Kiss of Death----1
Four Corners
"Buck, watch out!" Dunne shouted as Wilmington walked haphazardly across the street. The young sheriff breathed a sigh of relief as the passing wagon veered away before hitting the unwavering figure. He hurried after the older man and grabbed his arm before moving in front of him. 'What the hell's the matter with you, Buck?"
"Huh, what?"
"You could have been killed. What's wrong with you?"
Wilmington saw the wagon making its way towards the end of town and knew he'd been in a world of his own. He looked down at the paper held tightly in his hand and took another step towards the saloon where Larabee and Tanner were sure to be found. Without a word to Dunne he continued on with a determined gait.
"Buck, what's going on?"
"Nothin', Kid, just gotta see Chris."
"Why? What was in that telegram? Is it about Ella Gaines?"
"Ella Gaines? No…not about her."
"You sure...you're awful pale, Buck, maybe you should go see Nathan."
"Don't need Nathan, Kid," Wilmington said as he reached the saloon and pushed through the batwing doors. He scanned the dim interior until he spotted the two men at the back of the saloon. Both sat with their backs to the wall in an effort to watch everything that was going on. This position had saved them all more than once and he knew it was the easiest way to defend each other. Without a word Buck made his way to the back and slumped into the chair across from Chris Larabee.
"Buck, you look like you've seen a ghost," Larabee said softly.
"Maybe not seen one, Chris, but I heard from one."
"You're not making sense, Buck," Larabee said as Dunne sat next to Tanner.
"Here," Wilmington said and handed his long time friend the telegram.
Chris read the words quickly and took a breath of air before meeting the other man's eyes once more. "Angela?"
"Yeah, I need to see her, Chris. I need to know why she left."
"When are you going?" Larabee asked.
"Was thinking I'd leave tomorrow."
"Want some company?"
"Hell yeah, you know I do! It's just, well, you know what I was like after she left."
Larabee rubbed his chin as if remembering all too well his encounter with a straight razor. Chris regretted using the same form of terror on Buck the day he'd found out the rogue was talking about his own private affairs.
"Yeah, I remember, but it seems to me payback's a bitch. So, are you sure you want to see her again?"
"I have to, Chris. I need to know why she left like she did."
"All right, Buck, we leave in the morning."
"Need any of us to come along?" Dunne asked.
"No, Kid, I think me and Chris can handle this. You boys will need to make up for our absence," Wilmington said.
"Are you gonna send a reply?" Larabee asked, feeling the buckskin clad body tense up beside him.
"Yeah, figure I'd better...just in case she's got company," Wilmington said and accepted the drink Larabee slid across to him.
"Ya gonna tell us about her, Buck?" Dunne asked.
"No, I'm not, Kid. Right now I'm going for a ride. See you boys later."
"All right, Buck, just be careful," Larabee warned and watched the other man leave.
"Who was she, Chris?" Dunne asked.
"That's something you need to ask Buck, JD, but I'd leave him alone right now. Vin, think you boys can handle this place on your own?"
"Hell, Chris, the way it's been lately we could all go and leave the town ta watch the grass grow. Ain't much happenin'."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Larabee said and leaned his chair back once more. The town had been unnaturally quiet of late and the peacekeepers were taking advantage of it. He could feel JD watching him and sensed that the younger man was not ready to give up, but there would be no answers forthcoming from him.
"JD, seen Casey lately?" Tanner asked.
"Yeah, we went fishing out at the creek and…"
"She throw ya in ag'in?" the Texan asked with a grin.
"Ain't never thrown me in, Vin. She got lucky that one time when I wasn't expecting it, but I'm ready for her now."
"Don't bet on it, Kid, ladies have a way of surprising you when you least expect it," Larabee said from under his hat.
"I know how to handle Casey," Dunne stated with a little too much certainty.
"Oh, Kid, are ya in fer a rude awakenin'," Tanner told him.
"What's that mean."
"Ain't gonna tell ya. Casey'll letcha know when ya make a mistake!" the Texan advised as he poured a shot of whiskey into his glass. He knew the younger man had serious feelings for Casey Wells, and they all loved to tease him when they had the chance.
"Casey's really something, Vin. I thought all girls were afraid to put worms on a hook, but she does it and don't get all squeaky about doin' it."
"Good thing, Kid, otherwise ya might never catch anythin'," Tanner teased and smiled at the sheriff.
"I catch lots of fish!"
"Sure ya do, but who puts the worms on the hook, JD?"
"I put my own dang worm on the hooks, Vin!"
"I's jest teasin' ya, JD. Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' squeamish."
"With bein' what?"
"Squeamish..."
