Chapter 1 – We Have A Secret To Share…
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When I'm gone
No need to wonder if I ever think of you
The same moon shines
The same wind blows
For both of us and time is but a paper moon
Be not gone
***Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) - Queen ***
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"Where's Michael…there he is! Where's Michael…there he is!"
Buck put his hands over his eyes as the toddler on the floor in front of him squealed in delight. The ladies' man grinned at the little boy as he swept him into his arms.
"Buck, you're gonna spoil that child silly." Rebecca admonished giggling softly. She did however look on warmly as he began to tickle her son.
"Oh I ain't doin nothin but givin him a good work out Rebecca. Didn't you say just yesterday that he was wearin you out?" Buck grinned looking up at her from the floor. He and Michael began to tussle causing him to laugh even more.
Shaking her head at the twosome, she went back to straightening the linens on her son's bed. A noise near the bedroom door made her glance in that direction.
Smiling from just inside the room was her husband. "I thought I might find you here."
Dropping what she was doing, she rushed into his arms. "Ezra you're home!"
From Buck's lap on the floor, Michael squeaked at his father. "Dada!"
Getting to his feet, Buck scooped the boy up and carried him over to Ezra. Michael held out his arms to his father to hug him.
"Have been a good boy for your mother while I was away…hmmm?"
The toddler's bright green eyes glowed as he nodded his head. "Good…Unca Buck said good."
Rebecca rested her head on Ezra's shoulder as she watched her son and husband continue talking.
Chuckling Ezra said, "Well, if Uncle Buck said you were, then it must be so."
"Welcome back pard. How was the trip?" Buck asked dropping into a nearby chair.
"Uneventful, I believe is the term Mr. Larabee likes to use. We delivered the prisoners to Engle Bend and came straight back. No problems." Ezra replied as he sat down still holding Michael.
"Did ya'll have any problems with that one prisoner…Jenkins? He kept threatening to get even." Rebecca asked as she looked down at her husband.
Encircling her waist with one of his arms, he said, "That gentleman and I use the term loosely, remained quiet. I don't believe he said three words during the entire trip. Which I personally found a relief as the incessant screaming he did while in our custody gave me a headache."
Buck nodded, crossing his legs. "Yeah that so and so was a woolly one for sure. Still, he did make some fairly nasty threats ole pard. It might be best if we keep an eye open for his possible return or maybe some of his friends."
"I think I concur with you Mr. Wilmington. In fact, I believe I conveyed that very observation to Mr. Larabee on our return trip."
"Where is Chris anyway?"
"As soon as we returned he made straight for the bathhouse to clean up before going to visit Mary and Billy."
"I think it's wonderful that Chris and Mary finally realized that there was something between them." Rebecca sighed wistfully. "They are so cute together."
"Darlin, I'm not sure the word "cute" and Mr. Larabee should be used in the same sentence." He replied chuckling as Buck cut loose with a major guffaw.
A knock at the door made everyone turn as Vin and Sarah came into the room.
"Had to come see my nephew after being gone for a few days." Vin grinned.
"Unca Vin!" Michael yelped as he scooted out of Ezra's lap. Wobbling over in the tracker's direction he smiled up at him.
"Hey there little pard." Vin responded as he plopped onto the floor in front of the toddler. "You been good while I was away?"
The child nodded his head, he green eyes bright as he watched the tracker.
"Well then I 'spec I might have somethin fer ya in one of my pockets. Can ya figger out which one?"
"Oooo…dis one?" Michael asked pointing at one of the pockets on his coat.
Vin dug around inside for a moment. "Nope…not that one. Guess again."
Pointing to another pocket on his coat, he shook his head again.
The game continued for a couple more minutes until the toddler finally found the correct one. Reaching inside, Vin produced a small, brightly painted wooden horse. Clapping his hands with excitement, he took the toy as he hugged the tracker.
"Tank you Unca Vin." Michael laughed, turning to show his prize to Ezra and Rebecca.
"Well that's alright pard." Buck smiled as the child climbed back into his father's lap.
"That's a very nice present isn't it Michael?" Ezra said as his son settled against his chest.
