PART TWO: LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME
Josie descended the staircase, surveying the scene below her. That evening, business in the saloon was steady and boisterous. She smiled to herself, quite satisfied with the way things were working out. Business was booming. Word seemed to have spread that one of the owners of the Standish Tavern was a beautiful and eligible young woman. Most of her suitors were men just looking for a woman to talk to. Her seven protectors soon scared off the more ardent ones.
Josie glanced around the room to see if any were yet in attendance, especially Buck. Josie had been correct concerning her seven gentlemen. Once Chris was certain she could be trusted, the rest sensed this and fell in line. Josie was now a part of a most diverse and interesting family. And it hadn't taken them long to come to depend on Josie for many things, one being three hot meals a day.
The work was almost finished that they had been doing around the saloon. Josie hoped they found some excuse to keep hanging around during the day. She had become close to each in the short span of time she had been in Four Corners, but lately she had been spending considerable time with Buck. The rest of the men had yet to realize they should be worried. Josie and Buck soon discovered they had matching senses of humor.
Vin was the first of the seven to walk through her doors. Since his conversation with Ezra, she hadn't seen much of Vin outside of mealtime. Josie was relieved to have him to herself for even a few minutes.
"Would you care to join me for a drink?" Josie asked, approaching Vin with a bottle of Irish whiskey. Vin glanced around the room briefly. Josie sighed. "Ezra is in Eagle Bend."
"What makes ya think I'm lookin' for Ezra?" Vin asked, turning those probing blue eyes of his on Josie.
"He's the only reason I can thinking of as to why you have been avoiding me," Josie replied, daring Vin with her glance to deny the charges.
"I'm not," Vin protested, and then he smiled sheepishly. "I would love to join you." Vin stepped back to let Josie pass then followed her to a table. They sat and Josie placed the bottle on the table between them. "How did you know?"
"I overheard your conversation the day I told him about Joe," she replied, gazing down at her hands. Although she had been eavesdropping and was uncomfortable admitting that, she wasn't about to start lying to Vin now. "If Ezra's dilemma is what we all believe it to be, avoiding me is not going to help matters." She glanced up at Vin before continuing. "I am no more likely to feel anything but friendship for Ezra than I am for you or the rest of the gentleman."
"Even Chris?" Vin asked. He'd having already guessed Josie wasn't interested in Ezra that way. But he'd also noticed the way she'd taken special interest in Chris.
Josie looked at Vin sharply. "Even Chris," she said with a sigh. "He reminds me of someone. But not enough to heal this ache in my heart." Josie glanced away from Vin to sweep her gaze across the room. Once her eyes returned to his face, she was again under control. "Now about this whiskey," she said as she poured them both a glass. "It's from my own private stash. I never travel without a bottle or two. It reminds me of home."
"Can't say I'm too particular," Vin said, trying to lighten the mood. "Whiskey's whiskey."
"Lord, don't let Jesse ever hear you say that," Josie recommended with a smile.
"Has a strong opinion about his whiskey, does he?"
"Very," Josie said before she downed her glass and poured herself another.
"You miss them, don't you?" Vin asked sympathetically.
She nodded, both a sad and happy feeling encompassing her at once. "But I'm finding you seven gentleman remind me of them more and more as each day passes. And that makes it not so lonely."
"How so?" Vin asked, secretly curious to see which of the Kansas lawmen Josie would compare him to.
"Let's see. Nathan would be Shane. They both have an uncanny knack for healing, which comes in handy when you are always being shot at." Josie paused briefly as she flashed Vin a grin. He chuckled softly as she continued. "Kit might not have Buck's years, but he has his charm. We were always pulling him out of some woman's bed. If Lou knew what her oldest boy really spent most of his time doing, she'd shoot Jesse." Josie gave a little laugh as she thought of all the trouble they had gone through trying to keep track of Kit's whereabouts before everyone just gave up and let the kid be.
Vin laughed heartily at this as he recalled his first meeting with Buck. Buck had just crawled out of a boarding house window with only half of his clothing on. And he hadn't changed much since that day.
"I guess Joe would be JD, especially in the early years. Though even in the end, sometimes his mouth got the better of him." Josie and Vin both knew exactly what Josie was referring to, but neither mentioned the incident when she had called out Hickok's killer.
Vin nodded though he wasn't certain he could see the resemblance. JD was impulsive, in actions and words. Vin couldn't imagine Josie having ever not been the reserved and reflective person she was now. But if, in her younger days, she had really been more like JD, Vin was hopeful that JD would outgrow his rashness.
"Jesse has Josiah's patience and wisdom while obtaining Ezra's ability to con someone out of their last nickel. Jesse was the one who taught me how to deal with people like Ezra. But unlike Josiah, who likes to encourage people to find their own solutions, and Ezra, who likes to talk his way around the truth, Jesse is honest to a fault. Jesse can seem harsh because of that honesty and has hurt my feelings too many times to keep record. But in the end I always find Jesse to be correct." Josie paused as if her thoughts had taken a dark road. "And then there are the twins, Colt and Slade." The dull ache in her heart became suddenly painful at the thought of Slade.
Vin noticed the brief flicker of incredible sadness in Josie's eyes and he realized with sudden surprise that her gunslinger was one of these two men.
"If it wasn't so ethnically obvious, one would think the three were related. I have always found it amazing the way they can communicate without words, the way you and Chris do." Josie paused, trying to think of the best way to describe the Cross brothers. "Both of the boys suffer from the ill effects of their childhood. They remember more than Shane does the percussion their people endured before Buck took them from the Kiowa. Now with Colt, you are not very likely to get a full sentence out of him. Over the years, I have become very good at interrupting grunts and growls," Josie said with a mischievous grin as she nodded in his direction. Vin laughed. "Colt observes people remarkably well and I have found his judgment to always be accurate. When he tells you something, it is always wise to listen. The only difference between you and he is you are missing a tomahawk strapped to your back."
Josie picked up her whiskey and sipped it. She appeared to be finished with the conversation. Vin realized she had omitted using Slade's name but the one time. He quickly deduced just which of the two men Josie was in love with.
"And the other brother, he reminds you of Chris?" Vin asked, probing gently.
Josie sighed and nodded slowly. She had been hoping Vin wouldn't notice her lapse of information regarding Slade. "In some ways, they are very similar. Slade appears to be the more jovial of the two. He can appear very playful, especially with Jesse. But don't be fooled by the smile. It never reaches his eyes. Like Chris, he has suffered great loss and because of it, has retreated from all but a select few. And even those few have a difficult time getting close. This is why I have made it my mission to rescue Chris from his demons before they eat him alive," she replied softly.
"Is that why you came here? You couldn't save him?" Vin asked gently.
Josie looked at Vin startled. He appeared to at least be under the impression he was privy to some information. Josie didn't know how to respond and she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold up under his scrutiny.
"What makes you think you are an expert on my past?" she asked quietly. Vin could sense the deceptiveness in her tone and knew he was treading on shaky ground. He suddenly saw just how deadly she could be when cornered. He decided to proceed anyway, though cautiously.
"Inez said something that night Chris tore into you about a letter from a gunslinger. "One who had broken you heart" is how I reckon she put it," Vin replied softly so the entire saloon didn't overhear them. "I might be wrong, but I get the impression the man is Slade."
Josie inhaled sharply. She would have bolted from the table if Vin hadn't grabbed her hand.
"Josie, I shouldn't have brought it up. It's none of my business. I just want you to know I'm here fer you if you want to talk," he whispered, keeping a tight grip on her hand. Josie squeezed his in reply and nodded, too overcome to speak.
Vin hadn't been prepared for how devastated she appeared. It was apparent to him that Josie was still very much in love with Slade Cross. And Vin found he hated this man whom he'd never met.
That was how Buck and JD found Vin and Josie, sitting across the table from each other, holding hands, a barely touched bottle of whiskey sitting between them.
A drastic change overtook Josie's features when she saw Buck. Vin could tell it was partly contrived to cover up her sadness. Buck sent JD off to get them beers. Then he leaned down to Josie.
"Did ya get it?" Buck asked in a low voice so JD couldn't overhear. And Vin knew the two were up to something.
"Yes. Everything will go as planned if you can convince JD to a game of cards. I don't think he will trust my offer," Josie replied in a conspiratorial whisper.
"What are you two up to?" Vin asked in a low voice, following the lead of Buck and Josie.
"Nothin' to worry about, Vin. Just a harmless little prank on JD," Buck replied, the ends of his mustache turning up because his grin was so wide. "Now shhh," Buck hissed as JD turned from the bar, beers in hand and headed toward their table. "Now JD, Miss Josie here thinks you are afraid to play a game of chance with her," Buck taunted once JD had joined them. "Tell her it ain't so."
JD looked from Josie to Buck. His chest puffed out and he replied," Of course I ain't afraid."
"There, ya see, we'd love to get a game going. I'm feeling real lucky tonight," Buck said eagerly as he rubbed his hands together. He took his beer from JD then sat beside Josie. JD found he had no choice but to join them. "Hey Chris, we're about to get a game going!" Buck called over Josie's shoulder. She turned to find Chris standing in the doorway. Chris nodded before sauntering to the bar. Once he had a drink in hand, he joined the group.
Chris and Vin both removed their hats so they hung down their backs.
"There's a lady present," Buck reprimanded as he removed JD's hat and set it on the table.
"Where?" JD teased.
Josie smiled sweetly at him as she shuffled the cards.
"Careful, JD. Remember who's dealing," Chris reminded him with a grin.
There was a chuckle that started with Buck and went around the table, save for JD and Josie. Since that first time playing cards with the men, JD hadn't played one hand with Josie. It was a constant source of devilment for the other six, to tease JD about loosing to a female. The rest conveniently forgot they hadn't come out winners either. And poor JD had been too drunk to remember.
Early in the evening, Josiah and Nathan joined them. Since Ezra hadn't returned, all sitting at the table assumed that he'd stayed the night in Eagles Bend.
While most at the table paced themselves, not wanting to get liquored up and loose all their money to Josie, JD was well on his way to passing out before the evening ended.
"Aww, the recklessness of youth," Buck teased as he swept the pile of money, of which a good deal was JD's, from the center of the table to join his pile in front of him.
As Vin dealt the next hand, Chris looked across the table to find Josie staring at him. For the better part of the last hour, he'd glance up and catch her silently watching him. "What?" he finally asked sharply.
Everyone at the table turned to Josie. She shrugged slightly as she picked her cards up from the table. One glance at Vin found him watching her with raised eyebrows. Josie turned away from him, knowing he was thinking of their earlier conversation, and turned back to Chris.
"If you have somethin' to say, spit it out. I've never know you to be shy before," Chris challenged.
"Well, I just find myself slightly curious about something pertaining to your manner of dress," Josie responded nonchalantly.
"And that would be?" Chris asked curiously, wondering where she was headed. One could never tell with Josie.
"Is your form of fashion supposed to convey your perpetually foul mood, or do you just prefer black?" she asked, a mischievous glint in the eyes that observed Chris over the cards in her hand.
Buck, who had just taken a drink from his glass, started laughing hysterically, sending liquid across the table in Nathan's direction. Josiah smiled broadly at Josie's audacity. Vin and Nathan tried to hide their smiles behind their cards. JD was clearly stunned. He looked at Josie as if she'd suddenly grown another head. Then he glanced at Chris and winced as Chris calmly laid his cards on the table. JD was sure heads were going to roll.
"Miss McCloud, one day that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble," Chris stated, in a deceptively soft voice.
"So I've been told," she replied, not the least bit concerned that Chris was staring her down with those eyes of his. "But you didn't answer my question."
JD's gaze whipped back from Josie to Chris. It was then that Chris' lips twitched and the smile he'd been desperately trying to control took over his face.
"I guess you'll just have to figure that out for yourself," he replied.
"Oh, I already have," Josie stated. She glanced at Buck and then at Vin, who were on either side of her.
"Foul mood," the three replied in almost unison.
"I swear, a man gets no respect around here," Chris growled.
"Naw, it's just since Josie came to town," Vin teased.
"Be careful, Vin Tanner. You are close enough to hit," Josie warned good- naturedly.
"Well, I'll be," JD murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "Chris has a sense of humor."
Everyone laughed but Chris and JD. Chris reached out, cuffing JD on the side of the head.
"Oww," JD grumbled, as he winced from the pain.
"Don't worry, kid. You won't even remember in the mornin'" Buck teased.
"Shut up, Buck," JD mumbled as he returned his attention back to the cards in his hand.
Twenty minutes later, a very broke and drunk JD stood up, knocking his chair to the floor.
