"You ain't been gone so long as to forget your way to the barn, have you, Nick?"
"Eh?" For a moment the far away expression lingered in Nick's hazel eyes as he stared blankly at his younger brother, but soon enough recognition reeled in the distance like a fish from the stream. Heath's words registered, the details of his task returned, and Nick awakened."Oh. Right." He pushed away from the post where he'd been leaning and made a halfhearted attempt at an offended sniff. "Seein' as I helped build that there barn with these two hands, not likely."
Heath gave a twisted shadow of a smile as Nick waved gloved hands to the sky as evidence and strode purposefully toward the barn he'd helped raise on the land he'd helped clear and stock and cultivate.
The Barkley ranch had grown up with Nick, who was doing a man's job even as a boy while working alongside the father Heath had never known. Heath could almost imagine he'd been there to see it all from the stories Nick, the rest of the family, and the veteran hands had liberally shared. Sometimes it seemed that Nick himself had forgotten Heath hadn't been with them in those early days to see dreams wrestled into reality by the sheer force of the Barkley will, to see the rugged land made fruitful, and a gangly, raw-boned boy become a man.
Those were the days of sweat and blood before Barkley money flowed in like a river…
Those were the days when all hope hinged on one season, one cattle drive, one prayer…
There wasn't much chance he'd need help with the colt, but Nick didn't begrudge Heath's company. Between them, there was a comfortable, easy acceptance. True enough, he'd once resisted Heath's inclusion into the family, loudly and fiercely challenged his right to belong. It wasn't in Nick to stand by and let someone, anyone, prance in and tear down their home. Their first meeting had been a clash of wills, and their bond had been forged with the violent spark of friction that comes in the striking of iron against steel. But all that was in the past, done and settled. Now Nick's resistance would be doubly strong, the challenge more forcefully delivered, if Heath ever took it in his mind to part ways. There was no backing out on family. Not in Nick's mind. No refunds on the Barkley name. The bond was absolute.
"What is it, boy?" The bay colt's withers jumped; his muscles rippled beneath Nick's hand, and he danced restlessly.
Heath trimmed the lantern and watched as his brother expertly examined the colt. Everyone always said Nick Barkley had a good eye for horse flesh. Whether it was work stock or for breeding and show, Nick sure knew how to pick 'em. But Heath knew there was more to it than fit-for-use or bred-for-profit.
The earlier glimpsing of a wild herd had inspired Nick one day as their mounts moved easily across the remaining field separating the brothers from home.
"There's just something special about a horse." Nick had taken a hand from the reins to physically grasp at the missing words. He pumped his fist and squinted into the sunset. "It's as if God himself took the thunder and the lightning and the west wind and packed it all right into this one creature." His hands were both waving now as he expanded the view, but Coco was used to it and only the flick of an ear showed he took notice as he continued loping along. "You can just feel it…the power…the electricity…" Nick's gloved fist pulled tightly back toward a leather vested chest, and then his eyes cut toward his brother with a frown at his silence. "Well, can't you?"
Prompted, Heath had nodded. "Yep, Nick. Sure can." He gave Charger a pat.
It was then Nick pushed his hat back a notch and settled comfortably in the saddle. "You know, Heath… There are days I swear this good, ol' boy's gonna sprout wings like Pegusus, and we're just gonna fly right over those cliffs there." He looked off into the distance and then sank his fingers into Coco's mane to massage the thick neck. Coco responded with an eager snort and a lengthened stride to the affectionate touch. "Yes, sir...right on over…" Nick redirected his gloved fingers into the horizon.
Heath looked at him in alarm. "Now, Nick… You go and do a thing like that, and you will be wearin' wings!" But his brother was already past that thought and on to the next.
"See you back at the house!"
Heath had laughed as Charger pranced, sensing what was to come. "Don't forget them wings, brother! I reckon you're gonna need 'em!"
"Yee-haw!" A flash of white teeth against a tanned face, the toss of Coco's flaxen mane, and it was all dust and hooves pounding-and Charger winning by two lengths. …Had they flown those last few yards to the gate?
