Part Two
Coming down the back stairs after making sure all his children were tucked in for the night, Heath found Anna at the sink scrubbing his muddy cloths. Walking up behind her he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his cheek alongside hers. "Can I help?" He asked as he nuzzled his face against her neck and began kissing it.
"I'm all most finished," Anna replied as his kisses started to stir her desire for him.
Continuing to kiss his wife's neck he moved his hands up her stomach to her chest. Gasping at his touch she dropped his muddy jacket back into the sink and pushed his hands back down. "Heath I'll never finish if you don't stop," she said as she actually wanted nothing more than to have him continue on. "I need to get this washed so it'll dry by morning," she added as she turned to face him.
Placing his hands on her cheeks he ignored her comment and sought out her lips with his own. As their kiss deepened he wanted nothing more than to carry her upstairs right then and there.
Pulling away from her husband, Anna placed her hands on his upper arms. "Heath you can't work outside tomorrow without a coat," she stated as she watched his face fell a little.
"All right you win," he said as he hung his head pretending to be defeated.
Placing her hand under his chin she lifted it up and leaned forward, placing a kiss on his lips she reminded him that she would soon be finished and they could head upstairs.
Heading off to the study to finish some paperwork while Anna finished her chores; Heath suddenly began to feel extremely tired. The long work day was finally catching up to him as he sat down in the large leather chair behind his desk. Opening his ledger he began adding up the stack of receipts for the week in order to balance the ranches large budget. The longer he stared at the numbers the more tired his eyes grew. Laying his head down for just a moment he told himself, he was soon fast asleep.
Leaving her husbands winter coat next to the stove to dry overnight, Anna walked through the living room and over to the study. Peeking inside she smiled at the sight of her husband with his head resting on his arms atop the desk. Walking over next to him she placed her hand gently on his head and just sat listening to him breathe. The comfort she felt by just his mere presence in a room had only grown more and more each year they were married. While some couples grew apart they seemed to only grow closer and closer.
Anna smiled as Heath mumbled something in his sleep about horses and cattle. Gently shaking his shoulder she tried to pull him from his slumber. "Heath, wake up love." She said softly as he lifted his head and rubbed his eyes.
As her husband rubbed his eyes Anna couldn't get over how much he looked like Thomas at that very moment. He reminded her so much of her smallest son that she leaned forward and kissed his head.
"You look exhausted," she said as he stood up and put his arms around her.
"I'm not that tired," he replied as he winced a little at the pain in his hip before leaning down and kissing her.
As they walked upstairs hand in hand, Anna stopped in front of the bathroom. "I'll be right in," she said as she let go of his hand and closed the door. Changing out of her dress and into her nightgown she quickly brushed through her hair and washed her face. Turning down the lamp she exited the bathroom and quietly walked down the darkened hallway to her bedroom. Seeing her husbands clothes folded neatly on the chair by their bed she blew out the lamp, closed the door, and went to join him in bed.
Climbing under the covers she inched her way closer to him, not feeling him move at all she stopped and listened. Hearing his steady breathing she knew right away he'd fallen asleep. Smiling in the dark she cuddled up beside him and laid her arm across his chest. As her legs touched his she was surprised at how cold he still felt. Running her hand across his broad chest she could feel the lingering coldness in it as well.
Laying her head on his shoulder she tried to warm his body with her own. As she lay next to him listening to his steady breathing she thought of how hard he worked each and everyday. He was always up before the sun and the last one into bed at night. Some how in-between all the ranch work and chores he had he managed to fit her and the children in. Not any easy task when you have six children all vying for your attention at once. But her husband always put her and the children first never second.
Hearing a noise Anna awoke to find the bed next to her empty. In the inky early morning light she quickly jumped out of bed and grabbed her robe. Walking over the window she watched as her husband made his way from the house back to the barn. The steady rain that had fallen over the valley for the past week was still falling as she watched him open the barn door and slip inside.
Pulling her hair back and dressing, Anna made her way down the back stairs and into the kitchen. Lighting the lamps she quickly went about preparing breakfast. As she mixed up some pancake batter her thoughts once again turned towards her husband. Looking out the back window at the gray overcast sky she shuddered to think he'd have to spend yet another day out in the cold rain. The cold damp weather and all the hard work he put in each day were slowly wearing him out. She noticed it more so last evening when he had a hard time keeping his eyes open at the dinner table. As usual he once again tried to put on a front for her but she could tell something was not right with him.
"Mama?" Thomas questioned as he pulled again on his mother's skirt after his first attempt to gain her attention failed.
Feeling the tug on her clothing Anna looked down into the face of her youngest son. "Good morning Thomas," she said as he smiled up at her.
"Morn' in Mama," he replied happily as she set the bowl down on the counter and reached down to hug him.
"You're up awful early," she said as she noticed him fully dressed.
"I wanted ta help Papa before school," he answered as he looked up at her hopefully.
