Texas Trouble

Chapters 16-26

by catgirl63

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Chapter 16

The gasps of horror, frantic words fueled by pain stopped, the man under his hands went lax and John Thane felt his heart drop to his feet at the sudden stillness, a chill swept up his spine.

“Doc!” exclaimed the older man, his green eyes wide with fear.

“He just passed out.” informed the doctor quickly, catching himself staring at the confused green eyes which closed in relieve and a deep sigh rocked the marshal.

“Jesus!” whispered Thane rubbing his face with a hand which moved around to his neck. “I thought he’d died.”

Shaking his head, the physician carefully studied the wrappings on the wounds and carefully wiped the perspiration away. “No, between his hyperventilating, his head injury and blood loss…well, he’s a mighty weak man right now. Imagine how disoriented you’d be if you woke up with severe pain in your eyes and you couldn’t see.”

Nodding as he looked down at the injured man, John Thane clenched his jaw and swallowed the lump of fear in his throat. Watching the man of medicine, the marshal took a deep breathe and cleared his throat.

“Doc, for the protection of Thomson, we need to move him today.”

“He can’t travel in this condition.” blasted the other man, his expression one of outrage mixed with disbelief.

“I got two men coming and he’s in danger here.” explained Thane firmly, gesturing to the unconscious man. “He wouldn’t even be in this condition if it wasn’t for a slimy snake in this town.”

“Marshal, I wouldn’t recommend it.” protested the healer. “Can’t you protect him here?”

Looking around the tent, Thane replied, “A canvas won’t stop a bullet, doctor. Hell, even if Thomson were in a office behind a locked door…I wouldn’t know if he’d be safe. I can’t take the chance.”

Several minutes of silence passed between the two men, their eyes staring at the man whose safety and well being they were both responsible for, his welfare their only concern at the moment.

“Doc, you’re headed back to Chesterville tonight, right?” inquired the marshal.

“Yes, Mr. Thomson was the only seriously injured person. This town was fortunate more weren’t hurt severely or more killed.” sighed the physician.

“Well, we’re taking Heath to the train station and getting him back to California. I’d appreciate if you’d accompany us back to Chesterville.” explained the lawman, seeing the hesitation in the medicinal scholar. “With you riding in the wagon, you could keep an eye on him. If we can’t protect him, doctor, you won’t have to worry about healing Heath. Cause he’ll be dead!”

“Alright, Marshal.” agreed the doctor before adding angrily. “Understand, I still think it’s a bad idea, however, I will do what I can to help. I’d suggest when we get to Chesterville, Mr. Thomson will need to regain some of his strength before he leaves on a train.”

“Noted.” replied Thane with a quick nod of his head. “My men should be here in a few hours and then we’ll be leaving.”

“When Mr. Thomson wakes next, I need to get a gauge of the extent his head injury before I can give him anything for the pain in his eyes.” sighed the physician, sitting heavily in the chair by the bed.

“Will he see again?”

“I don’t know, Marshal. I didn’t see any glass fragments in any part of his eyes other than the white parts. I’d say that’s a very good prognosis but I wouldn’t want to build up his hopes.” admitted the physician dryly. “He needs to see a doctor who specializes in eyes as soon as possible.”

“I’ll take care of it.” offered John Thane, his mind already planning out the trip to Chesterville, the arrival and the departure on the train. Houston General would have a doctor of that type. His plans decided, the marshal knelt by the bed and whispered in the nearest ear.

“Heath, Houston first then you’re going home, son.”

Five days later, the night was falling and Nate stood on the porch, his eyes full of concern as he watched his blonde haired sister standing against the corral looking up at the sky. Jumping off the porch, he walked across the yard stopping by her side and wrapping an arm around her waist, kissing her head.

“Hey Cassidy.” greeted Nate softly.

Leaning into her brother’s hold, Cassidy welcomed his strength and warmth, her body seeming to have lost all ability to hold heat with each passing minute of wonder, each passing minute of torture.

“Hi.” acknowledged the blonde, her voice low and barely above a whisper.

“I’m worried about you, Cass.” said Nate, turning her face to him, the entire family concerned by the lack of luster in her eyes and in her soul. “I’m sure, Heath knows it was all just a big misunderstanding. After that night, he probably realized it and is kicking himself now, just like you are.”

“Then why hasn’t he come back, sent a letter or wired?” rebuked Cassidy, her arms crossing across her chest, fighting the tears which seemed to hovered on the surface like a dragonfly hovers over water. “He hasn’t even come back to tell you about the investigation. No word at all!”

Nodding in agreement, Nate led her to a bench under the large tree on the side of the house and took her hands in his. “Sis, remember what I told you about when Heath was a marshal?”

“What?” questioned Cassidy. “You told me lots of things about when he was a marshal. Which are you talking about?”

“Yeah, guess I do like to brag about him some.” smiled Nate with a wink, bringing a sad smile to his sister’s face, his finger brushing her bangs away from her depressed eyes. “When he was a marshal, Heath never got involved while he was working, not seriously at least. He’s focused when he wears the silver on his chest. His job, his priority.”

“Yes, I remember.” sighed Cassidy, tears spilling from her eyes. “Nate, what if he never comes back? What if I never get the chance to explain it? He thinks I’m some kind of trashy woman or something. He’s not coming back cause he can’t stand the sight of me!”

“Stop it, Cassidy!” scolded Nate firmly, pulling his sister into his arms. “Heath wouldn’t think such a thing about any woman. He’s not that type of man. You gotta have faith, girl!”

“I just want to have a chance to fix what happened.” sobbed Cassidy against her brother’s shoulder. “Just a chance, is all.”

Patting her back like he did when she were a mere toddler, Nate nodded and whispered, “I’m sure you’re making a lot out of nothing, sis. I promise you’ll get the chance. Even if we have to show up on his door in California, just so you two can work it out!”

Chapter 17

He felt like he was still caught in the cyclone winds of the twister, his body reeling, his mind trying to come to grips with the past six days. The first three days he’d only fleeting snatches of memories, mostly they were disjointed seconds of time, not a sequence of events, bits and parts only.

Bits and parts of the first days, the only recognizable object was the darkness each time he woke and the jolts of needle like jabs of pain in his eyes, the panic slowly lessened with each longer span of awareness.

The physician, Dr. Carrion, from Chesterville had been caring and consistent with his skills but offered no firm answer to the question plaguing his thoughts, taking away his dreams of her, replacing them with nightmares of seeing his face in the mirror with two empty sockets where sapphire orbs were once housed. The nightmares were slowly sucking the life out of his soul, the nightmares emphasizing the darkness he may always have to reside in.

Unable to see, fighting dizziness and sickness from the head injury, the helplessness rose from within his very depths. A helplessness not felt since he’d hung on the whipping post in Carterson, hands bound, gritting his teeth with each snap of the whip, each flick cutting his skin.

Even while he’d been a prisoner of war in one of the dankest, dirtiest, filthiest places representing hell on this earth…he’d kept hope hidden inside him. Hope used to combat his feelings of helplessness, combat and keep him going, keep him putting one foot in front of the other, keep him struggling each day to face the morning, face the death and sickness surrounding him.

He was fighting to hold onto hope, he was fighting to hold onto the thought of seeing the California sky, the faces of his family, the red coat of his horse, the mansion he called home. He focused on the job he’d been asked to do. He focused by relaying to Thane all he’d uncovered, his thoughts on the connection between the dead bank manager, Morgan Yates and Mark Jackson. He focused to fight.

He was fighting to keep strong but he was losing. Little by little it rose up higher. Little by little it took hold, its grip tightening and becoming rock solid.

Despair was an evil mistress. Despair was throwing a thick blanket around his will, taking away his fight, stealing away his hope. Despair brought on by thoughts of uncertainty, the unknown factor of his future, the unknown way to handle his condition.

Despair was rising and choking him, helped on by the torturous nightmares, helped on by the reality of all this trip to Texas cost him. The trip to help a friend was beating him down.

Sitting up in the hospital bed and trying to ignore the ever present headache from the pain in his eyes, Heath squeezed his temples with a firm hand before laying his head down. All he ever seemed to do was sleep, the only remedy for the pain he’d allow. No morphine and no laudanum accepted.

He heard the voices outside the hallway and sighed. He didn’t want to have another doctor poking at him, he didn’t want to have another nurse come in to help him with things once done without thought. Automatic motions had been taken for granted and now, he was unable to perform even the simplest of them.

Pouring a glass of water would leave him soaked from the spillage and yesterday in anger, the water pitcher hit the wall, the glass exploding upon contact. The blonde’d apologized to the unknown person who’d been sent in to clean up the mess and even to his ears, the words sounded hollow, emotionless and insincere.

His apology brushed off by the male voice who calmly stated, ‘Things happen, sir. Let me get you a new pitcher of water.’

Holding his index fingers against his temples, his keen ears caught the sound of the door opening and he sighed. Heavy footsteps made their way across the room and the blonde pushed himself up feeling behind him and pushing a pillow up to lean against the headboard.

“What?” asked Heath, his voice dull and lifeless brought tears to the hazel eyes staring at him.

Nick quickly gathered himself and shook his head at the sight of his brother, bandages over his eyes, bruises faded and yellow dotted his body. The doctors advised him of Heath’s condition but seeing it was worse than he’d imagined. Stepping closer, the rancher could feel the air of despair around the blonde making Nick feel as if he were walking through a wall of the emotion as he neared the bed.

“I had to leave my spurs at the front desk. The nurse said they were too loud for a hospital.” stated Nick sitting on the bed and taking hold of the nearest hand, squeezing it tightly in his own.

Tilting his head slightly, Heath nodded and turned his face away, “Nick.”

