Ghosts and Guardians by GreenWoman (PG)

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Fandom: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Pairing: Author labels gen, but Ezra/OFC, and a hint of Chris/Mary
Length: ~6,000
Author on LJ: greenwoman
Author Website: GreenWoman's HALF AFT
Why this must be read:

My next several recs will be stories that focus on Ezra Standish, M7's odd man out. A professional con man and card sharp, he is pulled into the Seven against his will, and only gradually finds his place amongst the others and earns their trust (and his own).

In this story, Ezra has a fortuitous encounter with a woman new to town. The title gives away the story's twist, but, really, the story isn't a mystery, it's an examination of what makes Ezra tick, and how he may have, and need, more support from more quarters - natural and supernatural - than one might think.

A snippet:

She wasn't a working girl ... that was clear. Nor an adventuress, he was convinced, despite the fact that she seemed to be travelling alone. Her dress was inexpensive and far from stylish -- in fact, it seemed rather out of date -- but it was quietly elegant, and her carriage and the set of her head hinted at a natural grace which his experienced eye told him had been polished by a ladies' school.

Whoever she was, Ezra Standish was glad of the distraction offered by this new arrival to Four Corners. Indian summer had wrapped an unaccustomed mantle of melancholy over him. Ezra was not normally a reflective soul, having decided long ago that it was unwise to look back at the past, or forward to the future, any more than was necessary. But the end of the year was approaching -- a year that had changed his life -- and more and more of late, the gambler was dismayed to find himself reflecting on those changes.

He looked across the street to where Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington and Vin Tanner were deep in conversation. Trouble, he guessed, judging from their postures and the look on Larabee's face. They'll tell me about it, when they're ready. But they won't come looking for my advice, only for my gun.

Ghosts and Guardians