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Ezra Traveling to Morrisville |
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DISCLAIMER: I do not claim any rights over the Magnificent 7 characters used in this story, which has been written for the joy of writing only (whether it be good writing or no) and for no other purpose (such as monetary gain). Trilogy Entertainment Group, the Mirisch Group and MGM own the Mag 7 characters/aspects of the story.
WARNING: This fic is rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content between three men. If that's not your thing I don't know why you're on this list. ;) However, if you're accidental or stumbled into a web site somewhere, consider yourself warned. If you're illegal age or uncomfortable, amscray!
NOTES: I want to thank MotherRati for beta-reading this story and for the kind comments. I also want to thank the various readers who demanded … ummmm suggested that I write some missing scenes from Forever Love. Well this first missing scene takes place after Judge Travis made Ezra sheriff of Morrisville and covers him purchasing new clothing, traveling to Morrisville and his reception by the town’s people.
Taking a deep breath and tightening my grip on my saddlebags, I entered the mercantile. The only one in the story was a young woman who smiled welcomingly in my direction. Walking over to her, I put my saddlebags on the counter. "I was wondering if I could sell some high quality clothing in exchange for some more casual clothing."
She searched my face before answering. "Well I can’t promise anything, but let’s take a look, shall we?"
As I pulled out five jackets, trousers, and a couple of fine linen shirts she checked them over for any tears or wear spots. Obviously pleased with the quality and condition of the garments, she asked me, "What would you want for these items, Mr…"
"Standish. I would like a couple pairs of work trousers, cotton shirts, a duster, and a hat," I replied.
She came out from behind the counter and said, "We have ourselves a deal, Mr. Standish. Let’s go and take a look and see what we have that will fit you."
The pants and shirts were easy to find, but the duster and hat were taking some time when I spotted an old black Cavalry hat half hidden by bolts of cloth. Taking it out from its hiding place I got my first look at it and smiled, for this hat was exactly like Vin’s but in Chris’ color. I took it over tothe mirror and tried it on. It seemed that the hat was made for me and I liked how it gave me a dangerous, wild look that would fit well with my role as sheriff.
The young woman turned to see me trying on the hat and snapped her fingers before disappearing into the back of the shop. She shortly returned with a black duster that was in an older style but seemed to suit me surprisingly well. "Mr. Standish, I think they looked wonderful on you, but I have to ask you if you want them."
Turning to check out how the duster swirled around my legs like Chris’ did I couldn’t help but smile. "Yes, they are perfect."
As she was gathering my purchases together I wandered over to the gun display and spotted a duplicate of my Remington lying there. Turning I asked the young woman, "Could I see that Remington, please?"
She came over and opened the case to hand me the gun, which fit in my hand perfectly. It called to me the same way my other one had when I’d purchased it. "How much?"
"Thirty dollars and the gun belt comes with it."
Handing it back to her I told her, "I’ll take it, and two boxes of bullets as well." I figured that with this extra gun and Vin’s mare’s leg I would be well armed for my duties as sheriff. Thinking of the day Vin had given me the gun as a present and how he and Chris had spent hours teaching me how to fire and clean the weapon, the tenderness and patience that they’d display that day brought a smile to my lips.
As I made my way back to the counter to pay for my purchases I noticed that an extra pair of pants and two more shirts had made it into my pile. "Excuse me, miss, but you gave me some extra clothing."
The young woman smiled and told me, "Well, the hat and duster has been in the store for way too long and I was about to give them away anyways so I didn’t charge you for them. The extra pair of pants and a couple more shirts should even the trade."
Shocked at her kindness I handed over forty dollars to her and gathered my purchases to return to the hotel so I could change before catching my train. "Thank you, miss. If I didn’t have to catch a train I would have been honored to escort you to dinner to repay you for your kindness."
She dimpled prettily at me as she said, "Thank you, Mr. Standish, but I don’t think my husband would care for the idea."
My southern manners decided to exert themselves and I gathered her small hand in mine to bring it to my lips and gently placed a kiss upon it. "My lady, your kindness will be remembered."
I gathered my packages and made my way to the door before touching the brim of my new hat in farewell to the sweet young woman.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Elizabeth watched the sad young man leave the store and wished him luck. It looked like he’d lost everything in the world and now he wanted to lose himself as well. Deciding that the young man needed looking after she went to the back of the store. "Michael! I have to go out for a bit, could you watch the store for me?"
Her husband made his way up out of the basement where they’d been going though things to get rid of. "No problem, Beth." Leaning in he gave her a quick kiss before going to the front of the store, but then he paused. "Beth, where’s my duster?"
"That old thing. I threw it out."
"BETH! That’s my favorite coat."
"We’ll find you one that will fit you better."~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I leaned against the window watching as the country rolled by, taking me farther and father away from the only home that I wanted with every breath in my body. Where I was wanted, needed and loved beyond my wildest dreams.
I’d been lucky enough to be able to purchase my new wardrobe and catch the train to Morrisville within two hours after talking to the judge. I could feel Vin and Chris coming closer and the temptation to stay was so very great, but I couldn’t risk their lives to stay. I’d never told Chris or Vin about the time I was in a small town in North Carolina where I’d seen two men beaten and torn apart by a mob that found out that they were lovers. I couldn’t risk that happening, and with Jackson and Wilmington’s threats I wouldn’t chance it.
