...Continued
At the creek after lunchtime is over the men get up and return to their work. Minutes later Nick stops and after informing him he needs to stop what he’s doing when Gene and Audra come home from school to help Gene out in the orchard. Then after relaying the message to Duke as well, Heath continues working.
Duke informs Nick he’ll make sure Heath stops when its time to and then as he tries to have a talk with him Nick tells him he’s been very busy, that they could try again later. Then climbing back in the driver’s box, Nick rides away with Heath watching him as he goes while still working with Duke also observing Heath and after shaking his head in disgust returns to his work.
At the house once Silas and Victoria finish placing the last two loaves of dough underneath a towel, Victoria takes the back of her forearm and runs it across the top of her forehead saying, “Whew! There! All done, at least for now.”
“It has been awhile,” Silas notes, “Since we’ve made this amount of dough.”
“Yes we have,” Victoria then tells him, “I’m going to take a breather,” and walks out of the kitchen.
Arriving in town Nick first stops off at the local hotel/restaurant and grabs himself a bite to eat. Once he’s finished the last of his drink he thanks the waitress and after placing a couple of coins in her hand walks out and returns to Bob’s Old Mill.
As Nick is loading up the wagon he asks Bob “Is this all you have available?”
“Sorry Nick,” Bob informs him, “But the shipment hasn’t come in as of yet. If you should need more then come back, maybe by then it will be here.”
Exhaling heavily, “Well alright,” Nick says, “I guess there isn’t much else I could do right now.”
“If it should come in sooner,” Bob suggests, “I could have one of my boys bring it by your place.”
Nodding his head, “You do that,” Nick tells him and upon exchanging goodbyes he climbs into the wagon and heads back to the ranch.
Once school is dismissed Audra and Gene go down to the store with Jessie to get permission from her mother to go with them at the ranch. Diane tells her, “You could go on two conditions.”
“What are they?” Jessie asks hopeful.
“First,” Diane replies, “Behave yourself and second I want you home for dinner.”
“I’ll do that,” Jessie promises as she goes with Audra and Gene out the door.
Picking up their horses from the livery the children head home, meanwhile at the house walking in the kitchen Jarrod goes to find out how everything is going, Victoria tells him, “Running smoothly. When the dough is ready for the next step I will need everyone’s assistance.”
“You got it,” Jarrod assures her and noticing the time says, “I better go get the baskets. Gene and Audra will be home shortly.”
“I do hope Heath got the message,” Victoria says, “And Nick gets back to help.”
“I am sure they will both be back to help,” then Jarrod asks, “How many baskets should I bring up?” Thinking it over Victoria informs him nine and going down the cellar he goes to retrieve the nine baskets.
While working on the bridge and noticing Duke has Heath stop what he is doing and tells him to get back to the house. Responding, “Yes Duke,” Heath begins heading back on foot. Calling back to him Duke has him take one of the horses and after mounting up he rides back towards the house.
Arriving home and after taking care of the horses the children race each other to the front door. Being the first one to reach for the knob, “I beat,” Gene calls out and upon walking in they call out to Victoria and let her know they’re home.
Coming out of the kitchen greeting them and learning Jessie will be spending the afternoon with them Victoria then asks, “Do you have any homework?”
Telling her they do she informs them they will do it after dinner and then has them going up the stairs to change out of their school clothing. While Audra and Jessie are ascending the steps, “Where are Nick and Heath?” Gene asks, “They’re supposed to be helping me.”
“They’ll be here,” Victoria vows, “And maybe by the time you’ve changed they’ll be walking in the door.”
Replying, “Okay,” Gene goes up the stairs. Retrieving the nine baskets from the cellar Jarrod makes several trips going up and down the steps.
Making the last trip up, “There,” Jarrod says, “Hopefully that will be enough.”
“It should,” Victoria speculates, “If we should need more I’ll let you know.”
Glancing out the window from the kitchen overlooking the front entrance Silas informs them Mr. Heath is walking up, “At least he made it,” Victoria replies and excusing herself from the kitchen she goes out to the front room to meet him.
As Heath is reaching for the doorknob Victoria is there opening the door and upon greeting him he walks in and replies, “Hi Ma’am.”
“How was it out there?” she asks of him who replies, “Fine Ma’am.”
She then asks, “Did Nick come back with you?”
Heath replies, “No Ma’am.”
Carrying in two baskets Jarrod tells him hi who in turn replies, “Hi sir.” Jarrod then has him going with him outside to get the wagon ready but before he goes Victoria has him following her into the kitchen to retrieve two baskets.
