She had been in the game long enough to know that she should not have done this.

From her first instruction in the art of the con, one rule stood out in the lessons that came and went over the years. Under normal circumstances, she paid close heed to it, understanding that its importance was not at all idle and for those who lived the life, it was a discipline that had to be learnt to stay alive. Adhering to its instruction made her reputation as a professional grifter, and she enjoyed a lengthy career, where most would have ended up in jail or worse by the time they reached her age. Still, she knew she kept her years well for a woman with a grown son and a trail of victims across the nation. All of whom never knew how they had come to be taken until their pockets were empty and they were scratching their head in confusion, wondering how that had come to be.

Maude Standish knew she had erred when she abandoned the rule of selecting one's mark carefully.

The man was rich and arrogant, and as soon as Maude entered his presence, she knew she found her next victim, despite all instincts that indicated to her that the man was dangerous. However, his disagreeable manner had all the more convinced Maude she could best him at the game she played so well throughout her life and thus caused her to throw caution to the wind. Maude began her latest escapade, proceeding to unwrap her deception with the intricacy of an onion being peeled layer by layer. Wealthy men were often easy to deceive, and though his eyes revealed a ruthless and shrewd nature, Maude knew he was just a susceptible to the flattery and seduction that was an inherent weakness of the gender.

They met in New Orleans, that pearl in the South that Maude spent a great deal of time when she was in mind for some rest or needed a sabbatical to conjure her next money-making scheme. In truth, she preferred to conduct as little business as possible in New Orleans itself because she had been cultivating something of a reputation as a respectable widow. It amused her to move in the circles of the city's social elite, watching the best families jockeying for position as they tried to maintain their foothold on the ladder that kept them on a rung above everyone else. Maude knew she somewhat mystified them. Here she was, a woman of breeding obviously but whose manner was so unusual, they had no idea what to make of her and were too afraid to distance themselves in case she turned out to be someone important.

It was this mystique that drew Jethro Lewisham to Maude Standish although, in truth, she had been aware of him long before had the presence of mind to cast his eye in her direction. She knew that he had money. In fact, the intelligence she had gathered on him uncovered that he had a great deal of it. His appearance in her life was rather fortuitous since Maude discovered she needed a hefty sum of money to invest in a venture that arose at the same time. It would not only allow her the chance to compete with the best of her peers, but also allow her to pay a call on her darling son.

It was all these factors and perhaps the fact Lewisham was such an arrogant specimen Maude found herself abandoning the rule of paying close attention of what kind of man he was before launching into her latest scheme to dupe out of his money. She did not require any flamboyant plan to take it, merely incite his interest in a series of card games that progressed over several weeks. Each time they played, she would lose enough to convince him that she was a worthy opponent but still one he could beat despite the challenge she offered. Their games grew in intensity until finally, one warm night in front of the greater part of New Orleans society, Maude was ready to cast her well-woven net over the good Mr Lewisham.

The game was blackjack, and it started with small, even bets that everyone was capable of covering and could afford to lose without too much embarrassment. Maude bid her time carefully, never showing that she was a master with the cards and never allowing anyone at the table to suspect that she was any more than a mediocre player. She maintained this illusion particularly for Lewisham because he liked to win and moreover, he liked doing it in front of an audience. Maude's interest in him was inspired when she saw him goad a man who had everything to lose, including his pride, to play the game of his life in a most public arena. The years taught her how to harden her heart against sentiment, but even she tended to gravitate towards the mark who deserved it, not the one who was likely to put a gun to his head and blow it off when they lost everything.

She watched Lewisham capture the man's pride in the palm of his hand and crush it without mercy while wearing a smile of sadistic relish on his face. It angered her because there was no joy in a victory like that and the man defeated had thrown himself in the river following the incident. Perhaps, it was a sense of outrage over that which motivated Maude to decide Lewisham needed to be taught a similar lesson on the kind of prey he selected. As she sat around the felt-covered table that evening, playing that final game with Lewisham, she played modestly, to begin with, her skills gaining momentum as the stake started to become more and more exorbitant. The others at the table fell away, like an oak shedding its leaves in fall.

Lewisham never suspected that he was being led to the slaughter, contenting himself in the arrogant belief that she was playing this well because of an extraordinary stroke of luck. After all, the lady had proven what kind of player she was on numerous occasions, and he had more than enough money to run her into the ground if this bout of fortune remained much longer. People started to gather around the table, aware now that a great upset was taking place. Those who had been defeated by Lewisham were exultant that perhaps the great man might suffer some of the indignity he had inflicted upon others and very soon, the table was surrounded by half the reputable supper club's clientele.

As the evening progressed, the stake became more than just sizeable. It became a small fortune. Maude had a tidy nest egg put away for her retirement, but she was willing to risk all to cover her bets because she knew with he clairvoyance that made her one of the best, she could beat him. Lewisham, on the other hand, saw the money as little importance. It was the principal of the thing that held his concern most. He refused to be beaten by a woman! As a gentleman of the south, it was a blow to his ego he could not endure, and he stayed in the game out of sheer stubbornness in the belief that a woman could not best him at anything, least of all a game of blackjack.

Unfortunately, it became painfully obvious who the better player as the night continued.

Card after card was dealt and the luck of the evening seemed to be resting firmly in the lap of the elegant Mrs Standish with her smiles and genteel southern etiquette. However, in the depths of her azure coloured eyes, he was sure the sparkle of victory he saw there was actually the triumphant glimmer of someone who was publicly humiliating him with intent. Yet he could not withdraw without similarly embarrassing himself. Thus he was forced to remain at the felt-covered table, playing sideshow freak to the gawkers who wished him to see him beaten, who wanted to him to be the beast she, the lion tamer whipped into submission.

It continued into the night, the game of chance being played with only one winner emerging throughout the countless hands that were dealt with each upturned card. Lewisham sat stonily through the last of it, aware that all eyes were on him, watching and waiting to see if he would cry surrender or would he let the sour wave of defeat sweep him to its inevitable conclusion. A part of him was astonished that this seemingly harmless widow could reduce him to such humiliation. However, another part of him, the part that made him the calculating and ruthless man that he was, was starting to see through the veneer of respectability Maude Standish wore like a fairy's glamour.

He started to understand just how cleverly she had played him with her alluring smiles and sea coloured eyes. As his mind descended into a red haze of vengeance, he began to see things with clarity of thought previously lulled into complacency until this moment of shame. It was astonishing how unpleasantness could focus the mind so singularly and yet in doing so, had made him understand that he had been fooled long before he had ever sat at this table with the venerable Mrs Standish. She had prepared him and basted him and finally served him like a Thanksgiving turkey at a feast of her making. The rage he felt while staring across the table at her, the father into defeat she plunged him was beyond reason. He had killed men for less.

By the time the final hand was dealt, the pot had sat at a hefty sum of five thousand dollars, and exclamations of anticipation were heard with each card presented before the opponents and the banker in the final dealing. Throughout it all, Mrs Standish had appeared glacial in her concentration, and further served to convince him that she had tricked him in the most common way possible, the hustle of a con. He had been conned into believing that she was a weak, mild-mannered widow who had some scant skill in the game when in truth, he now suspected that she was possibly one of the most skilled players he had ever encountered. Such talent did not come easily. It was nurtured into being from a lifetime of practice, such as the skill of wearing so many masks.

Mrs Standish was a woman of masks, he decided when he put down his cards in that final moment of their tournament. He swore as he saw her present her perfect hand of a pair of spades, a jack and an ace, that he would strip down those layers and learn who it was that had deceived him so easily. Lewisham wore a smile of gracious defeat as she thanked him politely while receiving an ovation of congratulations from the onlookers who witnessed her victory with so much finesse. Lewisham chose not to make a scene as he saw her collect his five thousand dollars, confident that he would have time for retribution at a later date.

When Maude saw the look in his eyes following their game, she knew she made a bad mistake for he bore the look of a man with vengeance on his mind. While the money he had been forced to relinquish was hardly a significant sum to him, Maude knew it was more than just the money that had inspired his hatred, it was her victory. She had delivered the humiliation she had wished upon him but in doing so had prodded into wakening a terrible creature of revenge that would not be satisfied until it had feasted upon her. Despite herself, Maude felt a certain amount of anxiety staining her triumph.

At first, she was uncertain how he would revenge himself upon her. Indeed, he would want a restoration of his lost prestige, but that would require her to play him again and lose. He would be a fool to embark upon that course of action because he could not guarantee that unless he had something most compelling to convince her to let him win. She remained in New Orleans for a few days, biding her time even though she felt fear in not knowing how he was going to hurt her. Maude feared nothing in her life, not danger, not humiliation, not even making an honest living and yet she felt it creep up on her the more she waited.

Finally, it came. Inquiries were being made about Maude's past. Questions were asked about her origins, where she had been before her establishing herself in New Orleans. Maude understood immediately that Lewisham was trying to find out just who had duped him and knew the moment he had those answers, he would come after her. She cared little for her reputation in New Orleans even though she would miss the place if driven from it. However, it was merely one city and Maude was anything, if adaptable. She could find a new home easily enough.

However, sullying her reputation in society was only the first step. She had met enough men like him to know that his revenge would not be satisfied so easily. There would be more. The question was, would she remain to find out what he was capable of doing to her? After careful deliberation, Maude decided she would not and immediately began settling her affairs in town. Disappearing without a trace was something Maude Standish was most adept at doing and in the space of two days, the respectable widow had sold up and moved out.

By the time Lewisham had any idea that she was gone, Maude Standish was already on her way to visit her son and those lovely friends of his, whom she was sure would protect should any harm chose to follow her.

Chapter One
Thank God its Friday

The sun had yet to set on this particular Friday but Mary already had this premonition that it was going to make her pay for every inch of sanity, the closer she arrived at the weekend. She had woken up this morning, all fired up with purpose and determination to undertake tasks she normally abhorred, deciding that since she was ahead of schedule with the paper and her domestic duties, she would attempt the dreaded chore of sorting out the books. Bookkeeping was something she detested and understood why every accountant she had ever met was a spiritless creature devoid of personality and character.

While it would have been more expedient to have her accounts taken care of professionally, Mary could not bring herself to tolerate the expense when she knew the only reason she would be doing so would be a lack of desire. In fact, this entire argument was nothing new. Each time she sat down to do the books, she found herself debating over this same question over and over again before she would begrudgingly come to the conclusion that she could do it herself. It had become a strange sort of pre-book keeping ritual with her that had begun about the same time she had to assume the financial upkeep of the Clarion following Steven’s death.

Thus she had come into her office this morning, with her pencils sharpened and a cup of coffee in hand as she sat down to the daunting work. Since Chris and the seven were out of town for a few days, escorting yet another wagon train of settlers further west, Mary had in mind to take advantage of the quiet. Surprisingly enough, Chris had taken Billy with him since there was little trouble expected and the seven’s escort was more obligatory than from any real need of protection. She could not help but smile at how thrilled Billy had been to go with Chris on this trip since it was the last chance they could go away together before school started. A wave of affection filled her knowing that he had taken Billy with him, to give her a few days alone, aware of how the years alone had allowed her an appreciation for solitude that was sorely lacking since they had married and Billy was home permanently.

Mary had appreciated the few days alone at home and until this morning had been using her time most productively. Finally, this morning, when she had made the momentous decision to get this unsavoury job over and done with, she had sat at her desk preparing to launch herself into the receipts, invoices and ledgers like a woman possessed, unwilling to surface until she had accomplished her goals. Then the first caller arrived at her office and whatever plans she might have had for the rest of the day was effectively shot to hell, as Chris might so eloquently describe the situation in her place.

Oh bull, Mary thought to herself. If it were Chris in this position, he’d just shoot them.

Naturally, the caller ended up being Mrs Janet O’Leary, one of the most overbearing personalities in Four Corners who found it her mission in life to point out to anyone what she perceived was improper in her opinion. As soon she had entered Mary’s office, the editor of the Clarion News had actually considered ducking out the backdoor before she was seen. Unfortunately, Mrs O’Leary’s bulk allowed her to move with surprising agility and she was in the room before Mary could make any kind of escape. The situation was not improved further when Mary discovered the reason for Mrs O’Leary’s visit.

Mary had simply stared at her, perfectly aware of whom she meant by that definition which oozed with insult even though none of it was spoken openly but implied with every nuance of her upturned features.

"You are referring to Inez," Mary said stiffly, having some idea where this was going and being unable to deny that eventually, the issue would come to bear even though it did not surprise her that Mrs O’Leary would be the one to rear its ugly head first.

"Yes," Mrs O’Leary replied, unable to hide her distaste by the fact that Mary referred to her in the first name and was obviously unashamed to be in her company despite the situation the woman now found herself in. "You should not be associating with her in any way, after all, you are a decent woman with a strong voice in the community and your association can only bring harm to your good name."

"My association with Inez is nobody’s business but my own," Mary stated, rising from her seat as she revealed to Janet O’Leary, with little regard for the consequences to herself or her so-called reputation, where her loyalties stood on this subject. "Yes, she is in the family way and she is unmarried but she has always been an outstanding member of this community ever since her arrival, not to mention my best friend in this world. She has supported me through the best and worst of times and I refuse to allow small-minded prejudice to influence my friendship. Now, is that all you wanted?"

"Well!" Mrs O’Leary said exclaimed with a loud huff. "I see that my advice is wasted on you. I should have expected this deterioration in your sensibilities when you married that thug!"

Now Mary was really starting to get angry and Mar infuriated was never a good thing. "That thug as you call it," she returned vehemently, "is the reason this town is still in one piece and not descended into the seventh level of hell running rife with outlaws and murderers! Who I associate with and whom I marry is none of as my thug of a husband would say, of your goddamn business, so if you please, Mrs O’Leary, take yourself out of my presence! I’m sure a lady of your breeding can remember the way out!"

Perfectly aware that she would probably have reason to regret her actions with Mrs O’Leary later and resolving herself to try and make some form of apology when the smoke had cleared from the room, Mary returned to the task at hand. She managed to get through ten minutes of sifting through receipts and bills, finding some amusement in the fact that her household expenses now listed items like flour and gun oil in the same breath. Mary began scribing the figures neatly in the ledger when suddenly she found herself interrupted once again.

With an inward groan, Mary saw the arrival of James Stoner through the doors of her office. Stoner was the owner of Murphy's Saloon, having bought the place several months before. Ever since he had assumed ownership of the establishment, Mary had been hearing complaints of watered-down drinks and prices that were too far exorbitant in comparison to the other saloons in town. There were also rumours that the man had crooked dealers in the saloon’s gambling hall and Ezra Standish had personally attested to the fact when Mary had asked him to sit in on a few games. Her editorial in the Clarion News had been direct and factual which was utterly damning for Stoner, who appeared none too happy as he walked into the room.

"Mrs Larabee," he said hotly, unafraid of hiding the true extent of his outrage behind any false masks of civility. "I demand that you print a retraction of this slanderous piece of fiction!"

"Really?" Mary eased back into her chair, accustomed to such displays from those she had represented favourably in her paper over the years. Although she had to remain impartial as a journalist, Mary could not admit feeling some measure of indignation at this man’s feigned outrage, considering that nothing she had written about him was untrue, nor was it any surprise to those who chance to visit his establishment. In truth, her article had served to vindicate them in bringing attention to the unfair treatment they had received at the gambling tables of Murphy’s Saloon.

"Exactly what part of my editorial did you find to be unfair Mr Stoner?" Mary returned, meeting his dark eyes with the intense gaze of her own.

"I’ve lost half my clientele because of you!" He ranted angrily, clutching his copy of the paper so tight in his fist that his knuckles were almost white.

"Then perhaps you ought to start running some honest games?" She challenged. "If you think my editorial is scathing, wait for the time when you have a customer who decides to take exception to the way you run your tables. I guarantee you, the bad press will be the least of your worries."

He could say nothing to that remark but Mary saw his eyes narrow with hatred and something snide and vile crept into them as he leaned across the desk and returned her stare with a wicked gleam. "You’re might uppity, aren’t you?" He glared at her with a slight curl of a smile on his lips. It was filled with all things reeking of sleaze and filth. "Now that you’ve married Larabee. Makes you think you can treat people any way you like, knowing he’ll protect you"

"Get out," Mary said coldly, having heard enough inferred about her relationship with Chris to last her a lifetime.

He had left but not before uttering a few more insults about herself, Chris and the newspaper and knew that they were idle and he had waited until after the gunslinger had left town to make his displeasure known to her. Although she was somewhat bothered by the encounter, Mary shrugged it aside after she had consoled herself with a hot cup of tea. Such things were part and parcel of her life as a newspaperwoman and she had become accustomed to all aspects of it, unpleasant and pleasant a long time ago.

By lunchtime, she had still gotten nothing done and Mary was starting to wonder if they were gremlins at work that were determined to keep her from this chore. After making herself a sandwich and declaring a secret vow that nothing was going to keep her from finishing her bookkeeping, Mary sat down to her desk once more. She had picked up her pencil and was about to put lead to paper when suddenly another knock on the door of her office made her groan in disbelief while at the same time causing her to snap the sharpened point of her pencil.

And so it went for more less the entire afternoon. No matter how much she tried to get the work done, she was inundated with one inane request after the other until Mary was starting to believe fate was trying to send her a message that bookkeeping was not her true calling. As if she had no idea of this already from the stunning progress she had made so far. However, she was determined and resolute and not to mention more stubborn than any mule that had ever brayed its defiance upon the Earth. With a singular focus that was Mary Larabee’s finest quality, Mary dealt with her endless flow of callers, answering questions that ranged from Audrey King's inquiries about school books to David Adam’s need to know when the judge was in town next so that he and Susie Parker could tie the knot.

Amazingly enough, there was still a good deal of afternoon left by the time she had ceased to become the fountain of knowledge for all of Four Corners. With a good hour two remaining before the sun would set on the day, Mary decided the coast was finally clear for her to complete her own goals. The more she hampered in this duty, the more stubbornly she pursued its achievement even though she hated doing it. It was the principal of the thing. When Mary Larabee said she was going to do the bookkeeping, there as no power heaven or earth that would stop her.

"As God is my witness, I will get this done!" She declared boldly and sharpened her pencil yet again.

