Josie awoke the next morning, having worn herself out crying over that
letter from Slade. Then she'd buried it in the back of her drawer and tried
to forget again. The first person Josie encountered was Ezra. Not in the
mood for any type of confrontation, Josie contemplated returning to her
room until he left. But Ezra's question caused her to stay.
"Are you feeling better, Josie?" he asked softly.
"Pardon?" Josie was throw completely off guard by his tone of concern. She also realized that for the first time since she'd met Ezra, he had called her by her given name.
"Last evening, Inez stated that you were feverish and not feeling well. I wanted to inquire on your health this morning before riding out," Ezra explained.
"Thank you, Ezra, for you concern. I am feeling much better. Where is your destination this morning?"
"There has been some cattle rustling south of town. We have been asked by the fine citizens of this community to investigate," Ezra replied with a touch of sarcasm.
"It will be quiet without you gentlemen around," Josie stated as Ezra picked up his saddlebag and flung it over his shoulder.
"Don't you mean peaceful without my presence?" he teased as a grin encompassed his face showing one gold tooth.
"There is such a thing as too much peace," Josie replied, feeling as if her relationship with Ezra was drastically changing in those few seconds of conversation.
"Well Nathan and Josiah returned last evening. If you feel the need for some companionship, you can find Nathan at the clinic and Josiah at the Church. I can inform them that you might stop by to make their acquaintances if you so desire," he offered as he started for the door. Josie fell in line beside him.
"I would appreciate the gesture, Ezra. I did have a philosophical question I would like to pose to Josiah, since he was previously a man of God."
"Then I shall inform him of your intentions on my way out of town. I should return early enough to help out in the saloon this evening." Ezra tipped his hat and walked through the swinging saloon doors, stepping onto the boardwalk.
"Ezra, be careful," Josie called, running to the door after him. She saw the other four men outside saloon, ready to ride out.
"Why is that concern over my welfare, Miss McCloud?" Ezra drawled, a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, I certainly can't get my money from you if you're dead, now can I?" she asked with an amused smile.
"Touché." Ezra grinned back, tipped his hat once again, then climbed atop his horse.
"Now, Miss Josie, you are looking mighty pretty today," Buck commented, leaning against the pummel of his saddle.
"I'm so glad you noticed, Buck. I wore this dress especially for you," Josie flirted back as she leaned against the saloon door.
Buck laughed; thinking Josie was a rare one indeed. A little flirtation was harmless, and she knew just how to play along.
Neither JD, Chris, nor Vin spoke to her. JD still seemed leery due to their little drinking episode. Josie certainly hoped Casey wasn't still upset with him. Chris and Vin weren't intentionally being rude. They were just concentrating on the task ahead of them. It was a look Josie recognized all too well.
"Well, I won't detain you further. Just be safe. And once you return, a round of drinks on me." Josie turned then went back inside the saloon to find Inez. Josie finally located her in the garden behind the saloon. Josie dropped to her knees beside Inez and began helping her pull weeds.
"Inez, I would like to thank you for the excuse you gave the men on my behalf last evening," Josie said quietly.
"I went up to your room last night and found you asleep. I saw no point in telling them you'd been crying. Did you get some bad news?" Inez asked, pausing in her work to look at Josie. Josie continued, not returning her look.
"Nothing I wasn't previously aware of. It just hurts to have your suspicions confirmed."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Josie stopped pulling weeds from the garden and sat back on her heels.
"I received a letter yesterday from someone very special to me. But we had differing opinions on some issues pertaining to how we want to live our lives, so we've decided to go our separate ways," Josie whispered, tears once again threatening to overflow.
"I'm so sorry," Inez replied sympathetically, knowing it involved a man. Only a man could cause a woman to cry like that. "Are you sure it's over?"
"It can never really be over. We've been practically family since we were little. But I don't think it can ever be the same. I can't go back, and I don't think he could survive living the life I need." Josie pulled out a tissue and blotted her eyes. "So it's time to move on. I'll be very happy here," she predicted.
