Chapter 8 - Old Scars And New Scars…
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Rebecca woke up confused for a moment as to where she was. It didn't take long to see she was still wrapped up in Ezra's arms. His body was warm and she could hear his gentle breathing next to one of her ears. Through his bedroom window she could see it was still dark outside.
She let out a soft sigh. After they had made love the two of them had fallen asleep, happy and exhausted. She let one of her hands move across his muscular chest before moving down his side. It was then she felt a thin ridge-like scar near Ezra's upper left side.
Running her fingers over it, she wondered how she had missed it. 'Of course,' Rebecca thought, 'we were more interested in getting our groove on and not discussing old scars.'
"I suppose…" Ezra said softly as he stroked Rebecca's hair, "you'd like to know about that."
Snuggling closer to him she said softly, "I didn't realize you were awake."
"I've been awake for some time darlin." He kissed her forehead. "You felt so good next to me I didn't want to disturb you."
Sitting up next to him, she pulled the blanket up around her body. "Is that from a gunshot?"
Looking up into her eyes he nodded. "Yes darlin it is."
Running her fingers again over the hard ridge on his chest, she asked, "How did you get hurt?"
Lifting up his hand, he caressed her cheek watching her eyes close before opening them again. "It happened about a year ago. An assassin came to town that had been paid $10,000 to kill Mary Travis and…"
Rebecca interrupted. "Kill Mary…seriously?"
Sitting up beside her, he nodded. "Yes. She was leading a contingent in town for statehood while the territorial governor was opposing it. Of course he was in the pocket of the ranchers and while we could never prove it, he might have hired the assassin."
Rebecca continued to touch the scar. "What happened?"
"Well…" he gave a wry grin, "the original killer died of a heart attack…that's how we found out what he was and how much money he had on him. His son was also in town and since his father could no longer fulfill the contract his son took over. He tried to kill Mary during a speech the governor was giving. I got in front of him trying to stop him and that is how I was shot."
Looking at the scar again she finally lifted her eyes to his. "Are their other little surprised such as this I should know about?"
"Not at all darlin." He said as he lowered her back onto the bed. "Any other surprises that might occur between us will be strictly…" Ezra began kissing her as he slowly stroked her thighs making Becca moan in pleasure. "well…you know."
As Rebecca spread her legs apart for him, she did some stroking of her own. It didn't take long for him to become rock hard slowly pushing into her. Sighing and gasping the two of them began to make passionate love again.
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The early morning sun cast a warm glow across the room and over the bed. Yawning, Rebecca opened her eyes slowly. Rolling over to escape being blinded she realized Ezra was gone. Sitting up, she looked around a slight fear clutching at her.
"Don't be silly," she whispered, "He's not like that."
Sliding from the warmth of the bed her bare feet becoming chilled on the wooden floor. Shivering in the morning air, she looked for something to put on. She found Ezra's discarded shirt from the night before slung over the chair. It was too big for her, but she put it on anyway and rolled up the sleeves.
'That's much better,' she thought.
Pouring water into the ceramic basin, she took the soap beside it scrubbing her face clean. The water was cold, but felt good on her skin. Finger combing her hair into place she twisted it into a long braid. Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, she scurried back to the bed jumping in.
Creaking open the door, Ezra entered carrying a large tray. The wonderful aroma of fresh coffee, hot biscuits and eggs filled the room.
Smiling, he perched on the edge of the bed balancing the tray on his knees, "Good morning, I hope you're hungry. I didn't wish to disturb your slumber so I slipped out and had a breakfast repast prepared for us."
Eyeing the food, Rebecca could feel her stomach rumbling a bit. "I'm famished and it smells terrific!"
She couldn't help noticing Ezra's somewhat disheveled appearance. He had yet to shave or fix his hair making him appear so much younger. Rebecca had to smile.
"What?" he asked as he sipped his coffee.
"I'm sorry, it's just you remind me of a little boy right now."
"Oh lovely! That's just what I need to hear from the woman I love!"
"I think you look sweet," she added.
Ezra gave a crooked grin; "Sweet…well I suppose there are worse epithets you could ascribe to me."
Grinning back, she pointed at the shirt she had on. "I hope you don't mind, but I put on your shirt as I didn't have anything handy and it was a tad chilly in here?"
