Mary's Buttons

by MustangSallie

This tale takes place in the early days before Mike and Daisy when a lean Christmas turns into something entirely different.

Mary's Buttons

Summary: This Christmas tale takes place in the early days before Mike and Daisy, when a lean Christmas turns into something entirely different.

Author's Notes: As all of us know, writing original Laramie stories takes imagination, time and lots of coffee(!). I spent a great deal of time researching the cost of goods in the 1870's, buttons and back stories of our favorite characters. There are a lot of "first's for Jess in this story. Can you name them all?

Chapter 1 ~ Kinda, sorta

Slim woke to the groans of his friend in the next bed. In the darkness of the cold dawning day, he could almost hear the faint sounds of breakfast being made. Jonesy was always astute when caring for his family, hence he took great pride in the fact that hot coffee and biscuits would magically appear every morning without any fan fare. Slim turned over, propping his head in his hand and surveyed the tangled bed sheets and rumpled appearance of his new best friend. Jess had been bestowed the bed a few months ago when it was determined that a simple cold could turn into lung fever if one slept in a cold bunkhouse.

Jess groaned again and Slim became instantly alarmed. 'Was he sick?'

"Jess, Jess," he called softly, " are you alright? "

"No, I'm not alright! " The newest Sherman Ranch member grumbled. "Slim, my bed tilts."

"Huh?"

Jess poked his nose out to test the weather of the room. It was downright cold but he knew he would have to get up if he wanted coffee. He turned and contemplated whether he should just spring up or take it slow when he suddenly realized that he hadn't answered Slim.

"My bed kinda tilts." Embarrassed that he even had to state the obvious, he grinned sheepishly.

"Well, does it or doesn't it? "

"It does. It tilts."

"Which way?"

"What do you mean, which way?" Jess could hear the frustration in Slim's voice and thought that a small taunt was worth trying.

Slim sighed audibly. This was getting him nowhere. As far as he knew, the bed was fine and dandy. After all, his father had built the beds before Andy was born.

"It tilts towards you," Jess finally mumbled, waving his arm in the general direction of his friend's bed.

"Have you tried sleeping on the other side of the bed? Maybe the mattress is shifting and you could even it out."

"I don't like sleeping on that side. I can never get to sleep that way." Jess knew he sounded petulant but now he felt that Slim was making fun of the whole idea.

"Jess," Slim replied as patiently as he could muster," it's a big bed. I'm sure you have room to turn around."

"Are you calling me short?"

"No!"

They were at a standstill. Jess, rumpled and freezing, on one side and Slim, frustrated and mostly covered on the other.

" Just cause you got them long legs," Jess started in again, opening the conversation once more.

"How would you like it, if every morning your feet were cold? I have to stretch them out to the bottom of the bed if I want to even sleep." Slim felt justified.

"Well, you could just roll into a ball…" Jess' voice trailed off and then rose dramatically when Slim's pillow landed with a thud on his stomach.

"What did you do that for?" Jess yelped and then instinctively, forgetting the cold, threw the pillow back at his friend.

"I can't do that as well as you!" Slim's voice grew with each syllable as he aimed the pillow at Jess' head.

Jess grabbed the offending missile and lobbed it back at Slim. The pillow missed its target and fell to the floor. That should have ended their childish game but the pillow was tossed back to Slim by a grinning Andy Sherman.

"Looking for this, Slim?" he asked his older brother.

Slim grinned mischievously. "You were saying?"

The pillow sailed across the space but this time it was deftly caught by its intended target.

"I'll get you for this," Jess mocked Slim as he rose out of bed to throw the pillow back. They both stopped their antics long enough when they heard the hysterical sound of laughter. Andy was propped against the wall holding his stomach, his face red and wet with tears.

"I'm all right," he managed to gasp, " you both are just too funny!"

"What's going on in here?" Jonesy walked into the room.

The sound of laughter and strange thumping noises had drawn his attention to the shared bedroom. Jess, taking advantage of the fact that his friend's attention was directed at his brother and surrogate uncle, threw the offending pillow back towards Slim with all his might. The pillow, however had a mind if its own. It spun briefly in midair and split in two showering Jonesy in thick white feathers.

Chapter 2 ~ Carpentry is alive and well

"All I'm saying is, is that my bed tilts," Jess mumbled, his mouth full of biscuit and egg.

Jonesy stomped into the room. He shook his head and gripping the coffee pot poured the brew into Slim's cup. ""He's not going to give up until you check the bed yourself, you know, " he gave Slim a pointed look, as he rolled his eyes towards the bedroom.

"I'll go," an eager Andy said as he bounded towards the room before Slim could stop him. Andy might love Slim fiercely but he was enamored with his new playmate. There was silence for a few minutes as Andy rolled left and right on top of the made bed.

"Slim, you won't believe it, he's right! It does tilt!" Andy jortled from the shared bedroom.

The rest of the family jostled each other in the doorway. Slim, being the thinner of the trio, ended up in the rear. From his vantage point above the grouping, he saw Andy's arm.

"See, if I lie on this side, my arm dips and," he rolled over in the opposite direction, " it doesn't on this side," he stated matter-of-factly.

"See, I told you so!" Jess jostled for position in the doorway.

They all started talking at once, trying to figure out how the bed got to be in the position it was in, to how to fix the problem, taking the bed apart where Jess would sleep until a weary, disgruntled Jonesy called a halt.

"What is this, a family or a circus!" he shouted.

Three sets of eyes fixed on him. Blessed silence descended. Jonesy scratched his balding head and stuck his hat back on his head.

"Well now, that's better," he said, " here's what should happen. After morning chores and the first stage, while you two do your chores, Andy and I will strip the bed. Then you two find the Level, the hammers, some nails and take the bed apart. You'll have to do the work outside. " Jonesy rocked back on his heels. He didn't often get his way so he decided to bask in the moment.

Slim and Jess gulped down their coffee and started scouring the barn for the necessary tools while Jonesy and Andy stripped Jess' bed. Every once in awhile Jonesy peeked out the window to watch their progress. After the third time, Andy tugged his arm.

"What is so funny?"

"Well now, it's not funny per se, Andy," Jonesy waxed poetically, "it's fun to watch those two getting to know each other."

Andy stood close to Jonesy and standing on tip toes peeked out the window. "What are they doing?"

"Right now, they are gauging each other's motives Andy. See, Slim doesn't know why Jess waited so long in telling him about the bed tilting and Jess is wondering how Slim will feel after he works hard taking the bed apart and then putting it together again. See, your Pa built those beds and he was a darn good builder. It wouldn't have been like him to make something that wasn't meant to last. Jess doesn't know if Slim's feelings were hurt when he said that the bed tilted."

"Do you think Slim really feels that way Jonesy?" Andy folded the blanket and put it on his brother's bed.

"Well, what I think really doesn't matter, there is bonding going on and that's what is important. Come on, let's hurry so that they will have room to work."

As it turned out, the fates decided that the bed would remain tilted for several more days.

The morning stage brought two disturbing letters for Slim. The first was from the Superintendent of the Overland Stage Company, and the second was a summons from Mr. Botkin.

"It's not possible that these two letters are not connected, " Slim moaned as he fingered the slightly smudged envelopes.

"Maybe it's a coincidence? " Jess peered over Slim's shoulder.

"Nah," Slim waved to Mose as the driver slapped the reins and the stage lumbered out of the yard. He sighed deeply. 'It was going to be a lean Christmas this year', he mused.

Jess started walking back into the barn, then stopped. "Need company when you go to see Botkin?" Both men disliked the bank president. He was arrogant and pushy. He lorded over the customers with his own rules and Jess, for one, had taken to hiding his money, what little there was, in the house.

Slim shook his head. " Thanks anyway, Jess. No, whatever he wants is up to me. Pa left the ranch to Andy and me and Andy is too young to confront that miserable old miser." He followed Jess and they entered the barn together. Slim sought out an empty stall and opened his boss' letter first. He crumpled the letter in his fist.

"Bad news?"

"You might say that," Slim opened Botkin's letter and shook his head in dismay. " Come on, Jess, I have to tell you all what's happening.." They began the trek to the house when suddenly Slim stopped mid-step. "Sorry Jess, your bed is going to have to wait a bit."

"No problem," replied Jess as he skipped to catch up with his boss.

Chapter 3 ~ A New Way of Thinkin'

"This always happens in the winter," Andy whined as he slumped on the sofa by the window.

"Yes, but not this early!" Slim answered. He rubbed his forehead. A headache had begun to form behind his eyes. He looked at his family. They all seemed to think he had the answer.

"Look, it's not the first time that the company has cut runs. We've managed before, we'll just eat one less biscuit."

Jess fixed him with a hard stare from across the room. "One less egg," he murmured.

Now it was Slim's turn to stare. 'It wasn't so much what he said,' Slim thought, 'it was how he said it', that gave him pause. " We'll get by," He nodded to Jonesy, "we always do."

"This happened before?" asked Jess.

Both Jonesy and Andy nodded. "Yup, any time the snow gets too deep or not to many passengers or problems with the wheels," Andy's voice trailed off then rose again, " that was before you came."

The air around them felt suddenly still and ominous. "Like I said," Jess growled, " one less egg."

He walked across the room, grabbed his hat and gun belt off the peg and was out the door in one swift motion before Slim could even breathe.

Catching his breath, Slim raced after Jess, catching his sleeve and whipping him around to face him. "Now, wait a minute, before you go off half-cocked. Andy didn't mean anything."

"It's always the hired hand that's let go, Slim. Don't feel bad about it. Them stakes hadn't even taken root yet," Jess' drawl was deep and he lowered his head hiding his normally expressive blue eyes.

"Who said anything about letting you go?"

Jess frowned. His grimace told Slim all he needed to know. Jess might have tells, but he had begun to discover them.

"I have no intention on letting you go anywhere. Whether or not you believe me, you've become Andy's other brother and my best friend, heck maybe my only best friend. You leave and a giant hole remains. So don't even think about going anywhere! "

"You really mean that?" Jess challenged, thinking that he hadn't heard his boss and new friend correctly.

"Yeah, I really mean that! Now, if you're done feeling bad, I have to change and go meet Botkin in town. You and Andy will have to take care of the noon run."

"You need my help with Botkin?"

Slim twisted the bankers letter into a ball. " Nope, he probably wants to know if I have enough money to pay the mortgage this month."

"Wait, how would he know about the runs? "

"Because those two are in cahoots together. " Slim swung his arms into his brocade vest and reached for his tie.

When Slim walked to the barn a few minutes later, he hoped that his straight shoulders would convey confidence, that he didn't fear Botkin and that he knew what to do. Actually, he felt as though he was walking in quick sand. He had never felt so unsure in all his life. His whole family was looking to him for answers and he didn't have any. He mounted and gave Jess a wave, hoping his friend wouldn't catch his grimace.

As he loped along, he rembered something a major once told him during the war. "If you pretend that you're confident long enough, you'll start to believe it. Then your men will pretend that they're you and pretty soon, you'll win the battle." He'd been right then, maybe if he pretended , Botkin would leave them alone.

Botkin had been anything but cordial. For one thing, he'd kept Slim waiting in the outer office for 15 minutes. Then, when Slim finally entered, he pulled out a cigar and began smoking it right in front of the only rancher he knew that didn't smoke. "I called you in here," he began, " to ask if you had my mortgage money for October. "

Slim wiped his nose. "I do, Mr. Botkin," he answered.

"How are you going to pay the next months without the runs?" Botkin practically sneered.

"We'll be fine, Mr. Botkin," Slim once again squared his shoulders. "Have I ever not paid the bank?" Slim challenged the pompous man.

