Chapter 1 - 5 | Chapter 6 - 10 | Chapter 11 - 14 | Chapter 15 - 19 | Chapter 20 - 23
Chapter 11
Vin glared at the man standing in front of him. He couldn't believe the bastard had the nerve to come to him with this. Did he really think Vin would be willing to help?"Mr. Tanner," Mr. Dodd tried again, "I have heard that you're a fair minded young man."
Vin's eyes narrowed suspiciously on Phillip Spencer's lawyer. "What do ya mean you've heard?"
Mr. Dodd took a step back, instantly realizing he'd made a mistake. However, he hadn't gotten where he was by an inability to read a situation and right now his instincts were telling him that only complete honesty had a chance of working. "I didn't mean any offense Mr. Tanner, but I have done some research into your background. I'm sure you can agree that when approaching somebody you don't know to request help, it's best to know something about the person."
"I reckon," Vin hesitantly agreed. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the man to continue.
"Mr. Tanner, I won't deny that what my client did was wrong, but he's not a well man..."
"That mean he should get away with what he done?" Vin glanced at the clock, silently groaning when he saw there was still thirty minutes left for lunch. Damn, he should've gone with the others to the saloon, but he'd had some paperwork to take care of and he was hoping to get out of the office early today.
Mr. Dodd sighed. If his client's victim hadn't been a federal officer, if the witnesses had been the man's teammates, he would've tried to get his client acquited. That wasn't possible though, not with the evidence and witnesses against him. That left him with only one other option if he was going to keep Philip Spencer out of prison, an insanity defense. "Mr. Tanner, I know what my client did to you and Mr. Wilmington..."
"You mean what he did to Buck," corrects. "He didn't do nothing to me."
"We both know that's not true Mr. Tanner," Dodd stubbornly insisted. "Surely you can see that he's not in his right mind. If you knew my client, knew the type of man he is, you'd know that he would never hurt another human being if he were thinking straight." Thomas Dodd was very good at what he did, had in fact gained sympathy for the devil many times in the past, but it didn't seem to be working this time. What did you expect, he asked himself. "I'm not asking you to let him get away with what he did."
"What are ya asking then?"
"I've requested a sanity hearing, I'd like you to testify. Help me to make sure Philip Spencer gets the help he needs. Hasn't his mother suffered enough Mr. Tanner? She's already lost one son, don't make her lose the other," he plead. He hid the smile that tried to escape at the wounded look in Tanner's eyes. His research had been right, this young man had a real soft spot for mothers. No doubt due to the loss of his own mother at such a young age.
Buck had been thinking about what JD had told him for the past two weeks, couldn't think of hardly anything else. The night JD had revealed Vin's feelings, Buck's dreams had been filled with images of Vin. It seemed as though he'd spent the entire night dreaming of living his life with Vin. Upon waking, Buck had taken the coldest shower of his life. It was that intensely strong reaction to JD's news that convinced him to do his best to show Vin how much he loved him. He didn't make any overt moves, knowing that the younger man didn't need the pressure of Buck's feelings weighing on him. Instead he accepted the renewed chance to be Vin's friend, and took what opportunities arose to express his love, being as subtle as he could.
When the team had went to lunch, he had of course noticed Vin's absence. Making a quick detour, he checked the breakroom fridge, quickly determining that Vin had brought no lunch with him. Smiling fondly, he shook his head and left the office, catching up to the others in a matter of minutes. Knowing Vin, he was sure the sharpshooter would grab something from the vending machine down the hall. With that in mind, Buck ordered a lunch for Vin when he ordered his own. Finishing his own meal in record time, he had grabbed Vin's lunch and headed back to the office before anybody else.
"Who the hell are you?" Buck demanded angrily. The look in Vin's eyes had him wanting to punch this asshole who had obviously said something to upset him.
"He's Spencer's attorney," Vin supplied.
Buck moved to stand next to Vin's desk, glaring at the attorney.
"Thomas Dodd," the middle-aged lawyer introduced himself.
"Mr. Dodd, since when do defense attorney's talk to prosecution witnesses alone?"
"I assure you I meant no harm..."
"Don't look that way to me," Buck scoffed. "What do you want with Vin?"
"I was hoping he'd help me to make sure my client gets the help he needs."
"Help you? How? By changing his testimony? That it, you want him to perjure himself?"
"No sir I don't, but then he already is, isn't he?" Dodd countered.
"I ain't perjured myself," Vin denied, rising to his feet in one fluid movement.
"You're denying what happened in Mr. Wilmington's apartment, with the result that my client won't get a fair trial."
"That isn't perjury Mr. Dodd, as you lawyers would say, it isn't relevant," Buck pointed out.
"Of course it is."
"If the victim doesn't press charges, ya can't bring it up in court so it's not relevant and Vin can't be committing perjury."
Mr. Dodd turned his attention back to the man he'd come here to see, ignoring Wilmington, knowing he wouldn't help. "I can't force you to do the right thing Mr. Tanner, I can only hope that you will consider the unfairness of punishing my client's mother with the loss of her last child."
"You son of a bitch," Buck growled. He had a good idea now of why Vin had been wearing that wounded look when he walked through the door. "Get the hell out of here and if you're real lucky we won't be reporting you to the disciplinary board."
"I'm going, but I'm not giving up," Dodd warned.
Buck watched him go, his blue eyes flashing with anger. Turning to Vin, he grabbed the unnaturally pale man and pushed him into his chair. Hurrying to the breakroom, he returned with a cup of coffee, heavily laced with sugar. Wrapping Vin's hands around the hot cup, he helped him to take a sip, not letting go until he was sure Vin had a good hold. "You okay?" he quietly asked, rocking back on his feet as he squatted next to the chair.
"Are we doing the wrong thing Buck?" Vin asked, his voice nearly inaudible. "Would my ma be ashamed of me?"
"No!" Buck took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Laying his hand on top of Vin's, he looked him in the eye. "Vin, your ma would so proud of the man you've become."
"But I destroyed that tape, I'm not telling the whole story."
"You were victimized Vin, hurt in a way no man should ever be hurt, there ain't nobody that would blame you for not wanting to relive it in court."
"But if the jury knew the whole story they'd likely say he was insane and send him to a hospital instead of prison."
"You don't know that Vin," Buck gently pointed out.
"Ma would expect me to do what's right."
"Alright, and if I press charges over what happened at the apartment, that means he's facing more prison time."
"If they send him to prison," he pointed out, "after they know the whole story, they might not."
"He knew that what he was doing was wrong Vin, his actions prove that."
"So," Vin sullenly whispered, glancing away.
"Vin, you've been in law enforcement long enough to know that to be judged insane he can't have known that what he did was wrong. If he knew it was wrong, understood the difference between right and wrong, then he's not legally insane."
Vin looked at him again, he hadn't thought of that. Ever since Mr. Dodd had brought up his mother he hadn't been able to get passed the fear that his ma would be ashamed of him. "Thanks Buck, I wasn't thinking."
"I know sweetheart...damn, I'm sorry Vin that just sort of popped out. I didn't mean to say it, I know ya ain't wanting anything like that with me," Buck babbled, pushing himself to his feet and backing away.
Vin rose to his feet, in three steps he stood in front of Buck, looking into his worry filled eyes. "It's okay Buck, I don't mind," he soothed.
Buck swallowed hard, licking his lips nervously. "That mean there's a chance?"
"I don't know, but it doesn't bother me knowing how ya feel," Vin honestly answered. "What are ya doing back so early?"
It took a second for the question to register. "Brought ya some lunch," he pointed towards the desk.
Vin smiled, turning to look, "Thanks Bucklin." Walking back to the desk, he opened the bag, smiling when he saw his favorite lunch, burritos, refried beans and rice. "What, no Dos Equis?" he teased.
"Well I would've but Chris was there," Buck grinned. "I'll buy ya a couple after work," he offered, "would ya settle for a soda now?"
"Sure," Vin agreed, sitting down at his desk.
Buck nodded. Walking to the breakroom, he quickly returned with a soda, setting it on Vin's desk. "Ya got plans for the weekend?"
