Billy Travis Larabee: Mary’s son from her 1st marriage. He is 12-years-old in this story (this is where the timeline doesn’t fit
Jacob Vin Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 9-year-old son.
Riley Elizabeth Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 7-year-old daughter
Alyssa Standish: Ezra’s Wife
Jared Thomas Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Connor)
Connor James Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Jared)
Inez Wilmington: Buck’s Wife
Adam Michael Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 8-year-old son
Kiley Ann Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 6-year-old daughter
Maria Sanchez: Josiah’s Wife
Abigail Nicole Sanchez: Josiah and Maria’s 6-year-old daughter
Rain Jackson: Nathan’s Wife
Jacey Skye Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 7-year-old daughter
Joshua Daniel Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 6-year-old son
Casey Dunne: JD’s Wife
Haley Michelle Dunne: JD and Casey’s 5-year-old daughter
Nettie Wells: Casey’s aunt and Vin’s ‘foster mom’
This story will mostly revolve around the children and how the seven deal with their antics and adventures. If this is not something you would enjoy, please do not continue to read.
Chris Larabee was glad to be home. He and the boys had been out on the trail after some bank robbers for the past 2 days. All he wanted now was a kiss from his wife, a hug from his children, and a hot meal. He made his was into the kitchen and froze. //Shit//
Mary stood at the table angrily kneading dough for bread. Chris could hear her muttering under her breath. “I’m gonna kill ‘em. Kids are going to drive me insane…”
“Mary? Honey? I think it’s dead.” Chris said as he stood behind her and put his arms around her waist.
“Oh, Chris! I didn’t know you were back.” She attempted to put the stray hairs back into her bun, but only managed to get flour in her hair. “Damn.” She said tears of frustration sliding down her face.
“Shhh. Mary, it can’t be that bad. Here, sit down and I’ll get you something to drink.” He poured her a glass of lemonade and sat next to her. “Now, what’s this all about? I know it can’t be about the way you look because you’re always beautiful to me.” He said endearingly. //Damn I’m smooth//
“I want you to kill our children.” She stated seriously.
“Now, come on Mary. I can’t do that…I’ll miss the little brats too much.”
“Yes you can. They’re holy terrors. The minute you walked out the door they’ve done nothing but fight. They wouldn’t do anything I said without an argument. I swear if you didn’t come home when you did, I’d be in jail for murder.”
“What they do?”
“It’s what they didn’t do.” She said exasperatedly. “Look around Chris. They only did half their chores and were late for supper. I punished them but they were only good for a little while…then they’d be back to their old tricks. I’m at my wits end.”
Chris felt the anger growing in him. He couldn’t believe they’d act like that towards their mother. They were being disrespectful…which is something he did NOT tolerated. He was going to nip this in the bud. Now!
“BILLY, JACOB, AND RILEY, FRONT AND CENTER!”
Jake looked at Billy, fear in his eyes. They didn’t know their father was home already. They had planned on cleaning up their messes and finishing their chores before he got back. All three cautiously entered the kitchen and stood directly in front of him. The look on their pa’s face spoke volumes.
“All right. I want to know what’s been going on around here.” His eyes bore holes into his children. “Do I even need to go over what you ma just told me?”
“No sir.” Was heard from the quiet trio. They knew their pa wouldn’t approve of their behavior while he was gone, but they couldn’t help themselves.
“I didn’t think I’d have to. I thought we had everything straight before I left.” Chris let his gaze shift from Billy to Jake then to Riley. He could see he had their attention. “We will be discussing this later. But for now, I want to see this house picked up and your chores done before supper. If it isn’t, you’ll all be a mite uncomfortable when you sit down to eat. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” They all responded in unison and quickly did as they were told.
Chris put his fork down and leaned back into his chair. “Mary, that was a fine meal.”
“Anything would be a good meal after eatin’ Uncle Buck’s cookin’.” Jake quipped. He caught the look from his mother and smartly added “But you’re right pa, ma’s cookin’ is heavenly.”
Mary laughed, stood up, and began to clear the table. Chris grabbed her arm to stop her. “The children would love to clean up, wouldn’t you?” He stared pointedly at them.
