Notes of Silence
He'd always admired the piano in the parlor. It was the finest one he'd ever seen. The instrument's mahogany wood reflected his image tauntingly every time he passed by. Its ivory keys beckoned him with unsounding notes.
The blonde cowboy had been playing since he was able to talk, one of the few luxuries his humble roots had allowed. Leah Thomson had saved an old piano from being burned by her brother Matt. It hadn't been much to look at, the wood was chipped on the corners, it was scratched and a dingy brown the color of dust, but it had been a treasure.
Heath Barkley smiled to himself at the memory of sneaking in practices between working in the livery and in the mines as he grew up. Those moments were some of his favorites. He recalled fondly sitting next to his Mamma, her face alight as she taught him a new chord or song.
He stroked a brush down the side of his Modoc as the memories flooded his mind. It had been a long day; he'd helped Nick brand several calves, mended a fence, broke a few horses, and burnt a pile of mesquite. That was only the tip of what he'd done for the day. The young man simply wanted to have some silence.
This new family of his was a lot of things, but today they were just loud. A crooked grin tugged at his lips at the thought of his new family. The whole family was loud and opinionated. "Boy howdy they're opinionated," He thought to himself wryly as he put away the brush and gave his horse a fond pat on the neck. It gave him no endless amount of joy that he could drive his brother Nick up the wall by simply keeping quiet for a whole day. Heath would often only reply to his hotheaded older brother with a simple nod. Shaking his head with a fond smile he left the stable and headed to the house.
His stride was slow and even as he made his way inside, thoughts of the gleaming piano nagged the back of his mind once more. He pulled the tan colored hat from his head and slapped it lightly against his pants, dust billowed up slightly, it gave him a small reprieve from the thoughts of the 'menace' that awaited him in the parlor.
After a year of living with the Barkley family he still had his moments of discomfort. He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself at times. Most of the time he'd had to stay out of the fine places in towns…simply because he was dubbed a scarlet child. The newest member of the household cringed as he swung the big wooden door open and stepped inside of the house. For a moment he paused, his mind making him question if he really belonged in such a grand house. Once more he shook himself and stepped inside.
The house was entirely empty it seemed. Nick would be late coming home, Jarrod was taking a ride on Jingo, Silas was in the garden and Audra was gone with Mother to some charity event. Heath smiled slightly to himself, silence, blessed silence.
Suddenly, a loud thumping filled Heath's ears. His heart thudded loudly; it drowned out the notes of silence that had been trickling through his body. He sighed; it was that gleaming demon in the parlor again. The instrument was practically asking him to make contact with its glistening keys. Before he could stop himself the cowboy found himself taking deliberate steps towards the parlor.
An ache settled in the pit of the blonde's stomach. He wanted to sit on the bench nestled under the piano, his calloused fingers longed to caress the black and white indulgence that lay awaiting a skillful touch. For several minutes he stood staring at it, his blue eyes seemingly boring wholes into its side.
He swallowed thickly and decided that since everyone was finally out of the house it was his chance. Without making a sound he pulled out the bench and carefully sat down. Reverently his work worn hands hovered over the keys. His mind raced as he tried to recall a song from memory.
Tentatively he touched his fingers to the cool ivory. Notes flickered into his memories and seemed to control his movements. The gentle strains of Amazing Grace began to pour through the house. It was something he recalled his mother singing often. It was a fond memory, though poor, Leah had always made sure the house was filled with joy. He switched songs, playing the tune he recalled from his Aunt Hannah.
The second song was mournful, filled with longing. Silas recognized the tune as soon as he stepped inside the house. It reminded him of his time in slavery. A slave song that he recalled from his youth, it filled him with bittersweet memories. The man slowly peeled and chopped the vegetables for supper as he listened to the music coming from the parlor.
"Is that Miss Audra? When did she learn to play like that?" He shook his head. No, it couldn't be her. The only daughter of Tom Barkley had never played with such feeling. Wiping his hands on a towel he decided to investigate.
A small smile touched Heath's lips the more he played. He stumbled over a few keys as he warmed up, but quickly he recalled all the lessons from his mother. The young man began playing an Irish tune that he learned while in the mining camps. It reminded him of a bright young woman that he'd befriended when he was young. Those were good memories.
Silas' eyes widened in surprise as he peeked into the parlor, a dazzling smile stood out against his black skin. Sitting at the piano was the source of the music. It made his heart swell to watch the newest Barkley child so relaxed in the house. Heath held a special place in Silas' heart, he might never say it, but Heath was his favorite Barkley. There was a common bond between the two of them. Silas' mind wandered over their shared experiences as social outcasts and humble beginnings.
Some of Silas' favorite times were when he'd wake to begin breakfast only to find the blonde cowboy pouring two cups of coffee. The pair would sit over their coffee and speak of everything and nothing. He'd bonded more with the blonde son of Tom Barkley in one year than he had with the other four Barkley children, and he'd known the rest of them since they were children. He shook his head and left the parlor, letting Heath have his private moment. "High time that boy is happy." The man smiled as he bustled about the kitchen fixing the evening meal and listening to his friend play the piano.
