Relatives

Chapter 1

“Excuse me sir, would you happen to be Mr. Chris Larabee?”

Chris looked up from the letter he was writing to Judge Orrin Travis, notifying him of the latest developments in Four Corners. The man in the jail's doorway was well-groomed, average height, with gray hair, dressed in a black pinstriped suit and a fancy hat. With a slight accent in his voice, the man was obviously not from this area

“I'm Larabee. How can I help you?”

“I'm looking for someone. I was told you could help me.”

“Might, might not. Who you lookin' for?”

“A young man with brown hair and blue eyes. He would be around 26 now I believe. His name is Vincent Tanner.”

Chris' eyes narrowed ever so slightly as the man before him reached into a breast pocket and pulled out a business card and a letter, handing them to Chris.

“My name, sir, is Vincent C. Tanner II, from Baltimore. The young man in question is my grandson.”

Chris glanced over the letter, reading verification of the man's identity with the territorial governor's seal, before looking up into blue eyes the color of Vin's.

+ + + + + + +

Nathan finished tying off the bandages wrapped around Vin's abdomen, then turned away to wash his hands. Pouring a fresh basin of cool water, he carried it over to the bedside before dampening a cloth in it to place on Vin's forehead. A slight fever had sprung up overnight.

Nathan acknowledged Chris's entrance as he worked, but didn't stop until he had finished dampening the cloth. Then he turned to the two men standing near the door of his clinic.

“Any changes?” Chris asked. He had been up with Nathan until late into the night, sitting with Vin, until Nathan had chased him out a few hours before to get some food and rest. Chris had done neither, choosing to spend the time in the jailhouse.

“No. He's the same. Hasn't woke up yet. Any word from the others?”

“Not yet,” Chris said, then answered the unspoken question on Nathan's face. “Nathan, this is Vincent C. Tanner the second, Vin's grandfather. This is Nathan Jackson, the town healer.”

Nathan's head jerked back to stare Chris in the eyes, surprise taking control of his features. When he was in control again he spoke. “His granddaddy? I didn't know Vin had any family. Nice to meet you Mr. Tanner.”

But the older gentleman's attention was on the pale form lying in the bed before him. He took several hesitant steps forward, then moved the rest of the way, sitting on the edge of the bed and picking up the limp hand covered in bandages lying atop the blankets.

“We found him yesterday out near the gulch. Must have been there a day or two.” Chris said softly. “It appears someone tried to steal his horse and Vin didn't take kindly to the idea. The rest of our men are out tryin' to find the man that did this.”

“What…will he be okay?”

“Dunno for sure,” Nathan spoke up. “He has a knife wound in the gut, but I don't think it did anythin' more than muscle damage. But he was out there for a while. Infection could be a problem.”

“His hands, what about his hands?”

“That's why we think Vin fought back. His hands are cut up pretty deep, like he grabbed the knife blade.” Chris supplied the answer.

“Some of the cuts go clear down to the bone. I stitched em up as best I could, but I don't know how well they'll heal.” Nathan added. “There… well… there could be some permanent damage.”

“You stitched them? Shouldn't he see a doctor?” The elder Tanner looked at Nathan for the first time, then turned his attention back to the unconscious man in the bed. His grandson. He reached out and brushed a strand of wavy brown hair from the younger man's face, his fingers brushing over the chiseled jaw and fine layer of beard.

“We don't have a doctor here.” Chris replied. “Nathan does what he can. He's saved our lives more than once.”

“I don't mean to sound ungrateful Mr… Jackson, wasn't it?” Nathan nodded. “But I would feel better if a doctor would see him.”

‘Sir, the nearest doctor is two days hard ride from here. He'd never make it that far.”

“I can't lose him now,” the old man whispered. “I've been looking for him for too long.”

“We don't want to lose him either,” Chris said as he moved up next to the man.

Chapter 2

Four tired, dusty riders moved down the main street of Four Corners, leading a fifth horse behind them. Vin's horse. The man that stole it was trussed up and draped over the saddle. Buck and JD took their prisoner inside the jailhouse as Ezra and Josiah took the reins of their horses and headed off to the livery. The four men joined back up at the bottom of the stairs to Nathan's clinic. They slowly climbed the stairs, afraid of what news might be waiting for them. Reluctantly they filed into the room.

Chris rose to meet them as they entered.

“He hasn't woke up yet.” Buck and Ezra nodded in acknowledgement while Josiah and JD looked toward their still friend. JD looked close to tears, still not able to deal well with the injury or possible death of one of the men he accepted as brothers. Buck tipped his jaw toward the stranger sitting at Vin's bedside, one eyebrow lifted in question.

“Vin's grandfather.” Chris said, his voice low enough so as not to disturb Vin, but loud enough that the other men heard.

“Grandfather?” Buck sputtered.

“Now Mr. Larabee, I thought our illustrious Mr. Tanner was without familial ties?” Ezra said, his voice also kept low.

“Well, it appears he does.” Josiah replied, his deep voice soothing in the quiet of the room. Nathan rose from his chair where he had been cooling Vin's fevered skin with the damp cloth. The five men looked at him expectantly.

“No change,” he said. “Fever might even be up a bit.”

“What did you four find out?” Chris asked as he pulled his hand over his tired eyes.

“Got the guy.” Buck answered. “He's cooling his heels over in the jail right now.”

“Okay, I want one man on guard at all times. The rest of you, get some rest.”

“I'll take first watch.” Josiah said and at Chris' nod, turned to move out the door. The others all took up positions around the room, silently letting Chris and Nathan know that they weren't leaving just yet. Buck brewed up a pot of coffee as introductions were made.

“How do you men know my grandson?” The elder Tanner asked as he stood near the table sipping on the strong black brew. His eyes never left Vin, where Nathan was busy checking bandages and replacing cool clothes.

“We work here together.” Buck said, his eyes also watching Vin for any sign that he might be waking.

“We're the law here.” JD piped up. “All seven of us.”

“It takes seven men to keep the peace here? What kind of life is that for any man? Especially young Vincent.”

Ezra shook his head at the name. “How is it that ‘young Vincent' here has never mentioned the fact that he has a grandfather? We have all been led to believe that he was without family.”

“I've never seen the boy.” Mr. Tanner replied.

Buck looked up from studying his friend. “You've never seen him before?”

“I'm afraid not. My son was headstrong. He fell in love with a woman I felt was beneath his breeding and education and I denied him the permission to marry. She was nice enough, and definitely pretty, but I wanted to see him married to someone with connections, someone from a good family. I wish now that I had allowed him to marry for love. I wouldn't have lost him and I would have had my grandson with me.”

“What happened to Vin's father?” Chris asked.

“From what I was able to find out, he was killed before the boy was born. He and his new wife moved to Texas, set up a small homestead. He was shot when some men tried to take their land. Young Vincent was born seven months later.”

“How'd you find all this out?”

“I knew where they went to. I'd had them tracked down. Knew that they had bought the land and he was going to try his hand at farming. But news traveled slowly. I heard about my grandson's birth at the same time that I heard about my son's death. My son never even knew his boy. By the time I got to Texas, she had disappeared with my grandson. I've spent the last twenty four years looking for him.”

“So he doesn't even know he's got a granddaddy?” Nathan asked from the bedside.

“No. I would imagine he doesn't. I doubt my daughter-in-law told him about me, before she passed on herself.”

The conversation was interrupted by a low moan from the bed.

“Vin?”

No response.

“Come on Vin. Time to wake up Pard.” Chris moved closer to the bed, the senior Tanner right behind him. The other men clustered around.

“Keep talking to him Chris.” Nathan said as he mopped Vin's sweating brow. The young man's head moved gently and small sounds came from his lips. Dreams or fever.

“Vin? Listen to me Vin. Wake up. Come on Cowboy. Open your eyes.” Vin's eyes did indeed flutter, briefly, before he settled back into a quiet sleep. Chris looked up at Nathan.

“He's fighting.” Nathan answered, then went back to work with the cool cloth.

Chapter 3

Chris stood by the window, looking out at the gathering dusk, nursing yet another cup of coffee. His stomach rolled. Too much of the bitter brew and not enough sleep. He figured he could sleep later, when Vin was better.

Nathan had given up trying to get the gunslinger to leave, so had gone for a meal and a little rest himself. But he did so only under the agreement that at least one other was there with Chris to come and get him should Vin awaken. JD now sat at the table, his head cradled in his arms, sleeping lightly. Even Vin's grandfather had spent almost all his time in the room, leaving only to go to the hotel for a change of clothes and an occasional meal. The elderly man sat in a chair, his chin resting on his chest, as close to Vin as possible.

Chris turned away from the window when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He felt like he was being watched.

Vin's eyes were open, the crystal blue coloring glazed from fever and pain. The younger man was indeed looking his way.

“Hey Pard,” Chris said as he sat his coffee cup down and made his way to the edge of Vin's bed. He spoke softly but it was enough to cause JD to raise his head from the cradle of his arms. It took a moment for the fog to clear his head before he realized what was happening.

Chris sat on the edge of Vin's bed, his hand stroking the hair on Vin's forehead back. “Bout time you woke up.” Chris said gently, the smile on his face lighting up his eyes.

“Wa…” Vin's voice cracked as he tried to speak. “Wa…ter…” Chris picked up the cup of willow bark tea Nathan had left and placed it against Vin's lips. The tracker took a small sip. “No…skunk… juice… wa ter.” JD laughed as he poured a glass of water and handed it to Chris.

“JD, why don't you go get Nathan and the others,” Chris said over his shoulder.

“Sure thing Chris. Glad you're awake Vin.”

Vin looked at the young man and winked weakly. “Me…too…Kid.”