Mary let out a deep breath, certain that gods were listening and could not be foolish enough to intrude upon her when she was so fiercely devoted to what lay before her. Opening the ledger once more, she let her gaze drop to the clear white page when suddenly, the door knocked again.

"Am I your personal project today?" She looked up to the heavens in exasperation. "All I want to do today is to finish this!"

In answer, Gloria Potter swept into the office and declared that she had a new improved recipe for apricot chicken that just had to go in the recipe column in the next edition of the Clarion News. Mary listened to the woman quietly and then replied sweetly. "Of course, whatever you want, Gloria." She smiled and then showed the woman out of the office after accepting the submission.

Once the door was closed, Mary returned to her table and regarded what was before her. "Okay," she nodded in barely concealed fury. "I surrender!" She picked up the collection of papers on her desk and threw it in the air. Sheafs of bills and notices drifted slowly to the floor, leaving the room in quite a state of disarray.

"Happy now?" She cried out defiantly and made one further declaration before storming out of her office. "I can take the hint!" She was right. It was one of those days and she had a feeling it was not even over yet.

That was what Alexandra Styles was at the moment. The whole Friday had been a loss ever since she woke up this morning and had more or less progressed the same way. While her patient roster was full and she had much to occupy her time should she chose to tackle the tedious pile of paperwork that remained untouched on her desk and had been that way for several days now, Alex could not bring herself to do it. She stared at it, stacked in several different ways as if the organisation would make the chore any less tiresome and then arranged it back the way she had it in the first place. Even her patients seemed to have ailments as equally mundane as the paperwork she was attempting to avoid during the regular intervals of their arrival.

Lumbago, sprains and aches were what she was forced to contend with today and Alex was almost hoping someone would come in with something severe so that she could at least break the monotony of the day with an ailment that was remotely challenging. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort appeared on the horizon and after hours of prescribing all manner of remedies for an entire plethora of minor ailments, she knew that she was more than ready to send away the next person who came in with a rash or something as similarly mediocre.

Alex almost slammed the door on the last patient for the day and glanced at the clock and noted that it was still mid-afternoon. Returning to her desk, she flopped in her chair and knew the reason for her impatience with the day and everything had transpired since this morning. Alex hated to admit it, in fact, she felt so silly and incredibly female just for even thinking it but the truth was not something easily hidden from and begrudgingly, Alex knew the reason for this dark mood was simple enough to answer.

He had been gone for almost two days now and it was to Alex chagrin that she missed him terribly. A part of her felt embarrassed that she should feel his loss acutely, after all, she was hardly a teenager. She was a grown woman and she ought to be able to tolerate the departure of her lover from Four Corners for a few days without feeling like this. Still, during the few days since he had left with the rest of the seven to escort yet another wagon trail to safety in their new lands, Alex could not help counting the hours to his return. It was worse at night because she was accustomed to having him in her bed and she had spent the nights of his absence staring at the ceiling, counting sheep in an effort to bring on sleep. Inevitably it would not work and Alex would find herself counting the sheep she was shooting and found that was invariably more pleasing.

Alma Smith who had brought in her little girl Eve had left behind a small container of soapy water with a rather odd-looking device that was used to blow bubbles. Purely out of boredom and she was very bored, she picked up the thing at the edge of her desk and dipped the instrument into the depth of the soapy water and blew through the ring that would produce the bubbles. The first one popped rather unceremoniously and was not very sizeable. During her physical examination, Alex had seen Eve blow quite sizeable bubbles and wondered why someone with a degree could not achieve similar skill.

Very soon, her office was popping with wet bubbles that were no way as impressive as anything young Eve had managed to achieve and yet Alex had really nothing better to do but to keep trying. It became a matter of principle that she should be able to attain the same results as the young girl, after all, she was an adult, although anyone seeing her at this moment could argue that point. Besides, she was a doctor who had been to college, what did it say about her if she could not blow a sizeable bubble that a seven-year-old was able to do with ease?

"Busy?" Mary looked at her with a look that spoke volumes and did much to alleviate some of the annoyance that Mary was feeling as she saw Alex surrounded by soapy bubbles, concentrating on blowing more with the same determination on her face as when she conducted surgery.

"It's more challenging than it looks," Alex said with no sign of repentance on her face as she continued with what she was doing, her brow wrinkling in chagrin when her latest creation did not reach its expected size.

"Who am I to argue in the face of insanity," Mary grumbled and pulled up her chair. "Do you know what I have been trying to do all day."

"I’m guessing not this." The doctor said with a smile and caused Mary to burst the bubble she was working so religiously on expanding before its escape into the air.

"I have been trying to do my bookkeeping all day and it’s been one constant interruption after another. Do you know something, I think there is a conspiracy afoot in this town to see to it that I wallow in a mess of financial confusion." Mary declared, with every indication that she believed in this outrageous allegation

"If you were a good friend," Mary gave her a look. "You’d be trying to make me feel better. What about that Hippocratic oath you’re always telling me about, to render aid where possible?" The editor of the Clarion News challenged the doctor with a hint of accusation.

"Okay," Alex paused and thought a moment. "Want to try?" She smiled mischievously and handed her bubble maker towards Mary.

"Oh all right," Alex rolled her eyes in sarcasm. "You know, you are extremely high maintenance. However, does Chris put up with you during that time of the month?"

"I don’t know," Mary said letting a slow smile steal across her features now that Alex’s lunacy was starting to affect her and remarkably, making her feel a great deal better for it. "However, it seems to coincide a lot with his going hunting or fishing with Billy."

"And I thought that was some father-son male bonding thing." Alex laughed as she put down the container of soap, having decided that she would return later and master it. "Come on Mrs Larabee, I’ve got the perfect remedy for what ails you."

"What?" Mary asked suspiciously as she saw Alex grab her purse and gesture her to follow.

"Why ice cream of course." Alex looked at Mary as if it were the most perfectly obvious thing in the world.

"I’ll have you know my younger patients have never complained." The doctor remarked as Mary rose to her feet and started following her out.

Inez Rosillos knew that eventually, the talk about her present state of health would reach her ears even though she had told herself repeatedly that it did not matter. She had chosen to have the baby in spite of the social stigma and everything else that came with being an unwed mother. The hardest hurdles she would have to face would come after her baby was born and she was unwilling to let the wagging tongues of the town gossips influence her decision or marred what she had deemed the best achievement of her life. While it would be simpler if she just relented and accepted Buck’s proposal of marriage, she was more afraid of being his wife then she was of having this child. Still, that did not change the fact that the town saw her as little more than a wanton who had been ruined.

Thanks to her friends who weathered the innuendos and the pressures for them to disassociate themselves from her in her shame, Inez knew she could endure the trials ahead. However, there were times such as these when the pressure simply gnawed its way through the protective barriers she had erected over her emotions to keep the snide words and the vicious comments away from her heart. She was almost six months into her term and the pregnancy was showing most prolifically now. Even though she still worked behind the bar, Rain had taken over most of the duties when it came to serving and to Inez’s surprise was quite good at fending off customers with more than liquor on their mind. It also helped that Rain was the sweetheart of one of the seven men who guarded town and any insult offered to the young woman would be taken with great exception by every one of them.

Inez was mostly spending time in the kitchen these days, cooking for the paying customers and was fortunate that most of the clientele in the Standish Tavern had more than enough moral flaws of their own to be concerned with her pregnancy. In her circle of friends, the birth of her baby was viewed with a great deal of jubilation and her unmarried state was a subject avoided by everyone. They knew that Inez and Buck had a lot to work through and held their opinions to themselves, which further inspired Inez’s gratitude. Ezra had been strangely helpful in the saloon, ensuring that she never overdid it and occasionally relieving Rain from bartending when she was needed to assist Inez.

Buck had been busying himself with getting this horse ranching venture of his, Chris and Vin’s off the ground so Inez did not see as much of him as she normally did. Although the three men were still part of the seven that represented the law in Four Corners, they were spending the days that did not require their vigilance in town, working on the new business of establishing a horse ranch on the piece of land Chris had purchased. That Buck had involved himself in this enterprise had gone some way to showing Inez that he was thinking of the future and to her absolute astonishment, she also realised that he was directing all his energies towards it instead of the women he pursued on an almost daily basis.

Unfortunately, he would have to a great deal more to do before she was convinced that he could be a husband to her.

Inez knew she was being selective and particular at a point where she could not afford to be. Her determination to have this baby on her own terms was the reason for this reception she had received upon entering the Pemberton Emporium. As she walked into the main floor of the building, she noticed the eyes that immediately latched upon her, passing judgement at the swell of her belly under her clothes. It incensed her deeply that they could think of nothing else but their high minded principals and completely forget that there was a child involved in what they perceived as ruin. In retrospect, she should have let Julia pick some things out for her but Inez refused to hide. She was carrying a child in her body that she would love and cherish, she saw no reason to feel shame or cower in the shadows like a criminal.

She had come to the Emporium to purchase some maternity clothes because what she had been wearing the past few months had been let out as far as it would go and it was time to purchase appropriate garments before she grew any larger. Inez held her head high as she walked past the matrons with the whispers of gossip and their cruel stares, making her way the counter in order to receive help in making her purchase. She wondered how long the gossiping would continue and told herself again that talk could not hurt her. Instinctively, her hand fell to her stomach and she stroked the taut flesh gently, wondering if the child inside could feel her soothing touch.

After a moment of waiting, she glanced sideways to the sales clerk who was attending on a woman who had just reached the counter. Inez waited patiently for them to finish, guessing it must just be an oversight when suddenly, another woman appeared beside her who gave her a totally deriding look of disgust before the sales clerk attended her having dealt with her previous customer. She too gave Inez that same look before flashing a smile at the respectable housewife and asked in a perfectly syrupy voice how she could help.

"Excuse me," Inez declared, having tolerated enough of this behaviour, perfectly aware that she was being ignored. "I was here first."

"I’ll be with you as soon as I finish with Mrs Cartman." The girl whom Inez knew to be Selma Altman said with a haughty voice. Both stared at her with reproach at having the audacity to speak out when she ought to be grateful for any assistance at all.

"She was here after me." Inez persisted, feeling crimson embarrassment flood her cheeks but was too stubborn to let this go. She would not be treated like a criminal because of her baby.

"If you will just wait your turn...." Selma continued to insist on that utterly condescending voice.

"How can I wait my turn when you seem to have no idea when my turn is?" The Mexican stated, bristling with annoyance.

"You ought to be grateful you’re not run out of town!" Mrs Cartman chose to speak up at that point, echoing the words of every god-fearing, supposed Christian woman in the premises. Her statement garnered a rumble of disagreement throughout the room and Inez felt their vicious barbs even though she could not hear them.

"If you do not wish to wait," Selma looked at her coldly. "Perhaps you ought to leave."

Inez was about to respond when suddenly Julia Pemberton appeared out of the corner of her eye. Julia had witnessed the entire incident and was hiding just how furious she was behind a mask of cool indifference. She stepped behind the counter and beckoned to one of the other clerks who was currently stacking some shelves.

"Betsy, could you please deal with Mrs Cartman," Julia ordered and Betsy, whose last job had been washing clothes for two bits and was one of her more reliable workers, immediately took Selma’s place in attending Mrs Cartman. The woman stared at Julia in distaste but was not about to object to anything she might have said because Julia Pemberton was not only extremely wealthy but the Emporium was a godsend as far as the female population of Four Corners was concerned. Since its establishment, it was the only way in a town where the women of Four Corners, could enjoy some of the offerings that would normally require a trip to Sweet Water or Bitter Creek to appreciate. It would not do to anger the person who owned it and had the power to bar her from its premises.

Once Betsy and Mrs Cartman were taken from the equation, the rest of the room seemed to return to normal leaving Selma in the hands of her employer. "Selma," Julia said after they were no longer on display to the rest of the store. "You’re fired."

"Inez, please." Julia silenced her with a look and turned back to the astonished Selma, who was attempting to stutter a response. "I will give you a week’s severance pay along with what is owed to you but you will finish up at the end of the day. Now I saw that disgusting display you just afforded to not simply a customer but a personal friend of mine. I am in the business of making money and hers is as good as anyone in this building. I will not have you insulting my customers because of your personal prejudices. So I want you out of my Emporium and out of my sight by the day’s end."

"Julia," Inez protested, knowing why Julia was doing this and although she felt some measure of satisfaction seeing this girl get her comeuppance, she did not want to be responsible for Selma losing her job. "I’m sure she did not mean to be rude."

"Did you?" Julia looked at Selma critically. "I did not hear you attempting to apologise to Miss Rosillos for your behaviour. In fact, an apology would go a long way to convincing me that you are the kind of person that I want working in my store."

Selma swallowed hard and turned to Inez, feeling humiliation seep into her face as she was forced to regard the woman who had been the cause of this crisis but having no choice but to give into Julia’s demand. "I am sorry I treated you badly, Miss Rosillos. It will never happen again." She said slowly, hating every word that she uttered.

"It’s quite all right," Inez answered shortly, not stupid enough to think that this apology was motivated by anything more than a desire to keep her job. Still, it was better than nothing.

"Good," Julia said with a smile, pleased to wring that apology from Selma, even more so because the girl had been loathed to do it. "Now that we understand each other, you may go back to work and don’t ever let me see a repeat of what you did today or you will be out on your rear so fast you won’t know what hit you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Miss Pemberton," she said softly and slinked away from them both, grateful that she was still employed.

"Oh yes, I did," Julia said firmly, taking her by the elbow and leading her deeper into the store. "She serves as an example to the others. Your money is as good as anyone else’s in this place and I won’t have their small-minded behaviour treat you like a leper."

"Thank you," Inez said gratefully. "Unfortunately, this is only one place and I have to deal with this everywhere."

"I guess you do," Julia sighed. "But this little slice of heaven is my domain and I say what goes in here. By the way, what were you trying to buy?" She inquired, bristling with annoyance at Selma’s behaviour when she recalled how Inez had been snubbed.

"Maternity clothes." She gestured to her protruding stomach. "I am starting to get strangled in my old clothes."

"Well," Julia smiled warmly, "I’m sure we can do something for you. Come this way."

To christen the opening of the schoolhouse, Four Corners was hosting a dance at the premises a week from today. Considering that such social events were rare in the town, most of the single women in town were all agog in preparation of it. Invitations were exchanged between sweethearts, dresses ordered and all kinds of pre-dance preparations were taking effect across town. Casey Wells had more or less expected JD to take her to the dance, as it was whenever such a thing took place. She had been his girl for quite some time now and it was expected of him but a conversation between Beth O’Keefe and some of her friends that Casey had chanced to overhear had given her cause for great concern.

"I hear Jenny is ordering her dress from the Emporium, special." Beth had droned in her perky yet totally annoying voice as far as Casey was concerned.

Beth was the kind of girl that men naturally were naturally. In fact, she and all her friends seemed sculpted that way with their perky noses, their ladylike manner and hair that never seemed to have a strand out of place. They were always seemed to epitomise what she could not be, sickly sweet, perfect in their execution to find amusement in whatever a man said, no matter how stupid it sounded and be overall utterly mesmerising. Casey had never been able to do that. It was not that she could not if she did not really try but there was more to her than perfume and lace. She was certain JD knew that. However, he had still run off with that lady bounty hunter and seemed to react to a radiant smile whenever one was flashed in his direction.

"I’m having mine made." Beth continued unaware that Casey was close by listening from the inside of Gloria Potter’s store.

"I don’t know yet," Beth replied in that singsong voice of hers that indicated she had someone in mind but was being coy about revealing who exactly the candidate was. "There are so many."

"Come on Beth," a voice Casey did not recognise prompted. "It’s only a week away!"

"I was thinking about JD Dunne." She declared and Casey had to stop herself from going out there to Beth and beating the snot out of her for daring to make such a statement. Fortunately, Casey managed to restrain herself and continued to listen, wishing to know why Beth would think that JD would even think of taking her to the dance.

Unfortunately, as she listened on, it appeared that Beth had several valid points even though it was pointed out that JD already had a girl.

"Have you seen her?" Beth exclaimed. "She’s probably going to wear the same dress she wore the last time there was a dance and she’s always in pants. I think he’s just going out with her because he’s being nice. After all, look at her!

By this point, Casey had heard enough and she had come away from the store almost in tears, unable to deny to some extent that some of what Beth had said was not completely untrue. She was hardly conventional like other girls and she did not wear dresses nor did she talk sweetly to JD like other girls were meant to talk to their sweethearts. She tried to remember the last time JD had brought her flowers and seethed with annoyance when she remembered the last thing he had gotten her was a farming tool. What was worse, he thought she would really appreciate a gift like that.

Thus she found herself in the Emporium with all the money she had saved for a rainy day, preparing to buy herself a dress and show them all that she could be just as pretty and genteel as the next girl when she walked into the dance with JD. However, coming to that decision was only the first step. Upon entering the establishment with its rows and row of dresses and accessories and having no real friends her own age to help her with the monumental task she had set herself, Casey realised she had no idea what she was looking for.

She wandered around the store for a short time, trying not to feel as completely overwhelmed as she did while all around her, other women and girls her age made their selection with an almost flawless ability that she did not seem to possess. Its no wonder JD’s eye seemed to roam so easily, how could she keep him when she could not make a simple decision on something that every other woman in the world seemed to find no difficulty in making.

"Hello, Casey." She heard Mary Larabee greet as she and Doctor Styles were walking past the aisle she was standing in for the last ten minutes.

"Hi," Casey responded somewhat distracted as she continued to ponder the selection of clothing before her and found that she was unable to make a decision on anything.

"Buying a new dress?" Mary asked, seeing the girl’s frustration written all over her youthful face.

"That’s because you don’t know the rules," Alex spoke up exchanging a slight smile with Mary, relating in a glance that the girl needed help but was probably too proud to ask for it.

"The rules?" Casey looked at her, wondering what other mystery about dress buying she knew nothing about.

"Yes," Mary said with a faint smile. "It’s been a while but I believe that you are not supposed to buy anything alone. It’s always wise to have other women with you to make offer a second opinion. Now did you have an eye on anything special?"

"No." Casey shook her head. "Nothing at all. I don’t buy a lot of dressed but when I heard what Beth Parker said that I always wear the same dress and she doesn’t know what JD sees in me, it just made me so mad!" She went on for another few minutes, relating the terrible conversation she had been privy to that was the cause of this sudden urge to buy a dress.

