Chris Larabee was in a bad mood. That wasn't anything new, but Chris had his degrees of bad moods and the one he was in was near the downright foul end of the spectrum. He cleared a path wherever he went, like Moses parting the Red Sea. The saloon was losing business since not too many people wanted to be around him when he was in there, which was most of the time. However, the owner was too frightened to say anything about it.
Chrismas was just a week away. Chris hated Christmas. He's hated it ever since he spent his first Christmas without Sarah and Adam. Normally he would just crawl into a bottle and stay there until the new year came rolling in. However, Mary Travis had mentioned that Billy would be coming for the holidays and he knew he couldn't be drunk around the little boy. So he compromised. He would be roaring drunk during the nights Billy was here but stone cold sober during the day. Besides, he also realized that being in a constant druken state was an easy way to get killed.
He looked up when he heard the rattle of the stagecoach. A second later, he saw Mary throw open the door of The Clarion and run towards the drop off point. He watched as young Billy Travis was helped out of the coach and swept into his mother's arms. The scene made him smile, the first geunine smile in a long time. He stood up from his chair and made his way over to the Travises.
"Mommy!" Billy yelled excitedly as he hugged his mother back.
"Billy! Its so good to see you! Oh I missed you so much baby!" Mary's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the other passsengers in the coach. "Orrin! Evelyn!" she exclaimed in surprise as her in-laws alighted.
"Well we couldn't spend Christmas away from our family," Evelyn Travis said with a twinkle in her eye. She kissed Mary. "And how are you doing dear?"
"I'm fine," Mary replied. She kissed her father-in-law. "And absolutely delighted you're all here."
"Chris!" Billy yelled out as he wiggled from his mother's side. He launched his small body at the tall man in black.
Chris caught the boy in his arms and swung him up high in the air. "Billy! How you doing pardner?"
"Great now that you're here," the little boy said with adoration. "My grandpa and grandma are here too."
"Judge, ma'am," Chris greeted.
"Chris," Orrin replied. Evelyn nodded politely and looked Chris up and down. The gunslinger had the uncomfortable feeling he was being examined like cattle at a stock sale.
"Mary didn't mention you would be in town too," Chris said.
Evelyn and Orrin raised their eyebrows at Chris's use of Mary's first name as Mary told him she was as surprised as he was.
"Well," Chris continued. "There's plenty of room at the hotel. Why don't we go over there now?"
He helped the Travises with their luggage as they all walked over to the hotel. After settling them in and promising that he and the others would join them for dinner, Chris went over to the saloon. As he walked in, he saw his compatriots sitting at their usual table. The only one missing was Nathan who had ridden out earlier that morning to check on a patient at a nearby farm.
Chris nodded his thanks when Vin slid the bottle of whiskey down to him. "Picked up that package from the post office this morning," he told the others after he took a sip from his glass.
"Oh good, Nathan'll be real happy when he gets it," JD said without his usual enthusiasm.
The other men had pooled their money together to buy Nathan a full medical kit. Surprisingly, it was Ezra's idea. He had remembered the way Nathan looked when he was examining a kit at the store in Jericho. That was about the only positive thing to come out of that entire experience. Besides, the gambler had added, it was indeed a gift that kept on giving. Most likely they would all benefit from it.
Chris's eyes narrowed when he heard the tone of JD's voice. As he looked around the faces surrounding him, he detected various degrees of moodiness. Not a prying sort, he mentally shrugged figuring if they wanted to talk about it they would. "Travises are in town," he said. "Judge and his wife along with Billy."
"That'll make Mrs. Travis happy," Buck commented. He began to pace around restlessly.
"They want us to join them for dinner tonight," he looked meaningfully at the other men. "I told them we all be there."
"Well, ain't like anything been going on the last few days," Vin said. "Least this is something different."
+ + + + + + +
Ezra straightened his tie and regarded his reflection. He hated this time of year. He hated it with a passion. His Christmases consisted of an endless string of broken promises or cold offerings of affection from relatives he had been left with as his mother went in pursuit of one scheme or another. He did not believe this one to be any different.
And to top it all off, the Judge was in town. Out of all the men, he knew he was Orrin Travis's least favorite.
He glanced in mirror and stared at his reflection. His mouth twisted into a smile that resembled a grimace. he said silently.
+ + + + + + +
Evelyn was carefully observing the seven men she had just sat down to dinner with. Orrin had described them in so much detail and Mary's letters were so explicit, she felt as if she already knew them. Even as a stranger, she felt the tension that was in the air. She looked closely at each of the seven men and realized they were not happy. She could tell that Mary and Orrin felt the tense atmosphere as well.
"Gentlemen," Evelyn said loudly to get their attention. "I wanted to let you know that I spoke with Mr. Smithers, the owner of the hotel and I rented out his parlor on Christmas Eve. I am throwing a party and I insist that you all be there."
There was an uncomfortable silence and Evelyn wondered if she had done something wrong.
"That's right kind of you ma'am," Vin said slowly. "But we should be patrolling that night."
"Nonsense," Evelyn said emphatically, "Its common knowledge that no criminal will strike on Christmas Eve."
"You are coming aren't you Chris," Billy Travis looked pleadingly up at his idol.
Chris had not been planning to attend, but couldn't bear to see disappointment in the little boy's eyes. He hesitated for a moment and looked up to see Mary looking carefully at him. He looked back down at Billy who anxiously waited for his answer. "Sure I'll be there Billy," Chris said. "I think we all will."
Vin stared hard at his friend but finally gave a small shrug. The other men murmured their acceptances and the rest of the evening passed quietly.
+ + + + + + +
"Honestly Orrin," Evelyn Travis said as she brushed her hair. "You would have thought I asked them to walk up the pyramids of Egypt! All I did was invite them to a party."
Orrin Travis came up behind his wife of 35 years and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Christmas isn't a happy time for everyone Evie. You gotta remember, those men, they don't have family here. They are in fact spending their Christmas alone."
"All the more reason they should be with us at that party," she replied. "It does no good to mope. I know Mary has also invited them over for Christmas dinner so they won't be alone then either."
Orrin shook his head. In 35 years of marriage he never did win an argument with her.
+ + + + + + +
JD sat with his feet propped up on his desk in the sheriff's office. He didn't need to be there, what with the cells empty, but he didn't feel like being in his room or in the saloon. Seeing the Travises together tonight brought home the feeling of just how alone he was. As far as he knew, he had no family. It has always just been he and his mother.
As far back as he could remember, his mother had made Christmas a special time for them. No matter how tight the money was, she always came up with some wonderful gift for him.
He remembered the evening walks they took on her days off to look at the displays in the shop windows. She would buy him a bag of hot chestnuts and warn him not to eat them right away. Of course he never listened and would always burn his tongue.
And the snow. How he loved the clean smell of fresh snow as it covered all the ugly parts of the streets. It would become dirty and slushy after the people and horses had trampled all over it, but for those few hours when it had just fallen down, it was a cool, pristine white sheet of beauty.
