A Day with Sophia and Vin

Buck and JD are out of town taking a prisoner to Yuma. Buck has left Sophia with the rest of the boys. Each of the boys is going to spend a day with Sophia. It's Vin's turn. This started off to be one story, but apparently Vin's story is taking a little longer to tell. By the way, thanks for the reviews and favorites from the other stories in this series. Ya'll really make me want to write, especially since we are "sheltering" at home.

Sophia was equally excited and nervous to spend the day with Vin. She still had to finish her lessons with Ezra in the morning, but Vin had promised to take her out to Nettie's for the day. Vin wanted to leave early in the morning, so they would have most of the day out at Nettie's and still get back before dark. But Sophia still had lessons in the morning.

After her amazing afternoon at the tearoom with Ezra, the group met for dinner at the saloon.

"How was your afternoon?" asked Josiah.

"It's the best time I've ever had in my whole life. I've never been to a place so fancy" Sophia said happily.

The boys chuckled at seeing Sophia so wound up and excited. She was really starting to come out of her shell. It seemed to Chris that she was much more reserved when Buck was around because he encouraged her to be so clingy.

Vin wanted to brooch the subject of Sophia skipping lessons tomorrow and just heading out to Nettie's in the morning. He knew that Chris had promised that Sophia would get all her schoolwork finished while Buck was gone. Chris had already told him once that he could take Sophia after lessons. He wondered if he should just make a deal with Ezra instead of trying to go through Chris. Generally speaking, asking Chris to do something when he already done told you 'no' was risky business. Chris didn't exactly tell him that he couldn't take her before lessons, well not exactly. There were a lot of other lessons besides reading, writing and arithmetic. There were life lessons to be learned, tending stock, baking, cooking, washing, taking care of your horse, tracking, mending fences, lots of other stuff. Then Vin got the bright idea, when Chris asked if she had finished her lessons, Vin could say that she had. Not all lessons had to do with school. Vin just figured he'd have a talk with Ezra. They both had night patrol, so he could talk to him then.

Vin was sitting next to Josiah at the table, when he felt a large hand tap his arm. Vin startled. He had been thinking so hard on how to avoid Sophia's school lessons, he hadn't heard Chris talking to him. Josiah gave his arm a light tap and when that didn't work, a squeeze. "What?" Vin said irritably.

Josiah was taken aback. Very rarely did Vin get sassy with Josiah, only when he was in trouble. "Excuse me?"

Vin knew before the word almost left his mouth that he upset Josiah with his response. "Sorry 'Siah, you just startled me, I guess," Vin mumbled.

Josiah nodded in understanding, "Chris has been trying to talk to you for the last 5 minutes."

Vin swung his eyes over to Chris. He knew Chris didn't put up with talking back to the older members of the group. Chris was probably going to put up with it even less now that he knew hold old Vin was. He figured he better be super respectful right about now, so he didn't get in any trouble. The last thing he wanted Chris to do was to forbid him from taking Sophia out to Nettie's. Vin had been looking forward to getting away from town, doing some chores for Nettie in peace. "Yes sir?"

"I was trying to tell you that I have a meeting set up with Judge Travis at 9:00 tomorrow morning, I need you to meet me at his office then."

Damn! Vin thought. Not only was Chris going through with the guardianship thing, his ideas about going out to Nettie's early just got dashed. "But Chris, I'm taking Sophia out to Nettie's tomorrow."

"She's got lessons in the morning anyway, so it won't delay you."

The whole table was watching this exchange. It was starting to get a little intense. Josiah and Nathan could tell that the look in Vin's eyes was mutinous. Sophia didn't know Vin or Chris well enough to figure out what was going on, but she didn't like the feeling in the air. Vin and Chris were just staring at each other. Finally Sophia couldn't take it anymore, "May I be excused?"

Chris tore his eyes from Vin momentarily and looked at her plate, she had eaten most of her dinner. "You don't want dessert?"

Sophia shook her head, "I had sweets at the tearoom, I'm full."

Chris didn't believe it for a minute, but he wasn't going to argue. If the kid didn't want dessert, that was fine with him. "Ezra, can you take Sophia over to the boarding house?"

"Certainly," Ezra said jumping to his feet. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity to escape. Besides, he could find out what was going on from Vin when they went out on patrol later. "Come along Sophia, I would be honored to escort you back to the boarding house," he said offering his arm to her. Sophia just giggled.

"Say your goodnights Sophia," Ezra instructed.

Sophia wasn't sure why she did it, maybe to break the tension. Something in her head just told her to do it. She went to Chris first and gave him a hug and a kiss, "Night Uncle Chris."

Chris almost fell out of his chair, that was the first time that Sophia had shown affection to anyone but Buck. His face softened, "Goodnight, sweetheart, sleep well."

So as it not make it seem strange that she did that to Chris, Sophia went to each one of them and did the same thing, even to Vin. Each one murmured an endearment to her and returned the hug and kiss. Ezra held out his hand. Sophia took his hand. As they walked out of the saloon, Josiah called to her, "I'll be up in a little while to put you to bed."