“Heath.” stated Nick as quietly as his name was spoken, the fire in his brother appeared to be replaced with ice. Reaching over Nick grabbed the back of his neck, the gesture causing a tremble to flow through Heath.

“Boy, what happened?” questioned Nick, his voice soothing yet demanding, the tone stating he wouldn’t let Heath put him off easily. “Com’n, little brother. Talk to me.”

“It was a tornado. The bank fell on me and I got some stuff in my eyes.” offered Heath with a sigh. “Thane wire you?”

“Yeah, he did. One of his other marshals met the train and brought me here. Said Thane was in Austin.” answered Nick before asking, “Heath, why are they guarding your door?”

“They’re baby-sitting me against a snake.” snarled Heath, adding bitterly. “Baby-sitting a blind man.”

Grabbing the two shoulders before him, Nick’s voice rose in anger, “Knock it off! You don’t know that for sure! Neither do the doctors!”

“Sure, whatever you say, Nick.” agreed the blonde, not buying what his older brother was selling, preferring to let the darkness of his despair keep its hold on him.

“Heath, that’s not you talking.” stated Nick tenderly, his hands loosening their firm grip on his shoulders and he moved them to lay on the top of his brother’s shoulders, another familiar gesture taking a stab at the darkness surrounding the blonde.

“I know you’re scared but I’m here, Heath. Right here like your shadow. Don’t let it take you away. Let me be your eyes til yours are healed. Trust me, Heath.”

The clenching of the jaw in the bruised face, the shaking of the body under his hands gave Nick a hint to the emotions lying just under the surface, waiting to be released.

“I just wanna go home.” stammered Heath, tortured with the pain in his heart and his body, fighting to keep rein on his bucking emotions. “Please, Nick, back to California. I never want to set foot in Texas again.”

Pulling his brother into his arms, Nick held on tightly to the shaking man, his hands rubbing the broad back and promised, “We’ll leave today, Heath. We’ll get Charger and head home today, I promise, little brother.”

Chapter 18

The morning was peeking over the horizon shining on the steel snake winding its way towards the final destination of Stockton, California. Nick sat beside Heath whose head fallen sideways in his sleep, using his brother’s strong shoulder as a pillow. Smiling tenderly while he stared down at the blonde hair, the hazel eyes slowly changed, questions flooded his mind again and his face became darkened with a scowl.

The last three days, he’d tried to pry information out of the blonde but Nick’s questions were met with silence or an emotionless reply. The tall man knew something else other than the tornado had caused Heath pain. Sure, he was in physical pain and psychological pain from the lack of sight…but...there was something else there. Something occurred which cut his younger brother to the quick.

Nick felt sure it had to do with the Jackson family, the only part of his trip, Heath wouldn’t offer any thoughts about. It was as if to talk about them was ripping his heart out. Hazel eyes burned with a surge of anger and his hands clenched into fists. His little brother had gone to Texas to help Nate Jackson and the older man sensed something happened to wound Heath in his soul.

Turning his head to look out the window, Nick took several breaths to calm the rising anger and after he calmed, reached down and cupped the head laying against his shoulder with his right hand, when the sound of Heath’s breaths quickened. Nick knew the nightmare was coming again and reached down to wake his little brother, to stop the torment before it restarted. Hands hardened from work, leathery and tanned, were soft as a feather when it came to the man beside him.

“What?” mumbled Heath, his words slurred from sleep as he pushed himself up.

“You were starting to dream, Heath.” explained Nick quietly.

“Oh.” sighed Heath, glad to have been awoken before the pictures came into his mind. Never sure if it would be the nightmare or a dream about Cassidy, either way, the blonde didn’t want to keep reliving them, he only wanted both out of his head.

Nick squeezed the forearm laying on the seat and whispered, “Thought you’d like to know, we’re almost home, Heath. Another hour.”

While the blonde was torn between welcoming and dreading the return home, a group of men opened the gate with the no trespassing sign attached, closing it behind them. The four cantered towards the buildings in the distance, the sun rising in the east with a promise of a glorious day. Stopping at the main house, they dismounted as one, two moving up the steps and two splitting to stop any flight from the two doors on the home.

Hearing a knock on the door, Nate opened it and was surprised to see his boss, John Thane and one of his fellow marshals standing on the porch.

“Boss, come in.” welcomed Nate stepping back to allow the men to enter.

“Nate, is your brother Mark here?” asked Thane, tipping his hat to Naomi and Cassidy Jackson when they appeared in the entry.

Shaking his head, Nate frowned, “He didn’t come home last night. I assumed he spent the night in town. He was pretty upset, our father passed away yesterday. Why?”

“I’m sorry to hear that Nate.” offered Thane quietly, directing his words to the older woman. “Your husband was a good man, Mrs. Jackson. He’ll be missed in the community.”

“Thank you, John.” sighed Naomi, her eyes full of questions and her heart full of dread. “Why are you looking for Mark? What’s happened?”

Thane turned and spoke to the man beside him, “Take one man and find him. Search Garwood and let me know.”

“Yes sir.” acknowledge the marshal, leaving the house and the ranch with another marshal by his side.

Closing the door, Thane moved the family into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Pulling out a paper, he handed it to Nate, his smile and eyes apologetic for the pain he was about to inflict.

“Nate, you’ve been cleared of all charges.”

“WHAT?” exclaimed Nate in disbelief, his eyes wide as he ran them over the paper, his hands trembling, his words mumbled. “I can’t believe it…why didn’t Heath…he hasn’t come back..I..how…”

“Thomson discovered the bank manager of Eagle Lake lied under oath. Jim Tower swore he was alone in the bank when the account was opened and he pointed out your picture as the man who deposited the money. Thomson found out from the personnel records, a clerk by the name of Ben Haley was working that day also. Tower gave Thomson the location of the clerk. He was in Austin and I questioned him there. Seems the manager, James Tower and Morgan Yates, the land speculator were cousins. Yates was Mark’s cell mate in prison.”

Gasps were heard from the two women, their hands held together, eyes red rimmed from crying for the death yesterday, were wide with shock. Nate shook his head and swallowed the lump in his throat.

“What’s Mark got to do with this?” whispered Nate, fearful of the information he was about to receive but needing to know the truth, not willing to let an injustice go without punishment.

Glancing at Naomi, Thane said quietly, “Before Mark went to prison for stealing that horse, he found oil on your ranch. Mark wasn’t expecting to go to jail, he thought your father was going to work something out with your neighbor.”

“Dad would never do that. Mark was so mad when he had to spend the time in prison.” agreed Nate. “But how did you find that out? I never told you.”

“Mark talked a lot while he was in prison, his mouth apparently never shut up. Also Morgan Yates spilled the beans after his arrest.” stated Thane with a small shrug. “When Yates was moved into his cell, that’s when the plan was formed. Get the bank to foreclose when your parents defaulted on the mortgage, the three men, Tower, Yates and Mark would then under the guise of selling the ranch become rich from the oil on it. When Mark was released, it was him and Yates who rustled your cattle, who caused all the problems. The only obstacle in the way was you.”

Holding his head in his hands, Nate groaned, “They set me up with an account knowing I’d lose my job as a marshal. Without my job, I couldn’t pay the mortgage and we didn’t have enough cattle to sell to raise the money cause they rustled most of the herd. No wonder we could never catch anyone.”

“I’m afraid so.” admitted Thane. “Yates is in jail and Mark will follow shortly. I’m terribly sorry, Mrs. Jackson. There’s never a good time to reveal things like these to a family.”

Wiping her tears, the older woman smiled, “I understand, Marshal Thane. I’m afraid I don’t understand how one brother could do such a thing to another.”

“I was so blind to it. I should’ve seen it.” muttered the brown haired man, his fist banging the table in anger at himself. “It was right in front of my face!”

“You were too close, Jackson. You were in the middle of this mess. When you stand in the middle, you can’t always see what’s happening on the outside, on the fringes.” stated Thane standing and putting on his hat. “I’ll let you know when we find Mark.”

“Boss, where’s Heath? He left town and hasn’t been back at all.” asked Nate, worry shining in his eyes. “I owe him for his help and work. Is he in Wharton?”

Hesitating for several minutes, John Thane took a deep breath and shook his head, “No, he’s on his way back to California.”

“WHAT?” shouted the family in disbelief.

Cassidy’s eyes filled with tears, “He didn’t even say goodbye! Natty!”

“That’s not like Heath, boss. He’d never leave without word, without sending a wire, without coming by himself to let me know everything’s fine.” protested Nate, stopping his words at the look in his superior’s eyes. “Something happen? Is he alright? Was he hurt?”

Holding up his hand, Thane rubbed his chin before sighing, “When Heath was in the bank with Tower, a tornado struck Eagle Lake and destroyed several buildings.”

“Yeah, we heard about that yesterday. It was the first time we’d been in town for a week or more.” stated Nate. “Was he hurt in the tornado?”

“Heath and Tower were in the bank when it collapsed. Tower was killed and Heath was dug out of the rubble. He’s alive.” informed Thane, pausing at the sighs of relief and thank goodness from the family before him.

“He received a head wound and damage to his eyes. They don’t know if he’ll see again.”

Within a twenty-four hour period, the family lost one member, learned of the deceit and dishonorable actions of another and learned the man who came to them as a teenager, the man who came to help from his home, the man loved by them all…may have received thanks for his actions, for his loyalty to friendship, in the form of blindness and darkness.

Three pairs of eyes were filled with tears and the Jackson family sat at the kitchen table, hands locked together for strength, stunned and shocked to their very souls.

Cassidy raised her sienna eyes and looked at her mother, her whisper coming out from trembling lips. “Mama?”

Nate watched his mother, caress his sister’s cheek, her eyes filled with love and she looked over towards him. “Today after we lay your father to rest you take your sister to California.”

