"So what does De Rosas mean?" JD asked as they entered town.
        "It means bed of roses." Vin replied looking at their surroundings. 
"But then again, I could be wrong."
        The town of De Rosas was anything but what it's name implied.  The 
ramshackle buildings looked as if they were on the verge of collapse. 
Most of the windows were boarded up and dust covered shards of glass 
coated spots of the boardwalk.  The street looked like it hadn't been 
traveled on in ages and was littered with the remnants of bottles and 
papers.  All in all it looked like a ghost town.
        "Does anyone still live here?" Samantha asked, her voice showing her 
disgust at the thought of someone actually living in this town.
        At that moment, the almost cryptic stillness of the town was disrupted 
when the horses they were riding on began to neigh and dance nervously.
        "Whoa," Buck said as he tried to still his horse.
        Over to their right, in what appeared to be the saloon, a gun was being 
fired repeatedly. Out of the dusty swinging doors staggered a man, his 
hand over a fresh wound on his arm.  He labored over to Ezra, his dirty 
hands gripped Ezra's pant leg tightly.
        "They said I cheated..." His voice rasped.
        "How unfortunate." Ezra said, slightly afraid of this strange man 
holding on to his leg.
        "But I didn't." The man continued. "He was the one cheating...."  The 
man coughed once then slowly crumpled to the ground almost taking Ezra 
off his horse.
        Nathan rushed over to the man.  Kneeling beside him he checked for a 
pulse.  Grimly, Nathan raised his head and looked to Buck.  "He's dead."
        "From a shot in the arm?" Samantha asked astounded.
        "No," Nathan replied, rolling the man over on his stomach.  "From 
these."  He pointed to the man's back.  It was almost completely red 
with blood. They could  see that he had a large number of bullet holes 
in his back.
        Samantha turned her head away in disgust.  The other men had the same 
feeling. 
        "Man, Buck," JD said.  "How can someone do that?"
        "You'd be surprised what some people will do, kid." Buck replied 
grimly. 
        They all dismounted and tied their horses to the post in front of the 
saloon.  "Ezra, you and Josiah stay out here with Samantha." Buck 
instructed.
        "But I want to come in with you." Samantha objected.
        "This is no place for a lady." Buck explained. "And this time I expect 
you to stay put." Before she could object any further, Buck and the 
other men walked through the swinging doors.
        "I don't think he likes me very much." Samantha muttered to herself.
        "On the contrary," Ezra said, "He thinks very highly of you."
        "Well, he has a strange way of showing it." Samantha replied.
         Ezra watched her brush away a sizable amount of dust and dirt on the 
steps and sit down.  "Something troubling you." Josiah said.  It was 
more of a statement than a question.
        Ezra turned to the large man.  "How can you be so observant?" he asked.
        "Always have been." Josiah shrugged.
        "That woman is a mystery." Ezra replied.  "She seems genuinely in need 
of our help one minute and unfailingly independent the next."
        "Her emotions have been strained for too long." Josiah observed.  "I 
don't think she even knows what she is feeling."
        Ezra  turned and looked to where Samantha was sitting but the spot was 
vacant.  "Or doing." Ezra added as they began to search for her.
 

        Inside the saloon, Buck, JD, Vin and Nathan all stood at the bar.  The 
dark interior of the saloon was hazy with smoke and dust.
        A short, balding man came over to them from the other side of the bar. 
"What'll ay have."  He asked in a gravely voice. 
        "How about some information?" Buck smiled.
        The man smiled back revealing a small number of yellow teeth.  "How 
about some money first?"
        Buck laughed and looked to JD.
        "What?" JD asked, then when he realized Bucks intention he said, "Buck 
you can't be serious."
        "Come on, JD.  Do you want to help her or not?" Buck laid the guilt on 
thick.
        "Dang you, Buck." JD said pulling out his wallet.
        The little man's eyes bulged at the thickness of JD's wallet.  "What do 
you want to know?"
        "I'd like to know if you have seen this man." Buck replied setting the 
picture that Samantha gave him on the bar.
        The little man wiped his hands on the dirty towel on his shoulder and 
picked up the picture.  "Naw, can't say I have." He handed the picture 
back to Buck.  "He in trouble?" 
