DAY OF RECKONING
CHAPTER 3
Lucas looked at the man evenly as Garrett observed, "You don't seem too surprised to find that you have an illegitimate brother."
Lucas shrugged, "Nothing that man did surprises me, he was a first class son of a bitch. So your news isn't exactly the biggest shock I've ever had."
Garrett smiled knowingly, "Yeah, I guess not. I suppose one of the biggest would have been finding out that your wife is pregnant again, huh?"
Lucas sat up sharply, "Look mister, I'm not saying that I don't believe you, hell there's probably a dozen or so bastards running around this stated that could trace their paternal side back to Gabriel Buck, but let me set you straight on something, if you want to live a long productive life, I don't know how you know that she's pregnant but the worst mistake you could ever make would be to have any kind of designs one either my wife or my children. Do we understand each other?"
Glancing casually at Lucas, Garrett picked up the photo on the corner of Lucas' desk, of Dara, taken at their wedding. "I can see why you'd feel that way, she is a beautiful woman. I bet under all that sweetness and innocence she's a real hellcat, you know the old saying, 'a lady on the streets but a bitch in the shee...."
Before Garrett could blink Lucas was out of his chair, knocking the other man against the wall, taking the man's throat in his hand he glared at him, "I don't think you understood my meaning earlier, so let me make it crystal clear for you now. That 'woman' as you put it, happens to be my wife, I've killed over her before and wouldn't think twice about doing it again, so I suggest that you think twice before you ever refer to her as a 'bitch' again. She happens to be a lady and due the respect given to a lady, do we understand each other."
Garrett eyed him coldly, "I suppose we do."
Releasing the younger man, Lucas asked, "Now, you've come here for a purpose, what is it?"
Rubbing his now sore throat as he once again took his seat, eyeing Lucas cautiously he stated, "I've come to claim my birthright."
Lucas looked at him in shock, and then began laughing, "That's rich, sorry but I'm not in the habit of giving my home or money over to strangers."
Garrett shook his head as he stated evenly, "That's not the birthright that I'm interested in." Lucas looked at him sharply as Garrett stated sneeringly, "I see you know which birthright I'm talking about."
Lucas shook his head, "Sorry, the way I see it that isn't your birthright, and I'm not about to give it up to anyone."
Garrett eyed him acidly, "I don't see why not, as far as I can see you haven't used it in say going on five years, about the time you married my charming sister in law would be my guess. Don't think that I don't have 'gifts' of my own, but I know there's a lot more to the package and I want it."
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "Your wants will never hurt you, so want until your hearts content."
Shaking his head Garrett stated, "All right, have it your way, you want to play games we'll play games, but I'm telling you now, everything is ammunition."
Lucas didn't have a chance to respond as the door was thrown wide as his three younger children ran in yelling, "Daddy!" Then, spotting the stranger they stopped short in uncertainty.
Dara followed quickly behind, admonishing, "What have I told you three about knocking on..." Catching sight of the stranger she stopped short.
Rinie quickly decided that she didn't like the stranger as she hid behind her mother's leg and grabbed her hand; Riesa and Alex followed their little sister's lead and did the same thing.
Garrett looked at Dara and quickly realized that her picture didn't do her justice. Deciding to take the initiative he held out his hand and stated, "Mrs. Buck, I presume. Garrett Darvin at your service."
Dara reluctantly extended her own hand and regretted the action when he put his pips to her hand and kissed it. Quickly dropping her hand, she muttered, "Nice to meet you Mr. Darvin." Turning to her husband she inquired, "We can't wait outside for you to finish."
Lucas shook his head as he noticed the way Rinie was using her jacket sleeve to wipe her mother's hand, where Garrett had kissed it. "No, our 'business' is finished. Mr. Darvin was just leaving."
Garrett eyed his brother coolly, "We'll discuss this some other time." Then, turning to Dara he smiled and declared, "I'm sure I'll see you again soon, Mrs. Buck." With that he left pulling the door shut behind him.
