Each chapter, if my plan goes to well... plan... will feature some sort of a reference to an episode so this one we can assume is shortly before "Working Girls"
As mentioned in my previous notes - I deleted the previous "Larabee Girl" to try and gain more historical accuracy and to not rush the writing of it. The only chapters that will remain are the original are this and the first chapter. I can then begin more from scratch.
The Magnificent Seven belong to themselves. Thank you.
Two
"Miss Mary, shall I help?"
Mary smiled seeing the little girl standing behind her, tugging on her shirt nervously as she watched Mary put some plates out onto the table. The afternoon had been spent helping the child to unpack, listening to her chatter and question. By the time she'd settled down for a little nap, Mary had long realised that the child's interrogation had told her everything she wanted to know about Mary and she in return had learned very little.
"Tell you what you can do, you can check if any of your father's friends are on their way over."
"Yes Miss Mary."
Evelyn ran to the front of the offices and peeked through the windows, watching the street pass by. She could make out the shadowy figures in the street. She was tired from her travel in the stagecoach but was interested in the town, so far it had proved sleepy at the best of times. No gunfights, much to her own disappointment, she'd been promised that from the penny dreadful. She sighed and looked out the window, admiring the scenes and smiling as she saw a familiar pair of dark shapes standing outside of the livery.
"Paw's coming with Uncle Buck, Miss Mary!" she called, running into the kitchen and skidding to a halt. "Looks like they're going to wait for them to come over?"
"I doubt it somehow."
True enough, Chris walked through not five minutes later with Buck, both taking their hats off and checking on the kitchen
"It smells mighty nice in here," said Buck, walking into the kitchen. "I'd like that recipe."
"You'd only burn it," Chris said, heaving up Evelyn and tossing her over his shoulder. She laughed as he span her then placed her tenderly back down. "Settled in alright, Evie?"
"Sure Pa," Evelyn giggled. "Where is everyone? I thought you said you had more things than just Buck?!"
"Hey, your old man is a popular guy," Chris said, mockingly offended, Buck letting out a guffaw. "This aien't happening, you aien't siding with her!"
"I think Chris you're on a loser here," Mary teased in return. "Will they be over soon, hate to think of this pie wasting?"
"Shouldn't be too much longer," Buck reassured her. "They were just putting their best duds on to meet the newest addition to our little group. Need any help?"
"If you could please help lay the table? The tablecloth is in the trunk just in the offices," Mary asked. "Evelyn, help collect the plates for me?"
"Yes Miss Mary." Evelyn said, as Chris and Buck went off.
"Evelyn," Mary called, the little girl turning to her. "Just call me Mary, please?"
"Yes Miss… I mean Mary."
"What do you think she looks like?"
JD had been the most outwardly excitable to meet the last member of Chris's family, and although the others had equally anxious.
"Well according to Mrs Potter," Nathan said, hands in pockets. "She has Chris's eyes but dark hair."
"Chris's scowl too," interjected Josiah. "I saw her sitting with a dictionary earlier, couldn't have been able to understand something in Mary's paper."
Ezra chuckled as did Vin at that. "Hopefully she has a better temperament."
Vin tapped the door. "And hopefully she'll like us or he'll certainly not."
"Come in," Mary called from the back somewhere. "Doors open, Chris and Buck have just opened it."
Chris was sitting in his chair, holding Evelyn by the hip and offering one of those small indifferent smiles. Buck was sitting opposite, hat off his head and resting against his back. He was leaning forward in his seat, enjoying the discomfort of the other five men.
The five other men were standing looking awkwardly at Evelyn, who was chewing on her lip as she gazed at them. Each man was cleanly shaved and looked to be dressed in their duds, even Ezra who was always dapperly dressed was in his best.
"What's wrong?" she whispered to Chris, who chuckled at her own nerves with the men. "They look scared."
"They're trying to make a good impression on you," he whispered back, winking at her. She nodded and sat on Chris's lap. He huffed theatrically and made the slightest motions of his head for one of them to step forward. Josiah stepped forward. "This is Josiah?"
"It's a pleasure, Miss Larabee," he greeted.
She giggled, and shook the big man's hand with near-impossible gentleness. "It's a pleasure, just call me Evelyn or Eve, everyone does. Except Pa, he calls me Evie."
"As in the garden of Eden?" teased Josiah, Chris sharing a small smile with him.
