Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" T.V. series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
She knew it was not supposed to be easy, this decision she had made for herself.
Of course, it was not so much a decision made as one forced upon her, no matter how much Inez Rosillos might believe that she had come into this situation by choice. She had not. A night of inebriation and passion had brought this upon her no matter how times she chose to tell herself that she had felt that the time had been right to indulge her desire for Buck Wilmington. The decision had been made by the tequila that had been running through her veins that night not the need for him, which she had managed quite successfully to restrain until their encounter in the saloon. Even now, Inez blushed furiously whenever she recalled how demanding and passionate she had been in her desire to have him. Suffice to say, she had not been able to look at Ezra's favourite card table again and God only knew how the gambler would react if he ever learnt what had transpired on the felt covered surface that night.
She did not regret the act that had brought her here to this point in her life because their coupling had been everything she dreamt it to be. Like every woman in Four Corners, who had chanced to idle away with secret curiosity about the truth regarding Buck Wilmington's prowess between the sheets, Inez had wondered how true those stories actually were. While she knew with some measure of pride that it was she he loved, Inez had chosen to keep him at arm's length because she was never devolving into just another notch on his belt if she ever gave in to him. Strangely enough, when she had succumbed to her desire for him, he had been more surprised than she. The result of that incredibly steamy night of love making which still had her tingling from lips to curled toes when she thought about it, was this bundle of joy that was presently making her advance across town a sheer hell.
It was not easy to cross the short distance between the saloon and the main street of town when her body felt it was busting at the seams. Heavily pregnant, Alex had estimated that Inez had another week or two before her baby was due to finally arrive. Unfortunately, the doctor had also added that pregnancy seldom went according to plan and if the baby chose to make its arrival sooner, Inez should not be surprised. It was this advice that had her leaving her room in the saloon and waddling across town, searching for a place to rent. Inez had no intention of raising her child, illegitimate as it was, from a room inside the Standish Tavern.
However, coming to this decision had created another problem and this was one to which there were no easy solutions. The lodging houses already considered her a bad influence because she was unwed and pregnant. Add to the fact that she was also Mexican and most of the good Christian folk were ready to brand her a wanton, among the others things that were whispered in quiet sniggers whenever she happened past. Thus, she knew without even bothering to inquire at their front doors that she would not be welcome there even if she dared to ask about renting a room on their premises. This did not leave a great many opportunities because Four Corners was not that big a place which limited space for rentals. While Julia Pemberton had offered her a place to stay now that Rain had found herself alternate accommodations, Inez found that she could not impose herself and a baby on the emporium owner, no matter how generous the offer. Besides, she wanted a place of her own, where she could put wallpaper up for a nursery and indulge herself in the foolishness entitled to all new mothers.
It did not take long for Inez to realise that she was not considered in the same ilk as most new mothers, since they usually tend to be married. With that stigma following her closely, Inez soon found that there was no one who was willing to rent her any premises because she was what had been brazen enough to deem 'not the kind of bad influence' they would like in their presence. Bad influence, Inez had snorted walking out of the place, with her head held high and full of dignity, how could she influence anything? She was so full with child she could barely see her shoes, let alone spread her wanton immorality to anyone else with a display of loose living.
Despite their rude and sometimes cruel rejections, Inez was determined that they saw nothing of the pain she felt. She would share her stung feelings with no one because she was too stubborn to allow them the satisfaction. Only after she was out of their sight would the tears come and Inez made certain that they were gone from her eyes before she entered another place and start the cycle a new. She had spent most of the day enduring this torture, until her back was so sore she could barely stand but Inez did not relish having to return to the saloon and have everyone look at her and make comment on how was a woman ruined. One who could not even find a place to live.
"Look," Inez said to Wally Levinson, who possessed a set of rooms above his barber shop that was barely fit for human habitation without extensive work on her part. Unfortunately, it was also the last place left in town where she might acquire permanent lodging for herself and her baby. Standing in the front room which did not look very impressive, there were cobwebs in every corner, broken windows and a ceiling that appeared it would leak the next time it rained. Inez knew that she was at the end of her rope and had to convince Levinson to lease this hovel to her because no one else would. Despite her attempts to hide the desperation from her face, Inez felt her heart sink as she realised that he was aware of her limited choices as well. "I can fix the place up by myself, I do not require you to make any improvements. I'll even pay whatever price you think is fair." Her ability to negotiate had gone the way of her reputation since news became known about her pregnancy.
"You ain't in any condition to pay it darlin," he said with suggestion clearly in his eyes as he travelled up and down her body with lascivious leer on his lips that made her skin crawl. Levinson was an ugly man with slicked back hair and rough, craggy skin who did not give patrons much of an incentive for better grooming at his barbershop. "Maybe after the baby, you can do a little something for me." He grinned and reached for her cheek.
Inez slapped the hand away before it could even make contact with her skin. "How dare you?" She said indignantly and took a step backwards.
"Well don't get too uppity now," he retorted, straightening up with anger at her refusal. "It ain't as if you don't know how to do a little something for a man. You didn't get that way being all sweet and innocent. You gave Wilmington little bit and if you want this place, you're just going to have be a little nicer to me."