Heath lost himself in the notes flowing from his fingers and sounding from the piano. It was amazing to play after so many months without it. He hadn't played since he'd come to the family a year ago. Song after song consumed his hands and he felt the long hours of the day and the tension in his shoulders melt completely away.
Jarrod Barkley handed Jingo's reins over to a stable hand and headed to the house. It had been a long day, but a good one. The dark haired lawyer had been mulling over a new case he'd taken on. It was a troublesome one, he sighed to himself as the tensions of the day caught up with him like a posse catching a criminal. It was always good to come home, home to his family. Warmth flooded his chest as he thought of his family, a smile lit up his face and settled into his bright blue eyes as he heard a carriage pull up.
"Jarrod!" Audra Barkley called as she jumped from the carriage long before it pulled to a stop. She ran after him, her golden hair flying behind her and her soft green dress billowing with her strides.
"Wild day Audra?" Jarrod couldn't keep the laughter in as he heard his mother calling after his only sister.
"Audra Barkley! You're worse than a child." The grey haired matriarch scolded her child. She stepped from the carriage and came over to her son and daughter. Victoria Barkley shook her head at the pair.
"Oh, Mother!" Audra sighed at her mother's scolding. "I'm fine. I just wanted to see Jarrod. He's been so busy lately." She linked an arm with her eldest brother.
"All this attention little sister, but for what reason?" Jarrod asked with his cross examining voice.
"No reason," She shoved him lightly. "I've just missed you… For the most part." Her eyes sparkled with good humor.
"Just don't go jumping from moving horses or carriages." Victoria shook her head again and her hazel eyes danced. "Now all were missing are Nick and Heath and we'll have a complete group."
The trio strolled closer to the house, all of them in high spirits. It was pleasant to have most of her children home. Victoria smiled to herself as she listened to Audra and Jarrod talk about their day. She was a lucky woman. The peace and quiet of the moment was broken by harsh yelling behind them.
"MOTHER! JARROD! AUDRA!" Nick bellowed loudly as he hurried to catch up with his family.
"Must you always yell Nicholas?" Her eyes danced merrily at her second son.
"Just trying to get your attention." The rancher's voice still bellowed at his family.
"You can get someone's attention without yelling." Audra teased her brother, a smug grin on her lips.
"Keep quiet squirt," Nick moved to grab his sister.
"JARROD!" Audra screeched at her brother for help as she dashed towards the house, Nick hot on her heels. Laughter filled the air as Nick easily lifted Audra off her feet and swung her around.
"Always children." Victoria's eyes sparkled as they made it to the front door. She paused at the sound of music filtering past the door.
"Who on earth could be playing?" Nick swung the door open in his blustering manner that the family associated with him.
They all walked inside silently, curiosity drawing them in like flies to honey. Ever so carefully they inched closer to the parlor; the gentle notes of a ballad caressed their ears. Audra clasped a hand over her mouth at the sight of her new brother playing the piano. It was a startling sight, something that would not be associated with the world wise blonde.
Jarrod and Nick stood in shock behind their mother as they watched Heath playing the instrument. Victoria simply smiled and watched her new son enjoy his music. She'd not seen him this relaxed in a long time; it was like medicine to her heart. The sight of Heath so at home at the piano made her realize how much they still had to learn about their new family member. With a stubborn set to her jaw she determined that they would most definitely make it a point to learn even more about this new son.
Heath played the final notes of the gentle song and let his shoulders relax even more as he ceased his playing. He felt so at ease, more at peace than he had in months. It seemed that music had not lost its soothing effect on him. A lazy smile rested on his face, until he turned to stand. His shoulders tensed once more and he felt a lump form in his throat.
"Oh, Heath!" Audra launched at her blonde sibling and flung her arms around him. "That was beautiful!"
"Didn't mean to disturb y'all." He moved to stand only to have Audra keep him firmly seated. Her hug was unrelenting.
"You aren't disturbing us." A wry grin touched Jarrod's face. "It's your home too after all. Makes that piano partially yours, legally speaking." He teased his brother.
"You play better than Audra." Nick shot a grin at his blonde sister and brother.
"Nick!" Audra stood up and put her hands on her hips. "My playing isn't bad."
"I don't believe that's what Nick said, dear. He simply said that Heath could play better." Victoria stepped in before her daughter lost her temper completely.
"In that case, Heath will have to play more often." Audra grinned and shot Heath a victorious look. "Am I right brother Nick? Brother Jarrod?"
"Indeed Audra. It seems we have a reluctant musician in the family." Jarrod's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Where did you learn Heath?"
"My Mamma, she played real fine. Taught me several songs. I can play most any tune I hear." The blonde shot Jarrod a lopsided grin. His shoulders relaxed as he realized that he'd not violated some sacred trust by playing the piano.
"You're welcome to play anytime Heath," Victoria's voice was soft. "Anytime at all." The beaming smile she received was worth all the struggles the family faced. She felt thankful that her husband had given her the gift of another son…Even if that son was not hers by blood, she couldn't hate Heath, and he was the missing piece of her family. As laughter and music flowed throughout the evening she was thankful that the silence of her new son had been broken. Gone were the notes of silence…and welcome was the music of joy. Her family was full again.