1 of 3
Jarrod stood in front of the fireplace holding his mother, whose tears continued rolling off her cheeks, though no longer as fast as they once had. Nick sat on the sofa with Audra and Eugene on each side of him. The young children were scared and holding onto him for dear life.
An eerie silence hung in the room as each thought of their father and husband, Tom, who had been shot in the back while he, Jarrod and Nick had been riding through the grove. The family was now waiting for the doctor to appear. He'd been sent for the moment Jarrod and Nick brought their father home. Only the sound of Dr. Merar's footsteps broke the silence and five heads turned in the medical doctor's direction. Instantly Victoria, Nick and Jarrod all stiffened as Dr. Merar slowly shook his head. "He wants to see all of you, beginning with Audra and Eugene."
Nick turned back to the fireplace, while Jarrod forced himself to follow his mother, who had indicated for him to accompany them, as she led the two youngest children to the room where their father lay. Upon entering the room, Audra and Eugene both ran up to their father's bed. Audra sat on the right side of the bed while Eugene sat on the left side of the bed when Tom invited them to sit down.
"Father!" Eugene cried and laid his head on his father's chest.
"You're going to be all right, father." Audra sniffled through her tears, only to Tom give her a weak smile and slowly shake his head.
"No, baby, I have to go." Tom did his best to smile upon his only daughter who meant so much to him. "That's why I wanted to see you, to tell you goodbye and tell ya to mind your mother and listen to Jarrod. He'll be helping your mother. Remember I love you and will be watching over you if that's at all possible." Tom went on to encourage both youngsters to learn all they could as they grew and to remember there was nothing wrong in standing for the right, even if the cost was sometimes higher than one would like.
After he finished talking, Tom glanced at Jarrod. Jarrod nodded ever so slightly as he removed his younger brother and sister from their father's bed, his heart still feeling if a loaded wagon had rolled on top of it and couldn't be budged.
"No, father!" Audra and Eugene both cried and reached out for Tom as Jarrod let go of them. They might have continued only their mother told them in a firm, but gentle voice to go back down to the living room. After the two young children left the room, Victoria stood next to the wall, while Tom motioned for Jarrod towards the bed.
Jarrod, holding back his tears, did as his father asked. Soon, he was sitting on the side of his father's bed holding his father's left hand in his. Tom sighed as he looked upon his eldest. His eldest had grown into a fine, responsible man. Now, with Tom's death so close at hand, it comforted him to know that his eldest would be there to watch over the family. Then, due to a comment Jarrod had made in the grove moments before Tom had been shot, Tom squeezed Jarrod's hand the best he could and said, "I was never disappointed in you." When Jarrod started to object, Tom stopped him. "Yes, I thought my eldest would be the one running the ranch with me, only I was wrong. That's all there is to it. It's not a bad thing, and I'm extremely pleased with the fact that you've become one of the best attorneys in California. I also know you'll do your best by this family. "
How could this be happening? His father had only wanted justice for the farmers; for all of them. Why couldn't men like Crown and Jordon go fight for power on some deserted island and leave everyone else alone? Jarrod sighed as he had the last thought go through his head. He knew it was a child's dream brought to the front of his mind by the shooting of his father; for he just knew the railroad was behind it. In that moment, Jarrod promised himself he'd pick up the fight to see justice was done. He didn't know if he'd succeed or not, only he'd fight Crown, Jordon and men like him with everything he had. When it came to the family, of course he would stand by them and do all he could for them. Without family, there was nothing. "You know I will." Jarrod answered even as his voice wanted to crack.
"Be patient with Nick, please." Tom inwardly sighed as he thought of the young man who would now feel the full responsibility of the ranch. He was positively sure that, with his middle son's temperament, patience was something that the family would indeed have to practice even more than they had in the past. "He has a heart of gold as you know, it's…just that blasted temper of his."
Jarrod couldn't help but give his father a small grin and soft chuckle. Nick's temper was famous around the ranch and in town. His father didn't have to remind Jarrod of it. "Don't worry about that father. I know how to handle Nick."
Tom winced a little, making it so Victoria flew to his side and Jarrod arose part way. Tom gave them an apologetic smile and then asked Jarrod to go and get Nick. "I need to talk to him too."
Jarrod hesitated a second, knowing that once he left the room he would never see his father alive again. Then, as much as it hurt him, Jarrod slowly turned around and left the room while Victoria stayed by her husband's side.
