Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" T.V. series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
It was going to be one of those days.
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 to 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. Book keeping 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 book keeping 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 began 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 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 smiling 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 though 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.
"Its that Mexican."
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 Mary 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!"
In retrospect, Mary decided she probably should not have lost her temper.
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 shifting 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 breadth. 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 to 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, 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 anyway 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 lunch time, 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 book keeping, 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 book keeping 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 singular focus that was Mary Larabee's finest quality, Mary dealt with her endless flow of callers, answering questions that ranged from Audrey Kings 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 book keeping, 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.
"What is it with you?" She looked up to the heavens in exasperation. "All I want to do today is to finish this stupid job!"
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 give up!" 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 tempestuously and made on 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.
Bored. Bored. Bored.
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 too 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.
She was missing Vin.
He had been gone for almost a 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?
She was engrossed in this endeavour when Mary walked into her office.
"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.
"Don't knock it until you've tried it." 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 book keeping all day and it's been one constant interruption after another. Do you know something, I think there is a conspiracy a foot 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
"Oh good," Alex retorted unperturbed. "Reality."
"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.
"Its frightening to know that you conduct surgery on people." Mary pointed out.
"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 Ð 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.
"Ice cream?" She exclaimed. "That's your prescription?"
"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.
"They better have chocolate." Mary grumbled as they left.
She could hear their whispers despite her best attempts to ignore them.
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 bar tending 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 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 in 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 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 to 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."
"Julia," Inez spoke up quickly, not wishing this course of events.
"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."
"Miss Pemberton please..." Selma implored, "I really need this job."
"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 atttempting to apologise to Miss Rosillos for you 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.
When she was gone, Inez turned to Julia. "You did not have to do that."
"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 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 lady like 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.
"Who's taking you?" Lucille Rodney asked.
"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 recognised 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 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 in written all over her youthful face.
"Trying to." Casey frowned. "I ain't having much luck."
"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 awhile 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 along side 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."
"Ice cream?" Casey exclaimed with surprise.
"Its what's she telling everyone today," Mary smiled.
"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 seemed 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 was 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 bat wing 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 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 this 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 were 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 initaive 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 mischievioulsy 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 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 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 this 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."
"You mean nothing?" Julia asked slowly. "Not... a... word?"
"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 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.
"Ring?" Julia looked at her and asked slowly. "He... has... a... ring?"
"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.
"Ice cream, anyone?"