by Marci S
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.
Nick let go of the bucket and it crashed to the floor. He
reached for his holster but he saw Cole start to pull the trigger on his gun.
Nick slowly moved his hand away from his gun. He stared at Sam and saw the
terror in her eyes. Cole was holding her up with one hand while the other held
the gun.
“Cole, what do you want?”
He tightened his grip on Sam. “I have what I want.” He eyed the door. “I’m
going to take her out of here and if you move I’ll shoot her.”
“You’re not leaving with her. I’ll kill you first.” Nick’s eyes wandered the
room as he tried to form some plan.
“Nick.” Sam whispered his name and then cried out when Cole shook her.
“Shut up.”
“Cole, let her go. She’s just a child and she’s suffered so much already. I’ll
give you all the money you want and you can go disappear. We won’t look for
you.” As he talked Nick’s hand slowly inched towards his gun. He knew he had
only once chance to get Cole. Shoot him in the head and hope he died before his
finger could pull the trigger. If he allowed them to leave, they would never
see Sam again. That Nick was sure of.
“Cole, this is your last chance. Put the gun down and let her go.”
Cole let out a sarcastic laugh. Nick took that opportunity
to grab his gun and aim it at Cole. He never got a shot off. Nick felt a
searing pain in his chest as he fell to the ground.
“Nick!” Faintly he heard Sam screaming his name. “Nick!” She wiggled free and
crawled to her stricken brother. His eyes were open and he tried to speak, but
nothing came out. She looked up and saw the man coming closer.
“Let’s go.”
Sam crawled around Nick, away from the approaching man. She saw the gun lying
there and grabbed it with both hands.
“You’re going to shoot me?” He laughed as he neared the child.
Sam backed away as she heard Nick start coughing.
“Go away.” Sam started crying as she leaned back against the wall. “Leave me
alone.” Her crying intensified as she aimed the gun.
Cole started smiling as he hovered over the child.
“Go away.” Sam screamed as he reached for her and the gun went off.
* * * * *
It was a long day of riding and both Heath and Jarrod were
tired.
“All I want is a bath,” Heath muttered as they entered the
town.
They rode towards the sheriff’s office and were
immediately met by one of his men. “Get to the doctor’s office now.” The tone
in his voice scared them and they raced over to see the doctor.
“Doc Baker.” Jarrod shouted as they entered the building.
They saw Sam sitting in the hallway, her clothes covered
with blood.
“Sam!”
She looked up, her eyes filled with tears. “Nick is dead.”
“What?” Jarrod grabbed her shoulders. “Where is Nick?”
“He shot him. The bad man shot him.”
Jarrod shook his head. “No” he mumbled as he headed the
other way, looking for the doctor.
Heath picked up Sam and they followed Jarrod. They found
the doc coming out of a small room.
“My brother? Where is he?”
The doctor put his finger to his lips. “Quiet.” He closed
the door and motioned for them to follow him. “Your brother is one lucky man.”
“He’s alive?” Jarrod sighed with relief when the doctor nodded.
“He took a bullet to the chest but amazingly it missed his
heart. He did lose a lot of blood and the next twenty-four hours are very
critical.”
“Where’s Cole?” Heath asked.
“Dead. Nick somehow managed to shoot him in the head.”
“I want to see my brother.” Jarrod’s eyes searched the hallway. “Where is he?”
The doctor pointed to the room he had just exited. “He’s
going to be asleep for a while.”
Jarrod didn’t care and he headed that way. He walked in
and stopped. Nick was lying so still it scared him. Sam was also scared and she
started crying.
“Heath, take her out of here.”
Heath wanted to stay but he didn’t want to argue with
Jarrod. “We’ll be back later,” he said before leaving.
Jarrod walked over to the bed and smiled through his
tears. “Nick!” He gently grabbed his brother’s hand.
Surprisingly, Nick opened his eyes. He mumbled something
that Jarrod couldn’t understand.
“Nick, don’t talk.” Jarrod pulled a chair over and sat down. “Close your eyes
and go to sleep.”
“Sam!” It took a lot of effort for Nick to say one word
and he winced in pain.
“She’s fine. Nick she’s fine.” Jarrod lightly ran his hand through Nick’s hair.
“Sam is fine and you need to rest.”
Nick seemed to relax and slowly his eyes closed. Jarrod
continued to sit there and hold his hand long after he fell asleep.
* * * * *
Heath was losing the battle and he felt like screaming. He
had brought Sam back to the hotel with the intentions of cleaning her up but
she fought him with every ounce of her strength. She was now sitting in the
corner half-dressed and still covered with blood.
“Sam, please.” Heath crouched down and pleaded with his sister. “Let’s get
cleaned up and then eat dinner.”
Heath hadn’t eaten all day and he was starved. He reached
out and picked up his sister, bracing himself for the fight that was sure to
come. Heath carried her over to the table and managed to get the rest of her
clothes off. Ignoring her cries he washed most of the blood off and dressed her
in some clean clothes.
“Sam, stop crying. Please stop crying.” Heath walked away, both hands pulling
on his hair.
The door opened and Heath was relieved to see Jarrod walk
in.
“How’s Nick?”
“Sleeping.” Jarrod flung his hat off. “The doctor kicked me out for a few hours
but I’m going to spend the night with him.”
He walked over to Sam and then glanced back at Heath.
Heath shrugged, frustration written all over his face.
“Sam, why are you crying?” Jarrod gently rubbed her back.
“He killed Nick.”
“Nick is not dead. He’s going to be just fine.”
“He is,” Sam insisted. “He was just lying there and he had blood coming out of
his mouth. Just like my daddy before he died.”
Jarrod took a deep breath and glanced back at Heath.
“Sam, I’ll make you a deal. We’re going to go out and get dinner and if you eat
everything I’ll take you to see Nick. OK?”
She nodded her head.
“Let’s go then.” Jarrod picked the child up and walked towards Heath. “Hungry?”
Heath nodded and followed his brother out of the hotel
room.
* * * * *
Nick opened his eyes and felt a dull pain in his chest. He
tried to sit up but the pain intensified and he slowly leaned back down.
“Jarrod.” His brother was sleeping. “Jarrod!”
This time Jarrod heard him and sprang to his feet. “Nick,
how do you feel?”
Nick squinted as he tried to figure that out. “What ran
over me?” he finally asked.
“Nick, you were shot. Don’t you remember?”
Nick closed his eyes as the memories came rushing back.
“Sam!” He opened his eyes. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop him from taking her.
Heath must be devastated,” he added, turning his head away from his brother.
“Nick, Sam is safe and with Heath right now.”
Nick looked at his brother, clearly confused.
“Nick, Cole is dead. You shot him.”
“I didn’t.” Nick became agitated and tried to sit up.
“No you don’t.” Jarrod gently pushed him back down. “Nick, what’s wrong?” He
kept his hands on Nick’s shoulders.
“I messed up. I left Sam alone for a few seconds to get more ice and he had a
gun to her head when I got back.” Nick licked his dry lips. “Water.”
Jarrod reached for a glass and poured some water into it.
He propped Nick up and held the glass while his brother took a sip.
“Jarrod, I hesitated and he shot me. I didn’t shoot him.”
“Who did then?”
Neither spoke the obvious choice.
“How is she doing?” Nick asked to break the silence.
Jarrod frowned wondering how to explain the past two days
to his brother.
“Jarrod?”
He shrugged. “It’s been difficult. Sam’s having a tough
time and Heath is overwhelmed right now.”
“I want to see her. Jarrod, how long do I have to stay here?”
“I should be able to answer that.” The doctor neared the bed. “You look and
sound better. Let’s see how the wound is doing.” He quickly unwrapped the
bandage and examined Nick.
“I think it’s best you stay here another day.”
Nick moaned.
“Doc, when will he be able to travel?”
Doc Baker shrugged slightly. “At least another week” he
stated firmly. “If he moves too soon those stitches are going to open and he’ll
be too susceptible to infection.”
Nick moaned even more. Jarrod smiled, knowing his brother
felt well enough to complain.
“Nick, you’ll live. I’ll go get Sam and bring her here.” He tapped Nick lightly
on the shoulder.
“Bring Heath too.”
Jarrod nodded and then left. It was a short distance to
the hotel and Jarrod was there in a few minutes. He quietly walked in to their
room and was met by Heath’s anguished face.
“How bad?” Jarrod noticed that Sam was lying on the floor, covered with a
blanket. “Is she asleep?”
“For a few minutes.” Heath yawned. “How’s Nick?” Heath stood up and stretched.
“He’s awake and wants to see you. And Sam.” Jarrod walked over to the child. He
was surprised to see Sam awake and staring up at him. Jarrod crouched down next
to her. “Sam, do you want to go see Nick?”
“No.” She turned away from him.
“He really wants to see you.” Jarrod pulled back the blanket and rubbed the
child’s back. He then sat on the floor and lifted Sam into his arms.
Not surprisingly she fought him. “Leave me alone.”
Jarrod glanced back at Heath who simply shook his head.
Jarrod let go of Sam and she scooted out of his lap and leaned against the
wall.
“Sam, let me put you in bed.” Jarrod reached for the child and lifted her up.
“Put me down.”
Jarrod paced while she struggled in his arms. Finally Sam
gave up and allowed herself to be held. After a few minutes she fell asleep.
“We can add sleep deprivation to her list of problems.” He turned and faced
Heath. “Go see Nick and tell him I’ll bring Sam by later.”
Heath hesitated.
“Go! Heath, we’ll be fine.” Jarrod slowly sat down,
careful to not wake the sleeping child.
* * * * *
Heath stood outside and took a deep breath. It felt good
to be outside and not cooped up in a hotel. He could imagine how crazy Nick
must be going stuck in the doctor’s office. Heath headed that way and entered
the building. Nick was looking away when he entered the room.
“Nick?” Slowly he turned and smiled weakly at his little brother. Heath stood
in the doorway, his gaze downward.
“Heath, come closer.”
Heath walked over and sat down in the chair near the bed.
“How are you feeling?”
Nick sighed, and then winced in pain. “I’m doing better,”
he stated, despite the pain. “How are you?”
Heath was surprised his brother asked him that. “I’m fine,
I’m not the one who was shot.”
