sat down in an overstuffed chair by the fireplace to read. He'd been there half an hour or so when Mama came back into the room.

She seemed startled to see him at first, but a small smile soon came to her face. "Feelin' any better, darlin'?"

Part of him was. He was no longer physically tired, but he still felt guilty and now had to worry about what would happen to him after they left here. He couldn't tell Mama any of that, though, so he nodded. "Yes."

"Good. I'm having dinner with Samuel tonight but I'll have something brought up for you if you'd like."

"That would nice. Thank you."

Mama left again and returned shortly; presumably, she had ordered something to be sent up. "I'm going to change," she said. "I'll answer the door when your dinner arrives."

Ezra just nodded again, feeling like he was causing an awful lot of problems lately.

Mama changed from her day dress to an evening gown and finished up just before Ezra's food was delivered. Ezra wondered if anyone found it odd that a woman dressed for an evening out would be ordering dinner severed in her room but he said nothing. He was done questioning his mother's methods.

Mama had also ordered a pot of tea and sat with him while he ate. For several minutes neither spoke until Ezra couldn't take the silence any longer. Setting down his utensils he offered another apology. "Mama, I'm . . . I'm really sorry."

Mama kept her eyes down. "What's done is done, Ezra."

"I don't know what happened. I didn't hear him come up, and I know I had the laudanum with me when I ran out."

Mama put her tea down. "It doesn't matter now. The plan is unsalvageable, but there shouldn't be too much trouble from this. So far they haven't been able to determine anything that could incriminate any of us. The only thing that could tie either myself or Oliver to the incident is you. As long as you remain out of sight, there shouldn't be any difficulty."

Ezra was starting to feel desperate. He wondered if there was anything he could say that would change what was going to happen. "I tried."

Mama finally looked at him. "I know you did, Ezra."

The next three days passed quietly for Ezra. He stayed in the suite always, and anytime someone came to see Mama he stayed in the bedroom. Mama didn't tell him much about what was going on, but he was able to pick up quite a bit through the bedroom door. No further evidence was found concerning who might have been behind Ferdinand's drugging. There were people who were certain the stable boy was the one that had been seen at the stall, but as he had disappeared that night, and he hadn't been tied to anyone in particular, there wasn't much anyone could do about him. Mama still spent the evenings with Mr. Tyson, for appearances sake, but Ezra knew she would soon be telling the man she was leaving town. Ezra was dreading that day. When that happened he knew it would be time for him to leave, too.

Four days after the night he'd spent in the alley, he and Mama were in the room reading and were interrupted by a knock on the door. Knowing he wasn't supposed to be seen Ezra got his book and went to the bedroom, once again finding his spot by the door to listen. When he heard Mr. Tyson's voice, his heart sank. Today was the day. Ezra could feel it. They had only planned to stay through the season anyway, and summer was rapidly coming to a close.

Knowing who was with Mama Ezra didn't bother to listen. He didn't need to hear Mama say she was leaving soon, and he was suddenly filled with too many emotions of his own to care about what she told Mr. Tyson. Mama would make things sound good, she always did, but it didn't matter what excuse she gave him Ezra now knew the truth. He had to leave because he had failed. Failing meant he had lost them a profit and that made him a liability. The reason for his failure wouldn't matter; Ezra had heard what the stranger had said. Mama was a businesswoman and neither she nor anyone she worked with could afford to have liabilities around.

He tried not to think about it too much, about being a liability, but instead tried to focus on the good things that had happened while he'd been away from his mother. Johnathan and the club, Azalea and the still, Thaddeus and the poker games, he'd rather stay with Mama but leaving didn't mean things would be bad. He wasn't going to fight Mama's decision this time. He wouldn't ask why and he wouldn't beg her to let him stay; he wouldn't even try to reason with her or make excuses. He tried all that before and it didn't do anything but make their eventual parting worse. Today when she came to him he would hold his head up and accept whatever she said, even if it killed him. And when he got to wherever it was that he would wait out his exile, he would keep working and hope that the next time Mother came for him he would finally be what she wanted him to be.

Ezra was feeling pretty good about things until he heard the soft knock on the bedroom door. That would be Mama and knowing what was about to happen made his resolve to take Maude's banishment like a man waver. When she entered the room looking very serious, it almost crumbled completely.

"Ezra, I'd like to discuss something with you." She sat on the small bench by the vanity and patted the place next to her.

Ezra stiffly went over and sat down too. He tried to keep his face expressionless, but his mind was screaming protests. I'm sorry! It was an accident. I don't know how I could've done it differently but I swear I'll do better next time. Please don't make me go.

Mama sighed. "I've been thinking."

Ezra swallowed hard and reminded himself that it didn't matter what she said; he would accept it.

"I believe it would be for the best if you were to spend some time away from here. From me."

Ezra looked away and rapidly blinked back the tears that were threatening him. He'd hoped it would be different this time but it wasn't. Knowing what Mama was going to say and all his positive thoughts didn't make this hurt any less. "Where?" he asked, thankful that his voice didn't crack.

"I'm not sure. I thought you might like to meet some more of your father's family. He has a brother in Arkansas . . . . "

"Martin?" Ezra rarely interrupted his mother, but he couldn't help it this time. Did she want to send him to Martin?

"You know about him?"

"Josie told me a little."

"I think it would a learning experience for you."

Ezra's mind was whirling with thoughts now. Learning experience? If what Josie had told him was correct, Martin had all but hated his father. Had what he'd done been bad enough that Mama thought he needed to go to someone who'd hated Daddy? What was this man supposed to teach him? He wanted to say something, but couldn't. He couldn't seem to form any words that made sense, and then he remembered his resolve to say nothing.

He wouldn't argue, wouldn't beg, wouldn't try to change her mind. If Mama thought this would do him good, maybe it would. Maybe it would make him what she wanted him to be, finally. "Very well," he said squaring his shoulders. "If that's what you think is best."

Mama smiled sadly, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. She then leaned over and kissed his head. "Pack your things. We're leaving tomorrow."

She got up and left him alone. Ezra watched her go and filled with new resolve when she shut the door. If Mama wanted him to go to Martin, he would go. And when she sent for him again, he would be ready. The next time she wanted his help, he would be good enough. He would swear it on the grave of his father. He would be good enough.

"Ezra? Ez? Ezra?"

Ezra was jerked back to the present by Vin's voice. "Mr. Tanner," he answered as nonchalantly as he could.

"You still with me?"

"With you?" Ezra took an exaggerated look down at himself and their surroundings. "I would think that answer would be fairly obvious."

Vin gave him a look that told the gambler he didn't appreciate the sarcasm. "I meant your head? Is it bothering you again?"

Ezra sighed. "I know what you meant, and my head is as well as can be expected. In other words, Mr. Tanner, yes, I am still 'with you'."

Vin gave him a long look but didn't say anything else.

"Truly, Vin, my ailment is no worse than it was before. My apologies for my attention driftin' away. I was merely distracted by the resurrection of old memories."

"I guess you got the right to get distracted. It was the same Martin, wasn't it?"

"Indeed. Unfortunately, the man's opinion of my father never seemed to change. I've been told many times in my life I bear a strong resemblance to my father, and Martin saw it as well as anyone. It didn't do much to improve his opinion of me."

Vin winced, doubtless guessing what had happened when Ezra had been delivered to his uncle. One look was all it had taken and suddenly, in Martin's mind, Patrick was back where he belonged. And he seemed determined to see that Ezra didn't make the same mistakes Patrick had.

"By the time I left, I understood completely why my father left home at the tender age of twelve." Ezra finished the wine in his glass. "There was more than once during my stay in Arkansas that I considered leavin'."

"You don't haffa keep tellin' this, Ezra. You can stop if you want."

Ezra looked across at the tracker. "Is my tale borin' you, Mr. Tanner?"

Vin flushed slightly. "No. Just want you to know you can stop when you want to. Don't have to keep dragging up the past on my account."

Ezra chuckled. "Haven't you heard our Mr. Sanchez say confession is good for the soul?" He sobered some as he stared at the empty wine glass in front of him. "They're only memories; they can do me no harm now."

Vin chuckled himself. "I don't know about that, but maybe confession is good for the soul." He picked up the bottle of wine and refilled Ezra's glass. "Talk as much as you need to, Ez."

Ezra nodded at the slightly younger man. The longer this trip went on, the more he realized there was much more to the Texan than met the eye, and how he had been too quick to judge him in the past. "Thank you, Vin. I suggest you fill your own glass as well. What is to follow may become rather uncongenial before the end."