ON YOUR HORSES, BOYS

Part 14

Vin Tanner's ears roared as he walked the boardwalk between the jail and Nathan's clinic; the sound of flames burning out of control and the shouts of men fighting to put them out echoed in his mind with a rush. He'd spent half the night and most of the day extinguishing fires presumably set by the Nichols family in retaliation for the gun battle the day before. Although he hadn't had time to help clear the bodies littering the street, he had been witness to their removal as he battled the fires hoping to prevent new deaths being added to the count. Three of the Nichols' boys were currently at the undertakers being cleaned up and fitted for sturdy coffins so they could be transported back to Kansas City. They would be sent to the undertaker's office there and released to the appropriate family members. Hank Connelly presented a different problem; they knew Chris would probably want the old man sent home to be buried with his own wife, but where exactly was home? He'd have to ask the gunfighter when he woke up.

The tracker shook his head in an effort to quiet the roar. So much needless death, he thought, all for nothing. Death and suffering that should never have happened. He thought of how Ezra had been tortured for trying to do the right thing. He'd wanted nothing more than to protect Chris and to shield someone Chris cared about, even if the gunfighter was reluctant to admit he did indeed care. The gambler had displayed amazing courage and Vin felt his heart swell with pride at the thought. Then his heart nearly broke when he recalled the image of the man being handed down to him from the Nichols' carriage, broken, bleeding and half dead. He'd paid a heavy price for doing the right thing.

Tanner removed his hat and ran a hand over his scalp and through his long hair. He supposed he should have taken a moment back at the jail to wash away some of the ash and dirt that had adhered to his body, but despite the available water basin and towel he simply couldn't force himself to be around the youngest Nichols' boy. In the short time he'd been at the jail to check on JD and Josiah, John Nichols had gotten on his nerves so much he'd wanted to shoot him where stood -- the man was more than arrogant, he was callous and self-righteous. He honestly had no regrets that he and his family had sadistically threatened an entire town, mutilated Ezra and killed Hank Connelly. He didn't think any of the Nichols knew about Chris being hurt which was probably a good thing since as far as they were concerned they were the victims in all this. Now, despite three brothers being dead and one in jail because an old woman decided she alone should mete out justice, three surviving sons would be expected to continue menacing the town in order to fulfill her desire for retaliation. He understood her loss, her pain, but she was out of control and he was beginning to think she wouldn't be happy until she'd killed everyone in her path, including her own children.

Damn, he could use a drink. He gave thought to actually stopping by the saloon and picking up a couple bottles of whiskey to take to the clinic, but stopped himself cold when he remembered Ezra's last encounter with a whiskey bottle. He suddenly lost his taste for liquor and headed instead for the General Store. He remembered Nathan had been running low on bandages after he'd wrapped Ezra's wounds so he thought he'd make himself useful and gather a few supplies. "Afternoon, Mr. Hobson," he said as he entered.

The shopkeeper, who stood low on a small ladder near the back of the store, startled and twisted too quickly. He lost his balance and fell awkwardly to the floor. He wiped his hands on his apron before he moved clumsily behind the counter. "Oh afternoon, Mr. Tanner, I didn't see you there."

"Didn't mean to scare ya none. You okay?"

"Fine, fine, just a little nervous what with everything that's been happening lately," he replied, taking in the tracker's disheveled appearance and eying the floor. "I just wasn't expecting you to come in here."

Vin looked down at himself and discovered he was dropping a trail of ash. "Dang it, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was makin' such a mess."

"Don't worry yourself about a little dirt, Mr. Tanner, a broom'll take care of that in no time. I meant I'm surprised to see you after your hard work battling those fires. You must be out on your feet."

"Yeah, I'm a little tired. I just thought I'd pick up a few things for the clinic."

"Well certainly, what did you have in mind?"

"Bandages mostly, maybe some more laudanum, and some of those dried herbs Nathan favors for his teas. Do you know which ones he uses?"

"I certainly do, it'll only take a few minutes to package everything up for you," he said as he fidgeted with his apron.

"Thanks, I think I'll sit a spell over here outta the way and wait." Vin watched as Hobson hurriedly gathered the supplies, wrapped them in brown paper and tied the bundle with heavy string. "Mrs. Hobson not workin' today?"

"No… yes, she's probably working in the stockroom."

"Please tell her I was askin' 'bout her."

