Vin moved off the bed as soon as Nathan entered the clinic, relieved that he was finally there to check on Ezra. The gambler had woken back up shortly after falling asleep and had complained that his head and throat were both hurting.
Nathan sat down beside Ezra and gently placed the back of his hand against the smaller man's face and neck. His fever was up, but it still wasn't dangerously high... the healer tried not to smile. Ezra was sick... there was no arguing that... but it was just a nasty cold, not the life-threatening illness the others were trying to make it out to be. He didn't know who was going to give him the most trouble... Ezra with a five year old's affinity for whining when not feeling well, or his big brothers who were going to panic at every cough or sneeze.
Ezra's eyes opened and he smiled weakly up at Nathan. "Hi, Nafan... I drwank awll my tea jus' w'ike you wanted me, too."
"I see that, little guy... you done jus' fine. Ain't feelin' too good though, are ya?" Nathan handed Vin the rag off the nightstand and asked him to wet it down for him.
"Nuh-uh... my head huwts, Nafan... a'wot. An' my nose is awll stuffy... it's harwd to brweave." Ezra battled bravely against the tears, but he just couldn't help the few that leaked out and trickled slowly down his cheeks.
"Do ya think ya could sit up for me jus' for a minute so's I can check ya over?" Nathan waited til the gambler nodded and then had Buck help him raise Ezra up. He took the damp cloth Vin handed him and wiped the smaller man's face off, and then gently held it against the back of his neck to help cool him down. "Let me see your throat, little guy."
Ezra obligingly opened his mouth for Nathan and gave him a pitiful little whimper and a nod when the healer fussed over how sore it looked.
He began loosening the bandages that held Ezra's broken arm against his chest and saw the younger man's excited expression. "I gotta listen t' your chest for a minute, Ezra... then they gotta go right back on."
Ezra started to protest, but Buck got him stopped long enough for Nathan to listen and reassure himself that the Southerner's lungs were clear. But the minute he began strapping his arm back down, Ezra's face fell and he began crying and pleading with Nathan to leave the confining wrappings off.
Buck had all he could do to hold Ezra still while Nathan finished. When the crying and begging didn't work, he began trying to jerk away from Nathan, shouting angrily at him in frustration.
"Stop it, Nafan! I tol' you I didn't want d'at on me! W'eave me a'wone!"
Nathan tried to explain again that he was only doing it for his own good, but Ezra just pulled harder against them until Josiah had to step in and help Buck hold him.
"D'at's what grwown-ups aw'ways say when d'ey'rwe huwtin' me! You'rwe jus' w'ike Unca Maffew!!" Ezra froze the minute the angry, hurtful words were out of his mouth.
Chris saw Nathan flinch at Ezra's accusation. "Ezra! That's enough."
Nathan glanced back at Chris and shook his head before tying off the ends of the bandages and tucking them in. "Leave 'em alone, Chris. He jus' don't feel good." He looked up and found Ezra staring at him, tears streaming down his face... his eyes reflecting the horror he felt at hurting him.
"Nafan... I'm so s-sowwy... I didn't mean to... I..." Ezra couldn't believe he'd said such an awful thing to one of his brothers.
Nathan's heart melted as he saw the pain and regret on Ezra's face. He quickly wrapped his arms around the smaller man and pulled him close, bending his head down to whisper in his ear. "Hush now... I know ya didn't mean it, Ezra... that's jus' the sickness talkin'."
"I n-neverw meant to huwt you, Nafan... it's jus' d'at I h-hate-" Ezra stopped when he felt Nathan reach up and gently stroke his hair.
"I know ya hate it, little guy... an' I hate havin' t' do ya this way. I jus' want t' make sure your arm's jus' as good as new when it heals up." Nathan felt him nod against his shoulder.
"I know, Nafan... jus' w'ike d' w'ast time you made me wearw a s'wing when I got shot in d'-" Ezra stopped suddenly when he realized what he'd said.
Everyone in the room held their breath as they waited to see how he would react to this sudden flash of memory. Nathan felt him begin to tremble and quickly tightened his hold on him. "Ezra? It's okay, little guy... it's gonna be alright."
