It had been over an hour since the Judge and Nathan had entered the clinic and the tension among the four men waiting on the landing had become unbearable. Chris paced back and forth, his face reflecting the pain he still felt at having to force Ezra into doing this. His sobs and cries of 'you pwomised' echoed through the tall, slender gunslinger's mind as he waited impatiently for Ezra's ordeal to be over.
Josiah sat on the bench next to the door, his elbows resting on his knees, his large hands clasped tightly together and his head bowed, as he silently prayed for a favorable decision from the Judge.
Vin sat on the railing, back against the clinic wall, softly blowing on his mouth organ as he stared off at the distant mountains. But the soft-spoken tracker wasn't paying any attention to what he was seeing, his heart and mind were with his little brother and the nightmare he knew he was being forced to relive.
JD sat beside Josiah, his legs jiggling incessantly with his usual nervous energy. He'd give anything to be able to take Ezra's place in there... to spare him the pain and terror he knew the gambler was going through. Finally, not being able to sit still anymore, he jumped up and joined Chris in his pacing. "Damn... what's taking them so long? The poor little guy's gotta be exhausted by now!"
No sooner were the words out of his mouth, than the clinic door finally opened and Nathan and the Judge emerged, closing the door softly behind them.
The Judge's face was drawn and his movements slow as he sank down on the bench beside Josiah. He leaned wearily back against the wall and carefully removed the handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the moisture from his eyes.
The others stared at first him and then Nathan, taking in the deep sorrow that shone in their eyes. They all had heard the sounds of gentle weeping coming from the clinic before Nathan had closed the door, and knew it had been just as bad for Ezra as they all had feared it would be.
Chris walked over and placed his hand on Orrin's shoulder. "Judge?"
The Judge finally looked up at the concerned faces that surrounded him and shook his head. "That young man isn't going anywhere." He stared at Chris, his eyes still red from the tears he'd been unable to hold back upon hearing Ezra's heart-breaking story of abuse and neglect. "I know you'd told me all this ahead of time, Chris... but to hear it in Ezra's own words... the despair and utter desolation in that young voice when he talked about being left behind... the abject fear that his mama wouldn't return for him... my God... the whipping. And I don't think that was all of it... I'm sure there's something even worse that he was holding back." Orrin shuddered, and his voice shook slightly as he continued. "Maude and her attorney can argue all they want, they're not taking that boy away from here."
"She's going to claim she knew nothing about what was happening to him." Josiah's deep voice was filled with sadness as he spoke what they all knew was true. "Maude won't give him up without a fight... she's not someone who likes to lose."
Judge Travis stood and stuffed his handkerchief back in his pocket. "If they want a fight, we'll give them one. I'm not sure yet how we'll handle it, but for now it doesn't matter. That young man is sick, and until Nathan says he's completely well, there will be no arguments heard in my court by either side."
Vin stared at the clinic door. "Do we have t' let her in t' see 'im, Judge?"
Orrin nodded reluctantly. "Ezra has agreed to talk to her one time as long as he's not left alone with her. But I've already told Mr. Wilmington and Mr. Jackson... if she upsets him in anyway, I want her ejected... forcefully, if need be... and she will not be allowed anywhere near him again." He turned and headed toward the stairs. "And now, gentlemen, I feel an urgent need to spend time with my grandson. I need to be reminded of how a childhood should be... safe, happy, and loved." He turned and looked back at them before he left. "I'll check back with you in a few days to see how Ezra's feeling. In the meantime, I strongly suggest you start pushing him harder in an effort to regain his memory. We need to get our Mr. Standish back, and the sooner the better."
As soon as the Judge disappeared down the stairs, the others turned and filed slowly into the clinic ready to give Ezra the one thing they knew he needed most right now... the love and support of his family.
Buck rocked Ezra, his large gentle hand running slowly up and down the exhausted gambler's back. He could feel the tremors that still rippled through his body and the hitching breaths he took as his sobs gradually subsided. Ezra's forehead, beaded with sweat from the fever that was growing stronger now, rested against the older man's cheek. Buck whispered softly, soothing him with his words as well as his touch. "It's all over now, Little One. You're gonna be okay."
"I'm s-sowwy, Buck... I trwied so h-harwd not to c-crwy." Ezra's fingers still clutched at Buck's shirt as if it were the only thing holding him together.