Chapter 19

The rumbling stopped, the swaying of the cars ceasing and sounds of passengers standing, grabbing bags and walking towards the door could be heard. Swishing of cloth on cloth, coughing, mothers talking to their children, the voices of excited children, their shoes and boots stepping onto the metal platform reached his ears. Apprehension filled the blonde and he pushed the lump in his throat down.

He was home in California. His family was here, the family who loved him, the family whose care was about to surround him and he felt a sudden bout of nervousness. What if he’d never be free of the darkness in his eyes? What if he’d always be mired in it? What kind of productive life could he lead on a ranch? What kind of life would he be able to lead without his eyes?

The stifling thoughts as he mentally prepared himself to leave the train were the same as they’d been over the past week. He knew ironically, he was blessed to have survived one of mother nature’s temper tantrums. He knew he should feel blessed, he knew he should realize his life could have easily been taken as one would snap their fingers. He knew it but the blonde couldn’t feel blessed. He felt trapped, he felt off balance, he felt worthless.

Nick waited til most of the passengers left the train before he stood up and picked up the valise. Heath’d been quiet pretty much the whole time since they’d left Texas, since they got Charger from the livery at the marshals’ office in Houston and boarded the train. His silence was unnerving the larger man, his stomach twisting and churning in fear for the man by his side.

He’d told his little brother, he’d be his eyes til the sapphire orbs were healed. He hadn’t realized how difficult it was going to be, how gut wrenching and demanding on his strength, how hard it was to watch while Heath fumbled around in darkness. He’d gladly give his brother one of his eyes to see with if he could. He wanted nothing more than to take away the fear and frustration oozing off the smaller man.

But he couldn’t and Nick recognized all he could do was try to keep Heath from falling into a hole of self-pity, of despair. He’d do anything for the blonde, he’d go anywhere with him. The brothers together had already been through one hellish journey after Jarrod was kidnapped by the Ling tong. Together they’d made it back, standing with each other, helping each other. They could do it again.

Lifting Heath’s hand and placing it on his shoulder, Nick smiled at the man slightly behind him. “Com’n, little brother.”

Heath mumbled, “Ready.”

Walking slowly, Nick kept his naturally long gait to smaller steps, the hand of his brother was clenched in his shirt, his steps awkward and hesitant as he followed behind to the end of the car. Stopping when Nick stopped, he felt a hand on his arm moving him forward.

“Here’s the rail, Heath.” stated Nick moving and placing the large hand on the small rail. “There’s three steps and then a long one to get on the ground.”

“Okay.” muttered Heath, his left hand clenched onto the rail, his right on the wood of the car, his foot feeling for the end of the first step.

Nick and Jarrod stood at the bottom of the steps watching the progress of their injured member with breaths held. Heath’s grip on the railing was white knuckled as if he felt he were standing on the edge of a great drop off.

“Jarrod?” asked Heath tilting his head slightly, his bandaged eyes bringing tears to Victoria, Hiriam and Audra who stood watching on the platform, their hands holding onto each other.

“Right here, brother Heath.” assured the attorney, grabbing onto his brother’s shoulders after he successfully placed two feet onto the California soil, wrapping the blonde into a hug and patting his back. “How’d you know it was me?”

“Aftershave lotion.” admitted Heath taking a shaky breath and smiling slightly. “Where’s the others?”

“Right here, sweetheart.” stated Victoria walking over and placing a kiss on his cheek. Reaching up with his hand, the long fingers touched the soft cheek of his mother and he bent to place a kiss where his fingers lay.

“Mother, it’s nice to hear your voice.” sighed the blonde, his quiet tone causing Victoria to hold his fingers to her cheek. “Grandfather?”

Hiriam stepped forward and Victoria moved to the side. The older man receiving an extended hug from his only relative, the man who he’d found after all those years. Brown eyes filled with tears and sadness while he took the blonde’s face in his hands and demanded.

“Aftershave, too?”

“No, peppermint and tobacco.” stated Heath, his words bringing laughter to everyone at the red blush on the older man’s face.

“Maybe that is my aftershave, Heath.” teased Hiriam, causing a true smile to grace his grandson’s face. “Could be a new kind just out on the market.”

Heath nodded, “Perhaps Grandfather but if it is a new kind, I wouldn’t buy stock in that company.”

Audra’s giggle and her perfume reached his nose from the left of him. Holding out a hand, his fingers enclosed on the petite digits, warm to his touch. Moving, Audra kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around her older brother, whispering in his ear.

“I missed you too, sis.” replied Heath. “Nick, did you get Charger?”

Standing beside his little brother, Nick clapped him on the back. “Just waiting for you, boy. I’m sure he’d prefer you over me anyway.”

Turning Heath with an arm over his shoulders, the family barely heard the mumbled words of the blonde, “He’d best get used to you instead of me. You’re gonna be using him.”

Nick shook his head and countered quickly, “I told you I already got a horse and I don’t need another.”

Sighing loudly, Heath bit back the scathing reply rising up, the reply he knew was fueled by the darkness and his inner demons. He had to make a conscience effort to not snap at those around him. He had to control the anger he felt all the time inside of him. Nick was nothing but supportive and caring, he didn’t deserve any fury for his love.

Walking Heath up the platform, Nick led him over to the stallion, the blonde reaching up and stroking the velvet nose which pushed at his chest.

“Hey boy. How ya’ doing?” murmured Heath catching the sounds of Nick saddling the powerful horse. “Nick, I can’t ride him. We can put the saddle in the boot of the surrey.”

“First, we’ll see Dr. Merar and then we’ll ride home.” stated Nick calmly, tightening the girth of the saddle, turning to see the blonde’s mouth in a hardened line and his jaw muscles clenched.

“How the hell am I supposed to ride? I can’t see where I’m going.” snapped Heath, stepping away from Charger, his feet stumbling on a loose board in the car, strong hands catching onto him before he fell. “I CAN’T EVEN WALK ACROSS A DAMN FLOOR!”

Nick saw the faces of the family outside the car, their eyes wide with concern. Nick glared at Jarrod when he moved to enter the car, the eldest son stopping and nodding at the warning look. Lifting the man he held by the arms to his feet, Nick didn’t loosen his hold, his voice low and firm.

“You will ride and you will see again, little brother! This injury is only giving you a well deserved vacation! That’s all!”

Snorting, Heath moved his head upwards as if to look at the ceiling, his hands clenching into fists beside his legs. Several minutes passed and several shaky breaths heard before the blonde nodded and whispered. “Nick, I’m afraid.”

Moving his hand to the back of Heath’s neck, Nick whispered, “I know you are, Heath. I wouldn’t let you ride if I didn’t think you could do it. Trust me on this.”

“Alright, big brother, but if I fall off and make a fool of myself, you’re gonna be in for it. Remember I can still kick your butt without seeing, cause all’s I gotta do is get my hands on you.” warned Heath, his words not taking away the fear inside him, the unknown stealing away at his confidence, his assuredness.

“Smart ass.” smiled Nick with a gentle shake of his hand. “I think you had a worse concussion than the doctors diagnosed. You couldn’t beat me on my worst day!”

Heath felt the reins placed in his right hand and Nick walked beside him, down the platform with a guiding hand on his left arm. The well trained horse following meekly behind, content in the ritual developed with his master over the years, sensing a difference in the man he trusted but relying on all their past experiences together, not letting the difference shake his confidence in his master.

The family followed behind as the brothers walked up the street towards the physician’s office, the looks of pity missed by the blonde, the looks of questions. Heath couldn’t see the looks but he could sense the waves of sympathy from the sides of the street. He felt like a circus act on display and he again wondered what good would he be on the ranch.

What kind of life would be lead if the eyes couldn’t see?

Chapter 20

“How’s the pain in your eyes, Heath?” queried Dr. Merar reading the notes Nick handed to him along with a bottle of eye drops, his eyes skimming the information on the pages.

“Not as bad as it was when it first happened. Now the pain and headaches are tolerable.” sighed Heath, eyes bandaged, his ears picking up the rustling of paper, the shifting of the physician in his wooden chair, the shifting of spurred boots over to the right. “Nick, will you excuse us for a minute?”

Surprised at the request, Nick glanced over to the family physician, who nodded and smiled slightly, before his rich deep voice spoke. “Sure, I’ll be right outside. Let me know when you’re done.”

Nodding, Heath waited for the sound of the door closing before letting out a frustrated sigh. He could sense the scrutiny of the other man in the room, the air was thick in the room with his apprehension and he knew he needed answers to the questions his mind kept asking.

“Doc, are there jobs and such for blind people?” asked the blonde quietly, his hands clenching the arms of the chair he was sitting in, his head turned downward, body tense and rigid.

“Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” chided Howard calmly, placing the papers on his desk and studying the man before him. “Why are you asking?”

Heath cleared his throat before replying, “I’m just getting prepared, in case, well…”

“In case you can’t see.” inserted Howard firmly, sensing the fear and uneasiness in the strong man, the fear of the unknown future in the man whose steely stare had the ability to cause the strongest of men to shake in their boots.

“Yeah. Don’t you think it’d be best to be prepared?” stated Heath his fingers finding the button on his cuff, playing with it in his unconscious habit of nervousness. “I gotta make plans, doc. If I can’t see, I’m not gonna spend the rest of my life having someone take care of me. If that’s what’s gonna happen, well, let’s just say it won’t happen. NOT if I have any say in it.”

One part of the family physician felt pride well up at the inner will of the man before him, the inner will which was driving him to find a sense of self worth within the darkness he was experiencing, the black void he may be sequestered to for the rest of his life. The other part of the family physician tightened up in apprehension. Apprehension of the devastation to the man before him if his sight was not restored. Born blind was different than losing your sight as an adult.

