Chapter 3 - I Will Be Here If You Need Me…

O – O – O – O – O – O

As each new week rolled into another, both Rebecca and Sarah began to realize they wouldn't be seeing the future any time soon. Instead, they began to make the best of their situation. It did take them some time to fully accept, but they did admit that their new friends had been of enormous help to them.

From the night they first met, Rebecca began to see Chris on a regular basis and she felt herself starting to care for the solemn gunfighter. Although he hadn't talked about it, Rebecca felt that something terrible had happened in his life, creating a dark aura around him. Sometimes when they were together, his thoughts seemed to be far away.

Three months after their arrival, Rebecca found herself having breakfast alone for the first time in the hotel restaurant. Normally, she and her sister would be joined by one or two of their new friends, but on occasion all seven would eat together and those would be raucous affairs. However this morning was different as Chris, Josiah, Ezra and JD had left that morning to deliver some prisoners to Eagle Bend for the Territorial Marshall to pick up.

Sarah had risen early, taking a sunrise ride with Vin. They had become quite close since meeting and Rebecca was happy for her. She had to admit they made a cute couple. Vin treated her like gold which was something that both sisters agreed was missing in a lot of the men they knew from their time.

Rebecca sat pondering these thoughts when Buck entered the restaurant and came over to her table.

"Mind if I join you for breakfast Miss Rebecca?"

Startled out of her reverie, she glanced up at her friend, "I'm sorry Buck. I didn't see you there. Please sit down."

"You had such a faraway look on your face, little darlin, is everything okay?"

Rebecca smiled, "Oh I'm fine. I was just thinking..." her voice trailed off, never completing the sentence.

"Uh huh. So are you gonna tell ole Buck what's botherin you or do I have to guess?"

"Buck, you're one of Chris's oldest friends right?"

"Yep! Chris and I have known each other goin on 13 years now. Why do you ask?"

"Well," Rebecca took a sip of her coffee before continuing, "I get the feeling that something awful happened to Chris some time ago and it just seems to permeate everything about him. I wish he would talk to me about it, but I just can't get him to open up. Do you know what it could be?"

Buck sighed heavily. He knew this was going to come up sooner or later. He should have told Rebecca up front when she started seeing Chris.

"Yeah, somethin did happen to Chris some years back. We can talk about it, but once I tell you, you can't bring it up with Chris, okay? He has to be the one to tell you when he's ready. He's a tad touchy about it."

Rebecca nodded almost afraid now to hear what Buck was going to tell her.

"Chris use to be married to a wonderful woman named Sarah… had a great little boy named Adam. They meant the world to him. They were his life," Buck paused briefly before continuing, "About four years ago, he lost those two precious souls in a fire. Someone intentionally set it. It like ta killed Chris."

"He still carries a lot of guilt about it because he wasn't there to protect them. See… he and I had gone to Mexico to sell some horses. I convinced him to stay an extra night rather than return home."

Buck looked at Rebecca; his eyes glittering with unshed tears, "I guess I carry around a lot of guilt for that night too. If I hadn't talked him into stayin that extra night, well…he would have been home with Sarah and Adam."

Rebecca put a small hand over Buck's larger callused one squeezing it. "You had no way of knowing something like that would happen. Stop beating yourself up about it. It was a tragedy," Rebecca whispered.

Buck offered up a thin smile.

"Did Chris ever find out who did it?"

"Yes," Buck nodded, "but it didn't help take his demons away. Which brings me to the other reason I've been meaning to talk to you?"

"Yes…"

"I'm sure you noticed the way Chris stared at you that first night. Well there's a reason for that and I think you need to know."

Rebecca tensed, waiting for what Buck had to say.

"You bear more than a passing resemblance to Sarah…I think Chris can see it. I know I can. Hair is about the same color, same eyes, same height, heck you even have dimples at the corners of your mouth like she did. Voice is similar too. I should have told you when ya'll first started seein each other, but I didn't."

Rebecca was taken aback by Buck's revelation; "You don't think he's going out with me because of that, do you?" Rebecca stared at Buck feeling tears form in her eyes.

"Naw little darlin, I think Chris is a better man than that. I didn't mean to worry you. Now, give ole Buck a big smile or I'm gonna be upset."

It took a moment before she did, even if it was just a small one. "Thanks for telling me all this stuff, Buck. I needed to know what made Chris seem so dark sometimes. And don't worry; I won't say a word. This is just between you and me."

"Thanks darlin," Buck smiled.

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

As the rest of the week passed, Rebecca waited for Chris's return. She hoped that armed with the new information provided by Buck, she would better understand some of his moods.

On the day he did arrive back with the others, he entered the saloon finding Rebecca and her sister watching Vin, Buck and Nathan playing poker.