"And who knows what is in the future for you, especially with those attractive men you are so fond of spending time with," Inez suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh heavens no! I shall never fall in love again, especially with another gunslinger," Josie promised, not only to Inez but to herself as well. The closest she would allow herself was to substitute the seven men for the family she'd left behind. Nothing more, but nothing less. "But we shall be a family of sorts, you, Ezra, myself, and the rest of those men. A strange one, I grant you, but a family nonetheless.
"That sounds nice," Inez murmured, having so longed to belong somewhere.
Josie nodded. "And as the women of the family, it will be our responsibility to see that those hard-headed men take care of themselves and don't end up six feet under."
"You mean Chris Larabee. I've seen the way you mother him."
"He's a hard one. And if we're not careful, he could easily explode, taking everyone in the vicinity with him. But I refuse to let that happen. Mark my words, Chris Larabee will be as gentle as a lamb when I'm through with him.
Inez laughed. "I hope you know how crazy you sound."
Josie sighed. "I know it seems hopeless now, but I have plans for Chris, big plans. But before he can fulfill them, he needs to start living again, not just going through the motions. He thinks his life will begin again once he finds the people responsible for his family's' deaths. But what if he never finds them. Or even if he does, it won't bring them back. He needs to rejoin the living now, while he still has a chance."
"You sound like you're talking from experience," Inez commented.
Josie looked at her surprised. Inez had this uncanny ability of seeing Josie tight to her soul. She's only seen that in one other person, though she sensed Vin capable as well.
"I guess I am. The man who was like a father to Jesse and myself was murdered. I thought that once his murderer was brought to justice, everything would be okay. When you are bent on revenge, it's like being trapped in a tunnel, and you can only see the light ahead. But once you're revenge has been satisfied, you find it doesn't change anything. The person you sought vengeance for is still lost to you." Josie shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. "This conversation reminds me that I need to speak to Josiah. Shall me meet back here at four? Our gentlemen should have returned by then and will be in need of a filling meal."
"And I shall have a meal that will do just that," Inez promised. She just loved being included in Josie's little conspiracy. She once again thanked God for sending Josie and not someone who would have turned her out.
"Excellent. I do believe, Inez, that you and I will make quite a team. We will have our boys shaped up in no time." Impulsively, Josie hugged Inez and a stunned Inez hugged her back. Josie jumped up and then like a whirlwind, she was gone. Inez almost felt sorry for Josiah. There was no telling what havoc Josie had in store for him.
As Josie got closer to the church, she distinctly made out the sound of hammer hitting nail. Once in front of the church, she discovered a bear of a man on the roof, attempting to patch a hole. She quietly watched him for a moment. Lord- no one had told her he was so big. Josie found she was a little intimidated for probably the first time in her life, and she hesitated in gaining his attention. But once Josiah looked down at her, Josie realized he'd been aware of her the entire time. And her hesitation vanished when she read the serene wisdom in his eyes. Josiah Sanchez was nothing but a giant teddy bear. Josie smiled up at him as she shielded her eyes from the glare of the morning sun.
"You must be Josie." Josiah said, the first to speak. "Ezra said you'd be stopping by." Josiah set down his hammer and climbed down the ladder.
"If Ezra had mentioned you would be busy working, I would have brought a glass of lemonade as payment for your time."
"No need. Just looking at your lovely face is payment enough," Josiah replied.
"Why Josiah, I do believe you are flirting with me," Josie teased as she sat on the church steps.
"I reckon it's better than arguing with you," Josiah replied as he sat next her, grinning all the while.
"I see some tales have proceeded me."
"Well, it's not often that Ezra looses a verbal battle. Half the time we can't figure out what he's saying," Josiah stated with a laugh.
"I fear I have a tendency to be as pretentious," Josie confessed. She felt strangely at ease with Josiah, so much so that she felt relieved. She'd originally been apprehensive about the matter to with she wanted to put to him.
"I get the feeling this is more than just a social call," Josiah stated, curious about the nature of Josie's visit.
"You are correct. I have a question or two I would like to pose to you," she explained.
"Why me?"
