Chapter 12

"Perhaps, Mr. Dunne, could hold your pup while I present my gift, Mr. Tanner?" Ezra asked.

"Sassy," Vin said.

Ezra looked confused. "Sassy?"

"Her name's Sassy, just like Buck said."

"I did?"

"Yep. You said she was a little sassy, so I figure that's a good name – Sassy," Vin determined with a nod of his head.

"Well then," Ezra continued. "Do you think J.D. could tend to Sassy for a moment?"

Reluctantly, Vin relinquished possession of the puppy to J.D.

Ezra rose to his feet and brush away dust from the sleeves of his green jacket and bent down to pick up his gift. "Mr. Tanner, please let me convey my best wishes on your birthday."

"Thanks, Ezra."

"And let me also apologize for not arriving on time to this soiree. A finer party I have yet had to pleasure to attend in a very long time." Turning his head a bit to the left, he addressed Chris. "Mr. Larabee, at this time I have to apologize, I was a bit less than truthful to you those many weeks ago regarding what I would be presenting Mr. Tanner with tonight, but I still owe you my gratitude for your sagely advice."

Chris narrowed his eyes towards the gambler.

Walking forward Ezra placed a sizeable packaged in front of Vin.

"I wish you a very happy birthday, Mr. Tanner. Please accept my gift."

Stepping back, Ezra watched anxiously while Vin's long fingers pulled at the knot of twine and pushed away the brown paper to reveal a stack of brown leather books. Looking down her read the cover and quickly looked up at Ezra, his mouth agape. Finding his voice he finally spoke. "Ezra?"

The rest of the people in the room, including most of the Seven were asking what had been revealed. Mary looked up at the two men, her eyes shedding tears of joy and pride.

"Pick one up, Vin," Ezra urged.

With more care than he would picking up a delicate egg, Vin did as instructed and opened the cover of the book. "It's my words," he stated with awe running his fingertips over the printed words. "My words all in a book, just like a real poet. Ezra?"

"Mr. Tanner, you are a real poet. And now you'll be a paid published poet."

"I don't understand."

"Remember when I acted on your behalf a couple of years ago regarding your most erstwhile cantankerous steed?"

Vin didn't respond.

"When I helped you when you were accused of horse theft?"

"Yep. I signed that piece of paper…the poxie."

"Proxy," Ezra gently corrected. "I decided it was worth possibly incurring your wrath to contact a respectable publishing company to see if they would be interested in printing your poems. Not only were they interested, I was able to secure a better than average royalty on your behalf."

"Royalty?"

"I will explain later. In the meantime there are enough books for you to distribute to all your friends. Of course I'm sure they'll all want you to autograph them."

"But, Ezra," Vin said looking up first up at the gambler and then over to Mary. "It's got my name on it - my whole name on it."

Ezra looked innocently. "Yes, Mr. Vincent J. Tanner, it certainly does. I think it looks very nice and it's very fitting. I even provided a forward which I hope you'll appreciate."

"It is nice, Ezra. Looks mighty fine, but…"

"I think it's my turn," Chris interrupted.

"But—"

"My turn," Chris repeated, "then we'll discuss your buts."

"Vin, happy birthday." Reaching into the inside pocket of his black leather vest Chris withdrew a long envelope.

"That's it?" Buck asked loudly. "Just three words?"

"Yeah, Chris," Josiah piped up. "How about a little more than just that? This is a celebration after all."

"Speech, speech!" J.D. called out, and several others joined in with the chant.

"Ah, hell, Chris you don't have to say anything," Vin said. "You just being here is enough.

"Well, actually maybe this time they are right." Chris shot them a glare. "Remember though, even a broken clock is right twice a day, don't let it go to your heads."

Buck whispered to J.D. "Remember this, he said we were right. That don't happen often."

"I'd say it never happens," J.D. replied.

"Any idea what he got Vin?"

"Nope. Hell, maybe Chris wrote a poem himself!"

"Ssssh!" The group urged.

Ezra spoke up. "Go head, Mr. Larabee."

"Thank you, where was I?"

"Chris, you wished Vin a happy birthday," Mary replied.

"Oh right. Well, I should tell him a couple things. One that I've been working on his present for a long time, long before we decided that April 21st would be Vin's birthday. Another thing is that I never expected when I first met this long haired, skinny former bounty hunter that I had found not only a friend, but a brother. Vin, when I met you I was in a very dark place, but you – despite your own troubles – brightened my day, and as a result gave my life purpose again." Chris passed the younger man the envelope. "Again, happy birthday."

Vin locked eyes with his friend, swallowed hard and nodded his head. "Thanks, Chris." He breathed. "I could say the same about you, and the rest of the Seven."

"Well, open it, Mr. Tanner," Ezra encouraged.

Vin pulled out his large hunting knife from his belt, and deftly slit the envelope open. Upon placing the knife down on the table, he opened the envelope and withdrew a thick piece of cream colored paper. Silently, his lips moving occasionally to help sound out the words, he read it. And he read it again.

"I'm free? Free to return to Texas?" he asked, making sure he read it correctly, for surely it couldn't be possible. "I'm not wanted anymore?"

Murmurs of amazement and joy could be heard.

"Free to go back if you want. Your name is clear," Chris confirmed. "But I have a feeling a lot of people here want you, and want you to stay."

With shaking hands, Vin dropped the paper. Crawling over the table and through the throng of people, he flew out through the door. Chris was soon on his heels, not stopping until he reached Vin's refuge in the livery stable.

"Vin, you all right?" he asked cautiously approaching his friend who had sunk down on his haunches just outside of Peso's stall.

With a sniff, Vin looked up into Chris's green eyes.

Chris saw something he thought he'd never see. In the light of the full moon, he saw tears streaming down the cheeks of the tracker. Dropping to his knees, he pulled the younger man into a comforting embrace.

"I'm free?" he questioned.

Chris pulled away so he could look at Vin in the eyes. He knew that while Vin wasn't confined to a prison cell, Vin certainly felt restricted having to look over his shoulder all the time and not being able to return to his beloved Texas.

"Yep, free," Chris reconfirmed. "That paper says so. I'll tell you all the details later. You just have to be wary for a bit longer until we know everyone has been notified."

Vin roughly brushed away his tears. "Chris, I don't know what to say. My words are stuck in my throat."

"Vin, you don't have to say anything. You and I have always had this bond, this link – we can tell what the other's thinking sometimes without the other saying a word. This is one of these times."

"Yeah, that's true."

"How about you clean yourself up and we'll go back to the party. I think you have some books to sign."

With a nod, Vin let Chris help him to his feet and they soon returned back to the party.

TBC (epilogue follows)