spotted some fella about to take a little sapling down. " Buck laughed again and handed Chris a cup of hot coffee.  "He barely waited for me to stop the car...he

rushed over to the guy...Hell, for a minute I thought he was gonna throw himself in front of the axe..." He paused as Chris's soft chuckle filled the room.  "So he

adopted it...planted it on the border

between your spreads.  He headed out before sunrise, I was just getting up." He turned back as the toaster ejected his bagel and heard clothing rustling. "Yo Stud,"

he chortled, raising an eyebrow. "He ain't goin' anywhere...it's not like you can miss him...he's got on that damn oversized red flannel shirt...You're eating breakfast

and uh...you need to do something with that hair, you're gonna scare off the wildlife."

"Huh?" Chris wrinkled his nose and made his way to the reflective side of the toaster.

"Did you use a rake to comb that head?" Buck laughed, pouring pancake batter onto a hot griddle. The sausages were already done and the juice was on the table.

'Oh..." Chris chuckled, "Guess a shower wouldn't hurt..."

"Now there's a novel thought!" Buck grinned.

 

Larabee turned from the ladies man and headed for the shower. His body felt stiff and out of joint this morning. He’d slept through the night without a nightmare and

knew he was taking back what belonged to him, his friends, his home, his family.

 

“Make sure you come back here before you head out to the tree, Stud. Nathan’ll kill me if I don’t make sure you eat and take your pills.”

 

“Alright, Buck,” Larabee said as he headed for the bathroom.

 

Larabee stood in the open field, his green eyes on the familiar figure seated on the ground. He drank in the form, knowing how close he’d come to losing him and the

others. He groaned as he placed a little to much weight on his right leg.

"Hey Cowboy," Vin smiled warmly, from where he sat cross legged on the ground next to a little tree.

"Hey yourself," Chris ambled over and grimaced at the bright shirt. "Nice shirt..."

"Snob!" Vin tossed back, gathering up the papers next to him. 

"Looks like you've been busy."

"I had a lot on my mind,” Vin returned, "I couldn't sleep...been thinkin' about my road.. most of my life I travelled alone...the road was always long, dark most of the

time, lonely," he paused and felt Chris slide down next to him and felt warmer. "But the road ain't dark no more Chris...not since you walked by my side...called me

brother..."  He caught the emotional light playing in the green eyes and smiled.  "I put some words down...like to hear it?"

"Of course I would," Larabee answered, a lump already forming in his throat.

"Good, cause I don’t know what Id’a done if you’d said no," Vin sighed in relief and with trembling hands and a slight tremor in his voice, he began to read, his lilting

voice a soothing balm on Larabee’s soul as the words spilled from his mouth.

”I walked alone on dark paths unknown,

through the trails of this life, with no hand to hold.

I stumbled and fell, as the burden too strong,

caused my heart to ache and my soul to grow cold.

Then the road broadened and the sun led the way,

A lusty river called my name and hearty wind kissed my face.

I inhaled the sweet air, my eyes full of wonder,

My spirit soared like the eagle, bursting with grace.

Into the special place, I now know as home,

You walked by my side,  restoring my soul.

The ease of the gifts of which you bestowed,

Caused a strength to surge through me, filling the hole.

The strong open hand, showering peace in my heart,

The green light of faith, so clear and so true.

Guided by trust, and a deep caring flow,

Shone from your eyes, giving me hope anew.

What I offer seems pale in return,

A vow that blood couldn't make stronger.

It's given with newfound pride and honor,

You are forever my brother, I am alone no longer.”

 

Larabee let the tears fall from his eyes, not caring that he was showing a part of himself he seldom bared. The words spoken in friendship meant more to him than he

could explain. He lifted his hand and placed it on the younger man’s shoulder. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to speak. His voice filled with the

emotion the powerful words evoked. “Vin, so long as I live I’ll never forget those words. I...I don’t know how to tell you how much it means to have you consider

me not just a friend but a brother.”

 

“You just did, Cowboy,” Tanner’s own eyes were filled with moisture as he looked at the blond. The face was still gaunt and pale, dark circles still surrounded the

green eyes but there was a zest for life in the eyes again.

 

Larabee smiled as he reached out to touch the little tree. “So where did this guy come from?” he asked as he stood up and circled the twisted sapling.

 

“Down the road a piece,” Tanner couldn’t meet the blonde’s eyes. “It kinda reminded me of something you said.”

