Amazing Grace: Chapter 7

Ezra/Maude/Dalton and the rest

Dalton "EZ" Palmer confronts Maude when she comes to Ezra's bedside.

Warning: Death of a much beloved fanon character.

Last time I checked the seven still weren't mine. Shucks.

Chapter 7

"Grace. Grace." Ezra thrashed around in his delirium.

"Dammit, Ezra, lie still. Grace is fine. Raine is with her. Now let me get a look at you. Oomph" Nathan was knocked almost head over heels by an errant arm. It continued to amaze the healer how strong the smaller man was, every time Ezra managed to get a crack in at him. "One of you come give me a hand with this fool before he starts getting hisself bleeding again. I never met anyone more contrary or hell-bent on hurting themselves in all my days." Nathan continued on mumbling to himself.

Buck came over and knelt in the dirt beside the fretful conman and began crooning softly in his ear. "Hey pard, quiet down now, we got your back. Can you let old Nathan check you over now? How bout you let me make you more comfortable now? Get you cleaned up some?" The wounded man immediately calmed under the tender-hearted gunslinger's gentle ministrations.

Vin came over and squatted next to Buck. "Let me reload for ya there, Ez?" He gently clasped the gun in Ezra's hand and removed the weapon that the delirious man had been attempting to rise. "Talk about contrary. Ain't you ever going to learn, Nate? You know ol' Ez just needs some sweet talking when he's feelin' off his feed " After making sure the gun was empty he put it back in the gambler's hand and proceeded in removing the rest of the conman's arsenal to a safer location.

When the tracker had left with Ezra's weapons, the healer sat back looking slightly abashed by the minor dressing down he had received. "How's EZ doing, Josiah?" He called across to his friend. Nathan had always liked the accident prone cowboy and was concerned at the amount of blood loss the man had suffered.

"I think I have the bleeding stopped." The former priest didn't share his friend's feelings for this man. Something about the man just never set well with him. He always seemed to be insinuating himself into situations. Always ready to be an extra hand when they needed someone to watch the jail or town, not that those were bad things. Just didn't sit well. He certainly saved Ezra's life, possibly at the sacrifice of his own.

"We got to get them back to town. JD better get here soon with that wagon."

"He's coming, Nate. JD ain't going to let us down." Buck continued in his crooning voice, not taking his eyes off of Ezra.

Nathan, Josiah and Vin all looked up as Larabee came storming through the creek from the opposite bank. He looked like a specter with his black duster billowing behind him. "They're all dead but one said they were hired to chase off Palmer and things got out off hand." Everyone looked over at the cowboy trying to figure what anyone could hold against the easygoing man.

Chris sat in front off the jail with his head back wondering what else could possibly go wrong. Ezra was still unconscious battling fever. Palmer hadn't been able to enlighten them as to why he may have been attacked. Chris had to think of a way to tell the gambler his horse didn't pull through. Gracey had screamed for her father all night again keeping the whole town awake except the one person who could placate her. To top it off Mary had insisted on accompanying him when he went out to take care of Standish's place. Things got out of hand and they jumped the gun on the wedding. Now he couldn't figure how to get out of it if he wanted to. Just then the rumbling of the stage caused him to open his eyes. "Oh hell, no!" He exclaimed at the pile of luggage on top. He just sat for a moment scrubbing his face with his hands but dragged himself to his feet when he heard Maude.

"Good Morning Mr. Larabee."

"Ma'am." He replied in his normally terse tone he always used when addressing the conwoman.

"Where is my darling, baby boy? I am so excited by his last correspondence and simply had to come and congratulate him in person."

Well at least he's told her about Gracey Pong.

"I'm so elated that he is finally coming to his senses and leaving this dust bowl." Maude was totally astonished when the normally stalwart Chris Larabee groaned and pounded his head against the support post of the jail. While she contemplated the meaning of Mr. Larabee's actions Josiah came sweeping up to take her hand.

"Maude, it grieves me to tell you that Brother Ezra is, once again under Brother Nathan's care. Let me take you to him."

"Oh my poor baby!" Maude narrowed her eyes as the blond gunslinger emitted another groan, but quickly schooled her features once more for Mr. Sanchez's benefit. She took the preacher's arm and they started towards the clinic. "Well, well, my dear son hasn't kept me abreast of all the news," she exclaimed as she observed Raine descending the stairs with Grace. "I see that Mr. Jackson is to be congratulated."

Ahhh, now I see why Brother Chris is out of sorts! How could Ezra not tell Maude she is a grandmother?

"Congratulations, Mrs. Jackson."

Raine looked at Josiah who gave a little nod. With no apparent reaction Raine lowered her eyes, gave a minute curtsy and murmured, "Thank you." Before she hurried on her way. "Strange child. She didn't even offer for me to see the baby!" She sniffed.

Don't say anything. She'll probably forget it. Josiah lamented, before ushering her to Ezra's side.

"Oh, Ezra what has happened this time? Will you never learn?"

"Hello, Maude," Came a whispered greeting. Maude turned to the other bed and froze. After several moments of staring, her eyes locked with Dalton Palmer's, her lips formed an "O". Her eyes rolled up and she fainted dead away. Josiah swept her into his arms and leveled a glare at the patient in the other bed. Josiah continued to hold Maude as Nathan made several attempts with the smelling salts before reviving her.

"Put her in the chair, Josiah." The big man lowered her gently but continued his embrace.

"Mr. Sanchez, please unhand me. I'm quite capable of sitting on my own."

"Yes, Father Joe, please take your hands off my wife," Palmer declared in a slightly stronger voice.

The preacher and Maude both glared at him, while Nathan just looked on agape. Maude gathered composure before speaking. "Could you gentlemen please leave us? This man has some delusions that need to be set straight. I'm sure I can depend on your discretion until I may elucidate to you further." Josiah remained reluctant to leave her side but finally moved when Nathan gave a tug on his arm.

As the door closed Maude hissed out, "How dare you?"

"That should be my question. One of my questions is answered by your being here. Why did you leave?"

"I needed to protect my son."

"Your son? What about our sons?"

"Certainly, I meant our sons, also!"

"Where is Ephriam* and Elnathan?"

"Elnathan David is none of your concern."

"And Ephriam?"

Maude's haughty exterior crumbled a little as she responded, "I..I..lost him. In the war."

"They were just children."

"I won't talk of it. I can't. Now you have to leave. Ezra can't know of this."

"Maude, you stole my children while I was languishing in a hellhole of a hospital. I'm going to hear the why of it."

"Yes, Mother, I too, would like to hear the why of it."

*Intentional misspelling of the name Ephraim which will be explained later in the story.