Luckily, they were smart children and knew an order when they heard one, especially after the “discussion on behavior when I’m not home” speech they were just treated to. They knew how lucky they were to have only received a lecture. They were not about to provoke their father further. “No problem, Pa.” Billy answered and began to gather the dishes.
Chris and Mary retired to the living room to relax and catch up on things. The quiet didn’t last long.
CRASH! “Owww! Ma!” Billy hollered. Mary made her way to the kitchen, Chris right on her heels.
“Ma, Jake hit me with th’ broom and made me drop th’ plate I was drying!”
“Nuh uh! I was sweepin’ when you bumped inta me and dropped it.”
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
“Did too!” Riley chimed in.
“Did not!” Billy gave Riley a shove.
“Did too!” Jake shoved Billy.
“Hey I can take care of myself” Riley yelled indignantly and pushed Jake.
Chris rubbed his eyes and decided to put a stop this. “Enough!” When he knew he had their attention he continued. “ I don’t want to hear one more word. I want everyone to finish in here, then get your tails up to your room and change into your nightclothes. If you can’t behave you can just go to bed.”
“Aww pa that’s not fair…OUCH!” Jake gave Chris a wounded look and rubbed his behind. “Okay, okay, I’m going, I’m going.”
Mary relaxed into Chris’s arms. The children were all in bed and they finally had some alone time. It lasted all of 10 minutes.
“EEEIIIIIKKK”
Hearing the piercing scream Chris bolted up the stairs, gun drawn. He had just reached the top step when Riley ran into him and attached herself to his hip. “PA! Get ‘em…Get ‘em outta my bed!” She yelled.
Chris walked cautiously into Riley’s room and looked around. What he saw made his blood boil. He saw Billy and Jake laughing and pinned his gaze on them. “What’s going on here?”
Their laughter ceased when they saw the look in Chris’s eye. Billy stepped
forward.
“Uhhh…nothing’s goin’ on pa.”
“Nothing? You call your sister screaming bloody murder nothing?”
“No, Sir.”
“Well then, I ask again. What’s going on?”
Billy dropped his eyes and stared at the floor. “It was just a joke, pa.”
“A joke? Billy, you know Riley is scared of snakes. She’s downstairs right now crying hysterically because you scared her so bad. What possessed you to put snakes in her bed?”
“I was just tryin’ to get her back for taking Jake’s side earlier. I didn’t mean anything by it…I was just joking.”
Chris turned to Jake, who was in his glory watching Billy get into trouble. “Jacob, were you involved in this?”
“No, Sir.” He answered emphatically.
“Then go to bed.”
Chris waited for Jake to get to his room before continuing. “As I recall, you chased her around the yard with a snake a couple weeks ago, correct?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And I believe I told you I didn’t want you teasing Riley anymore…especially about her fear of snakes.”
“Yes, Sir.” Billy answered without prompting.
“What did I say would happen if you continued to tease her?”
“Ummm…you said you’d tan my hide.” Billy responded quietly.
“Come with me.”
Chris led Billy to his room where he proceeded to spank him until he
was sobbing.
When he was through, he pulled Billy into a hug and waited for the
sobs to subside.
“Now, you are to apologize to Riley, and then I want you in bed. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Hey guys, guess what I found out yesterday?” Connor said.
“What?” Jake replied.
“Well, I was listening in on my pa’s conversation and heard him say that there’s an abandoned mine not far from here. He said that an old prospector left it when he didn’t strike it rich.”
“So?” Jared asked.
Connor rolled his eyes. His brother and cousins just couldn’t see the golden opportunity this was. “Sooo, if we go to the mine, we can find the gold and then we’d be rich!”
“I don’t know. I seem ta remember our pa’s telling us ta stay away from those kind of places…they can be dangerous.” Adam said.
“Where’s your sense of adventure? This could be fun. Come on, we’ll be real careful.” He could see Adam, Jake and Jared warming up to the idea. “Just think of all the stuff we could buy.”
“Uh, guys? I hate t’ burst yur bubble, but how are ya gonna find this mine?” Jesse interjected.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find it somehow.” Connor replied annoyed that Jesse would try ruining his plans.
