Night had long since fallen by the time Heath and Jonas returned to Pine Crest. The ride back to town long and exhausting, encumbered by the increase in Heath’s pain, his inability to ride his mount above more than a walking pace. Dismounting carefully at the livery, Heath leaned against a post, his face pale and sweaty from the pounding of the horse.

Jonas unsaddled both horses and helped his friend onto his wobbly feet. “Your aunt’s gonna kill us, Heath. You being a relative and me a lawman ain’t gonna matter to her. We’re both dead if she catches us.”

Wincing in pain, Heath grinned, “I know, Jonas. But I needed the horses there today to finish the deal. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Think nothing of it. When I get too old and stove up to be a lawman, I’ll be a rocking chair warmer at your ranch.” chuckled Jonas putting the smiling Heath’s arm over his shoulders. “Maybe I can get you to the jail without anyone seeing and then fetch the doc.”

Helping Heath along, Jonas shook his head at the small moan that escaped from his friend. “Stubborn, mule-headed, independent...”

“Heath Thomson!”

Stopping in his tracks, Jonas silently groaned at the two women standing before him, hands on their hips. Both wearing expressions of outrage and worry.

“Miss Caulfield, what a lovely surprise!” stammered Jonas. “Nice night, ain’t it?”

“You two shouldn’t be out in the street at night alone. It’s dangerous.” sighed Heath.

Shaking her finger at him, Rachel glared at her nephew, “You’re the one who is in danger right now, young man. Honestly, I don’t know what you were thinking. And you, Jonas Moreland, don’t even get me started.”

“Sheriff, I do hope you were escorting our wayward cowboy to the doctor’s office.” stated Victoria firmly to the crimson faced peace keeper.

“I’m fine.” exclaimed Heath. “I can take care of myself, but you should know better than to go out unescorted!”

“Heath, the ladies were escorted by me.” chuckled Jarrod walking towards his little brother.

His eyes twinkled with amusement as he leaned forward and whispered in his ear, “Nice try, brother Heath.”

Chuckling, Heath’s breaths turned to stifled gasps from the radiating pain. Putting Heath’s other arm over his shoulder, Jarrod looked at the concerned women.

“I suggest we table this discussion until Dr. Martin has a chance to examine Heath.”

Dragging the weakening man between them, they entered the doctor’s office and were shooed out of the room, the admonishing words from the doctor not reaching their ears. Their eyes not seeing the strained, pale, pained face while the binding was undone, the binding redone and laudanum administered.

Saying a quick goodbye, Sheriff Moreland beat a hasty retreat back to his office to confer with his deputy and escape the twin glares of the women.

Have you ever been in a hurricane?

The rain pelts your body, the drops of liquid stinging you unmercifully. The wind howling and gusting to incredible speeds, taking everything that isn’t lashed down. The force of the wind on your face, strong enough to push back on your cheeks, make your eyes water and keep your lungs from sucking in air.

Immovable objects can become movable from the force directed at them…and then…the calm of the hurricane’s eye.

The sense of tranquillity, stillness and serenity. The calmness of the eye in direct contrast to the raging storm that had just been sweeping over the land. So different, it is almost comical. Your nerves haggard from the beating of the storm are given a chance to rejuvenate during the passing of the eye.

Standing outside the closed door of Nick’s room in the doctor’s office, Victoria and Rachel would have been surprised their thoughts were in sync, likening the past week to a hurricane.

The shooting of Nick by Matson, Heath’s freedom battle with Matson, Nick’s fight against the fever were all parts of the beginning of the hurricane.

The recovering of both brothers and the subsequent bonding between them were held during the eye of the hurricane.

Now, in all its fury, came the back end of the storm. Both immovable objects, both standing straight against the fierce winds.

The bond between them like a string waving in the wind. Both of them held an end tightly in their fingers, working their way to the middle of the string where they would meet on common ground. Now, the middle seemed too far away and unreachable.

The start of the backlash of the storm caused by one simple phrase from Nick. One simple phrase caused the fury to swell like the ocean between the two men and the waves to reach great heights.

One simple phrase.

“When we get back to the ranch…”

“I don’t lie!” snarled Heath standing by the window. The anger clearly flashing out of the sky blue eyes directed into the angry filled hazel eyes.

Sitting in a chair, the color of red spread across his face, Nick snarled, “Then you don’t tell the truth! You said brothers! I know what brothers mean to me! What the hell does it mean to you?”