“You can have some water, but you know Nathan is gonna make you drink some more of that skunk juice.” Chris said as he held Vin's head up so he could drink. Vin's eyes met Chris' and darted to his right, where the elderly Mr. Tanner sat staring at him, then back at Chris again, silently waiting for an answer to his unspoken question. Vin had already checked the room out.

Before Chris could answer, the older man spoke up. “You've been a very sick young man.”

“Who…are you?” Vin's throat and mouth still felt like it was full of cotton.

“I'm your grandfather.”

“Ain't … got no…grand…father…” The more he talked the less scratchy his throat felt. Chris lifted his head once more and gave the younger man a sip of willow bark tea. Vin tiredly made a face at the taste.

“My name is Vincent C Tanner, II. Your father was my son.” Vin looked to Chris for confirmation.

“I had it checked out, Pard. He's who he says he is.” Chris replied. The gunslinger, never a trusting soul when someone dropped out of the sky, had wired the Judge the day Vincent C. Tanner II had arrived. The older man seemed a bit surprised that he had been doubted.

Vin's brow furrowed together as his fever-clogged mind tried to digest the information just presented him. But he was saved from too much scrutiny by the sound of boots on the wood floor outside. His eyes moved toward the doorway as Nathan entered, closely followed by JD, Ezra, Josiah and Buck. Nathan moved quickly to the bedside and Chris stood, making room for the healer. The others stared anxiously over Nathan's shoulders

“Ya'll act…like I been…gone…forever,” Vin croaked out as Nathan began to check his temperature.

“Fever's down.” Nathan inserted.

“Well, ya have been asleep for four days Vin!” JD burst out. His exuberance brought frowns from the other peacekeepers, including Vin.

“Four days…” Vin let that bit of information digest as he turned and looked at the elderly man on his right. “How long have you…been here? How did you find me…?” Already his voice was sounding tired and his eyes looked heavy.

“Vin, you stay awake for a moment more.” Nathan demanded.

“What… Nathan….”

“I need to know. You in a lot of pain?”

“Hurt's more n anythin' I ever felt afore.” His accent got a bit heavier, his words a bit more slurred as sleep threatened to over take him. “But I don want… no ditch… water…”

Nathan looked up at the others. “He's asleep,” he said quietly.

“He called it skunk juice earlier.” Chris said with a smile on his face. Vin had woke up! Buck and JD both snickered behind him.

Chapter 4

When Vin awoke next, he was curled on his side, his knees bent and pulled up slightly toward his chest. He watched the man sitting next to his bed, reading a book. His grandfather, if the man was to be believed.

“So why'd ya try n find me?” Vin finally asked. The man looked up with a start, then closed his book.

“I've been looking for you since I heard about your birth, twenty six years ago.”

“Took ya that long ta find me? Hell, trouble finds me fast enough.” Vin heard a chuckle from behind him. “Well, it's true ain't it Chris?”

“Yes it's true!” Chris kept chuckling.

“I kin attest to that one too. I've patched you up more than any of the others, Chris included.” Nathan spoke up as he moved to Vin's bedside. “I'm gonna move you onto your back again Vin.”

“I'd rather you didn't. This feels a might better then the other way.”

“I'll move you back over agin when we're done. But I need you ta try n eat somethin' first. Ya ain't had anythin on your stomach in days ‘cept water and tea and a little broth.”

“You're the boss I reckon.”

“Nathan, maybe you better check him again. I think the fever's returned. He's never agreed to cooperate before.”

Nathan was in the process of rolling Vin onto his back. Vin couldn't keep the grunts of pain from passing his lips. The elder Tanner sat nervously watching as Nathan carefully supported Vin as best he could. Using pillows, he propped Vin's legs up at the knees and put some behind his back to elevate his head and take some pressure off the stomach muscles. By the time he was done, Vin's eyes were squeezed tight and a fine film of sweat had broken out on his brow.

“Dang Nathan, but that hurts.” Vin said through gritted teeth. His arms wrapped around his stomach as if he could block the pain out.

“I'm sorry. I really am Vin.”

“Ain't your fault…”

“Here, drink some of this. It'll help.” Nathan pulled one of Ezra's flasks from a nightstand. When Vin looked at it strangely Nathan replied, “Ezra thought it might come in handy.”

“Isn't there something else you can give him? Laudanum, morphine, something?” The older Tanner was on his feet, concern on his face.

“No sir. I ain't no doctor. Don't have no drugs.”

“I'll be fine. Jest give me a second.”

“But…”

“I'm fine.”

“Well…alright.”

Eating did not go well. The thin mush that Nathan tried didn't stay in Vin's stomach, causing Vin a great deal of extra pain as his stomach muscles convulsed. They settled for chicken broth and willow bark tea and even that threatened to come back up. Vin finally refused more, claiming weariness and closed his eyes. Nathan gave up, hoping that what little Vin had eaten would help. They'd just have to try again later, and do it often.

+ + + + + + +

Vin lay awake listening to the sounds of Chris and Nathan talking. The sound of his friend's voices was soothing.

Vin knew he was dying. He had been injured enough times to know that this was different. The pain wasn't decreasing. In fact it was getting worse. He didn't want to die, but he had accepted a long time ago that it was a fact of life, especially for a man that lived and worked like he did. But gutted was the worse possible way to die. He'd seen a few men die that way and had never wished the experience on anyone, even his worse enemy. He had even put one man out of the misery of this particularly slow and painful death. But he could never ask that of his friends.

Friends. They were more than friends. They were the only family he had had since his mother died. And now…now when he was about to leave them, he was presented with a grandfather. A real grandfather. And he wouldn't be around to get to know the man, to have all the questions he had, answered.

Vin heard Chris say something about going to the Patterson ranch and not wanting to leave. Vin knew Chris was holding back, not doing his job, because of him. Vin forced his eyes open. He wanted to tell his friend to go and quit worrying about him.

“Chris?” His voice sounded weak even to him.

“Hey Pard.” Chris moved quickly to his side.

“What's wrong at Patterson's?”

“Cattle disappearing.” Chris answered.

“Then you need to go. Patterson cain't afford to lose any cattle. Been a hard year for him already.” His voice faded away and was interrupted by a yawn in the middle before getting a little stronger, just to fade again.

“The others can handle it. I'm gonna stay here.”

“No.” The word came out strong enough. “I'm alright Chris. Just tired is all. Go. Do your job. They could use your help.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Go.”

“Okay.” Chris stood to leave.

“Chris?”

“Yeah Vin?”

“Watch yer back Cowboy.”

“I will Pard. I will.”

Chapter 5

Vincent C. Tanner II was not a man to sit back and let others take charge. He had spent a few minutes in the telegraph office sending off some posts that would, hopefully, help his grandson.

He sat now watching the boy sleep. He was a bit surprised at how uneducated the boy was, yet it was obvious that he was bright. He had spent many hours listening to young Vincent's friends telling stories of his grandson's exploits since arriving in Four Corners. But they all avoided talking about his life before they met up. The closest he ever got was from the man dressed in black, Chris Larabee. And all he would say was that the young man had not had an easy life.

He had also talked to several of the townspeople and had discovered that his grandson was well respected among them. Some of the town folk were a little more loose lipped than the men he worked with and he had found out that the boy had worked as a bounty hunter and currently had a warrant out for his arrest.

But, the elderly Tanner decided, the young man was still his blood. He would take him back to Baltimore and get the young man straightened around. Clean him up, teach him how to dress and act like a gentleman, and educate him. Yes, he had looked long and hard and was looking forward to finally having his oldest grandson with his family. He had lost his son, but now he had found his grandson. He wouldn't make the same mistakes.

+ + + + + + +

His grandfather was sitting by his bedside when he was next able to pull himself up from the black depths of his pain-induced sleep. It was getting harder and harder to wake up, to force his eyes open. He watched the older man for a time. Grandfather. Vin was finding he liked the sound of the word.

“Tell me about my father…” Vin said, his voice still filled with sleep. He had to struggle to keep the pain from overwhelming him, and he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to do that. So he wanted to talk, wanted the distraction.

“Vincent, you're awake. Would you like some water?”

Vin nodded. He was lying on his side which made drinking difficult, but the older Tanner helped lift the younger one's head so he could take a few sips. Then Vin's head sank heavily back to the pillow.

“What was he like?” Vin asked again.

“Oh he was a stubborn young man. Bright, intelligent. He would have made a wonderful businessman. But he had an adventurous soul. He was always wandering off as a child, missing classes, yet his grades never suffered. I sent him to Harvard and he excelled there also, but he wasn't happy.”

“Why not?” Vin was struggling to stay awake. Even with the pain, he would have easily fallen asleep.

“He didn't like to be closed in. He preferred to be outside to sitting behind a desk.”

“I kin understand that. I'm the same way myself. Cain't stand bein' cooped up.”

“Yes, well I never understood it. His younger brothers loved business and were happy working in the family business. But not Vincent.”

“Brothers…he had brothers?”

“Oh yes. You have two uncles and an aunt, and many cousins. They are all anxiously waiting to meet you.”

Vin put a smile on his face, but knew there would not be a chance to meet all these new family members he had. “Sounds right fine,” he murmured.

“When your father married, he had a photograph taken. He sent it to me before he left for Texas. Would you like to see it?”

Vin's eyes opened a little wider. There was a photograph of his father? “Yes sir, I'd like that.”

The elderly man pulled out a large wallet from his coat pocket. Opening it, he pulled out a worn sepia print photograph. He looked at it and Vin could see a degree of sadness in the old man's eyes before he turned it around for Vin's viewing.

Vin's eyes misted at the sight of his mother. She was exactly as he remembered her, her brown hair flowing down her back, her green eyes sparkling as she smiled happily, proudly clutching a small cluster of flowers. He remembered that smile.

Vin reached out for the picture before realizing that he couldn't take hold of it with the heavy bandages confining his hands. He had to settle for looking at it as his grandfather held it.

