Buck shouldered through the batwing doors, and spotting Chris reading in the corner, he swaggered across the room to join him.

Larabee looked up.

“Hey, pard.” Waving to Inez, Buck dropped into the chair across from his friend, patting his trouser free of trail dust. “Just lovely. I give her another week.”

“Before she succumbs to the Wilmington charm?” Chris asked with amusement.

Buck bounced his eyebrows. “So, when’d you arrive back in town?”

“Two hours ago,” Chris replied, closing the book.

“Thought Nathan said Vin wouldn’t be ready to ride for another few days.“

Chris snorted. “I don’t have Nathan’s talent for makin’ Vin listen.”

Buck scanned the room. “So where is he?”

“Sleeping. The ride took more out of him than he thought. He’s as stubborn as a mule. Wouldn‘t listen to reason.”

“Gave you a bit of trouble, pard?” Buck laughed.

“And then some,” Chris complained.

Buck pursed his lips. “Gotta say, I didn’t think he’d be ridin’ so soon. Hell, when I first saw him...” He shook his head.

Larabee eyed his friend. He’d been thinking about Buck a lot in the last week. “I was wrong.”

“Huh?” Buck asked, distracted by Inez. He smiled sweetly at her, which provoked a shake of the head from the lovely Mexican. She took two steps, batted away another patron’s wandering hand, then rolled her eyes at the advance of another. “She’s a fine lookin’ woman. She don’t like anyone to know there‘s a soft, caring woman hidden inside, but I know. Others may try, but...” Buck looked back at Chris and his voice faded. Larabee looked... different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what or why, but there was something changed. “Chris?”

“Three years ago, I was wrong.” Chris slid his arm across the table. Buck stared at it, and then lifted his gaze to meet his friend‘s. Dumbfounded, he took the offered hand. Chris moved his arm to firmly grip Buck’s forearm. Wilmington blinked and his face lit up with a smile the size of the Rio Grande.

“Thanks, Buck. For everything.”

“Any time, pard.” Buck couldn’t believe it. The green eyes staring at him held a look he hadn’t seen from Chris in three years. The dark, soulless edge was gone. There was mirth in his face. There was also contentment. He actually looked happy. “It’s good to have you back.” Buck's voice crackled with emotion.

“It’s good to be back.”

As they dropped their arms, Vin entered the saloon, moving very slowly and gingerly.

“Stubborn jackass,“ Chris grumbled. “Nathan told him to rest.”

Buck rose to give assistance, but Inez darted from behind the bar and rushed to the injured man. Her beautiful face twisted with horror and she began to fuss, touching Vin’s face tenderly and coaxing him into the closest chair.

Buck’s eyes widened. “Well, I’ll be jiggered.” He flicked his gaze to Ezra, who touched the brim of his hat, flashing a triumphant smile. Buck looked back at Vin and opened his mouth to comment, but all he could manage were gurgling sounds.

Inez continued to bustle around Vin, despite his obvious discomfort and assurances he was fine. She removed his hat and proceeded to abuse him for being out of bed.

Buck began to nod and a grin creased his lips as he flopped back into the chair. “What do you know? That’s the way the wind blows.“

“Inez. Inez, I’m fine. No... No, I don’t need...” Vin fought valiantly to combat the woman’s caring ministrations, but was failing dismally.

Chris smirked; amused that Vin appeared to have jumped from Nathan’s preverbal frying pan into Inez’s fire... those were definitely flames of passion in the young woman’s eyes.

Buck chuckled and winked at Chris. “Well, well, well. You know, I think, for the first time, ole Vin’s got more trouble than he can handle.”

Chris nodded, an easy smile settling on his relaxed face.

Tanner shot Larabee a silent, but desperate cry for help as Inez draped his arm over her shoulder and started dragging him toward the door.

Ignoring his friend's kidnapping, Chris reopened his book, leaned back in the chair and murmured. ”Yep, more trouble than he can handle... and all the trouble the stubborn jackass deserves.”