Clenching his fists tighter, Heath’s raised voice could be heard outside the closed door, “It means we’re brothers! We share the same father! I don’t have to live on the ranch to be your brother!”

“That’s where you belong. Running the ranch with me!” shouted Nick.

“I’m not running the ranch with you. Get that through your thick skull, Barkley!” snapped Heath.

Staring at the blond man who had come so important to him in a small amount of time, Nick felt fear rising up and overtaking the anger within him. He wouldn’t lose his little brother now after finally accepting him into his heart. He wouldn’t let him walk away again.

“Heath, why can’t you just try it again? It’ll be different this time, you’ll see.” pleaded Nick, his hazel eyes beseeching the blue eyes. “We can be partners. You love being a rancher as much as me. We can do it together, little brother.”

Taking a shaky breath, Heath shook his head, fighting the tone of Nick’s voice, stopping it from reaching into his soul. Heath backed slowly to the door, the tremor in his voice piercing Nick’s heart, his movements one of a caged animal.

“I can’t live back there. I’m sorry, but I just can’t, Nick.”

“Heath!” called Nick, pushing himself out of the chair when Heath bolted through the door and outside. “HEATH!”

The panic in Heath’s eyes as he backed to the door had been easy for Nick to read. Those damn eyes were so expressive.

Why is he so scared?
Why would the thought of the ranch cause him to panic?
Why would he walk away after they fought so hard to get to this point?

Why?

Victoria spotted Heath sitting on the banks of the stream, his head in his hands. Walking over, she lowered herself beside him. Unconsciously, Heath stiffened when he realized who it was. A small hand gently rubbed a circular pattern on his back while he fought to control himself.

His heart bursting with anger, pain and grief. Emotions spiraling out of control, confusion settling in, second thoughts grabbing hold of his mind.

Her voice soft and soothing, reached into his ears when his breathing was under control.

“Heath, a while back your aunt and I had a talk. I told her I would respect your wishes if you decided not to return to Stockton. I can’t pretend to understand, because I don’t. I can’t say that your brothers and sister will ever understand.”

“Mrs. Barkley..”

Pulling his hands from his face, she caressed them gently and looked into the tear filled eyes.

“Heath, Nick’s anger will fade in time. He’s just hurt and is lashing out. I gather he had built a dream up around your declaration of being brothers. Once Nick takes someone in his heart, he finds it difficult to let them go.”

“But I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be around.” protested Heath.

“I know, but he’s afraid he’ll never see you again. He fought you long and hard when you came to us, remember? This time when you walk away, well, it’s different. Last time, he didn’t care.”

Nodding, Heath turned his eyes away from her watching a frog jumping in the grass.

“Your ranch is a fine place, none better, it’s just that…” paused Heath, his thoughts on the nightmares which appeared more vivid when he was at the ranch. The scenes of his past, he, himself had difficulty living and functioning with, in an environment where he felt safe, let alone an environment where he felt out of control. The scenes which the nightmares heightened dramatically, seeming intent on taking away his sanity, a small piece at a time. How do you explain these things to another person? How do you explain these terrors to someone?

Seeing the distant look in Heath’s eyes, Victoria touched his cheek and drew him back to the present.

“You don’t have to explain your reasons to me or anyone else. I can understand you wanting your own ranch. Building something from the ground up with your own hands. It’s a wonderful experience that I was able to share with your Father, Heath.”

“Just remember, you have brothers and a sister that want to spend time with you and care very much for you. You have so much to give them and would receive so much in return. You’re a part of our family. Promise me you won’t shut them out of your life.”

“I promise, Mrs. Barkley. I will make every effort. I, uh, like them too.” admitted Heath blushing under his tan.

Standing, Victoria playfully pulled Heath to his feet and caressed his cheek. “Heath, remember you are part Barkley and with that comes a lot of things. Prestige, responsibility, money. It also means you have a streak of stubbornness over five miles wide. Your siblings have this same streak and I’ve a feeling you’ll be experiencing it, from all of them, in the near future.”

Groaning, Heath rolled his eyes, “Oh, lord.”

Laughing, Victoria entwined her arm into his. Walking back to the doctor’s office, she squeezed his arm and teased, “My people are also very stubborn, Heath.”

True to the honor his word held, Heath conscientiously made the effort to keep in contact with his siblings through letters each week. The first trip Heath made to Stockton coordinated around his selling of horses in Modesto.

When Nick learned from Heath’s letter he would be in the area, he wired his little brother asking him to stop at the ranch for two days on his way back to Strawberry. Heath missed the presence of his big brother, found himself hesitantly agreeing and wondering if he was making a huge mistake.