Mary and Alex listened to the girl in complete sympathy, aware of what it was like to endure peer pressure at Casey’s age and recalling secretly between themselves how they had been none too conventional in her youth. At Casey’s age, Mary was more interested in travelling to far off places, writing stories that would make her world-famous. Alex, on the other hand, was doing just that, except instead of writing stories, she was dreaming of becoming a doctor so she could work alongside her father. It appeared that they were none too conventional and both women felt a certain kinship to Casey who was struggling to find her own place in the world.

"I think you need the same thing I do," Mary said with a sigh after Casey had vented her frustration to Alex and herself.

"I agree," Alex said beckoning to Casey to follow. "Come on, you look like you need some ice cream too."

"Okay," the girl said uncertainly and followed them both, pleased to be invited by two such accomplished women whom she trusted enough to ask for help with her problem.. "You think they got chocolate?"

Maude Standish arrived in Four Corners and was somewhat surprised when her son who had the uncanny ability to sense it the moment she stepped off the stage did not beset her upon yet with entreaties that it was time for her to be leaving. Four Corners had not changed much of its look since the last time she visited and Maude spied a few new buildings had emerged in the locality. While the community still had the look of a frontier town, it did seem to be thriving even though it was still a few notches over primitive. She could never fathom what it was Ezra saw in this place that kept him rooted here and decided that there were aspects of her son that was a mystery to her at times.

Having stepped off the stage, Maude directed her luggage the hotel she once owned and took note that the place seemed to thrive even though the money that had been acquired when she sold it was long spent on her exorbitant tastes and other investments. With Ezra being strangely absent, Maude had no choice but to pay some local boys to carry her luggage to the establishment even though only one of those trunks were filled with anything of value and the others were for show. Although she had been travelling for most of the day, she had been trapped inside the confines of the Concord for so long, that she needed to stretch her legs with a walk. Having already wired her reservation to the hotel a day ago, she knew she was not required to be present to have her luggage sent to her room and immediately took off in search to find her son.

Naturally, that search took her to the Standish Saloon, the only piece of property Maude had owned in this town and had every intention of signing onto Ezra one of these days. As she approached it, she was pleased to see a steady stream of customers entering and leaving the premises and once again commended her choice in selecting the resourceful young Mexican, she had placed in charge of the business as Ezra’s partner. No doubt, that state of affairs would have incensed her son to no end but then Maude liked to keep Ezra on his toes, even though he was now a grown man.

Upon walking through the batwing doors, Maude was immediately greeted by the wolf calls and suggestive entreaties made by men who were enjoying the libations served readily on the premises. Being the lady that she was, she ignored most of these and searched the room for Ezra or any of his friends only to find that he was not present. Maude frowned, wishing that he were here because now more than ever, she needed his assistance. It was just like her darling boy to give her such an inconvenience. She should have known he was going to give her trouble the day she discovered he didn’t like to breastfeed.

Behind the bar, a rather charming young coloured girl was holding her own over several men who were making saucy remarks while waiting for their drinks. The young woman tolerated these innuendos, showing she had more steel under her than most people knew by her manner and gaining Maude’s instant respect, even if the owner of the Standish Tavern was somewhat confused at why she was there. Where was Miss Rossillos? All the faces around her were strangers and right now, Maude was even longing to see JD Dunne, the young sheriff who had dared to lock her in jail during her last trip.

"Hello dear," Maude greeted as she reached the counter and immediately captured Rain’s interest. "Could you tell me where I might find Ezra Standish?"

"I’m sorry," Rain replied, wondering who this stranger was inquiring after Ezra. "He has left town for a few days. He is escorting a wagon train further inland."

A wagon train. Maude could only shake her head in resignation. It really did kill her to know that he was really a lawman in this town. With his talent, he could have done anything. Certainly, not play constable for this one-horse town. "I see," she sighed heavily. "And when will he be back."

"In a few days." Rain answered. "Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked helpfully, aware that her answers had been of no help to this woman.

"Thank you, dear," Maude replied graciously, looking around the place with impatience that none of her plans was coming to fruition. "You could tell me where Miss Rossillos is?"

"Of course," Rain said with a smile, pleased she could do something for this woman whose identity she was burning to learn. "Inez is at the Emporium."

"Emporium?" Maude remarked with interest, unaware that such an establishment had been built since her last visit. She supposed that would have been a lucrative venture indeed in a place like this, with its scarce luxuries. "I was not aware there was one."

"Yes, the Pemberton Emporium. If you’re looking for Ezra, you probably want to see Julia Pemberton. Maybe she can help you?" Rain offered with no idea that Ezra was probably waking up in a cold sweat somewhere.

Maude looked sharply at her. "What exactly is her relationship to my son?" Maude found herself asking.

"So you are Maude!" Rain exclaimed, pleased that question was finally answered. "I should have guessed it was you. Josiah did say you were a great lady. I have heard a great deal about you. I am pleased to meet you." She held out her hand in greeting.

Maude took the extended hand in response but still wanted an answer. "Thank you, dear," she said warmly. "Now about Miss Pemberton’s relationship with my son?"

"Oh," Rain suddenly realised why Julia was such a mystery to Maude and flinched at unwittingly having disclosed something she should not have revealed. "I’m sorry. Julia and Ezra have been courting for some time now."

"I see," Maude nodded slowly, hiding her annoyance behind a well-practised smile. "How interesting that Ezra chose not to tell me about her." In truth, Maude was furious. She had received a dozen letters from him in the past months and not one word had been spoken about his having a woman in his life! It was not that Maude was jealous of Ezra meeting someone, after all, he was a grown man and it was inevitable that he would. However, the secrecy annoyed her for they had never had any in their relationship. While the nature of their business kept stock in facades, Maude could always count on complete sincerity in her with Ezra.

"How do I get to this Emporium?" Maude asked again, showing no signs that she was upset.

Rain gave her quick directions and watched Maude Standish sweeping out of the tavern, with purpose in every step as she made her departure. Once the lady was far away enough not to hear, Rain let out a groan of frustration at her own stupidity.

"Ezra is a dead man." She exclaimed and knew that she was not far from wrong in that assertion when both Maude and Julia got their hands on the gambler.

"Oh Inez, I am sorry," Mary said regretfully, hearing from about the reception the Mexican had received from the other women in town when she had entered the Emporium. Ironically, Mary, Alex and Casey had arrived in the café/ ice creamery to find Julia and Inez already there. Very soon, all five were at the table relating their daily experiences and Inez had revealed what she had been enduring all day because of her pregnancy. For the moment, it appeared that Inez was the winner in the competition in who had suffered the most.

"Its all right," Inez sighed, feeling a little better having her friends around her offering support while gorging themselves on chocolate ice cream. "I have to expect this sort of thing." She remarked put more chocolate sauce in her bowl of vanilla confectionary.

"It’s none of their business anyhow," Casey stated boldly, taking the initiative to add something into the conversation. "You’re having a baby and that’s the most special thing in the world." The young woman beamed at Inez in youthful enthusiasm. Although Nettie had frowned upon the illegitimacy of Inez’s baby, her aunt had kept her opinions to herself and believed that it was best that Casey made up her own mind about how she felt regarding her continued association with the lady.

"You said it, Casey." Julia threw a smile in her direction because her words had echoed all their sentiments. "Now what’s this about you needing a dress?" Julia asked, recalling Mary’s words on the subject earlier.

"I need one for the dance next week." Casey volunteered, feeling very comforted by having all talk to her like she was an adult not talking down to her like most women older than her tended to do.

"Beth Parker has thrown down the gauntlet." Mary declared imperiously. "Miss Pemberton, you who are known for your style and grace, can you help our young friend in a selection?"

"I think I can manage," the emporium owner smiled graciously, lifting her head with dignity as she answered. "We’ll have a look at what’s in store later, Casey."

"Thanks, Julia," Casey said secretly delighted that she was having the assistance of Miss Pemberton who was clearly one of the prettiest women in town help her in this matter. If she could look half as good as Miss Pemberton than Beth Parker was really going to eat crow for her unkind words. "I really want to look pretty for JD."

"And to rub it in that girl’s face." Alex reminded. "Let’s not forget that." She grinned mischievously before swallowing a spoonful of gooey chocolate ice cream into her mouth.

Suddenly, Inez saw a familiar face enter the café and immediately rose from her seat to wave the new arrival over. "Maude!" Inez drew the woman to their table. Maude burst into a smile as she caught sight of Inez, perfectly aware of the Mexican’s impending baby from Ezra’s letters and immediately wondered how her son could include that tidbit but not mention anything about a woman in his life. Once again, she felt her annoyance bristle.

"Maude," Julia whispered. "You don’t mean Ezra’s mother?" She stared anxiously at the direction of the well-dressed woman coming towards them. Julia knew almost nothing about Ezra’s mother except that Josiah seemed to long for her visits to town. She was not prepared for an unexpected visit by Ezra’s mother!

"That’s her," Mary answered, seeing the immediate nervousness creeping into Julia’s face at her answer and understanding her apprehension. How many butterflies had been in her stomach the first time she met Steven’s mother? Thank God, Chris had spared her that terror.

"Ooh, the dreaded mother-in-law." Alex teased and received a sharp slap from Julia across the arm before Maude reached them.

Greetings and salutations were made all around the table upon Maude’s arrival and introductions were made since Maude had never met Alex, Casey or Julia prior to this visit. Once the initial cordialities were made and Maude had nestled herself at the table to join the group, Julia found herself the nerve to speak.

"What brings you here to Four Corners, Mrs Standish?" No one else spoke for a moment as they allowed Maude and Julia a wide berth to familiarise themselves with each other since they shared a common interest.

"Well I came to see Ezra of course and hoped to take him away for a little trip but I hear he’s out of town." The widow said staring at Julia in silent scrutiny. She could not fault Ezra’s taste that was for certain for Miss Pemberton did appear to be very beautiful and judging by the premises of her Emporium, was also a woman of some fortune. While marrying for money was always a good reason to launch into such a commitment, Maude had hoped that Ezra would have selected his choice for a more emotional reason. While she was never one swayed by sentiment or romance, Maude had loved Ezra’s father a great deal and had never truly recovered from his death, which was why she had never chosen to marry again.

"On a wagon trail with the rest of the seven," Mary added helpfully, also aware as Alex, Inez and to a certain extent, Casey, that Maude was studying Julia carefully, probably trying to decide whether or not she was good enough for her son.

"How unfortunate and you, my dear," Maude turned to Julia. "How long have you been seeing my son?"

"A few months," Julia answered, never feeling more self-conscious in her life. Maude was keeping her in silent observation, she could tell just by the look in the woman’s eyes. Probably sizing her up like all these southern dowagers tended to do when potential mates turned up for their son’s affections. She had seen the same pattern of behaviour when she had been Julia Avery in that whole other life.

"I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage," Maude confessed. "Ezra has written nothing about your relationship in his letters."

"Oh, that Ezra," Inez quickly interjected, seeing the dark look forming on Julia’s face and she knew exactly what the redhead’s temper could be like when property inflamed like it was now. "He forgets everything."

"Not at all my dear," Maude answered, starting to empathise with Julia’s sense of outrage because it appeared that Ezra had been keeping secrets from both of them.

"He can propose to me but he won’t write to his mother about me?" Julia roared in indignation and everyone except Maude eased away from the table before things got really ugly.

"Julia, take it easy," Alex said hastily. "I am sure he has a perfectly good reason for not telling Maude about you."

"Like what?" Julia whirled around to the doctor, defying her to provide one and Alex had to begrudgingly admit that she had no idea why Ezra would have done that and hoped she had enough bandages to put Ezra back together when Julia finally caught up to him.

"Are you telling me, my son proposed to you? He finally gave someone that ring he’s been hanging onto all these years?" Maude declared with surprise, having no idea that Ezra was so serious about anyone and feeling similarly incensed at being kept from that knowledge.

"Oh boy," Mary groaned, seeing the situation deteriorate from bad to worse. As both women stared at each other, sharing similar thoughts of dismemberment for the one man, Mary could only hope that wherever Ezra was, he would be staying there for a while because he was not going to live long enough to see the day through when he got back. In desperation, she could think of only one thing to say that might remotely pacify the torrent of angry emotions churning at the table before them.

Chapter Two
A Weekend Away

"I’m going to kill him." Julia Pemberton kept repeating even though her friends had tried to drown her sorrows in chocolate ice cream and were now of the opinion that sweet confectionery was not going to be quite enough to soothe this normally cool and collected redhead from unleashing her fury. They had been trying for quite some time now to shift Julia’s thoughts away from its notions of homicidal slaughter to a calmer state of being. Unfortunately, their efforts had hardly made and dent and it was starting to look as if something stronger was going to be required.

Something like scotch.

"Now my dear," Maude said making some attempt to calm the young woman down after they had departed the Emporium and retired to the saloon. It was Mary who had suggested the move since it was decided that it would do no good for the employees of the establishment to see its owner in such a state of distress and had opted for the privacy of the saloon. At this time of the day, the saloon was in the limbo state that existed between the end of the afternoon drinking session and the onset of the evening revelry. For the moment anyway, the premises were empty while Rain and Inez prepared for the arrival of the evening crowd, the working girls and just about anyone who wanted a drink and a good time.

"My Ezra can be awfully forgetful about such things." She replied, even though Maude was still secretly hurt that Ezra would keep something like this away from her. Judging by the young woman’s reaction to Maude not knowing anything about her especially after a proposal was made, it would only be the natural thing to expect from a relationship this serious.

"I’m still going to kill him." Julia continued to muse as Inez poured her another drink.

"She’s been saying that for the last ten minutes," Casey remarked, being new to Julia Pemberton’s more volatile moods, having only seen the woman as a picture of calm elegance prior to this occasion. "Is she okay?"

"She’ll be fine," Mary said with a reassuring expression on her face. "She’s just angry at Ezra."

"Angry?" Alex stared. "That’s putting it mildly. If she doesn’t stop saying something else, I’m going to prescribe something."

The six women were presently sitting along the bar counter, nursing an assortment of drinks ranging from hard liquor to sarsaparilla (for Casey), trying to console Julia as she seethed in so far non-violent rage about Ezra’s deception not only of her but also his mother. It did not make matters any better to know that Ezra had in his keeping a wedding ring, he reserved for the future Mrs Standish, which he had never presented to Julia or even mentioned, despite the fact that he had made a proposal to her some months before. Julia downed her second glass of scotch and gave everyone at the table a sense relief that she woman was capable of handling her liquor since none of them relished having to carry her out of the place. Still, that would be a mild reaction in comparison of her more baser desire, which was to ride out to where Ezra presently was and kill him.

"I’m fine," Julia mumbled after a while. She was incensed beyond belief that Ezra had not bothered to tell Maude about her but for the moment, it appeared that there was nothing to be done about it until the rat fink bastard returned from the trail with the rest of the seven. "I’ll be fine until he gets back. I’m sorry Maude," Julia remarked with a perfectly calm voice, "you do realise I have to kill him."

"I find killing to be an extremely inefficient form of revenge," the older woman said with a smile, having to admit liked Julia Pemberton’s fire. "It might provide momentary satisfaction but for a truly lasting effect, we need to make him suffer a little."

"Well," Mary spoke up. "We could get Alex to play cards with him again." The editor gave Alex a look of mischief as she recalled how Alex had once played a public game of cards with Ezra in the saloon sometime ago. Although Alex had spared him the embarrassment of beating him before the whole of Four Corners, she had folded with a royal flush, which she revealed to Ezra after he was done patting himself on the back at how well he played.

"No thank you." Alex shook her head defiantly as an indicator of how she felt on the subject. "It took him long enough the last time to get over it without his knocking on my door everyday demanding a rematch. He was starting to scare my patients."

Maude looked at her immediately. "I never figured a respectable doctor for being so talented. My Ezra is extremely skilled, it’s rare for him to be beaten fairly."

"She is really good," Inez commented having heard that last snippet of conversation as she emerged from the kitchen with Rain, carrying a tray containing food that smelt really tasty. The enticing aroma wafted throughout the room and managed to do the impossible of forcing away the stench of liquor that had seeped into the walls of the building after so many years of abuse. No sooner than she had set it down, the women began picking at the piping hot food.

"She played so well once we barely escaped with our lives because the men she played with thought Alex was hustling them." The bartender further added.

"Oh, must we relive that?" Mary groaned, burying her face on the counter, remembering her role in that incident.

"I am intrigued," Maude said, wishing to hear more since the wheels inside her mind were already turning. She had originally come to Four Corners to gain the company of her son on her intended venture in Eagle Bend. However, since it appeared he was unreachable, she did not mind the company of someone who was just as accomplished a player since the enterprise in Eagle Bend promised a great deal of money to whoever won, not to mention the prestige. Besides, it was always safer to travel in numbers, even if those numbers did not include a man. "Just where did you acquire this skill?"

Alex frowned, always becoming a little embarrassed when she spoke about her gambling skills. "I learned a little here and there. When I was travelling with my father, there was not a lot to do but learn to play cards for the hours I spent on trains and caravans. Not to mention I played in medical school."

"How interesting." Maude mused, deliberating on this interesting piece of news and wondering whether or not she could use it to her advantage.

Inez who knew her better than anyone else at the counter, immediately recognised the calculation in her eyes because she wore the same look that Ezra did whenever something devious was taking place behind his sea coloured eyes. "Alright Mrs Standish, what is your mind?" Inez looked at the woman closely as Rain served the food around the table.

"Well," Maude gave Inez a knowing smile. "Since you asked. I had come to Four Corners for a particular reason."

"Really?" Mary remarked with a hint of sarcasm, aware of Mrs Standish reputation as something of a con artist, proving the apple never fell far from the tree where Ezra was concerned. Still, one had to like Maude, despite her duplicitous manner. It was not easy for a woman to live life on her own terms and yet Maude had done so spectacularly, proving to all that she was a force to be reckoned with. Even though Ezra sometimes feigned frustration in her presence, Mary could tell that the gambler was somewhat in awe of his mother.

