Home to Four Corners by Anne Tolar

He would have postponed this trip, especially since he was tired of riding across this long, cactus studded sand sink so much lately, and he had plans for Christmas Eve... plans in Four Corners. It seemed every desperado his group of seven had captured lately had to be taken to Eagle Bend. Eagle Bend. He'd wound up taking four to that pest hole of a town. Not a place that gave Chris Larabee good memories at all. With the company of a easy going prisoner or a friend, the trip was at least bearable... but riding back alone, well it wasn't anything special... It was just dry, dusty and lonely.

The woman he traveled with this time was named Miss Sissy Amhurst. At least this one wasn't a prisoner. She was a diminutive, soft spoken friend, as talkative as Larabee and his friend Vin Tanner were quiet. She was extremely young... to be seventy-two. She was riding in a nice, well appointed carriage, and he was getting to drive... so the ride was truly comfortable. Vin and Chris, the two friends, had discovered Miss Sissy in Four Corners several months before. Where she had been prior to coming, she never had offered to tell. On numerous occasions she had rocked in her study oak chair, telling the tracker, and often the gunslinger, stories of her youth. If she had lived half the life she told them, she had been something to behold... a little chamber maid, soon turned strumpet, then lady of the evening, and finally a madam. She had been lovely in her prime, and she still knew how to make them all think she had more than a passing beauty.

Chris had asked Mary Travis what she knew of Miss Amhurst. The newspaper woman, as inquisitive and knowledgeable as ever, described Sissy as a preacher's wife who had outlived all her children, and who was planning on moving on soon to start a home for wayward girls in Eagle Bend. Considering which version of her story was true, or whether both could be true, contemplating Miss Sissy Amhurst as either whore or pious benefactor had provided Chris with countless hours of entertaining pondering.

The others of their group tended to tag along at times. The woman seemed to instinctively know how to make every one of the seven men in his group feel special, welcome, and even loved. She would cut the cards with Ezra, quote scripture from numerous holy books with Josiah, help Nathan study for tests, teach J.D. better jokes, talk women with Buck, and just be the mother that Vin had missed so much. And with her, Chris Larabee opened up and talked and she never told the others the subjects of their conversation. It was as if she were the mother none of them had... except Ezra, who claimed that Miss Sissy was a better mother than his own matriarch, Maude Standish, would ever be.

Sad to see her leave, Vin had promised to see her on her trek to Eagle Bend, but this was one trip the tracker couldn't make, a promise he couldn't keep, and that bothered him more than a little. Vin had asked Chris to make sure she got where she was headed, and to keep her safe in the bargain. Chris had agreed to do the favor, and now it was done.

Unpacking done, Chris had quickly gathered his horse's reins, preparing to head back. Sissy offered him lunch... Chris politely refused. She had chided him for being in such a rush to leave her in a place so alone. He stayed for an early bite of lunch. She offered him pie she had brought from Four Corners... it was still uncut, made of delectable apples. Chris wasn't a big eater, and he had lots of miles to ride before nightfall, so he thanked her but declined the treat.

"It'll be ashes and switches in your stocking come Christmas, Chris Larabee, if you don't help eat part of this pie. I brought along two whole pies, but I don't know anyone else here, and it's going to go to waste. That would be a shame. Just smell this!"

"Yes, ma'am, it smells like a little bit of heaven... I guess a real SMALL piece won't slow me down too much. The black's gonna want to pitch me off if I eat too much for him to carry." He grinned at her, then sat on her settee and ate a full half of one of those pies. "Miss Sissy... now, you know I've got to go. Won't take me quite so long to get back to Four Corners, but it's still a long ride. Wish you had stayed there for another week, then you could have joined us all for Christmas Eve dinner. You'd have been more than welcome."

The woman had kissed his cheek and then his mouth, out by the front gate, in full open daylight, as he gathered his reins. The kiss on his cheek made him blush, but the kiss surprised him all the way to his socks. She still knew a lot about kissing.

She extracted a serious promise that Chris would send her a telegram to let her know he had gotten to Four Corners safely and that Vin was on the mend. Chris had left her in Eagle Bend with a sense of personal loss, and a promise that he would make certain to come visiting with Vin when the younger man was able to ride. Happy to find the unloading of her parcels had finished so quickly, his promise at an end, Chris found he had time to start back to Four Corners and get himself ready for the feast the following night, Christmas Eve. He was looking forward to getting home.

When he thought it that way, that he was going HOME to Four Corners, he pulled up a minute. More and more he thought of Four Corners as home, and this year, he felt a little twinge of something akin to a bright Christmas spirit. He urged his black gelding, Pony, forward, ready to make miles... ready to join his friends in a holiday celebration.

He laughed when he remembered that he was supposed to bring something for the dinner they were going to share. He had thought of making his dumplings, but then Orrin Travis, their soon-to-be host for the evening, had said his housekeeper Ruth Rawlings was making the turkey and stuffing. Orrin didn't want Chris' dumplings outshining Ruth's turkey. If he showed off his one real cooking ability, Ruth might just pinch him in the seat again... this time in front of everyone. Buck would never let him live it all down. Chris didn't want anything to go wrong this time. After all, Mary had promised him both mincemeat and pecan pies. His mouth watered, and he urged his mount onward... .anticipation making him hurry.

His revelry came to an abrupt halt when he felt his gelding begin to limp. "Whoa, son." Chris instantly dismounted. He lifted the horse's front left, and softly cursed as he found a small pebble jammed beneath the horse shoe. He tried to pry it loose, but it was jammed in tight between the soft sole of the hoof and the metal of the horseshoe. Each pace was helping to create a pulpy crater in the tender part of the horse's hoof.

The horse snorted at the handling and, turning quickly, butted Chris in the seat. From the sandy spot where he found himself, Chris looked back and up at the animal. "Look... it's your hoof... I know it's not anything pleasant for me to try to get that out, but you don't let me see to this, you're going lame, and then I'm gonna have to shoot ya. Get the message."

