Chapter 12

"Wonder who that belongs to?" Jack commented as they walked past the truck. He knew there were no guests expected until next week. His family would never believe it but he'd actually been looking forward to the break.

"We don't have any place for guests," Brick commented.

"I guess if we have to we can do it like the old days."

"Should send them to another outfitter," was Brick's opinion.

Jack shrugged, "Maybe." He reached for the door, jerking back when it was pulled open. "Leigh," he greeted. He hadn't expected to be met at the door; he wondered if something was wrong. "Everything okay?"

Leigh grinned, "Everything's fine Jack. We have an unexpected guest."

"We saw the truck," Jack said, giving her a puzzled look.

Leigh blushed. "Right, sorry."

"You going to let us in?"

Leigh's face grew more red as she stepped aside.

"You okay?" Brick asked as he passed his sister-in-law.

Leigh nodded. "Come on," she encouraged. Taking him by the arm she led him through the kitchen and into the living room.

Brick stopped, staring at the man sitting on the couch. From the corner of his eye he noticed Jack doing the same.

"You're here," Jack finally spoke. A grin blossomed on his face as he realized his missing child was really here. Instincts took over and he stepped closer, he needed to touch the boy. At the last moment he realized his son might not be comfortable with a hug from a man who was a stranger to him. Changing course slightly he sat in the chair placed near the couch. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

Vin's eyes widened as the man approached him. He'd seen that look before and was sure the man intended to hug him or something. He knew this was his father, he'd seen his picture on the website, but he didn't know him. He was relieved when Jack instead sat in a nearby chair.

Vin shrugged, "Too nervous." He shot a sidelong glance towards his brother, still standing uncertainly in the center of the room.

"Brick sit down son," Jack said. He was concerned by the look on his son's face. The younger man was obviously shaken to see his twin. Jack knew his son had been looking forward to meeting his brother yet at the same time the situation was stressful for him.

"Here you can have my seat," Cassidy jumped to her feet and moved to another chair further from the couch.

Gratefully Brick sank into the chair. It had been a shock to see his twin sitting in their living room. Intellectually he had known the other man was identical to him in looks and he had looked forward to finally meeting him. He hadn't expected to be slammed with a tidal wave of emotion not entirely his own.

The room became silent as the twins stared at each other. Vin too had been shocked by the emotions he was feeling. He realized immediately that at least half the emotions belonged to his brother. He had wondered if they would share that connection twins were reported to have. Vin honestly hadn't expected it, having been separated for so long he thought any connection would have been lost. "So you're my twin," Vin drawled. Reaching across the space between them he held out his hand.

Brick smiled shyly. Taking the extended hand, he clasped it firmly. "Brother, good to meet you," he slowly drawled. The stress of the moment was making it exceedingly difficult to find the words.

Hearing the drawl Vin jerked back like he'd been burned. He didn't know what he had expected but for his twin to mock him surely wasn't it. "Think I talk funny?" he snapped.

Chris glared at the younger McKenna. "It wasn't easy for him to come here you know."

"Let's go Chris," Vin said pushing to his feet.

"No," Brick cried out. The connection between them roiled with anger and hurt feelings making him feel sick. He opened his mouth to explain but the stress was too much, he couldn't find the words. Desperately he turned to his father, his eyes pleading for help. "Jack...tell," he managed.

Jack had stood as soon as Vin had. He wasn't going to let the boy leave thinking his twin was mocking him. He wouldn't lose his son again over a misunderstanding. "Vin..."

"He can't help it," Cassidy interrupted. "Brick wasn't making fun of you!"

"Sure sounded like it," Vin growled.

"Cassidy's right," Jack said. "Look I know you don't know us but we're your family. Will you give us the chance to explain?"

Chris didn't know what was going on but he could see that Brick was devastated by what was happening. He didn't think the man would react that way if he'd been intentionally mocking Vin. Wrapping one hand around the back of Vin's neck he gave a gentle squeeze. "Maybe you should listen Vin," he quietly suggested.

