PLEASE SEE CHAPTER 1 FOR WARNINGS AND DISCLAIMERS

A/N: Sorry for the long delay. No big story...just an insanely busy real life!

Chapter 11

Dinner was a rather quiet affair for the Travis family. Oren took his daughter-in-law and grandson to the restaurant so that Mary wouldn't have to worry about preparing a meal. Mary had eased Billy's fears concerning his friends, explaining that they would not be carried off to a workhouse but stay here in Four Corners with their father, none other than their very own Ezra Standish.

Oren gave his daughter-in-law a frown. Things were far from settled. The twins were responsible for tremendous property damage and loss in Canyon City and that wasn't something he could just ignore. Of course Ezra had raised some very good points and the Judge was extremely suspicious of this Percival Atwood person. First thing tomorrow morning he would be sending off inquiries. He would need to get a telegram off to Evie, too, and let her know that he'd be staying longer than expected. There also remained the original reason for his trip to Four Corners - to settle a water dispute between two local farmers. On top of all that, he needed to have a serious discussion with his grandson about a certain purloined picture. The man sighed heavily feeling the weight of his years.

"Oren?"

"I'm fine Mary, just travel weary," he replied with a smile, noting the concern in her light green eyes. For the first time since his arrival he noticed that Mary's face looked a little drawn and perhaps pale. She worked so hard…running the Clarion, taking care of Billy, and constantly crusading to make this town a better place for the future generation. He admired her more than he could say, but he worried for his stubbornly independent daughter-in-law as well. Mary could only carry so much on her slender shoulders.

The waitress came to offer coffee and both adults accepted. Taking a sip of the steaming liquid Oren pondered this dilemma. One had to be cautious when dealing with Mary because she could be impossible once she got her back up. Still, he believed it his duty to discuss his concerns.

Consumed with her own thoughts, Mary sipped her coffee as well. She had much to do this evening. She had articles to write up and print to set. All of the recent excitement necessitated a change in her layout for tomorrow's paper. Of course she could delay printing for a day, but she hated to do that. Her eyes drifted to her rather subdued son.

Mary admitted to herself that her feelings were mixed about his part in this afternoon's fiasco. His intentions were good, and she was proud of Billy for wanting to help friends in need. On the other hand she was appalled that he had been part of such utter mayhem. In addition he had intentionally deceived and disobeyed Chris Larabee, something not many adults in this town would dare to do. She really was at a loss with how to handle this situation. This was one of those times that she keenly missed Billy's father. Stephen would have known just what to do and say.

For his part, Billy felt guilty and extremely worried. He didn't usually get into much trouble and this time he sure had been right in the thick of things. The boy didn't know exactly how much trouble he was in and that uncertainty was turning his stomach. He pushed the food around his plate, hoping his mother wouldn't notice he'd managed to eat very little of it.

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

Josiah smiled as he stood at the door of the Potter's kitchen, having made it up the stairs unnoticed. It was unusually quiet except for Gloria's humming as she stirred the contents of a pot on the stove. After a few moments she turned to retrieve the bread and cut a few slices to go with supper but stopped short with a yelp at seeing the large man leaning lazily against the doorframe.

"Good Lord, Josiah! You scared me nigh to death. How long have you been standing there?"

"Awhile." Stepping into the kitchen he bent down to softly brush her lips, offering a sweet greeting. Gloria enthusiastically returned the kiss but pulled back after only a moment.

"So? What's to become of the rascals?" she asked anxiously. Despite their penchant for trouble, Gloria found she had a soft spot for her son's new friends.

"Ezra stepped forward," the former preacher said with a smile. "Turns out he's actually their father. It's kind of a long story. Maybe I can tell you after supper? After the children are abed?"

Josiah was asking more than to postpone his story and Gloria was well aware of the fact. He generally took his leave immediately following the meal, perhaps after helping her with the dishes or reading to the children. This evening he was looking to spend some time alone with her.