"No, but,"

Slim didn't give Mr. Botkin time to finish his thought." I certainly have no intention on ever not paying what I owe. Every payment will be made. It might not be in full, all the time, but it will be paid regardless. Now, if you don't need anything else from me, I have other errands to run." He closed the door firmly and strode out of the bank with his head held high, his cheeks red, and his legs quivering.

Chapter 4~ It's not charity

Slim's next stop was Doc Simpson's office. The way he had it figured, they owed him $2 for the medical treatment he had given Jess. At the time, the doctor had insisted that Slim pay him when he could, but the money was burning a hole in his pocket and if he didn't spend it on payments he knew it would go somewhere else.

"Slim, nice to see you! Everyone well?"

Slim shook the doctor's hand and assured him that all the inhabitants at the ranch were healthy. He took the money out of his pocket.

"I told you last month young man to pay me when you could. "

Slim took a deep breath. " You know too?" he half-whispered.

"Slim, this is a small town. Everyone knows everything, I'm sorry to say."

"Good thing, I'm not fixing to get married! " Slim joked. The joke sounded hollow in his ears but he didn't care. Old busy bodies! Of all the nerve! What they owed and who they paid was their business.

The doctor had the good graces to look embarrassed. He fingered the proffered money and gave Slim a receipt. 'One last stop,' Slim thought grimly.

Benson's General Store was down the street from the saloon. Slim briefly thought about going in to have a drink but decided that he couldn't when they were all going to be tightening their belts. He smiled inwardly as he walked along remembering old man Benson. He'd been shopping at the store since it opened all those years ago. Mr. Benson was a tall man with graying hair, dark brown eyes and big hands. His voice was gruff around the edges but he had a heart of gold. He called his father Mr. Sherman and he was "young Matt." Every time they went into the store, Mr. Benson would look over his Pa's list and say something about having everything they needed and suggesting that Mr. Sherman look around. He would ask what "young Matt " wanted. Slim remembered asking for two cents worth of candy sticks, asking permission from his Pa first. A nod of approval would have Mr. Benson digging into a jar of deliciousness and coming out with two peppermint candy sticks which he would wrap in a bag. Then the magic started for Slim. Mr. Benson would make sure that Mr. Sherman was nowhere in sight and then crook his finger at Slim. "There's a broken stick here that I can't sell, young Matt. Would you like it?" Slim would nod eagerly and his new treasure would be added to the bag.

It always seemed to Slim that those trips took a lot longer than they should have. Perhaps it was because lots of people stopped to talk to his Pa or that his Pa saw more things he wanted to buy but in the meantime Slim would wander around and always end up facing the book shelf. His Ma loved books especially the Bible which she made him read daily. He knew some of the psalms by heart and could recite them on demand but what he really liked to read were books of adventure, books that took him away from the little ranch to places far away. He had a small library of dime store novels whose covers were torn and tattered and much loved. Mr. Benson had books with real hard covers of leather with gold letters on the front.

Even now, years later, Slim remembered the books and the magic weaved around him. "So what fascinates you today, young Matt?" Mr. Benson would ask as he bent down to Slim's level.

Slim touched the covers reverently, " Moby Dick", "The Expedition ", "Song of Hiawatha, "Tales of King Arthur," he whispered. The cost of all four books was way more than he could even comprehend yet he wished he could someday have a whole library and time to read every book he saw.

"Well now, it seems that you yearn for adventure, young Matt," Mr. Benson said as he laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. " Remember boy, books can take you places and teach you things. You should mark up passages you like and remember them. That way, years from now, when you have children of your own and they want a story at bedtime, you'll remember the ones you read when you were young. But if you could only get one, which would it be?"

"Excuse me, young man, but are you going in?"

Slim's memories were rudely interrupted by the burly man in a grey coat. "I'm in a hurry and you, sir, are in my way!"

Slim stepped aside and murmured his apologies but the man practically plowed through him without saying a word. He was saved from blurting out an insult of his own by the figure of Jed Benson who had taken the moment to open the door for his customers.

Slim watched in awe as Marcie Benson, Jed's sister, deftly handled the arrogant customer and had him on his way in short order. She looked older than the last time he saw her. She had brown hair with flecks of gold in it and kind blue eyes that always reminded him of her Pa. She was so delicate that he was always afraid she would blow away in a stiff wind. ' Someday, when I have time, I think I'd like to get to know her better,' he thought wistfully. He never heard Jed until he jostled him.

"Something we can help you with, Slim?"

Coming to his senses, Slim gathered his thoughts. " As you probably have heard already," he began, and then was interrupted by Jed.

"We've heard. Darn right shame and right before Christmas," Jed stated the obvious.

"Well, right now we don't owe you any money, thank goodness but that may change. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Christmas, well, I want to make it pleasant for Andy of course but especially for Jess. It's his first Christmas with us, you know."

Slim's head was down and he fiddled with his hat. Unsure of what else to say, he stammered, " I guess what I'm trying to say is that we'll pay you what we owe you, of course. It's just that, um, we might not be able to, um, pay you all at once."

"So, you pay us when you can," Jed laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"In the mean time," Marcie smiled at him. "I'm sure Andy must be running out of candy sticks and there's a new book on the shelf." She motioned with her hand on the candy jar.

Slim shook his head. " No, " he mumbled, "we're all going to eat one less biscuit until this blows over."

Both Benson's stood side by side and looked him straight in the eye. "Our Pa raised us to treat people with respect and dignity, Slim. It ain't charity to give a young boy a treat or two or a young man either. It's called friendship. " Marcie held out the bag with the candy sticks in it and Jed added a book. " Have a good Christmas, Slim. You'll pay us when you can."

Chapter 5 ~ Thanksgiving

Slim's mood had definitely improved. "Not all men are like Mr. Botkin, Alamo" he explained to his horse as they traveled home. "We'll make out just fine." His optimistic mood continued all the way until he reached the rise above the ranch house. Looking down, he saw Andy leave the area behind the bunk house carrying a bucket. ' He must have been feeding his pets' he thought to himself. A sudden chill hit him. Once before, when they had to deal without the stage money, Andy had let some of his recovering pets go, saying that feeding them cost money. He was proud of Andy and said so at the time, but he had always remembered Andy's tears and somehow felt that he had been to blame.

Jess was standing by the corral fence and once again Slim rembered their conversation in the yard. ' Don't let him leave us,' he prayed as he looked upwards.

Jonesy came out of the house and called to Jess, gesturing in Slim's direction. As Slim rode closer, he could make out the concern on his friend's face.

"We expected you hours ago," Jess stated. "I take it, there was a problem?"

Slim shook his head. " Nope, Botkin kept me waiting. He did want to know if we had the money for this month and next," he confirmed. " Oh, and I have some ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas. "

"That's good," Andy chimed in as he gave Slim a welcome home hug. " We've got some ideas too."

Dinner was a subdued affair with each inhabitant lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Slim had enough of the silence and standing tall by his place, called for attention. "When I left this afternoon, we all agreed that we would come up with ideas on how to weather this storm. So tell me what you think we should do." Silence fell once more but this time, Slim was having none of it.

"Andy, what did you come up with?"

Andy's brown – black eyes blinked in dismay. He gulped and then squared his thin shoulders. He wasn't afraid exactly, but this was his brother, his guardian after all. "Well, I kinda thought we could just have Thanksgiving for just us. That way, we wouldn't have to buy too much flour and sugar. Then Christmas we could buy one gift and make others, like we did one year, remember, Slim?"

Slim nodded and then drew Andy closer, giving him a hug. " Good ideas, Andy. But you've forgotten that Doc Simpson is a widower and will be lonely and we always invite the Benson's."

"They'll understand, won't they, if we tell them about the runs?"

"Only one thing wrong with that statement, Andy, they already know. And no," he looked at Jonesy, "I didn't tell them. They heard on their own. They told me to pay when I could. "

"Well, then we have guests for dinner," Jess drawled," maybe one less potato? "

"I could make one pie? " Jonesy offered.

"I've got an idea, but first I want to share something with you. While I was in town I got to thinking," and Slim began to repeat his thoughts from earlier; the memories becoming clearer as he reminisced. "What I didn't remember until just now was that Christmas there was a package under the tree that wasn't from Pa or Ma. It was from Mr. Benson."

"What!" Andy exclaimed, jumping up in excitement.

"Yup," Slim smiled," the present was a book called "A Christmas Carol" with a message from Mr. Benson. He wrote that he hoped I had a Merry Christmas and that I'd never forget that Christmas wasn't just a day. It was a feeling that lasted all year; kindness had no deadline."

Andy sucked in his breath," you mean the book we read every Christmas Eve is that book?"

Slim nodded, not trusting his voice. Andy's arms found their way around Slim's neck in a fierce hug.

"Why don't we ask our friends to each bring something to our celebration? Like Miss Benson could bring biscuits, " Andy began.

"And Doc can bring a bottle of Sherry," Jonesy added.

"And Jed can bring those cookies he makes," Jess chimed in.

"And that, is our answer, " Slim smiled at his family. "We all contribute something, we all share our friendship. "

Chapter 6 ~ The First Porch Talk

"Jess, I have to go out to the barn, want to come? " Slim stood slowly, hoping the load of Thanksgiving food he had consumed would find its way to his feet. His belly was feeling right uncomfortable and he thought that a brisk walk would help plus he needed to find out what Jess thought about how the day had gone.

Jess glanced up at his boss, no make that new friend. He was feeling' right cozy just then. The warm fire was hitting his sock clad toes just right and the sherry was swirling his innards. He really didn't want to get up but he rembered the looks Slim had been giving him all day and so, he swept the blanket off his lean frame and found his boots. He snagged his jacket and hat off the peg by the door and followed Slim to the barn.

Once there, Jess warily watched Slim lean against the barn door. He looked terribly uncomfortable. 'Had he done something to offend him or the family he was beginning to trust?' All he heard was the wind whipping around the barn and he felt strangely chilled even though he was wearing several layers of clothes. Fear was something he knew all to well. He'd tasted it more than once in his short life but facing his new friend who was decidedly nervous, was something else. He decided to make the first move. If Slim wanted him to leave, he would but he wouldn't make it easy for him.

"Slim, what is it?"

The tone Jess used was so soft and gentle that it was Slim's undoing. He fidgeted with his hat.

" Nothing is wrong, Jess." He finally shook his head. "I just wondered if, um, maybe I made you , um, feel out of step with us," He stammered.

Jess frowned. ' What did he mean? ' He ran one hand over his face. "Slim, you gotta make it more plain than that!"

Slim sighed. This was getting him nowhere. " I have the feeling that you hadn't celebrated Thanksgiving in a very long time and we made rather merry today. I just want to be sure we didn't hurt your feelings."

Jess looked around for something to sit on and spied a bale of hay. "Growing up, the way I did, with five brothers and sisters we didn't have much. We were downright poor, although we didn't know it. My Pa tried his best but the land wasn't good for growing crops and he tended to drink a lot. Ma tried her best. She taught us the Bible and how to read and write." His eyes glazed over as he rembered the most horrendous episode of his entire life.

" Someday," he mumbled, " I'll tell you about the fire, Slim. "

Jess stared at the barn floor for a long time. Slim felt his insides melt under the heat of Jess' stare. 'Good Lord,' he thought, ' something really bad happened to Jess when he was young, ' he thought grimly. He had the sudden urge to sit beside his friend and try and stem the tears he saw slide down his friend's cheek. Just as he had made up his mind, Jess began to speak again.

"After the fire, when there was just me, I drifted a lot. I stopped at ranches along the way and worked horses, cattle, did ranch work, worked cattle drives, you name it. After the war, I drifted again and stepped over the line sometimes. But, like I said, I'm not wanted any where's. I never knew when it was Thanksgiving or even Christmas until someone told me. So, no, you didn't hurt my feelings, I just kept remembering some of my own. I didn't know what you all did but I tried to fit in."