"Kid's done for the night," Buck said from his seat. He picked up JD's hat up off the table and handed it to him.
"Why, thanks, Buck," JD said loudly as he grasped the brim of his hat, quickly flipping it over and placing it on his head. Within seconds, a dark, gooey mess slid down the sides of his head. All sitting at the table immediately began to laugh. "Aww hell, Buck, why'd ya go and do that?" JD whined as he tried to scrape molasses off his face. JD noticed the look pass between Buck and Josie. "I swear I'll get the two of you back," JD vowed as he stomped off, trails of hooting laughter following him out of the door.
Josie and Buck had conspired together, quite serious about the tasks they were to embark upon. They debated a bit before finally deciding on their course of action. Once the who, when, and how had been determined, they began their mission, starting with JD. When the five remaining men soon discovered Josie and Buck hadn't just stopped with JD, they weren't so amused, especially when it was their turn.
The second to fall victim to their good-natured teasing was Ezra. Since Josie naturally had the opportunity, the preparations had been left to her. Two nights after the incident with JD, Ezra had fallen asleep in a drunken stupor. Josie had crept into his room, unbeknownst to Ezra.
The next afternoon, when Ezra finally managed to drag himself from his bed and join the living, Josie and Buck both had a difficult time keeping a straight face. And they remained that way most of the day. Vin and Chris both noticed Josie was anxious and kept stealing glances at Ezra. Just when Chris was about to ask Josie what was bothering her, Ezra pulled out his flask. Buck winked at Josie and Chris immediately knew they were up to something. Ezra popped the lid and took a large swallow, only to grimace fiercely and spit out the liquid on an unsuspecting JD.
"Good Lord!" Ezra exclaimed as he pulled out a handkerchief, trying to wipe away the taste of vinegar in his mouth. "Something to drink, now!" he ordered as peals of laughter forth from everyone, but Ezra and JD. JD felt he'd been doubly cursed since he was now wet and smelled of vinegar. The rest of the gang thought the look on Ezra's face was priceless as he jumped from the table and stumbled his way to the bar, looking for something to wash the foul taste from his mouth. Once he had gotten a drink and rinsed the foul substance from his flask, he returned to the table.
"Very amusing," he commented dryly.
"Ezra, if you could have seen your face," Buck managed to say through his laughter. He was bent over, clutching his sides.
Ezra just shook his head, outwardly taking the prank in stride, but his mind was already thinking revenge as he glanced at his two adversaries.
Vin was next. He was struck down three days later. Now while Josie had come up with the idea, she didn't have the nerve to do the deed. Of all the seven, Vin was the only one she felt guilty about before the prank had even been carried out.
Vin and Chris had gone out on patrol in the early morning, just after dawn. Then they returned for breakfast, Josie noticed Vin's hair was wet. He was sitting with his back to her silent, while the rest of the seven snickered around him.
"Vin, why in the world are you soaked?" Josie asked as she exited the stockroom, approaching the table in the middle of the bar.
Vin turned to her slowly and Josie noticed the dark ring of ink surrounding his right eye. She tried to prevent the laughter that escaped her lips without success. Vin raised an eyebrow at her outburst.
JD immediately launched into the story, exuberantly explaining what had occurred on their ride. Vin had pulled out his spyglass to inspect two distant riders. After using it, he had put it away and turned to Chris. A burst of loud guffaws slipped from Chris' lips much to Vin's amazement. It too Chris a moment to control himself enough to manage suggesting Vin take a gander at his reflection in a nearby creek. Vin quickly made his way to the creek, dropped to his knees, and peered over the bank. He was so stunned by his appearance, he fell in headfirst.
Josie laughed so hard, she had to hold onto the table to keep herself on her feet. Vin was not amused. And to make matters worse, the ink didn't wear off for four days.
That evening, Josie descending the stairs form her room to find Vin, Ezra, and JD pouting into their beers as Buck looked on with a smug smirk.
"You are such babies," Josie admonished to all three as she had to listen to them whine for the 100th time. But she was thankful they took it in stride.
Josiah was the next on the list. Buck and Josie stole into the church in the dead of the night, while Josiah was asleep. At one point he had rolled over and Josie had thought for sure they were caught. Her heart about leaped out of her throat. But Josiah had just mumbled something about his leaking roof and settled back down. He woke up the next morning to discover enough honey in his boots to stock his own hive. Unfortunately he didn't discover this until after he'd slipped his boots on. He never said a word about it. He just looked at Josie with those preacher eyes and she immediately felt guilty. But it soon passed as she and Buck turned to Nathan.
Now for Nathan, Josie took care of herself. Buck wasn't the most graceful individual and she didn't want to end up covered in the liquid they were gracing Nathan with. He about had a fit when he'd walked into his clinic and was overcome by the smell of rotten eggs. His voice could be heard throughout the town as he screamed the offenders' names. Josie and Buck knew to get out of site- quick. The rest of the seven went to investigate. It took Nathan weeks to get the stench out of everything he owned. Every time he came near Josie, she had to wrinkle nose and turn her head to keep from gagging at the smell. And Nathan made a point to get as close to her and Buck as possible so they could share in the joy he had to endure.
Now Chris seriously thought he was immune to the troubles plaguing the rest of his friends. And if Josie had had her way, he would have been correct. Josie wanted no part of what Buck had planned for Chris. Josie and Buck had a major disagreement over that one, but she had finally relented. She figured Buck had known Chris a considerable amount of time. Buck insisted Chris would eventually see the humor in the prank. It was the "eventually" that had Josie worried. But unfortunately for Chris, one night he returned to his room, after having spent the evening in the saloon while Josie plied him with alcohol. He was not happy when he collapsed on his bed, only to find it give way underneath him and he ended up in a pile on the floor. Josie was thankful she avoided the cussing fit Chris unleashed on Buck that evening, having escaped to her room soon after he left.
Soon the six men were commiserating together on their sad fate. And they came up with a plan on how to get even. Buck's clothes disappeared one afternoon while he was at the bathhouse. Buck, having been chased out of many a bedroom in many different forms of undress, was only mildly embarrassed- a huge disappointment to the six. But Vin knew the way to get even with Josie. The others thought she was getting off easy, but Vin felt differently. Josie spent a week, walking on eggshells, waiting her turn, only to discover that was her punishment. And Vin was correct, because the wait about killed her.
The next couple of days, there was an argument over who owned some land in the territory because there were two people with deeds to the property. Judge Travis was in town to see over the proceedings and the seven spent considerable time making sure nothing got out of hand.
"Hello Mary," Josie greeted a bit cautiously. In recent days, her relationship with Mary had been strained, though for the life of her, Josie couldn't contemplate exactly why.
"Josie," Mary returned with a nod. "This is Gerard Whitman. Gerard, Josie McCloud. Gerard was a good friend of Stephen's," Mary added, referring to her late husband.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance, Miss McCloud," Gerard Whitman stated as he kissed Josie's hand.
Josie smiled at him warmly. He was very attractive and had a delightful smile. He reminded her of Buck somehow and Josie immediately took a liking to him. She was about to respond when she felt a hand on the small of her back and Chris whisper close to her ear, "Josie, can I have a word with you?"
"Certainly," she replied as she glanced back at Chris. When she turned her gaze back to Mary and Gerard, Josie felt as if she had been hit upside the head with a frying pan. She immediately noticed the narrowed gaze Mary was directing at the two and it dawned on her why Mary was upset with her. "Please excuse me," she said meekly to Mary and Gerard before letting Chris lead her away. She followed him into the jailhouse and sat on the edge of the desk.
"Are you listening to me?" Chris asked in exasperation. Sometimes the woman just baffled him and he wanted to pull out his hair.
"What?" Josie mentally snapped back to her surroundings. "Bloody hell!" she muttered as Chris raised a brow, having never heard Josie curse in any form. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Care to talk about it?" Chris asked, very curious about what she was so twisted up over.
"I was certain Mary was upset with me, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why. It has finally dawned on me and I am stunned at my stupidity," Josie replied distractedly. She knew as soon as she was done with Chris, she would have to find Mary and set her straight.
"Want to tell me why Mary is upset with you?" Chris asked as he folded his arms across his chest. Josie has quickly wormed her way into his life, making herself an integral part of his existence. He would not let his feelings for Mary jeopardize one of his own, so if he had to get involved, he would.
"Not really," she replied evasively. "Now what were you saying?" she asked, changing the subject with a definitive nod of her head.
Chris smiled as he shook his head. "Women," he muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Josie asked as her head snapped up from the floor, where she had been examining the wooden planks in order to avoid Chris' unnerving gaze.
Chris shook his head again. "What I was saying earlier was I want you to stay out of Dickie O'Shea's way. If he comes into the saloon, I want you to stay as far away from him as possible. If one of us isn't around, I would prefer that you or Inez get one of us. If Ezra is around, let him deal with the man."
"You must be joking," she snapped.
Chris ran a hand over his face then returned his gaze to the woman standing before him, hands on her hips, ready to take him on. "'fraid not. For once can you not be so difficult and listen to reason."
"Difficult! Reason!" she sputtered to Chris' amusement, which of course only angered her more.
"Are you two trying to scare the whole town," Vin asked as he threw the door open and entered the jail. "Mary and her friend just hightailed it like the devil was after them."
"Oh bloody hell! See what you've done!" Josie hissed as she threw up her hands.
"What I've done?" Chris gasped. "All I did was ask you to stay clear of O'Shea. I don't trust the man. What the hell does that have to do with Mary?"
Josie suddenly stilled. Both Chris and Vin were staring at her expectantly. "Oh Lord," she muttered. "It appears today just isn't my day. Maybe I should put a sign outside the saloon 'Come on inside and hit Josie- free of charge'. By the end of the day, I think I'll have quite a line."
Chris grinned at her statement while Vin looked on in confusion. "So does that mean you'll listen to me?" he asked.
"Fine," she snapped. "I will run for the hills whenever the man looks in my direction, unless you are there to protect little ol' me."
"A simple yes or no would do," Chris mumbled.
Vin burst into laughter. "Is that what this is all about?" he asked. "Chris, you should know better by now. I told you to let me talk to her."
"So you agree with him," she asked, aiming her glare on Vin.
"Now Josie, I ain't saying that. I just think you should be aware of the situation so you can approach it cautiously. I don't trust O'Shea either," Vin explained hastily, hands in front of him as he backed up slowly.
"Thank you, Vin. I will indeed be careful if Mr. O'Shea comes in view," Josie replied as she smiled at Vin. She turned to leave the jailhouse after shooting one last disgruntled glance at Chris.
"Ass kisser," she heard Chris taunt Vin as she closed the door behind her. She couldn't help the laughter that bubbled forth as she turned from the jail. Her goal was to find Mary and explain her intentions, but she found Mary and Billy away somewhere with Gerard and his daughter, who was Billy's age. So Josie returned to the saloon, where she became engrossed in work and Mary slipped her mind.
The next day, Judge Travis made his ruling in regards to the piece of property being fought over. Expecting trouble from the man Judge Travis had ruled against, he asked the men to accompany a wagon train to its destination. Josie learned about their assignment from Vin, who immediately came to inform her they would be leaving the next morning at dawn.
"Chris thinks we will be gone a week or two," Vin explained as he leaned against the bar, watching Josie restock bottles from a shipment that had arrived that morning. "Do you think you will be okay on your own for that long? I'm sure Chris would understand if one or two of us stayed behind."
"And just who would that be? Josiah, Nathan, Buck, or JD would wonder why they were being left behind. Chris has to go for obvious reasons. And though you feel responsible for my safety, I can tell you are dying to get out of town." Vin gave her a surprised look that Josie had been able to perceive his restless. She replied with raised brows as she stopped what she was doing to look up at him, "I know the look all too well."
"What about Ezra?" Vin asked, thinking he'd found the perfect solution. "We could say Ezra is needed here at the saloon. No one wants to have to listen to Ezra complain for two weeks straight, anyway."
Josie smiled at his comment and then shook her head. "Ezra is the last person who should remain behind," she replied softly.
Vin nodded, quickly realizing she was correct. Most probably the best thing would be for Ezra to be away from Josie for a spell. "Then the only answer is fer you to come with us," Vin stated decidedly. "We'll be able to keep an eye on you that way."
"Vin, don't be ridiculous. Just how would we explain my presence to the rest of the gentlemen. Besides, I have a business to run. Inez cannot take care of this place on her own. With Ezra gone, she will most assuredly be needing my assistance." Josie paused as she continued restocking her shelves. "Anyway, I have never been concerned for my own safety. I can shoot more accurately than most men. I was worried about you gentleman, and Inez, Mary, and Billy. With only Inez to keep my eye on, things will be manageable. I won't feel pulled into 10 different directions."