Rinie tugged at her mother's hand and stated knowingly, "Mommy, I don't like that man, he's mean."
Dara lightly admonished, "Rinie, you shouldn't say such things. You don't even know that man."
Rinie shook her head vigorously, "He is mean mommy, and he doesn't like daddy. He's bad."
Dara glanced up at her husband inquiringly. Lucas knew that he would have to tell her sooner or later, but he knew that at the moment in front of the children wasn't a good idea so he silently mouthed, "I'll tell you later."
Dara nodded in understanding as they gathered their children and walked to the outer office to let Floyd know that Lucas would be leaving for the day.
Later that night, after they had finished watching videos and eating pizza, then putting the children to bed for the night, Dara found Lucas in the living room stoking the fire.
Having learned that when he was preoccupied he focused on the flames, she knew that whatever the 'something' was he had earlier promised to share it must be fairly serious. Walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his back and simply held him, feeling his hand cover her own, she quietly asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" Dara felt him sigh heavily before he turned to enfold her, holding her close to him before stating.
"Honestly, I really don't, but I know I promised not to keep anything from you so I have to." With that he led her over to the sofa to sit down while he explained, "That man in my office today, he claims to be my younger brother."
Dara looked up at him in shock, "You never mentioned a brother, I always thought that you were an only child."
Lucas nodded, "I'm the only 'legitimate' child that Gabriel Buck had." Nodding her understanding she allowed him to continue.
Lucas stated seriously, "Apparently, Garrett Darvin has come to claim what he considers his 'birthright'."
Dara looked at him in puzzlement, "What kind of 'birthright', money, this house, the last name, what are you talking about?"
Lucas ran his hand thru his hair as he sighed in annoyance with the entire situation, "He isn't interested in the material aspect of the Buck family."
Dara's eyes widened in shock and comprehension, "If it isn't money, the house or the last name he wants, then there isn't but one other thing I can think of he would be interested in." Hoping that her husband would deny her suspicions in the other man's motives she waited until she realized that his continued silence meant that she was correct in her assumptions, finally she asked softly, "That's it, isn't it? That's what he's after, and as much as I would like to believe that you could simply relinquish it, it doesn't work that way, does it?"
Lucas shook his head, "I really wish it did, but no it doesn't."
Dara narrowed her gaze, "Just exactly how does it work, Lucas? Why haven't you told me about all of this?"
Going over to the locked bookcase he reached up to the top and took the photo album that had almost cost him his marriage two years earlier, returning to the sofa he laid it on top of the coffee table and opened it.
Dara eyed it coldly, ever since her discovery of the book and the secrets it held she had insisted it be kept well out of sight and out of reach of the children. Looking at it now she stated coldly, "I don't want to see that damn book, as far as I'm concerned you can burn it."
Lucas sighed, "I know you don't, but if I'm to explain this to you, you're going to have to see this book."
Dara sighed in resignation, "All right, but the only reason I'm agreeing to this is that our children are at stake as well as us."
Lucas motioned for her to lean forward, turning the pages till he came to the ones of baby photos he asked, "Do you notice anything bout all of these pictures?"
Dara read over the names and dates listed, noticing that the baby pictures ended with the ones of Lucas and the ones before his were apparently of his father, she looked at him in uncertainty, "If I'm understanding this right by the dates and such, there is only one child in every generation. Am I right?"
Lucas nodded and smiled sadly, "I broke the family tradition by having four." Placing his hand over her abdomen he expounded, "Soon to be five."
Dara shook her head in confusion, "I don't understand Lucas, what has this to do with Garrett Darvin?"
Lucas looked at her in deadly seriousness, "There can only be one in every generation who controls the power inherent in the Buck family and it's always a male."
Dara looked back at the photos and noticed the truth of his words, all the babies were boys, looking at him in shock she asked, "Do you mean to tell me there isn't any sharing of this power, it has to be one or the other? Are you telling me that our sons are going to fight and try to kill each other for this God awful 'gift'?"