"Because you are a man of God, even if you are no longer serving in an official capacity. And I have been told you have a mind for the philosophical," Josie explained,
"Then by all means, ask away."
Josie took in a deep breath before proceeding. "Do you think if you are responsible for a man's death that your soul must pay a price for that death?" she asked quickly, rushing the whole sentence out before she changed her mind.
"I would guess it all depends on the circumstances of the man's death," Josiah replied stoically. If Josiah was shocked by her question, he hid it well. "If it's in self defense, then I reckon God would understand. But if you shot him in the back, then I guess that's a whole other story."
Josie nodded, absently chewing on her bottom lip, deep in thought. "Suppose you aren't the one who actually takes his life, but you are the one who brings him in for retribution. Are you still responsible for his death?"
"I assume you mean taking a man in to stand trial where the end result will be his hanging." Josie nodded anxiously. "Well Thomas Aquinas said that it is lawful for judges to inflict punishment as long as they are men who on earth are set over others as ministers of divine providence. It is the order of providence that the wicked be punished. Whatever is of necessity for the preservation of good, cannot be of itself evil."
"So as long as he is fairly judged by someone of authority, his death is sanctioned by God," Josie said in a rush of relief, feeling as if a ton of bricks had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Indeed, if the danger threatening the community from this man's life is greater than the good expected by his conversion, then it stands to reason that the person who brings him in to stand trial is in fact doing God's work."
"Yes, you do remind me of Jesse," Josie said softly, more so to herself than to Josiah.
"And who would Jesse be?" Josiah asked, having overheard her.
"Jesse is my brother. He also has a mind for the philosophical. He likes to quote bits that he's read just to confuse the rest of us," Josie replied, smiling as she thought of the way Jesse liked to tease Colt by spouting some truly outlandish things that he'd read. Things Josiah would probably understand, no doubt. "Jesse carries two books with him everywhere he goes. And I just bet you are quite familiar with both."
"And what would they be?" Josiah asked, intrigued by the notion there was someone with his same interests.
"One is Plato's Republic. Jesse very much believes in obedience to the laws of the state and justice as the ideal."
"What is the other book?" Josiah asked curiously.
"The other is Homer's Odyssey. Jesse just loves the notion that it takes wit and intelligence to be a hero, not just strength," Josie replied as she stood. "I feel guilty about disturbing your work, so I will let you get back to it. But I did want to inform you that dinner will be served in the saloon at six or upon the return of your comrades. Inez is busy as we speak planning delicious things to tempt you gentlemen with. Please join us."
"I would be honored, Josie," Josiah said as he followed Josie's lead and also stood.
"Splendid. Now I am on my way to make Mr. Jackson's acquaintance. It is always helpful to be friendly with the local healer. One never knows when one will become ill."
Josie and Josiah said their good-byes and Josie left his presence feeling much lighter. She thought her first meeting with Josiah had gone splendidly. As she strolled towards Nathan's clinic, Josie thought things were going surprisingly smooth. From what Maude had volunteered about the seven men of Four Corners, Nathan was generally the calmest and easiest to get along with, unless, of course, your name was Ezra P. Standish. Nathan and Ezra had their differences. Josie suspected it was due to the fact that Ezra was a southerner and Nathan was a former slave. But then again, it was difficult for most people to relate to Ezra.
So as Josie stood outside the clinic door, she wasn't sure why she hesitated on knocking. Maybe she was feeling so apprehensive because things were going too smoothly. As she raised her hand to knock, a voice from inside called,
"The door's open. You can come on it!"
Startled, Josie's hand flew to her chest. Then she chuckled to herself. "Yes," she thought, "Judge Travis did a might fine job choosing his Magnificent Seven." Then she grasped the door handle, took a deep breath for courage, then stormed on in to begin slaying her last dragon.
The fine citizens of Four Corners must have been experiencing a healthy day because there wasn't a patient in site. The only person in the room was a tall, attractive, black man sitting at a desk, reading what appeared to be a medical journal of some sort.
"Can I help you?" he asked, looking up as Josie entered the clinic.
