Ezra was in the bathhouse getting the stink off when Josiah entered.

"That's long enough Ezra. I don't want you turning into a prune. Get dried and dressed then you can help me set out lunch."

"Okay Josiah." Ezra got dressed and entered the kitchen when he heard a buggy. That must be this Judge Chris was talking about. Ezra was peeking out the window when he heard Josiah enter.

"Ezra. Will you get the milk out of the pantry, please. Put some in a pitcher and put it on the table."

"Sure Josiah. Hey Josiah? Is that the Judge that Chris was talking about?"

"Yep. I want you on your best behavior. Just because the Judge is here doesn't mean I won't remove you if you're rude. Understood?"

"Yes sir. I'll behave."

"Good. Let's get this finished then we can meet Judge Travis."

"Travis?" Josiah laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"That was my exact reaction. To answer your unspoken question, he is Mary Travis' father-in-law."

"That should help."

"I would imagine it might."

Lunch went quickly. Judge Travis met all the boys with the exception of Nathan who was off fishing. The Judge was able to observe how Chris handled JD tantrum when his nap was announced. Buck agreed to read to him, which put him right to sleep.

Ezra behaved like the perfect gentleman and even excused himself to finish some chores. Vin was sent back to the woodpile.

"Isn't chopping wood a little hard for a boy so young."

The Judge, Chris and Josiah were sitting in the living room having coffee. "It probably would be for any normal boy, but Vin was raised by one of the local tribes until he was five. That's when he came to live with us."

"So Vin? Is that his real name?"

Chris smiled. "No. His real name is Kevin. He hates it and pa told me once that he 'requested' that everyone call him Vin. I'm the only one who calls him Kevin and that's only to get his attention when I'm upset."

"Do you get upset with him often?"

"I wouldn't say often. Not any more than a normal family would. The first few years he was here were hard on all of us. He grew up in a different culture. He had to adjust to the white people's way of things. He has maintained some Indian ways and has adjusted well."

"That's good to hear. He is a very likable young man."

"He seems happy. You can talk to him yourself if you're worried he's not happy here."

"That's not what I meant. I can see he's happy. I can see that they are all happy. Of course I haven't met Nathan yet."

"Nathan's off fishing with his friends." Josiah offered.

"Now Nathan is... how old?" The Judge shifted some papers.

"Fifteen. Pa met his ma about the same time he met Maude."

"That's Ezra's mother. Now she's still alive. How come she isn't raising Ezra?"

"Pa got custody after he found out Maude was using Ezra in a con. He was only 7 at the time. Maude was quick to give Ezra away, because she said he was too much of a burden. She still visits although the last couple of times she was here she bought Ezra a gun. I have them both locked in my desk."

"Certainly she must know he's too young." The Judge said.

"You would think so." Josiah answered. "I tried to explain to him that thirteen year old boys don't carry guns."

"He understands now Josiah. I heard him tell Vin earlier that he is through letting his mother get him in trouble." Chris laughed.

"Glad to hear it." Josiah sighed.

"Now Nathan's mother was a slave. From what pa told me, she was sold away right before she died. It wasn't until a year ago when pa started telling me some things. He said that her master had raped Nathan's ma and she had actually killed herself. The other slaves told him she had been sold. I guess it was easier to take."

"How did Nathan end up here?"

"Pa had heard about Mrs. Jackson and decided to bring both Nathan and Ezra home at the same time. He ended up having to pay for Nathan and strangely enough, he had to pay for Ezra too. Maude insisted on a settlement. Pa was happy to pay them both off."

Buck coming down the stairs interrupted them. "I thought that boy would never go to sleep." He jointed the men and grabbed a cup of coffee.

"The files say that JD has been here since shortly after he was born."

"Yep. I young man stole my heart that day. I thought I knew it all and JD just smiled and I realized I didn't know anything." Buck mused.

"Of course we tried to tell him he didn't know everything, but he wouldn't listen to his more experienced older brothers." Josiah joked.

"JD's ma was the last woman pa loved. She refused to marry him because she knew she was dying. She passed away a few weeks after JD was born. He's five now. He's still having a hard time with pa dying." Chris said.

"What about you Mr. Wilmington?"

"What about me?" Buck was confused.

"Well, your... what age now?" The Judge asked.

"I'm nineteen. I will inherit my share of the M7 ranch on my 21st birthday. My ma was a saint and she loved pa, she just didn't want him to be disgraced."