The lack of sight was perhaps the worst of the senses to lose, the most devastating to try to live without. If you couldn’t talk or hear, you could still see and could function in a world of hearing people, in a world of voiced people. When one couldn’t see, the loss of sight had the ability to change everything.

The loss of sight placed a person in danger on a daily basis. Walking across a room could leave one stumbling, falling and hitting their head. Walking on a street with all the noises drowning out your other heightened senses could be paralyzing. The loss of sight changed everything and changed those around you.

Heath waited, shifting in his chair while Howard remained silent. The blonde knew the doctor hadn’t left the room, he could sense him there and his ears hadn’t heard any sounds. He wondered if perhaps he should have kept his questions to himself. With that thought came the realization action was better than waiting. Action, moving, doing anything was better than the torturous thoughts he’d been having on a daily basis.

“Doc?”

The blonde’s word brought his mind back to where they sat and Howard smiled at him with reassurance before rolling his eyes when he realized Heath couldn’t see his smile and the man of medicine shook his head at himself.

“Heath, did you know there are blind teachers?” questioned Howard suddenly.

“No, I didn’t.” admitted Heath, frowning in thought, curiosity aroused. “How do they read the books? How do they see the students papers?”

“Ah, it’s called Braille.” informed Howard, sitting forward in his chair. “A man named Louis Braille invented a system using raised dots on paper for letters, punctuation and symbols. There are books printed using the Braille system and blind people can even write a letter to a sighted person with a special instrument called a Braille writer.”

“Braille?” repeated the blonde, his mind working as he felt the physician unwrapping the bandage around his head. “How does the blind person see those raised dots? How do they read them?”

“With their fingertips.” answered Howard tipping the blonde’s head back with a chin under his finger. “Keep your eyes closed and let me do all the work.”

“Sure.” mumbled Heath, finding his mind whirling around in a circle, thoughts charging around in his head. He was so deep in concentration he was surprised when Howard stated he was done putting in the eye drops and Heath could leave after the bandaging was done.

“Hey, doc?”

“Hmmm.”

“So, a blind person uses their fingertips to read Braille. Where do they learn this?”

“A school for the blind.” explained Howard, lowering Heath’s head after he was finished with the wrapping. “They teach Braille and other things. It’s like a regular school except it’s only for the blind.”

Placing a hand on the broad shoulder, Howard replied, “I understand you need to feel useful and productive. You’re a man whose always taken care of yourself and I can appreciate your desire to continue doing so.”

“It’s more than a desire.” defended Heath with a shake of his head. “It’s a need. It’s part of me, always has been and always will be. I can’t turn it off, not ever.”

“I know, son.” admitted Howard softly, squeezing the shoulder under his hand. “You’re a good man and one I’m proud to know.”

Blushing slightly from the unexpected praise, Heath shifted on the table, “Ah, thanks doc.”

Howard helped Heath to the door, stopping just short of the wood plank. “I understand you wanting to be prepared but don’t let your planning turn into resignation. No one knows what the future will bring, Heath. Just know there are plenty of people who care for you and will help you if things don’t turn out as we hope.”

Nodding, Heath smiled, “I know, doc. Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome.” replied Howard placing a hand on the strong back and directing him to the waiting area where Nick jumped up out of the chair.

“Everything okay?” worried Nick taking hold of Heath’s elbow.

“It’s fine, Nick.” assured Heath, feeling better knowing if blindness was his future, there were ways to handle it, some place to go to learn to function. A weight was lifted from his shoulders, his mind seeing clearly for the first time since the trouble in Texas.

Howard flashed a smile of reassurance to the concerned man and nodded before asking, “Heath, do you want me to go with you to San Francisco for your appointment in two weeks?”

Shaking his head, Heath sighed, “No, doc. I wouldn’t want to take you away in case someone needs you here. Thanks anyway.”

“Any time. Nick, I put the medicine in Heath’s eyes. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. This bag has come more bandages and the drops. I’ll come out to check on you Saturday.” informed Howard placing the bag in the larger man’s hand, holding the door and saying his good-byes to the brothers.

“Where’s everyone?” questioned Heath as Nick lead him down the stairs of the porch.

“I sent them on home ahead of us.” informed Nick leading the blonde over to Charger, placing one of his hands on the leather saddle. “Ready?”

Turning his head towards the deep voice, Heath asked, “Nick, did you know blind people can read books by using their fingertips?”

“Yeah, I knew that.” admitted Nick, surprised at the hand which grabbed his shirt and yanked him forward.

“You knew!” snapped Heath angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Confused and shocked at the sudden movement, Nick stammered, “Why would I tell you that? You’re not gonna be blind!”

“Oh, Nick. Nick. Nick.” sighed Heath loudly, releasing his hold with an emphasized shake of his head. “Nick, I don’t want to be blind but it’s better to be prepared. Denial of what may happen in two weeks will only make it worse if it does happen, Nick. Do you see what I’m saying?”

Strong shoulders sagged and Nick grumbled, “I don’t wanna think about what could happen. Cause it kills me to think you may not be running the ranch with me and I don’t like that picture.”

Reaching up and feeling for the strong face of his brother, Heath smiled slightly, “I know, Nick. It’s the same for me, too. I don’t want to think about it either but we have to.”

Sighing loudly and blinking back his tears, Nick took hold of the hand lying on his cheek and squeezed it. “Not right now, okay? Tomorrow or the next day. I don’t want to think about it now.”

“Alright, big brother.” agreed Heath, hearing the plea in his brother’s words, his heart full from the emotions be could feel trembling his larger than life brother, the future looking as dark for Nick as for himself. As dark by the loss he’d feel and unfortunately, Heath realized, Nick would not be the only other person affected, the whole family would experience a sense of loss if his sight wasn’t restored. It would affect all of them.

On the California soil with the man who’d become as important to him as breathing, Heath resolved to try to prepare those around him, prepare them for the unwanted change which could be coming, prepare those he loved as well as he could. This was a job he didn’t need to be sighted to accomplish, this was a job of the heart.

Taping the cheek he knew was tanned and could feel was shadowed with whiskers, Heath threatened in a teasing voice, “Now, twit brain, remember what will happen if I fall off.”

“Smart ass.” growled Nick, wiping his eyes and waiting til Heath was mounted before putting the reins in the waiting hands then climbing on Coco. “We’ll take it slow and easy, okay? The same pace you usually take when you head out for work in the mornings, little brother.”

“Who’s the smart ass now?” chuckled Heath with Nick’s laughter joining him. Nudging Charger and feeling Nick beside him as he regained his center, Heath allowed his body to relax into the familiar movement of being in a saddle.

Nick glanced over, keeping close beside the rider on his right and again felt a rush of angry tears at the realization of what the trouble in Texas could steal away from him and his family.

Chapter 21

Nick smiled at the family who stood watching from the porch as he rode into the yard by his brother’s side, the blonde unaware of the teary looks he was receiving. Stopping Coco in front of the barn, Charger seemed to sense his need to stop and halted beside the brown horse, standing by his companion’s side, the scenario played out and familiar from their many days together in the past three years.

Heath held onto the saddlehorn and dismounted tentatively, shaking his head again at the automatic motion he found doing with trepidation. Smiling when his feet touched the ground, he ran his hands up the neck to the back of the stallion’s ears, murmuring gently while enjoying the feel of the coat on his friend.

Nick waved one of the hands over, dismounting and tying Coco to the corral. Scotty ran over and his steps faltered at the sight of the bandages on his blonde boss’ eyes, before happily exclaiming. “Welcome back, marshal boss.”

“Hi Scotty.” replied Heath turning from Charger towards the voice. “Hope Nick hasn’t been working ya’ too hard since I’ve been gone.”

Grinning at the rolling eyes of the dark haired boss, Scotty smirked, “Nah, we’ve all pitched together to do your and his work, boss.”

“What was that?” snarled Nick, his eyes twinkling at the laughter coming from Heath. “Scotty, you be careful or I might think you prefer my brother to me. That’ll earn you some extra fence time.”

“I’ll take care of Charger for you, boss.” stated Scotty, whispering just for Heath’s ears as he took the reins from the strong hands. “All I do is mend fences, how’s that punishment?”

Chuckling, Heath shook his head and smiled, “Don’t ask me. He’ll probably have me mucking out stalls, Scotty.”

Snickering, Scotty patted his boss on the shoulder before leading the stallion away. His smile fading from his face at the concern in the hazel eyes catching his. Ciego greeted the returning men and lead Coco away, glancing back as Nick held onto Heath’s elbow and walked him to the mansion.

“Thanks, Nick.” sighed Heath with a smile.

“For what?” puzzled Nick, looking sideways at his younger brother. “Step here.”

Feeling for the step, Heath mounted the porch and turned to his right, “For staying by my side, brother and making sure I don’t fall.”

Grabbing the back of the blonde’s neck, Nick growled, “Damn boy, how many times I got to tell ya’ that’s what I’m here for! You sure none of your brains fell out when your head was cut open!”

Shrugging, Heath smirked, “At least we know mine are in the right place. I don’t sit on them all day long like someone else I know.”

Wrapping an arm across Heath’s shoulders, Nick suggested, “I’ll just let Jarrod know where you think his brains are, little brother. I can’t wait to hear that conversation!”

“Twit brain.” growled Heath before allowing Nick to lead him into the mansion where he was greeted by his mother, grandfather and oldest brother.

“Boy howdy, I’d best clean off this trail dust before dinner.” suggested Heath feeling the table and putting his hat on it. “Nick, ya’ wanna come with me or it might take me a few hours?”

Chuckling, Nick clapped the blonde on the back, his laughter making the others faces fill up with shock. “I wouldn’t want you to come down wearing your longjohns to dinner.”

Feeling the tension in the others, Heath smiled and shook his head, “Mother, I don’t suppose that’d be acceptable dinner attire, would it?”

