Ch.4

The four older Larabee brothers shifted into defensive stances around their 'area', moving subconsciously to keep Ezra, Vin, and JD hidden from the outlaws' view. They watched and waited in tense silence as the robbers worked the rest of the car, swiping money away from the other male passengers, and ripping cherished jewelry away from their weeping wives.

Chris's eyes were locked on the outlaws, his right hand hovered over the butt of his Colt, his finger ready to seize it if any of the bandits threatened one of his brothers.

Josiah prayed silently for the safety of his brothers and for the other passengers as well. At the same time he called down God's wrath on the train robbers for their cruel acts of violence.

Nathan felt his hands curl at his sides. He wasn't one to resort to anger or violence unless his sense of injustice was provoked or those he cared for were threatened. The train robbers had evoked both within him. He would not strike first and risk endangering one or more of his siblings, but was be ready to fight if the need arose.

Buck was coiled for action, ready to strike at a moment's notice. He hated bullies and the four men currently working their way toward their section of the car, were definitely bullies. Let just one of them threaten his brothers, and it would be the last thing they did.

Vin huddled close to Ezra, where his Southern brother sat on Nathan's pallet. His heart pounded and he trembled slightly as his anxiety ratcheted up, but he was ready to fight if his brothers needed him to.

Ezra swayed with weariness, but his hand was steady on the butt of his Colt where it lay hidden under the blanket which lay across his lap. He felt Vin's slender body tremble beside him and wished he could offer his younger brother words of comfort. Gratefully, JD had fallen back to sleep once he was finished with his bottle, and now lay in his basket, oblivious to the chaos going on around him.

"Fork over your money boys." A burly man with graying temples ordered, stepping up to Josiah.

He and Josiah eyed each other for a moment, before the eldest Larabee reached into the pocket of his denims and removed the few dollar bills he had in it. His eyes locked with the bandit's, Josiah tossed the money into the burlap sack held by the other man.

One by one, Nathan, Chris, and Buck handed over their money as well. The outlaw tried to brush past Chris to see what passengers remained in the car, but the blond moved instinctively to block his path. Though he could not see his younger siblings, he could sense the anxiety thrumming through Vin from the mental bond they shared.

"Chris!" Josiah hissed a warning, out of the corner of his mouth, as the rest of the outlaws closed in on their location.

Chris ignored his older brother and kept his attention focused on the outlaw standing before him. The man's brows furrowed, and the blond imagined he was scowling beneath the bandanna he wore around the lower half of his face.

"Move out of my way pup!" The man growled.

"No."

Chris held his ground. The tension ratcheted up a notch as Josiah, Nathan, and Buck shifted closer to Chris, ready to defend him and each other if the need arose.

"Step aside boy or we'll make you." One of the other outlaws snarled at him.

Before Chris could say or do anything else to provoke the outlaws, Josiah gave a slight nod, signaling Nathan and Buck into action. The two brawny brothers wrestled a scowling, cursing Chris out of the way, while Josiah addressed the train robbers.

"Forgive my impulsive brother. He seeks only to protect our younger siblings." Josiah shifted to his side, giving the outlaws room to look down the aisle toward the back of the car.

He met Ezra's ashen face and Vin's frightened one. Josiah felt anger flash through him at seeing the terrified looks on his younger brothers' faces. He worked to keep his anger under control as he waited to see what the outlaws would do.

Two of the men stalked past him, down the aisle, and he heard JD elicit a whimper as they rummaged through the brother's belongings, and jostled his basket.

Vin let out a startled cry as the toe of one of the men's boots made contact with his side.

"Shut up!" The man snapped at Vin, glowering at the seven-year-old as he leaned over them to go through Ezra's knapsack.

Vin shrank away from the man, evoking Ezra's anger. The older boy's gun cleared the blanket and was aimed at the train robber's face.

"Don't you talk to my brother like that...you uncouth miscreant!" Ezra's words were laced with all the contempt the weary ten-year-old could muster.

The man froze as he caught sight of the weapon aimed at him. The second train robber, who had entered the brothers' 'space' behind his friend, leveled his gun at Ezra and a gun shot rang out...