 

“About our lives being intertwined?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Vin, I promise you no matter what life throws our way I’ll always be there to watch your back.”

 

“Me too, Cowboy,” the sharpshooter vowed.

 

“Can I keep the poem, Vin?”

 

Tanner handed the folded paper to his friend. “I wrote the damn thing for you so I guess that makes it your property.”

 

Larabee smiled as he tucked the paper into his pocket. “Why don’t we head back before Buck sends out a search party.”

 

“Why would he do that? You did tell him where you were going didn’t you?”

 

Larabee grinned cockily, “Not exactly. He was cooking something and if I’d gone back in there I would’ve had to eat it. I figure this way it’ll be cold by the time we

get back and maybe we won’t have to eat it.”

 

“He’s gonna be pissed at you.”

 

“Probably,” Larabee laughed.

 

“You know, Chris, we still owe him.”

 

“I know and I think I’ve come up with the perfect plan. Want to hear about it?”

 

“What do you think, Cowboy?” Tanner grinned conspiratorially as the two men made their way back to the ranch.

 

Both men were smiling as they walked towards the house. “That’s pure evil, Chris.”

 

“Does that mean you’re gonna help me?”

 

“Try to keep me out of it, Pard,” Tanner laughed as he opened the door to his house and cringed as the ladies man came towards them.

 

“Bout time you two got back here,” Wilmington snapped. “Breakfast’s been ready for an hour now and I was just about to throw the whole thing out.”

 

“Is that supposed to be a bad thing?” Tanner asked.

 

“Well now there’s gratitude for you. Man comes out here and stays with his two friends, cooks for them, makes sure they take their pills. That reminds me. Here

Chris.”

 

Larabee looked at the pills Wilmington held out to him. “I don’t need the Tylenol, Buck.”

 

“I don’t believe you, Chris. I saw your face when you walked across the yard. That legs bothering you and you know it.”

 

Larabee took the Tylenol and the Zoloft and chased them down with water. “Satisfied?”

 

“For now. Alright you two. Go on out to the backyard and I’ll bring your breakfast out there.”

 

An hour later the three men sat in companionable silence, each one lost in his own thoughts of promises made, promises kept, and promises broken.

Chapter 106

 

“Well?”

 

Larabee grinned at the younger man as he walked into the back yard. The limp was less noticeable but the thigh still pained him when he stayed on his feet too long.

His hands were nearly back to normal and his ribs were not bothering him as much as they did a week before. He’d been out of the hospital two weeks now and the

plans for revenge on Buck Wilmington were about to be put into effect.

 

“Chris?”

 

“That was Jake. He’s arranged a table for us at Buck’s place.”

 

“I can’t believe there’s a bar in Billings named Buck’s place and he’s never forced us to go there with him.”

 

“I know. I guess he doesn’t even know about it.”

 

“Know about what?”

 

“Hi, Buck.” Tanner smiled as the moustached man joined them.

 

“Don’t hi me, Vin Tanner. Know about what?”

 

“Ah, hell, Buck, we’re just working on a little thank you for you,” Larabee smiled innocently.

 

“For me? What for, Chris?” Wilmington asked, a hint of humor in his eyes.

 

“We figure we owe ya for staying with us,” Tanner grinned as he thought of the night ahead of them.

 

“Well what is it?” the ladies man asked excitedly.

 

“Ah, now, Buck, you know we can’t tell you that. Let’s just say we’re going out on the town tonight,” Larabee told him. “Our treat.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really! The guys are gonna meet us there.”

 

“Meet us where?”

 

“You’ll see,” Tanner had to turn his face away as his eyes met Larabee’s. The two men were having a hard time hiding the secret they shared.

 

“Buck, have you got a change of clothes here.”

 

“Chris, I’ve been staying here for over two weeks.”

 

“Let me rephrase that. Have you got a clean change of clothes here,” Larabee laughed as the moustached man glared at him. “I’m kidding, Buck, thought you had a

sense of humor.”

 

“I do,” Wilmington assured his friend. “Do we dress casual or is this something fancy?”

 

“Casual, jeans and shirt,” Tanner answered.

 

“So what time do we leave?”

 

“Seven o’clock. Our reservation is for eight,” Larabee answered.

 

“I’ll be ready. Thanks, guys, but you really don’t have to do this,” Wilmington smiled as he went back into the house.

 

“Shit, Chris, did he seem just a bit too grateful.”

