Hello All! Thank you for being so patient with me! I know I have a bunch of unfished stories out there, but I recently discovered the old Western TV show Lancer and the muses started talking! It would be easier to follow if you have read my True fics, but I think you can get by if you haven't.
Since my Muses were so focused on Lancer, Ashleyder1 graciously offered to write the opening chapter to set up my fic and she did an excellent job! Thank you so much!
"Where's Mrs. Whittaker?" JD asked taking his seat at the table.
"She and Mr. Evans are sharing a meal at the restaurant this evening," Mary replied putting a steaming bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. "Lauren and I offered to fill in for her so she could enjoy an evening out."
"Oooh!" Buck started waggling his eyebrows in preparation for an off color comment.
"One word, Buck Willmington, and you won't get any of Lauren's fresh baked berry pie," Mary stated fiercely, hands on hips.
Buck held up his hands in surrender and then pretended to be locking his lips with an imaginary key.
Mary gave a nod and hid a smirk. She was no Nettie, but she could definitely hold her own with this group. Lauren chuckled as she set the ham on the table. The young teacher always enjoyed sharing meals at the boarding house, and not just because of the extra time with Vin. Having come from a large family, she loved the noise and banter of this new family immensely.
"Josiah, will you say grace?" Mary asked politely, taking a seat beside Chris.
"Oh, good Lord," True said with a sigh and an eye roll. See this is what happened when you had too many women folk about.
"Oh, I'm sorry, True," Mary replied a glint in her green eyes, "Did you want to pray? I'm sure Josiah doesn't mind."
"Oh, no, that ah, that's alright. Have at it 'Siah," True stuttered, fully aware that Mary was subtly letting her know that her impertinence had been noted and would not be tolerated.
"Not at all," Josiah replied with a big smile. "I'd love to hear you bless the food."
True was stuck and she knew it. Her and her big mouth! Oh she could refuse, but she knew from experience that would just result in her sitting far less comfortably during the meal. With a heavy sigh, True folded her hands.
" ," she said in one breath, ignoring the sniggers from both Rhianna and Billy. Even Vin had a grin on his face.
"So I understand that you have decided to accept that invitation to the National News Editor's Assembly in San Francisco, Mrs. Travis," Ezra commented.
"Yes. It was quite a large step for the committee to invite me, as a female editor from a small territorial newspaper. I could hardly refuse. Besides it will be an excellent opportunity for the children to expand their horizons. San Francisco is an incredible city." What she didn't say was that although she too loved the large and unique family they had become, she was excited to be getting away with the smaller family unit. Chris had agreed to accompany her to San Francisco with Billy and Rhianna.
"Indeed. I find your upcoming trek most enviable," Ezra replied with a sigh.
True stabbed a piece of ham with a tad more force than necessary. She would never admit it but she was just a little jealous. Though she'd come to love her new home, she wouldn't mind getting away to see a bit of the world.
"So how are things coming out at the Indian village, Josiah?" JD asked.
The older peacekeeper shook his head. "Not good, JD. Hostility is mounting. In fact Vin and I were just talking before supper. I think we might just go and stay a spell while the braves are on their hunting trip, make certain there are no violent threats. Nate said he'd come and look after some of the older folks that didn't fair so well over the winter."
"Cool! Can I come?" True asked, excited at the prospect.
"Not this time," Vin replied with a shake of his head. "It's a mite too dangerous right now."
"Aw! It ain't like I can't handle myself, Vin."
"Answers, no, True," Vin replied definitively, he's blue eyes letting her know that further argument was not in her best interest.
Unfortunately True was not in the mood to heed the nonverbal warning. "But thet ain't fair! Everybody else is goin' somewhere!" True argued throwing her fork down petulantly.
"True," Vin growled.
"What?" she spat out insolently. "It ain't like I'm askin' ta go visit the damn queen of England. I –"
Before she could continue her tirade, True was snatched out of her chair and given a volley of hefty smacks to her backside.
"Enough! It ain't safe an' unless ya wanna take a trip upstairs with me right now ya best drop it," Vin said, depositing the teary eyed girl back into her seat. Once he was certain True was indeed done with her arguing he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he continued more calmly, "Thought ya might go out an' stay a spell with Nettie." He didn't want to say it in so many words but with only three peacekeepers left to watch the town, watching True as well could be rather taxing.
"Aw, Vin, do I hafta? I love Nettie ta death but she'll work a kid nigh unta the bone out there."
"Sorry, Sunshine, but I don't see much of a choice. Ezra, Buck, and JD are gonna have their hands full lookin' after the town."
"She could always come with me to California," Lauren offered, seeing True's dismay and feeling bad for the girl. Upon seeing Vin's rather shocked look she hurried to continue, "I know Uncle Murdoch wouldn't mind and it would be good for True to see a bit of the country. The ranch is big and there's plenty to do, but not really much trouble to get up to."
"I don't know, Lauren," Vin hedged. "Ya know True can be right spirited."
"So I can handle an entire classroom of children day in and day out, including True, but you do not think I can take care of just one little girl for a couple of weeks?" Lauren snapped tartly, offended by Vin's response.
