AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story was written for Gina for her high bid during the recent Auction (June,1999). I would like to thank her for letting me post this so that others can enjoy it. I would also like to thank "The Bad Element" and "J.B. Saks" for beta reading this piece and for their kind words and support.
JD was leaning back in the sheriff's chair, twirling his pistol, something Buck told him not to do at least a thousand times. He was really mad at Chris this time. The judge had sent him the telegram requesting he transport the prisoner to Jacksboro, but Chris decided it was too dangerous for him and that he and Ezra would take him instead. JD started to mumble to himself and didn't notice the figure leaning against the doorframe. "Who does he think he is anyway, I'm the sheriff, not him. I should be going to Jacksboro, but oh no ... "
As he turned around in the chair he noticed the dark figure of a man in the doorway.
"Chris." JD said. Startled at being caught and a bit embarrassed at being overheard. "You been standing there long?"
The man in black stepped inside the room and walked closer towards the desk. Placing both hands on either side he leaned forward. "Long enough ... sheriff."
Chris stared at the kid until he squirmed in his seat. The only sound you heard was the clink of Chris's spurs when he slowly walked across the room. He studied JD out of the corner of his eye as he removed his duster and hung it on one of the pegs on the wall. Turning around he sat down next to JD.
As the man in black studied the boy across from him, he was all to aware of the harshness of his words earlier in the day. For that he was sorry, but he had good reason and he hoped that the young man would understand.
Chris's thoughts turned towards the prisoner they were to transport, he was no ordinary prisoner and the men that rode with him were still around. He didn't want to leave without trying to make JD realize that he didn't want him to go not because he didn't think he could do the job, but he needed to go himself for personal reasons.
"JD, I know you think I don't trust you to do this job, but that isn't true. I know you could do the job, and do it well." He looked from JD to the prisoner. "But I need to take this man to Jacksboro, I can't explain why. I just have to do this myself."
Chris watched JD and for a moment he thought he was going to protest some more. But instead he just smiled and nodded his head.
"Ok Chris, I know we sometimes have to do things just because and that's Ok. But I could go along with you." He said.
"Thanks JD, but I need you here." He replied as he got up from his chair.
"But Chris ... " It looked like he was going to protest after all. Chris retrieved his duster and walked out onto the boardwalk leaving JD inside the sheriff's office to sulk.
Ezra was seated outside and saw Chris as he shut the door behind him. "Well, Mr. Larabee ... did our young sheriff take further offense at being left out of the excursion we are about to undertake?"
Chris looked at him with a sour expression on his face. "If you're asking me if he's mad, the answer is yes ... he is." Chris stepped down into the street and then turned back to Ezra. "I'll meet you here in an hour."
Ezra tipped his hat as he watched the man in black walk down the main street of Four Corners. He noticed how some of the people stepped out of his way when he approached and how some of the citizens stared at him. He marveled at the persona Chris projected and snickered. Ezra wondered if he did it on purpose, if the black image everyone saw was the real Chris Larabee or if keeping people at arms length was the only way he could cope with the cards life dealt him. When he first met the mysterious Mr. Larabee almost 2 years ago, he would have said ... the black image was the real Chris Larabee, however, now he wasn't so sure. There was a time when this man wouldn't have cared what JD thought about an order he gave, but today, he cared. He wanted JD to understand that whoever this prisoner was, it was personal, nothing more and above all, he needed him and he trusted him.
Ezra opened the door to the sheriff's office and stepped inside and was met with, "You're late, I said an hour." His tone was harsh and almost threatening.
"There were a few things that needed tending to before I left, I'm not that late." He replied sarcastically.
JD watched the exchange between Chris and Ezra and was secretly relieved he wasn't going along with them. Chris had been in a foul since he walked through the door.
Chris abruptly stood and walked over to the jail cell, unlocking the door. When Chris looked up he was face to face with Ben Rawlins. They stood there sizing each other up, their eyes locked on each other, each unwilling to yield to the other. Ezra and JD exchanged looks, each of them wondering if they knew one another. It certainly appeared as if they did.
The stone face of Rawlins started to crack and the corner of his mouth turned up to form what one might call a smile. "Well Larabee ... it's been a while."
Chris glared at him as he grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him up against the wall. "If you know what's good for you Rawlins ... you'll keep your mouth shut." He snarled at him as he shoved him again.
Ezra stepped forward and placed his hand on Chris's shoulder. Chris spun around and for a moment Ezra wasn't sure if he was going to hit him or not. The look in his eyes was enough to make a man cringe, Ezra knew he had a temper and had been on the receiving end a time of it or two, however this was different ... he had never seen such rage before. Not even in himself.
The awkward moment this confrontation produced was broken when JD spoke. "We better get over to the stage, it'll be leaving soon."
Ezra stepped back and Chris shoved Rawlins through the cell door. Before they left the sheriff's office he checked the handcuffs to make sure they were secure. When he was satisfied he pushed the prisoner out the door.
JD looked at Ezra. "Do you know what that was about?"
"No, and I don't think I want to know." He shook his head as he walked towards the door. "I just wish I hadn't agreed to accompany our illustrious leader to Jacksboro, no game is going to be worth this."
JD sat back down in his chair and turned towards the empty jail cells when he heard the door slam. He jumped up and automatically reached for his gun. There was no one there, it musta been Ezra who slammed the door, he thought. JD got up and walked towards the door, stepping outside, he watched Ezra make his way to the stagecoach where Chris and the prisoner were waiting. Vin and Josiah were talking to Chris when Ezra approached.
"Good morning gentlemen, lovely morning, isn't it?" He let his eyes drift towards the man in black.
Chris Larabee was not amused by the gamblers attempt at levity. He turned to Vin. "We should be in Jacksboro day after tomorrow, I'll wire you then ... let you know when we'll be back with Billy."