"Get out of here you whore!" He shouted angrily, grabbing the offending hand and dragging her towards the door that emptied into the steps that led into the street. "I don't want you kind in here anyway." Levinson declared, fairly shoving her past the door and making a great show of his ire for those in the street.
Inez felt her cheeks flush with crimson embarrassment as she stood at the top of the stairs, the centre of focus for anyone in the immediate vicinity. She could see the women whispering amongst themselves, with their narrowed eyes as they glared at her and left Inez with no doubts as to the nature of their discussion. The men merely shook their heads in disapproval, leaving the scandal mongering to the women who were more adept as such gossip than they were. However, they were all wearing the same expression of distaste on their faces as Levinson continued his tirade of ejecting from his premises.
"I don't want your kind of filth here." He concluded and slammed the door behind her as he withdrew in the building.
Inez stood at the top of the steps, unable to say a word and fighting back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. She was so tired of walking and she longed to sit but knew that she could do neither until she was safely inside her room at the saloon, away from the eyes of those who were ready to brand her a whore because she was pregnant without a husband. Even though her lips trembled and her glistened with tears that had yet to spill down her cheeks, Inez swallowed the lump of humiliation down her throat and raised her chin with pride, unwilling to let them see that she was hurt.
Her determination to hold herself with dignity made the onlookers continue on their way, deciding that there was nothing else to see here. Inez was glad because she would like to disappear into anonymity when the back of resolve shattered and the tears she had been holding back all day finally came. Telling herself for the hundredth time that she should have expected this the moment she had decided to raise her child without a husband, Inez took a moment to regain her composure but found that was never nearly as easy to do as she intended.
"My dear, are you all right?" A sympathetic voice asked her.
Inez looked up and discovered it was Audrey King that had spoken to her. Unlike the other women she had seen earlier, Audrey did not wear the same vicious expressing, oozing disapproval and Christian outrage at her condition. Instead, the schoolteacher appeared to be staring at her with concern.
"I'm fine." Inez said struggling not to cry. The lady bartender had never felt so vulnerable in her life and she was so exhausted. Inez had spent all day walking around Four Corners in the heat searching for a new abode and every disappointment was followed by unkind words from those who believed she was no better than a working girl. Her lower lip quivered as she spoke and knew that she nearing the edge of her emotional control.
"You do not look it." Audrey said automatically. "You need to rest and right now." The schoolteacher was not exaggerating. If anyone of these nasty prudes had bothered to look, they would see the young woman on the verge of heat exhaustion coupled with the usual stresses a body underwent at this stage of pregnancy. The girl had no business being on her feet when she was so obviously close to term. Surveying the immediate area for a comfortable place so that she could get off her feet, Audrey sighted Josiah Sanchez' church and knew that at least there, Inez could sit for awhile without being insulted by everyone who felt like it. "Come along." She took Inez's arm by the elbow and guided her towards the church.
"Thank you.'" Inez whispered in a small voice. "You're very kind."
"And you're very brave." Audrey said with sincerity.
"Brave?" Inez shook her head in disagreement. "I am not brave. I am stubborn, stubborn and foolish."
"Its no sin to want to bring life into this world Inez," Audrey remarked as they crossed the street and made their way slowly towards the church. Inez could not walk very fast and just judging by the strained and flush expression on her face, Audrey could tell that she was very near the end of her wits. Audrey did not know Inez that well, having met her a number of times as one was apt to do in a small town and could imagine the trials she must have endured these past months as her pregnancy became prolific. Audrey supposed that as a good Christian woman she should be having nothing to do with Inez but then anyone who would turn away when this young woman needed understanding and support during this time, would hardly be Christian at all.
"I did not want, I had no choice." Inez muttered, knowing that she was very close to letting herself be overwhelmed with self-pity. Inwardly she felt stupid that she allowing this to affect her the way it had, after all insults like this were not unusual to her, not now. Throughout her pregnancy, she had been treated as pariah by the town and while it was hurtful, she had managed to maintain her dignity at all times. Yet today, it felt as if the culmination of all those unkind words, nasty looks in the street, derisive whispers following the back of her were gathering for a final assault on her delicate state of mind. "I let one night of passion take place and look what I've done to myself." She glanced at her belly feeling shame for the first time over her situation.
"Now stop it." Audrey said firmly as they reached the foot of the steps leading to the main entrance of the church. "You are extremely upset and you have a right to be. The coming of a child, no matter how it entered the world should be a cause of celebration not of sorrow. You chose to have your child and raise it instead of discarding it the moment it is born or worse yet, attempt to end its life in the womb. What you have chosen to do is hard enough when one is married but alone?" Audrey shook her head unable to fathom what it would have been like to have her Lilith without her husband's support. "I could not do it."
"I do not whether I can either." Inez confessed and the words sounded like ashes in her mouth. "I cannot even find a place for us to live. I will not raise my child in a saloon. My baby deserves a proper home, not a small room where it spends the day listening to drunks and working girls."
Audrey could see her problem and knew of no solution. While she would suffer a great deal of disapproval if she offered Inez a room and Audrey was quite willing to do it, she had the feeling that Inez would not accept. She wished that there was something she could do to help the young woman who was terribly depressed over this one issue which seemed to be the impetus that was compelling Inez to question her entire decision to have her child.
