Jean Luc Chapter 4
The seven assembled outside the saloon drinking coffee and laughing about Vin and Josiah's two day escapade with the ranchers outside Eagle Bend. "Yeah," laughed Vin, "Josiah is definitely a silver-tongued devil! In the afternoon he conducted funeral services for both of the men killed in the last fight, and that evening, he officiated at a double wedding uniting both families! One of the girls was in a family way, and ol' Josiah heaped the responsibility on the two families for trying to keep the lovebirds apart! The families got together to throw one hell of a shindig for the two brides and two grooms; food, drink, dancing, the works!" Josiah just smiled and sipped his coffee. Sometimes Ezra's perceptions are right on the money!
Rebecca eagerly awaited the arrival of each stage. Matt and John were instructed to watch for two well-dressed gentlemen from the East; they were to inquire after Mr. Kinsley and Mr. Abercrombie. When they arrived, the young men were to carry their luggage to the hotel. Rebecca already reserved two rooms for them.
Luc was adjusting well; his two older brothers shielded him from taunts. They weren't bullies, but their uncles commanded respect, if not actual fear, from the other young people in town. The fact that Matt and John actually worked and ate with the seven formidable peacekeepers earned some respect for them also.
Luc waited outside the restaurant while his brothers delivered tablecloths. Luc suddenly heard someone walk up behind him casting a huge shadow. He turned slowly to see the man who usually dressed all in black. Luc's heart began to race and he held his breath. The man stooped down to Luc's eye level and smiled at him!
"I ain't really that scary unless you do somethin' wrong, so relax, Luc!" said Chris Larabee kindly.
"Oui, I mean, yes, sir," Luc said quickly.
"Call me Chris, we're gonna be family now."
"Hey, Uncle Chris!" called Matt and John. John put his arm around Luc's shoulders; he remembered how scary Chris seemed before he got to know him. Chris, Vin and J.D. wanted to take the Sanchez children riding. Rebecca offered to pack them a picnic. Were they interested? Luc never rode a horse and was a little hesitant, but if Matt and John were there, he knew that he would be safe.
Before they walked to the shop, the stage pulled into town. Two well-dressed men stepped off. Rebecca described them perfectly! John, Matt and Luc ran over to the hotel. "Mr. Kinsley? Mr. Abercrombie?" asked John.
George Abercrombie, an older gentleman with grey hair, glasses and a warm smile replied, "And whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" He was impeccably dressed in a well-fitted travel suit. The other gentleman, obviously Mr. Kinsley was getting their luggage from the driver. He was dressed more simply, but he was a handsome, older gentleman with laughing green eyes and a ready smile.
"I'm John Calhoun-Sanchez and this is my brother, Matt, and my soon-to-be-brother, Jean Luc. Our mother is Rebecca Cole Sanchez and we're pleased to meet you! Ma has rooms reserved for you and Mr. Kinsley at the hotel, and we're supposed to carry your luggage for you. Here comes Ma now!"
Rebecca hurried over to her uncles. She had Ruth and Mark with her. Uncle George hugged her first and whispered, "We're doing a turn-about – I won the bet – don't ruin it!" She smiled at him and shook her head, then she hugged Uncle Phillip.
"I see you've met three of my children," Rebecca said to her uncles. "These are your Great-Uncles George and Phillip," Rebecca said to the children. Then Rebecca introduced Ruth and Mark.
John and Matt carried the luggage into the hotel and waited while Uncle Phillip signed the guest book and paid for the rooms. He took the key from the desk clerk and began to pick up the luggage, but John said, "We'll get that for you, Uncle Phillip!" The boys followed Uncle Phillip up the stairs with the luggage while Rebecca gave directions to The Weaving Shop to Uncle George. After they freshened up, the uncles would come for refreshments.
Maude watched the entire scenario and immediately recognized the wealthy businessman – George Abercrombie – and his manservant – Phillip Kinsley. Rebecca Cole can "uncle" anyone she wishes, but Maude recognized breeding and wealth! She decided to forestall her approach until the boys' "Ma" was occupied. She shivered at the sound of the word, "Ma!"