"Actually, if you are Mr. Jackson, then yes you can," Josie responded as Nathan set down his book and stood.
"I'm Nathan Jackson," he replied, quite curious as to the identity of the beautiful redhead standing before him. "Are you feeling poorly, Ma'am?"
"Oh no, that's not why I've come, but thank you for inquiring. I am Josie McCloud, Mr. Standish's partner in the saloon. I don't know if any of your friends mentioned my presence in town, but I thought it would be prudent to make your acquaintance expeditiously. One never knows when they will be in need of a healer,"
Nathan stood staring at Josie as if in shock for several moments. Than he began to laugh. "I'm sorry," he apologized once he'd contained his mirth. "You just aren't at all what I'd expected."
"Oh Lord," Josie muttered. "I take it you have also heard tales pertaining to Ezra and myself. We appear to vastly amuse all of you."
"Excuse me for laughing but Ezra's always trying to con someone out of something. It's amusing to see someone getting the better of him for a change. I just didn't imagine you to be such a little thing," Nathan explained hastily, not wanting her to think him rude.
"I guess it takes a con to know one," Josie remarked.
"Ma'am, that's not what I meant," Nathan sputtered, quite distressed.
"Oh, I didn't mean to imply an insult on your part. There just isn't much Ezra would be able to pull over on me. I'm afraid he will find I've seen it all," Josie explained. "And please call me Josie."
"That's probably a good thing if you expect to remain partners with him. I only advise you not to trust him too much. And I'm just plain old Nathan."
"Nathan, I don't trust anyone completely. But I didn't come here to complain about how trying Mr. Standish can be. I have invited the rest of your comrades to supper at six this evening and I wished to extend the invitation to you. Inez is at work as we speak fixing a feast for kings. And this is an open invitation, as I've decided to make it my job to oversee that you gentlemen eating a nutritious breakfast, dinner, and supper. Just call it my contribution to Four Corners."
"Josie, I would be delighted to attend. A home-cooked meal sounds right delicious."
"Good, then I will let you get back to your reading and I will see you at six," Josie said, gesturing to the journal Nathan had set on the table. She left the clinic decidedly more at ease with the chain of events.
"Are you feeling better, Josie?" he asked softly.
"Pardon?" Josie was throw completely off guard by his tone of concern. She also realized that for the first time since she'd met Ezra, he had called her by her given name.
"Last evening, Inez stated that you were feverish and not feeling well. I wanted to inquire on your health this morning before riding out," Ezra explained.
"Thank you, Ezra, for you concern. I am feeling much better. Where is your destination this morning?"
"There has been some cattle rustling south of town. We have been asked by the fine citizens of this community to investigate," Ezra replied with a touch of sarcasm.
"It will be quiet without you gentlemen around," Josie stated as Ezra picked up his saddlebag and flung it over his shoulder.
"Don't you mean peaceful without my presence?" he teased as a grin encompassed his face showing one gold tooth.
"There is such a thing as too much peace," Josie replied, feeling as if her relationship with Ezra was drastically changing in those few seconds of conversation.
"Well Nathan and Josiah returned last evening. If you feel the need for some companionship, you can find Nathan at the clinic and Josiah at the Church. I can inform them that you might stop by to make their acquaintances if you so desire," he offered as he started for the door. Josie fell in line beside him.
"I would appreciate the gesture, Ezra. I did have a philosophical question I would like to pose to Josiah, since he was previously a man of God."
"Then I shall inform him of your intentions on my way out of town. I should return early enough to help out in the saloon this evening." Ezra tipped his hat and walked through the swinging saloon doors, stepping onto the boardwalk.
"Ezra, be careful," Josie called, running to the door after him. She saw the other four men outside saloon, ready to ride out.
"Why is that concern over my welfare, Miss McCloud?" Ezra drawled, a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, I certainly can't get my money from you if you're dead, now can I?" she asked with an amused smile.
"Touché." Ezra grinned back, tipped his hat once again, then climbed atop his horse.