Vin nodded. "Mary'll be right glad to see him after all this time." He paused. "Are you sure you don't want some of us to ride along with you? Never know what might happen with his gang still hangin' around."
"I thought of that, we shouldn't run into any trouble, they'll expect us to take him across country, not by stage. And from what I've been told, there won't be any other passengers." Chris replied.
The driver climbed up into his driver's seat and motioned to the men on the ground that they were ready to go.
Ezra climbed in the coach first, followed by Rawlins and then Chris. Once inside Chris gestured to the prisoner to sit opposite him so that he could keep an eye on him. Rawlins just snickered.
The stage lurched forward and soon Four Corners was a blur in the distance as the coach proceeded to its first scheduled stopped.
Ezra's eyes were focused on the changing terrain as they made their way across the barren landscape of the New Mexico Territory. The long stretch of sand and cactus reached out in every direction as it made it's way to the mountains that seemed so close but in reality lay many miles away. Every so often a patch of fertile green grass could be seen off in the distance lying next to a spring fed pond or a tranquil slow moving creek. He had learned just how treacherous this land could be, beautiful and captivating one moment, inviting you into its warm embrace ... only to turn on you at a moments notice. Then he smiled, this land has all the attributes of a woman he thought.
Chris stretched out his long legs in front of him as he watched Rawlins. So many memories ran through his mind about this man, a man he had known as a boy, a man he had wanted to be like. What went wrong, what happened to make him turn bad like he did?
Every so often Chris glanced in Ezra's direction. He never knew exactly what to expect from the gambler, never knew if he could really trust him. For the life of him he didn't know why he volunteered to go along, but figured it must be a poker game or something equally shallow. He noticed Ezra smiling and thought that odd. "What's so funny Ezra?"
"Well Mr. Larabee, I'm not sure if you would understand." He replied.
"Try me Ezra, I don't know a lot of them $10.00 words of yours, but if you keep it simple, I'm sure I can manage." He retorted.
He was about to reply when Rawlins spoke up. "If you really want to strike up a conversation ... why don't you ask your boss about Adam Connelly?"
Chris coiled like a snake and lunged for the prisoner. It happened so fast Ezra didn't have a moment to think. He reached for Chris and pulled him back and at the same time shoved Rawlins flat against the seat. For a split second Ezra thought Chris was going to go after him instead of the prisoner.
"Whoa, Chris." He reached up to hold his arm as it was pulled back to take a swing at someone. Ezra looked into his eyes and was disturbed by what he saw. "I don't think this is necessary, do you Mr. Larabee?"
Chris hesitated for just a moment and then focused on Ezra. He relaxed a bit and took a deep breath and slumped back into the seat. The whole time glaring at Rawlins.
Rawlins shifted so that he was sitting up. "You saw him ... he tried to kill me." Chris leaned forwarded and felt the resistance of Ezra's hand. "If I'd wanted you dead Rawlins, you'd be dead right now."
A deathly silence fell upon the occupants of the stage as it rumbled on towards Twin Buttes. Nothing more was mentioned about Adam Connelly. The name sounded familiar Ezra thought, could he be related to ... he shook his head. Ezra watched Chris and then looked over to Rawlins ... obviously they knew each other ... but how, and how was this guy Connelly involved. He knew Chris had a somewhat checkered past, much like his own, only a little more violent. He wasn't sure he wanted to know how these two men were connected, he only knew that before the trip was over ... these two men would confront one another, and he didn't want to be around when that happened.
After arriving in Twin Buttes for fresh horses and something to eat, Chris made arrangements to have Rawlins put in jail for safekeeping. Chris and Ezra walked over to the saloon to grab a bite to eat, only Chris wasn't interested in food ... all he wanted was a drink. Ezra watched as Chris drank one shot after another, he didn't touch the food in front of him. He had seen this dark side of him before and it wasn't pretty. Something was eating at him, something from his past and Rawlins was the key.
When they finished they made their way back to the sheriff's office. When they walked through the door Rawlins grabbed the bars of the cell. "Larabee ... you can't leave these hand cuffs on me while I'm in jail ... they're starting to cut into my wrists ... you get these off me now."
In three strides Chris was standing in front of Rawlins. He was startled by how quickly he covered the distance between the door and the cell and he stepped back.
Chris was beyond rage as he approached the cell and in a venomous tone, "The day I take those cuffs off ... is the day I cut you down after they hang you."
Rawlins watched Chris ... he knew he was pushing him, and pushing him hard. He wanted him to snap, he knew that was the only way Chris would make a mistake. And only then would he be able to escape.
Chris and Ezra walked on either side of Rawlins as they made their way back to the stage. Chris opened the door and Ezra stepped in, followed by Rawlins and Chris. When Ezra sat down, he noticed that a lovely young lady had joined them in the coach. Rawlins sat opposite the lady and when Chris stepped up into the coach and saw the girl he frowned.
There was an uneasy silence when Chris sat down. He glared at the young lady. She responded by shrinking back in the seat. Ezra noticed the look he gave her and felt compassion for her.
"Madam ... I don't believe we've met ... I am Ezra Standish and this is Mr. Chris Larabee. We're traveling to Jacksboro ... and you?" Ezra tried to sound as if he was glad to have her with them, when in reality he wished she weren't, for her own sake.
"Well ... it's a pleasure meetin' you Mr. Standish." She tipped her head in Chris's direction. "You too Mr. Larabee." She then glanced over to the man in hand cuffs and once more sat as far back in the seat as possible. When she did the shawl that she held tightly wrapped around her fell loose, leaving no question as to her very advanced condition. She gathered her shawl and tried to hide her swollen belly. Ezra and Chris exchanged looks before settling back on the girl.
She sat straight up and tried to hold up her head. "Ah ...names' ... Dallas ... Dallas McCormick."
Ezra tipped his hat in her direction. "Mrs. McCormick, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Her chin stiffened and her lip quivered ever so slightly and with only the slightest bit of hesitation. "That's Miss ... not Mrs."