"That's not true Buck." Chris said. "Yes pa loved you ma, but he was never ashamed of her or their love. And he was certainly never ashamed of you."

"I noticed that Linc left all custody of minor children to you Josiah." The Judge changed the subject. "While he left all operational control to Chris. Why did he do that?"

"Chris at the time was acting foreman anyway. I never wanted the responsibility of overseeing everything. I'm good with the boys and I preach occasionally at the local church. I have never desired to run this ranch. I support Chris anyway I can, and the best way I do that is by keeping herd over the boys." Josiah smiled at Chris who nodded his thanks.

"There's more though isn't there?" The Judge looked at all three brothers and noticed some hesitation.

"Truth of the matter is Judge. Pa gave Chris the power because Chris had a family. He is the only son of Lincoln Larabee who bares his name. Pa wanted Chris to be able to support his wife and son. Unfortunately he lost his family a year before pa died. By then pa was too sick to change his wishes."

"That's not completely true Buck." Chris said again. "Pa chose to leave it be because he knew if I was in charge of his dream, I wouldn't drown myself in the bottle for very long. He was right too. I couldn't just forget about this ranch and my brothers. It scared me to death when JD wandered off after pa's death. Sobered me real quick and I vowed then and there to never take my brothers or this ranch for granted."

"So Josiah is the oldest at...?"

Buck laughed at Josiah's expression. "He doesn't like people to know he's over 30. 31 to be exact."

The Judge smiled. "So Josiah watches the kids, Chris runs the ranch, Buck..."

"Chases the ladies." Chris added.

"Nathan is still in school at 15."

"Wants to study to be a doctor." Josiah added.

"Ezra is learning how to unlearn his mother's training, Vin is adjusting to white man's ways, and JD is a happy kid of 5. Did I get everything?"

"That's everyone except Miss Nettie. She's our housekeeper and cook. She stands in as mother where needed also." Buck added.

"Well gentleman I am happy to say, I have no problem with the arrangements your father made. It was well thought out. I will also say that if you have any difficulties that I can help with, don't hesitate to let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind Judge since Ezra's mother is going to get a lecture on gun control the next time we see her. She always threatens to fight for custody when we ask he to stop corrupting him. The only thing that has protected us up until now was pa and the fact that Ezra doesn't want to leave."

"Well, as long as I'm around I will help fight if that ever happens. Well gentlemen it is getting late and I have dinner waiting for me. I hope to see you all again the next time I visit."

"You'll always be welcome here Judge. Just drop on in. It will give Miss Nettie someone else to fuss over for a change."

"I'll remember that. Good day gentlemen."

"Bye Judge." Chris, Josiah, and Buck said.

Nathan had a bad feeling about this. He had arrived at the lake and met his friends for a day of fishing, when a group of older boys showed up. At first Nathan thought they would move on when they got bored of taunting, but things were getting out of hand.

"Come on Nate. They'll think yer a coward iffin' you don't do it." Bobby said.

Nathan, his three friends, and the older boys lead by Myron Peterson (Jake's big brother) were standing behind farmer Thompson's old abandoned barn. The older boys were smoking and had convinced all of the younger boys to try it; all but Nathan.

"I don't care if they call me a coward. I don't like that stuff. Chris smokes them awful cheroots and they stink." Nathan stood firm. If his dumb friends wanted to smoke so be it, but he wasn't.

"What's wrong little boy, yer big brother don't want you to smoke." Myron taunted.

"Shut up Myron." Nathan decided it was time to leave. "If you guys don't want to fish anymore, I'm going home." Nathan started to walk away when he heard Myron yell.

"Tommy, you dumb idiot we gotta put that fire out." Nathan saw the younger boys try to put out the flames that were rapidly consuming the backside of the barn. The older boys were running away laughing. Nathan ran back to his friends to get them away from the flames. The barn was too involved with flames for four teens to stop.

"Get back. The whole thing is gonna come down." All four boys moved away and saw old man Thompson running toward them. They panicked and scattered. When Nathan saw Mr. Thompson, he looked around and found he was alone. He thought about running but he could hear Chris saying 'you have to face trouble, don't run from it', so he stayed put. //Chris was gonna be furious.//

Chris and Josiah returned toward the house after saying their good byes to the Judge, when they heard a group of horses approach the yard. Chris looked up and saw the sheriff and his deputy leading a very dirty and sad looking Nathan behind them. Chris frowned. //Has the whole world gone mad?//

The sheriff approached and dismounted. Chris shook his hand.