Nick had ignored the good natured kidding that came with the loss as he swung the saddle from Coco's back. "Well, now, that Charger's just a pretty boy who doesn't know an honest day's work. Don't mean a thing, Coco." He rubbed down the sweat-dampened shoulder. "Don't mean a thing."
Heath smiled at the recollection as Nick finished his inspection and returned to stroking Ciqala's arched neck. "Hey there, fella. Hey now." The familiar half-smile lingered as Heath watched the animal respond and soon enough stand quietly, head bobbing over Nick's shoulder, as Nick absentmindedly continued to rub and talk.
"Nick?" Audra appeared at the door. She cast a tentative smile Heath's way, and he left off chewing a stalk of straw to give a light grin. Audra looked worriedly past him. Whether she was looking at the colt or the brother calming him, Heath couldn't say. Maybe it was as he suspected and her concern was for both. She approached hesitantly, not wanting to disturb the process. "Nick, I-"
Ciqala started, jerked against his restraints, and snorted excitedly. "Whoa, boy. Whoa now. Easy does it." Beneath the comforting words was the quality of command. The colt wavered for a moment but gradually accepted Nick's direction and settled.
"I thought by now you might be hungry for some pie…" Audra held out a plate heaped with golden apple filling and flaky, butter crust toward Nick and then retracted it uncertainly.
Nick looked down at the slice as if it was a foreign thing before again making a belated adjustment to his reactions. "Pie? Oh, sure. Thanks, little sister." He accepted the offering and then sat the plate atop a bucket until he could see to it.
"Don't think you're left out, Heath." Audra turned his way, a second platter held out in offering. "This is for you."
"Thank you, Audra. It looks delicious." Heath nodded with a smile and took the patterned china from her hands.
"Is he okay?" Audra directed her query to Nick, but her eyes wandered anxiously to Heath with the same question.
Nick patted Ciqala's shoulder. "Pulse is good. Gums look fine. He's not sweatin', and from the sound of it, things are movin' all right. You say it's just been the past couple days? Anything out of the ordinary while you were working him?"
"No, Nick. That's just it. I can't think of anything at all."
The concerned voices of his siblings continued, but Heath's attention to the conversation was interrupted as he swallowed the first big bite of pie. He choked back a cough reflex and felt his blue eyes begin to tear. Quick as he could manage without raising attention, Heath dabbed at his face with his neckerchief and worked the saliva in his mouth as an alternative to the cool drink of water he craved.
"Enjoying the pie?" Audra smiled sweetly as she retraced her steps.
"Mmm-hmm." Heath put on the best impersonation of a smile he could muster through the pain, and Audra happily bent to kiss his forehead.
"Good night, Heath." She looked back fondly. "Good night, Nick. Thanks. I am glad you're home."
"Yep. You're welcome. Good night..." The gruff tone softened to affection. He gave a short nod and wave and then walked to where he could make sure she made it safely inside the house. It was then he remembered the plate of pie abandoned on the overturned bucket.
"Don't do it, Nick. Don't-" Heath's warning was stalled by his dry, burning throat and came out a raspy whisper. By then it was too late. As Heath watched in alarm, Nick took one bite…and then another…and another. "Nick, I really think you oughtta reconsider!" Heath stumbled to his feet and toward Nick, still absentmindedly shoveling in the devil pie.
"Mister Heath?" Heath turned from the shocking scene to find Silas sneaking his way into the barn. He was looking this way and that and paying special attention to the house, clearly worried about discovery.
"Silas? What is it?"
"Here." He was holding a tray and pitcher. "I managed to switch out the pie for the others, but Miss Audra insisted on fixing your two's pieces her own self. I got here quick as I saw she was back in the house. You want a fresh piece?"
"Drink! Please…drink!" Heath grasped the glass as Silas poured. One gulp and the glass was empty. "More!" Another glass down. It was only when the fire in his throat and belly started to fizzle out that he remembered..."Nick!"