Shortly after he walks out Victoria hears the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs and calls out, “Gene?” who in turn asks, “How did you know it was me?”
Smiling, “I could tell by the sound of your footsteps,” she then has him take two baskets and go out to meet Jarrod and Heath up at the barn.
Bringing the baskets inside the barn Jarrod gives Gene instructions as well as Heath with hitching up the wagon, retrieving the ladders they will be needing and placing them and the baskets in the back of the wagon each time Heath dutifully responds, “Yes sir,” as he follows his orders.
Once the wagon is ready Jarrod instructs them to get started. As Gene climbs into the driver’s box next to Heath he asks, “Does Mother want each of them full?”
“I believe so,” Jarrod informs him, “When Nick gets here he will be joining you.”
Grabbing hold of the reins “Knowing him,” Gene says, “He will probably come when we are half done.”
“You’re probably right,” Jarrod notes, “But he will be there. You better get moving.”
“Sure,” Gene replies and flicking the reins begins heading out.
bvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbv
Going back inside the house Jarrod and the girls who are now ready and coming down the stairs go into the kitchen and grabbing a basket they go out the door.
While they are headed for the orchard, “How do you like what you see so far?” Gene asks of Heath who replies, “Fine sir.”
Gene then says, “This is the first time we are out together since you came to live with us. Is there anything you would like to talk about?” As he replies, “No sir,” Gene asks, “Have you ever picked apples or peaches before?”
Heath replies, “Yes sir.”
Letting out a chuckle, “You want to know something funny?” Gene asks of Heath.
As he replies “What sir?” Gene says, “You are. I know I am not supposed to be laughing at you and I am not really it’s just sort of funny to hear you calling us, including me sir. I’ve never been called sir before.” Watching as Heath doesn’t say anything, “Do you like calling us sir?” Gene asks of him.
“Must do sir,” Heath replies.
Mimicking, “Must do?” Gene asks, “What does that mean?”
“Must do out of respect, sir,” Heath elaborates.
“Out of respect?” Gene inquires, “Where did you get that from?”
“Many sir” Heath replies with Gene asking, “Many said for you to call us all sir?”
“Yes sir,” Heath replies.
“I don’t know why,” Gene brings up, “But Mother did tell me to leave it alone so I suppose I will. How about I ask you something else?”
“You could sir,” Heath replies.
“Outside of games we asked you about what else do you do for fun?” Gene asks.
“Not know,” Heath replies.
“When you lived in Strawberry,” Gene asks, “Didn’t you hang around with any of the other children?”
“No sir,” Heath replies.
“How come?” Gene asks.
“Just the way it was sir,” Heath answers.
“I don’t understand,” Gene reiterates, “Why wouldn’t you play with any of the other children?”
“Couldn’t,” Heath replies “Must stay away. My kind don’t belong with them.”
“Your kind?” Gene asks, “What’s that mean?”
“What I am,” Heath replies.
“What are you?” Gene inquires again.
“A bastard,” Heath replies, “No good.”
Raising an eyebrow a little baffled “Who said?” Gene asks, “I mean that you are no good?”
“Many,” Heath replies, “Uncle, Aunt Martha.”
“They told you that you are a kind?” Gene asks, “That you are a bastard or no good?”
“They did,” Heath replies.
“Why would they say something like that to you?” Gene wanted to know
“Not know,” Heath replies.
Becoming speechless and then riding a few minutes in silence Gene asks of Heath, “Heath, did you ever do anything I mean like fishing, climbing trees, any kind of playing?”
“I got fish out of water,” Heath mentions, “Went up trees.”
“What else did you do in Strawberry?” Gene inquires.
“Worked in hotel,” Heath answers, “Worked in mine, worked in livery.”
“You worked in a mine?” Gene asks.
“I did,” Heath replies.
“What was that like?” Gene wanted to know.
“Never thought about it,” Heath replies, “Just did it sir.”
“You also worked inside of a hotel?” Gene then asks.
“I did,” Heath replies.
“Was it your uncle’s?” Gene asks.
“It was,” Heath replies.
“What was that like?” Gene wanted to know.
“Not know,” Heath replies.
“Did you like working for your uncle?” Gene asks.
Sternly Heath answers, “NO!”
“I take it you didn’t,” Gene brings up.
“I didn’t,” Heath replies, “Sir.”
“I must admit,” Gene says, “I haven’t been inside of a hotel before. Usually when I’ve gone somewhere I usually stay at someone’s house, which hasn’t been too often either. But seeing you’ve done some traveling, you’ve probably seen more than me right?”
“Maybe,” Heath replies.
