A/N: A big thank you to the my avid reviewers who have continued to follow me even on to the next story in the Hands of Fate series. Your wonderful reviews keep me going. I also thank all who have added my stories to their favorite and alert lists. I personally recommend to each and every one of you to check out everybody else's profiles. Sometimes you find an interesting new story or learn a little more about the person who read your story. Opening new avenues is a great way to broaden your horizon.
I will be updating my profile, but I'm not quite sure what I will be adding or changing.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.
Warning: Revert back to Chapter 1 for any previous warnings. TTFN.
Chapter 2
"I would wholeheartedly concur with Mr. Tanner and his indelible wisdom."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one in trouble. I know I made a mistake, but…"
"But we went about it the wrong way." Chris stepped fully into view. "Vin. Ezra. Mind if I talk to my son."
The two men touched their hat brims as they exited the livery stable. Chris climbed the ladder and sat next to his son. "It looks like I owe you an explanation. Do you remember what I told you about Sarah and Adam?"
"Yeah, but you didn't say who or how."
"It's hard for me to talk about it. Buck and I had been away selling a few of my horses when my wife and son were murdered. I found the man that did the deed, but not who had hired him. Turned out it was someone I knew long before I met my wife."
The incredulous tone came across loud and clear. "A woman hired someone to kill them! You knew this person!"
"It was worse than that, but I'm not going into details." The thought sickened him. "It's because of her that I'm worried about your safety."
"Why? What can she do to me?"
Flashback
"Chris! This just came in."
"Thanks Mary." He took the envelope and walked toward the jail. He sat down in one of the chairs outside of the jail and felt a sense of déjà vu. The envelope seemed to weigh heavily in his hand. Finally after some thought he opened it and a paralyzing fear struck his heart as he read the letter.
No. Not now.
An angry booming voice hollered his name breaking apart the images of his living nightmare. "Chris!"
He raised his head and saw Buck purposefully striding toward him. "Thought you were on patrol."
"Just finished."
"What's got you all agitated?"
"I know he's your son, but first hear me out."
"What happened Buck?"
Something wasn't quite right yet Buck plowed on ahead. "Chris, he went gallivanting off without so much as a word to me."
The other man went three shades pale. "Where is he? We need to find him!"
"Whoa! Settle down there pard. He's here in town. I've already set him down the right path. The question now is what the hell happened here? What's that?" Buck pointed to the paper Chris had crumpled in his worried state of mind.
Chris passed it on over to Buck who began to read it. A few seconds later he let loose a stream of expletives. "When did you get this?"
"Today. Are you sure Jesse's alright? Where is he now?"
"Easy stud." Buck glanced toward the livery. Inwardly he sighed as he saw Jesse headed their way. "Here he comes now. Probably groused a bit to his best buddy."
Relief passed through the man in black only to be replaced by a burning anger. How could he be so careless?
The boy was met halfway by Chris who bore a look of doom. "I guess Buck told you what happened out on the trail."
"What the hell were you thinking taking off like that?"
"I…"
"Didn't I tell you to listen?"
Jesse was almost positive his pa's tirade was due to something else besides his disobedience. He hadn't seen him like this since the first time they had met. "Yes sir."
"Then why the hell didn't you?"
He had no idea what to say. Prior experience taught him not to back talk when Chris got his dander up. It usually ended badly for him.
"I'm waiting for an answer!"
"I don't know." He mumbled to the dusty ground.
"Well I know one thing. It will be awhile before you go on any more patrols. Get to your room."
He raised his eyes to meet his pa's and saw not only the anger, but a good deal of worry. He nodded and left in the direction of the boardinghouse, but instead he went to a place where he thought he wouldn't be found.
End Flashback
"She's obsessed with me. She wants me all to herself. If I get close to anyone she's threatened to kill them." A distant voice echoed within his head. "I'll kill anyone who comes between us."
"You think she would try to kill me?" He paused. "Is that why you've never asked Mrs. Travis?" Chris nodded. "Why are you letting her control your life?"
"She destroyed my life once. I won't let her do it again." His hazel green eyes met Jesse's.
"I'm sorry for not listening to Buck and I will apologize to him later." A new thought hit Jesse and he knew he needed an answer. "Are you leaving me behind?"
"I don't intend to. You're one of us." Chris hesitated and then said. "Now it's my turn to apologize. Vin and Ezra stuck up for you and I admit it was wrong of me to yell when you had no idea what had come about earlier. If you haven't figured it out I have a tendency to bark first, especially where you are concerned. It's part of my protective nature."
Jesse accepted his pa's apology. He, too, was concerned, but he was more concerned about a few other innocent people. "What about Mrs. Travis and Billy? Do you think they'll be in any danger? Especially after what happened the last time."
"If I know Mary she will not shy away from danger. I might convince her to send Billy back to his grandfather for a timely visit, but that's about all I can do. She's about as stubborn as you are when it comes to self-preservation."
"Independent people have a tendency to do that." The teenager cheekily replied.
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Oh really. Is that your excuse?"
"Uh, well…" Jesse gulped nervously. "Am I still in trouble?" He had nowhere to move since his back was against the wall of the stable.
Chris' expression changed. "No." Jesse sighed in relief. "However if you pull something like that again you will be."
"I understand. Hey, do you think Vin would let me try that fancy rifle of his?"