But what he missed most was the cooking smells. He could remember the pies and breads she would bake when she had time. And then for the Christmas meal there would be a small joint for the two of them. The smell of that hot beef would always make him salivate.
He felt a moisture sting his eyes and willed himself not to cry. JD fumbled in his inside pocket and withdrew a photograph he had kept close to his heart. It was of his mother, taken long before he could remember. She was a bright eyed girl of sixteen with curly hair. So different from the thin, guant woman he knew. But the smile was still the same. Sweet and gentle.
The door rattled open and he stared up into the face of Buck Wilmington.
"Whatcha got there JD?" Buck asked.
"Nothing," the young man mumbled as he tried to stuff the picture back in his pocket.
Buck was quicker and easily plucked it from his hands. "She's pretty," Buck decreed in his expert opinion.
"That's my ma," JD snapped as he snatched back the picture.
"Sorry kid," Buck murmured abashedly as he sat down. He stared off into space a moment. "You miss her, don't ya?"
"Of course I do," JD said angrily. He was horrified to hear the sob that almost came through his voice. "She's my ma."
Buck looked down at the hands folded in his lap. "Yeah, this time of year, I miss my momma something awful too."
JD looked curiously at Buck. Aside from that one time when he said his mother was a saint, the older man never mentioned her. "My ma and I always did things together this time of year," JD said.
Buck nodded, a faraway look in his eye. "I remember this one time when I was about nine or ten. I had my heart set on this real nice pocket knife with with a pearl handle. Well, it cost $2 and we just didn't have that kinda money."
"What happened?" JD asked when Buck lapsed into silence.
"Hmm? Well, my momma said that if I wished real hard that an angel would whisper my wish into Santa Claus's ear and he would bring me that knife." He smiled at JD. "I had stopped believing in Santa Claus two years earlier, but she kept on insisting. So I wished real hard and sure enough, on Christmas morning I got that shiny new pocket knife all wrapped up pretty in green tissue paper." Buck's smile widened. "I didn't start believing in Santa Claus again, but my momma sure made me believe in angels."
JD smiled at the story and the two men sat in silence, the only sound was the fire in the stove that warmed the room.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra gazed in disbelief at the other man he was playing cards with. The man was absolutely one of the worst poker players he had ever encountered. He should have just handed Ezra his money and saved them both some time.
Ezra recognized him as one of the locals, Tom Rivers. He was a small time farmer who never came in to the saloon and never played cards. He was surprised to see him tonight and even more surprised when he sat down and insisted on a card game. Normally Ezra would have refused with only one other player at the table, but it had been a slow night and he wasn't ready for bed yet.
"Full house," Ezra said as he laid his cards down. He saw the stricken look on Tom's face become deeper. The man had looked that way since he lost the first hand. Ezra had expected him to cut his losses and walk away, but the more he lost, the more the man bet. Not that there was much to bet. At best, Tom had come to the table with $7. He was now down to $1.
"Again," Tom insisted.
"Mr. Rivers," Ezra asked as he absently shuffled the deck. "May I inquire as to why you are insisting on continuing this obviously money losing venture?"
"I need the money," Tom snarled out.
Ezra laughed. "Well sir, you are not going to win it back from me. I'm sorry to inform you, but you are perhaps one of the worst players I have ever seen."
Tom suddenly deflated and settled back into his chair. "I knew this was a stupid idea."
"What was?"
"I needed the money," Tom mumbled. "My boy and girls have their heart set on certain things for Christmas and I was going to give it to them. Instead, I lost almost all of my money." He barked out a short laugh. "I thought I was going to be the big man on Christmas and give
'em all they wanted so they wouldn't know what a failure their poppa was. Looks like I'm just going to disappoint them again."
Ezra shifted uncomfortably. From what he knew of Tom Rivers and his own extraordinary ability to spot scams, he knew the man was speaking the truth. A half dozen of his Christmases past flashed through his mind. He knew what it was like to be a child and not receive anything on that day. Or if there was a gift, the lack of emotion with which it was given. A gift that was given out of obligation or charity.
In what his mother would only describe as a rash decision, Ezra stood up. He counted out $6 and pushed it across the table towards a surprised Tom Rivers. The man stared up the gambler in surprise.
"A word of advice my friend," Ezra said. "It doesn't matter what you give your children, so long as they know what's behind it." He placed his hat on his head and sauntered out of the saloon.
+ + + + + + +
The next morning, Nathan helped Josiah finish cleaning up the church. "Looks like this'll be ready in time for Christmas services," he said as he gave one of the windows a final swipe with his cloth. He looked around the church that had taken them months to restore.
"Too bad there won't be anyone to conduct those services," Josiah said.
Nathan stared at the big man. "Watcha talking about? You'll be doing it."
Josiah shook his head. "It wouldn't be right Nathan. How can I preach in God's house on the most holiest of days?"
"Why not?"
"Nathan, I am the worst kind of sinner. I've broken nearly every commandmant there is. I'm not worthy of the opportunity."
"Not worthy?!" Nathan slammed down his wash cloth in anger. "Josiah, I can't think of a better man."
"No Nathan," Josiah said sadly as he shook his head. "It would be pure hypocrisy for me to preach the Lord's words. Me, who has killed men, drank himself senseless and far from being chaste. Actions speak louder than words, my friend."
"That they do," Nathan replied. "And I'll tell you what other actions make you more than worthy to talk about the Lord's work." He moved closer to Josiah. "You help innocent people. You save lives. You risk your life everyday to make certain that justice is done."
Josiah snorted. "Then we should have Chris Larabee preaching."
"Yeah," smiled Nathan. "But Chris don't know the Bible. You do."
"Nathan," Josiah said standing up to his full height. "It just will not happen."
Nathan returned Josiah's stubborn look with his own. He was silent a moment when he saw the other man was not going to budge.
" Fine. But let me tell you a story. You want to know how I got this?" Nathan rolled up his sleeve on his left arm and showed the other man an old scar that was in the shape of a cross.
"It was Christmas day and this preacher man thought it would be good to give the darkies the word of God that day. After the sermon, I went looking for my sister. I found her with the preacher man on top of her trying to rip her dress off. I tell you, I saw red and just hauled that man off of her and started to hit him.
"My master stopped me before I did any real damage. Normally, I would have been killed, but I was young and strong and too valuable to be killed. So they only gave me over to this preacher man and told him he could cut me on my arms and legs ten times. I was lucky tha the fool didn't know how to handle a knife too well so most of the cuts weren't too bad except for this one. Damn fool severed and artery and I nearly bled to death." Nathan looked off to the side.
"My sister wasn't so lucky. They shot her." He turned stormy eyes back onto Josiah. "That preacher man went on to become the reverend for the largest church in that county. Everyone said what a good man he was. Does that sound like a good man to you? So don't tell me you ain't worthy of preaching in a house of God. Because some of them that are doing it, they got ain't worth the dirt on your boots."
