“Nick! Now this is an unexpected surprise!” Jarrod greeted, pulling his brother inside out of the rain, looking out the door in both direction expecting to see another brother.

“Evening Jarrod, I guess we both got home a day ahead of schedule.” Nick said, pulling off his wet rain gear and shaking it out like a dog rids his fur of excess water.

“Nick, you’re like a bull in a china shop, do you mind not drenching all the furniture.” Jarrod flashed a look of frustration at his brother’s lack of concern as he tossed water about the room.

“Sorry Jarrod, my mind must be somewhere else.” Nick apologized with that boyish grin that would never allow anyone to stay mad at him for long.

“Is Heath over at the saloon ordering us around?” Jarrod inquired.

“No Jarrod, Heath’s not with me, you were already gone when he got hurt on Monday. He was tossed off a bronc that morning. Damn horse threw him hard into the corral fence. He took a good hit on his right hip and leg and banged his head pretty good. He was out a long time, had me more than a little worried. No way he could make the trip, he was mad as a hornet when Doc and Mother told him there was no way he was going. I know he wanted me to talk them into letting him go, but I had seen the bruising on that hip and leg, no way he could mount a horse, little alone ride for several days. I ended up taking Jerkins and Smitty, they are taking their time returning with the horses and I came back ahead to catch up on the ranch work. I would imagine by now that Mother is having a hard time keeping Heath down.” Nick explained, laughing as he came to the end of his thoughts, picturing Victoria’s stern orders for Heath to stay put.

“I’m sorry to hear that Heath was hurt. I know how much both of you were looking forward to this little trip.” Jarrod consoled, as he poured a drink for each of them.

“Yeah, the boy was sure disappointed. I have to admit, I was too.” Nick confessed as he downed the pricey liquid, feeling the warmth it gave as it traveled down his throat.

“Nick, it's really late. I arrived a few hours ago. I figured that I’d finished up the remaining paperwork from the trial and head home tonight. Would you like to join me for a late night meal and then head home in an hour or so?” Jarrod suggested.

“Well, I was hoping I could talk you into going home right now. I have this strange feeling...that Heath is in trouble. I heard him calling me.” Nick told, as he looked into his brother’s eyes.

Jarrod looked seriously at Nick, “Are you saying that you have that feeling back again, like you’ve had a few other times when Heath was hurt, or in some kind of trouble?”

“Yeah...Jarrod, I know he needs us. I don’t understand it...I know none of us do, but I can’t ignore it. Will you come with me?” Nick asked softly.

“Of course Nick, I hope we get there and the family is all fast asleep. Maybe you sense that Heath is concerned about the work not getting done.” Jarrod tired to be optimistic.

“Maybe...hope so.” Nick answered, but in his heart he knew it was more...much more.

Nick went ahead to the livery to get the buggy ready while Jarrod filled his brief case with paperwork to be finished. As he put on his coat, his eyes caught the family photo on the desk. Picking it up, Jarrod ran his finger over Heath’s form.

“Brother Heath, we’re on our way, hold on!”

Jarrod hurried in the pouring rain down the walkway toward the livery. Doc Merar was standing outside his office as Jarrod was passing by.

“Jarrod, you’re sure off in a hurry.” The good doctor called.

Jarrod tucked under the awing that gave some protection from the wind and rain.

“Evening Howard, what brings you out on a night like this?” Jarrod asked as he carefully removed his hat and drained the water from it.

“Babies Jarrod, seems to me that they love to come when the weather is always at it’s worst. Your Mother and sister should be home tomorrow morning sometime. They were a big help to me and Mrs. Mason.” Doctor Merar was interrupted by Jarrod’s question.

“You mean Mother and Audra aren’t at home with Heath?”

“No, they left Thursday morning for the Mason’s to help out since Mr. Mason had to go out of town. Mrs. Mason delivered her third child a little earlier tonight. Victoria is eager to head home, she seemed worried about that brother of yours tonight. Told her I’d be out first thing in the morning to check him over. That boy is more stubborn than Nick, if that’s possible!” Doc Merar resolved, shaking his head.

“In that case, I’ll see you tomorrow. Nick and I are on our way home now.” Jarrod returned, as he saw Nick pulling up and waving him to climb aboard.

