A huge thank you to everyone for reading my fic and have been kind enough to send reviews! I really appreciate it! On to the next part!
MAGSEVENMAGSEVEN
"True get moving!" Rhianna yelled up the stairs in aggravation. One of the seven normally got True up for school but everyone had to be elsewhere leaving the unenviable task to her. Chris said he'd be returning as soon as he finished helping Mary but didn't think that would be back before they had to go so he'd asked her to make sure they got to school on time. When True finally showed she pushed her into a chair. "We are going be late! Eat quickly. I with gather our things and wait for you on the porch."
When Conall and Creed arrived to walk with them to the schoolhouse they found Rhianna pacing angrily. "You ok?" Conall asked.
"My darling cousin will not hurry up! If we are late we will both be in trouble."
Conall shook his head. He didn't want to see her either of the girls punished so he handed his books and lunch pail to Rihanna. "Cmon Creed."
They headed inside and before True could even move she found herself scooped up and dropped over Conall's shoulder. Creed smiled at Mrs Whittaker and grabbed some toast and a couple pieces of bacon. "Good morning ma'am and thank you." He said and quickly followed.
Rhianna burst out laughing when they returned. "Well that is one way to get her moving." She quipped.
"What's going on here?" Chris asked as he stepped onto the porch. He'd been returning from helping Mary rearrange her work station when he saw the commotion and hurried to the boardinghouse.
"Chris help me!" True wiggled to be put down but Conall had a firm hold on her.
"We are just making sure we get to school on time Sir." Conall replied respectfully.
Chris's lips quirked. "Well then you'd better get a move on." He said and swatted the perfectly presented backside. "Behave."
"Hey!" True yelped. Before she could say anything that could get her into trouble Creed stuffed two pieces of bacon in her mouth.
"Have a good day Mr. Chris." He with a wave and took a bite of the third piece of bacon.
Conall flipped True up to sit on his shoulder so she didn't choke on her food. "Still want me to put you down?"
"Nah. I could get used to this!" She said and happily munched on the toast and half piece of bacon Creed handed her as they proceeded to school.
Lauren had just stepped out to ring the bell when they arrived at the steps. "You are cutting it close this morning." She helped True down and gave her a gentle swat towards the door. "Hurry up and take your seats."
MAGSEVENMAGSEVEN
Vin had just finished saddling up Peso and started on Starr, the horse Sean would be riding, when he felt someone come up behind him. "Morning Cowboy."
"How'd last night go."
"Not what I expected that's for sure."
"They seemed like nice people."
"Yeah."
Chris could see the tension in Vins shoulders. "Then what's wrong."
"I ain't playing a part today. Ya know cleaned up and doing all that stuff Ez told me ta do ta impress them." He lowered the stirrups to what he thought Sean would need. "Now I gotta be alone with Sean. Ain't got nothin in common."
Chris was glad Vin has his back to him so he couldn't see him smile. He remembered having the same issue with Sarah's father.
"I ain't educated. I ain't civilized. What the hell we gonna talk about?"
"Vin look at me." Chris waited for him to turn around. "Laurens told you she told them everything about you. She wants to marry you. She wants you to get along with her family. I'm damn sure she would make sure they know what to expect so all of that happens."
"Yeah. I guess so. Just want him to like me." He said so quietly Chris almost didn't hear him. It was times like these that reminded him just how young Vin was.
"There's nothing not to like. You just have to be yourself. He most likely asked to go on this ride so he could get to know the REAL you. Let him."
Vin turned back and finished tightening the saddle. "Yeah. Easier said than done."
He slapped Vin lightly on the back. "She's worth it."
MAGSEVENMAGSEVEN
Sean watched Vin out of the corner of his eye. The boy looked like he was about to face a firing squad. If Lauren didn't tell him about Vin or if she didn't give him the letter from Nettie Wells last night he might think the kid didn't want to be near him. No one came right out and said it but he could read between the lines. He understood Vins life experiences have made him hard but his youth made him insecure. Add to that the fact the boy hadn't had a lot of schooling and you have a man that thinks he's not worthy of a woman of Lauren's caliber.
He'd only been here just over a day but he could tell this man was the one meant for his daughter. The fact that he'd went outside of his comfort zone to make Lauren happy proved that. He just needed to get Vin to actually believe it. "Do you think we can stop for a bit? My old bones aren't used to riding like this."
Vin nodded. "There's a lake over yonder. We can let the horses get a drink while we're there."
