Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" TV series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
By the time Alex and Vin finally left Nettie and Casey, it was well into the night. While she did not get her bath, she did have the chance to get cleaned up as Nettie provided her with a wash basin, hot water and soap. Her shirt was well and truly soiled, so she borrowed one of Casey's which was over sized since the girl had a tendency to knot the end around her waist. Alex decided this would serve and found some warmth in the rough texture of cloth against her skin. While she far from refreshed, she felt somewhat civilised and ready for the ride home.
However, Nettie would not let either Vin or Alex leave before they shared supper for the widow seemed to think some sort of compensation was necessary for Vin's chores during the day and Alex delivery of Dulcie's calf. Nettie did not set a lavish table but the stew was tasty and warm, which as far as Alex was concerned was good enough for her because she was hungry. When she had days like these, meals were the last thing on her mind as she went from one home to another, dispensing her skills continuously. Normally, Nathan Jackson's presence ensured that neither of them would be pushed to exhaustion. However, with both them being the only physicians in an area that included Four Corners, the Indian reservation, several smaller communities within its sphere, not to mention the numerous homesteads spread across the area, it was inevitable that the demand for their services was going to be great.
Alex would have gone to the reservation and tended to the epidemic run rife in the ranks of the Native Americans but Chris Larabee would not hear anything of it. Apparently, it was inappropriate for a woman of her stature to be going there alone, to say nothing of actually staying there to tend the sick. During the occasions, she had travelled to the place, Chris ensured she had company, much to Alex's chagrin.
She wondered how Mary kept from strangling the man.
When they finally set out, the sun had well and truly set over the horizon and the sky above was nothing more than a blanket of stars. Alex gazed up into the sky as they departed; becoming lost in the myriad of lights twinkling overhead. She had travelled to many places in her life and always found the stars here to shine the brightest. She could not decided whether or not it just seemed that way to her because of her affection for this land or because it was true. It was a sobering thing to travel the world and find the one place that she could call home. How many times had she dreamed that experience?
"That was nice of you helping Nettie like that." Vin commented when they were some distance away from the farm. It was almost an hours ride to Four Corners but Vin was in no hurry to reach it and somehow he had the feeling that Alex was not either. She was so tired that he could feel her cheek resting against his back and Alex was more than just hanging on to him, it felt like she was holding him close, like one would hold a lover. He liked how that felt.
"Well," she sighed, her eyes closed as she let herself drift as she clung to him. "I like Nettie and you were right, she doesn't have the resources to replace Dulcie if she had lost the animal. Besides, I know what Nettie means to you."
Suddenly Vin was struck with the insight that Alex had made this whole journey, endured the undistinguished task of delivering a cow into the world not because of Nettie but because of him. She was aware of how much Vin regarded the widow and knew that any distress to Nettie would upset him and so she had perform the task so that he would be spared that.
"She reminds me of my ma." Vin confessed, choosing not to let Alex know that he was aware of her motivations. Their relationship was still finding its feet and he did not want to push. It was enough for him that she no longer felt threatened by the possibility of something between them. The days when he plunged headfirst into a relationship with no idea of the woman he bestowed his affection upon, was over. Charlotte had taught him a valuable lesson in restraint. For a man who seldom liked to express his emotions, Vin was perfectly aware how passionate he could be when he finally let it overtake him. He had fallen in love with Charlotte for no good reason other than she had shown him the interest.
"How old were you when you lost her?" Alex inquired, realising she knew very little about Vin's background. While she was not terribly curious for people were entitled to their secrets in her opinion, it did strike a chord because she had also lost her mother very early in life.
"Young enough to not remember very much about her." Vin admitted with a hint of regret.
"I remember my mother in bits and pieces." Alex replied, knowing this was a difficult subject for him and wanting him to know that he was not alone in his sorrow. "I remember that I had her hands and that she liked to laugh. My father adored her." Alex mused, missing the old man most profoundly now. "When he died, I finally understood why he always so sad when he thought about her."
"He meant a lot to you, didn't he?" Vin replied, looking over his shoulder enough to smile at the sight of her resting against him.
"For a long time, it was only the two of us. He was an explorer at heart. He loved to travel and we went to places that aren't even on maps any more. I saw more in the first twenty years of my life then I think I'll ever see again. He wanted to make everything an adventure." She laughed remembering her father and not realising until the first tear had rolled down her cheek how much speaking about him had affected her. She quickly wiped away the tear before Vin could see it because she was not ready to share that much of her soul with him yet.
Vin Tanner was still an unknown element to her, no matter how deeply she felt about him. After Ezra, Alex was unwilling to rush into another relationship, despite the powerful attraction she felt for Vin. Yet, despite all her attempts to keep her distance, she found it increasingly harder to deny that there was no doubt or hesitation with him. They had been so direct with each other that it was impossible to hide anything. In some way, this so far platonic relationship with the tracker was far more intense that the romantic one she had shared with Ezra.
"So are you going to the dance?" He asked her to her complete astonishment.
"No." Alex answered automatically, still somewhat surprised by the sudden change in direction of their conversation. "I never really enjoy those things. Besides, the entire town is going to make some comment about the fact that I'd be going without Ezra." Despite her common belief that her reputation was not something that had to be protected in an ivory tower, the whole town was aware that she and Ezra had gone their separate ways and that she had been rejected for Julia Pemberton.
"So you're gonna stay at home feeling sorry for yourself cause Ezra's with Miss Pemberton." Vin remarked with a hint of amusement.
"No," she protested hotly. "I've got things to do that night. I was finally going to get around organising my father's papers in those boxes I never opened and maybe I'll curl up in bed with a good book. I have lots of things to do that night." It was harder trying to convince herself than it was Vin.
"Sounds like it." He said sarcastically and only succeeded in making Alex feel all the more stupid.
"Its not going to work you know." She glared at him with narrowed eyes, even though he was facing front.
"What?" Vin said shortly.
"You know." She insisted, removing her arms around him and folding them instead.