"Josie, we can take care of ourselves," Vin said, amused that Josie felt her presence was needed to protect him and the other men.
Josie sighed. "I know, but old habits," she said softly.
Their conversation was interrupted as Ezra sauntered through swinging doors.
"I see Mr. Tanner has informed you of the next exciting adventure we are to embark upon," he said sarcastically from the entranceway. "Seven to fourteen days of bliss atop a horse amid a wagon train." Ezra visibly shuddered as he walked across the room until he reached the bar. He quickly poured himself a drink and tossed it back. "Could things get anymore nauseating than that?"
"I think it would be fun," Josie replied as she poured herself and Vin a drink, sliding Vin's glass down the bar to him.
"Maybe you should take my place," Ezra mumbled.
Vin's eyes lit up as he glanced down at his drink. He looked up at Josie and opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't even say it," Josie warned.
"But it's the answer."
"To what?" Ezra questioned curiously as he glance from Vin to Josie.
"Vin is worried about me being here alone while you gentlemen are gone," Josie replied to Ezra's question then she addressed Vin. "Ezra gets paid by the Judge to protect those that need it. I do not. I would have stayed in Kansas if that was the life I wanted to lead. No, you men go on your wagon train. Inez and I will be just fine."
Ezra and Vin were silent a moment, each contemplating his own thoughts. Ezra was ashamed that when he'd first been told of the wagon train, he had only thought of his own comfort, and hadn't given any thought to Josie being left behind, alone.
"If you insist on staying, then I must insist you have a weapon other than the derringer you carry up your sleeve," Ezra said quietly. "I would leave feeling much better if I knew you were well armed and I am sure the same goes for Mr. Tanner."
"I will agree to your stipulation," Josie said with a nod as she held out her hand to Ezra.
"Good. Then later today, you and I will go to the hardware store to make sure you are properly equipped," Ezra agreed as he grasped Josie's hand in his and the two shook on it.
So later that afternoon, Ezra accompanied Josie and Inez to the hardware store. Neither thought it a bad idea that Inez also had a firearm for protection. They agreed Inez would have an easier time handling a Colt revolver, which could be hidden behind the bar and didn't have quite the kick of a longer barreled gun. Josie left with an 1873 Winchester. It was very similar to the 1860 Henry she had inherited from Lou, which Kit now carried on his saddle, and so felt familiar to her.
So at dawn, Josie stood in the doorway of the saloon and watched them ride off. She was pretty sure she'd embarrassed all of them as she fussed over each before she let them on their horses. Except Buck, that is, who lavished the attention. But none of the men had the heart to tell her so, or deny her a hug and the giving of some motherly advice; even Chris, who wasn't comfortable with anyone fussing over him.
Those two weeks passed so slowly for Josie, she began to think there would be no end. She was bored beyond belief, and while Inez tried to keep her mind from wandering to her seven gentlemen, she couldn't help wondering how they were doing and when they would return. Time passed without incident except for the brief wire from Jesse, informing her that Jeremy had helped his good friend and fellow Texas Ranger, John Armstrong, track down Wes Hardin, one of Texas' most notorious criminals. Jesse had met Hardin once in Abilene. It was in '71 and Hardin had managed to get the best of Jimmy when Jimmy had asked him to turn over his guns. It had turned out in the end, but the incident had enraged Jesse. Jesse was glad Jeremy had helped take him in.
When the seven returned twelve days later, she immediately sensed something wasn't right, thought it didn't take a genius to figure that out. Vin only stayed in town an hour before heading back out. And not once in that hour did he stop by the saloon to check on her.
Josie asked Inez to watch the saloon, then she set out on a mission to uncover that had occurred to Vin on the trip. She learned bits and pieces of some outlandish fiction from Ezra, Buck, and JD involving Vin and a married woman named Charlotte. Josie knew they were trying to pull one over on her and so she went in search of Chris to learn the truth. Josie finally tracked him down in his room at the boarding house.
"Now what!" Chris snarled as he threw open the door. Josie jumped back, startled, as the door slammed against the wall. His expression softened when he realized it was only Josie.
"I apologize if I have come at an inopportune moment," she said softly.
"Nah, I'm sorry. I thought you were Buck." Josie raised an eyebrow in question. "He has been hounding me about heading to Purgatory," Chris replied as he braced himself against the doorframe. "What can I do for you?"
"Can I come in?" she asked, motioning toward the inside of his room.
Chris cocked his head, contemplating Josie for a moment. Then he stepped out of the doorway and allowed her entrance, closing the door behind Josie.
"I am concerned about Vin," Josie began as she crossed Chris' room and stood in front of the window. "It is out of character for him to just take off like he did without a word. I have been hearing some outlandish tales of his involvement with a woman on the wagon train, but I suspect Buck is trying to get the better of me," Josie quickly went on to explain.
"Her name was Charlotte," Chris replied as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the dresser. "Vin pretty much turned against us all before he took off with her. I don't know why they came back, but in the end, they did."
"Oh good Lord," Josie whispered fiercely. "Did she take advantage of him?"
"Take advantage of Vin?" Chris asked, surprised that Josie would come to that conclusion.
"Chris, I believe we are probably both under the same suspicion that Vin is naïve in relation to women. And if the information I pertained from Buck is correct, this Charlotte was a married woman. It would seem more likely that she would have acquired the needed skills to use Vin to serve her own purposes."
"Josie, I don't know what happened between them. But whatever did, I don't think Vin's the same fer it. I'm sure he just needs some time alone to think things through."
"Think things through for what purpose!" Josie asked harshly, her hands resting on her hips in indignation. "So he can sit out there somewhere alone, brooding over what he lost. You of all people should know just exactly how damn helpful that is."
"And just what the hell is that supposed to mean," Chris hissed, standing up straight. All warmth that had been first directed at Josie when Chris had let her into the room disappeared from his eyes. They hardened like two frozen glaciers and Josie shivered in reaction. Other than his eyes and the slight twitch of the muscle in the back of his jaw, there was no other outwardly sign of just how angry Chris was. For the first time, Josie realized just how deadly he could be. Here was the Chris Larabee Jesse had warned her to stay away form.
Josie put her hands out in front of her and took a step backwards. "I had no right," she whispered, "to imply that Vin's loss in anyway compares to yours." Josie turned her back to Chris and gently fingered the curtain, moving it so she could glance out the window, though unshed tears obscured her vision. "But from my own experience, I sometimes wonder if you are the lucky one. It's no picnic knowing he's out there somewhere and that he just didn't love you enough."
"Josie," Chris began, his anger somewhat appeased by the incredible sadness in her voice. Though Chris knew he would gladly trade never seeing Sarah again if it meant she could live.
"No, Chris," Josie interrupted as she turned to face him. "I apologize for causing you distress. That was not my intention in coming here." Josie started for the door. Just as her fingers reached the knob, she felt Chris' strong grip on her arm. Josie hadn't expected to be able to leave Chris' presence so easily. She had the feeling she had opened Pandora's box.
"Manuel labor sometimes helps a man settle stuff in his head. Vin might be a Nettie Wells' place," Chris said softly in her ear. His response startled Josie to her very core. She nodded. Chris slowly released her arm and Josie vacated Chris' room. Once outside the boardinghouse, Josie ran into Mary, quite literally.
"Excuse me, Mary," Josie mumbled, still distracted from her encounter with Chris. Without waiting for a response, Josie crossed the street and headed for the saloon. Once she reached the Standish Tavern, Josie again felt in control of her emotions.
"How do I find Nettie Wells' place?" she asked once inside the swinging doors.
"May I inquire as to why?" Ezra asked as he sat at a table, playing poker with JD, Josiah, and Nathan. Buck was standing at the bar, where he'd been explaining to Inez for the last ten minutes his many charms. Inez was shaking her head, wondering where he was hiding them.
"No you may not," Josie replied. "But you can answer my damn question."
Ezra raised an eyebrow at her quick rebuff, but Josie ignored him. She'd already apologized to enough people in the few short hours since she had risen from her bed.
"I was thinking of heading out to see Casey. Miss Wells is her aunt. I could take you out there is you like," JD offered as he stood.
"I would appreciate that, JD. Just give me a moment to change and I will be ready to go." Josie quickly went to her room to change into a split skirt, just in case Vin wasn't at the Wells' place and she would need to search him out. Then she braided her abundant curls and stuffed them under an old hat. She returned ten minutes later to find JD waiting outside with two horses.
It was about a half hour ride on horse to the Wells' place. As the house came into view, Josie was relieved to spot Vin chopping wood. His shirt was draped over a nearby fence. The way his back and chest glistened in the sunlight, Josie knew Chris' assumption had been correct, though she suspected Vin was working himself into exhaustion to forget more than anything else.
Vin momentarily looked up at the sound of approaching horses. He saw one of the riders was JD and so he figured the other was Casey. He was wallowing so deeply in his own misery that he never noticed the other rider was wearing a dress. And so when Vin glanced up again and found Josie sitting quietly about ten feet away from him, he was startled.
Josie had been silently watching Vin for the better part of a half hour. The fact that Vin hadn't heard her approach surprised Josie. Vin was always aware of his surroundings. It came from his life depending on it, both when he was a bounty hunter and now being a wanted man. Josie quickly realized the emotional blow that had been delivered to Vin at the hands of this Charlotte person. There was no real outward sign to show how distressed Vin really was feeling. There was only the deep seeded knowledge of one who had already been through the process of having one's heart ripped from their chest.
"Whadaya doing out here?" Vin asked, taking only a moment before hurdling the axe with one swift swing, splitting a log in two.
"I just felt the need to get away from the saloon for a spell. JD was coming out here to see Casey and it sounded like a pleasant trip," Josie replied nonchalantly. She didn't want to jump in headfirst until she had tested the waters.
"I'm not very good company right now, Josie," he stated, not straying from his task.
"Vin, if I wanted stimulating conversation, I could have stayed in Ezra's presence," she remarked lightly. "I'll just sit here and take in this gorgeous day."
"If you say so," Vin muttered under his breath. A few minutes passed before Vin put down the axe and turned to Josie. "What are ya really doing out here?"
Josie shrugged and then sighed. "I was worried about you, Vin. And please don't tell me there's no need, because it won't change the fact that I do. I love you. So I had to see for myself that you're okay."
"And do I look okay?" Vin asked harshly, more harshly than he had intended.
"No," Josie whispered. "You look how I feel every waking moment of every day."
Vin sank down beside her on the tree stump. "God Josie, how do you go on?" Vin asked, his voice breaking with emotion.
She shrugged as she skimmed over her surroundings, trying to blink the tears away. But they persisted to fall. "I ran away," she whispered. "Like Chris wallowed in liquor, I also avoided having to deal with it. I simply packed my things and left." She paused, looking at Vin as the tears began to stream down her face. "I don't recommend either as a solution," she said with a little laugh. She reached up and touched Vin's cheek. "But however you decide to deal with the loss, know this, it does get easier."
"I don't see how," he whispered.
"I know," she replied softly. "But one morning, you will wake up and the first thing you think of will not be her. I promise it will happen."
Vin shook his head in disbelief. He felt as if he'd been stabbed in the gut, over and over again. He almost wished he could lose himself in a bottle of whiskey. But he'd seen what it had done to Chris. It wasn't a price he was willing to pay. He reached out, clutching Jose's hand tightly in his. He had thought he wanted to be alone. But having her beside him felt right. Vin opened his mouth to thank Josie, for he hadn't realized just how badly he needed her support. Instead, it all came pouring out- how Charlotte's husband had been hitting her, how the sadness she carried around reminded him of Josie. He'd just wanted to help her. Then he'd fallen. And if he was honest with himself, he couldn't say for sure if he truly loved her or everything she represented. He'd avoided letting any females close, other than Mary and Josie, because he had nothing to offer them. He couldn't have a wife and children until the bounty hanging over his head was taken care of. When and if that day would ever come, Vin couldn't be sure. And he couldn't ask anyone to wait for him because his name might never get cleared. One day he might find himself swinging from the end of a rope.
"Vin, you wanted to help her, there is no shame in that." Josie grasped Vin's face gently between her fingers. "You can't be expected to go on like you have been. Everyone needs to love and be loved in return. It's human nature to not be alone. Never regret what you shared, only that it couldn't last."
"Why couldn't it have been you?" he asked softly.
"I've asked myself the same thing," she agreed as she dropped her hands. "If I could have chosen you over Slade, things would have been so much more simple."
Vin took her hand in his while he wrapped his other arm around her waist.
"Yes, if only we could choose," he whispered.