“Did your uncle give you any special privileges?” Gene wanted to know.
“Privileges?” Heath mimics.
“Yes,” Gene reiterates, “Did you ever get to sleep in your Uncle’s hotel?”
“I did,” Heath answers.
“What was that like?” Gene asks, “Did you have your own special accommodations?”
“Accommodations?” Heath mimics.
“Yeah,” Gene says, “Did you get to have a special room of your own?”
“Slept downstairs,” Heath informs him.
“Downstairs?” Gene says.
“In cellar,” Heath explains.
“You slept down in the cellar of the hotel?” Gene asks.
“I did,” Heath replies.
“Why?” Gene inquires.
“Had to,” Heath says, “That is where I was to sleep.”
“Your uncle liked you sleeping downstairs in the cellar?” Gene asks.
“He did,” Heath replies.
“You had your own bed down there?” Gene wanted to know.
“No,” Heath replies, “Box.”
“A box,” Gene says, “You slept in a box?”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“How come?” Gene asks.
“It’s where my kind sleeps,” Heath says.
“Never heard of anyone ever sleeping inside of a box before,” Gene replies, “This is so weird Heath. Did you like sleeping in one?”
“No say,” Heath replies.
“Your uncle had you sleeping inside of a box?” Gene asks.
“He did,” Heath replies.
“Heath,” Gene says, “How about we go onto something else, will that be alright?”
“It is sir,” Heath replies.
“What about the livery?” Gene asks, “How was it working there?”
“That I liked,” Heath says.
“Do you like working with horses?” Gene inquires.
“I do,” Heath replies.
“I heard you break them in,” Gene says.
“I do,” Heath admits, “But call it gentling instead.”
“Maybe when you’re ready,” Gene brings up, “You could let me see you gentle the horses.”
“I could,” Heath replies.
Gene then asks him, “What else did you do in Strawberry?”
Heath replies, “Not much.”
“The jobs you had,” Gene says, “You must’ve made lost of money from them.”
As Heath replies, “No,” Gene says, “That’s odd. I would think with all the jobs you had you would make lots of money.”
“I didn’t,” Heath informs him.
“If you didn’t get money,” Gene asks, “How did you get to buy anything?”
“Didn’t buy much,” Heath explains, “If I needed money I would get in a game of cards.”
“Are you any good?” Gene asks, “I mean enough to play for money.”
“I am,” Heath admits.
Boy,” Gene says, “I sure would like to see you in a game of cards playing against Jarrod or Nick. I’d like to see who would win or who would beat who. Do you think you could beat them?”
“If need to,” Heath answers.
“I should set up a game for you with either of them,” Gene proposes, “To see what happens.”
“If you like,” Heath says.
Gene then asks, “Do you think you will like living out here with all of us?”
“Not know, sir” Heath replies.
“What about having me for a brother?” Gene asks.
“Not know sir,” Heath replies, “Not have one before.”
“Well,” Gene says, “I think I will like having you for a brother. You’re much closer to me in age. Jarrod and Nick are more like having another father around rather than a brother. Sometimes it’s hard talking with them. I do talk to Audra who is closer to me in age but she’s a girl. I rather talk with them you know?”
“Yes um,” Heath admits.
Reaching the orchard and bringing the wagon to a full stop Gene has Heath taking one of the ladders and one of the baskets and as he replies, “Yes sir,” to his orders Gene chuckles and says, “I must say I do get a kick out of you calling me sir,” as he goes to unhitch the team while Heath gets the ladder situated and begins picking.
bvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbv
Jarrod, Audra and Jessie are all busy working in the garden picking the vegetables needed. Meanwhile up at the orchard, Heath and Gene are working hard picking the peaches. As Nick returns to the house and walks in, “Mother,” he calls out, “Are you home?” in his normal loud tone.
“Of course I’m home Nick,” Victoria replies annoyed, “Where else would I be?” as she comes out of the kitchen wiping her wet hands on her apron, “You just got back from town?”
“Just got back,” Nick replies. As Victoria tells him to ride out to help Gene and Heath, he asks, “How’s it all going?”
“Running smoothly at the moment,” Victoria says, “But we still have lots to do.”
Replying, “On my way then,” Nick makes a quick trip up the stairs and seconds later goes out the door and heads towards the orchard. Arriving he sees Gene and Heath have already finished picking the peaches and are now working on the apples. Snubbing Heath Nick greets Gene and asks of him, “How’s it going?”
“Just finished the peaches by ourselves,” Gene informs him.
“Sorry about that,” Nick replies, “Couldn’t be helped, just got back from town.”