"What happened John?"

"Well Chris. Young Nathan was caught near an act of vandalism. Mr. Thompson's barn was burned down."

Chris glared at Nathan who still hadn't looked up. He walked over to Nathan's horse and firmly put his hand on his knee.

"That the truth?"

"Yeah." Nathan dared and looked at Chris and immediately put his head back down. Chris turned to John.

"What's the story John?"

"Well, Nathan claims that he and his friends got talked into going behind the barn for a smoke." Chris glared at Nathan again.

"You were smoking?" He squeezed Nathan's knee.

"No sir. I wasn't and I didn't burn the barn down either." Nathan was looking at Chris now and Chris recognized the truth. He smiled at Nathan and patted his leg.

"I believe ya. Why don't you get down and go get washed up."

"Okay. Thanks Chris." Nathan moved quickly into the bathhouse.

"John, come on in. You can tell me what happened and what we need to do."

"Sounds good." He turned to his deputy. "Come on Virgil."

"Chris I'm gonna take care of Nate's horse."

"Thanks Josiah. Gentleman?" The sheriff and Virgil followed Chris into the house.

Twenty minutes later, they were leaving. Josiah had finished with the horse and sent Ezra out back to help Vin with the woodpile. Nathan joined Chris in front of the large fireplace in the living room.

"How did you ever get tangled in this mess Nate?" Chris asked.

"It happened so fast. I was actually leaving to come home when the barn caught. Then Peterson and his buddies ran off and then the fire got too big to fight. I really am sorry."

"Peterson. That name keeps coming into conversations around here lately. Maybe it's time I had a talk with Mr. Peterson."

"I doubt it will do anything except make it worse Chris. Jake will just take it out on Vin and Myron doesn't like me none." Nathan sat with a sigh. "All I can say is it's a good thing Mr. Thompson believed me, because I can't afford a barn on my allowance."

Chris and Josiah laughed.

"You makin' a pitch for a raise young man?" Chris smirked.

"No. But if you're feelin' generous, there's some more medical books in the general store, I been wantin'."

"Nate. You're the only one who would want books instead of candy." Josiah said.

"Now Nate, if I give ya a raise now, you'll have to wait an extra year for me to raise enough money for that medical school tuition." Chris teased.

Nathan looked like Chris just slapped him. Chris couldn't keep a straight face and Nathan joined the laughter after he realized they were teasing him.

"Laugh it up brothers. Someday you'll come to me for your healin' and I might just charge ya'll twice." Nathan got up and walked upstairs.

"He'd do it too." Josiah said.

"I believe it."

Josiah and Chris both laughed. One day Nathan would be a very good doctor, and Chris vowed that money would not be a problem. The Magnificent Seven Ranch will prosper well and send Nathan to fulfill his dream of being a doctor.

JD was too old for naps! He still couldn't believe that he had actually fallen asleep. He didn't know how long for but he wasn't staying in his bed when the day was wasting away. He was hoping to practice his riding again.

JD threw the blankets aside and opened his door. He could hear voices downstairs. He recognized Chris and Josiah and Nate, but he didn't know who the others were until Chris said good-bye to the sheriff. JD went back to his room and changed. He put on a black pair of pants and a black shirt. The buttons were a little hard, but he did pretty good and only missed a couple. He dug out an old pair of Chris' boots that Chris had 'misplaced'. They were too small for Chris now, but he had wanted to remove the spurs first. JD had found them and wore them once in a while. He loved to dress like Chris. It made his feel scary.

JD pulled the way too big boots on and found an old black hat that he had 'borrowed'. To complete the ensemble he dug out an old empty holster that use to be Bucks when he first got a gun. It went around JD twice and he tied it with a piece of leather he found in the barn. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled. He practiced his 'fast draw' and then headed out down the back stairs. He just missed Nathan as Nate came upstairs.

JD walked to the barn and found it empty. He could hear Buck out back helping Vin and Ezra. He figured that Chris, Josiah and Nate were still in the house. He thought he would surprise everyone and show them how grown up he was by saddling his horse.