        "No." Buck replied placing the bill in an empty beer glass. 
        "Well in that case...Yeah I've seen him." The little man smiled slyly.
        "Where?" Vin asked.
        "Oh, around." The man replied, looking expectantly at JD.
        "You have got to be kidding." JD said.
        "Pay the man, JD" Buck whispered.
        JD made a face, but put another bill in the glass.  "He came to town 
about two years ago.  Banged up pretty bad.  Couldn't remember a dern 
thing.  Felt real sorry for him." The man said.
        "How bad was he banged up?" Nathan asked.
        "A lot of cuts and bruises.  One bug bump on his head.  Guess that's 
what caused his memory loss.  Don't rightly know."
        "Is he still here?" Nathan asked.
        "Can't rightly say.  He stayed for a while, but then he hooked up with 
a pretty little thing.  Haven't seen him since."
        "Do you know where he went?" Buck asked.
        JD knew what was coming and grudgingly pulled out another bill and put 
it in the glass. It didn't seem to be enough so Buck took three more 
bills and placed them in the glass.  "Buck." JD protested.  But Buck 
wasn't listening.
"He went up north somewhere.  Can't recollect where though."
        "Is there anything else you remember about him?" Buck asked.
        "Nope.  I am sorry." The little man said smiling and counting his 
money.
        "I'm sure you are." JD said under his breath.
        "Thank you, sir, for your cooperation." Buck tipped his hat and lead the 
others out of the saloon.
        "Why did you have to do that for?" JD asked.
        "We got what we came for, JD." Buck replied.
        "What did we get?  That he came through here and that he's not here 
anymore.  Oh, yeah, Buck, we sure got a lot."  JD complained.
        Buck slapped JD on the back and said, "I'm sure that you, like me and 
Vin and Nathan, also have a warm feeling in your stomach because you 
know that you helped someone."
        "No, not really." JD said.
        "Where are they going?" Nathan asked when he saw Josiah disappear 
around the corner.
        "My bets are on Samantha." Vin replied following, the rest close 
behind..
        The group met up with Josiah and Ezra behind the livery stable. 
        "What happened?" Buck asked
        "We turned around for one minute and she was gone." Josiah explained.
        "Any ideas to where she might have gone?" Buck asked Ezra. 
        "Why are you asking me?" he asked as Vin kneeled and looked at the 
trails on the ground.
        "This way." Vin said.  They all followed as Vin lead the way.  They 
went back and forth through the dirty back alleys of the town following 
the tracks that Vin had found.
        "Well, Mr. Tanner?" Ezra asked, his voice slightly on edge.  "Where is 
she?"
        Vin knelt down again and examined the tracks.  "It looks like she went 
this way.  And it looks like she wasn't alone."
        "Take your filthy hands off of me." 
        Rounding the corner, they found Samantha being pulled roughly by a 
scruffy looking man.
        "Mister, I suggest you listen to the lady." Buck said
        The man spun around and grinned.  "This doesn't concern you." He said.
        "I most certainly think it does." Ezra replied.  "That woman you have 
in your possession ," he nodded to Samantha, "obviously doesn't want to 
be in your company."
        "Yes she does." The man replied. "She just don't know it yet."
        "We don't want any trouble." Nathan said.  "Just let the woman go."
        "Not until I finish my business.  Me and Miss Byrd, here, have some 
unresolved differences."
        "Do you know this man?" Josiah asked Samantha.
        Samantha looked at the man then back to Josiah.  "I never saw him 
before in my life."
        "What?" the man asked.  "You don't remember me?"
        Samantha looked again at the man.  "No." 
        He pulled on her arm roughly and said, "About a year or so ago you 
came to town and promised us all big bucks if we go along with your 
money making idea." The man explained.  "After we all put our bids in, 
you and that fellar there," he nodded to Ezra, " packed up and left 
town." All eyes turned to Ezra.
        "Now I'm going to collect on my profits." The man finished, beginning to 
pull her with him once more.
        The look that Samantha gave Ezra was one of pure amazement. "Jesse...?" 
She said.
        "Mister," Buck said menacingly, " I told you to let the lady go."
        "No way.  I'm goin'  ta take her to the sheriff and collect my reward." 
The man called back.