+ + + + + + +
Vin rode aimlessly over the hills. Christmas was really just another day to him. On his own since he was 12, Vin wasn't used to spending the holiday in the company of other people. By the time he was 15, he had stopped caring about being alone on a day where he found himself surrounded by other people who were anxious to be with their families. At least, that was what he told himself.
This Christmas he would be spending it with the other men and the Travises. It was a situtation he wasn't used to and he was uncertain how to approach it. Vin didn't like to be uncertain about things.
For example, the whole mystery of Christmas gifts nearly drove him to distraction. He was thankful that there was a group gift for Nathan so he didn't have to worry about the healer, but what to get the other men and Mrs. Travis and Nettie Wells?
A trip to Sweetwater helped. He had purchased a two lovely serving dishes for Mary and Nettie each. Ezra had been fairly easy too. He found some of that god awful cologne the Southerner favored and purchased a bottle of that for him. A trip to Eagle Bend had yielded two fishing rods for Buck and JD since the two had been talking about going fishing for the past few months. They had just lacked the proper equipment. Chris had misplaced his black gloves so he was taken care of on that same trip. That just left Josiah.
It wasn't until Vin happened to be in Maleville that he saw something he thought the ex-preacher would like. It was a small stainglass window that would fit perfectly in the gap above the church's doorway. It was a star that had rays radiating out from it. He had a heck of a time transporting it back from Maleville to Four Corners.
Vin sighed. Christmas was a lot easier when he spent it alone.
+ + + + + + +
"That's a group of mighty handsome men protecting this town," Evelyn said wisely as she and Mary worked on decorations for the Christmas Eve party.
"Evelyn!" admonished a surprised Mary.
"Well dear, I may be happily married, but I can still appreciate a young buck. Especially since I'm married to an old goat," the twinkle was evident in the older Mrs. Travis's eye.
Mary laughed out loud and shook her head. While invitations to Evelyn Travis's tea parties were the most sought after in the county, and her parties exquisite events, she had an earthy quality about her that made her instantly likable and warm. She had often relied on her charm to help her get away with saying the most shocking things.
"You must admit dear, they are all very handsome. Especially that Mr. Standish."
"He's also a conman and gambler," Mary said dryly.
"I know dear," Evelyn said, waving her hand dismissively. "But one can look." She thought a moment. "Although, one could say he is almost too good looking." She tilted her head to the side as she regarded her daughter-in-law. "That Mr. Larabee now, he's quite a fine specimen."
"Really?" Mary said as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I hadn't really noticed."
"Oh no?" Evelyn said, disbelief dripping from every syllable. "Its sort of hard not too Mary. Strong, tall and that nice lean body-"
"Evelyn!" Mary gasped out, shocked at where this was going.
"Mary, dear, I'm just saying you should consider your options." Evelyn's eyes saddened. "I know you loved Steven very much, but he wouldn't want you to remain alone forever. You're young and so beautiful. You shouldn't wall yourself off from any other chance of happiness."
"If I should marry again," Mary said. "I doubt it would be to one of those men, least of all Mr. Larabee."
"Really dear?" Evelyn asked archly. "That's not what I saw."
"What do you mean?" Mary asked suspiciously.
"Oh dear," Evelyn said rebukingly. "Haven't you noticed the way the man looks at you? The way he treats you? The fact he calls you by your first name?"
"The men don't like dealing with the townspeople. I'm the liasion. Mr. Larabee is the men's leader. Its natural that we have many contacts with each other. There's nothing in any of that." Mary looked at her mother-in-law. "Is there?"
"Here's what you do dear," Evelyn said excitedly. "Get some mistole and at the party stand conveniently underneath it-"
"Oh Evelyn!" Mary said in exasperation. "I'm not going to do that!"
Evelyn shrugged. "Suit yourself dear. But its one way of finding out. With one kiss, you can figure out how a man really feels about you."
+ + + + + + +
Chris paid for his purchases and waited for the shopkeeper to wrap them up. He looked idly around the Bitter Creek store which was considerably larger than any in Four Corners. A flash of metal caught his eye and he went over to examine something on the shelf.
It was a tiny silver box that had an intricate floral pattern carved all over it. He picked it up to examine it more closely. Idly, he opened up the lid and the tiny strains of a waltz drifted to his ear. He closed his eyes and remembered another music box from long ago.
It wasn't as fancy as this one. It had been a plain wooden box that played a simple tune. Sarah had played it to lull Adam to sleep when he was a baby.
Chris felt his stomach tighten and he bit his lip as the memories came rushing over him. Christmases of the past flooded his mind and he could hear Sarah and Adam's laughter as if they were standing right next to him. The laughter ws soon crowded out by the sound of burning wood. Although he wasn't there when for the fire, he could imagine what had happened. The scene replayed in his mind like it always did, a never ending torment.
His hand squeezed the silver music box. The decorative carving bit into his flesh, recalling him back a little to reality. His ear focused on the musical notes and for some reason they seemed to soothe him. The burning images in his mind were replaced by the happier memories of his time with Sarah and Adam. He concentrated on the music, allowing it to crowd all other things out of his mind. Chris allowed the little music box to work its charm over him and he felt it gently pull him back from that downward spiral he had been heading towards. He opened his eyes and stared at the little box.
"How much is this?" he asked the shopkeeper.
The man peered over his glasses at the music box. "$5."
"I'll take this too," Chris said.
+ + + + + + +
"Mr. Standish!"
Ezra turned to see who was calling his name and saw Evelyn Travis waving at him. He immediately took off his hat. "Mrs. Travis."
Evelyn flashed her dimples at him. Before she married the Judge, she was the prettiest girl with the largest dowry in five counties. She still knew how to flirt. "Mr. Standish, I was wondering if you could help me with something?"
"Madam, I am at your service," Ezra replied, as if he had any choice. He offered her his arm and they strolled slowly down the walk.
"The cuisine at the hotel just will not do for the party this week," Evelyn said. "And I'm having a most difficult time finding the necessary ingredients for several things I wish to have served." She smiled again. "And knowing what a refined gentleman you are, I was positive you could direct me in the right direction to obtain those ingredients."
Ezra smiled back at her, the gold tooth winking wetly. He knew when he was being conned into doing a job and Evelyn Travis was actually good at it. She was still an attractive woman. When she was young, she must have been devastating. "Madam, it would be an honor."
"I knew I could count on you. As a gentleman," Evelyn added.
+ + + + + + +
"Gentlemen, I was wondering if you could help me," Evelyn said as she stood by their table in the saloon.
Buck, Josiah, Vin and Nathan leapt to their feet. "Ma'am, you shouldn't be in here! It ain't proper for a lady,," Buck said in agitation.
"Nonsense. You gentlemen are here. Are you saying you would patronize an establishment that was irreputable?"
"Well ma'am, that's different," sputtered Buck. "We're men."
