Chapter One
Vin wasn't sure what made him stop. The small cluster of buzzing flies was not normally enough to make him stop to investigate. It always meant a dead animal of some sort. But for some reason Vin had to stop and check it out.
The deceased creature was a raccoon and had not been gone from life all that long. Likely died some time during the night, Vin figured. He turned to leave but stopped as a slight scratching sound reached his ears. His eyes scanned the roadside, penetrating into the shrubbery nearby. With caution he moved forward and parted a low brush, revealing a small bundle of squirming coarse fur.
"Well hey there little fella. Bet that was your mama over there, huh?" Vin considered his options. It would be cruel to leave the baby raccoon out here alive. He'd either starve to death or become an easy meal for some larger animal. There was no choice, really. Reluctantly, the man who had hunted buffalo and then men, for a living, pulled out his gun and aimed it at the little creature. Aiming down the muzzle of his mare's leg he began to pull the trigger when the baby looked up into his eyes, it's tiny paws moving to scrub at it's face and what could only be described as a cry was heard.
"Aw, damn it." Vin holstered his gun and stooped down. The baby raccoon looked up at him again and staggered a step or two forward. "Yer hurt?" Vin reached down cautiously and grabbed the animal by the scruff of the neck, lifting the animal up. "Likely hungry too." The animal reached out, twisting slightly and tried to grab Vin's hand. Turning the animal slightly Vin saw the deep scratch along the creature's left flank, now covered in dried blood. Shaking his head Vin stood, one hand unbuttoning his coat.
"Durned if I know why I'm doin' this, but I reckon I'll see if'n Nathan's got something ta fix ya up," Vin said as he tucked the animal inside his coat and moved over to his horse. The little animal shifted around inside as Vin settled himself into the saddle, clutching onto Vin's suspenders. As Vin road off the animal curled up and settled into sleep in the warmth provided by the hides of his coat.
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Vin knocked on Nathan's door, pushing it open at Nathan's call to enter.
"Vin? You okay?" Nathan asked. The men didn't often drop into the clinic unless someone was hurt or some other emergency popped up.
"I'm okay, Nathan. But I did bring ya a new patient," he said, reaching inside his coat and pulling out a handful of grayish brown fur with a long striped tail attached. A tiny head with a black mask lifted and looked around.
"What the..." Nathan looked startled as he approached Vin.
"It's a 'coon."
"I know it's a 'coon Vin, but what do ya want me to do with it?"
"It's got a scratch. Been bleedin' a bit. Thought mebbe you'd have some potion or lotion ta clean it up with. Mebbe keep it from gettin' infected?"
Nathan frowned but turned and pulled out a basin, which he filled with water. Vin moved over to Nathan's table, sitting the baby raccoon on top. The raccoon immediately began to explore the tabletop. When Nathan set the basin on the table it skittered over to the bowl, looking over the edge before dipping it's paws into the water and washing them. Nathan burst into laughter, startling the animal and sending it running back towards Vin and grabbing a hold of his hide coat. Before Vin knew what was happening the animal had climbed up his coat and disappeared inside.
"Hey! Nathan's a good guy. Come on out and let him look at ya." Vin peered down inside his coat to see two tiny black eyes peering back at him. "Come on. He ain't gonna hurt ya. Well not on purpose anyways." Vin reached inside and extracted the animal once more.
As Vin distracted the animal by letting it claim his finger, and several items of Nathan's, as it's possession, Nathan managed to clean the wound and apply a little salve to it.
"It's not too bad. Just a scratch really. But I think you've got a bigger problem." When Vin cocked an eyebrow in question, Nathan continued. "He's awfully small. I'm not certain he's been weaned yet."
"Yeah. Looked like his mama was still nursin'," Vin said as he let the little animal climb his arm and perch on his shoulder. "Reckon I'll try'n find a way ta feed it till he's old enough to go back ta the woods."
"Maybe a baby bottle?"
Vin nodded. "That's what I was thinkin'."
"Well good luck." Nathan picked up a small empty tin and scooped a bit of salve into it before closing the lid tight and handing it to Vin. The little raccoon instantly reached for it before Vin tucked it safely into a pocket.
"Thanks Nathan," Vin said as he scooped the animal into his hand and headed toward the door.
Vin made one stop at the mercantile where Gloria Potter supplied him with a bottle, then headed toward the saloon. Inez kept a supply of milk on hand for JD, and that was just what Vin needed next.
Entering the saloon with the raccoon tucked back inside his coat, where it was wide awake and exploring the interior, making it look as though Vin had a giant worm crawling through his body, Vin ignored the table with Buck, Chris and JD at it and headed straight to the bar. Placing the bottle onto the counter he got Inez's attention. "Evenin' Inez. Could ya fill that up bout half way fer me? And I'll take a beer too, if ya could."