The boy nodded before releasing a huge yawn.
"I think it's past someone's nap time." Rebecca said as she lifted her son from Ezra's lap. "Say bye to everyone Michael. You need to lay down for a bit."
He gave a sleepy wave as she carried him over to his bed. Kissing him on his cheek, she covered him with a blanket. It didn't take long for him to close his eyes and drift off to sleep. Turning, she motioned everyone out of the room.
Once in the hallway, Rebecca smiled at Vin before hugging him. "Thank you for the toy. He loves it already.
Offering up a shy grin, he said, "Well, I saw it when we was in Eagle Bend and figgered the little pard would like it.
Giving a soft chuckle as the group walked down the hall toward the saloon. "You know, if all my son's Uncles continue to spoil him in this fashion he is going to be incorrigible."
Rebecca put her arm through Ezra's before saying, "Your son will be just fine because he has so many "Uncles" that care about him."
Smiling at his wife, he kissed her cheek. "You are of course correct darlin."
"So Sarah," Rebecca asked, "How are you feeling today? The morning sickness any better?"
"I actually don't feel too bad. Maybe it's starting to ease finally. I hope so anyway." Brushing her hand across her growing abdomen, she said, "Nathan said the queasiness might go away by the time I was in my sixth month. Since I'm almost there, well there you are."
Vin put his arm around his wife, as she snuggled against his shoulder. I just hope Vin can put up with a few more months of me complaining about my back and swollen ankles."
"Now you know that none of that stuff bothers me, Sarah. I'm more concerned with you bein okay."
Smiling, she kissed his cheek.
Rebecca grinned back at her sister as the group seated themselves at a large table in the saloon. As she looked around the table, she let her mind begin to wander a bit.
Her life had certainly gone down an unexpected path. She had been born March 25 1996; a woman of the 20th century…her sister Sarah was born two years later on April 15, 1998. The sisters formed a band with some high school friends as they grew older. They took on the name of Gypsy Moon. They soon became rich and world famous. Yet over time Rebecca began to long for something different…something more in her life.
It was because of those feelings that she and Sarah found themselves in an area they came to know later as Brices Canyon.
Almost three and half years had gone by since that fateful day when a freak storm had somehow thrown them into the past…even now Rebecca sometimes found it hard to believe.
Now she was a woman living in the 19th century and happier then she had ever been in her own time. At first, she had found it hard, trying to deal with all the changes. After all she was used to blow dryers, air conditioners, computers, the internet, electric lights, indoor plumbing, and so much more. She still missed hot showers and her favorite addiction – Pepsi. Yet, she knew now if she ever got the chance to return to her home century…she wouldn't even try. For all the things she missed from her time, where she was now had given her so much more.
Gazing at her husband sitting next to her, she smiled. He was a handsome man considering the harsh times they lived in. Like her, his life had taken his own share of twists and turns. He was well educated in speech and manners like most southern gentlemen of the time, but Ezra Standish would be the first to admit that appearances could sometimes be deceiving.
Before they had met, he had made his living as a gambler and con man. He had lived a nomadic existence moving from one gambling hall to another, from one con to another. Then the fates saw fit to bring him to a saloon in the dusty town of Four Corners, recruited to help save an Indian village in need by Chris Larabee…then afterwards to somehow become a protector…an enforcer of the law.
One the day Buck found the sisters in the canyon, he brought them back to Four Corners where Nathan returned them both to health. Their lives become inextricability bound to the town and the seven men protecting it. And it was one of those men who would become the love of her life and then her husband. Sarah too would also fall in love and marry one of them.
Only three people shared their secret and Rebecca had begun to think that perhaps it was time to tell the rest of their friends. She had discussed it with Sarah who also agreed it was time to let them know all about their secret.
Now they just needed to pick a time to share everything with their friends…
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The next day, leaving Michael in the care of Inez, Rebecca rented a buggy from the livery and rode out to Vin and Sarah's place. Her sister was waiting on the porch as she drove up.
"Morning…how are you feeling today?" she asked as she climbed off the buggy.