He finally pulled his gaze away to look at the man in the photo. This was his father, the man he had never known. Vin looked at light colored eyes. Blue. They were blue like his. In fact, Vin looked a lot like him. Vin knew this man was truly his father.

“I'm tired…” Vin said, trying hard not to let the tears flow.

“Okay son. We can talk more when you wake up next.”

Vin nodded, then turned his head a little more into the pillow, allowing the single tear that leaked from his eye to soak into the cotton covered down. The senior Tanner propped the picture up on the bedside table, within view of the younger man.

Chapter 6

Nathan looked up from where he was re-bandaging Vin's hands. Vin was awake and his eyes moved to the door as Mary Travis entered the room, using a towel to carry a small pot of soup into the room.

“Hey Mary,” he said weakly. His grandfather sat nearby, watching Nathan work and keeping his eye on Vin, while watching his grandson's reaction to the new guest.

“Vin, it's good to actually see you awake.” Mary said as she sat the pot on top of the small stove. Then she moved over to reveal the other item she was carrying. “I brought you something. Thought it might help you pass some time,” she said as she sat the book on the bed table.

“What is it?” Vin asked. His voice was low and slightly clipped, but if anyone noticed they didn't say anything.

“Poetry. I thought maybe you could read a few.” She had been teaching him to read and write in the evenings before he was injured and she thought he would be able to slowly make his way through some of the poems. “Or I could come and read them to you.”

“That would be right nice of ya, Mary. Thanks.”

“Would you like me to read some now? I have the rest of the day free.”

“Mmm….that sounds mighty nice. Thank you.”

Mary pulled up a chair and began to read. Vin stared out the window as she read, lost in thoughts and pain. The elder Tanner studied his face, not sure at all how to read the stranger that was his grandson. He assumed that the young man must just be relaxing and went back to writing a letter to his oldest remaining son.

Mary had only been reading a short time when Vin's eyes swung toward the door and the sound of footsteps outside. Everyone was surprised to see the woman that entered the room.

“Rain, what's wrong? What are you doing here?” Nathan moved to greet her, concerned just by the fact that she had come in to town. It meant something was wrong at the Seminole village.

“One of the men has fallen. We have tried to set the bone of his leg, but something else is wrong. Can you help?”

“Rain I...” Nathan turned and motioned toward the bed. Rain saw Vin for the first time.

“Vin Tanner, you are hurt?” Rain looked concerned. She knew how Nathan felt about the other six men. How he hurt when any of them was injured, and how frustrated he got at how stubborn they were.

“Nathan, go ahead. I'll be fine till the others get back.”

“I'll stay with him Nathan.” Mary spoke up.

“And I'm not leaving him,” the elder Tanner said.

“Now ya ain't got an excuse Nathan.” Vin chose not to notice the slight wince his grandfather got whenever he said something like ain't or cain't. Among other things Vin didn't know why it bothered the man. And he chose not to worry about it.

Nathan looked at Vin. His friend wasn't improving but he also didn't have a high fever. He figured that he'd be safe overnight anyway. “Okay. Let me get my bag.” Nathan gathered up the things he would need, giving Mary and Mr. Tanner a few instructions, and followed Rain out the door.

+ + + + + + +

Mary heard the movements and low moans in the bed next to her cot as the sun came up. Sitting up quickly, she moved to the bedside, sitting on the edge while she turned the wick up on the lamp sitting on the bedside table.

“Vin? Vin, wake up.” She reached over and felt his forehead. Hot. His fever had returned with a vengeance. She moved to the table and poured a basin full of water, grabbing a towel and rushing back to Vin's side. Vin's grandfather had awakened also and followed her.

“What's wrong?”

“He's burning up.” Mary said as she began to run the cool water over Vin's skin. “Can you warm up that tea please. It'll help bring the fever down.” Tanner nodded and moved to the stove, placing the kettle on the burner and stoking the coals before returning to the other side of the bed.

Vin was tossing his head, his arms moving occasionally. He was moaning and an occasional groan escaped his lips. Nathan had helped to turn Vin on his side before leaving the night before. Vin found the position a bit more comfortable because he could draw his knees up some. But it made it harder for Mary to cool down his skin. Propping some pillows behind him, she had Mr. Tanner help her roll him over. Vin immediately screamed out in pain. His eyes fluttered open as they rolled him back over onto his side.

“I'm sorry Vin, I'm so sorry!” Vin's reaction had startled Mary, but she recovered quickly, forcing lukewarm tea between Vin's lips as she continued to bathe him in cool water. “Vin? Come on Vin, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong.”

“I'm…sorry…Mary…. Din't want to…do this…now.” Vin gasped out before the breath left him as he cried out in pain. His arms wrapped around his middle and he buried his head in the pillows, trying to stifle his own cries.

“Vincent? What's wrong son?”

“Hurts…ah sweet Jesus…it hurts…”

Mary looked up, concerned. Vin didn't complain much. This wasn't like him. She knew he must be in great pain to cry out in this manner. Handing the towel to the elder Tanner, she told him she would be right back and ran outside to look for help.

That help came in the form of a small young woman on a horse.

“Casey!” Mary rushed up to her, grabbing the horse's reins to stop her.

“What's wrong Mrs. Travis?”

“Do you know where the Seminole village is?”

“Well, yeah.”

“I need you to go there and get Nathan. Vin's taken a turn and we need Nathan back here now.”

“Sure Mrs. Travis.” Casey kicked her horse into movement as Mary released the reins. Mary rushed back to the clinic where Vin was still crying out in pain. But his speech wasn't coherent. The fever had taken hold of him once more. All they could do was force tea down him and try to cool him off until Nathan got back.

Mary said a silent prayer that Vin would make it till then. Something was very wrong.

Chapter 7

Casey was riding as fast as she could. But just 10 minutes out of town she encountered five riders heading her way. She pulled up her horse at the sight of Chris Larabee and the others.

“Casey? What are you doing out here so early in the morning?” JD asked.

“Mary sent me to the Seminole village to fetch Nathan. Vin's doin' poorly.”

“JD go with her.” Chris said even as he was kicking his horse into a gallop.

+ + + + + + +

By the time Chris, Ezra, Buck and Josiah burst through the clinic door, Vin had lapsed into unconsciousness. His fever was still burning, and he wasn't reacting to touch or sound.

“What happened?” Chris demanded as he strode over to the bed. Mr. Tanner moved off to the side to make room for him. Chris reached out and touched his friend, feeling the heat radiating from him.

“He woke me a little over an hour ago, tossing and turning and crying out in pain. All he would say was that it hurt and he was sorry. I sent Casey after Nathan.”

“We saw her on the way into town. JD's with her. Why'd Nathan leave in the first place?” Chris' voice was angry as he studied his friend. “Vin? Wake up Pard.”

“He was doing fine. No fever. There was an accident at the village. Even Vin told him to go.”

Chris nodded. Vin had sent him off too. The damn boy could hide symptoms better than anyone he knew. He had been very convincing. Apparently with Nathan too.

Chris had no idea what to do except wait for Nathan and hope he had some ideas.

+ + + + + + +

It was a short wait that seemed like hours. Buck paced, Josiah sat in quiet contemplation, and Ezra leaned against the wall, staring at Vin, confusion in his eyes. Nathan rushed into the room 45 minutes after Chris and the others. Casey had found him as he was returning to town.

“I knew I shouldn't a left,” Nathan said as Mary let him in to examine the now quiet tracker.

“Hell, he was hiding things again, Nathan. You couldn't of known,” Chris replied. His voice didn't match his rough words.

“I shoulda known. Help me roll him over.” Mary steeled her self to hear Vin scream out, as he had earlier, but the young man barely made a sound. Nathan cut the bandages from around Vin's abdomen. He shook his head at the slight distention of the man's stomach, the redness around the original wound. “I shoulda known,” he repeated.

“Nathan?” Chris said, his voice full of concern.

“I'd guess the knife musta knicked the bowel. Probably a small puncture that took some time to cause trouble.”

“So what do you do now?” the elder Tanner demanded.

“Ain't nothing I kin do. I ain't no surgeon.”

“Nathan? You've got to try.” Chris' voice held more emotion than Nathan had ever heard before.

“Chris, I ain't never done nothin like this before. I could kill him.”

“He's gonna die anyway.” Chris heard JD behind him take in a deep breath, the young man realizing for the first time that Vin was in grave trouble once more. “Nathan?”

The dark healer sat looking at Vin for a long moment, then stood and moved towards a small desk in the corner, issuing orders as he went. “JD, I need lots of hot water. Josiah, make sure my tools get good and boiled. Buck, Ezra, clear off the table and scrub it down with lots of hot water and soap, then rinse it real clean.” Nathan was already looking through the books sitting on a shelf above the desk.

“What can I do Nathan?” Mary asked. The elder Tanner just watched stunned, at the immediate action taken by these men to save his grandson's life.

“Pray.” Nathan replied.

Chapter 8

Nathan settled at his desk while the others worked, studying a book on surgery. He sent Mary out once for supplies, needing plenty of muslin for bandages and extra fabric to remove blood during the surgery. Mary also came back with a stock of sea sponges, thinking that they might help in the clean up. Josiah cut them up into smaller pieces and boiled them.

When he was finally ready, he had sheets spread on the table. Then Josiah, Chris, Buck, and Ezra carefully carried the tracker over, being careful not to jostle the young man more than necessary. While Chris moved the sheet covering his friend down to expose the original wound, Nathan gave the book he had been reading to Mary, who would hold it for him and read off the steps, and positioned Chris and Ezra at Vin's feet, Josiah and Buck at his shoulders. He had no form of anesthesia and he didn't know if Vin would react when he started working on him. The four men would be required to hold the younger man down. JD would act as a runner, getting anything that Nathan may find he needed as the surgery progressed. Casey stood off to one side, not wanting to leave, yet not wanting to be too involved. Vincent C. Tanner, II stood with her, silently cursing himself for not having moved his grandson sooner to a town with a real doctor.