"Yes, that's a good idea," she answered turning back to her bread to hide the flush of her cheeks.

"Where are the kids?"

"Both in their rooms. Gracie drove me nearly insane today, practically hanging on my apron strings so I settled her in her room with her doll and told her she wasn't to come out before supper. Levi," she turned back around to look Josiah in the eye, "Is in his room waiting for you."

"You sure you're okay with this, Gloria?"

The woman nodded. "If you are."

"I'm surely not looking forward to it, but…." Josiah ran a weary hand over his face and through his hair. Really the last thing he wanted to do was punish Levi, but he felt he needed to.

As if reading his thoughts Gloria completed the man's sentence, "It needs to come from you. This was partly a misguided attempt to help his friends and probably a fair amount of a boy getting caught up in the fun of mischief making. But if I don't miss my guess, he was also testing you. My boy's not blind. He sees what's between us."

Always one to face difficult situations head on, Gloria squared her shoulders and pinned the peacekeeper with a frank look. "So I guess this is up to you. Is this what you want, Josiah?"

Her unspoken message was clear. "I'm ready but are you. Am I what you want? Are we what you want?"

Without hesitation, Josiah stepped forward and took the pretty widow into his arms. He'd already given this some thought and he knew what he wanted so this time his kiss was neither soft nor sweet but passionate and possessive. Gloria responded in kind. Josiah pulled back from the embrace first this time, placing a tender kiss on the top of Gloria's head as he stepped away.

"I guess I'd better go have a talk with Levi. We'll be out for supper soon."

Josiah made his way to the boy's room, somewhat taken aback by how quickly events had progressed, but he knew deep inside his soul that this was right. He compared it with his longstanding infatuation with Emma, and realized what a fool he'd been. Gloria was not just an attractive woman but carried within her a beautiful and indomitable spirit while the singer he'd fancied himself in love with was shallow and self-serving. Levi and Gracie were wonderful kids and he felt lucky, no honored, to be part of their lives. Stopping to knock on Levi's door Josiah admitted to himself that this gift - given by the Creator Himself - came with a certain responsibility. With a sigh he entered the room.

Levi looked up from where his sat on the bed, arms wrapped around his knees, which were pulled up to his chest. Worry clouded his brown eyes. "Are Ethan and Eliza gonna be sent away to a workhouse?"

Pride welled up in Josiah as he realized that Levi's first concern was for his friends.

"No. As a matter of fact I think they'll be staying right here with their Pa, Ezra."

"Mr. Standish?"

"Yep."

"Well, why didn't he say something sooner?" Levi demanded heatedly, recognizing that this whole mess could have been avoided.

Josiah raised his eyebrows at the lad's tone. "He had his reasons, which are his own. You should have listened to me, trusted me when I told you things were going to be okay. But you didn't do that did you?" the silver-haired peacekeeper demanded sternly. "Instead, you chose to lie to me."

"I-I'm sorry. But I didn't want them to be sent to a workhouse!"

"I understand that, son," Josiah answered softly, "And I am proud of you for wanting to help your friends, but you should have trusted me. Grown-ups often have a bit more information to go on and that's one reason that you kids need to listen to what we have to say." He paused to see if his message was sinking in and when he could see that it was he continued. "Lying isn't the only wrong that you did now is it?"

"No, sir," Levi flushed and dropped his head, not able to face the man that had become so important to him.

Josiah took a seat on the bed next to the boy and gently tipped Levi's chin up. "So what all else did you do?"

"I – ah – helped rig up the livery so you all would be distracted, and I – ah kinda borrowed your tools to do that."

"Borrowed?"

"I was gonna make sure they all got put back. I swear!"

"When you take something without asking it isn't called borrowing. What else?"

"I put on Ethan's clothes and rode off with Billy, tryin' ta trick everyone."

"Whose horse?"

"The Hanson's. Matt and Andy said we could borrow her."

"I see."