Seeing the wonderful smile on his face, Victoria giggled and wrapped her returning son in another hug before placing another kiss on his cheek, holding his hands in hers. “Are you sure you trust Nicholas to pick out your outfit, Heath?”

“MOTHER!” exclaimed Nick in a mock wounded voice.

Thinking on her question, Heath nodded, “Yeah, I see what you mean, Mother. I’ve seen how he dresses.”

Hiriam and Jarrod exploded into laughter, their faces lighting up in a mixture of relief and amusement.

“For pete’s sake!” grunted Nick with a wink to the family. “Heath, you only got blue shirts and tan pants! An idiot could match those clothes.”

Tilting his head slightly, Heath smiled and squeezed the tiny hands in his, “Sounds like the right job for my big brother, Mother.”

Laughter followed the two men who headed up the grand staircase, side by side, counting steps as they rose higher. Reaching the top, Heath made a mental note to himself of the steps and ran his hand along the wall til he reached his room.

“Right one, Nick?”

“Yep.” agreed Nick, shaking off the torment from watching the slow movements from his unsighted brother. Heath opened the door and entered the room with Nick following.

Moving to the dresser, Heath opened the top drawer with Nick watching, ready to help however he could. Feeling in the drawer, Heath’s fingers brushed across the rich mahogany box, the wood searing him and her face assaulted his mind. Inhaling sharply, Heath jumped back and Nick jumped forward.

“What’s the matter? Heath?” asked Nick, watching the man before him turn pale before he shook his head. Glancing in the drawer, Nick turned his eyes back after seeing only socks and a wooden box.

“I, nothing Nick.” whispered Heath with a slight shake of his head, trying to drive the remainder of her face from his memory. “I’ll get the clothes and then you can help me shave, okay?”

“Sure, Heath.” replied Nick watching Heath slowly shut his top drawer and gather the rest of his clothes. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get your longjohns?”

Chuckling, Heath sighed, “Quite sure cause I don’t think even if they was blind Mother would allow anyone to sit at her dinner table dressed like that.”

Laughing, Nick steered Heath to the water closet, his voice dripping with persuasion, “It’d be funny to find out though, don’t you think? Wanna try it?”

“You crazy, Nick!” scolded Heath stopping in the hallway. “Maybe I should get Jarrod to help. You sound like you really wanna get on Mother’s bad side today.”

“I’m just kidding.” said Nick, following Heath into the water closet, moving his brother through the room. “Sometimes she just pretends to be shocked.”

“Hey, I’ve seen her mad as a wet hornet.” gaped Heath with a shiver running up his spine. “NO THANKS!”

“Coward.” retorted Nick playfully.

Heath turned the knobs on the bathtub and smirked, “Smart is more like it. Maybe you should pay attention.”

Smacking the blonde lightly on the back of his head, Nick joined in laughter with Heath, his eyes filled with love, his mind wondering what was in the box which caused his little brother to jump back as if he’d touched a rattlesnake.

Chapter 22

Leaving the blonde in the bathtub after the shaving was done, Nick left the room after a growled command from his little brother and headed downstairs. The family was gathered in the parlor having before dinner cocktails and quietly talking. Jarrod handed Nick a scotch when he entered the room.

“Heath doesn’t seem to be as off balance as he was earlier.” observed Jarrod with a relieved smile reaching up and sparkling his light blue eyes.

“Heath told me he feels better now that he has a plan.” informed Nick looking down into his glass of amber liquor, recalling the revelations in the talk back to the ranch.

“What plan?” queried Hiriam, brown eyes filled with curiosity, not sure why his stomach suddenly lurched.

“It’s a plan he came up with after he spoke with Dr. Merar, he feels like he has some options, in case..” paused Nick, his eyes darkening with fear before they lowered to study the designs in the Persian rug. “In case, he won’t see again, in case he’s blind.”

Hiriam reached over and grasped Victoria’s hand at her small gasp at her son’s statement, before asking. “What kind of options, Nick?”

Raising his eyes, he took a large sip of his scotch and choked out, his words trembling, his eyes wide with anguish. “Dr. Merar told him about how blind people can read by learning Braille and how they have schools for blind people. Heath told me he felt better knowing there was some place to go if his sight doesn’t return.”

“What!” exclaimed the other three in the room, the reality of the blonde leaving hung thick in the air, the thought hadn’t crossed any of their minds.

“I will not let Heath leave.” stated Victoria firmly, her eyes blazing with love. “He belongs here with us. With his family.”

Studying his brother, Jarrod was once again reminded of the depths to the other man. The depths of thinking, the depths of caring, the depths of his loyalty for those around him. While some of the community only saw a brash, cocky, arrogant rancher and son of Thomas Barkley….those who looked at him with love saw so much more and were the recipient of the bottomless pool of loving the large man was capable of.

Studying his younger brother, Jarrod saw the little boy of years ago within the man, the boy afraid for his best friend’s well being, the boy afraid of losing his best friend and partner, the boy whose heart was breaking right before his very eyes.

Hazel eyes closed for a brief moment before Nick put his unfinished drink on the table, sitting in front of his mother and taking her hands in his. Hazel eyes were soft with concern and love as he gazed upon his Mother before moving to take in Heath’s grandfather, a man who also became an integral part of their family.

“Heath’s afraid of becoming a burden. He didn’t say it in words but I heard it when he talked about blind school teachers and how amazed he was to learn of them. Heath’s the type of man, the type of person who needs to be productive, to feel useful.” explained Nick sadly.

Victoria felt tears spring to her eyes and she whispered, “He seemed so upbeat when you came into the house. Almost as if he were certain he’d regain his sight.”

“Mother, remember this is Heath we’re talking about.” reminded Nick softly. “What do you think he’s doing?”

Jarrod sighed and placed his glass on the table beside Nick’s, his happiness at the familiar banter between his younger brothers gone with the stark realization of the effort the blonde was putting up, the show of nonchalance he was expressing to his family.

Gray and brown eyes filled with understanding and the two elders’ bodies seemed to droop from the weight suddenly felt on their shoulders. The man upstairs was so important to them, the thought he may not regain his sight and leave, seemed to age them several years.

“He must be in so much anguish.” whispered Hiriam. “Not knowing if he’ll see again, planning and trying to keep up a strong front.”

“Oh, Nick.” sobbed Victoria, her small body pulled into her strong son’s arms, finding it hard to control the cries from leaving. “We can’t lose him, Nick. He’s a part of everything here, this house, this ranch. I refuse to lose him.”

Waiting til his mother brought herself under control, Nick placed a kiss on her forehead and stated he’d be bringing Heath down shortly before leaving the parlor and slowly climbing the grand staircase. Three people sat in the well furnished room of the mansion, all the worldly possessions were not a comfort to their hearts being shredded into pieces.

“Two weeks.” whispered Jarrod angrily as he held onto the back of the chair, his legal skills no use in this situation, he felt helpless. “Dear god, we may only have two weeks. Two more weeks and then what? I lose my brother?”

Fighting the stream of tears wanting to escape his wounded eyes, Jarrod excused himself and he escaped to the study, the door slamming loudly behind him, causing Hiriam and Victoria to jump from the ferocity of wood meeting wood.

“Victoria, what are we going to do?” inquired Hiriam with a shake of his head. “I can understand my grandson’s feelings but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

Smiling slightly, the small hand reached over and held onto the wrinkled older hand, gray eyes sad and misty. “No, it doesn’t Hiriam. Heath needs to know we’ll do whatever we can to help him, even if that means hiring a teacher to come here to the ranch if that’s necessary. In one way, I want these next two weeks to be here tomorrow and in another, I hope it takes a lifetime to pass.”

“Me too, Victoria.” said Hiriam, patting the small hand on his, brown eyes filled with understanding. “This is going to be the longest two weeks of all our lives.”

Naomi Jackson stood on the depot of the train station, her daughter held firmly in her arms for a minute before moving her hands up to hold her beautiful face, her eyes filled with tears. “If it’s meant to be, it’s worth fighting for. Don’t leave California until you’ve had a chance to speak with Heath, until you’ve had a chance to work out this misunderstanding. Don’t allow what might-have-beens steal your future from you.”

“Yes, mama.” acknowledged Cassidy, hugging her mother another time before watching Nate kiss her goodbye. Climbing onto the train steps, brother and sister stood on the back of the last car, waving to their mother until she was no longer in their sight.

Placing an arm around her waist, Nate moved his sister into the passenger car and found them a seat. Looking out the window, the marshal felt fear constrict his heart. Fear for his friend, fear for the condition of his eyes and fear for his sister across from him. Her sienna eyes were hopeful for the first time in weeks and Nate wondered if the sapphire eyes of Heath would glitter with happiness or repulsion when they looked upon his sister.

It was going to be a long four days of travel til they reached their destination of Stockton, California.

Chapter 23

Waiting til the door closed and he could no longer hear the jiggling of the roweled spurs, Heath lay his head back against the porcelain tub, his hands trembling slightly as they reached up to hold his face. Taking several shaky breaths, he fought the image of the blonde haired sienna eyed girl which wouldn’t leave his head. The burning in his fingers when he touched the box rushed her face to the forefront of his mind and again raked open the wound in his heart.

‘Stop it!’ snarled Heath to himself, lowering his hands and slowly washing. ‘You got other things to worry about! Like how you’re gonna fill two weeks til your appointment.’

Forcing his mind to push her enticing face and lips to the fringes, the blonde stopped bathing and shook his head. What would he do for two weeks? How would he occupy his time in the darkness? Frowning, he felt for the washcloth and swiped it across his body, unaware his bruises were almost faded, unaware of the conversation happening downstairs. Only aware he had to do something, anything to keep the despair from rising up again and swallowing him whole. Anything to feel useful and less helpless, anything to keep the fear inside him at bay and those around him from worrying.