As he grabs a ladder and is ignoring Heath, Gene noticing asks, “Nick, how come you’re not saying anything to Heath?”
Snapping, “Gene,” Nick barks, “Just finish up, the sooner we get done the sooner we get back,” and climbing the ladder he begins picking apples off a tree. In the garden and noticing it’s getting late Jessie gets up and heads for home.
After picking the fruit in the orchard and the baskets are in the back of the wagon, “There,” Nick says, “That’s done. Let’s get the ladders and head back.”
As Gene goes with Nick to retrieve them Heath is standing near the wagon, “HEATH” Nick barks “What are you waiting for? Will you put that ladder in the back of the wagon we have to be going?”
Replying, “Yes sir,” Heath grabs the ladder and follows his orders.
Seeing Heath once again standing beside the wagon, “Now what are you doing?” Nick barks, “Go get the wagon hitched up.” Responding, “Yes sir,” Heath quickly grabs the team and hitches them to the wagon. While Nick saddles Coco, Gene offers to help Heath with hitching up the wagon. After they’ve finished and Heath is standing there, “Now what are you waiting for?” Nick disgusted snaps “Waiting for a lift or something? Get in!”
Responding, “Yes sir,” Heath quickly climbs into the driver’s box while Nick shaking his head in disgust as he mounts Coco. Then turning to Gene Nick says, “Gene, I’ll see you back at the house,” and quickly rides away. Gene handing the reins to Heath has him driving the wagon back to the ranch with him replying, “Yes sir,” upon them going.
Finishing with picking the vegetables from out in the garden Jarrod and Audra go back inside and after placing the baskets on the floor nearest the sink Jarrod walks out while Audra assists Victoria with washing out the cucumbers that were just picked. As Silas walks in and offers to help Victoria informs him, “No, Audra and I have it Silas. You’ve done more than enough. Why don’t you go sit and rest or something?” and upon his walking out they continue their task.
While working “Mother” Audra asks “Could I ask you something?’
“Always dear,” Victoria replies, “What’s on your mind?”
Sighing heavily, “It’s Nick and Heath,” she then asks, “Mother, how do you like Heath being here with us?”
“I like his being with us just fine,” Victoria informs her.
“Nick doesn’t,” Audra mentions.
“It’s not that Nick doesn’t,” Victoria notes, “It’s just at the moment he hasn’t freely accepted him. But when he’s ready he will come around.”
“You really think so?” Audra asks.
“I do, yes,” Victoria replies, “But right now he’s being stubborn and more stubborn than usual so we will just have to wait until he’s ready to come to it on his own. But he will, I know he will, just give him some time.”
“I do hope so,” Audra says, “And I hope it doesn’t take too long.”
Grabbing some clean towels, “I hope so too dear,” Victoria then replies, “However I must say that there is one thing I am bothered by.”
“What’s that?” Audra asks.
“I know Heath has only been with us a couple of days,” Victoria confides, “But I would like it he was to call me Mother.”
“You’d like that?” Audra inquires.
Nodding her head, “Very much so,” Victoria states.
“Then why don’t you just tell him that?” Audra asks.
“Because” Victoria explains, “Just as Nick has to come to terms on his own about Heath the same goes for Heath with his wanting to do that. I want him to feel comfortable in wanting to call me that, otherwise, if he’s told to then it won’t mean much. And I do want it to come from him, from his heart. You know what I mean?”
“I think so,” Audra asks, “How long do you think it will take?”
“I’m not sure,” Victoria states, “It all depends on him and how long it will take for him to feel comfortable around here and I think once that happens the rest will just fall right into place.”
“I do hope you’re right,” Audra says.
“Well,” Victoria replies, “Only time will tell,” and then after the produce has been washed Audra excuses herself and as she goes outside Victoria tells her not to stay out too long.
Shortly thereafter while tending to her horse White Cloud in the barn Nick followed by Gene and Heath arrive. Barking commands Nick has Gene and Heath bringing the baskets into the house while he places the rest of the baskets outside the barn. Walking in the kitchen Gene calls out, “Mother, we’re back.”
Glancing up at them, “That’s splendid,” she says, “Thank you both.”
“We have to bring in the other baskets,” Gene mentions.
Victoria asks, “Where’s Nick? Did he go to meet you?”
“He’s outside unhitching the wagon,” Gene informs her, “Be right back,” and then turning to Heath Gene says, “Come on Heath,” and Heath dutifully follows him back out the door to retrieve the rest of the baskets.