“Heath, you look like hell.” Nick reached over and lightly touched his
brother’s arm. “Jarrod told me what’s going on with Sam and I think I have it
easier being here.”
Heath looked away.
“Where is Sam?”
“Jarrod got her to fall sleep. He’ll bring her later.” Heath continued to stare
at the wall. “She’s up all night and so am I. Nick, I can’t take the screaming
and the crying much longer.” He glanced at Nick and tried to smile. “I hate
giving her a bath. She’s so thin I’m almost afraid her bones are going to
break. And all the marks…” Heath shook his head. “I wish I were the one who
killed Jay Cole.”
“Did Jarrod tell you I didn’t shoot him?”
“Huh?” Heath stared at him.
Nick shook his head. “I was shot first and I never got a
shot off. Sam must have grabbed my gun and killed him.”
“God no.” Heath lowered his head. “Doesn’t she have enough to deal with?”
Nick didn’t know how to answer that. He watched Heath
stifle a yawn.
“Heath, I won’t be insulted if you take a nap.” Heath just stared at him. “Hey
I’m kind of tired myself.” He wasn’t but Heath looked completely spent. “Go
ahead.”
Heath didn’t need much persuading to rest his head on the
bed. He felt Nick’s hand on the back of his head and he sighed deeply before
allowing himself to relax. He was still sleeping a few hours later when Jarrod
showed up with Sam.
“Hey Sam.” Nick smiled at the little girl.
Jarrod looked questioningly at his sleeping brother.
“He needs the sleep more than I need the company.”
Jarrod nodded as they walked around the chair and near the
head of the bed. Sam stared at Nick and then wrapped her arms around Jarrod,
hiding her face against his neck.
“She just woke up from her nap” Jarrod explained, “and very cranky” he added.
Jarrod grabbed the other chair and sat down, shifting Sam’s weight to get
comfortable.
Heath moaned in his sleep and Nick again rested his hand
on his brother’s head. Whatever he was dreaming, he seemed to calm down when
Nick touched him. He saw Jarrod watching him and he smiled slightly.
“We’re a sorted mess, aren’t we?” Nick asked quietly as his eyes shifted from
Heath to Sam. “What’s next Pappy?”
“I don’t know. Beyond getting you out of that bed and all of us going home, I
just don’t know.”
Sam shifted in his arms so she could watch Heath sleep.
She was thankfully quiet and Jarrod savored the few minutes of peace.
“They say time heals so I guess we’ll find out if that’s true.” Jarrod
whispered, hoping it was true.
Victoria picked up her bag and walked away from the train
depot. After Jarrod’s last telegram she decided she was needed in Mesa and left
Stockton immediately. Her first concern was Nick’s condition and she headed
towards the doctor’s office.
“Can I help you?” As soon as she entered a young man approached her.
Victoria nodded. “I’m Victoria Barkley and I believe my
son is here.”
“Aw. My star patient.” Doc Baker smiled. “He’s actually getting out of here
today.” He pointed. “He’s in that room and I believe your other son is with
him.”
Victoria thanked him, picked up her bag and headed down
the hall. She knocked briefly before entering the room.
“Mother, what are you doing here?” Jarrod took her bag and placed it on the
floor.
She walked over to the bed and kissed her son’s forehead.
“How do you feel?”
“Better. What are you doing here?”
“After the last telegram I received, do you really think I could have stayed
there and wondered what was going on with my family?” Her gaze went from Jarrod
to Nick. “How are Sam and Heath?”
Nick and Jarrod exchanged glances and Victoria noticed.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
Jarrod offered a chair and she sat down.
“You already know about Sam’s physical condition” Jarrod began. “Well, since
then we’ve learned she’s the one who shot Cole and she’s not sleeping much and when
she does she has nightmares and…” Jarrod paused. “She’s fighting us on
everything and Heath unfortunately is taking the brunt of her anger.”
Victoria silently took that all in.
“How is Heath handling it?”
“Not well,” Jarrod answered. “Once Nick gets out of here and settled at the
hotel I was going to relieve him of watching Sam. He’s in need of some sleep
and maybe someone to listen to him. As for Sam, we’re not sure what she needs
and she isn’t telling us.” Jarrod shrugged slightly.
“OK then.” Victoria stood up. “I’m going over to the hotel and I’ll get two new
rooms. You three can decide who’s sleeping where. I’ll stay with Sam and I
don’t want to see any of you until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Mother, are you sure that’s a good idea? Sam is a handful right now…”
“And I’m her mother.” Victoria saw that Jarrod was going to protest again so
she held a warning finger up. “I’m not going to worry about her legs right now.
We’ll be home soon enough and we can deal with that then. But I will get her to
eat and in the meantime I expect you two to help Heath. Get him to open up and
help him deal with this.” Victoria neared the bed and kissed Nick again. “If
you need me for anything you know where I am.” She grabbed Jarrod’s hand
briefly before picking up her bag and leaving.
“Does she know what she’s getting herself in to?” Nick asked after she left.
Jarrod smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure she does. I think
she’s exactly what Sam needs right now.” At least he hoped so.
* * * * *
Victoria made the arrangements at the front desk and then
headed towards the right room. She knocked and waited but there was no answer.
She heard a child crying and rightfully assumed it was Sam. As much as it
pained her, it also made her happy to finally hear her newest daughter. She
knocked again and finally the door opened.
“What?” Heath’s anger quickly subsided when he saw who it was. “Mother.”
It still felt strange calling Victoria that but right now
she was exactly who he needed. Sam was crying in the background and Heath
opened the door farther and Victoria walked in.
“I was just trying to put this on her cuts.” Heath held up the ointment in his
hand. “I don’t think it hurts her but she puts up a fight anyways.”
Victoria reached up and lightly touched Heath’s face.
“You’re a good big brother but I think you need a break right now. Let me do
it.” She took the ointment and neared the child.
Sam was crouched in the corner, hiding her face and
crying.
“Sam, I’ve missed you so much.” Victoria reached out and caressed the child’s
hair. “Sam, can you look at me?”
The child turned, her surprise in seeing her mama clearly
written on her face. “Mama!” Sam sniffled and then crawled into Victoria’s lap.
“Mama, can I come home now?”
“As soon as Nick is able, we’re all going home. Until then, we have to do our
best here. Including putting the medicine on your cuts.”
Sam made a face and scooted away. Victoria eyed her legs
and noticed she couldn’t seem to straighten them. She heard footsteps and knew
Heath was hovering over them.
Victoria stood up. “Heath, go help Jarrod bring Nick home.
I’ve reserved two new rooms down the hall and I don’t want to see you until
tomorrow. Spend time with your brothers and forget about Sam. She’ll be fine
with me.”
She laughed at the look Heath gave her.
“Heath, go on.”
Heath shook his head, as he stared at Sam.
“Heath, don’t make me repeat myself. We’ll see you
tomorrow afternoon.”
“Our stuff.” He pointed to the clothing scattered around the room.
“I’ll pack them up and put them in your new room.”
She waited for another excuse but it didn’t come.
Heath hesitated, yet part of him wanted to leave and he
knew he needed a break from his sister. Quickly he grabbed his hat and scurried
out before his mother could change her mind.
Victoria turned her attention back to her daughter. “Sam,
I’m going to pick you up and place you on the table.” She braced herself for
the child to start crying but Sam remained stoic, unsure of what Victoria was
going to do next. “Sam, I’m just going to check your cuts and see how they’re
healing.”
She removed the child’s top first and examined her back.
The marks were ugly but all but one seemed to be healing just fine.
“Sam, only one needs some medicine.” Quickly Victoria rubbed some ointment on it.
“It’s done.”
She did it so fast Sam didn’t have a chance to start
screaming. She stared over Victoria’s shoulder as her mother removed her pants
and started looking at her legs. She cried out in pain when Victoria tried to
straighten her leg.
“Sorry.” Victoria soothed the child with a kiss. “Sam, do you want to walk
again? Or do you want someone to always carry you?” The child looked away.
“It’s going to be your choice.” Victoria looked through her bag and pulled out
some papers. “Tommy asked me to give you these. He really misses you and so do
the other kids at school.”
She placed the papers on the table next to the child and
waited until Sam’s curiosity got the best of her.
“Tommy said to tell you Grace is walking now and getting so big.”
“I can’t walk,” Sam said glumly. “I can’t climb either. That’s all I could do
good and now I can’t do that either.”
“Yes you can.” Victoria lifted the child’s chin. “You can do anything you want
to do. It’s just going to take a little pain to get there.”
Victoria decided her legs looked fine and she quickly
dressed the child.
“I have some treats in there from Silas but you have to eat lunch first. Let’s
go downstairs and see what they have.” She lifted Sam into her arms and walked
out.
* * * * *
Jarrod dropped the cards in his hands and tossed the rest
of his money towards Heath. What started as a friendly game of cards between
brothers had continued into the wee hours of the night and Heath wasn’t ready
to go to bed.
“Heath, I’m broke. Can we stop?”
Nick had gone to sleep hours ago and was snoring quietly
in the far bed.
Heath took the bottle of gin and poured a little in his
glass. “One more game. I’ll spot you some money.”
“No.” Jarrod stood up and grabbed a set of keys. “I’ll be right back.” He
returned a few minutes later with a pillow and blanket.
“We’ll flip to see who gets the bed.” Heath blankly stared at his brother. “I
figured you might want to spend the night here.”
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” Heath took the bedding and tossed it down. He took
his boots off and settled on the floor.
He was hoping his brother would play another round of
poker but Jarrod was already in bed and probably asleep. Heath tossed on the
floor for a few minutes, and then threw the blanket off and stood up. He walked
over to the window and stared out. As tired as he was, Heath was surprised he
couldn’t sleep.
“Can’t sleep?” Jarrod sat up in bed. “Heath, I would think that you’d be tired
after the past few nights.”
Heath shrugged. “Do you think Sam is asleep?”
“For mother’s sake, I hope she is.” Jarrod chuckled softly.
“It’s not funny,” Heath mumbled as he stepped away from the window. He plopped
back down on the floor and grabbed the pillow, hugging it tightly.
“Heath, I’m not making light of the situation and I’m sure Sam is just fine.”