“What if I tell ya I know where it is?”
“You know where the mine is?” Jared asked incredulously.
“Yep. Me and my pa came ‘cross it a few weeks back. He said it was dangerous and he didn’t want any of us t’ go in there.” She paused in thought. //If I show everyone where the mine is, and pa finds out we went in there, he’ll kill me. But damn, I’m sooo bored// Decision made she turned to the group again. “I cain show you where it is?”
“How ya gonna do that? You’re grounded, r’member?” Jake reminded her.
“I’m goin’ stir crazy up there…I need t’ get out. My Ma’s takin’ Logan t’ visit her kin in Eagle Bend t’morrow. I’ll sneak out after she leaves and my pa goes t’ help Uncle Chris with the round up. I’ll meet ya at the pond. I’ll be a breeze.”
“Jesse, are ya crazy? Do you know what Uncle Vin will do ta ya if he finds out?” Adam added.
“Of course I do. He tol me exactly what he’d do. It don’t matter. We are NOT going t’ get caught.” She said forcefully.
Jesse waited until she saw her pa leave the yard on Peso. Her ma had just left a few minutes before so the coast was clear. She quickly left the house and headed toward the pond. She met up with Jake, Adam, Connor and Jared.
“What took ya so long?” Jake asked.
“I had t’ stick t’ the back way so’s no one would see me and tell my pa.” She replied. “Come on, time’s wasting. Follow me.” A half hour later, they reached the mine.
“Looks creepy.” Adam said. “Ya sure it’s safe?” He craned his neck to get a better look.
“Stop bein’ a baby and come on.” Jake said as he grabbed Adam’s arm and pulled him inside.
“Jake, Jesse, and Adam, you go off to the left. Me and Jared will take the right. If anyone finds anything, give a holler.” Connor directed.
They searched for a while without any luck. Just when everyone started to get discouraged, Jared let out a yell. Jesse, Jake and Adam ran to where Connor and Jared were.
Connor held out his arms. “Look. Dynamite!”
“Dynamite! Put that down, are ya crazy?!” Adam yelled.
“Will you quit it.” Jared said. “Man, sometimes I wonder why we let you come along. All you do is worry and complain.”
“What are we gonna do with it?” Jesse asked.
“Well, we could use it ta blast away some of this rock and see if there’s gold under it?” Jake suggested.
“Oh yeah, that’s a good idea.” Adam added sarcastically.
“I don’t know if we should.” Jesse said indecisively.
“Why? Were miles away from town and underground, so’s no one will hear it.”
“Who’s going to light it?” Connor asked.
“I’ll do it.” Jesse answered.
“Like hell you are!” Jake responded.
“Damn it Jake! Whoever light’s it needs t’ be fast so’s they cain get outta harms way. Since I’m the fastest, it only makes sense I do it.” She pushed everyone towards the opening. “Go on outside. I’ll light it and be right behind ya.”
Jesse waited until her cousins were out of sight, then lit the fuse and ran after them. Just as they all reached the opening…BOOM! Dust and pieces of rock fell from the ceiling and covered the children.
Vin and Chris had just dropped off the horses they rounded up and were on their way back to catch the next batch when they heard an explosion.
“What the hell was that?” Chris asked.
“Don’t know. Sounded like somethin’ blew up.”
“There ain't anything around here…what the hell could have blown up?”
Suddenly, Vin sat up in his saddle. “Aw, Shit.”
“What?”
“Well, I r’member Jesse and me found an ole mine in these parts. Ya don’t think…”
“I wouldn’t put it past them.”
Jake pulled himself to his feet and looked for the others. He saw Jared and Connor helping Adam. “You guys seen Jesse?”
“No. She was behind you.” Connor answered.
Jake backtracked into the mine. He saw Jesse laying face down on the
ground. “Jesse!”
He ran to her side and carefully turned her over. He pushed her hair
from her face. “Jesse? Jesse? Wake up.” He said as he tapped her face lightly.
“C’mon Jesse. Wake up!” He slapped her a little harder. He was about to
do it again when he felt a hand on his wrist.