"I don't know." Vin replied casually, nonplussed by her annoyance. He had become accustomed to her moods by now to know what was the best way to handle her when she was all fired up like this. Being his usual unflappable manner went further to infuriating her than openly baiting could ever do. There was something of an art to it. That much Vin had learnt from Chris Larabee in his observation of the gunslinger's relationship with Mary Travis.
"You're just trying to make me feel bad so that I go to this thing."
"Am I?" Vin asked, glancing over his shoulder so that she could see the innocence in his intense blue eyes.
"Stop it!" She slapped him on the shoulder. "I'm not going."
"I'm not asking you." He pointed out. "I just asked if you had planned to."
"No," she retorted. "Its too much bother, I'd have to go buy a dress and then I'd have to put my hair up and then finally go to this thing without an escort. I think I will spare myself the bother."
"Why do you have to put your hair up?" Vin inquired. He hated the thought of that sheeny dark hair being confined in place by pins and clips. Vin could never understand the fascination of women who put themselves through the torture of braiding and trying to keep their hair up in some strange fashion. Mary Travis used to wear her hair up all the time and when she finally let it loose, Vin swore Chris Larabee had almost walked into a wall the first time he had seen her. The gunslinger had claimed he was drunk but Vin knew better.
"Because it's the done thing." She replied, hating to justify her reasons for not going because they were weak ones.
"Since when did that matter to you?" He questioned.
"Okay," she groaned, deciding that he was not going to let her get away with this with any measure of dignity. "I don't have to do my hair up but I don't want to go any way!" She said exasperated wishing he would understand.
"Cause you'd be going on alone?" He ventured a guess.
"I have no trouble going myself." Alex said defiantly, wishing they would just get to Four Corners so that this whole embarrassing conversation would be at an end. However, there was no sign of the town lights in the distance, only trees and open plains that seem to run forever into the night.
"I'd take you if you like."
Alex narrowed her eyes and glared at him even though he was not looking at her because she suddenly realised how she had been manoeuvred into this position by his skilfully placed questions. How did he do that? She grumbled, hating being manipulated this way. "You might have just asked me you know." Alex sighed unfolding her arms and slipping them around his waist again, now that his intention was clear.
"It was more fun this way." Vin met her gaze with a smile of mischief.
"Can you even dance?" She looked at him sceptically, for this was not a skill that she had ever seen him display.
"A little." He answered honestly. "But I thought you didn't like these things much."
"Then why ask me?" Alex asked, starting to get confused.
"Because I thought I'd take pity on you and get you out of the house for awhile. Can't have you turning into a mean ol' spinster woman, can I?" He was grinning even though she could not see it.
"Gee," Alex retorted sarcastically. "It's a wonder to me why some girl hasn't snatched you up yet. You're such a sweet talker."
Vin chuckled, knowing that she was not at all insulted and this was part of the game they played instead of revealing to each other how they truly felt. "So, am I going to have get cleaned up for you or not for this dance?"
"How can I refuse such a charming invitation?" She sighed lying against him once more as the weariness overtook her again. Secretly, Alex knew she did not want to refuse but there was no reason for him to know that.
Josiah stared at the blank page before him and would have sworn if it were not somewhat sinful to do so in the house of God. He tried to will the words that would normally flow from his mind like the pearls of wisdom he usually imparted upon his friends onto the page but groaned with frustration when no such miracle seem forthcoming after the second hour of trying. In truth, he had actually tried earlier that day and decided a bottle of whiskey might assist the creative process. All that succeeded in doing was give him a hangover and still nothing came. He was never very good at public oratories, even when he did preside over a parish.
He flipped over the bible before him and picked up the pencil once more, determined to make some sort of start on this undertaken. The special service was two days away and he had no idea what he was going to say before the congregation. He wished Four Corners had a real preacher, some one who was not afraid to get in front of an audience and do a fire and brimstone sermon that would inspire the townsfolk.
"Good evening preacher." A voice said politely behind him.
Josiah who was stretched out on a pew looked up and saw the stranger walk through the doors of the church. Josiah did not recognise him but his appearance gave the preacher the impression that he as not from these parts, or even from this country for that matter. "Good evening," Josiah rose to his feet. "What can I do for you?"
"I was just taking in the sights." Randall Mason remarked. "Not that there's much to see."
"A fledgling township is never a great tourist attraction." Josiah answered smoothly, watching the man closely.
"Neither is your church." The man continued, allowing his gaze to wander across the length of the dilapidated church that was slowly being reconstructed by Josiah in a labour of love.
When Josiah first began the endeavour, the church barely had walls let alone pews and pedestals. Now it was fit to hold a service even if the aesthetics of the building could be improved. However, the residents who came into its walls for solace and comfort hardly noticed the threadbare state of the church, knowing only that it was a house of God. All other considerations in the face of that knowledge was incidental.
"God's house is humble." Josiah replied, wondering what this stranger required of him. "What can I do for you Sir?" He inquired again, hoping that this time the man would get to the point. Josiah had a sermon to write or he could simply torture himself with for the rest of the night with writer's block. Josiah had not decided which way he was going yet but he wanted to start doing it soon.
"I assume you know most of the people in town, I never met a shepherd who did not know his flock with some intimacy." Randall remarked, wiping some dust he had picked up from one of the pews onto his jacket with disgust.
"I know some people." Josiah said evenly, realising this man was after information. He did not look like a killer but he did appear dangerous and that made Josiah wish he was in close reach of his gun. The preacher tried not to bring weapons onto hallowed ground and left his gun strapped to his saddle. "Whom are you inquiring after?"
"A woman." Randall said, strolling through the aisle between the pews like a tourist, his eyes still studying the place closely.
."You are in the wrong place." Josiah retorted. "I believe the saloon is where you should be making such inquiries."
"A doctor." Randall declared with a hint of a smile at Josiah's attempt at levity. "Her name is Alexandra Styles. Do you know her?"
Josiah studied the man closely, trying to decide what this stranger wanted with Doctor Styles. "I know Alexandra." He answered quietly.