Lucas, seeing her rising panic, shook his head in denial, "No, that's not what I'm saying, our children are different. We've taught them from the start, they all have their own special 'gifts' yes, but the rage and anger, that's something we haven't taught them. They're not driven by it the way all the others were."
Dara looked at him sadly, "Is that what drives you, Lucas?"
Lucas placed his hand along her cheek and smiled lovingly at her, "It was, but something or I should say someone changed all of that."
Leaning back against the cushions and pulling her with him, he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close as he explained, "I used to feel driven by the rage and anger. I used it to turn things and people in the directions that I wanted them to go. It gave fuel to the abilities that I have and made them even more powerful, but then one day I saw this whirlwind blow into Trinity that blew through this town and my life with more force than a tornado or hurricane. And it was contained in this 5'2 package that couldn't weight more than a hundred and ten pounds at the most." Looking down at her he smiled at his remembrance as he continued, "God, I thought you were the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. I never believed in angels, but I knew the minute that I saw you that they must exist, because you reminded me of one. I thought when I saw you from afar that you would definitely be worth pursuing, for fun if for nothing else."
Dara looked at him in astonishment, remembering the way he had made no bones about his intentions from the first, she asked, "What changed your mind? You never came across as anything but serious."
Lucas smiled ruefully, "The truth? Your eyes and attitude, I knew by your attitude that you weren't the kind to just play around, plus you seemed immune to my charms so I knew then that you were definitely different, but then when I looked into your eyes, I thought to myself 'if I could lose myself in those eyes, I would die a happy man,' I knew then that you were what I wanted for the rest of my life. I found my life being driven by a different force. I felt more love and happiness all the rage seemed to disappear."
Dara smiled up at his admission, then frowning asked, "So what do we do about Garrett Darvin? If I understand you right you cant just relinquish this power so it's either you or him, and he doesn't seem to be the play's fair type to me."
Lucas sighed heavily, "There's nothing at the moment that we can do except wait and see what he's going to do. And with that in mind I want you to be extremely careful, he knows you're pregnant, don't ask me how but he does, so I want you to use extreme caution, all right?"
Dara nodded, "But what about Caleb, he's old enough and now that he's leading his own life he needs to know too, don't you think?
Lucas nodded, "Yes I do, and I'll talk to him about it tomorrow when he gets home from Boone's."
The next day when Caleb returned from his best friend's house, Lucas was waiting for him in his study. When he saw his son walking up the hallway, he stopped him, "Caleb, could I talk with you a second?"
Caleb looked at his father, puzzled as he sat down across from him." Am I in trouble or something?"
Lucas shook his head, "No son, but I do have something serious that I need to discuss with you."
Sitting patiently, he listened as his father told him about the visit from Garrett Darvin the day before, when he had finished Caleb looked at him in uncertainty, "so this guy is your half-brother?"
Lucas nodded, "Yes, and he has it in his head to claim as he puts it his 'birthright'."
Caleb looked at him questioningly, "Didn't you tell me one time that there could only be one every generation to claim the 'power'?"
Lucas sighed, "Yes, I did, and I meant it too, but it's different with you and your brother and sisters. Rage and anger have always been the two driving forces in the Buck men, because that was what we were taught, but your mother and I have taught you guys different, we've taught you four how important love is and that's the difference. This man, however, is a different matter all he seems to have in him is rage and anger. I get the feeling he'll try everything to get his way."
Caleb looked at him in alarm, "If that's the case then he has to go through you, doesn't he?"
Lucas nodded, "He'll try to go through me, but 'try' is the operative word here."
Caleb nodded his understanding, and then asked in concern, "What about mama, wouldn't he be likely to try and use her to get to you?"
Lucas nodded, "I wouldn't put it past him, but she knows all about this, we discussed it last night and she'll be on her guard."
Caleb sighed in resignation, "I guess all we can do is just be ready and watch for him for now."
Lucas nodded his agreement with the statement and hoped that they would be able to see whatever dangers Garrett Darvin posed long before it approached.
