Chapter 9

A tired Vin Tanner steered Peso into the livery just as the sun was starting to set.

From his position in front of the saloon, Chris Larabee saw his friend steer his horse into the livery. Taking the time to alert the people inside the restaurant, Chris made his way across to join Vin, but not before casting his gaze down the road, hoping that he'd see Ezra returning from his mission.

Vin was removing the saddle from Peso when Chris poked his head into the spirited steed's stall.

"Looks like the Morgans kept you busy," Chris said.

Vin heaved the saddle up over the half-wall of the stable. "Yeah, you can say that again. Reminded me why I never wanted to be a farmer. But what was worse was all the jibber-jabber."

Chris laughed and removing his black hat he ran his hand through his straw-colored hair. "Couldn't get a word in edgewise?"

Vin shot him a piercing glare, but his lips turned up into a grin. "Hardly a word, but there's a lot of love in that house, Chris. All in all, they's pretty lucky."

"Yeah, they are," Chris agreed.

Vin removed the horse blanket from Peso's back and while Chris brushed the horse's coat, Vin put some oats into a feedbag and affixed it to his horse.

"Think we'll ever be that lucky, Chris? You know, finally be able to settle down and create a life for ourselves?"

Chris was about to reply when he heard a loud whistle. It was time to start things rolling.

"C'mon, clean up and I'll buy you a steak at the restaurant," Chris offered, clasping his friend around the shoulders.

"Buy? Y'know it's part of our pay," Vin teased.

"Figure of speech."

Vin laughed and let himself be dragged along to the water pump so he could wash away the dirt and dust.

Mary positioned herself at the front window of the hotel's restaurant, which commanded an excellent view down the street towards the livery with the benefit of the night's full moon.

The room behind her hummed with activity as the women placed bowls of fried chicken, stewed beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables on a heavy wooden plank which had been set up on sawhorses on one side of the room. Others, knowing that Vin had a sweet tooth, contributed to the festivities by adding an assortment of pies, cakes, and custards. The chairs and tables were scattered around the room with one long table for the Seven placed against the back wall, the center chair decorated with streamers.

"Everyone hide," Mary Travis urged upon seeing Chris and Vin approach the hotel.

People pushed back into closets, behind tables and into the kitchen area.

"…and then when Mrs. Morgan asked me to diaper the baby, I knew it was time to head back to town," Vin related.

Chris chuckled and made note that he'd have to extend a special thank you to the Morgans for keeping Vin so busy. He just wished he could have seen Vin's face when Betty asked the tracker to diaper the infant. Placing a hand on Vin's back, Chris urged him through the door of the restaurant. Upon seeing the newly rearranged tables and all the food, Vin's forward momentum ground to a halt.

The door closed behind the pair in turn causing the bell mounted to the top of the door to ring.

Upon hearing the bell, all the people spilled out into the room and en masse shouted "Happy Birthday!"

Vin's eyes widened and he took a step backwards straight into the unmovable Chris Larabee.

"Birthday?" he squeaked out.

Josiah, taking on the role of the party coordinator, emerged from the crowd of people. "All these people here," the big man raised his long arms," have assembled here today to celebrate your birthday, Vin Tanner."

Vin's pivoted around to face Chris.

Chris smiled and nodded. "This is for you, Vin."

"I don't know my birthday," he admitted to his friend.

"I know. We thought that April 21st sounded like a good day for you to have a birthday. Well, Ezra's cards did help with the decision."

"Huh?"

"You can ask Ezra when he shows up. In the meantime," he turned Vin around, "these people went to a lot of trouble for you. Don't you think you owe it to them to appear to be thankful?"

Turning to once again to face the crowd, he gave the people a small smile, muttered a thank you, and let the Chris and some of the townsfolk propel him into the chair of honor. Chris sat beside Vin, not just because he was Vin's best friend, but also so he would be able to reach out and grab the tracker should he decide to bolt. The others all took their seats at the scattered tables. Josiah, Buck, J.D., and Nathan all chose seats near Vin and Chris, saving an empty seat for Ezra hoping he'd arrive shortly.

Josiah stood up from his seat and facing Vin, and in a strong powerful voice addressed the young man. "Mr. William Dean Howells is credited with the following statement:

'I know, indeed, of nothing more subtly satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from fine physical state. It cannot be brought. But it is the keenest joy, after all; and the toiler's truest and best reward.' (1) Again, Vin, we wish you a most sincere Happy Birthday. My gift to you will be presented first. It wasn't much, and certainly didn't take any cajoling, but I did arrange for the women to prepare and bring their culinary creations to this event."

"Josiah, you're starting to sound like Ezra," J.D. piped up.

"Who is starting to sound like me?" Ezra asked having just stepped through the doorway. The gambler was exceptionally dusty and unusually unkempt from his rapid ride back to Four Corners. Under one arm, he carried a large heavy package wrapped in brown paper and secured with twine.

Josiah laughed deeply and with a sweep of his arm directed Ezra to the seat which had been saved for him.

Ezra graced the preacher with a two-fingered salute and moved to the seat but not before stopping by and wishing Vin a happy birthday.

Josiah continued. "So the first gift will be enjoyed not only by yourself, but by everyone here today. But you, Vin, will be the first to partake. But first, let's us bow our heads and pray. 'Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for this food and the hands it took to prepare it. Bless it to our strength and to thy glory. Amen'."

Raising his head Vin looked around the room. He spotted Nettie and Casey, Mary, the blacksmith, the new schoolmarm, both Tiny and Yosemite, and Inez, Mrs. Potter, and a number of other people. Nervously, he looked back at Chris.

"C'mon, Vin, everyone's hungry. Go get yourself something to eat. I'll be right behind you." In a lower voice he whispered. "And don't you even think about scooting out the back door."

With a sigh Vin rose to his feet and made his way through the people to where the food was laid out. Along the way people stopped him shook his hand and wished him a happy birthday. Shyly Vin nodded and expressed his gratitude with quick thank yous, and was even more thankful when he reached the food spread.

Loading his plate, being sure to take a little of everything and a lot of his favorites, Vin finally returned to his seat allowing the rest of the people access to the food.

Seeing Vin dig into the food like someone would take it away from him if he paused for a moment, Chris elbowed him. Vin shot him a questioning look.

"You do know that this isn't over when you're done eating?"

Vin swallowed.

"This is going to be an event that this town will talk about a long time. You aren't half done yet."

Vin groaned.

"It won't be that bad, trust me. By the end of the evening, you'll be glad you didn't just hightail it outta here."

Vin grimaced.

"Now give everyone a smile and finish your meal...there's no hurry."

Vin flashed his audience a forced grin.

TBD

(1) Note: Mr. Howell is credited with this quote, and he did live during the time period (born 1837 – died 1920), though I cannot be sure he wrote these words before the time of this story.