"I'm an old friend and I would like to find her." He replied. "I have made the obligatory call to her clinic and home. She does not appear to be present, I was wondering if you might know who her friends are, so I may have some idea where she is. I have come a long way to see her."
"Alexandra has friends all over town. However, she is a doctor as you know and that could mean she might be anywhere. I suggest you return to your lodgings and wait for her to find you." Josiah said smoothly.
"This is a most uncooperative town." Mason frowned, not liking Josiah's response. He was tired of waiting! He had crossed an ocean to find Alexandra and would not be stopped by the provincial peasants of this frontier shantytown. "You seem to react as if I were the enemy. I'm just an old friend dropping into say hello."
"I'm sorry," Josiah said turning his back to the man. "I can't help you."
Randall glared at the preacher, seething in rage because his impatience was escalating into fires of fury he could not control. He wanted to see Alexandra and he wanted to see her now. He was unprepared to wait any longer. "I suppose I should be pleased that Alexandra has such close friends," he said with a smile that hid the hatred for this entire town with practiced control. "She seldom had a place to call home when she was younger. Her father was quite the traveller you know."
"So she's mentioned.' Josiah said watching the man closely, having caught the glimmer of black that had surfaced in his eyes even for that brief instant.
"It will be so much harder when she finally decides to come away with me."
Josiah looked at him. "Does the lady intend on leaving?" This was the first Josiah had heard of any intention by Alexandra Styles to leave Four Corners. It was hard to think of her as being gone. Alex was now apart of their group as Mary or Inez. He hated to think what effect this would have on Nathan Jackson who considered Alex a good friend.
"Not yet," Mason smiled as he walked out the building. "But she will."
Josiah watched him leave, disliking the man and his slippery manner. Instinct told him to be cautious of the stranger and Josiah felt apprehension for what his presence might mean for Alexandra Styles. There was something about him that felt almost predatory and the glint of hatred Josiah had seen in his eyes was a glimmer of darkness he knew all too well. Such men had no difficulty harming those around them and Josiah knew his presence did not bode well for the lady doctor.
Josiah waited until the man had been gone for some time before he decided on a course of action. It may well be that the stranger was telling the truth, that he was indeed an old friend of Alex Styles, but the seven lawmen had felt the same kind of protection towards the doctor as they did towards any one in their circle. He knew Chris would want to be appraised of this stranger's inquiries or the ominous nature of his words.
Deciding that his sermon could wait since in honestly, it did not appear that the inspiration for a truly spell binding oratory was forthcoming at the present time, Josiah hurried out the church and went in search of Chris Larabee
Josiah found Chris in the jailhouse where he had been hiding out most of the day following an exodus from the saloon. It felt like the one place in town where Chris could find any peace and quiet. Although he wanted to call in on Mary, the gunslinger knew she was probably up to her ears in the preparation for the celebrations that would being in two days. He had remembered glancing through the itinerary of events schedule and was frankly amazed at how Mary was able to keep track of all of it. While he did not want to get caught up in Four Corner's anniversary celebration, Chris was aware of how important the event was to the town.
Before the arrival of the seven, Four Corners was just another lawless town, running rife with drunks and outlaws who happened to breeze into town at regular intervals. Decent folk were uprooting and leaving in droves and the only one who had remained as an example to others had been Mary Travis. Chris thought fondly of the first time he laid eyes on her and knew from that moment perhaps, that his heart was lost even before he was aware it was missing.
Thanks to Mary, Chris and the others had stayed and Four Corners had prospered. He knew she wanted him to be part of the celebration but Mary was perceptive enough to understand that such things were simply not him. Chris had difficulty feeling enthusiasm for anything lately and had ever since he lost his family.
"Chris." Josiah walked into the jailhouse.
"Howdy Josiah," Chris greeted amiably, looking up from his book as he sat with his legs resting on the table and a half-empty bottle of whiskey on the corner of the desk. "How's the sermon coming."
"Its moving along," he remarked and then felt a little guilty for lying. Nevertheless, Josiah pulled a chair up to the desk before taking a seat himself. Chris pushed a clean glass in his direction before Josiah poured himself a drink. "I just had a visitor."
Chris' gaze met his in that subtle way that always seemed to expect trouble no matter how innocent the statement. "Who?" Chris lay down the book on his lap and sat up, removing his feet from the desk.
"Didn't give his name." Josiah replied, "but he was awfully interested in Miss Styles."
Recognition flooded into Chris eyes as he remembered the face and the exchange in the saloon earlier today. Instinct had told him that Randall Mason was not simply going to disappear no matter who he claimed to be. Chris did not trust the man at all and he trusted him even less now that he knew the man had taken his questions about Alex's life here elsewhere. "Randall Mason." Chris mused.
"You've met him." The preacher noted.
"Yeah." Chris nodded slowly. "We've met. He came in the saloon this afternoon looking for Alex."
"Is she in town?" Josiah inquired, seeing the concern in Chris' face. This could be perfectly innocent but for some reason it did not feel that way.
"No," Chris shook his head in answer. "She's out with Vin somewhere."
Josiah met his gaze and they both exchanged a faint knowing smile but said nothing, choosing to let innuendo speak for itself rather than actual words. "At least we know she's safe."
"Until she gets into town." The gunslinger pointed out. Chris wondered how many people Randall had spoken to since his arrival in Four Corners. Alex was well known in town by now and information that he and Josiah had been reluctant to impart to Mr Randall Mason would be readily provided by gossiping townsfolk who liked nothing better than to talk to hear themselves speak. No doubt, Randall would know everything about Alexandra Styles life since her arrival in Four Corners by the time Vin brought her back.
"You got that same feeling?" Josiah asked.
"I do." He responded with slight tilt of his head. "I've seen men like him before and they usually bring trouble with them. When he asks for her, it ain't just a question with him. You can see it behind his eyes, something...."
"She's a grown woman." Josiah reminded Chris. Alex was almost as wilful as Mary Travis and Chris had to be terribly familiar with that kind of temperament by now. "She may tell us to mind our own business."
"She may," Chris agreed. "But since when do we ever listen?"
