The next day dawned bright, a freshness filling
the whole town as the sun poured down from a cloudless blue sky. The general
hustle and bustle of Four Corners seemed to proceed with a lighter step than
normal. Even the town grouches seemed to put their sour dispositions on hold
for the day.
The seven lawmen had each completed their daily chores and were enjoying
a beer outside by the table on the boardwalk. None of them were keen on burying
themselves in a dark gloomy smoke filled room today. The beautiful day and
the pleasure of their friends’ companionship were all they required.
Chris took off his black hat and ran a hand through his blonde hair. He wore
it short now. It seemed his whole persona had changed the day Mary had said
she would be his wife. He no longer wore black, preferring blue and green
shirts. The green ones Mary always said made his eyes shine brighter. He
chuckled to himself at the thought. He had to admit that he liked the way
his wife looked at him when he wore the green shirt though. He knew he liked
to see her in soft blue dresses. It seemed to bring out the sheen of her
pale gold hair. He wouldn’t mind a daughter that looked just like her
mother.
Vin sat with his legs stretched before him, one ankle crossed over the other.
His slouch hat was pulled low over his eyes. Not one of the others could
tell what was going through his mind but if they had to guess, to a man they
would say his mind was on the petite brunette just across the street. They
probably would never have guessed though the direction his mind was headed
in. Vin never talked about Ibis and the things they did when alone but all
his friends were well aware of how his face lit up when she approached. None
of the others knew that just the night before, Vin and Ibis had made love
for the first time. None of them knew that Vin’s desire to make the
brunette his wife was scattering all other thoughts from his mind. Vin was
sure that Ibis loved him, for she had declared that almost a week ago and
her every action reaffirmed her declaration. Last night, Vin had told the
vivacious brunette with the sweet smile that he no longer wanted to live
without her in his life. He had asked her to be his wife as they lay in the
afterglow of their first coupling. The woman has tensed, tears springing
to her eyes, as she lay holding him tight. His heart had broken when she
refused but he understood that she was already married. This situation was
not like the one with Charlotte though. Somehow, the two of them would find
a way around the marriage she had agreed to with Rufus Wiggins.
JD and Josiah were playing checkers as they sipped their beers. The ex-preacher
sat with a look of total contentment on his aging face. He had stopped dreaming
of one day finding a pretty, intelligent, soul mate to fill his empty bed.
Although the quixotic of the Seven, he had been content to remember, savoring
the romantic trysts he had enjoyed if too briefly in his younger days. The
day Dr. Amanda Elder had dropped into the lives of the Seven, saving Buck’s
life when they had all given him up for dead, had been the best day of not
only Buck’s but Josiah’s life too. From the first conversation,
both Josiah and Amanda had each found an individual that could soar the heights
with them. Amanda understood the longing in Josiah to atone for the acts
of aggression that had led to his parting with God. She also understood his
guilt in regards to his sister, Hannah. Amanda had eased his soul, allowing
him to find happiness for the first time in years. At the same time, Josiah
understood the tough, determined woman who had fought her way through medical
school and was determined to serve as many people as she could. Although
he worried when she was gone, he endorsed her practice of riding the circuit
to bring medical care to those in small communities that could not support
a doctor. He saw the look of gratitude in the faces of the patients she saw
in Red Bow and Bitter Creek and Dust Bowl and the ten others hamlets that
his wife traveled to on a regular basis. He liked to accompany her but he
had obligations of his own to see to. Their love and trust of one another
stayed a constant even when they were apart.
The youngest of the Seven was deeply engulfed in the arms of love but he
and his young paramour had not made the final commitment to one another yet.
JD figured that if Buck could wait until he was thirty- two to get married
and Josiah could wait until he was fifty, then he didn’t need to rush
into marriage. Casey didn’t seem to be in a big hurry. Hell, she was
only eighteen and she still preferred horseback riding to snuggling. No,
he couldn’t exactly say that. Saturday night, in the haystack outside
of her Aunt Nettie’s cabin, Casey had shown a willingness that had startled
the young man. Surprised but more than agreeable, the two young lovers had
enthusiastically but clumsily succumbed to the heady urgings of their young
bodies. JD thought that it was the best feeling he would ever experience.
Little did he know that it would only get better and better with time and
practice.
Nathan sat on the steps beside Buck. The two men were comparing notes on
house building. Nathan was in the process of building a small house on the
outskirts of Four Corners. Rain didn’t appreciate the noise, dust, and
bustle of the town. She had grown up in a small village where the quiet of
the woodland was just steps from her door. She was unsettled in the growing
town. She yearned for a patch of garden, a bubbling brook, the chirp of crickets
to sing her to sleep. Her husband had found a small piece of ground not far
from town that met all of his young bride’s desires. The home he was
building was not as large as the Wilmingtons’ but would suit the Jacksons
just fine. He still could recall Rain’s face when he presented her with
the land the day after their wedding. The look of pure joy on her face would
stay with him the rest of his life.