It took him longer without Buck's help. He couldn't understand why the saddle was heavier now when it wasn't very heavy when he did it in front of Buck. Of course he didn't know that Buck carried most of the weight. The saddle was on and JD led Spot out into the yard. Forgetting that his boots had spurs on them, he mounted his pony. When he gripped the pony with his feet and legs the spurs went into his gentle steed, causing the pony to scream and rear it's head.

The scream brought six men and boys out of hiding, and they watched in horror as JD's pony reared, JD's saddle slipped, and JD tumbled to the ground with a sickening thud and snap. JD had the wind knocked out of him and after he recovered his breath, he grabbed his left arm and screamed.

Chris and Buck were by his side immediately. Josiah moved the scared pony, while Vin and Ezra watched.

"Easy JD. Don't move." Chris soothed. Chris looked at Buck and nodded. They knew JD's arm was broken. Nathan suddenly appeared.

"I sent Hank to fetch the Doc. How is he?"

Buck was quickly checking for any other injuries. When they were both satisfied that JD wasn't hurt beyond his arm, Buck gathered him into his arms to comfort him.

JD was softly crying when Chris noticed Vin and Ezra giggling. He was in no mood for those two and their sick sense of humor. He glared at them and put his hands on his hips. "You boys want to tell me what in God's name you find so funny?"

Vin tried to breath. He pointed to JD and finally said. "Look what he's wearin'. He looks just like Black Bart."

Ezra joined in. "No Vin. He looks like Chris. Tiny Chris." Both boys were laughing so hard they didn't see Chris approach until they felt his grip on their arms. "Make yourselves useful, and bring some firewood up to JD's room. Then you both can tend to his pony. I don't want to see either of you until you get some sense." Chris propelled them toward the back. Vin and Ezra did as asked.

"You know pard. If they can't come back until they get some sense, it could be years before we see them again." Buck chuckled.

"Funny. How is he doing?" JD was still crying but not as hard.

"He's quieting down, but the pain is pretty bad."

Chris sat opposite from Buck and rubbed JD's back. "Hey Sprout? You want to tell me what happened?"

JD turned to look at Chris. "I... was... gonna... surprise you by... saddlin' Spot... by myself. I don't know why he done it."

Chris looked at JD's outfit. Under normal circumstances he would have thought it was cute, but then he noticed his old boots with the spurs. "JD? Spot reared because of the spurs on those boots."

"Spurs! Young man I told you never to use spurs on that pony."

"I forgot they's there, honest." JD started to cry again and mumbled something into Buck's chest.

"No JD. I'm not gonna paddle ya. I'm sure you have learned your lesson about spurs."

JD nodded his head. Chris smiled at Buck and said, "Do I really look like that?" He pointed to JD's outfit.

"Only when yer tryin' to scare people."

Chris was about to respond when the doctor rode into the yard. They carried JD up to his room and got his washed up and into bed. JD protested having to go to bed but Chris was accepting no complaints. The doc set and splinted his arm and gave him something to ease the pain and let him sleep. The doc said the splint would have to be on for a few days and when the swelling went down they would put a cast on for about 6 weeks.

With JD sleeping, Chris and Buck walked the doc out. Supper was served and one by one everyone took a bath for church the next morning. Vin and Ezra apologized for laughing earlier and Chris agreed that it was funny and he apologized for getting angry. Everyone headed up to bed for an early night. Chris checked on JD and made sure his room was warm and then went to bed.

It felt like only minutes ago that he closed his eyes, but something woke him up. Seeing it was still dark, Chris started to roll over to go back to sleep when he heard crying coming from JD's room. He sat up and checked his timepiece. //1:00 AM. It's too early for this.//

Chris entered JD's room to find him sitting up, holding his broken arm, and rocking while he cried.

"Hey, Sprout. Your arm bothering you?" JD nodded as Chris sat down on the bed. It was then that he noticed JD's bedding was wet. //Probably had trouble moving around with the splint.// Chris smiled at JD's obvious embarrassment. "Why don't we get you dry and warm so we can get some more sleep. Okay?"

JD nodded. Chris retrieved a clean nightshirt and a blanket. He wrapped JD in the blanket, being careful of his arm, and carried him downstairs to the warm kitchen. Once there, Chris set JD on the counter and poured some warm water from the kettle that was always on the stove. Using some soap and the water, Chris cleaned JD up and put the clean nightshirt on him. JD's crying had almost stopped as Chris poured some warm water over the pain powder the doctor left. He gathered JD into the blanket and carried him to the living room. He set JD down in a soft chair and stirred the fire. He retrieved the cup for JD and settled his baby brother on his lap as JD drank the medicine.

