"Well, pard," Vin drawled as he leaned back in his chair in the saloon. "Our first assignment was a success."
Chris scowled at Tanner. There were times that it seemed like Tanner could read his mind, and he hoped Tanner was reading it right.
Tanner grinned. He read him right, but chose to ignore the threat.
"Barely," Jackson maintained. "Good thing Standish wasn't caught with the rest of us."
"Well, I'd like to know where he was," Buck insisted.
"Me too," Larabee growled out.
"Did you ask?"
Larabee turned his glare to Josiah. "No," was the curt reply.
Josiah shrugged.
"I wish Ez would of joined us," JD said.
"Aw, hell. He don't never come drinkin' with us," Buck announced. "And he don't really strike me as the shy type."
"Some folks are intensely private people," Josiah said rather firmly. "Just ask brother Chris."
Everyone smiled as they heard Chris growl.
JD sighed tiredly. "He's a mystery, isn't he?"
Buck chuckled. "Chris or Ezra?"
JD narrowed his eyes in exasperation. "Ezra," he snapped.
Vin shrugged. "Maybe," he said enigmatically.
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Ezra ignored the light switch by the door as he entered his darkened townhouse. He made a beeline straight for the kitchen and pulled a bottle of scotch out of a cupboard. After pouring a glass, he shuffled into the living room and dropped down into his recliner.
He blindly hit the play button on the answering machine to review his messages.
"Hey Ez! It's Greg. I finally got the damn offer from the FBI! I would think you and Frank would have pulled the strings to get me in a long time ago! Ha ha ha! Well, how's Denver? Call me soon. Anne says 'Hi.' "
"Ezra darlin'. It's your mother. Have you settled into that little cow town yet? I wish you would call me."
"Anyone home? It's David. Jenna, Caleb and I wanted to see how things in Denver are. We miss you. Call soon. Bye!"
"Hey kid? Are you there? It's Frank. Things going okay? Travis seems to think you'll work out. Call me."
"Sweetie? It's Aunt Lucy. I miss my boy. And I know, you're not a baby anymore. But you'll always be my baby. So much like your daddy! If you don't call me soon I tan your hide. Heh heh! I love you, baby."
Ezra sighed, figuring he'd need to call people soon. It had been nearly a month since he talked to family or friends.
He picked up his phone and started dialing.
THE END