"Oh, you did just fine, Jess," Slim hastened to assure him. "Jed likes you, you know. "

"He does?"

"Yup, he's not much of a talker but you two seem to have a lot to talk about."

"He likes horses," Jess grinned.

Slim nodded his approval and then strode to the back of the barn.

"What are you looking for?"

"Some time ago, I hid a bottle of whiskey in here. I thought we could toast your new life on the Sherman Ranch."

Jess licked his lips and grinned. "Need help?"

"Nah, I got it," and Slim soon found the bottle of amber liquid and two cups. "There's something I've been thinking about, and you can feel free to say no," he hastened to add, " But, since you've been here, we've talked about other things besides what needs to be done. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind having a cup of the good stuff or coffee out on the porch after dinner after Andy is in bed. Of course, if it's like now and too cold, we could talk inside but I think if we're going to get to know each other better, what better way to do that is to meet up and talk. What do you think?"

"Why are you doing this, Slim? " Jess' eyes narrowed, "I mean, we've only known each other a short time and you've put a roof over my head, a bed, three squares, a family that cares about me. I mean, I'm a stray, just like one of Andy's pets. "

"Because," Slim said softly as he filled their cups once again, "you needed me to. You needed a friend and so did I. I meant what I said Jess about your leaving. You've become part of our outfit and if you were to leave, well, I'd just have to saddle up and ride after you and bring you back."

Jess thought about the lonely years and the time he'd spent on the Sherman Ranch. No one had ever cared that much to ride after him. Strangely, he wasn't upset about it. He felt pulled towards the young sandy haired , honest rancher who had opened his home to him and he clicked his cup to Slim's.

"To Porch Talks" he said.

Chapter 7 ~ It's beginning to look like Christmas

Slim finished shaving and was just about to leave the wash basin when Andy poked his head into the shared bedroom. "Jess!" he bounded into the room. "What would you like for Christmas? "

Slim turned and saw the panicked look on Jess' face. " Andy! " he rebuked him gently. " let's let Jess get over Thanksgiving first alright!"

"Aw gee, Slim, I didn't mean nothing, I just want to get started on making the presents is all."

Slim shook his head in dismay. ' For all the times he had tried to correct his brother's grammar' he mused. "Andy, first of all, it's 'anything' not 'nothing' and second, Jess needs some time to think about it, heck we all do. Right now, why don't you sit down and make your own list for Santa?"

Andy laughed as he understood the long-standing joke and left the room to the much relieved Jess.

"Is that what he meant by making things for gifts?"

"Yeah," Slim filled the basin with hot water for Jess and stood next to him. " I guess I better explain our customs to you so you don't get blindsided again. So here's what usually happens, after Thanksgiving, we decide, as a family, if we're going to buy presents or make them. A few years ago, I think it was the Christmas after Ma died, Andy and I decided to make the presents. I remember he had learned to tool leather from Pa while I was away in the war and so he made me a belt."

"The one you wear to town sometimes? " Jess interrupted.

Slim nodded and after clearing his throat, continued. " I had a picture of the family that I had put in the attic for safekeeping during the time I was away so I had it framed for him. He still has it. Anyway, after we decide whether to buy or make presents, we write out our wishes and leave them on the desk for Santa's elves to see. Then we go out the next week and cut a tree and decorate it. You'll like that part. There's some great big fir trees near Paradise. Then if the weather is good, we dress up and go to church services on Christmas Eve and then come home to hot chocolate and opening one present each. Oh, and I read The Christmas Carol to Andy. Christmas Day is full of feasting and presents and guests and merriment. I know, it may seem like a bit much, but it's only once a year and the way Andy is growing up there won't be too many more Christmases I'll get to spend with my little brother. "

Jess found himself at a loss for words. It did seem to be a lot of work but it sounded like one of those customs he'd heard about and he reckoned that if it made Slim and Andy happy then he would just have to go along. 'Besides,' he thought,' the presents might make it all worthwhile.'

Several days passed and the atmosphere in the ranch house took on a festive air as greenery began to appear on door frames and parts of the ranch and barn were staked out for the present making. Andy had requested a trip to town and Jonesy was pouring over recipes. Slim watched Jess covertly as the Christmas spirit began to descend on his family and was pleased to observe Jess getting into the spirit too. He had even volunteered to drive Andy to town and was found one evening locked in conversation with the young lad about the fine art of ornament making.

"Remind me to go to the attic tomorrow Jess," Slim mumbled as he sipped his coffee. They were sitting in their respective chairs on the porch and Slim was moody. Jess had seen his new friend in lots of moods by now but this one was beyond him. He had even questioned Jonesy about it. The old man had simply said that sometimes the weight of his responsibilities gets to him. "He wants so much for Andy that he forgets himself, sometimes. That's why he has you!" he had added.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. In case you haven't noticed, you have become the bridge between two brothers and one end is leaning rather heavily on you right now. He needs you to anchor him; give him a reason to pick up again. Maybe ask his help in making something or how much something might cost. By the way," he added shrewdly, " You're going to need winter gear, heavy socks, flannel shirts and heavy gloves. Slim can point you in the right direction, " he added thoughtfully.

"What's in the attic?"

Slim sighed. "Ornaments for the tree," he whispered looking downcast.

"They must be special if you got them upstairs. Can I help you bring 'em down?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Jess frowned and sipped his coffee. Something was definitely bothering his friend. He decided to push forward.

"Slim, when we go to town on Saturday, can you help me?"

"Sure, what do you need?" Slim roused out of his gloomy mood.

"Well, it's getting colder and my socks aren't going to last under snow and ice. And ya know, Jonesy has been patching my shirts but now he says that my patches have patches!"

Slim rocked back and eyed his friend. "Well, I have noticed that you're wearing doubled up socks in those boots of yours. Are you aiming for three by three?"

"Uh?"

"You know, one shirt in the laundry or mending basket, one in the drawer and one on your back."

Jess studied Slim for a long time. He had no idea what Slim meant. He'd never heard of this "three by three " idea and he knew he could hardly pay for one set of clothes let only two more. How was he gonna get out of this?

Slim, for his part, had become totally uncomfortable. Jess was looking at him as though he had three heads. The realization of Jess' ignorance on the matter, made him feel even worse.

"I'm sorry, Jess. It's just something I learned in the army."

"So how does it work? "

Slim scratched an imaginary itch on his neck and sighed. "Well, I put one shirt in my drawer, one I put in the laundry basket and I put one on. Sometimes I even buy a fourth shirt for my bed roll in case I'm going to be away from the ranch."

"I'm pretty sure I don't have enough money for everything I need plus three sets of shirts Slim, forget I said anything. "

Slim stopped his downward spiral. "Look, Jess, forget my mood. I'm just feeling old tonight. "

"Don't do that no more!" Jess admonished him.

Slim bit back a smile at Jess' grammar.

"And why not?"

'Cause there would be three old men and Andy in the house."

The image of them rattling around in the ranch house was too much and Slim began to laugh. It took a minute, but then Jess joined in. Both men had to put their cups down as Slim held his stomach and Jess shook with laughter and then, to his horror, began to hiccup. It took several hard slaps and then throwing a bag over his head to make him stop.

Chapter 8 ~ New Clothes and Challenges

"Let's see if we can nail this down." They had moved indoors and while Jess made another pot of coffee, Slim got out a pad of paper and a pencil. They sat down at the table and Slim began to write.

"Let's start from the inside out so we don't forget anything." He waited until Jess filled their cups and sat down. " Long Johns, how are the ones you have holding up?"

Jess grimaced. " Even they need patching!" He thought for a moment. " I'm gonna need new ones, I guess. If I'm gonna look presentable."

Slim grinned but tucked his head so that Jess couldn't see. "Okay," he wrote long johns on the column marked needed. "Socks next. You'll need wool ones, I figure a few pairs. I wear two at a time when it's really cold or you could put an old pair on and then a wool one on top. Your choice. "

Jess nodded, adding up the costs in his head.

" Pants next. You'll need heavier fabric ones, and leather lined chaps. A couple will do ya. Shirts next. If I were you, I'd get flannel shirts. They wear well, you can get blue ones and they keep you warm. I'd say four pairs. Now, a sweater. Has to be wool of course. It's not necessary but you'll be warmer if you have to be out in snow or rain. You'll need a jacket." Jess' eyebrows were rising at an incredible rate. The cost of all this was gonna set him back a pretty penny and that was before he even thought about Christmas presents.

"A good, sheep lined coat that goes down beyond your hips. Mine has a fur lined collar so I don't necessarily use a scarf. But a wool scarf is nice if you are riding through a blizzard. Next leather mittens or wool gloves and finally fleece lined boots or those extenders, I think they're called. You put them over your boots."

Slim sat back and stretched his shoulders. Looking up, he saw Jess looking down at the list. Unguarded, his face in shadow, he looked so sad that Slim wanted to rip the paper up and forget the whole conversation. But the box had opened and they now had to figure out how to pay for it all, 'cause Jess was too important to them all to go through a Wyoming winter dressed for spring. The silence was so thick that they could cut it with a knife and fork. Jess was looking decidedly uncomfortable and Slim was mortified. Afraid that Jess was going to up and bolt, Slim scoured his brain for an answer. Then it hit him, like a ray of sunshine.

"Ya know, you could look at that list like it was a wish list and buy one thing at a time."

Jess cocked an eyebrow at him. "You mean like Andy's Christmas list?"

Slim nodded slowly, " yup, that's exactly what I mean!" His idea was slowly gathering the pieces together. "Jess, I don't really want to know how much, but do you have any money left from the bounty on Carlin?"

"Some," Jess answered slowly, " but I was gonna use it for Christmas presents. And no," his expression unreadable, " don't plan on giving me a bonus or something. I work hard and don't accept charity," he said firmly as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"Who said anything about charity?" Slim fought to keep his temper. Using his most level headed voice he tried again to make his idea easier for Jess to understand.

"The prices you're thinking are probably higher than you can barter for; Jed is usually fair and will work with you on getting your cost down and we could always split the cost for a store bought gift for Andy or Jonesy, if you want."

Jess had never thought about that and as he twisted the idea around in his head he was struck by one glaring question. " Why are you doing all this, Slim? I mean winter is long and not much to do and.." his voice trailed off as his embarrassment grew.

"Jess," Slim's voice was soft and gentle. Jess looked up into the warm blue eyes and saw for the first time a glimmer of brotherly love. "You mean a lot to us. And not just for your help running the ranch. I've needed a friend for so long, some one to have my back, to talk to. Let's face it, Andy is grown up, even for a twelve year old, but he's still a kid and he doesn't have the experiences we've had so it's hard to talk to him sometimes. I said it before, you've become part of our outfit and we take care of our own." He stood up then and laid a hand on Jess' shoulder, " "Sides," he added," I don't want my friend to freeze his butt off while herding horses and such."

"Alright," Jess gave up under the assault of heady emotions, " you got it. But you are coming with me when we go to town!"

A week later, much to his surprise, Jess found himself with enough clothes to fit into two drawers. He had insisted on wearing his new socks home and they felt wonderful. He fingered the single flannel shirt and vowed not to rip it. The wool sweater was blue and fit over the new shirt like it was made for it. Andy told him that he looked right handsome in his new jacket. He even had money left over!

As he and Andy loaded the wagon, Jess glanced over at Slim. He was across the street talking to Bill Halloran from the stage office. 'Something's up' he thought to himself. Slim was waving his arms so much it looked like he was gonna fly away. Even from across the street like they were, he saw Slim's face was flushed. Not wanting to disturb Andy's gleeful attitude, he walked over to join them. They were deep in conversation.