Buck gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Shush now. Ya did just fine." He felt Ezra shake his head and quickly placed his hand under the gambler's chin... tipping his face up so he could look into his sad green eyes. "I am so proud of you, Ezra. You were such a brave boy to talk to the Judge like that. And I promise, Little One... ya won't ever have to talk about it again if ya don't want to. Okay?"
Ezra's eyes were still filled with worry as he stared back at Buck. "An' now you won't have to go to jaiwl... w'ight, Buck?"
Buck chuckled softly and hurried to erase the last vestiges of fear from the younger man's face. "No, baby... I won't be goin' to jail now. You took care of that." He kissed Ezra's cheek and gently pressed his head back down against his shoulder. "Thank you, Ezra."
"I pwomised you I wouldn't w'et him put you in jaiwl." Ezra's grip finally loosened on Buck's shirt as he reached up to wrap his arm around the older man's neck. "An' I'll neverw bweak my pwomises to you, Buck. Neverw."
By the time the others got through talking to Judge Travis and came in to check on Ezra, he was sound asleep. Vin helped Josiah scoop him up off Buck's lap and turned the blankets back so he could lay him in the bed. The quiet tracker tucked him in as Josiah gently smoothed his hair back, saddened by the exhaustion and strain that still showed on his face even in sleep. His large hand covered Ezra's forehead and he frowned, looking quickly up at the healer. "Nathan?"
But Nathan was already at the small stove, measuring some herbs into the kettle. "I know, I'm brewin' up some more tea. That damn cold's really startin' t' take hold now." While he started the tea, JD fetched the pot of coffee and went around the table filling everyone's mugs. It had been a long morning, and they were all in need of some quiet time before heading off to take care of their duties as peacekeepers.
Buck stretched and flexed his legs, trying to get some feeling back into them before sitting down at the table. He was just pulling out a chair when they all heard what sounded like the stage pulling up outside. They exchanged puzzled looks since they all knew it wasn't due in til late afternoon. Every one of them clustered around the windows that faced out onto the street and stared down at the large, ornate coach now parked in front of the hotel... and every one of them immediately frowned as they saw the passengers step down onto the boardwalk.
A very tall, very muscular gentlemen dressed in a dark pinstripe suit stepped off first and turned to help Maude out of the coach. The six men staring out the windows watched as Ezra's mother looked up at the clinic, a determined scowl appearing on her face as she stepped down into the street and immediately headed in their direction.
Josiah shook his head and muttered angrily. "Well, here we go, Brothers. Time to tell the lioness she can't have her cub."
It was quickly decided that Buck should stay with Ezra... against the angry gunman's wishes. After a heated argument, Chris promised him he'd get his chance at the charming Mrs. Standish later, but right now, Ezra needed him more. Buck reluctantly agreed and settled himself on the bed beside the slumbering gambler... he didn't really think he was ready to talk to her anyway. One wrong word about his Little One and he'd probably end up in jail after all.
Chris lead the others out onto the landing just as Maude came storming up the stairs. The six men spread themselves out in front of the door, creating a protective barrier between her and her son.
She hurried straight to Nathan, her face a mask of concern... which not one of the men believed was real. "Mr. Jackson... please tell me, how is my son?! He's not..."
Nathan held his anger in check as he reassured her that Ezra was still with them. "No, ma'am... he's doin'... um... 'bout as well as can be expected at the moment." He glanced at Chris who hesitated, and then nodded at him to go ahead and tell her. Nathan took Maude's elbow and tried to lead her over to the bench. "Maybe ya better sit down here an' let me explain his condition t' ya."
But she shook his hand off and moved toward the door, stopping suddenly when she realized Chris and the others weren't about to let her through. "I don't want your explanations, I want to see my son... now!"
Chris stood with his arms folded across his chest and shook his head at her. "Sorry, Maude... he's not allowed to have any visitors right now."
She stared at him and then the others, noticing for the first time the anger smoldering in their eyes... and... she stared hard at each of their faces... was that a look of disgust she was seeing? Just what was going on here?
"Well, that's all right... I'm not a visitor... I'm his mother. Now I'd appreciate it if you'd let me in to see my son." She moved forward, but none of them would budge an inch. "Mr. Larabee... just what do you think you are doing? I demand that you let me in there! Ezra?! Darlin', I-"
Maude was cut off as Chris grabbed her arm and began pushing her roughly toward the stairs. His voice was low and angry as he tried to silence her. "That's enough, damn it! We told you no one's allowed in there, and that includes you. Now keep your damn voice down before you upset him!"
