Matt Simmons had always been weak with the strong and strong with the weak. He had felt weak and fragile many times in his past life. His "before Martha" life. He had been terrorized by his mother's husband – Leah's father – as well as by his own father. Now, he was terrorized by his own wife. On the other hand, he had found a way to take some satisfaction for himself. The abuses he perpetrated on his sister and nephew made him thrive. Their weakness, their fear, made him feel strong, powerful...a giant among men.
When Leah had aimed the gun at him he had laughed at first. Then Leah had pulled the trigger and the bullet had gone through the flesh of his arm and the old fear had come to the surface once again. He was terrorized. Again.
"This is for what you did to my son, you coward", Leah said icily then aimed again.
He fell on his knees trembling. With his right hand firmly gripping his left arm he looked up at this frightful woman that once had been his weak little sister and was now a menacing, dangerous woman. A dangerous woman with a gun aimed at him.
"Don't, little sister, please. I beg you… don't do it again. It hurts too much." Matt was openly crying, now.
Leah was nauseated. How could this man be her brother? She had more courage in her little finger.
"Don't call me that. You're not my brother. Not anymore. I don't know if you've ever been. Now Matt I want you to understand something very clearly, you stay away from Heath. If I even suspect you've been around my son, I'll come back and finish what I have started today. I promise that, Matt." She was still keeping him under her aim, her hand never wavering.
The man nodded furiously. "Yes, yes, yes, but don't shoot", he managed to stutter, unable to speak properly, unable to look her in the eyes, overwhelmed by his old friend, the terror of any human being who could hurt him in any way.
Leah nodded as well, slowly. "You're lucky I don't kill you, Matt". Her cold gaze lingered on him for a whole more minute. Then, she turned and left.
Rachel was waiting for her around the corner. Leah gave the gun, which belonged to Rachel's husband, back to her. "I'm proud of you, girl", the older woman said.
Leah smiled broadly, almost wildly. Her eyes sparkled. "Good riddance to bad rubbish!", she said and laughed.
Heath was at the window. Hannah was behind him, both hands on his shoulders. They saw Rachel and Leah come, arm in arm. The way they were walking, their smiling faces, said it all. Heath looked up at Hannah, expectantly. She smiled at him and nodded.
Heath flew out of the door running toward his mother. When he reached her, she bent and they looked deep into each other's eyes. She looked so different, the light in her eyes was more intense, her smile brighter. She picked him up. They held each other tightly. "I love you, sweetheart", Leah said. "I love you too, mama", Heath replied, proudly.
There, in the warmth of his mother's embrace, Heath felt safe.
"Gene!" Audra launched herself from the last step of the staircase, directly into her brother's arms.
"You're home!", she said, delighted.
Eugene dropped his luggage just in time to receive his sister's exuberant embrace. "Audra!" He hugged her laughing, more glad for her enthusiastic welcome than he would admit.
Once they parted, an arm around her waist, he answered her question. "I couldn't wait any longer to meet this new brother of ours. Judging from the letters I received, he must be quite a man".
Audra giggled. "He is Gene, you'll see. I'm sure you'll like him. He's resting right now, and Mother said he wasn't to be disturbed."
"Yes, Jarrod wired me about the accident".
"It wasn't an accident. It was an attempted murder". Jarrod's deep voice was coming from behind them.
"Well said Counselor", Nick agreed. "Someone has deliberately tried to kill him, and I'm going to find who did it", he added.
Hearing Jarrod and Nick's voices, Eugene turned with a broad smile. "Nick, Jarrod!" He shook first Nick's and then Jarrod's hands.
"Gene! Gene, darling, how nice to see you!" Victoria walked in and approached her youngest son. He kissed her on her cheek. "Hello, Mother."
"Heath is awake, he'll be glad to meet you, Gene", she said confidently, taking his hand and leading him toward the staircase.
Eugene was sitting in an armchair, next to Heath's bed. He had finally had the chance to know this new brother and understood why everyone was so found of him. He had insisted on keeping him company through the night.
Heath was peacefully sleeping and, as the minutes passed by, Eugene closed his eyes and soon was teetering on the edge between sleep and wakefulness. Images, memories, sounds were unfolding in front of his mind's eye. He was slowly drifting into a deeper sleep when he heard someone murmuring. Uncertain whether the sound was coming from his own dream or not, Eugene struggled against the grip of sleep and forced his eyes open. He realized it was coming from Heath. He leaned forward, but it was impossible to understand what Heath was saying. He reached out and put his hand on Heath's forehead. It was cold and wet. Heath was growing increasingly agitated, his head moving fast from side to side. His voice was louder, now.
Eugene bent over Heath's face until his ear was almost touching his new brother's lips. Now he could distinguish a few words. Heath was remembering something, someone.
Then, he heard a name. It was a familiar name.
Eugene quickly stood and rushed out of Heath's room. Nick's room was just across the corridor.