"Hey, Jess, you're just the man I want to talk to," Bill exclaimed.

"What do you need?" he asked cautiously eyeing Slim's expression.

"We have an emergency run to Cheyenne and we need a shot gun rider."

Chapter 9 ~ Brothers

"You can't go!" Andy was on the verge of tears afraid that Jess would miss all the Christmas festivities. "Why can't they get anyone else?"

"That's just it, Andy, " Jess replied, "there ain't anyone else. It's either Slim or me. Sides, you need your brother at the ranch so it's up to me. Thank goodness I've got new clothes."

Slim looked hard at him. "Jess, you don't need to do this. You heard Halloran, they can delay the trip until after Christmas. "

"Yeah, he did say that," Jess rubbed his neck. " He also said that the box held mail from relatives to their loved ones and the army payroll. The way I reckon it, it's gotta be me." Jess tried to look convincing but in truth there was no desire in him to go anywhere but home.

Halloran sauntered over to the agitated family. "Look, if it makes you feel better, the company is willing to pay you fifty dollars for the round trip, Jess. They will also pay food and lodging if you need to stay over because of weather."

Jess' eyes glazed over in delight. 'fifty dollars would dwindle his clothes list and allow presents for the family at the ranch house.' It was an answer to a prayer.

"Jess," Slim grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Andy. Lowering his voice, he spoke urgently to his friend. "What he didn't say, was that the reason they are offering that amount of money, is because they are expecting trouble. Just please be careful," he locked his ice blue eyes with Jess' deep blue ones.

Jess swallowed hard. He rembered the conversation with Jonesy about being the bridge between the Sherman brothers. They'd be alright for a couple weeks wouldn't they? But still, he was unsettled. Slim seemed to fear something and that rattled him. He turned slightly towards the stage manager. "When do you need me?" he asked Halloran.

"You've got an hour, Jess".

"Oh good, just enough time to change my clothes and have something to eat."

Lunch was a subdued affair even though Jess was showing off his new clothes to anyone who was in the diner. He tried to make light of the trip but Slim was upset and angry and Andy was stifling back tears. Jess tried to force himself into his 'do it or die' mode of thinking and failed. The hour soon passed and after hugs all around, Jess prepared to climb onto his home for the next few days. Just as they were about to leave, he thrust something into Slim's hand, murmuring, "don't want to be tempted, and take care of Traveler' and he was off leaving Slim holding his little brother and his goodbye ringing in his ears.

On the way home Andy sat as close to Slim as he could. The warmth of his big brother's body was soothing. Slim would take care of him, he was sure. But who would take care of Jess? "Slim, what did Jess give you before he left?"

"I haven't even looked, Andy." Slim handed over the reins to his brother and opened his fist. In his palm lay the balance of Jess' money. "That's what he meant!"

"What did he mean Slim?"

"He told me he didn't want to be tempted and to look after Traveler, " Slim answered as he suddenly had the realization of what Jess meant.

"He thinks something is going to happen," Andy moaned. "You never should have let him go!" he accused his brother.

"Andy, " Slim spoke in his best big brother voice, " Jess can take care of himself, you know. And he's trying to save his money for more clothes and presents. Cheyenne can tempt a man right quick if he's a mind to it. Likely, Jess knows that and he's just being cautious. "

"I guess so," Andy sat dejected on the seat. He turned suddenly and looked beseechingly at Slim. "If he gets in trouble, you'll go after him, won't you?"

"Of course, Andy," Slim assured him. "Jess is family."

When they returned home, it fell to Slim to explain where Jess was and the reaction he got from Jonesy was the same as Andy's. He was beginning to feel as though he'd made a terrible mistake in letting Jess go. After dinner, he wandered outside but the porch was empty and he felt as though all life had been swept away. Jonesy poked his head out the front door.

"Slim, " he called, "I need your help in here."

Slim walked back into the warm house feeling like the weight of the world had descended upon his shoulders. The last time he had felt this way was when Jess went away with Roaney Bishop. He missed Jess.

"I think I have figured out what's wrong with Jess' bed," Jonesy told him when he walked into the kitchen. "It isn't the bed so much, it's the floor boards beneath the bed."

"How did you come up with that?"

"Take a good look at the floor beside the bed. What do you see?"

Slim peered at the floor beneath Jess' bed. At first he saw nothing but then, Jonesy asked Andy for some of his marbles. Slim fingered Andy's new toy. They were reddish brown in color and not really round but Andy liked then for some reason. He did have some glass ones that a passenger had given his brother and he treasured them.

"So what am I going to do with these?" he asked Jonesy.

"Well, you and Andy need to move Jess' bed then we'll roll the marbles. If they don't move at all, the bed is the problem but if they do then there's something wrong with the floor boards!"

"That makes sense!" Grinning, Slim cautioned Andy in the correct way to move something heavy and after moving the little table from between the beds, they shoved the bed a few feet. Just to be sure, Slim used the level and sure enough, the floor boards were higher. "Andy, can you bring me the tools we brought in from the barn? They're next to the fireplace. "

While Andy fetched and carried, Slim lowered himself to the floor. Balancing on his knees he slid the level up and down across the rough hewn boards. He was tempted to just plane the boards but curiosity overcame him and he began to pry the board up using the hammer and Trim Holder.

"Pa built our home with the wood from the trees he cut down in our forest," Slim explained to Andy as he ran the tool across the boards. Jonesy tapped him on the shoulder and handed him his gloves muttering something about splinters. " Our house is a combination of logs and timber," he continued, " the frame was built first with horizontal beams. Then the tips of the logs were cut and planed to fit into slots that were cut into the posts. If you look, all the floor planks are wide and joined tightly together with nails. Some of the cracks in the walls are made up of dried mud. I helped our Ma with that chore. "

Andy watched as one board slowly rose and Slim grabbed it and laid it on its side. As he began to search for the plane, Andy peered into the hole. What he saw gave him shivers of delight. Buried treasure!

"Slim!" he grabbed his brother's sleeve. " Look!" he pointed into the hole.

Chapter 10~ Buried Treasure

Nestled in the dank hole was a tin box. Its lid was dented and there were several scratches along its side. Slim reached in and lifted up the heavy box and placed it on the floor. Beyond excited, Andy rocked back and forth, his eyes flashing with excitement. He reached for the lid.

"Whoa!" Slim exclaimed as he clutched Andy's arm. "We don't know what's inside it."

"Looks like its been there quite awhile, " Jonesy observed. "Best put it in the barn until all the critters leave "

Andy shook his head in disappointment. " There can't be any critters in that box, Jonesy. Why it's locked up tight." He looked from his surrogate uncle to his big brother in supplication. 'Surely they could see his side, couldn't they?'

Slim looked at the box wondering how it got there and who put it there. It was a mystery that was for sure. Suddenly, he reached for the tools again.

"What'cha doin' " Jonesy scowled.

"I'm wondering if it's the only one," Slim answered. He pried the next part of the board up and low and behold a second box appeared. He lifted it up and as before the box was tin and dented much like the first one. "That settles it!" Slim growled and he worked all the way down the plank. In the end there were five tin boxes all the same shape, all heavy and all very dusty.

"Pirate treasure!" breathed Andy as he scooted close to Slim.

"I seriously doubt that it's treasure Andy, but let's open it up anyway." Although Andy and Jonesy had never uttered a word, Slim knew he'd never win the argument that would soon follow. He was beaten before he began. It was times like these that he missed Jess. Someone to back him up; to explain things to Andy. He reached for a screw driver and slowly pushed against the flimsy lid. The box opened with a rusty creaking sound that sent shivers down his back. They all gasped. The box was full of buttons.

For a moment all was still. Then the questions began, formed in each of their heads first and then voiced aloud.

"What are buttons doin' under the bed?" There was no answer for that one.

"Who put them there? Maybe Ma?" Slim blinked in confusion.

"Are they worth money?" Both Slim and Jonesy shook their heads at that question.

"Why would Ma put them there?" Again, no answer.

"They sure are pretty, " Andy remarked, as he lifted one after the other, marveling at the way they glittered . "Slim, " he looked up at his brother " would a lady or a man have a button like this one?"

Slim took the button in question and twirled it around. "Well Andy, this one is right pretty. It's made of whale bone and looks like it was hand painted. It isn't worth anything but I can understand why Ma kept it. "

"How about these? " Jonesy was digging through another box. "They look like uniform buttons."

"That's cause they are, Jonesy. The only problem with those is that they came off an union officer shirt. Not worth any money."

He looked fondly at his brother as he fingered each button. He rembered his Ma sewing his Pa's shirts by the light of the fireplace. The warmth of the days events swept over him. Andy leaning against him, helping with the wooden planed floor, telling his brother how Pa had built the house, sharing the closeness. It had been a long time since Andy had sat next to him or asked him questions. He had Jess to thank for that.

He suddenly felt the need to go outside.

Mumbling something about checking the stock, Slim put on his gun belt and snatched his jacket off the peg. He ambled towards the barn and once inside the comforting space, sat down with his head in his hands. All afternoon he had felt Jess' presence. More than once he had half turned to ask him something and realized that he wasn't there. He would never own it, but he felt as though an invisible thread was growing between himself and Jess. It was almost as though he could feel him. He knew he needed to go back inside and move the bed back. 'Boy,' he thought,' Jess was going to be surprised when he found out that boxes of buttons had been disturbing his sleep!'

He left the barn a short while later and as he walked the few steps toward the house, he heard a low, rumbling sound behind him. Someone was calling his name. He stopped, his hand automatically reaching for his gun, and he whipped around. Logically, he knew no one was there, but the sound was unnerving. As he reached for the post to haul himself onto the porch, he heard his name being called again. "Slim." He closed his eyes and listened with his whole body. The voice was full of desperate pain and despair, heartbreaking in its intensity. Slim pivoted around and looked beyond the hills searching for the voice. The man whose voice he heard was still far away, at least two days worth and yet, the sound was so close. He put his hand against his chest and felt the steady beat. He wasn't dreaming, at least he didn't think so. Then he heard the sound of his name and he knew that somewhere out on the prairie between here and Cheyenne his best friend was in trouble.

Chapter 11 ~ Lost and Found

Like clockwork, Jonesy woke at five o'clock. Most winter mornings were dark and cold but this morning was decidedly warmer. He even smelled coffee. 'Jess is back!' he thought to himself and he carefully stood up and walked out of his room. But instead of the "bad penny" sitting at the table, his own surrogate eldest son sat sliding bullets into his bandolier.

"Good morning," he called to Slim.

Slim grunted.

"You're going after him," it was a statement not a question.

"Yeah," Slim sighed deeply and put down the belt. He had a mission to fulfill and nothing was going to stop him.

"It's only been a day, Slim," Jonesy started to say.

"He called my name."

Jonesy stared at Slim and then, with a smile tugging his lips, said slowly, "it sometimes happens that way."

"How do you know?"

"I was your Pa's best friend, " his voice hitched. "Sometimes we just knew. I expect that's the same way with you and Jess."

"I don't understand, Jonesy. Its only been a few months. Shouldn't this, whatever this is, take months to happen?"

Jonesy rose and walked stiffly towards the kitchen. " Don't fight the feelin', just accept it and be grateful for it. There's a term for it. I think it's from Texas. It's called being a Pard. You've become his best friend, his partner, closer than a brother. Oh, you're protective of him, and don't deny it, 'cause it's true, I've seen it, and you worry about his feelings and I've seen that too. You're the missing part of him and right now, he's in trouble and he needs you." Jonesy patted his arm. "Oh, and lest you forget, there were two drivers on that stage, Slim."

