Magnificent Young Riders

Chapter 7: $25 Per Week

There were always favorites. The newcomers always got the shaft. There was always someone left on the outside. The two oldest boys had known each other for some time. It quickly became apparent that they favored the two youngest. Not to mention the wizened old crone mothering Vin and J.D. as well. That just left him and Nathan. He'd seen the history between Josiah and Nathan the second he arrived. The easy camaraderie was obvious even before he found out they knew each other. He'd mistakenly let his feelings of that favoritism show creating a wedge between him and the others from the get-go.

Thanks to Nathan his dizzy spells had disappeared. He'd just completed his first ride since the siege. He was feeling good with no vertigo in sight. He was just untacking his mount when he heard two loud voices arguing across the yard.

"Now J.D. you know Nathan said to take it easy on that leg," Buck fretted like a mother hen.

'I am," J.D. was slightly out of breath as he navigated across the yard on his crutches, "I just want to check on my horse."

Buck reassured as he held open the barn door, "Your horse is fine."

"Buck she saved my life the least I can do is make sure she's taken care of."

"I know that boy! Why do you think she's got extra oats and the prettiest coat in the whole barn?"

"Thanks, Buck! You're the best."

"I know that, now back to bed," Buck tried to steer the still recovering boy back to his bunk.

"Just a peak?"

"Fine but if Nathan catches us I'm leaving you to his wrath."

"Deal," They shook hands

Ezra smirked as he brushed down his mount after they'd both completed their long ride. It was good to be back. Alone at last Ezra emerged from his horse's stall and pulled out the flask he'd finally been able to refill after delivering his mailbag. He threw his brush to close the barn door Buck neglected to close on his way out. It fell closed with a satisfying thump.

"Nice shot Pard." Ezra jumped, spilling his drink, at the unexpected voice above him.

Straightening his damp shirt he pretended he knew Vin was in the hayloft the whole time. "Dreadful, I was aiming for his head." Based on Vin's smirk as he carefully descended the ladder told him it didn't work. The younger boy saw right through him.

"How's yer head?" Vin gave him an appraising look.

"Quite well. Mr. Jackson's new treatment seems to have alleviated all signs of vertigo."

Vin just nodded.

"And your arm, how is it faring?"

"Fine," Vin gave a lopsided grin as he subconsciously rubbed his sore arm, "Nate let me lift more'n a feather today."

"Mr. Jackson does indeed have a way with the healing arts."

"Good thing fer us."

"Indeed, Mr. Tanner."

Vin rolled his eyes, "Ez, jist call me Vin."

"As you wish, Vin."

"Boys!" Josiah hollered from the house.

The seven young men gathered around the porch. Josiah had news to share with them. It seemed like the first time they'd all been together since the attack on the station. Chris and Buck had taken most of the rides since the three younger boys needed Nathan for doctoring. Nettie finally spelled him as tempers began to flare as they began to develop cabin fever as they healed. Ezra had just finished his first ride back with Vin due to ride out by the week's end. J.D. was rearing to be riding right along behind. He looked over his boys; they'd done themselves proud. They'd done a man's job. He wanted to see them become the men they were meant to be.

J.D. sat on his chair, with his leg elevated on a stool, with Buck and Nathan fretting on either side. The boy felt like his rear had imprinted into the chair's wooden surface as he'd spent most of his time in it since he'd been allowed to leave his bunk. He couldn't wait to start riding again. There were only so many knives he could throw before he splintered the porch right to the ground or he went nuts or both. It wasn't fair, Vin got shot with a bullet but he still got to ride before him.

The Texan was perched on the porch railing. He peaked under the brim of his hat at the others. After being taken from his Indian family, he figured he'd never find a place in the white man's world. He was alone, an orphan in both worlds, never really fitting in. Then he'd met Chris and it felt like finding the missing piece in his soul. It didn't matter what the townspeople thought of him because all he needed was Chris and the others by his side.