"And I'm a woman. Now that we've established that, I need some help with this party. And I won't leave until I have your assurances that you'll help me," she flashed a charming smile, but determination was in her eyes.
Vin, Nathan and Josiah stared at her, shaking in silent laughter as they realized Evelyn Travis was blackmailing them. Buck still aghast over her presence merely shook his head and agreed to help.
"Good," nodded Evelyn. "Mary gave me a list of people she thinks should be invited, but I declare I don't know how to go about getting the invitations to them."
"Just leave that to me ma'am," Vin said. He took a small stack of sealed envelopes Evelyn withdrew from her purse.
"And I'll need help setting up the tables and such," she said.
"Well, we'll help you with that ma'am," Nathan said as he indicated himself, Buck and Josiah. The other two men nodded.
Evelyn clapped her hands softly together. "My goodness! You gentlemen have just saved the party. Oh you are all so dear and sweet to help me out. Shall we say a few hours before church services on Christmas Eve?"
The men agreed and Evelyn walked happily out of the saloon. The four men looked at each other and shrugged.
"Not like we could refuse the judge's wife," Vin said, saying out lout what everyone else was thinking.
+ + + + + + +
"Mr. Larabee!"
Chris turned to see who was calling him. He saw Evelyn Travis waving at him from across the street. He changed his direction and went up to her.
"Ma'am?"
"Oh Mr. Larabee, I am so glad you I found you," breathed Evelyn, her hands waving in distress. "I do so need your help."
"I'll do my best ma'am," Chris said politely.
"Well, Mary, the dear girl, has kindly agreed to bake all sorts of wonderful things for the party. But she won't be able to carry it all to the hotel herself and you know Billy, bless the child, is just too small to be of any real help. Orrin and I would give her a hand, but we have to be at the hotel to finish up the last minute things and greet people." She looked pleadingly at Chris. "I was wondering if you would mind, after the church services, escorting Mary over and helping her carry a few thigs? I hate to put you through so much trouble."
"No ma'am, that won't be any trouble at all," Chris said. It was a very simple request.
"Oh I do thank you Mr. Larabee," gushed Evelyn. "I declare you put my mind at ease. Why I just hated to think of Mary trying to balance all those things at once." She casually slipped her hand into his unoffered arm and began walking with him down the street. Surprised, Chris allowed it.
"I am so glad that Mary has become so ladylike," Evelyn began.
"Ma'am?" Chris asked in bewilderment.
"Why she never told you?" Chris shook his head. "I've known Mary since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. What a tomboy! That girl could out run, out throw and out shoot most boys in the county. Then when she was about 14 years old, her daddy sent her off to school and then to some fancy Paris finishing school. When she came back three years later, she was the most refined woman you ever saw." Evelyn winked at Chris. "All the boys were buzzing around her like bees to a rose." She sighed. "I remember how that felt."
Chris smiled at the story. It was hard to imagine Mary as a tomboy, but he rather liked the image in his head. Her golden hair streaming down in disarray, clothes mussed up. It was rather a pleasant picture.
Evelyn saw the smile on his face and smiled her own private one. "Mr. Larabee, I was wondering if you could do me one more favor."
"I'll try ma'am."
Evelyn allowed a slightly distressed look to come over her face. "Mary may be my daughter by marriage, but I love her like she was my own. I was wondering if you could look take extra special care of her and watch over her." She sighed dramatically. "Especially because of those men she's mentioned in her letters."
"Men? What men?" Chris asked sharply.
Evelyn raised her eyebrows. "Why, she's written that a few gentlemen here in town and some of the nearby farmers have been," she coughed gentilely, "Rather forward with their attentions."
Chris frowned deeply. "She didn't mention it to me."
"Well," Evelyn said innocently, "I rather expect she didn't want to bother you with such a trivial matter, considering you have such an enormous job protecting the town and all. And knowing Mary, she probably thought she could handle it herself."
Chris merely grunted and stared off into space. "She didn't mention who these men were?"
Evelyn waved her hands vaguely. "My dear Mr. Larabee, at my age, well, my memory doesn't serve me as well." They were passing by the hotel. "Oh! Here's the hotel. Now I must go in. Thank you so much for everything Mr. Larabee."
"Ma'am." Chris absently tipped his hat as Evelyn tripped lightly into the hotel.
Orrin looked up from the paper he was reading when he heard Evelyn walk into their room. He glanced suspiciously at the self-satisfied smile on her face. "Evie, what have you been doing?"
"Just getting things ready Orrin. For the party," she added a little belatedly.
"You're not interfering again, are you?" the Judge asked suspiciously.
"Now, what on earth gave you that idea?" his wife asked as she turned innocent eyes on him.
Orrin Travis grunted in disbelief and returned to his paper. Evie was like a force of nature. The best thing to do was get out of her way.
+ + + + + + +
Mary held up the last shirt she needed to wrap and examined it closely. It had taken her a long time, but she had finally managed to make shirts for each of the men. Her mouth twisted into a wry smile. She knew the men had begun to wonder why she was examining their upper bodies so closely. Little did they know she was merely attempting to figure out what their measurements were.
She finally hit upon the idea of talking to the woman who did their laundry. Ingrid was more than willing to help and Mary managed to take all the measurements down in one day.
Chris Larabee had almost caught her once or twice making the shirts. She had been neglectful in locking her front door when she was working late at night. He had walked in unannounced to check up on her and she had hurriedly hid the shirt she had been working on behind her. She remembered the strange look Chris gave her but the nice thing about Chris was that he never pried.
But they were all done now. Seven shirts. She carefully examined this last shirt. It was the one she made for Chris. It was made of a dark blue cloth that had thin grey lines as a pattern. Mary had wanted to get the man out of those black clothes. When he was in other colors, she found him much more approachable. This seemed a perfect opportunity for it.
"Ma!" Billy cried out as he rushed into the room. "Do you think Chris will like this?" He held out a little wooden figure that he had personally whittled. "Its suppose to be him."
Mary squinted a little at the figurine for a moment. She tilted her head to the side and then smiled. "I think he's going to love it Billy. It looks just like him." She handed him a piece of red tissue paper. "Why don't you wrap it up for him and we'll give it to him when we deliver the rest of the gifts?"
"Okay!" the little boy said excitedly as he sat down to wrap the little man.
+ + + + + + +
"So you make a decision yet?" Nathan asked the ex-preacher.
"About what?" Josiah questioned.
Nathan sighed. "About whether you're going to do the Christmas Eve services."
"Nathan-," the big man began.
"Now hold on," Nathan said, raising his hand. "Don't God forgive?"
"Well, yes," Josiah replied. "For those who have truly repented and seek forgiveness."
"Well ain't you repented? Don't you want forgiveness for all your past sins."
"I do, and I have, but -," Josiah began.
"Well then, I don't see any problem," smiled Nathan.
"I haven't forgiven myself," Josiah added angrily.