Buck enjoyed helping Nathan with the building of his house. He tried to get
out to the site as often as he could. He remembered the effort the whole
town had put into his home. It had overwhelmed him when he saw the completed
house. He could never have imagined that so many people would be willing
to help him in his time of need. Although it had been JD’s idea, the
entire population of Four Corners, well almost all, had enthusiastically
given their time and effort to complete the homestead when Buck had succumbed
to the stress of both physical and mental trauma and had slipped into catalepsy.
Although he still found it difficult to believe at times that he was a husband
and a father, he was flourishing in the reality of his life. He simply adored
his son and was looking forward to the arrival of the next baby which was
due in five months. He wanted a girl this time, one that looked just like
his amazing wife. Every time he held Ezra John, he realized the headiness
of the miracle that had been bestowed on him. He turned his head to look
at his old friend, Chris Larabee, and a wistful look crossed his face. He
now knew the extent of the feelings that Chris had had when he and Sarah
had welcomed Adam into the world. And he never, ever, wanted to experience
the grief that loosing them had caused Chris. He was ecstatic for his
‘brother’ who had again found love and would soon have a baby of
his own to give his whole heart to once again.
Buck then glanced at the gambler. He had ridden the circuit with Ezra that
morning and the two of them had discussed Angelina. Buck tried to make Ezra
understand some of what the Mexican woman was enduring but Ezra had not grown
up that way. He had been shoved aside, taught to depend only on one’s
self. The only lesson he knew of others was to watch them for opportunities
and to be careful of betrayal. The fact that he cared for Angelina so deeply
was a tribute to his heart finding a home in Four Corners, the trust that
six other men gave him, and the inherent goodness in the man’s soul.
Buck stood up and walked into the smoky saloon. He made his way to the back
and entered the kitchen. His wife was busy at the oven, her back to the entrance.
She was humming as she worked and Buck stood, silently watching. As she turned,
a pan of cooked burritos in her hands, she smiled. The tall lanky man before
her was grinning like the cat that ate the canary.
"What is making you so proud of yourself this afternoon, husband?" She set
the pan down on the counter and made her way to stand in front of her one
true love.
"I have you for a wife." His voice was husky with passion and he leaned forward
to kiss his wife, his arms wrapping possessively around her back. He closed
his eyes, savoring the taste of her mouth, the warmth of her body. He never
wanted the kiss to end but finally, he withdrew from her lips. "I love you,
Inez."
She swallowed hard, her feelings for him almost overpowering her. As a young
woman in her village, she had dreamt of finding a love so complete but she
had never even come close. Every other man had left her hollow, wanting more.
Her mother had said she was too picky, that she should just settle for one
and make it work. She had rebelled, knowing that she would someday find the
love she desired. The day Don Paulo had attempted to rape her in front of
the whole village was perhaps the best day of her life although at the time
she had been terrified and so alone. But her flight from the young don’s
advances had led her to a dusty town in New Mexico and to the love of her
life. No matter what, she would never take another man to her bed. Her love
for the town’s Lothario had made her complete and she knew he owned
her heart for the rest of time.
"Mi amour, le corizon perdido enti. I am yours for all time." She tilted
her head and they kissed again, a long passionate kiss that left both of
them breathless.
"I don’t want to wait for the night, Inez. Be mine now!" He whispered
against her mouth. His desire for his wife was constant and sometimes, as
now, painful. One hand cupped her behind and pulled her tight against him.
The other hand entwined itself in her hair, drawing her head back so that
his lips could find the soft skin of her neck. He breathed in the scent of
cinnamon and wild flowers that was hers alone. He moaned into the hollow
of her neck where it met the shoulder.
She pushed against him with her hips, his desire for her hard against her
stomach. Her arms wrapped tight around his waist, she whispered, "I want
you so much, my love. Don’t stop, please, don’t ever stop."
He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the stock room at the back of
the kitchen. They had availed themselves of the sturdy table on numerous
occasions for they never seemed to tire of their joining. Buck slung the
few items on the table to the back of the small room and laid his beautiful
wife on the table. He pulled the strings tying her blouse together and loosened
the peasant top she wore. As was her practice, she was bare beneath the cotton
material. His mouth quickly found his target and he consumed her flesh greedily.
"Lay down Buck, I want you now." Her dark eyes were black with passion, her
lips swollen with desire. She pushed against his chest and he backed off.