Chris, Vin and J.D. took the children riding to allow Rebecca time to visit with her uncles. As Rebecca walked to the sheriff's office to tell Josiah, she met Maude on the walkway. "Good morning, Mrs. Standish," said Rebecca as pleasantly as she could. Maude smiled that sickeningly-sweet smile that set Rebecca's nerves on edge and drawled, "Rebecca, darlin', you must really garb your charmin' little daughter in somethin' more appropriate for a little lady than those boy's trousers! She positively appears the tiny ruffian!"
"Thank you for noticing, Maude, but those trousers are very appropriate for riding with her brothers and uncles!" Rebecca replied somewhat curtly.
Maude drew nearer to Rebecca and lowered her voice, "You may refer to your "uncles" as such to your children, but I recognize a manservant and prefer to regard him in that manner. I would appreciate an introduction to Mr. Abercrombie, if that is not too much of an imposition?"
Rebecca's eyes danced as she agreed to introduce Maude to Uncle George. She almost ran to the sheriff's office.
"Rebecca, you promised me that you wouldn't continue this one-up-man-ship with Maude!" stated Josiah.
"Josiah, dear, Maude asked specifically to be introduced to Uncle George. How can I refuse?" smiled Rebecca wickedly. Josiah sighed deeply and told Rebecca that he would return home shortly. He sent her out the door with a very undignified swat to the backside. She was up to something, he knew that for certain, but Rebecca never lied. She may not always tell the entire truth, but he never knew her to lie!
A short ways along the walkway, Ezra was approaching to relieve Josiah at the sheriff's office. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Sanchez," smiled Ezra. "I do hope that your assist through the doorway was not due to an encounter with my beloved mother?"
"Not exactly, Ezra," offered Rebecca truthfully. "I promised Josiah that I would not challenge your mother, and I do keep my word!"
"I am reassured by your pledge to refrain from engaging Maude in her devious activities, because while I refuse to impugn your intellect or creativity, or to disparage my dear mother, quite frankly the woman is a conniving shrew. Do not lower yourself to her contemptible position, Rebecca," expounded Ezra.
What could Rebecca say? She simply rested her hand on his forearm, stretched up onto her tiptoes and kissed Ezra on the cheek. "Thank you, Ezra, please come for dinner when you are relieved of duty?"
"It would be my privilege, Mrs. Sanchez," Ezra said as he bowed slightly and swept his arm for Rebecca to continue to the shop.
Rebecca just started water for tea when Uncles Phillip and George escorted Maude – Maude! – into the shop. Maude had a grip on George's arm and refused any contact with Phillip. She seemed to regard his servant status with disdain.
Uncle George apologized and asked Rebecca's forgiveness, but he had just met this most charming lady at the hotel and was going to escort her to the restaurant for tea. He would not require Phillip's services until later that evening. Then Uncle George took his leave…with Maude.
Uncle Phillip, Josiah and Rebecca had tea and apple pie. Uncle Phillip regaled them with tales of his travels, hysterical family stories, and examples of some of the bets he and George won and lost. He also seemed to be well acquainted with Josiah, probably through Cousin Jonathan's account. Rebecca had the distinct impression that Uncle Phillip liked Josiah before he even met him!
Chris, J.D. and Vin returned the children around suppertime; they agreed to stay for a meal. Ezra joined them, and Uncle Phillip enjoyed the children and their other "uncles" tremendously.
Rebecca and the children entertained Uncle Phillip while Maude monopolized Uncle George. Josiah accompanied his family when he wasn't on duty. They went horseback riding, on a picnic and fishing.
Uncles Phillip and George only stayed in Four Corners for five days, then they took the stage to the train depot to travel to San Francisco. The turn-about ended on the fifth day of their visit. The entire Sanchez family hugged and kissed both uncles, even though now Phillip was dressed in the well-fitted travel suit and George was more simply dressed. Maude was nowhere to be seen. The other six gathered with the Sanchez family; everyone waved until the stage was out of sight.