Vin turned to Chris, he couldn't believe the blond would suggest he listen to their excuses. That was all they could offer wasn't it? After a moment he nodded and turned back to his twin. "Fine, explain then."

"Why don't we all sit back down," Jack suggested. The suggestion was met with sullen silence but they did sit. Jack gave Brick a concerned glance. "You okay son?" He wasn't surprised when Brick only nodded rather than responding verbally. Vin couldn't have known but this would have been a lot easier on Brick if he'd known ahead of time that he'd be meeting his twin. Jack turned back towards the couch.

"Like Cassidy said Brick can't help that drawl."

"Really? Didn't know he grew up in Texas," Vin scoffed.

Jack sighed. Damn McKenna stubbornness and temper. "He didn't but then he isn't speaking in a Texas drawl. I know it sounds a lot like one but that isn't the case. The truth is Brick has a medical condition that causes him to talk like he does."

Vin looked at him in disbelief. "A medical condition, right."

"It's called Broca's Aphasia," Leigh interjected. She could see Jack fighting to control his own temper. McKenna men, even when you loved them you couldn't help sometimes wanting to smack them upside the head. "Brick was injured a couple of years ago."

Cassidy growled low in her throat. "You're making it sound like some kind of accident."

"It wasn't?" Vin asked. He wasn't sure he believed them but why would they resort to such an elaborate lie?

"No, it wasn't," Jack replied. "Brick was attacked one night out in the barn. The other man used a board to beat him. Cassidy found him the next morning lying in a pool of blood." Jack swallowed hard, taking a couple of deep breaths before continuing. "Brick was in a coma for weeks, the doctors weren't sure he'd even wake up. When he did we found out the damage had caused this thing called Broca's Aphasia. He had to endure months of speech therapy to regain the ability to speak properly, though much more slowly than he used to."

"That's why he has a drawl?" Chris asked. He could see that Vin was still processing the shocking information.

"Yes," Jack confirmed. "And when he's stressed he sometimes loses most of his words. That's one of the effects of Broca's, difficulty finding the correct word or losing some words all together."

"The bastard that did it get caught?" Vin growled. The thought of his twin being beaten so badly made his blood run cold.

"He's in prison."

"Good." Turning to his brother he could feel the fear coming from him. Time to fix that. "Sorry Brick. I ought to know better than to jump to conclusions."

"Not mad?" Brick needed the confirmation. He'd thought his aphasia was going to cost him his twin before he had a chance to know the man.

Vin smiled, "Not at you. Now that jerk that hurt you, well it's just a good thing he's in prison."

"So who is this?" Jack asked, indicating the blond. It was clear the two men were close, he wondered how close.

"Oh, sorry about that. This is my friend Chris Larabee," Vin introduced the intimidating blond.

"Chris," Jack held out his hand. "Jack McKenna."

"Nice to meet you," Chris greeted as they shook hands.

"You're both welcome to stay here. We're working on the cabins right now but we can find a spot for you as long as you don't mind being in a construction zone."

"That's okay, we got a room in town," Vin said.

"You sure?" Jack asked.

"I'm sure."

"I know you didn't grow up here son but I want you to know this is as much your home as anybody else's. "

Vin shrugged. "Appreciate that but it don't feel that way. Maybe it will someday but..."

"Too soon?" Brick asked.

Vin nodded. "You understand?"

"Mom when are we going to eat?" Harry asked from where he and Rose sat on the stairs.

Leigh startled. They'd been so quiet she'd forgotten the kids were in the room. "Just as soon as the roast is done," she replied. Thank goodness she had chosen to make a roast for supper today. "You'll stay for supper won't you?" she asked turning to Vin and Chris.

"Don't want to impose," Vin replied.

"You're family Vin and I'm sure Leigh made more than enough," Jack spoke in a tone that allowed for no argument.

Vin nodded. "Reckon we'll stay then."

TBC...

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