Nathan began by removing the stitches he had put in a week before, and reopened the wound. Then he began to enlarge the opening. Vin didn't move, and more than once his friends glanced over at his chest to make sure he was still breathing.

“Okay, I need someone to hold the incision open. I don't have the proper equipment to do it.” Both Chris and Josiah moved forward. The two men literally pulled the skin open exposing Vin's insides.

“Phew!” JD exclaimed and turned his head aside, covering his nose.

“Intestine is definitely knicked.” Nathan muttered. He looked over at the book Mary held and continued working.

It took some time. Nathan had to clean up as much as he could to see the intestine, then locate the tiny puncture wound that was slowly leaking poison into Vin's stomach cavity. He placed a few stitches into the wound, then continued to clean up the cavity with his limited resources. Then he began to close the opening, following the instructions in the book.

As soon as he was finished, Nathan stepped away, the tension and stress over what he had just done coming out in the shaking of his hands. He collapsed in a chair, holding his head in his hands, heedless of the blood and gore still on them. Four men carried their friend back to the bed as Nathan stood and walked outside, needing some fresh air.

Chris stepped out onto the porch outside the clinic. Nathan was sitting on a bench along the wall, his head back against the hard wood, staring into the sky. Chris handed the man a wet towel to clean the blood from his hands, and sat next to him.

“You did good in there.”

“I ain't never did anythin' like that before. I opened a man up and worked on his insides. I had my hands inside him. Chris, it was the most inspirin' moment in my life. But Vin, well, I still don't know if it was enough to save him. It might have been too late.”

Chris studied the floor before answering. “Nathan, if you hadn't done this, Vin would have died anyway. You gave him the only chance he has. I'm going inside. Join me?” Chris stood.

“I'll be there in just a moment.” Chris nodded and went inside.

Chapter 9

JD poked his head in the doorway, then quietly stepped inside, followed by a rather rotund gentleman carrying a black bag. As was the habit of each and every one of the peacekeepers, JD studied his friend lying in the bed, noting the shallow rise and fall of his beleaguered breathing, before speaking.

“Mr. Tanner, Sir? This man is here to see you.”

The elder Tanner stood and walked over to the stranger. “Would you be Dr. Winston?”

“Doctor?” Both JD and Ezra repeated. Buck had finally managed to haul Chris off to get some rest and Josiah had taken Nathan, by force, to get a hot meal and some fresh air, leaving Ezra and Mr. Tanner to look after Vin for a few hours.

“Yes,” the stranger replied. “Eustice Winston, MD. May I assume that this young man is my patient?” The heavyset man moved forward without invite and efficiently pushed Ezra away from the bedside, where he had been bathing Vin's face and neck. The fever still had not broken two days after surgery and Vin had shown little sign of awakening.

The Doctor immediately pulled down the bedcovers and began to cut away the bandages covering the wound.

“JD, go get Chris and Nathan.” Ezra said as he turned to speak to the doctor. But he was interrupted before any further words could come out.

“Who did this deplorable job on this man? I've never seen a more ragged surgical incision in my life!” the doctor fussed as he examined Vin, checking the incision and the young man's pulse and temperature.

“Now see here you pompous windbag, Mr. Jackson may have just saved that young man's life. I wouldn't criticize the effort he put in to it. Mr. Tanner would be dead as we speak had he not undergone such a valiant undertaking.”

“I would not call this butchery valiant. The man's medical license should be taken away. Now what medications does he have this patient on?”

“He ain't on no medications.” A deep voice came from the doorway and Nathan stepped in, followed by Josiah and JD. “I ain't no doctor. I use herbs when I kin. But right now we're treatin' his fever by keeping him warm and cooling down his skin. Book said not to give him food or fluids for three days, so I cain't use the willow bark tea.”

“You mean he is not on pain killers? And just who would you be?”

“The man that did that butchery as you called it. I'm the healer in these parts. Name's Nathan Jackson.”

“Well Mr. Jackson, this young man is my patient now by his grandfather's request.” The doctor turned to his bag and began to pull out vials and an eyedropper. Opening one bottle he withdrew some of the liquid with the dropper and placed it into Vin's mouth. “What have you been doing about dehydration?”

“Book said to give him a teaspoon of water ever few hours, or a few drops ever hour. Also said he might suck on a wet cloth.” The doctor just nodded as he mixed a powder in a small amount of water then used another dropper to ease the liquid between Vin's lips.

“And when was it that you performed this…surgery?”

“Day before yesterday.” Nathan replied as Chris entered the room. “His belly was distended. His gut had a small hole in it from a stab wound. It was leakin' into his belly.”

“What's going on here?” Chris growled. He looked terrible, having only gotten an hour of sleep and desperately needing more.

“I sent for a doctor last week,” the older Tanner spoke up. “Now I'm especially glad I did, given the turn my grandson has taken.”

“Well, I will be taking over this man's care.” The doctor stood, thinking the action would give him the air of authority that he needed against these men. It failed, miserably. “I'm afraid that I don't want to move this man to the comforts of the hotel at this time, so I will need the use of your facility, such as it is, for a day or two more.”

“Now look here…” Chris started to defend themselves against the arrogant man but Nathan stopped him.

“No. It's all right Chris. He's got all the proper medicines. And the education. You're welcome to use my place as long as you need.”

+ + + + + + +

The doctor did indeed take over Vin's care by immediately kicking everyone but Nathan out of the room. For the next two days no one was allowed to visit except Vin's grandfather. Nathan kept the others informed of Vin's progress when he left the room for meals or to catch a few hours sleep.

This didn't sit well with the others, especially Chris, but Josiah recommended patience. When Vin awoke and was feeling better, he would demand to see them and pity the man that stood between them.

So it was a bit of a surprise when Nathan came to find them two days after the doctor had taken over, asking that the men come to the clinic. Vin was still fighting the fever but was thrashing about, the first sign of movement since before the surgery.

The men were at the clinic in seconds.

Vin was tossing weakly in the bed. His strength was so low that at most his head was moving back and forth and occasionally he would try to lift a hand from the bedcovers. An occasional moan and soft word could be heard.

“Mr. Larabee, gentlemen, have you any idea what he is saying?” Dr. Winston asked.

Chris took a step closer, followed by the others. Chris started to smile when he heard the tracker.

“What is he saying?” Vincent Tanner senior demanded.

“My dear sir, unless you speak Kiowa, or maybe Commanche, I'm not sure which this is, only the young Mr. Tanner, or one of said tribes, knows for sure.” Ezra said, a slight grin on his face also.

“How would my grandson know how to speak Kiowa or Commanche?”

“Your grandson spent some time amongst the Commanche. Kiowa too.” Buck drawled.

“He what?” the elder Tanner sputtered. “He lived with heathens?”

Chris had been silent to this point, studying his friend's face, watching as his eyelids fluttered and struggled to open. It was this that had made the gunslinger smile. “Come on Vin,” he whispered, “Come on back to us Pard.”

He was rewarded by Vin's eyes slowly opening, just to close again suddenly in a grimace of pain. A groan left the younger man's lips.

“No, now come on Vin. Open your eyes. Come on.” Chris encouraged.

“Chris?” Vin's voice was little more than a whisper but was greeted by a chorus of voices behind Chris.

“Yeah Pard. It's me.”

“Ain't…dead?”

“No. No you're not dead.” Chris couldn't keep the smile from splitting his face. Vin was awake.

“Hurts.” The word came out as a breath but Vin's grandfather heard it.

“Doctor, he's in pain. You need to give him something,” the older man demanded again.

The doctor stepped forward, a bottle and dropper in hand. Vin was still struggling to keep his eyes open and would easily have fallen asleep without medications, but the doctor slipped a dose between Vin's lips anyway. Moments later he was sleeping once more.

Later that same day, after the peacekeepers had returned to their duties, Vin was moved to the hotel. Vincent C. Tanner, II sent a telegram commissioning a coach and arranged for a luxury train car, in preparation of taking his grandson back to Baltimore where he could recover under the care of the best doctors money could provide.

Chapter 10

“What the hell do you think you're doing! How could you have moved him like that?” Not many people liked to face Chris Larabee when he was angry. Vincent C Tanner, II was realizing that himself.

The men stood in the hall of the hotel, the elder Tanner blocking the door to the room that held Vin.

“He deserves to be in a nice bed, in a nice room. He'll be far more comfortable here. Besides, it will be easier for the Doctor to care for him here. He will have the chance to prepare young Vincent for the trip back to Baltimore.”

“Baltimore? What do you mean ‘the trip back to Baltimore'?”

“We will be leaving by coach day after tomorrow, meeting up with a train car for the trip home. Vincent should be with his family, especially at a time like this.”

“Has Vin told you he wants to go to Baltimore?”

“Well, no. But I'm his grandfather and I know what's best for him.”

“And you think it's best to have him travel, without his permission, in his condition?”

“The Doctor assures me that he may travel with the proper precautions. He will be medicated during the trip so as not cause any harm to himself by moving suddenly.”

“You mean so he can't object to being kidnapped!” Chris' anger was at a boiling point. “I want to see him.” Chris stated firmly.

“He's sleeping right now.” Tanner replied.

“So? Doesn't mean I shouldn't see him.”

“He'll rest better without interruptions.”

Ezra stepped between the two men, trying to diffuse the explosive situation.

“Now, now gentlemen. Might I suggest that we discuss this a little later, when tempers have been allowed to cool and perhaps after our young friend has regained consciousness once more and can convey his wishes? Besides Chris, isn't our good friend Orin due in tomorrow? He is much better at persuading and discussing than you or I are.”