"The Sheriff came by today. He wanted to thank you boys for taking care of so many of those desperadoes."

"Well, we did do his job," Chris said showing his disdain for the local law enforcement.

Since Vin got bushwacked by what Chris figured was some of the town's upstanding citizens, with no help from the justice system, Chris had lost any respect for the law in town. The town had turned against the boys and took their time coming to their aid. In the town's eyes, they were not worth much, just young, skinny, wiry fellas like the sign advertising the job said. He didn't trust them to protect or help any of his friends. When he'd set out from Indiana he decided to not make any more friends, but he had. He'd die for the other members of the Pony Express. He'd kill for them too. Even if they drove his crazy at times.

"Does his gratitude extend to a monetary reward?"

Ezra had decided to stay and work for the time being. But he wasn't above filling his wallet with more than his weekly pay. His mother would be appalled that he hadn't taken the stage as soon as he'd come to after blacking out in town. She would never understand why when he'd seen the posse come back to join up with the Army he'd gone over the top of the rockslide. His sure-footed mount had made it even as the Army and townspeople took the safer route around. His mother would die from shock if she knew he was relieved when he arrived in time to save the life of the former slave who hated him.

Nathan rolled his eyes at the Southern boy's question. If he didn't know better he'd say Ezra only cared about his own skin and money. But his life was proof that he didn't. Ezra had saved his life just as surely as Chris and Vin. He'd never thought he'd feel so safe accepted by a bunch of white boys. Just like Ezra this job had given him more than money. He looked over his recovering patients with a small smile. He'd just have to make sure they all lived long enough to get their paychecks each week.

"No Ezra," Josiah said with a twinkle in his eye, "But he did say you boys were welcome back in town."

"Girls!" Buck shouted.

He didn't have to sneak out for dates anymore. Buck loved the fellas but his animal magnetism could only take so much of their company. He was a young man that needed women in his life, and Nettie didn't count. Of course, he'd have to keep an eye on the boys between dates. The kid barely came back with his shirt last time he went to town. Not to mention the fights Ezra and Vin got into. And Chris sometimes drank a little too much. Maybe it was better when it was just him sneaking into town.

J.D. was almost jumping with excitement in his chair, "We should go tomorrow I got a lot of money saved up. I saw some things I want to get at the general store."

"Thank Heavens! A real poker game with actual stakes," Ezra's gold tooth was shinning in the sun.

"Buy you a drink at the saloon?" Vin asked Chris who nodded in agreement.

"I'm gonna stop and see what kind of herbs the apothecary has," Nathan added, "You need anything in town Josiah?"

"I wouldn't mind stopping by the Lord's house on my way to keep you, young brothers, out of trouble."

They all groaned good-naturally. Josiah may be the trainer but the seven of them were a team. They worked together, fought together, rode together, bleed together and it seemed even went to town together. They scattered, laughing and making plans.

Ezra asked a while later, wanting to sharpen his skill before the next day, "Gentlemen, do you care for a game of chance?"

"Hell Ez you cheat like the devil himself," Buck complained.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yeah deal me in," Buck laughed.

"I wanna play too," J.D. called, chugging his glass of milk before limping over.

"Careful boy you're gonna ruin all of Nate's hard work." Buck caught JD as he stumbled.

Nathan chuckled accepting his hand from Ezra, "I have a feeling a lot of my work is gonna be ruined around you boys. At least it will never be boring."

"Mind if I play, boys?" Josiah pulled up a chair at their nods.

Chris and Vin came in from the porch pulling up chairs as well. Ezra allowed the others to win a few hands to prolong the playing with such amateur card players. They played as the stars came out, laughing and joking. They played for pennies but it was better than playing solitaire.

"Damn there goes my pay." Buck wined.

"Fear not Mr. Wilmington I would be happy to win next week's pay off you as well." Ezra grinned, gold tooth shining.

The End of This Tale