Past and Present
Ezra’s mind wandered as he prepared dinner. Brothers, he had six brothers, by choice, if not by blood. They had each shed blood for the others, watching each others’ backs. Family in a way he hadn’t experienced since his father’s death.
It was at one time exultant and humbling that these men thought that much of him. That they cared that much for him. It was a trust that he would guard to the death if necessary. It was time, he decided, to pull the curtains back and reveal a few old secrets.
Decision made, Ezra strained the pasta and moved the serving bowls to the table.
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When they finished eating, Chris spoke up. “What are we tackling next, Ez?”
“Well, Chris, there’s always more books, but Buck has expressed an interest in the boxes that were kept separate, and I thought I would indulge his curiosity. However, I need to explain a few things before we start on them.” Ezra waited a moment until he had all of their attention.
“When my father died, he left me everything he owned, aside from a few small bequests to close friends, including a special collection of Old West memorabilia. Every time we moved, Maude refused to display the pieces, indeed she has tried to convince me to sell them off several times, as they are quite valuable, but I have always refused. They are some of the few personal things I still have of my father’s. Since I reached eighteen, I have tried to find a place to call home, where I could display them and feel that it was right, but I never have.
“Until now,” Ezra paused.
“When you came to see my in
Chris swallowed hard when he realized how close they had come to not knowing this man. Buck, JD, Vin, Josiah, and Nathan were all a little confused, but kept quiet. What meeting Chris had to do with Ezra’s collection, they weren’t sure, but they knew that Ezra would explain in his own good time.
“When I first moved out here, I was just waiting for you to get tired of the snide comments and innuendos thrown at you because of me and send me back. After the disaster that was our first assignment, I was sure it was just a matter of time.” Chris winced slightly at the reminder. He had thought Ezra had run, only to find out later Ezra had been knocked out.
“But after that, you started trying to get to know me. I know I am not the easiest person to put up with,” Ezra said sheepishly, “but you didn’t give up on me. You’ve made me a part of your family, given me a place where I belong and am needed.
“I think it’s time you saw why, after reaching the end of my rope with the FBI, I decided to come out here and try again.” Ezra rose from the table and led his six friends to the small room that was to house his collection.