        "How much is the reward?" Josiah asked, putting a hand on Buck's 
shoulder to stop him from advancing on the man.  "We'll pay you that 
much to let her go."
        The man turned back thoughtfully.  "All right.  Money's money after all."
        Everyone looked at Ezra.  "What?" he said.
        "How much is the reward?" Josiah asked again.
        "One thousand."
        "Pay the man, Ezra." Buck said.
        "Have you taken leave of your senses?" Ezra asked.  Not getting any 
answer except a cold stare from Buck, Ezra reluctantly gave his money to 
the man.
        "Relax."  Buck said. "You'll win that back in one day."
        The man gladly handed Samantha over to Ezra.  "Much obliged."  He said 
then turned and walked away.
        The men surrounded her and Buck said, "Do you mind telling us what that 
was all about?"
        Samantha looked from one to the other all the time avoiding Ezra.  "I 
wasn't completely honest with you when we first met." Her hand reached 
for her necklace.
        "We kinda figured that." Vin replied.
        "So what is the truth?" JD asked.
        "About ten years ago I was an entrepreneur--" Samantha began.
        "How about you tell us without the big words." JD said.  "We get enough 
of that from our walking dictionary." He said referring to Ezra.
        "I was a con artist." Samantha said simply.  "Jesse and I were the best 
in the business.  We made ourselves quite a fortune.  About a 
year--almost two-- he disappeared.  Along with some very valuable 
information." 
        "You mean he knows where the money is." Buck said.
        "Yes."  Samantha finally looked at Ezra.  She studied his face 
intently. "I've been looking for you for over a year." She said to him. 
"I can't believe I found you."
        Ezra stared down at the woman with an expression that told her he 
thought she lost her mind.  "I can not fathom who you think I may be, 
but your brother I am not." 
        "I know you are not my brother, silly." Samantha said.  "You are my 
husband."

        After the initial shock  of what Samantha had said wore off, the men 
decided that they would camp outside of town for the night.  The thought 
of staying in that town was anything but pleasant to Samantha and she 
insisted that they not stay.
        Sitting around the campfire the men still couldn't believe what 
Samantha had said about Ezra, and they were willing to discuss it in 
great detail.
        "You never told me you were married." Buck said.
        "I assure you I was never married to that woman." Ezra said.
        "Oh, so you could be married to someone, just not her." JD said.
        "I am not married nor will I be in the future." Ezra said, his patience 
running thin.  "Now may we change the subject?"
        "She would be quite a catch," Buck said motioning to Samantha's 
sleeping figure.  "If you use the right bait."
        "I do not intend to go fishing for a mate, Mr.  Wilmington." Ezra said.
        "Of course not." Buck teased.
        "I do believe that I will take a walk." Ezra stood and, taking his 
jacket, left the warmth of the campfire.  Josiah watched him go.
 

        Ezra walked until he came to a large tree.  Leaning against it, he 
looked up at the star studded sky.  He was lost in some celestial 
thought when he heard a noise behind him and turned quickly; his 
derringer in his hand.
        "It's only me." Josiah said.
 Ezra relaxed and tucked his small weapon back up his sleeve.  "Are you 
going to attempt to make light of the accusation set against me?" Ezra 
asked.
        "No.  It's not my custom to make others miserable." Josiah replied 
leaning next to Ezra.  "Do you want to talk about this marriage thing?"
        "Not really." Ezra replied returning his gaze to the sky.  When Josiah 
didn't say anything, he sighed.  "She was nineteen when I met her." 
Ezra began.
        "Samantha?" 
        "No.  Anna.  She was nineteen.  She was the most beautiful thing that I 
had ever laid my eyes on.  Her hair was long and dark blond.  Her eyes 
were the color of storm ravaged skies.  She was smart and perfect 
and...everything about her was just right."  Josiah nodded his head. 
       "We met in her father's inn.  I was in town for a few days; just passing 
through.  She took an immediate interest in  me and my talents.  So I 
showed her a few tricks.
        "Her father was not very happy at the idea that his daughter was being 
courted by a gambler.  He told her one evening that I was only after 
their assets.  But when it came to Anna, the almighty dollar wasn't so 
mighty.  Being with her was payment enough.
