Thanks as always to Carrie for being the Best Beta ever.

Sequel to: Searching for Answers

Four days later

I am not angry, Ezra Standish thought, as his usually nimble fingers had trouble shuffling the deck of cards.

I am not angry about the fact that the man I love--whether he knows that or not isn't the point--with no considerations of my feelings or even my opinion on the matter, decided to go on a four day journey to search for answers.

No, I am not angry. I am confused.

Four days ago, I had the hope that he might be changing his feelings towards me.

Four days ago, I had hoped that my feelings for him would be returned. Now, I find myself wondering otherwise.

Did his feelings for me change so quickly that he felt he had to leave?

Have I done something recently that showed him my true feelings and it scared him? Maybe he doesn't want the same kind of love from me that I want from him.

Was that the reason why he suddenly left in search for answers?

Answers that I will not like.

Answers to questions that will change our friendship forever.

For two years now, I have hidden my feelings for Josiah, for the sake of keeping what little family I have together.

Now I fear that whatever slip I made may destroy what I have fought so hard to keep.

No, I am not angry. I am scared to death of these answers that he seeks.

Ezra's inner dialogue was stopped suddenly as he heard the heavy footsteps on the wooden sidewalk.

He looked up into the evening sky, hoping for the strength to now face the very man he had been thinking of for the past few days.

"Josiah," he said, as he got up from the chair he was sitting on.

"Ezra," he greeted in return.

"Josiah--"

"Ezra--"

They both started at the same time.

Josiah gently smiled at the young man and motioned for him to start.

Ezra smiled nervously and swallowed as he looked up into Josiah's deep blue eyes.

"Josiah," he said as he put his cards away in his red vest pocket. "Would walk with me please?"

Josiah smiled down at the only person who could give him the answers he was seeking, and nodded his head.

Ezra smiled and they started to walk out of town under the watchful gaze of the town.