"Certainly not the man who went out there and dragged Mary Travis back from Sweetwater one time." Josiah grinned, watching Chris frown as he remembered the incident well. Especially the night that followed.
"Buck has a big mouth." Chris grumbled.
"I heard it from Vin actually." The preacher said without missing a beat.
Chris made a mental note to have a little talk with the tracker the next time Chris saw him. Hopefully, Vin would not be too much longer keeping Alex away from town. Chris wanted to talk to the woman to see if this Mason was truly a friend of hers because Chris just knew the man was bad news. Over the years, he had learnt to rely upon the instincts that alerted him to danger and the first time that he saw Randall Mason, Chris was almost deafened by the alarm bells that went off in his head.
No sooner than the thought had left his head, Vin Tanner made his appearance through the door of the jailhouse. The tracker appeared as he always did, oblivious to all the excitement that had taken place in his absence. Vin had just left Alex a few moments ago at her house and was feeling pretty pleased with himself that she had agreed to let him escort her to the dance. It was normally not the sort of thing he went in for but he hated thinking she would be hiding herself away because she did not want to face Julia Pemberton on Ezra's arm.
"Where the hell have you been?" Chris asked rising from his chair before Vin had a chance to say hello.
"At Nettie's." The younger man looked at Chris and Josiah with some confusion. "Was there trouble?"
"No," Chris sat back down after a second, wondering if he was over reacting a little. Vin had no idea what was transpiring in town during his jaunt with Alex today. There was no reason why he should not have done exactly what he had. "A friend of Alex has rode into town. He's been asking for her."
Immediately, Vin's good mood disappeared. "An old friend?" He wondered who the stranger was and what he wanted with Alex. Alex had come straight to Four Corners from England. Had there been time for her to make any acquaintances in that short time? "Is he American?" Vin found himself asking, unable to recall Alex mentioning any occasion where she had met anyone before her arrival in town.
"No," Josiah answered before Chris could. "Sounds English."
"That's a long way to come." Vin mused; not liking this one damn bit at all. After making some headway in his relationship with Alex today, Vin hated to see it come to an end because of the unexpected arrival of some 'old friend'. No man travelled an ocean to see a woman unless there was a very good reason for it and Vin had an idea of what that might be. He understood that he could just jealous and thinking irrationally but judging by the distaste of Chris Larabee's face and the concern in Josiah's eyes, his fears were justified.
"Where is she now?" Chris inquired impatiently.
"I left her at her place." Vin replied, his mind was still engaged in trying to remember who this mysterious friend of hers could be. She had never mentioned a man in her life other than her father. "She was helping Dulcie deliver her calf at Nettie's."
"You had a doctor deliver a cow?" Josiah exclaimed in surprise, trying to picture Alex playing midwife to a stricken bovine.
"It was a breach." Vin retorted, feeling bad enough for putting Alex through that embarrassing situation.
Chris sighed, trying to decide on what he should do about this. He was in two minds regarding what course of action to take. For starters, Randall Mason could be exactly what he appeared to be, a friend of Alex's who had come a long way to find her. As protective as the seven may feel towards her, in reality, they had no business interfering in her personal relationships. On the other hand, that Chris just knew the man was going to cause trouble, he just could not say why. "Not much we can do about it I guess," the gunslinger frowned unhappily as he sat down again. "We'll just have to keep an eye on him."
"Why?" Vin met Chris' gaze, getting the impression that something was being kept from him. "What has he done."
"Nothing yet." Josiah shared Chris' concern over the situation. "But he just reminds of Don Paulo."
Vin's eyes widened at the comparison. Inez had obsessed Don Paulo. In fact, he had chased her all the way to Four Corners from Mexico to exact his revenge upon her. Only Buck's gallant determination to protect the lady had kept Inez from being dragged away into captivity. Paulo was determined to have her and his desire to possess the beautiful, Mexican woman was a madness he could not dispel. Vin had heard about men like that before but until he met Paulo had never guessed how much of a sickness such intense passion could be. If this stranger was anything like that, Vin would kill him first rather than allow him to hurt Alex that way.
"We're just guessing." Chris quickly spoke up, seeing the look in Vin's eyes. Vin was never more unpredictable when it came to a woman. The whole debacle with Charlotte had proven that much to the older man. Considering how Vin felt about Alexandra Styles, if he even suspected that this Randall was going to hurt her, Chris could not be certain of what the tracker might do to protect her. "Right now," he said to both Vin and Josiah, "we're just going to keep an eye on him."
"And her." Vin prompted.
"Naturally." Chris nodded. "In fact, it might be an idea for you to go back to her place and tell her he's coming, if he hasn't got to her yet."
"Are we being paranoid?" Josiah finally asked, always the voice of reason in any situation.
Both Chris and Vin met each other's gazes before replying in unison "No."
Alex was about to get into her bath when she heard the front door knock once more. Rolling her eyes in exasperation, she wondered if there was some hidden conspiracy to keep her from soaking for an hour or town. Fortunately, she had not stripped down to her bare essentials, so she was able to storm out of the bathroom and hurry to the front door. Hopefully, she could deal with whoever it was quickly before the heat seeped away from the warm water with its luxurious bath oils and soap.
"Yes?" She said unable to hide her annoyance when she pulled open the door a second later.
Her annoyance lasted for a second as she saw who was standing before her. The face was one from the past; catalogued in memory with those she thought she'd never see again. It was not an unpleasant surprise, but Alex was astonished nevertheless. Her mind thought back to the days on the Giza strip, with images of pyramids and balmy air caressing her skin with tiny particles of desert sand.
"Randall?" Alex let out hushed reply.
"Hello Alexandra." The man beamed happily as he took in the sight of her. Through the dim illumination of her front landing, Randall could tell that she had not changed in the slightest. If anything, she was more beautiful than ever.
"Randall!" She laughed and embraced him warmly, unable to believe that he was here. It had been almost three years since she had last seen him in Egypt. She had never thought she would see him again, certainly not after moving away to America.