When he returned to Strawberry, the dark circles were prominent under his eyes. He didn’t have to say anything, Rachel knew the nightmares had returned while he was there. Unknowingly his little sister, Audra, had been the catalyst.

Audra, in her zeal to make her brother welcome, held a dinner party to introduce him to several of her friends. The uncomfortable situation in the already stomach twisting surroundings caused Heath’s nervousness and stress level to reach a crisis peak by the end of the evening.

Nick had been furious when Mother had agreed to the dinner party. Nick did not want to share any of Heath’s time with outsiders. He wanted his little brother to spend time with the family only.

Sensing something was awry, Nick kept a close eye on his little brother throughout the evening. He moved his brother’s things into a different room with the explanation that since Heath was going to get up early, there was no need to wake anyone else. He should stay in the room next to Nick’s, which was on the other side of the house, away from everyone else.

The shouts from his brother’s room had woken Nick from a sound sleep and in the next breath, he was rushing into Heath’s room. Later, Heath was embarrassed to find Nick in his room coaxing him out of the state of terror he had been trapped in.

His formidable brother was shaken by the look on the face of his little brother as he cowered in a corner of his room. Taking the bull by the horns, Nick led him downstairs and out on an early morning ride. Riding to Lookout Peak, Heath uneasily gave into Nick’s concerned questions and pleadings.

On Lookout Peak, as the sun was rising and painting soft colors across the sky, Heath Thomson handed to Nick Barkley, a small token of trust.

Revealing to his older brother the nightmares which plagued him when he was in emotional stressful conditions or fever ridden.

Revealing to his older brother, the nightmares his mind conjured up nightly after he’d been asked to move into the mansion.

Revealing to his older brother, the nightmares were the main reason he was reluctant to return to Stockton and the Barkley ranch.

When Nick strived to find what happened in the past to create the nightmares, Heath would say no more. He simply shook his head, closed his eyes and let the rising sun wash over his face while his older brother squeezed his shoulder, offering what support he could.

Nick knew the cost of what Heath revealed to him. Heath would not want to be considered less of a man by his older brother or anyone else. Nick had no intentions of letting go or tainting the trust the younger man was giving to him.

A missing piece of the puzzle was found that day. The piece that explained the scared, panicked look on Heath’s face when thinking of living at the ranch.

The second time, he had returned to Strawberry from Stockton, his eyes were clear and sparkling. Nick, Jarrod and Gene had taken Heath on a fishing trip to the Barkley lodge. Heath had further cemented his relationship with his brothers, laughter readily flowing from him while he told his aunt of their adventures.

The third time, he returned to Strawberry, his eyes were clear and hopeful. He stayed in the room next to Nick’s, worked the ranch with Nick and his sleep was peaceful.

Nick, unknowing to Heath, had laid down the law with his siblings and Mother regarding his little brother’s visits. No surprises, no outsiders and no excuses.

Nick hadn’t elaborated why it was to be this way and would not, not even to his Mother. He simply stated they needed to allow Heath as much time as he needed to be comfortable within the family unit. Victoria sensing this may be the key to drawing Heath back, readily agreed to the terms of Heath’s visits.

Missing his chance on the original ranch he’d his eye on, Heath rode around the state looking at other ranches. The last three months Rachel’s face held a knowing smile when each ranch he looked at, for one reason or another, was flawed.

His desire for his own ranch dwindling as he straddled the fence and his relationship with his brothers firmly took hold in his heart. He had the money, but something was stopping him from taking that final step while he spent his time capturing and training horses.

Rachel shook her head watching Heath from the window. His path retraced every ten minutes from the small cabin out to the street. The anxiety pouring off him, the excitement keeping him from sleeping the night before.

Jarrod and Nick were coming to visit their little brother for the weekend.

Grabbing a pail, Rachel opened the door and called out, “Heath, could you please get me some blueberries from that patch we found yesterday?”

“Aunt Rachel, they’re gonna be here soon.” complained Heath walking back to the porch.

“It won’t take long, Heath. I thought you and your brothers would enjoy a fresh pie.” smiled his aunt. “I’ll send them up the path when they get here.”

Smiling slightly, Heath kissed her cheek softly. “I’ll be right back, Aunt Rachel.”

Heath headed quickly up the path, his footsteps sure on the uneven ground. Reaching the patch of blueberries, he filled the pail keeping an eye out for his older brothers.

Walking back to the cabin, Heath’s steps became drunkenly, back and forth on the path as the earth shook.