Heath briefly made eye contact with his brother. “Jarrod
you don’t understand.”
Jarrod ran his hand through his hair. “You say that a lot
Heath. What don’t I understand?”
He glanced over at Nick and saw that he was still
sleeping. Slowly Jarrod got off the bed and neared his brother.
“Heath, what don’t I understand?
“You don’t understand what Sam has gone through.” Heath stood up.
“And you do?” Jarrod followed Heath towards the window.
“I know what it’s like to be tied up and tortured.” Heath met his brother’s
stare. “I know what it’s like to depend on a monster for your food and water
and to hope he gives you enough to see the next day. And I know what it does to
your mind to be that alone, even when others are around.” Heath’s voice rose
with each word. Finally he paused and took a breath.
“Heath, what are you talking about?”
“Yeah I’d like to know too.” Nick moaned as he sat up in bed.
“I was at Carterson prison during the war.” Heath couldn’t believe he said the
words, even after they came out of his mouth.
He had never told anyone, not even his mother. He had
planned to, but he never found the right time or place. Heath looked at Jarrod and
saw sympathy in his eyes and that was the last thing he needed or wanted. He
looked away, out in the darkness.
“I know the agony that comes with those bruises. I can still hear the screams
of men twice the size of Samantha. I’ve seen corpses with more meat on their
body than she has.” Heath turned and pointed at Jarrod. “And you don’t get over
it. It stays with you and it slowly eats away at you.”
“I’m sorry.” Jarrod reached out but Heath pushed his hand away.
“I don’t want your pity. I want you to understand what Sam
went through.”
“No.” Jarrod grabbed Heath’s shoulders. “It’s not pity. I’m sorry because we
didn’t know about you sooner; couldn’t help you through that time.” Jarrod
chuckled softly. “Not that mother or father would have let you anywhere near
that war at your age.” Jarrod turned serious as he stared Heath in the eyes.
“Heath, have the memories of that prison been worse since we found Sam?”
Slowly Heath nodded. It pained Jarrod to think about his
brother in that prison, but at least it explained some of Heath’s behavior.
“Heath, you can’t compare your captivity with what happened to Sam.”
Heath bristled at his brother’s words and pulled away. “I
shouldn’t have said anything.” He started to walk out, surprised to see Nick
get in his way.
“Heath, I can’t stop you from walking out but I’m asking you not to.” Nick
tried to grin through the pain. “It’s not going to hurt you to listen to
Jarrod. Occasionally he says the right thing.” His grin broadened. “Besides,
what could be more fun than being lectured by your big brother?” Even without
looking at Jarrod, Nick knew he said the wrong thing. “Heath, please stay.”
Heath turned away from Nick and sat down heavily on the bed. Jarrod neared Nick
and Heath heard enough harsh words to know that Jarrod was angry at his
brother’s cavalier attitude. He tuned them out and a few minutes later Nick
walked back to his bed and sat down. Jarrod sat next to Heath.
“Heath, I want you to know you can come to me, or to Nick and tell us anything.
But sometimes you have to listen to us too, even if it’s not what you want to
hear.” He lightly tapped Heath’s leg. “Just hear me out.” Jarrod paused,
wishing he had a drink in his hand. “Sam is just a child. And as bad as her
ordeal was, it’s not the same as being in prison and being surrounded by
misery.”
Heath grunted, showing his disdain for that opinion.
“Heath, she’s surrounded by family that will get her though this. That alone is
more than you ever had. That you can’t deny, can you?”
Even in the darkness Jarrod could see the misery on his
brother’s face.
“Heath, all I ask is that you give us a chance; help us help Sam. Can you do
that?”
Heath remained silent.
“Tell me about Carterson.”
Heath shifted uncomfortably. “It was a prison, there’s nothing
to tell.” He felt Jarrod’s hand on his shoulder and shivered at the touch.
“Take it easy” Jarrod whispered, “you’re with family. I’ve heard about that
place, but never from someone who was there. Start from the beginning and take
your time.”
Heath glanced at Jarrod and his eyes showed the
uncertainty he felt. He was still shaking and he didn’t protest when Jarrod
placed a blanket over his shoulders.
“I was just fourteen but I lied about my age.” With those words Heath began a
story that brought chills to both his brothers. They silently listened to
Heath’s words, offering encouragement when his voice faltered and a shoulder to
cry on when the memories overwhelmed him.
Four hours later Jarrod pulled up the covers and stared at
his youngest brother.
“I don’t think I could have lived through that,” Nick
stood by Jarrod’s side.
“I know.” Jarrod agreed.
Heath moaned softly as he shifted in bed.
“He needed to get that out” Jarrod commented. “Maybe this will start to heal
some of the wounds he carries around.” Jarrod yawned and then stared out at the
rising sun. “We’re not going to make lunch with mother. I’m going to put a note
under her door and then get some sleep. You might consider doing the same.”
Jarrod quickly wrote out a note and when he returned Nick
was sound to sleep in the other bed. Sighing heavily, Jarrod lowered himself to
the floor.
* * * * *
Victoria read the note and then glanced back at the
sleeping child. She had kept Sam up late, hoping it would have the desired effect
and it did. Sam had only awakened once during the night and she was easily
coaxed back to sleep after a glass of water.
Sam tossed in bed and then sat up suddenly. “Mama!”
Victoria rushed over to her. “I’m right here.” She sat down
and took the child in her arms.
“He was here, I saw him.”
“No, he’s not here. Sam, look around the room.”
The child cautiously glanced around, her breathing quickly
back to normal.
“We have a fun day planned.” Victoria quickly dabbed some ointment on the bad
cuts and got the child dressed.
“We do?” Sam made a face as she got a whiff of the medicine.
“We do. First we’re going to eat breakfast, and then I saw a stable near the
train station.”
“Horses!” Sam exclaimed. “Can I ride?”
“As long as you eat all your breakfast.” Victoria laughed at the look Sam gave
her. She wasn’t above bribing the child as long as she got her to eat.
“Where’s Heath?” Sam asked as Victoria lifted her up. She wasn’t heavy but
Victoria would be glad when the child could walk again.
“We’ll see them at dinner.”
That seemed to satisfy Sam and she silently settled
against her mother as they headed outside.
Jarrod glanced out the window, and then at his watch. He
recognized where they were and figured they would be back in Stockton in less
than four hours; too long in his opinion. The whole family was anxious to get
home and get back on familiar ground. Nick and Heath were seated opposite of
Jarrod and neither had said much during the trip. Nick was trying to sleep
while Heath stared out the window. Both seemed to be in better spirits and
Nick, especially, was back to his old self. Heath would take longer but he was
more talkative and even smiling on occasion. He still had trouble dealing with
his sister, but he was able to hide it from Sam and let out his despair later
in the presence of his brothers. Sam was another story. Jarrod tightened his
arms around the child sitting on his lap. She had started across the aisle with
their mother but halfway through the trip she had a nightmare and had been
miserable since. Jarrod was the only family member who seemed to be able to
calm her down and she had remained on his lap since.
“Sam, are you hungry?”
“No.” Sam was antsy and she shifted constantly on Jarrod’s lap. She hadn’t
eaten the entire trip, and as usual, her appetite was a major concern.
Jarrod turned to the right where their mother was asleep
and he didn’t want to wake her. They had been taking turns with Sam and last
night was hers and she mentioned that they had both been up most of the night.
“Jarrod, my legs hurt.”
“I know honey.” Jarrod kissed the top of her head.
He disagreed with his mother about letting the exercises
go and he felt her legs had gotten worse in the past week. He looked up and saw
that Heath was intently watching them.
“Sam, should we try stretching them?”
“No.” She shook her head firmly. “Make the pain go away,” she added much
quieter.
Jarrod wished he could. “Sam, do you want me to read to
you?” They had picked up a couple of dime novels at the depot before the train
left.
“No.” She leaned forward. “I don’t want to sit anymore.” Sam glanced around the
train. “I want to get off. Now!”
Jarrod braced himself for what he was sure to come,
another temper tantrum. Instead Heath stood up and scooped his sister out of
Jarrod’s arms. “Let’s go see what kind of trouble we can get in to.”
Jarrod watched them until they walked out of the car.
Heath carefully braced himself against the rail while holding on tight to his
sister.
“Is it too windy?”
“No.” Sam seemed to like the way her hair blew in the wind and Heath actually
saw a smile on her face.
“Sam, we can’t stay out here too long.” Heath knew Jarrod would have his hide
for taking his sister outside of the car.
“Heath, I don’t want to go home.”
“What?” Heath was surprised to hear his sister say that. “Sam, why not?”
She shook her head, and then buried her face against
Heath’s shoulder. It was her way of saying the conversation would go no
further. Heath felt so helpless when dealing with his sister.
“Sam, things will get better once we’re home. I promise you that.” He stood
there for a few minutes and then went back to their seats.
Nick was now up and looked at Heath questioningly.
“She’s fine” Heath whispered, not knowing if it were true or not.
Thankfully Sam fell asleep and the rest of the trip was
made in silence.
* * * * *
“How can a train be early? Trains are never early.” Nick ranted
as he paced the sidewalk. They were early and Silas wasn’t there yet and Nick
was making his disdain clear.
“Nick, he’ll be here soon. Go in the saloon and get a drink with Heath.” Jarrod
was sitting on the steps of the saloon with Sam sitting next to him.
“Sam!” They heard a child’s voice and from across the road they could see Tommy
running towards them. He had a brother’s hand in each of his and another one
following closely. “Sam, you’re back.” He stopped to catch his breath and
smiled down at his friend.
Sam leaned against Jarrod, hiding her face from Tommy.
“She’s tired” Jarrod explained. “Did school just let out?”
Tommy nodded. “The twins are going to school now.” Tommy
continued to stare at Sam. “I better go home,” he said after a few minutes of
silence. “Ma worries if I don’t get them home on time.” Slowly Tommy walked
away, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at Sam.
“Sam, that wasn’t very nice.” Victoria sat on the other side of her daughter.
“Why didn’t you say anything to your friend?”
“He won’t like me when he finds out I can’t climb anymore.” She placed her
hands on her legs.
“He already knows about your legs.”
“He does?” She stared at her mother who nodded.