Vin nodded, "We're having a community picnic at the park tomorrow. Gonna play some baseball, roast some weiners, that kind of thing."
Buck opened his mouth to ask, but Vin beat him to it.
"You're welcome to join us if ya want," he casually offered.
Buck wanted to jump on the offer, hell he felt like whooping for joy. Sure Vin had started hanging out with him again, but always when one or more of the others was there. This was the first time, he'd ever invited him to hang out, just the two of them. Okay, he mentally shrugged, the two of them and Vin's entire neighborhood, but who was counting? "Ya sure?" he had to ask.
That question alone told him he'd made the right decision. "I'm sure," he confirmed. Standing up, he carried his trash into the breakroom. He paused next to Buck, "I don't plan to let him win," he let fall. Not waiting for Buck to respond, he continued into the other room. He heard the others returning to the office, calling out greetings to Buck as they settled back at their desks. He made no move to join them, needing a moment to pull himself together so they wouldn't read anything on his face.
Chris peaked into the breakroom, one look was all he needed. "Vin, my office," he ordered.
Vin looked up, wondering what was up. Shrugging, he followed the blond into his office, shutting the door behind him. "What ya need cowboy?"
"You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Did Buck tell you what happened?"
Damn it, he was gonna kick Buck's ass, Chris silently growled. "I'm sorry Vin, I saw him heading this way. I should've stopped him."
"You saw...I can't believe you let him ambush me like that. Thought we were friends," Vin accused. If Chris hadn't admitted it himself, he would never have believed he would let Dodd waylay him.
Chris flinched at the hurt and anger he heard in Vin's voice. "I am Vin, I thought it'd be okay."
"How in the hell could you think.... You know what, nevermind, I don't want to hear it."
"Vin I..."
"Said I don't want to hear it," he cut him off. "I'll be at the firing range if ya need me," Vin growled. Turning on his heel, he slammed out of the office, ignoring the concerned looks he was getting from his teammates.
When Buck saw Vin storm out of Larabee's office, his face set in a mask of stone, he knew it was bad. He just didn't know how bad.
"Wilmington, get your ass in here now!"
He jumped at the unexpected yell. Angry himself, he stormed into the blond's office, "You bellowed?"
"Don't you start with me," Chris snapped. "Shut the damned door."
The door slammed in response, "What the hell is your problem?"
"You," he bit off. "You're my problem."
Buck was even more confused now, what did this have to do with Vin storming out? "Me, what'd I do? And why are ya taking it out on Vin?"
"I ain't taking nothing out on Vin, he's mad cause I didn't stop you."
"Didn't stop me from what?"
"That's what I want to know. I saw you headed this way, knew Vin was here alone and I should've stopped ya. Then I come back and he's in the breakroom, obviously avoiding you."
"That's why you called him in here?"
"Yeah," Chris nodded. "I wanted to apoligize to him for not stopping you. That's when he got mad, said he couldn't believe I let you ambush him like that. Now I want to know what in the hell did you say or do to him?"
"I didn't do anything to him, why would he say I did?"
"Come off it Buck, who else could've ambushed him?"
Understanding hit him like a runaway freight train, leaving him staggering with relief. "Dodd," he quietly answered.
"Who?"
"Dodd, he's Spencer's attorney. I found him talking to Vin when I got here, he was trying to convince him to testify about what happened at the apartment. He's trying to claim Spencer is insane and should be sent to a hospital instead of prison. I think Vin was handling it pretty well until the little bastard brought up his ma, said she'd want him to do the right thing. Got the boy to thinking that his mother would be ashamed of him for not telling the whole story. I think I convinced him that it wouldn't matter cause Spencer knew what he was doing was wrong, legally that makes him sane."
Chris hung his head, "Damn and he thinks I meant Dodd." Raising his head, he looked Buck in the eye, "I'm sorry Buck, I shouldn't have assumed."
Buck shrugged, "I would've assumed the same thing if I was in your shoes. Hell anybody would," Buck quickly absolved. "You going after him?"
"Yeah," he stood up. "Hold down the fort?"
"You got it." Buck sagged the moment the door closed. He really didn't blame Chris, but still it hurt that his oldest friend didn't trust him completely. Collapsing onto the couch, he hung his head. He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice when the door opened and Josiah slid quietly inside.
Josiah looked at the forlorn figure on the couch, shaking his head sadly. Moving to the couch, he sat down next to Buck, laying a large hand on the younger man's back. "Want to talk about it?"
"Chris thought I said or did something to Vin," Buck finally answered after several minutes had passed.
"You didn't?"
"No, I don't blame him for thinking so, but it hurts. I thought out of all of ya Chris understood the best that I didn't have a choice in what happened."
"He does understand that Buck, we all do. Even JD seems to have figured that out," he smiled. "I don't think he was worried about you deliberately hurting brother Vin."
"Then what?"
"He knows how you feel about our sharpshooter, I suspect he was worried that you were pressuring the boy."
"I wouldn't do that," Buck protested.
"I got one word for you," Josiah rumbled, his eyes twinkling, "Inez."
Buck blushed, his own eyes twinkling as he thought of the beautiful owner of the Saloon. "That was different."
"How so? You were in love with her too at one time."
"This is different," Buck corrected.
"I don't understand."
"I was in love with Inez, but I ain't just in love with Vin. I love him, I'm in love with him, I can't stop thinking about him," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "God, it goes so much deeper than anything I ever felt before."
"You can see then why Chris was concerned about you putting pressure on Vin. If you didn't feel as deeply for Inez and hounded her the way you did, how much worse will it be with Vin?"
"That's just it Josiah, I won't do that to Vin cause it's too important with him."
Josiah nodded, "Now I understand."
"You think anybody on the team is ever gonna trust me again?"
"We all trust ya Buck, but we know how you can be when you're in love so we worry. I'll explain things to everybody else if ya like, I don't think they'll worry if they understand."
"I'd appreciate that Josiah but maybe ya better not."
"Why is that?"
"Well I got to admit you have a point about how I get. Maybe if they're worried about it one of them will notice if I get carried away and push too hard. Not that I plan to," he hastily added.
Josiah laughed, "That might be a good idea brother Buck. You feeling better now?"
"Yeah, guess we better get back to work."
Chris arrived at the firing range not long after Vin did. He didn't make his presence known right away, instead he just leaned back and watched, waiting.
Vin knew he was there, but he didn't want to talk to him now. No, right now he needed to clear his head. "Why did you do it?" he finally asked.
"I didn't," Chris sighed, bracing himself for the coming explosion and still he flinched.
"What the hell are you playing at Larabee?" Vin snarled. "Ya told me you saw him, that ya didn't stop him, now you're denying it?"
"It was a misunderstanding Vin."
"A misunderstanding? You let Dodd ambush me and ya call it a misunderstanding," Vin shook his head. "Thought we were friends."
"We are Vin, damn," he cursed as Vin bolted. Pushing himself off the wall, he ran after him, grabbing his arm. "I didn't know Dodd was coming to see you."
"Then why did ya say..."
"I thought Buck had said something to upset ya. I knew he was coming back to the office early and when I saw you in the breakroom I thought ya was avoiding him. Figured he said something to ya," he shrugged.
Vin quickly replayed their conversation in his mind. "Guess I can see how the misunderstanding happened."
"So I'm forgiven?"
"Nothing to forgive."
Chris nodded, "You want to come out to the ranch tomorrow? We could go for a ride up to the lake," he tempted.
"Thanks cowboy, but I got plans already. Could come out early on Sunday if ya want."
"Sure, we'll go for a ride before the game. You coming back to the office now?"
"Yeah, soon as I clean my gun. I still got some paperwork to take care of, want to get out of here early."
"Hot date?" Chris teased.
Vin chuckled, "Yep, with Mrs. Rosario's oven," he winked. "Thermostat went out on it, I told her I'd put a new one in for her. Need to leave early so I can get to the hardware store before they close," he explained.
"I'll tell Ezra to help you with the paperwork so ya can make it."
"Thanks Chris, see ya in a bit."