The horse, seeming to consider the situation, snorted again, and then stood still. Chris pulled himself up and tried to dust off most of the clinging red sand. He took the horse's leg again, taking a chance at turning his back to the animal as he had done before, "Let's not play get even. I know you don't like me messing with your hooves, but I need to get this out so we can get on back. I've got to figure out what I'm taking to that party. You know I don't cook nothing except dumplings... so I've got some mighty hard planning to do. Now... get still... let me see if I can't get you more comfortable."

All he had was his little knife, the one he used to whittle. In a few minutes of effort, it became very clear that the pebble was there to stay until Tiny, the livery man and farrier at home, could remove the shoe and get it out. It was also clear to Chris that he couldn't ride the horse, with the pebble constantly irritating the tender edge of the sole near the shoe. "Well, guess this means we both walk, Pony. Make that I walk and you limp... wish I had put the shoe pick in my saddlebag. We'd get on with this. Come on, we best get moving."

In his mind, he realized that this problem was going to slow him down considerably. There was no help for it, but he began to suspect that he didn't have to worry about what he was going to take to the Christmas dinner... he wasn't going to be there to enjoy any of it. He urged the horse on, thankful that the ground they would travel would at least offer Pony a softer walk. He was definitely disappointed at the prospect of spending Christmas Eve without his friends, out in the desert, alone.

"Ah, hell." His spirit sank as he considered the long trip ahead of him. The horse seemed to sense his changing mood. By the time the man cursed for the third time, Pony gave him a hard shove to the back. "Hey, cut it out." He got another shove. "Cut it out!" The horse stopped, snorted, and pawed the sand with his tender foot.

"I know... it's you that's hurting this time. Sorry I'm in such a mood, but you know, it's been a long time since we've even thought about Christmas, you and me, much less made much of a time celebrating it. Oh, I know I showed up last year, half drunk, totally miserable, at Mary's place for dinner. Thought Josiah was gonna dunk me in the water trough to sober me up. Came damn close to making me swim, and last year was COLD. This year was gonna be different! I promised Josiah I was gonna, sorta, behave myself. Promised I wouldn't have anything but a sip or two of spirits... that I'd save the bender at least until New Years. Now I'm not gonna get a chance to prove that I can be good, and, out here, I'm not even gonna have a bottle of rye to celebrate being bad. It's just not fair!"

He got another shove. "Hey... stop it!" The next push landed him in the dirt again. "Look, you old, black goat, just leave me alone!" A snort covered the top of his hat in slime. "Ah, damn... .that's disgusting. Just what I need!"

Chris started to rise. Another, mightier shove sent him sprawling again.

"Hey... watch it! I didn't mean anything by it. So you're not a goat!" He scrambled up on his feet,

The horse seemed to laugh.

"You think that's funny? Hell... ain't nothing funny about this mess. How'd you find that thing anyway? Why don't you watch where you're going?" He pulled on the reins and the two companions moved out together.

They had walked and limped long minutes, more than an hour, with Chris lost in muttering and softly cursing under his breath. "We're never gonna get there... you know that don't ya! Think you'd be more careful, you big lughead!"

The horse pawed the sand, lowered his head, and made a charge with his neck at the man. Chris back peddled in the sand where he landed, avoiding the nip he knew was coming. He found himself right back clawing in the dirt. "What the hell's the matter with you?"

The horse took another step, obviously favoring his front left. "You going to be okay?" He stood and reexamined the hoof, making another valiant try to removed the offending pebble. "That's got to be one big bother, there boy! You want to rest a bit?" He reached back to the saddle and pulled down his canteen. Opening it, he managed to pour some into the palms of his hands and gave his friend a small drink. "We've got to make this last... it's a pretty good ways to the next water. Thanks to you, we've got to move slow, so it's gonna mean a longer walk. Here... give me that." He touched the animals leg and, in surprise, found the hoof raised easily. He wet his bandana in the precious water and bathed the sole of the animals hoof, letting the cool, wet cloth rest in place. The horse moaned.

"Bet that does feel good. This sand's hot, even with the sun going down. Let's get that saddle off for awhile." Soon the black gelding was standing without even his lighter load. Chris again bathed his hoof and then knotted the bandana in place with a piece of his shirt. He spotted a small convenient boulder near by, and moved toward a dip in the stone that would make a good place to rest. "It's all your fault... you do know that, don't ya."

He felt the nip on his seat and jumped around. "Hey! None of that! I know it wasn't on purpose... you want to get home as much as I do. I left you three big ole bales of sweet hay in the barn at the cabin... one to eat, two whole ones to just roll in. There's a bag of apples and a few carrots too. Was going to be your Christmas present. Was gonna give some of it to you early, before the party... while I was cooking or burning down the cabin, which ever came first."

The horse dipped his head and butted his friend gently in the chest. Chris finally grinned for the first time in hours.

"What? You're getting soft on me all of a sudden? One minute you're biting my ass, the next it's all hugs and kisses?"

He affectionately rubbed the white mark on the animals face, then slid his hands down the long silky neck. He spent long minutes scratching the particularly itchy spot behind the horse's ear. He laughed as the horse alternately dipped then shook his head in response to the man's care. "Come on... let's try to make the water hole... it's gonna be a full moon,... maybe we can get there and get us a fire going before it gets too cold out here." Chris shouldered the saddle and began to walk, the horse tagging along without needing much of a lead.

The last rays of sunlight were quickly melting into the darker bands of dark purple when they reached the water hole, which was actually a small pond with a few trees beside it. After he had seen that Pony got all the water he wanted and a little feed, and after he had started a small fire, Chris pulled out his line and went to see if he was going to eat fish for dinner, or have to settle for jerky. He caught one, but it was much too small to fill his belly, and promised a bony meal, anyway, so he let it go. "Just my luck!" He tried a few more minutes, then decided jerky wasn't that bad, and he did have a can of beans to go with it. Not a good meal, but he wouldn't be totally empty. He was cooking for one, and not cooking much, so the meal of jerky and beans was over quickly, the one pan washed in the pond. He filled the canteen and then stretched a bit.