Josie nodded as she rested her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and was overcome with a vision of Slade. The day she'd left, he'd just watched her with those cold dark eyes, watched her walk right out of his life without saying a word.
"When Jesse finished his research on this town, the one person I was told to stay away from was Chris. He reminds us both of Slade." She paused and sighed. "Jesse thinks me a fool for falling in love with him. To love any man is a downfall that will only lead to ruin. I guess Jesse was right. I can't even go home for fear he will be there. I feel like such a coward, but it just hurts too damn bad. And right now I can't take any more humiliation, having the rest of the family see the change in me. I don't want them to feel the need to choose sides."
"What about Jesse? He's still riding with Slade," Vin said, his tone an accusation.
"Jesse warned me in the very beginning that Slade wouldn't be able to give me what I needed- a home and a family. I disagreed. I thought one day..." she paused as her voice cracked and she took a quick intake of breath as if to prevent the flood of tears before she continued, "Anyway, Slade is like a brother to Jesse. The only person any closer to Jesse is Colt. And even though Jesse resents how Slade treated me, he told me upfront that he wouldn't be able to choose. It would be like cutting off his hand, Slade and Colt have always been Jesse's other half. Jesse wouldn't be able to survive without them, especially since Jimmy's death."
They sat silently for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Josie was contemplating the family she'd left behind and how she missed them. Vin was thinking of the family he had been embraced by in Four Corners and how his encounter with Charlotte had seemed to taint it.
"Chris didn't understand when I left with Charlotte. I think he took it as a slight against him, like I had turned my back on him," Vin said softly.
"Because Chris isn't in a place to love again, he can't accept anyone else's need to. I think if he did feel that at the time, he is past it now. He was the only one who would tell me where I might find you," Josie confided. "I think Chris was hoping I might be of some help. He is uncertain how to approach you because he understands how badly you are hurting right now. He is just not comfortable talking about your pain as it rekindles his own." Josie paused as she got momentarily lost in her own thoughts. She mentally pulled back from her own dark thoughts, knowing Vin needed her to concentrate on his loss. "Vin, can I ask what made you come out here? I can only assume that this place holds some special meaning for you," Josie asked as her eyes rested on the house some distance away. She tried to ignore the hurt she was feeling that Vin hadn't come to her, but instead, had ended up on the Wells' property.
"I guess you could say Nettie is like a mom to me. My own died when I was real young and when I first came to town; it was nice having someone to fill the role. I guess this place feels the most like home," he replied as he too looked at the home Nettie and her husband had built years ago.
"Oh," Josie mumbled. "I guess that makes sense."
Vin smiled for the first time since Josie had arrived. He jumped up, grabbing Josie's hand and pulling her to her feet.
"Come meet Nettie," he urged, giving her arm a tug.
"Yes, let's go meet Mum," she replied with a smile. It was good to just see Vin thinking of something other than Charlotte. Though Josie knew it would not last, it was a start- one she wasn't going to second guess.
Inside the house, its occupants were huddled around the front window, watching Vin and Josie. JD had explained to Nettie who the redhead was that had ridden onto her property. She had heard mention of the woman who now owned the saloon around town. Casey, herself, had encountered her once since she arrived. Nettie had discouraged Casey's involvement with her. Nettie seriously questioned the morals of this Josie McCloud. What kind of woman would own a saloon, for goodness sake?
"Only one kind," Nettie thought with a humph. And it wasn't the decent, church-going kind.
Then again, Mary seemed to think highly of her. She had managed to keep Chris Larabee sober until mid day. That was no small feet. She had Ezra actually doing an honest days work. Buck had recently been too occupied with her plaguing their friends to terrorize the local females. Lately, whenever Casey returned from town, she had a new story of some trick Buck and Josie had played on the six lawmen. Nettie found each equally amusing. And she had managed to get Vin to open up to someone about his troubles. When he'd first rode up, she'd thought someone had died. And Vin had said less than usual, refusing to talk about it. He immediately set a work around the place, first fixing the loose board in the fence and then chopping wood for her. It wasn't until JD had shown up what she'd received some indication of what was plaguing him. It seemed Vin had gone and gotten himself mixed up with some tart. He was clearly broken up over the outcome. And the only person he had trusted enough to talk to about it was the saloon girl. Nettie had silently watched the two, watched while they broke down in each other's arms. Vin wasn't one to talk about his feeling. But he trusted her enough to do so. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"They are coming," Casey yelled as Vin and Josie slowly began to saunter toward the house. The three quickly scrambled from the window, each taking a seat as they heard the sound of boots shuffling on the porch.
The door opened and Vin called out Nettie's name tentatively.
"Come on in, Vin," she hollered as she, Casey, and JD tried to appear nonchalant.
Nettie was surprised when they stepped into the room and she caught sight of the girl up close. As she pulled the floppy hat off her head, Nettie found she was much younger than expected, probably only a few years older than Casey. Her skin was more tanned than was the fashion but other than that, there was nothing about her that would cause her to stand out from other God-fearing folk, 'cept maybe that she was a very pretty little thing. She quickly managed to charm Nettie right down to her boot-covered toes because Nettie could tell she really cared about Vin and JD. And she in turn showed with every word and gesture that she also cared about Casey and herself because Vin and JD cared about them.
When JD and Casey stood an hour later, signaling that they were ready to depart on their scheduled ride, Vin and Josie took this as a signal to also leave. They said their goodbyes, explaining the need to get back to town. As the two followed JD and Casey out the door, Nettie was surprised when Josie spontaneously hugged her. After a brief moment, Nettie returned the gesture, whispering in Josie's ear, "You take care of my boy."
"I intend to," Josie replied softly. "All of them."
Nettie smiled as the two separated. "Now Vin, you bring Josie back out here real soon," Nettie commanded as she watched the four youngsters mount their horses. "It will be nice for Casey to have another young person around."
Casey glanced at her aunt in surprise, for she'd been told to stay clear of the "saloon woman".
"Nettie, I'll bring her back out real soon." Vin turned a mischievous grin on her. "Of course, you could always come into town."
"Now boy, you know I don't set foot in town if I don't have to," Nettie responded with a very unladylike snort. Vin smiled broadly at her remark as Nettie took off her hat and swatted it in his direction. "Now get gone, all of you," she said in mock fierceness, gesturing with her arms in the direction Four Corners was located.
Once back in town, Josie and Vin went their separate ways. Vin felt the need to talk to Chris, to try to make amends for any hard feelings. And Josie decided to hunt down Mary, hoping to get their issues resolved, to try to reassure Mary that she had no designs on Chris. Josie had hoped to talk to Mary long before now, but Mary had left with Gerard Whitman on the wagon train. Josie smiled as she thought of Chris and how she would have loved to have seen his reaction when he discovered that small fact.
Josie knocked on the door of the Clarion and from inside Mary called out, "Come on in." Her tone was friendly and welcoming, but when she realized it was Josie, the mask slipped into place.
Josie sighed softly. "How was your trip?"
"It was pleasant enough. But I am very busy today and really don't have the time to socialize," Mary said, trying not to sound too terse. After all it wasn't really Josie's fault.
"Mary, I am not here on a social matter. I have some things that need to be said and I would appreciate if you would hear me out," Josie stated softly. She did not want to get Mary's defenses up with a combative tone so she tried to sound as neutral as possible. Mary gestured for Josie to take a seat on the other side of her desk. "Thank you, but I would prefer to stand for the moment." Josie started to pace in front of the desk as she spoke, "I feel that you are angry at me. I may be erroneous in my assumption, but that are the signals you are giving me. And I believe I know why," Josie said as she looked at Mary.
"And what would that be?" Mary asked curiously as she folded her hands in front of her. She knew Josie could be very observant. And even though she'd tried to hide her anger, she wasn't surprised that Josie had noticed.
"It's about Chris. And just let me say that what designs I have on him since the very beginning are not the ones you think," Josie quickly explained.
"And I think what?" Mary asked, neither agreeing nor denying Josie's statement. But Mary was shocked because she thought she had hidden her true feelings about Chris Larabee from everyone.
"Mary, I am not in anyway interested in Chris Larabee romantically," Josie insisted as she stopped pacing and looked at Mary directly.
"But I saw you in his room," Mary protested, louder and more harshly than she intended. And she knew there would be no more denying her feelings now.
"When?" Josie asked, clearly surprised by Mary's admission. She stood dead still. Her face was lined with confusion.
"This morning. I saw you standing at his window," Mary whispered, hanging her head in defeat. She felt ridiculous. She had no claim on Chris and if there was something between the two, it was really none of her business.
"Oh Lord, Mary. I went to Chris' room this morning because I was concerned about Vin. I wanted to know what had occurred and truthfully, I did not believe Buck or Ezra. Chris is not interested in me, not in a romantic sense. He couldn't ever be. I am just one of the boys, or in Chris' case, I think, the annoying little sister." Josie paused and smiled to herself. Yes, that was probably exactly what Chris thought of her. Josie definitely thought if she had a big brother, he would be like Chris. "If and when Chris let's himself love again, he will choose someone a little more traditional. He could not be interested in a female gunslinger. Anyway, I hear he prefers blonds," Josie declared as she plopped down in the chair Mary had offered earlier with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Blonds?" Mary questioned as she touched a strand of her almost white in color hair. She was clearly more confused now than ever.
"Now Mary," Josie said in exasperation, "Why is it everyone can see the way the wind blows except you and Chris?"
Mary's head jerked up quickly, her pleading gaze on Josie's. She desperately hoped she understood what Josie was telling her. Her heart lifted in anticipation, and Mary tried to control the glee that was taking over her body, to push it back down. She wasn't going to allow herself to give into those feelings until she was certain she'd correctly interrupted Josie's cryptic words.
Josie sighed heavily. "Mary, the poor man is not ready to move on yet, to release the memory of his dead wife. But if you have some patience, he will eventually. I plan on making sure that occurs. And when it does, Chris will turn to you because he already cares about you. Right now, he just can't admit it to anyone. But we all know it. Hell, I think even JD knows Chris is in love with you, and he's not the most observant fellow," Josie stated plainly with a grin.
Mary gasped as her hand flew to her heart. And all the feeling she had been trying to suppress for months came bubbling to the surface. "You're certain?" she asked, still so afraid to believe.
"Mary, I am certain," Josie replied as the smile disappeared from her face. "Chris Larabee is in love with you. Mary, even Chris is aware of it. He just doesn't feel safe enough yet to reach out to you."
Mary jumped up from her desk and ran around it quickly. She grabbed Josie by the shoulders once she reached her, and pulled her to her feet, enfolding her in an excited embrace. Josie returned it as they laughed and cried together. They stayed this way for many minutes, whispering to each other excitedly about all the plans Josie had on restoring Chris to his former self. Especially with Buck and Vin's help, Josie knew it could be accomplished. And Mary was ready to do anything it took to win Chris Larabee.
"Is everything okay? What's happened?" someone asked, startling the two women, who both gasped as they broke apart and turned toward the interrupting voice. Chris and Vin stood just inside the doorway. Josie and Mary had been so engrossed that they hadn't even heard the door open.
Josie snuck a peek at Mary. Her eyes were wide with surprise. Her mouth was hanging open in shock. She was terrified that Chris had overheard some of what they had been talking about. Josie looked back at Chris and Vin, knowing Mary was in no condition to try to speak.
"You both have been crying," Vin stated, his face overcome with worry. He and Chris both took a step toward the two women, both equally scared something terrible had happened. Vin only knew of one reason to make Josie cry, as she wasn't one to be easily overcome with emotion.
Josie waved her hand, dismissing their anxiety and smiled. "Just girl talk, I promise." She returned her attention to Mary, giving her a quick hug that Mary gladly returned. "We will speak more of this later," she whispered in Mary's ear. Mary nodded.
Both men noticed the exchange, but from the looks on both women's faces, nothing really seemed amiss. They actually looked damn happy. Mary had the look of a fat cat who'd just lapped up the last of the cream. And Josie looked downright joyful, as if she owned the world.
"You women always cry when you are happy?" Vin asked, eyeing Chris with speculation. Chris shrugged his shoulders as if to say women were strange creatures and nothing could be discounted where they were concerned.
"Yep, get used to it," Josie said as she walked past Vin, patting his arm as she spoke. As she was opening the door, she heard Vin mumbled, "You women are crazy," and stepped out into the bright sunlight, laughing at his response.
An unsettling feeling fell over Josie during her walk to the saloon and halfway there, she changed direction. She stepped inside the telegraph office and after pondering over what she would write, she quickly sent off her message before she could change her mind. Once back outside, she was feeling better about her decision and she fairly skipped back to the saloon.