Approaching the group, he said, "Howdy boys, Miss Sarah, Miss Rebecca."

"Welcome back pard!" Buck replied glancing up from his cards. "How was your trip?"

"Uneventful, which is how I like it. Anything happen while we were gone?"

"Nope, it's been pretty quiet." Vin answered. "Wanna join us in a hand or two before Ezra gets in here and takes all our money?" Laughter spread through the group.

Nodding, Chris said, "Yeah deal me in boys. I'll be back in a minute. I just need to talk to Rebecca for a moment.

Raising one questioning eyebrow, she followed as Chris gently pulled her aside.

"I missed you," he said in a low voice.

Smiling softly, she replied, "I missed you, too. I've been waiting on your return."

"Well," Chris continued, "I was hoping you and I could have supper later tonight."

"I'd love too!"

"Good. I'll come by your room around seven."

"I'll be waiting," replied Rebecca kissing him softly on the cheek.

At that moment, Ezra entered the saloon followed by JD and Josiah. He couldn't help noticing the kiss between the two of them. A rush of raw emotions flooded his face. All the feelings he had for Rebecca lay bare in a split second. The pain he was feeling pierced his heart.

It took only a moment for the southerner to recover his composure. Slapping his mask of indifference back into place he took a seat at the table, but not before Buck spotted it.

Wilmington had suspected for some time that Ezra cared deeply for the young woman. The emotions he saw on his face had confirmed it.

Over the last several weeks, he had been unusually moody and ill tempered. Not his usual disposition and now Buck knew why. He took another sip of his beer and filed this new knowledge away...for possible future use.

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

That night after dinner, Chris and Rebecca took a slow comfortable stroll down the street. As she walked beside the tall gunslinger, Rebecca noticed that a smile seemed to have appeared. It was the happiest she had seen him in some time.

When the duo reached the edge of town, she turned to retrace their steps when Chris took her arm and stopped her. Turning to face him, he smiled at her. Smiling in return she asked, "Okay, what's up? You seem to be in a really good mood tonight."

"Well, it's been a real pleasant night…I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? For what Chris?"

"For your company, for dinner, for a very pleasant evening, for just being here."

Lowering her eyes briefly, her face blushed a bit before bringing them back to the gunslinger's face. Standing on her toes, she kissed him gently on the lips. Righting herself, she started to walk away…

"Wait."

Chris reached out pulling her back into his arms returning the kiss. It was deep this time and Rebecca felt dizzy from the pressure on her mouth.

Tangling his hands in Rebecca's hair, he moaned slightly.

In return, she wrapped her arms around him, reveling in the feel of his lean, hard body next to hers.

Pulling her tighter against him, he moved his lips down to the wildly beating pulse point on her neck. He lingered there for a moment before moving to recapture her mouth.

Rebecca trembled with the raw emotions that surged over her. She could feel him pressing against her and wondered where the rest of the night would lead. Unable to stop herself, she sighed softly against his lips.

"Oh Chris…"

Moving his mouth back to Rebecca's neck, Chris began kissing the gentle curve where it met her shoulder. He could feel her skin shiver every placed his lips touched her. Moaning quietly, a sudden whisper escaped from him.

"Sarah!"

Rebecca's face froze unable to believe what she had just heard. Horrified, she stumbled backwards away from him. Her light blue eyes grew to the size of saucers.

Shocked by what he had done, Chris reached for her. "Rebecca...I'm so sorry! I never meant…"

He never got the chance to finish what he was saying. Rebecca turned disappearing into the dark. Sobbing in agony, she careened blindly down the plank walkway, the pain in her heart threatening to choke her. She never saw Buck Wilmington as he sauntered out of the saloon, looking for some fresh air. Slamming into the ladies' man, she almost flattened both of them.

As she sobbed hysterically Buck grabbed her shoulders, "Darlin! Darlin! What's wrong? Did someone hurt you? Where is Chris?"

"Oh God! Oh God! Chris...he called...he called me...he thinks… I'm - Oh God!" Rebecca broke away from Buck sprinting toward the hotel.

He started to follow her until he caught sight of his friend striding down the walkway toward him. Brushing past Wilmington, Chris barreled into the saloon. His face an open wound of pain.

Following his friend into the saloon, Buck watched as he bought a bottle of Red Eye. Taking it to a corner table, he proceeded to crawl into it.

Giving his friend a moment, Buck walked over sitting down across the table from him. "Wanna tell me what happened pard?"

Knocking back the glass of whiskey in his hand, Chris growled; "It's none of your business, Buck. Just back off and leave me alone!"