At four o'clock Vin, with Ezra's help, finished his paperwork. Gathering it up, he carried it to Chris' office, depositing it in his in box. "See ya Sunday cowboy."
"Bye Vin, be careful."
Vin raised an eyebrow, "It's just a thermostat Chris."
"I know, but I have faith in you," he teased of Vin's penchant for finding trouble in the oddest places.
"Ha, ha, you're a regular comedian ain't ya?"
Chris grinned, "Don't you have a hardware store to visit?"
"Yeah I do, bye." Walking back into the bullpen, Vin grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. Stopping at Buck's desk, he leaned down. "See ya at the saloon about six?"
"I'll be there."
"Alright, and Buck, if I'm not there I'm just running late is all," he assured before making his exit.
Buck watched him going, a grin spreading over his face.
"Something going on you wish to share Mr. Wilmington."
"Huh? No, nothing," Buck denied as a blush grew.
"Of course not," Ezra agreed. "Gentlemen?" he glanced around the room as he drew out his betting book.
"Put me down for ten dollars and four weeks," JD called.
"I believe you're wrong JD," Josiah opined.
"What shall I put you down for Mr. Sanchez?"
"Ten dollars and three weeks."
"This is wrong," Nathan shot.
"Of course it is Mr. Jackson and your wager is?"
Nathan sighed, what the hell, "Ten dollars and six weeks."
"Now y'all just hold on a minute," Buck roared. "You can't be making bets on me and Vin."
Ezra stared at him, "Why ever not Mr. Wilmington?"
"Because..."
"Yes?"
"It ain't right," he lamely replied.
"You only say that because you can't place a wager on this outcome."
"What are we betting on?" Chris asked as he joined them.
"How long it'll take Buck to get Vin to go out with him on a date."
"Oh, that. What are the wagers so far?"
Ezra outlined the bets the others had placed.
"What are you betting Ezra?"
"I believe I shall take 20 dollars and five weeks," he replied after a moments thought.
"Put me down for 20 and four weeks, two days. Buck?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't let me down, you know how I hate to lose money," Chris teased.
Buck grinned, "Yes sir."
"Alright, everybody back to work," Chris ordered, before disappearing back into his office.
Buck bowed his head, the grin still covering his face. He understood that the bets were their way of letting him know that he had their support, the knowledge left him feeling peace in his heart.
Chapter 12
Buck sat at the bar, nevously swirling the beer in his mug and glancing at the door each time it opened. Looking over at the empty table the team usually claimed on Friday nights, a bemused smile crossed his face. He wondered again if the guys had heard Vin as he left the office. Oh well, he certainly had no objections to being alone with the younger man. If he ever got here, he sighed, glancing at his watch and noting the time was now six-thirty. Damn, now what? Had Vin changed his mind? No, if he had he would've called, that much Buck was sure of. Maybe he'd had an accident? Galvinized by that thought, Buck reached for his phone at the same moment he pushed to his feet.Vin chanced a look at his watch as he neared the door of the saloon. Reaching for the door, he took a step back in surpise as it came open before his hand could make contact with it. "Get tired of waiting?"
Buck nearly dropped his phone, the unexpected rasp catching him completely off-guard. "Where have you been?" he snapped.
Vin glared, "I don't answer to you Bucklin, told ya I might be late."
Buck sighed, scrubbing a hand through his thick brown hair, instantly contrite. "Sorry, didn't mean to snap."
"Something going on I should know about?"
He shrugged, "Guess I was getting a little worried."
"Worried?" Vin questioned, confused by the admission. "What's there to be worried about?"
"You're kidding me," Buck snorted. "Hell Vin you could have an accident driving to work, in fact you have had one or two. Add to that you're always on time and then you wonder why I'd be worried."
Vin knew he'd had more injuries than most of the others, but that didn't mean he couldn't take care of himself. It was bad enough he had Nathan and Chris playing mother hen every time he turned around, he didn't need Buck starting up too. "Ya make it sound like I can't leave my apartment without getting hurt," Vin complained.
"Like you need to leave the apartment to get hurt," Buck scoffed.
"Ha, ha," Vin growled. "You gonna buy me them beers you promised or not?"
Buck grinned, "Sure, let's go on in. Everybody had things to do," he began as they walked in the bar, "so do you want to sit at the bar or at the table?"
"Let's grab a booth, no point in taking up our regular table if it's just us," Vin pointed out.
"Sounds good to me," Buck quickly agreed. "I'll get the beers, you grab a booth. Dos Equis, right?"
"Yep," Vin confirmed before sauntering off through the crowd.
Buck grinned, unconsciously licking his lips as he watched Vin moving away from him. "Damn," he whispered in admiration. Soon he was sliding into the booth, opposite of his friend and handing him a beer. "So why were ya late?" he casually asked.
"I don't want to talk about it," Vin firmly refused, keeping his eyes glued firmly on his beer.
Buck straightened up, instantly concerned, "Vin?"
"It ain't no big deal Buck," he insisted. "Want to shoot some pool?"
Buck knew exactly what Vin was doing, "Maybe later, after you answer my question."
Vin glared, "You ain't gonna let it go are ya?"
Buck grinned, "Nope."
A heavy sigh met him, along with a slight shifting of the younger man's weight in the seat, followed by a small grimace. "I promised Mrs. Rosario I'd fix her oven, she needed a new thermostat. So I got the old one off, stubborn piece of shit didn't want to let go either." Absently Vin rubbed at knuckles that had come in contact with various parts of the old oven. "Finally got the damned thing off and headed for the hardware store for a new one." Grimacing, he took a long pull on his beer before continuing. "So I get to the hardware store and they couldn't find the one I needed."
"They were out of stock?" Buck asked sympathetically.
"No, they had it, just couldn't find it. Some idjit had put it in the wrong spot, and of course it was the only one left. Well I had to have that part, couldn't let Mrs. Rosario down."
"She's the one always baking you cookies?"
Vin nodded, catching the twinkle in Buck's eyes, he glared at him. "That ain't the reason I couldn't let her down," he vowed. "I promised her is all."
"So what'd ya do?"
"Only thing I could do," Vin sighed, "started looking for it. We finally found it, up on the highest damned shelf they got. Guess the idjit thought it'd be a funny trick to hide it so far up. I suppose I could've waited for the clerk, but I was irritated, knew Mrs. Rosario would be wanting the oven so she could cook supper and you'd be waiting..."
"And?" Buck encouraged.
Vin shrugged, "I was in the Rangers, been a bounty hunter, work as a sniper, hell heights don't bother me none. I looked around, didn't see no ladder. Then I looked them shelves up and down, figured I could handle it, so I started climbing."
Buck sputtered, spewing beer over the surface of the table. "Damn Vin you could've got yourself hurt bad pulling a stunt like that!"
Vin cringed, dreading the next part of the story. "Figured that out, about the time the shelves started falling over with me hanging from them," he quietly admitted.
"What! Are you okay? Damn it Vin you shouldn't be sitting here having a beer, ya should be at the hospital. Come on," Buck ordered standing up and reaching for the younger man.
"Sit the hell down Buck," Vin ordered, pushing himself into the corner of the booth. "I ain't hurt bad."
"But ya are hurt?" Buck demanded.
"I ain't answering that until ya sit down."
"Fine," Buck growled, sliding back into his seat.
"I seen what was gonna happen and managed to swing myself free of the shelves as they fell. All I got was a couple of bruises when I tumbled into the wall. Hell Buck, hurt my
ride more than anything," he assured him.
"You're sure ya didn't get more than a couple of bruises?"
"I'm sure. I did get the oven fixed though and Mrs. Rosario was cooking up a storm when I left."
Buck chuckled, "You got a real talent, ya know that Vin?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Only you could get into trouble in a hardware store," Buck laughed. "I'm just glad ya didn't get hurt bad," he added, sobering instantly.
"Me too, I'd hate to miss the picnic tomorrow."
"What time does it start?"
"We'll start setting up about nine, but it doesn't officially start until about eleven. It won't end until sometime in the evening. Got a permit to have a small bonfire for the kids to roast marshmallows. Of course even with that, it's a little chilly to be out there too long after dark, so I imagine it'll end by eight or nine."