"Now, Miss Josie, you are looking mighty pretty today," Buck commented, leaning against the pummel of his saddle.
"I'm so glad you noticed, Buck. I wore this dress especially for you," Josie flirted back as she leaned against the saloon door.
Buck laughed; thinking Josie was a rare one indeed. A little flirtation was harmless, and she knew just how to play along.
Neither JD, Chris, nor Vin spoke to her. JD still seemed leery due to their little drinking episode. Josie certainly hoped Casey wasn't still upset with him. Chris and Vin weren't intentionally being rude. They were just concentrating on the task ahead of them. It was a look Josie recognized all too well.
"Well, I won't detain you further. Just be safe. And once you return, a round of drinks on me." Josie turned then went back inside the saloon to find Inez. Josie finally located her in the garden behind the saloon. Josie dropped to her knees beside Inez and began helping her pull weeds.
"Inez, I would like to thank you for the excuse you gave the men on my behalf last evening," Josie said quietly.
"I went up to your room last night and found you asleep. I saw no point in telling them you'd been crying. Did you get some bad news?" Inez asked, pausing in her work to look at Josie. Josie continued, not returning her look.
"Nothing I wasn't previously aware of. It just hurts to have your suspicions confirmed."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Josie stopped pulling weeds from the garden and sat back on her heels.
"I received a letter yesterday from someone very special to me. But we had differing opinions on some issues pertaining to how we want to live our lives, so we've decided to go our separate ways," Josie whispered, tears once again threatening to overflow.
"I'm so sorry," Inez replied sympathetically, knowing it involved a man. Only a man could cause a woman to cry like that. "Are you sure it's over?"
"It can never really be over. We've been practically family since we were little. But I don't think it can ever be the same. I can't go back, and I don't think he could survive living the life I need." Josie pulled out a tissue and blotted her eyes. "So it's time to move on. I'll be very happy here," she predicted.
"And who knows what is in the future for you, especially with those attractive men you are so fond of spending time with," Inez suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh heavens no! I shall never fall in love again, especially with another gunslinger," Josie promised, not only to Inez but to herself as well. The closest she would allow herself was to substitute the seven men for the family she'd left behind. Nothing more, but nothing less. "But we shall be a family of sorts, you, Ezra, myself, and the rest of those men. A strange one, I grant you, but a family nonetheless.
"That sounds nice," Inez murmured, having so longed to belong somewhere.
Josie nodded. "And as the women of the family, it will be our responsibility to see that those hard-headed men take care of themselves and don't end up six feet under."
"You mean Chris Larabee. I've seen the way you mother him."
"He's a hard one. And if we're not careful, he could easily explode, taking everyone in the vicinity with him. But I refuse to let that happen. Mark my words, Chris Larabee will be as gentle as a lamb when I'm through with him.
Inez laughed. "I hope you know how crazy you sound."
Josie sighed. "I know it seems hopeless now, but I have plans for Chris, big plans. But before he can fulfill them, he needs to start living again, not just going through the motions. He thinks his life will begin again once he finds the people responsible for his family's' deaths. But what if he never finds them. Or even if he does, it won't bring them back. He needs to rejoin the living now, while he still has a chance."
"You sound like you're talking from experience," Inez commented.
Josie looked at her surprised. Inez had this uncanny ability of seeing Josie tight to her soul. She's only seen that in one other person, though she sensed Vin capable as well.
"I guess I am. The man who was like a father to Jesse and myself was murdered. I thought that once his murderer was brought to justice, everything would be okay. When you are bent on revenge, it's like being trapped in a tunnel, and you can only see the light ahead. But once you're revenge has been satisfied, you find it doesn't change anything. The person you sought vengeance for is still lost to you." Josie shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. "This conversation reminds me that I need to speak to Josiah. Shall me meet back here at four? Our gentlemen should have returned by then and will be in need of a filling meal."
"And I shall have a meal that will do just that," Inez promised. She just loved being included in Josie's little conspiracy. She once again thanked God for sending Josie and not someone who would have turned her out.