He checked on the grazing Pony. The horse raised his leg when Chris approached. "That getting worse, or are you just being a baby?" He pulled the hoof up onto his leg and examined it as best he could under the moonlight. "Damn... it's still rubbing. You're raising one fine puss pocket... .We got to see to this soon as we get home. I don't want it getting any deeper. Wish I had some leather to help cushion it. Damn! I hope Tiny didn't decide to go anyplace. Anyway, glad I padded that with something... won't hold that long, but maybe it will help keep it from getting any worse. I'd thought you'd be better by morning, but don't look like that 's gonna happen. Gonna be one hell of a long day tomorrow... more for you than for me. Sorry, boy. You better not be just playing around. I miss that party 'cause you're just being a dang laze about... "

He pulled himself back up off the ground, having missed the fire by a few inches. "What? Hell, I know it ain't so. I'm just pickin' at you, feeling sorry for myself."

The horse nickered then snorted.

"Oh, is that so?! Guess I am one of those, okay. Didn't know you knew how to cuss like that. Well, guess you've heard me enough. Guess I ought to be happy there was at least a place to plan on going... at least there's some people who'll care that I'm not there... I hope. Well, hell... you want to maybe stretch out in this grass, I'll share one of my blankets with ya. Getting off that thing might just make the difference... reckon?"

Pulling the horse nearer the fire, turning it's back toward the embers, Chris tugged on its halter until Pony got the point and stretched out on the ground. "Anybody shows up, this was your idea!" Chris spread a blanket over the horse's side, then sat down, putting his back against the animal for warmth and support. He pulled a cheroot from his pocket and lite it with a small splinter from the fire.

The only things that interrupted the quiet for a time were the chirps and peeps of frogs and insects. It was a peaceful night. Finally looking up, Chris noticed the rising smoke from his cigar as it drifted up toward the seemingly endless supply of stars that sprinkled the ink dark sky.

"Just would ya look at that. Maybe this wasn't so bad a place to pick for tonight after all. Reckon how many of those things there really are? Damn, it'd be great if we was just moving on tonight... wouldn't it. I mean we could walk without any problems with this bright a moon. Sand would be cooler. Want to try?"

There was no sound from the horse he was using as a leaning and listening post.

"Hell... you're just playing possum. Guess that wasn't such a good idea... can't take that fire with us, could we... You're just being plum lazy!"

The horse raised its head from the ground, dumping the man sideways into the dirt. "You're damn ornery tonight... you know that." The horse rose, snorting again, moving back limping into the grass. "Guess you're like me... let me get hurt a little, I'm a miserable cuss and I don't miss letting nobody know it. Wish the boys were here. It's just too quiet... was a time I wanted nothing but quiet, didn't want nobody or nothing around. You've spent a lot of trail nights listening to me bitch and moan about everything and nothing... haven't ya. Now, I get so lonesome sometimes, I'll talk to a damn cantankerous old horse."

"I wonder what they're up to tonight? I hate to admit I miss 'em. I miss all of 'em... even Ezra. If I was in Four Corners, I'd probably be losing a game of poker to that cheat. That's the hell of it, you know. I can't spot it when he's cheating or know it when he's not. At least I won one pot last week, and he did treat me to a single malt when I did it. He does tend to loose like a gentleman. Course, I can't tell if I really won, or if he let me win, just to make sure I'd come back to lose some more." Chris laughed. "He did warn me about trying to play against Maude, though. Got to be something for him to do that, and he was offering to share that assassin's cash... with all of us. He could have just taken off. He saved Mary for me that time, and he did get shot. Ezra's just one who's gonna take me a lot of ponderin' to get to the truth of him."

"I don't seem to miss Josiah that much. Well, I guess I do miss him... he don't tend to take much offense at anything I say,and he's real good at admittiing he knows just as much about evil ways as I do. But hell,that man makes me feel guilty as hell every time I get after J.D. or Ezra. He even gets upset when I mouth off at Buck, snf Buck deserves it! Hell, I feel guilty when Buck's the one getting after somebody. Feel like I ain't lived up to what I'm supposed to do. Then Josiah turns around and tries to make me NOT feel guilty... says I do more of the Lord's work than I realize. HELL! ME??? What'd the Lord want with a piece of trail trash like me? Do you know what he said to me last week? He up and said I ought to get serious about Mary! Hell... she ain't decided I'm much more than the bad element she thought I was that first day I saw her. She says I'm not a bad element... that she was wrong... but I see the look in those crystal eyes. I know what she's thinking... .don't I? Told Sanchez so... he just roared that big laugh of his, slapped me on the back... said I was dumber than he ever gave me credit for being. I just wonder what he meant by that? I ain't dumb... ignorant maybe at times... not dumb."

He rose to his feet and walked down by the pond... thinking. The stars seemed so close, so bright, he stood for long minutes savoring the serenity they brought to his often troubled spirit. He caught a glimpse of a silver thread slicing through the night sky. "Ah, Margie, that one's like you... bright, shining, always trying to take everything by the tail... How are you girl? Can't call you that now, woman... you had your third one yet? You still wear those green ribbons in your hair? I guess I miss you more than anybody, little sis... anybody except Sarah and Adam. Truth told, sometimes I miss you MORE than I miss them... you're alive and I still don't get to see ya. I'm sorry you never got a chance to meet Adam. You ain' t seen ole Rulebook lately, have ya? Hell, I wish Lizzy just didn't think I was such a bastard of a brother. Don't guess that'll ever change. Mitch still keeping an eye on you? Well, don't worry, Sis. He means well, and if he gets too hard on you... you let me know. I've had o put a bit on our old brother before, or you just sic that husband of yours on him... Boyar's a good man... even if he does have too much gray hair to be married to you. If you wasn't spoken for already, I'd have maybe let you meet J.D... no, I forget you ain't a kid anymore... J.D.'s too damn much a kid. You'd beat him to a pulp. Guess not... you're no kid any more... except in my mind... and in my heart. Can't believe my little sister is the mother of three. Hell, Larabee... where's this coming from? Margie'd still kick your butt for being a softie. Get some damn sleep."