“Yes he does and he wants to help you walk again.”
“Oh.” Sam looked down at the ground. She heard her name being called again and
saw Tommy running back towards them.
“Sam this is for you.” He held out a plate and finally Jarrod took it from him.
“Yesterday was my birthday and I wanted you to have a piece of cake.”
“Sam, what do you say?” Victoria nudged her.
“Thank you” Sam finally spit out, glancing up at the red-headed little boy.
“Can I come over and play?” Tommy addressed Jarrod.
“Sure. Just give us time to get settled, Ok?”
“Ok.” Tommy smiled broadly. “Sam, I’m really glad you’re back.” The smile
slowly left Tommy’s face. “I guess I should go.” He turned and slowly walked
away.
“I didn’t get him a birthday present,” Sam said suddenly. “Jarrod, can I go buy
him something?”
“Sure.” Jarrod stood up and then picked up his sister. “Let’s go see what we
can buy for Tommy.”
By the time they were done, Silas was waiting with the
buggy and two horses.
“I want to ride.”
Heath nodded as he put Sam on one of the horses and
climbed up behind her.
“No you don’t.” Nick was about to mount the other horse but Jarrod stopped him.
“You’re in the buggy with Mother and Silas.”
Nick glared at him but he knew Jarrod was right. Slowly he
climbed into the buggy and finally they were headed home.
* * * * *
Nick and Heath paced at the bottom of the steps. Jarrod
had arranged for a doctor to arrive a couple of days after they had and he was
up with Sam now. They could hear her screaming and each scream made them
shudder.
“How long is this going to take?” Heath slammed his hand against the rail.
“Take it easy.” Nick lightly slapped his brother’s back. “We know this is going
to be hard on Sam and we’re going to have to deal with it.”
“I know.” Heath walked over and poured himself a drink. He offered one to his
brother but Nick declined. Heath sat down and silently nursed his drink. It
seemed like an eternity until they heard footsteps and saw Jarrod. They met him
at the bottom of the staircase.
“Well? What’d he say?” Nick was never one to show patience.
Jarrod waved him away and then motioned for them to follow
him into the study. Jarrod closed the door and then faced his brothers.
“Jarrod how bad is it?” Heath asked. The look on Jarrod’s face made him
nervous.
“It’s not as bad as it could be” Jarrod began. “The muscles are like that
because she hasn’t used them so she can recover completely.”
He saw both brothers relax slightly with that news.
“But, it’s going to be hard on Sam and you two can’t give in to her.” Jarrod
pointed a finger at them.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Nick bristled at the warning tone.
“It means you two are pushovers when it comes to Sam but you can’t be with
this. If you’re going to help her get better you have to ignore the crying and
the pleading and complete the exercises every time. Understand?”
Neither man responded.
“It’s plain and simple.” Jarrod used his best lawyer tone. “It’s going to take
a lot of hard work and a lot of pain for that child to walk again. And she’s
going to need everyone in this family to help her.”
“Jarrod, you don’t need to use that tone with us. We’ll do whatever has to be
done to help Sam.” Heath spoke for both of them.
Jarrod smiled slightly. “Good. The doc said back East
they’ve been perfecting braces for different muscle problems and he’s going to
order a set for Sam. He wants her up walking with the help of crutches. He
thinks mobility is the most important thing for Sam and he wants her walking as
soon as possible.” Jarrod paused. “He also said that we need to find fun things
for her to do that will use her legs. Lucky for us riding is very good for the
legs.” Jarrod pointed at Nick. “I want you to find time every morning to take
her for a ride.”
Nick nodded.
“What do I do?”
Jarrod glanced at Heath and smiled. “I was thinking about
that as I was trying to ignore her crying.” The smile faded from his face. “You
mentioned a swing before. Find a good place on our property and rig up a swing.
Not only will it do her legs good but I think you’re the best one to make her
talk.”
Heath looked confused.
“She hasn’t mentioned once her ordeal with Cole and she needs to. Heath you
know that child the best and I think you’re the only one who can get her to
talk.” Jarrod grasped his younger brother’s shoulder. “I do expect you to share
whatever you find out. We all need to know what we’re dealing with.”
Heath nodded.
“And what are you going to do big brother?” Nick smirked as he said that.
“I’m going to coordinate everything and keep you two in line. That’s going to
be a job in itself.” Jarrod laughed at the looks they gave him. Then he turned
serious. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get that child walking. Let’s
see if she’s calmed down yet.”
The three brothers walked upstairs and encountered the
doctor coming out of Sam’s room. Will Kemper was a tall man in his late fifties
who had devoted the past twenty years to finding the causes of muscle diseases
and how to help those inflicted. “I’m going to go in town and order the braces
and then get a hotel room. I want to be here when they arrive so I can adjust
them properly and instruct you all on how to use them.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” Victoria said. “We have an extra bedroom and you can
stay here.” Victoria smiled. “I think we’ll all feel better having an expert
around.”
The doctor nodded. “Thank you for your hospitality. I
better get to town and get that telegram out.”
“I’ll take you.” Jarrod offered.
After they left Nick and Heath entered the child’s room.
Sam was in bed with Lucky next to her. Thankfully the dog had remembered the
child and stayed by her side all day and night. Sam had stopped crying but when
she looked up her eyes were red and watery.
“That wasn’t fun,” she said glumly. “I don’t like him either.”
Nick smiled at her as he sat on the bed, careful to not
sit on the dog. “He’s not so bad. And he’s going to have you up and walking in
no time.”
Sam frowned. “I tried not to cry but it hurt too bad. How
long will they hurt?”
Neither could answer that question.
“Sam, are you up to seeing your new horse?”
The child nodded. She was dressed in a nightgown so Nick
grabbed some clothes and helped her into them.
“Heath, do you want to go with us?”
He shook his head. “I want to get started on my project.” He smiled and then
kissed Sam on the cheek. “Have fun.” He left the room whistling, pleasing Nick
with his upbeat attitude.
“Let’s go.” Nick lifted the child and left the room. Lucky watched them, but
decided he was tired and went back to sleep.
In the stable Nick carried Sam over to the brown mare that he and Heath had
brought home more than six months ago. Carefully the child reached up and
patted the horse’s nose.
“She’s pretty. What do you call her?”
“She doesn’t have a name. We were waiting for you to name her.”
Sam frowned as she stared at Nick. “That’s a long time to
not have a name. What should we call her?”
Nick shrugged. “Should we take her out and decide while
we’re riding?”
“Yeah.” Sam smiled.
Nick set her down outside and quickly saddled up two
horses. Sam had become proficient enough in Mesa to ride on her own, as long as
the horse was gentle. They were only out for about twenty minutes when Sam
indicated she was getting tired so they headed back home. The ride was made in
silence as Sam conserved her energy and used it to stay upright on the horse.
Nick wanted to bring her over to his horse but he remembered what Jarrod had
said about riding being good for her legs. They made it back and Nick lifted
the tired child off of the horse.
“We’ll let John get them cleaned and back in the stable.”
“OK.” Sam rested her head on Nick’s shoulder.
Nick was worried about her lack of energy but he figured
that would get better with rest and more food. “Let’s go raid the kitchen and see
what we can find to eat.” It was still an hour before dinner but Nick was
hungry.
“I’m not hungry.” Sam lifted her head. “Nick, I can’t think of any names and
she has to have a name.” Just like that the child started crying.
Nick took a deep breath as he tried to console her. “We’ll
come up with something.”
She continued to cry as Nick entered the house and
Victoria rushed over. She tried to take the child but Sam wrapped her arms
around Nick and cried harder.
“She’s upset because her horse doesn’t have a name and she can’t decide on
one.”
Victoria silently nodded, not surprised that something so
trivial was getting Sam so upset.
“You’ll think of something.” Victoria rubbed her daughter’s back.
After a few minutes the child calmed down and then fell
asleep in Nick’s arms.
“Nick, don’t let it get to you.” Victoria saw the sorrow on her son’s face.
“It’s going to take time for Sam to get over what happened to her. Right now
everything is going to be a big deal to her and all we can do is comfort her.”
“It’s not enough” Nick quietly stated. “It’s just not enough.”
“For now it will have to be. Nick, take her upstairs and let her rest until
dinner.” She smiled up at her son. “We’ll come up with a name later when she’s doing
her exercises. It will give her something to think about instead of the pain.”
“There has to be more we can do for her” Nick whispered, then turned his back
and headed upstairs.
Heath surveyed the area and he smiled, proud of the job he
had done. He found the perfect spot about a mile east of the house, with a
small stream and far enough away from the paths of both cattle and horses. He
had spent three weeks putting up a swing and building a small tree house for
Sam. His brothers kept asking him what was taking so long but he wouldn’t say
and he wouldn’t tell them where he was going. Of course they could have found
it if they wanted to, but they left Heath alone and he worked at his own pace.
He glanced around once more before mounting his horse.
About twenty minutes later he was back home and he found
Sam and the doctor in the garden. Their mother was there also, watching the
doctor instruct the child on the use of her braces. They had arrived a few days
earlier and Sam hated them the minute she saw them. Heath couldn’t blame her.
They were clunky and together they probably weighed the same as Sam did. But
they were needed and on the first day Sam was shocked to see she could get
around with the braces and the crutches.
“Good job Sam.” Doc Kemper clapped his hands as Sam made it from one end of the
path to the other.
Despite her pain Sam had a broad smile on her face.
“Heath, did you see that?” Sam saw him standing there. “That’s the farthest
I’ve gone on my own.”
“I did.” He neared his sister and gently tousled her hair. “Sam, you’ll be
running in them soon.”
“No I won’t.” She glanced downward at the braces. They covered her from ankle
to right above the knee so she couldn’t bend her knees.
“OK, you’ll be running without them.” Heath glanced at the doctor. “Is she
done? I’d like to take her somewhere if she is.”
“Where?” Sam eyed her brother.
“It’s a surprise.”
That only piqued her curiosity more but she didn’t say
anything. Instead she looked at her mother. “Can I go?”
Victoria nodded. “After lunch you can. Heath, are you
going to join us?”
He shook his head. “I better see if Nick needs my help.
Sam I’ll be by in a couple of hours to get you.”
