As the days passed, Vin found himself fleeing the boardwalk more and more often to hide in the saloon, until Josiah kindly pointed out Vin would someday find himself fleeing from Mary and run straight into some bounty hunter's gun. Chris had pointedly remarked to him that if and when he got close enough to hell to smell smoke, the gunslinger would take care of clearing up the problem in Tascosa, all without actually promising to turn in a body to do it. So midday found Vin holding up a post outside the saloon, watching the door of the newspaper office nervously, trying to build up the courage to face his demons.
"Easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm." Josiah interrupted his thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Colder it is, harder it is to swallow."
"Oh. Yeah." Vin nodded. He heaved a sigh and threw himself away from the post.
As Vin ambled down the street, Josiah began to smile.
Buck crossed the steps in front of him and followed his eyes down the street. "There walks a man afraid."
"Yes, yes indeed. That man will face a hangman's noose without a quiver but his knees are a quakin' going to face a pretty woman."
The two men laughed together and went into the saloon.
As Vin approached the door to the newspaper office, he dusted off the front of his jacket and pulled his hat from his head. He stepped softly in the door, shutting it silently behind him. Mary's back was to him as she talked with Yosemite about a broken piece of metal on the printer. Vin turned his hat around and around in his hands, studying the brim intently until the blacksmith left. Mary moved about the room, waiting.
"Hello Vin," she finally spoke.
"Mary." He dipped his head.
She emptied out a can of pencils, studied each one for a sharp point, then replaced them neatly in the tin cup. She straightened a stack of paper. She ran her fingers down the type, then studied the ink staining the tips.
"Is there something I can get you, Vin?'
"No ma'am."
She ducked her head away from him, tapped her fingers on the desk. She picked up a book and riffled the pages, set it back down again. She tucked her hair neatly behind her ears. Finally, she'd had enough.
"Vin-"
"When I make a jackass outta myself I don't usually go lookin' fer witnesses. I'm real sorry for what I said and I won't never use talk like that a'front of you agin cause you are a proper lady and I'll try never to do anythin' to be rude to you agin. I think you are a real smart woman and I got nuthin' under this hat but hair but I'd sure like you to accept me bein's sorry." The words came out in a rush of air that left him pale and gasping, his blue eyes wide.
She turned away, bent her head and put her hand over her face.
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Very sorry, Mary."
She nodded silently, several times.
He began to retreat towards the door, backing away quietly. She lifted one hand without turning around, beckoning him not to leave, but did not turn around. He thought she uttered a "no" and stopped to tip his head sideways, narrowing his eyes, listening, hard, and watching her.
She was laughing.
the end ... maybe ...
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