He wandered back to his blankets, wrapped the one Pony had worn around himself, and settled with his head resting on his old worn saddle. "What am I gonna do about J.D.? Boy's gonna get himself killed. Just too smart for his own britches!" He turned and slammed his head back into his saddle. "Should have never let him stay... should have put his butt back on that stage and sent him packing before he dried off good. He just don't know... .he just don't know... he just don't know how important he is... especially to Buck. He's so much like Buck... except he's shorter. That don't matter, he pulls his weight. Pulls enough mischief for two Bucks. Hell, I look at him sometimes and I wonder how much like him Adam would have been. He's got that same fire about life that Adam had... curious... friendly... and my LORD!... questions, always questions." Why'd I always get such a kick out of Adam and his questions, but J.D.'s just vex me to the bone? Guess it's cute on a seven year old... not so funny on a grown man... that's it! He ain't grown, but he ain't a kid either. Hell, J.D. ought to get serious about something... maybe Casey. She's got enough spunk... they'd make a nice pair. Hell... look at me! Trying to father him like Josiah trys to father me. Expect he takes to it just about as much as I do too. Best just let the man... Man?... .since when!!" He turned and slammed his head into the saddle, pulling the blanket tighter over him to keep out the chill.

Feeling an old, familiar tick in his back, the man turned again. "Damn, Nathan! If you're such a damn fine medical man, why's this damn bullet burn on my back itching like this? It's old as the hills now! You said if I let you stitch it over again, that last time, it'd let up. It's supposed to be well a long time ago. Like hell! Itch, itch, itch, itch, itch. Like sleeping with ants!... Hell! I am sleeping in ants!!" He scrambled up, grabbed his blankets, and slapping at his clothes, moved his sleeping spot closer to the fire. "Hell, so much for sleeping tonight." The horse seemed to consider his antic movements with curiosity. "You think that's funny? Shoot... it's all YOUR fault anyway!"

Pitching his black hat aside, he returned to the pond, removed all of his clothing as he went quicky and dove in... hoping to stop the tormenting critters from crawling over his skin. He came up gasping. "Hell!!! That's COLD! Ought to freeze the little demons!!!"

Cold to the bone, Chris made good time getting back to the fire. His own blanket seemed the better bet for sleeping, but he waved them and his clothing over the fire to discourage any remaining residents, and finally got back into his tight black pants and tattered shirt. He pulled his duster around him too. Settling his hat over his wet hair, he retrieved his saddle from the ant mound, shook the blankets again and settled down as close as he could to the warmth of the fire. He felt no more bites, smelled only a little smokey and horsey for the use of the blankets, and settled into the slowly enveloping warmth. Finally content, he managed to get a little sleep.

He realized that the dream was a memory... the best Christmas memory of his adult life. As he sat in front of the tree that he and Sarah had decorated and loved under the night before, a small boy ran to him and hugged him. The child held the little horse out to show his father and mother what Ho-Ho had brought. Small, made of wood, trimmed with tiny leather saddle and bridle, whittled by a father's hands, a mane and tail flying in the breeze, the little boy was amazed by the simple toy. Chris remembered so well wished it could be silver, but that wasn't possible that year... still his little boy cared nothing for silver... only for the horses that were a constant part of his family's life. "Horsey... papa? Adam's horsey?"

"Your first horsey Adam. When you get a bit bigger, it's going to be one of flesh and blood... I promise. What color do you want? You want a sorrel like mine?"

"No, papa. Pinto pony, Pinto, papa!"

"I promise... in just a few years, when you find a pinto you like, you'll let me know. We'll look 'em over good, Adam. It'll be your friend for a long, long time." He picked the boy up again. In his dream, he hugged him tight and felt the small arms around him again.

When he woke, he was hugging his blanket as if it was the little boy he had held in his arms. "Well... I still remember the promise, son. Someday, I'll keep it in honor of you. Bet you've already got one. The father you got now probably don't make no promises he can't keep. But wherever you are, you do know I love you." Sad and more than just lonely now, he rose and broke camp. The jerky was gone, he had no coffee, no more beans either, so he sipped water from the pond, buried the last of the fire, and went to see if he would spend the day riding or walking.

He whistled for the black from a good ways off. The horse had managed to get to the edge of the expanse of grass. His head came up at the sound of Chris' call. He moved toward him and butted him affectionately in the chest. "Thanks, boy. That's a good Christmas present. Nice to know I'm not alone today. We'll make it, won't we?" His friend followed him willingly, but he still limped... if anything, worse than the day before... .to where the saddle lay.

"Want me to check it?"

The hoof came into his hand, and Chris easily saw the bloody fluid in the deepening gouge in the soft of the hoof's sole. "Don't take much moving to set it off again, does it, boy?" Chris scratched the black's ear and rubbed his face. "Well... we'll just take it slow... stop every once in a while so you don't hurt so much. I'm gonna take another piece of cloth here and tie on that bandana again... won't stop the hurt, but maybe it'll keep all the stuff out there from getting packed in so tight. You're gonna have to try. Gonna have to just move. I sure can't carry ya... but I can handle that saddle easy enough."

"Hey, mister, Is that good water in that pond? We's all got a powerful thirst this morning."

Chris jumped like he'd heard gunfire. Looking up, he found, standing not ten feet away, side facing him, the strangest contraption he'd ever seen. It had no markings at all. The driver was an old timer. Spry enough, the older one jumped from the conveyance to land by this stranger's side.

For some unknown reason, Chris felt that the man was Spanish... not necessarily Mexican... but Spanish somehow. He had no idea why he thought it... the man's speech gave nothing away. His rig had the front half of a buckboard, the back of an oversized freight wagon loaded with a massive assortment of packages, and tied on behind was a low slung, but tall wagon with only small slits along the top of the walls. It made Chris's blood run cold... his mind said 'prison wagon' and he remembered being held prisoner in one long years before. His hand shook as it went instinctively to his shooter. "What the hell's that thing? You got any human in there, Mister, I suggest real strong that you let them out, NOW!"

"No, son. I'd never put a dead body in there, much less a live one. That's just for Him and Her, my horses. I don't ask em both to work at the same time unless we've got no choice. It's hot country in these parts, and we have a load of work to do."

"You don't think they need air to breathe? Looks hot as hell in there to me."