She tried to hide her disappointment but couldn’t. But she
managed to keep her composure and not start crying. That had been the biggest
change in Sam the past three weeks. Although she still cried during her
exercises and when she was in pain, her disposition during the rest of the time
had improved mightily. Rarely did she laugh but each day seemed to find her
smiling more and talking more to the family. Nothing about her ordeal with
Cole, but no one had pushed her on it either. That was Heath’s job and he would
get to it in due time.
“Sam, I’ll see you later.” Heath smiled at Victoria before mounting his horse
and riding off.
* * * * *
Heath found Nick on the outskirts of the property,
overseeing some men digging a ditch. He jumped off and neared his brother.
“Hello stranger.” Nick wasn’t going to let his brother forget how little work
he’d been doing lately.
Heath rolled his eyes. “I’ve been doing what Jarrod asked
of me.” He noticed how clean his brother was. “Still can’t work, can you?”
Nick sighed. “I feel totally useless out here.” He touched
his chest, in the area the bullet had gone in.
“Let’s get out of here.” Heath lightly placed an arm around Nick’s shoulders
and guided his brother towards their horses. “I want to show you what I did.”
Nick didn’t need much persuasion and the two brothers rode
off towards the east. When they reached their destination Nick jumped off first
and walked over to the swing. He eyed the tree house and then glanced back at
his brother.
“Nice touch but are you going to carry her up there.”
“No.” Heath smiled. “It’s something for her to aim for. It’s going to be her
special place.” Heath walked up beside his brother. “What do you think?”
“You did a good job.” Nick lightly touched his brother’s back. “Sam is going to
love it.”
Nick walked over to the stream and slowly bent over and
picked up a stick. He grimaced as a wave of pain shot through him.
“Cole got off too easy,” Nick mumbled as Heath approached him. “He didn’t
suffer like Sam has…”
“Or you have” Heath finished for him. “Nick, he’s dead and we have to move on.”
Nick let out a howl of laughter. “You! The king of brooding is telling me to
move on. There’s something very ironic in that.” Nick’s smile slowly left his
face as he saw anger in Heath’s eyes. “Heath, I’m joking.” He grabbed Heath’s
shoulders and shook his brother lightly. “Don’t take everything I say so
seriously.”
A small smile played on Heath’s face. “I don’t listen to
you half the time anyways.” He turned away and walked back towards the swing.
“Cute.” Nick spit out before following his brother. “Maybe you should listen to
me more often.”
“Why?” Heath abruptly turned and faced his brother. “Half the time you’re
yelling at me and the other half I don’t know if you’re joking or not. All I
wanted is your opinion on this.” He pointed towards the swing. “Is this what
Jarrod had to put up with? Maybe I’m lucky I didn’t grow up with you two.”
Heath thought about what he had just said and then smiled weakly. “I didn’t
mean that.” He shrugged. “As much as I loved my mother, I wish she had told my
father and I could have grown up with brothers and a sister. At least part of
the time” he added as an afterthought. “I envy the relationship you and Jarrod
have, the way you two always seem to know what the other is thinking.” Heath
slowly sank on the swing. “Nick, what would have happened if everyone knew
about me when I was a child?”
“I don’t know.” Nick sat on the ground, next to his brother and stared up at
him. “Father would have accepted you right away and I suppose Mother would have
too.” Nick chuckled softly. “She’d be mad at Father but she wouldn’t take it
out on a child. Jarrod would reason that it wasn’t your fault and Audra would
have been too young to realize what was going on.”
“And you? Nick what would you have done?”
Nick knew that was coming before Heath asked the question.
“Heath, I don’t think I can honestly answer that.” Nick licked his dry lips as
he ripped out a blade of grass. “Heath I grew up thinking my father was
perfect.”
“And I proved he wasn’t” Heath interjected.
“No.” Nick stood up slowly. “I idolized my father but he was far from perfect
and I knew that long before I was willing to admit it. But none of it was your
fault even though it might seem like I blamed you, especially when you first
showed up.”
Nick extended his hand and when Heath accepted he pulled
his brother off of the swing, grimacing slightly.
“I kind of like having you around. And I agree with what Jarrod said in that
hotel room. I wish we would have known about you if only to lessen some of the
pain you had growing up. Does that answer your question?”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” Heath started to walk away but Nick grabbed his arm.
“Can I ask what brought on this conversation?”
Heath nodded. “Today’s exactly one year since I told
everyone who I was.” Heath chuckled. “Or should I say since that night you
roused me out of bed and beat the crap out of me.”
Nick rubbed his face. “With everything going on I hadn’t
realized what today was.” He smiled sheepishly. “It seems like you’ve always
been here and today seems no different. Sorry I missed it.”
“Don’t apologize.” Heath mounted his horse and waited for Nick to do the same.
“I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I guess while working out here by
myself I’ve been thinking a lot of this past year and how much my life has
changed.”
“For the better, I hope,” Nick commented.
“Sometimes.” Heath let that word hang in the silence before he took off and
Nick followed, never quite catching up to his little brother.
* * * * *
Heath jumped off his horse and then lifted Sam from hers.
She was unable to ride with the braces so Heath had tied them to his saddle
along with the crutches.
“Heath, is that mine?” She eyed the tree house.
“It sure is.” Heath left the braces and carried Sam over to the swing. “I
thought maybe you’d like another swing and just a place that’s all yours.”
Sam’s face lit up. “It’s just like Strawberry. Our own
special place.”
Heath smiled back. “Well, this is your place and you can
bring anyone over here you’d like.”
“Even Tommy?”
Heath nodded. “Yes, even Tommy. Do you want to swing?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Can we just sit here like we used to?”
“Sure.” Heath carried her over to the stream.
“What about Buck and Henry?” Sam asked confusing her
brother.
“Who?”
Sam pointed towards the horses. “My braces, Buck and
Henry.” She said it so matter-of-factly, like Heath should know that.
“You named your braces and you can’t think of a name for your horse?” Heath
chuckled but Sam didn’t find that funny.
“My horse needs a dignified name and I can’t think of one.”
“Dignified? Where did you hear that word?” Heath placed Sam on the grass next
to him and took her shoes and socks off. They were close enough to the stream
that Sam could dip her feet in the water.
“Audra. But I’m not sure what it means.” Sam shrugged as she shook the water
from her feet.
Heath thought her legs looked better although the bruising
and swelling was all too apparent.
Sam dunked her feet again and then glanced up at her
brother. “Heath, why’d you make this place? You’re not going away, are you?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
Sam shrugged again and turned her attention to a nearby
butterfly. “Wish I could fly like that. Heath, you sure you’re not leaving?”
She reached for the butterfly but it easily moved away from her grasp. “You
always told me bad things by the swing.”
Heath sighed and lifted his sister on to his lap. “No, I’m
not going anywhere. But we used to talk down by the pond and I thought we could
talk here too.”
“About what?” Sam turned and stared at her brother’s face. “Heath, I don’t want
to talk. Push me on the swing.”
Heath nodded, and then stood up with Sam in his arms. He
pushed her for a few minutes until she complained that she was tired. Heath
took her off and then sat down himself, balancing his sister between his legs.
“Sam, I was thinking of something. A surprise for the family.”
“What?” She placed her hands on Heath’s thighs, trying to stand up straight. It
took a lot of effort and finally she gave up, leaning heavily against her
brother.
“Well, your birthday is coming up soon.” Heath paused to calculate the time.
“Less than three months away. How about you surprising the family by walking on
your own? Think you can do it?”
Sam frowned. “That’s not a lot of time is it?”
“It’s plenty of time” Heath assured her. “You and I can come here every day and
we can practice real hard and not tell anybody. Good idea?”
“What if I can’t?” She was getting too antsy so Heath lifted her on to his lap.
“Sam, I think you can. And we have to keep it a secret from everyone else.” He
knew how much his sister liked secrets.
That brought a smile to her face. “We can’t tell anybody
can we?”
Heath smiled. “Just us. It will be our secret.”
“OK.” Sam finally agreed. “But if it’s my birthday I get a surprise too,
right?”
“You get anything you want.” Heath hugged her tightly. As he sat there holding
his sister, Heath wondered why Jarrod would choose him to talk to Sam. He
didn’t know how to bring up the subject and he decided later to confront Jarrod
about it.
“Heath.” Sam pulled away from her brother. “Did I do something bad?”
“Of course not. Why would you ask that?”
Sam glanced away from her brother. She wanted to ask why
they were so mean to her but she didn’t know how. She always thought it was
something she had done, something to make her daddy and that man hate her.
“I don’t know.” Sam scooted off of Heath’s lap, hanging on the rope for
support. “Let’s go home. I don’t want to be here right now.”
As Heath carried his sister over to their horses he
wondered about her question and what it could mean.
* * * * *
Dinner was over and the table was cleared but everyone was
still talking and didn’t notice that Audra had snuck away. She returned a few
minutes later carrying a cake.
“What’s that for?” Sam noticed her before Audra had the chance to set it before
Heath.
Heath glared at Nick who shook his head. “Just cause I
forgot doesn’t mean they did.” Nick pointed towards their mother.
“What’s it for?” Sam asked again. “Ooh, can I have the flower?” She was sitting
across from Heath and resisted the temptation of reaching over and digging her
finger into the frosting.
Heath looked embarrassed as Audra lit the one candle on
the cake.
“It’s one year since Heath joined our family” Victoria explained to the child.
“So we’re celebrating it with a cake.”
“Heath, hurry up. I want a piece.” Sam bounced in her chair as Heath took his
time blowing out the candle. “I’m glad Heath came here, otherwise I still be in
that stupid orphanage.” Sam took her offered cake and dug in. “I wouldn’t still
be there because he’d kill me by now.”
All forks were dropped and they stared at the child.
“Sam, what do you mean by that?”
She looked around at everyone staring at her and then
looked down at her cake.
“Sam, tell us what you meant.” Jarrod smiled at the child who glanced his way.
“He killed Mr. Mike and Willie and he was going to kill me too.” They knew who
Mike was but not Willie.
“Sam, who is Willie?” Heath asked, the cake completely forgotten at this point.