"Not at all darlin. In fact, I think you fill out the shirt better than I do."
Rebecca blushed to the roots of her hair.
Putting down his coffee, Ezra began fishing in his pants pocket for something. Rebecca took a few bites of one of the biscuits and then some eggs. It was delicious.
Ezra stood walking around to her side of the bed. Wetting his lips, he cleared his throat, "Last night, I asked you to become my wife and it suddenly occurred to me that I, in my ignorance, neglected to present you with this."
Rebecca watched as Ezra held up a black velvet box. Opening the lid, it revealed the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.
"Oh my!" she said softly.
"This ring has a bit of history attached to it. Would you care to hear the story?" he asked.
"Please!"
Sitting down next to her on the bed, he took her left hand in his. Removing the ring from the box he slid it onto her finger.
"After the war ended, I found myself traveling around quite a bit. I soon landed in New Orleans for a time. While there I engaged in several very lucrative games of chance that ended favorably for me. After one particular evening's activities had ended, I took a stroll happening upon a jewelry establishment. In the window was the ring you now wear. I was young, foolish and flush with money, so I purchased it. It was in the hopes of one day bestowing it on the woman who would one day be my wife."
Smiling, Rebecca asked, "Am I the first woman you've offered it to?"
"As a matter of fact you are. However my story doesn't end there. I almost lost the ring a year and a half before I met you."
"How did that happen?" Curiosity plainly showing on her face.
A very slick cardsharp by the name of Big Lester Bangs arrived in town one day and he managed to sucker me for every cent I had. I was convinced he was cheating, but I had after two games been unable to prove it. The only thing I had left to challenge him with was the ring. Unfortunately I lost that too."
A thoughtful expression covered his face before he continued; "I should also tell you that our final game was notable for one other occurrence."
"What was that?"
"We played the game in our birthday suits," he replied with a big grin.
A broad smile erupted on Rebecca's face. "You're kidding, right?"
Ezra shook his head; "No darlin, I'm not. My feeling was that if we played that way I could catch him in his trickery. However he beat me a third time. It wasn't until later that I learned the man had an artificial limb and had been putting it to good use. I was able to reacquire the ring once I discovered his chicanery."
Rebecca started laughing at the thought of Ezra playing in the buff, "Well…that must have been some sight for the good people of this town."
"Truth be told, I wasn't really thinking about that. I just knew he was cheating me and I needed to prove it."
She glanced down at the ring on her finger then back into his sparkling green eyes, "I can see our life together will never be dull or lack for entertainment."
"Of that you can be certain, darlin.
Caressing his face, she softly said, "I love you so much."
"And I will thank God for that every day darlin." he replied.
Leaning back on the bed, she asked, "Whom should we tell first about us?"
"Well, I would imagine you might want to tell your sister and perhaps Vin...then after that anyone you like."
"Yes…Sarah and Vin should know first. She would never forgive me if I didn't"
"Well then darlin, I think it would be best if you return to your room freshen up and say we meet in an hour? Ezra suggested, "I will call for you then."
She nodded
Ezra stood helping Rebecca to her feet. "I'll take our breakfast leavings back to the kitchen and allow you the privacy to get dressed."
Hugging him, she whispered. "You and I are going to have a wonderful life together."
Returning the embrace, he smiled, "Oh yes indeed, we truly will."
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Vin brought the coffeepot over to Sarah pouring her a steaming cup of fresh coffee. Sitting close to her, he watched as she pushed the food around her plate, "Are you gonna tell me what's troublin you today darlin? You've been awfully quiet this mornin."
"Well," Sarah began, as she continued playing with her eggs, "Rebecca didn't come back to our room last night. I'm worried about her."
Vin nodded. "Uh huh…well she left the dance with Ezra last night. Don'tcha think she might be with him?"
Startled, she gazed into Vin's caring blue eyes, "What? You mean she spent the night with him?"
Taking one of her hands in his, he said, "Sarah…your sister is a grown woman. If she did stay with Ezra last night it's because they mighta…you know."
Sarah looked into his eyes. It's possible he could be right. Rebecca had mentioned how much she wanted to be with Ezra and talked about it on more than one occasion.