“Let’s go Jarrod!” Nick called out over the driving rain.

Once they were on their way, Jarrod shared the information Howard had told him.

“So, Heath has been alone since Thursday morning?” Nick questioned.

“Yes, and it appears that Mother was concerned about getting home to Heath tonight also. She and Audra will be home tomorrow morning. Howard said he would be out first thing to pay a visit on Heath.” Jarrod informed.

Nick urged the horses onward, knowing more and more that they needed to get to Heath.

Heath roused with his stomach revolting. He had been able to hold down the spoiled content of his stomach up to now, but this time his body would not cooperated. Heath could feel the bile rising in his throat and swiped the small feline down toward his legs. He heaved in pain as his body rid itself of it’s putrid offering. Finally, it stopped. Heath choked out some saliva, trying to rid his mouth of the foul taste. He extended his right arm over his mouth, using his shirt sleeve to wipe away the vomit and sweat. He was a mess, even more so than before. Now the front of him was covered in vomit, as it spilled out onto the floor. He was so tired and hurt so badly. He thought that he should stay awake, feeling like he might be sick again. Heath was no longer in control of his body. He gave in to pain, to the fog that over took him.

“Nick, where are you?” Heath called out as he drifted away.

They could see the house in the distance, as the lighting streaked the sky. Their hearts pounding as they made their approach, they could see that the house was dark. That shouldn’t have worried them, it was very late and Heath usually was in bed long before now.

Nick drove the team toward the barn and noticed the door flapping in the wind. Odd he thought to himself, Heath would never leave the door open like that, especially in a storm. Nick jumped down and opened the larger doors, so they could drive the buggy into the barn.

Nick got a couple lanterns going while Jarrod pulled the buggy in.

“Did you see the door there wide open, blowing in the wind?” Nick walked over and picked up a board.

“Looks like the door was propped open.” Nick offered as he held up the beam and scanned the room. Nick walked towards Charger and patted the his brother’s horse on the nose.

“Heath okay, boy?” Nick questioned.

Jarrod too looked around the barn. Everything looked normal. The light was not great and they didn’t see the tan legs against the far wall. Heath was unable to call out to them, he was unaware the help he needed had arrived.

Both Barkleys moved to take care of the buggy. Nick cared for the horses while Jarrod collected their belongings.

They headed for the door, when a strong gust of wind blew through the open door stirring the loose hay, causing it to swirl around their feet.

Nick turned back toward the center of the barn and wrinkled his nose, “Whew! It smells like someone has been sick in here.”

“Yes, I smell it too.” Jarrod answered as they both moved about the barn.

As Nick got closer to where Heath lay, the little feline came toward him, crying out in a voice bigger than his worth. He looked over, almost dispelling the little creature. But Storm would not be ignored and made himself known. The furious furball charged at Nick. It’s needle like claws dug themselves deeply into Nick’s leg, causing him to cry out.

“Damn cat, get off me!” Nick hollered, shaking his leg trying to pitch the cat off him.

Jarrod found the scene before him a bit amusing. Grown men couldn’t get the best of his brother and this little cat seemed to be in control.

Nick succeeded in throwing the cat off him, only to have the persistent ball of fur attach himself once again to his lower leg.

“Get off me you little flea bag. I swear if I get my hands on you, I’ll break your little neck!” Nick threatened.

Nick’s loud voice seemed to stir Heath. He thought he was dreaming, but it was so real. He noticed more light in room and heard the familiar jingle of spurs.

“Nick...?” Heath forced as loud as he could, but the loud rain on the barn roof may have caused the effort to be useless.

Nick paused, forgetting about the feline attached to his leg. He turned his head, did he hear something?

“Jarrod, over this way. Let’s look around.” Nick called, moving more in the direction of where Heath lay.

Storm released the grip on Nick’s leg and scurried over and sat beside the pair of tan legs. Once again, the little cat, cried out. Nick had had enough! He glared at the cat ready to swat it against the barn wall, when he saw the familiar tan jeans.

“Jarrod here, he’s over here!” Nick called as he moved quickly toward his brother.

Jarrod grabbed one of the lamps and joined his brother.