It was past dawn when Slim rode away from the ranch. He had no idea how far he would travel or for how long he would be gone. As his horse ate up the miles he kept remembering things Jess had said to him, things they'd done together and the slow realization of what Jonesy had said began to take root in his heart. They were closer than brothers and right now, one was hurting.

He rode by streams and miles of trees until he came to a little ranch house so small he almost missed it. A man was outside playing with his son who looked younger than Andy.

"Howdy," the man called up to him. "You're welcome to water your horse and step in and have some coffee with my family. "

Slim thanked him and marveled at the naivety and generosity of the man who introduced himself as Jonathan Hansen. The coffee was good and strong and fortified him for the next few miles. He asked if they had seen the stage out of Laramie and they replied that they had and the boy, whose name was Will told Slim about the dark haired man who had been nice to him. They had not seen the stage on its return trip so Slim now knew that he had more miles to travel.

He spent the night in a cave which he counted himself lucky to find, but he couldn't sleep. All night long, visions of a bleeding, gun-shot wounded Jess haunted him. He was up again at dawn and in the saddle as soon as he could see. Unfortunately, due to lack of sleep, he soon found himself nodding off in the saddle and just as he had decided to step down for some needed rest, he saw the stage coach.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. But as he drew near, he made out the lettering on the side Overland Express and he called out for Jess. There was no answer. Fearing the worst, he drew out his gun and slowly advanced towards the stage. The horses were placidly standing, still in their traces. The coach, from what he could see, looked intact but as he walked slowly around, he saw on the ground a pair of men's boots sticking out from under the stage. As Slim began to pull the body out, he heard the man groan and instantly knew that the man was Charlie, the stage driver. He had been struck on the side of his head and his face was covered in dried blood. Slim began to examine him, hoping to discover the reason for his injury. Charlie groaned again and opened his eyes slowly.

"Charlie, it's me, Slim Sherman," he identified himself.

Charlie blinked a few times and tried to sit up. " I ain't really hurt bad, Slim," he gasped holding onto his chest.

"Let me see " Slim prodded gently and thought that there was a bent or broken rib in his chest.

"It's a rib, ain't it?"

"Yeah, let me get you some water and I'll bind you up. I gotta take you to a doctor. Can you tell me what happened? " Slim desperately wanted to know about Jess but now he couldn't leave Charlie.

"Two men, young I think. They seemed to think we were carrying paper and coin money. One of them has an itchy finger. He hit me just because I didn't throw the box down fast enough. I told him there wasn't any money but he didn't believe me and when he discovered I was telling the truth he pushed me off the stage. You can't spend money drafts, you know. That Pay master General is really smart. The army will still get their pay. I don't know how long I was out for. Slim, you gotta find Jess." His voice rose. "The itchy finger guy made Jess throw away his rifle and gun and he slugged him same as me when Jess said he didn't have any money on him. The guy searched Jess and found an empty wallet. He threw him off the stage and said that he wouldn't need what the paper said where he was going. I heard two shots! I called to him after the men left but I got no answer. Some time later, it was getting dark, I crawled over and covered his body with his jacket." Charlie lowered his head for a minute. " I'm real sorry, Slim. I know he was a friend of yours."

Slim's body froze in shock. He shook his head. Tears began to well up in his eyes. He left Charlie braced against a wheel and flung himself around the coach to the other side. Jess' slumped body was lying beside the coach.

Chapter 12 ~ Help in unexpected places

Slim slid to his knees beside Jess. He quickly ran his eyes up and down his body, hoping against hope that Charlie was wrong. He saw the cut on Jess' head straight off. He shivered and almost gagged. He could almost feel the pain from that injury. Slim's anger grew as he saw the gun shot wound in Jess' shoulder. The new jacket had been flung over his upper body and try as he might, Slim couldn't find an exit wound which meant that the bullet was still inside of him. He gently turned Jess over onto his back.

The rivulets of blood from his head wound had trickled down his cheek giving him the appearance of war paint. Some of it had even made its way upwards and he noticed that his friend's normally dark wavy hair was matted with blood. The bullet wound was high up on his shoulder and the wound had bled through Jess' new shirt.

He made not a sound but his insides cried a river of tears as he crouched over his friend's bruised and wounded body. Without thought he laid a hand down on Jess' chest to steady himself. After a long minute he straightened up and gasped. His hand came away stained in Jess' blood and when he rubbed his fingers they came away sticky. A war memory seized him and he thrust two fingers against Jess' throat and felt to his immense relief a heartbeat beneath his fingers.

"Charlie," he shouted in relief. "Jess is alive!"

As Slim tipped his canteen onto his bandana and gently wiped Jess' head and chest, he tried to figure out how to transport both men to Laramie. Riding double with Jess was impossible and putting him in the coach was going to be very painful. Finally, he decided to tie them to their seats in the stage and drive to Hansen's. The family had said they would help so what better way than with two injured men.

As he wiped the blood around the bullet wound, he felt the air around him shift and looking over he saw Jess staring at him. Choking back a sob, he reached for his arm.

"Hey, Pard, how are you feeling? "

Jess' eyes grew large against his gaunt face. 'Had he heard right? Did Slim just call him Pard?' "Slim, how did, " he stammered, " how did you find us?"

"It wasn't easy, let me tell you. But I'm here now and I'm going to put you both in the coach and drive you both to the Hansen place. You both need rest and I've got to fetch a doctor for you. That bullet is still inside you."

Jess snapped his eyes shut as a wave of pain swept over him. He groaned. " I can't feel my legs," he whispered.

"Probably because you've been lying on the cold ground for what, two days maybe? "

Jess grunted in pain but didn't open his eyes. He cleared his throat. " How come you came?"

Slim tapped his cheek. Jess needed to see his eyes when he answered. " I made a promise to you and my brother. I said, if you remember, that I would just have to saddle up, come after you and bring you home. "

Jess smiled then and said, very softly, "thanks, Pard."

The sun was high in the sky by the time Slim and his precious cargo finally got underway. He had searched for Jess' gun in the brush but couldn't find it and finally concluded that one of the robbers took it. Charlie was alert but in some pain and Jess was unconscious. The wound had opened again and Slim prayed that the jostling he would undergo would not make everything worse. By the time they reached the Hansen's ranch he was exhausted.

"You found them!" Jonathan Hansen exclaimed when Slim stopped the horses in the yard. He signed deeply and then, with his heart in his mouth, asked for shelter and care for the injured men.

"Of course, don't even think otherwise, " Jonathan told him. "Martha," he called to his wife, " turn down the beds for our injured guests. Will, your Ma is going to need those bandages we made. Do you need help carrying them?" he asked a grateful Slim who had the door to the coach open.

Together they carried Charlie into the house and laid him down on a makeshift bed in what appeared to be a store room. Slim insisted on carrying Jess himself as he suddenly didn't want to leave him to anyone else. They put him down on a bed in a spare bedroom.

"If you wouldn't mind, can you look after them while I ride for the doctor," Slim asked. Privately, he wondered if he would even make it to Laramie as his legs felt like rubber. He was beyond exhausted but Jess needed help and he would not deny him any longer.

"Nonsense, " Jonathan told him. " We have a neighbor who lives just over that hill. He was a surgeon during the war but he was wounded and lost his arm. He tends to everyone when they can't get to town or can't pay."

Slim shook his head. " I'm afraid you don't understand, " he gasped feeling as though the sands of time had just sped up," Jess still has the bullet in him."

"Don't worry, son," Jonathan replied, "he'll be in good hands. His wife is his assistant. Now, you sit down and have something to eat while Martha tends to the patients. I'll go fetch my friend. "

Slim woke to the sound of someone calling his name. Awareness came slowly as he realized where he was and instantly felt guilty for falling asleep while Jess was bleeding.

"Relax son," the grey haired man said pleasantly. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to give you an update on your friends. "

Slim straightened up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The man in front of him was pleasantly plump and although he was one armed, he looked perfectly at ease balancing a cup in his hand. He offered the cup to Slim.

"The stage driver, I think he said his name is Charlie," Slim nodded," he's going to be fine. You did a good job wrapping him up. He won't be driving a stage for a few weeks but he'll make a full recovery. Now, your other friend, I don't know his name, that's a different story."

Chapter 13~ I'm gonna need another shirt

"Jess," Slim looked the doctor in the eye," his name is Jess Harper. We're best friends."

"Thank you for clearing that mystery up for me," Dr. Tom sat down next to him. "The head wound will heal faster than you might think. He'll be dizzy and may lose his balance but it will get better over time. He is getting feeling back in his legs. I think the loss of feeling was due to his unnatural position on the cold ground for what, two days?"

Slim shrugged; he really didn't know for certain.

"The bullet penetrated his shoulder fortunately missing anything vital but it did fragment. I spent a fair amount of time digging all of the pieces out. He's running a fever. To be expected due to infection and he's in some pain. I left some laudanum with Mrs. Hansen."

"How soon before he can travel, Doctor?" The ranch seemed like a million miles away.

"Oh, I would say another week or so."

"Christmas," Slim whispered.

Doctor Tom looked kindly at him. " Where do you live, Slim?"

"According to the map," a ghost of a smile swept over his lips," the ranch is twelve miles from town. So, I reckon we're about a day's ride away. Could Jess make it, if I drove him home in a wagon?"

Dr. Tom grinned at him. "I understand, young man. I'll come back in a day or two and advise you but until then try and get Jess to drink water and sleep. Best thing for him. You could do with some sleep too," he added.

Slim acknowledged the doc's advice and then asked eagerly if he could see Jess.

"He's unconscious. He won't even know you're there."

He was hot, too hot and he winced as he felt the bile in his throat. The pain in his head was keeping time with his heart beat and he felt clammy and sick to his stomach all at the same time. The wound in his shoulder was bandaged but underneath there was a burning hole and someone was using his legs for target practice. He tried to gather his thoughts but they slithered away from him faster than a bucking mustang. He licked his too dry lips and tried to call out for someone, anyone and then, as if by magic, help arrived.

A cool cloth wiped his forehead and his neck and then traveled gently down his chest. He felt comforted and safe all at the same time. As he sank into the soothing motions he thought he heard a man speaking. He tried to open his eyes but they were so heavy. He reached out to grab the man and then he heard,

"It's alright, Jess. I'm right here. You're safe."

"Sl,Slim?"

"Yes, Jess. I'm right here." Slim's hand was draped over his good shoulder. He gently squeezed. " Not going anywhere," he murmured.

"Slim," he gasped. "I don't feel so good."

"I know, Jess," Slim's voice was full of sympathy and concern. " Your headache will fade with time and the doctor says that blood is finding its way down to your toes."

Jess tried to rise but was gently pushed back onto the pillow. "Nope, no getting up."

"But you just said I was getting better. We've got a ranch to run and Christmas is comin' and Andy will be worrying, " Jess' drawl was faint.

Slim glanced down at his friend. He sank down beside him on the bed. Jess was a stubborn cuss and he figured out that he hated being sick or tied down. He decided to try bribery. "Jess, do you think you could open your eyes for me? "

Jess struggled and then opened first one eye then the other. His eyes were gritty and everything was blurry but he made out the shape of his friend. "Okay, now what? " he challenged.

Slim sighed inwardly. A sick or injured Jess was a whole different person from the hard working, take no prisoners, rancher that he thought he knew. " The doctor said that he would come back in a day or two and that we should make sure that you had plenty of water and sleep."

Jess' eyes rolled upwards and he grimaced. He was beaten and he knew it. And besides all that, he had no idea where his clothes were.

"Okay, I'll make a deal with you," Slim began, his game face on." You behave and do exactly what the doctor says and I'll carry you myself and put you in a wagon and drive us home, and if you behave and drink all your water today, I'll tell you about your bed."