CHAPTER 3
Lucas looked at the man evenly as Garrett observed, "You don't seem too surprised to find that you have an illegitimate brother."
Lucas shrugged, "Nothing that man did surprises me, he was a first class son of a bitch. So your news isn't exactly the biggest shock I've ever had."
Garrett smiled knowingly, "Yeah, I guess not. I suppose one of the biggest would have been finding out that your wife is pregnant again, huh?"
Lucas sat up sharply, "Look mister, I'm not saying that I don't believe you, hell there's probably a dozen or so bastards running around this stated that could trace their paternal side back to Gabriel Buck, but let me set you straight on something, if you want to live a long productive life, I don't know how you know that she's pregnant but the worst mistake you could ever make would be to have any kind of designs one either my wife or my children. Do we understand each other?"
Glancing casually at Lucas, Garrett picked up the photo on the corner of Lucas' desk, of Dara, taken at their wedding. "I can see why you'd feel that way, she is a beautiful woman. I bet under all that sweetness and innocence she's a real hellcat, you know the old saying, 'a lady on the streets but a bitch in the shee...."
Before Garrett could blink Lucas was out of his chair, knocking the other man against the wall, taking the man's throat in his hand he glared at him, "I don't think you understood my meaning earlier, so let me make it crystal clear for you now. That 'woman' as you put it, happens to be my wife, I've killed over her before and wouldn't think twice about doing it again, so I suggest that you think twice before you ever refer to her as a 'bitch' again. She happens to be a lady and due the respect given to a lady, do we understand each other."
Garrett eyed him coldly, "I suppose we do."
Releasing the younger man, Lucas asked, "Now, you've come here for a purpose, what is it?"
Rubbing his now sore throat as he once again took his seat, eyeing Lucas cautiously he stated, "I've come to claim my birthright."
Lucas looked at him in shock, and then began laughing, "That's rich, sorry but I'm not in the habit of giving my home or money over to strangers."
Garrett shook his head as he stated evenly, "That's not the birthright that I'm interested in." Lucas looked at him sharply as Garrett stated sneeringly, "I see you know which birthright I'm talking about."
Lucas shook his head, "Sorry, the way I see it that isn't your birthright, and I'm not about to give it up to anyone."
Garrett eyed him acidly, "I don't see why not, as far as I can see you haven't used it in say going on five years, about the time you married my charming sister in law would be my guess. Don't think that I don't have 'gifts' of my own, but I know there's a lot more to the package and I want it."
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "Your wants will never hurt you, so want until your hearts content."
Shaking his head Garrett stated, "All right, have it your way, you want to play games we'll play games, but I'm telling you now, everything is ammunition."
Lucas didn't have a chance to respond as the door was thrown wide as his three younger children ran in yelling, "Daddy!" Then, spotting the stranger they stopped short in uncertainty.
Dara followed quickly behind, admonishing, "What have I told you three about knocking on..." Catching sight of the stranger she stopped short.
Rinie quickly decided that she didn't like the stranger as she hid behind her mother's leg and grabbed her hand; Riesa and Alex followed their little sister's lead and did the same thing.
Garrett looked at Dara and quickly realized that her picture didn't do her justice. Deciding to take the initiative he held out his hand and stated, "Mrs. Buck, I presume. Garrett Darvin at your service."
Dara reluctantly extended her own hand and regretted the action when he put his pips to her hand and kissed it. Quickly dropping her hand, she muttered, "Nice to meet you Mr. Darvin." Turning to her husband she inquired, "We can't wait outside for you to finish."
Lucas shook his head as he noticed the way Rinie was using her jacket sleeve to wipe her mother's hand, where Garrett had kissed it. "No, our 'business' is finished. Mr. Darvin was just leaving."
Garrett eyed his brother coolly, "We'll discuss this some other time." Then, turning to Dara he smiled and declared, "I'm sure I'll see you again soon, Mrs. Buck." With that he left pulling the door shut behind him.