"I will. I think that's everything you needed, Mr. Tanner. Um, pardon my asking, but how is Mr. Standish doing?"

"Not too good right now, but I reckon Nathan'll fix him up. How much does all this come to?"

"Please, don't worry about the cost."

"I ain't takin' goods without payin'."

Hobson leaned close, lowered his voice and said, "After all you and the others have done to protect this town, Mr. Tanner, this is the least I can do. Please, take it."

"But…"

"Please." A gentle hand reached for Tanner's wrist as he pushed the package away. "Take the supplies."

Vin looked into the eyes behind the spectacles and read their sincerity. "Thank you."

Hobson smiled before he turned to greet his next customer. "Hello, Mrs. Travis."

"Afternoon, Mr. Hobson, Vin," Mary replied, gracing both men with a soft smile of her own.

"Ma'am," Vin said, tipping his hat and stepping out of her way so he wouldn't dust her with ash.

Mary made note of his attempt and motioned him to stand still. "I must say you look ready to drop. I know you've been trying to pull everyone together to keep an eye on things but maybe it's time for you to get some rest."

"I will once we find Mrs. Nichols and her boys. Speaking of which, you should be careful walkin' 'round town 'til we've caught 'em."

"I have an escort just outside that door."

Vin raised an eyebrow.

Mary grinned. "Archie Sanders saw me leave my office, he insisted on walking me over here."

The tracker knew Archie from the Barber Shop. He was an older gentleman, but he was damned good with a gun. "I reckon he can look after ya."

"Yes. Now, Mr. Hobson, I'm in need of a few things. With everything that's been happening I'm afraid my cupboard has gone quite bare. Speaking of which, Vin, have you boys been eating?"

When Tanner took too long to answer, Mary gave the storekeeper a list of more items to gather. "I was planning on making some bread and stew. I'll just throw a couple more potatoes in the pot and bring some over to the jail and the clinic. Would that be alright with you?" she asked eyeing Vin as he licked his lips.

"You don't have to do that, Mary. We can round up something from the hotel."

"Are you saying you don't like my stew?"

"No, ma'am, I remember that stew of yours when I was sick last winter. I know for a fact it was what cured me and not Nathan's potions."

She laughed and so pleasant was the sound Vin felt the roaring in his ears fade away. "Well now, I think we'd better keep that our little secret or Mr. Jackson may get his feelings hurt."

"You're right," he agreed, a little embarrassed. "I'm headin' back to the clinic now to help him with Ezra. I can walk you back to your place first though if ya like."

"Thank you, but I wouldn't want to hurt Archie's feelings either." She suddenly became very serious. "Uh, Vin, how is Ezra? Will he be alright?"

"We hope so. Nathan's doin' all he can."

"I only caught a glimpse of him when the Nichols had him at the hotel, hanging…" She couldn't bring herself to finish. "He looked terribly hurt. I've never seen anyone abused so badly. I just don't understand how anyone could do that to another person?"

Vin saw Mary blink away tears threatening to spill from her gentle blue eyes. "It's alright, Mary, try not to think on it." He risked smearing her hand with ash as he took it into his own.

"I have to think about it. We all have to. Ezra Standish helps protect this town. He's one of our own, even if he tries to deny it sometimes."

The tracker smiled at that. "You know him pretty well."

"Oh, he's not so difficult to understand. He's actually a very charming person."

Vin pulled back in surprise and watched her turn away just long enough to discreetly wipe at her eyes.

"Well, how 'bout that. Ezra has a fan."

She turned back and caught the amusement on his face. "Now Vin, he's a very kind soul, if a little withdrawn at times. He's a good fit with you and the others and this town needs you all. Would you please tell him… tell him…" she struggled for the right words.

"Don't you worry none, I'll tell him." He patted her fingers before he released her.

"I take it Chris has been helping at the clinic as well."

Vin paused for just an instant, thinking he should probably tell her Larabee had been wounded in the rescue, but changed his mind when he saw other customers enter the store. "Yes ma'am, he's got his hands full right now."

"I'm sure," she answered. "Please tell him I'm very sorry about what happened to his father-in-law."

"I will, Mary. I'd best be gettin' over to the clinic. Tell Archie to keep his eyes peeled." Tanner nodded his thanks to the clerk, tucked the package beneath his arm and headed out the door.

TBC

A/N: A big THANK YOU to all those who reviewed!