Family Ties

Part 1:

The stage coach rocked on the dusty road, jarring the two passengers aboard. The regal lady fanned herself with hopes of blocking the dust from reaching her immaculate makeup and hair. She sighed as she looked at her young son pouting across from her. "Now Ezra darling, don't be so melodramatic. I have the perfect person for you to stay with while I work on our finances. I promise baby boy this will be the last time. After I become the next Shillings we will want for nothing." Edward Shillings was a wealthy cattle baron she had met in Ridge City and he was charmed by the southern lady. They had plans to head back to his ranch in preparation for the upcoming nuptials, but first she needed to drop her son off in another home as has no idea she has a son. She was traveling to Four Corners now to meet with a man she hadn't seen in nine years. She wasn't sure how it would go but had no doubts he would take responsibility of Ezra for a short time, after all he was family and as honorable as his father. "You'll like it there Ezra, they have a boy just a little older than you are. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself."

"Yes mother" Ezra swallowed the sigh that was ready to come out. This wasn't the first marriage his mother had and he had no disillusions that it would be the last. He wondered how he would fare in this home. He didn't expect any different treatment than he had previously in other places his mother had dumped him in. He only hoped that he wouldn't receive any physical discipline this time. He sighed and dutifully added the customary responses as his mother went on about the family he was to stay with and how it was only for a couple of weeks. He would miss the wedding, but that wasn't any different than the last three he knew about previously. When his mother drifted off to silence he looked out the coach's window to the town that was just coming into view. It didn't look very big, he wondered looking at the town what the place he would be staying at looked like. As they pulled through town and stopped outside the stage stop he took a deep breath in as he followed his mother out of the stage. Courage Ezra, courage.

"Now that brother's is a vision of beauty." The words from the large man had his fellow peacekeepers turning to stare at the lovely woman that had just exited the stage coach.

"Wouldn't get my hopes up pard, she got a lil'un with her. Likely got herself a rich husband to go with it." The lanky Texan leaned back in his seat shaking his head as he watched Josiah smile a big grin and head over to the lady and her son.

Ezra snorted quietly to himself as he watched the large man with the silly grin on his face make his way over to the stage. Good Lord another sucker lined up already. He was amazed how often men tried to win favors with his mother. He listened quietly as introductions were made and added a "How do you do sir" when he was introduced. He followed behind as escorted his mother to the hotel. Now that he was sitting alone in the hotel room he wondered about the family he would be with. His mother was leaving on the stage tomorrow back to Ridge City. He had only arrived in Ridge City a day before they headed off to Four Corners. He was supposed to be meeting up with his mother and they would spend some time together but instead he found himself being sent off to another home. He rubbed his sore shoulder before he carefully leaned back onto the bed. He had tried to broach the subject of his latest abuse but his mother always changed the subject before he could get started. He could only hope he had enough time to heal up before this home started to beat him as well. He was exhausted; the rough ride on the stage did little for his healing body. He decided he had enough time for a short nap before his mother would return and they made their way out to the homestead.

Maude made her way to the sheriff's office; she figured that was the best place to start for directions. As she walked in she was taken aback by the young man sitting behind the desk. Either they are getting younger or I'm getting older. "Good afternoon young man I'm trying to find Mr.C hris Larabee's home. Would you be so kind as to provide directions please?"

JD jumped quickly to his feet with the entrance of the beautiful lady. "Yes ma'am, but he don't stay there. He'll be at the saloon though."

"Thank you young man" Maude headed out the door and made her way to the saloon. As she entered the smoky room she took a quick look around. Spotting the man she was searching for at a table in the corner she made her way over. " how good to see you again."

The last person Chris expected to see was the beautiful lady that almost became his step mother. "Maude, been awhile, thought you headed back to the South?" He had to admit she was just as lovely now as she was back then, hasn't seemed to age at all.

"Yes it's been near on nine years, I heard you and your family lived out here and decided it was a good time to visit." She was an expert on reading people and the hard look and despair she read in his eyes showed the wealth of emotions he was going through.

"My family was murdered five years ago." His voice was rough hardened with emotion.

"Oh dear I am so sorry to hear that Chris. You have my deepest condolences. Sarah was a lovely young lady and your boy such a delightful child."

"So why after all this time is now such a good time to visit Maude?" He knew there had to be a reason for her visit; Maude wasn't the type to do anything without a reason.

"I'm getting married. I wanted Ezra to get to know his family" Bluntness was always the best way to deal with Chris.

That quickly got his attention. Who the hell was Ezra? "Who's Ezra?" He looked at her sharply.

"He's your little brother Chris."