"Good morning ladies." Josiah Sanchez entered the conversation when he emerged from the entrance to the church. The former preacher had heard the duo talking whilst inside the building and came out to investigate.
"Good morning Josiah," Audrey smiled at him in turn. "Do you think the Lord will take umbrage at us for using his house as a temporary refuge?"
"Not at all," he said joining them on the street. "It is there to offer refuge and sanctuary." At this point, Josiah noticed that Inez had not spoken and then took a closer look at the young woman. Josiah's relationship with Inez was a close one, knowing that part of the reason for that was because Inez was a product of her Catholic upbringing where the preacher in their lives was not someone to be seen merely on Sundays, but also a spiritual adviser in all things. Their friendship had evolved beyond that in the years of their acquaintanceship and thus Josiah knew that she was quite distressed by the forlorn look on her face.
"What's happened?" He asked automatically.
"Inez just needs to sit down for a spell Josiah," Audrey said looking at him intently, trying to signal with her eyes that this was a subject best discussed indoors, away from the prying eyes that had been the cause of Inez's upset. "She's been walking around all day and I think it's taken its toll on her."
"Of course," Josiah answered, even though he did not understand what could be so important to make a woman in the ninth month of her pregnancy take to the street, especially when its effect on her was obvious. Inez looked flustered and was breathing hard, increasing Josiah's concern, which was exacerbated by the fact that he knew nothing about women in this condition. Helping her up the stairs, he saw the extent of her anxious state of mind when she let out a sigh of relief when she passed the threshold of the main entrance. Josiah exchanged a glance with Audrey, trying to discern what would demoralise this earthy young woman to such an extent that she would feel such relief just being off the street. He did not believe it simply had to do with exhaustion.
Josiah did not press until Inez was nestled on a pew and Audrey had asked directions to the backroom, where she could brew a cup of tea for Inez, since the lady seemed to need it, leaving her to Josiah for the moment. Inez was still quiet, trying to regain her composure, Josiah guessed and not doing a very good job of it. "I'm sorry Josiah," she said after a moment, raising her eyes to meet his. "I did not mean to impose on you like this."
"Don't you worry about it." Josiah replied taking the seat on the pew beside her. "You want to tell me what's wrong."
"Oh Josiah," she leaned her head against his shoulder. "I don't know what to do. When I found out about the baby, I knew there were going to be problems but now I can't even find us a place to live! I don't want to raise my baby in a saloon. I owe it a better life than for it to grow around gamblers and drunks."
"Inez," he said reaching for her hand. "I think the only thing the baby will really need is you. It doesn't matter where it grows up as long as you are there for it."
"I know you are right but its getting so hard," she whispered. "If I were smart, I would just accept Buck's proposal of marriage and be done with it. Then at least my child will not be considered a bastard." She said with unusual bitterness.
"If that's what you want, it would be the smart thing to do." He nodded but not agreeing. "But if isn't what you want, then you're compounding one problem with another."
"I'm scared Josiah." She said finally, telling him the truth she had been starting to feel this morning, pressing up on all sides of her with every place she visited looking for a home. Until now, Inez had successfully driven away all her insecurities about what she was planning to do, using sheer determination to override all the negatives in her decision. She had no idea why it was bothering her now that she was in the 11th hour of her pregnancy. She had endured months of cruel taunts and derisive remarks and though she had been stung had not nearly been as effected by them as she was this morning.
"You ain't got nothing to be scared about." Josiah declared firmly, unaware that his powerful voice was comfort in itself to Inez. "You got friends that will help you through anything, who don't give a damn about whether or not you are married. Your child is a source of inspiration and hope to all of us. We won't let you feel fear because we'll be standing right there by your side even if you don't need us."
Inez wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks at his words, wondering if he had any idea how much she needed to hear those words of comfort. "Thank you Josiah." She replied wrapping her arms around him and giving him a grateful embrace. "I know I'm doing the right thing and it will all work itself out later but I guess it just got to me today."
"You don't got to explain." Josiah smiled warmly; glad he was able to help and hoped that she and Buck worked things out soon. She was a strong woman, possibly one of the strongest he had ever met and worth the effort that Buck was presently putting into winning her affections. While Buck would never really lose the eye for the ladies, Josiah had been impressed by his abstinence from partaking of company with the opposite sex since he learnt he was to be a father. Furthermore, Buck's role in the horse ranching venture he had partnered with Chris and Vin to get running proved that he would soon be able to provide for a young family.
She was about to respond, when Audrey emerged from the next room with a steaming cup of tea. Josiah found himself feeling a surge of affection for the schoolteacher who had been kind enough to see past convention and tradition to offer Inez the help she needed when she had been so distraught. Audrey handed her the cup and then sat on the other side of Inez as the Mexican sipped the warm beverage and allowed its calmative effects to get her nerves under control.
"Are you feeling better now?" Audrey inquired, encouraged by the absence of Inez's previous flustered state.
"Yes," Inez answered, shifting her gaze between Audrey and Josiah as she responded. "Gracias to both of you." She smiled and surprised herself when it did not feel forced. "I think," she said taking a deeper sip of her tea. "That I will take myself home and leave this whole business of house hunting for a day or too, today's experience has taught me that I have to rethink my plans a little."