When they parted, she quickly invited him into the house, all thoughts of her bath now completely forgotten. Although on this point, she could be forgiven for he was an old friend from a time when they were far and few between. Randall had been the first man she had ever made love to and although the experience was not everything she had wanted, she still valued his friendship.
"What are you doing here?" She asked after she led him to the parlour and disappeared to make tea. When she finally returned, there was a flurry of questions to be asked.
"I came to find you." He said with a smile, glad at the reception he had received.
"Me?" Alex exclaimed in surprise, unable to imagine he had travelled all this distance to seek her out. No one had ever sailed the Atlantic to find her.
"You disappeared." He said trying to hide the resentment from your voice. "I had no idea where you were."
Alex bit her lip guiltily knowing that she had behaved inconsiderately following her father's death. However, her mind has been decidedly erratic at that point. For the first time in her life, she had been left without his guidance and required to fend for herself. She remembered with affection how Randall had taken care of everything, just as her father had. Perhaps, discovering that she was unprepared to go from the ministrations of one man to another had caused her to flee.
"I'm sorry Randall," Alex apologised, wondering if words would be enough to make amends for her irresponsible behaviour. He had obviously been very concerned about her welfare if he had come all this way to see if she was all right. "I was not in the best of minds when I left Cairo."
"I understand," he smiled as she started pouring him tea. "However, I must ask this. Why in God's name did you come here? This place is hardly civilised let alone habitable."
Alex smiled despite herself because Four Corners was definitely a far cry from the grandeur of Europe and England and she could understand his ambivalence. "What other option was there Randall?" Alex met his gaze. "Without father, I was just a half breed woman with a degree that did not necessarily make me a doctor. I tried to find work but the closest I ever came to being recognised, as a physician was the polite refusals, to say nothing of the unanswered inquiries and the blank astonishment. I was tired of trying to prove to them I could be just as good when I knew I was better. There is a severe shortage of doctors in this area, I came because I could practice."
He supposed he should not be surprised that she would go to such drastic lengths to practice her craft. Alexandra Styles was always too spirited for her own good. It was her father's fault, Randall supposed. "I can see the reasoning but this town is dangerous. I've spent the entire day here and found it to be riddled with malcontents and some very questionable types. This is no place for a woman." He pointed out.
Despite herself, she fought the disgust at that remark, reminding herself that Randall was a product of the Old World, where women were meant to organise social teas and never trouble their head with anything more strenuous than house hold duties. Randall came from one such family and so he knew no better. "You'd be surprised how well I've adapted." She said instead. "I've practiced more medicine here than I ever had in my life. People respect me here. I've delivered babies, fixed broken bones, conducted surgery and pulled more bullets from bodies than anyone should ever have to and you know what," she added with a smile. "I'm damn good at it."
"I always knew you would be." He offered a false smile of pride but in truth, Randall saw his problems escalating a hundredfold. There was no way she would leave this willingly and so he would have to resort to some creative thinking to extricate her from this place. "You seemed to have made a great deal of friends as well." He pointed out, thinking about the blond gunslinger he had seen earlier that morning. The one with the eyes that seemed to pierce straight through him as if he were transparent and guess every thought it in his head. Mr Rihs was at this moment, making inquiries about the black garbed American, trying to decipher just how close his affiliation to Alexandra actually was. "I was treated rather rudely by the crowd in the saloon."
Immediately, the seven came to mind. "How so?" Alex looked puzzled as she sipped some tea from her cup.
"They were most adamant about giving me as little information on your whereabouts as possible. Even the holy man in the local church was most hostile."
Alex laughed softly, trying to picture what would have been said to Randall. "You must excuse them," Alex said good naturedly, feeling somewhat touched that they would have gone to such lengths to protect her. It was very flattering in a strange sort of way. "Those men are the law in this town and I've occasionally put them back together when they've been in gunfights and other unpleasantness. After something like that, you tend become friends and they protect me like they protect one of their own, which does make a girl feel appreciated." She joked.
Randall understood all too well and his concerns were now validated. If he had to remove her by force, there was no doubt in his mind that these 'cowboys' would do everything possible to prevent it. "Is there nothing further in relationship other than friendship?" He eyed her critically, because he could not imagine any of these men keeping their distance from a jewel like her.
Alex immediately about Vin and then Ezra, before forcing away the thought from her mind. That was none of Randall's business and she was no reason to tell him of it. "No," she lied. "They are friends and friends only." It was not exactly a lie. She had no idea how she felt about Vin Tanner at this moment or how he felt about her for that matter. The brief moment in Agnes' cabin was weeks behind them with neither referring to the incident since.
However, Randall saw the flicker in her eyes and knew she was lying to him. It took all his control to hide the anger he felt that she might been involved with someone else in his absence. Whoever this rival was, he had no right to Alexandra Styles and Randall was certainly not prepared to give her up. He had waited for years to have this chance once again and he was not about to let her slip through his fingers when he was so close. "Its good to know that you will be safe." Randall smiled with false sincerity, his eyes never once betraying the rage he felt.
"So you came all this way just to see how I am?" Alex replied, genuinely touched by the gesture.
"I had to know if you were safe." He reached for her hand and held it, staring intently into his eyes.
"I'm glad you're here." Alex answered graciously. "Its good to see you again, Randall." She extricated her hand away from him gently, feeling somewhat awkward at the turn of conversation with this one innocent gesture. "It is getting late. How about we meet for dinner tomorrow night?"
He was disappointed by the sudden dismissal but had to agree that it was considered inappropriate for a lady of her stature to be having male guests at this hour. Whatever she might be, Alex was a virtuous woman when one got right down to it and Randall found he could not refuse her request for him to leave without offending her gravely. At the moment, it served his purpose for him to remain in her good graces. "Of course." He said rising to his feet and reaching for his hat that was resting beside him. "I'd be delighted. At the hotel?"
"Yes," Alex nodded seeing him out of the parlour. "Seven o'clock."
"What will you do for the rest of the day?" He asked at the doorway, not liking the idea that he would not see her until sundown tomorrow.