A scream left his throat when the ground opened up and he disappeared from view.

Jarrod and Nick tried to keep their balance as the earth shook beneath their feet and hold tightly onto the reins of their frightened mounts. Rachel had run out of the cabin at the first side of trembling, stumbling and twisting her ankle.

When the shaking stopped, the brothers tied off their horses and rushed over to the woman on the ground.

“Miss Caulfield, you okay?” asked Jarrod.

Holding onto her ankle, Rachel grimaced, “I think I twisted my ankle. Otherwise, I’m fine.”

“Where’s Heath?” inquired Nick looking around.

Indicating the path behind the cabin, Rachel replied, “He went to get me some blueberries. The patch is about a half mile up the path.”

Glancing at Jarrod, Nick grinned, “I’ll go make sure our little brother didn’t eat all the blueberries.”

Laughing, Jarrod helped Rachel sit in a chair that he had grabbed off the porch and elevated her foot. “I’ll check to make sure the cabin is sound. Stay here.”

Nick walked up the path calling for Heath. Seeing the collapse of the path ahead of him, dread grabbed his heart at the sight of the pail of spilled blueberries in the grass.

Crawling to the edge of the hole, he peered over the edge and pushing backwards, climbed to his feet and quickly ran down the path.

“JARROD!!! JARROD!!!”

Peering over the edge, the sunlight filtered down into the blackness, Jarrod’s heart froze at the still hand laying in the edge of the light at the bottom of the hole. Squinting his eyes, he struggled to make out Heath in the shadows of the darkness.

“HEATH? HEATH?” called Jarrod, his deep voice echoing in the hole. Listening carefully, his heart beat could be heard in the stillness but no sound from his little brother.

Pushing away from the edge carefully, he watched Nick finish tying off the rope and walk over to the hole. Holding the rope in his black gloved hands, Nick stepped back to the edge, preparing to descend, his hands shaking from what he feared would be waiting in the ominous darkness.

“Jarrod, it looks about fifteen feet down. I’ll holler then you can send the lantern and other stuff down.”

The quiver in Nick’s voice keeping his tone from being monotone. Squeezing his shoulder, Jarrod nodded, “He’s gonna be okay Nick.”

Looking into the blue concerned eyes, Nick took a deep breath and lowered himself into the hole, holding firmly onto the rope. Bracing his feet against the dirt wall, he made his way to the bottom slowly. His boots crumbling pieces of the wall, causing dust to rise when they hit the bottom.

Reaching the bottom, he called out and watched the rope being pulled up. Glancing at the hand, he fought the desire to rush over and drag his little brother out of the darkness and into the light.

Jarrod’s shout brought his eyes upward, the lantern and saddle bags with the first aid items were being lowered. Hearing noises behind him, he turned and stared, the hand was gone!

“HEATH! HEATH!” called Nick walking to the edge of the light, pain flaring in his left shoulder. Falling backwards onto the ground, his cry of surprise and pain reached Jarrod’s ears.

“NICK? NICK? WHAT’S WRONG?” yelled Jarrod seeing Nick on the ground, holding his arm. Movement from the edge of the light caught Jarrod’s eye, confusion rolled in his mind, the panicked shout leaving his lips without his realizing.

“NICK, WATCH OUT!”

Looking up, Nick rolled over as the board met the ground where his body lay. Startled, he jumped to his feet and backed away from the board wielding man, holding his numbed arm.

“HEATH! WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?” screamed Nick. His hazel eyes locking upon the terror filled blue eyes in the bloody face of his little brother. His insides wilting from the familiar look of terror, the eyes indicating his brother was locked somewhere else in time.

Nick watched his brother advance and stumbled in the long forgotten mine tunnel, fighting to keep his path out of reach of the board. Calling their brother’s name, Nick and Jarrod’s voices couldn’t penetrate the hold the terror had on their brother.

Heath’s face was dripping blood, his right leg limping, his breaths coming in gasps out of his paling face. No words, just gasps and a steady progression towards Nick.

“Nick, you gotta take him down!” called Jarrod.

Shocked, Nick shook his head, “Jarrod, I can’t do that! He doesn’t know what he’s doing!”

His eyes leaving Heath’s for a second, he dived away as the board moved the air around his head. Survival instinct took over, Nick kicked out with his leg pushing Heath back into the darkness and a scream of horror split the air.

“Nick, can you see him?”

“NO!” yelled Nick rushing to grab the lantern, pulling the match across his holster and lighting the wick. Turning up the flame, his rushed forward, his movements slowed from Jarrod’s call of caution.