"I'd behave, Vin," True added in a rush, excited about the potential of having her own small adventure. "I swear I would!"
"I don't know," Vin shook his head.
"You know we are traveling much of the way with Lauren," Mary added. "I would imagine we could even stop over and catch the next train out. Chris could probably escort Lauren and True out to the ranch."
Chris looked at first Mary and then Vin, thinking carefully before he responded. Finally he nodded. "If it didn't seem like a good idea, I could just bring her on to San Francisco with us."
"Pleeease, Vin," True begged, using her baby blues to good effect. "I promise I'll be good."
M7***M7***M7***M7***M7
"But, Rhi, I just gotta try it!" True wheedled her eyes looking longingly at the ladder leading to the top of the train. The two had stepped out for some air, after Rhianna had convinced Lauren and Mary that True would be so much more tolerable if she stretched her legs. Chris had accepted the invitation of a Texas Ranger to walk toward the front of the train with him to discuss something so he wasn't there to veto the suggestion. The elder girl had also given her word that she wouldn't allow her mischievous cousin to find any trouble. "I ain't gonna get hurt."
"Not until Chris catches you up there," Rhianna snapped. Since they boarded the train yesterday morning, True had been vibrating with excitement and unable to be still. Though most children in Four Corners would have been awed just by the chance to ride on a train, the confined space of the passenger car had been taxing on True. Rhianna had to admit that the first incident was not True's fault.
Her cousin hadn't meant to jostle that man, and in Rhianna's opinion the stuffed shirt was a boor for smoking on a train car full of women and children anyways. It was entirely his fault that the cigar when flying into that portly woman's cleavage. And to True's credit, she was just trying to help when she tossed the water from the canteen onto the woman's front to put out the cigar. Just as she was trying to lend a hand when she grabbed the blanket from the young mother seated beside the heavyset matron so that she could dry off. True had no idea that that the pretty brunette was nursing her infant and certainly did not mean to expose the young lady to the gentlemen passengers…who were not really gentleman at all in her opinion considering they gaped rudely rather than turning their heads. Rhianna had been relieved when the conductor had reseated them in a different car. Though, the fiasco was completely unintentional, it definitely set everyone on edge right from the beginning.
"I thought you were anxious to have a bit of time WITHOUT so must supervision and censure. I assure you, testing Chris's resolve will not bode well for you. He is hesitant about allowing you to go with Lauren as it is and yesterday did nothing to help your case."
"Aw hell! I jest had ta see where all the controls were and 'sides it weren't jest me!"
"And somehow you think convincing Billy to come with you makes the entire debacle better. You are just lucky that the engineer is such a kindhearted fellow."
"Didn't stop Chris from settin' my tail on fire, though, and right in front of the other passengers."
"You are lucky we were not thrown off the train. And Billy got the same as you."
True just scowled and looked almost angrily at the ladder. "Yer no fun any more," she whined.
Rhianna sighed. "I am just trying to help. I thought you wanted to go out to the ranch with Lauren."
"I do," True replied with a pout. "But this chance is just too good to pass up."
"If you really cannot live without the exhilaration of riding atop a train, might I make a suggestion?"
True cocked her eyebrow in query.
"We do have to ride the train back to Four Corners. Though you would be in no less trouble, should you get caught – which you will – at least you would not risk losing your opportunity for a relatively unsupervised holiday. I know how you are looking forward to not having Vin, Chris, or any of the others to answer to."
True gave that some thought. Rhianna was right. She could wait for the train ride home, and to be honest she wasn't too keen on another encounter with Chris just yet. The gunman seemed to have spanking down to a science because even just using his hand he had really made a lasting impression. Of course having to wear this damn dress didn't help one bit, as Chris had easily been able to flip it up out of the way. Turned out cotton bloomers didn't offer near the protection of thick denim over longjohns.
"Ah, damn, I guess I kin wait," True finally conceded.
Rhianna smiled. "Good, now lets talk about your strategy when you get to the ranch."
"Whadya mean strategy?"
"True, you and I both know you are going to find some trouble once you arrive, so the challenge will be to mitigate any potential fall out. Manipulation is the key, my dear cousin."
"Yeah, yeah," True snorted. "Know all about thet."
Manipulation is an art, True, one requiring a degree of subtlety and although you have a fairly good handle on the basics you should hone your skills. This little visit is the perfect opportunity. The first step is to make a first good impression, put them off their guard and let them think you are a cute harmless little girl. That way when you do find trouble they will side with you and think Lauren is being overly harsh if she tries to discipline you," Rhianna lectured.
"Hells bells and monkey balls! I been handling all seven of the guys, Nettie, Mary, and Lauren since well before ya even got here."
"Handling them?" Rhianna scoffed. "What is the longest time you have gone with your backside getting no unwanted attention?" the older girl demanded. "That is not handling."
"Piss off, miss goody two shoes!" True spat back. "I like to actually have some fun once in a while!"
"As do I and you know that, True. All that I am saying is that with a little subterfuge and care, you can avoid unpleasant consequences for far longer and retain freedom and privileges that allow you to have more fun. Remember when Kieran took you to visit the Mac Dhubhshith Clan?"