It took a minute or two for him to remember about his bed but when he finally did, he tried to rise again. Slim shook his head and Jess reluctantly sank back down and then he remembered his shirt. "Slim, I'm gonna need a new shirt," he cocked an eyebrow.

" Well, it is a different color now, that's for sure, but maybe Jonesy can get the stains out." He spoke hopefully.

Another thought hit Jess and he moaned.

Slim tensed beside him." What's the matter? Does something hurt?"

"Nope, I just realized that I didn't do my Christmas shopping and I never finished making the gifts for the family and now with my shoulder I won't be able to. Sorry, Slim." Jess looked downright miserable.

"Don't worry about it, Jess. Having you home and in mostly one piece, " he grinned," will be a present enough for Andy. "

But Jess was desolate and turned his head to the wall effectively shutting down the conversation.

Chapter 14 ~ A Time for Confidences

The rest of the day he spent either drinking water or broth or sleeping. When he finally woke he looked around for Slim but he wasn't there. He felt strangely empty and just as he was about to call out, Jonathan Hansen entered the room.

"Oh good, you're awake. Feeling better?"

Jess acknowledged with a grunt and then asked impatiently for Slim.

"He's not here, Jess. He left. Said he was going home."

'NO!' The word slammed into his chest paralyzing him. Everything around him faded as loneliness surrounded him. He could hardly breathe. In the past, he'd been shunned, dismissed because he was a gun fighter, a southerner, an orphan. It had always been someone else's fault but now, with just his selfish attitude, he had lost a home, a job and his friend. Tears that had begun on the inside became an avalanche of feelings on the outside and he never heard Jonathan Hansen leave the room.

Disjointed thoughts tumbled all around him. Where would he go; all his belongings were at the ranch; could he pretend that all was fine and then when he was well, steal away. But even as he tried to corral his thoughts he saw the family he would leave behind, the young boy so much like his brother Johnny who had died in the fire, Jonesy who had mended his clothes and always had endless coffee for him and Slim, who had opened his heart and home to a complete stranger telling him that their experiment would work and could lead to something. Smiling ruefully, even now, Jess remembered saying "yeah, trouble," to which Slim had replied smiling broadly, " why don't we take a chance. " They'd taken the chance and he had thrown it all away.

"I know it's Christmas Eve day, Mr. Harper," Dr. Tom said," but you're not well enough to sit a horse yet. Give it another day or so," he had pleaded, but Jess refused to heed the advice. It wasn't fair to impose himself any longer. The Hansen's had a right to their Christmas after all. His mind made up, he decided to rest a bit before the slow trek to nowhere. He woke slowly to an argument right outside his door.

"He can't saddle a horse and he's going to ride away? You can't let him!"

"He doesn't want to be disturbed.. "

"He'll see me," growled an angry Slim Sherman.

It felt like the first time they had met, Jess thought as he lay in bed staring up at an angry rancher but unlike the last time, he was shaky and remorseful, scared even. The bond he thought they were building was shaking and he felt the tears threaten again.

"The doctor says you're better," Slim spoke calmly.

Jess looked up warily. He waited for the bad news. But it never came. Instead, Slim took off his jacket and hung it over the back of the chair. Next came his gloves and he sank down by Jess' side.

"I'm sorry, Jess, for just leaving and not telling you I was going."

Jess swallowed, "what do you mean?" he was terribly confused.

"As you were talking the other day, I realized how upset you were at not finishing your shopping and the gifts you were making and how embarrassed I would feel so I rode home and found your list. I then went to Benson's. Jed knew what you'd paid for and put the rest on credit. Marcie wrapped and tagged the presents thank goodness because I'm no good at that."

Jess gasped. Slim hadn't left him, he had helped him instead. It was his turn to ask for forgiveness. "I shouldn't have been so mad at you. It wasn't your fault," he began. "You see, every time I've thought I had made a good place to stay, good people to know, well, something always happens. Either they discover I was from Texas or a prisoner in the war or even when I used my gun, I got thrown away. Remember when I told you that I didn't know it was Christmas unless someone told me. It happened more times than I can count. I thought you left because I didn't think enough about you and your family who have given me, a stray, so much."

The twin blues stared at each other for a long minute and then Jess found the words he needed. " When you're lying in bed and can't get up and live your life about the only thing you can do is think. Every time I thought about riding away, I saw your face. I heard the sound of Andy's tears and I saw Jonesy trying to mend the broken family in front of him. You may not realize it, but you've given me so much."

Slim shifted his position on the bed. Shaking his head and keeping his voice soft, he murmured, " Jess, You don't have to tell me anything. "

"I have to, don't you see?" Jess begged," if we're gonna be honest with each other, you gotta know the whole story," he paused to catch his breath.

Chapter 15 ~ Heart Sharing

Slim saw the earnest expression and realized that now Jess was ready to reveal his past so he just sat back and waited patiently.

Jess, for his part, closed his eyes and prepared to tell the story of his life, perhaps the most important part of his life and knew somehow that this time was different. This time he wouldn't be judged.

"I grew up in Texas, A little no good farm, with five brothers and sisters. There were the twins who were barely walking, my little sister Jenny. She had hair the color of spun gold. Johnny was twelve, then there was me, and finally there was Francie. She was seventeen and acted like our Ma sometimes. My Ma was a good woman. She taught us the Bible and how to read and write. My Pa was a hard man who took to drink too much. He thought the best way to keep us in mind was to hit our backsides with a switch. I was always in trouble, playing pranks and such so I was hit more than once a week.

Anyway the year I was fifteen, there was an outlaw family called Bannister who roamed all over the territory robbing banks and stage coaches. They also started shooting people just for the fun of it. One night, I'm still not sure if they were drunk or bored, they started a fire that spread to our house. It burned so quickly. Slim, I was trying to pour water on the flames, but my hands got burned. I rescued Francie by pulling her out of the house by her feet. I ran through the flames to rescue my Ma and the little ones, but I couldn't save them." Jess angrily wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve and bowed his head. " In my dreams I can still hear their screams."

Slim sat stunned and not sure what to do. Suddenly, he grabbed Jess in a hard bear hug wishing he could wipe the dreadful incident from Jess' life.

"After that I just roamed, " Jess moved out of Slim's embrace and clutched his hands together. " I needed a horse, some food, a roof over my head. I also needed to learn how to shoot better. I met Dixie Howard one day and he took me under his wing, so to speak. I got arrested because I was holding the horses while his gang was robbing a bank, but I was let go 'cause I was only 16 years at the time. I joined the Confederates, not because I hated Yankees but because I needed to have a place to belong. And then," Jess paused and for the first time during the entire conversation, looked Slim in the eye, "then I met you."

Slim smiled. "I wasn't sure about you at first. But you stood up for us against Carlin. You could have ridden away but you took on my fight and made it your own. You let Andy call you names, even though you knew you were coming after me. After that fist fight and their arrest, I knew I couldn't let you escape to the Big Open."

Jess looked up and smiled. He blinked through blurry eyelashes and his voice wavered.

" You've given me more than a home, Slim. For years, my only shelter from storms was a bunch of trees or an empty cave. You gave Traveler a home too with plenty of hay and oats."

He grinned then and punched Slim gently on the arm. " You gave me a bed, even though it tilts and a pillow for my head. Most times all I had was the back of my saddle and my arm.

You gave me a job, yes, but you gave me a way to earn money and not have to beg for it. For once, I had plenty of coffee to drink and meals on a steady basis. I was actually getting fatter.

You gave me a little brother again. I missed Johnny so much.

But mostly, you gave me your friendship, no questions asked. All you asked of me was to tell you the truth. You supported me even though you didn't understand about Roaney and probably felt betrayed.

So as time went on, I started digging holes for the stakes cause I felt that I could finally, finally have a home with people that cared about me. I knew what loneliness felt like but I was never lonely when I was at the ranch and one day when we were traveling home I looked down at that Ranch house and said to myself 'Harper, you're home.'

So you see, when you opened your heart to me in friendship I latched on and even now I don't want to let you go."

Emotionally drained, Jess heaved a deep breath and slowly sank backwards expecting to feel soft pillows but instead met Slim's hard muscle-packed shoulder. He had never laid bare his feelings before and the sensation had left him feeling like an old shirt , water drained and wrung out on a barren clothes line.

Slim, for his part, sat still as a statue. Hardly daring to breathe, he glanced sideways. No one had ever shared their heart to him before. Oh, he'd been extremely lucky to have loving parents, a good home, a brother and a kind supportive uncle and he'd even been in love before but no man had ever spoken so earnestly about his life and what the Sherman family had done for a once lonely drifter.

Giving Jess a strong, supportive hug, he moved slightly away from him and gathered his scattered thoughts. He began to speak just as earnestly and set about the beginnings of the life long friendship they were to share.

"When we first met, I wasn't sure of you. You were a stranger who tugged at my heart. I watched you play cards with Andy and while I didn't approve I had to admire the way you explained your method. " You gotta know how to cheat, so's you can protect yourself," I remember you saying. You also told him that you didn't cheat unless the other fella started to."

Slim heard Jess' chuckle and grinned at the memory. " As time went on, I sensed a hunger in you. Oh not the hunger for three squares, as you call them, no a hunger for something I couldn't name. I'd watch you look at Andy or at Jonesy with so much feeling in your eyes and I could feel in my bones that what we were giving you only scratched at the well of emptiness in your heart. I wanted, no needed to help you." Slim paused, not sure where to go next. Then he remembered how the conversation started. He began again.

"The thing is that I was afraid. " Jess' eyebrow leaped to his hairline in seconds. His breath, caught in his throat. He shook his head.

"You?" Jess' head swiveled. His frown deepened. "Whatever could you be afraid of?"

Slim took a deep breath. "During the war, I had a good friend. He trusted our friendship. He trusted me. He took care of me. He was brave and honest and kind. But when I got back from the war, and discovered that my Pa was dead and I had Andy to take care of, well I wasn't the type of friend that my friend needed me to be. I was afraid that I couldn't be the friend you needed. But then you told me that trouble was your middle name and that's when I set about changing your name. You see your middle name is not trouble it's loyalty. When you set your mind to do something or help someone nothing comes between you and your mission.

You opened your heart to me and trusted me enough to hold onto it with both hands because you trusted me. I didn't offer you a home or three squares out of the goodness of my heart or because it came with the job. I offered you a seat at the table, the friendship of my brother and my heart because I needed you as much as you needed me. A little while ago you said you didn't want to let go, well, I'm not willing to let you go either. "

Jess raised his head. Their eye locked.

'You see," Slim continued, "there's an invisible thread that's building between us and I aim to let it continue to grow. You asked me why I came for you. I wasn't completely honest. I came, Jess, because you called my name."

Chapter 16~ Nowhere to Run, nowhere to hide

The trio left the Hansen family with grateful hearts and promises to write and visit when the winter was over. Charlie was anxious to get home to his family so he ran the horses a bit hard and didn't rest them. Slim wanted to admonish him but realized that Charlie knew what he was doing so he concentrated on keeping Jess from knocking himself around in the back of the wagon.

They arrived back at the ranch as dusk was descending. They tried to persuade Charlie to stay but he told them he could see in the dark and rode home on a borrowed horse. Andy was ecstatic that both his big brother and his friend were home and chattered incessantly until Slim reminded him that Jess was still recovering from a head wound and he needed peace and quiet. Jess watched the antics of his young friend with some tears in his eyes and a grateful heart.

Their porch talk was held in the shared bedroom. Jess sat up, braced against a mound of pillows. He was exhausted but as he let out a deep breath he knew he was where he was supposed to be – home. Slim was trying to do everything all at once and Jess felt his heart growing twice its size in brotherly love. Jonesy had left them the pot of coffee and a stern warning that they both needed sleep.

