As much as Chris understood why Ezra wanted to spend as little time as
possible wearing a dress, this was getting ridiculous. Why the man insisted on
turning a relatively simple plan into a grand production, Chris was at a loss to
explain. He also didn't know why he was pacing up and down like some expectant
father while Buck and Ezra rustled around in the bushes with the dresses.
By the time Vin came back from Wickestown, having scouted the town and
positioned the others, Chris was crouching by the horses, running sand through
his fingers and trying to ignore the noises coming from the brush.
"How's it goin'?" Vin asked with a grin as he crouched down beside
Chris.
"Slowly," Chris answered just before Ezra and Buck began arguing
again.
"I'm not wearing that, that...contraption!"
"It came with the dress."
"I don't care. I don't even know what it is."
"What?" Buck laughed. "You mean you've never seen one
before?"
"Of course I've seen them before but I'm afraid my experience of putting
them on has been limited to never."
"Well maybe they go..."
"Ow! Kindly keep your hands to yourself."
"Sorry, Ezra," Buck giggled. "I guess I've had more experience
taking them off than putting them on."
"That much is evident."
"You know," Vin began, his voice light with humour, "folks
would pay good money for this type of entertainment."
Chris stood up and wiped the sand from his hands onto his coat. "But we
ain't in the entertaining business. How does the town look?"
"Quiet."
"Mrs Travis?"
"Fine, far as I could tell."
"I like this one best," Buck insisted from the bushes. "It
brings out them pretty eyes o' yours."
"Why, thank you, Mr Wilmington but I fear you are colour blind. That
shade does absolutely nothing for my complexion and as for the cut--"
"Hurry it up in there!" Chris hollered. "We haven't got all
day."
"Nearly done," Buck called back and both he and Ezra laughed at
some unseen joke.
"I'd best get back to town, make sure Wickes hasn't gotten any bright
ideas," Vin said, moving to mount his horse.
Chris turned his suspicious gaze from the bushes to Vin's smirking face.
"What's so funny? Don't you want to see?"
"I think I'll see him soon enough." Vin winked before riding off.
Wondering what that was all about, Chris was still squinting after Vin's dust
trail when he heard footsteps approaching from behind him.
"Mr Larabee," Buck announced as Chris turned around, "may I
present..." he went on, leading Ezra politely forward by the elbow, but
Chris barely heard another word. All he could do was stare. He wasn't expecting
the sight of Ezra in a pretty dress and other women's trappings to look so...
"What do you think?" Ezra grinned.
"You'll do," Chris returned reflexively, already heading for the
horses. "Just don't go flashing that gold tooth around."