As Nick is bringing the wagon inside the barn he catches sight of Audra brushing her horse and upon telling her hello he says, “I didn’t know you were in here.”
Glancing up, “Sorry Nick,” she replies, “I guess I wasn’t paying attention. Nick,” she starts to say with him answering, “Yes? What is it?” she then asks, “Could I ask you something?”
“Of course you could,” Nick replies “What is it?”
Sighing heavily, “It’s about Heath,” she then goes on to ask, “Why do you hate him so?”
Nick replies, “I don’t hate him.”
“But you don’t like him either,” Audra says.
“I never said that either,” Nick replies.
“Then why is it you don’t want anything to do with him? You don’t talk to him. Mother and Jarrod have tried talking to you but you don’t want to listen,” she says.
“Audra, please” Nick replies, “It’s my business.”
“I know it is,” Audra says, “Mother did say to let you come to your feelings about him on your own. We don’t want you resenting him but I’ll tell you one thing.”
“Oh?” Nick asks, “What’s that?”
“I like having him for a brother,” Audra states, “And I want him to be happy here and stay on.”
“He’s not going anywhere,” Nick informs her, “At least not anytime soon.”
“I sure hope not,” Audra then says, “I was talking with Mother earlier and you know what she told me?”
“What?” Nick asks.
“She likes him here,” Audra brings up, “And she would also like for him to call her Mother.”
“I see,” Nick replies.
“No you don’t see,” Audra then says, “She wants him to call her that on his own, and she wants it to come from his heart and Nick, I thought you had a heart.”
“I do,” Nick informs her.
“No you don’t,” she says, “If you did,” with tears forming in her eyes, “You would include Heath in it. Now I like his being here but if you don’t start being nice to him and accept him then he just may not hang around for too much longer. He will be gone.”
“No he won’t,” Nick replies.
“Yes he will,” Audra argues, “There is just so much one could take before they’ve had enough.”
“I am treating him the way I think I should,” Nick points out.
“You’re treating him very badly Nick,” Audra tells him, “Sometimes I hate being your sister. I don’t know why you can’t be nice to him. I just don’t get it. I want him to stay here. I don’t want him to leave, I don’t want that at all,” and running out of the barn Nick stops what he’s doing and going after her runs past Gene and Heath who are retrieving the baskets into the house.
Coming through the front door, Victoria comes out of the kitchen and as she is calling his name out,” Excuse me, Mother,” Nick says running up the stairs.
Epilogue
Reaching Audra’s bedroom door and walking in Nick sees her crying on her pillow. Crossing to the bed he softly calls out to her and as he sits beside her and places his hand on her shoulder she says, “Nick, why can’t you be nice to him?”
“It’s not that simple Audra” Nick replies “Please try to understand my point of view.”
“Which is?” Audra asks.
“I have to watch out for this entire family,” he explains, “I have been given the sole responsibility and ownership of this ranch and I must do what is right.”
“I understand that Nick,” Audra tells him.
“I don’t think you do,” Nick states, “Being responsible means making sure everyone in this family is safe. I don’t want to let my guard down accidentally and find out that maybe, one day he will try to kill us in our sleep or something.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Audra tells him as she lifts her head up and looks at him with teary eyes going down alongside of her cheek.
“And how do you know that,” Nick says.
“Because,” Audra replies, “I could just tell. He’s a good man and our brother. He would never do harm to any one of us.”
“Audra,” Nick argues, “All you see is a cute young man who came to live with us. You don’t know anything about him.”
“That is not so,” she replies.
“It is so,” Nick debates, “He’s been with us just a few days. No one can know someone that quickly in that short of time.”
“I could,” Audra notes, “Maybe it’s women’s intuition but whatever it is I know he’s a good kind hearted person that could use a friend.”
“Well,” Nick says, “Until I am certain I need to play it safe and be sure. However I will make a compromise with you.”
“What’s the compromise?” Audra curiously wants to know.
“I will try to ease up on him some,” Nick says, “And I will give him a chance.”
“You will?” Audra asks.
“I will,” Nick replies, “However I will still keep my guard up, just to be on the safe side, fair enough?” wiping the tears from her eyes with the end of his sleeve.
“I guess so,” Audra says.
“And if I do decide to accept him,” Nick notes, “I will be sure to announce it so that the entire family hears it. Okay?”
“Not completely okay,” Audra says, “But seeing I don’t have much of a choice, I will go along with it. I know you can be stubborn and pig-headed when you want to be.”
“Come on,” he then tells her and getting up off the bed they leave the room together.
"Saying Goodbye"
For comments, please address them directly to the author at: profparadi@yahoo.com
|