        "The day of my departure she was nowhere to be found.  I looked for her all day until my stage arrived, but I couldn't find her.  I so desperately wanted to say farewell to her.  Just before my stage pulled 
out she was there." Ezra smiled at the memory.  "She wanted to come with 
me.  Not thinking clearly as I often did in her presence, I agreed and 
we wound up traveling together for the next year or so." His smile faded 
as he remembered what happened next.
        "We where in Aboline when it finally sunk in that I had her 
accompanying me."
        "And you didn't want that?"  Josiah asked.
        "Quite the contrary.  I couldn't think of life without her.  It was the 
thought that I could possibly have ruined her life by letting her come 
with me."  Ezra said.
        "How could you ruin her life?  It sounds to me like you were both happy 
where you were, and who you were with." Josiah asked puzzled.
        Ezra shook his head.  "We were happy.  Extremely so.  And when things 
get comfortable and pleasant I begin to feel uneasy.  I had the foolish 
notion that she left her home to be with me.  Me.  A gambler and con man 
that wanders.  I realized one night that I couldn't give her what she 
needed.  A stable place to put roots down.  All I could give her was a 
saloon and occasional hotel." Ezra explained sadly.
        "What happened?"
        "One night while she was sleeping, I packed my bags and left.  I kept 
telling myself that I was doing the right thing for her.  That what she 
required was a man that could give her a good home and a family."
        "Maybe," Josiah said, "what she really needed was you."
 Ezra didn't say anything.  He was terrified that Josiah would say that. 
The truth of the matter was that Ezra had been thinking that from the 
moment he left her.
       "Samantha seems to think that you are this Jesse person." Josiah said.
        "I assure you that I am not the man she claims me to be."
        "I know." Josiah replied.  "No one could have lost their memory and 
made up a story as sad as that one."
        "I thought I heard someone talkin' out here." Vin said, coming up to 
them.  "What's going on?  A party?"
        "We were just discussing our problem with the woman in our company." 
Ezra replied.
        "I know you don't believe her claim." Vin said.  "To be honest, I find 
it hard to swallow myself."
        Ezra was mildly surprised.  "I am glad to hear it." 
        "Why do you really think she is playing this game?" Josiah asked.
        "I do not have a notion as to why she would be keeping up this ruse." 
Ezra replied.
        "She said she used to be a con." Vin pointed out.
        "So everything she says should not be taken at face value." Josiah 
said.
        "Presumably." Ezra said.  "I suggest we watch her with even more 
scrutiny."
        "What about our companions?" Josiah asked.
        "I have a feelin' they feel the same way." Vin replied.  "We better get 
some shut eye if we want to get back to town tomorrow." Vin said turning 
to leave.  Josiah and Ezra followed, returning to the dying campfire. 
 Ezra laid down on his blanket and stared at the stars until he drifted 
off to sleep.
 

        Samantha was riding close to Ezra.  She seemed reluctant to leave his 
side for fear that  he would leave her.
        Josiah had filled Buck, JD, and Nathan in on the conversation that he, 
Ezra and Vin had the night before and once again was met with scepticism.
        "What makes you think that she's not telling the truth?" JD asked 
again. 
        "What makes you think she is?" Vin countered.  "We don't know her that 
well."
        "We don't know that much about Ezra either." JD challenged.  "Maybe 
he's trying to hide this from us for some reason.  Or maybe they are in 
cahoots."
        "What are you talking about?" Buck asked.
        "Maybe they had this planned ahead of time." JD said. 
 Buck laughed and said, "You got to stop reading those dime store 
novels, kid.  Ezra, as much as I know him, wouldn't do that to us."
        "How do you know?  He ran out on us once."  JD replied.
        "That was an unfortunate mistake that I would not repeat." Ezra said. 
       JD turned, startled that Ezra had overheard what was being said about 
him.  "As for the accusation that I would be in 'cahoots' with that 
woman--I assure you that that is pure fiction.  If I wanted to con you 
out of your money, I would have done it by now."
        "Ezra, I didn't mean it like it sounded--" JD tried to explain.
        "Your meaning was quite clear.  Now, if you will excuse me.  I must 
return to the side of my cohort before she begins to get hysterical." 
Ezra turned his horse around and went back to Samantha's side.
