“I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings to you, to you and your kin, good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.” J.D. had been singing the same two sentences under his breath for the last three days. It was seventy-two hours until Christmas day and the youth couldn‘t wait. Christmas had always been a happy time in his life. Unfortunately, the young sheriff felt a little strange this year. After all, it would be the first time he had celebrated without his mother, but J.D. knew she was with him and that thought put a spring in his step. If J.D. was honest with himself, he’d realize he was trying extra hard to be happy this year because in a hidden part of his heart, he was still mourning. However, J.D. Dunne was determined to enjoy this Christmas - both for his own and his mother’s sake.

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Potter.”

The portly woman paused in her sweeping and smiled. J.D. had been wishing everyone ‘Merry Christmas’ rather than good morning since the first of December. “Good morning, J.D.”

“The guys arrived for the meeting yet?”

“I believe I saw Mr. Larabee and Mr. Tanner head for the sheriff’s office.”

“Thanks.” The boy trotted off in the direction of the building, singing contentedly.

**

Vin glanced at the door. “J.D.’s comin’,” the tracker muttered.

Moments later, the youngest member of the Seven entered the room, a beaming smile on his face.

“Howdy, fellas. So, what’s goin’ on?”

Chris, who was seated at the desk reading some papers, did little more than grunt. Vin studied Larabee for a few seconds and then turned to J.D. “They hit another town yesterday.”

“Many hurt?” the boy asked, his carefree attitude consumed by real concern.

“Four dead. Five wounded. One of them was a woman;” Larabee’s voice was just above a whisper. ‘They’ were a group of two dozen bandits. The wild mob had been terrorizing towns on its journey westward. A week earlier, the group had hit Dobson, which was just over two days’ ride. The Seven had been monitoring the bandits since then.

“Where’d they hit this time?” Buck asked as he, Ezra, Nathan and Josiah entered the room. The group took up their regular positions for the daily meeting. Josiah settled himself against the desk. Ezra and Nathan took the two chairs opposite Larabee, and J.D. and Buck sat down on the floor. Vin was leaning against the wall directly beside Chris, his cautious eyes directed out the window watching for trouble.

“They attacked River Flats.”

“They’re getting closer,” Josiah muttered. River Flats was only a day’s ride.

“Do you think they’ll come here?” J.D. asked.

Larabee sat back in his chair. “Depends whether they’ve heard of us.” It wasn’t bragging. It was a statement of fact. The bandits were likely to give Four Corners a wide berth if they knew of the town’s regulators.

“We should keep at least two of us on guard from now on,” Vin suggested.

Chris nodded.

“I heard the army may be sent,” Ezra commented.

“Won’t help,” Vin claimed softly. His companions eyed him curiously. Vin had worked with the army before. None were sure of just what his opinion of the territorial soldiers was. The quietly spoken tracker tended to keep such things to himself. “From what I’ve heard, the bandits follow the same pattern after each raid. They split up into three groups. Makes it hard to track ‘em. After leading anyone followin’ ‘em on a wild goose chase, two of the mobs circle around to meet the third and then they move on in that direction. Army won’t be prepared to break their numbers into three groups when they’re chasing such a large group. The bandits know that.”

“So, what’s your advice, Vin?” Nathan asked.

“Posse, but it’ll take at least three dozen men. Twelve in each group when they separate. Need at least that many to take on the bandits on their terms.”

“Where the hell are we going to find that sort of number?” Buck demanded.

“Ain’t sayin’ we should. Just sayin’ that’s the way I’d do it.” Tanner paused. “A woman got hurt in the last raid. About time someone tracked ‘em down before they hurt anyone else.”

“I am sure we all agree that prohibiting these miscreants from harming anyone further should be our priority.” Ezra heard his own words and marvelled at how his attitude had changed in the short time he had been in Four Corners. The gambler had never felt the plight of others should be interfered with - certainly not by him. It was one of his ‘golden’ rules. After all, it was both unadvisable and unprofitable to be fighting the battles of others. However, these days, the plight of others did concern him... more than he cared think about. He had become responsible and the very thought made him cringe. In reality, the man Ezra had always been - a good man hidden behind false facades of indifference and selfishness - was now the man he had allowed the world to see, but Ezra wasn’t about to admit how comfortable he felt with his new persona. Such an admission made him feel vulnerable, even in front of these men whom he trusted his life with. “Then again, is it advisable to seek trouble elsewhere?”

“I agree with Vin and Ezra. I say it’s time we kicked some bandit butt!”

Standish snorted. So much for his attempt to protect his reputation as an egocentric gambler. He was beginning to wonder why he even bothered any more. His friends knew him too well. At first that had terrified him, but now he realized it mattered little. The more his companions understood, the more comfortable he was becoming around them.

