Two.

"Hey! Listen now! Sophie!" The saloon doors banged open, the protests going largely unheard as a man backed out onto the walkway, hands up in submission, "Sophie!"

The woman in front of him causing his fear, jabbed a finger in his chest angrily as they continued to move backwards.

"You told me ten o'clock! Waitin' four hours I was for you! Four hours! But make no mistake Buck, I will not be doing it again!"

Somewhere behind them there was the sound of grinding dirt as the stage rolled into town, eclipsed by the magnitude of Sophie's fury.

The red-head continued to glare accusingly at him, folding her arms calmly as she waited for some form of apology.

Unluckily for Buck, what he offered instead was an excuse.

"Well, now you see Sophie...now, there was some trouble over at the..." he didn't get much further, as the irritable tapping of her food against the wood was enough warning to stall that particular line of apology. At a complete loss where to go from where he was, and in the face of a woman scorned, he reached to scratch the back of his head, and offered a smile and shrug of his shoulders,

"Er...sorry?"

Too little, too late, with a growl of annoyance Sophie went to spin on her heel. Buck, desperate not to lose a possible conquest grabbed her by the arm.

"Now Sophie, wait a minute..." he was cut off as Sophie stamped on his foot, and the heel of her boot connected with his big toe. He promptly let go, and reached instead to grasp his throbbing foot.

The sound of chuckling alerted him to the presence of Nathan and JD, who were stood by the corner of the saloon watching him. Nathan shook his head and rolled his eyes in exasperation as Buck turned to point at JD in warning,

"Not a word! You hear me?"

JD's grin grew even winder, and he nodded towards something behind Buck that made him turn.

"I don't have to."

Standing beside the stage, looking refreshed and bright-eyed stood Ezra, watching Buck with a mixture of amusement and pity. Buck groaned, knowing what was coming.

"One day Mr. Wilmington, you are going to have to let me into your confidence as to how you manage to charm the gentler sex with such success."

Buck sat down heavily on the edge of the boardwalk, pulling off his boot to rub at his toes.

"I'll have you know Ezra, that while you were away, Sophie and myself..." he paused at the sound of giggling to see a small face peering out of the door, and was suddenly glad he'd stopped where he did.

Ezra extended a hand with a smile, and watched as the Hannah hopped down off the step to stand in front of Buck, scuffing the ground with her boot shyly. As Buck watched, another face appeared inside the carriage, and as Ezra assisted the woman off he stood hurriedly, frantically trying to jam his boot back on.

By the time Catherine had joined her daughter's side, Buck was leaning against one of the posts, trying to look casual as JD and Nathan stepped forward to greet their friend.

"Welcome back stranger," another voice added, as Vin wandered across the street to join the gathering outside the saloon, and nodded towards Catherine and Hannah, "Ladies,"

Hannah smiled shyly at the thought her being a lady, and turned to hide her head in Catherine's skirts.

"Gentlemen," began Ezra, "This is Mrs. Catherine Moore, and Miss. Hannah Moore, who will be gracing our community with their presence. Mrs. Moore, these are my esteemed colleagues, Mr. Vin Tanner," Vin tapped the brim of his hat, "Mr. Nathan Jackson," Nathan nodded his head, "And the Sheriff," Ezra added, with a glance towards Hannah, "Mr. JD Dunne,"

JD, slightly surprised at his introduction blushed slightly and went to scratch the back of his head as he gave a lopsided smile,

"Er..Hi."

Buck stepped forward with a dazzling smile, taking a bag from the driver as he began unloading the luggage,

"Allow me," he beamed gallantly. Nathan threw his eyes to the heavens and snorted, ignoring the look Buck shot him in return.

Ezra smiling, offered his arm to Catherine,

"Excellent idea Mr. Wilmington. Mrs Moore, allow me to escort you to the hotel,"

As the driver thrust another bag at Buck, the gunslinger's smile vanished rapidly, and he turned to see JD again grinning like a chesire cat. Words by this time, were not necessary, and instead Buck pointed a warning finger in the youngest member's direction.

Catherine smiled at the banter between the men, and looked over at Ezra,

"Actually we are to stay with a Ms. Roth, my late husband's aunt. I believe she lives some five minutes from here."

Vin, rifle slung casually over one shoulder, nodded,

"Yeah, Ms. Roth, I know her, lives along the main road out of town. Shouldn't take more an'a few minutes by horse,"

Armed with the new facts, Ezra continued to offer his arm,

"Well, in light of this information, allow me instead Mrs. Moore, to show you to our fine livery," as Catherine accepted his arm and the pair turned in the direction of the stables, Ezra threw back a remark over his shoulder, "Bring the bags will you Buck?"

Josiah, heading towards the saloon for some mid-afternoon refreshment was the first to incur Buck's mood, as the notorious ladies man stalked past the preacher with a bag in each hand,

"Good afternoon there brother," Josiah nodded with a warm smile.

Buck snorted, barely looking at him as he trudged past,

"Ain't nothing good about today Josiah, an' that's for damn sure!"

Josiah turned with some surprise to watch Buck stomp towards the livery, before his attention was caught by JD's sniggering. He looked towards the others in puzzlement,

"Trouble in paradise?"

Nathan sighed and turned towards the saloon doors,

"Don't ask."

Vin chuckled, and he and JD followed Nathan in, leaving Josiah peering down the street, at a complete loss.