"Well don't be too discouraged." He said making a mental note to bring this subject up with the rest of the seven when he saw them later that day at the saloon. Clearly, Inez was going to need some assistance in finding a place to stay and in her condition, she was hardly in the position to go knocking on doors as today had proved so prolifically. Besides, knowing how stubborn Inez could be, hell would freeze over before she would ask for help.
Declining any need for assistance as always, Josiah and Audrey watched Inez's departure a moment later, feeling deepening concern for her welfare. Neither spoke as they saw her make her way out of the building and Josiah reminded himself to have another talk to Buck. He did not like to meddle in other people's affairs but the situation between the duo needed resolving. Until today, Josiah had not realised how much of a strain she was under and wondered if Buck knew himself how close Inez was inching to breaking point.
"Poor thing." Audrey sighed after Inez was no longer in sight, making preparations to leave herself.
"It ain't easy for her." Josiah agreed and wished that sometimes, people were not so damn judgemental. The only one who had the right to do that was the Good Lord himself. "She's a stubborn woman with a lot of pride. It's a hell of a combination."
"Any possibility that she and Mr Wilmington will marry?" Audrey turned to him and asked.
"I'd say a good chance." Josiah replied, considering the question. "When both of them grow up." He said with a hint of a smile and then faced her. "Ma'am, it was mighty nice of you to offer your kindness to her. It has been rough on her, more than she let's on I think." He said still staring at the door as if Inez was still in his sights to be seen.
"It's my pleasure Josiah," she flashed him a radiant smile when he glanced in her direction again. "I have my own ideas on what it takes to be a good Christian and being vicious is not one of them."
"You are a truly a lady without peer." He bowed gallantly and took her hand in his, planting a soft kiss on her hand.
Audrey blushed despite herself and cleared her throat. "Josiah, would you like to come to supper one night?"
Now it was Josiah's turn to be surprised and suddenly his smooth and confident manner vanished as he pulled his hand back and stared at her with a hint of anxiousness. "I'd like that." He said after a moment knowing that he would like to spend the evening with her even though he never expected her to be the one to ask first.
"Tomorrow night?" She suggested, wondering whether the impulse to ask him had come from. Of course, she had been attracted to him since their first meeting but Audrey was still too raw inside from the loss of her husband and was unprepared for the introduction of a new man into her life. She knew that Lilith came to see him at the church some times which was source of complete amazement to Audrey because her daughter had never seemed to like churches or men of the faith before coming to Four Corners. However, she took to Josiah with the same affection that she had regarded her father and Audrey felt deeply grateful to the man for that alone. "I know Lilith would be thrilled."
"I'll look forward to it." Josiah called out as she started to leave, wondering what other surprises the day had in store for him.
It was late afternoon when Inez finally stepped through the batwing doors of the Standish Tavern, feeling as exhausted as she looked. Although the patrons of the saloon had become accustomed to seeing her in this condition, it was not easy for Inez to endure their eyes as she moved slowly through the place, trying to reach her room at the top of the stairs as quickly as possible. Even though she had enough duties to keep her busy without being at the front bar, Inez nevertheless felt as if she was as if she was not doing as much as she ought to. Rain had been terrific in her place and Inez could not help feeling slightly jealous at how the customers had taken to her. Especially when the Mexican looked at herself in the mirror and saw her body twisting out of shape and felt her back ache no matter how hard she tried to get comfortable in a chair or on a bed.
To make matters worse, Buck Wilmington was in the saloon, sitting at the table occupied by Ezra, Vin, Chris and JD. Of all the people in the world she could have encountered this afternoon, he was the one she least wanted to see. Even though it was no fault on his part, Inez felt mocked by his presence. She felt angry that he was not suffering what she had been going through these past months, even though he was just as responsible for her conditions as she was. How is that a man could father as many children as he liked, married or not and still be considered a stud animal to be admired by others while women were vilified as whores if they happened to be unmarried if they were with child? The unfairness of it all infuriated her and made her in turn mad at him. Deciding that it was best that she avoided him all together, Inez headed towards her room instead of the kitchen as she originally intended. After the day she had, she could think of worse things that hiding in the confines of the home she did have.
Unfortunately, Buck had seen her and immediately left the game he was playing and headed in her direction. Inez groaned inwardly, not at all prepared to deal with him in any shape of form in the condition she was in at this moment. However, her present shape and size made it somewhat difficult to avoid him and Buck reached her in seconds.
"Hey Inez," he greeted.
"What do you want Buck?" She snapped.
Buck stiffened, seeing that she was in one of those moods again and prepared to adjust his own demeanour to compensate, otherwise they would be screaming at each other in seconds. "Ezra's says you were looking to move out of the saloon."
"Yes." She said shortly, not wishing to let him know just how dismally that idea had developed since its original inception.
"That's good," he replied, trying to be supportive, aware of how difficult it was in town for her, with people's attitude to her pregnancy at the moment. Moving out of this place into a real home seemed like a good start "Did you find anything?"
"No." Inez answered coldly, barely able contain her temper now because she really did not want not discuss this with him. She could just hear what he would say as surely as he had spoken it a thousand times before, that she would not have to endure this if she had just married him.
