Jerkins and Smitty would get the new horses to the ranch in a few days without a problem. The two men, along with McCall, had worked at the ranch since Nick was a kid and they were trusted friends. Knowing that Heath was never a good patient, the three had agreed that Nick should head home. The chores that would be going undone would be too much for the injured cowboy to tolerate. The men had a good chuckle regarding the stubbornness of the Barkley boys.

Nick watch the heavy rainfall, glad not to be camping on the trail tonight. The tall cowboy stretched his long legs to rest upon the empty seat directly in front of him. He eased down and tipped his hat over his face. The rain danced atop the train car, its rhythm causing him to sleep.

“Audra, would you step in here please.” Victoria called.

Mrs. Mason had been in labor for over ten hours now. This birth being her third, the doctor and Victoria speculated the delivery would come quickly. Babies decide their arrival and this one would not follow the expectations. Doctor Merar had left them at six this evening saying he would return in a few hours.

The physician had Mrs. Tyler to consider, she was also nine months along and this was her first. Mr. Tyler was one nervous nellie and was going to be of no help to the young first time mother. Merar had decided to move her and her skittish husband to his office to wait out the birth. Mrs. Merar could care for the young couple while he went about his doctoring duties. Victoria was glad for his return, timed just right to bring the newest Mason child into the world at about nine o’clock.

“Audra, I know it’s late, but if the children are still awake they could meet their new brother.” Victoria spoke softly, smiling at the miracle before her. Seeing a birth, whether be a child or that of one the many animals on the ranch, always moved Victoria.

Audra smiled at her Mother’s mood, sensing the bond that Victoria and Mrs. Mason now shared. “Mother, I’ll check the children and if they are not sleeping, bring them in.”

“Audra, I’ll come with you.” Victoria patted Mrs. Mason’s arm and assured her she would be right back.

Audra turned and hugged her Mother when they were out of the bedroom.

“I saw Doctor Merar take the baby as we were leaving the room. Mother, is the baby okay?” Audra spoke with concern.

“Oh Sweetheart, they are both just fine. Howard just wanted to give Mrs. Mason a few minutes to prepare herself for the children to visit. The telegram Howard brought from town made her finally relax. I believe she was trying to hold off the birth until Mr. Mason arrived home. He’ll be here early tomorrow morning and we’ll be able to go home. If Howard wasn’t so busy bringing new citizen’s to Stockton, I’d have him meet us at home tomorrow morning.”

Audra noted the change in spirit and tone, as her Mother finished her thought.

“You’re worried about Heath, aren’t you, Mother?” Audra questioned.

“I guess I am. I had an unsettled feeling about leaving him alone, and I have not been able to rid myself of the uneasiness. Your brother isn’t always honest in telling us when he’s hurting or ill. I know he said the headache and dizziness had lessened, but I could see the ache in his eyes when we were leaving yesterday. I’ll mention a visit to Howard, he was planning on checking on Heath sometime tomorrow anyway.” Victoria, smiled trying to ease the worry that now filled the room.

“Audra, bring the children even if you must wake them, it’s a very special night for the Mason family, a new brother should be celebrated.” Victoria’s mind traveled back to a night not so long ago when her family had experienced the same occasion, a new brother...a new son...they had since come to celebrate.

Heath felt so strange, he could feel his heart beating hard in his chest and heard his soft moans that accompanied each labored breath. He could feel his body sweating from the heat inside him, yet he felt chilled and damp. Trying to open his rebelling eyes, he found he was laying on his left side and could only open his right eye. Where was he, the smell of hay and horseflesh filled the air, and the pounding rain was drowning any other sound from the room. Must be a strong wind coming up from the barn, he thought.

He tried to roll onto his back, causing intense pain to run through every muscle of his body. Quickly, he realized he was not in his bed, and turned back onto his left side in an effort to bring relief from the pain. His head ached and the immense pain on the left side of his body made it hard to identify any one area being the cause. His eyes closed tight, he worked to keep himself conscious long enough to figure out what was happening to him and how to fix it. His concentration was broken at the sound of a familiar cry. He struggled to hear it again, it was close. He tried to lay perfectly motionless to avoid another wave of pain, hearing only his own forced breathing and the heavy rain, beating on onto the roof. Maybe he had not heard the cry. There...that mewing cry he had heard earlier. He felt the soft fur against his right hand, which lay across his stomach, touching the floor. The cold nose nudged Heath’s hand, and curled in close.

In some bizarre way having the little creature near brought the hurting cowboy comfort. He stroked the furry creature and spoke in breathy whispers,

“Hey...there, little one, you made it to the ground...in one piece. I can’t say the same for myself. You need a name...not right spending all this time together and me calling you cat.”

After just a few words, the lack of breath caused the blond to cough, coursing pain through his body. He worked for several minutes, just trying to get his lungs to fill. The attempt failed, he was unable to take a good deep breath.

“You need a name...” He gasped, “I think...Audra won’t mind if I named you Storm. Seems...fittin’, considerin’ the weather ...”

