Amazing Grace: Chapter 3
Ezra/Most of cast
Ezra needs a plan
They aren't mine no matter how much I beg. Emily and Joshua Potter were named by another writer I think. (Let me know and I'll credit you.) I hear that Chaucer was named by Kristen. (His name is so perfect I couldn't come up with anything as worthy for such a noble steed.)
Chapter 3
Chris cursed through clenched teeth as he stormed away from the, meddling, do-gooder, burr-in-my-saddle, infuriating female.
"Damn!" Chris muttered, as he caught sight of the little weasel's obviously distraught frame making its way across the street and into Miss Virginia's.
Never could take a half second to see what was going to happen. Just flying off to do whatever comes into his crazy, Maude-infested mind. "Standish, wait the hell up." He flung open the conman's door only to be met with the business end of a Remington revolver. The tremulant hand that held the gun remained for several deadly seconds before the pistol dropped to his side in defeat. Chris looked at the cradleboard and satchel thrown on the bed and the baby clothes on the floor where Ezra had dropped them when he drew down on him. He grab the smaller man's shoulders and giving a single little shake said, " We ain't letting nothing happen to Grace."
"I can't lose her Chris. She's all I have."
"You got us, you fool and we ain't losing her, I promise you."
The startling green eyes searched the hazel ones for a moment before the stony mask, that Larabee really, really hated, slid into place. "Ezra, listen to me, dammit, you are going to look at the house like you planned on. I'll wire the judge and let him know we wanna talk to him first, before Mary, or any of the other biddies she's been riling up, get to him. I'll get Josiah or Nathan to go with you." Ezra gave him a pained look. "We're on your side, all of us. I know it's hard for you but you gotta trust us on this. Now go. I'll let Gloria know you'll be a little later than ya thought. She'll love it and so will Josh and Emily."
"You are correct, as always, Mr. Larabee. I don't know what has come over me. I do apologize. Just let me put my effects in order and I will be down momentarily."
Chris gave Ezra's shoulder another reassuring squeeze before he left to talk to Nathan and Josiah.
The resident conman fumed at himself as he returned his room to a semblance of order. He knew he had to pull himself together if he wanted to present a promising front to the judge. He knew he had no chance of conning the judge, who seemed to be able to read him like a book. Perhaps if not the judge than maybe the daughter-in-law. A devilish grin suddenly brightened Ezra's face as he returned his savings to its hiding place and swept out of his room. It was past time to take back the reins of his life that were torn away when Li Pong had come back to him and than again so brutally taken away.
His mind whirled with the beginnings of a plan that, if he pulled it off, would be the greatest caper of his life. He stopped in at the mercantile to check on his daughter and found her in the meaty paws of Josiah. Gloria Potter fondly gazed on the pair as Josiah cooed and babbled to the infant. Ezra's eyes fairly crackled with the spark of genius that was building within that carefully groomed mind. Oh, Maude would be so proud of her baby boy, if he dared to confide his rapidly developing scheme that is. " Oh, Mr. Standish your not taking her already are you?" Emily and Joshua wailed.
"No , no I was just assuring myself that it was conducive to your mother's plans should my return be delayed."
"Just go Ezra. I'll be close by if Gloria needs anything." Josiah spoke without taking his eyes from the precious bundle.
The budding mood of euphoria quickly dissipated as Ezra realized that Nathan would be his companion on this trip. "But Mr. Sanchez are you not accompanying me on my brief expedition."
"I have some repairs for Gloria I need to tend to and besides Nathan really wanted to go. Said he needed to talk to you about Raine."
'Aw hell, no doubt Mr. Jackson needs to point out more of my too numerous faults.' He would need to expand the parameters of his con to encompass more of the bleeding heart do-gooders who were making his life difficult. Ezra gently lifted his daughter from the preacher's hands and gazed endearingly down into her exotic little face. Her obviously Chinese features, in direct contrast to the emerald green eyes that stared intently into his own. 'I'm doing this for you my heart. I intend to be certain that your knights shall always be there if their damsel is ever in distress.' Forgetting the audience around him, as he always did around his daughter, he lovingly kissed her on her rosebud lips and reluctantly handed her to the eager Mrs. Potter.
"The sooner you go the sooner you return, Ezra." The conman resisted the urge to stick out his tongue at Josiah. He gave a small salute to all, squared his shoulders as if going to do battle and performed a smart about-face. He marched determinedly to the stables telling himself he would not allow the healer to bait him. Now was the time to begin laying the groundwork for his rapidly formulating plans.
Ezra stopped dead in his tracks when Nathan came out of the stables leading Horse and CHAUCER! Ezra gave his mount a withering look that promised of a later talk about this obvious betrayal. He decided to ignore the sick horse look he got in return. "Mr. Jackson, however did you manage to saddle my traitorous beast?"
"Let's just say that your spoiled horse and I have come to an understanding." Ezra quirked his eyebrow as Nathan added, "I got teeth too." Nathan mounted Horse and giving a little kick, added, "You coming."
The gambler patted his gelding as he smoothly swung into the saddle. "Well Chaucer, my friend, I will exonerate you this time. I believe you've endured enough."
Ezra tensed as he pulled alongside Nathan. He prepared himself for whatever criticisms that would be forthcoming. Therefore he was on alert when Nathan said, "Raine said she talked to you the other day. What were you doing taking Gracie Pong to the village? There ain't nothing wrong I was just curious," he hastily added when he saw Ezra's jaw clench.
"I desired to introduce my daughter." The healer gave him a dubious look causing the unfathomable conman to add, "I also wished to seek some counsel in regards to my current circumstances. Your paramour was so benevolent as to teach me an agreeable method in which to journey with my daughter."
"I ain't mad, Ezra, it just seemed like a lot of trouble to go through. Wasn't it uncomfortable carrying her tied around you like that?"
"My shoulders were aching when I arrived, which was why Miss Raine offered her help. I have been the recipient of much unsolicited advice by the ladies in our community. I was elated that she refrained from such and only helped where I requested. Grace was quite enamored of her and appeared very content in her carrier. Chaucer also was exceptionally pleased. He was very attentive and appeared inordinately proud of himself. Now if I could only solve the problem of care for my daughter when my duties require me to be away from her."
"Well I'm just glad that your ready to admit you need help. It's no crime, you know?"
"I'm well aware of the help I need, however I need someone who understands Grace is my daughter and as such needs to carry out her duties as I see best. Ah, here we are. It's a charming house don't you think, Mr. Jackson? Mr. Larabee assured me that the barn and other outbuildings were quite sound and that the acreage would be sufficient to provide for any livestock I might wish to raise. I have the key. Shall we go in?"
Nathan chuckled at Ezra's excited rambling. They walked through the furnished house and returned to the main room. "Oh, I think this would be most acceptable. Shall we inspect the bunkhouse. Mrs. Potter told me she thought it would make an excellent guesthouse or home for a housekeeper. I offered to pay Miss Raine to come prepare it."
"Raine would be very helpful to you, Ezra."
"What a splendid suggestion, Nathan. I believe I shall tender her the job. I think she will be a superb choice to care for my child and domicile. Thank you so much for your assistance."
Nathan just sputtered as he tried to recall just how he had recommend Raine.
Gotcha! Now to put the next part in play. Mary Travis...