Ezra pulled away from Nathan and sat up, his terrified green eyes staring into the healer's gentle brown ones. He reached up and placed a shaky hand on Nathan's chest as if to steady himself. "Nafan? Why did I say d'at? I've neverw been shot... have I?"
Nathan looked around at the others and saw their apprehension, but decided it was as good a time as any to start nudging Ezra's memory.
"I don't know, Ezra... what are ya rememberin'?" Nathan kept a firm grip on the gambler's shoulders as he watched him struggle to capture the strange thoughts that were drifting in and out of his mind.
Buck reached up and rubbed Ezra's back when he saw his breathing becoming rapid and shallow... he could tell the memories were starting to scare him.
Ezra's eyes took on an unfocused, glazed look and he slowly shook his head. "Don't know... I keep hearwin' yourw voice sayin' howld stiwll... d'at you aw'most got it." His gaze seemed to snap back briefly before fading out again. "Got what, Nafan? I don't un'erwstand... it's... I don't..." Ezra's eyes suddenly burned into Nathan's and the blood drained from his face as he remembered something. His fingers began working at the buttons of his nightshirt as he frantically tried to get it unfastened.
"What're ya doin', Ezra? What's wrong?" Nathan tried to still his hand, but the gambler jerked it away and started pulling at the buttons again.
"Hewlp me, Nafan... pwease? I n-need to see!" Ezra pleaded with the healer until Nathan finally began unbuttoning the gown.
"What do ya need t' see? What're ya rememberin', Little One?" Nathan finally got the garment undone and they all watched in confusion as Ezra jerked the material aside, baring his left shoulder for all of them to see.
Nathan felt Ezra start to shudder as he stared down at his shoulder. Tears began streaming down his face as he slowly touched a finger to the small round scar that marred his otherwise smooth skin. His voice shook as he whispered, "It was a buwwet... d'at's what you werwe twyin' to get... I was shot. But how could... I'm onwy five, Nafan... how did I..."
Ezra stared back up at the healer, his eyes so lost and confused it made Nathan's heart ache to look at them. "Dat's when you... you put a s'wing on me... an'... you said... oh, Nafan... I'm so s-scarwed. You said y-you were d-doin' it for my own g-good... but I'm onwy five... five yearw owlds d-don't get shot..."
Nathan could see he'd had enough and motioned for Buck to help him. "Come on, Ezra... let's get you laid down now. You done real good, but that's enough for now."
Buck tried to ease Ezra back against the pillows, but the gambler resisted him, refusing to relinquish his hold on Nathan. "No! Nafan... pwease... hewlp me... I don't un'erwstand! I'm scarwed, Nafan!"
Nathan pulled Ezra back into his arms and held on tight, looking over his head at the others and seeing the same heartache reflected on their faces that he was feeling. He'd known it was going to be painful for Ezra when he began remembering... but he'd had no idea how much it was going to hurt the rest of them.
"It's okay, Ezra... try t' stop thinkin' 'bout it for awhile. It's jus' kinda like a dream... that's all. We'll help ya figure it all out when you're better, okay? Right now you're sick an' ya need t' rest." Nathan felt Ezra's shaking subside slightly, but he still had his fingers wrapped tightly in the healer's shirt. "Ya gotta let go, little guy, so we can lay ya down."
"I can't, Nafan... I'm too scarwed." Ezra's voice shook with exhaustion and fear, and he kept his face pressed tightly against Nathan's chest. "Nafan... wiwll you w'ock me? Pwease, Nafan... I need to... I need..."
Nathan smiled... surprised, but pleased by the request. "Ya want me t' rock ya?"
"Pwease, Nafan? I jus' need you w'ight now... I'll sit w'eal stiwll an' not talk orw anyfing... I pwomise, Nafan." Ezra raised his head up and stared into Nathan's eyes... an incredible need for someone to make him feel safe again shining clearly in his tear-filled eyes.
Nathan stared at Ezra for a moment, his own tears threatening as he looked into those usually confident green eyes that were now filled with so much vulnerability. "I'd love t' rock ya, Little One... come on, let's go see how we fit t'gether in that chair."