 

Larabee stared after the ladies man his resolve weakening as he watched the retreating form. “Dammit, Vin, we owe him.”

 

“I know, but he seems so happy.”

 

“Are you saying we should cancel tonight?”

 

“I...I...”

 

“Chris, Vin, lunch is ready.”

 

“Lunch?”

 

“I guess he brought something back with him,” Larabee said.

 

“Good, at least it’ll be edible.”

 

The two men walked into the dining room and sat at the table. A covered plate was set before them as Buck Wilmington smiled at his two friends.

 

Larabee lifted the cover off his plate and his face turned white, a frontal view of a woman’s torso stared up at him. “Buck!”

 

“What’s wrong, Chris?”

 

“Where? How? Buck?” Larabee blushed as the younger man lifted the cover from his own plate.

 

“Oh, Jesus, Wilmington, where the hell do you get this stuff?” Tanner looked down at his plate, unsure exactly what he was seeing. Somehow the ladies man had

found a place that could form almost anything into the female body and what was before him had to be a woman’s rear end.

 

Larabee looked at the younger man, not surprised to see his cheeks were beet red and from the feel of his face his was the same way. “What is this, Buck?”

 

“It’s pate’ and you have to eat it all.”

 

“But...”

 

“Yeah, there’s Butts and breasts and hips,” Wilmington laughed as he left the dining room.

 

Larabee looked down at the x-rated lunch plate. “You were saying.”

 

“I was saying revenge will be sweet,” he lifted his glass and clinked it with Larabee’s. “To tonight,” he grinned.

 

“Tonight!” Larabee grinned back.

 

“Hey, how’d you guys find this place?” Wilmington asked as they stepped out of his car.

 

“Jake told me about it,” Larabee answered.

 

“Imagine a bar with my own name over the door and I didn’t know it was here.”

 

“Well lets just hope the interior is cleaner than the inside of your apartment.”

 

“You wound me, Vin, I cleaned last month.”

 

“Sure you did, Buck. What room or closet did you sweep all the dirt into this time?”

 

“Not you too, Stud. Shoot can’t a man live in squalor if he wants to.”

 

“Sure, Pard,” Tanner answered as he opened the door leading into the bar.

 

Larabee smiled as they entered the western style bar. The atmosphere was relaxed and the music just loud enough to dance to. He smiled as he heard the sound of

Garth Brooks singing I got Friends In Low places. He spotted Ezra Standish coming towards them and ushered Wilmington ahead of him. The three men followed

Standish to a table close to the dance floor and the bar.

 

“Hi, Chris, Vin, Buck,” JD Dunne called excitedly as they took seats at the large table.

 

“Glad to see you guys made it,” Jackson grinned. “How’re you two doing?”

 

“Fine, Nate,” Larabee and Tanner answered in unison.

 

“So who’s buying?” Wilmington asked.

 

“The first rounds on me,” Taylor offered

 

Chris stood up and shook hands with the older man. “It seems to me I offered to buy you the first round.”

 

“Alright, Son, if you insist.”

 

“I do and I will if I can get the waitresses attention. Which one’s ours?”

 

“The feisty red head with the big bazookas,” Taylor grinned at the blond. “I’ll go get her.”

 

“That’s alright I’ll do it,” Larabee grinned at the older man.

 

“Ah, hell, Stud, you need to rest. Why don’t you sit down and let ol’ Buck get her for you?”

 

‘Just like clockwork,’ Larabee thought as his eyes met the blue eyes of the sharpshooter. They turned their attentions to the dark haired ladies man as he sauntered

up to the bar.

 

“Hi,” Wilmington said as he stood toe to toe with the buxom red head.

 

“What can I do for you, handsome?” she asked.

 

“Well now, Ma’am, my buddies and I would love a round of drinks.”

 

“Is that all,” she asked as her long lashes fluttered closed over dazzling hazel eyes.

 

“For now,” Wilmington smiled, his eyes wondering from her face to her ample chest. “Maybe you could join us later?”

 

“I get off in twenty minutes. Would it be ok if I joined you?”

 

“Would it?” Wilmington grinned lustily. “I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind if you joined us. What’s your name darlin’?”

 

“My name is Vanessa but my friends call me Venus,” she purred through ruby red lips.

 

“Venus, as in Goddess of love?”

 

“That’s right. What’s your name?”

 

“B...Buck,” he stammered as the hazel eyes melted his heart.

