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Meddling Siblings... –Chapter 2
Author's Note: For simplicity's sake, I'm going to set up this fan fiction with all of the O'Malleys in the same area. I know that's not true to the books, and I am sorry that I don't have the reserves to accept the challenge of varied locations for each sibling.
Seth was working out the last details for Whitney's riding route that afternoon. The sun was already setting and the heat that had plagued his men all day was finally letting up. The stable where Fire and Whitt's other horses were kept was to his left. Yuri came from inside to the water pump with a bucket. He swiftly filled it then disappeared back into the shade inside the structure. Yuri and Wind had functioned as if the heat had been non-existent that day. Seth envied them the ability since he had had to get ice water and shade several times during the course of the day to keep from fainting.
He was still unease about how the morning had gone. Whitney hadn't spoken to him since their little talk about the bruise over the dishes that morning.
Seth tried to stop a heavy, heart-felt sigh, and failed. A hand came down firmly on his shoulder and he turned.
"You look tired." Jack O'Malley said. "And sun burnt."
"Thanks," he said, turning slightly to hand the pad of paper back to John, his assistant. The thought struck Seth to wonder how Jack had found out where Whitney's farm was in the first place. Fatigue was setting in and the wonderment didn't last. Turning to give Jack his full attention, he noted that Cassie, Jack's wife, was not with him.
"She was napping and I was house burnt." Jack explained.
"Since when do you have the ability to read minds?"
"Since your thoughts began showing on your face." His brother studied him for a minute. "Haggard would be a better word."
Seth only nodded.
"Are you going to introduce me to your new assignment or do I have to hunt her down and do it myself?" Jack asked.
Seth thought about that for a few seconds. "I don't really know where she is."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"I mean that—that, well, my men know where—"
"You've had a fight with her already?"
"No... Yes... but that's not what this is—"
"What 'what' is about? The fact that you don't know where she is and you're supposed to be her body guard?"
Seth was silent. Then he took the radio from his belt and in code, asked where she was. The reply came back, also in code, and Jack waited for the interpretation.
"She's in the house." Seth led the way across the barnyard, ignoring the stares from Wind, through the back yard and onto the back porch. His hand was on the screen doorknob when he stopped. Whitney was talking to someone. He put his hand out at Jack without looking back and moved to the left to see in through the door. Whitney was on the phone.
"No! ...Honestly, that's not your concern...No, you're not. Since you—" She paused. Seth could only see part of her face, but even then, he saw that she was frowning. "You need help, Aaron. You need help."
Seth had heard enough. He pushed the door open. She turned to face him, shock on her face as if she's been caught red-handed at something she knew was wrong. Seth closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye and gently but forcibly took the phone from her hand.
She'd already ended the call.
He looked back up at her. Her eyes took on a rebellious shine.
"Aaron?" He asked.
"An old friend."
"How old? How much of a friend?" Seth asked, placing the phone on the table. He never broke eye contact.
"Just an old... beau..."
He lifted her chin with his forefinger. "Whitney."
She looked away from him with a slight sigh. "I don't want to talk about him."
Jack, whom Seth had forgotten about, shoved his way between the two, and straight to Whitney's rescue.
"My name's Jack," He took her hand in a friendly shake.
Seth glared at his brother, and then threw a glance at Whitney that stated Jack had not ended the topic but for the moment.
"Whitney," she returned too quickly.
"Seth has been... agreeable?"
"As agreeable as one can be under the present circumstances."
"Ahh, well." Jack paused and the look on his face seemed to indicate he was searching for a topic. "I'm told you have several horses?"
"Yes."
Jack extended his arm and she took it hesitantly. Seth watched as Jack allowed Whitney to lead him out and down to the barn.
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Ring... Ring... Ring... Seth took the phone from his belt and flipped it open without looking at who was on the other end. He jammed it against his shoulder and continued fiddling with the security beam device.
"Seth?"
Seth didn't answer.
"Seth?"
"Yeah?" he mumbled, his attention still on the device.
"Put down whatever you're doing, little brother."
"What? Yeah, in a minute... What'd you need, Marcus?"
"Kate says you're bullying your new assignment."
"She exaggerated."
"Really? I find that hard to believe."
"Believe it."
"Shari and I are coming over."
"Why?"
"Just to check things out."
"Marcus—"
"You sound over-protective to me."
Seth had never been accused of being over-protective. "Uhh..."
"Yeah, that's what I figured."
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potostfbeyeluvr, jilyn90, Tammi, stephannie
teresa, TAMMI, thank you all for your reviews! jilyn90, to answer your Q, yes,
this fan fiction is based on Dee Henderson's O'Malley series. I myself loved
the books.