She sat up, her tongue slowly licking her bottom lip in anticipation.
He smiled and succumbed to his wife’s desire.
"Chris! Chris, Mary needs you!" Ibis came
running from the newspaper office, ink still covering her hands. She spotted
the six men sitting outside the saloon and she ran straight for them. "Chris,
she needs you right now!"
All six were immediately on their feet. Chris moved forward to meet the young
brunette who was quickly approaching. "What’s wrong with Mary?"
"She said her water broke and she needs you and Dr. Elder. I think its her
time, Chris. Hurry!" The young woman was frantic. Her friend was bent over
in pain, beseeching her to find help.
"Josiah, get your wife. Vin," Chris broke into a run, knowing his best friend
would take care of Ibis. He wasn’t ready for the arrival of the baby.
He still had doubts about loving another infant as he had Adam. But his beloved
wife needed him and he would be there for her.
Vin gathered the scared brunette into his arms. "Its alright, sweetheart.
Amanda will take care of everything. It’s just a baby."
"Little do you know, Vin Tanner. It could be a long time and the pain is
terrible. Poor Mary, we need to help her." Ibis wanted to return to the Clarion
office but Vin held her firm.
"Let Amanda take care of her. Chris is with her. Its all gonna be okay."
Buck and Inez came out of the saloon. "What’s the ruckus?"
"Mary is going into labor, Buck. Nathan is already headed that way and Josiah
went to fetch his wife. Inez, Mary may require your presence." Ezra glanced
at the Wilmingtons and noticed the disheveled look of their clothing. He
grinned in acknowledgement. Inez left her husband’s side and hurried
to her friend. Ezra shook his head. "Mr. Wilmington, I thought you had set
aside your randy ways for the pleasures of marriage."
"That is one of the pleasures of marriage, Ez. I can’t get enough of
the woman. She’s got more moves than a contortionist in a side show."
Ezra looked appalled. "That is definitely more than I needed to know, Mr.
Wilmington."
Buck broke into a belly laugh and then, clapping his friend on the red coated
shoulder, the two of them made their way over to the Clarion office to lend
their leader support.
Several hours later, Mary was still clutched in the tendrils of painful
contractions. The process was not going as quickly as she or her husband
would have liked. Amanda and Inez were with Mary. Casey, Rain, and Ibis sat
in the kitchen, preparing coffee for the men and keeping water hot for when
Amanda might need it. Gloria Potter was keeping Billy busy, saying the adults
didn’t need him underfoot. Vin, Nathan and Ezra sat quietly in the office
playing cards for toothpicks. They were all too nervous to fully concentrate
on their game. JD and Josiah sat outside on the boardwalk, quietly talking
about babies, family, and love. Buck had lead Chris out back to the porch
swing. The two sat mostly in companionable silence.
"Buck, I don’t know if I can go through this again."
"Well, Stud, it’s a little too late to be backin’ out now." Buck
grinned sideways at the extremely apprehensive man beside him. Chris had
been nervous when Adam was born but not like this. This was a combination
of anxiety and dread. "What’s goin’ on, Chris? You already know
you can be a good father. You’re not like me, you’ve had experience."
As the words slid past his lips, he wished he could take them back.
"That’s it exactly, Buck. I don’t think I could survive buryin’
another child of mine. Hell, Big Dog, I doubt if even you could get me through
it if something happens to this one." A tear fell silently down the gunfighter
cheek.
Buck had never seen his long time friend so scared. He had seen the man charge
a hill knowing they couldn’t make it to the top alive. He had seen him
face three to one odds with only three bullets left in his gun. He had seen
him face down some of the fastest guns in the West and live to tell the tale.
And during all those times, Larabee had forged ahead with ice in his veins
and a cold glare in his eyes. But now, with the impending birth of his child,
fear seemed to leak from his pores.
"Chris, this is life happenin’ here. Ya can’t take it back and
ya can’t predict what will happen in the future. But it’s the way
of things, Pard. People die and babies are born, not to replace the deceased
but to fulfill their own destiny. You learned to care again when the seven
of us got together. You learned to love again with Mary. Now your gonna find
that ya got enough heart left to fill it with this young ‘un." Buck
put his arm around Chris’s shoulders. "Once they put that little bundle
in your arms, ya won’t doubt one minute more."
Chris turned his head and saw the sincerity on his old friend’s face.
He had been thinking about something for awhile now and the answer was suddenly
clear. "Buck, will you be the godfather again?"
The rogue’s eyes misted up and he swallowed the lump in his throat before
answering. "Ya sure?"
Chris nodded. Buck had been Adam’s godfather. He had loved the boy almost
as much as Adam’s parents had. He had never done anything that would
harm Adam in any way and he had been there to entertain, teach, comfort,
and explain. Yes, Chris was sure.
