Chapter Seven

Previously:

"Most of the time, I would agree with your mama." Silas who, was still a bit rattled by the smile he'd seen that morning in the kitchen, added, "But he's an exception to the rule…. Like the Barkleys and a few other people I have met. Nothing bad about that one, I can tell."

"Just troubled," Theresa turned to give her good friend a knowing smile, as she'd heard what the gentleman had left unsaid.

"One that has a load on his shoulders for sure," Silas agreed before turning around and walking around the corner of the house. He had vegetables waiting for him to pick.

Theresa continued standing on the porch until Carson was completely out of site. Then, slowly, she turned around and went back inside to finish what she'd been doing before she'd stepped outside to get her daughter. The whole time she was praying Carson Hudson would someday resolve whatever his issues were.

Carson rode slowly through town. As he did so, he kept his eyes wide open. The last thing he needed was to bump into his so called friend without knowing the man was in the area. If he did that, he just knew he'd lose what control he had. It was a good thing he chose to do just that. For, as he guided his horse to the other side of the street, he saw his 'dear friend' walking down the boardwalk with some of his other friends.

"Who's he? Where he's from?" *Preston Johnson stopped as he watched Carson pass them on the other side of the street. "I've never seen him around here before."

"What does it matter?" Skinny gave his cousin a 'why is that important?' look.

"Just curious," Preston turned his attention to Carl Wheeler and Tyler Jacobs-a red-headed gentleman who had lived in the area for about five years but only made friends with the three men a few years ago. "Have you met him?"

"Probably just passing through," Carl told him. "If not, I'm sure we'll meet him at the saloon sooner or later."

Tyler voiced the same thoughts. He then said he was going to the Empire for a drink, and whoever wanted to join him could.

Out of his corner of his eye, Carson saw the men looking at him and talking. Not being able to hear them, he could only hope they didn't know him. He made his way to the livery stable and once again stabled his horse. Though, he refused to take back any of the money Tobias offered him. The young lad's exact words had been, 'Now since you're staying at the Barkleys, there's no need for us to keep all this money'. It hadn't made a difference though, and soon Carson was heading for the saloon with the money still in Tobias' hands.

Once inside the Empire, Carson sat at a table, next to the window with his back to the wall. When one of the waitresses started walking towards him, Carson found himself holding his breath. Like many men in Stockton, he'd patronized the Empire more than once. Would the waitress recognize him?

The brown haired Belle, a woman who had been a waitress in the Empire for a number of years, saw Carson as just another stranger coming into the saloon. She didn't even bother studying his eyes. "May I get you a drink?" She asked as she approached the table. Like the others before her, she found herself reading a note Carson handed her.

"I'll get you your beer, sir." She handed the paper back to him and left to get the beer.

"A mute," Tyler said as he put his cards on the table, saying he had to fold. "Hope he's not planning on sticking around."

Skinny, who actually had a soft spot for anyone who he saw as handicapped wanted to slap Tyler only he didn't. Instead, he stood up and said he was going to invite the man to join the game.

Tyler started to object only to have Preston and Carl both say the man's money was as good as anyone else's. "Go ahead, see if he wants to play." Carl kept his eyes on Tyler while he spoke to Skinny. "And, if you don't want to take any of his money, you can bow out of the game."

Tyler may not have liked anyone with a disability only he wasn't stupid enough to turn down a chance to get extra money either. "I'll stay."

Soon Skinny was inviting Carson to join the game, and Carson was accepting. It wasn't long before they group had played a couple of hands, and Carson was a few dollars poorer. It didn't matter to him though, he had been there long enough for his 'friend' to take a good look at him. Now, he had to find a place in the saloon that would keep him out of sight but allow him to still listen. He knew just the spot too. He scribbled out a note and handed it to Skinny, since he'd been the one to invite him. 'I am out. You took what money I could afford to lose. Good luck on the rest of your games, thanks for inviting me.'

"Any time." Skinny chuckled as he held up the money he'd just won. The others also chuckled as Carson walked away.

Being busy with their card game, none of them took time to watch Carson, to see that he had slowly made his way to a door towards the back of the saloon. It a matter of a few minutes, Carson was inside a storage room and unplugging a hole near the table the men were at.

"We got to get that mute to play more often." Skinny was laughing. "He's the worst poker player I've ever met. We could make a lot of money off him."

"Tell me about it." Carl was laughing, as he too had made a bit of money off the stranger. "Do you still care where he comes from?"

Preston shook his head as he pocketed some more money. "Nope, not as long as he keeps losing the way he did tonight."

Carson would have left only Skinny and Tyler had excused themselves, leaving Preston and Carl by themselves, and the two had started talking-and talking about him.

"One of us should get that stupid mute to work for us. Who knows, we just might need a fall guy someday." Preston let out a low chuckle.

"Until we finish our current deal, which we don't need a fall guy for, I'd just as soon not bother. Have you heard from Mr. Greene or Mr. Matthews?" Carl kept his voice just as low.

"No, but they told us they were meeting with Jarrod Barkley today. We should hear something soon." Preston told him. "As long as Barkley doesn't get wind of those papers you have in the bank safe, we have nothing to worry about."

Carl almost exploded, though he managed to keep his voice low. "Do NOT mention that fact again! We don't need anyone accidentally overhearing either of us saying that."

Preston apologized, saying Carl was right. The two then went to talking at a normal level, unaware that Carson had been listening the whole time.

Author Notes:

*As previously stated: Preston and Skinny are characters from Velvet Trap—Nick has the shooting contest with Preston in middle of the street. Their last names are not listed on the episode description I looked up, nor does it say what their relationship is (friends, brothers or cousins).

*Carl Wheeler is, as we all know, from Flock of Trouble.