“Someone’s got to stop them. Besides, if they continue on the path they’re taking, Four Corners could well be one of their targets.“

“Then I suggest we wire Mr. Tanner’s suggestion of a posse to the sheriffs of our neighbouring towns. I am happy to organise it. Perhaps between us and our neighbours we can muster the numbers Vin feels is necessary.”

“Yeah, but Christmas is only two days away. We can’t leave before then,” J.D. argued.

“We can probably manage a dozen men including us,” Nathan mused.

“Eagle Bend should be able to handle at least that many,” Josiah agreed.

“Ezra,” Chris requested.

Standish nodded. “When and where do you want me to suggest we all meet?”

“When - as soon as possible,” Buck growled.

“River Flats?” Chris asked the team’s tracker.

“I should be able to pick up their trail there,” Tanner agreed.

“I hope this won’t ruin our Christmas,” J.D. stated with concern.

“Christmas?” Ezra repeated. “Mr. Dunne, your obsession with the 25th of December is almost frightening.”

“Obsession? Ain’t no obsession. Christmas is just a... a great time of the year and we should be home for it.”

“I beg to differ. I’m afraid Christmas is largely a non-event.”

“How can you say that?!” J.D. demanded stunned. His eyes had doubled in size.

“Quite easily, Mr. Dunne. In my experience, Christmas brings little more than disappointment and heartache.” Ezra’s voice was almost void of emotion. His friends recognized the signs. Ezra was hiding some part of himself that he didn’t want others to see... didn’t want himself to see.

“Didn’t mean to upset you, Ezra. Everyone should love Christmas.”

“You have not upset me!” Standish snapped. “Christmas conjures little, if any, emotion in me.” The words were ground out through the gambler’s clenched jaw.

“But you must have enjoyed it when you were a kid?” J.D. persisted. Buck jabbed his naive companion in the ribs. The youth was crossing into a no-go zone - not only for Ezra but for Chris Larabee too. Buck had been watching his oldest friend carefully and at the mention of Christmas, Larabee’s green eyes had hardened. “Come on, ya musta enjoyed it when you were a kid?”

“No, I don’t believe I did.”

Silence. The atmosphere in the room became unsettled and uncomfortable. Ezra found himself feeling self-conscious. “If there is nothing more, I shall take my leave. I will send the wire and report back as soon as I receive any replies. You will find me at my table if I am required.” The gambler tipped his hat, turned and left the room quickly.

“Don’t push, J.D.,” Buck warned.

“I don’t get it. It’s Christmas! I thought everyone loved Christmas. You do, don’t you, Vin?”

Tanner had tuned out of the conversation some time back. He had picked up a bundle of wanted posters from the desk and was scrutinizing them.

“Vin?”

The tracker shrugged. “I ain’t one much for dates, J.D.” Vin Tanner took his cues from nature. When the seasons changed the animal and plant population did and so did the weather. Months, days and dates were not part of his world.

“But you celebrate Christmas?”

Vin thought about it. “Not since my ma died.” Placing the bundle of posters in front of Chris, the tracker walked toward the door. “I’m gonna take a look around. Be back in an hour.”

Once again the group became quiet, the only sound that of Vin’s boots striking the wooden stairs as he disappeared.

“Buck?” J.D. asked in desperation. “You enjoy Christmas, don’t you?”

“That I do.”

“Good, I was starting to think I was the only one. Vin and Ezra don’t seem to. Christmas is... it’s just so great. Don’t you think so?”

“Yep. Christmas is a time for sharing and I do my bit. I share myself around with as many fine ladies as I can. The best Christmas I remember was... well, they were triplets and man oh man...”

“Buck, I‘m not talking about that. Christmas is when you and your family get together and sing, and give gifts and that sort of thing.”

Wilmington sighed and glanced at the floor. For several seconds he didn’t move. “Christmas can be lonely, J.D. Real lonely.”

“Buck’s right,” Nathan agreed, climbing to his feet. “Christmas is just another day for a lot of people.”

“Just another day!” J.D. was floored. “I... how... Josiah! Josiah, you’re a religious man. You gotta love Christmas!”

The preacher pursed his lips. He had been listening to the conversation thoughtfully. “The day Jesus Christ was born so he could save all mankind - that is certainly something to celebrate,” Josiah agreed, though his voice sounded pained. The big man’s eyes grew moist and distant. “That is the true meaning of Christmas. For some, however, it is a time to put family last and to seek the company of strangers. To ignore the needs of those who depend on them in the pursuit of something his family couldn‘t possibly understand. Fire and brimstone instead promises of hope.” Josiah blinked and settled his eyes on J.D. “Christmas can be and should be a time of great joy. A time for families as you said. Unfortunately it is often a time of regrets, painful memories and laborious and soul wrenching ’what might have beens’.” Josiah stood and walked straight out of the building without making eye contact with any of his remaining companions. Nathan sighed and followed the other man.

