Chapter 23

"Are you sure you want to be in Vegas?" Kaylee asked.

Ezra glanced at her, following the bellhop who carried his bags and the new bags of clothes purchased two weeks earlier in Long Branch, Texas to replace the things Kaylee had left in Buck's camper. "You made it to the finals. That's not something most people would want to miss."

Kaylee chewed on her lip. She didn't want to let Ezra know how uncomfortable the over the top surroundings of the five star Vegas hotel made her. She wanted him to know how little she wanted to return to reality after their two weeks in Texas, even less.

He squeezed her hand in his warm grip. "I'm looking forward to watching you take home a rather large belt buckle."

Kaylee took in a breath. The prize money each night was significant. And if she was the overall winner after ten nights, she would make a huge dent in what she owed Cletus. It was enough to bring her back to a harsh reality.

"And you're going to be quite the story," Ezra said with a grin that showed his gold tooth. "First woman to haze for a bulldogger at the Finals."

Kaylee frowned as she thought through any publicity that may bring her way. Cletus didn't follow rodeo, she was fairly certain of that. And if someone had a channel that carried the events and recognized her face in spite of her false identity, she would only be in Vegas for ten days. There was little chance of Cletus or any of his friends finding out where she was and making it to Vegas before she was gone. And hopefully she would have more money for them soon.

Ezra's steps slowed and he ignored the bellhop getting farther ahead of them. "Are you ok?" he asked.

Kaylee nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. It's just nerves."

Ezra didn't look like he believed her and he didn't answer right away. Kaylee got the unsettling feeling he was giving her space to tell him the truth, but she pushed a smile onto her face instead. "I've never been to a big city like Vegas before," she said.

Ezra searched her eyes, then stepped back, continuing down the plushly carpeted hallway. "Whatever you want to see, we'll make it happen," he said. "It's one of the greatest cities in the west."

"Wherever you are makes any place worth being," Kaylee said, leaning against his side and pushing away thoughts of money and Cletus.

The bellhop opened the door for them and Ezra motioned for Kaylee to go in first. She stopped so suddenly, Ezra nearly bumped into her.

The hotel room was bigger than the mobile home she and her mom had lived in back in Nebraska. She had never seen anything like it.

Ezra was motioning for the man with their bags to put them on the floor and tipping him, but Kaylee could feel his concerned gaze on her.

When the bellhop left the room, closing the door behind him, Ezra turned to Kaylee. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

Kaylee managed to look away from the expensive furniture, the fresh flowers in vases throughout the room, the view of Vegas lights outside the floor to ceiling windows.

A flash of uncertainty crossed Ezra's face. "This is where I usually stay when I'm in Las Vegas. But if you had something different in mind…"

Kaylee shook her head quickly. "No, it's…it's just too much." She gestured vaguely at their surroundings. "I don't belong here."

Ezra pulled her towards him, waited until she met his eyes. "You belong wherever I am. And I belong wherever you are."

She wanted that to be true. She started to look at the modern furnishings of the room around them again, but Ezra tightened his hold on her, bringing her attention back to him. He lowered his lips to hers, making Kaylee forget all about where she was.

#

Vin made his way through the overly opulent hallways of the hotel Ezra always stayed in during the week of the National Finals Rodeo. A call to the front desk had assured him Ezra was there, or at least had reserved a room.

He thought back to Reno. It was only a month earlier, but felt like a lifetime ago. Driving with Buck and JD to make sure Ezra didn't' take advantage of Kaylee's innocence. That Kaylee didn't make a naïve choice she would regret. Josiah had confidence that Ezra and Kaylee were fine, and Vin had seen firsthand how Ezra put Kaylee before himself time and again. But it didn't mean he was comfortable with not knowing where she was. Or what she was doing.

He had pulled in late last night, parking his truck at the far edge of the parking lot near the convention center, setting up the portable corral for the horses, and catching whatever sleep he could stretched out in his truck. But as soon as the sun was up, he had made his way to the hotel Ezra favored.

He found the room that Ezra was supposed to be in. He would find Ezra first, then find out where Kaylee was staying.

He knocked on the door. Waited for Ezra to open his eyes, a real challenge for him, Vin was sure, after a night at the poker tables. He knocked again.

The door swung open and Ezra stood there, blinking blearily at him, hair standing on end.

#

Kaylee stirred and Ezra tightened his arm around her. In her sleep, she nestled in closer to him.

He had never met someone who tossed and turned the way Kaylee did. He wasn't sure it could even be called sleeping. It was like she was doing battle every night. Until he pulled her close. And then she would curl up next to him and finally fall into a restful sleep.

A knock sounded at the door and Ezra looked at the clock next to the bed. It was too early for housekeeping. He wondered if Kaylee had ordered breakfast before they fell asleep. She had been slightly awed by the room service menu and had ordered root beer floats at midnight, simply to see if Ezra was telling her the truth about the level of service in the hotel.

He smiled at the thought of sitting on the bed together, drinking their floats at midnight. Kaylee had brought a playfulness to his life that he didn't remember having, even as a child.