Nodding, she continued to shove her food around.
Taking both hands this time, Vin lifted one to Sarah's face, softly caressed it. She offering up a small sigh. "You sure that's all that's botherin you, darlin?"
Looking into his eyes, she gazed at his concerned face, realizing how much she loved this man. Just a simple country boy in many ways, yet she loved him completely. "I'm fine, sweetie. I'll be better once I see my sister."
Nodding quietly, he smiled at Sarah. She was so devoted to Rebecca and he thought it must be nice to have kin you felt so strongly about. In a way, he did consider his six friends as family…each would defend the other to the death.
Vin and Sarah continued to talk quietly as more people arrived for breakfast. Buck and JD sat down across from them beginning their usual morning banter.
"I swear JD; if you tell me one more rotten joke I'm gonna punch you!" The ladies' man growled cutting into the slab of steak on his plate. "I've told you for months, you can't tell a joke worth a damn!" Realizing he swore in front of Sarah, he smiled sheepishly, "Sorry Miss Sarah forgot myself there for a moment."
Vin shook his head and grinned while Sarah giggled as she held her napkin to her mouth. "It's okay Buck. I've heard worse than that before."
Glaring at Buck, JD said indignantly, "You don't know what you're talking about, Buck! I tell the best jokes anywhere. Just ask Miss Sarah, I told her one last night and she laughed at it!"
"She was just taking pity on you boy!"
"Is that true, Miss Sarah?" the young man asked.
Looking toward Vin, she heard him whisper, "You're on your own, darlin."
Clearing her throat slightly, Sarah answered, "Well, to be honest JD…I thought it was kinda funny, but not laugh out loud slap your knee funny."
"Okay, I got a new one for you…"
"JD," Buck interrupted, "I'm eating could you at least wait till after breakfast."
JD shot Buck a nasty, but remained silent.
Just then Rebecca and Ezra appeared at the entrance to the dining room. Sarah let go with an obvious sigh. Motioning them over, curiosity plainly showing on her face.
"Good morning! How are you Becca?"
Smiling at her sister and the others, Rebecca said, "Good Morning!"
"Good morning to everyone!" Ezra chorused. "Mr. Tanner, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Wilmington, and Miss Sarah… you are all looking magnificent this fine morning!"
Sarah's eyes hadn't left her sister's face waiting for her to say something else. Rebecca face seemed to have a glow about it. Tilting her head, she waited, feeling that the other shoe was about to drop.
"Sarah, Ezra and I need to talk privately with you. Can you join us over here?"
Excusing herself, she followed them over to a table away from the others.
Sitting down, Rebecca with Ezra standing behind her invited Sarah to take a seat next to her. Putting his hands on her shoulders he waited as she took a deep breath. "Ezra and I have something to tell you…wanted you to be the first to know." Looking up briefly at him, she gave a smile to her sister. "Last night Ezra asked me to become his wife and I hope you will be happy for us."
Sarah's face broke into a huge smile as she squealed with delight, "OH BECKY! This is wonderful!" The two sisters hugged each other, laughing and shrieking.
Buck, Vin and JD watched the exchange with some amusement. Chuckling as he took a sip of his coffee, Buck said, "I swear I've seen birds do this sometimes -must be something all females do."
Smirking, Vin got to his feet and approached their table. Giving Sarah a questioning look he said, "Hope I'm not interrupting anything, but ya'll look so happy, I figured I'd come find out why."
"Well actually Mr. Tanner, we do have some news that we wish to impart to you and the others. Last night, I asked Rebecca to become my wife and happily she has accepted."
"That's wonderful pard," Vin offered up a large grin, "I'm really happy for both of ya'll!" He shook the gambler's hand slapping him on the back.
"Thank you Vin. I am indeed a fortunate man."
Turning next to Rebecca he gave her a large hug. "Congratulation! I really am happy for both of you."
"Thank you so much."
Tapping JD on the shoulder, Buck got to his feet. "I'm gonna go find out what this is all about. You coming?"
JD nodded.
"Okay is someone gonna tell us what's goin on or do we have to guess?" Buck demanded as he and JD crossed over to the group.