"I’d be honored, Chris, just like I was before."
"Then it’s settled."
"So, Stud, wha’cha gonna name the boy?"
Chris looked at his old companion questioningly. "What makes ya think it’ll
be a son?"
"It’s what’s right."
Chris smiled, the fear suddenly gone. "Quentin Vincent Larabee. Nobody names
their kid Buck!"
The lanky regulator backed away aghast and then, he laughed, a full bodied
sound that had the man in black laughing along with him.
That was how Amanda found the two, side by side, enjoying life, as old friends
should.
"Excuse me, guys, but Chris might want to come in and greet his son. He’s
a keeper, Chris, and Mary is anxious to have him meet his daddy."
Both men stood and quickly made their way inside.
Most of the seven and their wives or lovers
were in the kitchen, eating the supper that Rain and Ibis had made while
awaiting the birth. Chris, Mary, and Amanda were still doting on the newborn.
Inez entered the warm cheery room and made her way to her husband’s
side. He immediately rose, giving her his chair to sit in.
"You doin’ okay, Mex?" he asked out of habit.
"I’m just fine. I am missing my baby, though." She looked wistfully
at the man she loved.
"Ah, shit, Mex, Angelina’s gotta be wonderin’ where the hell we
are! We should a been home hours ago." Buck looked upwards, running his hand
through his hair. "I’m sorry, I got to talkin’ to Chris and I forgot
Johnny."
"Never fear, Buck, I shall ride out to your abode and inform the lovely senorita
of your whereabouts. Would you like me to accompany your sister into town,
Inez?" Ezra stood and reached for his hat, not even asking if the Wilmingtons
would be heading for home. He missed seeing Angelina today as he had promised
her he would.
"Nah, Ez, we’ll be heading home before long but if ya could tell her
why we’re late, we’d be appreciative." Buck chuckled at Ezra’s
enthusiasm.
"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Wilmington."
"I bet it will, Ez."
Ezra winked at the big man and exited the building before any other comments
could be made. He whistled to himself as he saddled Chaucer and headed west
to the Wilmington homestead. He was in a great mood and he was in love. He
rode with a light heart and a blind eye. He never saw the two riders behind
him.
Rufus had been watching the activities at the newspaper office for most of
the afternoon. Since hatching his plan, he had not found the opportunity
to put it into action. He was a patient man, having been a trapper all his
life but his patience was running low. His son was whining constantly, since
Rufus wouldn’t let him drink or gamble and he had nothing to keep him
occupied. Rufus decided his son was spoiled. As he watched into the early
evening, he saw the gambler leave the newspaper office alone and head for
the livery. He quickly got up and made his way to where Cyrus was waiting.
"Quick, boy, get the horses. We got a thievin’ gambler to pay a call
on. He must be headin’ home all by his lonesome."
As Ezra approached the house, he called out
loud and clear so that Angelina would know who was coming in. It was dark
and the moon was only half full. As he was dismounting Chaucer, Ezra caught
sight of the front door opening.
"Angelina, its me. Don’t worry, everything is okay." The Southerner
tied his cherished horse and made his way to the porch. He could see that
the lovely young woman held the baby in her arms. He grinned as he climbed
the stairs. "Hello, my darling Angel." He kissed the young woman’s cheek.
"And how are you tonight, Master Wilmington?" He ran a loving hand over the
boy’s dark hair.
Angelina looked around Ezra, trying to spot her sister and brother-in-law.
When she didn’t see them, she turned inquiring eyes back to the man
standing in front of her.
"Buck and Inez will be along shortly. Mary had her baby about an hour ago.
She had a boy but it took awhile. I realize one of us should have ridden
out here to tell you but we all got caught up in the moment. I’m sorry
for the worry we put you through, Sweetheart." He touched her cheek softly
and she smiled up at him. "He’s a perfect boy and they named him Quentin
Vincent Larabee. Apparently, Quentin was Mary’s brother who passed away
a few years ago. Both Mary and the baby are fine."
The young mute nodded her head and held John out so Ezra could take him.
She lifted her hand up as if drinking and then questioned Ezra with her facial
expression which he was becoming very familiar with.
"Yes, I would love something to drink. How about some coffee?"
Before she could turn to go inside, they heard the approach of horses. Expecting
Buck and Inez, neither of the two was on guard until the strange horse walked
up close enough to the house for the rider to be seen. Ezra recognized him
immediately, having seen him in the saloon over the past week. The man had
long grayish red hair tied back from his face by a leather thong. The eyes
were cold and cruel. His clothing was leather, both top and bottom. And in
his hands, he carried a buffalo gun which was aimed at Angelina.