“He was our rabbit,” the child explained after a few minutes of silence. “His
throat was cut and the others thought I had done it because of my wrists.” She
ran a finger over her throat, her attention still focused on the cake. “They
wouldn’t let me near the other animals” she added quietly. “I didn’t hurt
anybody and I wouldn’t.”
“Sam, we know that.” Heath reached over and grabbed her hand.
Sam looked up and there was a glisten of tears in her
eyes. “Can I finish my cake now?”
“Sure.” Heath let go of her hand and she concentrated on her cake, refusing to
look at anyone.
The rest numbly sat there, the celebration the last thing
on their minds.
* * * * *
It was well past midnight and the three brothers were in
the study having a glass of wine and a piece of cake.
“This one should go down much better than the first one.” Nick stated before
eating his first bite. “Where do you think that came from?” It was obvious what
Nick was talking about but neither brother had an answer for him.
“Heath, did you get anywhere with Sam today?” Jarrod asked.
“No” Heath mumbled between bites. “She asked if she had done something bad but
clammed up when I questioned her on it.”
“Must run in the family.” Nick sarcastically said. “Now you know how we feel
when we try to get you to talk.”
“Is this what it’s about?” Heath stood up abruptly and glared at his brothers.
“I was wondering why you chose me and now it makes sense.” He pointed at
Jarrod. “Don’t use Sam to teach me a lesson.” Heath downed the rest of his
drink and quickly poured another.
“No you don’t.” Jarrod grabbed the glass out of his hand. “I want you sober to
hear my explanation.”
“We grew up in a family and there was always someone around to talk to.” He
gestured towards Nick. “We can tell you until we’re blue in the face how
important it is to talk but we don’t know how it really and truly feels to hold
stuff in. You do, so I felt you would be best to help Sam open up.” Jarrod
pointed a finger at Heath’s chest. “Nothing was done with any malicious intent.
I wouldn’t do that to you or to Sam. Got it?”
Heath looked over at Nick but he wasn’t getting any help
from him.
“I’m tired.” Nick stood up. “Get used to the lectures.” He neared Heath. “I’m
glad you’re my brother.” Nick lightly grasped Heath’s shoulder before walking
out.
“Jarrod, I’m sorry.” Heath’s shoulders slumped. “I just thought…” He shrugged.
“Heath, I’m sorry you don’t trust me yet.” Jarrod poured two drinks and handed
one to Heath. “After a year I was hoping you wouldn’t believe something like
that of me.” He took a sip. “I have nothing but your best interest in mind. Try
to remember that.”
He held out his glass and Heath lightly tapped it with his
glass.
“Thanks Jarrod.”
Jarrod smiled. “Happy anniversary little brother.”
They finished their drinks and cake in a comfortable
silence.
Nick carried the bucket of ice upstairs and almost ran
into Victoria. “Mother, go back to sleep. We’ll handle it tonight.”
She had been up most of the previous night with Sam. “Are
you sure?”
Nick nodded. “I already sent Audra and Jarrod back to bed.
We’ll handle it.”
“Wake me up if you need me.” She smiled weakly before entering her own room and
closing the door behind her.
Nick rushed into Sam’s room. She was quiet now, her face
buried in her pillow. Heath sat beside her, rubbing her back. “Sam, we’re going
to put ice on your legs now.”
“No.” She moved away from her brothers, and then sat up. “It’s too cold.” Her
teeth chattered for emphasis. “I just wanna go back to sleep. Leave me alone.”
Her eyes shifted from Heath to Nick.
“Sam, are you sure?”
She shrugged without looking at Heath. “The ice isn’t going
to make the pain go away.”
“It might,” Nick suggested. “How about we give it a try?”
“I don’t care.” Sam allowed Heath to lift her into his lap. While he held her
Nick quickly rolled up towels with ice and placed them on her legs.
“It’s not working” Sam exclaimed a few minutes later.
“Sam, give it a little time.” Heath tightened his hold on the child.
“No.” Sam wiggled free. “I don’t want you here. I don’t want anyone here.” Sam
felt trapped on her bed, unable to get away from her brothers. She pushed at
Heath, trying to get some distance from him.
“Sam, stop that.” Nick picked her up and started pacing, trying to calm her
down. Instead she cried harder and tried to get out of Nick’s arms.
He glanced at Heath, who was having a hard time keeping
his composure. The child grew louder and Nick wondered why no one was awakened
from the noise. Unless, he surmised, the previous night had been the same and
they were too tired to get up.
“Sam, please calm down.” Nick held her tighter and rubbed her back, hoping
something would help.
After, what seemed like an eternity, Sam’s sobs started to
subside until only an occasional whimper or hiccup could be heard. Nick
continued to walk until there was complete silence in the room and he finally
sat down carefully, with the child in his arms. Heath was quiet but the tears
running down his cheeks were unmistakable. Nick was going to suggest that Heath
go back to bed but he really didn’t want to be alone with Sam.
“Heath, are you ok?” Nick whispered so not to wake the sleeping child.
Heath wordlessly shook his head. He wasn’t sure how Nick
could even ask that. How he could watch Sam suffer so much, yet remain so calm.
“Nick, I can’t handle this.” Heath stood up and started his own round of
pacing. His voice was shaky and he wiped away a fresh round of tears.
“Heath, go back to bed.”
“No.” Heath shook his head as he stopped in his tracks. “How can you be so
calm?” Heath pointed and Nick saw his whole hand shaking.
“Heath, I’m not calm and this kills me as much as it does you or the rest of
the family.”
Sam moved and Nick remained silent until she had settled
down again. He patted her back, a weary smile on his face.
“Heath, what else can we do?” Nick’s eyes met his brother’s. “We can’t change
what happened and we can’t make the pain or nightmares go away.” Nick’s smile
left his face. “If we could we would have done it the day we found her in that
dusty town.”
Nick didn’t think his words were helping his brother.
Heath looked miserable as he sat back down and stared at his hands.
“Do you want to hold Sam?” She seemed to be sleeping soundly at the moment.
Heath shook his head.
“Heath, we’re leaving early in the morning to meet Lance. One of us should be
half-awake. Go to sleep.”
“How many times do I have to say no?” Heath rose with his voice.
“Quiet!” Nick glared at him, and then down at Sam who remained asleep. He stood
up slowly with the child and placed her in bed. “I’ll be back in a few
minutes.”
Nick left and returned a few minutes later with a bottle
of gin, two glasses and a deck of cards.
“If the timing is right, the next nightmare will happen in approximately two
hours.” Nick grinned. “We might as well put the time to good use.”
Nick lowered himself to the floor with an assortment of
grunts and groans.
“Care to join me?” He looked up at Heath. “Unless you have something better to
do.”
Heath rolled his eyes but soon joined his brother on the
floor and gladly accepted the offered drink. He was too quiet and Nick hoped a
little alcohol would get him talking. Or put him to sleep. After two drinks
Heath was still morose and sat there, staring at the floor. Nick poured another
drink and handed it to his brother. He wondered if Heath would notice that he
was still on his first and it was only half empty. His experiment seemed to be
working and Heath was almost asleep when a blood-curling scream came from Sam’s
direction.
Nick reached her first. “Sam.” He gently shook the child
awake. She opened her eyes, her screaming momentarily stopped.
“He shot you and he’s going to take me. Don’t let him take me.” Sam threw her
arms around Nick and held on tightly. “Don’t let him take me.” Sam didn’t seem
to notice Heath as he staggered over to the bed.
“Sam, nobody is going to take you.” Nick whispered in the child’s ear, hoping
to alleviate her fears.
She wasn’t crying but she held on to Nick with all her
might. Heath stood there for a few minutes but then he muttered something that
Nick didn’t understand and rushed out of the room. Nick thought about going
after him but he knew Sam needed his attention so he stayed on the bed and
continued to rock the child in his arms. Later, when Sam was again sleeping,
Nick walked past Heath’s empty bedroom in search of his brother. He found Heath
in the kitchen, sitting at the table and staring at a plate of uneaten eggs.
“Little early for breakfast, don’t you think?” Nick stood there, hands on hips,
staring at his little brother. “Heath, are you ok?”
The question sounded stupid to Nick but he didn’t know
what else to say. It was obvious that Heath wasn’t ok and he didn’t bother to
answer the question. Nick sat down opposite his brother.
“Heath, do you want to talk?”
“There’s nothing to say.” Heath pushed the plate away and stood up. “I just lost
it up there. I’ll be able to handle it better tomorrow.” Heath smiled weakly.
“I know she’s getting better and this is just a bad night, but knowing that
doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”
“I know.” Nick walked over to his brother and briefly grasped his shoulder.
“Try to get some sleep. I’ll meet you down here at 6 ok?”
Heath nodded. “Goodnight Nick.”
Nick followed his brother and watched him walk up the stairs. A few minutes
later Nick also went upstairs and headed back to his sister’s room. She was
still asleep and he settled himself in to the chair, determined to get a few
hours of sleep.
* * * * *
Victoria sat at the dining room table with her two
daughters. She had briefly seen Nick and Heath before they headed out and knew
by their faces it had been a rough night with Sam. Jarrod had also left early,
aiming to meet a client for breakfast.
“Sam, stop playing with your food and eat it.” The child glanced at her mother
before digging the fork into the tiniest piece she could find and slowly
bringing it up to her mouth. She chewed for a long time before taking another
bite. Victoria knew the child was playing games and chose to ignore her. She
glanced over at Audra who also decided to ignore the child’s antics. “Sam,
Audra and I have a meeting in town this morning. I was going to take you with
but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Silas will stay here with you and Nick
and Heath should be home by lunch. Will you be ok?”
“Fine” Sam muttered, then continued to play with her food.
“Sam, what did I tell you?” Victoria knew it had been a rough couple of nights
but she wasn’t going to allow the child to stop eating the nourishment she so
badly needed.
Sam stood up suddenly and grabbed her crutches. “I’m not
hungry.” She eyed her mother, balancing on her crutches. “I don’t want to go to
town either.” She took off before her mother could stand up.
Sighing Victoria sat back down and smiled slightly at her
daughter. “She is getting fast on those things” Victoria commented before
turning her attention back to her breakfast.