"Ezra and Rebecca are getting hitched!" Vin smiled.
"Well now that is about the best news I've heard all day! Pardon me while I give the future Mrs. Standish a big hug!" Buck grabbing Rebecca in a bear hug lifting her off her feet. "This is great news, little darlin. Ezra sure is a lucky man!"
Rebecca giggled as Buck smothered her in his arms. "Thank you, Buck. I feel like the lucky one."
At that moment, Chris, Josiah and Nathan entered the dining room and into the middle of the continuing congratulations.
"Did we miss something?" asked Nathan as the three approached.
JD replied, "We're just congratulating Ezra and Miss Rebecca here. They're getting married."
Josiah and Nathan immediately plunged into the group of well-wishers adding their congratulations.
Chris approached Rebecca hugging her, "I'm really happy for you, Rebecca. I know the two of you will be really happy together."
Returning the hug, she said, "Thank you, Chris."
The black clad gunslinger approached Ezra adding his best wishes to the others.
Rebecca stood away from everyone for a moment watching as the backslapping and celebrations continued. She smiled, looking at the joy on Ezra's face. He was so happy.
Sarah approached her sister, touching her arm, "Hey, you okay? You're standing over here alone with such a wistful look on your face."
"Oh I was just thinking what an odd hand fate has dealt us. This time last year, we were performing to sellout crowds around the country. We wondered if we would be able to make time for Christmas at home with Mom and Dad."
She gazed at Sarah sighing. "In our wildest dreams I don't think either of us could have imagined we would be here, in this place, at this moment in time."
Sarah nodded. "No…no I guess not. It still seems unreal to me sometimes."
"For me as well, but I'm happy now. Happier than I have ever been. My biggest regret though, is that Mom and Dad can't see how happy we are, can't know that we are alright…won't be able to see me get married."
Sarah hugged her sister, "I know and I miss them. I miss Jake and Robert too. I guess by now everyone must think we're dead."
Rebecca watched the seven men who had taken them into their hearts and lives. It was indeed a strange turn of events. She put her arm around Sarah, "Let's rejoin our new family."
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After Ezra's Christmas proposal the days continue to roll by, but Rebecca found she had plenty to keep her busy. With Mary and Sarah's help Rebecca put all their energies into creating the most beautiful wedding dress they could. They also spent hours planning the wedding. Choosing food, drinks, decorations and how they wanted the church to look.
Ezra had wanted a grand affair, but Rebecca managed to convince him that an intimate gathering of friends, with a large reception afterwards was the way to go. She did consent to having a nighttime wedding so he could have some of the pomp he wanted. They also agreed to have a spring wedding with a date of March 31.
Several days after deciding on a date, Ezra opened the door to the Clarion, a strange look on his face. Rebecca glanced up from her sewing when she saw him come inside. Noting his odd expression, she put down her work and walked toward him. "What's wrong, Ezra? Is everything alright?"
"I have made a grievous error in judgment and I thought you should be made aware of it?" he replied holding up a letter. "I wrote to my mother, telling her about you and our plans to wed. She apparently feels her presence is needed here, so she's coming!"
"But that's wonderful. I'll finally get a chance to meet her."
"That is precisely what I'm trying to avoid, darlin. You and my mother will not…how can I say this, mesh well. She can be a bit overbearing at times," he tried to explain.
Tilting her head slightly, she touched his face, "I'll be okay…I want your mother to like me. I am after all marrying her son. So I think we should meet. I'm sure she just wants to see what kind of woman I am."
"Well whatever happens, don't back down from her or she'll eat you alive," he added.
Taking Rebecca into his arms, he pulled her close to him. "Our wedding day can't come soon enough for me."
Whispering, she added, "I know…I feel the same…for so many reasons."
Kissing her softly in her lip, he sighed. "I love you, Becca."
"And I love you Ezra, never forget that."
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True to her letter, Maude Standish arrived in Four Corners, two weeks later. She arrived on the afternoon stage with her usual entourage of luggage.
Ezra waited on the porch near the stagecoach office, fidgeting with his watch fob. Maude's impending arrival was making the gambler more anxious than usual. For that reason he asked Rebecca to await them in the saloon. She seemed a little hurt by his request, but he was only trying to protect her. This was, after all, his mother and he knew her.
