CHAPTER 6

"Time to eat," Chris called. Dev carefully placed the dragon on the coffee table. Beau's wolf joined it. Then the boys scampered to the table. Halting they exchanged glances and headed to the bathroom.

"Gotta wath our handth," Beau called back. Embarrassed the others joined the boys.

Chris sat Beau on a pile of books and scooted him up to the table. Dev was assisted by Vin. The men took their seats and started serving. "Ah hem," Josiah cleared his throat nodding to the boys bowed heads. Seven heads bowed as Josiah asked the blessing.

"Is Mr. Sanchez's chili suitable nourishment for Devin and Beau?" Ezra exclaimed.

"They's Texan's," Vin responded. Dev and Beau watched Ezra closely. Josiah and Chris exchanged amused glances as the boys fiddled a moment and changed their grasp on their spoons to mimic Ezra's. The others watched as Ezra gave the boys an impromptu lesson in table manners.

"Reckon Ezra can teach 'em the showy stuff without no problem," Vin acknowledged.

JD helped Dev with his cup as the boy struggled to get a good grasp. "What is this stuff?" JD's nose wrinkled.

"Soy Milk," Josiah answered.

"They got to drink it?" JD grimaced in sympathy.

"Cain't drink regular milk," Vin reminded him.

"No ice-cream, only live cultured yogurt in small amounts, they can have small amounts of hard cheese," Nathan informed the others. "What ever you do don't give 'em peanuts. Always check at the restaurant what kind of oil they use. They're deathly allergic to the things," Nathan warned.

"Who ever heard of kids who can't have peanut butter?" JD said.

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"Lawyers' is jawin'. Upshot is Dumont is tying up ever'thin' in court. He cain't contest me having the boys much. They's folks left me as guardian. Money's a different thing. Dumont says he's gonna keep 'er in court till I'se tired of fightin' it. That's fine with me. Judge has already cut the boys thing's loose. He's mighty aggravated over the way they's handled. Should be here day after tommorra," Vin informed the others.

"Vin," Ezra spoke hesitantly "if you require financial assistance..."

"Nah, I'se all right," Vin responded.

"Vin," Chris spoke "we're all willing to help".

"I'se fine Chris," Vin looked embarrassed, "I'se got more 'en enough fer what I need".

"Children are expensive Vin," Josiah spoke.

"Thank y'all,." Vin grinned wickedly, "I'se got some money put back".

"Mr. Tanner several thousand dollars will not be sufficient I'm afraid," Ezra spoke kindly.

"Ez you figure maybe most of a 2 million will be?" Vin's eyes twinkled. Ezra sat totally shocked. "Do ya figure I'se should sell some stock er some land in Texas? Reckon the boys'd be better off on some land they's used ta that," Vin chuckled. Vin was subjected to studied looks from his friends.

A white faced Ezra squeaked "2 MILLION".

"Little over actually," Vin answered calmly.

"Then why do we pay your bar bill half the time?" Ezra snarled. Vin's eyes danced and his lips twitched.

"Figure ya'll need ta let the moths outta yer bill folds," Vin smirked.

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"I looked at that place fer sale 'tween here and town today," Vin changed the subject.

"The old Miller place?" Chris asked.

"Yeah needs some fixin' up. Place is sound though. It's got 200 acres with it most of which is straight up. Not good fer raisin' nothin' but mountain goats. Room fer the boys ta run," Vin mused.

"Joins up on the south corner with me," Chris responded.

"It has a good barn. The house can really use a going over. I'se lookin' think I kin make the top floor inta a play room. Kin put in a couple of sky lights to make it friendlier. They's four bedrooms and a great room. Kitchen needs stripped out though. Big ole kitchen with a pantry. Lots a corners and hidey holes fer playing. They's a set a rooms fer a housekeeper," Vin described the property.

"Damn is that you Junior?" Buck asked.

Josiah spoke cautiously "Vin it sounds wonderful. Are you sure this is a good idea. Until your sure your going to get the boys?"

"Tomorra I'se gettin' tha testin,' done to prove tha boys is mine," Vin muttered.

"Vin," Chris spoke locking gazes with the blushing Tanner. "Y'all already knew they's mah get," Vin whispered.

"How'd that happen Vin?" Josiah asked in a non judging tone.

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Beau looked up "Tad, kin Dev and I be 'xcuthed?"

"You full?"

"Yeth Thir"

"All right be sure and wash yer face and hands," Vin reminded.

"OK," Beau and Dev squirmed down and thundered towards the bathroom.

"Tad?" JD asked.

"Yeah," Vin nodded.

"They know then?" JD questioned.

"We told the boys right from the start they know," Vin assured.

"JD?" Buck asked.

"Tad it's Welsh means father," JD explained.

"Let's clean up and I'll tell ya," Vin turned red.

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The men moved to the great room after the kitchen was back in order. "Talk Junior, how come there's a pair a tiny Tanners wearing another man's brand?" Buck asked.

"Yeah Vin they are your sons," JD spoke.

"That'th eathy," Beau answered. Startled looks swept to the bright blue eyes. "Momma wanted a baby real bad. Daddy Blue didn't have 'nough daddy thuff. Daddy Blue athked Tad ta help make Momma a baby. They mixed Daddy Blue'th and Tad'th daddy thuff and gived it ta Momma. They'th thuprithed to get two babyth. Momma thaid it didn't matter which daddy thuff worked 'cauth we had two good daddieth," Beau finished and went back to playing.

"Well that's a good explanation of the process," Nathan admired the simple way someone had explained it to the children.

"Junior, you wanta tell us how you give 'em the daddy stuff?" Buck teased.

"Bucklin, you want me ta shoot ya in tha ass?" Vin answered with a blush. The others laughed at the pair. The conversation became more general. The men found themselves watching the playing children.

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Buck was waiting in the doorway to the great room after Chris finished a call in his office. Buck turned sad eyes towards Chris and nodded into the room. Chris's face softened as he watched his loners play on the floor.

"Junior don't know how ta play, Chris," Buck choked, "Them Social Workers ought ta be shot."

"Dev and Beau will teach him," Chris smiled as Vin became a little boy watching that train.

"Look at ole Ez," Buck chuckled as Ezra raced a radio controlled black Jaguar between Josiah's feet and over JD toes. Vin looked up suddenly turning to Chris. One of his rare beautiful smiles lit his face.

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Vin looked over at the clock. "Dev, Beau time ta get yer bath and get ready fer bed. Grins covered faces as they listened in on bath time. Squeals and Vin's easy laughter mixed with splashes. Chris looked worried when he heard Vin. "Reckon Chris is gonna shoot us? Had us some fun didn't we?" Vin's voice was light hearted.

The thud of running feet and the boys burst into the room. Chris' heart almost stopped as he remembered Adam standing there in his footy pajamas. Vin's worried eyes lingered on Chris. Chris nodded and smiled slightly. Dev crawled up into Chris' lap snuggling his dragon. Vin scooped up Beau and sank into a chair. "Time fer bed," Vin told them.

"Kin we have a thory?" Beau requested.

Vin said "Why don't ya tell me one?".

"If ya telled uth one after," Beau bargained.

"Beau is already an consummate con artist," Ezra acknowledged to Josiah in a soft tone. Vin gently tucked the wolf into Beau's arms. Chris pulled an afghan over Dev as the story started. Josiah slid a afghan over Beau and sat down.