"I have house calls to make and I might have to take a ride to the Indian village to see how Nathan, that's the other healer in these parts to see how he's coping with a influenza epidemic." She lied, knowing that Nathan had the situation well in hand and it would be rude of her to intrude, as if he required the assistance. Besides, with an influenza epidemic, it did not matter how many doctors there were, Nathan's knowledge of herbs and alternative medicines were going to be of more use than her conservative skills. She just hoped the healer could keep the death toll down.
"I look forward to our next meeting." Randall said finally before disappearing out the door.
Alex watched him leave and could not understand why her pulse was racing. It was not a pleasant sensation.
Mary Travis was in her office when Janet O'Leary made her appearance. Mrs O'Leary was one of those loud, annoying women who felt it her business to point out everyone's shortcomings because she considered it to be her Christian duty. Her husband, a tiny man who seemed to become tinier every time he stood next to the large bulk of his wife ran the local hardware store and was seldom seen outside business premises. It was running joke among the locals of Four Corners that Mr O'Leary worked such long hours because ending the business day would require going home to his wife.
On occasion, Mary's unconventional life style had often raised Mrs O'Leary's self righteous ire and the woman was never shy with letting Mary know her opinions when such conventions were tested. Mary had often found it was best to tolerate the woman for she was ultimately harmless and most of the community had learnt to ignore her self appointed role as the moral centre of Four Corners.
Today however, as Mrs O'Leary stormed through the front door of the Clarion's office, wearing an expression that could only be described as outright fury, Mary wondered what could have possibly happened to offend this woman to such a degree. Her triple chinned face was the same colour as her lavender coloured dress and she almost looked strangulated in outrage. Seeing her huffed to Mary's desk was enough to prompt the young widow to her feet.
"Mrs O'Leary, are you all right?" Mary asked coming out from behind the desk to greet the woman.
"I am most certainly not fine!" She growled and sat down on a chair near Mary's desk, her arms folded as she propped them up on an unopened parasol.
"You seem terribly upset," Mary asked, hoping she would not have to play the game of prying the reason for the woman's visit from her and thus prolonging the experience. "What has happened?"
She raised her chins (all three of them) with great dignity and met Mary's blue-gray eyes with fire in her hazel coloured glare. "Mary dear," she said after catching her breath, for she was breathing hard because she had worked herself into a proper state prior to her arrival at the office. "I realise that as a widow, the opportunities to find a proper suitor might have dwindled. I cannot excuse you for being weak to the desires of the flesh in your youth but you might have made a better selection before bestowing your affections so carelessly."
"I beg your pardon?" Mary looked at her blankly, unable to believe what she had heard for a moment. Was this woman questioning her taste in men? Suddenly, it occurred to Mary was this was all about and further more what was coming. Trying to hide the involuntary wince that stole across her features, Mary took a deep breath before asking. "Has Mr Larabee offended you in some way?"
"He told me to my face to mind my own business and he was going to wear anything he damn well wanted to the dance tomorrow evening!"
Mary bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing as she tried to picture the scene. Of course, everyone in Four Corners was probably secretly applauding Chris if they had been present at the exchange. "I see." She nodded, straight faced. "How did the subject of apparel come into being?"
"Well," Mrs O'Leary shrugged stiffly. "I merely thought it my duty to point out that a young man courting a lady of your calibre should attempt to dress a little more appropriately than in those awful clothes he is always wearing. The man looks positively grim."
She had guts; Mary had to admit secretly. There were not many people who truly dared to go up to Chris Larabee and make such a statement to his face. Chris shot people for less and the fact that Mrs O'Leary was here instead of wearing a butt full of buckshot was a testament to how well Chris could restrain himself. Most people tended to be intimidated by Chris and stayed out of his way. Lately however, that had been changing enough to give the gunslinger considerable annoyance but generally, people preferred not to approach him unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Now Mrs O'Leary," Mary smiled sweetly, trying to pacify the woman. "You've got to understand that Mr Larabee wears black for a good reason."
"What possible reason could one have for traipsing about the place looking as if he were preparing to go to a funeral?" The woman retaliated, unimpressed by Mary's attempts to explain Chris' behaviour. "I think you are to close to the matter dear to make an objective opinion."
Mary stiffened, trying not to get angry by that allegation. As a journalist, it was her job to remain impartial. Shaking off the insult, Mary continued. "You are aware that he has lost his wife and son?"
It was not common knowledge but it was no secret either. Mary hoped Chris did not mind her using the truth to calm Mrs O'Leary down. She would explain it to him when he came over for dinner tonight.
"I had heard some intelligence of that nature." The woman grumbled, starting to see where the conversation might be headed. "I was not aware of the specifics."
"Well they died three years ago and Chris made a promise to mourn for them. That's why he wears black." Mary explained quietly, wondering if that was not at all far from the truth. "He wears it in their memory."
"I see," Mrs O'Leary said sombrely. "I am not at fault of course, I had no knowledge of this. However, you cannot deny that he is coarse and has terrible manners. I do hope you consider these points if you choose to enter any long standing arrangement with him."
At that moment, the door swung open and Alexandra Styles made her appearance. "Hello Mary." She greeted and then noticed Mrs O'Leary sitting before the widow. "Hello Mrs O'Leary."
Not wishing her embarrassment to spread any further that it already had, since the entire town had been privy to her altercation with the foul tempered Mr Larabee, the woman rose to her feet and looked at Mary. "I take my leave of you Mary," she said raising her nose in the air in that pompous way that reached its fullest impact when she preformed it. "I hope you give some thought to our discussion. You are a young vital woman. I am certain you can do better than that violent ruffian."
"We go where our heart sends us." Mary said with a smile, with no signs of offence at the woman's scathing opinion of Chris.
"Alexandra," Mrs O'Leary said in departure. "At least you had the sense to be rid of that scoundrel in the saloon."
With that she swept out of the room, leaving Alex and Mary staring after her, wondering whether the subject was worth discussing or discarding. When the door slammed shut behind her, Alex looked up at Mary. "What the hell was that about?" The doctor blurted out.