Ezra never released his grip on Nathan's shirt as they moved slowly over to the rocker, not even while they got him settled on the larger man's lap, or when they tucked the blanket around him. It was as if he were afraid he'd drift away if he let go.
"Ya okay, Little One?" Nathan held Ezra tightly and rested his cheek against the younger man's forehead as he began to rock. He couldn't help but smile as he thought about Ezra's reaction if this particular memory was one of the one's the gambler retained after he came back to them.
Ezra merely nodded and closed his eyes, allowing the soothing rocking motion and the quiet beating of Nathan's heart beneath his cheek to take away the frightening memories. It was only a matter of minutes before he was asleep, snoring softly, his fingers still clenched in the healer's shirt.
Chris and the others smiled at the pair in the rocker as they grabbed some coffee and settled themselves around the table. No one wanted to leave Lit'l Ezra's side quite yet. Their time with him was obviously growing shorter... so even if it was just spent watching him sleep... they were going to hold onto every minute of it they could.
"You want us to lay him in the bed, Nathan?" Chris knew what the healer's answer would be... he hadn't wanted to let go of Ezra either when he'd had his turn in the rocker with him..
Nathan looked down at the smaller man nestled against him and shook his head. "Naw... jus' hand me a cup of that coffee. I want t' make sure I remember this... Ezra sittin' still an' not talkin'... it might never happen again."
The others chuckled softly and passed him the coffee, knowing full well that no matter what he said, Nathan would give anything to have Ezra himself again... even though it meant he'd be back to talking their ears off and driving them crazy with his constant card shuffling.
They never would admit it, but they missed their argumentative, smooth-talking gambler... just like they were going to miss their sweet, innocent Lit'l Ezra when he finally faded back into adult Ezra's past. They were just all glad they'd had a chance to have both versions of the man in their lives... it was an experience they knew they'd never regret having.
Delacourte had finally gotten Maude calmed down, and had transported her and their luggage to the hotel. After securing neighboring rooms, they'd gone down to the dining room to get a bite to eat.
"You had better get a grip on yourself or you're goin' to ruin everything." Delacourte stared across the table at Maude, his brows drawn down into a scowl. The woman was absolutely infuriating... always had been. Getting her to listen to reason was nearly impossible.
Maude stabbed at her food with her fork, imagining every jab was going straight into Chris Larabee's and Judge Travis's hearts. "Well, how dare they think they can keep me from my son! And I do not understand this change in their attitude toward me. I was never treated this rudely on any of my previous visits."
Delacourte gazed absently at her, thinking back to the Judge's words... he wondered what exactly this little talk he'd had with Ezra had entailed. Obviously it had been bad enough to set them all against Maude. "So Ezra had never told them about your relationship before?"
Maude stared at him indignantly. "What do you mean? There's nothin' wrong with our relationship."
He just stared at her for a moment and shook his head. "Maude... are you forgettin' who you're talkin' to here?"
She blushed slightly and took a sip of her wine. "Alright... so things between us are a bit... strained... at times. But it's nothing to warrant the kind of behavior these men are exhibiting now. We've always gotten along fine in front of them... and Ezra's always been taught to keep his emotions and feelin's to himself. So I know he would hardly have shared any problems we may have had... especially with men he merely works with. There's just no reason for the way they're actin'. It must be these crazy tales Ezra seems to be spoutin'. A whippin' for heaven's sake... he never mentioned any whippin' to me. And Lord knows, it wasn't me who administered it. I hardly ever even touched the boy... and I most certainly did not whip him." She looked across the table at Delacourte, started to say something more, and decided to just dismiss it as another figment of Ezra's childish imagination.
"I've gotten the impression these men have become more to Ezra than just people he works with. And I seem to recall you tellin' me about a little incident with a saloon here in town... the one you stole from your darlin' boy? That's not exactly somethin' his friends would forget." Delacourte enjoyed her look of discomfort at his little reminder of her greed getting in the way of her son's happiness... again.