Feeling around for the towel, Heath climbed out of the bath and dried his body, looking down to see if he’d gotten all the wetness dry and then smirked at his action. ‘Idiot’ mumbled the blonde finding his clothes and slowly dressing, the simple action lately seemed to be taking an eternity.

Long fingers started at the collar and button each small round item until he felt no more. Finding the tails of his shirt, he smiled when he felt the ends of the shirt and found them to be the same length before tucking his shirt into his pants and buckling his belt. Carefully lowering himself to the floor, the blonde pulled on his socks and then his boots.

Pushing himself up and feeling his pantleg stuck in his boot top, he bent over and his head met with pain. Striking the cabinet, sent a bursting of stars before his eyes and he stumbled backwards, slipping on some water and slamming onto the hard floor, his wrist striking the porcelain tub on the way down from his frantic grab.

Nick heard the loud crash and threw open the door, his eyes taking in the scene, his scream reaching the ears downstairs, “HEATH!”

Rushing to the dazed man’s side, Nick grabbed a towel and held it against the forehead which split open and was oozing red. Jarrod appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily from his wild dash to the second floor and stared.

“I’ll send someone for the doctor!” exclaimed the attorney running down the hallway and out of the mansion, calling over to Duke who sent one of the hands to town.

“Heath, sweetheart.” called Victoria kneeling on the floor beside her moaning son. “Nick, let’s get him to his room.”

Hiriam and Nick carefully lifted Heath onto his feet, each placing an arm over their shoulders, holding him by the waist and walked him to his room behind Victoria who rushed into the bedroom and propped his pillows up against his headboard. Laying Heath on the pillows, Nick reapplied the towel to the wound, glancing at Jarrod who appeared by his side, hazel eyes wide with concern.

Victoria saw the bruised wrist and gently touched it, the soft fingers causing Heath to gasp in pain, the limb protesting the mother’s touch. Pushing at the towel on his head with the other hand, Heath protested.

“Get it off my head.”

Grabbing his uninjured hand, Victoria firmly held onto it and commanded, “Heath, stop moving. You opened your forehead and Nick’s trying to stop the bleeding.”

Sagging further down into the pillows, the blonde welcomed the pain he felt in his head and wrist, the throbbing in tune taking his attention from her and he was glad for it. He didn’t want to talk and stubbornly refused answering any questions as to what happened. He pulled his hand from his Mother’s hold and raised it to the towel.

“I’ll hold it.” informed Heath, placing his hand over the large one, snapping when the other limb wasn’t removed. “NICK!”

“Alright, alright.” sighed Nick moving his hand down but remained sitting on the bed, examining the left hand. “I think you broke your wrist, little brother.”

“Too bad it wasn’t my damn fool neck.” muttered Heath bitterly, his words caused gasps from the others in the room and he felt an immediate shame for the pain he caused. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

Reaching up and running her fingers over his hair, Victoria sighed and assured her son lost in the darkness, “It’s okay, sweetheart. We know you’re upset.”

The patronizing tone, the words were not the right ones and they set off an explosion in the man surrounded twenty four hours by night, his anger boiling over, the fuse touched off by a fire of fear. The fear took shape in fury, the sudden fall in the bath room, his lack of knowing where he’d been cause of the inability to see flung the words from his mouth, his body trembling with the explosion he couldn’t contain.

“UPSET!” repeated Heath loudly in disbelief. “Why would I be upset? I can’t see a damn thing, can’t bend over without injuring myself, can’t see to keep from falling! How could I possibly be upset? Then to top it off, I appear to have broke my wrist! EVERYTHING’S GREAT! IT’S PERFECT, MOTHER! I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO BE UPSET!”

Gray eyes flashed with anger and Victoria sprang up onto her small feet, motioning the others from the room and closing the door behind them. The flames in her eyes making the men move quicker to get out of the line of fire.

“Heath Thomson! I will not tolerate this type of behaviour! Yes, you cannot see but that doesn’t give you free rein to be heartless to those around you! It doesn’t give you license to hurt those who love you! It doesn’t mean you can’t show us you’re afraid!” countered Victoria angrily. “I know a big strong man like yourself doesn’t like to be afraid of darkness. Lord forbid you should be weak enough to show you’re only human!”

Sitting on the bed and taking hold of the uninjured limb, effortlessly moving the hand away from the towel, she noted with relief the bleeding had stopped. Lowering the crimson stained cloth, she cupped his cheek and shook her head for her angry response to his fear.

“It’s okay to be afraid, Heath. You don’t have to be strong and protect us. We love you and won’t give up on you. Let us be strong for you. Let us protect you as you are always protecting us.” assured Victoria more calmly, her words sent his hand fumbling for hers, his fingers taking a firm hold. “Please Heath, let us in.”

“Forgive me, Mother.” whispered Heath, anguish thickening his words and causing a sob to come from inside him. “I’m sorry. I’m so afraid of everything, afraid of not seeing, afraid of moving around this house. It’s not the same, everything’s different. My home feels so foreign and it shouldn’t! Everything’s wrong.”

Tears spilled out from her gray eyes and Victoria held onto the shaking limb with both hands, his words continuing, the pent up fears spilling out, the small leak in the dam now widened to a crack, the torrent of pain like the untamed waters of a raging river.

“I love you all but god help me, I’m afraid of being alone again. Afraid of the loneliness. Afraid you’ll all move on without me, forget about me. I know logically it wouldn’t happen but I can’t stop from thinking those things.” admitted Heath, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean to raise my voice to you. Please forgive me.”

Joining her son in his torment, Victoria leaned forward and drew him up against her, placing a kiss on his cheek before laying his head on her shoulder, his uninjured arm reaching around her tiny body, holding on to her strength of iron. Both shaking with emotion, with fear.

“There’s nothing to forgive, Heath. Nothing.” whispered Victoria, rubbing circles on his back. "I love you, we all love you. Don’t shut us out, let us be here for you, every step of the way. Sighted or not, we won’t leave you alone, ever!”

Several minutes passed before the blonde regained control over his raging river of torment, he was exhausted from the ride from town and the emotional upheaval. Straightening himself, he felt his mother wiping his face and he reached for the silkiness of her face, his lips grazing her cheek before he lay back against the pillows, rolling over when sickness raised his stomach contents up and he expelled into the wastebasket she grabbed when he suddenly turned a sickly green color. Holding the metal container, Victoria rubbed his back til his body stopped heaving and a large groan indicated he’d finished.

“You okay, sweetheart?” asked Victoria, wetting the clean end of the towel in his basin and running it across his face. “Heath?”

“Well, I guess maybe we can add a concussion to everything else.” sighed Heath, simply allowing her tender caring hands to work on his battered body, allowing her maternal touch to help combat his fear. “I’m terribly tired, Mother.”

“I know, honey.” whispered Victoria running her fingers through his hair. “Dr. Merar will be here soon and after that you can sleep.”

Nodding, Heath took hold of her hand and held it to his face, “I want you to know the last three years have been the best of my life. They’ve been filled with so much love, so much happiness. Even through the bad times, Mother. I can’t imagine how I ever lived before we found each other, before we became a family.”

Tears sprang to her eyes again and she took a shaky breath, “We’re going to have a lot of years as a family, Heath. Don’t let fear keep you in the darkness alone. We’re here and we’re not going anywhere.”

“I promise to try.” stated Heath firmly. “I promise, Mother.”

Chapter 24

A knock on the door raised Victoria from her place on the bed, moving and allowing the family physician entry. Listening to Heath’s injuries from Victoria and from Heath how it happened, Howard placed his bag on the table next to the bed and nodded.

“Why don’t you wait downstairs and send Nick in from the hallway, Victoria.” suggested Howard. “Nick can help splint up Heath’s wrist.”

“I’ll be right downstairs, Heath.” whispered the Barkley matriarch, leaning down and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, Mother.” acknowledged Heath quietly, wincing at the probing skillful fingers checking his newest wound, the familiar melody of spurs reached him and he sighed, “Sorry, Nick.”

Taking hold of the blonde’s hand, Nick wrinkled his nose at the curdled smell in the room and squeezed the younger man’s hand, “Don’t throw up on me and we’ll call it square.”

Howard chuckled and opened his bag, pouring a dose of laudanum into a small cup and placing it in Heath’s hand. Motioning for Nick to pour a glass of water, he instructed his patient to drink the pain medicine.

“Okay, doc.” acquiesced Heath raising the container to his lips and downing the liquid. Nick held the glass of water to his brother’s mouth offering a chaser to the medicine. Both men watched as the bitter tasting medicine stole the blonde into sleep, a darkness of comfort as opposed to the frightening blackness invading his current environment during the day.

Working quickly, the gash was stitched and covered, the wrist straightened and splinted with Nick’s help. Unwrapping Heath’s eyes, Howard administered the next dose of medicine into the sapphire orbs. His medical mind recognizing the outer normal appearance of the light colored eyes were deceiving to the internal damage which could be hidden within.

Nick sat on the bed, his shoulders slumped while the physician put away his instruments, hazel eyes studying the blonde’s head, watching his chest rise and fall in a pattern of sleep. Howard checked Heath’s pulse, thankful the injuries from the fall weren’t more severe.

“Nick, Heath’s very lucky he wasn’t injured more.” stated Howard with a shake of his head. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, however, this fall may be a blessing in disguise.”

“A blessing?” How can this be considered a blessing?” gruffed Nick, his own head splitting with a headache almost as if it were sympathy pains for his wounded brother, his wounded partner.

Capturing the hazel eyes with his, Howard replied, “This fall will make Heath realize the importance of being more aware of his surroundings til he gets his sight back. Today when he bent over, it was an automatic reaction as if he were sighted. If he’s more aware of his position around furniture in a room…he will be able to prevent a repeat of this episode.”