Mary shook her head and returned to her desk as Alex moved deeper into the room. "She took it upon herself to point out that Chris ought to add colour in his wardrobe."
Alex barely managed to stifle the laugh that almost escaped her lips but Mary nevertheless heard the snigger that emerged in its place. "It's not funny." She retorted and then found herself giggling too because it was funny, hilarious as a matter of fact.
"How did you come her down?" Alex asked, not even needing to hear the rest of the story to know how Chris Larabee would have reacted to that particular critique.
"I told her that he's still in mourning." Mary replied.
"Is that the truth?" Alex looked at her.
"Who know?" Mary shrugged throwing her hands in the air in a gesture of futility. "I have enough trouble trying to work out what he names his horse, let alone his dress sense."
Alex sat down in the chair Mrs O'Leary had recently occupied. "You busy right now?" She inquired.
"With the anniversary only a day away, I'm always busy but I can take a break." She remarked, gesturing to the mountain of paper on her desk. Alex glanced at some of the writing on those slips of paper and saw that this was the paperwork for at least dozen events that would be taking place during the two days of celebration. Alex used to think she was busy with her medical practice but compared to the responsibilities Mary Travis was force to assume, the doctor was a great deal more appreciative of her own situation.
"I can see." Alex commented. "I need to go buy a dress." She stated. "I could use a second opinion."
"A dress," Mary leaned forward with narrowed eyes. "Has it to do with the tall, handsome stranger that arrived out of town, yesterday?" Chris had told her about Randall Mason and although he had not openly voiced it, she had the impression Chris would like to know as much about the man as possible, since he had questioned almost everyone about Alex's life in Four Corners.
"I suppose you've heard about Randall," Alex sighed wondering how many other people knew about him. She assumed he had to ask around to find where she lived so the news would have carried fast around town that he was here.
"He was asking around for you." Mary pointed out although she personally had no idea about the man until Chris had mentioned it to her.
"He's an old friend of the family. When my father died, he was a supportive shoulder that took care of all the arrangements. He tracked me down here because he was worried about where I disappeared to. I left Europe rather abruptly. That's all there is to it, really." Alex frowned, feeling uncomfortable talking about the man for some reason. Actually, the whole subject of Randall Mason put her on edge without any discernible reason why that should be. Considering their past history together, it seemed strange that she ought to feel so guarded about him.
"He came a long way to find you Alex," Mary remarked. "It looks like it might be more to him."
"I know," Alex frowned. "That does bother me. We were together briefly, a long time ago." She met Mary's gaze so the widow would know exactly what she meant by 'together'. "I was young and curious and he answered some questions."
"Not well I gather." Mary said with a hint of a smile.
"Completely forgettable." Alex laughed. "I should have left those questions unanswered." She said with amusent in her eyes for a second before it vanished on a more serious note. "I just hope he has not come to Four Corners to be disappointed. I meeting him for dinner tonight so I can tell him that I have no intention of leaving if that's why he's come to town."
Now Mary was confused. "So why the new dress?" She looked at the doctor with a wrinkled brow.
"I thought I'd better buy something new for this dance." Alex admitted almost reluctantly because she knew how strongly she had stated earlier that she would not be attending. No doubt, Mary was going to find much amusement in her bout face decision to go.
"So you are not going to hide at home and feel miserable because of Julia." Mary said sarcastically.
"Stop right there." Alex returned firmly. "First of all, I was not going to hide and secondly I am over Mr Ezra Standish and don't feel the slightest bit for him any more, even if he has that two headed, she-snake Jezebel at his arm."
"Of course not." Mary said with a straight face. "Its so obvious that you harbour no ill feeling towards her."
Alex groaned conceding defeat. "Okay, okay, maybe I feel a little resentful, but I still need a dress and I've got to go find one in a place other than the Emporium."
"Fair enough," Mary nodded understanding Alex's reluctance to enter the establishment. It was bad enough that Julia had wrestled away Ezra from her but Alex did not need to give that creature her money as well. Even she had her limits. "Why don't you come with Chris and I?" Mary offered. "I'm going to need the extra hand to drag him through the door."
"Actually I have an escort." Alex said quietly.
"Mr Mason?" Mary met her gaze.
"No." Alex shook her head wondering if she wanted anyone to know that she was going with Vin Tanner. After all, when they both arrived together it was going to be somewhat self evident any way. What was she afraid of? It was no sin to be seen with Vin. How many people had seen them riding to Nettie's farm yesterday? "I'm going with Vin."
Mary's jaw dropped open in mild surprise. "Really?" She exclaimed. "How did that happen?"
"He asked me." Alex answered, wondering why Mary found this so astonishing. After all, Vin was a grown man. Surely he must have had other women in his life before she came along? "Is that so amazing?"
"Yes it is." Mary replied promptly. She was pleased that Vin had finally done something about his feelings for Alex, although the widow could understand why he kept his distance until now. Vin had allowed Alex the time to recover from her heartbreak over Ezra. "He's never shown the interest in courting, I've never known him to take company with the working girls in the saloon and the only woman he ever was interested in was Charlotte."
"The man is a puzzle." Alex mused, trying to sound indifferent to Vin but Mary knew better.
She had echoed the same feelings about Chris Larabee once and so there was nothing that Alexandra Styles was feeling that could surprise her because she once felt them herself. Men and women were unpredictable creatures but the randomness of their actions disappeared the moment their hearts were taken and she knew without a doubt that Alex's was taken, almost as completely as Vin's. It was just a matter of time before the situation brought those feelings to the surface. It was times like this that Mary appreciated the wisdom of experience.
"Don't you like puzzles?" Mary teased as she stood up to get her purse.
"Very funny." Alex chuckled, before the two women continued out the door.
Despite her lie, when Alex did arrive at the hotel that evening for her dinner engagement with Randall Mason, she had actually paid several house calls. With the building and preparation for the forthcoming celebrations, people were becoming careless in their anticipation of the revelry to follow. How many broken fingers due to hammers, sprained ankles from people falling off ladders and other mishaps had she mended today? The number was enough to ensure that after she bought her dress at Mrs Potters, because she was definitely not going to the Emporium, Alex had been busy enough that she was almost late for her engagement.