His pa knew which rifle his son was talking about. The one that Lucius Stutz had previously owned. "We'll have to ask him. Are you looking to challenge Vin?"
"I wouldn't mind seeing how good I am against him. As long as I had your permission of course."
Reaching over to ruffle the boy's hair, Chris said, "Well let's go and ask him. You do understand why you have to be cautious, right?"
"Sure pa. Hey, does this mean I can go on patrols again?" His son sounded hopeful.
"Why don't we skip tonight and see how things are in the morning."
"Fair enough."
As they came out of the stable Chris heard, "About time, thought you decided to bed down with them horses."
"Thanks. Vin, Jesse wants to know if you wouldn't mind practicing some with your fancy rifle soon."
"Whenever yer up to it kid, we'll do it. I'd say bring yer pa with ya, too." Vin winked.
A few days later, one could find Chris, Vin and Jesse out by Chris' cabin setting up a shooting range of sorts. Josiah and Ezra happened along and suggested an even more challenging idea. About a half hour later there were empty bottles hanging from a tree limb. The slight breeze of the day had the bottles swaying to and fro; perfect for the shooters.
They each took aim at one bottle, one at a time. Vin let Jesse use the assassin's rifle a few times to get a feel for the fancy weapon. Even Chris joined the fun. He wanted to see how fast the kid was and how true his aim turned out to be. He wasn't disappointed. Although an old fear tickled Chris' senses, he refused to willingly ruin their day. There would be more time for that later, while his son slept the night away.
Later that night, Chris and Vin sat inside the Sheriff's office discussing Jesse's abilities. "He's a damn good shot, Chris. Not quite as good as me or you, but damn close. I think he even bests J.D."
"It's a little too scary how good that kid is."
"I can see ya got a lot on yer mind tonight. Thinkin' about that letter you received."
"That and some other things."
"At least you and the kid came to an understanding. He's probably not happy knowing he needs to be in sight of at least one of us, but you loosening the reins is better than nothing." The tracker laughed.
Later on that same evening Chris returned to his room at the boarding house. He asked Josiah, "Did he give ya any trouble?"
"That's a right smart boy you have there. Don't trade him for anything."
"Never planned on it."
"Give any thought on what you're going to do."
"Been thinkin' so much my head hurts. Jesse's right, I can't allow someone to rule my fear. If she thinks she can win I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"At least you're headed down the right track. Forgiveness is a start. That boy needs room to grow."
"It's gonna take some gettin' use to."
"It always does and you got a few extra hands to help you along the way."
"Appreciate that Josiah." They parted company for the night. Chris got ready for bed and he couldn't help but check on his boy as he slept. There were many times he wished he could have been there when that boy needed someone to lean on. At least he's here now. That was what mattered most.
The stage pulled in the following afternoon. Judge Travis was among its passengers as well as an older gentlemen and a young woman who Buck immediately took a fancy to; nothing odd about that.
She had a slim build, fair skin, long sandy colored hair pulled back into a clip, and eyes the color of the sky. Her luggage consisted of a carpet bag, a suitcase, and one small trunk. As she stepped down from the coach a gentleman's hand engaged hers and helped her keep her balance.
"Why thank you kind sir."
"The pleasure is all mine."
"Where may I find the Hotel?"
"If you'll allow me, I will personally escort you to your destination." He glanced about and soon found whom he needed. "J.D.! Come and help this fine lady with her luggage.
"Aw Buck!" A disgruntled J.D. voiced his displeasure.
Josiah plainly stated. "Looks like Buck found another object of affection."
"Sure looks that way." Chris agreed.
The teenager next to the man in the black duster looked on, content to only watch.
"She sure is something to look at." Vin admitted.
"I think I'll offer my services as well. Can't let Mr. Wilmington have all the fun?"
They watched as the gambler strolled to catch up to Buck, J.D., and the mysterious woman.
"Did I hear right? Ezra offered to help." A perplexed Nathan had come by and was now scratching his head.
"I doubt that he'll catch up anytime soon." True to Vin's word, they watched and waited as J.D. struggled with the lady's luggage while Buck escorted her. Ezra finally caught up with them as they reached the Hotel's door. "See, he won't do menial labor."
Josiah added, " Not unless it's Maude."
"Yep, that's Ez." Vin slowly shook his head.
The woman thanked her two would be admirers. "Gentlemen, I've had a long journey would you please excuse me."
"Certainly, Miss…" Ezra fished for a name to go with that beautiful face.
"Whitfield. Daphne Whitfield."
"Ezra Standish. It's been a delight and a pleasure to meet such a fine woman as yourself, Miss Whitfield." The gambler bowed slightly to the lady.
Buck rolled his eyes. He didn't want any competition, but if Ezra insisted he would give the conman a run for his money. Before Ezra could take another breath, Buck quickly asked his question. "Would you care to join me for dinner, Miss Whitfield?"
Both men were rightfully handsome devils. She normally never mixed business with pleasure, but perhaps she would bend the rule this time. "I would be delighted, Mr…" She did not know his surname. The younger man had called him Buck.
"Wilmington. Most folks call me Buck."
"Fair enough, Buck. I would be happy to join you for dinner."
"I will meet you back here in about three hours."
"I will be waiting." She smiled and batted her long eyelashes at him. She nodded to the Ezra as she made her way to the desk.
