To Prove a Worth
****Part 2
Larabee walked into the livery to find Ezra saddling his horse. He had been mildly astonished when he went to the gambler's room to find that Ezra had already left. The southerner was not one to rise with the sun. At least Standish seemed to be taking this serious.
"Here's the medicine." Chris handed Ezra two pint-size brown bottles.
Ezra tenderly took hold of the valuable bottles. Wrapping them in cloth, he settled them into his saddlebags.
"Buck, Vin and I will follow a day behind in a wagon," Chris exclaimed. "A day should give Nate enough time to give out the medicine, start getting things under control. 'S'pect them villagers are going to need some supplies."
Ezra smiled. "As our esteemed healer is very efficient. I expect you're right. Mr. Jackson most assuredly will have burned everything." Ezra fidgeted a moment before stopping himself. He turned and checked his saddle's cinch, trying to dispel or hide his unease. He loathed that this man could garner such emotions from him, yet he respected Chris Larabee more than anyone and that was a feeling he rather enjoyed. "Mr. Jackson should have the epidemic well in hand by the time you and the others arrive," Ezra off-handedly replied, without facing the darkly clad gunslinger. "If not, we'll leave a sign for you outside the village, letting you know it's not yet safe to enter."
There was a current of uneasiness between the two men. No one had ever made the southerner feel so uncomfortable or unsure before, and he often wondered why Larabee had this affect on him, or why he stayed and endured it. A snort from Chaucer disturbed the sudden quiet that had descended.
A faint smile tickled the corners of Chris' mouth as he watched Ezra fuss over his gear. Ezra hid it well, but the stalwart gunslinger had come to know the gambler a little bit and could see that he was uncomfortable. Good, maybe that would keep him in-line. Larabee thought of threatening Standish with imminent death should he fail, but Chris saw something in the man that changed his mind. Ezra appeared determined. Chris tried to soften the look of mistrust in his face.
Standish swore under his breath and brusquely stopped fussing over his horse. Chris crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his amusement over the cardsharp's sudden break from his normally imperturbable attitude.
Ezra turned to face the blond leader. "Mr. Larabee, I know you don't have a lot of faith in me and I've given you little reason to trust me," Ezra said ruefully. His face grew serious. "But, I promise you, on my life, this medicine will arrive at the village."
Chris took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, not sure how to accept such a fervent declaration.
Ezra wasn't sure how to read the look in Chris' blue eyes. He expected to see mistrust in the stalwart's gunslinger's face, but instead he thought he saw a glint of admiration.
Chris' eyes narrowed and a half smile came to his lips. He grabbed a canteen that was hanging on a nearby post and tossed it to the cardsharp. "Better take an extra one. You ain't gonna find much water out there." Chris whirled on his heel and walked out of the stable.
tbc