 

“I’ll be right over to get your order,” she told him as she turned back to the bar, giving him a view of perfectly shaped buns and long slender legs.

 

‘Damn, she’s got it all,’ he thought as he backed up towards his table.

 

“Hey, Buck, is she coming to get our order?” Dunne asked as the ladies man sank into his chair.

 

“She’ll be right over. You know she’s got a perfectly shaped a... rear end.”

 

“I take it she’s enthralled you with her many assets, Mr. Wilmington?”

 

“You could say that, Ez,” Wilmington felt the hairs on the nape of his neck rise as he saw the look exchanged between Larabee and Tanner. He watched the beautiful

redhead walked towards him and something about the way she walked made him even more suspicious. ‘Alright, you two, what’s going on here?’ he thought as

he turned his attention back to the woman. As her eyes met his her tongue flicked out and moistened her bright lips, the gesture was supposed to be sexy but

Wilmington suddenly found it reminded him of something an old friend once did. ‘Frank,’ he thought as he noticed the similar shape. The gesture was something the

officer who worked for the vice squad used on him many times and the ladies man knew he was the butt of a joke being played by the two men he called his closest

friends.

 

Buck’s instincts kicked in as he watched the waitress stop to take orders from a noisy table near the bar.

 

“Buck, what’s wrong?” Larabee asked innocently. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

 

“Not a ghost, Chris,” Wilmington laughed. “How much is it costing you to have Frank Thompson do his impersonation?”

 

“Frank who?” Tanner asked.

 

“Frank Thompson. Oh, you wouldn’t know him, Vin. He’s an old friend who worked for the vice squad. He used to dress in drag all the time.”

 

“I haven’t seen Frank in years, Buck.”

 

The ladies man laughed as he watched the woman come closer to him. “We’ll just see about that,” he grinned.

 

“Buck, what are you going to do?” Larabee asked.

 

“I’m just going to play a little joke of my own,” Buck assured him as the woman came closer to him. “Hey, Venus, why don’t you and me just cut to the chase and

go to my place now.”

 

The table erupted in laughter as a hand connected with Wilmington’s cheek and his head snapped back. “How dare you,” the red head gasped.

 

“Looks like your losing your touch, Bucklin,” Tanner laughed.

 

“Ah come on, Venus, you know you want to as much as I do.” Again Wilmington’s head snapped back with the force of the slap. “Jesus, Frank, give it up,” he

swore as he rubbed his burning cheeks.

 

“You animal,” the redhead cried as she turned away from the table. “Tony, this guy’s being a real jerk.”

 

Buck watched as a gorilla like man strode towards the table. “Alright, Chris. You and Vin can call off your little revenge now.”

 

“Ah, Buck, this wasn’t part of our revenge,” Larabee said seriously.

 

“What?”

 

“Not a joke. We did have one planned but this is even better. She’s a beaut, Buck, and you screwed it up,” Tanner laughed as the rest of the group sat back and

enjoyed the ride.

 

“What did you say to the lady?” the large bouncer asked.

 

“Ah, hell,” Wilmington swore as he turned to face the large man. “It was all a mistake.”

 

“Mistake?”

 

“Yes, a mistake. Look tell her to come over and I’ll apologise, ok?”

 

“I don’t know if she wants to come over.”

 

“Shit, look, I thought my buddies were trying to get a little revenge on me but it turns out I was wrong. Just ask her to come back over.”

 

“Revenge? Hmm, I’ve had a few people do that to me too. I’ll see what I can do.”

 

“Thanks, buddy,” Wilmington said gratefully.

 

“It looks like you messed up, Brother,” Sanchez grinned at the ladies man.

 

“Yeah, Buck, she seemed to like you too,” Jackson said.

 

“I don’t know about you guys but I need a drink,” Larabee signaled for one of the other waitresses and smiled as the woman walked towards them. They placed

their orders and sat back to wait for them.

 

“Don’t look now, Mr. Wilmington but the lady is coming this way,” Standish observed.

 

 Buck stood up and turned to face the red head, missing the smile that passed between Larabee and Tanner. “Look, Venus, I’m sorry,” he apologized softly. “I

thought you were someone my friends put up to this. I know that’s not an excuse but it’s the truth. I thought you were a...a...”

 

“A what,” she pouted as she glared at him.

 

“A man,” Larabee answered for him.

 

“What?”

 

“Thanks a lot, Stud,” Wilmington hissed as he looked back at the blond.