Taking a deep breath, Buck replied, "I think it is. You are my friend Chris…so is Miss Rebecca. She just took off past me looking like a scalded cat. She wouldn't tell me what had happened…so I'm asking you - what happened?"

Chris stood abruptly, kicking the chair behind him, "I SAID IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS BUCK!"

Heads in the saloon turned in their direction as the black clad gunslinger stood fuming at his friend. Grabbing his bottle, Chris tore out of the saloon nearly ripping the batwing doors from their hinges.

Stunned by his friend's anger, Buck sat for a moment longer before getting to his feet. Chris wasn't willing to talk, but he was pretty sure Rebecca would. He left the saloon walking slowly across the street to the hotel.

Buck approached Rebecca's door knocking lightly. He heard a muffled, "Go away!"

"Rebecca darlin. Open up…it's Buck."

A minute passed before the sound of shuffling feet approached the door. Cracking it open slightly, she eyed Buck before motioning him inside. The ladies' man couldn't help seeing the intense pain radiating from her eyes.

Pulling up a chair for himself he made her sit down on the edge of the bed,

"Alright! I have a pretty good idea what happened tonight, but why don't you tell me anyway, okay?"

Staring at the floor, a fresh flood of tears cascaded down her face as she cried softly…refusing to look up.

Buck moved from the chair to sit beside her on the bed. Taking her into his arms, he rocked her gently, "Shhhh darlin. You just take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

With a voice barely above a whisper she finally looked up. "Oh Buck! It was horrible! We had been having a wonderful night. We starting kissing and it was so nice…but then...he called me...he called me...Sarah! I couldn't believe it! He thought I was Sarah...thought I was his dead wife. It was a nightmare!"

Sobs wracked the young woman as he held her. Buck felt tears come to his own eyes because he knew both of his friends were hurting. Rubbing her back he tried to ease her pain.

As her tears slowed, she leaned up to look into Buck's face. It was red, her eyes were extremely puffy and tired.

Smoothing some wild hair from her face, he said, "Darlin, why don't you try resting. I'll find Hannah and send her to you, okay?"

Nodding, she lay back on the bed, burying her face in one of the pillows.

Buck got to his, picking up a blanket at the foot of the bed and covered her with it. It did take her long to drift off into a troubled sleep.

Leaning over he kissed her forehead whispering into her hair, "Don't you worry none little darlin. Better things are coming your way, I promise."

Slipping quietly from the room, he closed the door making his way back to the saloon. There was a man that he needed to see about a possible relationship with this lovely woman.

Buck pushed through the batwing door, stopping to cast his eyes around the room. He saw Vin and Sarah immediately approached them.

"Miss Sarah, I hate to interrupt your evenin, but you need to check on your sister…she's in your room at the hotel."

Looking up at Buck, she asked, "What's wrong with Rebecca…is she ill?

"Naw she's not ill…she's just in need of your assistance. She'll tell what's wrong when you get there."

Concern filling her face, Vin pulled out the chair for her.

"I'll walk you over Sarah." As she headed for the door, Buck leaned over quickly to Vin. "I'll let you in on everything later."

Vin gave a brief nod as he caught up with her taking her arm escorting her toward the hotel.

Turning back around, Buck's eyes wandered over the room searching for his mark. It didn't take him long to spot him at a corner table and made his way over.

Deftly manipulating the deck of cards in his hands, Ezra began to deal to each of the men seated around him, "The game gentlemen is draw poker, deuces wild and you sir," he said to the man on his left, "have the opening move. What shall it be?"

Sidling up to the table, Buck watched quietly as the game began. Ezra noticed his friend glancing at him briefly. He couldn't help giving Buck a questioning stare.

Wilmington smiled broadly.

'Why is Mr. Wilmington grinning like that,' the gambler wondered. Ignoring the ladies' man, he dealt the next round of cards to those who needed them. Pleased with his draw, he waited for his opponents to make their final bets.

Leaning over, Buck whispered, "I have a piece of news that you might find rather interestin Ezra. You might want to fold your hand."

Staring incredulously at his friend, Ezra said, "I don't believe I heard you correctly Mr. Wilmington! You can't be serious!"

Grinning wider, Buck replied, "You heard me right. What I have to tell you is gonna be worth more than that pot on the table. Trust me!"

Glancing at the cards in his hand then back at Buck, he let the skepticism he felt show plainly on his face, "I find that most difficult to believe Mr. Wilmington."

Still grinning, Buck continued, "Tell you what Ez, if what I have to tell you ain't worth the price of that pot, I'll cover it. You'll still get your money, okay?"

Narrowing his green eyes, he stared at the ladies' man. This could be interesting after all.

"Alright Mr. Wilmington, I shall do as you request." Turning back to the men at the table, he laid down his cards. "I fold Gentlemen. Please excuse my leaving so abruptly, but I have a matter of," he glanced at Buck, "some urgency that requires my attention."