If Maude noted the derision in Mary’s voice, she did not react to it, continuing to relate the reason for her presence in Four Corners and wondering if Doctor Alexandra Styles was the kind of person who would accept the challenge of the kind she was about to put forward. "I had hoped to convince my darling boy to accompany me on a little trip to Eagle Bend. It appears that there is a gathering for those whose proclivities are inclined towards games of chance and it is drawing the attention of the very best players in the Territory."

"You mean a gambling tournament of some kind." Alex looked up, her interest piqued. "What’s the stake to get in?"

A slow smile stole across Maude’s face realising the doctor’s interest was more than just passing. "A thousand dollars."

"A thousand dollars!" Mary and Casey exclaimed in a mixture of shock and astonishment which was further exacerbated when that figure did not seem so daunting to Alex who took on an expression on her face that the editor of the Clarion knew to be careful consideration. It was the same face she pulled whenever she was preparing to cut open a man or make a particularly difficult diagnosis.

"Alex you can’t seriously be considering…." Mary started to say when Inez jumped in.

"Do you even have that kind of money?" The mother to be asked.

She did as a matter of fact. Thanks to her inheritance, she had that and quite a bit more. How much she actually had would surprise them all if they knew just what that inheritance entailed. Alex had not even told Vin about the true amount of her legacy, knowing how uncomfortable the tracker was already in regards to her financial situation when compared to his. Normally, indulging in something so exorbitant was not her way since Alex had become used to a rough and tumble existence travelling across the world with her father. It was only until after she enrolled in medical school did Alex become introduced to creature comforts.

"I may have." She said quietly, not wanting to show just how much her interest was piqued and it was piqued quite a bit. With Vin away for the weekend and Alex seeing no patients and having nothing better to do, the idea of a high stakes poker game was actually quite inviting even if it was not exactly the proper way for a lady to be spending her time.

"Let’s go to Eagle Bend," Julia suggested, finally deigning to say something more than her intention to murder Ezra. "We haven’t been away together for a few months, let’s just take a weekend for ourselves."

"Oh no…" Mary started to protest. She was married now for goodness sake! She could not just up and leave at a moment’s notice without telling anyone. Not that she needed permission, mind you, she was after a grown woman after all and if she wanted to go away with some dear friends for a weekend in Eagle Bend she did not have to have Chris blessing. Besides, what possible problem might he have with her going away? It was not like there was going to be a repeat of the incident that took place when she had gone to Denver.

"Come on Mary," Alex urged. "Think about it, room service, hot baths and indoor plumbing and let’s not forget, room service again. The last time we went away together, it was an ordeal. This time we can do it right."

Mary felt her resolve starting to slip because she did want to go. Realistically, she was never going to shake the persona of reliable community member long enough to have some fun while she was in Four Corners. How she was regarded in this town made that a virtual impossibility. "I suppose it would not hurt if I took a few days in Eagle Bend, I can drop in on Orin and say hello to Evie."

"You too Inez," Julia added, seeing Mary starting to capitulate. "You need to get out of this place more than any of us." The Emporium owner pointed out. After what she had seen Inez endure today at her establishment, Julia was convinced that this was only the beginning of the stigma Inez would soon have to live with, the more prolific her pregnancy became.

"No, I couldn’t possibly." Inez protested, not wishing to venture anywhere into the world with the way she was at the moment. "Who would look after the saloon?"

"I can." Rain stated firmly. "In fact, I think you should go." The young woman stated firmly, knowing more than anyone just how much of a difficult time Inez was having. It was easy enough for her to hide it from the others who did not see her on a daily basis. However, Rain worked with Inez closely and she saw all the emotional highs and low the woman endured, not just from the cruel words of the townsfolk but from the sheer pressure of what she was undertaking alone.

"I cannot afford it." Inez declared sheepishly, feeling embarrassed at having to make this admission. "I have to save money."

"Then consider this an early gift for the baby," Julia declared, "you’re coming with us and it’s on me."

"I could not let you do that," Inez stated, not happy to receive charity from anyone, least of all her friends.

"You can and you will," Julia stated. "Besides, I need to do something positive or else I’m going to ride out to where Ezra is and kill him."

"I rather you not do that dear." Maude remarked with a faint smile. "Not until I get my hands on my darling son first."

"You should go Inez," Casey declared, wishing she was going because it did sound like so much fun but Aunt Nettie would never let her go all that way alone, not to mention the final demands of such a trip.

"And maybe you ought to as well." Alex glanced at Casey, not missing the slight longing in her eyes at having to miss out on such a journey. It was not lost upon the doctor that the girl seldom got to go anywhere and for once, Alex was determined that was not going to be the case. "If I can talk your aunt into it, would you like to come with us?"

Casey positively beamed in delight. "Really?" She gushed with awe at even the remotest possibility. "I would love it but…" she paused a minute realising that she could not impose a financial burden like that upon her aunt who was barely making ends meet.

"But nothing," Alex said abruptly, almost clairvoyant in knowing that was what was concerning the young woman the most. Since her relationship with Vin, Alex had been spending as much time with Nettie and Casey as the tracker himself, enough to know that like Vin, she considered both of them, family and it was not as if she did not have the money to spare. "It’s settled. I’ll talk to Nettie and pick up any expenses. It will be my pleasure, Casey."

"Oh Alex," Casey tried to hide the emotion welling in her eyes at Alex’s gesture. "Thank you so much."

"Don’t get too excited," Alex replied quickly. "I still have to convince Nettie about this."

"Rain," Inez looked to her newest bartender. "You sure you don’t mind staying here and looking after the bar?" In truth, Inez wanted to get away from Four Corners for a while and was grateful to Julia for the financial aid that would allow her to do it. Although she was heavily pregnant, she knew this would be the last opportunity to enjoy herself like this before the baby came. Still she felt guilty leaving Rain like this and indulging herself.

"I shall consider it a challenge and besides, someone has to tell the men something when they get back." Rain declared, reminding them of the one point they had all seemed to have overlooked.

"Oh yes," Alex replied. "I forgot about that. Vin won’t have a problem with me going anywhere." Alex replied even though if he knew what was the reason for her trip, it might be another thing entirely.

"Well, Ezra ought to be lucky that I am going away," Julia hissed, her anger at Ezra’s deception had not abated and she knew that when they faced each other again, he was going to have some explaining to do…before she knocked his block off.

"I’m sure he had a good reason." Inez voiced, feeling some unfathomable need to speak up in the gambler’s defence since both his mother and the love of his life were adamant in spilling blood.

"Do you really believe that?" Mary asked her quietly.

"With Ezra, who knows." Inez declared, throwing her hands up in a gesture of futility.

"Well, if you intend to accompany me on this venture, I should like to leave as soon as possible. Preferably in the morning." Maude allowed her gaze to sweep over the women before her.

"That would be difficult since the stage does not arrive in town until Monday." Mary pointed out.

"I’m afraid that will not do." Maude frowned because they were required to be in Eagle Bend on Sunday night for the gathering. "If we wish to go, we must find some alternate forms of transportation."

"Well," Mary shrugged, considering their position. "What we could do is ride to Sweet Water in a carriage and then take the train into Eagle Bend."

"That would work." Alex agreed. "Sweet Water is not that far and we can take turns at the reins." She glanced briefly at the others who nodded their approval to her plan.

"Okay then, I’ll go talk to Mr Samuels about hiring a buggy big enough for us all." Mary said smiling, finding herself looking forward to spending a few days away from Four Corners with her friends. It would certainly break the monotony of the weekend and besides, Chris had wanted her to have some quality time to herself. As far as Mary was concerned, he had not been specific about where she was doing that and thus could hardly object if she decided to take a little road trip, could he?

"This is becoming quite an adventure." Maude retorted, uncertain whether or not the company was to be appreciated, since it appeared she was not going to have just one companion on this trip to Eagle Bend but five. While she would have still preferred Ezra’s company in case they ran into Lewisham, there was something to be said about safety in numbers. Besides, Maude wanted to become better acquainted with Miss Julia Pemberton since Ezra had cared enough about the young woman to propose, something that Maude had known he had never done before. Her son was like her, a scoundrel and she was aware of the string of women he had left in his wake whenever the fancy took him to satisfy his urges in that way. However, had no time had he ever mentioned marriage or even brought up the subject without breaking into a cold sweat.

"Just don’t get into trouble." Rain warned and immediately garnered four very strange looks from those present at the table.

Finally, it was Mary who spoke. "Why does everybody always say that?"

*********

Although it took some convincing, Alex managed to induce Nettie Wells into letting Casey join them on their trip to Eagle Bend. The young woman was ecstatic at the possibility, having never been allowed to travel further than Four Corner for most of her life. While Nettie was uncomfortable about Alex paying for Casey’s expenses during the journey, the doctor made the entreaty that it was for Casey’s benefit to see what was out in the world. The girl was almost eighteen years old and she had never been anywhere without her aunt. Alex argued with more sincerity than she might have admitted to that it was time for Casey to see what was beyond Four Corners and who could be a better chaperone that Mary Larabee? With that in mind, Nettie finally relented and the next morning, the group prepared to leave town for Sweet Water.

Rain carefully paid attention to all the instructions both Inez and Alex gave her, since the saloon was going to be her responsibility for the next two days. Alex had taken the liberty of wiring Doctor Keogh in Sweet Water and let him know that she would be away for the weekend and would be referring all her patients to him. The doctor had sent a return wire that he would be happy to spend the weekend in Four Corners while she was away and that pleased Alex even more. On occasion when neither she nor Nathan was present to deal with the ill health of Four Corners, it was some times necessary for her to enlist the aid of the old physician in Sweet Water who was most accommodating. In the meantime, Inez was somewhat cautious about Rain’s ability to handle the drunks in the saloon for such an extended period of time. Although Rain had shown herself more than capable of dealing with the rowdier patrons of the establishment, Inez was reluctant to simply leave things in her hands while Inez went away on a frivolous expenditure of time.

"Don’t worry," Rain said for the hundredth time that morning as she helped Inez with her luggage into the back of the carriage parked in front of the saloon where the group was congregating. All had been asked to pack light and no carried anything large than a single valise for their trip. "I can take care of things, I promise." The young woman reassured Inez as the pregnant woman pulled herself into the carriage with a slight groan.

"Take it easy." Alex warned cautiously, making certain that Inez had the most comfortable part of the buggy to endure the trip. Mary and Alex had agreed that they would take turns at the reins since they had the most experience handling a carriage of this size. Julia did not complain since she was still engrossed in thoughts about Ezra and taking the reins of a contraption like this required concentration, none of which was in her possession at the moment.

"I’m fine," Inez said as she sat between Julia and Maude which was just as well Mary found herself thinking as she looked over her shoulder from her position at the head of the buggy to see how everyone was placed with climbing on board. While both women had the same instinct to disembowel Ezra, that was as much as they had in common and their unceremonious meeting had plunged both into some very traditional but turbulent waters. She could tell that Julia was still nervous about being around Maude because she was Ezra’s mother. As much as Julia might be angry with Ezra at this point, she still loved him and it was important to be liked by his mother.

"Tell me if it gets too rough," Mary remarked as Inez settled into place and gave her a gesture of thanks at the inquiry.

"Don’t worry," she said with a smile. "If I can endure fighting off drunks in my saloon, I can certainly sit through a trip to Sweet Water."

"When are you due my dear?" Maude inquired, aware that Inez was carrying an illegitimate child but having experienced and generated enough scandal in her lifetime to be immune to the social taboo of the Mexican’s situation.

"In about three months," Inez said with a smile. "I am hoping for a girl."

"Sensible choice," Maude agreed. She genuinely liked Inez and had been impressed with the woman from their very first meeting which was partly the reason why Maude had allowed Inez managerial control of the saloon. "Boys are so much trouble."

"Besides," Alex spoke up as she and Rain secured the last of the luggage into the back and rounded the corner of the buggy. "There is a certain poetic justice in Buck Wilmington having a daughter." The doctor said with a smile of mischief.

"Don’t remind me." Inez groaned, not wanting to imagine what Buck as the protective father would look like. She had enough trying to picture Buck being able to remain in a monogamous relationship for more than two seconds. However, to his credit, he had been abstaining from the company of other women since he had learnt about the baby or at least had been making a concerted effort to do so.

"You ready Casey?" Alex regarded Casey who was sitting next opposite Inez and the others. Casey had been sitting quietly, listening to everyone’s conversation and not contributing because she was still a little shy and felt somewhat out of depth in the company of her older peers. From her visits with Vin to the Wells’ property, Alex had come to grow very fond of Casey and liked being on hand to answer the question, she was sometimes too embarrassed to ask Nettie about.

"Sure am." Casey beamed, unable to hide how thrilled she was at going on this trip. Casey was wearing a dress and surprised Alex with how much prettier she looked once she was out of men’s clothes. If she wore dresses more often, there would be no reason for girls like Beth Parker to make fun of Casey because the girl was quite the beauty. She just did not show it.

"Come on Alex," Mary urged, wanting to get moving before it became too late in the day and they had a great deal of ground to cover if they wanted to reach the train that was departing Sweet Water, late this afternoon. "We need to get going."

Alex, who was the last one of the group who had not boarded, immediately swung around to face Rain. "Doctor Keogh should be here within the next few hours," Alex replied as she started to climb into the carriage. "He’s rooming at the lodging house while he’s in town but I’ve told him to use my clinic for any consultations. I’ve directed him to you so expect him to come calling."

"Alex," Rain let out a deep sigh, having heard all these instructions, two sets of them in fact, one from Inez and now from Alex. "I know exactly what to do. Trust me."

"Get in the carriage!" Julia said exasperated, echoing the thoughts of everyone else who was waiting impatiently for Alex.

"Okay, okay!" Alex grumbled, casting her a dark look before deciding that they were right. The sun was starting to arch across the sky and it was a good idea that they covered some distance before it was noon. "You know you’re just grumpy because of Ezra." Alex teased.

"Keep it up," the Emporium stared at her darkly. "I might just tell Vin why you’re really going to Eagle Bend."

"Touché." Alex frowned and then got into the carriage.

*********

The girls had not been gone for more than a few hours when disaster struck.

Oh No!

That was the only that would come to mind when Rain stared across the floor of the saloon, almost half a day after her friends had left town for Eagle Bend and she found herself staring at Chris Larabee and the rest of the seven entered the saloon. Stop being ridiculous, Rain told herself, wondering why she should feel this sudden tightening in her chest at the return of the town’s lawmen. After all, Nathan was with them and she would no doubt be thrilled to see the healer once her immediate horror had faded. Still, Rain could not help wonder what they were doing back. She was certain Mary had said the seven would be gone for at least a few more days.

Outside it was storming heavily and as they entered the saloon, the seven began removing their long coats, shaking off the heavy droplets of water from their wet oilskins. Despite the coats, the men looked soaked to the bone, which was hardly surprising considering the intensity of the rain beyond the walls of the saloon. When it had started to come down, Rain had found herself feeling some measure of concern at how her friends were faring in this weather. The rumble of thunder rolled through the air with shocking regularity and occasionally a flash of lighting was prolific enough to be seen through the window.

"Howdy Rain." Vin Tanner greeted as he and Chris Larabee reached the bar first. Behind them, Nathan flashed her a warm smile of greeting while Josiah, Buck, JD and Ezra immediately gathered around their favourite table and promptly sat down. All of them looked wet and tired and Rain did not envy them for having to ride through such miserable weather.

"Hello, Vin." Rain responded trying to hide that there was anything wrong. "You’re back early."

"Yeah," Chris replied taking off his hat and running his fingers through his wet blond hair. Like the rest of the group, he looked just as soaked and worn. "The settlers figured they could make it on their own and since we didn’t run into trouble for most of the way there, we guessed they were right and started for home yesterday."

"Hey, Rain." Nathan greeted as he leaned over the counter and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "How've things been while we’ve been gone?’

"Oh same old, same old." Rain shrugged, knowing that eventually, in fact, sooner than that actually, she was going to have to tell them about Mary and the others. "You boys look thirsty, I’ll get you something to drink." She answered, swearing at how skittish she looked.

Rain had good reason to be concerned because Chris Larabee had caught on quickly to her behaviour. Chris who had an uncanny ability to read people could tell when someone was hiding something and was more than certain after a few seconds of careful observation that Rain was in that state of distress. He said nothing, however, waiting until she served them all their drinks and returned behind the bar, trying to hide that expression on her face before Chris whose patience was not at all what it was today, decided enough was enough.

"Okay Rain," Chris responded, letting out a deep breath as he spoke. "What is it?" The gunslinger eyed her sternly.

"I don’t know what you mean." She said feigning ignorance notice even Nathan staring at her strangely as if there was something in her eyes was giving the three men before her concern. Finally, Rain decided she could not keep it from them anyway. The first time Chris went home and found his house empty, he was going to come marching back for answers. She might as well save him the trouble besides, Mary had just taken a trip to Eagle Bend for the weekend, as did all the other and in Ezra’s case he ought to be damn grateful Julia was not here.

"Alright," Rain let out a sigh. "Mary, Inez, Alex, Julia and Casey have gone to Eagle Bend for the weekend."

Chris said nothing at first because there was no reason to be alarmed even if he did remember what happened to his wife the last time she and her friends had taken a trip. Prior to their marriage, she often visited Eagle Bend, not only to see the Judge and Evie but also to see Billy when he had still conducted his schooling there.

"What for?" Vin asked, disappointed that Alex was here because he had so looked forward to seeing her.

"Well, Maude came into town…." Rain started to say.

"Maude?" Both Chris and Vin looked up sharply and exclaimed in unison, putting down the glasses in their hands down on the table with a slight thud.

"Please don’t say Maude Standish is with them." Chris nearly pleaded, started to feel a headache coming on as well as that small voice in the back of his mind that was only heard when trouble was coming. Strangely enough, the last time he had heard that voice coincided with Mary’s trip to Denver.

"They left this morning together." Rain answered reluctantly.

"Ezra!" Vin looked over his shoulder and barked. "You know why your mother was in town?"

Ezra was in mid swallow and almost choked upon hearing that. The gambler had to steady himself or else he would have fallen out of his chair. Scrambling out of his seat, whatever poise and agility he was known to possess was replaced by a clumsy attempt to reach the counter as quickly as possible. With almost wide-eyed fear, Ezra hurried next to Vin.

"What do you mean my mother was in town?"