"Evenin’ folks. I’d drop that fancy gun of yours, gamblin’
man. Unless ya want me ta shoot her here and now?" The old man smiled evilly.
Ezra started to undo his gun belt, thankful that he had his derringer in
the arm holster under his shirt sleeve. Just as he was dropping his weapon,
a voice came out of the dark.
"He’s got a funny little gun up his sleeve, Pa. I’ve got him in
my sights if’n ya want ta git it."
The voice was familiar. Ezra thought a moment and then remembered pulling
the derringer on the young trapper about a week ago. He turned his head slightly
towards the area where the voice came from. "My dear young man, I have no
need to be carrying my derringer tonight."
The older man had alit from his horse and was making his way up the steps.
He still wore a grin on his ugly face. Quicker than the conman would have
thought possible, the man grabbed him by the arm. The spring device forced
the small gun into his palm. "Not a smart move, Mister." As the trapper grabbed
the gun from Ezra’s hand, he slammed his elbow into the lower part of
the gambler’s ribs.
Ezra grunted and stumbled back a few steps, grateful that the blow had missed
the baby. John started to cry and Ezra held him firmly against his chest
protectively.
"What do you want?"
"Ya got yerself a mighty fine house here, Gamblin’ man. And a right
pretty little woman ta go along with it. S’pose ya bought it with the
money ya stole from poor unsuspectin’ workin’ folk."
Ezra didn’t even try to correct the man. He had to stall, try to keep
the man talking until Buck arrived for support. He had to protect Angelina
and John. There was no choice but to go along with the foul man before him.
The young trapper had moved into the light from the open door and had a hand
on Angelina’s arm. Her eyes shown bright with fear, her body trembling.
"I’ll give you all I have inside but please, let her go. She’s
not well. Please, take your hand off of her." Ezra didn’t bother to
look at the boy. He could tell the old man called the shots.
"Cyrus, take her out to the horses." Rufus held the huge rifle steady in
the middle of Ezra’s chest. "You want to know what I want? I want my
wife back. You bring me my wife and I’ll give ya back yers." He spat
a wad of tobacco at Ezra’s feet.
"Your wife? I’m sorry, my good man, but you have me at a disadvantage.
Who, pray tell, is your inauspicious bride?"
Rufus glared at Ezra, completely baffled by the man’s ten-dollar words.
"Your wife, man, who is your wife?" The gambler was almost afraid of the
truth.
"She goes by the name Ibis. Some damn Indian name. I call her mine. I been
trailin’ her for a while now and I know she’s in that town of yours.
I also know ya run with a gun wheelin’ pack. I see a hair of any of
their heads, and I kill yer wife and the baby." He reached out and grabbed
John by the arm, pulling the boy painfully from Ezra’s grasp. Ezra tried
to hold on to the baby but the trapper didn’t release his grip and Ezra
knew the tug of war would only hurt John so he stepped forward again and
let go of his godson.
Johnny screamed in fear and pain. The man didn’t smell or look like
anyone familiar. He sensed the man was evil and he wanted the security of
his family. He wailed pitifully but the outdoorsman ignored the baby, holding
him loosely, his forearm around the child’s middle.
Reflexively, Ezra reached out for the distressed child. "Please, take me
and leave them alone. I’ll get you whatever it is you want, just leave
them here and unharmed." He had never begged for anything so dear to his
life before. He was prepared to do anything to save their lives.
The trapper saw the look of abject fear in the smaller man’s eyes. He
had won. He would get both his wife and the money. By tomorrow morning, he,
his son , and his wife would be headed back to the mountains where they belonged.
"You meet me at the crossroads out by Sand Creek at dawn. Ya bring me Ibis
and all of my money that ya stole from my boy. I promise ya, I’ll let
the woman take care of the squailin’ brat and we won’t touch either
of ‘em. But, you don’t show or I see any of your cronies, he’ll
be the first ta die. We’ll take her and believe me, she won’t like
what happens to her. You got that, Fancy Pants?"
Ezra gulped back the fear that threatened to strangle him and nodded his
understanding. His eyes sought and found those of Angelina. "I’ll be
there." He turned to face the bastard in front of him. "If either of them
are harmed in any way, sir, you won’t want to still be alive when we
find you. My friends and I are prone to action and we can be very inventive
when the need arises. I will do as you say because both souls are very dear
to me but, don’t you break your word or you will find death to be a
very painful experience." The last sentence was hissed softly for Rufus’
ears alone.
Cyrus had thrown Angelina up on Chaucer’s back. He came back to the
porch and took the baby from his father’s arm. John was still wailing
and Cyrus held him at arms length as if he were a sack of foul smelling laundry.