Ezra leaned down to her and whispered, "My dear, you are a master of manipulation."

Sophia looked at him, "Well, I don't know what that means, but if it means that I made things better for Vin, then yes, I guess so. Uncle Chris and Vin were throwing daggers with their eyes, I didn't like it."

Ezra looked down at her, "I'm not sure what was going on, but I'm sure they will work out whatever the problem is. They always do. Fathers and sons can have disagreements sometimes."

Sophia looked at Ezra, "Father and son, I thought Vin was Chris' brother?"

"Not exactly, we have an unconventional family. It seems like each of the older members of our group have seen fit to take one of the younger members under his wing and to act like a father."

"How come Nathan is left out?" Sophia questioned.

"Because he's the lucky one," Ezra said sarcastically.

Sophia didn't catch the sarcasm, "Lucky? I don't understand."

Ezra sighed, "Nathan is in the middle of all of us age wise, too old to need much guidance in the eyes of Josiah, Chris and Buck and too young to take on the father role for any of us. I think the three older members of our family all think Nathan is their responsibility, although I doubt Nathan would lend credence to that idea."

"Oh, this family sure is different," Sophia commented.

Ezra laughed, "Different indeed."

Ezra got her settled. He wanted to go back to the saloon, but he needed to get ready for evening patrol. "I've got to get ready for evening patrol, I'll be in my room if you need me. Josiah should be along in a little while to tuck you in."

"Ok, Ezra?"

Ezra turned around as he was heading for the door, "Yes?"

"Thank you for taking me to the tearoom today. It was the best day of my whole life. Nobody has ever done anything like that for me, ever, not even my mama." Sophia said solemnly.

Ezra swallowed, he teared just a little, very un-Ezra like. "It was my pleasure little sister, we shall do it again sometime soon." Ezra turned toward the door and walked out of the room. How had this little girl wormed her way into his heart in such a short time? Usually Ezra was about what was good for Ezra, his mother had taught him to be that way. Deeply caring for others was not one of the "skills" his mother had taught him. Ezra sighed, he supposed it was because he felt so neglected as a child. He always vowed to himself he would never have children, but he really liked having younger siblings to look after. It made him feel important, more importantly he felt needed. He had never felt needed in his short life time. Both Sophia and JD looked up to him, he resolved to take that responsibility a little more seriously.

Ezra was deep in thought as he walked down the hall. He ran into Josiah coming toward Sophia's room, literally. Josiah grabbed him by the shoulders so he wouldn't fall. "Ezra? You alright, son?"

"Of course, Mr. Sanchez, why wouldn't I be?" scoffed Ezra.

Josiah raised his eyebrows at Ezra's tone. "Don't get sassy with me young man. You literally ran right into me because you weren't paying attention to where you were going."

"Oh," said Ezra sheepishly. "I apologize for my inattention. I was just thinking."

"Something you want to talk about?" asked Josiah concerned.

"No sir," drawled Ezra. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get ready for evening patrol."

Josiah nodded, "Take your jacket son, it's getting a little chilly."

Ezra rolled his eyes, as if he didn't know how to dress himself. Of course he hadn't planned on taking his jacket, but that was besides the point. "Of course, Josiah," Ezra said as he headed down the hall.

Josiah shook his head, these youngsters were going to make him completely gray before his time. He stopped in front of Sophia's door and knocked. "Sophia, it's Uncle Josiah."

Sophia jumped off the bed and opened the door. She was still dressed. She hadn't changed into her night clothes yet. "Can you read some more of that story you were reading last night?" Josiah had brought a book of fairytales to read the night before. He didn't exactly read them the way they were written, those fairytales were not originally intended for children.

"I will read more of that story, once you get ready for bed. Why aren't you changed, yet?"

Sophia looked down at herself. "Oh, I guess I forgot. I was just sitting here thinking about Ezra."

Josiah crossed the room over to the bureau and took out her night dress. "Change," he said simply.

Sophia went behind the screen to change. While she was behind the screen changing, Josiah asked her, "Is something wrong between you and Ezra?"

"No, I was just wondering why he acts funny sometimes."

"Funny, what do you mean?" asked Josiah perplexed.

"You know, like he doesn't really care, but I think he really does. He talks kind of fancy. He reminds me of the Mister and the Missus. They talked really fancy and always acted like they were better than anybody else. Mama used to say that they thought we were no better than dirt. Ezra sort of acts that way, but not really."

Josiah sighed as he patted the bed for Sophia to sit down, as she came out from behind the screen. This child was incredibly astute. Or was it that children didn't have blinders like adults and could see a person for what they truly were. Sophia started to climb on the bed next to Josiah, he just lifted her up. "I think Ezra has a very good heart, but his mother taught him to be the way he is."

"Is Ezra's mama a fancy lady, like the Missus?"