Josie descended the staircase, surveying the scene below her. That evening, business in the saloon was steady and boisterous. She smiled to herself, quite satisfied with the way things were working out. Business was booming. Word seemed to have spread that one of the owners of the Standish Tavern was a beautiful and eligible young woman. Most of her suitors were men just looking for a woman to talk to. Her seven protectors soon scared off the more ardent ones.
Josie glanced around the room to see if any were yet in attendance, especially Buck. Josie had been correct concerning her seven gentlemen. Once Chris was certain she could be trusted, the rest sensed this and fell in line. Josie was now a part of a most diverse and interesting family. And it hadn't taken them long to come to depend on Josie for many things, one being three hot meals a day.
The work was almost finished that they had been doing around the saloon. Josie hoped they found some excuse to keep hanging around during the day. She had become close to each in the short span of time she had been in Four Corners, but lately she had been spending considerable time with Buck. The rest of the men had yet to realize they should be worried. Josie and Buck soon discovered they had matching senses of humor.
Vin was the first of the seven to walk through her doors. Since his conversation with Ezra, she hadn't seen much of Vin outside of mealtime. Josie was relieved to have him to herself for even a few minutes.
"Would you care to join me for a drink?" Josie asked, approaching Vin with a bottle of Irish whiskey. Vin glanced around the room briefly. Josie sighed. "Ezra is in Eagle Bend."
"What makes ya think I'm lookin' for Ezra?" Vin asked, turning those probing blue eyes of his on Josie.
"He's the only reason I can thinking of as to why you have been avoiding me," Josie replied, daring Vin with her glance to deny the charges.
"I'm not," Vin protested, and then he smiled sheepishly. "I would love to join you." Vin stepped back to let Josie pass then followed her to a table. They sat and Josie placed the bottle on the table between them. "How did you know?"
"I overheard your conversation the day I told him about Joe," she replied, gazing down at her hands. Although she had been eavesdropping and was uncomfortable admitting that, she wasn't about to start lying to Vin now. "If Ezra's dilemma is what we all believe it to be, avoiding me is not going to help matters." She glanced up at Vin before continuing. "I am no more likely to feel anything but friendship for Ezra than I am for you or the rest of the gentleman."
"Even Chris?" Vin asked. He'd having already guessed Josie wasn't interested in Ezra that way. But he'd also noticed the way she'd taken special interest in Chris.
Josie looked at Vin sharply. "Even Chris," she said with a sigh. "He reminds me of someone. But not enough to heal this ache in my heart." Josie glanced away from Vin to sweep her gaze across the room. Once her eyes returned to his face, she was again under control. "Now about this whiskey," she said as she poured them both a glass. "It's from my own private stash. I never travel without a bottle or two. It reminds me of home."
"Can't say I'm too particular," Vin said, trying to lighten the mood. "Whiskey's whiskey."
"Lord, don't let Jesse ever hear you say that," Josie recommended with a smile.
"Has a strong opinion about his whiskey, does he?"
"Very," Josie said before she downed her glass and poured herself another.
"You miss them, don't you?" Vin asked sympathetically.
She nodded, both a sad and happy feeling encompassing her at once. "But I'm finding you seven gentleman remind me of them more and more as each day passes. And that makes it not so lonely."
"How so?" Vin asked, secretly curious to see which of the Kansas lawmen Josie would compare him to.
"Let's see. Nathan would be Shane. They both have an uncanny knack for healing, which comes in handy when you are always being shot at." Josie paused briefly as she flashed Vin a grin. He chuckled softly as she continued. "Kit might not have Buck's years, but he has his charm. We were always pulling him out of some woman's bed. If Lou knew what her oldest boy really spent most of his time doing, she'd shoot Jesse." Josie gave a little laugh as she thought of all the trouble they had gone through trying to keep track of Kit's whereabouts before everyone just gave up and let the kid be.
Vin laughed heartily at this as he recalled his first meeting with Buck. Buck had just crawled out of a boarding house window with only half of his clothing on. And he hadn't changed much since that day.
"I guess Joe would be JD, especially in the early years. Though even in the end, sometimes his mouth got the better of him." Josie and Vin both knew exactly what Josie was referring to, but neither mentioned the incident when she had called out Hickok's killer.
Vin nodded though he wasn't certain he could see the resemblance. JD was impulsive, in actions and words. Vin couldn't imagine Josie having ever not been the reserved and reflective person she was now. But if, in her younger days, she had really been more like JD, Vin was hopeful that JD would outgrow his rashness.
"Jesse has Josiah's patience and wisdom while obtaining Ezra's ability to con someone out of their last nickel. Jesse was the one who taught me how to deal with people like Ezra. But unlike Josiah, who likes to encourage people to find their own solutions, and Ezra, who likes to talk his way around the truth, Jesse is honest to a fault. Jesse can seem harsh because of that honesty and has hurt my feelings too many times to keep record. But in the end I always find Jesse to be correct." Josie paused as if her thoughts had taken a dark road. "And then there are the twins, Colt and Slade." The dull ache in her heart became suddenly painful at the thought of Slade.
Vin noticed the brief flicker of incredible sadness in Josie's eyes and he realized with sudden surprise that her gunslinger was one of these two men.
"If it wasn't so ethnically obvious, one would think the three were related. I have always found it amazing the way they can communicate without words, the way you and Chris do." Josie paused, trying to think of the best way to describe the Cross brothers. "Both of the boys suffer from the ill effects of their childhood. They remember more than Shane does the percussion their people endured before Buck took them from the Kiowa. Now with Colt, you are not very likely to get a full sentence out of him. Over the years, I have become very good at interrupting grunts and growls," Josie said with a mischievous grin as she nodded in his direction. Vin laughed. "Colt observes people remarkably well and I have found his judgment to always be accurate. When he tells you something, it is always wise to listen. The only difference between you and he is you are missing a tomahawk strapped to your back."
Josie picked up her whiskey and sipped it. She appeared to be finished with the conversation. Vin realized she had omitted using Slade's name but the one time. He quickly deduced just which of the two men Josie was in love with.
"And the other brother, he reminds you of Chris?" Vin asked, probing gently.
Josie sighed and nodded slowly. She had been hoping Vin wouldn't notice her lapse of information regarding Slade. "In some ways, they are very similar. Slade appears to be the more jovial of the two. He can appear very playful, especially with Jesse. But don't be fooled by the smile. It never reaches his eyes. Like Chris, he has suffered great loss and because of it, has retreated from all but a select few. And even those few have a difficult time getting close. This is why I have made it my mission to rescue Chris from his demons before they eat him alive," she replied softly.
"Is that why you came here? You couldn't save him?" Vin asked gently.
Josie looked at Vin startled. He appeared to at least be under the impression he was privy to some information. Josie didn't know how to respond and she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold up under his scrutiny.
"What makes you think you are an expert on my past?" she asked quietly. Vin could sense the deceptiveness in her tone and knew he was treading on shaky ground. He suddenly saw just how deadly she could be when cornered. He decided to proceed anyway, though cautiously.
"Inez said something that night Chris tore into you about a letter from a gunslinger. "One who had broken you heart" is how I reckon she put it," Vin replied softly so the entire saloon didn't overhear them. "I might be wrong, but I get the impression the man is Slade."
Josie inhaled sharply. She would have bolted from the table if Vin hadn't grabbed her hand.
"Josie, I shouldn't have brought it up. It's none of my business. I just want you to know I'm here fer you if you want to talk," he whispered, keeping a tight grip on her hand. Josie squeezed his in reply and nodded, too overcome to speak.
Vin hadn't been prepared for how devastated she appeared. It was apparent to him that Josie was still very much in love with Slade Cross. And Vin found he hated this man whom he'd never met.
That was how Buck and JD found Vin and Josie, sitting across the table from each other, holding hands, a barely touched bottle of whiskey sitting between them.
A drastic change overtook Josie's features when she saw Buck. Vin could tell it was partly contrived to cover up her sadness. Buck sent JD off to get them beers. Then he leaned down to Josie.
"Did ya get it?" Buck asked in a low voice so JD couldn't overhear. And Vin knew the two were up to something.
"Yes. Everything will go as planned if you can convince JD to a game of cards. I don't think he will trust my offer," Josie replied in a conspiratorial whisper.
"What are you two up to?" Vin asked in a low voice, following the lead of Buck and Josie.
"Nothin' to worry about, Vin. Just a harmless little prank on JD," Buck replied, the ends of his mustache turning up because his grin was so wide. "Now shhh," Buck hissed as JD turned from the bar, beers in hand and headed toward their table. "Now JD, Miss Josie here thinks you are afraid to play a game of chance with her," Buck taunted once JD had joined them. "Tell her it ain't so."
JD looked from Josie to Buck. His chest puffed out and he replied," Of course I ain't afraid."
"There, ya see, we'd love to get a game going. I'm feeling real lucky tonight," Buck said eagerly as he rubbed his hands together. He took his beer from JD then sat beside Josie. JD found he had no choice but to join them. "Hey Chris, we're about to get a game going!" Buck called over Josie's shoulder. She turned to find Chris standing in the doorway. Chris nodded before sauntering to the bar. Once he had a drink in hand, he joined the group.
Chris and Vin both removed their hats so they hung down their backs.
"There's a lady present," Buck reprimanded as he removed JD's hat and set it on the table.
"Where?" JD teased.
Josie smiled sweetly at him as she shuffled the cards.
"Careful, JD. Remember who's dealing," Chris reminded him with a grin.
There was a chuckle that started with Buck and went around the table, save for JD and Josie. Since that first time playing cards with the men, JD hadn't played one hand with Josie. It was a constant source of devilment for the other six, to tease JD about loosing to a female. The rest conveniently forgot they hadn't come out winners either. And poor JD had been too drunk to remember.
Early in the evening, Josiah and Nathan joined them. Since Ezra hadn't returned, all sitting at the table assumed that he'd stayed the night in Eagles Bend.
While most at the table paced themselves, not wanting to get liquored up and loose all their money to Josie, JD was well on his way to passing out before the evening ended.
"Aww, the recklessness of youth," Buck teased as he swept the pile of money, of which a good deal was JD's, from the center of the table to join his pile in front of him.
As Vin dealt the next hand, Chris looked across the table to find Josie staring at him. For the better part of the last hour, he'd glance up and catch her silently watching him. "What?" he finally asked sharply.
Everyone at the table turned to Josie. She shrugged slightly as she picked her cards up from the table. One glance at Vin found him watching her with raised eyebrows. Josie turned away from him, knowing he was thinking of their earlier conversation, and turned back to Chris.
"If you have somethin' to say, spit it out. I've never know you to be shy before," Chris challenged.
"Well, I just find myself slightly curious about something pertaining to your manner of dress," Josie responded nonchalantly.
"And that would be?" Chris asked curiously, wondering where she was headed. One could never tell with Josie.
"Is your form of fashion supposed to convey your perpetually foul mood, or do you just prefer black?" she asked, a mischievous glint in the eyes that observed Chris over the cards in her hand.
Buck, who had just taken a drink from his glass, started laughing hysterically, sending liquid across the table in Nathan's direction. Josiah smiled broadly at Josie's audacity. Vin and Nathan tried to hide their smiles behind their cards. JD was clearly stunned. He looked at Josie as if she'd suddenly grown another head. Then he glanced at Chris and winced as Chris calmly laid his cards on the table. JD was sure heads were going to roll.
"Miss McCloud, one day that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble," Chris stated, in a deceptively soft voice.
"So I've been told," she replied, not the least bit concerned that Chris was staring her down with those eyes of his. "But you didn't answer my question."
JD's gaze whipped back from Josie to Chris. It was then that Chris' lips twitched and the smile he'd been desperately trying to control took over his face.
"I guess you'll just have to figure that out for yourself," he replied.
"Oh, I already have," Josie stated. She glanced at Buck and then at Vin, who were on either side of her.
"Foul mood," the three replied in almost unison.
"I swear, a man gets no respect around here," Chris growled.
"Naw, it's just since Josie came to town," Vin teased.
"Be careful, Vin Tanner. You are close enough to hit," Josie warned good- naturedly.
"Well, I'll be," JD murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "Chris has a sense of humor."
Everyone laughed but Chris and JD. Chris reached out, cuffing JD on the side of the head.
"Oww," JD grumbled, as he winced from the pain.
"Don't worry, kid. You won't even remember in the mornin'" Buck teased.
"Shut up, Buck," JD mumbled as he returned his attention back to the cards in his hand.
Twenty minutes later, a very broke and drunk JD stood up, knocking his chair to the floor.
