Paint Me a Picture
Thanks to my beta reader pointing a few things out, I was able to get past that writer's block. If she had said nothing, who knows how long I'd have been behind that writing block.
Previously: Do you know them?" He couldn't figure out why Jarrod had such a strong reaction if the man didn't.
While they weren't shocked, Scott and Ester his sister were more than a bit surprised when Jarrod signed, *"My brothers".
"Thank heavens." Scott thought as he stepped forward just as Nick and Heath stopped their horses.
Chapter Ten
Jarrod sat underneath the tree near the pond; Nick was on one side of him, Heath on the other. Ester sat nearby enjoying the stories Nick and Heath were telling and translating whatever comments Jarrod added.
"I did not!" Nick, who had started out a bit of a skeptic when it came to sign language, was now finding himself on the defensive as Ester told him Jarrod said that Nick had chased away their supper when they went hunting the year before by accidently setting off the snare they'd set for 'that rabbit'. "It was that mutt you decided to bring along."
"Who chased the dog?" Ester could barely contain her laughter as she translated what Jarrod had asked, while Heath on the other hand wasn't even trying to stop his. It only served to irritate Nick more and another scowl escaped his lips. Of course, that only made the laughter louder and so infectious that even Nick joined in. Nick might have suffered some more teasing by the hand of Jarrod only he was saved further embarrassment when Scott and his nephews walked up.
"We're heading into town." Scott looked at Jarrod's brothers. "Which one of you is coming with me?" They'd mentioned earlier they would need to send a telegram to their mother and sister, to tell them about finding Jarrod.
Again, the group busted up laughing when Jarrod signed, "Take Nick." That was one answer the Mandrel's did not have to translate. After all, Jarrod was pointing straight at the dark haired rancher.
"Sure," Nick said as he laughed, then stood up and dusted off his pants. "Make me tell mother the news. I think it's just payback for Modesto." Shortly before Jarrod had left for San Francisco the three brothers had been in Modesto on business, Nick and Heath looking at cattle and Jarrod talking with a potential client. Nick had gotten himself and his brothers into a bit of a mess at the saloon after all the business had been taken care of. Jarrod had sworn then he'd get back at Nick some day.
Jarrod grinned from ear to ear and moved his closed fist up and down as he did his best to say "yes". Again, no translation was needed as he was also nodding his head up and down.
"Thanks a lot." Nick pretended to growl and be mad. No one bought it though, leaving Nick nothing to do but leave and follow Scott and the children into town. Ester excused herself saying she needed to go check on her niece, promising to come back as soon as possible.
For the first time since his brothers found him, Jarrod felt extremely uncomfortable. He looked at Heath; his eyes filled with sorrow and even an apology. Those two things, sorrow and an apology, jumped out and grabbed Heath. He quickly laid his hand son his brother's shoulder. "No need to worry, Jarrod. You'll be writing more than your first name in time, and I'll learn sign language. I'm sure Nick and the others will too. Well," he paused as he knew how busy life could get, "I don't know which one of us will learn the language the best, but does it matter? In between signing and writing, we'll talk."
Jarrod gave him a slight nod and small shrug of the shoulders before turning his head away. "What about my practice? How can I make a living?" These and a dozen other questions plagued Jarrod. He didn't want to be useless when it came to the law. Law was his life.
Sensing his brother's struggle and seeing Jarrod's depression, through his body language, Heath did what he could to assure his oldest brother everything would be all right, and that they'd figure something out. The fact that his reassurance did indeed give Jarrod some degree of hope was something Heath would have to wait to find out, as Ester and her niece came out of the house and headed for the pond.
0000
"Mother!" Audra hurried into the house yelling for her mother. Silas, who had just set fresh flowers in the living room for Mrs. Barkley, turned around and smiled at the young woman.
"Mrs. Barkley is in the attic, Miss Audra." Silas offered.
"Thanks, Silas!" Audra headed up the stairs and stopped. Turning around, she looked at Silas, who had headed for the dining room. "They found Jarrod." She did her best to smile at the Barkley's long time employee. "They say he's been hurt, but they're bringing him home."
Silas frowned slightly. He didn't like it when any of the Barkleys were hurt. They were good people, good to him. No, he hated when they were in pain for any reason. "Good, he belongs here with his family." He would have asked just how Jarrod was hurt only he didn't for one main reason. If Mrs. Barkley wanted him to know before Jarrod arrived home, she would tell him. Silas turned and continued walking towards the kitchen while Audra flew up the rest of the stairs and disappeared into the attic.
Victoria, who was just closing the lid to one of the many boxes the attic held, chuckled as the door slammed behind Audra. "If you're not careful, I'll be accusing you of taking your brother's place." There was no need for her to clarify which brother; Audra already knew.
"They found him mother!" Pure joy was on the young woman's face as she waved the telegram through the air. "Nick and Heath found him!"
Victoria flew to her feet and took the telegram Audra finally stopped waving through the air and handed to her. Found Jarrod. Hurt, but recovering. Be prepared for changes. Be home within the week. Within the week? Be prepared for changes? Victoria wasn't sure what that meant, but it didn't matter. The only thing that did was they were bringing her son home!