Chapter thirteen
Hannah rushed down the stairs. She had heard the phone ring and she was anxious to hear word from Daniel. She could see Brian on the phone, so she crept quietly over to him, hoping for good news.
"Everything's okay Hannah. Brian said, hanging up the phone. "They'll be home in a little while. Everything checked out okay with Daniel. Just a mild concussion and a couple stitches. Adam's gonna check on Eddie before they leave."
"Thank goodness. Wow, that was fast. I was afraid they would be sitting in the emergency room all night." Hannah said letting out a deep sigh. "Brian, I will be glad when this day is over." She said with a nervous laugh.
"What? It's just a normal day at the Circle Bar 7, isn't it?" He replied with a laugh.
"Not funny." She replied, slapping him playfully on the shoulder.
"How's the fugitive?" He asked.
"Oh he's a little shook up... and a lot sorry." Hannah replied.
"Oh well, if he thinks he's sorry now, just wait til Adam gets hold of him. I'm kind of surprised at Daniel for covering for him." Brian said.
"He didn't. He left it up to Guthrie to tell Adam himself." Hannah explained.
"Ahh, that makes more sense. Well, that's not gonna help the kids case any. If he wants us to see him as anything more than a little boy, he's gonna have to stop acting like one." Brian observed.
"I think he's come to that conclusion on his own Brian. I'm pretty sure this whole mess has opened his eyes, Bri." Hannah replied.
"Well I'm glad some good's come out of it all. I think I'll go up and see if I can't get him to talk to Evan. They need to work things out before they go to bed. Evan's been chewing on this all day and letting them go to bed mad with each other just makes for a crappy tomorrow."
"Well, that sounds like a great idea. I'm gonna make some coffee. Would you mind telling Guth to get his shower? Hannah asked.
"What, he's not old enough to know he needs to take a shower?" Brian laughed.
"Brian, don't go there!" Hannah replied exasperated.
"Okay. I think Ford's in the shower right now and Evan called for it next, but I'll tell the boy to line up." He replied.
"Thank you." Hannah replied.
Brian crept up the stairs, thankful to hear peace and quiet. He had worried that once Evan went upstairs he and Guthrie would get into it.
He reached for the door knob to Hannah's and Adam's room, but stopped himself. He decided to show Guthrie a bit of respect. He knocked softly on the door. Hearing Guthrie's "come in" he opened the door and took a deep breath.
"Hey squirt." Brian began.
"Brian do you have to call me that?" Guthrie sighed. "I hate it... I'm not a squirt. I've grown almost three inches this year." He exclaimed.
"I know you have. Size doesn't make you a squirt. In fact, you're probably gonna be as tall as me in a few years, but you will always by a squirt to me." Brian said.
"Really? You think I'll be tall?" Guthrie replied.
"Yep. But you're still gonna be my squirt." Brian laughed as he mussed Guthrie's hair. He had eased down on the bed next to the boy.
"Brian, I'm in a mess, huh?" Guthrie said glumly.
"Yep." Brian answered.
"What should I do?" Guthrie asked.
"Well Guthrie, I'd say you've got two choices. One, you can keep acting like a complete jerk. Or, you can own up to everything you've done." Brian explained.
"I know. Daniel probably hates me. Is he really okay?" Guthrie asked desperately.
"Yeah, he's alright... But I doubt he's gonna feel up to any heart to heart chats." Brian replied. "You can talk to him tomorrow, maybe. But, I'm thinking you should talk to Evan tonight. You messed things up for him pretty good." Brian told him.
"I know. Do you know where he is?" Guthrie asked hopefully.
"He's in his room. Ford's in the shower, so now might be a good time." Brian offered.
"Okay, thanks Bri." Guthrie replied.
"And Hannah wanted me to remind you to get a shower." Brian said with a grin.
"Geez, I know I have to take a shower." Guthrie complained.
"Good, 'cause you sleep with me!" Brian teased.
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Guthrie crept down the hallway and stopped in front of the door to Evan's room. Hearing the shower still running in the bathroom, Guthrie figured Evan was alone in his room now. He quietly knocked, feeling as nervous as he could ever remember.
"Come in." He heard Evan say.
Guthrie walked slowly through the door. He could see the agitation on Evan's face when he realized who was at the door.