Maude frowned at her companion as she pushed her plate away. All this turmoil had upset her delicate stomach and his snide little comments were definitely not helping. "I'll have you know some of his friends, as you refer to them, were just as much a party to the end of his career as a business owner as I was."
Delacourte laughed softly. "Ah, yes... but did they realize that it was his life-long dream? You're his mother... you knew exactly the blow you were dealin' him when you bought it out from under him. Were you perhaps attemptin' to put Ezra in his place for defyin' you by stayin' in this quaint little burg against your wishes?"
Maude jerked her napkin out of her lap and threw it on the table as she stood, her chair scraping loudly across the floor, attracting the unwanted attention of the other hotel patrons. "Now you listen, MJ... I brought you along to help me get my son away from these uncivilized thugs he works with... not to sit here and throw my lack of parental abilities in my face. I'm goin' to my room to freshen up while you finish your meal... and then I expect you to accompany me to talk with the Judge again. And you had better figure out a way to get him to agree to let me speak to my son or you can forget about being paid."
Delacourte merely laughed as he returned to his meal. "Oh, please, Maude... when have you ever paid for my services? But don't worry, I may have a way for you to recompense me for this one... and I will earn my payment before we leave this dusty little town. Never fear."
Maude stared at him for a moment, a little disconcerted at his hint at some sort of payment, but finally just shrugged and turned away. As long as he could get Ezra for her, that's all she cared about. Those foolish friends of her son's had no idea what they were getting into by going up against her... she would win. There was not a doubt in her mind that Ezra was going home with her.
Things were not going well in the clinic. Ezra had only been able to sleep for a half hour before he'd been awakened by an attack of sneezing which had left him cranky and miserable. Everyone was being remarkably patient with the childish behavior of the gambler, but it was definitely beginning to grate on all of their nerves.
They'd tried to convince him he needed to eat, and he'd finally agreed to try a biscuit if it had plenty of jam on it... and if he could have the good tea with it. JD had quickly volunteered to go get the food... anything to get away from the pitiful and slightly irritating Southerner for a few minutes.
While he was gone, the rest of them continued to fuss over him, trying to find something... anything, that would make him happy.
Buck smoothed back Ezra's hair, wiping away the sweat that beaded the smaller man's brow. "Take it easy, Little One... JD'll be right back. You'll feel better once you eat somethin'."
Ezra irritably pulled his head away from Buck's soothing touch. "W'eave my hairw a'wone, Buck... you'rwe makin' my head huwt morwe." He reached up and pushed his hair back down where it had been and then began digging at his chin, only stopping when Josiah reached over and pulled his hand away.
"Easy there, little guy... you're gonna hurt yourself. Are your whiskers bothering you again?" Josiah held onto Ezra's hand knowing if he let go, the younger man would go right back to scratching.
Ezra tugged on his hand a few times and finally gave up. "Yeah, 'siah... how come you haven't shaved me again? I f'ought you was gonna take carwe of d'at forw me? It itches." His voice kept switching between an annoying whine and a sweet, childish lisp without warning... and none of them could predict what would set the whine off. And... unfortunately... the whiney times greatly out numbered the sweet ones.
Josiah decided this was one problem they could take care of right now. He had no illusions that it would be easy, and he knew Ezra would start complaining and giving him a hard time before he was through, but it was definitely worth it if it would take away even one of the things he kept fussing about.
The preacher nodded at Buck who immediately moved to help him. "Well then, Little One... let's sit you up on the edge of the bed and get that shave over with. Then your face'll stop itching and you'll feel a little better." He didn't even have to ask Nathan for his shaving equipment this time, the healer rushed to get it as soon as they sat Ezra up.
Ezra regretted asking about the shave the minute his eyes caught sight of the razor in Nathan's hand. "Neverw mind, 'siah... it doesn't w'eawy itch d'at bad." He tried to climb back under the covers, but Buck and Vin grabbed him and pushed him back up into a sitting position, holding him still while Josiah lathered up the soap.