Frowning, Nick ran the trusted man’s words around in his head, nodding his understanding before sighing loudly. “It’s not fair, doc. Not at all! Heath’s been through so much in his life, why does he have to suffer this way?”

Reaching over and placing a strong hand on the rancher’s shoulder, Howard agreed. “I know, Nick, I know. He’s a special person to all of us. I agree its not fair but as they say…what doesn’t kill a person makes them stronger.”

Running a hand through his dark unruly hair, Nick hesitated before asking, “Do you think in two weeks, we’ll have Heath back to his old self?”

“I wish I could tell you yes, Nick. I pray he’ll see again but I just don’t know.” apologized Howard sincerely and taking a deep breath. “I wish I knew.”

Patting the large man on the back, Howard took his bag and left the room, nodding to Jarrod who was waiting outside the door, heading down stairs to report to Victoria and Hiriam.

Entering the room, the eldest son stood beside the bed, his hands on Nick’s shoulders. Reaching up, Nick squeezed one of the supportive hands and shook his head.

“Pappy, what are we gonna do about this boy?”

“Exactly what we’re doing now, Nick.” assured Jarrod softly. “Hold him firmly in our hearts and keep him by our side.”

Squeezing the strong shoulders one more time, Jarrod moved to the other side of the bed, blue eyes running over Heath’s pale face relaxed in his medicinal sleep. His fingers ran down the bruised cheek and he closed his eyes briefly.

“I won’t allow us to lose him, Nick.” asserted Jarrod, conviction of the heart steeling his words. “His soul is a part of all of us.”

Frowning, Nick glanced at the oldest son and spoke the thoughts bothering him since he’d brought his little brother back from the Lone Star state.

“Jarrod, something happened in Texas. I don’t know what but whenever I would mention Nate and the investigation, Heath’d change the subject. Something else is going on with Heath. Something that’s really upset him.”

“Maybe he couldn’t speak about the investigation, Nick.” suggested Jarrod, thought deepening the furrow in his forehead. “He is, was, an officer of the law doing a sworn duty.”

Shaking his head negatively, Nick scowled, “When we left Texas, he was no longer a marshal and could have spoken about the investigation. I feel it in my gut, something happened out there and it’s eating at him inside. Heath’s eyes gave him away, Pappy. They had such pain in them, almost like he feels he was betrayed. Nate Jackson hurt him in some way and may God help Jackson if I ever see him again!”

Jarrod saw the anger in Nick’s eyes and turned his eyes back to the blonde on the bed, wondering how much more pain did Heath have to suffer in his life. Why did this man gentle as a lamb inside have to bear such burdens? Why did he have more than his share of hurt and turmoil?

Brushing his hand over the top of the blonde head, Jarrod nodded as he looked into the hazel eyes, trusting the validity of Nick’s gut feelings, the brothers had an uncanny sense when it came to each other, most times the gut feelings proved to be true. His thoughts sent red flags up in front of the lawyer and pushed his protective instincts into mother hen overload.

“Whatever it was Nick, we’ll make sure he doesn’t have another chance to cause OUR little brother any more harm. If your gut instincts are right, you are not the only Barkley Nate Jackson should be worried about if he ever steps foot in California again.”

Chapter 25

“Nick, stop staring at me!” protested Heath moving around the parlor, the next room of the house he was conquering by memorizing the placement of furniture, the steps from one end of the room to another, the placement of the windows in the wall, the small alcove which looked over the corrals, hidden by a thick drapery.

Rolling his eyes, Nick growled, “I wasn’t staring.”

Snorting, Heath moved from the alcove to the spot his brother’s voice was coming from and Nick filled up with pride at the lack of faltering in his step. The past four days, the two men spent every moment of time together, every waking minute working on taking away the foreign environment the home had become to the blonde. Jarrod helped at night when he returned home from his Stockton office where he was preparing for an upcoming trial.

Stopping two feet from Nick, Heath shook his head and smirked, “Just cause I can’t see you doesn’t mean I can’t feel those beady eyes on me!”

“BEADY EYES!” yelled Nick. “I DON’T HAVE BEADY EYES!”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Heath tilted his head slightly, “Really? If I recall correctly, I do believe that’s what Josie said to me before the trip.”

Frowning at the phrase ‘the trip’ the blonde adopted to reference his trip to Texas, Nick took a deep breath and stepped closer, his finger jabbing into the broad chest under the blue chambray shirt. “And exactly what were you doing speaking with my girl?”

Shrugging, Heath grabbed the finger and teased, “Who said we was talking?”

Moving past the dark haired man, Heath sensed the hands reaching for him and evaded his older brother’s reach by stepping quickly to the side, chuckling at the curse which rang out in the room.

“NICHOLAS!” admonished Victoria from the foyer where she stood with Sister Margaret from the orphanage. “We have a guest!”

Seeing the nun in her simple habit, Nick turned three shades of red, his voice stammering with nervousness, “Ah hell, I mean, I’m terribly sorry for my profanity Sister Margaret.”

Heath heard the voice of the head nun and clucked his tongue at Nick, the blonde shaking his head in deep censure of his older brother’s words. “Nicholas Barkley, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Victoria’s eyes sparkled with amusement and her shoulders shook, her hands flew to her mouth to keep the laughter from escaping. The change in her blonde son was dramatically different from four days ago. Working hard with his brothers, he’d managed to take away the fear of moving about the mansion, his smiles now genuine, his laughter refilling the large house. If one didn’t see the bandages over his eyes, from the back a person would think he was sighted and simply strolling the floorplan of the mansion.

“It’s all your fault, Heath!” blamed Nick firmly, sending his brother a scathing glare. “You started it!”

Sister Margaret familiar with both men winked at Victoria and shook her head, the two brothers acting more like little school age boys instead of the grown men, the leaders in the community, the respected ranchers they were.

“Nick!” exclaimed Heath in horror. “Now you gotta apologize for lying in front of Sister Margaret!”

“I’M NOT LYING!” shouted Nick, wincing at the look his mother gave at his increased volume. “You’re the one who said I had beady eyes. Mother, do you think I have beady eyes?”

Heath snickered at the question and made his way to the foyer, honing in on his Mother’s voice.

“Of course not dear.” responded Victoria, between gasps of laughter. “No mother could ever think that of their child.”

Sighing with exaggeration, Heath said quietly, “Mother, I just don’t know what you’re going to do with Nick. We can dress him up but til he learns some manners, I wouldn’t take him anywhere.”

Blushing, Nick stepped up behind Heath, whispering in his ear, “Just you wait til there’s no women around, little brother.”

“Play nice now, Nick.” teased Heath, flashing a lop-sided grin.

Sister Margaret hid her smile by lowering her head for a moment before reaching out and taking hold of the blonde’s hand. “Heath, the children were asking about you and they made this card for you.”

Turning his hand over, the nun placed a piece of wood in the tanned hand.

“Boy howdy, Sister. It’s a card made of wood!” stated Heath, surprise filling his voice.

“Feel it.” encouraged Sister Margaret, her smile wide as she guided his fingers over the wooden object. “Can you read it?”

“I can!” exclaimed Heath after several minutes of running his fingers across the wood. “Thanks, Sister. Please tell the children I said thank you also.”

“I will.” assured the nun softly.

Looking over Heath’s shoulder, Nick requested excitedly, “Read it to me, Heath! Com’n!”

“Nick, stop bellowing in my ear! Ya’ll bust my ear drum!” growled Heath moving his ear away from the large rumble.

“Sorry.” said Nick placing a hand on the shoulder in front of him, asking in a quiet voice. “What’s it say?”

“It says. Mr. Heath, we miss you and hope you feel better soon.” replied Heath happily, his smile wide and he turned to grab Nick’s arm. “Com’n Nick, lets hang this in my room before Jarrod gets here.”

“Alright!” agreed Nick.

“Thank you again, Sister Margaret. Mother, Audra rode over to the Swensons and she’ll be back in time for dinner.” stated Heath before pulling Nick towards the staircase.

“Boy, slow down!” protested Nick with a smile for the two ladies watching one brother leading another.

Victoria watched her boys climb the staircase and turned to the woman of the cloth. “Heath was so excited and thrilled to be able to read the card himself, Sister Margaret. How did you do it?”

“Actually, it was the children’s idea Mrs. Barkley. When they learned Heath couldn’t see at the moment because of his injured eyes, they put their heads together and came up with the idea of using yarn to form block letters.” smiled Sister Margaret, her eyes filling with pride. “All the children adore your son and look up to him. They truly miss him and are all praying for the return of his eyesight.”

Holding onto the sister’s hands, gray eyes filmed with moisture and Victoria smiled, “Thank you very much for delivering the card yourself. Please let the children know we appreciate their prayers for Heath and I will personally let you know the results when he gets back from San Francisco next week.”

“That’s awfully kind of you, Mrs. Barkley. Thank you.” smiled Sister Margaret. “Now, I must be going back to the orphanage. Thank you for your time and say good bye to your two little boys for me.”

Laughing happily and seeing the nun to the door, Victoria assured the sister she would extend her good-byes. Jarrod helped Sister Margaret into her surrey and was greeted with a kiss on his cheek after he entered the mansion.

“Mother, where are my two wayward brothers?” asked Jarrod, blue eyes sparkling with anticipation of the planned outing, the three men riding to Harpers Lake for a relaxing afternoon of fishing and imbibing in cider.

“They are in Heath’s room, dear. You’d best hurry, they’ve been chomping at the bit all morning.” winked Victoria with a sly smile.

“They’re wound up, huh?” inquired Jarrod, groaning out loud at her laughter and nod before his mother headed to the kitchen. Her good luck still ringing in his ears and he smirked as he climbed the staircase, making his way to the room the two male voices were coming from.