"What do you want?" Evan asked irritatedly.
"Can I talk to you, Evan?" Guthrie asked nervously.
"Guthrie, I'm still mad at you, but I'm the one that came home late. Let's just leave it at that." Evan replied.
"No, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have ratted you out to Adam. I just did it 'cause I got mad." Guthrie said, apologetically.
"I know. That's what really hurt. You didn't do it because it was the right thing to do. You did it for spite. I wouldn't do that to you or any of my brothers." Evan complained.
"I'm really sorry, Evan. I learned my lesson. It was childish and I'm not a child. I promise you, I'm gonna do better from now on." Guthrie said, his eyes were pleading with Evan for forgiveness.
"Look Guthrie, it's done. I accept your apology, but don't ask me to trust you... not for a while, anyways." Evan explained. "But right now, I'm too worried about Daniel to hold a grudge with you. He got hurt at the bar tonight."
"I know. I have some things to set right with him, too." Guthrie replied glumly.
"Great. What did you do to him?" Evan asked irritatedly.
"Nothing, exactly. I just didn't do something he told me to do." Guthrie said, feeling more ashamed of himself than ever.
"Well, right now let's just hope he's alright." Evan replied.
"Brian told me he's gonna be okay. He's coming home with Adam and Crane now." Guthrie replied, hoping to make his brother feel better.
"Well, that's good. Look, Guthrie. I know I kick you around sometimes and I tease you, but it's because I love you. I mean, we all tease each other." Evan explained.
"I realize that Ev. I'm so sorry and I'm gonna try to make it up to you, honest." Guthrie said.
"Don't worry about it." Evan said.
"So, we're good?" Guthrie asked hopefully.
"Yeah, little bro, we're good." Evan said with a laugh. He couldn't stay mad at Guthrie. The kid was hopelessly adorable, even though he was growing up, it was hard for Evan to see him that way.
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Brian watched eagerly as Crane and Adam helped Daniel out of the truck. He held the front door for them as they each stepped inside, Crane hanging on tightly to a weary looking Daniel.
Hannah heard the front door and rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"How ya doin' partner?" Brian asked as he did a once over of Daniel noticing that he looked pale and his lips were pursed, as though he were in pain. He also noticed the bandage covering the stitches over his eye.
"I'm okay. Just a little headache. I'm ready to get some shut-eye if I can." Daniel replied.
"Your bed is ready for you hon." Hannah stated as she walked over and gave Daniel a quick hug.
"Thanks Hannah. I'm sorry I scared you." He replied sheepishly.
"That's okay. I'm just relieved that you're alright." She replied with a supportive smile.
"Well, I'm gonna get him upstairs and settled." Crane said, tugging gently on Daniel's arm, ready to lead him to the staircase.
"Get some rest. I guess we'll let you sleep in tomorrow." Adam said to him with a quick pat on the younger mans shoulder.
"Thanks, Adam. I'll have my feet back under me in a day or two." Daniel offered.
"Whatever it takes." Adam replied as he watched his brother's take the stairs.
"Evan and Ford are up there if you need a hand." Brian offered to Crane.
"Thanks, I can handle it though. I'll let them know we're home, so maybe than can stop worrying." Crane replied.
"Let me know if y'all need anything." Hannah offered.
"Okay, goodnight." Crane replied.
"Adam did you see Sophie and Eddie? How is he?" Hannah asked nervously.
"Yeah I checked in on them. Eddie came through surgery fine. He was sleeping. Sophie seemed okay, relieved... I guess, same as us." Adam answered.
"Did she say how long they are going to keep him?" Hannah continued her line of questioning.
"She said probably just a couple of days, if he continues to do well. I told her we would come visit tomorrow and I let her know that if she needed anything, not to hesitate to call us." Adam replied tiredly.
"Good. Thanks honey. I made some coffee and a fresh apple pie if either of you would like any." Hannah said to them.
"Thanks, Honey. I may take you up on that." Adam replied, then "Where's Guthrie?" He asked, turning to Brian.
With one look at Brian, Hannah sensed that he wanted to talk with Adam, so she excused herself and made her way back to the kitchen.
"He's getting a shower. He should be down in a few minutes." Brian replied. "Listen, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"What's on your mind, Bri?" Adam asked.
"Guthrie." Brian replied simply.