He handed the baby up to Angelina and she immediately began to sooth the
infant’s fears.
Ezra watched the transfer. At least Angelina held his godson now. Before
he could return his attention back to the old man, a rifle butt smashed into
his ribs. Down he went, the air knocked out of him. Cyrus began to lead Chaucer
away from the house. Angelina turned as far as she could, her tear filled
eyes straining to keep contact with the man she loved. From his knees, Ezra
stretched out his hand toward the scared Mexican woman, trying to give her
something to hold on to. She stretched out the arm that wasn’t holding
John. A silent promise was made. And then the rifle butt crashed down on
Ezra’s skull and he fell, face down on the pine boards of the
Wilmington’s front porch.
"Did you see the look on Chris’s face
when he held that boy for the first time? I tell ya, Mex, it did my heart
good to see him so … Ah hell, I can’t even describe it." He turned
to his wife who sat beside him in the buggy and suddenly, the mood changed.
"I stuck with him as long as I could after the fire but the look in his eyes,
it tore at me every day that we spent hunting for that bastard. Even when
we met up again, that look was still there. I felt responsible for puttin’
that look in his eyes, Inez. We shoulda come straight home after the sale
but I, I just had ta have me a fling and Chris, well, he just went along
with it. Honey, I loved Sarah and Adam like they was my own family. That
boy was somethin’ special."
"But tonight, when Amanda laid that baby in his hands and he pulled it close
up to him, that look was gone, maybe for the first time since we rode into
the ranch and smelled the smoke." He slipped his arm around Inez and pulled
her tight to him. "I think it was the third best day of my life, today, right
behind the day you said I do and the day John took his first breath."
"Do you know what I thought of you the first day I saw you, Buck Wilmington?"
"No and I’m afraid yer gonna tell me." He leaned towards the lovely
Mexican woman and buried his face in her hair.
She snuggled in closer to his side and settled her hand in his lap. "I thought
you were shallow and vain and very virile. I was wrong on two accounts. I
know just how virile you are now, don’t I?" She waited for his laughter
to subside. "My wonderful husband, you are the most insightful, caring man
I have ever met and I love you so much I don’t ever want to be without
you. I am truly grateful that you never listened when I said nunca."
Buck guided the horse and buggy into his yard and jumped down to help Inez
out by the front door. "Didn’t see Ezra pass us but his horse ain’t
here."
"Maybe he put Chaucer up in the barn with some food. You know how he dotes
on that animal." Inez took her husband’s hand and they proceeded to
the steps leading up to the porch. One step from the top, they stopped, both
staring at the motionless body of Ezra Standish.
Buck sprung into action. He knelt by Ezra’s head and felt for a pulse.
The fear subsided some when he found it to be strong and steady. He slipped
his arms under the smaller man and lifted. "Honey, get the door."
Buck carried him to the parlor and laid him gently on the settee. The gambler
moaned when he was settled on the soft surface. From there, Inez took over.
"Get some water and towels and bandages." She ordered and then turned her
attention to her friend. "We’re here now, mi amigo. It’s all right."
Buck moved quickly, rounding up the items needed to tend to Ezra’s injury.
As he pumped the water, his hand stopped in mid stroke. His heart constricted
and a fear like he had never known gripped him. The medical supplies forgotten,
he ran up the stairs and into John’s room. He scanned the interior and
then made his way to Angelina’s room. Still, he found nothing out of
order. Almost tripping over his own feet, he dashed out the back door. He
searched the darkness for any sign of movement. Finally, he made his way
back into the parlor. Purposefully, he marched to the settee and pushing
his wife aside, he lifted the gambler by his ruffled shirt.
"Where are they? Dammit Ezra, where are they?" The man in his grasp began
to stir upon hearing the fear and anger in the voice.
"Buck, he’s hurt! Leave him be!" Inez tried to force her way back to
Ezra’s side but her husband was an immoveable force. Her mind was on
the injured in front of her. She didn’t comprehend the words Buck hissed.
"Goddammit, Standish, who took my son?" Buck’s hands trembled as they
shook the Southerner. Ezra’s eyes flew open and he tossed his head to
see his surroundings. All he saw were the parents of his godson, the child
he had allowed to be taken by kidnappers.
Inez was now well aware of her husband’s distress and the reason for
it. She stood and ran to all the places Buck had just checked. She screamed
her sister’s name. She shouted her son’s name. Her knees suddenly
seemed as if they were made of jelly and, as she reentered the parlor, she
sank to the floor, her whole being filled with despair. She wailed her alarm
to the empty house.
Ezra tried to get up, to go to her but Buck still had hold of his shirt.
