Chapter 3
"What is he doing?" Nathan asked.
The men tried to see through the dark to where Ezra was crouched down in front of the young woman.
"Did he just…gamble with her?" JD asked.
"Tell me he didn't just go double or nothin' to get out of this," Buck said, a pained expression on his face.
"He wouldn't," Josiah said with quiet confidence.
But they all watched as Ezra stood, saying something that didn't carry to them and walked away without the girl.
Vin pulled away from the group without saying anything and crossed between the horse trailers and campers to where Kaylee sat with her dog.
Vin reached down a hand to the black dog. "How's Barney doin'?" he asked.
Kaylee looked up at him with an appreciative smile and Vin figured she knew it wasn't her dog really asking about. "He's good."
"Long night for him." Vin scratched the dog behind the ears and the dog's tail thumped the ground alongside Kaylee's leg. "He have somewhere to sleep tonight?"
She glanced down at the dog then. "Yeah."
Vin lowered himself to the ground next to her. He liked the cowgirl who had only joined the circuit they were riding a month before. She was always right there at the rails cheering for him during the steer wrestling event. He didn't have a lot of people he called friends. And he didn't have any family at all. Her bright smile of congratulations when he won went a long way to making the wins feel less lonely some Friday nights.
"You know you could stay with me if I had a camper, right?"
She reached over and gave his arm a squeeze. "I know. Thanks, Vin."
For the first time, Vin wished he had more than just his truck and horse trailer. No way he could offer her the front seat of his truck to bed down on, like he did.
"But I think it will be fine with Mr. Standish," she said brightly. "He's sort of a legend, going from tie down roping to owning half the stock Double T uses for the rodeo. He's…interesting." The uncertainty in her eyes told him she was looking for his reassurance.
Vin let out a low chuckle. "Ezra is that." Then he grew serious. "He's a real gentleman. I wouldn't let ya bunk with him if he wasn't."
Kaylee's shoulders dropped in relief. She chewed her lip. "I've been paying Wells to trailer Alcott for me." She paused to take a breath and Vin figured he knew what she was about to say.
"I'm goin' same places you are. Got room in my trailer," he offered.
"I'll pay you," Kaylee said quickly. "I don't have any money now, but I promise I will. With interest."
Vin shook his head. "Don't need your money."
"No, really, I can—"
"Could use a hazer, though," he said.
Kaylee's eyebrows lifted, he had her attention.
"You can ride one of my mounts, don't want Alcott getting' worn out before your event. You ride and keep that steer straight for me, and I'll bring Alcott in my trailer."
The suddenness that she flung her arms around him surprised him, and apparently Barney, too. The big dog slid off her lap.
"You're the best, Vin. I've ridden for bulldoggers before. You won't regret this."
Vin could hardly remember his little sister, having been separated in foster homes when he was barely in his teens, but Kaylee's enthusiasm made him think of her.
He gave Kaylee a pat on the shoulder and she untangled herself from him.
"I'll be headin' out after breakfast tomorrow. You should turn in."
She nodded and stood, dusting off the back of her jeans.
"Do you know where Ezra's parked?"
She shook her head.
"Come on," Vin said, nodding his head toward the far end of the rodeo grounds.
"I need to get my stuff. Casey and Nettie let me stick my things with them."
Casey and Nettie's pickup camper was dark and silent when they got to it. Vin wasn't surprised. Nettie traveled with her granddaughter and no way was she letting her out to the dance that most towns had after the rodeo.
Vin lifted the saddle and tack Kaylee said was hers. She shouldered two duffel bags and followed him to the outskirts of the temporary campground.
Vin set the saddle down in the backseat of Ezra's flashy four door pickup. Attached to the hitch was the vintage Airstream camper that Ezra called home during the rodeo season. He had left the small exterior light by the door on, and a dim light inside.
Vin's lips twitched in a smile. Ezra could act as unfeeling and unconcerned for others as he wanted. But that small act told of a man who was making sure Kaylee would be able to see, maybe even feel a little more comfortable.
"You ok here?" Vin asked.
Kaylee nodded and let him open the door for her. She didn't hesitate and went right inside, her dog bounding up the step after her, glancing back at him once before he shut the door with an impulsive grin that Vin wanted to return. He figured Ezra had no idea what he was in for.
It would do the gambler good to not be able to control the odds for once.
#
Kaylee had been expecting an oversized, brand new RV. The moderate, vintage trailer was surprisingly comfortable. She toed her boots off and left them in the doorway.
True to his word, Ezra had left a sheet and blankets folded neatly at the foot of the fold down couch. He had put a fitted sheet over the couch, with a pillow with matching pillowcase.