"So, how'd you like your new shirt, Jess?" Slim grinned as he filled Jess' cup.

"Right nice color," Jess drawled, his eyes twinkling in suppressed glee. "I don't have that color shirt."

"Well, no you don't," Slim grinned, " you have three!"

They both laughed and then Slim saw Jess' expression change. "What?"

Jess was sitting with one of the boxes of buttons on his lap. Andy had insisted that he look at their new treasure.

"Slim, this box is kinda heavy, ain't it?"

"Yeah, but it's full of buttons. "

"Where would you Ma get that many buttons? And why store them under the bed?"

"We've been struggling with that question too. Hey, what are you doing?"

Jess had tipped the box over and a flood of colored buttons spilled onto his lap and fell on the floor. "Slim, look!"

The box lay empty, tipped over on its side with buttons everywhere. Jess looked up in awe. "Do you see this? Do you hear this? "

There was another layer of wood beneath the bottom layer. Slim swallowed hard. A secret compartment. He had to remind himself to breathe. He reached out for the box, confusion written all over his face. Together they shook the box. There was something still in it.

"You do it," Jess pointed to the knife on the bureau. " It was your Ma's collection after all."

Slim pried open the box and there, nestled in paper money were layers and layers of coins. "Is it real money?" Slim felt as though he'd been transported into one of Andy's pirate books as he looked at all the treasure.

"Looks like its real to me, Pard. You're rich!"

For a moment both of them were speechless. Then, like drunken sailors, they gleefully scooped up the coins and tossed them up and down on the bed. The silver and gold coins glittered in the candlelight. The two men just stared at the money and each other.

"I never saw this amount of money altogether in one place before!" Jess exclaimed. He could hardly contain himself. "Just think, Pard, what you can do now! You'll be able to fix up the ranch house like you've been wanting to do, or buy some breeding stock. You'll have enough money for Andy's education and maybe be able to take Jonesy to that fancy back doctor," he stopped suddenly as he saw the look on Slim's face.

"Do you suppose the other boxes are like this one?"

"There's only one way to find out. Are you game?"

They started to scoop the coins up but the task was almost overwhelming.

Jess wiggled his shoulders to ease the tension and winced when he stretched the stitches on his right shoulder. A strange thought struck him. Later he would chalk it up to all the pain he'd endured.

"Ya know," he glanced up at Slim who was stacking and counting the money in his lap, "what's to prevent me from waiting until you're asleep, scooping up all the tins, saddling up Traveler and riding away." The instant he spoke, he wished he could take the words back. All the air in the room vanished. He could hardly breathe. Slim's face was unreadable. Jess cringed.

"There's several reasons why that wouldn't happen, Jess. " Slim rose slowly, all his movements measured.

'It was almost like the first time', Jess thought. 'Only this time, there was no place to run to and no place to hide.'

"First of all, your wound would open again and it would be easy to track the blood trail. Then I'd have to haul you to jail. Can you imagine Andy then?"

Jess felt faint. He was glad he was in bed.

"Next," Slim was towering over him now, hands on his hips. "Did you listen to yourself just now?" You said "I was rich and then you came up with all the things I could do with the money to help Andy, Jonesy, the ranch. You didn't once think of yourself. "

"And lastly, my Pard," Slim lowered his hand down to Jess' good shoulder, "is a good man who has a family who needs him to stay right here by my side. Those stakes you talk about, they're driven down as deep as they can be. I told you once before, you're part of this family and now more than ever," he gestured towards the money, " we need you."

Jess raised his head and the tender threads of family love coiled around his core. His embarrassment, fear and remorse dissipated under Slim's gaze. The twin blue eyes met and held for a long minute.

"This is a family treasure Jess," Slim gestured at the money "We need to share this with Andy and Jonesy but in the morning. I'm tired."

They scooped the coins up and Slim found an empty mason jar for the silver and gold coins. The buttons were gathered and put back into the box and Slim turned out the light. Santa would be visiting in a few hours.

Chapter ~ 17 A Game Changer

Although they were both excited about the treasure, they decided to keep the secret for a bit longer. Watching the faces of the people Jess now called family, made the wait bearable. After Andy's exuberant morning call to breakfast, Slim helped Jess get up and shave. Getting dressed was an ordeal as he couldn't move his arm without pain but they managed and the wait was worth it. Jonesy had gone overboard. They all marveled at their store bought gifts. Andy loved his new books with matching book marks, Jonesy like his newfangled cookbook and Slim liked his new watch. Jess was overwhelmed with his gifts of new shirts, a watch fob and a hand tooled leather belt. The saddle that Slim gave him nearly brought him to tears.

They made merry all afternoon with the Benson's and Doc Simpson and the jug of punch that Jed brought went down real smooth. Jess was almost sorry when Slim corked it saying they could have some during their next porch talk. Their guests left soon after. Sensing that the time had come, Slim drew the family together near the fireplace. Together, Jess and Slim brought out the tin boxes.

"Last night we discovered the secret to these boxes," Slim began, " well, actually Jess did." They shared a warm smile. Turning to Andy, Slim asked him to tip over the box onto the table. "Don't worry about the mess," he encouraged his brother. " It'll be worth it."

Andy tipped over the first tin and as before the buttons scattered. "Now Andy, are you ready for the surprise? " he asked.

Andy nodded. "Shake the box," he instructed.

Andy's face lit up," Something's still there!"

Both Slim and Jess grinned and Slim brought out his knife and opened the secret compartment.

Andy nearly fainted from excitement. " Slim," he whispered in awe," look at all that money! Is it real?"

"Yup, it's real alright. That is except the green backs. Those were issued during the war. They're not worth anything. But, everything else is."

"We still will have to exchange the paper money, Pard," Jess smiled at Andy. "That could take some time. I reckon you don't want to let Botkin in on our family treasure, do you?"

Slim shook his head. "I don't want a whisper of this treasure to go beyond our front door,"

"Where did all this money come from, Slim?" Andy ran his fingers through the pile of coins as he spoke.

"I have an idea about that, but first I have a question for all of you, well," he asked as he glanced at everyone, "maybe two. Who wants to count the contents of this box and who wants to wait? "

"Wait? Are you plumb loco? Who wants to wait? Not me!" Jess exclaimed.

Jonesy laughed and smiled at the "bad penny," the nickname he'd given Jess in the early days. "Slim, how about we all get involved in this here counting, " he suggested.

"What's your plan, Jonesy?" Slim looked across the room at his surrogate uncle.

"Why don't I separate the paper money; Andy can take on the buttons; Jess and you count the coins for this box first. Then we label the box as Number one and you put the amount in the log book. The buttons can go into a sack, the paper money in your desk and the coins can go back in the secret spot."

Slim and Jess exchanged looks and Slim nodded. " Good idea," he murmured to Jonesy and they set to work. The only sounds were the clinking of coins and the rustling of paper. By the time the contents of box number one was counted, it was time for supper. Andy was still excited and wanted to continue but Slim put a stop to their endeavors and they put the box back underneath Jess' bed.

After dinner, they settled down in front of the fireplace. Slim sat with Andy by his side on the sofa and Jess took possession of the rocker. Jonesy brought out the music sheets and began to play some Christmas songs.

"Slim, you said you had an idea about how the money got into the tins," Andy started as he snuggled closer to his brother.

"I think the money was from the sale of the ranch Pa and Ma lived on in the early days, Andy," Slim began. "You see, Pa inherited the ranch, least ways that's what he told me. Anyway, it was a big place with lots of land and a big house. There was just me of course, so there were lots of places for me to play and later to ride on. When I was about 10 or 11, Pa decided to go west. He told me that the land was cheaper there than in Illinois and better for raising cattle. About that same time, he had a fight with a banker and pulled all the money out of the bank. Now, here's where some of that money came from. There was his mustering out pay and maybe some of Ma's. Don't forget she was a teacher and was a pretty good one at that. " Andy grinned happily.

"I remember I could only take a few things so I took my favorite books. Pa sold the land, the house, the furnishings, the cattle and the horses. He bought a Conestoga wagon and spent some time fixing it up. I remember him telling me that it was going to cost a pretty penny as the wagon train fee was over $100 and then he had to buy flour and grain, water barrels and more things. I didn't realize until just now, that he must have hidden the money under the wagon. I never saw it before."

"How did it get underneath Jess' bed?" Andy persisted.

"Did your Pa still hate bankers when he got here?" Jess asked.

"He must have," Slim answered. " He must have told Ma to hide the boxes and she put the buttons on top so no-one would look or listen any further."

"We made a good start," Slim looked down at Andy," but it's been a long day and some of us have to be up at dawn tomorrow so why don't we head for bed?"

As Slim turned out the light in the shared bedroom that night, he murmured softly, " just think, Jess, if you hadn't complained about your bed, we never would have found the treasure. I just want to say thanks. "

"Ah shucks, Slim, It's me that should be saying 'thanks' 'cause after all, you did give me a part of your family so I reckon, part of the treasure is mine too!"

Chapter 18 ~ Seeing Double

Jess fingered the last coin. It was gold. He recognized it right away. There was the eagle on the front and he half expected to see the woman's face on the other. But has he rubbed off the dirt, he saw to his amazement the eagle. It was a double eagle alright, just not what it was supposed to be. 'Heads or tales,' he remembered the childish game he'd played when he was younger. What fun he could play with Slim now; why he'd never know the difference! He hid the coin in his palm and then after observing all the players in the room, slid the coin into his pocket.

"We're finally done!" Slim breathed a sigh of relief. It had taken the entire family over a week to count all the money. They were all exhausted. He was proud of them. Jess had never complained, but Slim knew that his shoulder must have ached as he bent over the table sorting coins. In a way, Jonesy's task of counting the paper money was the easiest, but he still knew that Jonesy was tiring. He had hunched over the table a few times and stood to relieve his back muscles. Andy was hopelessly enamored with "the family treasure " and never once complained although Slim noted that he did go to bed without complaining. For his part, counting the money was only the first part of this journey, what to do with the found treasure was another.

They all waited impatiently while he counted and rechecked his figures. This was one sum he had to get right. He turned around in his chair holding the ledger book in his hand.

"Now, as you all know, " he began, "we have to exchange the paper money which is going to take time." He saw Andy's head lower. " Jess and I will have to do that. Maybe a bill here and there in Cheyenne, right Jess?"

Jess gestured with his head, too tired to speak. Both his arms ached from the repetitive movements and a gigantic headache was forming behind his eyes.

"Without the paper money, the coins tally up to," Slim paused wishing they had a drum roll just then," two thousand, four hundred fifty seven dollars!"

A collective gasp pierced the silence of the room. Each member of the Sherman Ranch family sat stunned. Jonesy mumbled something about Matthew Sherman's foresight and for once, Andy was silent.

"Dadgumit!" Jess exclaimed, "somebody say something!"

Jonesy rose to the occasion, "what we need now is a plan. First of all do we spend any of it?"

"Why the heck not?" Jess glared in Jonesy's general direction. "What I mean is, if you've got money you darn well better spend it," he amended softly, not wishing to antagonize the chief cook and caretaker.

Slim smiled, 'trust Jess to hit the nail on the head' he said to himself.

"Should we keep it hidden under Jess' bed?" Andy asked directing the question to no-one in particular.

"I'd like to set aside five hundred for Andy's education," Slim said seriously. "Each term costs one hundred dollars and then you have to add in books and rent and food. I have some money saved already so five hundred will certainly help towards the final amount. "

"I think that we ought to put aside money for groceries. In the winter we raid the root cellar faster than a cat has kittens!" Jonesy chuckled.

"We probably need to set aside some money for when we need a doctor," Jess drawled.