Rinie tugged at her mother's hand and stated knowingly, "Mommy, I don't like that man, he's mean."
Dara lightly admonished, "Rinie, you shouldn't say such things. You don't even know that man."
Rinie shook her head vigorously, "He is mean mommy, and he doesn't like daddy. He's bad."
Dara glanced up at her husband inquiringly. Lucas knew that he would have to tell her sooner or later, but he knew that at the moment in front of the children wasn't a good idea so he silently mouthed, "I'll tell you later."
Dara nodded in understanding as they gathered their children and walked to the outer office to let Floyd know that Lucas would be leaving for the day.
Later that night, after they had finished watching videos and eating pizza, then putting the children to bed for the night, Dara found Lucas in the living room stoking the fire.
Having learned that when he was preoccupied he focused on the flames, she knew that whatever the 'something' was he had earlier promised to share it must be fairly serious. Walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his back and simply held him, feeling his hand cover her own, she quietly asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" Dara felt him sigh heavily before he turned to enfold her, holding her close to him before stating.
"Honestly, I really don't, but I know I promised not to keep anything from you so I have to." With that he led her over to the sofa to sit down while he explained, "That man in my office today, he claims to be my younger brother."
Dara looked up at him in shock, "You never mentioned a brother, I always thought that you were an only child."
Lucas nodded, "I'm the only 'legitimate' child that Gabriel Buck had." Nodding her understanding she allowed him to continue.
Lucas stated seriously, "Apparently, Garrett Darvin has come to claim what he considers his 'birthright'."
Dara looked at him in puzzlement, "What kind of 'birthright', money, this house, the last name, what are you talking about?"
Lucas ran his hand thru his hair as he sighed in annoyance with the entire situation, "He isn't interested in the material aspect of the Buck family."
Dara's eyes widened in shock and comprehension, "If it isn't money, the house or the last name he wants, then there isn't but one other thing I can think of he would be interested in." Hoping that her husband would deny her suspicions in the other man's motives she waited until she realized that his continued silence meant that she was correct in her assumptions, finally she asked softly, "That's it, isn't it? That's what he's after, and as much as I would like to believe that you could simply relinquish it, it doesn't work that way, does it?"
Lucas shook his head, "I really wish it did, but no it doesn't."
Dara narrowed her gaze, "Just exactly how does it work, Lucas? Why haven't you told me about all of this?"
Going over to the locked bookcase he reached up to the top and took the photo album that had almost cost him his marriage two years earlier, returning to the sofa he laid it on top of the coffee table and opened it.
Dara eyed it coldly, ever since her discovery of the book and the secrets it held she had insisted it be kept well out of sight and out of reach of the children. Looking at it now she stated coldly, "I don't want to see that damn book, as far as I'm concerned you can burn it."
Lucas sighed, "I know you don't, but if I'm to explain this to you, you're going to have to see this book."
Dara sighed in resignation, "All right, but the only reason I'm agreeing to this is that our children are at stake as well as us."
Lucas motioned for her to lean forward, turning the pages till he came to the ones of baby photos he asked, "Do you notice anything bout all of these pictures?"
Dara read over the names and dates listed, noticing that the baby pictures ended with the ones of Lucas and the ones before his were apparently of his father, she looked at him in uncertainty, "If I'm understanding this right by the dates and such, there is only one child in every generation. Am I right?"
Lucas nodded and smiled sadly, "I broke the family tradition by having four." Placing his hand over her abdomen he expounded, "Soon to be five."
Dara shook her head in confusion, "I don't understand Lucas, what has this to do with Garrett Darvin?"
Lucas looked at her in deadly seriousness, "There can only be one in every generation who controls the power inherent in the Buck family and it's always a male."
Dara looked back at the photos and noticed the truth of his words, all the babies were boys, looking at him in shock she asked, "Do you mean to tell me there isn't any sharing of this power, it has to be one or the other? Are you telling me that our sons are going to fight and try to kill each other for this God awful 'gift'?"