Randall was already waiting for her at a table inside the restaurant when a helpful waiter escorted Alex to it. As always, Randall was perfectly attired and seemed so out of place in Four Corners that for a brief instance, Alex almost wished he were gone. She admonished herself for such unkind thoughts because she knew he was a good man and he had come a long way to see him. This misunderstanding was mostly her fault. When she was young and impressionable, she had gone to him for an understanding of intimacy. Throwing caution to the wind, she had allowed him to deflower her because he was older and appeared worldly in comparison to her youthful naivete. The experience had been one she would rather forget although not at any time had he behaved inappropriately. It was just that their coupling had felt empty and devoid of the passion that was meant to come with physical love.
She had only understood how completely devastating such raw desire could be when she had almost given herself to Vin Tanner.
"Alexandra," he rose to his feet at her arrival. "You look wonderful my dear."
In truth, she looked plain and had dressed simply. Favouring a crisp white shirt and dark red vest she might have worn to call on a patient, Alex had not intention of giving Randall any false impressions. She had thought at length at why he had come to America and while she knew the answer, she prayed it as anything but what she suspected. He was one of her oldest friends and she had no wish to alienate him but Alex knew she could not give him the answer he wanted to hear.
"Thank you Randall." Alex said cordially as the waiter pulled a chair for her.
They talked of inconsequential things for the first half of dinner, trading amusing stories through the entrée and main course, while reliving old times in a world away from this one. Randall was at his charming best and Alex remembered why she had been so enamoured by him in her youth. He spoke of where he had been during the years following her father's demise and updated her on the welfare of his extremely affluent family. Randall's father owned an export company with holdings in India, the Far East and was deemed as the West Indies. The family name was old and to marry into it was to be accepted instantly into high society, no matter what the background.
They had exhausted all topics when Randall finally brought up the reason why he had searched for Alex across the world and travelled an ocean to reach her in Four Corners. Alex realised by the time that tea and desert was served, that there would be no avoiding the subject and as Nathan had often said to her, it was time to bite the bullet.
"Alexandra," Randall said staring into her dark eyes so that she would understand the seriousness of what he was going to discuss with her. "I'm sure you must have guessed that I came to Four Corners for reasons other than seeing you safe with my own eyes."
Alex shrugged. "I had guessed." She admitted, trying to rehearse possible refusals in her mind before the moment came so that the right one would be available when it was time to use it.
"Alex, this place is not for you." He let his gaze sweep past the room full of diners, with clear distaste in his eyes at everything that they were.
Despite herself, she felt her cheeks flush in outrage at his snobbery. "This is my home Randall." She said softly. "I have found a place here that was available to me nowhere else. I won't go back to being relegated to the ranks of nurse simply because this place is a little rough."
"It's far from rough," he pointed out. "There are gunslingers roaming about freely. If the periodicals are to be believed, one can die simply being a bystander. I do not wish that for you."
"I do not wish it either." She replied, trying to maintain her calm. "However, death can find us anywhere. Geography has little to do with it." He reached for her hand and Alex knew how much of an insult it would be to withdraw, so she endured his fingers enclosing her own, hoping that the gesture was not symbolic but knowing against hope that it was.
"Marry me Alex," Randall said earnestly "Marry me and I will take you away form this place. I will build you a clinic in London and you can have the practice you always wanted. You don't need to be alone."
"Randall please," Alex whispered removing her hand abruptly and realising that no amount of preparation could ever make this refusal easy to accept. "I am honoured by the offer but what kind of a practice could I possibly have in London?" She questioned, trying to keep from saying out right what it would hurt him immensely to hear. "I was always an outcast. It's not going to change even if I have premises."
"Then I'll use my father's influence and buy you a place in a hospital. How does London Hospital sound to you?" He countered quickly. Suddenly, this had become a battlefield negotiation with thrust and parry being delivered by the opposing parties before agreement could be reached.
"I don't want that!" Alex hissed, wondering if he understood how abhorrent such a statement was. "I am what I am because I earned it. At first they would not even let me study until my father pressured them but I showed I could do it. They did everything to break me, to ensure that I'd never be considered good just mediocre. I proved them wrong my own way. I've fought my entire medical career to earn the right to have patients come to me not because I bought them, but because I am good!"
"Good?" He retorted, allowing his anger to get the better of him. "Is this what you call earning their respect, mending broken bones and keeping company with men no decent woman would dare call friends?"
"Yes," Alex rose to her feet imperiously, deciding that she was through explaining her actions. Four Corners was her home. It was more of a home than any place she and father that travelled over the globe and here she was staying. "Because they don't judge me."
"Are you staying because of the gambler, what's his name, Standish?" Mason grabbed her hand as she prepared to leave the table. By now, everyone in the room had heard their raised voices and were staring at them in curiosity.
Alex yanked it away viciously and shot him a venomous look for bringing up Ezra. "No." She said through gritted teeth. "I stay because they need me."
"You're staying for him aren't you?" Randall glared at her with narrowed eyes and for the first time, Alex caught sight of something so dark and vile, it positively terrified her. "After he jilted you?"
"Randall," Alex said trying to regain some measure of calm. "I thank you for dinner and I apologise that I could not accept your offer. You will always be a dear friend but let us leave the table before even that changes."
"I will have you for my wife." He stated firmly. "Make no mistake on that."
What remained of her control now was brushed away firmly by the tidal wave of bubbling emotions that he had engendered within her. This fury was nothing like the arousing and tantalising emotions felt when she was fighting with Vin. This was cold and black, with a hatred that had finally found expression. "I will be your wife when I am cold and dead. I do not love you. I never have. I apologise that you had to come out here to find this out but I will never marry you."
It was a devastating rebuttal and she saw the sorrow in his eyes as the words made their full meaning clear to him but within that pain, the memory of what she had seen earlier remained and strengthened. There was a hint of madness that struck cold fear inside of her and suddenly Alex had the strangest feeling that she had smashed a bottle somewhere and released the genie within.