Chris nodded at the idea Ezra had just presented. Judge Travis would make sure that Vin was not taken against his wishes, family or not. Besides, Chris and the men had been family to Vin for some time now. They would see to it that Vin had a say in the matter. And Chris was certain what that say would be.

+ + + + + + +

Judge Orin Travis was not a man that took no for an answer. He insisted on being allowed to see Vin. In addition, upon learning that Vin was being medicated to keep him sleeping, he demanded that the young man be allowed to awaken so that he might be able to talk to him. He knew Vin well enough to know that the tracker would not want to be kept in a drug-induced sleep and could deal with the pain if he needed to. He also knew that Vin could be given something for the pain that would not knock him out if the pain were truly bad.

Judge Travis took out his book and opened it, planning on sitting there until whatever drugs they had given the young man had worn off to the point that they could talk.

It took several hours before Judge Travis' patience paid off. Vin awoke slowly with a slight groan and a struggle to open his eyes. But once they were open, they were moving around the room, landing on Travis.

“Judge?” Vin's voice was hoarse and dry and Travis immediately moved for the glass of water on the nightstand.

“That better son?” Travis asked after Vin had taken several swallows.

“Yeah. Thanks.” His voice still sounded a little hoarse and tired, but not as scratchy. “What cha doin' here Judge?” Vin was puzzled by the man's presence.

“Well, I wanted to have a little chat with you. How you feeling, Vin? In a lot of pain?”

“It's been worse. But yeah, it hurts some.”

“There's a doctor here. Would you like him to give you something for the pain?”

“Nah. Ain't that bad. I kin handle it.” Vin was still looking around the room. “Judge? Where am I?”

“Your grandfather had you brought over to the hotel. He thought you might be more comfortable.”

“Where's Nathan and the others?” He coughed lightly, clearing his dry throat and had to grimace at the tug of pain in his stomach.

“Oh they're around. I asked everyone for a little time alone with you.”

“You did?” Now Vin was very confused. Their relationship had always been work related. He couldn't see why the Judge would want to talk to him at this time, much less alone.

“I've been talking with your grandfather. Imagine, finding out you have family after all these years. Very good news. Very good indeed.”

“Yeah. Never knew I had a granddad.”

“I hear he's from Baltimore. Do you have any plans on joining him there?”

“Baltimore? Maybe sometime.” Vin paused. “But I ain't one for big cities. Cain't see bein' cooped up and boxed in. Sides, I got things ta finish here.” Vin was already beginning to sound tired, the effect of the drugs, and the now gone fever, still working on him.

“So, if he asked you to go back with him now, you wouldn't go?”

“No sir, not right now anyways.” Vin yawned and his eyes fluttered. He was struggling to stay awake and was quickly loosing the battle. As Vin fell back into a deep sleep, Judge Travis got up and moved to the door of the adjoining room and opened it.

“Chris, Nathan, take Vin back to the clinic. He's not going to Baltimore.” The words were barely out before the two men were moving through the door towards their friend.

“Sir! You have no right to make such a decision!” Vincent C. Tanner, II sputtered.

“I, sir, did not make the decision. Vin did.”

“But...”

“But nothing. I'm sure your intentions were good. I might have made the same decision, if my grandson were young. But Vin is an adult and capable of making these decisions for himself. He has been taking care of himself since he was a child. He should have been consulted. Not kept drugged enough that he had no idea what was going on around him.”

“I tried to find him...to take care of him…I tried.”

“I'm sure you did Mr. Tanner. But now might I suggest that you treat Vin as the adult he is, as an equal. I guarantee you, it will be worth the effort. He's a fine young man, and I'm proud to call him a friend.” Travis glanced over his shoulder at the two men gathering up their friend before he left the room.

Nathan bundled the younger man up in a blanket. Vin didn't stir until Chris lifted him in his arms.

“Jeez Nathan,” Chris whispered, “He's lost a lot of weight.”

“We'll get him eating again soon. I'm sure he ain't been up to eating much yet. Broth and tea don't keep the meat on a man's bones.”

A slight grunt of pain escaped Vin's lip and his eyes fluttered open. Before Chris could start to carry him out of the room, Vin lifted his head up, trying to focus on the man in his field of vision.

“Chris?” he mumbled, still half asleep. “Whatcha doin'?”

“Taking you back to Nathan's clinic. That okay with you?”

“Yeah…”

“You hurting?” Chris asked as Vin's eyebrows wrinkled together.

“Ain't bad….”

“Then go back to sleep Vin.” Chris nodded at Nathan, who gently pushed Vin's head against Chris' shoulder then moved to open the door. Vin continued to mutter sleepy nonsense as Chris moved out into the hallway even though his eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping.

“Do you know I have…a…” Vin yawned, “Granddaddy Chris…”

“Yeah Pard, I know.” Chris answered him softly.

“We goin' to the clinic?”

“Yep.”

“Ain't drinkin' no skunk juice…” Vin's voice barely carried enough for Nathan to hear his words, but both Nathan and Chris chuckled at the comment.

“Hey Vin?”

“Hmmm?”

“Shut up and go to sleep.”

“Kay…” Vin's breathing regulated into a steady rhythm as the three men made their way across the street and down the boardwalk. As they went, one by one, the other peacekeepers joined them, following their unofficial leader and his cargo until he was safely re-deposited at Nathan's.

Chapter 11

Vin leaned back against the building from his seat on the bench, his eyes closed, his head turned skyward. He had a blanket tossed over his lap and another wrapped around his shoulders. He had managed to push the blanket off of himself slightly, enjoying the heat of the sun against his chest. Nathan had reluctantly allowed him his trousers so he didn't feel totally vulnerable, even though they were only partially fastened up so the waistband didn't irritate the healing incision. But the blanket covered him enough for decorum's sake.

Chris sat next to him, the ever-watchful guardian, whittling at a piece of wood while the sharpshooter rested. The younger man had driven both Chris and Nathan crazy over the last two days. Once the drugs he had been given had worn off, Vin was in pain but alert. A little laudanum provided by the Doctor, via the Judge, took care of the worst of the pain. Within a day he had become restless. By the second day even Nathan had had enough and had allowed Josiah to carry Vin out to the porch in front of the clinic for some air, as long as the tracker didn't try anything ‘foolish'.

Nathan needn't have worried. Vin definitely did not feel up to causing any kind of trouble. He could barely raise an arm much less think about walking. But he needed outside, needed some air, even if it was only for the half an hour that Nathan had given him.

Both men looked up at the sound of footsteps on the stairway. They were both surprised to see Vincent C Tanner, II step onto the landing, but for different reasons. The older man hesitated before approaching.

“Vincent, you're looking much better.” Chris watched the man carefully, not trusting him after his plans to take Vin away.

“I was beginin' ta think that you was part of that fever I had.” Vin said with a smile. The tracker was more open to forgiveness than his friends over the whole Baltimore incident. As happy as he was that Judge Travis and the others had stopped his grandfather from taking him away, he didn't want to give up the only blood family member he had ever met. The others understood that, but were prepared to watch his backside until he was recovered.

“Vincent, son, I've come to ask your forgiveness. I shouldn't have just assumed that you would be coming home with me. I just…I…”

“It's all right. I understand.” Vin drawled, his tone showing that he did, indeed, understand and forgive. Chris stood and started moving to the stairs.

“I'll give you two a few minutes. I'll just be at the head of the stairs.” Vin nodded in understanding. If Vin needed him, Chris would be there.

Chris was a little surprised though, to see two women waiting at the bottom of the stairs. The older one was pacing back and forth. The younger stood nearby, watching the older one. He sat down on the top step to wait.

“Pull up a seat.” Vin offered and the older man took him up on the offer, sitting on the bench next to him. Vin had his legs stretched out, one arm resting gently on his stomach, the other resting on the bench.

“The carriage I hired to take us to the train station arrived this morning.” The elder Tanner said.

“So that's what all the commotion was. I thought the travelin' circus had come ta town, the way folks was carryin' on down there.”

“Well, it was my intention that you be comfortable on the trip.” The man paused and the two sat in silence for a time. “You're sure you won't come with me? To Baltimore?”

“I'm sure. I got things here ta finish up. ‘Sides, I'm not much on big cities. I'd be like a fish outta water.”

The two sat in uncomfortable silence for a time. Then Vin continued, “So's that mean you'll be leavin' soon?”

“I thought about tomorrow. Now that you're on the road to recovery and you don't want to come home with me yet, there's no reason for me to stay.”

Vin cocked his head to one side, looking at the older man, then looked back down at the floor. “Any chance I kin talk ya inta stayin' awhile longer?”

The older man was startled. “You want me to stay? After what I had planned to do?” Vin nodded, then looked back up at the man.

“Yeah, I do. You're my grandpa and I barely know ya yet. I'd like that chance. If'n your willin'.”

“Vincent, I would be happy to stay for awhile.” The man's hand reached and hesitantly touched Vin on the shoulder. If the young man had not been injured he would have hugged his grandson for the first time. Vin's smile lit up his face. “Vincent, may I beg a favor of you?'

“Sure. If I kin I will.”

“I have someone that would like to meet you. Are you willing? Do you feel up to it?”

“I reckon.” Vin's brows knitted together in question, but the older man moved away to the top of the stairs. Chris stood and moved out of the way, but the older man stopped at the top. The woman down below looked up and began climbing the stairs at the man's nod. Chris moved down the stairs and took the woman's arm to help her up. The young woman followed behind at a slower pace.

The puzzled look was still on Vin's face as his grandfather escorted the woman towards him. The older woman's hand had gone to her mouth, covering it with a hankie. There were tears in her eyes as she approached. The younger woman had stopped next to Chris at the top of the stairs and they both stood watching the scene before them.

“Vincent…son…this is your grandmother, Emily. Emily, this is your grandson.” Vin's face registered shock and temporary confusion as the woman reached forward to touch his face, brushing a lock of hair from his eyes before resting on his cheek. She leaned forward and carefully kissed his forehead as tears ran down her face. Vin's own eyes watered slightly until he blinked the tears away.