"At all?" Buck looked at her somewhat surprised. "Ezra's says you were gone for most of the day."
"I didn't find anything all right!" She exploded. "Nobody in this town wants to rent premises to a whore! The only people who were remotely interested, wanted me to have sex with them first. Look at me Buck! Am I in any shape to have sex with anyone? It was sex that got me into this mess in the first place! Now will you please leave me alone!" With that she continued up the stairs, leaving the room in stunned silence and surprising herself by not giving a damn any more.
Buck watched her disappear into her room once the rumble of noise had returned to the saloon following her outburst. He turned around and found a few patrons still regarding at him with amusement and curiosity but the expression of his friends at their table mirrored none of this. Instead, they all seemed equally concerned about the scene they had just witnessed. Buck decided that this had gone on long enough, he and Inez needed talk. Throwing caution to the winds, he hurried up the stairs in pursuit, determined he was going to get through to her once and for all.
For nine months, she had fought him and swore at him and done everything possible to keep him away. While she had included him in the progress of the baby's development, she was determined that there would be no repeat of the night that had seen its conception. Buck could not understand why she was still keeping him at arm's length when he had proved to her, much to his own amazement as a matter of fact, that he could be faithful to her. Staying away from other women had been the hardest task Buck had ever set himself but he did because Inez was worth it. He had loved her from the start and he was determined to show her that he was worthy of her love.
She was probably going to throw him out, Buck thought as he reached the door to her bedroom and took a deep breath. He glanced at the floor and saw Chris peering up from under his hat and giving him a nod of encouragement. Buck felt like he was about to enter the lion's den. Anyone who had ever seen Inez's temper would know that was not a far-fetched comparison. Buck decided he was not going to knock either because doing so would give her the chance to lock the door on him and he wanted to have this out once and for all.
Barging into the room, without giving her any warning whatsoever, Buck froze at the doorway when he found Inez lying on her bed sobbing. Any thoughts he had about taking the bull by the horns evaporated at that moment and he stood there dumbfounded not knowing what to say. He had this whole speech prepared in his head in the few seconds he had marched purposefully to her door and in typical female fashion, she had come up with the perfect rebuttal before he even had a chance to open his mouth.
"What do you want?" She looked up at him, eyes filled with tears. She did not make any move to throw him out and that alone told Buck that something was very wrong, aside from the obvious.
"Darling what's the matter?" He said closing the door behind him and stepping forward gingerly, still uncertain that there was no danger. She continued to weep paying no attention to his presence inside her room and Buck took a moment to examine the surroundings, since decor had been the last thing on his mind when he was here last. It looked nothing like a room in a saloon, there were flowers in a vase and curtains on the only window. While nothing could mask the noise of the revellers below, he was surprised by how cosy it looked.
"Oh Buck," she sat up in her bed and tried to stop her tears but seeing him only made her cry harder and harder because he was the whole reason she was in this mess. "Look at me!" She exclaimed. "I'm fat and ugly, the entire town thinks I'm a whore! I can't find a place to live and I'm going to be raising our child here!" She looked around the room distastefully. "Oh Buck, I've made a mess of everything!"
Buck sat down next to her on the bed and handed her his handkerchief, actually his scarf but he didn't think she'd complain too much at this point. "Inez, you haven't made a mess of anything. People in town are just old fashioned that's all, they don't mean to bad." Buck did not believe that for a moment but provoking hre anger was not a good thing to do at this point. "I'll ask around, we'll find you something, I promise." He wrapped his arm around her. "Inez, you ain't alone in this. I'm gonna be there every step of the way."
She dried her eyes and looked at him. "Thank you Buck." She swallowed, feeling guilty that she was so hard on him and almost believed him when he said that. Inez really did need some good news at this point.
"Inez," Buck said taking a deep breath, hoping this did not make things worse now that he had managed to stop her crying. "Maybe we ought to really think about getting married. It's time Darlin', " he implored her earnestly.
Strangely enough, she did not refuse outright or protest vehemently as she usually did, instead, she sat down and considered the question. Until today, Inez had been convinced that she could carry this baby on her own and raise it. However, her experiences today had driven home more effectively than anything else that happened in the last nine months that if she had difficulty enduring the insults and the terrible things people had said to her, how on earth was a child going to understand such a barrage? She did not want to leave Four Corners or the friends she had made here. Inez would not have made it this far without their friendship and support and running was the coward's way out and no one could ever accuse her of being that.
"I think you're right Buck." She nodded meeting his gaze seriously.
Buck stared at her. Of all the responses he had expected from her when he put forward the question, that was the answer he least expected to get back in return. His jaw dropped open and all he could do was stare. "You serious. You're not just toying with me?"
"Buck," she let her gaze drop to her swollen body and replied. "Do I look like I am in any position to toy with you?"
He had to say no.
"So you'll marry me." Buck asked again just to make sure, he had not heard incorrectly. For some reason, he was not elated even though by all rights he ought to. After months of pursuit and abstinence, it appeared as if all his efforts were rewarded. Except that Buck looked into her eyes now and saw nothing there that might indicate the passion they had felt for each other the night their child was conceived in this room. She looked at him like a creature defeated, begrudgingly accepting his proposal because she had no other alternative. Even though he did not voice it, Buck was hurt to think that she was agreeing only because she had to, not because loved him and wanted to spend her life with him.
"That's what I said." Inez replied with a small smile, searching herself for the happiness she should be feeling at a time like this and finding none. All she could feel was this deep well of confusion that did not abate even when he leaned over and kissed her. Inez felt his mouth against hers and felt nothing more than the satisfaction of knowing that she had done the sensible thing. In truth, she was still uncertain whether or not this was the right decision to make.
In the last few minutes, Inez told herself that it was time she stopped being selfish. Her desire to prove herself to everyone that she was capable of handling any situation even one as volatile and difficult of this was proving her undoing. Her child was not a point she had to make, it was a life deserving of all the things she was capable of giving it and that included a name and father. Buck Wilmington might not be the ideal husband and she could not say if she would make him an equally good wife but Inez loved him and she knew at the very least, he would be a devoted father to her child.
Right now, Inez had more need of him for that than anything else.
"When do you want to do it?" He asked stiffly, still feeling as uncomfortable about the whole thing as she did but neither could say voice it because there was too much at stake.
"I'm not sure," she replied, aware that something had changed between them and not for the better. "I'll sleep on it."
"Good," he nodded slowly and got to his feet. "I'll leave you to get some rest." Buck answered, trying to sound as casual as possible but everything in his eyes indicated otherwise.
"Well she hasn't thrown him out yet." JD pointed out as he looked up at the door behind which Inez's room was.
JD as always was more vocal about his curiosity even though everyone at the table shared it. Ezra kept glancing surreptitiously to the room when he thought no one was looking, in between dealing cards to his companions and checking his own hand. Of the seven, he felt most protective of Inez because of their deep friendship and mutual partnership in the running of the Standish Tavern. Inez, in tandem with Nathan Jackson, had been a plague upon his conscience, always giving him that subtle nudge back to the path of righteousness whenever he considered straying off it in the eternal search for monetary gain. He hated the fact that her reputation was sullied by the situation she now found herself in and worst of all that it was sheer pride that kept her from redeeming herself.
"I am certain that Mr Wilmington will let us know how he progressed in due time." Ezra said without looking up from his cards even if he was mindful of everything transpiring around him. "In the meantime, would you be so kind as to tell me if you wish to sit on those cards or not?"
"Sorry," JD said sheepishly and quickly averted his attention to the hand he was holding and tossed down two cards after a brief examination.
"Maybe they're finally talking." Vin added his own speculation. "If you ask me, they should have done that long ago." The tracker drawled lethargically with that lazy voice of his, which seemed even more so on a hot afternoon like this. It was late in the day and the saloon was almost filled to the brim. It appeared as if everyone wished to escape the heat of the afternoon sun and had remained inside the establishment longer than they should have.
Chris did not comment, mostly because it was none of his business and because he was the last one to make conversation about anyone's relationships, least of all Buck's. While he had to admit that Buck's relationship with Inez had never been a simple matter because they were both so stubborn and proud to compromise on anything, he had hoped that there would be some form of détente declared in light of the child that was coming. Chris could picture Buck with a child because his old friend had been so good with Adam. As difficult as it was for Chris to remember, he knew that Adam had adored Buck almost as much as he had loved his father and Buck had been similarly grieved when Adam and Sarah were lost.
"He'll figure it out." Chris said quietly, his tone of voice indicating to the others to keep him out of any further conversation regarding this particular subject. No sooner than the words have left the gunslinger's mouth, the door to Inez's room swung open and Buck walked out of the room, looking not at all happy.
"I guess they didn't talk as much as we thought." Vin remarked quietly as Buck started down the stairs.
However, Chris was watching Buck closely as the man descended the stairs, aware that something was wrong. Buck was one of the easiest people to read because he felt things passionately and freely, it was one of the reasons that made him and Chris such life long friends. Yet as the lawman approached his friends, Chris could not fathom what was going on in his eyes. The look in them was cold and impenetrable, immediately putting the gunslinger on guard, even though there was no reason to be so suspicious.
"I'll see you boys later," Buck said pausing at the table long enough to make that statement before he started out of the saloon. There was enough menace in his voice for everyone at the table to know that it was not wise to inquire what had happened up during his encounter with Inez. Buck did not wear this expression on his face often but when he did, even Chris knew that he was not in the mood for company. Unfortunately, JD had not learnt this particular lesson yet and missed all the signs completely.
"Hey Buck, what happened with Inez?" JD called out before anyone could stop him.
Ezra winced. Vin rolled his eyes in resignation and Chris' breath held for a moment as Buck Wilmington turned around and walked back to the table slowly. With that same expression of stone, he looked at the younger man and answered. "Inez has agreed to be my wife. Now if you'll excuse me, I have arrangements to make." Saying nothing more, Buck left the table and subsequently the saloon as well.
"Well he is thrilled." Ezra remarked.
Vin shrugged, not making any response to that while JD was more confused than anything. For the last five months, Buck had thought of nothing else but the idea of marrying Inez. He had spoken about it, ruminated endlessly on why she refused him and even called her crazy when she claimed she could do everything herself. Now that she had finally agreed to the marriage, they thought Buck would be ecstatic about it, not angry and sullen as he was now.
Chris told himself that Buck was an adult and could handle his problems on his own. He told himself this repeatedly, over and over again in the stretch of seconds that followed Buck's departure from the saloon. However, he also remembered that Buck had always been there for him when Chris needed his most, whether it was in a fight or just to play whipping boy to Chris when he needed to vent his anger and grief out on something or someone. Buck Wilmington had kept him alive when he was ready to kill himself after Sarah and Adam died and suddenly Chris came to the realisation that it was his turn to do the same for Buck.
"Deal me out." The gunslinger stood up abruptly and tossed his hand on the table. Without offering any explanation, Chris hurried out the saloon.
"Buck!" Chris called out as he caught up to the man who was making his way down the board walk towards the direction of the lodging house where he had a room.
Buck looked over his shoulder at Chris' approach and paused. "What's up?" He asked tautly, his voice almost as icy as some of Chris' best efforts to appear unfriendly to potential enemies.
"Just wanted to see if things are okay." Chris replied. "You seem a little bothered."
"It ain't like you to care Chris," Buck retorted sharply. "Do us both a favour and let it go."
Now Chris was certain something was definitely wrong.
He did not like seeing Buck this way. He was the only one who was supposed to be this disagreeable about anything. The dynamic of the seven operated with him being the lone, brooding leader, while Buck the happy go lucky ladies man. Start interchanging these roles and the whole thing collapsed.
"Not so fast pard," Chris said in that laconic voice of his that indicated he was not going anywhere until he had his answer. "For years, you've been sticking your nose in my business." Chris pointed out. "I've told you to get lost, hell I've even hit you a couple of time, wanted to shoot you at others, but you've held on harder than a flea on a dog. So you don't get away so easily now that the tables are turned." Then in a gentler voice Chris urged. "Come on Buck, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Buck swung around and glared at Chris. "I'll tell you what's wrong. She's marrying me all right but not because she wants to, she's doing it because she has to."
"Buck you don't know that," Chris said trying to come to Inez's defence and at the same time, reassuring Buck that that this was not the case. Inez did love Buck that much was plain to anyone who's ever seen them argue. He could not fathom why Buck would think such a thing.
"Yes I do." Buck returned sharply. "When you look at Mary, you know exactly what she's thinking. You love a woman enough and you can see her soul through her eyes. It's a wonderful feeling when you gaze into a woman's eyes and know that she loves you without hesitation or doubt. I looked into Inez's eyes a moment ago and all I'll saw was a whole lot of nothing!"
"Then don't marry her." Chris retorted and cursed himself for doing so as soon as the words left his lips. Damn, he was not good at this sort of thing!
"She's carrying my child Chris!" Buck roared as angry as Chris assumed he would be. "I can't just walk away! Whatever has gone on between Inez and me ain't the baby's fault. I know what its like to grow up without a father Chris, I know what its like to have people look at you and say the things they do when they think you ain't listening. I don't want that for my child."
"Buck she loves you." Chris tried to convince him because he needed to believe it and because Chris believed it was the truth. "She's scared as hell at the moment and she has every right to be." He searched himself for the right words and knew he was grasping at straws when he opened his mouth again. Buck was staring at him, relying upon Chris to say something that would prove his beliefs about Inez was wrong. "People have been treating her like trash since the baby started showing, after awhile that's got to take a toll on a person. I think a lot of what she feels for you is hidden under a lot of hurt."
Buck swallowed hard and nodded, not hearing what he needed and feeling so many doubts because he had not. He loved Inez and he wanted to make her happy but he did not know what to do now. "Doesn't this just take the cake?" Buck sighed. "All these years and all those women and I find the one that I know can make me forget all the others and she don't even care that I would give up anything for her. All she needs me for is my name."
"Buck I'm sure it ain't like that at all." Chris spoke up in Inez's defence and wondered what in God's name had happened between them in that room to bring their relationship to this. "This should have been seen to long before it got to this point. She's about to have a baby under a lot of pressure from everyone including you to do the right thing by it. That's got to make a person a little crazy."
"I hope you're right Chris," Buck said finally as he resumed walking again. "I really do."
Chris hoped he was right about Inez too but in truth, he was not so sure.
Shortly after Chris Larabee and Buck Wilmington had made their abrupt departure from the Standish Tavern, the trio left in the wake of Buck's startling news was discussing amongst themselves the ramifications of a Buck Wilmington, married. The concept alone was so alien to everyone present that they were only able to process the information with a new round of drinks. Understandably, JD was the more confused of them all and considering the nature by which Buck had delivered his announcement, neither Vin nor Ezra could blame him for his puzzlement. Indeed, they were somewhat bewildered themselves at Buck's reaction when everything they knew regarding his attitude towards marrying the sultry Mexican barmaid should have implied that this ought to be the happiest day of his life. Instead, the ladies man acted as if he was going to be marched up to the altar at gunpoint.
"I don't understand either of them." JD declared. "I mean, she loves him, he loves her. It should be simple."
"It should be Mr Dunne," Ezra agreed taking a sip of his whisky. "But things seldom are. Inez is a proud woman with specific ideas of marriage and a very Catholic upbringing. She has discarded much since fleeing from the nefarious Don Paulo in an effort to survive but at the very heart of her, she is a traditionalist and Buck is hardly the most ideal material for a husband."
"That's true." Vin nodded but then surprised himself by rallying to Buck's defence. "But he ain't been near another woman in months." The tracker pointed out.
As they continued their discussion, none of the lawmen paid much attention to a rather well dressed man who passed them by as he entered the saloon. The stranger was immediately greeted by Rain who was tending bar the counter and the trio paid him little mind than that, assuming him to be just another one of the passengers from the recently arrived stage, looking for a drink after a lengthy journey. The stranger in his tweed suit spoke briefly to Rain after she had served him his drink and then headed in the direction of the table she had pointed him towards when he had made his inquiry of her.
Ezra, Vin and JD were still engaged in their discussion about Buck Wilmington's relationship with Inez, when the stranger reached their table and immediately halted them from continuing their conversation any further.
"Do something for you mister?" Vin asked politely, unaware that in Chris' absence the others looked to him to take the lead. His hand dropped under the table and immediately drifted towards the Winchester resting in its holster. Unconsciously, Ezra shifted his hand slightly on the table, moving it into position should the derringer up his sleeve be required. JD was not so subtle and his movements were noticed almost immediately when he went to do the same. However, the distraction he provided, gave Ezra and Vin time to be prepared to back him up if there was danger here.
The stranger was a heavy man in his late forties, his bald head hidden under a bowler hat in better condition than the one worn by JD but not too dissimilar. He had noticed the suspicion in Vin's voice when the younger man had asked the nature of his business at their table and placed both hands on the table where they could see it, in order to convey to them that he meant no harm. "My name is Walter Clemens." He introduced himself first. "That charming young lady over there," he glanced at Rain and offered her a smile even though she was serving customers and did not see it. "Indicated that you are the law in these parts."
"We just keep an eye on things." Vin replied. "What can we do for you mister?"
"I am a detective from Pinkerton." Clemens introduced himself, deciding that it was best to get to the point. The men before him did not appear to be the patient kind.
"You are a long way from the east, Mr Clemens." Ezra replied first because he knew that Vin did not think much of Pinkerton detectives, not after that the last one in town had tried to frame Josiah for a number of serial murders.
"I go where the job takes me." Clemens replied. "Might I sit down?"
"I don't see why not." Vin kicked a chair gently towards the man from where he was seated.
Clemens sat down promptly and took a sip of his glass of Red Eye before addressing the men before him once again. "I'm wondering if you've been aware of any new arrivals in the last year and a half." The man inquired.
"Railroads coming this way Mister," JD retorted. "Lots of people have been coming through."
"You would have noticed this person." Clemens returned promptly. "I'm been employed by Donald Avery of Philadelphia."
"Donald Avery, the real estate magnate?" Ezra asked for clarification.
"It figures you'd know that Ezra," Vin said with a half smile. When it came to knowing where the money was, Vin knew no one else with as much acumen as Ezra Standish. The man could spot money a mile away and smell it too, Vin was certain.
"It just so happens that Mr Avery is a millionaire. He used to buy land, make it a dozen times more valuable than it is and then sell it for an extremely tidy profit." Ezra retorted haughtily.
"You keep yourself very well informed Sir." Clemens said with a hint of admiration.
"I enjoy reading the business news." Ezra explained. "One can never tell when an interesting snippet of information might serve one's purposes."
"Whatever," Vin shrugged. "What does Mr Avery want here?" He asked Clemens, getting back to the subject at hand.
"He's searching for his daughter." Clemens answered automatically. "Apparently she ran away from Philadelphia a year and a half ago, leaving a very disgruntled fiancee standing by the altar and almost driving the old man to his death bed from the shock. I've traced her movements as far down the line from Philadelphia to Eagle Bend but no further. I've spent the last two weeks visiting every town in the Territory trying to find her, so far no luck."
"Territory is a big place," Vin commented. "There are towns here that ain't on maps, if she's hiding. She could be anywhere."
"I suppose," Clemens admitted, unhappy about the prospect about spending more time here than necessary. "Fortunately, the old man in quite determined to find his daughter and he's willing to pay. Until he decides different, I've got a job to do."
"We'll help if we can," JD volunteered. "What can you tell us about her?" He was eager to sink his teeth into a little bit of sleuthing work with a Pinkerton detective.
"Quite a bit." Clemens responded. "She is apparently quite the beauty. Most of the men I talk to about her were not willing to even admit to seeing her, determined to protect her secrecy. Apparently the lady was extremely accommodating, if you get what I mean." He said with a suggestive tone in his voice.
Suddenly, Ezra had a very bad feeling.
"Tell me," he said casually, betraying nothing in his smooth southern voice. "Does the lady perchance have a name?" Ezra was almost afraid to ask but he had to know.
"Yes she does," Clemens replied feeling somewhat foolish he had not mentioned it prior to this and fumbled through his pocket for a few seconds before producing a worn photograph which he placed at the centre of the table for all to see.
"Like I said, a beauty isn't she?" Clemens commented, unaware of the fast and furious glances that were being exchanged at the table as Ezra Standish, Vin Tanner and JD Dunne found themselves staring into the elegant features of Julia Pemberton.
"Yes," Ezra said quietly. "Quite the beauty."