The Devil's Destiny---14
A week later a wagon pulled into Four Corners as the sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the town and the eight people on the street in a fresh new light. Chris's recovery was well on the way now and the healer knew it was only a matter of time before the gunslinger would start to protest his restrictions. He knew he was lucky the man didn't argue about riding in the wagon. Nathan suspected part of it had to do with Mary Travis. The woman insisted she was tired and needed to sit in the wagon. The blankets and pillows made for a comfortable journey and to the healer's relief, Chris slept most of the time.
Chris woke just outside of town, his instincts kicking in and telling him he was home. He knew, now that Four Corners really was his home and he smiled at the woman seated next to him. He pulled himself up in the wagon so he was leaning against the sideboards.
"Good morning, Chris."
"Morning, Mary," he smiled and stifled a yawn.
"How do you feel?" the woman asked.
"Good," he breathed deeply, letting the sun bask his handsome features, "I'm home, Mary..."
Mary smiled at the sound of his voice. Each day he continued to regain his strength and she suspected it would go even faster now that they were back in Four Corners. She smiled at the look on his face as the wagon came to a halt in front of Nathan's clinic. She saw the determination and knew Chris Larabee was back. 'Poor, Nathan,' she thought as the healer dismounted and walked towards them.
"Okay, Chris, let's get you up to the clinic."
"Hell, Nathan, I don't need the clinic. I'll sleep better in my own bed."
"I knew it was too good to last. What happened to I'll do anything you say, Nathan?"
"I'll let Inez know we're back and see about getting some breakfast made," the blonde woman told them.
Larabee smiled as Mary Travis climbed out of the wagon, and then turned back to the healer. "Damn, Nathan, you know me..."
"I know you. I know Vin, I know..."
"What the hell did I do?" Tanner asked as he stepped up to the wagon.
"You say you'll do everything I tell you and the minute you're feeling a little better you forget those words," Jackson snapped.
"Well, Brother, you might as well grin and bare it. We're all the same. None of us like to be laid up. We like to move around, tend our own needs and make our own mistakes," Sanchez laughed as he swatted the healer on the back.
"Alright, Chris, you can go to your own room..."
"Thanks, Nathan," Larabee's cocky grin was back.
"Let me finish," Jackson ordered. "You can go to your room after I check you over. I want to make sure everything's okay and nothing's opened up."
"I guess that's okay," Larabee smiled as he slid to the edge of the wagon. He was still sore, but he was healing and he was bull-headed to do things on his own.
"Well, Gentlemen, even though this promises to be another glorious morning I need to partake of the soft mattress on my bed. Mr. Larabee, it's good to have you back," Standish turned and walked away.
"Well, Stud, me and JD best see what's been happening at the jail" Wilmington said as he touched Larabee's shoulder.
"I'll see you later, Chris," JD called as Buck pulled him towards the jail.
"I'm going to check on the church," Sanchez told them as he walked away.
"I'll help ya up ta Nathan's, Chris," Tanner said as he helped the gunslinger stand on shaky legs.
Jackson and Tanner flanked the gunslinger as he made his way up the stairs. Once he reached the landing he turned and looked out over the sleepy town. The sunlight slowly made its way down the street, driving back the shadows and showing the town in a new light. 'This really is my destiny,' he thought. He closed his eyes and realized how true those words were. His friends, the people and this town were part of him now and would forever be a part of his life. He sighed and followed Nathan Jackson into the clinic knowing he was home for good.
She looked at the small brown paper bound package. The only address on it said Four Corners. She didn't know anyone in Four Corners, yet the package was addressed to her. She tore at the paper until the contents sat before her. A small black, leather bound journal sat before it. It was old and the edges were beginning to fray. She opened it up and read the name inscribed on the first page. She looked towards the tiny room that held a small boy. The child belonged to the man who kept the journal. He'd sent it to her many times over the years, usually just after he found his next victim. She knew he'd be coming to collect it as soon as he was finished with the newest one. She opened the last page of writing to see who the new man would be. She knew he would have blond hair, green eyes and would be about six feet tall. She read the name and smiled. "Maybe Chris Larabee will be the one and you'll finally come home to me and Bobby for good," she said as she lay down on her bed and held the journal close to her chest. A soft sob slipped from her as she watched the sky outside the window darken. In her heart she knew Robert Maguire would not return from this trip. The father of her son would never see him grow up, but somehow she would teach him about destiny and how important it was to find yours and make it come true. She would read to him from the journal, just as she read from the tattered story book she owned. She stood up and walked into the room where her three year old slept; she stroked the bruise on his cheek and spoke softly. "You will succeed where your father failed," she vowed as she lay down beside him.
THE END!!!!!!