"Excellent. I do believe, Inez, that you and I will make quite a team. We will have our boys shaped up in no time." Impulsively, Josie hugged Inez and a stunned Inez hugged her back. Josie jumped up and then like a whirlwind, she was gone. Inez almost felt sorry for Josiah. There was no telling what havoc Josie had in store for him.
As Josie got closer to the church, she distinctly made out the sound of hammer hitting nail. Once in front of the church, she discovered a bear of a man on the roof, attempting to patch a hole. She quietly watched him for a moment. Lord- no one had told her he was so big. Josie found she was a little intimidated for probably the first time in her life, and she hesitated in gaining his attention. But once Josiah looked down at her, Josie realized he'd been aware of her the entire time. And her hesitation vanished when she read the serene wisdom in his eyes. Josiah Sanchez was nothing but a giant teddy bear. Josie smiled up at him as she shielded her eyes from the glare of the morning sun.
"You must be Josie." Josiah said, the first to speak. "Ezra said you'd be stopping by." Josiah set down his hammer and climbed down the ladder.
"If Ezra had mentioned you would be busy working, I would have brought a glass of lemonade as payment for your time."
"No need. Just looking at your lovely face is payment enough," Josiah replied.
"Why Josiah, I do believe you are flirting with me," Josie teased as she sat on the church steps.
"I reckon it's better than arguing with you," Josiah replied as he sat next her, grinning all the while.
"I see some tales have proceeded me."
"Well, it's not often that Ezra looses a verbal battle. Half the time we can't figure out what he's saying," Josiah stated with a laugh.
"I fear I have a tendency to be as pretentious," Josie confessed. She felt strangely at ease with Josiah, so much so that she felt relieved. She'd originally been apprehensive about the matter to with she wanted to put to him.
"I get the feeling this is more than just a social call," Josiah stated, curious about the nature of Josie's visit.
"You are correct. I have a question or two I would like to pose to you," she explained.
"Why me?"
"Because you are a man of God, even if you are no longer serving in an official capacity. And I have been told you have a mind for the philosophical," Josie explained,
"Then by all means, ask away."
Josie took in a deep breath before proceeding. "Do you think if you are responsible for a man's death that your soul must pay a price for that death?" she asked quickly, rushing the whole sentence out before she changed her mind.
"I would guess it all depends on the circumstances of the man's death," Josiah replied stoically. If Josiah was shocked by her question, he hid it well. "If it's in self defense, then I reckon God would understand. But if you shot him in the back, then I guess that's a whole other story."
Josie nodded, absently chewing on her bottom lip, deep in thought. "Suppose you aren't the one who actually takes his life, but you are the one who brings him in for retribution. Are you still responsible for his death?"
"I assume you mean taking a man in to stand trial where the end result will be his hanging." Josie nodded anxiously. "Well Thomas Aquinas said that it is lawful for judges to inflict punishment as long as they are men who on earth are set over others as ministers of divine providence. It is the order of providence that the wicked be punished. Whatever is of necessity for the preservation of good, cannot be of itself evil."
"So as long as he is fairly judged by someone of authority, his death is sanctioned by God," Josie said in a rush of relief, feeling as if a ton of bricks had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Indeed, if the danger threatening the community from this man's life is greater than the good expected by his conversion, then it stands to reason that the person who brings him in to stand trial is in fact doing God's work."
"Yes, you do remind me of Jesse," Josie said softly, more so to herself than to Josiah.
"And who would Jesse be?" Josiah asked, having overheard her.
"Jesse is my brother. He also has a mind for the philosophical. He likes to quote bits that he's read just to confuse the rest of us," Josie replied, smiling as she thought of the way Jesse liked to tease Colt by spouting some truly outlandish things that he'd read. Things Josiah would probably understand, no doubt. "Jesse carries two books with him everywhere he goes. And I just bet you are quite familiar with both."
"And what would they be?" Josiah asked, intrigued by the notion there was someone with his same interests.
"One is Plato's Republic. Jesse very much believes in obedience to the laws of the state and justice as the ideal."
"What is the other book?" Josiah asked curiously.