Chris Larabee pushed his chair back. J.D.‘s eyes enlarged. He had never seen his older friend look so intense. Larabee said nothing as he exited the room with long, heavy strides that echoed the throbbing of his heart.

“I didn’t mean to upset anyone, Buck.”

“I know, Kid,” Buck acknowledged, patting the youth’s shoulder. “You’ve got to understand, J.D., Christmas can be a really hard time of the year for some people.”

J.D. considered his friend’s words. “As far back as I can remember, Christmas has been wonderful. My ma and I used to cut down a tree... just a small one, and we’d set it up in our room. The room was real tiny, but...

“J.D., I think this tree is going to be too big.”

J.D. examined the sapling he and his mother had just dragged into the small sparsely furnished room that was the designated chambermaid’s quarters. “It’ll fit,” J.D. insisted.

“But we won’t be able to move around in here.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Paula Dunne smiled at her eight-year-old son. “Alright.”

J.D. grinned. He always got his way.

The pair struggled to stand the tree up in the bucket of sand that was sitting near the window on the far side of the room.

“I’ll get the decorations.” J.D. raced to the dresser and withdrew a time worn box. In it were some miniature glass ornaments. All of them were old and broken. The family Paula worked for had discarded them some years earlier. She had taken them from the trash and rushed them back to her room. They would do nicely to decorate her and J.D.’s private tree.

“Ma, I got you a special present this year,” J.D. announced as he started adding the ornaments to the tree.

“Oh?”

“Can’t tell you what it is, yet. I made it.”

Paula sat down on the bed and watched her young son dancing around the tree, hanging the broken decorations like they were the most precious and expensive ornaments on earth. She knew she had been blessed with a son like J.D. The little boy was always happy and always looked on the bright side of everything. His joyful energy was endless and forever brought a smile to her face.

“Only three days ‘til Christmas, Ma.”

“I know.”

“I can’t wait!”

“Yes, I know that, too.”

J.D. stepped back and studied his handy work. “Looks pretty good. Ya like it, Ma?”

Paula Dunne nodded. Her son moved across and settled on the bed beside her.

“You know what I want for Christmas?”

“Yes, you’ve told me. A horse and a hat just like Bat Masterson.”

“Yep. I know I can’t ‘cause it’s too much, but maybe when I’m all grown up I‘ll have my own horse and my own hat just like his.“

“I am sure you will, honey.“

“Ma, if you could have anything you wanted for Christmas, what would it be?”

The young woman put her arms around the child and drew him in to her. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted right here in my arms, J.D. Christmas isn’t about gifts or trees or decorations. It’s about being thankful for those gifts you have and you are the most wonderful gift any mother could ask for.”

“She was right, Buck. I miss her real bad, but Christmas is about being thankful for what you’ve got and I’ve got you and the rest of the boys. Reckon that makes me real lucky.”

Buck stared at the youth and felt his emotions rising. “And I reckon we’re real lucky we have you too, Kid,” the older man whispered.

Abruptly, J.D. leapt to his feet. “I know!”

“Land sakes, boy! Don’t do that. You scared ten years off my life.”

“A tree. I’ll get a tree and decorate it. Hell, Buck, I’ll make sure the boys have a good Christmas if it’s the last thing I ever do.” With that declaration, J.D. bolted from the room.

“J.D. J.D.!” It was too late. The youth was gone. Buck sighed. Bringing the joy of Christmas to his six companions would not be easy, the older man realized, but then, trying to stop J.D. from attempting to do so would be like trying to contain the wind. “Good luck, Kid.”

**********

“Vin, I need your help.”

Tanner glanced up. He had been examining Peso’s shoes. It would not be long before he and his companions would be riding out to join the posse Ezra was organising and Vin wanted to ensure his horse was ready.

J.D. trotted up to his friend looking anxious, an axe in one hand and a length of rope in the other.

Vin stood, his brow furrowing. “An axe and some rope. What you aimin’ to do, kid?”

“Well, I reckon...” Vin held up his hand and grinned. When J.D. started a sentence with ‘well, I reckon’, odds on he wouldn’t come up for air for at least an hour. “What do you need me for?”

“To find it.”

Vin nodded, the grin on his face maturing. “Sure, Kid. Might be best if ya tell me what I’m trackin’ first.”

“A tree.”

“A tree?”