"Want some help setting up?"
"If ya want, but you don't have to."
"I want to," Buck softly responded. "Should I bring anything?"
Vin thought about that for a few minutes, with a small smile he mad
his request. "Could you bring some of your guacamole?"
Buck grinned, "I should've known."
"Ah hell Bucklin, ya know I've never been able to resist your gucamole. Besides it's the one thing I know you can make without poisoning folks," he teased.
"Y'all won't ever let me live that down, will you?" Buck good-naturedly complained.
"Hey you're the one who said you knew your mushrooms. I think your exact words were; I've been hunting shrooms for years, I know what I'm doing."
"It was an easy mistake to make, could've happened to anybody," he sulked.
"Suppose," Vin conceded, "but your easy mistake put you in the hospital overnight. I tell ya Buck I've been sick before, but I've never been sick enough to tear a hole in my stomach lining. I sure didn't envy you that experience."
"Ya sure didn't miss anything, but don't worry I won't put any shrooms in the guacamole," he joked.
"Good, folks will appreciate that."
"Want another beer?"
"Sounds good," he nodded. "Want to shoot some pool?"
"Yeah, you rack 'em while I get the beers."
"You got it," Vin grinned as he slid out of the booth.
Buck woke the next morning, a smile on his face as he remembered the relaxed, fun evening he'd spent with Vin. He had been sure that what Spencer had forced that night in his apartment would destroy his friendship with the younger man. Hell, he'd figured it'd cost him everything. If anybody had told him that almost two months later he and Vin would be able to hang out again, he would've suggested they get professional help. If they had told him there was an actual chance of a relationship that went beyond friendship developing, he would've driven them to the state hospital himself. Here he was though, getting ready to spend the day with Vin, after having spent the previous evening with him at the Saloon, and he couldn't be happier. He knew that this was just the beginning, that he would have to take things slow, but at least there was a chance. Something he hadn't dared to even hope for and he wasn't about to waste it.
Vin stepped out of his apartment, a bag of charcoal and a bottle of lighter fluid in his hands. "Buenas Dias Senora," he greeted Mrs. Rosario as she peeked out her door.
"I was hoping it was you I heard mi hijo," she smiled.
"There a problem?"
"No, no, I have something for you."
"Could I get it later?"
"Come inside Vincente," she ordered, holding the door wide.
Vin smiled, he hadn't expected her to let him get away with that. "Yes ma'am."
"You were out late last night?"
"You waiting up for me again?" he scowled, though truthfully he was touched by the concern.
"Of course, and don't scowl it makes you look like a punk," she scolded. "Did you eat any supper?"
"Yes ma'am," he replied. It had really only been pickled eggs and popcorn at the bar, but he didn't think she needed to know that.
She eyed him suspiciously, she hadn't raised two boys for nothing, "A full meal?"
Vin ducked his head, "No ma'am."
"This is what I thought and you probably had no breakfast either, did you?" She nodded grimly when he confirmed with a shake of his head. It was as she had thought, "Yet you intend to do a full morning's work on an empty stomach. It es no bueno I will not have this. No mas," she ordered. Pressing a small lunch pail into his hand, she fondly patted his cheek, "You take these, eat them before you do any work."
"Yes ma'am, thank you."
"Will any of your friends be there today?"
"Buck will."
"None of the others? I'm surprised, you usually spend weekends with them, don't you?"
"Not all weekend," he protested, thinking it made him sound as if he was dependent on his friends.
"It isn't a bad thing mi hijo. Could none of them spare the time?"
Vin blushed, "I only invited Buck."
"I see," she slowly acknowledged. "Well I should let you go, I know you have many things to take care of, as do I." Practically pushing him towards the door, she shooed him out, her mind already on the picnic. She knew Vincente wouldn't like it if he knew her plans, but somebody had to look out for the boy. His friends did a good job with it, at least where his work and play time were concerned. This however wasn't work or play, it was far more serious than that and needed a woman's watchful eye. She would watch carefully while at the picnic, she would see how deep this man's feeling ran for her hijo. She decided that she would determine her next step once she had this information.
Vin looked back at the apartment door. He felt dazed, he didn't think Mrs. Rosario had ever ran him off and he wondered if he'd said something wrong. Stop being paranoid Tanner, he scolded himself, she probably just realized that y'all both got a lot to do before the picnic. He glanced at the elevator and decided he wouldn't trust it today. Four flights of stairs later, he was stepping outside into the bright sunshine. Loading the jeep, he hopped in and headed for the store to grab some sodas, and ice. He hoped that Mr. Lopez would have the washtubs at the park by the time he arrived.
It didn't take long for Vin to get what he needed, soon arriving at the park. He smiled when he saw several steel washtubs waiting for the ice and sodas he'd brought with him. Quickly he and Mr. Lopez filled the tubs, covering them with large towels to keep the sun off them until the start of the picnic. By the time they finished, others in the neighborhood were arriving to help with the setup. Some set out the things they would need, condiments, plates, cups, each family contributing what they could. Others off-loaded the brush one resident had gathered for the bonfire. Following Vin's instruction, they arranged it carefully in the area set aside for it. While all of this was going on, Vin sat at a table, sharpening a stack of green sticks for roasting marshmallows.
"What ya doing pard?" Buck asked, setting his gucamole on the table behind Vin.
"Sharpening sticks," Vin smirked.
"Dumb question?"
"Just a little," Vin teased.
"Need some help?"
"Sure, have a seat." As he spoke, Vin moved down the bench, giving Buck room and putting the unfinished sticks between them. "Ya didn't put any mushrooms in the gucamole did ya?"
Buck heaved a put upon sigh, "No Vin I didn't. I'm saving those for the spaghetti sauce I'm bringing to Chris' tomorrow," he teased.
"Remind me not to eat any spaghetti sauce."
Buck laughed, "Don't worry, I bought them."
"Ya know I'm gonna have to make ya pay for that."
"Thanks for the warning."
From a distance Mrs. Rosario watched the two men, smiling at the comfortable way they spoke to each other. Throughout the day she was never far from them, always watching and often smiling. She liked the way Buck gave Vin his space, yet always seeming to be near. It was obvious, to any who cared to look closely, that he was very much in love with the younger man. It wasn't as easy to be sure of Vin's feelings. He was certainly enjoying spending time with Buck, at times casting his eyes over the park to see where he was. However, there was a certain wariness in his manner as well. The longer she watched them both, the more convinced she was that there was a very good chance they would end up together.
The day was coming to a close, soon they would be lighting the bonfire and passing out marshmallows. As the adults began to gather the leftovers together, Mrs. Rosario saw her opportunity. "Senor Wilmington," she greeted, slipping her hand around his elbow. "Walk with me," she invited.
Buck smiled, patting her hand, allowing her to lead him away from the group. "What can I do for you senora?"
"Perhaps I just wish some company."
"I can do that," he smiled.
"I didn't always live here, in Purgatorio," she casually offered.
"No?"
"No," she confirmed. "I grew up in the country, my father worked on a cattle ranch. He was a vaquero, my mother cooked for the owner. It is how they met, it was a wonderful place to grow up."
Buck smiled, "I bet it was."
"When I was little I used to watch the men working with the cattle. I was permitted to help them when I was older."
Buck gave her a surprised look, "That's unusual isn't it?"
"Si, but my papa was an unusual man. When he passed away I was given the task of sorting through his things. Some went to other members of the family, some to charity and a few I kept. One of the things I kept was a set of tools used for castrating bulls. Have you ever castrated a bull senor?"
Buck swallowed, like most men he was uncomfortable with the topic, "No ma'am."
"It is really a simple process. You take a castration knife and place it below the testicles. You then close the knife and cut the bag from side to side. After that you can use a castrating tool to finish the job," she matter-of-factly explained.
"That's, um, interesting," Buck politely commented, even as his balls drew up and his stomach roiled.