        "What was that all about?" She asked.
        "Nothing you should worry about." Ezra replied.
        "You don't believe me do you?  About you being Jesse." Samantha said 
sadly.  "I knew you wouldn't."
        "I know who I am.  And who happens to be is Ezra Standish.  Not Jesse 
Byrd."  Ezra replied.  "I regret to inform you that I have never laid 
eyes on you until a few days ago."
        Samantha looked on the verge of tears.  "What do you want?  Proof?" 
       When Ezra didn't reply she said, "Fine.  Your mother's name is Maude. 
She is currently residing in St. Louis.  When you were younger  both of 
you used a cotton gin investment con in Chicago." 
        Ezra stared at her in amazement.  How does she know these things? He 
asked himself.
        "When you were ten you were staying at your aunt's house in the Kansas 
territories.  You were climbing one of the trees when you fell and broke 
your leg. The doctor had to reset it and you were in a cast for two 
months. 
        "Your uncle went to the doctor for a check up and a few days later died 
of the fever.  That's why you don't trust doctors.  You seem to think 
that your diagnosis is the correct one.  Shall I go on?"
        "How do you know so much about me?" Ezra asked her.
        "I told you.  You are my husband.  You are Jesse."  Samantha said, her 
voice firm.
        Ezra smiled, "You have been talking to my mother haven't you?  I am 
surprised she neglected to tell you that fictitious story about a dog I 
had named Elsie."
        "The last time I talked to Maude was before last Christmas.  She said 
that she was getting letters from you, and that you signed them Ezra. 
She couldn't fathom why but she figured you were on a job."  Samantha 
explained.
        Ezra couldn't understand how this woman could know these things about 
him--these personal things.  "What about a girl named Anna?" Ezra said, 
testing her.
        "Anna?  You mean Anna Shepard?"  Samantha asked.
 Ezra nodded his head slowly.  He was almost afraid of what she would 
tell him.
        "Anna Shepard was your sweetheart before me.  She was killed when you 
two got caught in a shoot out with some very unhappy customers." 
Samantha said.
        "You are truly a work of art."  Ezra said.  "Anna is not dead.  I know 
that for a fact."
        "What do you really know, Jesse?  All you have are memories.  And 
memories are never what they seem."
        "I would appreciate it if you would cease in calling me Jesse, and if 
you would cease this ruse."  Ezra felt slightly disturbed by what 
Samantha was telling him. 
        "Fine." Samantha said.  "I understand that this could be a lot for you 
to handle all at once."
        "It is not hard to handle, because I do not believe a word of it." 
Ezra said. 
        "What do you want?  Proof?" Samantha asked desperately.  "I need you to believe me."
        Ezra looked over to her.  When he first met her, her face was full of 
loss and sorrow.  Now, her face reflected her desperation and fear. 
        How can she know so much about me if we never met before. Ezra asked 
himself.  No. He told himself sternly. I don't know this woman.  I never 
saw her before in my life.  She is a total stranger.  But then again...
        "What I want," Ezra said slowly, "Is for you to stop all these rumors 
lies and tell the truth."
        "But I am." Samantha said, tears filling her eyes.  Her hand reached up 
to her necklace.  "What will it take for you to believe me?"
        "Undeniable proof." Ezra replied.
        "Then I'll get it." Samantha said and rode ahead.  For some reason, 
Ezra didn't like that tone of voice.

        "Back so soon?" Chris asked as they rode up to the saloon.  "What did 
you find?" 
         "Nothing." Ezra said before anyone else could answer. 
         "Just what I thought." Chris said.
         "If you gentlemen don't mind, I'm going to retire for the evening." 
Samantha said.
         "It's still early.  Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay on a 
little longer?"  Buck asked.
         "No.  But thank you for the offer."  Samantha said as she headed to the 
hotel.
         All the men piled into the saloon and took their regular seats.  Almost 
immediately Ezra took out his deck of cards and began to shuffle.  It was 
a kind of silent question which the other men answered by sitting at his 
table.
         "Ezra, you look a little strange." Chris observed.  "Are you sure that 
you didn't find anything ?"
         "Absolutely nothing."  He replied.
         "Except maybe a wife." JD said.
