Chapter 8

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Madie heard yells coming from the town and she ran outside to see what all the commotion was about. The men were back and she could see Ezra safe and sound right in the middle of them, she was so happy to see him that she didn't notice there was an argument going on.

"What are you doing, bringing him back here?" One of the townsmen that was adamant about letting Lucas go was arguing with Chris and his men.

J.D. merely looked down at him and kept riding. "He's gonna stand trial for murder."

"How? The judge is dead."

The judge came out of the Clarion News, with Mrs. Travis holding onto his good arm. "I'm afraid the news of my death was a bit premature."

Madie stopped in her tracks when she saw Judge Travis. She looked worriedly at Ezra and he too was looking at the judge warily. She prayed to the Lord that he would not be taken away from her again.

The judge pointed his finger at the Magnificent Seven once he had the attention of the townspeople. "These men risked their lives to bring this man to justice. I want twelve good men who give a damn about this town to step forward and see justice done."

Slowly but with confidence, one by one the men of the town raised their hands to become a part of the jury that would sentence Lucas the punishment that he deserved.

"Court convenes in ten minutes. Take the prisoner to the jail." Once the Judge was happy he found twelve men, he addressed the group that had brought in Lucas.

"Kind of hoping you gentlemen would consider sticking around for thirty days. Keeping an eye on things until I get back. I'd be willing to pay."

"How much?" Buck asked curiously.

"Dollar a day plus room and board. How about you, young sheriff? You willing to take a cut in pay?"

"I'm in, if everyone else is," J.D. replied.

"It's a pity that I, as a convicted felon, will be unable to lend my services," Ezra drawled sorrowfully.

"Well, how about if you got a pardon?"

Madie nearly held in her breath, hoping that he was being sincere about his offer and that he would not rescind it.

"Where do I sign?" Ezra smiled.

Madie let out a little cry and everyone turned towards her. Ezra with more emotion then anyone had seen from him, jumped down from his horse and strode towards Madie.

With tears in her eyes, Madie ran towards Ezra and leapt into his arms. Ezra held her tight against his body and buried his face into her neck. He twirled her around, so glad to have her back in his arms. There was a round of applause and that finally jarred the two out of their own world.

"A man could stay pretty busy in a town like this." Josiah spoke up, once everything had settled down.

"I figure if you men are gonna be getting shot, I might as well stick around." Nathan smiled to the group of men who had soon become his friends.

"A few women around here I'm not acquainted with," typical of Buck to base his reasoning upon women.

"You in the back there, you interested?" Judge Travis spoke to Vin.

"Got some things need taking care of. But I guess they'll keep."

"Chris?"

"I have a feeling I'm gonna regret this."

"I got seven huh? I want you to know that I appreciate what you gentlemen did."

"And so do I," Mrs. Travis spoke from beside the judge, she smiled at Chris when she said it and a connection seemed to form between them.

The judge nodded to all the men and walked into the saloon that for the moment was doubling as a court room.

Madie smiled at Ezra whose arm held her tight around the waist. "So darlin', you want to get married?"

I realize this was short but this is the end of Madie's first story. I plan to continue it throughout the series, episode by episode. Some won't focus around Madie, instead, I plan to bring new characters in for the romantic interest of the other lonely Magnificent Seven members. Please review, and look out for "Book Two: Madie". Thanks for reading.