Chris rolled his eyes ... great he thought, a very young, very pregnant woman, and unmarried too, that was all they needed. Ezra shot Chris a look he wasn't expecting. He stiffened. Rawlins glanced over at Chris and snickered, he knew what he was thinking. This girl might just be his ticket to freedom he thought.
"I stand corrected Miss McCormick ... however it is still a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He tipped his hat and then once again looked in Chris's direction and raised an eyebrow.
Chris got the hint. "My pleasure Miss."
She looked at the fancy dressed gambler seated next to her and smiled at him, grateful for his kindness. She then glanced over towards the man in black and nodded, he frightened her. She then looked at the prisoner and then back at Chris. Maybe it was a good thing this man was here after all she thought, but he still frightened her.
The four occupants stared out the windows and watched the changing scenery pass by them. From the dry barren landscape to the west, to the mountains that lay just to the north, some of them still capped with snow. All that was heard above the silence inside the stagecoach was the steady hoof beats of the horses, the creaking of the wooden wheels and the occasional crack of a whip. Mile after dusty mile the stage rolled towards Jacksboro. The rocking motion seemed to lull everyone into a lethargic mood and without realizing it, the man in black started to relax, something he hadn't planned on.
Chris watched the young woman as she leaned her head against the side of the coach and slowly drifted off to sleep. He noticed some of her soft auburn curls fall down around her shoulders and f rame her face. Her long slender fingers rested across her stomach as if protecting her unborn child. His thoughts drifted to a young woman who looked much the same as this young woman when she was about to give birth. He smiled. It had been a long time since he thought about that day. A day that gave him his greatest joy and also his greatest regret.
Rawlins saw that Chris had a keen interest in the young lady sitting across from him, and he knew why. He'd seen it too, the hair, the ivory skin, the blue eyes, and her advanced condition ... it was almost like ...
A shot rang out and voices could be heard outside as the stage came to an abrupt halt. Chris and Ezra instinctively drew their guns. Dallas drew a deep breath and forced herself even further back against the seat. Ezra heard her stifled cry and placed his hand on her arm to reassure her.
Neither Chris nor Ezra saw anyone from where they sat. As one of the riders came within view and Chris drew a bead on him to fire Rawlins lunged at him. He grabbed Chris's arm to wrestle the gun from him and the two of them went crashing through the coach door landing on the unyielding rock hard ground.
Ezra was about to take aim and shoot Rawlins when a voice from the other side of the coach issued a threatening warning. "I wouldn't do that, unless you want the pretty little lady to be the first to go."
Ezra spun around and saw that one of the outlaws had a gun on the girl and the hammer was cocked. He took a deep breath. "Gentlemen ... that won't be necessary." He cautiously placed his revolver down on the seat across from him.
The gunman motioned for the two of them to get out of the stagecoach. Ezra raised his hands and stepped down, then turned and offered Miss McCormick his hand to assist her. When both of them were out of the coach the one doing most of the talking told them to step behind the coach.
Ezra glanced over and could see that Chris was about to take Rawlins. They were both on their feet and Chris had his arm back to take a final swing at the prisoner, when the gunman who had threaten the girl turned and shot in Chris's direction.
Chris stopped in mid motion and looked over to Ezra and the girl. The expression was one of disbelief. He faltered and stepped forward, practically leaning on Rawlins as he slumped forward and fell to the ground. The blood started to roll down his face.
The girl screamed and it was all Ezra could do to keep her on her feet. He had his arm around her and had stepped between her and the gunman. Ezra glanced over to Chris and saw him lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
The gunman started to laugh at them and stepped further back and drew his gun on them. He had the hammer back on his Colt and was ready to shoot them.
"Carter ... don't shoot'em." Rawlins shouted.
Carter turned around and stared at the man now giving the orders. "No witnesses ... remember, we got to shoot'em."
Rawlins was digging through Chris's pockets trying to find the keys to the handcuffs. When he did he had one of his men unlock them.
"We don't need to shoot them ... .and that's final. They can't do anything to us." The authority in his voice was apparent and Ezra felt fairly certain that for whatever reason, Rawlins would spare their lives.
He walked over to Carter and stood between him and the hostages and growled at him. "Mount up, now!"
Carter reluctantly did what he was told and when Rawlins saw that he was mounted and would no longer threaten the gambler and the girl, he turned to them. "I don't know how bad Chris is hurt ... but if he pulls through ... tell him I'm sorry." He turned and mounted his horse and before he rode off he came towards them again. "Tell him I couldn't do anything about what happened that day ... but I could today ... tell him that will you." He glanced back to where Chris lay and hesitated for just a moment and then he and his men rode off.
Ezra watched as they left and then turned to the girl. "Are you all right?"
She nodded her head. "Yes ... I think so."
"You wait here." He replied.
Ezra hurried to where Chris lay. When he rolled him over he could see that the blood pouring down his face came from a gunshot to the head. He was looking for something to wipe away the blood when he heard cloth being torn. He turned around and saw the girl ripping the bottom of her petticoat off and handing it to him.
"I'll see if I can find a canteen." She said and walked over to the front of the stage. Ezra turned his attention to Chris. He was alive but he had lost a lot of blood and was still unconscious. He started to speak to him. "Mr. Larabee ... I don't know how you do it but you certainly get yourself into unfathomable situations." He was trying to see if the bullet had lodged inside his head, but determined the bullet had merely grazed his head above the temple.
Dallas walked back to the Ezra and handed him a canteen of water. "The driver and the other man are dead." Ezra looked up at her and took the canteen and nodded to her.
"How is he ... is he going to be Ok?" She said anxiously.
Ezra sighed. "To answer your questions, he is alive. Is he going to be Ok? ... that's another matter ... I just don't know."