        Chris looked at him strangely then at Ezra.   "What?"
        Ezra didn't reply, he just kept dealing.  "That woman that we were 
helping said that Ezra is Jesse, and that Jesse is her husband."  Buck 
explained.
        "Ezra?" Chris was surprised by this information.  "Do you think she's 
telling the truth?" Chris asked.
        "No." Ezra replied.  "I believe  this is a ruse and I see no reason to 
discuss it any further."
        "Well, I think that if it is a joke, we should figure out why." Buck 
said.  "Like JD said, why would she want to con us?  She has nothing to 
gain from it."
        "Not true." Josiah said.  It was the first time he had spoken since the 
conversation started. 
        "What could she possibly gain from us?" Vin asked.
        "Maybe she's not out to get anything from us."  Josiah said.
        "What are you thinking, Josiah?" Nathan asked.
        "Maybe she's out to get something from Ezra."
         This got Ezra's attention.  He looked up from his cards and stared at 
Josiah.  "What would she possibly gain from me?"
        "Revenge for a wrong." Josiah said.
        "You know what they say, Ezra.  Hell hath no fury like a woman 
scorned." Buck added. 
        "This conversation is getting way out of control.  You are all slaves 
to your imaginations.  Do you mind if we play this game?"  Ezra hoped 
they would take the hint and end the conversation.   As far as he was 
concerned his past was his own.  It wasn't up for debate or conversation 
purposes.
        " If you don't mind me saying-" Buck said.
 Ezra threw down his card and said, " Oh, please do enlighten us great 
sage of women." The sarcasm dripping from his voice.
        "Ezra, I'm just trying to give you some helpful advice." Buck said, 
slightly hurt.
        Ezra smiled wryly and said, " As strange as this may sound, I do not 
require your assistance.  Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I am 
taking leave of this establishment for a place more enjoyable."  Ezra 
stood and left.
        The other men watched him go.  Buck turned back to the others.  "Did I 
say something wrong?" He asked in confusion.
        "Hard tellin'" Vin said.
        "He just needs to sort some things out." Josiah replied.

        After Ezra left the saloon he found himself wandering around the town. 
       The sun had set only minutes before and the sky was still painted with 
the brilliant colors of dusk.
        "Mr. Standish." a voice called to him.  Turning he was surprised to see 
Mary heading in his direction.
        "Good evening, Miss Travis." Ezra didn't feel like being around anyone 
but if there was one thing his mother taught him it was to be curious 
to women.
        "Good evening." She returned his pleasantry.  "I see that you and the 
other men made it back.  You were not gone for very long.  I trust you 
found what you were looking for."
        "On the contrary.  We were only chasing ghosts." Ezra said as he 
continued walking.
        "Do you mean that the man Miss Byrd was looking for has passed on?"
 Ezra thought for a moment then said, " In a manner of speaking."
        "That's too bad." Mary said with sympathy.   "What exactly was her 
relation to him?  That is if you don't mind me asking."
        "She said he was her husband." Ezra  said.  "If you don't mind, I was 
just going to turn in for the night..."
        "Oh, yes.  I'm sorry I kept you.  Good night."
        "Good night."  Ezra said and headed back to the saloon.  The other men 
were involved in a conversation when Ezra walked past them and made his 
way to his room.  He only caught bits of what was being said, but from 
the way they all were involved he guessed it had something to do with 
Buck's ordeal the other day.
        Up in his room, he sat down at the foot of the bed and looked at his 
reflection in the full length mirror.  He saw the face he had known all 
his life, and he wondered if he really did know himself so well.
        You're being absurd,  he thought to himself.   You are who you are. 
You are not this Jesse Byrd person.  He told himself again.  The fact 
that she knows so much about you proves nothing.  She said she used to 
be a con and chances are she still is.
        But some how he started to feel the little tickle of a doubt in the 
back of his mind.  He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to 
be married and have a family.
        "You missed your chance."  He told himself as he thought of Anna and 
her blue eyes. 
        Sighing heavily he laid back on his bed and covered his eyes with his 
arm.  ' Maybe what she really needed was you.' He heard Josiah saying 
again.
        I would give anything if she would be here right now and reassure me 
that Samantha is lying.  Ezra thought as he drifted off to sleep.