Chapter 2
Beau's small hand held Buck's as they crossed the street. Dev walked close to Ezra's side. "Mrs. Morton, If it is not to inconvenient I have invited Masters Devin and Beau to dine with me this evening," Ezra indicated the children.
"Lands sake, What beautiful young'ns," Mrs. Morton smiled at the two upturned faces. "Do you like chicken and dumplings?" she gently asked the boys.
"Yeth Ma'am, We liketh 'em good," Beau smiled.
"Will your mother be joining you?" Mrs. Morton asked.
Beau had a shattered look on his face. Dev pressed close to his brother. "Momma went ta heaven," Beau whispered. Distressed looks were exchanged over the boys heads. Mrs. Morton made an obvious effort not to ask any questions in front of the children.
"Let's get you two fed. Time for little folks to be in bed," Buck ruffled the curls. The boys were seated and plates sat before them. Buck looked confused for a moment as the boys bowed their heads. Calmly Ezra asked a blessing on the food. The boys ate hearty enough to please even Mrs. Potter.
"We'll make them a pallet in my room," Ezra decided.
"Reckon it's a might cleaner than mine," Buck agreed.
Ezra helped Buck settle the boys. After the boys were asleep the men talked a while. "Did you notice the fastenings on the boys garments?" Ezra began.
"11-03-97 Beau said it was their birthday. Nov. 3rd, 1997," Buck explained. "Don't know if their people can come for 'em," he sighed.
"Do you truly believe that those boys were born in 1997?" Ezra asked.
"I saw those clothes and their shoes. That fancy splint on Dev's arm," Buck considered.
"I believe you are correct in your considerations, Mr. Wilmington," Ezra nodded.
Ezra went down stairs to play cards while Buck sat with the boys. Chris and Vin were at a Chris' shack making some repairs. JD and Josiah were making a prisoner delivery and not due back until late tomorrow.
I feel this situation should be brought to Vin's attention as soon as possible. Ezra considered as he played. He gave a sigh of relief as Chris and Vin entered the room. They found their regular seats at the table in the corner. Vin and Chris tensed when Ezra excused himself from the game and approached. Something was definitely wrong for Ezra to walk away from a poker game.
"Ezra is something wrong?" Chris questioned.
"A situation has developed in your absence," Ezra began only to be interrupted by a frightened wail. Ezra rushed towards the stairs certain that it was Beau. Vin and Chris were close on his heels. If only I had thought to lay bets on this. Ezra thought in amusement as he saw the stunned faces. Buck sat in the rocker trying to sooth the frightened children.
"Buck you got something ta tell me pard?" Chris asked.
"They ain't mine, Chris," Buck spluttered.
"Ez, ya done fergot ta tell us ya went and procreated," Vin teased.
"Mr. Tanner the children in question are not mine," Ezra sounded affronted.
"They ain't Ez's," Buck agreed and smirked. "Junior who's bed have you been sleeping in?"
One of the small bodies struggled loose from Buck's grasp. Vin snatched the child up as he started to fall. He was covered in one of Ezra's shirts and tripped over the hem.
"Hey there little bit ya need ta be more Careful ya done got a busted wing," Vin softly spoke. "What the hell?" Vin blinked into the childish rendition of his own face. A small hand brushed across his cheek. Chris looked from the child to Vin and back.
"Mr. Tanner may I present Master Devin Blue Dumont," Ezra offered.
"Don't know any Dumonts," Vin frowned.
"Tad?" Beau reached for Vin. "Not Tad?" Beau locked gazes with Dev. "Lookth like Tad," Beau declared. "Feelth different, thmellth wrong?" Beau questioned his brother.
"Now I don't smell that bad," Vin growled.
"Ya ain't ourth," Beau's lip quivered. "Want Tad," the little boy whimpered.
"I'll find yer tad now just calm down. Start lookin' first thing in tha morning," Vin promised. Buck stood and Vin collapsed into the rocker at Chris' nudge. Buck settled Beau in beside Dev.
"Ez and me are gonna go get a drink," Buck pulled Ezra out of the room.
"Didn't catch yer name," Vin told the speaking twin.
"I'th Beau Jameth Dumont," Beau answered...after a little while Beau spoke "Dev thayth ya rock good".
"Thank ya Dev. I don' bite ya kin talk ta me," Vin said.
"Dev don' talk not thince momma gotted dead". Vin stroked the small heads tucking the boys closer as he rocked. Lifting his eyes he locked gazes with Chris. Chris hurt for the pain in his friend's eyes. Vin started to hum and then softly sing. Chris frowned recognizing the tune but not the language.
"Momma?" a soft whisper as the little boy feel asleep.