"I helped with this job many times." Stopping in her tracks, she tugged on his arm until he stood facing her. "I see the way you are with Vincente, I know you feel deeply for him. I also notice that you are giving him the time and space he needs, this is good. He didn't tell me details, but I know you hurt him and that you were forced to do so."
"Yes ma'am I was, ain't no other way I could ever hurt Vin."
"This is good," she patted his hand. "Still, I must tell you, my honor demands that you be given fair warning."
"Warning?" Buck whispered.
"Si," she replied. "If you ever hurt my Vincente...I will give you a personal demonstration of the process I have described. Comprende?"
Buck swallowed, his balls already shrunk after her story, were now actively trying to hide. "Yes ma'am."
"Bueno," she smiled. "Perhaps we should return to the picnic," she suggested.
Buck nodded, letting her lead him back to the others. As quickly as he could, he excused himself from her side, seeking out Vin. Seeing him sitting on a bench, loading sticks with marshmallows for the kids, he joined him.
"Where'd ya disappear to?" Vin asked, casting him a sideways glance.
"Went for a walk?"
"Ya okay Bucklin? You're not looking too good."
"I'm fine, just..."
Vin raised an eyebrow, tilting his head to glance at him, "Just?"
"You ever had a daddy give you a talk before ya take his daughter out?"
"No, but I've heard about it."
"I have," Buck said. "Dated this one girl in high school, her daddy was an ex-Marine. I tell ya Vin, that man was downright scary. Took me out, told me what he expected and made it clear if I didn't treat his little girl right, I'd regret it."
"Yeah?" Vin wondered where he was going with this.
"Yeah, and he couldn't hold a candle to Mrs. Rosario."
Vin choked back a laugh, "Warned ya off?"
"Oh no, she's all for me and you getting together, if ya want it," he quickly added. "She just made sure I knew what would happen if I ever hurt ya," Buck explained, his face unnaturally pale as he remembered her words.
"Damn Buck, what'd she say to ya?"
"Did you know she knows how to castrate a bull?"
"No I didn't...that's what she threatened ya with?" Vin asked in a whisper, his own balls shrinking in reaction.
Buck nodded, "Said she'd give me a personal demonstration."
"Aww Buck, you know she wouldn't really do that," Vin soothed.
"I don't know about that Vin, I think she meant it."
Vin grinned, "Guess ya better make sure ya behave then," he teased.
Buck scowled, "You're enjoying this ain't ya?"
"Well, have to admit it feels kind of nice."
"She threatened me with...and you think it's nice?" Buck asked, his voice tight.
"No, but it's nice to know she cares enough to make the effort," Vin quietly explained.
Buck suddenly felt about an inch high, sometimes he forgot how little caring Vin had experienced in his life. But, she had threatened his manhood, ya just don't do that, he silently whined. "Well, as long as you don't approve of the threat I guess I can forgive ya."
"Thanks." Grinning mischievously, he glanced at Buck. "Maybe I should have her talk to Chris next time he threatens to shoot me." Vin's face fell as Buck just stared at him, damn, maybe Buck wasn't ready for joking about it.
Suddenly Buck threw his head back, roaring with laughter. "Can't ya just imagine the look on his face?"
"He'd have a cow," Vin joked.
Buck groaned, "That was awful Vin, you've been hanging around JD too long."
"How do you like living in the country?" Vin asked, changing the subject.
Buck blinked at the sudden change of subject, "I like it a lot. It's peaceful, quiet," he softly spoke.
Vin nodded, "Big difference from the city."
"Sure is, you're welcome to come out anytime ya like," Buck almost shyly offered.
"I might do that sometime, I'd like to see the place."
"You do that," Buck smiled. "I had a real nice time Vin, thanks for inviting me."
"I did too, I'm glad you came," Vin answered with a soft smile.
"I think I better go now though," he continued, suddenly finding it hard to resist the urge to kiss Vin. "See ya tomorrow at the ranch?"
"I'll be there, see ya," Vin smiled.
Chapter 13
In spite of a restless night and very little sleep, Vin was up early. While his coffee was making on the stove, he was in the bathroom, showering and shaving as he got ready for the day. By the time he was dressed, his coffee was ready and gratefully he poured himself a cup of the strong brew. "Whooo," he exclaimed as the hot liquid made its way down his throat, the caffeine providing a much needed jolt to his system. Popping the plate of leftovers, that Mrs. Rosario had handed him the day before, in the microwave, he sat down to make a list for the store. Washing breakfast down with a second cup of coffee, he poured the rest into a thermos and headed out the door.Chris looked up from his breakfast as the sound of wheels on gravel reached him. Glancing at the clock, he was a little suprised to see it was already eight.
"Hey cowboy," Vin greeted as he stepped into the kitchen, a bag in one hand and a thermos in the other. "You're still eating?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yeah I'm still eating," Chris playfully growled. "We don't all get up before the chickens Tanner," he mumbled.
"Ya'd get a lot more done," Vin retorted, "early bird gets the worm ya know."
"I get plenty done. What ya got in the bag?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Buck said something about bringing spaghetti, thought I'd make some of my garlic bread to go with it."
Chris shot his friend a curious look, "When did you talk to Buck?"
"Yesterday," Vin absently replied as he set out the ingredients for his bread. "Brought some bread flour, didn't figure you had any," he commented as he worked.
"Wait a minute, you're making bread from scratch?"
"Always do," came the matter-of-fact answer.
"I never knew that, always thought you bought it at a bakery. Where'd you learn to make bread?"
"My Grandpa taught me, started with Indian fry bread and then he taught me how to make other kinds." Vin smiled softly as he thought back to those days with his grandfather, the last happy days he'd experienced until meeting the guys. "First thing I did when I got out of the army and got my own place, was bake loaves of bread for all the neighbors."
Chris chuckled, "Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?"
Vin grinned, "Guess so, but Grandpa always said that when ya move into a new place you should fill it with the smells of home and that's what bread is for me. Once I started, didn't want to stop, so I just decided I'd make enough for the building. Figured it was a good way to introduce myself to everybody."
"Cinnamon," Chris softly spoke, a small smile playing over his lips. Spotting Vin's quizzical look, he continued, "Mom used to make cinnamon rolls every Sunday morning and apple pie, smelling of cinnamon and nutmeg for dessert Sunday night. Never told anybody but Sarah, but cinnamon is the smell that makes me think of home."
"Sounds real nice," Vin smiled. "So you about ready to go riding, or we got chores to take care of?"
Chris mock scowled, tossing a kitchen towel at the younger man. "I did the chores, just waiting on you."
"Well lets get going then," he grinned, picking up his thermos and heading for the barn. It didn't take long to get the horses saddled and soon they were picking their way along the trail, men and beasts both enjoying the early morning excursion.
As they rode, Chris watched Vin carefully. He hadn't missed the tired look in his eyes and even a stop at the store shouldn't have left him pulling up at eight o'clock. "Everything okay Vin?" he finally asked.
"Sure, why wouldn't it be?" Vin asked, recapping the thermos for the third time that morning.
"You tell me."
"Don't know what you're talking about cowboy."
"Okay, how about you coming out at eight for an early morning ride. Usually you say early morning ride and I figure on seeing you while I'm still taking care of chores. Add to that the way you been swilling coffee all day and the tired look in your eyes, I'd say something's up."
Vin sighed, damned cowboy didn't miss a thing. "Guess I didn't sleep much last night," he reluctantly admitted.
"Nightmares?" Chris guessed.
"No, not exactly."
Chris narrowed his eyes, "What do ya mean not exactly? Either you had nightmares, or you didn't."
"Had dreams," Vin softly began, "kind of disturbing, but not nightmares exactly."
"You said you talked to Buck yesterday, that have something to do with your dreams?"
"Don't know, guess it might've."
Chris scowled, "He pushing you?"
"What?" Vin glanced at Chris, startled by the question. "No," he quickly denied.
"So what did he say to you that gave you disturbing dreams?"
"Nothing, don't look at me like that Chris. We had a good time, real relaxed, like it used to be."
Chris' eyebrows went up at that, "Had a good time where?"
"Neighborhood picnic," Vin quietly answered.
"You invite him, or he just show up?"