“Yeah, a Christmas tree.”

Vin turned back to Peso shaking his head, but still smiling. “Don’t reckon ya need a tracker for that, Kid.”

“But...”

Vin glanced back over his shoulder to find the most forlorn look he had ever seen. J.D.’s dark eyes were wide, his lips sagging pitifully. “You want me to track a Christmas tree?” Tanner shook his head again. “J.D., a thing’s go to be movin’ for me to track it and a tree... it don’t move.”

“I know that! It’s just that... I could use a hand. Buck’s busy. Josiah’s prayin’. I can’t find Nathan and Ezra’s in the middle of a game.”

“What about Chris?”

J.D. shrugged. Asking Chris to help him find a Christmas tree didn’t seem a prudent option. “Please?”

Vin released a long, deep breath. “Yeah, okay. But we can’t go far. We could get that wire about the posse and we need to be ready to ride.”

“Thanks, Vin,” J.D. cried leaping forward and shoving the axe and rope into Vin‘s arms. “Come on, I know a spot where we might be able to find a good tree. Well, I reckon...” Vin watched the youth spin around and disappear out of the back of the livery toward the creek, his mouth running at a million miles an hour.

“How did I end up being the pack mule?” Vin mumbled, slinging the rope over his shoulder and trudging after the youth.

Half an hour later, the pair was still searching. “How about that one?” Vin asked with tired annoyance. He couldn’t believe how hard it was to pick a tree.

“It’s the wrong shape.”

“The wrong shape! J.D., it’s a tree. Ya want a tree, that’s a tree!”

J.D. stopped and turned to face his companion. “Vin, we don’t want a tree, we want a Christmas tree and a Christmas tree is shaped liked this.” The youth made large gestures with his arms.

Tanner grunted. “I’m supposed to know what shape from that.”

“A Christmas tree shape. You know.” Tanner stared at the boy. For the first time, J.D. realized that Vin honestly didn’t know what he meant. “Ain’t you ever had a Christmas tree at Christmas before?” the youth asked tentatively.

Vin shrugged. “Can’t remember.”

J.D. continued to stare at his companion. “You’ve never celebrated Christmas?” The youth knew he was treading dangerous ground. Vin was a private man and never discussed himself.

Tanner turned and started walking along the creek. “J.D., we better find this Christmas tree yer after in the next ten minutes or we’ll have to go back.”

Despite the apparent dismissal, Vin found himself reflecting on J.D.’s words. 'You’ve never celebrated Christmas?' It had always been other peoples’ Christmas. Other peoples’ gifts. Other peoples’ trees. He was never a part of it. Not for as far back as he could... Something stirred in the deepest caverns of his memory. A tree. Gifts... his mother.

“...Vin?...Vin?” Tanner blinked. “Ya okay?” Vin focused his eyes on J.D., his mind consciously reviewing the memory that had crept out of some far corner of his mind. The tracker reached his hand down into his pocket, his fingers coming to rest on the dented harmonica that he carried everywhere. “Vin? Are ya sick?” J.D. asked with concern.

Tanner tried to shake the memory off. “My ma loved Christmas,” he whispered.

J.D. said nothing. He wasn’t sure if he should comment or just keep quiet and so he erred on the side of caution. Tanner’s eyes were still distant.

The memory had brought back a great feeling of happiness, but painful regrets too. Vin found himself wondering what his life would have been like, had his mother not died so young. He hadn’t thought about her for some time and he regretted that too.

The seconds ticked by, J.D. standing stock still, certain that he shouldn’t interrupt this strange episode. It was unusual for Vin to show deep emotions, but that was what Four Corner’s sheriff could see reflected in his friend’s eyes. If J.D. had learned anything of Vin in the past few weeks, it was that intruding in Tanner’s business without an invitation was foolhardy.

Abruptly, Vin appeared to come out of the daze that had claimed him. “I have celebrated Christmas before, Kid,” Vin whispered. “A long, long time ago.”

“And it was nice?”

Tanner inhaled slowly. “Yeah.” Vin realized that J.D. was staring at him. The tracker snorted, as if dismissing the event and then headed off along the creek bank again.

Suddenly he stopped. “Now that’s a Christmas tree!”

J.D.’s eyes grew wide as he paused next to his friend and gazed at the tree Vin was pointing at. “That’s perfect!”

“Come on, Kid. It’s a big bugger, but we’ll get it down.” J.D. watched his companion in wonder. Something had happened in those few moments that had just passed, though J.D. couldn’t be sure exactly what. “Come on, Kid. Don’t just stand there.“ J.D. grinned. Whatever had happened, it was something good.

“We’re gonna have a great Christmas this year, Vin. Well, I reckon...”