"Nope, after my grandmother on my mother's side," she giggled.
"Fine name nonetheless," Nathan interjected. He knelt to Evelyn's level to make eye-contact. He'd done this many times with the Potter children and found that it helped them trust him. "My names Nathan, I work as a healer just above the saloon."
"It's nice to meet you, Nathan," she whispered, as he patted her cheek. She was about to comment again when a bunch of wildflowers were stuck in her face. "Uh – hi?"
The enthusiastic smile of the youngest of all the men greeted her. "Hi, I'm John Dunne, but everyone calls me JD. I brought you these flowers, because I hear that's what pretty girls like you like?" Chris hid a small smirk behind a cough. "It's sure nice to meet you, your Pa hasn't told us much about you and it'll be-"
"JD!" Buck scolded.
JD quickly buttoned his lip. There was visible disappointment on the child's face and Chris Larabee was looking annoyed.
"What he means to say is that we've only been on many adventures, little lady, with roaring gunfights ghosts from the confederate army," Ezra broke in, smoothly using all his gamblers and conman charm. "That your father has had other things on his mind with such things. But as he faced down the mad General, himself and told Buck here to give you his pride and joy." Ezra leant around and whipped Chris's hat off the chair. "This hat. My name is Ezra Standish, ma dear girl and I hope we shall be fast friends."
"I hope I'm his pride and joy," joked the little girl, though looked relieved at Ezra as he put it on her head. It was much too big and slid down until its string caught by her throat. "I'm pleased to meet you all. And you sir?"
Vin chuckled at the little girls manners which were the complete opposite of the tomboyish dress she was wearing. "I'm Vin Tanner."
"And I'm famished," Buck interrupted, everyone sharing a small laugh.
"Just as well I made a spread for you?" Mary said, bringing through the food to the table. "Evelyn, the cushioned seat is yours."
Evelyn smiled and sat down on said, cushioned seat next to her father while Vin sat the other side, Buck opposite winking to his goddaughter who giggled at the mustached man's mischief.
"Vin would you like to say grace?" Mary asked, seeing Josiah looking anxiously at the hands of the others. She knew he had his conflicts about the almighty and he quietly took the hands, shooting a relived look.
Vin looked conflicted until he felt a gentle squeeze of Evelyn's in his hand. He looked up to see familiar green eyes gazing back at him, although this gaze was warmer than Chris's could ever be, he thought. "Alright, but it may be something off-kilter."
"Seems nobody here minds," Chris said, though his easy smile hid his anxious look. Each member of the table bowed their heads and waited.
"We give thanks for the plants and animals who have given themselves so that we can enjoy this meal together. We also give thanks for our friends and family who have travelled here today. May this meal bring us strength and health," Vin murmured, softly. "Amen."
There was a stunned silence from the other six of his crew as well as Mary though Evelyn was looking proudly at him. He coughed softly and looked up.
"Uh it was a kind of prayer I heard growing up on the reservation," he mumbled. "Seems as good as any…"
"Amen," finished Evelyn, smiling. "Shall we eat?"
The group fell into quiet conversation as they ate, Chris sharing equal portions out to everyone. Evelyn chattered to all, explaining the ride she'd had from the small hick-town that she'd been living in for the past three years. The group talked about things that had been happening around the town, as well as a possible journey to Wickestown which Chris had given the firmest 'no' before Evelyn had even had chance to ask if she could join them. Josiah was talking to JD and Nathan, about some rancher up North by the name of Royal meeting with James.
Chris quietly stood watching as Ezra sat with Vin at the end of the table, showing her card tricks, Evelyn clapping as she sat on Buck's knee. The big man just seemed content to hold the tiny figure in his arms. Every now and then he squeezed her middle, earning a gentle laugh.
"It's been too long since I heard that sound," Chris said, quietly.
"She didn't laugh whenever you'd see her," Mary asked, leaning on the doorway. "I'm just making some coffee? Want some all?" There was a crow of yes's though Mary laughed at the enthusiastic 'yes' from Evelyn. "Milk for you, Missy but I'll heat it."
"Thank you, Mary."
"Hey who gave you permission to be cheeky to Mary?" Chris asked. "It's Mrs Travis to you."
"Nu-uh Paw, Mary says I can call her Mary," smiled the little girl, laughing at another squeeze from Buck. "Uncle Bu-uck!"