The gambler turned his head slightly and came face to face with the distraught
father. Ezra’s heart shattered as he saw the terror etched in the big
man’s face.
"Two men, trappers, they took Angelina and John. I couldn’t stop them,
Buck. I was afraid they would shoot and hit John. I am so sorry, Buck, I
didn’t know what else to do. Oh, Inez, please forgive me."
"Why? Why would they take my son and Angel?" Buck’s hand released its
hold on Ezra and tears fell down hardened cheeks. All feeling drained out
of him, all but the pain that centered in his chest.
"They want me to meet them at dawn. The man wants his wife and the money
I won from his son. He thought Angelina and John were my family. Oh God,
Buck, I don’t know what to say to you. I was suppose to protect him
and I failed so completely. And my beautiful Angel, I promised her no one
would hurt her again and look how I let her down. How can I say I love her
and then let some miscreants take her right out of my grasp?"
"Son of a bitch, Standish, this was because of your gamblin’? My
family’s destroyed ‘cause of your love of money?" Buck had made
his way to his wife’s side and he held her tight, rocking her while
she cried into his shirt.
"Yes. I will get them back, Buck, I swear I will. But we have to go to town
and get Ibis before I can proceed to the meeting place." Ezra sat up and
felt his head spin, his stomach turn flips.
Buck didn’t comprehend the gambler’s statement at all. What the
hell did Ibis have to do with his son being kidnapped? "What are you talking
about, Ezra?"
"Ibis is the old trapper’s wife. He wants her back. I have the feeling
she’s a more important possession to him than his money. We will have
to deliver her to him to retrieve John and Angelina."
"Then let’s get to town. Come on, Mex, I swear I’ll get our son
back." He lifted the petite woman and carried her out to the buggy. He held
her tight as Ezra grabbed the reins and urged the horse to hasten back to
Four Corners.
The horse raced into town, the buggy barely
staying upright as the gambler snapped the reins once again down onto the
horse’s back. Lights appeared in windows as the buggy rushed by. Citizens
wanted to know if their regulators would once again be put to the test. They
went back to bed when they realized it was two of the peacekeepers making
the racket.
Vin stepped out onto the street, Mares leg in his hands. Ibis had been with
him and now she stood right beside him. Both waited for the horse and carriage
to come to a halt in front of the Clarion. JD raced across the street, pulling
up his suspenders as he ran. Josiah appeared on his front porch, followed
closely by his wife. Nathan and Rain made their way down the two flights
of stairs and trotted over to where the occupants of the buggy were dispersing.
Chris came out of the newspaper office. His face was already set in his cold
hard glare. He sensed danger for his "family" and he was ready to meet it
head on. He had told Mary to stay inside with the children but he doubted
she would listen. As exhausted as she was, she still was a reporter and one
of the leading townspeople. She would want to know immediately what was going
on.
"Ezra, you’ve been hurt. Nathan, bring him to my office." Amanda instantly
went into doctor mode. She was on her way to her office when Ezra’s
voice stopped her.
"There is no time for medical ministrations, Madame. Perhaps you could take
Mrs. Wilmington to your office, however. I believe she is in dire need of
your attention."
"What’s going on, Buck?" Chris was at his old friend’s side. He
could see how distraught the tall man was. It was bad!
"They took my son, Chris. Him and Angelina, they’re holdin’ ‘em
for ransom of sorts." Buck’s voice was strained, barely recognizable.
As the women assisted Inez to the Sanchez residence, the men gathered inside
the newspaper office.
Chris eased Buck down into a chair. The dark haired rogue was in shock and
unwittingly did whatever Chris asked of him. He sat with his head in his
hands, his soul empty except for the all consuming need to retrieve his son
and sister-in-law.
Chris looked up at Ezra. "Sit Standish, before ya fall. What happened?"
Nathan assisted Ezra to a chair and then quickly looked over the laceration
at the back of his head. The bleeding had stopped and the Southerner seemed
to be alert, both good signs.
"Thank you, Mr. Jackson, but there is precious little time if I am to meet
their deadline. The old trapper and his repugnant son rode into the Wilmington
homestead shortly after I arrived there. They took me by surprise as I was
expecting Buck and Inez to come riding in. They absconded with Angelina and
the infant. There was precious little I could do without repercussions to
the innocent." He took the cup of coffee Josiah handed him and continued.
"They are willing to exchange Angel and John for the money I won off the
younger one and the old man’s wife. I’m sorry Vin but I will be
forced to turn Ibis over to him."
Vin’s complexion paled at the mention of his lover. "What the hell!
What’s Ibis got ta do with this mess?"
"She is the man’s wife, Mr. Tanner. And he wants his possession returned
to him. He is a vile human being but the truth of the matter is this, Vin.