"Nah. See, look up front here... see... there's a big ole window up here. Walk around the back, son... there's another. When we move they get air right in their face, right through the whole wagon. They get to ride when we're on the flat land, and they've just finished their shift. If we ain't moving, they're out running around. When the going's rough, we're all pulling together. When it's cold, I close 'er up, and they can both stay inside and sleep toasty warm... Side by side, they're warm enough. Sometimes I sleep with 'em. They don't seem to mind."

"Yeah... see what you mean. I've know people who wouldn't put that much thought into their own comfort. Sorry I was doubting you." He moved his hand away from the.44.

"Seems like you know a bit more than a man needs to know about prison wagons. You been in prison?"

"Prison, no. Prisoner, yes. Not something I like to remember. Not something I'd wish on anyone."

"But being a lawman... "

"Who says I'm law?"

"Badge sticking out of your pocket. Like I say, being a lawman, you've confined a few."

"And hung a few, and fought a few."

"And killed a few."

"Not something to brag about or enjoy, but sometimes they've got it coming or don't give me any choice, Comes with the judge's job."

"Judge? What judge?"

"Names Orrin Travis... circuit judge... got a home in Four Corners now."

"You just his hired help, or is he your friend?"

"We have a go at times, don't always agree, but I count him friend. He's fair... known him to change a sentence or two when the facts call for it. Don't respect some judges, but him, I respect. He's got a good heart. Where you heading?"

"Oh, here and there. I make lots of rounds this time of year."

"Salesman?"

"No... don't sell nothing. Just travel around."

"Cobbler? Farrier?"

"Only if I have to be. You sure ask a lot of dang question for a grown man!"

"Yeah... .guess I'm in the mood today. Been alone a might too long."

"When's the last time you saw anybody?"

"Ah..." Chris turned a little sheepish, "yesterday."

"You do like lots of company don't ya!" The man laughed, and liked the laugh that bubbled up from his new friend as well.

"Well, never used to be much for it... but I've made some real friends the last few years. Didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to having them around until just lately. Haven't had such good friends since I was a real young man."

"And those had to leave ya much too soon... didn't they."

"Now, how do you know that? I don't know you from somewhere do I?"

"Nope. Ain't met ya before. What are you doing out here alone?"

"That's why I was nosing around to see if you might be a farrier. My horse has a pebble under his shoe, been there since yesterday. He's hurting, and we're moving slow, trying to get home. Hoped you might have a way to get the thing out for him, and for me. It don't matter now. I mean, I won't be home tonight anyway, but I'd be lots happier if I didn't have to make him walk on that sore foot all day. He's a good horse... been my friend for years. Hate to see anybody or anything stuck with pain."

"I figure you know enough about that, too. Well, son... why didn't you just ask your question. You know, the only thing dumb about a man with a question is when he gets too ashamed of having to ask anything. People don't learn when they don't ask, and grown men don't know everything just because they've got a head taller than someone else. Ain't that so?~

"You're right. Have to remember that."

"Well... show me this horse's problem. Maybe I might know something, maybe I might not."

Chris whistled and the black came to him slowly, butting against his chest. The animal eyed the strange man, snorted, and backed away. Chris rubbed his face... " Look. I don't really know him, but he seems a good sort. I think he might be able to help ya a little. Let's give it a try. Look... even if he does find out how to get that out, I ain't riding today. We're still going to take it slow. One damn turkey and a couple pies not worth me losing you, and that hoof's still going to be sore for a spell. We're still taking you to Tiny... make sure you're fixed up all right. Trust me?"

Pony got still and moved back against Chris.

"I think he's willing to give it a try. See what you think."

The old man looked, talking soothingly to the black gelding. "Well, son. I think you've done the best you could in the situation you're in. You're right. That's wedged in tight there... unless you've got a hoof pick, or a way to take that shoe off, it's not coming out today. Sorry."

"Well, I appreciate you looking. We'll just move slow. I know the farrier in Four Corners. He's good. He'll fix him up. Might make him lame for a spell, but I'll see that he get's right."

"I know you will. Ain't seen nobody just talk to a horse the way you do, or seen one take to it so much. Can tell you two are a team."

"Yeah, I like to think so."

"Your brother gave him to you, didn't he?"

"How in the hell!" "I don't know. Just seems like he's more special to you than is common. Otherwise, it's just a guess. I mean you look like you know what family is, but you've been without yours for a spell... father, mother, brothers, sisters... maybe even a wife... maybe somebody a little more special, too."

"Mister... you're giving me the damn willies."

"I just talk too dang much."

"But you couldn't know... my best friends don't know it all!"

"Not for lack of trying, is it?"

"SHIT!"

"Now... no call for that."

"Sorry."

"No offense taken. Just gave ya a bit of a start there."

"A lot of starts, Mister!" Chris turned back to the black and rubbed him absently again. "Well, guess we'll just move on, Pony. We'll stop in a bit. Thanks, Mister. What's your name?"

"Don't matter what my name is. I'm just a traveler. We'll probably never meet again."

"Still... I'd like to know, if you'd not mind me messing in your business. I'm obliged for the kindness and the offer of help... and for the talk."

"Well... not many people ask... I'm not used to being much count to nobody."

"I've been there, lots of times. Still, I'd like to remember you."

"Well, then, you just call me Hijo Del Carpintero."

"Hijo... don't know that word. It Spanish?"

"For now, it'll do. Son... it's not necessary that you understand."

"No... suppose not... you've given me all I asked."

"Except a way to fix your horse."

"But you tried. I'll remember. Vaya con dios, Hijo. Hope I get to see you again sometime." Chris settled his blankets on the saddle, then hoisted the load including the full canteen and with a last handshake with Hijo, he began his walk.

"Chris?"

"Hell... I didn't tell you MY name."

"Yeah, you did!"

"No... I didn't."

"You just wasn't paying attention. He's Pony, you're Chris... didn't offer the last though."

"Oh... well... it's Larabee. Chris Larabee."

"Glad to make your acquaintence. Now... let's take a look at this situation."

"Take a look?"

"Yeah... I'm a traveler. Don't much matter where I travel on a day. Four Corners is on my list right enough. Why don't I just head with you in that direction."

"That's a nice offer... but why?"