The knock sounded again and Ezra pulled on a pair of flannel pajama pants, tying the drawstring waist as he padded toward the door.

He swung the door open.

"Vin?" he asked, too caught off guard to fall back on his habit of formality to gain some distance. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Kaylee," Vin answered.

Ezra's brow furrowed. "Is something wrong?"

His friend shook his head, but his look of concern wasn't reassuring. "No one's seen her. We ain't heard from her since you two took off together. We're getting worried."

Instinctively Ezra refrained from saying anything until he had a chance to sort through Vin's words. "Josiah didn't tell you?" Ezra asked.

"Tell me what?" Vin asked. Ezra could hear the frustration starting to edge into Vin's voice and took a breath.

"Ezra?" a voice said from behind him, rough with sleep.

Ezra saw Vin's eyes go to the bedroom door, widen then narrow and look back at Ezra.

"Vin!" Kaylee cried happily. Ezra turned just enough to see her face light up at the sight of Vin. She had a sheet wrapped around her and seemed to have forgotten that was all she wore as she tripped through the suite towards Vin and Ezra. Keeping hold on the sheet with one hand, she flung her other arm around Vin.

Vin returned her hug with affection, but the look he gave Ezra over Kaylee's shoulder was anything but warm.

Kaylee pulled back, adjusting the sheet and pushing back loose strands of strawberry blonde hair from her eyes. "What are you doing here?" she asked with a smile.

Vin finally looked away from Ezra and his expression softened slightly. "Ain't heard from you in two weeks."

Kaylee's brow knit and she shook her head slightly. "Didn't Josiah tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Ezra was aware of Kaylee's grip on his hand, her fingers finding his and weaving together with his. "We got married."

Ezra figured it was Vin's friendship with Kaylee that kept the other man from turning on Ezra and letting him know right then and there what a terrible idea that had been. Ezra stood still, trying to not let his defiance show on his face. He had every intention of proving to anyone who cared for Kaylee that he would take care of her. That he could deserve her.

"Vin?" Kaylee asked when Vin didn't respond right away.

Vin gave himself a shake and surprised Ezra with a small smile that included him as well as Kaylee. "That's good," he said. "Great," he corrected. "That's great. For both a' you."

Kaylee's grinned widened.

Vin took a step back awkwardly. "I didn't mean to…" he cleared his throat and Ezra could swear there was a faint blush on the younger man's cheeks. "I'll get out of your way."

Ezra didn't have to look at Kaylee to know she would have a frown at Vin excusing himself uncomfortably.

"We were going to go get breakfast," Ezra said. "Why don't we meet you and the others. I'm assuming they're all going to be gathering at Buck's favorite…establishment?" As much as he wanted to keep Kaylee to himself awhile longer, the grateful squeeze she gave his hand made him glad he had offered.

Vin grinned. "They'll all be at the buffet in a half hour."

Ezra pulled the door open wider. "Come on in. Give me a few minutes."

Kaylee finally seemed to realize she was holding up an Egyptian cotton king size sheet wrapped twice around her and wearing nothing more. She wrinkled her nose. "I'll just shower and throw on something…more like clothes."

Ezra brushed a kiss against her tangled hair. "I confess to liking this look," he murmured under his breath.

Kaylee's eyes, a sea foam green that didn't mix in the hazels and browns she insisted his did, sparkled up at him. She gave him a wink before hurrying back to the bedroom and closing the door.

Ezra eyed Vin, waiting for the amicable façade to fall. But Vin didn't fall back to a look of anger. He looked around the large room. "You been in Vegas this whole time?"

Ezra sank down onto the couch when he heard the water turn on in the bathroom. Vin leaned back against one of the leather chairs. "We just arrived last night. We've been in Long Branch."

Vin lifted an eyebrow.

Ezra pretended not to notice. "The Long Branch Motel has surprisingly comfortable accomodations."

A grin spread across Vin's face. "You holed up in that place for two weeks?"

"We didn't 'hole up' anywhere," Ezra countered. "We simply spent some time there."

Vin smiled, then looked at Ezra's collarbone. "And got a tattoo?"

Ezra didn't bother looking down at the freshly inked mark. He knew exactly what the 'Q' looked like, intersecting with a heart, an exact complement to the King of Hearts tattoo Kaylee had on her lower back. "There wasn't exactly a jewelry store in that town. This seemed like a fair substitute for the moment."

For the first time, Vin grew serious. He glanced toward the closed bedroom door and lowered his voice. "You're serious 'bout this. You and Kaylee?"

Ezra didn't take offense as much as he wished he could. He hadn't done much to prove himself trustworthy in his past. "Entirely serious," he vowed.

Vin nodded, taking his reassurance at face value. "Ok then. Do we take you out for a bachelor's party now?"

Before Ezra could tell Vin how much he did not need a night without Kaylee, the door opened and she came out. Her hair was loosely braided, and she wore jeans and a t-shirt, heading towards her boots near the door. She stopped near Ezra to plant a kiss on him before he went to get himself ready to go. She didn't seem to have any idea that Vin was their easiest ally to win over. He could only imagine Mr. Larabee's response to the news of their nuptials.