"Chris, Beau's asleep. Will ya lay him down fer me," Vin whispered. Chris sighed and walked over lifting the sleeping boy. He smiled softly remembering the feel of Adam in his arms. Gently he eased the child down onto the soft pallet on the floor. Dev patted Vin's face gently and climbed down. He joined his brother on the pallet cradling Beau in his arms. Chris gently tucked them in, touching the tangled curls for a moment.
"Their fine boys. Somebodies hurtin' mighty bad looking for 'em," Chris acknowledged.
"I'll find their daddy," Vin growled in determination.
"Their father?" Chris asked.
"Tad it means father," Vin gazed down at the boys with his heart in his eyes.
"They's shouldn't be left alone," Vin sat back in the rocker. "Reckon I'll watch 'em till Ez comes ta bed," Vin mused.
"Want me to stay," Chris asked in concern.
"Nah, I'se all righ' cowboy. Just wishin' fer thing's I'll never have," Vin smiled sadly.
"Vin there isn't any reason you can't find a good woman and have a family," Chris began.
Vin interrupted, "Can't make ya no family with a bounty on yer head, Chris". Vin began to rock.
Chris nodded and left the room. Chris was soon informed of the strange going ons and the suppositions that Ezra and Buck had come to.
"Chris," Ezra called softly as he opened his door and looked in. Chris walked over and looked over Ezra's shoulder. A relaxed smile lightened his usually somber features at the picture. Vin had joined the twins on the pallet. The two children were snuggled close under Vin's protective arm. The mare's leg lay close to hand.
"I was unaware of how young Mr. Tanner truly is. He appears little older than the boys," Ezra mused.
"He's gonna make a dandy father," Chris acknowledged. I'm going to get that bounty off your head someway, Chris promised the sleeping man.
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Vin had managed to get the boys up and dressed without waking Ezra. They slipped out of the room and down the stairs silently. "Y'all hungry?" Vin asked. The boys quickly lead him towards Mrs. Morton's. "Reckon tha' means ya are," he laughed. The three walked in as Mrs. Morton sat plates on the table.
"Have you come to eat with me again," she smiled down at the boys. Vin shifted uncomfortably under her glare.
"Mr. Vin'th gonna find our tad," Beau announced.
"Your tad?" she asked. The boys nodded yes.
"Buck found 'em long side the south trail yest'day. I'se gonna look fer their pa after bre'kfas'," Vin offered.
"I believe they already found him," Mrs. Morton glared at a nervous Vin.
"He ain't ourth, lookth like tad but he ain't", Beau exchanged troubled glances with his brother. Mrs. Morton looked in surprise at the small faces.
"Your daddy looks like Vin?" She asked softly.
"Yeath ma'am, Tad'th a might bigger though. Heth hairth redder too," Beau explained. Vin sighed in relief as Mrs. Morton smiled at him.
"They's kinda hungry Ma'am," Vin said.
"Their children, of course they are," she laughed, "sit down and I'll bring you something".
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Soon Chris joined the meal. Laughing he shook his head as they emptied another plate of biscuits. Three faces had traces of peach preserves on them as they glared at Chris. Nathan froze in the door as he spotted the boys.
"Hiya doin' Unca Nate," Beau called.
"Vin Tanner!" Nathan thundered.
"They ain't mine Nate I'se swear," Vin groaned.
"Buck found 'em on the south trail," Chris offered.
"Did not we'th waited fer him. Tad taughted uth how ta hide," Beau spoke in an affronted manner. Chuckles greeted the announcement. "Onlieth thing Unca Buck kin find ith tha ladyth," Beau offered. The men exchanged embarrassed grins.
"This'uns Beau that'uns Dev," Vin introduced the boys.
"Hello Beau, Dev," Nathan sat down. "Does your arm hurt Dev?" Nathan asked examining the strange splint in concern. The boy shook his head no.
"Dev don' talk," Vin said. Nathan turned in concern, his healer's heart awakened.
"Did you hurt your throat son?" he asked kindly. No, the boy shook his head and turned away.
Beau tugged on Nathan's sleeve. "Dev don' talk thince momma died," he offered. Nathan's worried eyes lingered on the bent head.
"Nate will you watch the boys for a minute?" Chris asked.
"Vin can we talk?" Chris nodded to the porch. Chris explained about the strange garments and the birth date the boys claimed.
"I figured somethin' wasn't right," Vin admitted.
"Don't break your heart, Vin," Chris warned.
"I'se gonna find their people. Chris I 'member how scairt a little fella kin be when he cain't find home," Vin whispered. The men returned to the table and finished breakfast.
"I'se gonna go look fer yer pa now," Vin stood up.
"The boys can stay with me," Chris offered.
"Ya'll be good fer Chris now," Vin ordered.
"We won' play to rough," Beau responded. The men laughed softly at the impish grins. Vin paused studying the mischievous faces.
"Dev, Beau," he warned. The boys exchanged glances and gave Vin identical innocent looks.
"Think I'll go check my remedies," Nathan told Chris.