While Ezra loved his mother, she constantly tried to run his life. Her habit of making decisions for him continued to be a sore spot with them.
The stage rolled into town in the late afternoon pulling up in a cloud of dust. Trying to straighten his appearance, he swiped at his jacket removing any dust he had on it as he waited for Maude to disembark.
Finally, she stuck her head out the stage door waiting for the driver to help down. She looked much the same as the last time he had seen her a little over a year ago.
As she stepped down with the driver's assistance, Maude greeted her son. "Well there's my boy! How are you, darlin?"
Hugging his mother, he said, "I'm well mother, thank you. How was your trip?"
"Just fine darlin. So," she glanced around, "where is this betrothed of yours? Doesn't she have the good manners to meet me at the stage?"
"I asked her not to be here until after we had a chance to talk."
"And why on earth would you do that Ezra?"
"Because, I wanted to know your intentions, mother. Wanted to be sure you haven't come to town to intrude yourself between Rebecca and I. I love her so please understand that."
"Whatever do you mean? All I want is to meet the woman that has captured my boy's heart!"
Nodding, he offered her his arm, "Well if that is the case, let's get you settled before I take you to meet her for dinner."
"Well, if that is the way you want it, dear."
He sighed deeply, "Yes it is."
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An hour later, Ezra returned to his mother's room to collect her. It didn't take him long to realize she wasn't there. His mind raced as he thought of all the places she might have wandered off to. It suddenly struck him that she probably went to the saloon for a game of chance.
"Oh Lord," he mumbled. He hurried down the hotel hallway; "Rebecca and Sarah are performing there tonight!"
Trying to remember if he had described Rebecca to her, he raced toward the saloon, "This might end like a Shakespeare tragedy if I don't arrive soon. Lord mother, please don't start anything."
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Sitting at a corner table, Maude shuffled the deck of cards in front of her. She had been watching the two women performing on stage. They had a music style she wasn't familiar with and she wondered which one might be her son's betrothed. As she studied the two women, she wondered how one of them had managed to capture his heart.
As she continued to keep her eyes on them, Ezra entered the saloon doors a perturbed look covering his face.
Spying his mother in the corner, he made his way over. "Mother, what are you doing here? I said I would call for you at your room."
"Well I felt rather closed up in my hotel room, so I came over to indulge in a game of chance and to partake of a small libation before dinner."
"Oh really! I did ask you not to start anything…"
"And I haven't darlin. I simply came over here to relax before dinner," Maude glanced at the stage as the two women finished playing, "So…which one is Rebecca?"
As exasperated as he was - Maude could try the patience of a saint, he managed to say, "The auburn haired beauty that is approaching us now. Please try and be civil."
"Of course darlin. When have I not been?"
Rebecca had noticed Ezra entering the saloon walking toward an older woman playing with a deck of cards at a table. 'Must be his mom.' she thought, 'Guess I should introduce myself.'
Slowly approaching the two of them, she was feeling incredibly nervous, but refused to show it. As she came over to the table, she could feel his mother sizing her up. Taking a deep breath, she kissed Ezra on the cheek.
He kissed her back. "Rebecca Dannon, this is my mother Maude Standish."
"Pleased to meet you, ma'am. Ezra has told me all about you."
"I wish I could say the same, but I'm afraid my son has neglected to provide me with any information about you Miss Dannon. Perhaps while I'm here, we will get a chance to rectify that."
"Yes ma'am, I hope we can."
Looking at Ezra, Rebecca said, "I need to straighten up a bit before dinner. Why don't I meet ya'll at the hotel restaurant in half an hour?"
"That'll be fine, darlin," he gave her another kiss.
Rebecca headed toward the saloon doors exiting into the night. Maude watched as the young woman left. She wasn't sure what to make of her...at least not yet. Obviously, she had something her son found appealing. Whatever it was wasn't immediately apparent to her.
Ezra turned toward his mother, "Are you ready to go?"
Maude stood taking her son's arm, "Well she seems real sweet, Ezra. Hopefully we will have the chance to get to know each other better."
He nodded, but still felt an undercurrent of nervousness whenever his mother was concerned.