"You ain't the one who needs to be giving the forgiveness. Isn't that God's job? And ain't God generous and loving enough to do that?" Nathan looked inquiringly at his friend.
"And since when, brother, did you become so wise?" Josiah asked with a slight grin on his face.
Nathan snorted. "Between you and your damn crows, Chris thinking he's so invincible that he walks down a street without any cover as someone fires on him, and JD nearly getting his fool self killed every ten minutes, one of us has to be level-headed." He cocked his head to the side. "Well? You gonna do it?"
Josiah nodded slowly. "Hell, if I'm not meant to preach up there tomorrow night, I expect God will just drop the roof on top of me."
"He better not," Nathan replied. "I worked too damn hard on that thing."
+ + + + + + +
No one had really discussed when or if gifts were to be exchanged. There was no decided time or place. Therefore, each man had distributed his presents to the others at his own leisure. Usually this involved leaving it where the receiver would find it immediately. Gifts were left on the altar for Josiah. Nathan came across the new medical bag sitting on his bed in the makeshift infirmary. JD found his gifts on his chair in the sheriff's office. This helped avoid those awkward minutes that followed the delivery of a gift. None of them wanted to experience the awkward shuffling of feet and mumbled thanks. They may be willing to die for each other, but if they were put in a position where they had to thank each other for a gift, they felt out of their element.
However, one could not entirely avoid the moment when gratitude was expressed. Try as they might, they could not avoid those awkward moemnts. As anticipated, there was much shuffling of feet and mumbling of thanks, but even the densest of them heard the sincerity behind the words.
Nathan's speechless gratitude was eloquent in its silence as the sethoscope dangled from his neck.
Ezra, who's wardrobe had been seriously depleted since his arrival in Four Corners, was flabbergasted by the assorted handkerchiefs, cologne and other personal grooming items he received.
Josiah immediately had installed the stainglass window he received from Vin and proclaimed the church was ready for the services that he would give that evening, Christmas Eve.
JD eagerly thumbed through the books that he received.
Vin was touched by the new hat he got that was the exact replica of his old one, minus the bullet hole. He never did get a new one from James.
Buck began to practice casting his fishing line when he received his new rod.
And Chris had actually smiled when he read Ezra's note that said if he was going to drink, he should do it in style. Chris looked down at the silver flask in his hand and shook his head.
There was much laughter and some good natured ribbing over the gifts, but each man, even the least sensitive of them, felt the warmth and emotion behind the gifts. For the first time, in a long time for them all, they realized that they were not alone. That Christmas was not the dreaded day they had all come to believe it to be. For once, they were spending it with other people who had come to mean something to them.
"Well I'm glad you are trying to improve your literary taste," Ezra drawled out as he watched JD read "Ivanhoe". It was actually Ezra's gift to the young man.
"This is pretty good," JD admitted.
Josiah glanced at the cover. "Just so long as the boy doesn't take it in his head to run off to England and become a knight."
The other men hooted in laughter. Jim the bartendar approached them hesitantly carrying a bundle of packages. He cleared his throat to get their attention and started nervously when all seven pairs of eyes turned on him.
"Mrs.- Mrs. Travis left these for you all," he dumped the packages on the table and scurried back behind the bar.
Chris read the names on each package and distributed them to the right man. They all regarded them with puzzlement.
"Only one way to find out," Vin said as he opened his package. He pulled out brand new green shirt. "Well this is right nice of Mrs. Travis." He held it up to himself. "And looks like its going to fit just right." He opened the other package that contained a drawing from Billy. A smile appeared on his lips. "And a real nice picture from Billy too."
Each of the men exclaimed in surprise and delight, none more so than Ezra, over their shirts. They were equally touched by the drawings young Billy Travis did for each of them which was a portrait of each man on his horse.
"It must have taken her forever to make all these shirts," JD commented.
"She must have been planning this for a while," Nathan commented.
"I do believe the young man caught me perfectly," Ezra said as he held up his portrait.
"Boy made me look even handsomer than I am," crowed Buck.
Chris was strangely silent as he held Billy's carved figure in one hand and the blue and grey shirt from Mary in the other.
"Boy I'm glad me and Buck got Mrs. Travis that vase," JD said.
"Yeah," Nathan agreed. "Josiah and I built her a bookcase that she can have in the front room of her office. What did you get her Vin?"
"Serving dish."
"You gentlemen have no imagination," Ezra complained. "A lovely, refined lady like Mrs. Travis should be receiving something frivolous. Feminine."
"Well what did you get her Ezra?" JD asked annoyed.
"A length of blue silk that should complement her perfectly. She'll be able to make a lovely dress out of it," replied the gambler. "I'm sure Mr. Larabee was more imaginative than you all were."
"Whatcha get her Chris?" Buck asked curiously.
Chris appeared to come out of a fog. "Huh? Uhm, its a secret." He pulled his hat on and hurriedly left the saloon.
The other men stared after him a moment and then turned to look at each other. "I've got a dollar that says he didn't get her a thing," Ezra said. "And its Christmas Eve too."
+ + + + + + +
Chris strode towards the boarding house after discovering the stores had all closed as people got ready for the church services. His face was impassive as ever, but inside he was extremely agitated.
He didn't buy Mary a Christmas present. Naturally he had gotten something for Billy, but a gift for Mary had never occured to him. He hasn't bought anything for a woman since Sarah. In fact, he has never really even thought about a woman since Sarah. What women he had been involved with had been mere bodies that satisfied a need he had. They were as faceless and nameless as the many bottles of whiskey he had consumed over the past few years.
But Mary wasn't that. Mary was his friend and he hadn't anything to give her. He slammed the door to his room and paced back and forth like a caged animal. What could he give her?
He noticed that he still clutched the shirt she had given him and the little wooden figurine. He smiled as he gazed at the roughly hewed sliver of wood. He could tell it was a man and he suspected it was suppose to be himself. Chris carefully set the wooden figure down next on the table next to his bed.
He held the shirt out in front of him. It was a very nice shirt. He could tell it was made of very good material. He frowned slightly. He didn't know how much money Mary had, but he suspected it wasn't much. Making the seven shirts must have been expensive for her. He brought it towards his chest to measure its fit. His nose caught a scent of flowers. Chris lowered his nose towards the shirt and breathed deeply. Some sort of perfume. It had to Mary's.
He closed his eyes and breathed the sweet scent deeply. He saw in his mind Mary's face. Her long blond hair was flying loosely in the wind, blue-grey eyes bright with merriment as she smiled warmly. Chris felt himself smile and he opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon the silver music box he had purchased recently.
Hesitantly, he picked it up and opened the lid. The waltz played its notes. His grip tightened on the little box. He had bought it because it reminded him of Sarah. How could he give it to another woman? It would be a betrayal to Sarah.
But it wasn't Sarah's music box. That had been destroyed in the fire that took her and Adam. Slowly, Chris closed the lid, stopping the waltz in mid-note. He sat down on the bed. The box was gone. Sarah and Adam was gone.