Adam took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Okay, what?" He replied.
"Well, first I gotta know what you said to Daniel about what happened at the creek. Did you come down on him?" Brian asked.
"No. I haven't really got into that with him. I figured I'd let him get some rest first. Why?" Adam asked curiously.
"Because I spoke with Guthrie. I'm sure he will tell you everything, but I just wanted to let you know that Daniel wasn't trying to cover for those boys. He told Guthrie to tell you about everything." Brian explained.
Adam let out a deep breath, agitation and understanding both showing in his features, Brian observed.
"I should have known." Adam said tiredly. "Well, for once at least, I held my tongue rather than sticking my foot in my mouth.
"Well, that's progress!" Brian said with an understanding laugh.
"Yeah. So, what do we do about Guthrie?" Adam asked.
"The kids feeling pretty bad about it all, I think. I had him have a talk with Evan and hopefully, they're good." Brian replied.
"Good. I appreciate you getting that one settled. Brian, that kid is really pushing it with me lately. I don't know what's gotten into him. I get it that he's feeling put out about having to obey all of us, but... I never expected him to defy me like he's done... and the lying, I can't put up with that." Adam said, exasperated.
"I know. We've gotta put a stop to that. He's a good kid, Adam and he's learning from his mistakes... But, whatever you think you need to do, I'll back you up. Maybe you should talk it over with Hannah. She's real good with him." Brian said.
He had decided for himself to take a back-seat to Adam this time. When it came to Guthrie, he had too much of a soft spot and preferred to leave the disciplining to big brother. But, he also knew that Adam could be too rash with his judgement at times. He would step in if needed, but he figured Hannah would be better equipped to keep Adam's quick temper in check.
"Yeah, she's really gotten close to him and he trusts her I think... probably more than she trusts any of us." Adam replied.
"She's been really good for him." Brian agreed.
"She's been good for all of us." Adam corrected.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Hey, I'm gonna go up and grab a shower after I check in on Daniel. I'll send Guth downstairs." Brian offered.
"Yeah, we'll be in the kitchen." Adam said.
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Guthrie heard the voices of his brothers as he came out of the bathroom. He had hoped to feel better after the shower, but he found that his anxiety was only growing. When he saw Daniel being helped to his room by Crane he felt both relief and guilt.
Relief at seeing Daniel upright and seemingly walking under his own power, even if he looked pale and tired... maybe even in pain, Guthrie noted.
Guilt at knowing he had broken their agreement. He had promised Daniel that he would come clean about nearly swinging off of the rope at the creek, but he hadn't.
Now Daniel was hurt and falsely accused of covering for Guthrie by Adam. For all Guthrie knew, Adam may have already come down on Daniel for that.
Even the thought of Daniel having to take the wrath of Adam in his current condition made Guthrie feel physically ill.
"Are you alright, Daniel?" Guthrie asked nervously.
"Yeah Guth. I'm okay, just go to bed, huh? I'll see you in the morning." Daniel replied, curtly.
"I'm sorry Daniel, really I am. Did Adam yell at you?" Guthrie asked anxiously.
"Huh? Uh, no." Daniel replied, seeming a bit confused at first, then apparently understanding what Guthrie was asking.
"Okay good. I'm going to talk to him now. I'm gonna tell him everything." Guthrie replied, relief washing over him.
"You do that." Daniel replied. Guthrie noticed the hurt in Daniel's eyes when Daniel paused briefly and made eye contact with him. It wasn't physical hurt. Guthrie knew he had disappointed Daniel. The mountain of guilt sitting on the boys shoulders suddenly got a lot heavier.
"I'm gonna straighten things out with Adam. I'll make sure he knows that you didn't cover for Eddie and me... I promise." Guthrie said, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.
"I said we're okay, Guth." Daniel replied, sounding a little annoyed. "Besides, Adam should know better than to think that of me anyway." Daniel said dully.
Guthrie noticed Crane wince at the comment and realized that Daniel had been hurt that Adam just assumed that he had done something wrong. He too, could hear it in Daniel's voice as clearly as he saw it in Crane's eyes.
Guthrie realized that while he could clear Daniel's name with Adam, he couldn't fix Daniel's heart. The damage had already been done and his brothers' would now pay the price.
The consequences of Guthrie's bad decision had become clear to him.