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Rebecca arrived in less than half an hour feeling refreshed. She had changed her dress to one of dark blue with white trim; her auburn hair was down and pulled back with a dark blue bow. Ezra smiled as she came into the restaurant.
Maude watched the interplay of emotions on her son's face. This Rebecca's hold on her son was a strong one and she wasn't sure she liked that. Ezra needed to operate freely in his profession and tying himself to someone wasn't a good idea. It could get him killed.
Pasting a pleasant smile on her face, Maude decided to play out her hand seeing where it would lead.
For two hours, the trio made small talk. They chatted about the weather, Rebecca's family, the town of Four Corners and what had made Rebecca and her sister become singers. Maude was pleasant, but she couldn't help but wonder what it was about this woman that drew her son. Could it truly be love she wondered for the umpteenth time.
After dinner, they made their way back toward the saloon. Upon entering the establishment, Ezra caught site of a high-stakes poker game in progress.
Touching his arm, Rebecca said, "I can tell you want to join….go ahead your mother and I will be fine."
"You know me so well, darlin. Am I that obvious?"
"A little, but I also know that this is your profession. Go join the game, we'll be fine."
Ezra kissed her cheek whispering, "I don't know how long I will be engaged, but I want to see you later if you are agreeable."
Rebecca kissed him back. "Tonight and every night for the rest of our lives."
He excused himself heading toward the game. Maude and Rebecca watched for a moment before finding a table. That was the last time he saw them for the rest of the evening.
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The next morning, Ezra pushed through the batwing doors of the saloon and found Rebecca sitting on the stage. She looked up for a moment when he entered, but went back to strumming her guitar. Something in her demeanor troubled him. Approaching the stage, he sat down in front of her waiting for her to respond to him.
"Is anything wrong, darlin…I was hoping to see you last night. I knocked on your door and you didn't respond. I thought perhaps something was amiss."
She kept looking at the floor until finally she raised her stricken eyes. Softly she said, "Your mother said that I could get you killed because of your profession. Is that possible?"
His anger was immediate. He stood so quickly he knocked his chair backward starling Rebecca. "When did she say this to you?"
"Last night after you left. She and I started talking for a while and at one point during our conversation, she said I might cause you to be distracted…if that happened it could get you killed!"
Ezra's green eyes flared, "Your presence is not a hindrance to me my darlin girl…in fact I consider you to be an asset."
He clamped his eyes shut, trying to rein in his temper. "Please, do not fret about this. I shall speak to my mother immediately."
Letting a few tears slip down her face, she said, "I don't know what I would do if I caused you to be harmed in any way. I couldn't bear it."
Brushing the tears from her cheeks, he said, "You have nothing to fear, darlin. Please don't agitate yourself further."
Ezra was furious. This time his mother had crossed the line. He charged out of the saloon, Rebecca's haunted face frozen in his mind. His anger seethed within him as he headed for the hotel.
It didn't take him long to find her eating breakfast in the hotel dining room. Storming up to the table, his body quivered with the anger he was feeling.
"Why, mother?" he sputtered, "Why did you lie to Rebecca? Do you have any idea how upset and terrified she is right now?"
Unconcerned, Maude glanced up from her breakfast. "I only wanted her to know the truth, darlin."
He stared coldly at his her. "The truth! The truth…what do you know of the truth?"
He paced around her table, "All you've managed to accomplish mother, is scare the hell out of her. What were you thinking? I warned you when you arrived yesterday not to interfere. Rebecca and I shall be wed on the 31st of March and so help me God, if you persist in this, I shall have no choice but to sever our relationship. She is the most decent, caring woman I have ever known and I shall NEVER forgive you if you drive her away!"
Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heels and quickly walked from the room.
Maude watched her son leave and wondered if she had truly misread the situation. She had thought he was merely infatuated with this woman. Obviously what he felt was much deeper. Shoving her plate away, she found she was unable to finish her meal. For the first time in her life, Maude was frightened that she may have pushed her son too far.
Returning to the saloon to comfort Rebecca, she had disappeared. Worried after a brief search couldn't locate her, he ran across Buck in a chair outside the jail.
"Buck have you seen Rebecca? She was in the saloon and now I am unable to locate her."