"Upset him?! I'm his mother... how could I possibly upset him?!" She tried to jerk her arm away, but was unable to break his hold on her. "Mr. Larabee, I insist you take your hands off me right this instant!"
"How could you upset him?! You're kidding, right? You just being in town upsets Ezra... he-" Chris's forward motion and his tirade were stopped as the man who had come in on the stage with Maude stepped up onto the landing directly in his path.
"Excuse me... Mr. Larabee, is it?" The new arrival put his arm out to block Chris's attempt to push Maude past him, and spoke softly to the angry gunslinger.
Chris stared at the man, his eyes narrowing as he answered. "Yeah... and who the hell are you?" He felt the others silently moving in beside him and knew they were ready to toss the newcomer and Ezra's mother over the railing with just one word from him.
The larger man smiled, but it never quite reached his eyes... eyes the color of a winter's morning... gray and cold, with a trace of something dark glinting in their depths. "I happen to be Mrs. Standish's attorney... M.J. Delacourte." His smile faded slowly as his eyes held Chris's. "And I would appreciate it if you would release your hold on my client, sir... now."
Chris smiled at the added 'now' and at the threat it implied. "Well, Mister Delacourte... I would appreciate it if you informed your client that she's not welcome here."
Delacourte glanced at the other men and then brought his gaze back to the man in black who still had his hand wrapped around Maude's arm. "And just who gave you the authority to keep Mrs. Standish from seein' her son?"
"I did." The quiet voice startled everyone on the landing. No one had heard the Judge coming up the stairs... they had all been completely focused on the confrontation between the two men who stood with Maude pinned between them.
Maude looked up and immediately turned her attention to the elderly gentleman who walked past her to stand beside Chris. "Judge Travis... oh, thank God you're here! These... men... are keepin' me from seein' my son." She was finally able to free herself from Chris's grip and placed a slender, gloved hand on the Judge's arm. "Please help me... I need to see Ezra and make sure he's alright. I've been worryin' myself sick about him all the way from St. Louis... terrified that he'd die before I could reach his side."
The Judge watched as she delicately dabbed at the few tears she'd managed to squeeze out and then looked down at the hand that rested on his arm... his expression barely concealing the loathing he felt at the woman's touch. He calmly removed her hand from his arm and looked up at the men gathered around Chris. "Mr. Jackson... is Ezra ready to speak to his mother?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Nathan shook his head. "No, sir... his fever's up an' we jus' got 'im t' sleep. He ain't in no condition for this kinda stress."
Orrin nodded his agreement and glanced at Maude. "Has Mrs. Standish been told the exact nature of his condition?"
"No, Judge... I tried, but she didn't want t' listen t' me. She was too busy tryin' to bull her way in to see 'im." Nathan glared at Maude and her lawyer before turning his gaze back to the Judge. "I'll be glad t' explain it now if we could take it somewhere's else... I'm afraid all this commotion is gonna wake Ezra."
"Bulling my way-" Maude's indignation at being treated in such a harsh, unfeeling manner had her sputtering at Nathan's words. "I am merely concerned for my son and naturally want to be with him in his time of need!"
Chris nearly choked on the angry words that tried to burst out of him, but he stopped as he felt Vin's calming touch on his arm and his whispered words of warning in his ear. "Not now, cowboy... let the Judge handle it."
"Alright, Mr. Jackson... we'll move this little discussion over to the jail where you, Mrs. Standish, will hear what he has to say before I'll listen to another word from you or your attorney." Judge Travis looked up at the stranger who stood directly behind Maude. "I am assuming, sir, that that is who you are?"
The man nodded and held his hand out as he finally introduced himself. "M.J. Delacourte, Judge... Travis, is it?"
Orrin deliberately ignored the outstretched hand and nodded. "Correct, sir. Now, shall we retire to the jail so that we can finish this? I would like to get back and continue my visit with my daughter-in-law and grandson before this day is completely ruined."
"I'll be there in a minute, Judge... I jus' wanna check on Ezra 'fore I leave." Nathan turned to go back in the clinic, but stopped when he heard Delacourte begin protesting.
"Now see here... Mrs. Standish has been on a stage coach for six days, worryin' about her son's condition... I think she should at least be allowed to take a look at him. Just to calm her fears and let her know he is still alive."
Taking her lead from Delacourte, Maude touched the Judge's arm and shot him a look of motherly concern. "Please, Judge... I just want to see for myself that he's alright."
