*****Part 7

Tommy collided with the fancy dressed gambler, almost knocking him over. Ezra grabbed the door frame to steady himself wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder.

"Sorry, Mr. Standish, I have to go and get some milk," Tommy hurriedly explained. Ezra rubbed the young boy's head as he raced past.

"Why Mr. Standish, you're up early?" Anna said noticing that he had managed to put on the clean shirt she left for him. He was also clean shaven, which made his dimples more prominent. His shoulder still throbbed slightly but he felt it was good enough to ride. He didn't want to impose on these people any longer and had planned on leaving after breakfast. He was still a little weak, but thought he could make it to the next town.

"Well Madam, the aroma of that delicious breakfast was more than I could resist."

Hiram entered the kitchen with an armload of firewood, placing it next to the large stove.

"The team's all hitched up and ready to go whenever you want Ezra."

"Not til you both have had a decent breakfast," Anna informed shoving the wood into the stove.

"Well, I certainly can't pass up on your wife's good …" Ezra began.

"Ma, Pa!" Tommy's frantic cry got everyone's attention and they raced to the front door. Hiram flung open the door and stepped out onto the porch followed by Anna and Ezra. What they saw turned their blood to ice. Anna was about to race forward until Hiram grabbed her around the waist. Her eyes were wild with terror as she stared at her young son in the grip of a large and menacing looking man.

The large man had a thick, massive arm around Tommy's neck and his gun pointed at his head. The boy was scared and looked longingly toward his parents. Ezra's heart had jumped into his throat at the sight. He pushed past Hiram and Anna.

"Let the boy go, Major!" Ezra sneered trying to control his temper. After everything he'd been put through, this man had the audacity to threaten a family that helped him. Ezra wanted to put a bullet through the Major's sadistic heart.

"No problem, I just want you, Standish," Major Quist calmly stated, tightening his grip on the boy.

Ezra stepped off the porch offering himself to the deranged man.

Looking into the Major's dark eyes, Anna suddenly feared for Ezra's life and grabbed his arm. He turned and smiled at her, seeing the concern in her soft oval face. Ezra gently removed her hand from his arm, placing it in Hiram's grasp.

"Drop your weapons on the ground."

Ezra dutifully removed his derringer and colt he would not risk this family's lives.

"You," the Major motioned toward Hiram. "See that rope there?"

Hiram glanced at the coil of rope lying on the ground between them. "Get it and tie one end around Standish's hands and make it tight." Quist added more pressure to the boy's neck and Tommy gasped. It took everything Ezra had not to charge the man.

Hiram slowly walked over and picked up the rope, keeping his eyes on his son. He returned to Ezra and looked at him regretfully. Ezra clenched his jaw and nodded. Hiram wound the end of the rope around Ezra's wrists knowing he was causing pain in the gambler's shoulder. When he finished, he turned back to the Major.

"Good, now bring the end of the rope here and drop it on the ground," the Major instructed. Hiram brought the rope over leading Ezra behind him. He dropped it on the ground several feet from the Major and moved back to his wife.

The Major turned his gun on Ezra and shoved the boy toward his parents. Tommy ran past Ezra and into the open arms of his mother. Ezra smiled at the scene, which made it all worth it. Quist picked up the rope and pulled Ezra toward him. He didn't know why the gambler was smiling but soon he would wipe that smile off his pretty face. The Major mounted his horse and wrapped the rope end around his saddle horn then looked toward the Stopka's who gazed fearfully at Ezra.

"Now, if you people are smart you'll forget all about me and Mr. Standish and what just took place. Have a good day." He tipped his hat and nudged his horse into a walk forcing Ezra to follow.

"C'mon maybe we can get to town in time and get the sheriff," Hiram stated running toward the wagon.

For awhile Ezra listened to the Major's ranting. The Major kept speaking in the past, then he'd jump to the present, and Ezra gave up trying to follow the one-sided conversation. His shoulder throbbed miserably and the Major would jerk the rope occasionally, sending up a flare of pain that would cause him to inhale audibly. Blood began to run down his shoulder and he wondered off much longer he'd last. He had no idea what the Major had in store for him, but he was glad they were away from the Stopka's. The sun was almost at its zenith and Ezra was grateful that the day had decided to remain cool. He could just make out the tree dotted foothills ahead and figured that Quist was taking him some place where he could kill him and hide his body. Ezra was surprised that this didn't seem to bother him much, although he regretted that the others would never know what happened to him. They probably figured he returned to his mother or headed back to St. Louis. It was all for the best.

TBC