Ezra wrapped Chris's head with the torn petticoat. The blood was already starting to seep through. Ezra stood up and looked around.
"We need to find some sort of shelter. You stay with Chris ... I'm going to see if I can find any of the horses." He told her to sit next to him. He pulled Chris's Colt from his holster and handed it to the girl. "Do you know how to use one of these?"
She looked at the gun and then at the gambler. "You bet I do." And with her small hands she took the gun from him.
Ezra started to walk in the direction the horses scattered when they were turned loose. He was hoping they didn't go far and he could find a least one of them. Chris was in no condition to ride or walk and he was sure that the girl wouldn't last long if she had to walk.
Dallas took the canteen and dampened another strip of petticoat and wiped away the blood that dried on Chris's face. She was trying to be as gentle as possible, but he started to move his head back and forth. He started to mumble something. "Adam ... no.you can't do that, Sarah."
Nothing he said made much sense. She started to whisper his name, trying to wake him up. "Mr. Larabee ... Mr. Larabee ... wake up." There was no response, so she tried again ... .louder this time. "Chris ... Chris Larabee."
He moved his head towards her and his eyes fluttered opened.
"Well ... now that's better." She said.
He tried to focus on her face, but couldn't. All he saw was the auburn hair and when he raised his hand to touch her face, his hand fell and came to rest upon her belly. He felt the baby kick ... he was so confused ... where was he ... he looked up at the girl and said. "Sarah ... the baby ... Sarah ..." Then he lost consciousness again.
Dallas sat there in confusion. Who was Sarah? And why would he think I'm Sarah?
She leaned over to talk to him. "Who is Sarah?" He didn't stir.
She bolted upright when she heard the sound of horses. Ezra had been able to find two of the 6 horses from the stage. With a little effort she was able to get up off the ground and meet Ezra as he rode towards her.
He rode up and dismounted and tied the horses to the stage. "How is he doing?"
She glanced back at Chris and then back to Ezra. "Well ... he seemed to come to for a moment ... but he's talking crazy."
Ezra was truly concerned. "What do you mean ... crazy ... in what way?"
They started to walk back to where Chris was lying. "Well ... he asked about my baby and then he called me Sarah." Ezra stopped dead in his tracks. She continued to walk towards the injured man, when she noticed Ezra had stopped, she turned around and looked at him. She saw the worried expression on his face as he took a deep breath. "What is it?" She asked.
Ezra reached up and touched her arm. "My dear ... nothing is wrong ... Mr. Larabee is just a bit confused right now."
"Then why did he call me Sarah ... I told him my name was Dallas ... why?" She demanded.
Once again Ezra took a deep breath. "Miss McCormick ... I need to get you and Mr. Larabee someplace warm and safe. When that is done ... I will answer what questions I can."
She nodded. "I'll keep you to that Mr. Standish."
He knew she would.
They rode for what seemed like hours. Every few minutes Ezra turned around to check on how Chris was doing. He knew that riding a horse would probably kill him, so he and Dallas rigged a travois for him to lay on. During the ride Chris lay perfectly still, occasionally Ezra would dismount to check on him, to make sure he was still with them.
It was starting to get dark, Ezra did not want to get caught in the night air with an expectant mother and a wounded friend. When they topped the last hill Ezra spotted a chimney peeking through the treetops.
"Miss McCormick ... over there." He pointed in the direction towards what he felt sure was shelter.
As they approached the cabin Ezra noticed a small barn to the right of the cabin. It was obvious it hadn't been used in quite a while, but it would get them out of the elements, at least for tonight.
He helped Dallas down from the horse. She was more tired than she let on, and he could tell she was close to exhaustion. He helped her into the house and then returned for Chris.
By the time Ezra was able to get Chris in the house and on the bed he was burning up with fever. He was starting to mumble again and on occasion whispered the name of Sarah.
A quick check of the cabin told Ezra there was little in the way of supplies. There were a few sandwiches left over from the box lunch the stage provided the passengers but that wouldn't go far. He would have to go out and scare up some food, now why couldn't Mr. Tanner be here ... this is his forté in life he thought.
Dallas took it upon herself to check out the kitchen further and see what they could use. Ezra was watching Chris when she walked over to him. "Not much in the way of supplies. I did find some sugar, flour, lard and some coffee ... I don't know how good it is ... but maybe it'll be alright to drink."
Ezra had his hand on Chris's forehead. "He's burning up with fever. Must be an infection or something, I don't know ... we need to keep the wound clean." He turned around. "I'll get some water and see if you can find something we can clean the head wound with."
He walked to the kitchen and picked up both the buckets sitting on the table. In three strides he crossed the cabin floor and was out the door. His sense of urgency bewildered Dallas and also frightened her.
Ezra returned in just a few moments with fresh water. "Dallas ... we don't have much time before dark. I am not the outdoors type, however, I need to see if I can scare up something to eat. While I'm gone keep an eye on Mr. Larabee and try to clean up the head wound." He noticed the anxious look on her face. He placed his hands on her shoulders, "Dallas ... I will be right back ... I'm not going to leave you, I promise." She smiled at him, she needed the reassurance.
She was still standing by the bed when he walked out of the cabin. Her heart was racing, she knew what it was like to be scared, and right now she was scared. She felt a hand cover hers and she quickly jumped, turned around and noticed that the man in black was awake, or so she thought.
"Sarah ... Sarah." His voice was almost that of a whisper.
She leaned down and felt his forehead, he was so warm. "I'm not Sarah Mr. Larabee, I'm Dallas ... remember."
"Sarah ... " He whispered again and then fell back into a deep sleep.
Dallas was becoming uneasy with this stranger calling her by another woman's name. She slumped down next to the bed and watched him. Once again she found herself staring at him while he slept. Why did he call her Sarah?
She jumped when she heard the gun shot ... good she thought, Ezra will be back soon. And true to his word, within half an hour Ezra walked through the front door with two rabbits.