"So far," Sarah smiled, "I am having another good day. Glad you remembered to bring a wagon for me. Don't think I could sit a horse."
"That's why I did, plus Vin would kick my hide if I let anything happen to you and the baby."
Sarah giggled as she stepped down off the porch. "It's possible he might be a touch upset with you."
Rebecca helped her sister to get into the buggy before climbing in next to her.
"So are we still agreed that Josiah should be the first one we tell?" Rebecca asked.
"Yeah. Josiah I think will perhaps handle the news well and after listening to our problems over the last three year, he deserves to be the first." Sarah replied.
Nodding, Rebecca agreed. Josiah had certainly done that and been somewhat of a father figure to both of them. His wit and wisdom had helped them many times since arriving in Four Corners. They cared deeply for the ex-preacher and felt it was time he knew their little secret.
Clicking her tongue to the horse, she turned the buggy back towards town. After arriving, she stopped off at the saloon to collect her knapsack; then continued down to the church knowing it was probably where they would find him.
They were right.
Pulling up in front of the small wooden church, through the open door, the sisters could hear the distinctive sound of wood being abraded back and forth. They could also hear some low pitched humming.
Walking inside the one room building, the ex-preacher looked up from his task, leaning slightly on the pew he was working on. Smiling, he wiped his hands on an old, nearby rag. He had become very fond of the two young women and was honored to conduct both of their wedding services.
Rebecca smiled at the big man saying, "Howdy Josiah. Sarah and I wanted to talk to you if you're not too busy."
"Never too busy to chat with my two favorite ladies. Are you in need of some spiritual guidance?"
Sarah turned to her sister then back in his direction. "Not really, we actually have something we need to tell you."
Giving the two a curious look, he said, "Should I consider this a confession of sorts?"
Rebecca motioned for him to have a seat on the bench before pulling two nearby chairs in front of him. "In a matter of speaking…Sarah and I have wanted to tell you something for a while now, but couldn't figure out the best way to do it."
Nodding the ex-preacher gazed warmly at them before saying, "Well I've always thought the direct approach tends to be the best."
Taking a deep breath, she said, "Do you remember the day Buck found us in Brices Canyon?"
"Yes."
"Well as you may recall he found us in the middle of a terrible storm."
He nodded.
"Do you remember what day it was?"
He seemed to ponder the thought before answering. "If my memory serves, it was Friday, June 23.
"That's right." Rebecca smiled. "And what year was it?"
Giving her an odd stare, he never-the-less said, "1876."
The sisters glanced at each other for a moment before Sarah said, "The day we were found in Brices Canyon was actually Wednesday, June 23, but the year wasn't 1876, it was actually 2021."
Rebecca and Sarah waited nervously for Josiah's reaction.
Suddenly, he got to his feet and paced across the floor before turning around to face them. "What proof do you have that can make me a believer?"
Rebecca picked her knapsack up off the floor, sitting it on the bench. She began to remove several things from it and placed them down for him to look at. Each new item she placed in front of him was something to examine. When questions arose, she answered them. Everything was fascinating…an absolute wonder.
Josiah remained calm and collected. Finally, he took a deep breath gazing at the young woman. "How do you think it happened that both of you landed here?"
Sarah looked at her friend before shaking her head. "We don't know Josiah. We've pondered that thought every day since our arrival. We've never been able to come up with a satisfactory explanation. It has never made sense to us…so after a while we just stopped trying. Over time of course, we both fell in love and married. Now we would never consider leaving here. This has become our home."
Josiah nodded. "You know, God works in mysterious ways. Perhaps arriving at this time, in this place, was part of his plan. I've always been a firm believer in predestination…everything happens for a reason. It might be that God saw fit to bring both of you here as part of his plan for your lives."
"But why here, why now, at this time?" Rebecca asked.
"Sometimes he does things that we don't understand, but later makes perfect sense."
"So you think there must be a reason why we arrived at this particular moment in time?" Rebecca leaned forward interested in Josiah's opinion.
"It might not be anything monumental, but God has a reason for everything he does. One day that will become clear to both of you."