Once the horses were settled Vin rubbed his sweaty hands on his pants and went over to where Sean was sitting and reclined on the ground across from him.
"Vin, son, you've got to relax. I'm not going to kill you and hide your body. Lauren would never forgive me."
Vin ducked his head and smiled. "She is a force to be reckoned with when riled."
When Vin didn't say more he decided on a different tactic. "You know I was quite the hell raiser in my youth. I did some things I'm not proud of that's for sure. Even spent a night in jail."
Vin looked up but didn't speak.
"If cousin Murdoch hadn't talked my mother into sending me to him I don't know where I'd be today. He wasn't much older than me but he sure straightened me out right quick. Hell I don't think I sat in comfort the first several months of my stay." Sean smiled at the memory. "When I was old enough he set me up to learn blacksmithing. It made for a good living once I lit out on my own."
"Always a need for one." Vin took a swig of water from his canteen.
"I ended up in a small town in Kansas where I met Olivia, married and settled down to raise our family." He took the canteen from Vin and took a long drink. "What I'm trying to say is no ones perfect and everyone has a past. It's what you do with the here and now that matters and it seems like you've got a good thing going. You don't need to worry I'm going to take that away from you. Lauren loves you and we will be family. You don't need to impress us with what you think we want you to be."
"I aint exactly the type of man fathers want their daughters to marry."
"Maybe not but my past let me see there were all kinds of folk out there and dealing with people from all walks of life has made me a good judge of character. We wouldn't be having this conversation if I thought you weren't good enough for my daughter. Have my made myself clear enough for you to relax now?"
Vin felt as if a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. "Yes sir."
"Good. Now when do you plan to make it official?"
"Lauren told ya about my trouble in Tascosa?"
"Yes."
"Well Judge Travis cleared my name but I still got posters out there. I ain't givin Lauren my name until I'm sure no ones still comin after me. I won't risk it."
"Does Lauren agree?"
"No but she understands." He got to his feet. "We should probably get back. If we ain't back by the time True gets out of school all hells gonna break loose."
MAGSEVENMAGSEVEN
True and Creed were playing marbles on the porch of the boardinghouse when Sean and Vin returned. "Homework done?"
"Would I be out here if'n...hey!" True glared at Creed and rubbed at the spot he elbowed. He looked from her to Sean, who True would have seen if she bothered to look up from the game, to Vin then back to her in silent communication.
"Yes sir all done." He replied for her. She'd told him about Chris's warning so he was doing his best to help her stay out of trouble.
True flashed her baby blues and jumped to her feet. "Yes sir. Been just sitting here waiting for you guys to get back."
Vin gave her a warning look but let her sass go. He didn't want to get after her and ruin her afternoon with Sean. "Uh huh. I suppose you want to start showing Sean around right away?"
"Yes sir!"She replied practically dancing in place.
"You better go before she busts. I'll take care of the horses."
Sean dismounted and handed the reins to Vin. "Who is this strapping young man?"
"This is my best friend Creed. Creed my Uncle Sean."
Creed had never seen a man the size of Sean before. "It's nice to meet you sir."
"Likewise. Lauren has mentioned you in her letters."
"Can he come with us?" True asked.
"I don't see why not."
True grabbed Sean's hand. "Come on! Let's go!"
True drug him around town pointing out her favorite places to play and hang out in. As they passed the saloon she looked up at him. "I love going in here but I ain't allowed without one of the guys and they normally won't take me in."
"As one would expect."
"Don't tell Chris but sometimes Ezra, you haven't met him yet, but he owns the place and he lets me come in early before it opens."
"You didn't mention Vin. I take it he knows?"
"Yep and Chris will give him what for if he find out so let's keep that between us."
"Your secret is safe with me."
They made a stop at the general store where Sean bought Creed some peppermint sticks and True some candy. Not long after Creed had to go home so it was just the two of them. True skipped ahead down the walk and almost ran into Vin as they passed the Jail. "I wasn't running!" She pointed out quickly.
"I know." He plucked the candy from her pocket. "I'll take this."
"Hey!" She's actually eaten all but a few pieces already but that didn't mean she didn't want to finish it!
"If I let you hold it you'll eat it all today. I ain't dealing with you all sugared up." He turned to Sean. "Nettie wanted me to find you both anyway. We are all supposed to have supper at the boarding house tonight so you and Olivia can meet everyone. She figured you'd need a rest after chasing after True so I'm to tell you to go relax for a bit and to not be late for supper."
"And he always does what Nettie says." True giggled.
"From what I have heard about her I would too."