Chapter 11

"Now keep your eyes closed, Vin," Buck urged.

"I'm warning you, Bucklin…"

"Hush, now you keep this up and you'll just ruin the surprise."

"Haven't I been surprised enough tonight?" Vin complained.

"Josiah, if you could help me out?" Buck asked.

With a nod and a toothy smile, the preacher walked behind Vin and placed his large hands over the young man's eyes."

"Buck!" Vin cried out squirming under the preacher's iron grip.

"Calm down, Vin, it'll be over before you know it," Chris remarked.

Chuckles and giggles erupted from the attendees.

Turning towards the door to the restaurant, Buck saw J.D. approach with their gift.

"You'd think you'd be more grateful," Buck complained. "J.D. and I went to a lot of trouble to find just the right gift. J.D. even rode all the way up to see Mr. Ladd to pick out just the right girl for you," he teased.

Vin sputtered, but Josiah held firm. Nathan pushed the quilt and other gifts aside to make room.

Buck urged J.D. further into the room with their gift.

"Oh you don't have to worry none, Vin," Buck continued. "We made sure to pick a real purty one out, one with nice silky hair, and a little sassy. One, that'll keep you company and keep you warm at night."

"Buck, must I remind you that there are women present," Ezra piped up trying hard not to laugh.

"Oh, right. Well if they want to look away they can. This will be over with soon. J.D., you all set? Just put her right on the table in front of the birthday boy."

"Ok, Josiah, let'm loose."

Josiah pulled his hands away and stepped back.

Vin sputtered and upon opening his eyes looked at Buck and J.D.'s gift his mouth agape.

"You, you…."

"See I knew he'd like her," Buck boasted to J.D.

"Hey, I'm the one that personally picked her out. And had to carry her all the way back here." J.D. added punching Buck in the upper arm.

"You got me a dog?" Vin exclaimed reaching out to grasp his gift. The a long-haired, floppy eared pup with a shiny chestnut colored coat jumped up on Vin's chest.

"Well yeah, we got you a dog," Buck replied. "What did you think we got you?" He winked at Vin who had now lifted the dog into his arms and was the welcome recipient to several puppy kisses.

"I've never had a dog of my own before."

"So you like her?" J.D. asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, I do. Thanks, guys."

Buck wrapped an arm around J.D.'s head. "We did good, kid." he whispered thickly.

Chris leaned back in his chair taking in the moment. The joy on Vin's face reminded him of Christmases with his son, Adam. He wondered if Vin had ever come close to experiencing anything like this before and if he had ever been so surrounded by love and appreciation since his mother had died. Ezra looked over to him, and Chris gave him a nod.

TBC