"Can I ask you a question Josiah?"
"Of course."
Gazing into the big man's eyes, she said, "How is it you've accepted everything we've told you, showed you, and not questioned any of it?"
Thinking for a moment, he answered, "I've always thought that you ladies seemed to be on another plane of existence with regard to your music and your way of doing things."
Offering up a smile, she said, "So what you're saying is that everything we've told you doesn't surprise you?"
Josiah chuckled a little. "I'm not completely surprised, but I have to say this wasn't the revelation I was expecting from you ladies."
Rebecca and Sarah both laughed. "I guess not."
Rising from their seats, the ex-preacher hugged both women. "I want you to know that I'm honored you felt I was worthy enough to share this information."
"You're our friend Josiah and we wanted you to know." Rebecca smiled.
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Ezra sat quietly shuffling a deck of cards every so often looking up, waiting for Buck and Chris to arrive. Rebecca entered the saloon approaching her husband before leaning over to kiss him. She sat down next to him gazing into his eyes.
"How did your conversation with Mr. Sanchez fare?"
Giving a soft sigh, she replied, "Believe it or not, he took everything very well. I think I was more stunned at his acceptance then he was by my revelation."
Nodding, Ezra smiled. "Well darlin, why don't you stay with me as I tell Mr. Larabee and Mr. Wilmington. I could really use your expertise in this particular area."
Rebecca kissed him softly again before whispering, "Alright."
"Where's Sarah? I thought she was in town with you." He asked as he continued to manipulate the cards in his hands.
"She and Vin are meeting Nathan and JD over at the Clarion to tell them."
"Ahhh." He nodded. "Since Mary knows from whence you came that is as good a place as any to tell them."
Pulling her chair closer to his, she rested her head on his shoulder waiting for their friends to arrive. They didn't have long to wait before the two men entered the saloon.
Approaching their table, Buck was the first one to say, "So what is this big secret you need to discuss with us, Ezra. He sat down across from them as Chris did likewise.
"Well Gentlemen the matter in question concerns my wife and her sister. She felt it was time to let you in on a secret she has hidden since her arrival in our little town. I'll let her explain." Turning to his wife, he said, "Darlin..."
Rebecca folded her hands in front of her on the table. "Buck…you remember the day you found me and Sarah in Brices Canyon…"
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Thirty minutes later both Buck and Chris sat stunned as they sat silently across the table. Each man was trying to understand what Rebecca had just told them. It took them a while to gather some of their composer before the ladies' man said, "I swear little darlin, you never cease to amaze me. Just when I think I've got you and that sister of yours figgered out…you tell me this."
"I know it's a lot to take in, but I felt you needed to know the truth. Sarah and I told Josiah a little bit ago. Now Sarah and Vin are telling Nathan and JD."
Chris tugged on his chin a bit then said, "What made you decide to tell us now?"
"Well we've been talking about it for a while. We both decided now was a good time."
Glancing at Ezra, Chris said, "So you're known all along?"
"Actually Rebecca told me the night I asked her to marry me. Till then I was in the dark just like you Gentlemen." Ezra replied.
Just then, Nathan, JD, Sarah, Vin and Mary enter the Standish Tavern. Nathan seemed calm in comparison to JD. His face was pale needing Nathan's help just walking across the floor.
Rebecca glanced at her husband raising her eyebrows as the young man sat down.
"What's wrong with JD?"
"Perhaps the young man is having a hard time with what was related to him."
Rebecca got to her feet and retrieved a glass of water for him. Bringing it over, she set it down in front of him. His face was even whiter on closer inspection.
"What happened to him Sarah?" she quietly asked her sister.
"He is just a little shook up, but I think he's gonna be okay."
Buck got up moving over next to his friend. "You okay boy? You're looking kinda pale."
Nodding, he took a sip of the water Rebecca gave him. He cast his eyes in her direction before asking Buck, "It's just…well don't ya think it's kinda weird where Miss Rebecca and Miss Sarah are from?"
"Sure I do, but that's not gonna change how I feel about the ladies. Think how it must be for them. How would you feel if you came from the incredible place they did and suddenly found yourself here?"