 

“Just trying to help, Buck,” Larabee laughed as the drinks were delivered to the table.

 

“I don’t need your kind of help. Look, Venus, what can I do to make it up to you?”

 

“Well...”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t know if I can trust you.”

 

“Just give me a chance, Venus. You’ll see I can be a real gentleman,” he glared at the table as he heard gasping coughs from his friends. Beer spilled from Dunne’s

mouth as he tried to breath.

 

“You’ve already hurt me, Buck,” she whimpered.

 

“Look I really am sorry. Can I buy you a drink?”

 

“I g...guess so,” she said softly as the ladies man reached out and took her right hand.

 

“Do you think your boss would mind if you finished a couple of minutes early?”

 

“He saw how upset I was and told me to take the rest of the night off.”

 

“He’s all heart,” Wilmington said as he noted she only had five minutes left to her shift.

 

“Would you like to dance?”

 

“I’d love to,” the ladies man grinned at the table as he took the red head’s arm and led her to the dance floor.

 

“Got ya!” Larabee exclaimed as he looked across at Tanner.

 

“Pure evil, Chris,” Tanner said as the two men high fived across the table.

 

“What’s going on?” Dunne asked.

 

“Sit back and enjoy the show, Boys,” Larabee grinned as the lady in red blared from the speakers.

 

Buck wrapped his arms around the beautiful redhead and led her through the paces of the slow waltz. His eyes bulged as her hands began to massage his butt and he

couldn’t resist smiling at her. He felt her nibble at his ears and knew he was in for a long night. “Oh, Venus, honey, don’t do this to me,” he said as he felt a familiar

stirring in his groin.

 

“Don’t do what?”

 

Wilmington gasped as the deep male voice sounded in his ears. He pulled away from his dance partner as the last note of the song sounded.

 

“What’s wrong, Buck?” she asked softly.

 

“Wrong? Ah, nothing’s wrong. I thought I heard something.”

 

“Like what?”

 

Wilmington shook his head once more as she took his hand in hers. “I d...don’t know.”

 

“Why don’t we join your friends?” she asked, a smile on her face as she used her normal voice once more.

 

“F...Frank?”

 

“Ah, Buck, ya found me out. Does this mean we don’t go back to your place.”

 

“Son of a Bitch!” Wilmington shouted as he turned back to his table. “Chris, I’ll get you and Vin back for this,” he said as the light came up and his face glowed red

in the spotlight.

 

“Give me a kiss for old times sake will you, Buck?”

 

“Go to hell, Frank,” the ladies man snapped as he walked back to the table.

 

“Got ya, Bucklin,” Tanner grinned.

 

“Fuck you, Vin! You too, Larabee,” Wilmington shook his head as he waited for the heat to leave his face.

 

“Hi, Chris, it’s good to see you again,” the red head said

 

“Buck, you want to introduce us to your lady friend?” Jackson asked, trying his best to keep the smirk off his face.

 

“Yeah, Buck, who is she?”

 

“Frank Thompson,” Wilmington told them. “I knew it and I damned sure shouldn’t have fallen for that little slapping scene. Damn, Larabee, I owe you big time.”

 

“I don’t think so, Buck. Consider it payback for the shimmering shit breastellos and the female pate’,” Larabee laughed. “Do you have time for a drink, Frank?”

 

“I wish I could, Chris, but I’m due at the station in twenty minutes,” Thompson said as he turned to the ladies man. “Thanks for the dance, Buck, haven’t been that

close to anyone in ages. Let me know when you want a repeat performance.”

 

Buck tried to glare at his old friend but was unable to hold it as his eyes caught sight of his friend’s smiling faces. “Ah, what the hell,” he said as he stood up and

placed a kiss on the ruby red lips.

 

Frank Thompson could only laugh as the dark haired ladies man released him. “Jesus, Buck, people will talk,” he laughed.

 

“That never stopped you before,” Wilmington grinned as he sat back in his chair and watched the redheaded vice officer walk away.

 

“No hard feelings, Buck?” Larabee asked.

 

Wilmington smiled at the sharpshooter and turned his gaze on the blond. “No hard feelings, Chris. You know I’m always one for a good practical joke. But you guys

better watch your backs.”

 

“Buck, I do believe there should be a truce called right now,” Sanchez said. “I really don’t want an all out practical joke war.”

 

“Tell you what, Bucklin, why don’t I buy you a beer, then Chris can buy you one and then you can buy both of us one.”