"Kid's done for the night," Buck said from his seat. He picked up JD's hat up off the table and handed it to him.
"Why, thanks, Buck," JD said loudly as he grasped the brim of his hat, quickly flipping it over and placing it on his head. Within seconds, a dark, gooey mess slid down the sides of his head. All sitting at the table immediately began to laugh. "Aww hell, Buck, why'd ya go and do that?" JD whined as he tried to scrape molasses off his face. JD noticed the look pass between Buck and Josie. "I swear I'll get the two of you back," JD vowed as he stomped off, trails of hooting laughter following him out of the door.
Josie and Buck had conspired together, quite serious about the tasks they were to embark upon. They debated a bit before finally deciding on their course of action. Once the who, when, and how had been determined, they began their mission, starting with JD. When the five remaining men soon discovered Josie and Buck hadn't just stopped with JD, they weren't so amused, especially when it was their turn.
The second to fall victim to their good-natured teasing was Ezra. Since Josie naturally had the opportunity, the preparations had been left to her. Two nights after the incident with JD, Ezra had fallen asleep in a drunken stupor. Josie had crept into his room, unbeknownst to Ezra.
The next afternoon, when Ezra finally managed to drag himself from his bed and join the living, Josie and Buck both had a difficult time keeping a straight face. And they remained that way most of the day. Vin and Chris both noticed Josie was anxious and kept stealing glances at Ezra. Just when Chris was about to ask Josie what was bothering her, Ezra pulled out his flask. Buck winked at Josie and Chris immediately knew they were up to something. Ezra popped the lid and took a large swallow, only to grimace fiercely and spit out the liquid on an unsuspecting JD.
"Good Lord!" Ezra exclaimed as he pulled out a handkerchief, trying to wipe away the taste of vinegar in his mouth. "Something to drink, now!" he ordered as peals of laughter forth from everyone, but Ezra and JD. JD felt he'd been doubly cursed since he was now wet and smelled of vinegar. The rest of the gang thought the look on Ezra's face was priceless as he jumped from the table and stumbled his way to the bar, looking for something to wash the foul taste from his mouth. Once he had gotten a drink and rinsed the foul substance from his flask, he returned to the table.
"Very amusing," he commented dryly.
"Ezra, if you could have seen your face," Buck managed to say through his laughter. He was bent over, clutching his sides.
Ezra just shook his head, outwardly taking the prank in stride, but his mind was already thinking revenge as he glanced at his two adversaries.
Vin was next. He was struck down three days later. Now while Josie had come up with the idea, she didn't have the nerve to do the deed. Of all the seven, Vin was the only one she felt guilty about before the prank had even been carried out.
Vin and Chris had gone out on patrol in the early morning, just after dawn. Then they returned for breakfast, Josie noticed Vin's hair was wet. He was sitting with his back to her silent, while the rest of the seven snickered around him.
"Vin, why in the world are you soaked?" Josie asked as she exited the stockroom, approaching the table in the middle of the bar.
Vin turned to her slowly and Josie noticed the dark ring of ink surrounding his right eye. She tried to prevent the laughter that escaped her lips without success. Vin raised an eyebrow at her outburst.
JD immediately launched into the story, exuberantly explaining what had occurred on their ride. Vin had pulled out his spyglass to inspect two distant riders. After using it, he had put it away and turned to Chris. A burst of loud guffaws slipped from Chris' lips much to Vin's amazement. It too Chris a moment to control himself enough to manage suggesting Vin take a gander at his reflection in a nearby creek. Vin quickly made his way to the creek, dropped to his knees, and peered over the bank. He was so stunned by his appearance, he fell in headfirst.
Josie laughed so hard, she had to hold onto the table to keep herself on her feet. Vin was not amused. And to make matters worse, the ink didn't wear off for four days.
That evening, Josie descending the stairs form her room to find Vin, Ezra, and JD pouting into their beers as Buck looked on with a smug smirk.
"You are such babies," Josie admonished to all three as she had to listen to them whine for the 100th time. But she was thankful they took it in stride.
Josiah was the next on the list. Buck and Josie stole into the church in the dead of the night, while Josiah was asleep. At one point he had rolled over and Josie had thought for sure they were caught. Her heart about leaped out of her throat. But Josiah had just mumbled something about his leaking roof and settled back down. He woke up the next morning to discover enough honey in his boots to stock his own hive. Unfortunately he didn't discover this until after he'd slipped his boots on. He never said a word about it. He just looked at Josie with those preacher eyes and she immediately felt guilty. But it soon passed as she and Buck turned to Nathan.
Now for Nathan, Josie took care of herself. Buck wasn't the most graceful individual and she didn't want to end up covered in the liquid they were gracing Nathan with. He about had a fit when he'd walked into his clinic and was overcome by the smell of rotten eggs. His voice could be heard throughout the town as he screamed the offenders' names. Josie and Buck knew to get out of site- quick. The rest of the seven went to investigate. It took Nathan weeks to get the stench out of everything he owned. Every time he came near Josie, she had to wrinkle nose and turn her head to keep from gagging at the smell. And Nathan made a point to get as close to her and Buck as possible so they could share in the joy he had to endure.
Now Chris seriously thought he was immune to the troubles plaguing the rest of his friends. And if Josie had had her way, he would have been correct. Josie wanted no part of what Buck had planned for Chris. Josie and Buck had a major disagreement over that one, but she had finally relented. She figured Buck had known Chris a considerable amount of time. Buck insisted Chris would eventually see the humor in the prank. It was the "eventually" that had Josie worried. But unfortunately for Chris, one night he returned to his room, after having spent the evening in the saloon while Josie plied him with alcohol. He was not happy when he collapsed on his bed, only to find it give way underneath him and he ended up in a pile on the floor. Josie was thankful she avoided the cussing fit Chris unleashed on Buck that evening, having escaped to her room soon after he left.
Soon the six men were commiserating together on their sad fate. And they came up with a plan on how to get even. Buck's clothes disappeared one afternoon while he was at the bathhouse. Buck, having been chased out of many a bedroom in many different forms of undress, was only mildly embarrassed- a huge disappointment to the six. But Vin knew the way to get even with Josie. The others thought she was getting off easy, but Vin felt differently. Josie spent a week, walking on eggshells, waiting her turn, only to discover that was her punishment. And Vin was correct, because the wait about killed her.
The next couple of days, there was an argument over who owned some land in the territory because there were two people with deeds to the property. Judge Travis was in town to see over the proceedings and the seven spent considerable time making sure nothing got out of hand.
"Hello Mary," Josie greeted a bit cautiously. In recent days, her relationship with Mary had been strained, though for the life of her, Josie couldn't contemplate exactly why.
"Josie," Mary returned with a nod. "This is Gerard Whitman. Gerard, Josie McCloud. Gerard was a good friend of Stephen's," Mary added, referring to her late husband.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance, Miss McCloud," Gerard Whitman stated as he kissed Josie's hand.
Josie smiled at him warmly. He was very attractive and had a delightful smile. He reminded her of Buck somehow and Josie immediately took a liking to him. She was about to respond when she felt a hand on the small of her back and Chris whisper close to her ear, "Josie, can I have a word with you?"
"Certainly," she replied as she glanced back at Chris. When she turned her gaze back to Mary and Gerard, Josie felt as if she had been hit upside the head with a frying pan. She immediately noticed the narrowed gaze Mary was directing at the two and it dawned on her why Mary was upset with her. "Please excuse me," she said meekly to Mary and Gerard before letting Chris lead her away. She followed him into the jailhouse and sat on the edge of the desk.
"Are you listening to me?" Chris asked in exasperation. Sometimes the woman just baffled him and he wanted to pull out his hair.
"What?" Josie mentally snapped back to her surroundings. "Bloody hell!" she muttered as Chris raised a brow, having never heard Josie curse in any form. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Care to talk about it?" Chris asked, very curious about what she was so twisted up over.
"I was certain Mary was upset with me, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why. It has finally dawned on me and I am stunned at my stupidity," Josie replied distractedly. She knew as soon as she was done with Chris, she would have to find Mary and set her straight.
"Want to tell me why Mary is upset with you?" Chris asked as he folded his arms across his chest. Josie has quickly wormed her way into his life, making herself an integral part of his existence. He would not let his feelings for Mary jeopardize one of his own, so if he had to get involved, he would.
"Not really," she replied evasively. "Now what were you saying?" she asked, changing the subject with a definitive nod of her head.
Chris smiled as he shook his head. "Women," he muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Josie asked as her head snapped up from the floor, where she had been examining the wooden planks in order to avoid Chris' unnerving gaze.
Chris shook his head again. "What I was saying earlier was I want you to stay out of Dickie O'Shea's way. If he comes into the saloon, I want you to stay as far away from him as possible. If one of us isn't around, I would prefer that you or Inez get one of us. If Ezra is around, let him deal with the man."
"You must be joking," she snapped.
Chris ran a hand over his face then returned his gaze to the woman standing before him, hands on her hips, ready to take him on. "'fraid not. For once can you not be so difficult and listen to reason."
"Difficult! Reason!" she sputtered to Chris' amusement, which of course only angered her more.
"Are you two trying to scare the whole town," Vin asked as he threw the door open and entered the jail. "Mary and her friend just hightailed it like the devil was after them."
"Oh bloody hell! See what you've done!" Josie hissed as she threw up her hands.
"What I've done?" Chris gasped. "All I did was ask you to stay clear of O'Shea. I don't trust the man. What the hell does that have to do with Mary?"
Josie suddenly stilled. Both Chris and Vin were staring at her expectantly. "Oh Lord," she muttered. "It appears today just isn't my day. Maybe I should put a sign outside the saloon 'Come on inside and hit Josie- free of charge'. By the end of the day, I think I'll have quite a line."
Chris grinned at her statement while Vin looked on in confusion. "So does that mean you'll listen to me?" he asked.
"Fine," she snapped. "I will run for the hills whenever the man looks in my direction, unless you are there to protect little ol' me."
"A simple yes or no would do," Chris mumbled.
Vin burst into laughter. "Is that what this is all about?" he asked. "Chris, you should know better by now. I told you to let me talk to her."
"So you agree with him," she asked, aiming her glare on Vin.
"Now Josie, I ain't saying that. I just think you should be aware of the situation so you can approach it cautiously. I don't trust O'Shea either," Vin explained hastily, hands in front of him as he backed up slowly.
"Thank you, Vin. I will indeed be careful if Mr. O'Shea comes in view," Josie replied as she smiled at Vin. She turned to leave the jailhouse after shooting one last disgruntled glance at Chris.
"Ass kisser," she heard Chris taunt Vin as she closed the door behind her. She couldn't help the laughter that bubbled forth as she turned from the jail. Her goal was to find Mary and explain her intentions, but she found Mary and Billy away somewhere with Gerard and his daughter, who was Billy's age. So Josie returned to the saloon, where she became engrossed in work and Mary slipped her mind.
The next day, Judge Travis made his ruling in regards to the piece of property being fought over. Expecting trouble from the man Judge Travis had ruled against, he asked the men to accompany a wagon train to its destination. Josie learned about their assignment from Vin, who immediately came to inform her they would be leaving the next morning at dawn.
"Chris thinks we will be gone a week or two," Vin explained as he leaned against the bar, watching Josie restock bottles from a shipment that had arrived that morning. "Do you think you will be okay on your own for that long? I'm sure Chris would understand if one or two of us stayed behind."
"And just who would that be? Josiah, Nathan, Buck, or JD would wonder why they were being left behind. Chris has to go for obvious reasons. And though you feel responsible for my safety, I can tell you are dying to get out of town." Vin gave her a surprised look that Josie had been able to perceive his restless. She replied with raised brows as she stopped what she was doing to look up at him, "I know the look all too well."
"What about Ezra?" Vin asked, thinking he'd found the perfect solution. "We could say Ezra is needed here at the saloon. No one wants to have to listen to Ezra complain for two weeks straight, anyway."
Josie smiled at his comment and then shook her head. "Ezra is the last person who should remain behind," she replied softly.
Vin nodded, quickly realizing she was correct. Most probably the best thing would be for Ezra to be away from Josie for a spell. "Then the only answer is fer you to come with us," Vin stated decidedly. "We'll be able to keep an eye on you that way."
"Vin, don't be ridiculous. Just how would we explain my presence to the rest of the gentlemen. Besides, I have a business to run. Inez cannot take care of this place on her own. With Ezra gone, she will most assuredly be needing my assistance." Josie paused as she continued restocking her shelves. "Anyway, I have never been concerned for my own safety. I can shoot more accurately than most men. I was worried about you gentleman, and Inez, Mary, and Billy. With only Inez to keep my eye on, things will be manageable. I won't feel pulled into 10 different directions."