Orrin looked at the other men, registered their scowls of disapproval, but decided to accede to her request. With one stipulation. "All right, Mrs. Standish... Nathan will open the door and you may take a quick look at your son. However, you are not to say a word or move into the room... Ezra is in a fragile state right now and I don't want him disturbed in anyway."
Maude glanced at Delacourte who nodded at her to comply with the Judge's order. "All right, Judge... I don't like it, but I'll go along with it if it's the only way I can see him."
Maude followed Nathan over to the clinic door and waited impatiently for him to open it. Nathan hesitated, glancing back at Chris before finally releasing the latch and pushing it slowly open. He stepped back to allow Maude access to the doorway, but stayed close, ready to pull her back if she tried anything.
Maude blinked several times to allow her eyes to adjust to the gloomy interior of the clinic as her gaze sought and finally found the bed in the far corner of the room. It took her a few minutes to digest what she was seeing, but once she did, she stiffened in shock and immediately expressed her disgust by shouting angrily at the man who was lying in the bed with her son, cradling him in his arms.
"What in God's name is goin' on here?! Take your filthy hands off my son this instant!" Maude started toward the bed, but was brought to an abrupt halt when Nathan quickly wrapped one long arm around her waist and slapped his other hand over her mouth, muffling her angry cries. He saw Ezra spring up in the bed, clutching wildly at Buck at the sight of his mother and heard his anguished cries of terror before turning and bodily carrying a frantically struggling Maude back out on the landing.
Chris hurried forward to help Nathan as he shouted orders at the other men. "Vin... JD... get in there and help Buck with Ezra! Josiah... escort Mr. Delacourte over to the jail!"
Judge Travis shot an angry glare at Maude as Chris and Nathan manhandled her past him and down the stairs. He could hear Ezra's sobs even through the closed door... and after a regretful glance back at the clinic, followed the others across the street to the jail.
Buck was relieved to see Vin and JD enter the clinic. "Vin, give me a hand here! JD... could ya get a mug of that tea on the stove?" He was desperately trying to get Ezra calmed down, but absolutely nothing was working. The gambler had his arm wrapped tightly around Buck's neck as his feet dug frantically at the mattress, trying to push himself as close to the older man as he could get. Hard, choking sobs tore through Ezra as he pleaded with him, "Hewlp me, Buck!! Pwease don't w'et her take me! Buck... hewlp me!!"
Ezra was so terrified, that when Vin laid a gentle hand on his back to calm him, he immediately thought it was his mother trying to pull him away from Buck. His startled scream echoed through the small clinic and nearly caused JD to drop the tea he was carrying over to the bed.
Buck had to brace himself against the headboard as Ezra stiffened in his arms to keep them both from toppling off the bed. "Easy, Little One! It's just Vin! Your mama's gone... she's gone! Nathan made her leave!"
"No! No! No! P-pwease, Buck... d-don't w'et her t-take me! D-don't... don't... w'et..." Ezra's painfully hoarse voice faltered as he dissolved into a helpless torrent of hot scalding tears that quickly soaked Buck's shirt.
Vin climbed on the bed beside the two men, and helped Buck force Ezra to turn around so that he could see there was no one else in the room but the four of them. "Look, little guy... your mama ain't here. See? It's just us here with ya... no one's takin' ya away." Vin kept his voice low and even as he fought to get Ezra calmed down. "JD... set that tea down an' get me a wet cloth."
Buck had to fight back tears himself as he began rubbing Ezra's back and felt the shudders that shook the slender body. He couldn't imagine anyone being this terrified of his own mother... but then again, most mothers wouldn't leave their only child with someone as abusive as Ezra's Uncle Matthew. The ladies man tugged gently, and slowly got the gambler to lean back against him, then wrapped his arms tightly around him to help him feel more secure. He breathed a sigh of relief as he felt Ezra slowly begin to relax... his violent sobbing finally stopping with the realization that he was safe in Buck's arms.
JD handed Vin the rag and then sat down beside Ezra on the bed, laying his hand on the older man's leg and rubbing gently to help soothe him.
Vin gently wiped away the tears from Ezra's face, pushing his sweat soaked hair back off his forehead, and frowning as he felt the cool cloth instantly warmed by the fever that was beginning to burn hotter in his friend. "JD... maybe ya better go get Nathan."
JD caught the concern in Vin's voice and hurried out of the clinic, worry washing over him for Ezra. If the usually unflappable tracker thought Nathan was needed, it was enough to convince the youngest peacekeeper that something was definitely wrong.