Ezra stared pitifully at the two men holding him, even managing to squeeze out a couple of tears, but they just patted him and told him not to worry, it would be over with in a few minutes. "Nooo, you don't un'erwstand... I don't want a shave now. W'et me go, pwease, guys?" His voice became even more whiney as they gently refused, and his pleading only stopped when Josiah approached him with the brush foaming with soapy lather. He remembered too well the taste of that soap to even chance opening his mouth once the preacher got started.
Josiah worked quickly, but carefully... they didn't want to give him anything more to complain about, not even a little nick from the razor. It was only a matter of minutes before he was gently washing Ezra's face back off and receiving his customary payment... a sweet, loving hug from a now appreciative young gambler.
"F'ank you, 'siah... I'm sowwy I was bein' a baby 'bout it." Ezra squeezed the gentle bear of a man tightly, and smiled brightly when Josiah hugged him back and then planted a kiss on his forehead.
"That's okay, Little One... we all know you're just not feelin' good. Now let's get you settled back against those pillows and covered back up before you get cold." Ezra allowed Josiah to tuck him back in the bed and actually lay quietly for a little while... until JD entered the clinic carrying his biscuit and tea.
Chris and Vin were sitting at the table, enjoying the sudden quiet with a much needed cup of coffee when the Kid walked in. Glancing at Ezra, they immediately saw his face draw down in a scowl and knew their sweet Little One was gone again and Nathan's whiney, irritable patient was back.
Buck and JD went to help Ezra sit up again so Nathan could feed him, and were met with a complete lack of cooperation. Everytime they tried to let go of him, he laid back down until they were finally forced to hold him between them while the healer attempted to get some food down him.
"Come on, Ezra... it's jus' the way you wanted... lots of jam on it." But each time Nathan put the biscuit up to the gambler's lips, he whipped his head to the side and tried to pull away from the men holding him. They really would have preferred to just give into him and let it go, but he hadn't eaten anything all day and really needed to get something in his stomach.
"I don't want it now, Nafan! I'm not hungrwy anymorwe!" Ezra whimpered pitifully and sent a pleading look at Josiah who stood behind the totally frustrated healer. "Make 'em w'eave me a'wone, 'siah... pwease?"
Josiah looked at Ezra and had to struggle not to laugh. There was a red smear of jam across both cheeks and even a dab on the tip of one ear. "Now, Ezra... you heard what Nathan said. You need to eat if you want to feel better. Now why don't you be a good boy and do as he says."
Ezra looked at first Nathan and then Josiah, and finally nodded. "I'll eat it if you feed me, 'siah. Okay?"
Nathan immediately shoved the biscuit and the mug of now lukewarm tea into the big preacher's hands and walked away. He moved to the table and tiredly lowered himself into a chair beside Chris and Vin.
Vin smiled and poured him a cup of coffee. "Looks like ya could use this, pard."
Nathan nodded as he gratefully took the mug from the tracker and sipped slowly at the hot liquid.
Chris shook his head as he watched Josiah try to get the biscuit in the Southerner's mouth. "Now he's startin' to act like the Ezra we all know and love... complaining, stubborn, and completely unwilling to agree to anything that's good for him."
Nathan grinned at both Chris and Vin and then stared over at Ezra as he fought Josiah for all he was worth. "I know... ain't it great?"
Chris matched his grin and nodded. "Music to my ears."
Vin stared incredulously at Nathan and Chris.
"That's it... Ezra's finally driven y'all crazy. I knew it was gonna happen eventually." Vin couldn't for the life of him figure their attitude out. "Why in the hell are you glad he's actin' like... well... hisself?"
Chris shook his head at him. "Think about it... how did he act when he first woke up? Scared to death to tell us where it hurt or even to talk to us at all... and terrified of making a mistake. Remember? He was convinced we'd send him away just like his mother had."
Vin just shrugged. "Yeah, an' he was a lot easier t' handle back then. So why are ya so happy he's bein' a pain in the butt now?"
"He's not bein' a pain in the butt... he's bein' a normal five year old little boy who happens to be sick. One who's sure that he can be hisself an' not have someone punish him for it, not even if he whines, cries or... damn... spills his tea all over hisself." Nathan started to get up when he saw the tea go flying and heard Ezra shriek, but Josiah waved him back down and assured him they could handle it.