Chapter 12

“Grandmother?” he whispered. His eyes took in the sight of the woman, not believing it possible. He unconsciously pressed his cheek against her palm, marveling at the feel of a grandmotherly hand on his warm skin.

“She arrived with the coach. My darling wife caught the first train out of Baltimore when she received the telegram saying I had found you. It just worked out that she was able to take the coach I had hired.”

“I had to see you for myself. You look so similar to my boy. Oh my goodness! We've finally found you!” The woman sank onto the bench at Vin's side and his own hand reached out to touch her, the bandages there keeping him from really feeling her, from knowing she was real and not some leftover vision from the fever he had had. She gasped at the sight and took his hand in hers, kissing his fingers through the bandages.

Chris hated to break up the scene, but it was past time to get Vin inside, and he thought that maybe his friend was at the point of being overwhelmed. He would have been had he been in the same position. Vin tore his eyes away from the woman as his friend approached and Chris saw the barely concealed emotion there.

“I'm sorry Pard. Time to go inside. Nathan will be back soon and if you're still out here he'll have both our hides.” Vin nodded and Emily moved aside so Chris could lift his friend off the bench. Vin flinched slightly but otherwise there was no sign the movement bothered him.

“You can come on in. It'll just take a second to get him settled back in bed.” Chris said as he walked through the open door. The elderly couple followed them inside, Emily looking around the room as she entered. Chris sat Vin down on the bed, using the blanket over his lap to cover him and propped pillows up behind him until he was comfortable. Emily took the chair next to the bed, taking up Vin's hand once more.

They were just in time. Chris had just finished when Nathan, followed by Ezra, walked into the room. Vin noticed the young woman for the first time, standing just outside the still open doorway. Emily followed Vin's gaze as Chris made introductions.

“Alicia darling, do come in,” Emily said. Her voice was strong and dignified. The young woman approached and took Emily's extended hand. “Gentlemen, this is my traveling companion, my Granddaughter Alicia. Vincent, this is your cousin.”

“My, my! My dear Vincent you seem to be resplendent with relatives today!” Ezra said with a chuckle. “Ladies, it's my pleasure.”

“Don't mind him. He talks like that all the time.” Vin drawled. A yawn caught him in the middle of the sentence, a fact not lost on Nathan. Vin glanced over to where the dark healer was heating water for more of the skunk juice he made Vin drink. Then the man began to spoon out a thin mush, dousing it with a liberal amount of honey.

“Don't you go fallin' asleep just yet, Vin Tanner. You ain't eaten yet and we had a deal.”

“Now Nathan, you know that stuff ain't fit to eat. ‘Sides, I got company.”

“I'm sure your company will understand,” Nathan replied, even as Vin yawned again. “One look at them ribs a yours pokin' through and they'll want ya ta eat more n talk.”

Chris and Ezra had retreated to a corner of the room and were fighting to keep from laughing at the discomfort Nathan was putting Vin through in front of the others. They both burst out in laughter at Nathan's next actions.

“Ma'am, would you do the honor of feedin' him. I figure he won't talk back to his grandmama.”

“Dirty trick Nathan,” Vin muttered as Nathan handed Emily the bowl of mush. Vin ate without a word, making it through about half before he nodded off.

Chapter 13

Over the next week the six healthy lawmen were greatly entertained at Vin's expense. Nathan learned quickly that Vin would not refuse to cooperate with the small gray haired lady that now hovered over him. And Nathan used it in Vin's best interest, making sure he ate regularly and slept often.

The woman doted on the young man, something Vin was so alien to that he didn't know how to react. He kept the woman busy telling stories of his father's childhood and learned as much as he could about his other relatives.

Alicia spent her mornings reading to him, and her afternoons in the company of either Buck or Ezra. Vin had threatened Buck with one of the many Commanche tortures in his abilities if he laid one finger on his cousin inappropriately and Buck figured the tracker would follow through as soon as he could get out of bed.

Vin included Ezra in the threat, to which Ezra replied “Mr. Tanner, I am offended! I would never treat a lady in an inappropriate manner. I am, sir, a gentleman to the core.”

Nathan began to work on Vin's hands, massaging the dormant and uncooperative muscles. When done he would re-bandage the hands against a board, straightening Vin's damaged fingers a little more each time until they were flat against the board. Neither man voiced the concerns about the lack of movement and feeling that Vin had in his fingers, though Nathan knew that it weighed heavy on the sharpshooter's mind.

His friends gave Vin ample time with his newfound relatives, often leaving him in their care for the day, knowing that his time was limited with them. But it was Chris that was at his side when Nathan decided it was time to let the young man stand for the first time in three weeks. And they were all present when he took his first steps the next day, with Chris and Buck supporting him.

The elderly Tanners watched their grandson's interactions with his friends with great interest. But it was Alicia that put their relationship into perspective for her grandparents. Vin fit here, amongst the peacekeepers of Four Corners. He was a wild stallion that should never be broken and made to pull a carriage. To try and make him fit into a city like Baltimore would break the man's spirit.

Vincent C Tanner, II finally accepted that fact in his heart. He spent the rest of his time in Four Corners getting to know the complicated young man that was his first-born grandson, and heir, due to the death of Vin's father, to one fifth of the older man's fortune.

Vin was never one to talk about himself. The information the other lawmen knew, they had gotten a bit at a time. But over that last week of Vin's confinement Emily managed to finagle out of the stoic tracker all of the same information and more. Emily felt a mixture of revulsion, fear, pain, and pride over all that Vin had been through in his life. She shed hidden tears, saddened by the fact that they had not been able to find him sooner, but coming to the conclusion that, had he not lived the life he had, he would not be the man he was now.

+ + + + + + +

Nathan had to allow Vin to return to his room at the boarding house two days after his first steps. He was actually relieved at the tracker's departure. Vin had been driving Nathan crazy since he became mobile.

Chris and Josiah showed up to act as escorts, making sure Vin made it to his room safely. He still wasn't real steady on his feet. Vin would have preferred going to the livery, saddling his horse, and spending the night under the stars, but even he wasn't going to be that stupid just yet. At least at the boarding house he could sleep when he wanted and at least roam the halls.

Josiah got a good grip on Vin's arm and Chris backed down the stairs in front of them as they began the difficult descent. Vin had to stop once or twice to rest, frustrating him. He couldn't believe he was this weak. He also didn't like that he walked slightly hunched over from the tug of the healing incision.

They made their way toward the boarding house slowly. When Vin stopped in front of the saloon, Chris knew they would go no further for a while.

That's where his grandfather found him thirty minutes later, surrounded by his friends. JD had his chair pulled up as close to Vin as possible, holding a hand of cards out for the sharpshooter to see and acting as his hands when he wanted a drink of the whiskey in the glass before him.

It was the first time Vincent C Tanner had seen Vin completely dressed, coat and hat included. The only thing he was missing was his mare's leg. The holster was just too uncomfortable to wear yet even if he had been able to use the weapon. The older man almost didn't recognize the younger, until Vin smiled and waved the man over with one bandage wrapped hand.

The sight of the young man had startled him. Seeing him like this, in this setting, brought all that he had learned about his grandson to the fore. He looked dangerous. This young man could indeed be dangerous.

Up until this point, the young man had looked vulnerable and the older Tanner had drawn his conclusions about Vin from that young man. The young man that had lain feverish in bed. The young man that had tried so desperately to hide a single tear falling from his eye at the sight of the photograph of his parents. The young man whose smile had lit up the room after taking his first painful step after a long recovery.

This was not the same man he had come to know. Vincent C. Tanner, II had discovered one more thing about his grandson.

And then the young man's face changed again and it was the boy he knew again.

“Better fold me JD. I reckon it's time ta go.” Buck and JD both moved to help Vin stand, moving his chair away. Vin had to pause a moment before he could straighten up all the way. Vin looked at the older man standing nearby. “Ya willin ta help me to my room?”

The elder Tanner smiled and moved his arm around Vin's back. Vin rested one arm on his grandfather's shoulder and the two moved out of the saloon. Josiah had immediately moved to the window to watch them as they walked away. After a few moments Chris nodded and Josiah followed the pair from a distance.

Even now they would be watching Vin's back for him. They had done so the duration of his time at Nathan's. At least one of them would be at the bottom of the stairs during the time Vin was alone with his family. The one time they didn't at least have Mary Travis with the young man, his own grandfather had tried to spirit him away.

They knew that would not happen now, but Vin was still unable to defend himself. They would do it for him, should the need arise.

Chapter 14

Against everyone's advice Vin spent most of his time trying to move about, pacing his room and the hall of the boarding house the first day, then managing the stairs and walking the boardwalks outside. With at least one member of his new family at his side he would spend time at the saloon or the jail, or even visit Mary at the Clarion and Mrs. Potter at the hardgoods store. The activity wore him out quickly, but he only allowed himself one nap in the afternoon, although once or twice he fell asleep in a chair at the jail or in front of the saloon.

And always, one of the seven was with him, watching his back.

Nathan bought a child's rubber ball at the mercantile and gave it to Vin to squeeze with his right hand. The muscles in that hand were cooperating a bit more than those in his left. But still Vin barely made a dent in the ball and that only with a few fingers. He acknowledged this by pressing his lips together and trying harder.

+ + + + + + +

During Vin's illness and recovery, Four Corners had been fairly quiet, a fact for which Chris was truly thankful, especially since Vin had become more alert. Chris knew that should any trouble occur, Vin would be biting at the bit to be involved, and just sitting back would be almost as painful as the wound he was recovering from.

But Chris knew that this reprieve would be short lived. And when it occurred four days after Vin's release from Nathan's it came in the form of more trouble for the young tracker.