JD seemed to think about what Buck said. "I guess you're right Buck. It must have been scary for them." The color began to return to his face and he smiled a bit.
"Damn right it was probably scary. 'Sides JD, Rebecca and Sarah haven't changed…they will always be the warm, sweet ladies they have always been."
JD nodded.
Pulling a chair out beside him, Rebecca asked, "Is everything better now?"
"Yeah…everything is just fine, Miss Rebecca."
"Good! I certainly didn't want to lose your friendship." She hugged the young man and he returned it. Sarah came over to him and hugged him too.
Just then, Josiah appeared in the saloon and joined their little gathering. Sarah looked at her sister and she seemed to know what she was thinking.
"You know Gentlemen, since all of you now know where we came from…if you have anything you want to ask us please feel free."
Nathan seemed to immediately think of a question. "I would guess that medicine has really advanced in your time?"
"Yes it has…quite a bit." Rebecca replied. "One day Sarah and I will have to sit down and talk about it with you. I'm afraid we're not medical people, and can't tell you everything. Plus we have to be careful with what you can know. It could change the future, but we might be able to relay some advances."
"I look forward to that Miss Rebecca."
"You know the best thing about everyone knowing is that we can say thing off the cuff without ya'll thinkin we've gone bonkers."
Several of their friends made faces, looking at each other.
"Bonkers?" JD asked with a puzzled look.
Both sisters exploded in a fit of laughter.
"It means nuts or crazy JD." Rebecca finally replied still giggling.
"Oh okay." he nodded still unsure if he really understood.
Sarah grinned at her sister. Life around this town and their friends would probably never be the same.
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Everything in Four Corners continuing its leisurely pace as it prospered and grew. Sarah finally gave birth to a little girl in late April of 1880. She and Vin decided to name her Rachel Anne after his mother.
He was the proudest man the town had ever seen. He was thrilled with his daughter and delighted in showing off the newest Tanner. Sarah didn't think one man could be this happy.
Chris and Mary continued to see each other until one day in early May…
Holding open the bat-winged doors to the Standish Tavern for Mary, Chris following her inside. The two of them approached the bar were Rebecca and Inez was going over a liquor order as Ezra was working on the ledger for the saloon.
Rebecca looked up from her task and could see something was going on. Mary's face fairly glowed and Chris was sporting a large grin. Her eyes met the newspaper woman's gaze as she gave Rebecca a slight nod.
Squealing with delight, she raced around the bar and threw her arms about her friend. Ezra stood up and also approached them putting out his hand to Chris.
"So you have decided to join the ranks of the married, Mr. Larabee?" he smiled patting his shoulder.
Nodding, Chris said, "Felt it was about time."
"I'm so happy for ya'll." Rebecca smiled as she turned and hugged Chris.
The black clad gunslinger hugged her back. "Thanks Rebecca."
"So when will the nuptials take place." Inquired Ezra.
"We haven't decided yet" Mary answered.
"Well I wanted to give her whatever time she needed to put together the wedding of her choice." Chris stated as he wrapped a loving arm around her.
"I think this is so great. Wait till the others hear the news." Rebecca gushed.
"Hear what news?" Inquired Buck and he and JD entered the saloon.
"Mr. Larabee…" Ezra said pointing in his direction.
Chris smiled saying, "I asked Mary to be my wife."
"Well it's about damn time pard!" the ladies' man thumped his friend on the back.
"This is great Chris." JD also grinned. "Congratulations!"
A new round of congratulatory sentiments for Mary and Chris caused Rebecca to smile. Her family grew a little bit bigger that night.
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A couple of months later on a warm August afternoon, Chris and Mary walked out of Josiah's church bound to one another. Billy was so thrilled that Chris was now his father and no one could have looked happier than the former gunslinger.
Judge Travis was happy to marry his former daughter-n-law to Chris. He knew he would certainly take care of her and his grandson. He knew he loved Billy as much as he loved Mary. He never regretted asking those seven men to become the law in town.
Thanks to Chris and the other six men, Four Corners was now a safe place to live and raise a family.