"AAAHHHH!" Heath turned just in time to see Nick's face contort into a mask of horror. He dropped to his knees, hands pressed against his face as he writhed and gagged.
"Oh, Mister Nick!" Silas shook his head mournfully.
"Quick, Silas. The milk." Heath grabbed the pitcher and a glass and hurried to crouch at Nick's side. "Here you are, Nick. Drink this." He had started to fill the glass when Nick yanked the pitcher from his hand.
Lifting the pitcher to his mouth, Nick gulped down the soothing liquid, giving no mind to the trail of white froth escaping down both sides of his mouth, running in a stream down his neck, and soaking into his shirt.
"Boy howdy, Nick…" Heath patted his brother's shoulder sympathetically.
"Boy howdy, Nick?" As one fire went out, another flared.
"Now, I tried to tell you, Nick. I tried." Heath shifted and shrugged and looked downright sorry, but Nick's scowl only deepened.
"Oh, you tried to tell me. Well, now, isn't that nice." Nick snorted sarcastically, but the look on Silas's face made him reconsider. Not to mention how Heath was getting a little green around the gills. "Well… Well, maybe you did at that." Nick gave a crooked grin of apology and accepted the offered hand up. And then he turned his attention to Silas. "What in God's green earth was in that?"
"Cayenne pepper." Silas calmly delivered the news and waited.
"Cayenne pepper! Cayenne pepper! What in the world is Audra-"
"Miss Audra was thinking it was cinnamon, Mister Nick. Only, I had the cinnamon out for refillin', and-"
"And rather than hurt Audra's feelings, Silas here has been playing a shell game with plates of pie all night." Heath sputtered out the explanation, the tears returning.
Nick wavered, his lips caught between a grin and a frown, and then he surrendered to the laughter and howled. He slapped his thigh, held his ribs, and threw an arm over Heath's shoulders as his brother let go and joined in the hilarity.
Silas watched it all with a fond grin. His question of whether they'd be wantin' any more pie tonight set off a renewed round of uncontrolled cackling, and he retreated to the mansion with the cart full of pie, laughing to himself and mumbling about how peace and quiet was overrated…and that the house sure had been lonely without Mister Nick around.
Ciqala's unsettled nickering had been drowned out by the raucous play, but as they were forced to quietness by a loss of breath and energy, Nick caught the sound of the colt's cry.
"What is it, Nick? Colic, you think?"
Nick was all seriousness now. A sick horse was nothing to laugh at. "I don't think so…" He scratched his head and winced when his fingers hit the stitched wound behind his left ear. "But I'll stick around awhile to watch him, all the same. Make sure." He rubbed at his eyes and blinked them wide, turning back to the bay's stall.
"Nick, you need some rest." The grimace hadn't escaped Heath's observant eyes. Tomorrow maybe he'd ask about that. Tonight Nick needed to sleep.
"Yeah, I will." Nick waved him off, and then turned with a warning. "And you'd best get some rest yourself, if you know what's good for you! We're way behind schedule. There's a million-one things to do tomorrow! Fences to mend. Cattle to move. That well in the west field…" He trailed off, mind calculating the long list of tasks ahead.
"I know Nick, I know. I'll be ready." Heath paused, reluctant to leave. "You know, one of the hands could look in on him tonight…"
"What? Nah." Nick sniffed indignantly, and then he muttered, "Anyway, I promised Audra…"
Heath frowned but relented. The only thing he ever got from arguin' with Nick was a headache.
"We may not make it back in before dark." Nick offered a warning for the upcoming day. "…May have to sleep out under the stars."
When Heath was gone, Nick sighed and leaned heavily against the stall, fighting the weariness that called to him. Ciqala seemed to sense his mood, moving closer and snuffling at his ear. Instinctively Nick's hand reached to stroke the silken coat. "It's okay, boy. It's okay." The big colt rubbed his jaw on Nick's shoulder. Nick gave him a tired smile, and under the lantern light, he serenaded the horses and the hay.
"When the velvet heavens shine and stars begin to roam,
And when your heart will sing with mine,
Then love has found its home."