"Rain here says Maude arrived in town yesterday," Nathan explained.

By now the others had come to the counter, drawn by curiosity at Ezra’s odd behaviour. "What’s going on?" Buck asked as he arrived next to Chris nursing his drink.

"The girls are gone," Chris replied. "With Maude."

"Do I dare ask that by all the ladies you also meant Julia?" Ezra asked, clearly distressed by the notion that Julia might have met Maude, though none of the others at the bar except for Rain had any idea why that would upset the gambler so much.

"Its too late Ezra," Rain decided to spare him the agony of not knowing since funeral arrangements needed to be made when both Maude and Julia got their hands on him. "Maude met Julia."

"On my God." Ezra dropped his head on the counter hard enough for his skull to make a fair whack on the wood. He continued thumping his head lightly as his friends looked on in confusion.

"Ezra, what’s wrong?" Vin asked completely perplexed. "Why don’t you want Maude to meet Julia?"

"Because I have not told my mother about Julia yet," Ezra confessed raising his head long enough to down the contents of his glass and gesturing to Rain, he would like another. Rain nodded sympathetically and filled his glass as the reaction to his statement moved across the bar.

Chris Larabee actually laughed.

He had been married long enough both times to know what kind of mess Ezra was in and he had to admit, Chris would rather face a firing squad then the trouble that Ezra was facing when both women had him in their sights again.

"You're a dead man."

"She is going to kill you." Buck agreed with Chris just firmly, familiar enough with women to know how they were liable to react to this.

"Which one?" Chris asked. "It’s a coin toss between Maude and Julia."

"Your compassion is overwhelming Mr Larabee." Ezra threw the gunslinger a look before draining his glass again and having the feeling he was going to have to drink a great deal more before the horror subsided.

"So why did they go to Eagle Bend?" Vin asked, moving off the subject of Ezra’s impending doom.

"I don’t know," Rain lied. "I think Maude had some business there and Alex thought it might be fun to get away for a while. After all, they didn’t expect any of you back for a few days. Alex talked to Nettie and they took Casey with them too."

"Casey?" JD perked up, disliking the idea that Casey would have anything to do with Mrs Standish. After all, Ezra’s mother was not exactly the most respectable person in the world and any business that Maude may have up her sleeve was not necessarily honest as he had learnt when he had been forced to arrest the woman during her last visit to Four Corners. "Casey went with them too?"

"Well Inez could use a few days away from here," Buck confessed, completely aware of how Inez had been treated by the rest of Four Corners lately. He wished she would just accept her proposal so she would be rid of the insults and cruel barbs being thrown in her direction. Buck could not count how many times he had been forced to silence someone who had cast aspersions on the virtue of his lady while he had been in the bar or around town. He could appreciate why she might feel the need to escape the stigma of being an unwed mother for a few days in Eagle Bend.

"So could Mary," Chris replied, surprising himself with how calmly he was taking this news. True, he was slightly concerned with Maude being in the equation but then Mary had probably gone up to Eagle Bend to visit the Judge and Evie Travis so he could be assured of her safety.

"She is going to kill me." Ezra kept musing.

"And by the way," Rain leaned closer because she was enjoying his discomfort a little, remembering how Julia had reacted to the news Maude knew nothing of her existence. "Do you really have a ring you keep for the future Mrs Standish?"

"Oh no." Ezra dropped his head on the counter again. "Please do not tell me my mother told her about that too."

Rain could only nod to the affirmative.

"You have a ring?" Josiah looked at the gambler in surprise.

"It’s a family heirloom I have had in my keeping for some time," Ezra confessed, reaching into his jacket and fishing out the said bauble. Presenting it to the others, the ring was a band of silver with a significantly sized diamond fixed in place.

"Very nice." Buck whistled as he admired the piece of jewellery. "And you’ve never told Julia about this?"

"It never came up in conversation."

"I was wrong Ezra," Chris spoke up, unable to hide his amusement in his ice coloured eyes. "You’re not going to be a dead man, you are one."

"Hell Ezra," Vin added. "I don’t know anything about women compared to you but even I know you don’t hide a ring like that from your sweetheart."

"Thank you for that stellar observation," Ezra grimaced and replaced the ring back in his coat pocket. "So what did my mother want in town anyway? It cannot have just been simply to cause as much discourse in my life as possible."

"She had some business thing going on in Eagle Bend that she wanted you for but since you weren’t here, she managed to convince Alex to join her."

"Wait a minute," Ezra met her gaze. "Maude wanted Alex to go with her to Eagle Bend? She asked specifically for Alex?"

It started to dawn on Rain that she might have said too much already but unfortunately, it was too late. "Well not specifically…" she stammered, wondering if she was cursed with a terminal case of blabbermouth.

"What is it?" Vin looked at Ezra in concern, seeing something in the gambler’s face that gave the tracker reason to fear, particularly when it involved Alexandra Styles.

"Well, there is only one reason my mother would wish Alexandra to accompany her anywhere in lieu of my absence, particularly if mother knew Alexandra’s skills did not just include medicine." The gambler stared at Vin as if daring the tracker to guess what that might have been.

"Oh Christ, its poker game isn’t it?" The gunslinger caught on quicker than Vin did.

"Exactly." Ezra nodded unhappily.

"Are you telling me your mother dragged Alex off to a poker game?" Vin almost cried out in horror and then reminded himself that this was Alex, dependable, reliable, sensible…oh hell, who was he kidding, she would have gone without a second thought! Maude would not have needed to drag her merely offer her the challenge of playing the game with some very capable opponents. As much as he loved Alex at times, her determination to prove she could do just as well as any man if she so desired, hampered her normally rational judgement.

"What so wrong about her going to a poker game?" JD asked, ever the innocent in these matters even though he was starting to get concerned about the tension that was seeping into Ezra’s voice. "I mean Alex can play pretty well."

"I have no doubt as to the veracity of Alexandra’s skills but the kind of game that would attract my mother’s attention would require money and a great deal of it. The men that engage in this kind of competition is not the sort any of us would like the ladies to be keeping company with. I do not wish to sound alarmist but perhaps we should think about taking a quick trip to Eagle Bend."

Chris swore under his breath, debating whether or not he ought to go. He trusted Mary enough to know that she would not willingly endanger herself by entering a situation that she could not cope with. Then again, trouble seemed to some particular preference for his wife like no woman alive and when she was together with Alex and Inez, who should not be underestimated even though she was six months pregnant, the combination was ultimately explosive. Still, how much trouble could she possibly encounter on the way to Eagle Bend?

"I’ll go with you." Chris sighed not even bothering to answer that question.

*********

The weather had turned bad when they were about two hours out of Four Corners. It rolled in with the wind across the clear blue sky, curling balls of grey clouds like tumbleweeds across the desert, turning its crisp colour into a dismal shade of mottled grey. The rain came soon after. It fell to the earth in large pregnant drops of water, splattering wide as it impacted on the roof of the carriage in their slow progress to Eagle Bend. The rain was not too much of an inconvenience but it soon evolved into more than just a spring shower. The wind was picking up and blowing hard at the trees, bending their thick trunks so far back that it looked as if it would snap at any moment.

"Perhaps we ought to think about stopping," Inez said as she looked out of the window at the grey clouds marshalling themselves for a worse torrential onslaught.

"We’re in the middle of nowhere," Julia replied unhappily even though she could understand Inez’s reasoning for a break in the journey. The wind was battering the carriage rather relentlessly, swaying it from side to side as they continued on the trail that was muddy and uneven now. It was starting to play havoc on everyone’s constitution.

"I’m worried about Mary." Alex declared, ignoring their remarks because Mary had only the benefit of a slight canopy to keep the weather from her unlike them who were safe and warm inside the carriage. Leaning out the window, Alex tried to catch sight of the blond who appeared drenched to the bone and singularly harassed as she attempted to battle the weather in her undertaking as the driver.

"Mary!" Alex called out over the sound of rushing wind that whipped at her skin as they rode deeper into the storm.

"What?" Mary replied, wiping more water from her face and wishing that she had worn some heavier clothing because she was wet to the skin. Unfortunately, the nearest shelter was a small town called Coventry and it would take them three miles off the trail to Sweet Water should they choose to divert. There would be no way they would make the train to Eagle Bend this evening should she decide to make that detour. Not that she wanted to. Coventry had a notorious reputation and Mary did not wish to discover if the rumours she heard were true or not, first hand.

"We have to stop." Alex cried out. "You can’t drive in this weather. You’ll get chilled to the bone!"

"I already am chilled to the bone," Mary retorted, having past the point of being chilled and entering the realm of numb some time back in their journey. "But there’s not much we can do about it if we’re to make that train."

"Damn," Alex swore as the doctor continued to lean out of the window. "Well at least, let’s stop for a while. I’ll take the reins and you can dry off."

Mary did like the sound of that.

She was colder than she would like to have admitted and slipping into something warm appeared extremely inviting. Before her, the landscape was gloomy and grey, reflecting the same dismal colour in the sky as she looked for some shade under which to bring the carriage to a halt where they could take shelter for some time while she and Alex made the exchange in drivers. She spotted some trees in the nearby distance and was about to nudge the horse in that direction when suddenly a loud crack of thunder was heard. It was loud enough to make her jump and startle the horses considerably. Both animals reared up on their hind legs and bolted forward before Mary knew what was evening happening.

The sudden surge forward tore the reins from her fingers as the horses sprinted forward, terrified of the sound that had sparked this sudden burst of speed and oblivious to the carriage it was pulling. Mary scrambled to find the lengths of leather and saw to her dismay that they had been dangling precariously towards the underside of the yoke that harnessed the horses to the carriage. Retrieving it was going to be perilous but not as dangerous as allowing the frightened animals to gallop out of control like this. The carriage began to shudder as the animals moved off the known trail to Sweet Water towards terrain that was covered in thick grass and shrubs.

"What’s going on?" Alex shouted as she peered out the window. Inside the carriage, similar cries of concern were being uttered from her friends. She pulled herself back in time as the branch of a tree almost knocked her out of the window and saw the carriage veering dangerously close to the trees that were nowhere on the trail they were meant to be taking.

"The thunder spooked the horses!" Mary cried out as she held onto the railing of the driver’s seat and lowered herself down so she could reach the errant reins. "I lost the reins!"

"Mary be careful!" Alex stared on with fear, knowing how serious an injury it would be if she were to fall in this dangerous attempt to get the horses under control.

"Believe me," Mary retorted as she struggled to reach for the reins that were only inches away. "I am completely aware of that!"

The thunder was still roaring around her ears, only now its rumble was combined with the rushing of wind and the pounding hoofbeats of horses against wet mud. The carriage was rolling over some very uneven terrain and if something was not done soon, she could not be sure that the structure could take this kind of abuse. Leaning over as far as she could, Mary felt her knuckles go white as her fist tightened around the railing, holding on for dear life as she struggled to reach for the reins. She bit down, forcing away her fear as she persisted to breach the miles of those few short inches. It did not help her co-ordination that the carriage was shuddering violently each time it rumbled forward without a driver, over very uncertain terrain.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Mary felt her fingers touch the rough leather of the reins and she immediately grasped wildly to gain a more secure hold. Gaining a firm grip, she quickly pulled back and retreated to her seat, letting out a deep breath as she placed herself back in position at the head of the carriage. "I got it!" Mary exclaimed in exultation as she leaned back and shouted to her friends, wanting them to be relieved of their anxiety and to be assured she would soon have things under control again.

Suddenly, the carriage shuddered with a massive jolt that followed the snap of wood so loud that Mary could hear it through the storm around her. The carriage dropped violently to its side, tossing the editor of the Clarion News from her seat at the sudden shift. Mary let out a frightened scream as she was flung from the carriage as it kept going past her. Landing hard on the wet grass, there was a final moment of pain before everything went black and she knew no more.

Inside the carriage, similar pandemonium ensued as the remnants of the rear wheel fell away from the carriage, dragging the entire structure through the mud. Nothing could be heard beyond their frightened cries, not even the sound of wood scraping against wet earth as they rumbled forward at a sharp incline. Eventually, the drag proved too much for the horses and the devastating pace of their fear that had been the cause of so much havoc broke under the strain of the weight pulling back at them. Inside the carriage, everything that had not been bolted down had gone flying through the air and the interior was covered with hats, scarves and purses that been snapped open, spilled its contents everywhere.

When they had come to a stop, it was Alex who had come to her senses. It was the doctor’s spirit in her that brought lucidity to her mind first because the instinct to help the injured was most prevalent in her thoughts. Looking around, she saw the dishevelled faces about her, appearing frightened and breathless as they finally came to a halt from the nightmare of the last few minutes. Outside, the rain was still battering down upon the top of the carriage, creating a pitter-patter of sound that seemed so out of place considering the inside of it looked as if someone had shaken it like a rattle.

"Is everyone alright?" Alex inquired immediately and then turned to Inez first because she was the one who was most vulnerable of them all. "Inez, are you okay?"

"Yes," Inez nodded, feeling her weight pressing into Maude as the carriage rested at an incline. Her pounding heart had started to slow down but like all the women present with her, she was shaken. "I’m fine." She answered quickly. "I’m just a little jittery."

"What happened, Alex?" Casey asked. "It felt like the horses were out of control."

"Horses." Suddenly, Alex remembered Mary. "Mary!" The doctor scrambled towards the door and was forced to traverse up the end that was tilted upward because she could see the door nearest to the ground was jammed against the muddy ground.

"Oh god," Julia exclaimed in realisation and wasted no time in following the doctor as both women struggled to emerge from the carriage. It took a few minutes to climb off the side of the buggy, which was as they guessed, tilted sharply on one edge where a wheel should have been, with the axle buried deep under inches of mud and dirt.

Alex felt her body ached slightly as she disembarked from the carriage, having been tossed around within its confines quite violently when the wheel had broken. Julia as always managed to look impeccable despite whatever calamity took place. The Emporium owner clambered out of the doorway, following Alex closely as the doctor rounded the side of the carriage and hurried to the front where the driver’s seat was located.

"Mary!" She called out and felt dismay when she heard no answer.

She gave Julia a fearful look, trying not to convey just how frightened she was of the silence. Alex was the strong one, that was the given. She was required to make a glib remark or bring humour to their situation no matter how bad it was. Mary was the leader; they were drawn to her just like the seven were drawn to Chris. It had nothing to do with the fact that she belonged to Chris or their natures were so strong-willed, it just felt natural for the women who loved the seven to regard Mary in the same way. It was unexplainable.

The horses were still but Mary was missing.

The driver’s seat was vacant and without even offering the instruction to each other, both women began fanning out, searching through the lengths of grass and shrubs for any sign of the Clarion News’s editor. By this time, Maude, Inez and Casey had also emerged from the carriage, sensing some urgency in Alex’s manner and her abrupt departure. It was still raining hard but none of them cared, not even Maude when she realised that someone was seriously hurt and for the moment, she was in this together with the women who were searching desperately for their friends. She saw the concern in their eyes and felt a surge of envy wondering what it was like to have friends who cared so much and while standing in the middle of nowhere, being soaked to skin, Maude finally understood why Ezra was so bound to Four Corners.

"Spread out!" Alex ordered the others. "We’ve got to find Mary. I think she was thrown."

"Oh my god!" Inez exclaimed, horrified by that notion and how seriously injured her best friend might be injured following such a fall and looked around anxiously, trying to spot her through the blanket of grey that covered the landscape.

"Inez, take it easy," Julia replied automatically. "I know you want to help but you’ve got more than just yourself to think about." The emporium owner warned. "Casey, could you please stay close to Inez?"

"Sure, Julia." Casey nodded, trying to hide her own worries about Mrs Larabee. Mary had been the first person who treated her like a young lady, not some misfit who wore men’s clothes and did not know the first thing about behaving like a proper lady. The group spread out across the area, trying to find Mary through the dense covering of vegetation that was prevalent in this area. The longer it took for them to not find Mary, the deeper their fears became. It did not help that the rain was getting heavier and visibility beyond a few feet was becoming impossible.

Alex refused to give up and kept walking, creating a wider gap between herself and the others as she followed the grooves in the mud where the axle had torn up earth and mud as it was dragged along the ground. The trail was not that difficult to follow, even for a rank amateur like her and for the moment, it was the only thing Alex could think to do to find Mary. Their belongings left a telltale trail of the course they had taken when the horses had gone on their detour. As Alex continued to look for Mary, she felt a tightness in her chest at the realisation that they were in the middle of nowhere with a carriage that was just as trapped as they were in this harsh terrain. If Mary was hurt, then Alex was the only chance that she had to get any medical help and Alex was not going to stop looking until she found Mary Larabee.

She left the others behind as she continued on into the rain. After a while, she looked over her shoulder and could only see the faint silhouette of the carriage in the rain and nothing else. Ahead of her, she could only see more trees and tall grass but no sign of Mary. Despite her efficiently cool nature, Alex was starting to become extremely agitated about their present situation, particularly with not finding Mary. No one knew they were here except for Rain and the men would not be back for days. Of course, it would not take long for Vin to track them once they did know but that was not the point, what if Mary needed serious medical attention now?

"This is all my fault." Alex grimaced, confident that no one was going to hear it. "I’m just as bad as Ezra. Going to Eagle Bend for a poker game? Christ!"

"Do you mind giving the self-recrimination a rest?" A voice spoke up wearily. "I could really use your help here."

Alex swung around and saw a hint of blue that she had missed earlier because she was so busy berating herself at her stupid actions earlier. Mary Larabee was sitting up not too far from the grooves in the soil Alex had been following, covered in mud and bruises where she had found herself after regaining consciousness from her fall. An explosion of relief escaped the doctor in a loud sigh as she immediately ran forward at the sound of Mary’s voice.

"I found her!" Alex called out to the others, hoping they could hear her over the rain as she hurried through the tall grass, almost losing her footing in her eagerness to reach Mary. "Are you okay? Can you move? Tell me where it hurts if you can’t!"

"Slow down," Mary grumbled with a calm she was amazed she still possessed even though every bone in her body ached and her head swam a little. "I was almost killed for God sake’s. I can’t process so many questions at once."

"I’m glad to see you too." Alex retorted as she skidded to her knees upon reaching Mary. Outwardly, the editor of the Clarion did not appear to have any serious injuries but it was difficult to see through all the mud that was covering her clothes and skin.

