* I want to thank all the ones I've chatted with for encouraging me to sit down and write this story. It is based on an actual event that took place in my own life three years ago. While I did write poetry at the time to help deal with it I never really sat down and 'got it all out'. Thanks to my Beta Reader too—though all mistakes are still my own.

Always in My Heart

CHAPTER SIX

SCENE TEN

Gene stood next to the corral looking at one of the horses that had been brought in just a few hours before. He'd watched Nick breaking in another one earlier. He'd try his hand at it only that was one thing he'd never had any sort of interest in.

"Here." Audra walked up and handed him a glass of lemonade.

"Kind of late in the day to be drinking lemonade." Gene grinned as he took the glass from his sister anyway, only to find it flying out as he started coughing as he began drinking it.

Concern flashed over Audra's face, "Are you alright?"

"Yea," Gene coughed a couple more times and added, "I hate it when that happens. I must have been drinking it down faster than I thought."

She smiled, "Well, slow down and enjoy it. I don't care what time of day it is."

Gene only nodded and turned his attention to the horse. His mind wandered back to the creek and to Amanda. He felt as if he was between a rock and hard place. It wasn't fair to Amanda to ask her to keep quiet; still…

'So what brings you to Minnesota; besides my granddaughter?" Sarah's grandfather had shaken his hand with vigor after Sarah had introduced him to the old man.

"To be honest? I have a job offer I'm considering and I wanted to check the state out first." He'd fallen in love with the place and was working within the month. Two months later he'd decided to ask Sarah to marry him only to have her grandfather die. Because he'd sided with the man's last decision, Sarah ran off and went up into the mountains with a friend 'to talk and think'. She'd stepped on a loose rock though and fallen to her death. Then the fateful trip to…

"Gene?" Audra waved her hand in front of his eyes, "You in there?"

"Oh, sorry," he stepped away from the corral, "My mind was wandering."

His sister looked at him with worry on her face. He seemed to be more and more occupied with his thoughts. Just that morning Jarrod had finally voiced his concerns and asked everyone to keep their eyes and ears open, but he'd also stressed the point that he feared if they pushed Eugene he'd never open up to any of them.

"If there's anything bothering you, I'd be more than happy to listen,-" she figured she could at least make the offer, as long as she didn't press the issue.

"Thanks, but no," he turned away from the corral, "I think I'll just retire to my bed for the night." Hours later he woke up and sat straight up. He was shaking and perspiring profusely.

SCENE SEVEN

Jarrod was sitting behind his desk in his Stockton office when his aide came to the door. "There's an Amanda Hunter here to see you. Should I let her in or just have her make an appointment to see you?"

Jarrod quickly put his pencil down. He'd been trying, unsuccessfully, to track the young woman down. "Let her come in!" As soon as Amanda stepped into the room he stood up.

"May I help you?" he walked around the corner of his desk and pulled out a chair for her. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the young woman; she looked as nervous as a jackrabbit cornered by its enemy.

She'd never been one to beat around the bush and she didn't see any reason to start now. "I hear you've been looking for me." she answered quite bluntly as she sat down on the offered chair.

Walking back around his desk Jarrod sat down and leaned forward, "Yes, I have. You are one very hard young lady to catch up with though." He pointed his finger at her and smiled from ear to ear. He didn't want to scare the young woman off.

For a few moments there was an awkward silence between the two of them. Finally Amanda broke the silence, "It's about your brother isn't it? You want to talk to me about him." She kept her eyes on his. She figured if she didn't she'd run.

Slowly Jarrod sat back in his chair, "I do at that. I was hoping you'd tell us what's up with Gene."

Not knowing what he'd seen she looked puzzled, "Why ask me? Why not talk to Gene?"

Jarrod shook his head as he thought on the many conversations he'd had, or tried to have, with his younger brother. The man was flat out refusing to open up. "Believe me I've tried." He went on to explain where he'd been when she and Gene were talking outside the store, "What's in that book? What's bothering him? We're his family. He should know by now he can come to us and he's not. It's upsetting all of us."

Amanda closed her eyes and silently threw a rage against Gene's persistent stubbornness. Sure, most of the time it was a good thing; it had helped him get ahead in many areas in his life. Still, there was a time and a place to give it up and open up. She wanted to tell the Barkleys everything, but how could she do that and keep her promise to her friend?

Slowly she opened her eyes as an idea came to her. She looked Jarrod in the eyes, "I know this is going to sound like I'm changing subjects only I promise, I'm not. There's a community social tomorrow night. Are you and your family going to be there?"

Jarrod shook his head, "We have family coming in tomorrow and we were going to entertain them at our house, due to my great aunt's health. However," he leaned forward, "If you promise me I'll get some answers I'll make it a point to be there."

Amanda smiled, "Be there from six to seven o'clock with your ears wide open. You'll get your answer then." She stood up and left leaving Jarrod to wonder what was coming.