She walked over to him and took them. "Mr. Standish ... I didn't know you had it in you. The sister's always said, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover ... I guess they were right."
He looked at her in amusement. "Are you mocking me Miss McCormick?"
She took the rabbits from him and giggled at him. "Well Mr. Standish ... you're not exactly dressed for the outdoors now are you?"
She walked back to the counter and put the rabbits in the basin. There wasn't much she couldn't do with rabbit and she proceeded to dress them and get them ready for the fire. "Do you think you could build a fire and I can fix us something to eat?"
Ezra tipped his hat. "Your wish is my command." And bowed as he went outside to get some wood for the fire.
Ezra sat in the chair by the fire and the events of the day flashed through his mind. He looked over towards Chris, who hadn't moved since he returned with supper. He got up and walked over to him and once again, placed his hand on his forehead. He was still awfully hot. He was about ready to walk back to the chair, his hand reached up and grabbed him.
"Where is Sarah ... where is she?" His voice was low but frantic.
Ezra glanced over to Dallas who was busy with supper. Then he knelt down beside the bed. "Chris ... Sarah isn't here ... she's gone ... remember ... you were shot this morning while we were transporting Rawlins to ... " That was as far as he got.
Chris grabbed the front of his shirt and snarled. "What do you mean she isn't here ... she has to be here ... " He slumped back down on the bed, sweat covering his face. He continued to ask for Sarah.
Ezra stood up and turned around and Dallas was standing there. "He's been doing that all day ... asking for Sarah ... he thinks I'm Sarah. Who is she?"
"I know I promised to answer your questions and I will do the best I can ... but for now, talk to him Dallas ... please, he needs to know you're here." He said gently. "Dallas ... talk to him."
Dallas reluctantly walked to the bed and leaned over to the wounded man. "I'm here Chris ... it's me Sarah ... I'm right here."
Chris's eyes were barely opened. The smile he gave her was warm and full of the love he felt for his wife, his green eyes betrayed the ominous image his manner and dress projected. He reached up and touched her cheek and drew her near to him and in a faint whisper, "I love you Sarah." He brought her lips to his and kissed her.
Dallas was shaken at first, but the warmth and tenderness of his kiss overcame any fear she had. She found herself returning his kiss and the tears that filled her eyes spilled over and rolled down her cheeks. He ended the kiss and touched her face. "Don't cry ... I'll be home soon." His hand fell to his side and again he lapsed into unconsciousness.
Ezra felt like an intruder at what just happened between these two strangers. Each of them reaching out to one another for something to heal the pain they carried. Each of them with a common bond that only the two of them shared. Two tormented souls, searching for the absolution that only another soul could heal.
She tried to get up but the advance stage of pregnancy hindered her. Ezra reached down and helped her to her feet. He saw the trail of tears that marked her cheeks. When he reached up to wipe them away all of the tears that she tried to hide came forth and flowed like an endless stream, washing away some of the pain and misery that life heaped upon her.
Ezra held her tightly and cradled her in his arms. This young woman had heart he thought, yes indeed ... the heart of a lady. When she raised her head and slowly pulled away from him she looked up at him. "Thank you Mr. Standish."
He reached down and held her chin in his hand. "Don't you think it's time to make it Ezra ... Dallas."
She smiled at that. "I'd like that ... I'd like that fine."
Her smile was genuine and he responded to it. "Now what about that wonderful rabbit you mentioned ... and I believe you said something about biscuits too."
She laughed at him. "Yes sir ... it should be ready shortly."
Ezra watched as she walked over to the fire. He marveled at the prospect of procreation and how truly beautiful a woman was when she was about to give birth.
He brought the chair to the bed and sat down and then hesitated when he realized what he just thought and how nervous the prospect of impending birth made him. Once again he looked at Dallas and wrinkled his brow. He was deep in thought when he heard a voice beside him.
"Ezra ... what's wrong?" He turned around and saw Chris was awake. This was the most coherent thing the man in black had said since getting shot.
Ezra smiled at the gunslinger. "Well you are amongst the living again I see." He chuckled at him and then became serious. "How do you feel?"
"My head hurts and I'm hot. What happened?" He replied.
"I'm not at all surprised ... you and Rawlins got into it and one of his men shot you." Ezra wanted to ask him about his relationship with the prisoner, but for the moment decided that it was best to let it rest.
"I remember the fight ... sort of ... then nothing." He was still a little confused, he tried to get up but Ezra was there to make sure he didn't.
"I don't think you're ready for any confrontations Mr. Larabee ... for once I would have the upper hand ... as they say." He had to smile at the thought.
He lay back down and delivered one of his famous icy stares in Ezra's direction. "Did anything else happen ... was anyone else hurt?"
"Well, the driver and guard were killed." He started to hesitate than decided to pursue the inevitable. "Mr. Larabee ... you have been taking a trip into the past ... so to speak." He watched him as he comprehended what he said.
Chris couldn't read the gambler, and was concerned about what he meant. "What do you mean ... a trip to the past?"
Ezra cleared his throat. "Well ... it appears you know Rawlins from somewhere in your past ... I am correct on that aren't I?"
He nodded his head. "Yeah ... that was a long time ago."
With a some reservation Ezra continued. "Well, it may have been a long time ago, but he left a message for you."
It was with misgiving that Chris wanted any message from Rawlins. "What's the message?"
Ezra looked into the cold green eyes of Chris Larabee and felt compassion. "He said he was sorry ... that he couldn't do anything about that day ... but he could today." He could tell that this confession took Chris by surprise. "He spared our lives today Chris, obviously to make up for some past indiscretion towards you."
Chris closed his eyes ... he could almost see that day, so long ago and nodded his head. "What else?"
He sighed, he would get nothing more from him tonight. He then looked over to Dallas and Chris followed his gaze to the lady. Ezra looked at him firmly. "Does she remind you of someone?"