Slim had been diligently writing the suggestions down and then faced his family. " All good suggestions, he said. "Andy, did you label the tin boxes?"

Andy nodded and with the family's permission, Slim began to stuff coins into box number one. He put the buttons on top and closed the lid. The rest of the tins followed suit. Finally they pushed Jess' bed aside, lifted up the floor board and put the treasure back in the ground.

Jess awoke the next morning stiff and achy all over. Not willing to let on about his various ailments, he nonetheless dressed warmly for the day ahead, each tug and turn causing more pain spikes in places he never knew could ache so much. He padded out to the table half-dressed looking decidedly ill. Andy, for his part, was as chipper as ever and never noticed that Jess was merely grunting throughout the meal. Slim and Jonesy eyed the newest member of the family warily. Slim finally decided Jess' fate when he lightly tapped Jess' shoulder and whispered in his ear," follow me" and led Jess back into their bedroom and closed the door.

"When were you going to tell me?" he asked as quietly as he could.

"Tell you what, Pard?" There was an innocent look plastered on Jess' face.

Slim reached down and began to tug off Jess' boots.

"Whatcha think you're doin'?" Jess spat, highly indignant.

"You are going back to bed," Slim admonished his friend, " before you fall down."

"I'm fine!"

"Uh, can you haul in some wood for Jonesy's stove?"

Jess shook his head.

"Could you milk Molly?"

There was another shake of Jess' head.

"And lastly, could you please explain to me, if you can't do any of those things, how are you going to shovel snow?"

Jess merely shook his head. His sigh said it all. Slim smiled and reached again for Jess' foot. Once he was divested of his boots and gun belt and jeans belt, Slim helped him lie down. He pulled up the blankets to Jess' chin.

" Get some sleep, Jess. I'll tell the others not to make too much noise."

Several hours later, a refreshed and somewhat limber rancher woke up. He padded to the window and saw that the barn door was open. He cautiously opened the door but did not hear Jonesy puttering in the kitchen or see Andy doing homework at the table. Sighing, he went back inside and with a modicum of effort, pulled on his boots. Snagging his jacket off the peg by the door he went outside to visit the outhouse. The path had been shoveled so the way up wasn't going to be too bad. It was the going down that worried him as Slim's footprints were way too big and he had a vision of himself tumbling down the snowy slope. Just as he was about to leave the out house he felt the gun barrel in his back and heard the words "Don't move."

Chapter 19 ~ Working together

"Who are you and what do you want?" Jess growled. He tried to turn around but was roughly shoved forwards. He almost lost his balance.

"We want the money from the stage," one of the masked men said menacingly, "get walking."

"We told you," Jess thought quickly, 'These were the would-be robbers who shot him.' "We put the money in the Cheyenne bank. "

"Well then, we'll just take yours," the taller of the two robbers sputtered. "All those rich passengers must leave their gratitude for a safe ride in your safe."

"Dadgumit!" Jess exclaimed. " We don't accept money from passengers. They pay the stage office and that is deposited in the bank."

He was unceremoniously shoved then as the younger robber was beyond frustrated. Jess started to slip and not being able to catch himself, began to slide down the bumpy slope on his back. 'Slim,' he said under his breath,' look up Pard, help!'

The two masked men slipped and slid after him. When they all reached the bottom, a drenched Jess Harper was pushed and shoved towards the ranch house. As he passed the barn, he noted that the door was closed which meant that everyone was inside. He tried to slow the trek down by stumbling and falling but they continued to shove him forward. He could almost see their sneers. The door was right in front of him now. He began to sweat underneath his heavy jacket.

"Get in there!" Jess was pushed a final time and fell head first into Slim's chest. To his amazement, Slim simultaneously shoved a pistol into Jess' waist band while grabbing his Pard with one hand.

"Nobody move," the robbers shouted at Andy and Slim. Jess felt for the gun and softly counted down from three, "three, two, one, " and simultaneously both he and Slim pivoted and shot at the robbers, knocking one to the ground. The taller of the two swung at Jess but was suddenly stopped as a shot gun was pushed into his back by Jonesy.

"How do you like it now," Jonesy observed as he held the man at bay.

In short order the robbers were unmasked, tied up and gagged. Slim wrote a note for the sheriff that they had some business for him at the ranch and gave it to Mose. While Jonesy kept watch over their unwanted guests, Slim helped Jess out of his wet clothes.

Jess was half expecting a lecture from Slim but was amazed when suddenly Slim began to laugh.

"Do you remember, Jess, when I first asked you to work on the ranch and I said "it could lead to something? "

Jess grinned, "and I said, ' yeah, trouble.' He shook his head in dismay. " I sure didn't expect this though."

"I was just wondering if trouble is your middle name!"

Jess grabbed a towel to dry his hair. " Nope, it's not. But trouble does seem to find me nonetheless. Slim, do you want me to leave?"

Shocked that after all they had been through that Jess could still say that, Slim shook his head. "Jess, a long time ago now, my Ma told me the meaning of the word 'friends.' She said "Friends fight for you. Respect you. Include you. Encourage you. Need you. Deserve you. Stand by you." He paused and slid a hand onto Jess' shoulder and squeezed slightly. " Sound familiar? "

"Jess, I don't want you to go anywhere. Now, more than ever, I need you right here. Andy couldn't have a better protector; Jonesy needs someone to drink his coffee; and I need my friend at my side. If you're hankering to go somewhere, you could go back to bed and get warm!"

"Nope, I'm better now, " Jess looked up at his friend, " thanks for holding onto the end of the rope, Pard."

Chapter 20~ Peace and Quiet, maybe?

Two days later they rode into town to give their statements to the sheriff. Sheriff Miller was a crusty old soul. Jess got the feeling that he didn't like strangers in his town. While Slim was calm and collected, Jess was nervous. His first meeting with Laramie's sheriff had been a standoff. While he had tried, for Slim's sake, to be polite and cordial, the sheriff had been cold, distant and downright distrustful. Jess remembered when after giving his statement, the sheriff asked him if he could write his name and he'd replied that on a good day, he could read too! He grinned to himself as he rode along thinking of Slim's chuckle and knew that his friendship was growing with the sandy- haired rancher.

The mood hadn't changed since the last time he was there. Suddenly chills slithered down his spine. The sheriff wrote down their statements and handed them back to them to sign. Jess' hand shook. Something was going on. He could hardly breathe. Was it just him?

"There was a reward for those two," the sheriff gestured towards the cell," five hundred a piece. I made out the draft to you, Mr. Sherman for one thousand dollars. "

Jess smiled, thinking of the growing pile of money beneath his bed. "You're rich Pard,"he nodded towards the paper clutched in Slim's hand.

"Nope, you're wrong, Jess," Slim stood up," you helped too. Five hundred a piece soon as I cash it out."

"Not so fast," the sheriff interrupted, " I don't think they allow prisoners money in jail," he snapped a pair of handcuffs onto Jess' wrists while grabbing for his gun.

"What? What did I do?" Jess shouted as he tried to wiggle out of the Sheriff's grip. "What are you playing at?"

"Sheriff, what exactly are you accusing Jess of?" Slim's voice shook. Jess' eyes were boring into him.

Instead of answering him, the sheriff shoved Jess into the open cell and slammed the door shut with a clang. Satisfied that he'd done his duty, the sheriff sauntered back to his desk to face an indignant rancher.

"Ever been to ST George, Utah, Mr. Harper?"

Jess thought for a minute. "Once, a long time ago," he mumbled. " I worked for a rancher by the name of Hayes, Charlie Hayes. Nice fella. Had a big spread. I was only there for a couple weeks. "

"I guess you would have to leave after you killed your boss, right?"

"What? Kill Mr. Hayes? What are you talking about? I left because I had a run in with Mr. Hayes' son. The two of them did not get along. The son wanted to own the ranch and Mr. Hayes thought his son wasn't ready. I left because I didn't want to be in the middle of a family feud."

"Before or after you killed him?"

"Now wait a minute, Sheriff," Slim's voice of reason had shown up despite his overwhelming fear for his friend's life, " if Jess said he didn't kill this Mr. Hayes, then he didn't. I believe him. Besides, where's your proof?"

The sheriff shoved the wanted poster into Slim's hand. "That's all the proof I need," he fairly crowed.

The poster was old and the picture of a young man looked enough like Jess to be him and on top of it all was the reward of ten thousand dollars. Slim swallowed hard. For an instant he wondered if he had made the worst mistake of his life. But as he stood in the dingy jail house, listening to the frantic breathing of his best friend, he knew it was all a lie. "Jess, can you dispute this?"

Jess shook his head. "I had a letter from the territorial judge saying I was cleared of any wrong doing, that I wasn't wanted anywhere. I had it in my wallet that was stolen by them two," he gestured at the robbers in the next cell.

"Well, that doesn't help you does it," sneered the sheriff. " Best you go on your way, Mr. Sherman. I'm sure you family needs you. You've got a thousand dollars to spend now. Oh you still have time to say goodbye. Mr. Harper will be my guest for another week or so, until the tumbleweed wagon comes."

Slim did not move. His insides were crying a river. He clenched his fists. " Jess, did you only have one copy of that letter?"

Jess shook his head. He could hardly breathe. His life was slipping away. Then he suddenly remembered. He grabbed hold of the bars. " There's a copy at home in the top drawer. I could get it and ride back here, " he spoke hopefully.

The sheriff sneered, "so you could ride away? Not likely."

"Wait!" Jess' desperate plea hung in the air. " Slim can you bring in my saddle bags? "

The sheriff and Slim exchanged glances and the sheriff finally nodded his acceptance. Slim brought in the saddle bags in question and laid them on the desk.

"If you reach inside the left one, way down at the bottom, there's a piece of paper wrapped in a piece of a slicker. It's the third copy of the letter."

Slim did as he was told and to his relief drew out the letter which he unwrapped carefully and handed it to the sheriff. Both men watched as a dejected sheriff gathered up the keys and opened the cell door, no doubt seeing the reward money floating away.

"Slim, was that sheriff elected or what's that word?" Jess asked as the two friends rode home.

"Appointed," Slim said with a smile. " He was elected by the town."

"Well, the town oughta de-elect him!" Jess exclaimed. ""Say, do you suppose that reward money would have gone to him?"

"I'm not sure, Jess," Slim smiled at Jess' quaint phrasing. " He sure seemed to think so. You know," he added thoughtfully," you ought to write that judge and ask for more copies of that letter in case this ever happens again."

Jess said nothing for awhile. He had come close, too close to losing everyone and everything he cared about. It was the worst feeling in the whole world. " Thanks for having my back, Pard," he ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Thanks for having mine," Slim replied.

"So what are we gonna spend the one thousand dollars on?"

"You're going to throw in your share to the family treasure, Jess?"

"Why not! You said I was part of the family and isn't that what families do, share ?"

"Yup, that's what they do, especially ours."

Andy hugged his new hero so hard that Jess was fearful for his ribs. Jonesy just shook his hand and then without complaining poured him some medicinal whiskey to fight his upcoming cold. Slim basked in the warmth of family love as he watched his best friend. They were as different as could be on the outside but the same values were sewn deep in their core. Rather than making the worst mistake in his life, he'd made the best decision in his life when he offered the dark haired stranger a part of his family and his life.

Much later, in the darkness of their room, the two men shared a quiet porch talk moment.

"Just think, if you hadn't complained about your bed, we never would have found the treasure," Slim mused as he turned out the light.

"You got that wrong, Slim, " Jess told him, his eyes bright with tears. "We already found our treasure, our friendship and we ain't ever gonna loose it again."

Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story. It was a joy to write. May you have a wonderful Christmas with all your treasured friends and family. I look forward to reading and writing many more Laramie stories with you next year.

MS