Holding the lantern up, he slowly made his way into the darkness stopping suddenly at a drop off. Nick lay on his stomach and held the lantern out as far as he could reach. The light flickering on the walls of the mine shaft, reaching down into the darkness.

“Heath.” whispered Nick, his eyes making out the still form of his brother laying on his side five feet from him, his leg twisted in an impossible angle, his left arm underneath him, his right arm stretched out to the side, his head pressed against the dirt.

“HEATH! HEATH!” screamed Nick trying to rouse his brother. “I’M COMING, LITTLE BROTHER. HOLD ON!”

Rushing back to the rope, he called and waited for Jarrod to throw down another rope. Jarrod climbed down, the anguished look of Nick taking his breath away.

“Jarrod, what if he’s dead.” whispered Nick his voice broken by heartwrenching sobs. “I may have killed by own brother.”

Pulling Nick to him, Jarrod squeezed tightly, put his hands on his shoulders and looked into the guilt ridden hazel eyes, “Nick, you were only protecting yourself. Heath didn’t know what he was doing. You don’t know he’s dead. Where is he, Nick?”

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Nick led Jarrod to the drop off.

“Nick, stay here I’ll hand him to you.” stated Jarrod jumping down into the hole with the lantern and saddlebags before Nick could respond.

Sitting the lantern on the ground, shouting to Nick when he felt the pulse beat beneath his fingers. Jarrod ran his hands over Heath’s body feeling for any contorted bones in his other limbs. Pushing on Heath’s ribs, he felt them give way under his fingers.

Turning Heath onto his back, Jarrod ran his fingers down his left arm relieved at the solid bones. Holding the lantern closer to his face, Jarrod startled at the blue eyes under the half open slits staring at the light.

“Heath, can you hear me?” asked Jarrod in a loud voice.

“Heath, look at me!”

Moving the lantern to the side slightly, the blue eyes followed the source of light. Jarrod watched the movements of the sluggish confused eyes.

Putting his hand on Heath’s arm, Jarrod pinched it and called, “HEATH!”

“Jarrod, what’s going on!” yelled Nick. “Is Heath awake?”

The sound of the anxiety-filled baritone reached into the subconscious of the prone man, his plea coming out with a moan of pain. “Nic..”

“HEATH!” called Nick. “I’m right here!”

“Nick!” called Heath frantically the pain in his body rising, the waves crashing in his ears, his arms moving, his hands seeking to hold onto an invisible item in the air, his breaths coming rapid and in gasps. “Nick, don’t leave me in the dark!”

Heath’s frightened pleas scared his older brothers. Jumping into the hole, Nick knelt by Heath and grabbed onto his outstretched hand.

“I’m here, Heath. I’m here.” urged Nick.

“Tunnel’s dark, Harry! I can’t stay in the dark! I can’t, Harry!” screamed Heath, his eyes filling with terror at the thought of being sequestered into the darkness alone. Pushing upward, his eyes rolled back, his collapsing body held securely in Nick’s trembling arms.

“We’ll get you out of the dark, Heath.” replied Nick softly glancing at Jarrod’s pinched white face. “Let’s splint his leg and get ‘em out of here.”

Working together, the brothers straightened and splinted the injured leg, tied a bandage around the injured head and wiped the remains of the dripping blood of the still man.

Nick pushed Jarrod up and wrapped the rope under Heath’s armpits. Jarrod pulled and Nick held onto the unconscious man as he was lifted slowly up to the next level, out of Nick’s view. Handing the lantern up first, Nick grabbed the extended hand and pulled himself out of the hole.

Carrying their brother over to the other rope, Nick took the end of the rope around Heath and tied it to his belt. Climbing hand over hand, he reached the top and pulled himself up onto the path.

“Ready, Jarrod?” called Nick after wrapping the rope to Coco’s saddle horn.

“Ready!”

Taking Coco’s bridle Nick slowly lead him forward, stopping when he heard Jarrod’s faint cry.

Rushing back to the hole, he struggled to pull Heath out of the hole, breathing and sweating heavily from the dead weight of his little brother. Taking a hold of Heath’s belt, Nick pulled the rest of him out of the hole and dragged him over to the side.

Checking the splint and bandage, Nick nodded when Jarrod joined him. Nick took the ropes off Heath and Coco, climbed up and pulled on Heath as Jarrod pushed him upwards. Nudging Coco, Nick started down the trail with Jarrod and Jingo following.

....Continued