"Well I saw her ride out about 20 minutes ago. Tried to ask her where she was headed, but she took off in hurry."
"Which way Buck? I have to find her."
Buck pointed to the right with his finger, "What happened pard…ya'll have a little fight?" He leaned his chair back against the wall.
"Unfortunately, my mother happened to her. Now if you will excuse me, I have to find her." Ezra made a beeline directly for the stables.
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He saddled Gambler quickly taking off in the direction Buck had indicated. He had a pretty good idea where she was headed.
On one of their weekly rides together, Ezra had found a wonderfully secluded spot near a creek. It was perfect for a courting couple and she had fallen in love with it. They often visited it to be alone with each other.
As he rode up, he saw Rebecca's mare grazing on some scrub grass nearby. Tethering his own horse, he pushed through the brush in search of her. He found her sleeping on a couple of blankets they kept their spot. He could tell she had been crying. Her face was still wet with tears.
Kneeling beside her, he stroked her hair. "Please forgive me for leaving you last night. I should have realized that my mother had her own agenda. I love you my darlin girl and would be utterly lost without you."
Sighing softly, she opened her eyes. "Ezra?"
Sitting down beside her, he continued stroking her hair. "Yes, darlin I'm here. I've been searching everywhere for you. Why did you leave town? I have been worried sick!"
"I'm sorry, but I needed to clear my head. I needed a quiet place where I could think," she said sitting up slowly. The eyes that gazing back at him were red rimmed and puffy. "I didn't mean to worry you."
Taking her into his arms, he whispered, "I'm sorry too darlin. Sorry for what my mother did." Holding her gently against his chest, he continued, "Please, I will not be able to get through the rest of this day unless you give me a smile."
Tilting her face toward his, she offered the beginnings of a smile on her lips, "That's my darlin girl."
Softly touching his face, Rebecca asked, "Make love to me, Ezra. I need you. I need to feel your body against mine."
Brushing a stray lock of auburn hair from her face he kissed her. Removing his guns, jacket and hat, he lay down beside her. Pulling Rebecca next to him, he began to caress her, trailing kisses along her neck. Pulling one of the blankets over their bodies they began to undress each other.
Rebecca drew her breath in sharply as he caressed her breasts before moved his hands down to her inner thighs. Moving her legs gently apart, he caressed her as he settled himself between them. As he began to slowly thrust into her, she moaned softly clutching her arms around his waist.
Closing his eyes with each push into her, Ezra moaned, "Becca...I love you my darling girl."
As their passions flared. Ezra made sure he paid special attention to her. He wanted her to know how much he loved and needed her.
Later, as they lay still wrapped in each other's arms, Ezra caressed her face, nuzzling against her. Rebecca sighed contentedly also, feeling at peace for the first time that day.
"Becca," Ezra asked softly, "tell me about your world…the world of the future. What was it like for you? I want to see it through your eyes."
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything, everything, whatever you feel like talking about," Ezra murmured.
"Well…the future would be a wondrous place to someone from here. So many incredible things will take place in the coming years. I wish I could tell you everything, but if I did there is the possibility the future could be changed. I won't tell you when it will happen or how it will happen, but day man will put people on the moon…right up there." She pointed skyward.
"Are you serious darlin? Men will be on the moon?"
Rebecca nodded kissing him, "Actually it will happen several times. Also there were plans to go next to the planet Mars. It hasn't happened yet, but I would have liked to have seen it," Rebecca replied wistfully.
"Sarah and I as you know, were in a band called Gypsy Moon. We started our career playing in bars and taverns…almost like the saloon we play in now," she smiled at the thought. "That was four years ago, our time, then we hit it big and never looked back. We began playing to sellout crowds in large arenas and stadiums. The largest crowd we ever played for was in New York City. I think I remember being told it was around 75,000 people."
"My Lord darlin, so many came to hear you perform?" Ezra asked in amazement.
"Yeah. On the day Sarah and I disappeared, we were supposed to be playing to a sellout crowd. We had been on the road for around six months I think. Thank God we did most of our traveling by…" Rebecca paused realizing she needed to keep that particle future event hidden for now. "Let just say, we did a lot of traveling and it was tiring. I was exhausted and we still had three more months to go before we could take a break. I felt like I was falling apart…the stress was killing me. So that's how I ended up in Brices Canyon. I needed a break…some time alone."