Vin finally understood what Nathan and Chris were trying to say. "Ezra knows he can act like this an' we'll still love 'im... he trusts us not t' hurt 'im."
"Z'actly. He knows we might get riled at 'im an' even yell at 'im once in awhile, but he's not scared that we'll send 'im away anymore." Nathan chuckled as he looked again at the struggle taking place on the bed. Josiah was trying to get Ezra to hold still while he washed his face off and changed his soiled nightshirt... not an easy task since the bandages holding his arm to his chest had to come off first in order to remove the garment. Which of course meant another round of crying and complaining when they were replaced.
Chris laughed when he followed Nathan's gaze over to the bed and got a look at the preacher's face. "I'm not so sure Josiah would agree with you right about now."
Vin stared at the petulant gambler arguing with Josiah and then at Nathan and Chris. "Ya know... it might not be a bad idea t' go ahead an' let ol' Maude pay her visit now. How long do ya think her perfect mother act would last if she had t' spend some time with 'im while he's actin' this way?"
Chris stared at him for a moment and then at Ezra... his mind turning over what Vin had said. "You know... you may be right. Try and keep him awake and irritable... I'm gonna go find his mother and give her the good news. Maybe I'll even stop and see if the Judge might want to come along... if she shows herself like we think she will, it could be all he needs to give Ezra to us."
Nathan looked regretfully at Ezra... he hated putting him through any more stress, but if it would help him stay out of his mother's clutches, then he guessed they didn't have much choice. "Okay... but only the Judge an' his mama... that damn lawyer of hers can jus' stay away. Ezra's gonna be scared enough with his mama here... he don't need some stranger askin' 'im a lot of questions. Vin an' I'll break the news to 'im while you're gone, but ya better come in an' see how things went before ya bring her in here. If it upsets him too much, we ain't doin' it."
Chris nodded and after pulling on his coat and hat, left to find their intended victim. Dear old Maude was going to wish she'd never even come to town, much less asked to talk to her son. He knew Ezra couldn't possibly have acted this way when he was a real five year old. Maude told him he was bad... well, now she'd see what bad really was.
Chris headed over to the Clarion first, wanting to make sure the Judge was agreeable to the plan. He sure hoped this worked... he was damn sick and tired of making Ezra miserable for his own good. Chris wanted nothing more than to be able to tell him that he was positively staying with them forever... then maybe they could concentrate harder on getting his memory back.
Maude came back downstairs at the hotel to find Delacourte sitting in the lobby waiting for her. He stood as she approached, and after offering his arm, led her out onto the boardwalk.
Maude looked up at the man walking beside her and smiled slightly. "So have you figured out how we're goin' to convince the Judge to give me my son?"
Delacourte stared down at her for a moment and then finally asked something that had been bothering him. "Have you stopped to think what you're goin' to do if what they say is true... and Ezra doesn't regain his memory? As this Larabee person pointed out, you couldn't handle Ezra when he really was a child... how the hell are you expectin' to be able to deal with him as a grown man who thinks he's a child?"
"Well, MJ... if the worst does happen, and my son is forced to live the rest of his life with the mind of a five year old... then there are several fine institutions in St. Louis where I'm sure he will be taken care of quite nicely. And he would be close enough for me to visit on occasion to make sure they are doin' right by him." Maude narrowed her eyes when she saw the scornful look he gave her.
The attorney shook his head in amazement. "You'd actually have your only son institutionalized just so you didn't have to care for him? Lord, Maude... you are one cold-hearted bitch, aren't you?"
Maude jerked on his arm and pulled him to a stop. "Don't you even try givin' me any of your holier-than-thou attitude, MJ... you wrote the book when it comes to the art of bein' cold-hearted."
"Oh, I admit quite freely that I'm just as bad as you are... but to actually consider sticking a child, even if it is in mind only, in one of those madhouses, Maude? Hell, even I wouldn't do that. Not to my own child anyway." Delacourte tucked her hand back over his arm and started her moving down the boardwalk. He'd seen the way people were staring and didn't want their business gossiped about all over town. "Why are you so intent on gettin' custody of Ezra if you're not plannin' on takin' care of him? Why not save yourself the trouble and just leave him here with people who are willin' to put up with his problems."
