Chapter 5

"Easy, Carrie, not so tense. Let up on the reins a little."

Carrie Grigsby straightened up in the saddle and did as coach Evan instructed. Her mare, Cinnamon, responded with a snort but stayed calm.

The fifth McFadden stood in the middle of the corral. "That's it. Let up just a little more."

Carrie further loosened her grip on the reins. The horse seemed to nod approval and slid into an easy canter around the inside perimeter of the corral.

Evan pumped his fist. "You're doing real good!"

Ford and his girlfriend Cleo Wheeler watched from the fence.

"Evan's right. She's doing a lot better," Cleo noted.

"Yeah, she is," Ford agreed. She was kind of stiff the first few times. Ev said it's a matter of getting them used to each other and maybe breaking both of them of old habits."

Another moment passed. Cleo said, "I like her."

"Yeah, Cinnamon's a beauty."

Cleo playfully stuck her elbow in Ford's side. "Silly, I meant Carrie, not the horse!"

He grinned. "I was kidding. She is nice."

Noticing the way the fifth McFadden brother smiled at his student, Cleo observed, "Looks like Evan thinks so, too."

"Oh yeah, I hear about her all the time." Ford laughed. "I swear he even dreams about her."

"Really? But he hasn't known her that long."

"Adam and Hannah only knew each other a month before they got married, so maybe it doesn't have to take a long time." Ford exchanged a glance with his girlfriend and smiled sheepishly. "But I'd still rather take my time." His nose crinkled. "I think."

Cleo smiled. "I think so, too."

Ford leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Cleo giggled.

"Don't let Adam see too much of that, little brother." Crane tousled Ford's hair as he joined the couple at the corral fence. "He doesn't want you growing up too fast."

Ford pulled Cleo close and grinned. "I don't think there's much he can do about it."

"You're right. But don't tell him that." Crane's gaze went from Ford to the corral. He watched Evan put horse and rider through their paces. "They're doing a lot better."

"That's what we were just saying," Ford offered. "Brian said it was just a matter of getting Cinnamon used to new surroundings and people."

Thus far distracted, Crane bristled at the mention of his older brother's name but had to give credit where due. "He would know."

They were soon joined by Adam and Hannah. Adam watched Evan's coaching for a minute before remarking, "That kid's a natural."

Crane shared a glance with the oldest. "We always knew that."

"Yeah, but he's really blossomed these last few months. It's one thing to train our own stock, but to see it extend to horses he barely knows – that's something." Adam nodded with pride.

"You sound proud of him … Dad!" Hannah poked him in the ribs.

Adam yelped at the tickle but recovered quickly. "Don't call me dad. You of all people, honey." He pulled her close.

"Not in front of the children, Dad," Crane grinned.

The eldest groaned, "Not you, too."

Evan approached them. "I heard what you said. Thanks for the compliment, Dad!"

Adam sighed and rolled his eyes, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Evan addressed Ford, "How about we treat Dad and Mom?"

Brother number six lit up. "Great idea."

Hannah asked, "Treat to what?"

Evan replied, "Ice cream in town. No reason we can't all go."

Hannah offered, "We have ice cream here."

"Nah. We're celebrating."

"Celebrating what?"

Evan was silent for a moment before grinning. "We'll think of somethin'."

Solemn of a sudden, Crane pushed off the corral fence. "I'm gonna pass."

"Oh, come on, Crane," Evan pleaded. "We were hoping everybody could come."

The third oldest brother started in the direction of the barn. "I want to get some work done. Have fun."

Adam watched him for a second. A thought struck him. "I'm gonna beg off, too." He shared a knowing glance with Hannah. "Honey, you go with the kids and have a good time."

A mute Evan stood, disappointed. The wind seemed to have left his sails.

The eldest squeezed his shoulder. "Next time. You're doing a really good job, and I'm proud of ya."

"Thanks."

"Now go and have a good time. Dad's orders!" Adam playfully rolled his eyes as he said it.

~~00oo00~~

Adam jogged toward the third oldest, who was headed to the wooded area beyond the apple trees where he liked to walk, often just to think. "Crane, wait up!"

Slowing his pace, Crane answered over his shoulder. "Aren't you going in the wrong direction, Dad?" He waited until Adam caught up.

"All right, enough with the dad stuff. I can only play along for so long. Mind if I walk with ya?"

Crane shrugged. "Free country, but shouldn't you be going with the kids? Ev'll be disappointed if you don't."

"He is, and I hate not to, but Hannah's going. Hopefully that's good enough."

"It will be, and he'll get over it." Crane stopped. "But you're not here to talk about Evan."

"You're right. I want to talk to you."

"Nothing to say."

"You sure?"

Crane swallowed hard. All of a sudden he felt uneasy. "I can tell you where the accounts stand, how far behind we are on projects because we're low on cash, how we've borrowed way beyond our limit, et cetera. But I don't think that's what you want to hear."

"You're right. Come on."

They started an easy walk, taking in the familiar scenery, stopping a moment to watch an eagle soaring fairly low, searching for prey, and leaving no doubt who ruled the sky. In a short while, the predator was out of sight.

Their reverie broken, Crane asked, "So what's on your mind?"

Adam responded, "I guess the better question is what's on yours."

"Huh?"

"Come on, Crane. What's up with you and Brian?" Adam saw younger brother tense.

He deflected, joining Daniel's earlier explanation. "I was surprised to see him there, that's all."

"Okay, so you didn't expect to see him. But, he was up that way and knows the place. Heck, we went there enough when you were in school."

Crane smiled briefly at the reminiscence. "Yeah, I guess we did. Good times."

"Uh huh."

Awkward silence followed. It grated on Crane.

Adam knew all his brothers too well, and this one would speak in his own good time. He sensed the need to diffuse the situation. "I'm gonna head back to the house. You coming?"

"I guess …"

Adam stopped. "Look, you might be better off taking that walk and figuring out what's bothering you. I was just trying to help."

"I know. Thanks."

Adam cupped Crane's shoulder a moment before heading again in the direction of the house but had not gotten three steps before the third oldest blurted out, "I think we have another Tally situation." There. He said it.

Adam's brow furrowed as he processed this new information. "You're not talking about Tally Dean, are you?"

"Yeah." Crane felt a sense of relief.

"What's she got to do with this?"

"Not her, specifically, but it might as well be."

This was not what older brother was expecting. Concern gripped him. "Is something going on with Daniel?"

Crane smirked. "No. Daniel's fine, and probably in love."

Adam sighed. "So what else is new?"

With the see-saw emotions, the smile quickly faded and Crane was taciturn again.

"So tell me what Tally Dean has to do with this."

Crane shrugged. "Brian."

Ah, finally an opening! Deja vu brought Adam back to his conversation with Guthrie a couple weeks before, but Crane was no twelve-year-old and Adam's patience did not wear as thin. "So what about Brian?"

Crane spoke as if in disbelief. "It's like Tally Dean all over again."

Adam started to get the picture but was still grasping at straws. "But with the girl you're seeing?"

"Yeah."

The eldest took note of the rueful reply and the confused state of his brother and decided not to push further. "Look, I know all about falling hard and fast." Crane sniffled and Adam squeezed his shoulder. "Don't go jumping to conclusions, okay? Talk to her. Just be sure not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I know it looks suspicious, but give her the benefit of the doubt – and Brian, too."