Chapter Ten
Excerpt from 9
"Look," Nick moved his leg off the footstool and leaned forward. "I know my brothers. Once they get the telegram Fen will send, they will get down here as fast as they can. We'll do our best to find your father before anyone can harm him." He then told Carl not to worry that there would be anything in the telegram that would turn any heads. "You, your father and Fen Miller are not the only ones who know how to get help using phrases that say one thing and mean another."
Jarrod and Heath, who left the house at an extremely early hour, walked through the door to find Victoria standing a few feet away. They were not surprised when she gave them a 'and just where have you been' look; it was mixed with another message 'Don't tell me; I already know."
"Don't look at us that way." Jarrod took off his coat. "You know we had to search the area that note was found in."
Victoria shook her head. She knew she couldn't argue with that one. Still, she pointed at the small table that stood just inside the living room. "A telegram for you arrived an hour ago. It's from Modesto. It's addressed to Heath."
"Nick?" Jarrod asked as Heath picked up the telegram.
"Maybe; like Mother just said, it's from Modesto." Heath opened the small envelope the message was in. He frowned as he silently read the message.
"What is it?" Jarrod took a step toward Heath while Victoria kept her eyes on her blond-haired son.
"Visiting friends STOP We're working in the cornfield. STOP Nick and Fen" Heath, who had been looking down at the telegram, lifted his eyes and looked at his oldest brother. "Working in the cornfield? I know a few families growing corn in Modesto only I can't think of one that has a cornfield large enough to require outside help." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Do you know a Fen?"
Somehow, neither Heath and Victoria were surprised to see how stiff Jarrod looked, nor the look of great concern that had appeared in his eyes. "I've met one or two with that first name only; no, I've got a strong feeling I've never met the Fen mentioned in that message. However, I can guarantee you there's some sort of trouble in Modesto-or will be. Nick and whoever this Fen is need us down there." He went on to confess that during the war he and Nick had had a few occasions where they found themselves-or they and the men they were with-needing help desperately. "We're working in the cornfield was a phrase we always used when sending for help. Though, we usually had something else in the message." He turned and headed up the stairs. "I'm going to throw some things into a small bag. You best do the same." He figured there was no need to specify who he was talking to. His Mother and Heath didn't need it spelled out for them.
Heath slipped the telegram into his shirt pocket, excused himself and ascended the stairs as well.
Audra came out of the dining room where she'd been doing some cleaning; she was just in time to see her brothers reaching the top of the stairs and disappearing into the hallway. "Mother, what's going on?" She might not have asked only she knew her brothers had left rather early and now; from the look on Victoria's face, Audra just knew Heath and Jarrod were going to be leaving again.
"Nick's in Modesto. He's asked Jarrod and Heath to join him. And, no, this time we stay here." Victoria held a steadfast gaze on Audra, making it so the young woman knew there was to be no arguing allowed. "I'm sure one of them will wire us later and tell us what's going on."
Audra let out a harumph, as a look of one close to pouting appeared on her face. "I hope so."
"Audra." Victoria spoke with a warning tone as she addressed her daughter.
"I know; remember how old I am." Audra turned and went back into the dining room. There were still a few things she could do.
Victoria watched her daughter go and shook her head, silently thinking. 'I wonder if there's a way to give Audra a …." Her thoughts were interrupted as Jarrod and Heath both appeared at the top of the stairs. Within a matter of a minute, they were standing in the foyer of the Barkley home.
"We'll wire you once we get to Modesto." Jarrod assured her. "Though, all I'll say is we arrived safely. Don't go looking for any hidden messages."
"Thunderbolts and Claws." Victoria muttered, but not so soft that her sons couldn't hear what she'd said. Confused looks appeared on their faces. Though, before they voiced what had popped into their minds, she was answering the question she saw in their eyes. "Something the men in my father's family used to say when they heard of other men sending messages such as that one," She pointed towards the telegram in Heath's shirt. "It always seemed to lead to the men going in one direction or another until whatever situation was going on was resolved. I've heard many other sayings that mean the same thing. I don't know why I've never said 'Thunderbolts and Claws' before now; it's not like you boys have ever given me an occasion to use it." The way she said the word 'ever' and rolled her eyes, made it so Jarrod and Heath laughed before giving her a hug and walking out the door.
While Jarrod and Heath were packing and leaving the ranch, Nick was again on the porch talking to Leah; they were discussing Carl. The young boy had been to town again only; this time, he'd confessed he'd purposely hid behind some crates in order to eavesdrop on Modesto's banker and Mr. Stokes. Needless to say, the young man was in deep trouble with all the adults.
"I would offer to take him somewhere besides Modesto; only, I fear he'd only run off on me." Leah, who sat on the porch with her feet on one of the steps, rubbed her forehead.
"Don't worry." Nick sat down next to her. "Once his mother is through with him, I've gotten permission to take him on a ride." He then shrugged his shoulders. "If nothing else, when Jarrod gets here; I'll have him to talk to Carl." He whole face lit up as laughter spilled out from his eyes and his extremely wide grin.
"Oh… a brother you don't want to mess with?" Leah chuckled.
"People say you don't mess with any of us, only Jarrod's an attorney. He has a way of looking at you and using what I've heard my mother refer to as 'his courtroom voice'." Nick continued smiling as he and Leah continued talking-though the subject changed.