"What the hell happened?" Mary groaned as she rubbed her forehead in an effort to dull the throbbing pain she was feeling. The vertigo in her head had ceased but she still had difficulty focusing.

"One of the wheels on the carriage broke," Alex informed her dutifully as the doctor began examining her with deeper scrutiny. "Must have run over something when the horses were out of control."

"I can believe it," Mary replied, remembering the violence of which she had been thrown from the carriage to the ground. For a brief instance, images of pain and flying through the air-filled her mind and she found herself short of breath as the fear of the moment grasped its clammy hands over her heart. Mary crushed the feeling ruthlessly; knowing it would do her little good at this time. "Is everyone else okay?" She asked, hoping that Alex’s answer would distract her own fears from surfacing again.

"Yes," Alex responded, continuing to look Mary over for any signs of serious injury. "We’re all a little rattled but we’re okay. Can you tell me where it hurts?"

"Oh just about everywhere." She said with a half-smile, trying to inject some humour in the situation before she really started to become scared at the situation they now found themselves.

"Can you narrow it down a little?" Alex asked, indulging Mary her little eccentricities, understanding the emotions that motivated it.

Alex shifted her attention to Mary’s leg and found that her right ankle was sprained. Other than a mild concussion, the woman had amazingly come through her ordeal without any serious damage and that gave Alex cause for some relief even though they were far from safe. There was little Alex could do to heal Mary's sprain without taking her back to the carriage where her medical bag was presently located. Unfortunately, the rest of their luggage was strewn across the trail the carriage had taken when it had been sent out control by the horses.

By this time, Julia and Maude had reached them which was just as well because it appeared Mary was in no condition to walk anywhere when Alex had finally helped her to her feet. As soon as Mary had put any weight on the tender limb, a soft cry of pain had escaped her and she found that she was balancing herself on Alex’s shoulder before Julia arrived and lent the shoulder of secondary support. Slowly, the quartet returned to the carriage, following the trail of their possessions, not to mention the deep grooves in the soil to find the others once again.

Since the only shelter seemed to be inside the carriage at present, the group immediately took refuge within its cramp confines so that Alex could tend to Mary’s legs while at the same time, the group could decide what they ought to do about extricating themselves from their present predicament. Upon further examination, the carriage did seem as irredeemable as it looked did. Nothing remained of the wheel other than some rather large pieces that were no use to anyone to say nothing about actually being functional again. Worst of all, there did not appear to be a spare, although in truth it would have made very little difference if there were since none of the women had any idea how to replace a damaged wheel. It appeared that for the duration, the carriage was just as stranded here in this wilderness as they were unless someone came up with a plan.

"Okay, so what do we do?" Julia asked as she took a bite of the sandwich she was presently holding in her hand. Fortunately, they had packed some food for the journey and while each one of them would have killed for a warm cup of coffee at this point, the repast though meagre, was welcomed.

"Well, I say we unhitch the horses and two of us go for help," Mary suggested as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to move into a more accommodating position. Now more than ever, she noticed how small and tight their present location was and knew that they had to get out of here soon before tempers started flaring.

"Where to?" Julia asked, not knowing the territory with any kind of familiarity.

"Coventry is near here," Casey suggested, being the only other person in the carriage beside Mary who knew the local territory.

"Coventry?" Alex cast a questioning glimpse at Mary, unfamiliar with the place. She did not even think she had ever heard anyone mention the place before this moment.

"It’s a small town but not one I’d like to recommend we go to," Mary said frowning, having heard some of the reports about the community and knowing for certain that they should avoid the place if it was all possible if even half of what she had heard was true.

"Why is that?" Julia asked, unable to ignore the look of worry on Mary’s face at the thought of them even visiting the town.

"I have heard stories about their sheriff," Mary confessed reluctantly and knew like they all did that they had little choice. Coventry would have to be the place they would need to go to seek help. Four Corners was too far behind them and Sweet Water was too far ahead. However, everyone listened closely as Mary explained what she knew about the infamous Sheriff Pierce of Coventry. "He’s meant to be as corrupt as they come and twice as mean. Most of the reason why people do not stop in Coventry is that they’ve had the most unpleasant meetings with the man."

"How far is that from here?" Alex questioned, taking note of the caution in Mary’s voice but determining that they had little choice in the matter. If Coventry was the closest place to find help, she did not see any other alternative but to go there.

"A few miles, no more," Mary answered unhappily. "I would not recommend going there." She declared firmly, seeing the determination in Alex’s eyes at their next course of action. "Perhaps we should try for Four Corners." She suggested even though it was highly doubtful if anyone would take heed to that idea.

"We should go to Coventry," Maude interjected. "We simply cannot remain out here the whole night. Aside from the fact that you are injured Mary, there is no way we are all going to be able to stay for any length of time in such unpleasant surroundings, not to mention we have a train to catch."

Alex looked at Maude in astonishment. "Forget about the train. We’re not going to make it!"

"I assure you that come tomorrow when the first card is dealt in Eagle Bend, I intend to be there." Maude retorted defiantly, unable to believe that she was going to miss the biggest game of the year because of this minor hiccup in her travelling plans. "I think we ought to go to Coventry and acquire some alternate means of transportation. It would make the most sense."

"I don’t know….." Inez offered her reluctance. "If this man is as dangerous as Mary says then perhaps it would not be wise to tempt fate by placing ourselves anywhere near him. You know how we attract trouble."

"I would not have guessed." Julia met the woman’s gaze sarcastically as she let her eyes sweep over their surroundings.

"Casey and I will go to Coventry," Alex stated and noted Mary about to protest. "Now before you argue with me Mary," Alex quickly cut her off before any sound could escape her lips. "Hear me out. First thing I’ll do when I get there is to send a telegram to Four Corners letting Rain know what’s happened. Then Casey and I will see about getting someone out here to put a new wheel on the carriage or to hire a new one altogether. In any case, we should have no reason to make any contact whatsoever with this sheriff."

"I hope so," Mary said dubiously, unable to deny that she did not like this idea at all. "If you knew half the stories I’ve heard about this sheriff, you’d know why I really don’t want either or you there."

"Look," Alex sighed; not relishing the idea of running into this man herself because the fear she was seeing in Mary’s eyes was nothing to disregard easily. "It’s got to be me and Casey. I don’t ride very well but I’m sure as hell better than Julia."

"Hey!" Julia exclaimed with mock hurt. "I’m getting better." She protested.

Alex met her gaze and then replied with a completely straight face. "Moving right along. Inez, on the other hand, is in no condition to ride anywhere in her condition which just leaves me and Casey since I’m assuming you’re going to want to stay here, Maude?"

"You are skilled as you are perceptive." The older woman said with a smile.

"I thought so." Alex rolled her eyes. "It’s so nice to know we’re in all this together."

Chapter Three
A Visit to Coventry

Upon riding into the locality of Coventry, Alexandra Styles came to one firm conclusion; she did not like the place.

If a town could reflect an inherent deterioration of its moral centre in the wooden walls of its buildings, in the paint that covered the store signs or in the fibre of dresses worn by the women sweeping across the dusty boardwalks, then Coventry reeked with the malevolence. After they had unhitched the horses from their damage carriage, Alex and Casey had ridden towards Coventry, despite Mary’s continued protestations that this was a bad idea. Unfortunately, with the rain showing no signs of abating and nightfall approaching rapidly, the women of Four Corners were left with little choice but to resort to this course of action.

Having changed into fresh clothes and donning riding coats for the trip, they were still nevertheless soaked by the time they entered the town. Most of Coventry’s residents were indoors but a few people poked their heads out long enough to observe their arrival. Their faces revealed intimidation and fear and Alex could not help but wonder how one man could inspire so much terror in the local populace and decided that she would heed Mary’s advice to not encounter him if it was humanly possible. Coventry was not a big town. In fact, it was a good deal smaller than Four Corners with most of the businesses in town converging on the one street.

However, unlike Four Corners, Coventry did not appear to be thriving. It lacked the hustle and bustle of a community on the road to progress. Even on rainy days, there was still a lot of comings and goings at Four Corners, enough to remind everyone who lived there that the future was an endless string of possibilities waiting to come off the next stage. Coventry did not possess that vitality. What it did have was a pall of gloom that nestled over the town like a thick veneer of dust. If Alex was forced to put a name to the atmosphere, she would describe it as being stagnant as if held in place without hope of change ever.

"I don’t like this town," Casey whispered as she let her eyes survey the town before her and felt something sinister about Coventry she could not define even though nothing had taken place that would indicate any danger.

"You and me both." Alex shuddered but tried to remain centred because Casey needed to see it. "Let’s just find the livery and see about buying another carriage, I’ll settle for a wagon if need be."

"Why?" Casey looked at her confused. "We only need a wheel."

"Yes," Alex agreed. "Unfortunately we’ll need someone to change it and I prefer that we do not have any more to do with Coventry than absolutely necessary. I think Mary was right, the sooner we get out of here, the better."

Hearing Alex speak that way made Casey nervous because nothing fazed the doctor. In that respects, she was a lot like Vin Tanner, except that Alex did not take things quietly when things got the better of her. Casey had come to consider Alex like a big sister she never had because Alex was brave and smart and always willing to listen whenever Casey needed to talk. If Alex was afraid then Casey believed with complete faith that there was good reason to fear.

They did not get off their horses as they continued through town, knowing instinctively that while they were near their mounts, there was a chance of escape. The duo continued to the livery, deciding that was no need to waste time with sightseeing and found the establishment in question soon enough. It was located to the edge of town where most places like this were often situated, mostly because the riders who stabled their horses and carriages here preferred to take the fastest route of Coventry once the decision was made to depart.

The livery was as ramshackle as the man who ran it. He was an old codger with missing teeth and was dressed in overalls that hung off his bony frame. He regarded the duo with a salacious leer that immediately made Alex’s skin crawl as he approached them. Judging from the selection of wagons and buggy becoming rustier with each drop of rain that fell upon them in the open, Alex gathered they would be lucky to leave this place with something that could even be yoked to a horse without falling apart completely.

"What can I do for yer?" He asked, wearing that stupid grin that made Alex want to take her business elsewhere. Unfortunately, she had no choice since he appeared to be the only livery owner in town and Alex had a feeling he was more than aware of this fact too, which probably attributed to the smug expression he was wearing on his leathery face.

"I’m looking to buy a carriage that will take at least six people," Alex replied while Casey looked around at what was available. It had been decided prior to their arrival here that Casey had a better eye for what they were looking for than she did and Alex would be relying upon her knowledge to make the purchase. Aside from her small buggy, Alex had very little need for such things and would have no idea what would make a good acquisition based on her own judgement

"How far you’re going?" He asked, still eying them both like they were tasty slabs of meat. His leering gaze made Alex uncomfortable and the doctor felt like she needed a bath to wash the stink of his lewd inclinations off her skin following this encounter.

"Four Corners," Alex answered, not wishing to let him know anything more than was utterly necessary. Four Corners was roughly the same distance from here to Sweet Water so if he was making the inquiry for reasons that might pertain to the kind of transportation they needed, it would be almost the same as telling them where they were really going.

"Hmmm…." He considered, running his thumb over his stubbled chin as he walked along the selection of wagons and buggies Casey was perusing. As noticed before, the selection was hardly impressive and appeared to be second-hand goods that had been accumulated over time. They were left out in the open, forced to endure the elements with hardly any time spent towards maintenance. Alex had a feeling, they would come away from here with a wagon that was barely roadworthy let alone comfortable.

"What about this one?" He directed her attention to a rather rickety contraption that did not look as if it would go ten paces with one person let alone the six that were required to make the journey to Sweet Water.

"Mister that thing is falling apart." Casey blurted without hesitation as she wrinkled her nose in disgust that he would try to pawn off such an obvious wreck upon them. It was insulting and demeaning to both her and Alex. "There are cracks in the wheel and it would just go to pieces the first bump we hit."

The livery owner frowned at the young woman darkly as he realised that he was not dealing with two uniformed women he could swindle out of their money with cheap goods. In an instant, all his hopes of making some profit out of this venture and ridding himself of what was normally immovable goods were dashed with Casey’s well-informed response. "Well, it could use a bit of work." He muttered reluctantly, unable to think of anything else to say that would salvage his dignity.

"A bit of work?" Casey snorted derisively, unprepared to give him the chance and shook her head in disgust as she regarded another wagon located not too far from the one he was attempting to foist upon them. While it was hardly aesthetically pleasing to look at, it did seem to appear sturdy enough for their purposes, unlike the owner’s preference whose condition was so dilapidated that it was a danger to anyone who purchased it. "We’ll take this one." Casey stated decisively, with a tone in her voice that required no argument from anyone. Upon making that statement, she glanced at Alex and offered something of an explanation regarding her choice. "I know its pretty old looking but I think it's in good shape to get us where we’re going." She avoided speaking their true destination since Alex had gone out of her way not to mention it earlier.

"This one?" The man complained with a whine. The rig in question was one of his better pieces of stock and he knew that he could not bluff his way into acquiring an exorbitant price for it with this young lady who appeared to know what she was talking about.

"We’ll give you thirty dollars for it and not a penny more." Casey met his eyes firmly and set her jaw firmly, revealing that she was not open to negotiation on this point. However, she did take a momentary glimpse in Alex’s direction and was rewarded with a slight nod of approval from the doctor.

The man frowned unhappily because it was indeed a fair of price. Unfortunately, it was not the large sum he had hoped to trick them into paying and yet despite his chagrin at being outwitted out of his money, he was still too filled with greed to turn down what was offered. "Alright then," he grumbled, deciding that something was better than nothing and it was not as if customers were beating a path to his doors these days. "But you can hitch it up yourself." He retorted spitefully, still seething with annoyance that he had been outsmarted by a slip of a girl and wishing to dispense some revenge for her audacity.

"I can do it." Casey volunteered, taking away what meagre attempt to salve his wounded pride by showing him that she was not in the least daunted by the chore. Alex wanted a conclusion to this transaction as quickly as possible and followed the man towards what served as his office at the far end of the building. For some reason, Alex felt it wise to transact this deal with the appropriate amount of paperwork to prove the purchase.

"I’ll be back in a minute," Alex replied, making her way down the dirt path that led around the livery as Casey withdrew to get their horses and harness them to the new wagon.

Leaving Casey behind as they rounded the building, Alex reaching into the pocket of her coat where she carried a good amount of cash with her in the event of an emergency. After their last trip to Denver where they had been stranded without money and she had been forced to play poker to keep herself and the other fiscally secure, Alex decided that she would not fall into the same trap again should anything happen during this trip. Thus Alex ensured that she had left Four Corners, she had done so with a healthy amount of cash in her purse in case of an emergency which in this instant had proved to be a fortunate undertaking.

Casey had just dropped out of sight by the time the strange man appeared out of nowhere. His presence immediately eradicated the expression of annoyance worn on the livery owner’s face with one of apprehension and downright fear.

The man was in his early to mid-thirties with dark coppered coloured hair and deep hazel eyes that bore into her as let his gaze sweep up and down her form. Judging by the slight curl of his lips, he approved of what he was seeing. He had well-chiselled features that could be considered handsome if not for the hint of menace reflected in his eyes when he looked upon her.

However, it was the Silver Star pinned on the lapel of his coat that caught her eye the most.

Alex had to admit he was not what she had expected of a sheriff with a notorious reputation even if he did strike her as being somewhat predatory, although he was nowhere in the calibre of Chris Larabee who sent shudders down her spine by simply staring at her. For some reason, his attention was solely focussed on her which only served to make Alex more nervous but not as apprehensive as the livery owner next to her.

"Sheriff." The man said swallowing hard, unable to hide the anxiety in his trembling voice.

"Good evening." The lawman replied coolly without looking in his direction, his eyes never moving away from Alex even as he spoke. "What are you up today Roy?" He asked casually but that was danger in his voice.

"I’m just selling this young lady here a wagon, Sheriff." The old man answered nervously, licking his lips and avoiding all eye contact with the sheriff as he glimpsed Alex briefly before lowering his eyes to the ground.

"Really?" He said with a faint smile. "I ain’t seen you around here before." His eyes took on a sparkle of interest Alex knew all too well and only served to increase the tension already easing into her bones.

"I’m merely passing through Sheriff." Alex replied politely, wishing nothing but to put the entire subject of Coventry far behind her when she rode out of this place.

"That’s Sheriff Dylan Pierce." He added as if it was important that she knew his name.

"Please to meet you Sheriff." Alex continued to maintain her civility towards him before shifting her attention to the livery owner, who sensed something bad was coming their way but had not the courage to speak it. Alex wished only to conclude her business quickly so she could be on her way back to Mary and the others. With a sigh, Alex supposed it was too much for her to hope that their trip into Coventry was going to be anything but routine. "We agreed upon $30 did we not?"

"Yes ma’am." The old man returned just as quickly, somehow appreciating her need to leave even if her reasons were diametrically opposed to his. The sheriff seldom took an interest in anything that did not serve his purpose in some way and his presence here did not bode well for the young lady or her companion.

"Good," Alex said with a faint smile retrieved the small purse with its snap-lock from her coat. She prised it to reveal a wad of bills, she would sooner have kept a secret from either man. Unfortunately, with both standing so close by, she had little choice but to expose her financial state since she wanted to pay the livery owner and flee the inquisitive stare of Sheriff Dylan Pierce.

"Now where does a coloured girl like you get money like that." Dylan asked, making no attempt to hide the malicious intent of his words or the obvious insult.

Alex tensed immediately, sensing he was trying to bait her and choosing not to let him provoke her into doing anything foolish that may allow him to gain the upper hand. Her eyes met the livery owners and he conveyed a silent look of sympathy which did not bode well for the situation that she now found herself embroiled in.

"I inherited it." She said shortly, deciding that was all the explanation that was needed as she met his eyes unafraid of showing her contempt as his earlier jibes.

"Coloured people don’t have enough money to live, let alone leave anything to their kin." He said with a sneer that was completely deriding and meant to engender some sort of reaction.

"I’m not a Negro." Alex said icily, denying him that satisfaction and continued to pay the livery owner his $30.

Wasting no time once the transaction was concluded, Alex turned away to leave when suddenly, a hand wrapped itself around her arm.

