Saturday dawned with a beautiful sunrise full of warmth and color. Ezra, after much persuasion, had convinced the others to show up at Chris's ranch, saying over and over the meeting was for JD. Buck had already polished off a couple of beers and kept away from both Nathan and Vin, furious at the fact they were even considering taking JD off life support.
Chris sat between the men, with Vin and Nathan on the right side and Buck and Ezra on the left. Ezra had immediately offered to pay all the non-covered medical expenses for as long as it took to bring JD back; and not surprisingly, Ezra suddenly could do no wrong in Buck's eyes. Josiah sat off to the side of the rest, pondering the broken spirits of each man.
Nettie Wells drove up in her battered white pickup; but before Vin could rise, Ezra walked over to observe her face and escort her back to the porch. "Thank you, Fancy-Pants," she teased, sounding more like the old Nettie before the tragedies came. He patted her arm, smiling at her and pulling up a chair for her that faced the men. Ezra moved his chair to sit beside her, also facing the others.
The others were puzzled by obvious closeness between the two and instinctively felt there was something going on.
Nettie patted Ezra's hand warmly in thanks, and then said abruptly. "I owe more than any of you will know to Ezra. Without any hesitation, he offered the best medical care for Casey. There is no way I could afford it on my own – and we needed specialized care because . . ."
Nettie stopped, put a Kleenex to her face. "I want you all to understand, we discussed this, Casey, Ezra and myself as to what to tell each of you. You had gone through so much and there were no guarantees. We did not want to cause further grief to any of you. If you want to be angry with anyone, let it be me. Casey knew the odds. She would have to have the best care possible to have a chance . . . plus she knew she might lose her own life in the process. Casey, well she showed a maturity way beyond her years. She thought it would have been too hard for JD to decide . . . and since he was comatose, she took comfort that he was spared the most difficult decision of his life and one he would probably have doubts about if he had to make it."
The confusion did not leave the five men's faces at the words.
Nettie put her hand up in a waiting gesture. "My doctor has advised me to get treatment and rest – I have breast cancer." Anticipating the murmur of sympathetic voices, she again raised her hand. "I should be fine; it's just being worn down from the worry about JD and Casey; this doesn't make sense to you now, but it is the reason why I have to rest and ask all of you to help. Casey and JD would want this."
Ezra added quietly, "JD found the best family possible next to his mother. He loved all of us and would hate to see what has been happening with his brothers. Buck, you know JD would hate seeing you drunk and belligerent. There has been no trace of the charming Buck we were all used to seeing. JD loves you as you were. Please try to bring our charming rogue back. Nathan, JD would know you had done your best and the accident wasn't your fault. That responsibility is in the hands of a man who choose to drink and drive and is now rotting in jail." Ezra's voice went hard as the thought of the man responsible for all the suffering came to mind. Then turning, he continued:
"Josiah, JD possesses a faith as strong as yours used to be. He depended on you and your spiritual guidance – as we all do. He would hate that you are throwing that away." Josiah's head bowed and tears come to his eyes.
"Vin, JD would not hold against you that you are questioning keeping him on life support. He went through so much with his mother suffering . . . and I think, as Josiah would tell you, the question often came up in their discussions. Do not feel guilty anymore; JD loves you."
Vin's eyes clouded over and he met Nettie's compassionate gaze.
Finally, Ezra turned his green eyes on the leader of Team Seven.
"Chris, JD would not want you to have any regrets for hiring him. He knew you would sometimes look at him and see an older Adam – and he loves you for that. You helped him find his other family by taking a chance on him. You, like the rest of us, are his heroes."
Chris looked away, nodding but with liquid eyes.
Nettie took over, "You all have been there for JD, Casey and I. I owe every one of you so much. And especially three women – Nathan, I know you appreciate what a fine woman your girlfriend is and I would not wait too long to make her your wife."
"Chris, I can't say whether you and Mary are right for each other, but she has been rock solid ever since the accident, She and Inez – another woman worth her weight in gold – have kept me going."
A brown van drove slowly towards the house.
Nettie and Ezra stood up.
"I think maybe in this case a picture is worth a thousand words, gentlemen, and now you will fully understand."
From the van, Mary, Inez and Raine emerged. They were not alone.
Five faces were equally thunderstruck.