“Nick, it doesn’t look straight to me.” stated Heath standing against the wall.

“What do you mean?” asked Nick, scowling as he stood back and stared at the wooden card. “It’s perfectly straight! See?”

Jarrod stood in the doorway and laughed out loud at the look on Nick’s face when he realized what just happened. The blonde found himself pushed up against the wall, Nick growling and trying to sound angry with the giggling man whose legs suddenly seemed unable to hold his weight from the laughter shaking him.

“Twit brain!”

“Smart ass!” shot back Nick, before shaking his head and cupping the blonde’s neck, “One of these days, little brother.”

Chuckling, Heath held onto the muscular arm and squeezed before greeting their older brother. “You ready, Pappy? We’re ready!”

“Give me five minutes boys.” stated Jarrod, smiling widely at Nick. “Why don’t you two get the horses?”

“First you gotta see the card the kids at the orphanage made for me, Jarrod.” said Heath effortlessly walking around the bed and moving to the dresser, gesturing upwards. “I could read it with my fingertips!”

Surprised, Jarrod glanced at Nick who nodded before he examined the piece of wood on the wall. “Well, I’ll be! What a great idea!”

“I thought so.” agreed Heath. “It sure was awful nice of them.”

Squeezing Heath’s shoulder, Jarrod offered, “We all know how those kids feel about you, brother Heath. Now, you and Nick better get the horses if we want to get in some quality time fishing.”

Nodding, Heath headed to the door, “Com’n twit brain!”

“Boy, just wait til I get you near the water.” threatened Nick with a large smile as he followed the blonde down the hallway.

Jarrod shook his head at the fading conversation, his hands reaching up to touch the wood and he closed his eyes, running his fingers over the card, carefully reading it as Heath would have. Sighing after he read the card with his fingers, Jarrod shook off the thoughts of what the following week would bring and hurried to his room. Emerging five minutes later, he tied the full saddlebags onto Jingo’s saddle and mounted effortlessly.

Victoria waved and watched from the oak door while the brothers left the ranch yard, riding beside each other with the blonde safely sandwiched between the two dark haired men.

Chapter 26

Heath felt the warmth of the early afternoon sun on his face, he felt his brothers by his side, the touch of a breeze on his cheeks and he sighed listening to Nick describe the ride to the lake. The distance not far from the mansion they called home but far enough away to ensure privacy for their brotherly outing. Reaching the spot, Nick and Jarrod smiled at each other as Heath dismounted and whispered his words to Charger. The massive horse responding in kind by nudging his master, encouraging the man to continue on.

“I swear sometimes that horse is in love with you.” teased Nick, earning a chuckle from Jarrod and a scowl from the blonde.

Reaching up and running his hands down the long face of the animal, Heath mumbled, “Charger, don’t be listening to any jackasses. All they do is talk nonsense.”

Laughing, Nick clapped his little brother on the back and held onto his elbow, guiding him to a spot under the tree nearest to the lake where Jarrod placed the bulging saddlebags and two jugs of cider.

“Stay here, I’ll get the rod and tackle.” ordered Nick tousling the freed blonde hair when Heath took off his hat.

“Dammit, Nick. You’re worse than mother and Audra! Always touching my hair.” snarled Heath, feeling another hand on his head, groaning, “Not you too, Pappy!”

Light blue eyes lit up with amusement and happiness at the groaning of the disgruntled blonde. Lowering himself beside Heath, Jarrod placed a hand on the blonde’s shoulder, his deep rich voice, soothing to his brother’s ears.

“Brother Heath, it’s Mother’s fault. She always ran her fingers through our hair as children, even Nick’s when she could get him to sit still long enough. Sick, healthy, injured…we could always feel her by the gentle entwining of her tiny fingers in our locks. It’s a learned Barkley trait, I’m guessing.”

“Besides, little brother, your hair is just so pretty. It begs to be touched.” teased Nick, reaching over and pulling on the pony tail of light colored hair. “Jarrod, did you bring the scissors? Wait, I have my pocket knife. Lets see how it feels to be a barber for a day!”

Slapping at the hand yanking on his extension, Heath growled, “Very funny. You come near me with any cutting instrument and you won’t like where it winds up.”

If anyone had been listening, they’d have been curious at the deep voice of laughter, the chuckles of merriment and would have assumed the men had consumed the alcohol rich cider on their ride. Three boys, no cares in the world for the moment, no worries of chores, responsibilities or life, spent the afternoon laughing, spinning tales and fishing.

“Damn, Heath!” growled Nick in disgust when the blonde pulled his seventh fish from the lake, his brothers rolling their eyes at the sight. “Are you sweet talking the fish like you do Charger?”

Shrugging, Heath smiled and turned his head to his right where Nick was seated and mumbling as he took the prize off the hook, his words slightly slurred from the intoxicating effects of the cider. “Brother Nick, I thought the reason we brought you along today was to be the fish wrangler. Isn’t that right, Pappy?”

Jarrod looked past the blonde to the dark headed man on the other side, the pleasure in the hazel eyes from the simple act of being with the blonde, the teasing of the blonde left a permanent smile on the tanned face all day. He felt the same as Nick, it was almost as if the trouble in Texas hadn’t happened, hadn’t sent their brother into a darkened world.

“Nick seems right happy with his new job, Heath.” assured Jarrod with a laugh which turned to a groan when he lost the fish on the end of his line. “Damn fish!”

“You know, Heath. If Jarrod talked to the fish like he did a court room of people, I bet they’d jump right out of this lake and into the basket willingly.” whispered Nick loudly for all ears to hear.

Hiccupping suddenly, Heath shook his head and agreed, “No doubt about it big brother. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to the words of our elder as he does his song and dance in the Lady of Justice’s court and let me tell you…..he almost put me to sleep.”

“HEY!” exclaimed Jarrod pulling the giggling blonde over to him with a strong arm and running his hand over the light hair.

“NOT THE HAIR!” protested Heath between chuckles and hiccups, gasping for air when he was released and laid back on the ground, his face pointed upwards, his body shaking with laughter, his hiccupping continuing.

“Heath, if we bring you home drunk, Mother’ll have our heads on a platter.” warned Nick leaning on his elbow and flicking the cheek of his brother with a finger, smiling at the growl emanating from the blonde before laying down beside him. Jarrod sighed and lay down on the other side of his unseeing brother, looking up at the sky.

“The sky’s beautiful today, Heath. There’s only a few clouds, the blue is clear and close to the color of the ocean. Remember the ocean at the mission? It’s the same color as that. Crystallized blue, soft and inviting, makes you want to get lost in its depth.” informed Jarrod, his baritone pleasing to the other two sets of ears, his words emphasizing the details, their closed eyes letting his words form a picture in their minds.

“What about the clouds?” whispered Heath, urging Jarrod to complete the masterpiece forming in his mind, the only picture he could see at the moment.

“Ahhh, the clouds.” purred Jarrod. “The white is untouched like a new snow, they shine brilliantly against the blue. They are high, tall clouds. Not the small thin, emancipated clouds.”

“Emancipated means thin or skinny, Nick.” whispered Heath.

“I know what it means!” snorted Nick. “I went to school!”

“Poor teachers.” sighed Heath dramatically, chuckling at the curse he received. “Are the clouds fluffy?”

“Extremely fluffy, my brother. They look as fluffy as Silas’ mashed potatoes. Fluffy as a stack of goose feathers. I bet if a person laid on one of those clouds, his body would sink into it, he would become surrounded by the softness.”

“Wow!” whispered Nick, entranced in the descriptions, the pictures in his mind. “That’s a wonderful picture.”

“Sure is, Nick.” agreed Heath reaching over with his casted hand and touching Jarrod with the fingers sticking out from the white. “Thanks, Pappy.”

“Anytime, brother Heath. Anytime.” sighed Jarrod squeezing the fingers beneath the plastered wrist. “Just keep thinking positively, Heath. Positive thoughts.”

The reminder of the upcoming visit the following week left each brother deep in thought, their future lay with one doctor appointment, one hour in the company of a medicinal man, one hour would be all it took to tell the family of the turn their future would take.

The thoughts weigh heavily on their minds, casting a pallor over the picture of the sky in his mind and Heath suddenly asked, “Jarrod, are you sure the clouds aren’t fluffy like Nick’s mind?”

“What the hell kind of question is that!” shouted Nick pushing himself upwards and glaring down at the man beside him. Heath’s smile was crooked on his lips and his shoulders shook with laughter. “Smart ass!”

The afternoon was gone and the sun falling behind them as the brothers made their way back to the mansion, the time spent together, the talks, the laughter, the remembrances, filling them all and making the ride faster.

Nick reached over when Heath swayed in the saddle, his center off from the effects of the alcohol and the darkness he was in. His laughter at Nick’s grumbling about drunk blind people filled the area around them. Jarrod shook his head and smirked, Heath hadn’t had that much to drink and felt sure, little brother was once again pulling the wool over big brother. Reaching the ranch yard, Nick yelled at Heath as he bounded down from Charger, his eyes wide when the blonde effortlessly and safely hit the ground, steady on two feet.

“Boy!! You’d best start running now!” warned Nick loudly, dismounting and handing the horses off to Ciego. Jarrod grinned at the two men, wrapping an arm over each of their shoulders as they walked to the house, entering the foyer. Both older brothers stopping at the sight of the two people with their mother.

Heath’s chuckles ceased at the voices, his ears picked up and his body stiffened, his hand clenched into a fist. Nate and Cassidy’s eyes filled with anguish at the wrappings around the blonde’s head, neither of them missing the dark scowl on his face or the way his body stiffened at the sounds of their voices.

“Heath..”

Nate’s words were cut off, his steps towards his friend stopped at the cold voice ringing through the mansion.

“Get the hell outta here and take her with you!”

Continued…