Rain

xxx

It was the rain that made him nervous.

Two days of pouring rain had successfully eliminated any trace that might have been there – traces that may have saved the life of his son. It seemed that all hope was lost, carried away by the waters that never seemed to end, lost like his son … if ever there had been a chance, he reminded himself with a hint of panic. If ever … but he pushed that thought away as far as he could, pushed it back into his sub-conscious, got it behind bars and willed it to stay there.

Shivering violently, he tried to pull his coat and slicker tighter around his body, but after eight hours of search he was soaked through and freezing, his limbs and mind numb. Even so, he was afraid to return home, return home and acknowledge his loss. Was afraid to face Becky and tell her that they hadn't found her husband, his son, the father of the child she was carrying.

He tried to blink the wetness from his eyes, saw Hoss and Joe just steps away from him. Two figures like drowned rats, they relentlessly searched the ground while they tried not to envision what this day could bring them. Joe turned around, the question on his face almost tangible, but all he could do was shake his head, and the gleam, visible for a second, was extinguished.

They couldn't give up. They mustn't give up.

He had spoken to Adam about the best way to approach the Whistler's about the water rights and the flume, and Adam had insisted that he would do it, knowing them as he did.

But that had been three days ago, and when, after a night spent worrying, they had inquired about him, it was clear to all that something had prevented him from making it home.

Ben pulled his soaked hat deeper down his face.

He saw Murron Whistler in his mind's eye, a small, haggard woman, heard her words in his head. She had thrown her husband fleeting glances when he told Ben that Adam had left their ranch yesterday in the early afternoon after it became clear that the rain wouldn't stop anytime soon. Ben's heart squeezed as he thought about the chances, the chances to find Adam in this weather, and in time.

Adam had taken his slicker with him, and enough food for the two days he had planned to stay out. He knew how to survive outside, knew how to keep a fire burning in the rain, knew …

Abruptly Ben came back to reality which washed over him like a flood. The rain had lessened just a bit, but it still was hard enough to see anything .. .he wondered just how long Adam would be able to survive out here … out here … the glance Murron had thrown her husband ..

He wondered …

"Pa!"

Loud calls pulled him from his thoughts.

"Pa! Come quick!"

xxx

End? Dunno yet. LOL