Chapter 5 – A New Member of the Family

Mary finished preparing the vegetables for the evening meal. She looked over at Rainey. "Alright you, upstairs. Let's get that back seen to before dinner." She called out. "Sandy did you bring that big tub of salve I asked for?"

"Yes Ma, it's in my bag in my room."

"Be a dear and bring it through, I'll be in Rainey's room."

Sandy got the tub of salve from her bag, walked down the hall, knocked on the door and walked into Rainey's room. "Here it is Ma." She stopped and stared. "Friggin' hell! What happened to you?"

Mary turned to her daughter sadly. "It's what the Germans did to Rainey when he took your brother's place honey."

Sandy thrust the salve into her mother's hands and walked over to Rainey, she took a quick professional assessment of his injuries, reached out and gently touched his chest. "Are those burn marks Rainey? How did you get those?"

Chief was embarrassed at all the attention, he was glad he'd only taken his shirt off. "Electric shock," he said quietly.

"Bastards!" Sandy walked round to view his back. "Oh my God! Is the rest of you like this?"

Chief dropped his head. Mary took the lid off the salve. "Yes it is Sandy. I couldn't believe it myself when I first saw it. Sit down Rainey, I'll do your back."

Sandy watched as her mother started to rub salve onto Rainey's body, she was fuming as she looked at the wounds, scars and burns that covered him, she became aware of a small figure standing beside her watching the scene. Katie walked over and touched Rainey's arm. "Who hurt you Uncle Rainey?"

Mary looked down at her granddaughter. "Bad men did it honey. Uncle Rainey was very brave."

Katie touched a stitch. "Did they have to sew you up? Was your stuffing coming out like my teddy bear? Mommy had to sew him up too."

Chief looked at her and smiled gently. "Yeah Yázhí, my stuffin' was comin' out," he replied softly.

Katie leaned forward and kissed the stitch. "I'll help make you better." She dipped a small hand in the salve and started to rub it on over the injury.

Craig appeared in the doorway and looked around. "So this is where all the Garrison women are," he laughed. "What are you doing to my scout?"

He took a quick step back as Sandy furiously turned on him and nearly thrust a finger up his nose. "We're looking after him, which is a damn sight more than you've done Craig. How could you let this happen?"

A quiet, determined voice interrupted her tirade, Rainey raised his head. "No, don't blame Craig for what happened to me, it was my choice not his."

Mary finished rubbing in the salve. "Ok girls let's go prepare dinner."

Craig sat down on Rainey's bed, and handed him the clean shirt Mary had left for him. "Thanks Rainey, Sandy can get very intense at times." He paused. "I've just realised this is the first time we've called each other by name."

Rainey dropped his head in apology. "Sorry Warden, won't do it again."

Craig leaned forward and put a hand on Rainey's arm. "Rainey, I'm not on duty here, I'm not the Warden. While we're here with my family, you can call me by my name ok?"

"Ok War..." Craig raised an eyebrow. "...Craig." Garrison smiled and nodded.

Downstairs Sandy was on the phone. "Trish, you coming over tomorrow?"

"Yes, Craig and his friend Rainey are here. Honestly kiddo you're gonna love him, Ma and I do. Katie adores him, yes, Katie. Ma and I couldn't believe it either. No arguments, get your ass over here. Ok see you then, drive safe."

GG-GG-GG

Craig and Rainey came downstairs and joined in the preparations for the evening meal. Dinner was served and everyone gathered round the table, George carved thick, juicy slices of roast venison and passed out the plates. Bowls of buttered, mashed potatoes and vegetables did the rounds along with the gravy boat, wine was poured for the adults while the children had water. Dinner was eaten to the accompaniment of animated conversation and laughter.

Rainey sat quietly and took in the atmosphere of a family meal, he'd never experienced anything like this before and felt out of place. He glanced over at Craig, he was laughing and talking to his sister. His gaze went round the table and stopped at Katie, she was watching him, she gave him a huge grin and blew a kiss, Rainey smiled and winked at her.

Halfway through the meal the children left the table and started running around, adding to the chaos of a Garrison family dinner. Eventually the last morsels of food were eaten and and everyone sat back in their chairs, agreeing it had all been delicious and a lot better than rations. Rainey was embarrassed when they all raised their glasses to him in thanks for the feast he'd provided.

Everyone helped clear the table and wash up before Mary chivvied them out the kitchen, Sandy stayed and helped her put the plates away. "That venison was delicious Ma. I can't get anything like that in London."

Mary pointed at the back door. "There's a whole carcass in the outhouse, you're more than welcome to take what you want when you go back. Rainey's good at catching rabbits and birds as well, Craig says he does it for the team all the time when they're operating behind enemy lines."

Sandy glanced at the dark-haired figure talking to Craig and her father in the other room. "Ma, I want to get Rainey something as a thank you for what he did for Craig, you got any idea?"

Mary smiled. "Yes honey I've got a couple of things in mind. There's a jewellers in Southampton that should have what we want, I also want to talk to you about something else I want to do for Rainey."

The two women talked for a few minutes, Sandy gave her mother a delighted smile and a hug. "That's perfect, don't tell Craig what we're planning," they walked into the living room. George was sitting on a big settee, he pulled his wife to him and hugged her as she sat down next to him curling her legs up and nestling into his chest. Sandy and Paul occupied another settee, leaning comfortably against each other. Craig and Rainey had each taken a large, comfy armchair and settled back.

Sandy watched as the children ran in, Katie looked round and made a beeline for Rainey, she climbed onto his lap and settled down with her head on his shoulder. Rainey tensed and looked questioningly at Sandy for her permission for her daughter to be there, she nodded and smiled as she watched him relax, put his arm round Katie and rest his cheek in her hair.

Rainey felt happy and contented, emotions that had been strangers to him since he'd been a small boy, he closed his eyes, breathed out and felt all the anger he'd stored up over his life drain away. Mary was also watching him, she could see the tension flow out of his body, Craig had asked her to work her magic on his scout but it was the little girl in his arms who'd woven the spell.

Rainey opened his eyes as the two boys ran up, Mark put his hands on his hips. "We want Navajo names too, why should Katie be the only one?"

Craig gave Rainey a mischievous grin. "What's Diné for 'pain in the butt brat'?"

Rainey grinned back. "Casino!"

Craig burst into laughter, he looked at the boys fondly. "Ok, what about what Uncle Rainey and I call each other?" The boys nodded with expectant smiles.

Craig pointed to Pete. "You're Ánaaí, that means 'Big Brother'." He pointed to Mark. "You're Atsilí, that means 'Little Brother'."

Pete looked quizzically at him. "You 'n Uncle Rainey really brothers?"

Craig smiled and nodded. "We're blood brothers."

The boys' eyes were like saucers. "Wow!"

Mary laughed as she looked at the two children. "It looks like we have a new member of the family."

The boys ran off calling each other by their new names.

Half an hour later Sandy got up and clapped her hands. "Bed time kids. Say good night to everyone, Grams and I'll tuck you in."

Katie flung her arms round Rainey's neck and kissed him on the cheek. "Night, night. Love you lots Uncle Rainey."

Rainey looked at her in surprise, his heart melted. "Love you too Yázhí." He knew he meant every word.

Katie ran round and kissed everyone, Craig gave her a big hug and watched as she ran after her brothers. "Looks like I got competition in the favourite uncle stakes Rainey."

George got up and went to the drinks cabinet. "Now the kids are gone who wants bourbon and a cigar?"