"He's out in the barn sweet heart," Anna replied as she watched Thomas's eyes light up. "Put on your winter coat and rain slicker before going out there and stay out of the rain." She added as Thomas rushed off to get his coat and hat.
Running back into the kitchen he let his mother help him with his rain slicker before racing out the back door and down the porch stairs. Anna watched as Thomas managed to splash in every puddle between the house and barn, as he disappeared into the barn she couldn't help but smile.
"Morn' in Papa," Thomas said happily as he hugged his father's leg.
"Morn' in little guy, yer up mighty early." Heath stated as he knelt down next to his son.
Laughing Thomas covered his mouth with his hand. "What's so funny?" Heath asked as he ruffled Thomas's hair.
"Nothin Papa," Thomas laughed even harder.
"Playing games with me already are you," Heath said as he quickly lifted Thomas off the ground and cradled him in his arms. "I think a quick dip in the horse troth might ease your tongue." He added as he carried Thomas back towards the door.
"No Papa," the young boy shouted as he struggled to free himself. "I'll tell you," he added finally surrendering.
Smiling as he set his son back on the ground Heath patiently awaited his answer. Looking up at his father, Thomas giggled again as he thought about what he said. "Thomas," Heath said sternly as he folded his arms across his chest.
"You and mama said the same thing," he blurted out quickly before giggling again.
"Said what the same?" Heath questioned as he leaned down closer to Thomas.
"That I was up early," Thomas replied as he giggled again.
"That's what's so funny huh," Heath said as he reached down and lifted his son into his arms. "Because your mother and I say the same thing, you think it's funny?" He added as he began to tickle Thomas.
Laughing out loud as his father tickled him, Thomas struggled to break free. "Stop Papa," he said as tears of happiness fell from his eyes. "I won't laugh again I promise!" He cried out as his father's hand tickled his ribs.
Kneeling down and setting Thomas down in front of him Heath held onto the boy's upper arms as he addressed him. "Feel like give' in old Lancelot some feed? He worked hard yesterday, he deserves some special care." Heath said as Thomas shook his head yes.
"Sure Papa," Thomas said as the exuberance in his voice caused Heath to smile.
"Well go on get then," Heath said as he smacked Thomas on the rear. Watching as Thomas took down one of the feedbags from the hook on the wall and carefully filled it, he couldn't help but smile. Watching his son make his way over towards Lancelot an immense feeling of pride built up within him.
When he himself was a young boy he never dreamed of one day having a family of his very own. When he was with his family everything else seemed trivial, the worries about weather or not the books balanced or if there'd be another drought this year or if he'd have another large contract come his way ceased to matter much.
What did matter was the love and support they all shared with one another freely. Heath knew each of his children would do what ever it took to help a sibling. Even though they occasionally fought with one another he knew the love they shared with one another.
"Papa…. Papa," Thomas called out as he watched his father stare straight ahead.
Finally hearing his son, Heath walked over to him. "What is it Thomas," he asked as the boy met him in front of Lancelot's stall.
"I think the barn's leak' in," Thomas replied as he pointed up over his head.
Looking up over Lancelot's stall Heath could definitely see a large dark stain. "Why don't we move Lancelot to a dryer stall," he said as he placed his hand on Thomas's shoulder.
"I can do it Papa," Thomas stated eagerly as he looked up at his father.
"All right," Heath chuckled as Thomas scampered away to move Lancelot.
"I'll be right back, I'm going to have a look outside." Heath said as Thomas led the horse across the isle way to a dryer stall.
Buttoning up is coat and pulling down his hat he braved the cold winds and walked outside into the rain. Walking around to the side of the barn where the wind came whipping down across the backfield he could easily see the missing shingles on the roof. "I'll have to fix that tonight when I get back," he thought as he turned around in the mud and headed back inside the barn.
"Looks like the wind lifted off a few shingles," Heath said as he walked passed Thomas and continued loading up the wagon. "I'll have to replace them later," he added as Thomas finished with Lancelot and walked over to him.
"I can help Papa," he said as he reached out and touched Heath's arm.
"I'm afraid they're a little to high up for you little guy." Heath said as placed the last of his supplies in the wagon.
"But I'm a real good climber," Thomas said as he looked hopefully up at his Pa.
"I bet you are," Heath chuckled as he reached down and picked Thomas up. "But this isn't a tree," he said as the sat down on the back of the wagon and looked at Thomas. "With all the wind and rain out there it won't be easy, plus it's a long way down if you fall." He added on as he watched Thomas's brow furrow.
"But you could fall too," Thomas said as he suddenly feared for his father's safety.
"I've been up there lots of times, I'll be just fine." Heath replied as he ruffled Thomas's hair. "How about head' in for some breakfast with me, I'm starved." He finished as he patted his stomach.
"Me too," Thomas said as he patted his stomach just like his father.
As they ran across the yard together and up onto the back porch, Thomas stopped and looked back at the barn. Watching the rain run down off its roof a shiver ran through him, something about the roof scared him. Feeling his father's hand on his shoulder he shrugged it off and walked inside where the rest of his family sat waiting for them.