"Well, see, I love horses... the bigger the better... and I just hate to see that one of yours go hurting into the hot sun today. I could just ask Him and Her to walk out today... use my wagon to give your Pony a ride. You'll move a sight faster, son... you might even make Four Corners tonight."

"What could I do for you in return?"

"You can make sure I get a nice plate of turkey, and a piece of those mincemeat and apple pies you're planning to enjoy."

"Hell... now you know Mary's business?"

"Son... now I didn't know her name until you said it just now. Knew there's bound to be a woman... if you were traveling this hard to get there. She your wife?"

"No."

"Oh, people just maybe think she ought to be? But you ain't made up your mind that you're worthy yet. You always this hard on yourself?"

"Now you're really putting your muddy boots in my business! Look, I'll take you up on the offer... with thanks for me and for Pony. I'll make sure you get turkey and all the trimmings too... but if them so called friends of mine have eaten most of the pies... if there's just one slice of either kind left... then we split it."

"Fair enough. Let's get that horse loaded, then hitch up Him and Her. Pulling your load and mine too, we're going to need 'em both to do a little work for a change."

They rode in companionable silence for about an hour. The old man seemed perfectly content, and blissfully pulled smoke from the cheroot Chris offered him. "You know that's a might fine, nasty habit you got there. This woman you're dashing to meet... she put up with it?"

"Mary? Ain't ever said she minds... .but I don't smoke these things much... especially not in her house. My wife didn't much mind either, but she didn't think I ought to smoke 'em around my boy. Said she just didn't think little ones needed no smoke in their faces."

"That your wife and little boy that died in that fire?"

Chris put his hands on the reins. "Hell... just exactly who are you? How come you know so damn much about me?"

"Shoot. Rest easy son... .you ain't that unknown around these parts... big man, all in black, handy with that pearl handled .44, taking care of people and business wherever he goes. People talk, and you're interesting for 'em to talk about."

"Ah, hell."

"Son, why do you get so concerned if they know your name, know who you are?

"They just don't ever seem to know the truth of it... or want to talk the truth. Just want to make it up... and make it bad... anytime they have to open their mouths."

"Well, I'll admit, the first time I heard of you, it was some real salacious stuff. But lately, when I hear your name, it tends to be something you've done that was a help to somebody. Not always, mind you... you do tend to scare the more faint hearted of folks."

Chris grinned a bit, "But how come it don't ever seem to be that I scare the cusses I want to scare? Scare the women and little kids... don't never scare the sons-of... sorry... assho... shoot. I don't scare men who want to do people harm... they just come straight for me and my friends."

"Good don't necessarily attract good, son. Evil gets drawn to them that do good. Evil can't stand to let good have a free reign over nothing. It's a battle, all the time. Takes a really strong, good man to keep trying when evil's got his name burned into it's heart."

"Ain't a good man. Don't ever claim it."

"Just a man who knows how to stay real humble."

"Shoot!" Chris laughed at the words and at himself. The ride settled into a quiet, friendly time. Chris listened to the jingle of the harness as the horses pulled them steadily toward his home. "How'd you come up with two Percheron's like this. Don't see many of them in these parts."

"I picked em up in Illinois a lot of years ago. Up in a place named Wheatland."

"Damn!"

"Son, I think I do mostly just startled the stew out of you. What's got ya this time."

"Wheatland, Illinois. A lot of years ago? Remember who sold em to ya?"

"Man was named John... remember that. Red headed fellow... come to think on it... his hair 's about the same color as yours. He's a might shorter, but he had them eyes. You ain't saying... ."

"His name might have been John Larabee. If it was, he was my father. I worked with him in raising a few Percherons on our place. We were the ones who started them in those parts... course, not knowing what year, after we started em off... lots of folks got to using them. These two look like some we had back then. But, shoot, can't be everything about your story is connected to me... .That's just stupid of me to think it. You're just scaring up old memories... that's all it is."

"I suspect that's so. I remember the man was real kind, dealt fair. Said his boy thought those horses were going to be real important to the farmers around there. Said he was proud of that boy, even if the scamp was off somewhere doing who knew what at the minute."

"Probably was my pa... he didn't think I was much good much of the time."

"Don't down yourself or him... remember the good, son. He was a good man."

"I try to remember him that way." Chris got quiet again, a sadness settling over him.

"I'm sorry, son. Don't mean to make you fret like this."

"Not your fault I've got the spooks. I think it's just Christmas."

"Now, Christmas ain't supposed to give you the spooks. Supposed to be a time of happy and peaceful thoughts. Ain't you got any in that soul or yours?"

"Not many. But even if you've given me the spooks, most of the memories are better cause we've talked a bit. Hadn't remembered my Pa as a good man in years, but he was... most of the time."

"Glad you can see it that way. What do you know... I think that might just be one of your questionable thoughts coming this way. Make that two of em."

"Huh?"

"Two men up ahead, coming our way. Nothing to be spooked about." He grinned at Chris.

Chris saw absolutely noone ahead of them for a couple of minutes. Then, far out, so far they looked like specks, he saw two riders approaching... slow and steady. He put a hand on his .44.

"Now, son, you always get that antsy when you see somebody?" "Most of the time, it's better if I stay a little antsy." His eyes never left the approaching riders.

"Just don't think you've got no cause to worry about these two." He laughed.

"How in the HELL, do you know that?"

"Oh, I don't know. Sometimes I just get a suspicion."

"SHIT! Sometimes?!" They rode on in silence. After a little more time, one of the approaching riders rose in his saddle. After a few more minutes, the man raised a hand and shouted... ."Well, the Lord does provide!"

"Josiah? Ezra? What are you two doing here?"

"Well, Chris... Ezra couldn't shuffle to beat the devil, and I had dreams about crows and Pony. Where is he anyway?"

"In back. Got a pebble in under his shoe... can't seem to get it out. Mr. Carpintero was kind enough to offer us a ride."

"Don't I always tell you the Lord's got his eyes on you?"

"You do tend to go on and on about it, and about how he's going to send me to Hell if I don't mend my ways, Preacher."