"No!" His reply came forth with such force that one could only believe that he was being less than honest with everyone, especially himself.
"No ... yes ... well ... Mr. Larabee, you have spent the past several hours calling her Sarah ... and inquiring about her baby." Ezra could see the pain on his face as he realized that his feelings and emotions were visible to the naked eye for anyone to see.
They did not notice the lady approach them as they spoke.
"Mr. Larabee ... you're awake ... how do you feel?" She smiled at him and he returned her smile.
"I'm fine ... " He looked at Ezra. "I understand you've taken good care of me, I'm grateful."
"Oh, it was nothing ... Ezra's the one that got us here. And shot a couple of rabbits for dinner too. They'll be ready in just a minute. Are you hungry?" She was glad to see him return as himself and he knew who she was.
"That would be nice. Thank you." He replied weakly.
As she walked away, Chris looked at Ezra, "You shot rabbits ... ?"
Ezra just shrugged his shoulders. "One must make the best of a bad situation.as they say ... besides ... Mr. Tanner is not the only outdoors man in our circle of seven."
Soon the cabin was filled with the smell of fresh biscuits, fresh coffee, and roast rabbit. Dallas was able to set a nice table with the plates and silverware she found in the cupboard. She put the biscuits and the rabbit on the table and turned to ask if Mr. Larabee needed any help when she noticed he had drifted off to sleep again.
"I guess Mr. Larabee can eat when he wakes up." She motioned to Ezra to sit down at the table.
Ezra walked around to the other side of the table and pulled out the chair. "Miss. after you." Dallas sat down gingerly ... she had never had a man pull out her chair for her, she'd heard of out it though and thought it was the most chivalrous thing she had ever heard of.
"Thank you Ezra." She looked at him with the grandest smile she could.
Ezra very gallantly walked around to the opposite end of the table as he took a seat.
"You set an elegant table madam ... I commend you." He raised his coffee cup in a toast to the lovely young lady.
Dallas had never known such kindness from anyone, let alone a stranger. She giggled when he called her madam.
"Now Miss McCormick ... I must know everything about you ... and I do mean everything." He inquired.
He noticed the lovely smile disappeared and a dark cloud came over her and berated himself for his obviously thoughtless questions. "Dallas ... I'm sorry ... I wasn't prying ... truly I wasn't ... I was just making dinner conversation."
The sadness that was written on her face pained him and once she began her story, she couldn't stop.
"There's not much to tell that's interesting. I'm an orphan with no name. I was found on McCormick Street in Dallas when I was 2 years old and taken to a home. When they didn't know what to call me ... they just called me Dallas and as I got older I needed a last name so they gave me McCormick." She sighed and looked up at him.
Her beautiful eyes spoke volumes about her and as she continued, he noticed they became even sadder.
"When I was about 16 I as adopted by this couple ... only they didn't want no daughter, all they wanted was someone to do chores ... and when the lady took sick ... the man wanted me in his bed." She hesitated for a moment. "That's when I ran away."
Ezra was as uncomfortable about this as the lady, however, he wanted to help her if her could. "Is he the father of ... your ... " He didn't complete his sentence.
She shook her head as she spoke. "No."
He was hoping that she would offer more, but when she didn't he knew he would have to finagle it from her somehow. "Is the father in Jacksboro ... and that's the reason you're on the stage?"
Again she shook her head. "No."
Ezra was getting frustrated. "My dear ... I am not here to judge you ... I am here as a friend. I understand if you do not wish to confide in me, however, I think you need to confide in someone."
All of the tears that had been bottled up for so long flowed down her cheeks. Ezra rose from his chair and went to her.
He took her in his arms and held her as she sobbed. "Dallas ... nothing can be that bad ... nothing. I promise you."
Neither of them noticed that Chris was awake and listening to the story she told.
"You don't understand." She began. "I don't rightly know who my baby's father is because ... I had to work ... and ... I ... " She looked into his eyes and knew he didn't judge her and with what was left of any resemblance of dignity she stood tall, and held her head high and told him the rest. "I worked at Lily's Place in Abilene for about 6 months and the reason I'm going to Jacksboro ... well ... that was as far away from Abilene as my money would take me."
Ezra smiled at her and he reached up to touch her cheek. When he did she fell into his arms again and continued to cry. He held on to her and stroked her hair and told her that everything would be alright ... that things tend to work out for the best.
Between the tears and the sobs she stepped back. "I don't see how. I don't have much money and I can't work at much, don't got no kin that I know of ... so I don't see how." Ezra let her rest her head on his shoulder once more and when she did he noticed Chris was awake and had heard everything.
Ezra was able to persuade Dallas to sit down and eat something, if not for herself but for her child. The remainder of the dinner was relatively quiet and periodically Ezra would glance over to Chris and noticed that his eyes were always fixed on Dallas. Ezra studied his dinner companion, there must a strong resemblance between you and Mr. Larabee's wife he thought. That would explain why he called her Sarah ... but .. .he knew this man well enough to know there was something more than just the physical resemblance ... no, there had to be more ... but what.
When Dallas started to rise from the table she noticed Chris staring at her. "Mr. Larabee, you're awake again ... good ... you must be hungry."
Chris was startled ... he didn't realize he was staring at her. "Ah ... yes ... I am a little hungry ... I can get up ... "
Ezra quickly made his way to the bed and put his hands on his shoulders. "Mr. Larabee, how many times do I have to tell you ... you must stay in bed and rest. That wound has not healed and you have had problems focusing ... we'll bring you something to eat." And with a little more authority in his voice than normal when addressing Chris. "This is not a request ... this is an order ... lie back down."
Chris stared at the gambler. Never in the year and a half they have known each other had Ezra ever given him an order. As Chris settled back down Dallas brought over a plate and sat down on the bed next to him. She leaned over and put an extra pillow behind his head and took a towel and draped it across his chest.
