Part 595
Thirty minutes had passed since Nick and Becca had left. Sarah had gotten Garrett somewhat settled as she and Howie sat with her dad and Stephanie talking about upcoming plans. Mr. Taylor told the couple that he had gotten tickets for Nick and Becca to go back to Orlando for a couple days and that they would be leaving Friday around noon. Both were relieved that Nick had agreed to that knowing how homesick Becca was.
As they talked, Dusty and Kryss came in from wherever they’d been and Sarah suddenly became focused on her brother.
Passing Garrett off to Howie, she said, "Here, you deal with him."
"What am I suppose to do with him?"
"If Nick can figure it out, I’m sure you’ll be fine, ‘D’," said Sarah without taking her eyes off her brother. Grabbing Dusty by the ear, she commanded, "Come with me!"
"OUCH!" hollered Dusty trying to break his sister’s hold on him. "That hurts, damnit!"
"Better be glad I’m pregnant…it could be worse!" shot Sarah as she led him out the back door into the rain.
Howie simply shook his head as he cradled Garrett in his arms. His wife more than made up for her short stature with attitude. He’d seen her take on Kevin and heard stories of how she man-handled her brothers, all well over six feet in height.
"Lee, aren’t you going to do something?" questioned Stephanie as Kryss came into the room.
Mr. Taylor gave a soft chuckle, "I’m going to sit right here and keep Kryss company until Sarah is done with him."
"But…."
Holding his hand up to stop her protests, he said, "Sweetheart, you might as well learn now…do NOT interfere with Sarah and her brothers."
Kryss looked to Howie. "Aren’t you worried about her and the babies?"
"I’m more worried about Dusty. Sarah can take care of herself."
Lee snorted as he remembered, "I seem to recall Sarah being 8 months pregnant with Jesse when her oldest brother Mark made a crack about her getting a little chubby."
Howie cringed knowing how sensitive she was NOW about her weight and what Russell had put her through.
Kryss asked, "What happened?"
Mr. Taylor’s brow furrowed as he tried to remember but was rescued by Mark who’d heard the conversation from the family room.
"She put me on my ass is what she did," he remarked. "Howie’s right, you should be more worried about Dusty. What’s the bonehead done this time to tick the princess off?"
"Probably has to do with how he got us here," said Howie as he patted Garrett on the bottom like he’d seen Becca do a thousand times.
Meanwhile, Sarah and Dusty were standing on the back deck, rain starting to fall harder. She’d let go of his ear but she was now standing with her hands on her hips glaring at him, rain starting to drip from her hair as Dusty rubbed his ear.
"You KNOW I can’t stand that!" grumbled Dusty. "What have I done NOW?"
"Same thing…just later!!"
"God, you’re like a bulldog that just won’t let go, aren’t you?"
"Yeah, I am because THIS time, your stupid shit has caused problems for my best friend. Tomorrow, when Nick and Becca get back, you’re going to apologize to BOTH of them for making us all think Daddy was so bad off."
"What makes you think I’ll be around?" asked Dusty sarcastically.
"Let’s just put it this way…if you AREN’T and you DON’T apologize, more than just your ear is going to hurt!" warned Sarah. "Dusty, it’s one thing to do that shit to Howie and me but you went too far this time. You know how much Daddy means to Becca."
Dusty hung his head remorsefully. "Yeah, I do."
"She’s mad as hell at me right now and I’m NOT sure at all that Nick is going to be able to calm her down."
"I’m sorry, Sarah. I really am."
Sarah softened seeing that her brother truly meant it. Taking his hand, she pulled him with her. "Come on!! Let’s go to our secret spot and talk."
Before they took off though, Dusty went into the laundry room, grabbed a blanket, and then the two took off through the rain headed to the stable. They didn’t bother to tell the others, just left them wondering what was going on.
Reaching the stables, Dusty helped his sister climb the ladder to the loft where he handed her a towel to dry off as he spread a blanket.
"Howie’s gonna kill me if you get sick from this," he commented as they sat down together on the blanket.
Leaning against her brother for warmth, Sarah blew it off. "I can handle Howie. Dus, we’ve always been close. Why are you doing this now?"
Dusty sighed. "You have been through so much because of me. I just figured that because of that, you wouldn’t want to do anything for me."
"That’s ridiculous, Dusty. You’re my brother and I love you no matter how boneheaded you can be. And besides, you couldn’t help what Russell did to me."
"No, but if I had been more careful, you wouldn’t have been caught in the middle."
"Dusty, I wouldn’t change what I did. You’re my big brother and I’d do anything to protect you….just like you did for me."
"How can you NOT resent me? I took your daughter from you for three and half years and you spent a month in a clinic."
"Dusty, you put your job on the line for me and your life. I can’t begin to thank you for that. I’m not mad at you in the least….except for the fact that you told me that Daddy was doing worse and you’re butting your nose into his business. I love you."
Dusty hugged his sister tight. "I love you too, sis."
"Now about your butting your nose into Daddy’s business…."
"I do NOT need a lecture."
"Yes you do!!! Daddy is a grown man. He can do as he pleases."
"But she’s your age!!!"
"SO? Dusty, when Mama died and Howie and I got here, I NEVER thought I’d see Daddy smile again. Mama was everything to him…just like Tammy was to you. Let him be happy for now because in a year, he won’t even recognize us. He’ll NEVER see this baby grow up or my babies. He’ll never take it fishing like he did us. He’ll never coach a little league team for it. He’ll won’t be a part of it’s life like he was for us and it’s going to be up to us to help Stephanie raise this baby the way Mama and Daddy raised us."
Dusty fought the tears knowing everything Sarah had said was true. "I’ll apologize to Daddy when we get back," he said softly.
"I don’t think you need to. Just start acting like his son…not his father."
Brother and sister sat a while longer just talking to each other, sharing what had been going on in their lives since the last time they’d seen each other. They even discussed Dusty’s future with Kryss. Sarah was truly happy for her brother to be getting on with his life, just as she was for their father. She had seen far too much heartache in the last few months and was more than ready to see everyone as deliriously happy as she was with Howie.