The pain was still there. He could feel it, like a hard kick had been placed into his stomach. But it wasn't the sharp instantaneous pain he usually felt, but the dull ache that came when the worse was over and you knew that you would recover from the kick.
Perhaps it was time to let go? Chris thought. He would never rest until he knew who was responsible for their deaths and dealt with him. But Mary should have the music box. It was something he thought she would like and he knew Sarah would want him to give it to Mary. He could hear Sarah's voice berating him for forgetting to buy Mary a gift. Unlike the other memories that only brought him pain, this one thought made him smile.
Chris stood up and looked for something to wrap the music box in now that he had decided to give it to Mary. But deep down in his subconscious, Chris knew that he had let go of more things that night than just a small, silver music box.
+ + + + + + +
Buck, Vin, Ezra and Chris hesitated in the doorway of the church. It had been so long since any of them had been in one that they were hesitant. Normally, each would have foregone the services, but since it was Josiah doing the honors, they felt a need to attend and give, at least moral support.
The church was crowded. They saw JD and Nathan seated in the back saving seats for them. The young man was eagerly waving his arm trying to attract their attention. They moved towards them when young Billy Travis ran up the aisle and grabbed hold of Chris's hand.
"Come sit with us Chris!" he whispered excitedly as he tugged the man forward.
Chris looked at Buck who was watching the entire seen. The taller man leaned forward and whispered loudly, his eyes twinkling, "Go ahead Chris. That way we won't have to listen to you snore."
Chris glared at his old friend and allowed Billy to lead him forward into the church.
"Has Mr. Larabee departed for greener pastures?" Ezra asked as Buck came to them alone.
"Billy wanted him to sit with them," Buck said as he stretched his neck to catch a glimpse of his friend. He saw Chris hesitate in the aisle and say something to Mary Travis. The woman scooted over a bit and after a pause, Chris sat down. There was one seat between Mary and Chris that looked empty and Buck assumed young Billy was seated there. "They make a handsome looking family."
"That be true," Vin drawled out. "I'm sort of getting tired of them dancing around the whole thing. If something happen, maybe Chris'll get out of those foul moods he's always in."
"Well, nothing can happen until he finds out who killed his family," JD piped up.
"Yeah, but the way Chris goes on, one of these days he's going to get himself killed. He just gotta realize he's got a whole lot more to live for," Buck added.
"I don't think this is proper conversation in church," Nathan hissed out.
Properly chastised, the other men settled down into silence. JD looked around and nodded his head when he caught Casey Wells's eye. He leaned towards Nathan. "How's Josiah holding up? Is he nervous?"
"Of course he's nervous!" Nathan snapped out, surprising the young man. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little nervous for him." A lot nervous. He was the one, afterall, who convinced Josiah to go through with this.
"I haven't been in church in a long time," JD said.
"That makes all of us kid," muttered Buck. Memories of long hours spent sitting in a hot room as some old man droned on and on filled Buck's head. He hoped Josiah would be brief in his sermon.
Mary looked up in surprise when she saw Chris Larabee standing at her side. Billy had scampered off a minute ago and she had thought he was only saying hello to his friends. Now his true purpose was apparent to her and she fixed a stern eye on her son.
"Billy," she chastised. "I told you not to bother Mr. Larabee and the others."
"But he wants to sit with us ma," the little boy said excitedly.
Mary looked apologetically up at Chris who offered her a thin smile. "May I join you?" he asked politely.
Mary let out a sigh of exasperation aimed at her son and scooted over. Billy climbed in next to her and then Chris sat down. He leaned past Billy and Mary to greet Evelyn and Orrin.
That was all there was time to do. Josiah stepped forward and asked people to rise so the first hymm could be sung. Chris began to fidget a little and remained closed mouth as the rest the congregation began to sing. He wished he was in the back with the other men. He heard someone singing lustily, but badly off key and realized it was Billy. He smiled a little and shook his head. He heard another voice, that was sweet and clear if a bit soft. He turned his head and realized Mary was singing. He closed his eyes and tried to block out some of the more offending vocalists and concentrate on her voice. He found the sound particularly soothing and he allowed himself to be carried away on the sweet music.
The other men in the back inwardly groaned as the first hymm was announced. They stood obediently, but none sang. Each were surprised when they heard a pure, clear voice near them singing in perfect pitch. They looked around and realized it was Ezra. They stared in frank and rather rude astonishment.
Ezra never stopped, but he did fix each of them with a glare.
Josiah motioned for everyone to sit down and began to speak. His deep, calm voice was wonderfully suited for preaching and the listeners found themselves mesmerized by his words. Even the most hardened of them, who also happened to be Josiah's friends, found themselves drawn into the ex-priest's world.
It was a short sermon, Josiah did not believe in wasting time and words. "And brothers and sisters, as we come to celebrate on the Eve of our Lord's birth, I remind you all that even in the bleakest of hours, in the darkest of dawns, we are not alone. For He is with us and will guide us to that which is right." He motioned for everyone to stand again and they sang the last hymm for the night.
There was a noisy confusion as people got up and began to file out of the church. The men in the back were the first ones out and they helped make certain people left in an orderly manner.
Chris held Billy's hand and wrapped his other arm around Mary to protect from the jostling of the crowd. He looked over his shoulder to make certain Orrin and Evelyn were okay. He saw Evelyn give him a wide smile and was puzzled by it.
Josiah had gone to the front of the church and was bading goodnight to the departing congregation. Most of the attendees had left by the time Chris and the Travises had struggled out of the church.
"A wonderful service Mr. Sanchez," Evelyn said as she shook Josiah's hand.
"Thank you ma'am," he said.
"This is beginning to look like a real town," Orrin added. "And what could be more appropriate than holding the first church services on Christmas Eve?"
"Well its cold out," Evelyn interrupted, fearful her husband might continue talking. "And we need to do a few last things for the party." She looked pointedly at the men. "Gentlemen?"
They all looked at each other and five of them followed Evelyn and Orrin to the hotel for the party. Josiah was locking up the church and Chris followed Mary back to The Clarion to help her bring some things to the party.
+ + + + + + +
Chris, Mary and Billy blew in the front door of the hotel and could hear the lively party taking place in the parlor. Evelyn, followed by JD and Buck, hurried forward to take the additional food they carried. Buck glanced over his shoulder and grimaced at Chris.
"Woman's like an army general," he said hoarsely to his friend.
"Mr. Wilmington!" came Evelyn's sharp voice. Buck rolled his eyes as Chris grinned.
Billy wiggled out of his coat and ran towards the hotel's parlor where the party was being held. Mary smiled and shook her head as she hung the small coat on the coat rack. Chris placed his hands lightly on her shoulders to help her with her cloak. She unfastened the clasps and eased it off her shoulders.
Chris gathered the dark, wool in his arms and carefully arranged its folds as Sarah had taught him. Sarah was always particular about how clothing should be treated and she had trained Chris well. He placed the cloak next to his and Billy's coats on the rack. When he turned around to face Mary he stopped short and blinked in surprise.