“Do that agin an I’ll kick yur ass.”
“Jesse!” Jake knew she was okay if she was threatening him. He helped her to her feet. She wavered slightly before standing on her own.
“That cut on your head looks nasty.” Jake pointed out.
Jesse felt her forehead. “Ow! Shit that hurts.” She took a few breaths. “Everyone else okay?”
“Yep. Our only problem now it how we gonna get outta here? The rocks blocked most of the opening. I don’t think any of us can fit through.”
Jesse stumbled over to the opening. “Yur right. We’ll have ta start diggin’. Now I’ll never git home ‘fore my pa. Damn it, he’s gonna kill me for sure.”
Chris and Vin pulled up in front of the mine. “Shit, the opening is blocked off.” Chris pointed out. Vin hopped off Peso and looked around.
“Looks like they were here. Trail leads in t’ the mine. Jesse’s one of ‘em. An it looks like Jake too. Maybe 3 others.”
“Damn. Well, lets get’em outta there.” Chris said with a sigh.
“Then we can kill’em.” Vin added.
As they headed towards the opening, they heard the children arguing.
“Hey, watch it Connor!” Jared yelled. “You almost dropped that on my foot!”
“Well, get out of the way then.” Jared yelled back.
“Damn it! Will you two quit it! We gotta git outta here quick or I’m not gonna sit for a week.” Jesse yelled at them.
Vin and Chris couldn’t help but smile. If they were arguing, then they were okay…at least until they got their hands on them.
Suddenly, a body fell through the rubble. “I’m through!” Jesse called back to the others. She was about to stand up when a pair of boots came into her line of vision. //I know those boots…Shit// She slowly looked up. “Uhhh…Hi pa. What brings ya out here?” she asked in a happy voice.
Vin gave her a look that could freeze water in hell. He helped her up, gave her a firm swat on the backside and let her over to a large rock. “Sit.”
He walked over to the mine again to help Chris get the rest of the kids out. Each child received a swat as they came thorugh the opening. When they were finished, five contrite children were sitting on the rock.
Chris took the lead. “What happened?” He asked in a low, dangerous voice. No one answered. “I asked you a question. Jacob?”
Jake looked up at his pa. “Yes pa?” he asked innocently.
“ What were you doing?”
“Doing pa?”
“Jake! Jus answer th’ damn question.” Vin interjected.
Jake took in his Uncle Vin’s expression, and swallowed hard. “Well...ya see…we was lookin’ for gold. Right Jesse?”
Jesse gave Jake a withering look. “Right. We was jus lookin’ for gold.”
“In the ole mine I tol you t’ stay away from?”
Jesse winced. “Yes, Sir.”
“And what are ya doin’ outta of yur room anyway? Thought I grounded ya? Did I miss somethin’?”
“No, Sir.”
“We’ll be discussin’ that later. What I want t’ know now is what that explosion was?”
All the children visibly cringed.
“Well?” Chris glared at all of them.
Adam finally caved under that stare. “We found some dynamite in the cave and used it ta blow away some of the rock so’s we could find the gold.”
“DYNAMITE!!” Vin and Chris yelled simultaneously.
“You all are crazy! Ya coulda kilt yurselves.” Vin said angrily.
“All right, all of ya. We’re going back ta town where I’m gonna take ya to Nathan’s so he can check you over and make sure your all okay. Vin’ll go tell your pa’s to come over ta the Clinic ta get ya.”
It was a slow walk back into town since only Vin and Chris had horses. None of the children were bothered by this, though. The longer it took to get to town, the longer it would be till they had to deal with the consequences of their actions.
When they reached the town limits, Chris turned to Vin. “Go on and find Buck and Ezra. I’ll get them over to Nathan’s.”
Vin nodded and turned his horse towards the saloon.
“Lets go.” Chris said to the children. Once at the Clinic, Nathan took over scolding them where Vin and Chris left off.
“Fool’s! All of ya are fools! Ya could killed yourselves!” He checked each child over, cleaned their abrasions, gave them a firm smack to their backside and then sent them to sit on the bench at the front of the room.
Nathan was just finishing with Jesse when Vin, Ezra and Buck came in.