He will murder the baby and then defile Miss Recillos if Ibis isn’t
returned to him at dawn. I have no doubt the abominable lout will do as he
says. He is used to getting his own way, making his own laws. He knew I would
acquiesce to his desires." The gambler ran a hand across his face in defeat.
Once again, he had let all of them down.
"No, ya ain’t gonna take her nowhere! There’s got ta be some other
way. We can’t just trade one life for another, Chris. She can’t
go back to that monster. He’ll kill her, he’s tried before." Vin
turned to his best friend for support. He didn’t get it.
"Don’t see any way around it, Vin. Angelina is innocent in this and
John, well, I won’t let another child die if there is anyway to stop
it. She married the man. She’s a part of this whether you want her to
be or not." Chris’s hand remained on Buck’s shoulder. He could
feel the anger and trepidation that warred for control of the lanky body.
He squeezed the muscle, trying to connect, to lend his support. "Where are
you supposed to meet him, Ezra?"
"The crossroads by Sand Creek. I realize the difficulty of getting our
sharpshooter near the site, as it is flat, barren desert. Obviously, the
old man knew the same. I will do my very best to return with all three but
my priority will be the baby and then Angelina. I am sorry, Vin, but as I
see it, Ibis is the man’s wife. I have no doubt that if it comes down
to her being taken, then you will be able to track their progress and retrieve
her." Ezra stood, preparing to go get the money and another horse.
Vin moved to block his way. "Hold on a second, Ez. You’re talkin’
about givin’ up the woman I love and I ain’t goin’ along with
it. I’ll head out now and get into place. I got ways of hidin’
that none of you know about. They won’t see me, I swear."
Chris mulled the situation over in his mind. He pictured the barren land
near the crossroads. The sharpshooter was the best he had ever known with
a long rifle. If anyone could pull it off, Vin could. "If you go now, you
should be in place before first light." He left Buck’s side and made
his way to Vin’s. In a low whisper, he made himself clear. "If the boy
is hurt in any way, I will take action. Do you understand?"
Vin gazed into the cold green eyes, knowing exactly what Larabee meant. Chris
was determined that Buck not go through the suffering he had when his son
died. The sharpshooter nodded once.
"I want to go with you, Vin. I’m a good shot with a rifle and I’m
small, easy to hide. You show me what to do and I swear I’ll do it."
JD was not going to sit back in town and let kidnappers kill his namesake.
He was cool about it, determined that his youth would not be a question in
this matter.
Vin’s eyes met Chris’s and then he replied, "Get your rifle and
meet me at the livery in five minutes. Leave your hat and coat behind."
Suddenly, Buck was on his feet. He hadn’t said a word since entering
the newspaper office. He had let the others discuss his son’s well being.
He had silently listened to their plans. Well, no more.
"I’m going to bring my boy back. He’s my son, my responsibility.
No one else’s." His midnight blue eyes which normally were full
of light and laughter were black with rage. He cast his gaze upon all six
men, daring them to tell him no. "Any of you think you can stop me?" he hissed,
his voice a growl of violent danger.
"Yes, I will."
All seven men whirled to face the woman standing in the doorway. Amanda quietly
walked into the room and straight up to the man whose life she saved almost
one year ago. She stood toe to toe with him, not intimidated by his glare
which at the moment puts Chris’s to shame. "The only place you’re
going is to my clinic, to your wife’s side. Buck, she’s in distress.
Her baby son and sister are gone, perhaps never coming back. She needs you
to be there with her or she might lose another child. And I don’t think
she could endure that. Let the others handle bringing John back."
It was a long minute before the stiff muscles of resolve loosened and the
man before her buckled. "The baby’s in trouble?"
"Inez is having cramps. She’s got to relax or she’ll have a
miscarriage. Don’t let that happen, Buck. Go to her and reassure her
that her son and sister will be alright." Amanda moved out of the way and,
after another moments hesitation, Buck took off for the clinic.
Chris turned to the three men who were going to bring back the life blood
of the "family". "That man’s heart will never heal if Johnny dies.
It’s in your hands now, don’t let him down."
All three nodded solemnly and left to prepare.
Buck entered the room where Inez lay on the bed. She was curled in on herself,
her sobs shaking his thin frame. Without thinking twice, he lay behind her,
pulling her close to his body, wrapping his big arms around her. He kissed
her neck, her hair, and then whispered in her ear, "I have all the faith
in the world that both of them will return to us safe and sound. You have
to believe with me, darlin’. Those men have covered my back for over
three years now and none of us have passed on, have we? They’ll be back
with John, I know they will."
He cried silent tears as he held his wife tight.