CHAPTER 3

"Beau you got a lot a folks here that's gonna help Vin take care of ya. Do ya think if I'se ta ask nice that ole Vin'd share you two with the rest of us. See we're all a might fond a little boys," Buck asked with one of his huge grins. The little boys looked at each other and then at Vin. Dev turned mischievous eyes towards Buck.

"It would not be acceptable behavior on Mr. Tanner's part to refrain from sharing his bounty with his compatriots," Beau expounded.

"Damn Ez's ruined 'em already," Buck groaned while the others laughed.

"How 'bout y'all finish yer breakfast?" Vin tickled ribs gently.

"Uh oh!" Beau gasped. "I bitted Mithter."

"Ya what?" Vin asked.

"I bitted Mitherter Muftath," Beau whispered.

"Why'd ya bite 'em?" Vin tried to figure out a proper response.

"He wouldn' let go. I wanted looth," Beau confessed with tear-filled eyes.

"Ya shouldn't bite Beau. Buck wasn't trying ta hurt ya."

"I'th thorry!" the boy spoke with a quivering chin.

"Ya tell Buck yer sorry," Vin ordered.

The little boy moved to Buck closely followed by his protective twin. "I'th thorry mithter," Beau apologized.

"No real harm done Bitty. Just don't go 'round bitin' folks," Buck suggested.

"OK," Beau nodded.

"Now I'm not mister. I'm your Uncle Buck. That big fella is your Uncle Josiah. Fella with his hair in his eyes is Uncle JD. Uncle Ezra's the fancy looking fella. The kinda mean looking cuss is your Uncle Chris. Fella that looked at Dev is your Uncle Nathan. He's real good at fixing your owies," Buck introduced.

"Tad thay go ta Unca Chrith if we'th in trouble," Beau told Buck.

"You look us over boys. You need something you ask any one of us you understand me," Buck grinned down at the serious faces.

"Go ta the Uncath if weth in a fix," Beau answered.

"That's it," Buck nodded.

Nathan knelt "May I look at your ribs, Beau?" he asked.

"I'th fine," the boy answered. Nathan rolled his eyes as the others chuckled.

"Let Nate look Beau," Vin directed. Nathan gently lifted Beau's shirt carefully probing the ribs. A furious look crossed the healer's face as he studied the bruises on the small torso.

"Beau how'd your ribs get hurt?" Nathan asked softly.

"Unc'a Ath gotted mad when he come an gotta uth from tha themmly plath. Thaid we thould be dead. He hurted Dev'th arm too," Beau answered nervously. Nathan carefully cuddled the boy close.

"That creature should return to hell from wince he came," Ezra snarled quietly. "Gentleman, we will endeavor to render Uncle Ash's existence appropriately miserable," Ezra coldly smiled.

"Anythin' special in mind? I'se already filed a abuse complaint," Vin remarked.

Ezra's eyes glowed as he opened his phone. "What is Uncle Ash's name?"

"Athburne Dumont," Beau answered.

"Dumont Petroleum?" Ezra raised shocked eyes to Vin. Vin nodded slightly. "My, My," Ezra shook his head.

Quickly Ezra dialed a number. "Franklin Stevenson, please...Yes I'll hold...". The agents sat watching Standish setting Dumont up. "Jefferson, Ezra Standish...My mother informed me she was married at the time so the appellation is not appropriate...Well possibly considering my mother...Could I request your assistance...I have been informed of some irregularities in Dumont Petroleum. Yes, Shannon Dumont is recently deceased. Ashburne Dumont seems questionable...You will I would appreciate that Jefferson...Skiing of course your father can pay...Good Day...," Ezra smiled wickedly as he hung up.

"Ezra what have ya done?" Vin asked.

Ezra gently touched Beau's head "Do you know what the IRS is Beau?" he asked.

"Blood thuckerth?" Beau asked.

"Yes my small friend and Uncle Ash is going to be very busy,"

"JD, ole Ez's pulled out the big guns," Buck snickered.

"Ah Ezra, don't open your desk drawer," JD smiled weakly.

"Why ever not Mr. Dunne?" Ezra questioned.

"I don't want the IRS turned on me," JD stated.

"You have booby trapped my desk, Mr. Dunne?" Ezra smirked.

"Buck did I just don't want to be blamed," JD returned.

"Thanks, Kid," Buck muttered.

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"Vin you need to get the boys into see a doctor up here. Any idea what their doctor's name is," Nathan spoke.

"Doc Jordan," Beau blurted.

"Thank you Beau," Nathan ruffled the boy's hair. "You need to get the injuries documented and find out about any allergies or health problems," Nathan directed.

Dev dug into the bag pulling out a planner. "Momma uthed dith," Beau offered.

"You want me to call Dr. Evans? Rain thinks highly of her," Nathan offered.

"Yeah, that's fine," Vin answered seeming overwhelmed.

Nathan startled at the two boys intense study. "You want to ask something Dev?" Nathan smiled. Dev touched Beau's arm.

"I'th you that color all over?" Beau asked.

Nathan chuckled "Yes".

Vin buried his head against Dev's back. "Ah, Hell".

"That one's going to keep you in hot water, Junior," Buck laughed.

"Bet yer good at hide 'n' theek," Beau admired.