Chapter 14: Buck's Box 2
After the laughter quieted, Ezra retrieved the picture from Buck's slack grip and put it away. Next he reached into the carved box and pulled out a pair of very old, but well cared for spurs.
"Wilmington's spurs," Ezra explained. "He willed them to Standish at the time of his death."
"How did he die?" Buck asked.
"Buck and Inez lived together very happily for years, and by all appearances he was completely faithful to her. About a month before their tenth anniversary, Buck died suddenly of a heart attack.
"Years before, the seven of them had purchased the land adjacent to Larabee's ranch, which they then all worked together. After Larabee's death, Mary sold her share to one of the others, packed up, and moved away from Four Corners. She had lost two husbands to the town's violence and refused to raise her sons there. Three years after that, they were all out at the ranch working the horses when Wilmington suddenly fell from his horse. Jackson did all he could do, but their best guess was that he was dead before he impacted the ground. Following Mary's example, Inez also sold her interest in the ranch and moved away," Ezra told them.
Everyone quiet, thinking of the time when they would start to lose members of their little family of brothers. They were in a dangerous business, so each knew that it was highly possible.
Not wanting to continue thinking about the uncomfortable possibilities, Chris asked, "Who did she sell to?"
"Both Wilmington and Larabee had specified that they wanted the land to stay within the hands of the seven unless all were dead. I believe that Jackson and Sanchez ended up with their portions at that time."
Ezra went back to Buck's box and sorted through it for a couple of minutes before pulling a jewelry case out of the bottom. Opening it, he revealed a stunning silver and garnet necklace. "Buck had had this specially made for Inez for their anniversary, but he didn't have the chance to give it to her. Jackson tried to give it to her, but she couldn't stand to take it with her. She left it behind and told them to do what they wanted with it. They decided to keep it in her memory." Ezra paused before handing it to Buck, then said, "I think they were hoping that she would come back some day, but that never came to pass."
Buck was as quiet as the rest of them as they looked at the gorgeous piece. Finally he looked up at Ezra and asked, "Where did she go?"
"The only thing they knew was that she went back to Mexico, taking their two daughters with her. They never saw her again." With that Ezra accepted the case from JD, closed it and slipped it into the box, then moved to the next.
I just wanted to say thank you to every one that has left reviews for this story. :) I need all the encouragement I can get. :P
knoteach