"Josie, we can take care of ourselves," Vin said, amused that Josie felt her presence was needed to protect him and the other men.
Josie sighed. "I know, but old habits," she said softly.
Their conversation was interrupted as Ezra sauntered through swinging doors.
"I see Mr. Tanner has informed you of the next exciting adventure we are to embark upon," he said sarcastically from the entranceway. "Seven to fourteen days of bliss atop a horse amid a wagon train." Ezra visibly shuddered as he walked across the room until he reached the bar. He quickly poured himself a drink and tossed it back. "Could things get anymore nauseating than that?"
"I think it would be fun," Josie replied as she poured herself and Vin a drink, sliding Vin's glass down the bar to him.
"Maybe you should take my place," Ezra mumbled.
Vin's eyes lit up as he glanced down at his drink. He looked up at Josie and opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't even say it," Josie warned.
"But it's the answer."
"To what?" Ezra questioned curiously as he glance from Vin to Josie.
"Vin is worried about me being here alone while you gentlemen are gone," Josie replied to Ezra's question then she addressed Vin. "Ezra gets paid by the Judge to protect those that need it. I do not. I would have stayed in Kansas if that was the life I wanted to lead. No, you men go on your wagon train. Inez and I will be just fine."
Ezra and Vin were silent a moment, each contemplating his own thoughts. Ezra was ashamed that when he'd first been told of the wagon train, he had only thought of his own comfort, and hadn't given any thought to Josie being left behind, alone.
"If you insist on staying, then I must insist you have a weapon other than the derringer you carry up your sleeve," Ezra said quietly. "I would leave feeling much better if I knew you were well armed and I am sure the same goes for Mr. Tanner."
"I will agree to your stipulation," Josie said with a nod as she held out her hand to Ezra.
"Good. Then later today, you and I will go to the hardware store to make sure you are properly equipped," Ezra agreed as he grasped Josie's hand in his and the two shook on it.
So later that afternoon, Ezra accompanied Josie and Inez to the hardware store. Neither thought it a bad idea that Inez also had a firearm for protection. They agreed Inez would have an easier time handling a Colt revolver, which could be hidden behind the bar and didn't have quite the kick of a longer barreled gun. Josie left with an 1873 Winchester. It was very similar to the 1860 Henry she had inherited from Lou, which Kit now carried on his saddle, and so felt familiar to her.
So at dawn, Josie stood in the doorway of the saloon and watched them ride off. She was pretty sure she'd embarrassed all of them as she fussed over each before she let them on their horses. Except Buck, that is, who lavished the attention. But none of the men had the heart to tell her so, or deny her a hug and the giving of some motherly advice; even Chris, who wasn't comfortable with anyone fussing over him.
Those two weeks passed so slowly for Josie, she began to think there would be no end. She was bored beyond belief, and while Inez tried to keep her mind from wandering to her seven gentlemen, she couldn't help wondering how they were doing and when they would return. Time passed without incident except for the brief wire from Jesse, informing her that Jeremy had helped his good friend and fellow Texas Ranger, John Armstrong, track down Wes Hardin, one of Texas' most notorious criminals. Jesse had met Hardin once in Abilene. It was in '71 and Hardin had managed to get the best of Jimmy when Jimmy had asked him to turn over his guns. It had turned out in the end, but the incident had enraged Jesse. Jesse was glad Jeremy had helped take him in.
When the seven returned twelve days later, she immediately sensed something wasn't right, thought it didn't take a genius to figure that out. Vin only stayed in town an hour before heading back out. And not once in that hour did he stop by the saloon to check on her.
Josie asked Inez to watch the saloon, then she set out on a mission to uncover that had occurred to Vin on the trip. She learned bits and pieces of some outlandish fiction from Ezra, Buck, and JD involving Vin and a married woman named Charlotte. Josie knew they were trying to pull one over on her and so she went in search of Chris to learn the truth. Josie finally tracked him down in his room at the boarding house.
"Now what!" Chris snarled as he threw open the door. Josie jumped back, startled, as the door slammed against the wall. His expression softened when he realized it was only Josie.
"I apologize if I have come at an inopportune moment," she said softly.
"Nah, I'm sorry. I thought you were Buck." Josie raised an eyebrow in question. "He has been hounding me about heading to Purgatory," Chris replied as he braced himself against the doorframe. "What can I do for you?"
"Can I come in?" she asked, motioning toward the inside of his room.
Chris cocked his head, contemplating Josie for a moment. Then he stepped out of the doorway and allowed her entrance, closing the door behind Josie.
"I am concerned about Vin," Josie began as she crossed Chris' room and stood in front of the window. "It is out of character for him to just take off like he did without a word. I have been hearing some outlandish tales of his involvement with a woman on the wagon train, but I suspect Buck is trying to get the better of me," Josie quickly went on to explain.
"Her name was Charlotte," Chris replied as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the dresser. "Vin pretty much turned against us all before he took off with her. I don't know why they came back, but in the end, they did."
"Oh good Lord," Josie whispered fiercely. "Did she take advantage of him?"
"Take advantage of Vin?" Chris asked, surprised that Josie would come to that conclusion.
"Chris, I believe we are probably both under the same suspicion that Vin is naïve in relation to women. And if the information I pertained from Buck is correct, this Charlotte was a married woman. It would seem more likely that she would have acquired the needed skills to use Vin to serve her own purposes."
"Josie, I don't know what happened between them. But whatever did, I don't think Vin's the same fer it. I'm sure he just needs some time alone to think things through."
"Think things through for what purpose!" Josie asked harshly, her hands resting on her hips in indignation. "So he can sit out there somewhere alone, brooding over what he lost. You of all people should know just exactly how damn helpful that is."
"And just what the hell is that supposed to mean," Chris hissed, standing up straight. All warmth that had been first directed at Josie when Chris had let her into the room disappeared from his eyes. They hardened like two frozen glaciers and Josie shivered in reaction. Other than his eyes and the slight twitch of the muscle in the back of his jaw, there was no other outwardly sign of just how angry Chris was. For the first time, Josie realized just how deadly he could be. Here was the Chris Larabee Jesse had warned her to stay away form.
Josie put her hands out in front of her and took a step backwards. "I had no right," she whispered, "to imply that Vin's loss in anyway compares to yours." Josie turned her back to Chris and gently fingered the curtain, moving it so she could glance out the window, though unshed tears obscured her vision. "But from my own experience, I sometimes wonder if you are the lucky one. It's no picnic knowing he's out there somewhere and that he just didn't love you enough."
"Josie," Chris began, his anger somewhat appeased by the incredible sadness in her voice. Though Chris knew he would gladly trade never seeing Sarah again if it meant she could live.
"No, Chris," Josie interrupted as she turned to face him. "I apologize for causing you distress. That was not my intention in coming here." Josie started for the door. Just as her fingers reached the knob, she felt Chris' strong grip on her arm. Josie hadn't expected to be able to leave Chris' presence so easily. She had the feeling she had opened Pandora's box.
"Manuel labor sometimes helps a man settle stuff in his head. Vin might be a Nettie Wells' place," Chris said softly in her ear. His response startled Josie to her very core. She nodded. Chris slowly released her arm and Josie vacated Chris' room. Once outside the boardinghouse, Josie ran into Mary, quite literally.
"Excuse me, Mary," Josie mumbled, still distracted from her encounter with Chris. Without waiting for a response, Josie crossed the street and headed for the saloon. Once she reached the Standish Tavern, Josie again felt in control of her emotions.
"How do I find Nettie Wells' place?" she asked once inside the swinging doors.
"May I inquire as to why?" Ezra asked as he sat at a table, playing poker with JD, Josiah, and Nathan. Buck was standing at the bar, where he'd been explaining to Inez for the last ten minutes his many charms. Inez was shaking her head, wondering where he was hiding them.
"No you may not," Josie replied. "But you can answer my damn question."
Ezra raised an eyebrow at her quick rebuff, but Josie ignored him. She'd already apologized to enough people in the few short hours since she had risen from her bed.
"I was thinking of heading out to see Casey. Miss Wells is her aunt. I could take you out there is you like," JD offered as he stood.
"I would appreciate that, JD. Just give me a moment to change and I will be ready to go." Josie quickly went to her room to change into a split skirt, just in case Vin wasn't at the Wells' place and she would need to search him out. Then she braided her abundant curls and stuffed them under an old hat. She returned ten minutes later to find JD waiting outside with two horses.
It was about a half hour ride on horse to the Wells' place. As the house came into view, Josie was relieved to spot Vin chopping wood. His shirt was draped over a nearby fence. The way his back and chest glistened in the sunlight, Josie knew Chris' assumption had been correct, though she suspected Vin was working himself into exhaustion to forget more than anything else.
Vin momentarily looked up at the sound of approaching horses. He saw one of the riders was JD and so he figured the other was Casey. He was wallowing so deeply in his own misery that he never noticed the other rider was wearing a dress. And so when Vin glanced up again and found Josie sitting quietly about ten feet away from him, he was startled.
Josie had been silently watching Vin for the better part of a half hour. The fact that Vin hadn't heard her approach surprised Josie. Vin was always aware of his surroundings. It came from his life depending on it, both when he was a bounty hunter and now being a wanted man. Josie quickly realized the emotional blow that had been delivered to Vin at the hands of this Charlotte person. There was no real outward sign to show how distressed Vin really was feeling. There was only the deep seeded knowledge of one who had already been through the process of having one's heart ripped from their chest.
"Whadaya doing out here?" Vin asked, taking only a moment before hurdling the axe with one swift swing, splitting a log in two.
"I just felt the need to get away from the saloon for a spell. JD was coming out here to see Casey and it sounded like a pleasant trip," Josie replied nonchalantly. She didn't want to jump in headfirst until she had tested the waters.
"I'm not very good company right now, Josie," he stated, not straying from his task.
"Vin, if I wanted stimulating conversation, I could have stayed in Ezra's presence," she remarked lightly. "I'll just sit here and take in this gorgeous day."
"If you say so," Vin muttered under his breath. A few minutes passed before Vin put down the axe and turned to Josie. "What are ya really doing out here?"
Josie shrugged and then sighed. "I was worried about you, Vin. And please don't tell me there's no need, because it won't change the fact that I do. I love you. So I had to see for myself that you're okay."
"And do I look okay?" Vin asked harshly, more harshly than he had intended.
"No," Josie whispered. "You look how I feel every waking moment of every day."
Vin sank down beside her on the tree stump. "God Josie, how do you go on?" Vin asked, his voice breaking with emotion.
She shrugged as she skimmed over her surroundings, trying to blink the tears away. But they persisted to fall. "I ran away," she whispered. "Like Chris wallowed in liquor, I also avoided having to deal with it. I simply packed my things and left." She paused, looking at Vin as the tears began to stream down her face. "I don't recommend either as a solution," she said with a little laugh. She reached up and touched Vin's cheek. "But however you decide to deal with the loss, know this, it does get easier."
"I don't see how," he whispered.
"I know," she replied softly. "But one morning, you will wake up and the first thing you think of will not be her. I promise it will happen."
Vin shook his head in disbelief. He felt as if he'd been stabbed in the gut, over and over again. He almost wished he could lose himself in a bottle of whiskey. But he'd seen what it had done to Chris. It wasn't a price he was willing to pay. He reached out, clutching Jose's hand tightly in his. He had thought he wanted to be alone. But having her beside him felt right. Vin opened his mouth to thank Josie, for he hadn't realized just how badly he needed her support. Instead, it all came pouring out- how Charlotte's husband had been hitting her, how the sadness she carried around reminded him of Josie. He'd just wanted to help her. Then he'd fallen. And if he was honest with himself, he couldn't say for sure if he truly loved her or everything she represented. He'd avoided letting any females close, other than Mary and Josie, because he had nothing to offer them. He couldn't have a wife and children until the bounty hanging over his head was taken care of. When and if that day would ever come, Vin couldn't be sure. And he couldn't ask anyone to wait for him because his name might never get cleared. One day he might find himself swinging from the end of a rope.
"Vin, you wanted to help her, there is no shame in that." Josie grasped Vin's face gently between her fingers. "You can't be expected to go on like you have been. Everyone needs to love and be loved in return. It's human nature to not be alone. Never regret what you shared, only that it couldn't last."
"Why couldn't it have been you?" he asked softly.
"I've asked myself the same thing," she agreed as she dropped her hands. "If I could have chosen you over Slade, things would have been so much more simple."
Vin took her hand in his while he wrapped his other arm around her waist.
"Yes, if only we could choose," he whispered.