Inez gave him a skeptical look but nodded. "Certainly Senor Vin." She disappeared into the back room and returned seconds later with the partially filled bottle. But her steps slowed as she saw Vin wriggling and reaching one hand down the back of his coat. "Are you all right Vin?" she asked sitting the bottle down and picking up a mug.
"Right as rain," he replied, then pulled a furry bundle from the neckline of his coat. With a hand clasping the baby raccoon at the nap of it's neck and against his shoulder, he used the other hand to pick up the bottle and mug. "Thanks Inez," he said and carried his two handfuls to the table in back holding his friends.
"Now Vin, just what is that?" Buck asked, pushing his hat back on his head as Vin pulled a chair out with his foot and sat.
"It's a 'coon, Bucklin. Ain't ya never seen one before?"
"I think the better question is what are you doing with it?" Chris said as he took a sip from the glass of whiskey in front of him.
"Can I hold him Vin?" JD said enthusiastically.
"Reckon so JD. Was just fixin' ta try and feed him." Vin took a swallow of his own beer as JD took the animal from him. "Found him out near Stephenson's place. His mama was dead and he had this scratch. Nathan fixed him up though."
Buck looked at Vin like the man had grown a second head. "Why?"
Vin looked up from where he was watching JD play with the baby. He hadn't really thought why, he'd just done it. "Reckon I know what it's like ta loose yer mama as a young un," he finally answered. "Guess I figured he deserved at least a chance at survivin'." He turned his attention back to JD. "Let's see if he'll try'n eat something."
JD handed the animal back over to Vin and Vin picked up the bottle. It didn't take much to get the baby's attention with something new to explore and moments later for it to realize that there was food inside. Within just a few tries it got the idea and began to eat hungrily.
"Well that was pretty easy," Vin said as he watched the animal.
"Just what are you planning on doing with it?" Chris asked.
"Reckon I'll keep it fed until he's old enough and then take him back ta his home."
"Do you really think it will survive this way?"
"Don't know. Jest know I have ta try."
Chris didn't say anything, just nodded. Buck still looked a little skeptical as to why anyone would try and take care of an animal that most people tried to get rid of. And JD watched on, fascinated by the little animal now rolled into a ball in Vin's arm and nursing from a baby bottle.
"What are you gonna name it?" JD asked.
"Hadn't planned on namin' it. Jest gonna feed it till it's old enough ta take care a itself, then turn it loose."
After a time the animal pushed the bottle away and scrambled to it's feet. It climbed up one of Vin's arms and around his neck to his other shoulder, then down his chest and inside his coat. After shifting around, the now hide-covered lump settled into one spot.
"Guess he's settled in fer a time," Vin said as he shifted slightly to accommodate the lump.
"Looks like he's taken you on as his mother," Buck said with a grin. "Must be all that long, wavy hair."
Vin shot the man a look over the rim of his mug but refused to comment. He drained the mug then stood up carefully, so as not to disturb the sleeping creature, picking up the baby bottle as he did. "Reckon it's time ta turn in."
"Night Vin!"
"Night Mama."
"You checking out the Johnson place in the morning?" Chris asked.
"Yep, headin' out at first light."
Chris nodded. Vin gave a two-fingered salute and moved toward the door, passing Ezra as he went. Ezra glanced at the abnormality in Vin's coat as he moved by him, then continued on to the table in back. Not saying anything, but still looking at the doorway where the tracker had disappeared, he pointed then looked back at his friends in question.
"Vin's gonna be a mama," Buck replied.
Ezra opened his mouth as if to question, just to shut it again and take a seat, looking at the empty doorway one final time. Sometimes it was better not to ask.
Vin made his way to his wagon and carefully climbed inside. Searching in the growing darkness he found the basket Nettie had recently sent back with him filled with muffins and sweet breads, then located an old worn shirt. Using the shirt he lined the basket, creating a nest of sorts, and shifted the sleeping raccoon to it. Vin knew he'd be awakened several times during the night, the infant needing food, so he settled in himself to get some sleep while he could.
Chapter 2
Over the next several weeks it was rare that one saw Vin without the raccoon, usually perched on his shoulder, sometimes tucked into his coat when sleep was required. Vin carried the bottle with him, feeding the baby animal regularly and tried tempting the creature with morsels of food to begin the weaning process. As it's strength grew and he began eating regular food, it's curiosity grew also and Vin would wake occasionally in the middle of the night to find his new friend gone, out exploring the night. But by morning it was always tucked back in it's basket or curled around Vin's head or shoulder, fast asleep, and often with some new find or treasure in it's possession which Vin would return to it's rightful owner the following day.
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"Mr. Tanner!"
The yell reverberated down the saloon stairs, quickly followed by a blur of red. The raccoon had entered the saloon just minutes before and had taken refuge inside Vin's coat. As Ezra stalked toward Vin, seated at the back table with Chris and Josiah, Vin pulled his coat out and looked down inside at the two black eyes looking back at him. "What'd ya do now?" he asked the animal. Getting no answer he looked up as Ezra stopped in front of him.