Heath stroked the little feline, whose soft fur was comforting. He thought of his family, scattered with the Autumn Winds. So far away, yet deeply rooted in his heart.

“Wait 'til you meet the family, Storm...you’ll surely take a liking to them.” He rasped, pausing to gain his breath. “ Audra is the sweetest, prettiest girl you’ll ever meet. She’ll take better care of ya Storm, than your mama. Jarrod is the smartest man...you’ll ever meet. He’s a busy lawyer, but he always makes time for his family.

Heath continued to stroke the warm fur, as he struggled to stay awake. Talking about the family seemed to lessen his pain. Comfort...that’s the thing he felt most when he saw them in his mind’s eye. The warm, comfort and love they gave him.

“Mother, she’s a little ball of fire, yet so kind and gentle. If she looks you in the eye, there is no way not to tell her the complete truth.” Heath smiled as he pictured them, one by one. “You’ll probably hear Nick before you see him. Don’t be afraid of him, his growl is more fierce, than his bite.”

He could hear Nick’s bellows, when he’d find out about this last episode of clumsiness. As his fingers brushed the silky fur, he smiled thinking on his tall, dark, brother. He’d caught Nick sneaking a bowl of cream into the barn. Despite the fact he swore to the rest of them about “those damn barn cats”, avowing them to be his enemy. Nick was a good man, better than most. Heath’s face turned somber as he felt that familiar tingling inside. The one that always told his older brother when he was in trouble. He hoped Nick could hear him now.

“ Nick, Nick,...I need you!” Heath pleaded in the strongest voice he could produce. He grew tired and colder, having no further energy to continue his one-sided conversation. His eyes slid shut as the dark velvet curtain folded over him.

Nick continued his slumber, when suddenly he jumped up, looking both in front of him and behind him searching the room. He saw the conductor making his way down the isle, Nick held up his hand making a nonverbal request for him to stop.

“You okay Mister?” The conductor asked looking guardedly, at the tall cowboy.

“Did a man come through here calling out a name, my name...Nick?” The dark haired, forlorn man questioned.

“Didn’t see or hear anyone come through. As you can see most of the folks are sleeping on this train. In twenty minutes we will be pulling into Stockton. Just try to relax, must of been a dream.” The conductor moved on, disappearing into the next car.

Nick sat in his seat and rethought the voice. “It was Heath, he was calling me..I’d know that voice anywhere.” Nick thought out loud.

Twenty minutes to Stockton where he would get a horse at the livery and head home. He had thought about staying the night at the Cattleman’s Hotel, didn’t relish the thought of the ride home in the hard, cold rain, but not now...he needed to get home. He had to be sure his brother was okay.

Heath was truly having trouble breathing now. He could feel the fever’s building intensity. Using his right hand he had felt around the left side of his body trying to find the source of some of the pain. He found his shirt to be sticky, around what felt like a piece of the dividing wall that had entered his side. Pressing around the area, he knew that several ribs were broken. He was not sure but, he’d bet his left arm to be broken, he tried to lift it and the severe pain told him he was correct. His head continued to pound, and he felt the panic growing inside him with each beat of his heart. He was in trouble, and he knew it. His many attempts to lift himself up or turn onto his back was met with intolerable pain. He was stuck right where he was, knowing that it had been hours and could be so many more before anyone might find him.

He tried to reach for his watch, it was on his left side, in his vest pocket. His right hand tried to get to the pocket, but it was beneath him and the struggle would not be worth the pain. It was very dark, except for the lighting that streaked the sky. Maybe morning was closer than he thought. He tried to calm himself.

“Now Heath, just hang on. You’ve been hurt worse than this before. They’ll find you, the family will find you.”

As the train pulled in, Nick was already out of his seat and heading for the door. He was wasting no time in getting home. Pulling on his coat, then his poncho, he headed into town.

For a brief minute the saloon called to him. A beer sounded mighty good, but his concern was more powerful and moved him passed the rowdy Friday night crowd toward the livery.

“Evening Joe,” Nick called as he entered the livery door.

“Well now, this is a surprise Mr. Barkley. What can I do for you this late hour?” The older stable keeper inquired

“Well Joe, I’ve arrived back a night early, so I’m in need of a horse to get home. I’ll bring him back sometime tomorrow.” Nick smiled.

“Do you have one that can swim?” Nick joked.

“Can’t say that I do, but I do have a sure footed bay I could loan ya.” Joe responded, pointing to the last stall on the right.

“Great Joe, get a saddle on her and I’ll be on my way.” Nick answered, handing Joe a few dollars for his services.

“You know Mr. Barkley, that brother of yours was in a few hours ago checking to make sure his horse and buggy would be ready for him in a few hours.” Joe offered.

“Jarrod, he’s back? Hold up on that horse, Joe. I’ll go talk to my brother and see if I can’t talk him into going home right now in that fancy buggy of his.” Nick waved good-bye and headed for Jarrod’s office.