Ezra approached and whispered to Rebecca, "A portion of a delectable sweet will be a small price to pay for some titillating information regarding Maude!" Then he winked. Rebecca smiled and motioned for everyone to follow. Josiah looked at Rebecca menacingly, and followed.
After milk and coffee were poured and slices of cake distributed, the men began to recount the events Rebecca missed while she was entertaining Uncle Phillip. Ezra kept the events in sequence.
"According to Maude, Gerald departed rather suddenly because he was threatened by Mr. Larabee," informed Ezra.
"That's a lie!" stated Chris adamantly. "I actually smiled at the man when I suggested that he leave town!"
"Kindly smile for us, please, Mr. Larabee," requested Ezra.
Chris' eyes glared and he gave his mouth a snickering quirk. It actually startled Luc and he moved closer to J.D.!
"Chris, I wouldn't actually call that a smile. It looks like you started out with a sneer, then relaxed a little!" described Rebecca.
"Needless to say," Ezra continued, "Mr. Lewis departed on the next stage. Then Mr. Wilmington was in the restaurant with a young lady while Maude and Mr. Abercrombie were dining."
"I decided to take Madeline for an early meal because I hoped to take her for a buggy ride to watch the sunset – she gets all fluttery when…" began Buck.
"Buck! The children?" reminded Rebecca.
"Oh, yeah," said Buck looking around the table at the children. "At the end of the meal, we heard your Uncle George say that Phillip carries the money and he would have to put this on his tab, however he is unknown in the restaurant. Sooooo, Maude paid for the meal and left a hefty tip because that's what George said he would do!" laughed Buck.
"Maude paid for every meal!" laughed J.D. "Me and Casey were in the restaurant and Maude even paid for our meal because your Uncle George said that we were so unassuming, young and unspoiled!"
"Then, last evening, during a pleasurable repast, your Uncle George informed my dearest mother of the wager resulting in the turn-about. When George informed her that he was the valet, butler and secretary to Phillip Kinsley, Maude nearly lost her composure. George explained that he was practically penniless, but still regarded her with his greatest affection and admiration."
Ezra continued, "That is when she exhibited particular outward signs of apoplexy. At the completion of her fit, she was charged for the broken china, glassware, and necessary clean-up. Maude hired a carriage and departed our fair town like a thief in the night!"
Everyone burst out laughing, but Josiah sat stoically. Vin said, "Reckon you don't see the humor, 'Siah."
"Let him among you who is without sin cast the first stone…" was all Josiah said.
Rebecca gave a huge sigh. "I hate it when he does that."
Then Ruth said, "Maybe Mrs. Sandwich grew up in Mrs. Fuller's orph'nage! That would make Mrs. Sandwich mean, alright."
"Oh, no! Now Ruth is beginning to sound just like Josiah!" wailed Rebecca. "Alright, Josiah, the next time I see Mrs. Sandwich, I promise that I will apologize for Uncles George and Phillip. But I promised Uncle George that I would not reveal their turn-about, so I couldn't very well tell Maude! I will apologize, though!" Fortunately, Rebecca needed to begin preparing supper, so Luc and John began clearing the table, Matt carried in wood for the stove, and Ruth and Mark began setting the table for the meal.
The peacekeepers went to the saloon; they wanted to forget about Maude and all the difficulty she could cause. They listened to J.D. try to convince them that his jokes were funny, avoided card games with Ezra, half-listened to Buck's tales of current conquests, and tolerated Nathan's criticism of their eating and sleeping habits. They sometimes sat in comfortable silence, even J.D., for a short time.
Weeks later, Father Stephen announced that he was starting a school through the generous endowment of an anonymous benefactor. The church would be the temporary site until the schoolhouse was constructed. Rebecca and Josiah were thrilled that the children had the opportunity to receive an education from such a knowledgeable, kind and patient person as Fr. Stephen. They knew that Phillip Kinsley was the benefactor; he was enamored with the children and held Fr. Stephen in high regard.
All five Sanchez children were being registered for school. Fr. Stephen held his class record and listed their names. Ruth held Rebecca's hand and the boys formed a line next to her.