"You sure look like it to me." He replied, daring her to say something else he could use to his advantage, since he was enjoying this exchange and was not about to let end his fun just yet. He could see the spirit in her eyes, just waiting for the right amount of goading to bring it forth. He guessed that she was magnificent in her fury and he wanted to see for himself if what he imagined was true.

Alex snatched her arm viciously from his grip and glared sharply in his direction as she prepared to walk away. "What I am is none of your business. I have broken no laws and I appreciate you let me be on my way."

Alex made another attempt to draw away when she felt him renew his grip on her arm. This time, there was no mistaking that he was not about to let her go anywhere. She forced herself not to get afraid or unduly alarmed or worse yet, lose her temper because the consequences of that could only make things worse and escalate what was already transpiring now. "What do you want?" She asked slowly, hoping that there was some way to reason with him.

By now, the livery owner had taken his money and had chosen wisely to withdraw, leaving her to the ministrations of Sheriff Pierce because he had no wish to be caught in the Sheriff’s latest game of cat and mouse. Particularly, when the young woman before him was the mouse. Alex saw him depart hastily and took note briefly that he was heading in the direction they had just left Casey. She did so hope the bastard had enough courage to tell Casey to get out of here before this situation deteriorated any further, although judging by the firm hold that Dylan had on her, Alex had a sinking feeling it was already there.

"I’m afraid it is my business," he said taking a step closer, his voice was almost husky as he maintained his vice-like grip on her arm with such power that she could feel his nails digging into his skin. Like he was speaking to a lover, he lowered his lips to her ear and said almost seductively, "I think you stole that money and I’m obligated as a servant of the law to arrest you on suspicion of theft."

"What?" Alex stared at him in mixture of disbelief and pure astonishment that he would make some an outlandish charge. "I am a medical doctor and you have no right to assume that just because I am coloured that I cannot have earned that money on my own!"

"A doctor?" He recoiled long enough to snort in derision as he met her gaze, with clear amusement in his eyes at the statement. "There are ain’t no coloured doctors, least of all one that’s a woman. Now the only way that you could more earn that money on your own is on your back and I’m guessing," he let his eyes move up and down her body making no attempt to hide the hunger he felt for her before adding. "That you’re pretty good at it."

Alex lost her temper and slapped him hard across the face in outrage. His head snapped back in pain but he recovered almost immediately. Reacting swiftly, he took hold of the hand that had delivered the blow and pinned it to her side where it could offer no more injury or insult. "Now in my town, prostitution is illegal and will get you thrown in jail, plus I confiscate all your ill-gotten gains." He almost grinned with pleasure as he made that statement.

"I am not a working girl!" Alex cried impotently, knowing that there was nothing to stop him from locking her up in his jail if he was determined to do it. This town was his exclusive domain and Alex started to understand why everyone was so terrified of him. If she had any sense about her, she would have felt the same but there was too much defiance in Alexandra Styles to capitulate to anyone, even this man who had the power to shoot her down dead or worse if he felt like it.

"Prove it, darling." He grinned and before Alex knew what had happened, a set of handcuff snapped around her wrist and brought home just how trapped she was.

*********

When the liveryman had told her to get out of here quickly, Casey had ignored him because she could hear the commotion in which Alexandra Styles seemed to be at the centre. Refusing to abandon Alex, at least until she knew what was going on, Casey crept to the side of the building and peered around the corner with the stealth she had learnt to use when hunting with JD. As she looked over the edge of the building and saw what lay beyond, Casey discovered a scene that gave her great cause for concern. Alex was at this moment, arguing most rigorously with a man who was dragging her away from the livery, almost kicking and screaming with handcuffs binding one of her wrists to him.

Casey saw a glint of metal on his chest and immediately withdrew, knowing that Alex had fallen into the hands of the notoriously corrupt lawman that Mary had warned them about so strenuously. Her first instinct was to rush out there and lend her assistance to the doctor but after a split second later and a moment of careful reflection, Casey decided that was a bad idea when it was likely the man would arrest her too. That would not help Alex one bit and worse yet, with both the horses in her keeping, the others would have no idea what had happened to either of them or have any way of getting help.

As she saw Alex being dragged further and further away, the doctor’s voice of outrage soon became distant and Casey came to an agonising decision when she heard it fade away completely. Casey could only hope that Alex would understand why she had chosen to abandon her for the moment. Glancing at the horses hitched up to the wagon, Casey knew that the best hope Alex had of freedom now was if she were to reach Mary Larabee. Mary would know how to best proceed in freeing Alex. If Casey went half-cocked, she was only going to make things worse and the situation did not need any help from her in its deterioration.

Hating herself as she withdrew, Casey hurried to the horse and wagon waiting for her and rode out of Coventry, hoping that she could summon help for Alex before it was too late.

*********

"I knew it!" Mary Larabee swore when Casey returned to her with news of Alex’s incarceration. "I just damn well knew it!"

"I didn’t know what else to do." Casey exclaimed, mistaking Mary’s distress at the situation with anger directed at her.

"Oh no Casey," Inez quickly spoke up as they remained inside the shelter, taking refuge from the rain as this new predicament reared its ugly head amongst them and demanded attention. "You did the right thing by coming back here."

"Casey I’m not angry at you," Mary replied, realising that Casey had misconstrued her anger completely. She reached for the girl’s hand so that Casey would see that Mary was not at all furious at her but at the situation. "I’m angry that this has happened." Mary had foreseen all this taking place just as surely as if she had observed the entire incident through a crystal ball. If there was someway for trouble to find them, Mary was certain it would, even if they sought sanctuary on the moon to escape it.

Unfortunately, berating herself or cursing at how these things always seemed to happen to them was not helping Alex. The doctor’s incarceration in Coventry could not continue even though Mary at this point had no idea how to free her. With Chris and the rest of the seven out on the trail, even if Mary and the others were to return to Four Corners, it would be a pointless gesture because the men would not be there to help them. In the meantime, under no circumstances was Mary prepared to leave Alex in the hands of that son of a bitch wearing a badge in the town of Coventry.

"Mary, what are we going to do?" Julia asked her from across the carriage. Outside, the sun was rapidly setting and it would be a pitch-black night indeed with all the rain clouds blanketing the light from the stars and the moon when twilight was finally came upon them. The rain had abated somewhat but the chill in the air was from more than just the cold. "We can’t just leave her."

"We’re not going to leave her." Mary stated firmly and pushed herself off the seat. Her ankle still ached but she could move on it now, albeit her steps were tainted with an uncomfortable limp but the pain was beside the point at this time. Helping Alex out of her prison was. Climbing out of the carriage, Mary stepped out into the rain and had to admit the teeming rainfall against her skin aided in settling her furious emotions. She could feel the wet almost sizzling off her crimson cheeks as she tried to think of some way of this conundrum.

"What are you suggesting we do?" Maude inquired from inside the carriage. While she was not unsympathetic to the doctor’s position and would surely miss her presence at the table at Eagle Bend, Maude was sceptical as to what five women were able to accomplish in the face of the crisis at Coventry. "It is best that we ride on to Sweet Water and enlist the aid of the local lawmen there. They should be able to extricate the doctor from her unfortunate circumstances."

Mary whirled around and sent a glare of ice in Maude’s direction. "We…are…not…leaving…Alex." She said slowly, pronouncing every word with mercurial fury just so the older woman would make no mistake about her feelings on this subject. "This man is dangerous and he arrested Alex for no good reason other than he could which suggests to me, he might actually have more sinister plans for her than we might think. Whatever those intentions are, I do not wish to know and I am certainly not going to tuck tail and pray some lawman at Sweet Water can get Alex out of if before she finds out first hand, do I make myself clear?" Mary’s eyes blazed as she spoke.

Maude swallowed, realising how intent Mary was and while she might be dubious as to what they could do to extricate Alexandra Styles from the clutches of the vile Sheriff Dylan Pierce, she could not ignore the fierce determination in her voice. "I certainly did not mean any offence, Mary." Maude quickly recovered from the dressing down, with the skill that could only be exhibited by a cat landing on its feet. "I am just doubtful of how we can help Doctor Styles."

"In that much, I share your concern." Mary frowned as she looked up into the sky, feeling the cool rain against her skin strangely soothing, even if it did not help with a solution to their immediate problems. Mary tried not to fear for Alex and hoped the doctor was unharmed and knew that she would not remain that way indefinitely if she was. After a moment, she faced her companions still under the shade of the carriage. "I think we should ride into Coventry."

Four faces looked at her blankly.

"You must be joking." Predictably it was Maude who spoke first. "What do you wish to accomplish by all of us going into that godforsaken community? You already saw what he did to Doctor Styles, how can you assume that any of us will fare better?"

Mary had braced herself for the protests and was hardly surprised that Maude would be the most vocal detractor of her plan. The others, however, did look similarly concerned as to the possible result of such a flimsy plan. In truth, Mary had no idea what to do about freeing Alex. She did know that they could not remain hidden here, sitting on their hands as they tried to come up with a plan. "We will fare better because we are white. From what Casey tells us, all this started because Pierce knows that Alex is vulnerable because she is not Caucasian."

"You are assuming a lot," Maude stated.

"Yes she is," Julia nodded. "But Mary’s right." Julia like all of them was not blind to the difficulties endured by Alex at times simply because she was not the picture of white purity. "He would not have done this to Alex if she was a white woman. We may be in danger going into Coventry but we’d be no different from anyone else in the place."

"So we’re going to save Alex?" Casey said feeling infinitely relieved that decision was finally made because she was still not very happy about leaving the doctor behind and god only knew what Alex was enduring in her incarceration.

"Something like that." Mary shrugged. She had no plan, no idea of how to free Alex once they entered the town limits. All she had was this overwhelming urge to do something. The rest would come later.

Hopefully.

*********

Alexandra Styles did not feel afraid even though she found herself behind bars.

What she felt was rage, pure unequivocal rage at this shocking situation she found herself in. Pacing the floor like the caged animal she was, she was a thundercloud trapped in the cramp confines of a cell inside Coventry’s jailhouse. The room stank of urine and God knew what else and Alex was reluctant to touch anything let alone rest her body on the filthy mattress that passed for a bed in her dungeon. Through the thick bars of her cell, she glared at the man who was responsible for her incarceration, wishing more than anything that she was a man so she could beat the crap out of him.

Where was Vin when you needed him?

He watched her. Eyes keeping pace with her as she bounced back and forth from one end of the room to the other almost fascinated with what he was seeing. He knew that she was no whore. She did not carry herself as one did but there was something about her that was hardly conventional. Neither did she appeared to be coloured. There was something in her features that did not look Negro and he was mesmerised by what she was being neither coloured nor Creole and yet unable to distinguish what she actually was.

"You might as well cool your heels Darlin’," he said with a faint smile as he observed her, the way the spider watches the fly trapped irrevocably in its web. "You ain’t going nowhere."

Alex glared at him as he sat at his desk, feet resting on the table while he examined the engagement ring Vin had given her with interest. Prior to forcing her into this cell, he had relieved her of any jewellery that was on her person, including the bracelet that her father had made a present to her before he died and her engagement ring. The loss of both inspired her utmost fury and she could bear the absence of neither. Even the trouble she now found herself in was minute in comparison to that desire.

Alex did not answer him when he spoke, choosing instead to continue her pacing as an act of defiance as well as a way to temper her anger. She had no idea what he wanted even though he was studying her carefully, taking note of everything she was doing inside his jail with mild interest. It could not be just about the money, Alex thought to herself. No one goes to so much trouble for a hundred dollars. True it was a good sum of money but hardly princely. She held no fears of prolonged incarceration because Mary and the others knew she was here and would summon help soon enough. Still, it was the mystery that made her all the more apprehensive.

"This is a pretty fancy ring." He commented, still studying the bauble with great interest. "Wedding ring?"

Alex looked at him sharply. "Engagement, if you must know."

"Expensive." He remarked. "Too expensive for a nigger to afford. Sure you didn’t steal this too?"

Alex let out a cry of exasperation and declared. "What Stone Age rock did you climb out of to assume that any person whose skin is not white is incapable of making money?"

"Never met any that didn’t have two bits to his name." He said simply.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better that ring did not come from a Negro." Alex retorted, hoping the information would satisfy his curiosity and would go some way to helping her get the ring back. "It came from a white tracker." Alex hated describing Vin this way but knew of no other way to convince the man that she was not a working girl.

"A white man gave you this?" Dylan said with a raised brow. "Must be pretty special for him to spend all this money."

"So he tells me," Alex replied sarcastically.

"You really a doctor?" He asked, putting down the ring on the desk with the rest of the personal effects he had absconded from her upon tossing her in her cell.

"Give me a scalpel and I’ll prove it to you."

He laughed shortly and stood up from his desk. Walking across the floor, he joined her in front of the cell and looked through the bars at her. "Maybe you ain’t no working girl. You sound like you got a lot of book learning so I might be inclined to believe you?"

Alex stopped pacing and took a step towards the bar, standing close enough to reach him. She could almost guess what was coming but held her tongue to see if he was just as predictable as she believed him to be. "How nice." She tried to hide the sarcasm and disbelief from her voice as she spoke. "And pray do tell what do I have to do to convince you."

"I don’t know," he let his eyes shift over her in unmistakable hunger. "You’re a smart woman, you’ll think of some way to make me believe it." His voice was husky as he made that loaded statement.

Alex decided to play the game just a little more and took another step towards the bars until she was close enough to reach him. Running her tongue over her lips, Alex purred as she saw him respond to the change in her body language. After a moment, when his eyes were mesmerised by the action of her lips, Alex spoke with seduction oozing off each word.

"I….would….rather….rot….in……here."

His expression turned dark and he stepped away, furious that she had managed to pull his desire for her out into the open. He was not a rapist but he wanted this exotic looking creature and was determined to break her, one way or another. "Well see if you feel the same after a month in that cell." He retorted viciously, his pride obviously stinging from what she had done and unwittingly gave Alex a great deal of satisfaction by his angry response.

"I can hold out. Can you?" Alex demanded. "I have people who will come looking for me including the tracker who gave me that ring. How are you going to explain it to them when they tell you I really am a doctor and that money you confiscated was stolen from no one?"

"This is my town." He glared at her, still angered from when she had tricked him earlier. "No one walks out of my jail unless I let them go and trust me, no one will come looking for you by the time I’m done with you."

Something in his words chilled Alex to the bone and she questioned the wisdom in baiting him and secretly prayed that Casey had reached Mary and the others and summoned help. She did not know what Sheriff Dylan Pierce had in mind but Alex was quite certain that she did not wish to find out.

*********

They were almost to Coventry and Mary was no closer to coming up with a plan to rescue Alex as she had when they had first set out to help her. She knew her silence as Casey rode the wagon closer to the town, was disturbing the others because they looked to her for answers since this was her grand scheme and she had none to give them. As it was, Maude had been a constant thorn in her side, making offhanded remarks at how this was a fool’s errand, as if Mary was not aware of this fact yet. She was perfectly mindful that they were four women against a sheriff who was armed while they only had Julia’s derringer as protection. She wished more than anything that Chris was here but understood that she could not rely upon him to protect her from everything.

The rain had stopped and the stars were starting to appear through the grey clouds that had followed them most of the journey here. With the presence of moonlight, they were finally removed from the pitch-black darkness they had dogged them all the way here, which also did little for their already depleted morale. This trip to Eagle Bend was already more than any of them had bargained and although none of them spoke it, they were all worried about Alexandra Styles.

"I do not suppose you have come up with an idea of how to help Doctor Styles?" Maude Standish asked once again and just as regularly, Mary had to stifle the urge to throttle the woman.

"I’m working on it." Mary muttered in annoyance, wondering just how much more of this she could take before her temper flared.

"You better work on it fast." Maude retorted. "We’re almost there."

"Maude will you just shut up!" Julia finally snapped and surprised them all by being the first one to lose her temper. "We are not leaving Alex in the hands of that sheriff! The poker game can wait already!"

"Well," Maude huffed in annoyance at the sharp rebuke. "I’m starting to understand why Ezra did not wish to tell me about you."

Mary could see Julia’s ire being well and truly inflamed by that remark and the redhead’s temper was about to flare in the display that Mary had been trying so hard to keep under control herself when Inez broke into the conversation.

"Alright you two," Inez said firmly. "This is not the time or the place to get into this argument. Maude, Mary will think of something and Julia, you can kill Ezra later. For the moment, we are in enough trouble without the two of you behaving like children."

"Sorry Inez," Julia cast a dark glare at Maude, telling her in that one look this conversation was by no means over, merely postponed.

Confident that the clashes of personalities had passed for the moment, Mary turned her attention to the road ahead and let her gaze sweep across the terrain when suddenly, through the darkness she spotted a building in the distance. The darkness made it difficult to see what it was but there were pinpricks of light shining through the windows.

"What is that?" Mary asked because the place did not look like a homestead and it was rather far away from town to be a mere dwelling.

"Oh that’s the convent." Casey declared as she continued to take the reins. "Alex and I passed by it when we went to town the first time. It's full of nuns."

"Nuns." Mary mused for a moment, letting an insane idea take shape in her mind and tumbling inevitably towards a plan that was just as absurd but strangely enough, one that might actually work. "Casey, take us there," Mary instructed.

Casey looked at her in obvious bewilderment. "Why Mary?"

"I have an idea," Mary replied, as Casey directed the wagon off their path to Coventry and started traversing down the gentle slope that led towards the building of brick and mortar.

"What’s on your mind?" Inez asked at the realisation they had taken a detour.

"Well," Mary said reluctantly to reveal her plan just yet because she wanted no one to try and talk her out of it just yet. "I’m not sure but if we’re going to get Alex out, we’ll need a little distraction."

"Like what?" Julia inquired, just as curious to what Mary had in mind.

Mary paused, trying to decide whether or not she should tell them what she was planning and decided that she had little choice but to do so since she could not accomplish the undertaking without their participation. Mary outlined what she had concocted in her mind briefly and saw their faces take on expressions that bordered somewhere between astonishment and amusement.

"You are insane!" Maude exclaimed. "I will not do it."

"Okay," Mary said prepared for Maude’s declaration well in advance. "We’ll let you off the convent and pick you up on the way back. We don’t really need you for this."