Kaylee set her duffels on the floor near the couch. She looked at the closed door at the far end of the camper where she assumed Ezra was. Her heart gave a little lurch and picked up its pace.
"What are we doing, Barney?" she whispered to the dog, the bravado she had put on for Vin missing in the face of the reality of walking into Ezra's camper.
The camper was still, with no sound coming from behind the closed bedroom door.
Well, it wasn't like she had any other options, reminded herself. She unzipped one of her bags and got out her case with her toothbrush and toothpaste and pajamas.
She headed for the open bathroom door, right outside the door to Ezra's room. She closed the door and the click of the latch sounded like it echoed through the silent camper. Turning on the water at the sink was worse than the roar of a waterfall and Kaylee winced, washing her face and brushing her teeth as quickly as she could.
She quickly shucked her clothes and pulled her oversized t-shirt and comfy shorts on, gathering her clothes to drop on top of her bags.
Back out on the couch bed with Barney, she unfolded the sheet and blankets and snuggled under them. Barney's weight next to her legs was a familiar comfort in an unfamiliar situation.
She willed herself not to think about where she was, or who was asleep on the other side of the closed door. And she managed to avoid thinking about it long enough to fall asleep.
#
Ezra had been awake too late last night. He had lain in his bed, listening until he was sure Kaylee had found the camper. He had listened to Vin's soft voice outside and her hushed responses. He was relieved she had a friend like Vin Tanner, at the same time the uncomfortable desire to be the one outside talking with her in the quiet night had him slamming a mental door on that train of thought.
He listened to her come inside, talking to herself briefly. Then into the bathroom, the small movement of the camper as she walked back out to the couch, and the sound of her getting settled.
It wasn't until the camper was silent again, and still long enough that he was assured the young lady was asleep, that he could finally roll over and close his eyes.
Now he was up far too early this morning. He listened for any noises from beyond his door and didn't hear any. He dressed with far less attention to his appearance than usual, just wanting to make an exit.
He couldn't believe the mental fortitude required to simply open the door and face the woman. Or rather, face the woman in the domain that had previously been his refuge from the outside the world.
The first thing he saw was that furry, black, oversized beast on the couch and next to her. The animal raised its head when he saw Ezra and his ears perked up.
Ezra scowled at the animal. That would bear discussing later in the day.
He looked to the woman, still sleeping. She was sprawled on her back like she had fallen backwards on the bed and promptly fallen asleep, both arms flung overhead. The blankets were rumpled and tangled around one leg, with the other leg…
He quickly looked away from the length of bare leg that was uncovered and landed on a sliver of exposed midriff.
He needed to get out of there. He didn't need to shave this morning. And breakfast at the local diner would be fine. He grabbed his hat and hurried out the door, closing it quietly behind him, and headed toward the diner across the street from the fairgrounds.
The jingle of the bell overhead was mostly ignored. Except by the waitress behind the counter and the table of six men seated near the back.
Six grins greeted him. Before Ezra could pretend he didn't see them, and avoid the coming questions, Buck called out to him.
"Hey there, Ezra! Saved you a seat."
Making sure his face revealed nothing, Ezra gave them a nod. He took the empty seat between Josiah and JD.
No one said anything, just sat there grinning at him like a bunch of hyenas.
Ezra took the laminated menu and held it in front of his face, making a show of studying it and blocking out their foolish smiles.
A hand reached over and lowered the menu. Ezra let the resigned sigh out as Buck took the menu from his hands.
"How'd it go with your new roommate?" Buck asked. "You stay up late tradin' secrets and braidin' each others hair?"
"I was sound asleep when she came in last night, and she was still asleep when I left this morning." Ezra turned to signal the waitress. When he turned back, they were all still staring at him.
"I'm certain you could all find something much more interesting than someone slumbering on my couch. Perhaps JD could tell us how he fared with the ladies last night." Anything to get the attention off him.
Chris' eyes glinted with humor. "Don't think I've ever seen you miss shaving, Ezra."
Ezra ran a hand over his chin. "It happens to be very en vogue currently."
"Yeah," Chris said with a smile. "I'm sure you're just following those trends, not hot footing it out of your trailer to avoid someone."
Mercifully the waitress chose that moment to come take his order. He gave it to her, ordering enough to have leftovers to bring back to Kaylee.
"Hungry this mornin'?" Vin asked, grinning, as the waitress went back to the kitchen.
"Famished," Ezra said, feigning ignorance. It was basic common courtesy to make sure his guest didn't starve. That was all. He had lost the bet and promised her room and board.