I closed my eyes to try allowing the rocking motions of the train to lull me to sleep, hoping to dream of being in my lovers’ arms once again and of making love slowly with them. Dreams of being in a world where I could shout my love from the rooftops, to live and love openly, to build a life with them…but that would never happen, at least not in my lifetime. Instead my life would be barren and empty, no love would come my way for Vin and Chris had filled all the dark places in my heart with their light so there could never be any room for me to love again.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The conductor woke me so I wouldn’t miss my stop and I moved to collect my things and then departed from the train. I waited as they unloaded Chaucer from the boxcar and checked the time; I had about a two hour ride north to Morrisville, which meant that I would arrive sometime before sundown.
Quickly saddling Chaucer I set off on the final leg of my exile, wondering what the town would be like.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dr. McCloud, Mr. Lau and Reverend Sterling kept an eye out for their new Sheriff. Judge Travis had given them a glowing report of Mr. Vincent and the townsfolk were excited that someone of Mr. Vincent’s background had agreed to become the sheriff of their small town. The ladies of the town had even cleaned and readied the suite of rooms over the jail for the new sheriff.
Many of the women were wondering if there would be a Mrs. Vincent coming with the new sheriff, but the judge’s telegram didn’t tell them so a small group of women were waiting in the welcoming party. Around five o’clock they saw a rider coming from the south and people gathered in the main street to welcome the new sheriff.
As he got closer he seemed to be surprised by the welcoming committee that came out to meet him, and he nodded to the women as he rode up to them and dismounted. Most of the townsfolk were surprised that the new sheriff wasn’t very tall, but what he lacked in height he made up in strength and confidence. He was dressed in tan work pants, a blue cotton shirt and a black duster that whipped around his legs. He’d tucked the ends of the duster behind the handles of the twin Remingtons that were strapped low on his hips, ready to draw at a moments notice. From the saddle he retrieved a sawed-off mare’s leg that he swung up and over his shoulder. The black cavalry hat shaded his face but they could see his green-eyes watching everything intently, evaluating them as they evaluated him.
The Reverend sighed in relief, for the sheriff was obviously a man who knew his business and he gave off an air of quiet menace but also an air of protectiveness that seemed to reach out to encompass the town.
As the Reverend stepped forward the Sheriff removed his hat, allowing the sun to catch the red and gold highlights in his hair and making his green eyes even more noticeable. Holding out his hand, Reverend Sterling told him, "Welcome Mr. Vincent, let me introduce myself; I am Reverend Sterling, Mr. Lau is our local bank manager, and this is Dr. McCloud."
In a cultured southern voice the new sheriff replied, "Gentlemen, it’s an honor to meet you. Mr. Peter Christopher Vincent at your service, sirs."
Smiling, the Reverend Sterling indicated that Vincent should follow him. "The women of the town have fixed up the little suite above the jail for your use. There is a stable for your horse there as well. Will Mrs. Vincent be joining you later?"
The women of the town couldn’t help but notice how handsome and well mannered the new sheriff was, but they also saw the profound sadness that flashed in his eyes before a smoothly friendly mask settled over his face. "No, Reverend, I’m not married." A few of the young women in the crowd noticed his sadness and decided to see what they could do to remove it. Some imagined him as a tragic figure, maybe he’d lost the woman he loved to another man or to death. More than a few hearts were set on the handsome sheriff and plans were made.
The Reverend handed over the keys and the badge then told the obviously tired man, "Why don’t you settle in and I will be by in two hours to get you for dinner. That way you can meet the rest of the town council and we can let you know what kind of trouble comes around."
"It would be my pleasure, sir."~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After I unsaddled Chaucer and gave him a nice rubdown I made my way up the stairs to my new rooms. As I opened the door I could tell the women of the town had been by and had cleaned everything from top to bottom. Soft white curtains hung over the sitting room windows on either side of the room, which when opened would have a nice cross breeze blowing. A small fireplace sat against the left hand wall and a comfortable looking chair sat between it and the window. A small bookcase with a few books was under the window, making a comfortable place to read quietly. In the middle of the room was a nice rug where a sofa sat facing the fireplace surrounded on either side with matching chairs. Off the sitting room I could see a small dining room and kitchen and to the right of that another door. When I opened it I found a nice spacious bedroom with a large comfortable bed and the windows hung with darker curtains so that I could sleep in when needed.
Coming out of the bedroom I noticed a door to the left and when I opened it I found a bathroom that included a large tub I could relax fully in. Sighing I sat down on the iron tub; this place was perfect, everything I could want was here. Except that without Chris and Vin, it was nothing but a place to live out my exile.
It surprised me how the people of Morrisville had come out to welcome me and I wished that this was the place the Seven could make their home. These people would welcome us and treat us with respect instead of merely tolerating us. Now I couldn’t say that about many of the woman in Four Corners for some of them had been very kind to us, but their husbands, fathers, and brothers hadn’t seen things that way. Everything would be perfect if Vin and Chris were here, but it was time to put aside the past and make do with what I had now.