Hijo laughed. "Now, son. What would you expect from a preaching man but a few words to put you on the path... but mister, what's a preacher doing riding with a gambler? You are a gambler, aren't you Mr. Standish?

"Wait a moment, sir. I am certainly a man of cards, but since I have never before laid eyes on your person... Chris, how in the hell does he know who I am?"

Chris just laughed and shook his head. "Ez, it beats the hell out of me... but he does stuff like that ALL the time! Gives me the damn willies."

"Preacher," the man looked at Josiah, "you're missing a true challenge. You haven't tried to stop these men from using such language? Especially around that little boy?"

"SEE! Now he knows about Billy!!"

"Remember, Chris... we spoke of a little boy awhile back."

"Yeah... we talked about one... but it wasn't about a boy named Billy!"

"Oh... I think it was about a boy who means a great deal to you."

"But that was my son, Adam! He's dead."

"Interesting. Maybe you've got the two sort of bound up in that heart of yours."

"Ez. Josiah. Let's get the hell out of here. Come on, Hijo, let's move."

"You're not telling me to put you off are you?"

"No. You just got my nerves raw. My nerves tend to stay raw. Not your fault. The party still on for tonight?"

"Mary said that since Josiah and I were having the wobbles, we'd best get on with finding you... and not to come back until we had you. Said if you were hurt this time, she's gonna tan your britches. You weren't supposed to be gone much more than three days."

He started muttering to himself. Josiah was close enough to hear it. "Three days? I try not to ever be gone for three days... anytime... anywhere. Two days, fine. Four days, great. Three days? Hell... Jericho... Eagle Bend... Red Fork!"

"Thought you said she didn't like you?" The new friend encouraged the horses on their way.

Josiah roared in laughter... "He said that, did he? I keep telling him he's dumb as a post about her."

"For goodness sake, Mr. Larabee... even my sainted mother, who never considers affairs of the heart to be of any use at all, except as a pawn in a grifters game, says you and Mrs. Travis have some kind of date with destiny!"

"Ah, hell, Ez... and you're listening to Maude all of a sudden? Town been safe?"

"You see, Mr. Carpintero... he tends to change the subject when we start speculating on his social skills, much less his love life." Josiah reached over and slapped Chris mightily on the back.

"What damn love life?! Hell! Josiah... get your mind out of my business. Town safe?" They all laughed at him, and his mood slipped a notch toward irritable.

"As I see it, I think we'd best leave him alone for just a short while."

"How long have you been riding with Chris? Seem to have gotten to know him pretty well."

"Oh, we only met this morning, almost at first light."

"But he knows EVERYTHING! Gives me the damn willlies!"

"Now, Chris... I've told you many times that there is no need to fear the unexplained. They're just something we're given to keep us looking up... asking questions of the good Lord."

"Mr. Sanchez, you have a wonderful outlook on life."

Riding slightly in front, Josiah jolted around, amazement in his eyes."How did he know my name?"

"Told ya." Chris just shook his head. "Knew mine to... long before I said it."

"And he knew my name and my occupation! I'm with Mr. Larabee... this gentleman gives me definite manifestations of incredulity."

"It's very easy to explain, I assure you."

"You could start with that explanation... .right about now!" Chris was muttering again.

"Well... I would, but I think we're about to have company."

"Huh!"

"Two riders... coming our way... riding relatively fast."

Three men's hands went to their shooters. Ez looked hard at the horizon. "Where?"

"Does that too... tell you, he gives me the damn spooks."

"Now, Chris... there's no call for such language."

"Josiah? Shut up!"

"Do either of you have any idea who he sees approaching us?"

"Ez... I thought I could see a far distance. Now... I think I'm blind."

"Does it help your recognition if I tell you Nathan is the dark skinned one, and the other one has on a funny hat?"

"HELL!" Even Josiah said it.

"Mr. Sanchez..."

"Thank God!"

"What is it, Chris?" Josiah looked at the man's suddenly smiling face.

"At least he didn't know that you curse like the rest of us do! There's at least SOMETHING he doesn't know."

"Oh, most men will emit such words when they are startled, Chris. It's simply that Josiah gets so penitent when he makes such a blunder. He feels he needs to be a better example for the rest of your group. Isn't that so, Mr. Sanchez?"

"Well, Mr. Larabee. I believe we can ascertain that he knows that part about our spiritual leader, too."

"HELL! Look, Ez... don't encourage him."

"I'll be damned... "

"What Josiah?"

"It's Nathan and..!"

"You maybe expected Top Hat Bob?"

"Mr. Larabee... I don't think he'll be visiting us, today. After all, he is dead... and most probably in hell. You did help hang him, didn't you?"

"Mister, I don't know where you came from... but I've got a feeling I might ought to shoot ya." Chris suddenly laughed.

"Chris? Where you been? We're all real worried about where you'd got to this time! Vin's about out of his mind, wondering if you and Miss Sissy are out here dead somewhere. Mrs. Travis is worried you've run into somebody with a grudge. The judge thinks you might have just dropped off Miss Amhurst and decided to visit the saloon at Eagle Bend... you did pull a convincing drunk there."

"Nathan... Nathan... calm down. I'm not hurt. I'm not being pursued by any kind of outlaw gang. And I haven't been drunk in over a year. But, hell... after today... I might just give it a go."

"CHRIS!!!"

"Tomorrow, Josiah. Tomorrow. Town okay, Kid?"

"Sure, Chris... everything's fine. Where's your horse? How come you're riding in this wagon? Who's the man? Guess how many pies Mary's baked? You know there's three full bales of hay in your barn?"

"KID!"

"Yeah, Chris?"

"Shut up!"

"Oh, sorry."

"It's okay... just give em to me one at a time so my head doesn't fall off."

"Sure... Where's your horse?"

"In the back... he's got a pebble between his soul and the shoe. This man's Hijo Del Carpintero... he offered me and Pony a ride."

"Great. Thanks, Mister. We'd got worried about Chris."

"J. D., you all tend to worry about him a great deal?"

"HUH! Chris... how'd he know... "

"He just does. Live with it. He and I both want to know about those pies. You haven't eaten them all yet, have you?"