Vin got up and soaked the cloth in cold water again before folding it and placing it across Ezra's forehead. "Buck... hold this on 'im while I try an' get 'im t' drink this tea."
Buck placed his hand over the cool compress and pressed it against Ezra's feverish brow as he bent his head to whisper quietly in his ear. "You okay now, Little One?" He smiled softly when he felt the younger man's head nod against his shoulder. "Think ya could drink some of this tea for us? Please?"
Ezra's eyes blinked slowly as the exhaustion of this latest ordeal took its toll on him. When he finally focused on Vin holding the tea in front of him, he nodded again and allowed the tracker to hold the mug for him while he gingerly sipped it down. The first few swallows made him wince as they flowed over his scratchy throat, but after that he was grateful for it's soothing warmth and willingly emptied the cup. Buck gave Vin the cloth to wipe Ezra's mouth with and as soon as he'd wet it again, began running it gently across the younger man's face and neck. They watched Ezra's face relax and his eyes slowly close as he finally stopped fighting the sleep that was attempting to drag him under.
Vin tucked the blankets up around his shoulders when he saw him shiver and took the rag from Buck, laying it on the nightstand.
Buck continued to gently smooth back Ezra's hair as he held him tight against his chest. His voice when he finally spoke to Vin was soft but filled with anger. "What the hell happened, Vin... I thought she wasn't gonna be allowed in here til he was better?"
"Her damn lawyer convinced the Judge t' just let Maude take a look see at Ezra so's she'd know he was okay." Vin's voice held every bit as much anger as Buck's did. "She wasn't s'posed t' say anything, just get her look an' get out."
"Well, I hope the Judge's happy... 'cause we're gonna have a helluva time gettin' 'im to agree to talk to her now." Buck stared sadly down at the man cradled against him. "An' far as I'm concerned... she don't deserve to talk to 'im at all."
"Don't worry... no way in hell Nathan'll let her back in here 'fore he's better now." Vin took Ezra's hand in his and frowned at how hot it was. "An' the way his cold's worsenin', that could be awhile."
"All I know is, if she's allowed back in here an' gets 'im upset like that again... I'm gonna end up in jail anyway... for murder." Buck smiled grimly at Vin, and the tracker was left with the distinct impression that the older man wasn't entirely joking. He'd have to warn Chris that they'd better keep a tight rein on Buck when Maude was finally allowed to see Ezra... or all hell was liable to break loose.
Chris and Nathan released Maude as soon as they had her down in the street, and followed her as she crossed to the jail and slammed through the door. The others filed in behind her with Delacourte moving quickly to her side, whispering orders in her ear.
"You'd better calm down or you're goin' to lose this battle before it's even begun." He placed a hand on her arm and squeezed it firmly as he issued his warning. He hadn't traveled all this way with the infernal woman to have her blow the case within the first hour of their arrival.
Judge Orrin Travis was angry... angry at Maude for upsetting Ezra, and at himself for trusting her to do as he said in the first place. He threw his hat down on the desk and dropped heavily into the chair that sat behind it. "My good woman... did I not specifically say you were not to speak to him or try to enter that room?!"
Maude ignored her attorney's warning and angrily started arguing with the Judge. "Well, that was before I witnessed that disgusting scene! Did you expect me to just stand there and do nothing?!"
The Judge and his men stared at each other and then back at Maude, their faces clearly showing their confusion. "What disgusting scene would that be?"
"Why, Mr. Wilmington in that bed with my son lyin' practically on top of him, of course! Can you explain why that shouldn't upset me?" Maude tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for someone to say something.
It was the Judge who spoke up first. "Mrs. Standish... if you want any chance at all of seeing your son... you will stop the nasty insinuations about my men, sit down, shut up, and listen to Mr. Jackson."
Maude opened her mouth to protest, but her attorney pulled her backward, whispered furiously in her ear, and then pushed her down onto a chair. When she spoke again, her voice was subdued and her tone a shade less condescending. "Please go ahead, Nathan... and I do apologize for my earlier outburst. I'm just so worried about Ezra."
Nathan didn't believe for a minute that the apology was sincere, but he proceeded to tell her about Ezra's accident, the amnesia, and about his subsequent attachment to Buck. By the time he finished, Maude and Delacourte wore twin expressions of disbelief.
"You actually want me to believe Ezra thinks he's five years old?" She shook her head and laughed softly. "Please, Mr. Jackson... be honest with me. Ezra put you up to this so he wouldn't have to talk to me, didn't he?"