Barrett had always been weak with the strong and strong with the weak. Heath was unsure, haunted by his past, unused to giving orders. With him, he had found his perfect victim and was going to have fun "playing" with him. It had been fun. He knew the bastard would have never asked for help, he was too proud. Proud of what, was beyond him.
Nick had told them from the beginning that Heath was a Barkley and as a Barkley he was in charge. He had said they had to obey his orders and that those who had something against it, could collect their pay and leave. Some of the men had effectively gone. Not Barrett. He had stayed. It was apparent Nick didn't believe his own words.
But one day, all of sudden, Nick had unexpectedly changed his attitude. He seemed to enjoy the bastard's company and they had started to act like real brothers. They worked together, riding side by side, talking nonstop - well, maybe Nick was the one talking nonstop - joking and laughing. Nick had started to discuss with the bastard the decisions to be taken about the ranch. If that didn't beat all, he didn't know what did.
Not at all discouraged, Barrett hadn't missed any chance to belittle Heath in front of the men. But the bastard had ignored his insults. He seemed to have the patience of a saint. Until he had found his Achilles' heel; his mother. Once he had started to insult her instead of him, Heath had seen red. More than once they had come to blows. He had to admit the boy had guts and, above all, knew how to throw a good punch.
Last time, the bastard had left him unconscious on the floor. That had been the last straw. Barrett had decided for a radical approach. The Barkleys would have been grateful. Hell, the world would have been grateful. So, he had just waited for his occasion. Also Barrett could be patient if need be. And, as a reward for his patience, he had caught the bastard while he was sleeping. Even if he had suddenly opened his eyes wide and stared at him just a second before he hit him Barrett doubted he could remember anything. He had hit hard, very hard. Barrett's plan had been half successful. Unfortunately, the bastard's "brothers" had saved his life. This time.
When Nick Barkley made his appearance in the bunkhouse that night, Barrett froze. That man scared him. He had that look in his eyes... a way to make you feel little, weak… guilty. And he was guilty, indeed. Barrett lowered his gaze to his card game trying to go unnoticed.
But Nick Barkley didn't even look in his direction. With his usual confidence, he walked resolutely toward his foreman. "McColl, can I have a word with you in private?"
"Sure thing, boss", the older man replied.
"Outside."
Barrett sighed in relief.
When they stepped outside, McColl was surprised to find the oldest and youngest Barkleys waiting for them.
"Duke, my brothers and I need to have a few words with Barrett. You send him here and keep the rest of the men inside, it's a family matter", Nick said.
"Is it about Heath? You don't think…"
"We don't think, Duke, we know", Jarrod said. "Heath talks in his sleep and Gene here heard Barrett's name directly from his lips."
"Alright boys, I'll be glad to help, then. I'll be inside if you need me."
"Thanks Duke", Nick said.
After a few moments, a terrorized Barrett walked out and toward them. All three of Tom Barkley's legitimate sons were waiting for him. If he could have, Barrett would have run away right then. But there was no way to avoid a confrontation.
As he approached, all three raised their guns, aiming at him.
"Now boys, put those guns away, will you? I'm unarmed."
"Oh, yes? And say, how was Heath when you surprised him in his sleep?", Eugene asked, disgusted.
All three came closer, their guns still in their hands. Barrett stepped backward, his hands raised with the palms toward them, as if trying to stop them, an uncertain smile on his face. "Come on boys. I don't know what you are thinking, but you got the wrong guy".
"Barrett, how long have you been working for us?", Nick asked, a deadly look in his eyes.
"Three years."
"Three years, and you still don't know how to address your bosses?"
"No, Sir… I mean, yes, Sir…" Under Nick's icy stare, Barrett was feeling very little.
"Barrett, we know you're lying", Jarrod intervened. "You are a coward and we despise you, but we are reasonable men and won't hurt you if we can avoid it. I suggest you pack your things and run away from this ranch and this valley as fast as you can before we change our minds. You got it?", Jarrod said coldly.
Barrett thought Jarrod was scary, too. They all were deadly scary. He made another step backward.
"Yes Sir, I got it, Sir." He turned on his heels and began to move toward the bunkhouse when a heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks.
"Barrett, wait a minute", Nick's best intimidating voice echoed in his ears. That was one voice that sent shivers down Barrett's spine. He turned to see Nick Barkley's fist coming full force. As a blinding pain pervaded him, he could clearly hear the crack in his nose.
He hadn't fully realized what had happened when Nick's other fist came from his right and hit his cheekbone, splitting his skin open. Quickly after, a powerful blow hit him in the stomach taking his breath away and making him bend.
Before he could fall, Nick grabbed a handful of his shirt with one hand and grinned, speaking calmly, almost softly, very close to his face: "I should kill you right now for what you did to my brother, Barrett. You have no idea of how lucky you are". With the other hand, he delivered one final punch to his jaw. Barrett felt it painfully slide sideways. He wondered if it was dislocated.
That was his last conscious thought.