Chapter 55: Explanations
Dr. Merar had been told by Victoria Barkley about Audra's circumstances of birth well over a few months ago. It happened when she had her stroke. The regal lady informed the doctor, without much detail, that Audra had been her twin sister's daughter. The doctor had heard many tales of related people help in rearing family. It wasn't uncommon to do. They both surmised the fact of Audra finding out had burdened Victoria more than she realized. Thus, those facts causing the stroke.
Therefore, when Heath stated he wasn't Audra's brother, Dr. Merar understood. However, when he stated he was her husband, the revelation even shocked Dr. Merar. However, at the proclamation of the young blonde man, Dr. Merar could make an educated guess what was wrong with Audra. It could be one of two things. He hoped for the young couple it wasn't the second. Dr. Merar would have to ask Audra some very personal questions to help him in the diagnosis.
Therefore, he told Heath and a very irate, confused Nick to let him be alone to examine his patient. He didn't need the help he thought he would. Dr. Merar noticed the bruising on both Barkley boys. He wondered with the new revelation if he'd be stitching up them both before this day was over.
After the door closed, Dr. Merar smiled at the young girl laying on the bed. "Is the pain easing now, Audra?"
Audra nodded. "Yes. I don't know what happened. It was sudden."
"Does it burn when you take care of your basic needs?" Dr. Merar listened through his stethoscope to Audra's heart.
Audra blushed brightly. "Some."
"You're running a little fever." Dr. Merar hated when new brides had to be explained some things that come with being new brides. "I guess you and Heath have been celebrating as a married couple a lot."
Audra glanced down at her hands as she entwined her fingers tightly. Her small whisper came out. "Yes. Sir." Her shame evident. "But we're married. The family don't know but Silas. But we are."
"I'm not judging you, Audra. I'm just thinking you probably have been very active in the marriage bed with Heath." Dr. Merar found himself feeling a little embarrassed himself. He'd had to explain things to many a young bride when this happened. But this was sweet little Audra Barkley. "It isn't uncommon to happen to be in pain due to the …." Dr. Merar nervously wiped his hand over his neck. "...nature of being very …..ummmm...close...very….often with your new husband. Sometimes, a female develops an infection."
Audra's head snapped up in shock." We're clean! We always bath first! Well….most of the time. Definitely I bathe after."
"No. Dear." Dr. Merar was thankful Victoria wasn't there to witness this. "It just happens with a couple very fond of one another physically."
"Oh." Audra bit her lip. Again, her face turned a crimson color. "Heath and I are very fond of one another."
"Drink plenty of water. That usually clears it up." Dr. Merar had Audra raise her blouse. "Let me check you out just in case there is something else." Dr. Merar pressed on Audra's abdomen as he watched the young girl flinch. He frowned slightly.. "How long have you and Heath been as a married couple?"
Audra bit her bottom lip. "A couple of months."
He asked Audra another personal question and waited for her answer. "Well, that can explain more of the pain."
Downstairs Nick was pacing as he glanced at his blond brother. If Heath didn't know better, he'd swear Nick's nostrils were flaring and smoke was coming out of his ears.
"How did this thing happen between you two?" Nick finally stopped as he stared menacingly at his younger brother, who was nervously leaning on the stair banister." For God's sake, Heath. She's our sister."
"Not mine. She's not my sister." Heath repeated his words during the fight. "She's no Barkley."
"Now, wait a minute, boy." Nick slammed his fist in the palm of his other hand. "She's a Barkley."
"Not in blood, Nick." Heath swallowed. He hated seeing his older brother angry with him. Nick was his best friend, brother and so much more. "I haven't lived with her all my life, Nick. I've not had her as a little sister like the rest of ya."
"Well, we haven't had you as a brother either, Heath. But sure as shootin', you're my brother and I feel it here!" Nick pounded his fist against his chest where his heart lie beneath. "Don't you feel the same?"
"About you and the rest of the family. Sure as anything." Heath closed his eyes trying to think of the best explanation. "I guess I never tried too hard to think about it with Audra. I was attracted to her the first time I met her. But that was put back in my mind because she was supposed to be my sister. I suppose I never looked at her like a woman after that until…"
"Until when!" Nick bellowed loudly.
"The trip to the Cartwrights. We were both vulnerable, I reckon. Both feeling doubts about our lives and where we stood with family and all." Heath saw Nick's jaw tighten at the words.
"I was hard on you at first." Nick tried to explain. "I thought that was over with. The doubt about where you stand in this family should be over. You're my little brother."
"I know that, Nick. That's not what I mean. I mean confusion of what the #$$# our parents were thinking when they lied to us both. Both our mamas kept us from our fathers, Nick. Neither one of us knew what to think. I'll never know what Tom Barkley would feel about me. Love. Shame." Heath held up his hand to stop Nick's tirade that was sure to come. "Don't matter what folks say he would have thought. NO proof from a dead man. On top of that, all this happening made me doubt my mama. Made me feel second best to Tom Barkley's memory she had. Then Audra was facing doubts of near the same thing. Somehow, we kept leaning on each other feeling the fear of it. Somehow, during that time, we let the thoughts of not being related by blood in our heads. After that, we started feeling things in our hearts too. Those feelings made things go too far."
"Too far!" Nick stalked over to where Heath stood. Part of him wanted to wring his little brother's neck. The other part wanted to envelope the boy in his arms. "How far is too far?"
"I meant what I said upstairs, Nick." Heath squared back his shoulders. He readied himself for another blow of his brother's fist. "How far do you think a husband and wife go in a relationship?"
"Boy, I ought to hit you." Nick grabbed Heath's shirt by the collar as he pulled back his fist.
"I wish you would, Nick." Heath felt tears brim his eyelids.
Nick let loose of Heath's shirt. He remembered those words over the people he thought were squatters. Nick turned out wrong on that account. Maybe he was on this account too.
Nick backed up as he whispered. "I don't know how to think on this, little brother."
Both set of eyes shot up when Dr. Merar headed downstairs. "Heath, I gave Audra some medicine to help her rest. Why don't you go see her before she falls asleep? She'll explain what is going on."
Heath nodded as he took the stairs two at a time to make it to be with Audra.
Dr. Merar looked at Nick as he shook his head. "I don't know how this family is going to handle this. But I heard what you said to Heath about not knowing what to think." Dr. Merar touched Nick's shoulder. "I'm not sure your mother's health can take this either. According to Audra, the two have been wanting to tell everyone about the marriage. They're not legally married." Dr. Merar glanced up the stairs. "Nick, in their hearts they are. Audra can't take the stress of something happening to Victoria. But like you said, you may not know what to think but something needs to be thought of for Audra and Heath too not just your mother."
"What are you saying, Doc?" Nick's brow furrowed as he watched the doctor shake his head.
The doctor swallowed as he placed his hat on his head. There was no way around it. The couple needed an ally. Dr. Merar was hoping Nick may be the support the blondes needed to lean on.
He took in a deep breath before saying to the dark haired rancher. "Audra is with child." Dr. Merar watched the shock pass over Nick's face before adding the crushing blow. "She may be losing the baby. Your brother and your sister may be losing their child."