"Hey, Ez."
"Mr. Tanner, that…that…creature has absconded once more with my gold cufflinks!" To prove the point, Ezra shoved out one ruffle covered wrist, the cuff of which lay open.
"Now Ez, ya might have lost em or somethin'. Jest cuz ya cain't find em doesn't mean Rowdy here took em."
"Rowdy? Rowdy…" Ezra shook his head, surprised that Vin had bothered to name the four-legged thief. Then he re-gathered his thoughts. "I saw the miscreant leaving through my window! Now make it give them back at once! It isn't proper for a gentleman to be seen like this." Ezra moved an arm, allowing the cuff to flap around his wrist.
With a sigh and a roll of the eyes, Vin stood and walked toward the door, his cargo still tucked inside his coat. Ezra followed at his boot heels, and after a moment Chris and Josiah stood and followed. Vin moved directly to his wagon, climbing into the back to search the raccoon's "nest", the basket with his shirt in it that Vin had set up the first night. Moments later he emerged with Ezra's cufflinks and a gold pocket watch. Silently he handed the links back to Ezra, who immediately inserted them into his cuffs, then tugged the jacket sleeves into place.
"Thank you," he replied as he adjusted his hat. "I do wish, though, that if you insist on keeping that animal you would teach it proper manners. Gentlemen." And with a tip of his hat Ezra headed back to the saloon.
As Vin held up the watch for identification, the raccoon climbed out of Vin's coat and onto his shoulder, where he proceeded to reach out and try to grab the watch. Vin turned his head and frowned at the animal. "It ain't yers," he said before opening the watch to look for engraving.
"That's, what, the third time he's taken those cufflinks?" Chris asked from where he leaned against a porch post, a lit cheroot clenched between his teeth.
"More like fourth," Josiah added.
Vin squinted at the two men and frowned. "Critter's got good taste is all." Unconsciously he reached up and scratched the animal behind the ears. He'd had no intention of getting attached to the animal, but he had never had a pet before and was unprepared for the emotion involved with caring for one.
"He's eating on his own now isn't he?" Vin nodded in answer. "Bout time he went back home then isn't it? Folks are getting a bit tired of their jewelry disappearing."
He knew Chris was right. That had been the plan all along. Still, it was going to be hard. "Planned on takin' him out near that creek south a town. Let him get used ta being out there again. Make sure he kin find food himself."
"Sounds like a fine plan, Vin" Josiah said, then turned and moved off toward the church. Chris just nodded and returned to the saloon.
Vin scratched the animal's ears once more. "Reckon we should turn in. We'll head out in the mornin'."
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Vin stood, holding the reins to his horse and watched as Rowdy skittered off and up a tree. He had spent the last two weeks making sure the animal could survive on it's own, spending first a night, then several nights, camping out with the creature and cutting back on the food he gave it to force it to scavenge for food on it's own. Vin had purposely chosen the area for it's available water, and therefore food, in hopes that the animal would have an even better chance at survival.
Silently Vin mounted, taking one last look at his little friend. "You take care a yerself. I taught ya all I could. Now it's up ta you." And with that he turned and rode off, the chattering sound of the raccoon calling after him.
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Vin awoke, his eyes opening but nothing else moving, listening for the noise that had alerted him. Silently he waited for whatever had caused the noise to reoccur. He was finally rewarded after several minutes when a scratching sound drew his attention to the foot of his wagon. Seconds later a dark blob entered the wagon, chittering as it crawled across Vin, then squirmed under the thin blanket Vin was using. Turning in circles several times Rowdy settled next to Vin's chest.
"Reckon we'll jest have ta try harder tomorrow ta find ya a home ya like," he said as one hand absently scratched behind the raccoon's ears.
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Vin spent the next three weeks trying to get the growing raccoon adapted to a new home…without any luck. Invariably, the critter always made it's way back to Vin's wagon, where it slept during the day, roamed morning and evening and settled in again staying within the confines of the wagon while Vin slept, or wandering outside and returning before Vin awoke. Each time, however, Rowdy stayed away a little longer.
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Vin entered the saloon and strode to the table in back where Buck and Chris already sat nursing beers. Silently he emptied his pockets, placing several items on the table: a gold locket, a silver spoon, a key, a silver ear bob, a pocket watch and Ezra's gold cufflinks. With a discouraged look on his face, he took a seat and accepted the beer mug Inez placed on the table before him. As she began to walk away, she turned again suddenly and retrieved the ear bob from the table, placing it in her pocket before heading back to the bar.
"I know, I know," Vin said as Chris passed him a meaningful look. "I been tryin' but he keeps findin' his way back."