* * * * *
Sam sat in the backyard with Lucky tossing stones at the
tree. She was bored and Silas was too busy cleaning to play with her. Every
once in a while he would stick his head out and make sure Sam was still there
and to remind her not to wander off. Sam stared at her braces wondering how
Silas thought she could go anywhere. She heard a noise and turned, shocked to
see Tommy coming towards her.
“What are you doing here?” Sam found herself smiling in spite of her bad mood.
“Don’t you have school?”
Tommy nodded. “I saw your ma and sister in town and I know
your brothers aren’t around so I decided to come visit.” He bent down and
patted the dog’s head. “Thought you could show me that swing you’re always
talking about.”
“But you’re supposed to be in school” Sam protested. “How’d you get away?”
Tommy smiled that crooked smile of his that always made
Sam laugh. “I said I was sick” he stated matter-of-factly. “I snuck home, got
my horse and came here. So let’s go.”
“How?” Sam pointed at her legs. “I can’t get on my horse and you’re not big
enough to help me.”
“I already thought of that.” Tommy ran away and returned with his horse pulling
a small, wooden cart.
“What’s that?” Sam eyed the funny looking cart. “I’m not getting in that.”
Lucky became interested and started sniffing around the cart.
“Scared?” Tommy crossed his arms. “I dare you to come with me.”
Sam was not one who could pass up a challenge, especially
from her friend. “Silas won’t let me.”
“We won’t tell him. Come on, it will be fun.”
Against her better judgment Sam agreed and grabbing her
crutches, approached the cart. “It’s too high.” She couldn’t lift herself into
the cart.
“Take your braces off and I can lift you.”
The children quickly got the braces off and Tommy tossed
them into the cart. Sam was able, with Tommy’s help, to pull herself into the
rickety cart.
“Lucky has to come with.” Sam called the dog but he wouldn’t jump up.
Finally Tommy picked up the puppy and handed him to Sam.
He pulled his horse over to the bench and climbed on it in order to mount his
horse.
“Hang on” he called out before kicking his horse to get it moving.
* * * * *
Nick and Heath were both tired by the time they returned
to the house. It had been a long and futile morning, the horses they had gone
to purchase had not been what they expected and they returned empty handed.
“I could sleep for hours,” Heath mumbled as they walked their horses to the
stable. They gave the reins to one of the hands and headed towards the house.
They saw Silas walking around in a state a panic. “The
child. I can’t find the child.” Silas was sweating as he confronted the
brothers.
“What do you mean you can’t find her?” Nick grabbed his shoulders and waited
for Silas to catch his breath.
“She was out in the garden with the dog and I kept
checking on her and then she was gone. I’ve searched everywhere.”
Heath and Nick exchanged glances, the same awful thought running
through their minds; this couldn’t be happening again.
“Heath, check the house. I’ll check the grounds.”
They took off in opposite directions. Heath’s mind was
racing as he ran from room to room. Sam was bored and she was hiding, it was
just a game and she was somewhere in the house. He knew Silas was at his heels,
hoping the same thing; that Sam was in a closet or under a bed. But their
search turned up nothing and when they couldn’t search any longer they headed
outside to find Nick. By the look on his face they knew he didn’t find Sam
either.
“Don’t panic.” Nick grabbed a hold of Heath’s arm. “Cole is dead and no one
else is going to hurt that child.”
Heath nodded but the look on his face told Nick he was
thinking the worse. Silas too was distraught, seemingly blaming himself.
“Nick, she’s been missing for two hours. She can’t walk that far. Maybe she’s
hurt somewhere. We should spread out and look everywhere.” Heath paused, taking
a deep breath. “She’s somewhere around here” he added pointing his finger.
They heard their names being called. Lance rode up and
jumped off of his horse. “Is my son around here? Seems he took off from school
and no one knows where he is.”
Hearing that, Nick let out a big sigh of relief. “Sam is
missing too. Any chance they can be together?”
“How?” Heath flailed his arms. “Tommy isn’t big enough to get Sam on her horse
and they couldn’t have walked that far.”
“Tommy took this small wooden cart I built. It’s suppose to be used for seeding
our land but it will fit a small child.” Lance took off his hat. “That son of
mine is going to get it. Wait until I find him.” He shrugged. “Any idea where
they could have gone?”
“I know,” Heath answered. “I bet they’re by the swing.” Heath took off for his
horse.
“Silas, you stay here,” Nick said before following his
brother.
In a few minutes the men headed east. They stopped out of
sight and hearing of the children. Lucky didn’t hear anything either, too busy
sleeping on his back and enjoying the sunshine.
“I feel so much safer with that dog guarding the house.” Heath smiled when he
said that, just so relieved to see his sister. “Shall we crash the party?”
“Wait!” Nick grabbed his brother’s arm. “Do you hear that?”
It took a minute for Heath to realize what his brother was
talking about. Laughter. Sam was laughing; something they hadn’t heard in
months. She was also walking without her braces, using only her crutches to
chase Tommy. As angry as Heath was with Sam and Tommy, it was somewhat tempered
by the scene they were watching.
“Let’s go.” Nick moved forward and the noise caused Lucky to jump up and start
barking. Sam in turn spun around too fast and fell hard on her rear end.
Tommy too turned and saw his father coming near him. “Uh
oh” he whispered as he helped Sam to her feet.
The men dismounted and neared the children.
“Tommy you better be on your horse and headed home before I count to ten.”
Tommy didn’t take that threat lightly and he ran off
without saying goodbye.
“Lance.” Nick pulled him aside. “I can’t tell you what to do with your son, but
that laughter was the best thing I’ve heard in a long time. Keep that in mind,
ok?”
Lance let a small smile play on his face. “I’ll let him
sulk and worry for a while and then I’ll probably take away his horse for a few
days. I assume he can still play with Sam, right?”
Nick nodded. “Thanks Lance. We’ll deal with this one.”
They waited until Lance left before confronting their
sister.
“Sam, let’s go home. We’ll deal with this later.” Nick grabbed her braces and
quickly tied them to his saddle while Heath picked up his sister and planted
her on the horse.
“What about Lucky?” Sam quietly asked. “He’s too little to walk all that way.”
Nick rolled his eyes as he picked up the dog and mounted
his horse. Slowly they headed home.
“Am I in trouble?” Sam glanced over her shoulder.
“Yes, you are” Heath answered.
“What’s my punishment?” Sam asked after a few minutes of silence.
“Don’t know.” Heath was sure Jarrod would come up with something that would fit
the crime. The rest of the ride was made in silence as Sam fretted about what
would be done to her.
* * * * *
Sam stood in the hallway and tried to listen to the
conversation. They were all in there: all but Audra who was out on a date. They
had been talking about her for more than an hour and Sam was starting to worry.
Dinner had been quiet and Sam made sure she ate all her food, fearing that her
mother would get even angrier. Jarrod had only said that she knew better and he
was very disappointed in her. Now they were in there discussing her punishment.
Sam finally couldn’t take it any more and she knocked, and then entered the
study. All eyes looked up.
“Sam, did you want something?”
She nodded briefly, and then moved closer. She glanced up
and the stern faces made her look away. “I guess not.”
She turned and started walking out when Jarrod rushed over
and stopped her. “Sam, we want to talk to you.” Jarrod gently guided the child
towards her family. “Sit down.”
She took the available seat and started playing with her
hands.
“Sam, do you know what you did wrong?”
She looked at Jarrod, and then shrugged her shoulders.
“I think you do.” He gently pressed.
The child looked everywhere but at the adults who all
stared at her.
Finally Nick took pity on his little sister and explained
it to her. “Sam, how do you think we felt when we couldn’t find you?”
She briefly made eye contact with Nick.
“You had poor Silas running all over the place and blaming
himself for you disappearing. Sam, we were all scared that something bad had
happened to you again.”
Sam was near tears at this point and she bit down on her
lower lip to keep from crying.
“Sam, we don’t think you meant to worry anyone, did you?” Jarrod approached the
child and knelt down as he asked the question.
“No” she whispered, staring at the floor. “I just wanted to show Tommy the
swing.” A few tears rolled down her cheeks.
Jarrod took out a handkerchief and wiped her face. It was
hard on all of them to discipline this child, who had been through so much in
her short life.
“Sam, you need to make this up to Silas for scaring him like you did.”
Sam seemed confused. “How?” she finally asked.
Jarrod smiled. “You have to figure that out.” Jarrod
leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek. “Sam, go upstairs and think about
what you did. I’ll be up in a little while for your exercises.”
“Did we do enough?” Heath asked after the child had left.
“I think so.” Jarrod took a sip of his drink. “You really heard her laugh?”
His brothers nodded.
“Well, here’s to more laughter and more mischief from our
little sister.”
They all toasted to those happy thoughts.
Part 18
Heath sat on the swing and
watched his sister play by the stream with her dog. She was throwing a stick
into the water and trying to get Lucky to fetch it. The dog was not
cooperating, too busy chasing a squirrel. Finally Sam gave up and approached
her brother. Her physical recovery the past month had been remarkable and the
braces were now stored in the attic. Doctor Kemper had spent the previous week
at the Barkley ranch and he determined that the braces had done everything they
could and now it would take usage and exercises to regain the strength she once
had. Sam could easily get around with the crutches but she was too scared to
try walking without them.
“Heath, what’s wrong?”
Heath was so lost in his
thoughts he didn’t realize that Sam was standing in front of him. “Nothing. I
was just thinking.”
“About what?” Sam maneuvered herself on to Heath’s lap.
She was still clingy and
mentally her progress had not been as great as the physical aspect. The
nightmares were still present, though not as frequent or severe as in the past.
She was reluctantly back in school but the kids and teacher had been helpful
and patient with her. Tommy was her protector, willing and able to take on
anyone who teased Sam.
“Heath, what are you thinking about?” Sam was getting impatient and she jumped
off of Heath’s lap.
“Sam, ready to try standing?”
They had been practicing all
week and Sam was able to stand without assistance for a few minutes. This time
though, she shook her head no. “I want to know what you’re thinking about.” She
stamped one foot for emphasis.
“You,” Heath finally said. “I was watching your legs and thinking how straight
they look. Satisfied?”
“No.” Sam frowned. “I was thinking too. Wanna know what?”
Heath nodded his head.