#

Buck looked from Ezra to Kaylee, and back again. Ezra showed no reaction to the silence that had fallen around the table. Kaylee looked concerned, uncertainly looking to Buck. It was that look of worry that pushed Buck out of his chair, holding his arms open wide.

"Do I get to be the first to kiss the bride?" he asked. "After all, I think this was my doing."

"No, I think Josiah gets to claim that," he could hear Chris mutter behind him.

Buck wrapped Kaylee in an enthusiastic hug, picking her up so her feet her off the floor. She laughed and he set her back on the ground, turning to Ezra. Ezra stiffened, but Buck didn't let that slow him down. He gave Ezra a hug just as enthusiastic as the one he had given Kaylee.

Nathan and Chris were slower to offer their congratulations, but Buck noticed that they did. He couldn't figure out what would have them holding back, weddings were a good thing. Ezra and Kaylee figuring things out, with no small amount of help from Buck himself he noted, was a great thing.

"Breakfast is on me!" Buck boomed out. "For the newlyweds!"

Ezra looked at the plates of food on the tables around them. "That's…generous."

Buck put an arm around Kaylee and started steering her toward the buffet line. "This is the best place in Vegas," he enthused. "All you can eat for $3.99."

Kaylee took the plate he handed her and followed him through the line.

"I knew it," Buck said, giving her a look that showed all the wisdom he had that he only shared when the situation warranted. "I knew you and Ezra were a good match. All you needed was a push."

Kaylee leaned her head against Buck's arm briefly. "We owe you one for sure, Buck."

Buck didn't think his chest could puff out any further with pride and made an effort to temper it. "Well, Ezra had a part, I suppose. He did the askin'."

Kaylee laughed. She followed Buck, her plate a more dignified sight than the pile of food he ended up with on his. He saw her smile fall and followed her gaze to see Chris, seated across from Ezra with a serious look on his face.

"Don't worry none about Chris. He doesn't do too good with change. Or Ezra. It'll be fine."

Kaylee nodded and managed a smile for Buck, but he could see her concern as she took a seat next to Ezra.

#

Ezra pretended Chris' question didn't rankle. He lifted his coffee cup and took a drink before answering. "I'm very well aware of what I've gotten myself into."

"You are?" Chris asked, his frown deepening. "Because marriage isn't like a poker game. You don't get to fold and walk away when you have a bad hand."

"Well it's good I don't have a bad hand, then, isn't it." Ezra kept his voice low.

Chris blew out a breath. "You know what I mean. It's not going to be all sunshine and roses—"

Ezra put his cup down on the table harder than he intended, coffee sloshing over the side. "I'm aware of how quickly life can disappoint. I don't intend to take that out on Kaylee."

Chris studied him. Ezra refused to allow him the victory and kept his neutral expression, not letting his friend any hint of the depth of emotion and commitment he felt for Kaylee.

Kaylee came back from the buffet then, her eyes looking from him to Chris. "Is everything ok?" she asked.

Ezra stood and pulled out her chair for her. "More than ok," he assured her with a sincere smile and a kiss. He allowed himself the luxury of shooting Chris a warning look. The man had better not say anything to plant a seed of doubt with Kaylee.

"Just telling Ezra you must have been a beautiful bride," Chris said.

Kaylee smiled uncertainly, but looked to Ezra again and saw his lack of concern. He felt her relax next to him.

"I can't believe you didn't tell any of us," Buck broke in. "After I was the one to get things patched up between you two, you didn't even give us a hint of what you were doing."

Ezra rested his arm along the back of Kaylee's chair, giving her shoulder a light brush. "Yes, Mr. Wilmington. We're aware of our insurmountable debt to you. If you had been present, I can guarantee Kaylee would have asked you to be her maid of honor as a token of her appreciation."

Buck started to nod as he accepted the praise that was his due, then paused, his eyes narrowing at Ezra. "Wait, what?"

The tension around the table eased as the men chuckled and Kaylee grinned at Ezra.

JD brought things back to the business at hand. "You been to Nationals before, Kaylee?" he asked. "To watch or anything?"

Kaylee shook her head. "Never."

JD's eyes lit up. "I'll show you around later. The arena's huge. And I can time some practice runs if you and Alcott need to get a feel for the size of this place. And our motel has an outdoor pool," he enthused. Then, catching himself, he blushed. "Unless you and Ezra, I mean, um, you don't, uh—"

Kaylee looked just as enthusiastic as JD as he laid out his plans. She nodded, ignoring his faltering into embarrassment. "I need to see Alcott. And Barney. If you want to time some runs, that would be great."

Ezra felt her excitement catch. He was more than excited to share in Kaylee's first time at Finals with her. And after that, go home with her at his side.

Kaylee looked at him with a smile that all but guaranteed him it would always be nothing but sunshine and roses for them.

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