"The other is Homer's Odyssey. Jesse just loves the notion that it takes wit and intelligence to be a hero, not just strength," Josie replied as she stood. "I feel guilty about disturbing your work, so I will let you get back to it. But I did want to inform you that dinner will be served in the saloon at six or upon the return of your comrades. Inez is busy as we speak planning delicious things to tempt you gentlemen with. Please join us."
"I would be honored, Josie," Josiah said as he followed Josie's lead and also stood.
"Splendid. Now I am on my way to make Mr. Jackson's acquaintance. It is always helpful to be friendly with the local healer. One never knows when one will become ill."
Josie and Josiah said their good-byes and Josie left his presence feeling much lighter. She thought her first meeting with Josiah had gone splendidly. As she strolled towards Nathan's clinic, Josie thought things were going surprisingly smooth. From what Maude had volunteered about the seven men of Four Corners, Nathan was generally the calmest and easiest to get along with, unless, of course, your name was Ezra P. Standish. Nathan and Ezra had their differences. Josie suspected it was due to the fact that Ezra was a southerner and Nathan was a former slave. But then again, it was difficult for most people to relate to Ezra.
So as Josie stood outside the clinic door, she wasn't sure why she hesitated on knocking. Maybe she was feeling so apprehensive because things were going too smoothly. As she raised her hand to knock, a voice from inside called,
"The door's open. You can come on it!"
Startled, Josie's hand flew to her chest. Then she chuckled to herself. "Yes," she thought, "Judge Travis did a might fine job choosing his Magnificent Seven." Then she grasped the door handle, took a deep breath for courage, then stormed on in to begin slaying her last dragon.
The fine citizens of Four Corners must have been experiencing a healthy day because there wasn't a patient in site. The only person in the room was a tall, attractive, black man sitting at a desk, reading what appeared to be a medical journal of some sort.
"Can I help you?" he asked, looking up as Josie entered the clinic.
"Actually, if you are Mr. Jackson, then yes you can," Josie responded as Nathan set down his book and stood.
"I'm Nathan Jackson," he replied, quite curious as to the identity of the beautiful redhead standing before him. "Are you feeling poorly, Ma'am?"
"Oh no, that's not why I've come, but thank you for inquiring. I am Josie McCloud, Mr. Standish's partner in the saloon. I don't know if any of your friends mentioned my presence in town, but I thought it would be prudent to make your acquaintance expeditiously. One never knows when they will be in need of a healer,"
Nathan stood staring at Josie as if in shock for several moments. Than he began to laugh. "I'm sorry," he apologized once he'd contained his mirth. "You just aren't at all what I'd expected."
"Oh Lord," Josie muttered. "I take it you have also heard tales pertaining to Ezra and myself. We appear to vastly amuse all of you."
"Excuse me for laughing but Ezra's always trying to con someone out of something. It's amusing to see someone getting the better of him for a change. I just didn't imagine you to be such a little thing," Nathan explained hastily, not wanting her to think him rude.
"I guess it takes a con to know one," Josie remarked.
"Ma'am, that's not what I meant," Nathan sputtered, quite distressed.
"Oh, I didn't mean to imply an insult on your part. There just isn't much Ezra would be able to pull over on me. I'm afraid he will find I've seen it all," Josie explained. "And please call me Josie."
"That's probably a good thing if you expect to remain partners with him. I only advise you not to trust him too much. And I'm just plain old Nathan."
"Nathan, I don't trust anyone completely. But I didn't come here to complain about how trying Mr. Standish can be. I have invited the rest of your comrades to supper at six this evening and I wished to extend the invitation to you. Inez is at work as we speak fixing a feast for kings. And this is an open invitation, as I've decided to make it my job to oversee that you gentlemen eating a nutritious breakfast, dinner, and supper. Just call it my contribution to Four Corners."
"Josie, I would be delighted to attend. A home-cooked meal sounds right delicious."
"Good, then I will let you get back to your reading and I will see you at six," Josie said, gesturing to the journal Nathan had set on the table. She left the clinic decidedly more at ease with the chain of events.