“What in the world were ya doing, boy?” Buck yelled angrily at Adam.
“You two miscreants are in profound tribulation.” Ezra said sternly to the twins.
“Nathan? Everyone all right? Cain we tak’em home?” Chris asked.
“Yeah. They’re all fine. A little scratched up, but fine.”
Vin was so angry he didn’t trust himself to speak. “Jesse lets go.” Was all he said and headed out the door. Jesse quickly followed and mounted up on Peso in front of her pa.
“Same goes for you, son.” Buck said to Adam. He grabbed him by the collar and pulled him home.
Ezra and Chris followed. Their unhappy children right behind them.
“What’s the matter with you boy? Huh? I know you know better’n to play with dynamite.” Buck said angrily to Adam.
“But I didn’t touch it!”
“Don’t matter. As soon at ya saw it ya shoulda left the mine…hell, ya should’ve been in that mine in the first place. How many times have ya been told to not go inta places like that? Huh?”
“A lot. But I tried to get everyone ta leave. They wouldn’t.”
“Then ya shoulda left without them. You knew what ya were doing was wrong. Didn’t ya?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Then I guess you know what comes next.”
“Yes, Sir.” Adam slowly walked over to the dresser, bared his bottom and leaned over. He heard his father pull his belt out of the loops, and help his breath. The first lick felt like fire. The next 9 kept it burning.
When Buck was through, he helped Adam up and pulled him into a hug. “Don’t ya ever do nothing like that again. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” Adam looked up at his pa sheepishly. “Are you gonna tell ma?”
“Nope.” Buck heard Adam sigh in relief. “You are.”
“But pa, she’ll kill me. I can’t take a spankin’ over the whippin’ ya gave me.”
“Well, ya shoulda thought about that before ya got inta trouble.” Buck looked down at his son. The expression on his face did him in. //Aw, hell. // “But, I’ll talk ta her and try ta stop her from spankin ya, okay?”
Adam threw his arms around his pa’s legs. “Thanks, pa.”
Ezra walked into Connor’s room. The look on his son’s faces almost caused him to abort his plan of action. //Be firm, Ezra. They could have killed themselves. //
“Well, my twin malefactors. It appears you have gotten yourselves into quite a quandary.”
“Yes, Sir.” They answered in unison.
“And what do you anticipate your castigation to consist of?”
“Whatever you think’s best Sir. However, please consider leniency since we were not the ones who set the dynamite off. We were merely there to make sure no one would get hurt.” Jared answered respectfully.
Ezra smiled inwardly at that remark. //At least one of my children takes after me. // Ezra gave Jared a look that told him he wasn’t fooled, then continued. “Given the circumstances, I have decided that you will subjected to corporal punishment. I want both of you to lower your trousers and lean over on the bed.” Ezra waited until his children were settled and removed his belt.
He alternated licks between Jared and Connor. When he was through, he sat on the bed and pulled the twins to him. “I expect this lesson will not be forgotten, am I correct?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Chris helped Jake off Pony and dismounted. Jake headed for the house. “Where do you think your going?” Chris asked.
“In the house?” Jake hedged.
“I don’t think so.” He grabbed Jake by the scruff of the neck and took him to the woodshed. He pulled the old strap off the wall and glared at Jake.
“Didn’t I make it clear that I didn’t want you to touch any more explosives?”
“No, Sir. You said not to touch any more fireworks. You didn’t say anything about dynamite.”
Chris looked at his son in disbelief. “You mean to tell me that you didn’t know you weren’t supposed to play with dynamite?” When he didn’t receive an answer, he grabbed Jake chin and looked into his eyes. “Answer me?”
“No, Sir. I knew I wasn’t supposed to play with. But I didn’t exactly. I didn’t light it…Jesse did!”
“That don’t matter. You shoulda stopped her. You both know better than that. Maybe this lesson will stick with you.” That said, Chris took Jake’s jeans down and pushed him face down over a woodpile.
SLAP. SMACK. SMACK. WHAP. “We will not have this conversation again. If we do, you’ll cut a switch. Am I clear?”
“OWWW! OUCH! Yes… OHHH! OWWW! Yes, Sir.”