"I'm really sorry. We didn't know Mr. Standish was their, pa and we just couldn't let 'em get sent to the workhouse without tryin' ta do sumthin'."

"Well, your heart may have been in the right place, but your actions were far from it. Those kind of stunts are not acceptable. Someone could have been hurt, not to mention the mess you made of poor Yosemite's Livery. You will be helping to clean that up and I think it only fair that you volunteer to muck out stalls for the next week. You don't touch my tools without my permission, either," Josiah chided. "I think I could use some extra help on the church for oh…let's say the next two weeks to make up for that."

"Okay," Levi nodded vigorously, anxious to make amends and pleased that Josiah still wanted him around.

"I guess that leaves only one thing left to do then."

Levi swallowed hard, "You – ah, gonna…uh…"

"Tan your backside? Yes I am. You know that what you did was wrong don't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Stand up and drop your britches."

Levi was quick to obey although his hands trembled as he pulled the braces from his shoulders and unfastened his trousers. Josiah gently helped the lad over his lap and tugged the pants further down, laying a comforting hand on Levi's back for a short moment, before reaching to unbutton the flap on the boy's union suit. He'd never actually spanked a child before and being well aware of his own strength, he wanted to be able to see exactly what he was doing to be certain he wasn't too harsh.

Taking a calming breath, Josiah raised his hand and brought it down with a resounding smack on the small, bared bottom over his lap. Levi yelped and twisted but Josiah had a secure hold of his waist with his other hand. Deciding there had been enough of a lecture already, Josiah proceeded to bring his hand down again and again on Levi's squirming backside, not stopping until he was certain he had got the message across. Once he'd accomplished that end he fixed Levi's clothes and flipped the sobbing boy over, holding him close while rubbing his back and running gentle fingers through his brown hair. Josiah whispered gentle endearments until Levi's sobs finally calmed to hitched breaths.

"I truly am sorry," Levi apologized once again with a sniffle.

"It's over, son. You're forgiven," Josiah murmured kissing the top of Levi's head.

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

"So what happens now?" Ethan asked looking across the table at Ezra.

The former con man had decided a modicum of privacy was called for and after requesting Inez's indulgence, the three sat down to dine in the tavern's kitchen.

"Once we partake of this delightful collation Inez was kind enough to provide, I think that the numerous travails of the day call for a bath and an early bedtime."

"I think Ethan was referring to our living situation," Eliza responded drolly, rolling her eyes at Ezra's longwinded response, and fancy way of saying they had misbehaved and were being sent to bed early.

"Ah, yes. I believe your current accommodations are adequate to your needs are they not?" With very little pause for a response, Ezra continued. "I do not foresee your misdeeds in Canyon City leading to a change in your circumstance, once the judge has finished his investigation, though I cannot be certain that he will not extend your sentence of community service."

"Extend?" Eli demanded. "I thought now that the truth was out, you could put an end to that torture!"

Ezra chuckled. "You acutely underestimate Mr. Larabee's resolve if you think myself or anyone else will be able to mitigate your sentence. In fact, given recent events, I think it would be wise if, after you help set the livery to rights, you volunteer your services to Yosemite for as long as he deems appropriate in recompense for today's fiasco."

"Volunteer?" Eliza was aghast.

"Ah, give it a rest Eli," Ethan said with a grin. "You knew as well as me what we was in for ifin we got caught. Least we ain't lookin' at time in a workhouse."

Eliza's less than ladylike response was cut short by Ezra. "Enough! You, young lady will keep a civil tongue and cease your use of base language, and you, young man will speak with a vernacular befitting the upbringing I know that your mother provided."

The twins shared a look of surprise at Ezra's sharp, rather paternal tone before responding in concert, "Yes, sir."

"Very well. Now, I understand that you must have a great number of questions, however, I believe that those can wait until we have eaten our meal."

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

Billy had been sent up to get ready for bed and Mary sat down with a heavy sigh. "What am I going to do?" she asked wearily.