The sharpshooter was sitting outside the hotel leaning back in the chair as his grandfather read the newspaper aloud, commenting on one thing or another. Vin refused to admit to being tired, having been up since dawn, walking and trying to regain some of the strength he had lost. He had returned to his room at the boarding house long enough to eat a light lunch, ignoring invitations to eat at the hotel or in the dining room of the boarding house. His right hand still would not hold a fork and his left wouldn't even try yet, a fact that left the tracker frustrated. He was not about to eat in a public place when someone had to feed him like a child. At least he could manage a coffee mug if he slid his fingers through the handle but that was about it.

Chris stood outside the saloon watching the scene. Emily joined the two men on the Hotel boardwalk, leaning over to give both men a kiss on the forehead. Chris chuckled to himself at how uncomfortable the action made Vin look, and yet how content at the same time.

Vin's reaction was not lost on Ezra either. His eyes caught Chris' from his position leaning up against a support beam just a few feet away from Vin, the laughter barely held in check.

All three of the lawmen acknowledged the six men that entered the town. The small group of men had been visiting town every other day or so for the last three weeks, saying that they were working a claim just outside of town. Chris had sent Buck and JD out to check their story, coming back with a positive report. The men had never caused any trouble, just visited the saloon and picked up supplies. They had even played cards with Ezra, loosing a fair amount of money to the gambler. So Chris and Ezra saw no reason to react to the men's arrival. Vin took his cue on the men's arrival from the other lawmen he knew were nearby. Ezra even tipped his hat to the men as they rode by.

So it was a complete surprise when the men suddenly drew their guns and began to fire at the occupants of the hotel porch and in front of the saloon.

Vin was on his feet before the first bullet could land, splintering the chair he had just been sitting in. He pushed his grandparents through the hotel doorway and off to one side before turning to see what had become of Ezra. The card shark had taken a hit in the left shoulder and was now down on the boardwalk, trying to take cover behind an overturned table while returning fire. Vin ducked back behind the door, feeling helpless and defenseless. He moved his grandparents back behind the counter where they would be safer from any stray bullets.

Chris had moved into action at the first gunshot and was not surprised to hear additional guns coming from the saloon behind him.

The gunmen also took up safer positions. They had been paid to take these men, dead or alive. And dead had seemed the easier method until now.

Vin had no choice but to lay low in the hotel, something that he was not used to doing. It was all he could do to stay where he was, out of the way. He started to move several times, only to stop, knowing that without a gun and unable to defend himself, he would just be in the way. But he didn't have to like it.

He looked up at the sound of footsteps on the staircase. Almost expecting to see one of the gunmen, he was startled to see his cousin come running down the stairs, directly into the path of the open hotel doorway.

“What's happening…”

Adrenaline pushed Vin forward, and ignoring the stitch in his stomach his earlier movements had caused, he launched himself forward, knocking Alicia off her feet and rolling with her out of harms way as a wild shot entered the hotel. When they stopped out of bullet range he held her down on the floor, not wanting to admit that it hurt too much at the moment to even think about getting up. Recovering stomach muscles screamed at the abuse and it was just easier to try and catch his breath from a lying down position.

He remained on the floor even as the gunshots outside stopped and he could hear horses running off. Soon there was the sound of boots on the boardwalk outside and entering the hotel.

“Vin!” Chris' voice was filled with concern as he hurried inside.

“Over here Chris.” Vin called as he struggled to sit up, but the muscles refused to work just yet. Alicia was scrambling to her knees, crying and screaming in fear, confused over what had just happened.

“You okay Pard?” Chris said as he knelt by his friend's side successfully pushing the young man back to the floor until Nathan had a chance to examine him. Buck was right behind him and gathered Alicia into his arms.

“Yeah, I'm fine. But Ezra's hurt.” Vin tried to sit up again, fighting against Chris slightly until the gunslinger helped him sit up and lean against a wall. Vin drew his knees up, easing some of the stress on his stomach muscles.

“Nathan's with him. He's okay.”

“The others?” Vin asked. He wrapped his arms across his stomach as his grandparents joined them.

“What was that all about?” his grandfather demanded. Vin and Chris exchanged glances. Chris grabbed Vin's arm as the younger man pushed himself upward, trying to regain his feet, and refused to let go until he knew Vin wasn't about to fall. As Vin stepped forward and took his cousin in his arms, Chris turned to try and explain what had occurred to the older man. Buck, seeing that no one inside was hurt, tipped his hat to Emily and left the building.

“Sshhh, it's okay ‘Licia.” Vin could be heard speaking softly as Alicia struggled to get control.

“I don't know why that happened,” Chris growled, “But we're going to find out. JD's seeing to the horses now. And no,” he added with a poignant glare at Vin, who was of course about to say something, “You're not going.”

“Chris…” But Chris cut him off.

“They're leaving plenty of trail Vin. You're stayin'. Nathan's taking Ezra to the clinic. I want you over there too. The others are comin' with me.”

“Chris…” He stopped at the daggers coming from Chris' eyes. “Watch your back.” Vin caved in, knowing there would be no chance of winning an argument with the blond gunslinger today. Instead he moved carefully to the door, Alicia still held in his arms, and made his way slowly to the clinic. It was hard to tell who was supporting whom. Chris followed, escorting Vin's grandparents, and watching for any possible return of the six gunmen.

Chapter 15

Vin wasn't happy about being confined once more to Nathan's clinic, but he realized the necessity behind it. Chris and the others needed to track down the men who had fired on them. Ezra was injured and needed Nathan's attention. And there was no way that Vin could defend himself. So the safest place for him was under Nathan's guard. He hated the feeling of being defenseless.

The others had noticed the tight reign Vin had on his emotions about the subject of his hands. It was almost desperation that set Vin to the exercises they were using to get his hands operating and functional again. He attacked them with a vengeance, often stopping only when one of his friends pulled the ball from his fingers or used some other means of stopping or distracting him.

With Ezra patched up and reluctantly ensconced in the bed at the clinic, Nathan pulled out a thick book and sat at the table to read as Vin settled into a chair near the window. Vin's grandparents and cousin had gone back to the hotel, confident that Vin would be watched over and safe with the dark healer. Both Emily and Alicia were emotionally worn out after the attack and wished to rest for a time.

Vin was startled when Nathan jumped to his feet and approached him at the window. Nathan pulled up another chair and began to unwrap Vin's left hand, the one that had received the most damage and was responding the least.

“What cha doin', Nathan?” Vin asked as the man began to probe at Vin's fingers. Vin was surprised when Nathan retrieved a sewing needle and sat back down.

“Trying some things I read in that new book your granddaddy sent for. Turn your head and let me know if you kin feel this.”

“What?”

“Book says that this will check for nerve damage, see how much damage occurred.” Vin looked puzzled, and a bit worried. Maybe it would be easier not knowing. But he turned his head and did as he was told.

Nathan wasn't totally discouraged when Vin felt only about half the pinpricks in his left fingers. When he repeated the action on Vin's right hand, the results were even better. Then Nathan moved over to the small stove and began heating some water. While it heated, he had Vin move over to the table and began to set up a basin and a few towels.

“My dear Mister Jackson, might I inquire as to just what form of torture you are about to put Mister Tanner through this time?” the southern drawl came from the bed.

“Ezra, you're s'pose to be asleep.”

“Now how can a man possibly sleep through all that muttering.”

Vin and Nathan looked at each other. “I wasn't mutterin'? Were you mutterin'?”

“No, I wasn't mutterin'. Who was mutterin', Ezra?”

“You still haven't answered my initial question? Just what are you putting Mister Tanner through now?” Ezra was struggling to sit up and Nathan moved over to prop pillows up behind the gambler's back. Nathan was tired of trying to get these men to stay on their backs while they healed. He'd be happy keeping Ezra in bed for a time.

“Heat therapy.” Nathan replied as he moved back to the kettle of water. He began pouring the water into the basin in front if Vin, then adding cold water until it was tolerable.

“What?” Two different southern accents asked.

“Heat therapy. That book says that moist heat can sometimes relax the muscles and joints. Might even help heal the muscle and help with circulation.” He took Vin's hands and placed them in the basin of hot water, trying to watch Vin for reactions to the heat of the water, somewhat discouraged when the reaction wasn't there. The water was very hot and Vin should have found it just a bit more than comfortable. He added a bit more cold water, not wanting to burn the man's hands just because he didn't seem to notice the heat.

After Vin's hands had soaked up the heat for a time, Nathan began to massage them, manipulating the fingers, then placing them back in the hot water to soak again.

They did this every hour or so throughout the day and evening, while waiting for the return of the other four lawmen. Vin had grown inpatient. In truth, he was feeling thankful that it was Ezra in the bed being coddled over instead of him. But still, sitting and doing nothing, and being stuck inside once more while doing it, was getting on his nerves.

So in between treatments Vin began to pace, trying to release nervous energy.

Nathan was greatly relieved when Chris showed up and took the tracker off his hands.

Chapter 16

A week passed by and Vin saw some improvement in his hands. Nathan was pleased and felt there was a chance at recovering most function, but all Vin felt was frustration. He grew even more quiet than normal and was almost afraid to leave the company of any one of the other six peacekeepers for fear of a bounty hunter lurking nearby. It was just as well because Chris had given strict instruction that Vin was never to be left alone. The lack of privacy made him even more frustrated, but he also was unwilling to just hand himself over to the next man who recognized him and had the desire to collect $500 in bounty money.

Vin always managed to keep his frustration in check around his grandmother. The woman's actions, and Vin's, always gave the other six a great deal of entertainment, and always at Vin's expense. Chris always had a grin on his face as he watched the normally stoic and independent tracker being ordered about by a little old woman. And the fact that he did as she said was even more amazing.

But there did come a day when Chris figured he needed to get Vin out of town for the day. Stowing some lunch and a bottle of whiskey in his saddlebags, Chris saddled both his and Vin's horse and led them to the boarding house. When the tracker stepped out onto the porch and saw the horses there, his face lit up. He managed to loop a sluggish left hand around the saddle horn and had swung up into the saddle before Chris could say a word. The gunslinger followed as Vin headed out of town, quickly catching up to him at the edge.

Chris let Vin lead, having a good idea where the tracker would go. He was not disappointed. A relaxing ride later they stopped at a small pond, protected on three sides by rock formations with small trails leading between rocks to the pond itself. Vin had always felt safe there where no one could see him except from the opposite side of the pond.

The weeks of inactivity had taken a toll on Vin and he was actually happy to dismount, ground tying his horse and then sinking down at the edge of the pond himself. Chris pulled the saddles off both horses then, grabbing his saddlebags, he joined Vin where the tracker leaned tiredly against a rock.

“Shoot Chris, I feel weak as a baby. Ain't never tired myself out from that ride afore.”

“Well we haven't exactly let you do any ridin the last few weeks, or much of anything else,” Chris answered him as he opened up the saddlebag, pulling out the bottle of whiskey, cracking open the seal and handing the bottle to Vin as he dug in further for two of the sandwiches. Vin took a deep pull on the bottle, then handed it to Chris and accepted a sandwich. Whiskey was something else he had not had much of since his injury except what they had given him for pain. His right hand functioned well enough to handle the sandwich, or the bottle, without dropping either.

The pair ate and drank in silence for a time before Chris stood, returning a few moments later with two sturdy green branches. Stripping off the small branches and twigs, Chris reached into the saddlebags again and produced fishing line and hooks. A slight smile creased both men's faces as Chris attached the line and tossed a baited hook into the water, handing the fishing pole to Vin before preparing another for himself. Neither man cared if they caught a single fish. It was just the act and freedom that mattered.

About an hour before time to return to town Chris stood once more. Slipping his hand between the folds of his bedroll he pulled out Vin's mare's leg. Vin watched as the gunslinger approached, fear and trepidation filling him but not showing.

“Thought maybe it was time to give it a try.” Chris told him as Vin climbed to his feet and faced him. Vin thought about refusing, not wanting to know that he couldn't handle the weapon that had kept him alive for numerous years. Instead he held his right hand out, accepting the sawed off rifle. Awkwardly, he managed to cock the weapon, then he brought the weapon up, bracing it with his left hand and attempted to aim it at a distant branch. A stiff and slightly numb finger managed to pull the trigger. The shot went wide, missing the tree entirely. Vin's arms dropped in disappointment.

“Try again. It's just like anything else. When you haven't done it in awhile it's a little more difficult.”

Vin looked at the gunslinger, thankful that he was trying this in private instead of with the others around. Raising the gun again, he fired.

Vin spent the next hour, with Chris' help and encouragement, relearning the use of his beloved mare's leg. By the time they left, Vin was managing to hit large targets consistently. Accuracy was another issue.

Chris took Vin out again the next day, switching the mare's leg for a Winchester rifle. The stock being held against Vin's shoulder helped to compensate for the jerky actions of his finger on the trigger. With the finger feeling numb it was hard to get a smooth pull resulting in wild or delayed shots. By the end of a week Vin was able to hit, with some accuracy, targets the size of a man. He began to relax, knowing that he might indeed be able to protect himself. Still, until they were both comfortable enough with his ability, Chris would take the rifle away, feeling it was better for him to be unarmed if a bounty hunter should trap him, than armed and unable to safely defend himself. Less chance of him being shot.

He was tested just a few short days later. Nathan and Josiah were at the reservation and Chris was on patrol when trouble once more rode in to town. In a matter of moments the three remaining peacekeepers were pinned down. Vin, frustrated and unarmed, could do little more than watch from the saloon as his friends returned fire with the five men who had attempted to rob the bank.

Vin's grandfather watched from the window of his hotel room, far enough back so that he was not seen, and thus made a target, by the bank robbers. He had a clear view of the saloon and therefore was able to watch as Chris Larabee rode hard into town, traveling past the saloon as he did. Vin stepped out of the saloon doors as Chris passed, deftly catching the rifle that Chris tossed at him. Cocking it quickly, Vin disappeared around the corner of the saloon, only to reappear on the roof, where he scurried across it to the edge and began to fire.

As one of the bank robbers ran past Vin's position, the younger man shifted the rifle to his weaker left hand, and grabbing the edge of the roof with his right hand, slid off the roof and dropped cat-like to the boardwalk below. Taking several steps into the middle of the street, Vin raised the rifle and took aim. The robber dropped, grabbing at his right leg as he rolled on the ground.

“Vin! Your back!” Buck yelled out. Vin turned quickly, dropping downward and cocking the rifle as he moved and immediately took aim. The robber who had been riding down on him fell from the saddle at Vin's feet.

Vincent C Tanner, II solemnly shook his head as he watched the other lawmen gather around his grandson. He knew that Vin belonged here, in this wild and lawless country, but had secretly hoped that the boy would change his mind and return with him. Watching Vin just now had eliminated any hope. The boy was just too wild to ever be happy in a city like Baltimore. And Vincent C Tanner, II finally realized that he would not want to change the boy in any way. That was what made Vin the unique individual that he had come to love and admire.

He was not looking forward to telling young Vin that it was time he returned East. He did have a business to run after all. But it was going to break his heart, not to mention his wife's, to leave the young man behind.

Chapter 17

With Vin's ability to defend himself somewhat restored, his freedom was also returned. Alicia arranged for a picnic lunch and the four members of the Tanner family headed out for a day alone. Vin led on horseback and they soon found themselves under a stand of oak trees on the banks of a creek. While the women laid out a blanket and began to unpack the picnic lunch, the two men, at the elder Tanner's urging, walked along the banks of the creek, the rifle held loosely in Vin's right hand.

“Vincent, we have a few things to discuss,” the elder Tanner began, his hand resting on Vin's left shoulder.

“Somethin' wrong?”

“No, no. Not at all. But as you know I have a business in Baltimore and I'm afraid it's time I returned to it.”

Vin stopped walking. “You're leavin soon?” His voice held a tinge of disappointment, even though he knew this day would come eventually.

“I'm afraid so. The coach I hired leaves tomorrow so we may make train connections east.”

“I hate ta see ya go. But I cain't spect ya ta stay here anymore‘n I kin go east with ya.”

“I understand that also Vincent. You belong here, amongst the wild, amongst your friends. You would not be happy in Baltimore. I know that, now.” They walked on a few feet further before the elder Tanner continued. “There are two things, however, that I wish to discuss with you before we leave.”

“First off, you have a standing invitation to come to Baltimore whenever you wish. There is always a place for you there. In fact I know your grandmother would love it if you could visit for Christmas.”

“Thank you. You won't ever know how much that means ta me. I ain't had family fer awhile, except fer Chris and the guys. I kinda like havin ya around.”

“Well, you've got family now son, and we will be there for you whenever you need us. All you need to do is let us know. That brings me to the next order of business. As you've been told, you have two uncles and an aunt.”

“Yeah.”

“A long time ago I had my will set up so that my assets would be divided between my four children and Emily after my death. I made sure your grandmother would be suitably cared for with more held back for her than the children until the time of her death, at which point the remaining assets would be divided equally.”

Vin nodded in understanding, even though he wasn't sure what assets were. He figured he'd ask Ezra later.

“When word of your father's death and your birth reached me, I immediately had the will changed so that you would inherit your father's share. In fact I had my will changed so that should any of my children pass on before me, their children would inherit their share.”

Vin had stopped walking and was staring at his grandfather, not entirely sure what the man had just said. The elder Tanner turned and faced his first-born grandson.

“Vincent, unless something radical happens between now and then, when I pass on you will become a wealthy young man. In fact you already have a sizable amount in a trust fund that I set up at the news of your birth. I have done that for all of my grandchildren. It's worth a nice little sum at the moment. Enough that you could buy yourself a place out here and stock it with cattle if that's what you wish and still have money left over.”

“What?” Vin shook his head, puzzled. “Why? Why would ya do that when ya never even met me ‘fore now?”

“Because you are family Vincent.” The senior Tanner placed his hand on Vin's shoulder once more and guided a surprised Vin back to the blankets and his birth family.

Chapter 18

All seven peacekeepers gathered to see Vin's family off the next morning. They had spent the previous evening having a going away supper at the hotel with Mary and Nettie included. Each lawman said their good-byes and stepped aside to allow Vin a moment to say his private goodbyes. Vin had to blink away tears as he helped his grandmother in to the coach, then turned one last time to his grandfather.

“Vincent, son, take good care of yourself. Remember you are always welcome with us.”

“I'll ‘member.”

“And don't forget, when you are ready for that trust fund, let me know. I'll wire the funds to you immediately.”

“I won't forget. And thank you.” Vin leaned over and hugged the older man, not wanting to let go. The elder Tanner seemed reluctant to break contact also, but when he did, he turned quickly and climbed inside. The coach moved forward.

As Vin stood in the road and watched the coach leave the other peacekeepers gathered around him.

“Hey Ezra? What are assets? And what's a trust fund?” Vin asked as the group moved off toward the saloon. At Ezra's explanation Vin stopped, turning to stare once more at the retreating coach, the realization of exactly what his grandfather had told him sinking in.

Nettie Wells walked back to Vin, then glancing at the coach, she looped her arm in Vin's. “Boy, I could use an escort to the saloon.”

Vin smiled and began walking toward the saloon once more. As they entered the bar, he began to laugh. There would be no way anyone would believe him if he told them.

“Hey Ezra? How much does a saloon cost?” he called out as they made their way to the table of friends.

“Why on earth, Mr. Tanner, would you want to know such a thing?”

“Just curious Ez, just curious.”

The End