"What the hell? I ain't a suspect Larabee, stop with the interrogation," Vin growled.
Chris sighed, "I didn't mean it like that Vin, you know that."
"Yeah, reckon I do," Vin conceded.
"I just don't want Buck pushing you into something you're not ready for," Chris explained.
Vin nodded, "I know, but he's not and for the record, I did invite him."
"You think maybe you pushed yourself?"
"No, don't think so."
"Want to talk about these dreams?"
"Nothing to talk about," Vin replied with a shrug.
"If you change your mind..."
"Ain't that Chris," he interrupted. "I can't really remember them, just know that when I woke up I felt weird, but I ain't real sure why."
"That's what you meant by disturbing?"
"Yep, so now that you're done analyzing me can we move on to something else Dr. Phil?"
"Dr. Phil!" Chris' indignant cry echoed over through the trees as he took off in pursuit of the suddenly fleeing Texan.
Almost as if by consensus the others arrived at the ranch en masse, the sounds of their motors nearly deafening in the previously quiet surroundings. Calling out greetings, they all tromped inside the sprawling ranch house. After leaving chips and salad in the kitchen, J.D. and Nathan quickly stepped to the other side of the island that seperated the dining nook. Ezra soon joined them, after depositing the gourmet cheesecake, that was his offering, in the fridge.
"Mr. Tanner, do my eyes deceive me or are you attempting to make bread?"
"Ain't attempting Ez," Vin winked, "I am making bread. Where'd y'all think the bread I usually bring comes from?"
"Um, a bakery?" J.D. answered for them all.
"Been making my own bread since I got out of the army."
"You do a real good job too son," Josiah rumbled as he turned from plugging in his crockpot full of chili.
"Thanks Josiah."
"Where'd ya learn?" Buck asked curiously, as he chopped up garlic to add to his spaghetti sauce.
"Grandpa taught me," Vin smiled. "I love the smell of bread baking, smells like home," he softly added.
"Yeah?" Buck quietly mumbled. "For me it's popcorn."
"Popcorn," J.D. chuckled. "What?" he asked, rubbing his head as he glanced at Ezra.
"Why's that Bucklin?" Vin asked, frowning at J.D..
"My mom never had time to do much cooking," he began his explanation. "Oh she'd cook up a storm when she had the chance, but usually she was just too busy. Only thing she couldn't do in a kitchen was bake, not even sugar cookies." He chuckled as the memories of his mother's attempts at baking returned, "She tried, wanted me to have as close to a normal childhood as she could give me."
"Sounds like she was a good mom," Vin commented.
"She was a saint," Buck repeated his oft declared praise. "I was just a kid, didn't know at first why she kept trying to bake cookies, even though she kept burning them. Then one day Billy Jensen, he lived in the same building, started teasing me. Saying she wasn't a real mom cause she couldn't bake, that she probably stole me from some hospital. I didn't know it, but my mom was coming to get me and she heard everything he said. She didn't say anything, but I could see the hurt in her eyes, so while we were walking I told her I didn't like cookies anyway and I'd rather have popcorn. That's when she started fixing popcorn for me after school, she'd have it waiting when I came home. We'd sit at the table, drink chocolate milk, eat popcorn and just talk," as he finished speaking, Buck wiped a stray tear from his eye.
"That's a real nice story Buck," Josiah rumbled, ending the hushed silence that had fallen over the men.
"What makes you think of home Josiah?" J.D. asked in an effort to make up for his earlier behavior.
"Rosemary," Josiah replied with a smile.
"I said what, not who?"
"Ah the ignorance of youth," Josiah grinned. "Rosemay is an herb J.D., a very old herb, it goes all the way back to biblical times. Traditionally it stands for constancy, perhaps that's why my mother used it in so much of her cooking. She always kept a small plant on the kitchen window sill, no matter where my father's missionary work took us. Even when she wasn't cooking, you could smell the rosemary in the kitchen. It was the one thing, aside from my mother and Hannah, that I could always depend on being there. Then God took my mother from us and Hannah became ill, but the rosemary my mother loved is still available to me. So J.D.," Josiah smiled, "what smell says home to you?"
"Boiled cabbage," J.D. quickly supplied. He grinned at the various looks of distaste on the faces of his friends, "I know, it doesn't really smell appetizing, but it's a traditional Irish dish and it taste pretty good. Besides, my mother was only one generation removed from Ireland, she sometimes even spoke with a slight brogue, especially when she was angry. Anyway, she thought it was important that we keep the traditions alive, so every Sunday she would make boiled cabbage as part of our dinner."
"You know how to make it?" Buck asked.
"No, I wish I could. Mama never taught me though, and by the time I thought to ask she was too sick," J.D. regretfully replied.
"What about you Ezra?" Vin asked, sensing that J.D. could use the distraction and sure that Ezra would have a good story.
"Lemon Verbena," Ezra smiled softly.
"Isn't that a flower?" Nathan asked.
"Yes it is, but it also makes the most wonderful cookies you will ever taste."
"Flowers in a cookie? I never heard of that," J.D. questioned the southerner.
"I'm sure you haven't Mr. Dunne, not many have. Even in the south, where it is quite common to use such things in baking, it is becoming unusual. As you all know, my mother was," he paused as he searched for the right word, "unconventional when it came to parenting. Many of the places I stayed as a child were no more home to me than a hotel room is. However there were a few that were the very definition of what a home should be. One such place, was the home of my Aunt Katie. In fact, she always told me that no matter where life might take me I would always have a home with her. I have returned many times over the years to visit her, and each time, just as when I was a child, I am met at the door by the smell of her lemon verbena cookies."
"You know how to make 'em?" Vin asked as he set aside the bread to rise.
"Indeed I do," Ezra answered, a soft smile on his face.
"Well Nathan, that leaves you and Chris, which one of ya want to go first," Buck grinned.
"I already told Vin, guess I might as well tell you too," Chris spoke up. "Cinnamon, I don't have a real touching story to go with it though. Had a pretty normal childhood I guess, and every Sunday morning my mom would make cinnamon rolls. I'd wake up every week to that smell and every Sunday evening, she'd make apple pie for dessert with plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg. When I first moved away from home, I was pretty homesick, but I never said anything to my folks. Larabee men are supposed to be tough, didn't want them thinking I was some baby that couldn't handle being on my own. I told Sarah this story, told her I didn't know how mom knew but she did. Sarah said it's a mom thing, guess maybe she was right, she always knew when Adam needed her." As he spoke of his wife and son, his eyes had taken on a far away look, watching something only he could see. Giving himself a mental shake, he continued, "Anyway, mom started sending me cinnamon rolls every week. They always arrived on Saturday and I'd heat them up on Sunday morning, just like home."
"Damn cowboy," Vin whispered, wiping his eye, "we got to get you a dictionary."
"A dictionary?" Chris asked, looking at him in confusion.
"Yeah, so you can look up definitions Mr. I ain't got a touching story." Vin explained, bringing a chuckle from the others.
Chris shrugged, "Guess I was wrong. Alright Nathan, your turn."
Nathan swallowed, as always a bit uncomfortable when talking about his mother. His memories of her were so few, he tended to guard them jealously. Just as he was about to refuse, the smell of Josiah's chili wafted through the room, followed closely by the smell of lilacs, as though his mother were sending him a message. "Chili and lilacs," he smiled, the memories flashing across the pages of his mind.
"That's an unusual combination brother," Josiah commented.
"Lilacs were Mama's favorite flower, she had this bush right by the front porch. She babied that thing like it was one of us kids, and when it wasn't in bloom she wore lilac perfume."
"What about the chili?" J.D. asked.
"She made the most wonderful chili in the world, closest I've ever gotten to it is Josiah's." Glancing around at the surprised faces, he couldn't resist teasing them a bit, "Y'all didn't think I was eating it for my health did ya?"
"Guess we didn't Nate," Vin replied. "Did kind of wonder about it, since you're always on us about eating right."