 

“Now that sounds like an offer you can’t refuse, Buck,” JD said as he finished the last of his beer.

 

“Only one problem I can see.”

 

“What’s that, Buck?” Larabee asked.

 

“Who’s gonna drive you two home if we all drink?”

 

“Since I have the club van I can drop you all off. Consider me the designated driver tonight,” Sanchez grinned at the group before him. He was glad to see them all

together again.

 

“Well, gentlemen, I have to work tomorrow morning so I’ll bid you all goodnight. Chris, I still owe you a drink.”

 

“Next time, Jake,” Larabee told his friend.

 

“You got it. Buck, watch those ladies,” he grinned as he hurried away from the seven friends, smiling as their laughter followed him out the door.

Chapter 107

 

“Chris, how are you doing?” Susan James asked as the blond walked into her office. The ordeal was two months behind them now and she’d talked to each man

individually and alone. This was to be her last session with The Firm’s leader and she wanted to make sure he was alright. She’d stopped the Zoloft over a month

ago and he seemed to be doing fine without it.

 

“Better than I’ve been in a long time, Susan,” Larabee answered as he sat in the chair across from her desk.

 

“Would you like a coffee?”

 

“No thanks,” Larabee answered.

 

“Are you going back to work today?”

 

The blond grinned as he thought of the office. “Yeah, I’m due there in an hour.”

 

“How are the nightmares?”

 

“Not so bad now. I’m dealing with them as they happen. I know Whelan, Wilcox, and Sharpe are all dead and I just have to remind myself of that every time they

appear in my dreams,” he looked at the doctor and smiled. “Thanks to all the help I’ve been given those dreams are few and far between now.”

 

“Are they still as intense as they were?”

 

Larabee swallowed as he stood up and walked to the window. “Sometimes,” he answered softly. “I know what happened to me and Vin has changed both of us but

I think it’s finally in the past where it belongs. I’ve taken control of my life back, Susan, and I’m stronger for it. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without your

help. Talking about things has really shown me I can deal with anything life throws my way. Of course it helps when I’ve got six men I’m proud to call friends there to

catch me when I stumble and fall.”

 

“Yes it does, Chris, and I’m sure they feel the same way. I can see you’ve come a long way and I don’t think we need to schedule any more sessions. You do know

you can call me any time you feel the need to talk.”

 

“Thanks, Susan, I may take you up on it. I’d better be going. It doesn’t look good for the boss to be late his first day back to work.”

 

Susan James smiled as the blond left the office. She looked down at the file on her desk and let a smile broaden on her face. ‘Welcome back, Chris,’ she thought as

she closed the cover.

 

Chris walked out of the elevator, a smile on his handsome face as he walked towards the offices of The Firm. He tried the door and found it locked. He looked at his

watch and grinned. ‘Guys are still at lunch,’ he thought as he used his key to open the door.

 

He stepped into the cool interior and leaned heavily against the door as it closed behind him. ‘God, it’s good to be back,’ he thought as he strode towards his office.

He couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that no one was there to welcome him back. ‘Ah, hell, Larabee, get a grip! It’s not as if they haven’t seen you every

day since you got out of the hospital,’ he laughed as he opened his office door and slipped inside. He left the door open and walked to his desk. It was clean and

he sat back in his chair a smile broadening on his face as he felt the familiar comfort.

 

He reached forward and opened the top drawer, jumping back as a spring loaded sign jumped out at him. “Shit,” he gasped as he read the note. A smile once more

adorning his handsome face as he read the simple words. “Welcome back, Cowboy.” He pulled the note away from the drawer and looked up to see six men smiling

back at him. “Thanks, Boys,” he said, fighting to keep his emotions in check.

 

“Hey, Stud, welcome back,” Wilmington grinned as his emotions nearly overwhelmed him.

 

“Yeah, Chris, we’ve missed you,” Dunne assured him.

 

“The place just wasn’t the same without you, Brother,” Sanchez exclaimed.

 

“I’ll gladly relinquish control of The Firm back to your capable hands, Mr. Larabee,” Standish smiled as Wilmington slapped his shoulder.

 

“It’s good to have you back with us, Chris,” Jackson placed two boxes of donuts on the desk.

 

“It’s good to see you back where you belong, Cowboy,” Tanner said as he placed a tray of coffees on the table.

 

“It’s good to be home again,” Larabee smiled at his friends and reached for a donut as his men closed ranks protectively around their leader.

 

THE END