Josie nodded as she rested her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and was overcome with a vision of Slade. The day she'd left, he'd just watched her with those cold dark eyes, watched her walk right out of his life without saying a word.
"When Jesse finished his research on this town, the one person I was told to stay away from was Chris. He reminds us both of Slade." She paused and sighed. "Jesse thinks me a fool for falling in love with him. To love any man is a downfall that will only lead to ruin. I guess Jesse was right. I can't even go home for fear he will be there. I feel like such a coward, but it just hurts too damn bad. And right now I can't take any more humiliation, having the rest of the family see the change in me. I don't want them to feel the need to choose sides."
"What about Jesse? He's still riding with Slade," Vin said, his tone an accusation.
"Jesse warned me in the very beginning that Slade wouldn't be able to give me what I needed- a home and a family. I disagreed. I thought one day..." she paused as her voice cracked and she took a quick intake of breath as if to prevent the flood of tears before she continued, "Anyway, Slade is like a brother to Jesse. The only person any closer to Jesse is Colt. And even though Jesse resents how Slade treated me, he told me upfront that he wouldn't be able to choose. It would be like cutting off his hand, Slade and Colt have always been Jesse's other half. Jesse wouldn't be able to survive without them, especially since Jimmy's death."
They sat silently for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Josie was contemplating the family she'd left behind and how she missed them. Vin was thinking of the family he had been embraced by in Four Corners and how his encounter with Charlotte had seemed to taint it.
"Chris didn't understand when I left with Charlotte. I think he took it as a slight against him, like I had turned my back on him," Vin said softly.
"Because Chris isn't in a place to love again, he can't accept anyone else's need to. I think if he did feel that at the time, he is past it now. He was the only one who would tell me where I might find you," Josie confided. "I think Chris was hoping I might be of some help. He is uncertain how to approach you because he understands how badly you are hurting right now. He is just not comfortable talking about your pain as it rekindles his own." Josie paused as she got momentarily lost in her own thoughts. She mentally pulled back from her own dark thoughts, knowing Vin needed her to concentrate on his loss. "Vin, can I ask what made you come out here? I can only assume that this place holds some special meaning for you," Josie asked as her eyes rested on the house some distance away. She tried to ignore the hurt she was feeling that Vin hadn't come to her, but instead, had ended up on the Wells' property.
"I guess you could say Nettie is like a mom to me. My own died when I was real young and when I first came to town; it was nice having someone to fill the role. I guess this place feels the most like home," he replied as he too looked at the home Nettie and her husband had built years ago.
"Oh," Josie mumbled. "I guess that makes sense."
Vin smiled for the first time since Josie had arrived. He jumped up, grabbing Josie's hand and pulling her to her feet.
"Come meet Nettie," he urged, giving her arm a tug.
"Yes, let's go meet Mum," she replied with a smile. It was good to just see Vin thinking of something other than Charlotte. Though Josie knew it would not last, it was a start- one she wasn't going to second guess.
Inside the house, its occupants were huddled around the front window, watching Vin and Josie. JD had explained to Nettie who the redhead was that had ridden onto her property. She had heard mention of the woman who now owned the saloon around town. Casey, herself, had encountered her once since she arrived. Nettie had discouraged Casey's involvement with her. Nettie seriously questioned the morals of this Josie McCloud. What kind of woman would own a saloon, for goodness sake?
"Only one kind," Nettie thought with a humph. And it wasn't the decent, church-going kind.
Then again, Mary seemed to think highly of her. She had managed to keep Chris Larabee sober until mid day. That was no small feet. She had Ezra actually doing an honest days work. Buck had recently been too occupied with her plaguing their friends to terrorize the local females. Lately, whenever Casey returned from town, she had a new story of some trick Buck and Josie had played on the six lawmen. Nettie found each equally amusing. And she had managed to get Vin to open up to someone about his troubles. When he'd first rode up, she'd thought someone had died. And Vin had said less than usual, refusing to talk about it. He immediately set a work around the place, first fixing the loose board in the fence and then chopping wood for her. It wasn't until JD had shown up what she'd received some indication of what was plaguing him. It seemed Vin had gone and gotten himself mixed up with some tart. He was clearly broken up over the outcome. And the only person he had trusted enough to talk to about it was the saloon girl. Nettie had silently watched the two, watched while they broke down in each other's arms. Vin wasn't one to talk about his feeling. But he trusted her enough to do so. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"They are coming," Casey yelled as Vin and Josie slowly began to saunter toward the house. The three quickly scrambled from the window, each taking a seat as they heard the sound of boots shuffling on the porch.
The door opened and Vin called out Nettie's name tentatively.
"Come on in, Vin," she hollered as she, Casey, and JD tried to appear nonchalant.
Nettie was surprised when they stepped into the room and she caught sight of the girl up close. As she pulled the floppy hat off her head, Nettie found she was much younger than expected, probably only a few years older than Casey. Her skin was more tanned than was the fashion but other than that, there was nothing about her that would cause her to stand out from other God-fearing folk, 'cept maybe that she was a very pretty little thing. She quickly managed to charm Nettie right down to her boot-covered toes because Nettie could tell she really cared about Vin and JD. And she in turn showed with every word and gesture that she also cared about Casey and herself because Vin and JD cared about them.
When JD and Casey stood an hour later, signaling that they were ready to depart on their scheduled ride, Vin and Josie took this as a signal to also leave. They said their goodbyes, explaining the need to get back to town. As the two followed JD and Casey out the door, Nettie was surprised when Josie spontaneously hugged her. After a brief moment, Nettie returned the gesture, whispering in Josie's ear, "You take care of my boy."
"I intend to," Josie replied softly. "All of them."
Nettie smiled as the two separated. "Now Vin, you bring Josie back out here real soon," Nettie commanded as she watched the four youngsters mount their horses. "It will be nice for Casey to have another young person around."
Casey glanced at her aunt in surprise, for she'd been told to stay clear of the "saloon woman".
"Nettie, I'll bring her back out real soon." Vin turned a mischievous grin on her. "Of course, you could always come into town."
"Now boy, you know I don't set foot in town if I don't have to," Nettie responded with a very unladylike snort. Vin smiled broadly at her remark as Nettie took off her hat and swatted it in his direction. "Now get gone, all of you," she said in mock fierceness, gesturing with her arms in the direction Four Corners was located.
Once back in town, Josie and Vin went their separate ways. Vin felt the need to talk to Chris, to try to make amends for any hard feelings. And Josie decided to hunt down Mary, hoping to get their issues resolved, to try to reassure Mary that she had no designs on Chris. Josie had hoped to talk to Mary long before now, but Mary had left with Gerard Whitman on the wagon train. Josie smiled as she thought of Chris and how she would have loved to have seen his reaction when he discovered that small fact.
Josie knocked on the door of the Clarion and from inside Mary called out, "Come on in." Her tone was friendly and welcoming, but when she realized it was Josie, the mask slipped into place.
Josie sighed softly. "How was your trip?"
"It was pleasant enough. But I am very busy today and really don't have the time to socialize," Mary said, trying not to sound too terse. After all it wasn't really Josie's fault.
"Mary, I am not here on a social matter. I have some things that need to be said and I would appreciate if you would hear me out," Josie stated softly. She did not want to get Mary's defenses up with a combative tone so she tried to sound as neutral as possible. Mary gestured for Josie to take a seat on the other side of her desk. "Thank you, but I would prefer to stand for the moment." Josie started to pace in front of the desk as she spoke, "I feel that you are angry at me. I may be erroneous in my assumption, but that are the signals you are giving me. And I believe I know why," Josie said as she looked at Mary.
"And what would that be?" Mary asked curiously as she folded her hands in front of her. She knew Josie could be very observant. And even though she'd tried to hide her anger, she wasn't surprised that Josie had noticed.
"It's about Chris. And just let me say that what designs I have on him since the very beginning are not the ones you think," Josie quickly explained.
"And I think what?" Mary asked, neither agreeing nor denying Josie's statement. But Mary was shocked because she thought she had hidden her true feelings about Chris Larabee from everyone.
"Mary, I am not in anyway interested in Chris Larabee romantically," Josie insisted as she stopped pacing and looked at Mary directly.
"But I saw you in his room," Mary protested, louder and more harshly than she intended. And she knew there would be no more denying her feelings now.
"When?" Josie asked, clearly surprised by Mary's admission. She stood dead still. Her face was lined with confusion.
"This morning. I saw you standing at his window," Mary whispered, hanging her head in defeat. She felt ridiculous. She had no claim on Chris and if there was something between the two, it was really none of her business.
"Oh Lord, Mary. I went to Chris' room this morning because I was concerned about Vin. I wanted to know what had occurred and truthfully, I did not believe Buck or Ezra. Chris is not interested in me, not in a romantic sense. He couldn't ever be. I am just one of the boys, or in Chris' case, I think, the annoying little sister." Josie paused and smiled to herself. Yes, that was probably exactly what Chris thought of her. Josie definitely thought if she had a big brother, he would be like Chris. "If and when Chris let's himself love again, he will choose someone a little more traditional. He could not be interested in a female gunslinger. Anyway, I hear he prefers blonds," Josie declared as she plopped down in the chair Mary had offered earlier with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Blonds?" Mary questioned as she touched a strand of her almost white in color hair. She was clearly more confused now than ever.
"Now Mary," Josie said in exasperation, "Why is it everyone can see the way the wind blows except you and Chris?"
Mary's head jerked up quickly, her pleading gaze on Josie's. She desperately hoped she understood what Josie was telling her. Her heart lifted in anticipation, and Mary tried to control the glee that was taking over her body, to push it back down. She wasn't going to allow herself to give into those feelings until she was certain she'd correctly interrupted Josie's cryptic words.
Josie sighed heavily. "Mary, the poor man is not ready to move on yet, to release the memory of his dead wife. But if you have some patience, he will eventually. I plan on making sure that occurs. And when it does, Chris will turn to you because he already cares about you. Right now, he just can't admit it to anyone. But we all know it. Hell, I think even JD knows Chris is in love with you, and he's not the most observant fellow," Josie stated plainly with a grin.
Mary gasped as her hand flew to her heart. And all the feeling she had been trying to suppress for months came bubbling to the surface. "You're certain?" she asked, still so afraid to believe.
"Mary, I am certain," Josie replied as the smile disappeared from her face. "Chris Larabee is in love with you. Mary, even Chris is aware of it. He just doesn't feel safe enough yet to reach out to you."
Mary jumped up from her desk and ran around it quickly. She grabbed Josie by the shoulders once she reached her, and pulled her to her feet, enfolding her in an excited embrace. Josie returned it as they laughed and cried together. They stayed this way for many minutes, whispering to each other excitedly about all the plans Josie had on restoring Chris to his former self. Especially with Buck and Vin's help, Josie knew it could be accomplished. And Mary was ready to do anything it took to win Chris Larabee.
"Is everything okay? What's happened?" someone asked, startling the two women, who both gasped as they broke apart and turned toward the interrupting voice. Chris and Vin stood just inside the doorway. Josie and Mary had been so engrossed that they hadn't even heard the door open.
Josie snuck a peek at Mary. Her eyes were wide with surprise. Her mouth was hanging open in shock. She was terrified that Chris had overheard some of what they had been talking about. Josie looked back at Chris and Vin, knowing Mary was in no condition to try to speak.
"You both have been crying," Vin stated, his face overcome with worry. He and Chris both took a step toward the two women, both equally scared something terrible had happened. Vin only knew of one reason to make Josie cry, as she wasn't one to be easily overcome with emotion.
Josie waved her hand, dismissing their anxiety and smiled. "Just girl talk, I promise." She returned her attention to Mary, giving her a quick hug that Mary gladly returned. "We will speak more of this later," she whispered in Mary's ear. Mary nodded.
Both men noticed the exchange, but from the looks on both women's faces, nothing really seemed amiss. They actually looked damn happy. Mary had the look of a fat cat who'd just lapped up the last of the cream. And Josie looked downright joyful, as if she owned the world.
"You women always cry when you are happy?" Vin asked, eyeing Chris with speculation. Chris shrugged his shoulders as if to say women were strange creatures and nothing could be discounted where they were concerned.
"Yep, get used to it," Josie said as she walked past Vin, patting his arm as she spoke. As she was opening the door, she heard Vin mumbled, "You women are crazy," and stepped out into the bright sunlight, laughing at his response.
An unsettling feeling fell over Josie during her walk to the saloon and halfway there, she changed direction. She stepped inside the telegraph office and after pondering over what she would write, she quickly sent off her message before she could change her mind. Once back outside, she was feeling better about her decision and she fairly skipped back to the saloon.