Lucas, seeing her rising panic, shook his head in denial, "No, that's not what I'm saying, our children are different. We've taught them from the start, they all have their own special 'gifts' yes, but the rage and anger, that's something we haven't taught them. They're not driven by it the way all the others were."
Dara looked at him sadly, "Is that what drives you, Lucas?"
Lucas placed his hand along her cheek and smiled lovingly at her, "It was, but something or I should say someone changed all of that."
Leaning back against the cushions and pulling her with him, he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close as he explained, "I used to feel driven by the rage and anger. I used it to turn things and people in the directions that I wanted them to go. It gave fuel to the abilities that I have and made them even more powerful, but then one day I saw this whirlwind blow into Trinity that blew through this town and my life with more force than a tornado or hurricane. And it was contained in this 5'2 package that couldn't weight more than a hundred and ten pounds at the most." Looking down at her he smiled at his remembrance as he continued, "God, I thought you were the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. I never believed in angels, but I knew the minute that I saw you that they must exist, because you reminded me of one. I thought when I saw you from afar that you would definitely be worth pursuing, for fun if for nothing else."
Dara looked at him in astonishment, remembering the way he had made no bones about his intentions from the first, she asked, "What changed your mind? You never came across as anything but serious."
Lucas smiled ruefully, "The truth? Your eyes and attitude, I knew by your attitude that you weren't the kind to just play around, plus you seemed immune to my charms so I knew then that you were definitely different, but then when I looked into your eyes, I thought to myself 'if I could lose myself in those eyes, I would die a happy man,' I knew then that you were what I wanted for the rest of my life. I found my life being driven by a different force. I felt more love and happiness all the rage seemed to disappear."
Dara smiled up at his admission, then frowning asked, "So what do we do about Garrett Darvin? If I understand you right you cant just relinquish this power so it's either you or him, and he doesn't seem to be the play's fair type to me."
Lucas sighed heavily, "There's nothing at the moment that we can do except wait and see what he's going to do. And with that in mind I want you to be extremely careful, he knows you're pregnant, don't ask me how but he does, so I want you to use extreme caution, all right?"
Dara nodded, "But what about Caleb, he's old enough and now that he's leading his own life he needs to know too, don't you think?
Lucas nodded, "Yes I do, and I'll talk to him about it tomorrow when he gets home from Boone's."
The next day when Caleb returned from his best friend's house, Lucas was waiting for him in his study. When he saw his son walking up the hallway, he stopped him, "Caleb, could I talk with you a second?"
Caleb looked at his father, puzzled as he sat down across from him." Am I in trouble or something?"
Lucas shook his head, "No son, but I do have something serious that I need to discuss with you."
Sitting patiently, he listened as his father told him about the visit from Garrett Darvin the day before, when he had finished Caleb looked at him in uncertainty, "so this guy is your half-brother?"
Lucas nodded, "Yes, and he has it in his head to claim as he puts it his 'birthright'."
Caleb looked at him questioningly, "Didn't you tell me one time that there could only be one every generation to claim the 'power'?"
Lucas sighed, "Yes, I did, and I meant it too, but it's different with you and your brother and sisters. Rage and anger have always been the two driving forces in the Buck men, because that was what we were taught, but your mother and I have taught you guys different, we've taught you four how important love is and that's the difference. This man, however, is a different matter all he seems to have in him is rage and anger. I get the feeling he'll try everything to get his way."
Caleb looked at him in alarm, "If that's the case then he has to go through you, doesn't he?"
Lucas nodded, "He'll try to go through me, but 'try' is the operative word here."
Caleb nodded his understanding, and then asked in concern, "What about mama, wouldn't he be likely to try and use her to get to you?"
Lucas nodded, "I wouldn't put it past him, but she knows all about this, we discussed it last night and she'll be on her guard."
Caleb sighed in resignation, "I guess all we can do is just be ready and watch for him for now."
Lucas nodded his agreement with the statement and hoped that they would be able to see whatever dangers Garrett Darvin posed long before it approached.