Buck pointed to an empty table where they wouldn't be disturbed. He raised a hand and ordered a beer before leaning his chair back against the wall. This was gonna be enjoyable.

Annoyed with Buck as he continued to grin like the proverbial cat that ate the proverbial canary, Ezra sighed in frustration. Finally he asked, "Alright Mr. Wilmington, you have removed me from what was turning into a very lucrative poker game yet still you have not related your piece of information. Please do so now while I still have time to rejoin the game."

Smiling, Buck placed the chair legs back onto the floor before leaning forward. "What if I were to tell you that a certain auburn haired beauty was no longer keeping company with a black clad gunslinger we both know?"

Ezra's mask of indifference never wavered. "And of what possible interest would that hold for me, Mr. Wilmington?"

"Drop the act Ezra. I know how you feel about Miss Rebecca. Actually, I've known for some time that you've had more than a passing fancy for that little gal. I reckon that's why you've been crankier than a grizzly with a hangnail for the last few weeks."

Twisting his face in disgust, Ezra replied, "Mr. Wilmington, while I do consider Miss Dannon to be a friend, as do we all, why should I regard her separation from Mr. Larabee to be of any significance."

Leaning further the ladies' man continued, "Ezra, you can sit there protesting claiming to have no interest, but we both know you do. I'm telling you this information because I know you care about her. She's gonna need some sympathy right now. Her breakup with Chris was bad. Rebecca is hurting.

Softening slightly the gambler asked, "What's wrong with her? Is she going to be alright?"

Buck's face grew somber, "She's in a bad way right now. Suffice to say she's gonna need some time to recover. What happened tonight between her and Chris has hurt them both. If I'm correct about your feelins for her, give her a few days before you pounce."

"Mr. Wilmington, I would never as you say, pounce on a woman. That sir is your particular style. I prefer a more subtle approach."

Buck started to protest before admitting, "Yeah right, maybe so, but she is hurting Ezra. I think you should give her a few days before you should perhaps approach her."

"Mr. Wilmington, I still have not confessed to any interest in Miss Dannon so I will have no trouble avoiding her at this juncture."

"Well fine pard. Once I know she's feeling better, I think I'll make it known that I'm interested. She is a wonderful gal and I would very much like to get to know her better."

The southerner's indifference disappeared immediately. "Stay away from her Buck. Rebecca's a wonderful woman. She deserves to be treated with the utmost respect."

"Ha! I knew it! You do care!" Wilmington cried out as he jumped up from the table waggling his finger. "Just let down that wall long enough to listen to me. Rebecca is very upset right now. Tonight she needed a shoulder to cry on…I just happened to be there. She didn't need anything else right now other than a sympatric ear. Be there for her if she wants to talk. Don't do anything you might regret later. If you really do care about her Ezra truthfully, I think the two of you would be just right for each other."

"And how have you drawn this conclusion, Mr. Wilmington?"

"I can see it, plus I've talked to Rebecca. I know a lot more than you realize." Buck smiled at his confused friend, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Ezra pondered his new information for a moment. "Thank you for telling me Buck...and you're right. What you told me was worth the price of that pot."

Taking a drink from his beer he grinned. "Knew it would be."

Nodding to his friend, Ezra rose from the table and started to leave.

The ladies' man stopped him. "Tell me something Ezra?"

"If I can Mr. Wilmington."

"Why did you move your room from the saloon over to the hotel? You have been living in that room since you first arrived here…you just moved yourself three months ago. Why?"

Glancing at the floor for a moment, Ezra finally raised his eyes, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "Well Mr. Wilmington, I aspired to be adjacent to something I treasured."

"Well wouldn't that be the gaming tables?"

"While I appreciate games of chance, I find I'm enamored with this particular treasure and would rather be in the hotel," Ezra replied, his smile growing larger.

Buck grinned raising one eyebrow. "Miss Rebecca?"

The tip of the southerner's tongue peeked from the corner of his mouth as he grinned, "It very well could be, Mr. Wilmington." Putting a hand on Buck's shoulder, he added, "Thank you...again."

The ladies' man nodded as his friend left the saloon.

Ezra crossed the street slowly entering the hotel lobby. After climbing the stairs, he paused briefly in front of Rebecca's room. He let his fingers brush lightly over the brass numbers on the door. Sighing, he whispered, "I'm so sorry you're hurtin darlin. I truly wish I could take away your pain."

Dropping his hand, he stood a moment longer staring at the door before moving toward his own room. He hoped that Rebecca would make it through the night.

Stopping once more before entering his room, he said softly, "I will be here if you need me darlin. I promise."