The other men went back to their breakfasts, but Ezra wasn't oblivious to the snorts of laughter they barely bothered trying to cover.
#
Kaylee woke, blinking in the sunlight that hit her in the eyes. She stretched, then reached down to adjust her shirt that had crept up. She kicked the blankets off and immediately rolled over onto her stomach to look toward Ezra's door.
It was open a crack. She listened and didn't hear anything.
She needed to get dressed, find Vin to figure out when he was heading out so she could get her horse on his trailer, and figure out how she herself was traveling to the next town.
That's what she should do. She looked again toward the open door, leaning over to see if she could see any glimpse of Ezra's personal space. Barney was watching her and she winced. "I'm not snooping," she said to him. "Just curious." Curious about the man who was also so self-possessed. Who was practically unreadable half the time.
"Not that I've been watching him," she said defensively. Barney cocked his head. She had just noticed the good looking stock contractor from a distance as soon as she had started riding for Double T Rodeos a month ago. He was often with one of the six men she had figured were his friends, sometimes smiling broadly enough that she could see his gold tooth.
And he didn't dress like the rest of the cowboys at the rodeo. His jeans were designer, his shirts may be western cut, but they looked like they were professionally tailored to fit his perfectly muscled frame—
Not that she had paid any attention to any of that. He didn't associate with any of the riders besides his close friends and never looked her way until she had barged into his poker game.
"But I am living with him now," she said the black lab. "It would make sense to make sure he's not a serial killer."
She pushed open the door to his room and peeked inside.
The bed was made with an expensive looking spread and not a single wrinkle. The nightstand had an alarm clock, a couple books perfectly stacked, and a photograph.
She picked up the silver frame. It was him with Vin and the others, clearly at some rodeo. Three of them held up belt buckles they must have won that day. She was surprised to see Ezra was covered in dust and one of the three holding up a buckle.
She looked at the books. One was a history of the American West. She flipped through it, looking at the old black and white pictures of famed gunfighters. Setting it down, she picked up the slimmer volume. It was a book of poetry. She flipped through, surprised to see underlined verses.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will love the still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.*
She tried to picture Ezra being moved enough by the words to underline them.
The sound of a footstep on the metal stair outside had her scrambling to put the books back how she found them and scurrying out of the room.
Ezra removed his had as he entered the camper.
"Good morning," he said, his southern drawl that should have made those words automatically warm and welcoming, stiff and formal instead.
"Morning," Kaylee said. She could feel her cheeks burning. Did he know she had intruded in his personal space?
But Ezra didn't seem to notice. He held up a white paper bag and set it on the counter along with a Styrofoam cup.
"The pancakes are somewhat lacking, but the coffee is strong."
"Oh," was all Kaylee could say at first. She blinked at the bag. "Thank you." She hadn't expected that.
Ezra ignored her thanks and looked at Barney, a grim frown pulling at his lips. Then at her duffel bags, spilling clothes out and yesterday's clothes in a crumpled heap next to that.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, without comment on the mess or the dog, shooting a quick look at her legs before clearing his throat and dusting an invisible crumb from the counter.
"Yeah," Kaylee said, brightening. "Thank you so much, Mr. Standish. For everything."
His brow wrinkled. "Mr. Standish?" he asked. "Am I to assume you adopt that level of formality with everyone you encounter?"
"Oh no, I don't," she said. "Just you." Then winced at how that came out.
If it was possible, he grew even more reserved. "I see."
"No, I mean, I don't call you that because you're you, it's just that, you know, I'm me and so it just sort of made sense…" That also sounded bad, but she didn't know if she should try again. He should understand what she was trying to say, right? He was practically on level with Orrin and Mary Travis who ran Double T Rodeos and produced the whole rodeo. He was well dressed, and well spoken. And she was just a barrel racer from Nowhere, Nebraska who didn't even have a ride to the next rodeo.
"Of course," he said, any emotion leaving his face like he was in the final hand of a poker tournament.
"I can call you by your first name, if you'd like that better," she offered, desperate to not hurt the man who had been nice enough to give her a place to stay.
"You do whatever suits you best," Ezra said stiffly, picking up his hat and settling it back on his head. "I need to supervise the loading of my livestock." Without a backward glance, he left, the screen door slapping close lightly behind him.
Kaylee scrunched up her face in embarrassment and second-hand ache. She had obviously hurt Ezra's feeling somehow.
She sank down onto the couch and puffed out a breath. She ran a hand over Barney's fur, taking comfort in the fact that she couldn't say the wrong thing to him at least.
#
*Poem is A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns