CHEATING HEARTS

By KellyA

"Why Mr. Larabee finds it necessary to wake a man at such an ungodly hour eludes me," Ezra grumbled to the tall cowboy walking next to him.

Buck smiled at his inconvenienced friend. "Ez, it's seven o'clock."

"Exactly my point, Mr. Wilmington, much too early for a gentleman..."

Buck shook his head. "Yeah, 'specially when that gentleman didn't leave the tables till three hours ago." Buck chuckled at the withering glare directed his way. He would never understand the gambler. Ezra was more content spending his mornings in bed and nights at the poker tables. Buck enjoyed this time of day. He felt unhurried and at peace, basking in the quiet of a new day. Although, there were times when Buck preferred to spend his nights and days in bed, preferably in the company of the opposite sex. "Well, Chris wants you watchin' the jail while I go on patrol. Unless you'd rather take patrol?" Buck hinted arching a hopeful eyebrow.

"The jail might not be my feathered bed, but at least it's warm." Ezra pulled the collar of his jacket up against a cool, morning breeze. Autumn was still trying to hold out, but winter was giving it a fight.

Ezra tilted his face up towards the warm sun. A brilliant blue coated the sky and light gauzy clouds ghosted through the vastness a brilliant backdrop for the distant mountains. Since coming to Four Corners, Ezra had found himself increasingly enjoying the more simplistic aspects of life. He would never admit to the others how much he coveted their company or the new path his life had taken. His mother couldn't understand his sudden life-change and, for that matter, neither could he. The others still expected him to be self-serving and money-grubbing, but he hoped they also knew he would give his life for anyone of them. Ezra glanced out the corner of his eye amused at Buck's smug demeanor at his mock discontent.

"I'm sure the prisoners will 'ppreciate you rescuing' them," Buck exclaimed as they neared the jail.

"Has Mr. Dunne been regaling them with his less than amusing witticisms?"

"If you mean borin' them to tears, yeah. He got a new dime novel the other day."

Ezra groaned, remembering when he had been forced to listen to the uneducated drivel of one of JD's dime-store novels. Chris considered it punishment for being late to duty last week.

"Isn't that considered cruel and unusual punishment?"

"Nah, Josiah calls it penance. I betcha them boys will think twice 'bout trying to steal anything again," Buck laughed and clapped his southern friend on the back.

Ezra grinned and looked ahead to see JD step outside the jailhouse. The youth smiled at the two approaching gunslingers, as he adjusted his gun belt. He was ready for a good breakfast and some sleep.

With the light-hearted conversation and promise of a beautiful day, stomping hooves and the rattle of bit and reins had been ignored. A husky voice full of hostility ended Buck and Ezra's banter.

"You cheatin', slithering, low-down, good fer nothin' snake." The angry and slurred words were mixed with the snorts of his agitated horse. "Turn and face me!"

Ezra and Buck halted on the boardwalk and turned to face the person behind the enraged tirade. The two regulators gawked at the irate gentleman who was fighting to stay in the saddle. Buck and Ezra shared a smirk at the unkempt man whose face was red from anger and too much drink.

"Damn, ain't it a bit early Mister?" Buck quipped, his smile fading and settling into lines of annoyance. It was too early for this shit it was going to get crowded in the jail today.

Ezra's brow furrowed, recognizing the agitated man as an earlier poker opponent, but unable to capture a name. "Sir, is something amiss?"

"I'd say somethin's amiss," the gentleman spat. "You think you can ruin my life and git away with it?" The inebriated rider's horse whirled and pranced under the erratic commands he was receiving, growing more agitated. "Someone shoulda done something about you a long time ago."

Ezra glanced over at Buck noticing similar confusion; neither man was prepared for the events that suddenly spun out-of-control around them. The enraged rider fumbled for his gun as his perturbed horse continued to whirl and struggle. As the horse came around a gun shot reverberated, freezing a moment out of the chaotic spectacle.

TBC