"In a manner of speaking," said Josiah. He really didn't want to explain Ezra's mother to Sophia.

"Hmm," Sophia said. "Can we read the story now?"

Josiah laughed. Children would flit from one subject to the next so quickly. "May we read the story?" Josiah corrected.

Sophia looked at him confused, "That's what I said."

"No, you said "can," there's a difference," he gently corrected.

She still looked confused, "I don't understand…."

"Can is if you have the ability to do something, we certainly have the ability to read the story, "may" is if you have permission."

"Oh," said Sophia nodding her head in understanding. "May we read the story now, please?"

Josiah laughed and hugged her, laying a kiss on her head. "Absolutely, now where did we leave off…"

While Josiah was putting Sophia to bed, Ezra headed to the stables to meet Vin for patrol. Vin was getting Peso ready for the ride, as Ezra entered the stable. "I woulda gotten Chaucer ready for ya, but your damn horse 'bought bit my handoff," Vin grumbled.

Ezra chuckled, as he took a sugar cube out of his pocket and fed it to Chaucer, who nuzzled his hand for more. "You are a glutton," Ezra admonished petting Chaucer's nose. Chaucer snorted in response. "Chaucer prefers to be treated like a gentleman," Ezra said as he put the saddle on his horse.

Vin snorted, "Gentleman, my ass. That horse is just plain spoilt."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "As if your mount is any less spoiled. No one can get near Peso but you."

Vin grinned at Ezra, "He ain't spoiled. He's just smart. He knows a proper rider when he sees one."

Ezra laughed. "Well, shall we begin our patrol?"

Vin nodded as he swung up into the saddle, "Yep, let's get going."

Silence enveloped the two as they headed out of town. Ezra was usually fairly chatty, so Vin didn't normally have to say much. But this time, Ezra felt like something was up with Vin. "Vin, you appear to be preoccupied. Is something bothering you?" ventured Ezra.

Vin didn't respond, he was lost in his thoughts about the meeting with Judge Travis. He was worried he was about to kiss his freedom goodbye. Chris didn't ride herd on him too much. Things hadn't really changed much since Chris found out his real age. He just wasn't sure once that guardianship was in place, how things were going to change. "Huh, did ya say something Ez?"

Ezra rolled his eyes, "I was inquiring if something was bothering you?"

"Yeah, Chris is asking Judge Travis for guardianship."

Ezra almost fell off Chaucer is surprise, "Guardianship over you? Whatever for?"

Vin sighed in frustration, "He found out that I'm not 25."

Ezra whistled. "I see. Exactly how old are you Vin?"

"Same as you, 19."

"19? Why did you say you were 25?"

"I never said that," argued Vin. "Ya'll just assumed that I was. The wanted poster on me says I'm 25."

"Why did the wanted poster say you're 25?"

"Umm, I may not have been upfront when I was bounty huntin'."

"Well I can see why. If they thought you were only 18, when you were bounty hunting, no one would have paid you."

Vin sighed, "Yeah, I figured that, so I told them I was 25."

"Do you suppose that that changes things for you and Chris?"

"That's what I ain't sure of. Chris says that now I'm gonna have the same rules as you and JD, but nothing has changed much since he found out."

"I see your dilemma."

"Ez, I've been on my own for so long, I'm not sure that I can take a bunch of rules."

"There really aren't as many as you think. At least with Mr. Sanchez. I mostly just have to let him know where I am going to be and when I'll be back. Other than that, it really isn't any different than anything else. You already know how the three of them feel about mendaciousness."

"Men…what?"

"Lying," Ezra said dryly.

"Oh, yeah, lying to Chris ain't never a good idea."

"Precisely, if you were to give someone advice as to how to placate Mr. Larabee, what would it be?"

"Pla…what?"

"Placate, please," supplied Ezra.

"Oh, don't lie, don't steal and don't take off without tellin' him."

"Exactly, not so different then what you do now, is it?"

"Guess not," conceded Vin.

"Vin, I have a confession to make."

Vin looked at Ezra. "What?"

"I am also, not the age I claim to be." Ezra confessed.

Vin's eyebrows went up in surprise, "You're not?"

"No. I actually just turned 18. I'm barely older than JD."

"You sure act older," Vin said shaking his head.

"Well, speaking in the manner in which I was taught and dressing the way I do, gives off the appearance of someone older."

"How come ya lied about it?"

Ezra shook his head, "Bad habits, I suppose. Mother always tried to pass me off as older by at least two years. I just continued the ruse," Ezra said shrugging his shoulders noncommittally.

"Ya gonna tell Josiah?"

"I believe Mr. Sanchez has some suspicions. He told me the other day that he knows I'm not as old as I seem and to quit trying to act like it," Ezra said ruefully.

"Well, at least one thing is good," said Vin grinning.

"What?" asked Ezra perplexed.

"I'm still the oldest and ya'll still got to mind me," Vin chortled as he kicked Peso into a gallop.

"You're only a year older," Ezra called after him.

Vin just rode off laughing.