* I want to thank those who I've chatted with and encouraged me to do this story. It is based on an actual event that took place in my own life three years ago. While I did write poetry at the time to help deal with it I never really sat down and 'got it all out'. Thanks to my Beta Reader to—though all mistakes are still my own.
Always in My Heart
CHAPTER ONE
OPENING SCENE
One person after another boarded the train headed for Stockton. It was getting quite crowded and quite noisy when Gene finally made it to his seat and sat down next to the window. He reached into his pocket and pulled out three of the many letters he'd received from the family since he'd left home-and one invitation. He couldn't believe how much had happened in that time.
Slowly he opened the first letter and read the first few lines of it:
Dearest Gene,
I know this is going to be a bit of a shock to you but Jarrod came home today with a new wife. Her name is Elizabeth Walters; a fine upstanding woman he met while in San Francisco; only real adjustment has been working it out so Silas and she both can cook. She just loves cooking.
…
Gene had to chuckle; at least his oldest brother wasn't going to have to worry about starving to death. He opened the second letter and read though it; actually, he looked it over rather quickly. This one brought tears of happiness…and a chuckle.
Dearest Gene,
You won't believe it, but Nick is home at last! …Anna Anders…don't worry, there's no relation to Gil Anders; thank goodness! They and others have brought Jack Thatcher to justice. …
How many tears of gratitude had he shed upon receiving that letter! The thought that Nick might very well perish out at sea was something that had haunted him to no end. The fact that he'd wound up with a girlfriend was something Gene found amusing.
Folding it back up he opened the last letter; it had also shook him up, but at least it had good news at the end.
Dearest Gene,
….Heath was, somehow, thrown from his horse and has been paralyzed from the waist down. He has a good nurse in one Lilly Brackett….
Heath is walking now! The brace he had to wear is gone and the steel crutches have been donated to the mission home-they have need of them down there now. …
The invitations he held open and looked at the longest.
Nicolas Barkley and Anna Anders wish to invite you to their wedding…
Heath Barkley and Lilly Brackett …
Gene shook his head. He'd left home a mere four years ago. He couldn't believe how much had changed. It was going to be good to see everyone and see that double wedding his brothers had hit the family with. He couldn't help it. He started laughing.
"What's so funny?" a young boy sitting across the aisle from him asked.
Gene smiled, and simply answered, "Let's say I think it's a good thing my mother only has one daughter." He continued chuckling as he turned to face the window. He had been gone too long…he was going home.
SCENE ONE
Gene stood on the platform and looked around. At least the train station looked the same but where was his family? It wasn't like them not to have someone to meet family,-or friends-, that were going to arriving on the train.
"Hey, there, little brother!" Gene turned at the sound of Jarrod's voice. He couldn't help but start grinning as he saw Jarrod and the woman he presumed to be Elizabeth walking towards him.
"I see mother forgot to write to me and tell me the news." Gene pointed to his sister in law's very swollen stomach. Jarrod and Elizabeth laughed.
"Blame us," Jarrod answered beaming, "When she sent the wedding invitations out we asked her not to say anything. We figured we'd surprise you when you got here."
It was a surprise alright, but a good one! "You're not going to have that baby during the wedding ceremony, I hope." Gene teased as he followed them to the buggy they'd driven out; the horse he'd be riding was tied to the back of the buggy.
Elizabeth only shrugged her shoulders, "I hope not, but, last time I checked, babies have a way of coming when they want to-not when you say it's convenient."
00000
Gene could hardly believe the noise out in the yard; then again-he could. After all, while the weddings were going to be held at the church, the reception would be at the ranch and that meant work! Maybe that's why Jarrod hadn't stuck around; he and Elizabeth had headed straight for the house.
"Glad you made it home on time," Nick walked up and slapped him on the back, "We'd hate to find another best man. Ready to pull double duty?" He was grinning as he spoke.
Gene shook his head; he could hardly believe how close Nick and Heath had gotten, especially considering the rough start they'd had. "I think so; so, which one is Anna?" he asked as he looked around-even though, from the letters, he figured he could guess.
"Right over there," Nick pointed towards the front door, "She's the one in the riding gear. Come on, I'll introduce you."
The rest of the day Gene enjoyed visiting the family and walking around the ranch. It had changed very little; he was glad of that. He'd seen enough of the world and now only wanted to be with, or near, his family.
From where she stood Victoria could see her youngest standing next to the corral watching the horse it held run around. He never did that. Why was he doing it now? So intent was she on thinking she didn't hear Jarrod walk up beside her.
"Sorry," he apologized as she jumped almost three feet in the air, "I didn't mean to surprise you, mother. Is there something wrong?"
Was there, or had Gene changed that much since he'd been gone? From the letters he'd sent over the past few years she hadn't thought he had. "It's your brother. He's quiet…too quiet and since when did he enjoy being around the corral?" It was Nick who 'owned that spot'; he and Heath that is. Gene and Jarrod were her scholars.
Jarrod saw no reason for alarm. After all; with all the excitement of the upcoming weddings the poor 'lad' was probably just wanting some peace and quiet. "If it helps to put your mind at ease-I'll talk to him tomorrow."
"You do that." Victoria turned around and went back inside leaving Jarrod to watch Gene for a few more minutes. Since he seemed to be enjoying himself; and Jarrod had things to do, he finally went back inside himself.