Lucky had tired of the squirrel
and came bounding over. Sam sat down and Lucky jumped into her lap and licked
her face. Sam giggled softly and then smiled up at Heath. “Silas says
everything happens for a reason. Heath do you believe that?”
“I suppose.” Heath wasn’t sure how to answer.
“He says my daddy took me away so we could both end up here.”
“Sam, I don’t understand.” Heath got off the swing and sat on the ground, next
to his sister. “What did he mean?”
Something in his tone made Sam
regret starting the conversation. “Nothing, I guess.” Sam turned her attention
to Lucky.
Up to this point Heath hadn’t
had much success in getting his sister to talk and he thought this might be a
good beginning. He wasn’t about to let it past. “Sam, please tell me. What did
Silas mean?”
Sam turned and faced her
brother, trying to remember Silas’s exact words. “He said you went looking for
the Barkleys because you were alone and if I was there you wouldn’t have come
here.”
Sam paused and Heath thought
about what she said. He wasn’t sure he liked Silas talking to his sister about
this but he had to admit to himself, that maybe Silas was right. Heath stood
and walked away. Why he came to Stockton was something Heath rarely thought
about. What he ended up with was more than Heath could have ever imagined or
hoped for.
“Heath.” He turned and smiled at his little sister. “Heath, is he right?”
Heath shrugged. “Sam, I’m not
really sure.” He knew he couldn’t explain stuff to a child he didn’t understand
himself. “Sam, some things are just better left alone.”
She frowned at that statement
causing Heath to chuckle softly.
“That’s what Silas said too.” Sam’s annoyance clearly showed on her face.
“That’s what he said when I asked why that man took me from here. Then he told
me to go outside and play.”
Heath simply stared at his
sister. He knew she was spending a lot of time with Silas but he was surprised
to hear of the conversations they were having. “Sam, come here and sit down
with me.”
Heath found a dry spot near the
stream and sat, waiting for his sister to do the same.
“Sam, why would you ask Silas that? What did you expect him to say?”
Sam didn’t immediately answer,
wasting time pulling blades of grass out of the ground. “Heath, did I do
something bad? Is that why they were mean to me?”
“Sam, who are you talking about?” Heath knew but he wanted the child to tell
him.
“You know who.” Sam defiantly crossed her arms and glared at her brother. “My
daddy and the bad man. Did I do something bad?”
Heath had prepared for this day
for a long time, knowing that Sam would eventually ask the question. Yet right
now he didn’t know what to say and nothing came to him.
“You don’t know the answer either.” Sam finally stood up and started to walk
away.
“No you don’t.” Heath grabbed a hold of his sister. “Sam, some things don’t
have answers. I don’t know why they did what they did but you didn’t do
anything wrong. Do you understand?”
Sam blankly stared at him. “Not
really.” Sam tried to pull away. “There has to be a reason.” Sam again tried to
pull away from Heath’s grasp. “Let me go.”
Heath released her and Sam
walked over to the swing. She started to swing, amazing Heath with her leg
power. He wondered if she was holding back on how strong her legs were getting.
Heath waited and watched, until Sam seemed to get rid of her anger and finally
the swing came to a rest. She jumped off and approached her brother.
“Sometimes adult say things to make kids feel better,” Sam quietly said.
“Heath, promise me you’ll never do that. You’ll always tell me the truth.”
Heath lowered himself to one
knee and placed his hands on Sam’s shoulders. “Sam I promise that I will always
tell you the truth.” He stared his sister in the eyes as he said that. They
stood there silently for a few minutes.
“Every day I think and I think and I can’t figure out what I did; why they hurt
me.” Sam paused and momentarily bit down on her lower lip. “I didn’t do
anything and that’s why I can’t figure it out. Right Heath?”
“Right.” Heath smiled and cupped his hands around Sam’s face. “Sam, you didn’t
do anything wrong.”
The child tried to smile as her eyes watered up and Heath
gathered his sister into his arms. Heath felt tears running down his face as he
continued to hold the sobbing child.
* * * * *
The sun was going down and they
were still by the swing. Heath knew they should be getting home but Sam didn’t seem
to be a hurry to go anyway. Sam was stretched out on the ground, staring up at
the sky.
“Heath, can I show you something?” She sat up and stared at her brother.
“Sure.” Heath watched as Sam stood up, grabbing her crutches in the process.
“Go there.” She pointed and
Heath obliged.
Sam dropped her crutches and
much to Heath’s disbelief, she took a couple of steps. She started to wobble
and Heath caught her before she fell.
“It’s not much,” Sam spit out before Heath grabbed her in a big bear hug.
“Sam, when?” He finally put her down. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sam smiled broadly. “I know
we’re going to surprise everyone else, but I wanted to surprise you too. I’ve
been practicing at school with Tommy and some of the other kids. I can go ten
steps but my legs are tired right now from all the swinging.” Sam finally
paused for a breath. “Are you surprised?”
Heath could only nod; afraid his
voice would fail him. “That’s the nicest surprise I’ve ever gotten.” Heath
lifted his sister. “Shall we go home before the family worries about us?” He
carried Sam over to the buggy, grabbed Lucky and got in.
“Heath, I don’t know if Silas is right but if it meant coming here I’m glad my
daddy took me away and that you found me in the orphanage.”
Heath glanced sideways but
remained silent.
“This is the best place ever and
I’m glad we’re Barkleys.”
Heath again stayed silent but that didn’t seem to bother
his sister. She picked up Lucky and placed him on her lap. Heath kept glancing
her way amazed at what had transpired. He still wasn’t sure she was over
everything but this was a big step in his opinion. Heath started whistling,
feeling happier than he had felt in a long time.
* * * * *
Heath knocked on Sam’s door and
then slowly opened it.
“Happy birthday.”
She looked up from the chair and
smiled.
“Sam, everyone is downstairs,
are you ready?”
Sam stood up and fixed the dress
she was wearing. “I don’t feel any older. Is nine any different than eight?”
She grabbed her crutches and neared her brother. “Heath, I can’t wait for my
party. I can’t believe all the kids are really coming. Does my dress look ok?”
“Sam you look beautiful.” Heath bent over and kissed her cheek. “The party
isn’t until tonight. Are you sure you want to wear the dress the whole day?”
She nodded. “I won’t get dirty I
promise.” Sam sniffed. “I smell eggs. I’m hungry.” She walked past Heath and
waited for him to catch up and carry her downstairs.
The whole family was there when
they arrived.
“The birthday girl.” Nick was the first to greet her and he grabbed her out of
Heath’s arms.
“Well, you don’t look any older.” He studied her face. “Do you feel older?”
Nick kissed her and she giggled as his day old whiskers tickled her face.
“We have a surprise for everyone,” Heath announced. “Sam, ready?”
She nodded. “Nick put me down
and then walk away.”
This got everyone’s attention.
Sam handed the crutches to Heath
and then glanced at each member of her family. Her eyes finally settled on Nick
and slowly she started to walk towards him. Sam heard a couple of gasps but she
was too busy concentrating on her feet to know where they came from. Halfway to
Nick she stumbled and felt a hand grab a hold of her arm.
“Sam, you can do it.” Heath steadied her and then let go.
“Sam, you can do it.” Nick echoed his brother.
Sam looked at him and Nick
smiled encouragingly. Sam figured she had only five more steps but her legs
were starting to feel like rubber. “I can do it,” she said and then took
another step. Four more steps and she fell into the waiting arms of her big
brother. “I did it.”
“You sure did.” Nick hugged her tightly and then moved out of the way so the
other family members could get to the child. “Holding out on us.” Nick said as
he neared Heath.
“It was Sam’s idea” Heath insisted, a broad grin on his face.
Sam quickly tired of the
attention. “I’m hungry” she exclaimed and then stared at the table. “I don’t
think I can make it back.”
“Allow me.” Jarrod lifted his sister and carried her over to the table. “Miss
Samantha, your wish is my command.”
Everyone settled around the table and began eating
breakfast. Sam glanced over at Heath and saw that he was staring at her. He
winked and she grinned, both happy with the way their surprise had turned out.
* * * * *
Three months later.
Sam eyed her brothers near the water trough and slowly approached them. They
were in a heated conversation and none seemed to hear the child. Quietly Sam
grabbed a bucket and filled it with water.
“Nick,” Sam called out.
He turned, as did Heath and Jarrod.
Sam flung the water at them, reaching all targets.
“Why you.” Nick grabbed her first and tried to dunk her in the trough.
“Help me.” Sam clung to Nick’s collar as she tried to stay out of the water.
She dragged her free arm in the trough spewing water everywhere and in a matter
of minutes they were all drenched including Lucky. Nick let her go and she
grabbed the bucket again.
“Don’t you dare.” Jarrod pointed a finger but it was too late, as the whole
bucket was aimed at him.
Sam giggled, as did Nick and
Heath. Jarrod eyed the other bucket and quickly filled it with water. Sam tried
to hide behind Heath but he wouldn’t allow it. But he couldn’t get out of the
way either and was met with a wave of water. Soon water was flying everywhere
and the only sound heard was laughter. Nick was aiming another bucket when he
noticed his mother walking near them. She eyed her children, a slight smile on
her face.
“Samantha!” Her tone stopped the child in her tracks. “We’re leaving in twenty
minutes, let’s get you in clean clothes.” She grabbed the child’s hand. “I
expect the rest of you to get this mess cleaned up including the dog.” She
pointed at Lucky, who was rolling in the mud. “I better not see a speck of mud
in the house.”
Victoria walked away with Sam
skipping beside her. The child glanced back at her brothers, a huge grin on her
face.
Nick wiped his face as he
watched her walk away. “That child is asking for it.” Nick smiled. “I see a
good soaking in her future. Heath, you agree?”
Heath didn’t answer as he
continued to watch his sister. Nick walked closer and he thought he saw tears
running down Heath’s face.
“Heath, you crying?” Heath quickly wiped his face, sniffling in the process.
He smiled and then looked at his
brother. “I had my doubts before today but finally…I finally believe that Sam
is going to be just fine.”
Nick wanted to respond in his
usual sarcastic way, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “She is Heath. Our
sister is going to be just fine.”
Nick lightly grasped his
brother’s shoulder as they watched Sam walk into the house.
Watch for further adventures in
"Through the Eyes of a Child – What Lies Ahead".