"The Sanchez children," began Fr. Stephen, "one girl named Ruth, and four boys named Matthew, Mark, Luc and John! It looks like you have the Gospel writers covered; thank heavens the first child wasn't named Peter. Josiah might have adopted twelve children named after the apostles!" The children and Rebecca laughed. They liked Fr. Stephen; he had a sense of humor; he was fair.
Later that afternoon, as Josiah sanded in his wood shop, John entered, picked up a piece of sandpaper and a table leg, and began smoothing the wood. "Pa," John asked without looking up, "I need to know something." Josiah waited for John to continue, but he just kept sanding the table leg.
"You know, John," Josiah said slowly, "if you take a bite of fish and find a fishbone in it, you can roll it around and around in your mouth and never seem to locate that bone! Then you have two choices: you can either swallow that bite and take your chances, or you can spit that bite out. What are you going to do?" Josiah watched John's reaction carefully. John seemed to be growing into a strong, confident young man before his and Rebecca's eyes. Josiah was concerned that some of John's old doubts and insecurities might be resurfacing.
"When will you and Rebecca consider me to be a man?" he blurted out before he changed his mind.
Josiah released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "John, you're almost fourteen years old; in many cultures, you would be regarded as a man. You had so much responsibility heaped on you so early in your life that I want you to be able to indulge in at least a little childhood. John! You used to practically apologize for everything including the mud in the street!"
John shook his head. "Naw, not the mud! Maybe the rain that caused the mud, but never the mud!" John joked. "Was I really that bad?" Josiah smiled at him and nodded his head. "But Pa, I practically need to start shaving!" Josiah pulled John over to the window and examined his face in the light.
"Guess you do have something starting there...if you look real close ...in bright light..." smiled Josiah. "Show you what to do tomorrow morning, if you're that interested." John gave Josiah a huge smile and nodded his head. Josiah never shared any of those rites of passage with his own father; he's only teaching John to shave, but it's important to John.
"Did you know that Rebecca refers to the Sanchez children as 'the little ones' and 'the young men'; and J.D. and Vin consider you an equal; even the rest of the seven don't consider you a boy?" Josiah said earnestly. John stared at him in disbelief. "You are at that difficult and wonderful stage where you vacillate between childhood and manhood. Enjoy it; don't be in too much of a hurry to grow up. Are you getting any other hair?" Josiah asked as he nodded toward John's body.
John looked embarrassed as he said,"Yeah." Josiah put his arm around John's neck and pulled him into a hug. "John, you're not a boy anymore, but don't turn into a man too soon...please!" They both sat down to do a little more sanding before supper.
That evening, after chores were finished and the children were in bed, Josiah and Rebecca sat on the bench outside the shop. Josiah had his arm around her and she laid her head against his chest. They watched the stars and enjoyed the cool evening air. "Rebecca are you happy?" Josiah asked suddenly. Rebecca startled at the question, immediately considering the motive behind it. "Well, guess that's the answer," Josiah said softly.
"No, Josiah," began Rebecca straightening up to look at him. When she saw his expression in the moonlight, she hurried to clarify her answer, "I mean, no, my reaction was not the answer! I wondered why you asked me such a question! Yes, I am very happy! Are you the one who is not happy?"
"A man like me has no right to be this happy, this content, but you – you gave up servants, fine clothes, parties, travel – all the things Maude craves. How can you be happy working all day long, taking care of the children, feeding the seven of us? Just can't understand it."
"Josiah, I don't know what I ever did in my life to deserve this happiness, but those horrible years with Tyler led me to Four Corners and to you. I have never loved or been loved like I am now. I haven't given up anything; I've gained a husband, children, family and home.
"Let me bang the Bible at you for a change; from the Book of Ruth," said Rebecca speaking very slowly and looking in Josiah's eyes, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and your people shall be my people; and your God, my God." Then she gave her head a firm nod, and put it back on Josiah's chest.
Josiah put his arms around her again and pulled her against him. He smiled broadly to himself; pride, love and happiness swelling in him; she understands. She understands living in Four Corners, the seven, his belief in many paths to the Almighty. She understands; she loves him; his life is good.
The End…For Now