"Need a hand?" Chris asked, following Mary into the kitchen.
"There's some cups in the top drawer, if you could get them please?" Mary nodded and Chris grabbed them. "You didn't answer my question?"
Chris put them to one side and smiled sadly. "Naw. The first year, she didn't speak. Just stared at the wall… I had to leave. Go looking for who'd done this to us. Left her with a friend of Sarah's…" he sighed. "When I got back she knew I'd be going again soon, stayed quiet but didn't leave my side. Cried when I left… the last time I left wasn't that long before I came to here."
"She can laugh now, Chris… for as long as you stay here, she can be with me." Mary took a deep breath. "She's an absolute credit to you and the people who've raised her Chris… a tomboy but in equal measure a lady."
Chris nodded. "I sure am glad of that Mary, I sure am."
Once the coffee was made, everyone sat around talking lightly until the darkness outside permitted the sides of their vision.
"Well Mrs Travis, that's got to be the nicest pie I've had this side of the Rio Grande," Josiah said, as the men helped her collect the plates. "Absolutely beautiful."
"Thank you, Chris how'd you like?" she turned around to see Chris was sitting next to the fireplace, quietly holding Evelyn in his arms. He raised his head, and smiled. "Just fine?"
"Just fine," he agreed, fiddling with Evelyn's long dark hair. The mite was near asleep. "Mary, I'm just gonna take her to bed."
"Go ahead, Chris."
Chris carried her gently upstairs, pushing the door open with the heel of his boot though crept with cat-like tread to the bedroom. "Now where has Miss Mary put your clothes?"
"She's a real nice lady, Pa," hummed the little girl, as Chris pulled out some nightdresses. "Blue one, please?"
"Sure thing, Evie," he said, helping her change and then helping to tuck her in. "Now, then story?"
"Ezra said, you met a ghost…"
"Ah, now that's a good one." Chris sat on the edge of the bed, stretching his own legs out and Evelyn hugging into his side. "So let's start at the beginning… I'd rode into town…"
The other men had long gone home when Mary headed upstairs to check if Evelyn had fallen asleep. She found Chris sitting up next to her, quietly watching her sleep though when he saw Mary he quietly got to his feet.
"I'm sorry Mary," he apologised, in a soft whisper with one last check of his daughters sleeping expression. "And thank you. It was a beautiful evening and a meal."
"That's fine, Chris." Mary smiled.
The two shared idle talk for a while before Chris retreated to his rooms for the evening. Mary herself headed to bed and blew out the candles before falling peacefully asleep. Evelyn however was not destined for such things.
"Wake up, Evelyn… wake up."
"Momma, what's going on?"
"Run Evelyn, go into the trees…"
"But Momma…"
"I'll be right behind you, I've got to get Adam… run my darling and don't look back. Run!"
"Jobs all done. A little trinket." A flash of gold. "All gone except the girl couldn't find her."
The tinkling false laugh of a woman.
Evelyn shot up, sweat drenching the bed. She looked around anxiously. It was the same four walls she'd gone to sleep in her father's arms with. She took a shuddering deep breath before rolling out of bed.
She frequently dreamed of the fire. She dreamed of snatched moments and the what if's. If she'd only grabbed Adam, her Paw wouldn't be suffering as he was now.
If only she'd been brave enough to lead them off. Normally Evelyn dealt with it without anyone's assistance. Her mother's friend, Sally, had been good to her although not a motherly sort. She endured her for the sake of the friendship with the child's mother. But tonight, Evelyn was alone in a foreign bed and with no Paw. At least when she'd moved into Sally's her Pa had spent the night.
Quietly slipping from the bedroom, she tapped the bedroom door of Mary. There was a soft cough and a "Yes". Evelyn poked her head into the room. "Oh Evelyn, darling? What's wrong?"
The candle was lit and Evelyn looked nervously at her. "I dreamed bad dreams… is it ok if I come in with you?"
Mary nodded. "Of course, little darling." Evelyn basically dived into the double bed which Mary laughed at softly. "Now, no stealing the bedclothes and go to sleep. What did you dream of, little one?"
"Night of the fire." She yawned.
Mary nodded and when the little girl had fallen asleep, calmly and maternally fluffed her hair. The mite was safe here. And God forbid anyone tried to take this sweet little Larabee from her, she swore. Or they'd meet the end of the gun she kept in her bedside cabinet.