"Being as popular as you were, I would assume that your financial situation was quite bright?"
Rebecca grinned at his question, "Well, we did make a lot of money, but it never made Sarah or I happy. I think our accountant told me that we were worth around 50 million last year. I could buy anything I wanted, go anywhere in the world I wanted…yet it wasn't enough."
She could feel Ezra draw in his breath with some force, "50 million? Are you serious, darlin?"
She nodded.
Ezra tilted Rebecca's face up toward his, "You and Sarah are, and I mean were, worth 50 million dollars?"
She nodded again.
"I can't believe you haven't tried to find a way home, that you've chosen to stay here…with me!"
Rebecca sighed before answering, "I'll be honest…in the beginning, I wanted to go home…mostly because I was scared and didn't know if I could cope here. Later, after I realized I had no idea how we could ever return home, I quit looking. I had fallen in love with you." Putting her face close to his chest, she continued, "Even if I knew how to return to my time now, I wouldn't go. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. This place, all my new friends, you have become my world. I'm happy here and this is now my home. For the first time in a long while, I'm at peace. Fifty million can buy a lot of dreams Ezra, but it can't buy happiness…or love."
Ezra shook his head in wonderment, "I can't believe you're giving up so much for me."
"And why not? It's only money! What I have here with you is more than I ever had in my old life."
Rebecca sat up keeping part of the blanket around her, "My life before was full of people whose only reason for being near me was because I was rich and famous. It wasn't because they cared about me or wanted to be my friend. It was all about the celebrity and the money."
Tears welled in her eyes, "I had everything money could buy except for the one thing I really wanted…someone who cared about me…someone who loved me, for who I was. That is until I met you."
Ezra sat up beside her, pulling her into his embrace, "I hope my questions about your monetary status haven't been misconstrued, darlin. I love you and that will never change."
He felt her tremble, "You know darlin, you and I are more alike than you realize."
"How is that?" she asked.
"Well, until I met you, I had only met one other woman who cared for me. She knew what I was, but it didn't matter. She said I was a good man."
Rebecca's curiosity took hold of her, "So what happened? Why didn't she stay with you?"
A faraway look appeared in his green eyes, "While I think I cared about her, she didn't belong here. She had been sent away from her family due to financial hardship, so I gave her the necessary funds to return home. It hurt, but I knew it was the correct thing to do."
Rebecca tightened her arms around him. "And you haven't seen her since?"
He shook his head; "It was for the best really."
Pulling back from Rebecca, he gazed into her eyes; "I was alone until you entered my life. I have to tell you darlin; you've made me believe in magic. Whenever I contemplate your place of origin and the fact that you appeared here out of all the places you could have…well to me that's magic."
Rebecca smiled, "I like to believe it was fate. That perhaps you and I, through some quirky, twist of fate were destined to find each other."
"Well," Ezra chuckled, "that explanation is just as good as any other. I just thank the good Lord that we did. I can't imagine my world without you in it."
"I think what we should do now, is get dressed and return to town don't you?" Ezra queried. "And as I'm feeling a bit peckish, let's have a nice quiet lunch together."
Rebecca agreed. As she began to put on her clothes, she said, "Not to bring up a thorny subject, but what are we going to do about your mother?"
"Don't fret about mother as I have seen to her. I made my feelings perfectly clear on the subject."
"I don't want to cause a rift between the two of you. No matter what, she is your mother and you are her son."
"Well, she needs to understand that I have been old enough to go my own way for some time now. This is just her way of controlling me and I shall have none of it. I'm tired of her manipulations."
Rebecca smiled sadly, "I should try and talk to her. You told me not to back down from her. Maybe I need to let her know where I stand."
Ezra nodded his head in agreement as the two of them finished dressing.
Helping Rebecca to her feet, she stood in front of him helping him fasten the last few buttons on his vest. Taking her hands in his, he kissed them gently and looked into her eyes, "Let's return home, darlin. We still have wedding plans to bring to completion."
Smiling, she rested her head on his shoulder and an arm around his waist as the two of them made their way back to the horses.