"Course not! Mrs. Travis baked about ten pie! She's been baking ever since you left for Eagle Bend. And Casey's baked six herself!"

"I see." Chris leaned over to his seatmate. "Hijo... whatever you do... don't confuse the two. Casey's learning... but..."

"Don't denegrate her, Chris. You'll eat many a meal at Mrs. Dunne's table."

"Well, hell! So he is gonna marry her!! Tell me... Nathan's gonna make it, isn't he?"

Hijo Del Carpintero looked straight into the man's eyes, then winked, then very knowingly nodded his head.

"Now that's just great!"

"It is good that you think so highly of your friends."

"Larabee? He thinks we're all most certainly reprobates of the lowest order, Mr. Carpintero."

"Of course, he does."

"Hijo... we getting any more company?"

"No, I don't believe we are. We're getting a little close to Four Corners to expect Buck or Vin to show up."

"Nathan! What's wrong with Vin? Is Buck okay?"

"He had an appendicitis, Chris. Got it out okay, but I told him he had to rest for a week before he could get out of that bed. Buck's watching him."

"You think Buck will keep him down?" "No... but Mrs. Travis told Buck if he let Vin loose, she wouldn't let either of them have any pie. She didn't mean it, but I ask her to say it... just to make em wonder enough to keep Vin in bed until tonight."

"You're getting plum mean, Nathan. I'll have to remember about that!"

"Thing is... if you was beat up again... Mary said you could wait 'til it freezes before she'd let you have any."

"Nope... don't buy that. Mary'd bring me four pieces of pie... put one bite in my mouth, then one in every corner of the room. She knows that would get me moving again, unless I was dead."

Nathan nodded, a large smile on his face. "Now, that's most probably true! " They all laughed.

"Well, now. It seems we have arrived. Isn't this your cabin, Mr. Larabee?"

"How'd we get here this soon?" Nathan's face was actually pale. We didn't leave here much more than three hours ago... right, J. D.?"

"Well, Nathan... it's hard to say... we got to talking with the Judge and Mary... I don't remember what time we left. Don't matter... we're here."

"Don't you boys worry about it. Just accept it. Hell, Hijo knows everything... maybe he knows how to speed up time, too. Let me put Pony in the barn guys. We're still eating at the Judge's place, right?"

"Yeah... we are."

"Well, Chris... why don't we just travel on to the Judge's ranch."

"See... know the Judge lives on a ranch!" Chris just eyed them all with raised eyebrows.

Hijo's comments no longer surprised them. "Never mind. He has a barn, and I believe Tiny is coming tonight. Perhaps he would be willing to look the poor horse over before you all begin to eat."

"You're sure he's coming?" Chris asked, mockingly.

"You doubt it?"

"No... I don't doubt it at all. Come on guys... we're going to the Judge's place." The caravan moved forward. The talk turned to food and festivities.

J. D. was perhaps the most excited of them all. "Hurry up, or we're gonna be late! I'm hungry!"

"You're hungry, Kid? I think Adam was the only one I knew who could eat more than you. Shoot, I didn't even get breakfast this morning. Ah, hell!"

"What?" Josiah looked him over, making certain the man was truly alright.

"I don't have nothing to bring for the party. I never did decide what to bring."

"Hell, Chris. Who cares what ya planned to bring for supper... Buck and me brought something edible for ya. Get in here, cowboy!"

"VIN! You okay? Nathan said..."

"I'm on the mend. If they hadn't got you here by tomorrow, I was gonna come fine your mangy hide myself."

"And I was a comin' with him, Pard. Now, hurry up... get down from there... Tiny's waiting for Pony in the barn."

"How'd you know about Pony?"

"Tiny just came in about noon... said you were coming in with the boys, and that Pony was hurt."

"Not another one!"

"What?"

"Nothing... we've just all been having feelings and revelations lately. Josiah, would you take Pony to Tiny for me?"

"You think he'll let me near him?"

"Probably will. He's been in one sweetheart of a mood since yesterday."

"Thought he was hurt."

"Was... but he didn't seem to worry about anything. Vin, Buck... what did you bring for me to bring to the party? You didn't cook it did you? And it's not made of anything Vin tracked, is it?"

"Look, don't worry about it, son." Hijo put a firm hand on his shoulder. "Just go inside and have a good time. You enjoy the party, you hear"

"But... you're not coming inside. What about the turkey, and the trimmings, and the pie? Mary'll want to meet you... so will the Judge... and Billy."

"Young man... don't you realize?"

"Realize what?"

"What's important about this party tonight. Why these people... all of these people... are so ready to have a good time?"

"It's Christmas Eve. It's just time to have a good time... to be happy."

"That's the thing... son. That's the whole thing in a nutshell."

"What? Look... come on inside with us... let's have a party."

"I've had my party, son. Today's been a real party. Getting to see you all again."

"Why? What's so special about today? Seeing us again?"

His arms were suddenly full of a running, laughing, smiling boy. "Chris!!!! You're here!! Mom said you'd make it. She just knew you were going to make it! She said she'd prayed that God would see to it that you got home safe nad well tonight. She said she felt him promise to look after you himself. Come on... Mom's baked at least a million pies!"

"Go, son. It's time for you to go inside now."

Chris just looked at him in puzzlement. "Well... if you won't change your mind. Wish you would. It's been a strange but really special day."

"Chris Larabee! Where have you been! Aren't you going to come inside. We can't start this party without you!!"

"Uh-oh... she's mad." But a bright smile covered his face.

"Young man... you're a fine man... and they all mean that... everyone of them mean that this party won't start tonight without you inside with them. It's a very happy Christmas for them this year, Chris Larabee... don't you understand... they're having a very special Christmas tonight."

"What's so special about tonight?" The man looked to find himself alone... his hand on the door knob, waiting to go inside.

From somewhere, he knew Hijo knew where he was, and he at last knew the man's true identity. He looked up in awe and reverence at the blazing stars that filled the night sky over the Judge's roof. "Dear boy... don't you know? This is the Christmas when you've finally come home." A single star blazed briefly and brilliantly across the heavens, and then it was gone."

Note: Hijo Del Carpintero can be translated "Son of the Carpenter."

THE END