"Honestly?" Oren asked, stopping to pour a small glass of sherry for both Mary and himself, offering her the delicate glass before taking a seat.

Mary sat up straighter and shook her head. "Now Oren, I know what you're going to say but we have had this discussion before. I know that you think Billy and I would be better off with you and Evie, but –"

"No, as a matter of fact that isn't what I was going to say," the Judge interrupted her sharply. "And I'd appreciate the courtesy of you hearing me out," he chided. Mary blushed and gave a contrite nod. "Mary, no matter what happens, you will always be a daughter to Evie and I, just as much as Billy will always be our grandson. We understand, though, that you need to move on with your life."

Mary looked puzzled. "Oren, if you think my work on the paper is somehow…"

"No, no that isn't what I meant. I understand that Stephen's dream has very much become your own and that the Clarion is important to you as is this town and the people in it. But you try to do too much on your own, Mary. Being a mother is a hard job in and of itself but a single mother, business owner, and town leader is an awful lot to shoulder. You need to let others help more, Mary, and you need to take time for yourself…as a woman."

Completely taken aback, Mary didn't quite know what to say.

"I know that there are those that would like to help if given half a chance," the Judge continued. "Don't be too stubborn to let them. You are a young, attractive woman, Mary. Don't hide yourself away behind work and responsibility."

Mary shook her head, "Oren, I don't precisely know what you're hinting at but…"

The older man held up his hand. "Just give it some, thought, Mary. For me?"

Mary looked into Oren's earnest eyes and offered a nod. She knew herself to be doing just fine on her own, but if it made the man feel any better she would give his words some thought.

"Good. Now as for the present situation, I suggest you accept some of that help I was talking about."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Well, I already need to have a discussion with Billy concerning that picture that he took from my office. There's no reason we can't discuss today's events as well. I would say that it's a forgone conclusion that he will be expected to help clean up the mess and perhaps offer to spend some time helping Yosemite at the livery."

Mary nodded. "I can hardly believe that Billy had a hand in all of that," she said shaking her head.

"To be honest, I'm a bit relieved," Judge Travis said with a smile.

"Relieved?"

"He's been such a serious boy since his father died. Stephen was always full of shenanigans at that age. Seeing Billy get into a bit of mischief like a normal boy is somehow…I don't know refreshing."

"I don't know if that is precisely how I would describe it," Mary quipped but a smile did flash across her face. "Normal mischief or not, it can't be tolerated."

"Of course not! I said I'd discuss it with him, and if you'll accept another piece of advice, you'll let Chris handle a piece of it as well."

"Chris?" Mary's cheeks reddened inexplicably and the old gentleman had to hide a grin. She might side step the issue, but the Judge was used to seeing through all sorts of people and situations. The woman who he considered his own daughter was not likely to fool him.

"He and Billy have had a special relationship since bringing down Stephen's killers. Though he may have thought he had good cause, he deceived Chris and then disobeyed him. I think that should be between Chris and Billy."

Mary looked at Oren thoughtfully. "I see your point, but I don't know how Chris will feel about that. It isn't really his responsibility. He isn't Billy's father."

"Nonetheless, I'd be surprised if you don't get a visit from him tomorrow with a similar suggestion."

Mary pursed her lips. "So you think I should let you and Chris deal with this?"

"Yes."

"You aren't by any chance insinuating that as a woman-"

Oren didn't even let her finish. "Of course not! I know you are fully capable, but this is just what I was talking about moments ago. You need to let others help once in awhile. You don't have to do everything on your own all of the time."

"Really? Because I rather thought you were intimating that I should develop some sort of love life earlier. It almost seemed as if you were giving me your blessing to go courting."

This waspish response was precisely what he had come to expect from his spitfire of a daughter-in-law and the judge just laughed as he came to his feet setting down the glass of sherry he hadn't even bothered to sip. "Well, one never knows what the future may hold. Now, I think I have a grandson that needs a stern talking to."

TBC…