The church had been cold, so she had kept her cloak on the entire time they were together. This was the first time she had removed it. Now he saw the dress she was wearing beneath the severe, dark cloak.
The dress was made of a light, icy blue silk. There were no frills or decorations on the dress. It was as plain as a winter's blue sky, but Mary's figure lent elegance and beauty to it. The neckline was fairly modest, skimming Mary's shoulders and curving in a bowl shape line. The sleeves were tight and ended in plain cuffs. The bodice of the dress had no decoration but was a smooth plain that nipped neatly in at Mary's tiny waist. The skirt was pulled back creating a smooth front. It was gathered in the back into the bustle and fell into a cascade of ice, blue silk. There was a small train that gently swept the floor. He could see the silk, high heeled slippers peeping out from beneath the dress.
Above all this, the milky skin of the very top of Mary's shoulders and her neck rose. Her hair was pinned back into a waterfall of golden curls, a style Chris thought very becoming. Chris looked into her eyes and saw concern there.
"Is something wrong Chris?" she asked worriedly. She nervously brushed her hands on her skirt. "Do I look alright?"
He nodded mutely and cast about for something to say as the uncertain look remained on her face. "You look nice," he said lamely.
He saw her eyebrow go up. "Oh, well, thank you," she said hesitantly. Her eyes lit up when she saw what he was wearing. "You're wearing the shirt. Oh good! Does it fit alright?"
"Yes," Chris said as he realized that he was wearing his new shirt. "Thank you. Its a beautiful shirt." He smiled slightly. "I think you're going to find all the men wearing new shirts."
Mary laughed lightly. "As long as you all liked them." Then, in a move that surprised both of them, Chris offered her his arm. She stared blankly at it for a moment but then inclined her head. She slipped her hand through and placed it lightly on the crook of his arm.
As they paused in the doorway to admire the gaily decorated room, Evelyn Travis sang out in a high clear voice. "Mistletoe! And they've stopped! Now there has to be a kiss!"
All eyes turned on Chris and Mary who were rooted in the spot they stood. There were a few hoots and whistles.
"Mistletoe?" Buck queried. "I didn't know there was mistletoe there!"
"Good thing too," Vin said emphatically. "Remember, I walked in with you."
Mary looked nervously at Chris who was regarding Evelyn thoughtfully. He could never prove it, but somehow he knew that she had engineered this entire thing. he thought in annoyance and gruding respect.
He looked at Mary who stared back helplessly at him while there were a few shouted encouragements from the partygoers. She finally offered him her cheek and he placed a quick peck on it. There were a few groans of disappointment and a couple of good-natured jokes about Chris's "grandma kiss". Chris was surprised to realize that he was a bit disappointed too in the tame kiss.
As they entered the room, Mary whispered to him," She probably has mistletoe everywhere. Be careful."
The other men came forward and all of them complimented Mary on her dress.
"Mrs. Travis you are indeed a vision of exquisite loveliness," Ezra said.
"You look as beautiful as a star in the sky," agreed Buck.
"Mary, you look like an angel," Josiah added.
"Mrs. Travis, you are truly a vision," was Nathan's contribution.
"Why ma'am, you look prettier than a Texas sunset," Vin said admiringly.
"You look real pretty ma'am," JD added.
All these other compliments made Chris realize that his "nice" comment paled in comparison. It seemed weak even next to JD's compliment. He watched as Mary blushed prettily and thanked each man. She discussed with them the shirts they wore as they expressed their thanks. Chris moved off from them and found a quiet spot.
His solitude was short-lived when Evelyn Travis suddenly appeared by his side with a glass of punch.
"Now Mr. Larabee," she said playfully, not put off by his dark scowl. "Its a party. You can't sit here brooding. You should mingle with the other guests."
"No offense ma'am, but I prefer my own company," Chris said tightly.
"No offense sir, but I think your company is pretty lousy," Evelyn returned pertly. Her voice lowered and she moved closer to him. "I know about your past Mr. Larabee. I know it hurts. I've seen five children dead and buried. It ain't natural for a mother to out live her children. You aren't the first person to lose everything and Lord knows you won't be the last. But you go on. Its human nature to do so. If you stay in one place too long you only wind up hurting yourself and those around you who care."
"Its my own business Mrs. Travis," Chris said harshly. "Ain't no one around to hurt. I make sure of that."
"Oh really?" Evelyn inquired with a twist of her lips. She gestured to where Mary and the other men where still talking. "What about them? Are you saying none of them care for you or would feel the pain you go through? And Billy? And yes, even Orrin and myself. I don't know you as well as Orrin does, but by God I care for you because my Billy and Mary do. And what pain they feel, I do. So you even have this cankertous old woman who would weep at your funeral. No Mr. Larabee, you have people around you who care for you, deeply, whether you like it or not. Its time to go forward instead of holding yourself back." She nodded towards the room. "Its time to join the party. To join life again." Without waiting to see if her words had any affect, Evelyn turned on her heel and joined Orrin who was speaking with Nathan.
Chris was struck dumb by her words, suprised he had even allowed her to get that far. He looked around the room and saw the six men who entrusted their lives to him. Who, on faith in him alone, followed him into situations where they could be killed. Six men who risked their lives to find out what had happened to him when he was late returning home from his trip. Lord knows they didn't do any of it for the money. There was the sense of justice and honor in each of them, but he knew that what bound them all together was something deeper than a mere professional bond. They had learned to care and worry about each other. These men had become his friends.
His gaze fell upon the bright hair of Billy Travis. As always, the sight of the small boy brought a smile to his lips, the only thing that made him smile regularly. He never questioned the depths of his feeling for the boy, yet he'd never acknowledged it. Evelyn's words had all but shoved the emotion in his face.
And Mary. He watched as she laughed at something Ezra said or did. She looked like some china doll in her icy blue dress with her golden curls falling down her back. Here was a friend too. When he first saw her, he felt nothing for admiration for the woman. He was also not blind to what her looks did to his senses. But instead of pursuing her as a normal man would have, he had lashed out harshly. He had wanted to keep her at arms length. But somehow, they had managed to find a way to each other and become friends. There was a small stir in his stomach that told him there was the possibility of more.
"Damn meddlesome woman," he grumbled under his breath as he forced his feet to move towards some people.
Evelyn smiled as she watched Chris force himself into society. There may be hope for him yet.
"Mighty fine preaching there tonight Josiah," Nathan said genially as he took a seat next to the other man.
"Why thank you Brother Nathan. I had a very good motivator." Josiah tilted his head to the side to look at the ex-slave. "I thought you might hate this time of year, considering your sister dying and all."