"Vin, you've been hangin around with Ezra too much," Larabee said. He'd heard the conversation but his mind was on the past. Angela Tate was a real beauty and she'd stolen Buck Wilmington's heart. Could they get past the missing years and find happiness again, or was she the conniving bitch he thought she was. He remembered the last time he'd talked to Buck about her and how they'd nearly killed each other in the ensuing fight. Now it seemed she was back and she was setting her eyes on the ladies' man. No matter what Buck said, Chris Larabee would have followed him in order to protect him from his own weakness, and he was glad that Buck wanted him to come along. Standing, he quickly nodded to his two friends before making his way towards the doors. There were arrangements to be made and he'd make sure everything was ready for their departure once the sun came up.
Chris watched his friend closely as Buck saddled his big bay and tightened the cinch. It was evident that Wilmington hadn't slept well and Chris knew he would probably have sleepless nights until he confronted Angela Tate and his feelings for her. He knew what love was, had experienced it with Sarah and knew no matter what others said; the feelings could not be squashed. Buck had loved Angela Tate with everything he had and everything he was. Wilmington's reputation as a ladies' man stemmed from Tate's betrayal and his need to keep the women in his life at arm's length. Oh he'd sleep with them and respect them, but he never let anyone close again.
"Buck, are you sure you want to do this?" Larabee asked.
"No…no, Chris, I'm not, but I have to. I have to ask her why, you know. That's all I want to know is why she left like that."
"I understand, Buck, I just don't want to see you hurt again."
"Hurt! Chris, nothing ever hurt like that. I need to ask her why and then I'm going to come back here and buy the biggest bottle of red eye and forget Angela Tate ever existed or else I'm going to take her in my arms and show her what a stupid mistake she made."
"Tough decision," Larabee said with a cocky grin as he tried to lighten the rogue's somber mood.
"Yeah, but either way I'm glad you'll be there to watch my back or..."
"Kick your ass if I think you need it."
"Knew I could count on you, Chris. Are ya ready?"
"Yep, are you?"
"No, but that's not gonna stop me. Let's ride."
Chris followed the other man and knew the trip they were undertaking would bring closure to a part of their lives that neither talked much about. Buck had gone through hell after Angela left him and Chris thought he'd lost him more than once, but one day Wilmington had woken up and turned away from the anger and depression. They'd started the horse breeding ranch soon afterwards, but not in Midfield as they'd planned. Things had changed not long after they left Midfield and Chris met a young Irish woman and fallen head over heels in love. History seemed to repeat itself, but in a harsher way than what happened to Wilmington. Larabee had lost not just his wife, but his son as well in a fire set by Ella Gaines. The woman was still out there, somewhere and sometimes Chris felt as if the wanderlust would grab him and again he would seek her out and strangle her with his own hands.
Chris spotted Vin Tanner as the Texan returned from his patrol of the area to the south and knew the younger man would work with the others to keep things quiet and orderly in Four Corners. It would take him and Buck five days to reach their destination and Chris knew they would talk of old times when the nights grew chilly and darkness overtook the land.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
"He's coming," Angela said, smiling at the woman seated at the table.
"Are you sure," Rosemary Clark asked.
"Oh, yes, I have his telegram and he's on his way here now. Oh, Rosie, it'll be so good to see him again. Do you think he still loves me?"
"What's not to love, Angela. You're still as beautiful as you ever were. Any man in his right mind would fall in love with you."
"Thank you, Rosie, I hope you're right."
"Is that other man coming with him?"
"I'm afraid so, but I don't think he'll be a problem. Buck and I fell in love back then and even Chris Larabee knew that. He may not have totally approved of me, but he would have done anything to make his friend happy."
"Are you sure you still love this man?"
"I hope so, Rosie. When I think of Buck my stomach feels like it's full of butterflies. He's everything a woman could want and I want him!" Angela said as she paced in front of the big window overlooking the front yard of her home.
"I know you want him, Angela, but there's a difference between wanting and loving someone. I mean I wanted Joseph, but do I love him? No…no I don't, but he belongs to me."
"And Buck Wilmington belongs to me, Rosie. Mark my words, Buck and I will be married as soon as he gets here."
"What makes you so sure he's not already married?"
"He would have said something in the wire, but he didn't. He just said he's on his way."
"Are you going to tell him you've been married?"
"I'll have to tell him about Robert, but there's no point in bringing Joseph and Brian into it. That's all in the past and he doesn't need to know about them or how they died," Angela turned towards her friend and smiled at the look on the woman's face. Rosemary Clark knew about her past, knew about her husbands and most of all knew how they died, yet she could not turn her in, because Rosemary had supplied the poison that put them into the ground.
"What about Larabee?"
"If he gets in the way I'll simply turn him over to you, Rosie. Think you can handle him?"
"Do you even have to ask, Angela? I've handled your 'problems' for years without a problem, haven't I?'
"Oh, yes, and I must say you're very neat about your work. The undertaker was very impressed with your generosity. Now, why don't we get the guest rooms ready before you go home?" The two women laughed as they made their way up the staircase, but the laughter was cold and held little mirth.