"You are not leaving me in the hands of those pious spinsters." Maude retorted automatically.

"Well make up your mind because we’re almost there," Mary answered as the wagon rapidly approach the stone fence that surrounded the building. The nunnery or church, whatever it was, appeared to have been in its present location for quite some time and was easy to overlook because it did not seem very large. Mary had heard one of these places in Vista City but not so close to Four Corners. She supposed even in the Territory, there was still a need for such refuges.

"Mary, do you honestly think this will work?" Inez asked, having heard her part in the plan and was to confess to feeling some reservations in her ability to undertake it.

"I can’t say," Mary replied honestly, "unfortunately, it’s the best idea I have at this time. If anyone’s got any better ideas, I’d like to hear them and I do not mean any suggestion that involves abandoning Alex and continuing to Sweet Water to catch a train."

Instinctively, everyone looked at Maude.

"I will adhere to your insane scheme," Maude answered with a slight huff to her voice. "However I do so under protest. I have played many roles in my life however, this is not one of them."

"Don’t worry Maude," Julia said with a faint smile. "If I can pull it off anyone can."

"I’ll say," Inez smirked.

Julia gave her a look and retorted sarcastically. "Wanton." She teased Inez who promptly responded in kind.

"Tramp."

"Children." Mary interrupted this scintillating conversation as they crossed the threshold of the convent’s fence line. The convent building was surrounded by a sizeable vegetable garden and Mary saw the shape of a barn in the near distance, no doubt where their animals were kept. Although the sun had set, it was not that far into the night and hoped the inhabitants of those hallowed walls would not be too annoyed by the arrival of strangers who had an unusual request to make of them.

*********

Alex finally relented and decided she would get some sleep. Although lying on the bed made her skin crawl, Alex had little choice because she could not keep pacing indefinitely, no matter how angry she was at the situation she now found herself in. As she lay against the wafer-thin mattress, she tried not to think about who had last occupied this bunk or pay attention to the musty smell that emanated from it. Her jailer remained at his desk, shuffling through paperwork and occupying himself with the minor details of law enforcement as if he was afraid to walk out and leave her alone.

Alex could not fathom his reasons for keeping her imprisoned like this. She knew he was attracted to her because she could see it in his eyes and in the response that had engendered so much anger when she had tricked him earlier. However, if he was attempting to seduce her by these actions, then his method seemed to leave a lot be to be desired. It was not to say that he was not handsome. He was actually very handsome but not in the way that held any interest for Alex, who considered Vin Tanner to be the ideal in her mind and knew by comparison no one else could ever compete.

As she tried to go to sleep, she wondered where Vin was at this moment and wished more than anything to have him here because he would make short work of this upstart sheriff who presumed to think her a whore and had stolen away from her most treasured possessions. Even from where she was lying against the lumpy pillow, she could see the glint of metal through at the edge of his desk that was her engagement ring. Instinctively, Alex reached for the finger it was normally worn and felt naked without it being there. She had not taken it off since the day Vin had given it to her and she really hated that she had been forced to remove it like this.

Alex wondered how long he intended to keep her for he seemed very confident that no one would come searching for her when it was obvious to all that eventually someone would. He could not be so stupid as to maintain his belief that she was a working girl, not after he had examined all her personal effect carefully and must have surely come to the conclusion that she could not be that at all. He remained in the jail housekeeping a vigil over her as if he had captured something he was uncertain of what he would do with now that it was in his power.

Unable to sleep with on the uncomfortable bunk, Alex finally sat up in the bed and gave up altogether. "What do you want with me, Sheriff?" She broke the silence in the room.

He paused what he was doing and met her gaze. "I do believe you committed a crime in my town."

"I committed no crime and we both know it," Alex answered, surprising herself with the lack of anger in her voice as she addressed him this time.

"You ain’t prove that yet." He challenged as he returned her stare. "When you do, I’ll be happy to let you out."

"Just how am I supposed to do that?" Alex countered sarcastically. "Without surrendering my virtue that is?"

"I’m sure you’ll come up with something." A slow smile ran across his face, filled with suggestion. "It depends on who gives in first."

Alex almost snorted in derision. "I have been told that I am as stubborn as a mule so I would not hold my breath if I were you waiting for that to happen. Then again on second thought," she eyed him wickedly. "Perhaps you should and I can get out of here when your replacements shows."

"My, my, my, you are quite the firecracker ain’t you?" Dylan laughed, finding amusement in her attempts to insult him and only succeeded in strengthening Alex’s resolve to keep him from what he wanted.

"I’ve heard that once or twice in my life." She sighed, laying back on her pillow since it was obvious she was not going to get any answers from him. Perhaps when she woke up, she might find this entire situation to be nothing more than a very bad dream because she had no wish to retain any memory of Sheriff Dylan Pierce.

"So you got a name," he asked, unprepared to let her rest now that she had started him talking. "Doctor?"

"None that I care to tell you," Alex replied automatically.

"Come on what could it hurt?" He prompted. "You’re gonna be here awhile I’m sure you’re gonna get sick of me calling you ‘hey you’ after a spell."

Alex flinched and supposed it would not be such a terrible admission if she could just get him to shut up. "Alex."

"That’s a boy’s name." Dylan sat up in his chair and leaned towards her.

Alex rolled her eyes. "It's short for Alexandra."

"Fancy name." He commented. "I’ll call you Lex."

If anything could break the calm that she had been attempting to maintain, that was it. Alex sat up in her bed against and fairly roared. "Don’t you ever call me that! No one calls me Lex you hear me! No one! Least of all some crazed hick sheriff who’s got delusions of godhood because he’s wearing a fucking badge!"

"My goodness," he said thoroughly enjoying her fury in all its fiery splendour. "Did I strike a nerve, Doc?"

Alex fumed, feeling furious at herself and him for her outburst. She had not meant to become so angry but when she had heard him call her Lex, an appellation only her father had the right to use, it had snapped whatever resolve she had been struggling so hard to maintain in the face of this bastard’s unjust imprisonment. She wanted to hurt him for everything she had endured this day, not only in her physical confinement but the insult made to her pride. She was a doctor, not some working girl! She had a right to have money just as anyone in the world without being arrested because it was unfathomable to this fool that someone with different coloured skin could acquire money legally.

She refused to answer him any further, nor was she going to cooperate in any way with his lustful intentions to have her capitulate before him. Before that day came to pass, she would see herself damned in hell for all eternity first. Alex remained where she was on her bunk bed, seething with fury and praying for the time when Vin and the seven would arrive and ram that smug smile down his throat. As a person who possessed almost boundless compassion, Alex was shocked by how much that thought sustained her.

Suddenly, the door to the jailhouse knocked and the triumphant smile he had worn upon engendering her outraged response quickly faded to a more serious tone. The knocking on the door was not a light tap, but a heavy rapping that indicated some urgency for whoever wished entry into the place. He immediately jumped out of his chair and hurried to answer the door, casting a glance of suspicion at her as he hurried away. Despite herself, Alex sat up in her bunk, hoping against hope that perhaps Mary had found a way to extricate her from her present difficulties.

No sooner than he had swung the wooden door open, a female voice that Alex immediately recognised as Julia’s filtered into the room. "Sheriff Pierce, I understand you have our doctor here?"

Alex could only stare as she saw them enter the office, barging in with such speed that the sheriff himself could hardly offer protest as their entry into his jailhouse was met with jaw agape. As she saw her friends playing out a scene that looked straight out of a page from Shakespeare’s lesser-known comedies, Alex had only one thought in her mind.

Well that’s something you don’t see every day.

Mary, Julia, Maude and Casey were garbed in the sombre clothes worn by nuns and appeared to be playing the part as well as Julia and Maude entered first, offering a supportive arm to Inez who was dressed in the same thing Alex had last seen her.

"Sheriff you’ve got to let Doctor Styles go!" Mary implored as Julia and Maude led Inez to the chair in front of his desk.

Inez was muttering in Spanish, grasping her swollen and obviously pregnant abdomen in pain as Julia and Maude fluttered around her, crossing themselves and utter prayers to God for her prolonged safety.

"What the hell is going on?" Dylan demanded, unable to fathom how his normally quiet office could suddenly descend into this chaos.

"We were travelling to Mexico when our wagon ran into trouble!" Mary said hastily, hoping her act sounded as convincing as the insanity they were attempting to perpetrate. "We are expected a mission across the border and we sent our doctor to purchase a new wagon. It was all the money we had from our orphanage fund, except she never came back and now Inez, the daughter of the patron in the town we wish to set up has gone into labour! You must release the doctor now."

Just to make her point, Inez let out a harsh cry of pain that made Dylan jump with fear as she clutched her belly and made her agony heard most vocally.

"She’s really a doctor?" Dylan looked at Alex, not having really believed his prisoner’s outrageous claim completely until now.

"One of the best!" Mary implored further. "This is her medical bag." Mary presented the familiar worn leather case that Alex carried around with her and was an inheritance from her father. Snapping open the bag, she showed the startled sheriff its contents that included instruments that could only belong to a physician.

"It hurts!" Inez continued to wail, sending Maude and Julia into an even more frantic fit of praying and crossing.

"Oh, you must let her out!" Maude came to him and started pulling at his lapel. "She’s in terrible pain. She can’t hold out."

"For Chrissake Dylan!" Alex had jumped out of her bunk and ran up to the bars so that he could see her, now that Alex had found herself part to play in this charade. "Let me out so I can help her!"

For a moment, he was torn at what to do as he was surrounded by nuns, a pregnant woman crying out in pain and a lady doctor who was prepared to have his hide if he let her anywhere near him. Still, he could not deny that the woman in his chair did appear to be in agony and there was no mistaking that she was in the family way.

"I can’t feel the baby any more!" Inez squealed again, deciding the Sheriff needed just a little more of a push to do what they wanted.

"Oh No!" Casey brought her voice to the fray and started whimpering in fear. "She’s going to lose it and we’ll never be allowed to set up our mission!"

"Alright!" Dylan exclaimed in frustration, unwilling to let a pregnant woman die right before him especially with a roomful of nuns bearing witness to the whole affair. He hurried to Alex’s cell, pausing long enough to remove the keys that were hanging from a rough nail embedded in the nearby wall. Alex stepped back in the cell as he came to the door and slipped the heavy key into its slot, opening it with a heavy twist of his hand and snapping the locking mechanism out of place. The door swung open and Alex did not waste any time emerging from her prison and making her way directly to Inez, who was giving the performance of her life.

"Sister... Mary," Alex turned to Mary who was advancing upon her as she knelt down in front of Inez. "I need my bag."

"Of course." Mary nodded as she hobbled forward, trying to hide the injury to her ankle and not look even more ridiculous than she already felt in this costume. When she had informed the Mother Superior at the Convent of the Blessed Heart what she intended, the lady had been most cooperative, being aware of the sheriff’s reputation. Although the nun had thought Mary’s plan bordering on the insane, it also seemed to be the general consensus of everyone who knew of it. Mary knew this could work if enough insanity could be thrust in the face of the good sheriff to confuse him long enough to spring their trap. A momentary distraction was all they needed and with Inez being six months pregnant, her condition seemed tailor-made for the occasion and the plan Mary had conjured in her mind was out of desperation more than anything else.

Alex lifted Inez’s skirt and pretended to perform and exploratory examination, an action which only made the sheriff recoil further away in a mixture of derision and outright nervousness. Men were never very good in situations like this, Mary had guessed and the plan further proved its viability, the more anxious the sheriff appeared to be.

"She’s dilated," Alex exclaimed to those who were presented.

"What’s that mean?" Dylan demanded, unfamiliar with such medical terminology.

"It means, she about to go into labour." Alex retorted.

"Oh praise the Lord," Maude gushed. "To be present in such an hour. Sisters, I believe we need a few more Hail Marys to christen the birth of new life."

Almost on cue both Maude and Julia lodged into a recital of prayers that only drew a groan of exasperation from the sheriff as he tried to come to grips with everything that was happening around him and wondering if any of this was real.

"We’re going to need water, lots of it." Alex continued to play the part as she rummaged through her bag noisily. "Unfortunately, I do not think she can deliver this baby naturally."

"Goodness!" Mary cried out and looked at the faces of her sisters, trying to convey her shock. "What is to be done, doctor?"

"I have to cut her open, now," Alex said firmly.

"Cut me open?" Inez squeaked, hoping to God their plan had reached fruition by the time that particular bluff needed to be called.

"I’m afraid you are going to need a caesarean and very soon." Alex looked at Dylan and added. "I’m afraid Sheriff, it's going to have to done here." Without saying another word, she brushed all the paperwork on his desk to the floor and thumped its surface as an indicator of where she intended to perform the surgery.

"On my desk!" Dylan exclaimed in nothing less than horror. "You can’t operate on her on my desk!"

"There’s no other choice!" Alex retorted fiercely. "If I don’t cut her open in the next three minutes, the baby is going to die! You have to let me do this!"

"Aw hell…" the sheriff declared unable to believe how he had stumbled into this position. "Alright then, get on with it!" He said in exasperation, not having much choice in the matter.

"Sisters, we must pray!" Maude motioned Julia and Mary on their knees and as Mary started to descend, she who was closest to Dylan pulled the sheriff by the arm in an entreaty to join them. Unable to think of an argument to decline and not wishing to be rude to a bunch of nuns, because as corrupt as he was, he still had some principles. Meanwhile, Maude continued on her prepared speech, delivering her lines with all the aplomb that it took a lifetime as a grifter to accomplish.

"Oh heavenly father," she looked to the sky with almost angelic fervour in her eyes. "Let us pray that this arduous undertaking comes to pass and that the child to be born will enter its life through your grace and glory." She cast her gaze at everyone present and declared. "Repeat after me."

No one was paying much attention to Casey.

Casey Wells who throughout all this commotion had been moving unobtrusively behind the sheriff, once they had discovered he was alone in the room, found herself in place to act finally. Dylan’s attention was gravitating between the praying going on while he was on his knees and the birthing about to take place on his desk. Either way, he was a man who looked utterly confused and totally distracted by everything that was taking place around him, particularly when the circumstances were a little above the ordinary. It was not every day a man could confess to being invaded by a group of nuns and with a pregnant woman about to have her baby in his office.

He hardly noticed her slipping into position behind him or seeing her remove the derringer that she had secreted under the heavy robes that she was wearing. Casey who was better with a gun than any of them, though she seldom had a chance to prove it, swiftly retrieved the weapon and took a step forward with the weapon aimed firmly in Dylan’s direction. The sheriff had no inclination as to what was coming his way until he heard the audible click of a trigger being pulled in his ear.

"Don’t move or I’ll shoot!" Casey said firmly.

Dylan froze as he felt cool steel against his head. "What the hell is going on here?" He demanded as his eyes moved across the faces before him. The praying ceased immediately following his heated question and without missing a beat, Mary reached around him to retrieve the gun that was nestled in his holster. Alex immediately stepped back and Inez put an end to her performance as the troubled woman in labour when she rolled off the desk.

"Sheriff," Alex said with a smile. "I’d like to introduce you to my friends, Sister Mary, Sister Julia, Sister Maude and Sister Casey, who has a gun to your head and knows how to use it. Oh and lest I forget, kudos to the pregnant lady, the dazzling Miss Inez. Inez take a bow."

As a storm cloud started to form on his face, Inez did a slight curtsy in his direction, inflaming his anger even more until his jaw tensed in rage. Still, he was not about to argue the point with the weapon pressed firmly against the back of his skull. Alex dropped to her knees and picked up the handcuffs that were lying strewn on the floor when she had brushed everything off his desk. Tossing it to Mary, the orchestrator of this charade immediately snapped one wrist band around the sheriff’s hand.

"Get up," Mary ordered as she turned his own gun on him.

"How far do you think you bitches are gonna get before I hunt you down?" He declared impotently even though it was a futile threat and they knew it. He could feel his bile rising in his throat as his fury bubbled at what was taking place inside his own jailhouse, not to mention his own town! The indignity of it was more than he could stand.

"Not far." Mary retorted as she gestured him to the cell that Alex had just vacated. "However, it might be wise that you know who you’re dealing with. You come after us and it won’t us you’ll have to deal with, you better be prepared to deal with Chris Larabee and his men."

Dylan Pierce might have been a self-important and dangerous man but he knew of the seven who were charged to protect the town of Four Corners, in particularly Chris Larabee, the gunslinger whose fearsome reputation from all accounts was richly deserved. Reluctantly, he moved towards the cell having no choice to comply. "So you whores are from Four Corners."

"Shame on you Sir," Maude returned swiftly. "Speaking that way about nuns."

With both Casey and Mary keeping their guns trained on him, they ushered the sheriff into the cell and slam the door shut behind him.

"Come to the bars," Mary instructed and when he refused, cocked the gun once more, convincing him that even though she was a woman, it was not wise to underestimate her. Mary was more than prepared to shoot him, completely aware that no one in Coventry would mourn the loss and might actually award her a medal for carrying out a public service. With just as much hesitation, Dylan came forward and Julia who had some idea of what Mary intended when he came close enough, immediately snapped the other band of the handcuff around the thick metal bar.

Once that was done, Mary lowered her weapon and turned to her friends. "Let’s go." She ordered.

Alex who was seeking her ring and bracelet spotted her treasured possessions through the mess of paperwork on the floor and stashed both items into her pocket as Julia, Inez and Maude started towards the door.

"Well Sheriff," Alex could not resist saying as they departed. "I guess you’ll never know who can hold out longer."

"This ain’t over!" Dylan growled as he glared at her with rabid fury through the bars of the cell he was effectively trapped within. "I’ll find you! I promise you!"

However, the words were lost because Alex was already out the door with Mary and Casey following close behind. In front of the jailhouse, the wagon waited for their arrival. Julia was already taking the reins and waiting long enough for them to climb into the back tray before she snapped the length of leather hard and sent the horses surging forward at top speed into the night leaving the town of Coventry far behind them.

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Prologue The Venerable Mrs Standish

Chapter OneThank God its Friday

Chapter TwoA Weekend Away

Chapter Three A Visit to Coventry

Prologue
The Venerable Mrs Standish

Chapter One
Thank God its Friday

Chapter Two
A Weekend Away

Chapter Three
A Visit to Coventry