Nathan was silent as he stared off into a memory that no one else saw. His strong, gentle hands fiddled with the empty crystal punch glass. "I know that this might sound unchristian and heathenish, but when Grace died, I was kinda happy for her." He looked over and saw the shocked look on Josiah's face. "She was in a better place than that plantation was. Least ways her pain had ended." He nodded at Chris who stood next to a group of people, but was clearly uncomfortable. "Its only the ones that left behind that suffer the pain. But I figured that she was in God's hands and he wasn't going to let a good girl like her come to anything bad."
Josiah stared levely at his friend a moment and nodded. "Amen brother. God does not let his angels down."
"Oh JD, I have something for you," Evelyn Travis said as she stopped by the young sheriff's chair. She handed him a small bag.
"Ma'am?" JD asked in puzzlement. He opened the bag and found roasted chestnuts. He looked up in astonishment at Evelyn.
The woman smiled and winked at the boy. "Merry Christmas," she said quietly and glided away.
JD turned to look at Buck who was grinning widely. "You told her that my Ma used to by these for me!" He and Buck had exchanged Christmas memories that night in the sherriff's office. JD's face broke out in a radiant smile. "Thank you." He offered the older man the bag.
Buck took out one chestnut. "Merry Christmas kid."
"How you holding up pard?" Vin drawled out as Chris sought refuge with his fellow loner. "I saw the General talkin' to you."
Chris gave a slight smile at Vin's nickname for Evelyn Travis. "I'm okay." He fidgeted with his punch glass. "I feel better with some whiskey, but I better not." He nodded over at Billy. "I don't like to drink in front of the boy."
"Yeah," Vin replied. "None of us really do. Amazing what influence a little kid can have on us."
Chris looked curiously at Vin. "How you doing? Ain't talked to you much lately."
"Okay," the ex-bounty hunter said as he hitched his shoulders in discomfort. "Not use to all this society."
"I know what you mean," murmured Chris.
"Still," Vin hesitated. "Its kinda nice. I mean," he added hastily at Chris's inquiring look, "I never really had these family things for Christmas. It ain't so bad being around folks."
Vin looked around the brightly lit room where there was a pleasant hum of conversation. He saw people he knew and would give his life for. He felt he belonged somewhere and was no longer simply on the outer fringes. "No," he repeated. "It ain't bad at all."
The party lasted far into the night until only the seven men and the Travises were left. Billy had fallen asleep in one of the chairs and most everyone else was feeling drowsy. There was a quiet hum as one or two conversations took place.
Ezra walked up to the hotel piano and lightly brushed its keys, but not hard enough to draw forth any sound. A memory of winter afternoons spent next to his Cousin Albert as they sat in front of the grand piano in Albert's home where Maestro Rocher taught them. He had been the natural of the two, pleasing Maestro, but not Albert's father. His piano lessons were quickly terminated. But bless Rocher's heart, he found a way to teach young Ezra a few things before his mother showed up to take him away.
Ezra closed his eyes as he remembered the kind old man, one of the few people who had been kind to him in his life. He remembered one of the songs Maestro taught him. Ezra sat down on the piano bench and played a few chords. He was rusty and after a false start, attempted again. Clear notes sounded out and he could feel Maestro's smiled on his shoulder. He began to play and in that same pure, clear voice some had heard in the church, he began to sing.
"Silent night,
Holy night,
All is calm,
All is bright,
Round yon virgin,
Mother and child!
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace-e-e
Sleep in heavenly peace."
When the others heard the first notes from the piano they all looked up in surprise. They were further surprised to see that it was Ezra. They were surprised beyond belief to hear that beautiful voice come from him. After the first two lines, Mary added her sweet voice and was quickly joined by Evelyn. The two women's voices were the perfect accompaniment to Ezra's piano playing and the even truer instrument, his voice. Their voices and the piano rose up in a sweet canopy of music that flew above their heads and burst into a shower of sparks as they finished the last line in the song.
There was silence in the room and Ezra realized how foolishly he had acted. He was surprised to hear one person clapping. He spun around and realized it was Chris. Soon, all were joining him as everyone expressed their appreciation to him for ending the night so perfectly.
+ + + + + + +
There was the general confusion of saying good night and the gathering and buttoning coats. Billy had been awaken by the singing, but quickly fell back to sleep. He drowsily submitted to Mary putting his coat on him, but dropped off once again.
Mary smiled at her son and then felt her cloak placed on her shoulders. She looked up and was surprised to see Chris.
The gunslinger looked down at the sleeping form of Billy Travis. "I'll take him back for you," he said quietly to Mary. He easily lifted Billy in his arms.
The other men had already filed out and gone back to their rooms after promising to be on time for the Christmas dinner at The Clarion. Chris waited patiently as Mary kissed Evelyn and Orrin good night. She hurriedly joined Chris.
The older Travises watched the couple walk down the street. Orrin gently placed his arm around his wife.
"They do make a nice couple don't they?" Evelyn said with a sigh.
"Perhaps some day Evie. Perhaps someday."
+ + + + + + +
Chris placed Billy in his little bed. After a whispered instruction from Mary, he went to the dresser drawer and took out the boy's nightclothes. Together, they undressed Billy and while Mary tucked him in, Chris moved back out into the front room. He stood at the window and looked out into the night sky.
His hand went to his coat pocket and he felt the little music box there. He had intended to just leave it on Mary's desk, but he wanted to see her reaction to it. He heard her light tread behind him and he turned to see her, a pale form coming out of the shadows.
"Thank you for everything," Mary said quietly. "And not just for tonight, but for the past few months. I owe everything to you and the others."
Chris looked away from her face, uncomfortable with what he was beginning to feel. A few months ago, he would have made some curt remark in his attempts to keep her at arms length, but he no longer felt the desire to do that. Instead he withdrew the small gift.
"Here. Merry Christmas," he mumbled.
Mary took the gift in surprise. She had not expected anything from Chris, though after she had received presents from the other men, she felt a little disappointed that there was no gaily wrapped package from the gunslinger.
"May I open it now?" she asked, curiousity apparrent.
Chris smiled slightly and nodded. He watched as she carefully removed the wrapping paper, a little anxious about what she would think of the music box. He was rewarded by a small cry of pleasure.
"Oh Chris," she breathed. "Its absolutely beautiful!" She looked up at him with a shining face.
"You like it?" he asked hesitantly.
"I love it. I'll always treasure it." Impulsively, she moved forward and planted a small kiss on his cheek.
Chris's hand flew up to the spot she kissed. As he did so, his hand brushed by his mouth and he realized he had a foolish smile on his face.
"Thank you again," Mary said. A soft tender glow came to her eyes and they stood in silence staring at each other.
Chris broke the connection first and he looked out into the sky. "Look, that's the only star out tonight."
He felt her press closer to him as she followed his pointing finger. In one hand she still held the music box. Her other hand was close to his. Chris slipped her hand into his and together they silently regarded the star. In the back he heard the chimes of her clock strike midnight and he realized with a shock that for the first time in three years, he was not alone on Christmas morning nor would he be for the rest of the day.
All is calm,
All is bright.
FIN