"Yuck!"

Chris laughed. "I know it tastes awful, but it will make the pain go away and let you sleep. You feeling warm enough now?"

"Yeah. I' sorry I peed the bed."

"Don't worry about it Sprout. We all have accidents." They both sat quietly until all the medicine was gone and JD started to drift off to sleep. "Let's go to bed, Sprout." Chris carried him upstairs to the master bedroom. Chris settled JD into the other side of his bed and crawled in next to him.

JD looked around the room. "This is your room Chris."

"Your bed is wet JD. You sleep right there and if you need me again before morning you can just wake me up. Okay?"

"'Kay. Night." JD snuggled down into the mattress and blankets. Chris helped him put his splinted arm on top of a pillow, out of the way.

"Good night JD. Love ya." Chris kissed JD on the forehead and pulled the covers up, instantly falling back to sleep.

Chris slowly woke up when he heard Josiah's baritone whisper. He looked toward the light coming from the window and realized it was late morning. He quickly turned and saw JD still sleeping. He got up and checked the time. //NOON!// Chris got dressed and headed downstairs. What he saw made him smile.

Josiah had Vin, Ezra, Nathan, and Buck all sitting on the couch, and was lecturing them about proper behavior in church. "Just because Chris wasn't there didn't mean you block heads could act like fools. I should have come down and knocked some heads together and next time I will."

Chris was intrigued. He came down the stairs and said, "What happened Josiah?"

"Happened? What didn't happen! I think my first mistake was letting Buck be in charge. Should have let Nate be in charge, he's got more sense."

"Hey! I was the oldest." Buck complained.

"Oldest yes. Most responsible no." Josiah sighed as he sat down.

"Have a good sleep Chris?" Buck tried to change the subject.

"Yes. I did." He turned back to Josiah and sat down. "What else happened?"

"With Buck in charge, Buck let Ezra and Vin sit next to each other. They giggled and horsed around the whole time. Nathan ended up between them, but not before their actions upset plenty of others. When the service was over, Buck got distracted with Miss Molly and Vin and Ezra got in a small scuffle with that Peterson boy."

Chris turned sharply to Vin and Ezra. "Another fight? In church?"

"No. It weren't no fight." Vin protested. "Jake started in with his mean remarks and I was followin' Ez's advice. I agreed with a lot of what Jake said. It made him mad and when Ez and me walked away he knocked me down. I pushed him off and walked away again. But for he could tackle me again, Ez found Nate and Buck and the scuffle was between Buck and Mr. Peterson."

Buck broke in. "I told him that we were tired of Myron and Jake starting fights with the boys and if it didn't stop, then you were gonna pay him a visit."

Chris groaned.

"Then Mr. Peterson turned a wonderful shade of white and stammered about how he would set his youngsters straight and that there would be no more problems." Ezra added.

"About that time Josiah showed up and ordered us all into the buggy. I thought he was gonna kill us then and there."

Chris smiled. Josiah was a gentle man unless riled and then he got very 'old testament' on you. "So I interrupted your lecture huh."

"Yes. My lecture. Of all the hair brained, hard headed..."

"Okay Josiah. I get the point. Boys go get out of your Sunday clothes and into work clothes. Don't wake JD either or I may have to reconsider my decision to let today slide and thrash you all. Now git."

Everyone but Josiah rose and walked upstairs to get changed. Josiah started up and Chris stopped him. "Josiah. Why don't you, JD and me go fishing this afternoon? We'll leave the boys to Miss Nettie when she gets back."

"Sounds like the perfect punishment for those boys." Josiah turned to go up the stairs and noticed JD rubbing his eyes as he stood at the top of the stairs. "How you feelin' JD?"

"'Kay 'Siah." He turned sad eyes to Chris. "Chris? My arm hurts and I gotta pee."

Chris smiled and went to JD. He picked him up and carried him to his room where he could use the pot and get dressed. Once done, they headed for the kitchen and some medicine. Chris settled JD with his cup by the fire and made breakfast. When it was finished, the living room was alive with the chatter and giggles of his whole family. He smiled and thought about how lucky he was. It still hurt to think about his lost family, but his brothers made his life worth living. The weekend was almost over and with the return of Miss Nettie; things would get back to normal.

"ALRIGHT! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FLOWER BED?"

Well, maybe not.

End