The men looked up as Virgil Cummings walked into the saloon and glanced around. Spotting Vin and the others he walked to their table, glanced at the items Vin had left on the table and picked up the key. With a smile and a nod he turned and left the building.
"Maybe you need to take him further away." It was a statement, not a question, and almost an order.
Vin had thought the same thing before. The problem was, he liked having the animal around. It was entertaining and surprisingly good company. Vin was trying not to admit that he missed the animal when it wasn't around and really didn't want Rowdy to stay away. Suppressing a sigh, he nodded, taking a drag on his beer even as he saw a furry bundle slip in through the doorway.
Rowdy waddled over towards the men's table, climbing up Vin's leg and up on to the table, where he proceeded to stick it's muzzle inside Vin's beer mug. After taking a drink, he looked the table over, then reached out for Ezra's cufflinks.
"No," Vin said softly. Rowdy stopped, turning to look over his shoulder at Vin, then scrambled up and on to Vin's shoulder.
"Did I just see that creature of yours drinking your beer?" Ezra asked as he moved from the stairs to the table, calmly reaching out and retrieving his cufflinks, non-plussed by now that they had disappeared once more. When Rowdy reached out as if to take them from him Ezra looked at the animal and told it, "No. These are mine." Sitting, he placed the links in place and motioned for a bottle. "A game anyone?"
Chapter 3
Chris accompanied Vin on his final try to turn Rowdy back to the wild. Vin suspected it was to make sure he went far enough away.
They rode for a full day before stopping in a nicely wooded area with a small creek nearby that pooled amongst a cluster of rocks. Vin checked to make sure the creek had fish, a good sign that it wouldn't disappear in the heat of summer, and a source of food for the raccoon.
Rowdy, for his part, followed Vin to the water and proceeded to wash up, then began looking around for food as Chris unpacked the horses and started setting up camp. Vin joined him and they soon had their bedrolls down and a fire going. Then Vin disappeared, hunting for the men's supper.
The night passed comfortably, with Rowdy out exploring while the men slept. Vin and Chris spent a relaxing day, Vin carefully watching to see that Rowdy was safe in the crook of the tree where he had settled in to sleep. As evening approached Rowdy wandered off to forage for the night, Vin watching him over the rim of his coffee cup.
"Seems to like it here well enough," Chris said as he lit his after supper cheroot.
"Reckon so."
"Ready to go home tomorrow?"
"Reckon so."
Chris felt bad for the tracker, and felt a little guilty for pushing the man to get rid of the animal. But it was for the raccoon's best interests as well as for that of the town. Finishing the cheroot he rolled up in his bedroll. Everyone would be better off with the animal relocated. Except maybe Vin.
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"Ummm, Vin?"
"Yeah JD?"
"Look." JD pointed toward the front of the saloon. Entering through the door was a familiar furry lump.
"I thought you took that thing far away?" Buck asked as Vin swore under his breath. Once again Rowdy made his way over to Vin, climbing up on the table and helping himself to Vin's beer before turning and climbing inside Vin's coat, a much tighter fit now that Rowdy was growing.
Vin looked down inside, searching for the familiar black eyes, then reaching in to give the animal a scratch. He looked up as Chris approached.
"Hey Chris, look who's back!" JD exclaimed.
Chris frowned, shaking his head as he took a seat. "I thought he had found a new home a week ago."
"What kin I say Chris. Somehow he always finds his way back."
"Did I overhear correctly?" Ezra said as he joined the group. "That our little thief has returned from afar?"
"Yep," Vin replied as Rowdy's head popped out of his coat to inspect the newcomers.
"Well he certainly looks none the worst for wear," Ezra replied, giving the animal a scratch. Inez appeared a moment later with a whiskey bottle, several glasses, a small bowl of water and some sliced fruit. Sitting the whiskey and glasses on the table and the bowl and fruit on the floor she walked away. Rowdy immediately scrambled out of Vin's coat and proceeded to wash the fruit in the water bowl before eating it. Once full, he climbed back inside Vin's coat and settled in.
Chris sat back in his chair, raising his hands in resignation. "I give up."
"What do you mean Pard?" Buck asked.
"I give up. Rowdy here seems determined to live here. And it seems that the townspeople have accepted him. Looks like you've got yourself a pet, Vin."
Vin raised an eyebrow at Chris' concession and Rowdy popped his head out once more. Looking around at the men he climbed out onto the table, looking at the glasses sitting around. Before anyone realized what he was doing, he stuck his nose into Chris' whiskey glass. Pulling his nose out he sneezed and scrubbed at his face. As Chris glared at him he scrambled up onto the shoulder of the black clad man. Chris turned his head to continue the glare as the other men laughed.
"Looks ta me like ya got yerself a friend there, Chris."
Chris tried to glare some more, but smiled and shook his head instead, reaching up to scratch the furry bundle.
The End