Maude stared straight ahead as they walked, but her cold, hard words carried clearly up to her much taller companion. "Because he's mine, damn it... and no one takes what belongs to me!"
Chris had found the Judge with Mary in the Clarion office and had quickly explained what they wanted to do with Maude. Orrin and Mary thought it was an excellent plan and after telling his wife he was leaving for a bit, the Judge followed Chris out into the street.
They both jumped slightly when they heard a woman's voice suddenly call out the Judge's name. Looking around, they spotted Ezra's mother and her lawyer hurrying down the boardwalk towards them.
Orrin grimaced and glanced at Chris. "Couldn't have timed that better if we'd tried. I hope poor Ezra's up to this."
"Judge Travis... could I speak to you for a few minutes? I really want to discuss my son with you again and see if I can't convince you to change your mind about allowing me to visit him. I think-" Maude never got to finish as the Judge held up a hand to interrupt her.
"I was just coming to see you, Mrs. Standish. Mr. Larabee has come to me and informed me that they're willing to allow you to see your son now." The Judge saw her winding up for a long-winded gush of appreciation and stopped her before she even spoke the first word. "Don't thank me... thank Chris. I'd just as soon have waited til Nathan pronounced Ezra well, but Mr. Larabee thinks it would be best for you to pay your visit now."
Maude looked suspiciously at Chris, but after a sharp nudge from Delacourte, offered him an insincere but semi-polite thank you.
"Why, you're more than welcome, Maude." Chris's sarcastic tone was not lost on the angry woman or her attorney. "However, Mr. Delacourte here is not welcome to join us. Nathan doesn't feel Ezra is up to entertaining any strangers at the moment. You understand of course."
Maude and Delacourte both began to sputter at this turn of events, but the Judge quickly put a stop to it.
"It's this or nothing, Madam. Decide now as I only have a short time to devote to this visit... and when I leave, so do you." Orrin stared coldly at her as he waited for her answer.
Delacourte sighed and ran his hand angrily through his hair. "Fine, Judge Travis... whatever you say, but may I please have a word with my client first?"
The Judge nodded curtly and waited til they were out of earshot before speaking softly to Chris. "I wonder why he's so anxious to accompany her on this visit. Does he know Ezra personally?"
Chris shrugged, but kept his eyes on the pair as they argued back and forth. "I have no idea, Judge... Ezra's never mentioned anyone named Delacourte that I can remember. I know I don't trust him though."
The man in question looked up and locked eyes with Chris as if he knew he was being discussed. He stared at the gunslinger for a moment and then turned his attention back to Maude. "Listen to me, damn it... I know this is some kind of trick on their part. Why did they suddenly change their minds when they were so adamant about keeping you away before? I think you should wait til he's better and then push for them to allow me to go with you."
"Don't be ridiculous, MJ... they aren't smart enough to come up with any kind of ruse this quickly. Josiah probably felt sorry for me and talked them into letting me in to see him. He has always had an infatuation for me, and he's probably come to his senses and realized that Ezra is ill and doesn't know what he's talkin' about with these little tales of his. Now stop your worryin' and let me go see my son before the Judge runs out of patience." Maude started to walk away, but Delacourte reached out and grabbed her arm.
His words were angry and threatening. "Fine, Maude... do what you want. However, don't come cryin' to me when this whole thing blows up in your face... which I'm sure it will."
"Just go back to the hotel and wait for me. I'll be along just as soon as I get to talk to my son, and we'll make our travel plans to take Ezra home. I'm sure once he sees me, Ezra will be beggin' me to take him home." Maude patted his arm and walked back over to where the Judge and Chris impatiently waited.
Delacourte watched as they crossed the street to the clinic and then with a disgusted shake of his head, turned and began walking back to the hotel, muttering angrily to himself. "Oh, you're right, Maude, we will be takin' Ezra back with us... one way or another. I have no intention of goin' home empty-handed."