The Judge sighed, trying his best to keep his anger in check. "I assure you, Mrs. Standish... Mr. Jackson is not joking or following your son's orders. I've spent time with Ezra and he is most definitely convinced he is only five years old. In fact, we had an interesting discussion just this morning about you and his unfortunate childhood."
Chris saw Delacourte's eyes narrow at the Judge's mention of his talk with Ezra and wondered if Maude had shared with him some of the details of her miserable job of mothering him.
Maude shifted nervously in her chair and glanced up at the man standing beside her and then back at Judge Travis. "Well, if he truly thinks he is a child, I'm sure you realize how unreliable his tales would be. Five year olds... especially my son... have very over-active imaginations."
Josiah stared at Maude as if he'd never seen her before. How could he have ever been attracted to her? How had he missed the calculated coldness of her attitude toward others... especially her own son? The preacher saw her look of surprise when he addressed her for the first time... his voice as cold as the air outside. "No five year old could possibly invent some of the tales that Ezra has told us about... not even one with your son's obvious intelligence."
Vin nodded his agreement as he stared at Maude. "An' I don't think those so-called made up stories would be givin' 'im nightmares... nightmares so bad he wakes up sobbin' his heart out."
"Oh, please... all children have nightmares. And as I said before, my son has a very fertile imagination... I'm sure it would carry over into his sleep. That's hardly a sign that he was mistreated as a child." Convinced she'd successfully dismissed their concerns, she turned back to the Judge. "Now... I want to know when I can see my son. I'm not going to believe any of this until I talk to him and witness this supposed transformation for myself. However... if it is true... I will be takin' him back to St. Louis with me to get him the help he needs."
Chris walked closer to Maude... his eyes never leaving her face, amazed at the control she was showing. It was obvious where Ezra came by his remarkable ability to keep his feelings and emotions hidden. "I'm curious, Maude... you never wanted Ezra with you as a child, so why are you so hell bent on having him with you now? You may not want to believe it, but except for his size... he's no different from any other five year old. Why do you think you're going to be able to deal with him any better this time?" Chris's voice was deceptively calm, but his eyes boring relentlessly into hers clearly revealed the rage that he was holding a tight rein on.
Maude held onto her emotions and never even flinched as she calmly replied, "I assure you, Mr. Larabee... I did the best I could for my son. I was a single mother strugglin' to raise a small child. At least while he was with me, he was never shot, stabbed, or nearly killed by the childish horseplay of his co-workers."
Chris bent over and rested his hands on the arms of the chair she sat in... his face only inches from hers. "No, he was only dropped on the doorstep of anyone you could find who would take him off your hands. Including a sadistic uncle who thought it was his duty to whip him to within an inch of his life in order to teach him respect."
This finally got a reaction out of Maude, but it wasn't one that Chris had expected. The look of confusion that appeared on her face actually seemed real. "Whipping... what are you-" but she was interrupted when JD came charging through the door.
"Nathan... Vin sent me for you. Ezra's not doin' too good." JD's obvious anxiety sent all three men rushing from the room and back to the clinic. He started to follow them, but was stopped by the Judge's concerned voice.
"What's happened, son?"
JD continued toward the door as he answered the older man. "His fever's a lot worse an' he was real upset by... um... by what happened earlier." He shot Maude an angry glare and hurried out of the jail.
Maude and Delacourte moved toward the door, but Orrin quickly rose and grabbed them both before they could leave.
"Judge Travis... surely you'll allow me to go see to my son. If he's as ill as young JD made out, then he needs his mother by his side." Maude tried to push her way past him, but he refused to move.
"I think you have done enough damage for one day... what that young man needs is his friends by his side... not you. I'm putting him under my temporary custody as of right now... if you try to see him before I tell you you can, you will be placed under arrest. Is that clear?" The Judge ignored her protests and after grabbing his hat off the desk, started out the door. "I would suggest you get yourselves settled in at the hotel... you may have a long wait before Ezra will be up to seeing you. I will, however, have Mr. Jackson keep you informed of his condition... and as soon as your son is fully recovered from his present illness, we will settle this matter of where he will be living. Until then, you would be wise to heed my words... stay away from him."
Orrin shook his head as he closed the door and walked away from the jail, her shouts of protest following after him. He almost felt sorry for that attorney of hers. Mrs. Standish was hard enough to deal with when things were going her way... she would be impossible after this blow to her plans.