"If I must say so ... this isn't half bad. Now ... eat." She said.
He watched her intently while she fed him. What was it about this girl that reminded him of the life he shared with the woman he loved? Not even Mary stirred these memories ... if not her, why Dallas? She hadn't said a word since she issued her order for him to eat.
He continued to stare at her, and noticed the curls that hung around her shoulders and the long slender fingers that wrapped around the fork as she fed him. Her cheeks were round and rosy, her skin was like ivory, and her eyes ... were the color of the sky after a spring rain. He noticed her dress with the tiny blue flowers on it and the lace collar ... his eyes followed her hands, she put down the fork and place her hand on her belly, and smiled.
The concern on his face must have been apparent. "It's alright Mr. Larabee, my baby's just letting me know he's still here." She smiled at him.
He reached up and placed his hand on her belly and could feel the baby kick. He looked up at her and a tear rolled down his cheek. It wasn't just the hair and her eyes that reminded him of his life before ... it was the look on her face when she felt the life inside her move. That peaceful contentment that a woman knows when life is about to renew itself. He remembered the same look on his wife's face right before their son was born ... right after ...
He never got to finish what he was thinking. The thunder of horse's hooves penetrated the small cabin. Ezra leaped to his feet with his gun drawn. Dallas dropped the plate and picked up Chris's Colt and stood beside the bed. Ezra motioned for her to extinguish the lamp. The cabin was pitched into darkness. Dallas backed up towards the bed and jumped when she felt a hand on her arm.
Chris whispered. "Give me the gun." She placed the gun in his hand and helped him stand up.
The 4 riders approached the cabin cautiously. The light that shown brightly just a few moments ago was no longer there. The men reined their horses to a stop and dismounted. It was Ben Rawlins and the men that stopped the stage.
Carter tied off his horse and stepped out of the brush. "I tell ya' there was a light a minute ago."
Ben Rawlins walked up next to him. "Yeah, I know. I saw it too." He motioned to 2 of his men. "I want you two to go round back ... don't do nothing till I give the signal."
The two men started to make their way to the back of the house. Ben and Carter stayed with the horses. Each of them pulled out their revolver and checked to make sure they were loaded ... they were. The two of them started to wind their way towards the barn, hoping to catch whoever was in the house off guard.
Chris couldn't stand on his own, his head was spinning and it throbbed something awful. He was also having trouble keeping his head clear. "Ezra ... how many of them are there. can you see anything?"
Ezra peered out the window, trying to focus on anything moving. "I'm not really sure, however I would guess more than two and less than twenty." He glanced back and in the moonlight he saw Chris leaning on Dallas, he had to smile, doesn't he know when to give up he thought.
It was all Dallas could do to keep Chris on his feet. "Mr. Larabee ... I can't hold you up."
He knew his weight was too much for her. "Sit me down ... over there." He pointed to a chair by the front window.
"Ezra ... how much time since we first heard the horses?" He asked.
Ezra was bewildered by his question. "I'm not sure 5 or 6 minutes ... no more. Why?"
Chris nodded over towards the back of the cabin. "Ezra ... you have to slip out the back. At least 1 or 2 of them will be back there. The others will come through the front door." He paused for just a moment. "You're going to have to take the ones out back yourself."
Ezra nodded in agreement. He started towards the door when Chris stopped him. "Ezra. you might want to take off that pretty red coat ... don't want to get it dirty.and besides ... it makes a good target."
The gambler looked back at Chris and a smile appeared across his face. "I didn't know you liked my red jacket."
Chris watched him as he removed the garment. "I don't.
Ezra's head popped up and with a forced look of hurt. "You don't ... Mr. Larabee, I'm crushed?"
The two men exchanged a friendly smile. A smile that spoke volumes of how far their relationship had come since they boarded the stage that morning. The smile soon faded and for a moment each of them knew what the other was thinking. There was just the two of them and the lady, and one of them was badly hurt and the outcome of what was to happen depended on the sheer "luck of the draw" and precisely how skillful Ezra was at stacking the deck in his favor.
Ezra slipped out the back door and Chris's gazed returned to the front of the house. Dallas was crouched down beside him and when Chris looked down at her and he saw the fear on her face. He reached down and touched her cheek. "We'll get through this."
She smiled up at him and nodded her head, but her eyes betrayed her attempt at courage.
Ezra crept out the back of the cabin, across the field and behind a stand of cottonwoods. He took a deep breath, then stopped ... what was that? He glanced at the cabin and then over to the barn and noticed the barn door closing. Ok Standish, he thought, they're in the barn and probably ... he heard a branch break.
Acting more out of instinct than skill he crouched down and waited. He heard the rustle of bushes about 15 yards in front of him and could hear their conversation.
"This'll be a good spot ... we'll wait here till Rawlins gives the signal." One of the gunmen said.
Another man moved out from the shadows and next to the one who spoke. "I don't like this ... we shoulda' been long gone by now ... not waitin' on killin' some homesteader."
The man with larger man snapped back at him. "We need supplies and some travelin' money ... we need to lay low for awhile ... and who cares about some farmer anyway." He turned his attention back to the cabin.
Ezra surmised that there were only two men in front of him. However, what concerned him most was the fact that one of the men in the barn was the prisoner that Chris fought with earlier ... Ben Rawlins.
He knew that if he was going to do anything ... he had to do it quickly and now was the time. He crept behind the men not knowing exactly how he would dispose of them, only that whatever it was it had to be done quietly. He still had his derringer strapped to his arm. He holstered his revolver and as he did he took a deep breath and stood up.
"Gentlemen ... " He said as he walked towards the two gunman.
They turned with guns drawn to face the gambler. They soon realized who it was. "Well, well ... ain't he the fancy one from the stage this morning?"
"Yep, he's the one that Carter wanted to shoot." He replied as he stood up. "Guess we'll just have to finish the job."