"Nothing wrong with a little indulgence Vin, but you all act like eating healthy is the indulgence when it ought to be the other way around," Nathan couldn't resist the admonishment. "We lost Mama when I was seven, I didn't know until then that she was home. It wasn't ever the same after that. The day of the service, Daddy dug that lilac bush up and burned it, was like losing her all over again. I resented him for years over that, it wasn't until I was older that I realized why he done it and forgave him. We never had chili again either, wasn't anybody could make it like Mama, now whenever I smell Josiah's chili or lilacs I think of her and home."
"That was beautiful brother," Josiah spoke, his voice thick with emotion.
"Gentlemen, for shame," Ezra drawled, "when did we turn into a group of weeping women? I believe we came out here to watch a game, now who would like to lay a wager on the outcome?" he asked as he led the way into the living room, breking the awkward moment.
"Give me ten on the Cowboys," Vin called out.
"Put me down for twenty on the Steelers, Buck countered.
"How can you support the Steelers Bucklin? They ain't had a decent team since the 80's," Vin teased.
"Look whose talking, the cowboys haven't had a winning team in years."
"Maybe not, but a man's got to be loyal to his home state don't he?" Vin defended.
As the seven settled in to watch the game, similar conversations were taking place around the room. Vin leaned back in his seat, a cold beer in his hand, ready to enjoy the day with his friends. As he watched the game, his mind wandered over the stories his friends had shared and a thought came to him. Mulling it over, he became so lost in thought that he jumped when the timer for his bread sounded. Pushing himself to his feet, he wandered to the kitchen to punch the bread down and let it rise again. "Hey Bucklin, how's the spaghetti sauce coming?" he asked, surprised that he hadn't noticed the large man's absence from the other room.
"It's coming along real good, how's the bread?"
"Needs to rise again, then one more time after that and it'll be ready to bake." Vin pushed the bowl of dough to the side and leaned against the counter.
"Something going on Vin?" Buck asked, noticing the younger man's stance.
"Got an idea, figured I should run it by you first."
"Shoot," Buck encouraged, putting the lid on his sauce and turning his full attention on Vin.
"You now them stories we were all telling?"
"Yeah, what about them?"
"Well I was thinking, your house ain't really a home yet, is it?"
"No, I don't guess it is," Buck admitted.
"What do you think of a house-warming? All the guys could bring that one dish that makes them think of home, whether they make it or buy it, kind of make your place smell like a home instead of just a house."
Buck smiled, touched that Vin would want to do this for him. "I like it, let's do it. Next week?"
"Can't next week, Chris has that conference to go to in Colorado Springs, remember?"
"Damn, that's right," Buck sighed. "When then?"
Vin thought about it for a minute, silently going over the schedule for the next few weeks in his head. "How about in three weeks? That way Nathan will have a chance to get Josiah to teach him how to make chili if he wants to."
"Alright, three weeks it is," Buck grinned. "Let's go see what the guys think," grabbing Vin's arm and hurrying him to the living room.
Vin grinned, nearly laughing aloud as Buck reacted like a kid who had just been told that Christmas was coming early this year. As they neared the living room, he pulled loose from Buck's grasp, moving back to his seat, he let Buck make the invitation.
Quickly, Buck outlined Vin's idea, grinning when the others agreed without hesitation. Although the team had forgiven him, some taking longer than others, this was the first time since that night that he truly felt like he had his family back.
Chapter 14
Buck smiled, taking in the still lingering smells that permeated his home. Home, now that had a real good sound to it. It had been a great day, Nathan had arrived first a crock pot and the makings for chili in his hands. Right on his heels had been Vin, carrying everything he would need to make some of the best bread Buck had ever tasted."Hey Buck, you making the popcorn before or after we eat?" Vin asked as he began to mix his dough.
"I was thinking fix it first, kind of like an appetizer."
"Well what ya waiting on?"
Buck scowled playfully, "Waiting on you to get your skinny butt out of my way. Popcorn maker is in that cabinet," he pointed to the door Vin stood in front of.
"I ain't skinny," Vin growled, moving aside.
"Sure ya ain't," Buck scoffed. "Hell boy if ya turned sideways ya could hide behind a fencepost," he teased.
"Jealous Bucklin?" Vin asked, his eyes twinkling playfully.
"Jealous? Now why would I be jealous when I have this fine physique?" Buck questioned, gesturing at his own body as he spoke.
Vin glanced at Nathan, winking, "I reckon it is a fine physique at that, getting to be more of it every day."
"You're damned right it's a fine...," Buck trailed off, his eyes narrowing on the younger man. "What do you mean more of it everyday?"
"Ain't no wonder, I mean you ain't as young as ya used to be," Vin continued innocently. "Maybe you better not have any bread or chili today Buck, best stick to the boiled cabbage and plain popcorn."
"Vin's got a point Buck," Nathan piped up, getting in on the teasing. "Bread and chili are pretty fattening, best not have any cookies or pie either."
"Now you just hold on a minute Nathan, if you think I'm gonna sit here and eat popcorn and cabbage while you boys chow down on all this good food you better think again."
"Ain't no reason to get mad Buck, we're just looking out for you," Vin soothed.
"Looking out for me? You call torturing a man with all these good smells and then telling him he can't have hardly any of it, looking out for me?" Not waiting for an answer, Buck grabbed the popper from the cabinet. Stalking to the other side of the kitchen, he plugged it in and placed a bowl under the spout.
"What ya think Nathan?" Vin asked.
"Well it is a house-warming, I guess we could let the man have a small helping of chili and maybe a slice of bread," Nathan replied thoughtfully.
"Think he could have a cookie too?"
"I suppose one cookie wouldn't be too much, but no more than that Buck," Nathan warned.
"No more than...it's my house and I'll eat whatever I want," Buck sputtered. As his two friends burst out in laughter, he shot them a glare worthy of Chris. "That wasn't funny."
"Yes it was," Vin argued through his laughter.
"Was not," Buck mumbled as he turned back to his popcorn.
The rest of the day had gone like that, the teasing and bantering increasing as the others arrived. Soon the house had filled with the smells that meant home for each man. Though JD had taken pity on them, opting to buy some boiled cabbage rather than attempting to make it himself. His reason had been simple, even though he had found a simple recipe that he felt confident he could make, boiled cabbage was strong and could overpower all the other smells in the house. Buck couldn't argue with that, having smelled the stuff being cooked once, it was a smell he wasn't likely to ever forget. After putting his pot of cabbage on the back of the stove, where it would stay warm, JD had turned to Josiah.
"What ya making Josiah?" JD asked the big man as he began to pull ingredients from the bag he'd brought.
"Rosemary crepes."
"Crepes, isn't that something you have for breakfast?"
"You can, but crepes are good anytime. These should go real good with the chili," Josiah added.
"Crepes with chili?" Chris asked, sounding as skeptical as the other's looked.
"Yep," Josiah grinned. "Don't you boys trust me?"
"Well," Vin drawled, "now that you mention it..."
"Thought you liked my cooking Vin?"
"I do Josiah, but ya got to admit some of your experiments haven't turned out so good."
Josiah mulled this over, "I suppose that's true, but this isn't an experiment."
"So you've made this before, with chili?" Buck questioned.
"Well no," Josiah admitted, "but it's a proven recipe."
"Proven by who?" Chris wanted to know.
"I'm hurt boys," Josiah rumbled, hand to his heart. Seeing that none of them were buying into his act, he finally decided to be straight with them. "I got it online, it's rosemary crepes, stuffed with four cheeses and topped with a white sauce and tomatoes."
"That does sound good," Vin admitted.
"Yeah," Buck agreed.
"Does sound like it'd go good with chili," Nathan added.
"Well, now that it meets with your approval, can I get busy cooking?"
"By all means Josiah, carry on," Chris grinned.
Buck's eyebrow went up, "You been taking lessons from Ez stud?"
"The name is Ez-ra Mr. Wilmington, why is that so difficult to remember?"
Buck grinned, "Ain't hard to remember at all Ez...ra. So Chris, answer the question."
"Nothing wrong with being polite Buck," Chris defended himself.
"Sure there ain't, but you don't usually go around sounding like Ezra."
Chris shrugged, "Just seemed to fit."