The strap rose and fell eleven more times before Chris stopped. Jake stood up, straightened his clothes, and then threw himself into his pa’s arms. “I’m sorry pa, I really am!” he said between sobs.
“I know…Shhhh. It’s okay now.” Chris rubbed Jake’s back until he calmed down. “Just so were clear here. No firecrackers, no fireworks, and no dynamite. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jesse dismounted Peso and waited for her father. She looked in the barn and saw he was almost finished bedding him down and her apprehension grew. Vin glanced over at his daughter. He could see she was getting herself worked up, so he decided to get things finished.
“Jessica Lynn.” Vin said quietly. He waited until she was at his side. “Ya know what ya did wrong, so’s I’m not gonna say it agin.” He reached into the side of his jacket and handed her a knife. “Here. You know what to do.”
Jesse was momentarily stunned. She knew her pa told her he would make her cut a switch if he caught her sneaking out, but she didn’t really think he’d go through with it. //God, I am soo stupid. Pa never says anything he don’t mean. You think I’d learn that by now. //
She slowly walked towards the little stand of trees near the house. Her pa had shown her what a switch was after the last time she lied to him. He said he wanted her to see what she would get if she did it again. She found one that resembled what her pa showed her, cut it, and make the long walk back.
Once she stood in front of her pa, she handed him his knife back, then gave him the switch. Vin pointed to the barn. “Go on in there. I’ll be there directly.” He began to strip the leaves off the switch. //God, I hope I cain do this…I’d rather cut off m’arm than switch her…but she’s gotta learn, once an for all. //
A few minutes later, he entered the barn and called Jesse to him. “Since this is yur first time with th’ switch, I’m gonna let ya keep yur britches on. But hear me now. If I ever have cause to do this agin, you wont be so lucky.” That said, he tucked Jesse under his arm and began.
Jesse could not believe a little stick could hurt so much. By the second lick, she was bawling. Never in her young life has she experienced something so painful. After the fifth lick, Vin stopped. He pulled her into a fierce hug. “I don’t ever want ta have ta do that agin.” He rubbed her back soothingly until she had herself under control.
“Jesse.” He felt her arms tighten around his waist and waited for her to look up. “By sneaking out, you’ve added three days to your grounding.”
“Yes,” He heard her breath hitched. “Yes, Sir.” She said into his shirt, refusing to leave go.
//Aw, hell. She’s never done nothin' like that after I punished b’fore. // “I know keepin' ya locked in yur room is killin' ya, believe me. I had it done ta me once an I did the same as you.” He gave a little laugh. “My grandpa gave me th’ same punishment, too.”
She loosened her hold a little and looked up again. “You disobeyed yur grandpa?”
“What, you think I was an innocent little feller? I‘s quite a handful, let me tell you. What I’m tryin’ to say is, I know how yur feelin’. Just a few more days, an it’ll be all over. Promise me you’ll not try to sneak out agin. I don’t want t’ have to switch ya agin. Promise me?”
“I promise, pa.”
Vin gave her a little nod. “Now, how about we get somethin’ t’eat an I’ll tell ya what I did to get locked in my room.”
Jesse let go her pa’s waist and gave him a small smile. “I’d like that… little feller.” Vin swung her up into his arms, mindful of her backside, and tickled her. He set her down at the door. Jesse gave her pa a hug around the neck and whispered in his ear, “I love you, pa.”
“Love ya too, Sunshine.” He kissed her head. “C’mon, lets eat, I’m starved.”
The following day, five very uncomfortable children sat in the church pew. By now, all of the seven had heard about their escapades. When the sermon was finally over, all five shot up out of their seats and ran outside.
“Man, I swear Uncle Josiah made that sermon long on purpose.” Jesse said as she rubbed her backside.
“Yeah, sittin’ on that hard church pew was pure torture…musta been our penance. ” Jake replied derisively, mimicking Jesse’s movements.
They didn’t realize Josiah was right behind them. He gave them both
a gentle swat to their bottoms. “Ya got that right.” He said with a smile,
and joined the others in laughter. “Never underestimate the power of the
church pew.”
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