"Yeah," True muttered, scuffing her shiny black boots together. They were her dress boots and showed very little wear. Apparently travel was meant to be as uncomfortable as possible because as well as insisting on the horrid dress, the adults had made her wear the tortuous boots with all of those hooks and laces. "But I was six."
"Yes, and at the tender age of six you nearly put us at war with one of our closest allies. Not to mention you did not get to go see the Peorda Caverns or Mount Binderhuft, which you had desperately wanted to do. Instead you ended up sitting in your quarters the entire visit nursing a sore backside."
"Ya jest had ta bring that up didn't ya?"
"I am just trying to make a point. Look at it like an undercover mission. Use polite words and watch your p's and q's, particularly in the beginning. Flash those baby blues and let them see the adorable girl that you are. Most importantly keep a handle on your temper. That will definitely give you an edge when you decide it is time to have some fun. We both know Lauren is fairly easy to get around, and she will be wanting for you to have a good time. You can certainly use that. As for anyone else, well you are a guest in their home. They will be reluctant to offer any chastisement, particularly if you have them convinced you are really just a sweet and innocent little girl who has just happened to stumble into a spot of mischief."
"Always wanted ta try my hand at bein' a spy," True said, mulling over her cousin's words. All that watching your mouth and pretending sounded like a lot of work, but True had to admit that having some fun without ending up with a sore ass sounded kind of tempting.
"Trust me, manipulation and artifice are well worth the effort to master. You end up being able to do nearly anything you like with minimal consequence."
"That so?" an angry voice growled from behind Rhianna. For some reason, Chris always seemed to be able to sneak up on her despite her abilities.
She spun around with a contrite smile on her face. "Not with you of course, Uncle Chris. You are always most adept at seeing through any ploy."
"Uh, huh. Both of you are going to behave with no trying to hoodwink anyone or I guarantee my belt will leave an impression on your hindquarters that will have you standing the entire ride home."
"Yes, sir," both girls were quick to answer.
M7***M7***M7***M7***M7
Mary took a sip of her tea and looked at her young friend. "You are sure about this Lauren? True can be very difficult. We could just take her with us to San Francisco."
Having arrived in Spanish Wells just an hour earlier, the two women sat in the small restaurant while Chris took the kids to walk off some energy. They would spend the night at the hotel then Chris would escort Lauren and True out to Lancer early tomorrow morning. He was going to have to ride hard to make it back for the noon train to San Francisco, but he was confidant that he could. If something unforeseen happened there was another train leaving for the city in two days. The News Editor's Assembly didn't begin for another four days so they had plenty of time.
"Of course I am, Mary," Lauren replied with more confidence than she felt. Any other child would not have given her pause, but True was beyond unique. Still Lauren had set her course and would stick to it. "This will be good for both of us."
"Okay, if you are sure," Mary replied with a smile. The newspaperwoman felt guilty at the relief that flooded through her. She loved True, honestly she did, but she wanted this vacation to be Chris, herself, and the other two children. Beyond that she wanted no big trouble. Now she knew good and well that Rhianna could find her share of trouble, but the older girl was more circumspect. Mary blushed, embarrassed by her own thoughts. What a terrible thing for a mother to be thinking!
"What is it?" Lauren asked, seeing Mary's face redden.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."
"Looking forward to a little time alone with Chris?" Lauren queried with a smirk, thinking she had determined the reason for Mary's flushed cheeks.
"We'll have the children with us," Mary replied with an eyeroll. "I will stay in a room with Rhianna and Chris with Billy," she added almost primly.
"But Rhianna's old enough to stay in the room with Billy while the two of you have an evening or more out. Your engagement has been a long one, Mary," the younger woman pointed out. "When are you going to marry that man?"
"When the time is right, Lauren. When the time is right."
M7***M7***M7***M7***M7
"True, I'll hold your hand if you don't slow down and stay close," Chris threatened as they made their way down the boardwalk. He knew how difficult it had been for the active girl to be confined on the train all day but he wasn't going to have her running down the streets of this unknown town like a heathen.
Looking aghast, True slowed her step. The last thing she wanted was to be treated like a five-year-old, even if it was a town full of strangers. "Aw, Chris, I'm just explorin'," she whined.
"Little girl's whining, probably mean's she needs to go to bed early," was the gunman's terse reply.
"Look there," Rhianna said diverting both party's attention. "There is a ball field and garden next to the school house. Even a swing tied to that big oak tree."
"Can we go play, Chris?" Billy asked, his voice full of excitement. The youngest of the group was nearly as anxious as True to expel some energy.
Chris was relieved to find what he'd been searching for. He had thought there might be an open space at the edge of town, but this was better yet. "Try not to get too dirty or Mary will have my hide."
Even Rhianna's step quickened as they made their way to the schoolyard. It felt good to stretch her legs. Chris didn't even comment when True broke out in a full out run, circling around to thump her cousin firmly on the back and declare loudly,"Yer it!"
The three children played tag for time and then took turns on the swing. A few kids from town showed up and invited them to play a game of ball. Chris let them play for more than an hour before calling them away. They needed to have supper and he would lay odds on the women wanting the children to bathe.