Nothing more had been said, but for the rest of the day Buck had watched his old friend a little more closely. He wondered if Chris realized what was going on, he quickly decided that he probably didn't. Ezra was harder to read, but Buck didn't think he had any more of a clue than Chris, though for different reasons. Finally though, the day, like all good things, had come to an end. Buck looked around the room, his friend's voices still echoing in his mind as scenes from the day continued to flash in his mind. Yep, it had been a good day and for the first time since buying this small ranch, the place felt like home.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Buck jerked awake, his eyes going automatically to the figure in the bed. Satisfied that the man still breathed, he stood and walked to the window. Staring out at the city nightscape, he began to pray for the life of the man in the bed. "God I know I don't talk to ya nearly enough, but I could really use your help here. Vin could really use your help," he added softly, for good measure. "You see that man over there lord?" he asked, gesturing over his shoulder to the man in the bed. "We both know he ain't worth a hill of beans, but ya see God, he's the only one that knows where Vin is, so I'm asking ya, I'm begging you, please let him wake up."
"No change?" Chris asked needlessly as he stepped into the room, interrupting Buck's prayer.
"No," he replied dejectedly. "Have any of Ezra's contacts come through?"
Chris could hear the note of hope in Buck's voice, he hated to take that hope away, but with the shake of his head that was exactly what he did. "We will find him Buck," he promised.
"Yeah, but will it be in time?" Buck asked, glancing again at the bastard in the bed. "Damn it! There's got to more we can do than wait for him to wake up and tell us what he knows."
"We're doing all we can Buck," Chris assured him, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze. Glaring at the man in the hospital bed, he wondered again how everything could've gone so wrong so fast. They weren't even on a case. The last one had been rough on everybody and Travis had given them light duty. So they'd been spending their time, checking liquor licenses and gun permits, nothing hard at all. Until Vin had gone to inspect Good Time Charlie's, an after hours club that catered to strippers and their clientele. Nobody knew what had happened. All they knew for sure was that Vin had called for back-up and there were gunshots in the background when he did. By the time help had reached the bar, the place was shot to hell and Vin Tanner was missing. The only person in the place was Ben Lewis, a bouncer at the bar and by all accounts the definition of scum. Unfortunately they couldn't get any answers from Ben, not unconscious and with a slug from a .44 in his gut. An ambulance had been called and Ben had been rushed to the hospital. That brought them to now. Ben had survived surgery, but he had yet to wake up. Even if he did, there was no guarantee he'd talk to them.
"He better damn well tell us what he knows or I swear I'll beat it out of him," Buck growled, as though reading Chris' mind.
"He'll tell us Buck, we'll make sure of that."
Vin lay curled up on the floor of his cell, fighting the urge to moan as another wave of pain hit him. A stupid liquor license inspection, that's all it was supposed to be. No reason for back-up, a simple, easy assignment. He should've known better. He'd noticed the large number of vehicles in the parking lot, too many considering the place was closed. Like a fool, he'd shrugged it off, deciding they probably belonged to employees who were setting up for the opening. "You're an idiot Tanner," he berated himself. He'd walked into the bar like the greenest rookie, hell even JD probably would've realized something wasn't right. "Guess that'll teach me to keep my mind on the job." He wondered who was more surprised, him or the bastards filming their little snuff flick. For a moment nobody moved, a moment that allowed Vin to see all he needed to. He'd seen the teenage girl tied to the pool table, the man raping her as he sliced her to ribbons with a knife, the camera that filmed every sick minute of it. As though it had been rehearsed, they all came out of their stupors in nearly the same instant. Vin yelled ATF as he reached for his gun, while simultaneously several men in the bar reached for their own weapons. Somehow he'd managed to hold them off long enough to call for back-up. Hadn't done him any good, within seconds of making the call, he'd found himself out of ammo and surrounded by the enemy. The boss had ordered the room cleared and Vin taken to a place better suited for questioning him. He'd struggled, but he was outnumbered. He'd only gotten in a couple of swings before something clipped him in the head and his world went dark. He'd woke up in this cell, alone and nursing a monster headache. Glancing around at what was obviously an old jail, Vin figured this time his number was up. Nobody knew where he was and if they'd left the bar empty there wasn't much chance the other's would ever find him.
An hour after he woke up, they had come for him. Four of them, big, ugly men, with tempers to match. Of course he'd had to open his mouth, "What's the matter, y'all can't face a me man to man?"
Ugly number one reached into the cell and jerked him forward, slamming him into the wall. Before he knew what was happening, his hands were cuffed behind him and he was shoved to the ground. The next few minutes passed in a blur as the four men took out their anger on him, only stopping when a fifth, much smaller man entered the building. "I'd appreciate it if you gentlemen didn't damage our guest until I tell you to."
"Sorry sir," one of the men mumbled as another hauled Vin to his feet.
Vin found himself unceremoniously dragged from the building, down the wood sidewalk and into an old-fashioned saloon. "I'm disappointed," he drawled as he took in the room, "no film crew?"
"Perhaps later," the small man, who was obviously in charge, smiled. It was a smile that brought Vin no comfort, sending a chill down his spine. It was the smile of a predator who had just found his prey. "As you can see Agent Tanner," he smiled at Vin's start upon hearing his name. "We checked your i.d," he explained. "Now, as I was saying, I'm sure you noticed you're in a ghost town."
Vin nodded, he'd noticed alright.
"I've found it is the perfect place in which to question prisoners. The only people to hear your screams work for me so there will be no help coming. The nearest populated town is fifty miles away, but in what direction?" he asked with a smile. "I abhor liars Agent Tanner, so I will be painfully honest with you. You are going to die here. Nobody knows where you are, nor will they discover your location. The only person left at the bar was the bouncer and he was dead," he coldly informed Vin, not realizing he was wrong. "So, the only question is, will you die slowly or quickly?"
"Y'all know what happens to you if you kill a federal agent?" Vin asked, aiming his question at the four men rather than their boss.
The man in charge threw back his head in laughter, "Oh you are amusing young man. You saw what was happening at the bar, do you really believe any of us are concerned about killing a federal agent? For that matter, do you think you're the first agent to die in this town?"
Vin swallowed hard, so much for planting seeds of doubt. The backhand caught him off guard, snapping his head to the side.
"I believe I asked you a question," the boss snarled.
"I reckon I ain't," Vin growled. He refused to let this man see that he was worried, no matter how uncertain he was of his own survival. "What'd you bring me here for?"
"You mean why not just kill you back at the bar or somewhere along the way here?"
"Yeah."
"Why do you think Agent Tanner?"
"Guess you're wanting to know something," Vin answered after a moment.
"Intelligence, how refreshing," the man smiled. "Now can you guess what it is I want to know? No? It is really very simple Vincent, may I call you Vincent? As I say, it's very simple...I want to know what you told your compatriots when you called for help?"
"What's your name?" Vin asked, grinning when he saw the surprised look on the man's face.
"Rupert Browner, why do you ask?"
"Just figured I should know your name when I tell ya to go to hell Rupert," Vin replied with a grin. The grin didn't last long as first one and then another beefy fist slammed into his unprotected stomach.
"Enough!" Browner ordered. "That was rude Vincent, I detest rudeness. Apologize," he ordered.
"Don't think so ya bastard," Vin calmly refused.
"Gentlemen I believe Agent Tanner needs a lesson in the proper way to address me," Browner stated, taking a few steps back.
It had taken every bit of willpower he had not to cry out in pain as the beating went on. It wasn't like he'd never taken a beating before, but this was different. It wasn't a beating meted out in anger, flailing fist missing as often as they connected. No, this had been a systematic beating, designed to break down his defenses until he told them what he wanted to know. When it was over, Browner had ordered him returned to his cell, with the promise of more pain to come if he didn't change his attitude. There were only seven problems with Browner's plan, the first was Vin's stubbornness and his absolute refusal to give into bullies. The other six were in the form of his teammates, men who wouldn't stop searching for him until they found him. God help Browner if Vin wasn't alive when they got here. With that thought, Vin finally gave into the pain, letting the darkness claim him.