Ezra had his hands held up high and walked towards them. "Gentlemen ... I don't think that will be necessary ... do you." He was getting closer to them, they made no attempt to stop him. He took two fingers and gingerly placed them in the pocket of his shirt to retrieve a deck of cards. "Perhaps I can interest you gentlemen in a game of chance?" The two men chuckled at the gambler.
The larger of the two gunmen stepped closer to him. "You want to play a game of poker ... sure, only if I win ... I get to shoot you." Both of the gunmen laughed out loud and when doing so lowered their guns.
Ezra gaze was firmly on the large man standing in front of him. "Well now ... that seems reasonable ... however, if I win ... it seems only fair that I get to shoot you in return."
The man in front of him stopped laughing and began to growl. The man stepped closer to Ezra and before he could raise his gun, Ezra had his derringer in his hand and shoved it in the large man's belly and pulled the trigger. The muffled shot was barely audible and as the gunmen slumped against Ezra he pulled the knife from the sheath around the outlaw's waist. The second gunman was stunned. Ezra pushed the dead man to the ground and pulled the knife up as the gunman lunged for him. The outlaw leaped at Ezra and in doing so impaled himself on the knife Ezra held in his hand.
The man fell to the ground ... dead.
In less than a minute, he had taken two lives. He knew these men wouldn't hesitate to take his ... but killing a man in a gunfight was one thing, but killing a man close up ... was another. Yes he had killed men ... but not like this. He leaned up against a tree to collect himself. He looked at the knife in his hand and the blood that covered it. He threw the knife on the ground and started to walk towards the cabin. Before he stepped out of the stand of trees he noticed two figures approaching the house.
Chris saw the two men duck into the barn and then come around the back towards the front of the house. Dallas saw him stiffen and sensed that something was about to happen.
"Mr. Larabee ... I can handle a rifle pretty well." She announced.
He turned to her and nodded. She made her way to the extra guns and ammunition and retrieved a rifle and shells. She then came back to the front window opposite where Chris sat.
Chris felt as if the room was spinning and his head throbbed. "Don't shoot till I tell you to." He ordered her. She nodded nervously as she started to load the rifle.
Just then the chair from the porch was hurled through the window. It caught Chris by surprise and knocked him on the floor. His head hit the wooden planks and once again the room and everything around him started to spin. He tried to get up but was pushed back down and when he rolled over, standing above him was Ben Rawlins.
Rawlins had his gun drawn and pointed at Chris. "Does this remind you of something?" He looked over to the girl who was struggling with Carter. He turned his attention back to Chris. "Had to almost do a double take when I saw her on the stage, she looks like ... "
"Shut up, Rawlins ... shut up ... " What started out as almost a scream ended in practically a whisper. Chris rolled on his side. He wasn't sure where he was. He tried to get up and fell back down.
Rawlins drew a deep breath and lowered his gun. "Damn Chris ... you're as bull headed as you were when ... well ... when we were friends."
Chris was still conscious enough to understand what he was saying. "We were never friends." He snarled and once again tried to rise. He used the chair and table to support his weight ... his legs wouldn't hold him. Once he was standing, he stared Rawlins in the eye.
"Once ... along time ago ... we rode together ... had some good times ... and then not so good times." He tried to stay focused on what was happening now ... not what happened a long time ago. "Tell him to let the girl go." Even in as bad a shape as he was in, his tone was forceful and threatening.
Rawlins always admired Chris's fortitude and courage ... but never as much as he did right now. He turned to Carter. "Let her go."
Carter was enraged. "I ain't lettin' her go, she's a pretty thing and besides ... we may need a hostage."
Rawlins spun around and faced Carter. "I'm telling you to let the girl go ... now!"
Ben turned back to Chris, when Carter started to yell. "I ain't taken any more of your orders Rawlins ... and the girl is going with me." He raised his gun and in one fell swoop aimed and fired the gun at Rawlins. He spun around, startled by the bullet that hit him. He tried to get off a shot but Carter shot him again.
He let Dallas go and she dropped to the floor. Chris dove for the gun laying on the floor and as Carter drew down on him, Dallas kicked at him and his bullet went wide. He turned on her and cocked his gun and had a bead on her when two shots rang out.
Both bullets hit Carter. He slumped to the floor ... dead before he fell.
When Ezra heard the first shot he started to run to the cabin, not knowing what to expect. He burst through the door just in time and fired at the gunman. Chris was able to reach for Rawlins' gun and was able to get off a shot.
Ezra ran to the girl ... she was in shock and shaking badly.
Chris crawled over to Rawlins who was still alive. He sat up as best he could and tried to tell how bad the wound was. Between each breath came a gurgling sound ... Chris knew it wasn't good.
"Chris."
"Damn it Ben ... it didn't have to end like this." Chris whispered.
Ben started to cough. "Yeah ... it did ... I need to tell you something."
Chris stopped him. "Just be quiet ... we'll see what we can do for you."
He grabbed the front of Chris's shirt and pulled him closer to him, Chris winced. "I need to tell you about that night ... it wasn't your bullet that killed Sarah's brother ... yours went wide." He started to cough again.
Confusion still had a grip on him and focusing on what Ben was saying was becoming harder. "Ben ... what do you mean ... Ben?"
The color in Ben's face faded and what was left was a ghost of a man. He tightened his grip on Chris and with his last breath. "It wasn't your bullet Chris, it was mine."
The gunman slumped back and fell silent. Chris grabbed him and shouted the man's name.
Ezra walked over to Chris and took him by the shoulders and helped him get to his feet. He took the gun from his hand and placed it on the table behind him. With little resistance, he led Chris back to the bed and helped him lie down. When he turned to walk away Chris grabbed his arm. "Ezra ... the girl ... "
Ezra took his hand and placed it on his chest. "Chris, she's fine ... Dallas is just fine. Now you rest ... Ok."