Chapter Three

By the time Eugene made it home, his family was gathered around the breakfast table. Every one of them looked at him as he walked into the dining room and sat down. It didn't pass him by that his mother was giving him a look of disapproval, probably because she thought he should have made an exception and asked Dr. Mitchell to take his place the night before.

"How's your patient?" Victoria asked once her youngest was actually seated.

"Holding her own," Eugene answered as he picked up the platter of ham that Silas had set on the table. "I'm sorry for having to leave the celebration last night, and for the fact that I'm going to have to leave again after breakfast."

"That bad?" Nick asked as he looked at his baby brother.

"Just what animal are you taking care of? Who does it belong to?" Audra asked out of curiosity; she had just learned why her brother had left the party the night before.

Eugene knew he'd be facing these kinds of questions and had been racking his brain most of the night and all the way home trying to figure out what he was going to say without flat out lying. "No one that lives around here on a regular basis, they were just passing through and needed some help." He then went so far as to admit he'd left the party early and had gone on a walk. He wasn't surprised to get another look of disapproval from his mother at that confession, though there was a bit of 'I'm not surprised you are helping the person," in the look as well.

"They could bring their animal here." Victoria spoke up.

'She's not an animal' Eugene thought and then answered his mother. "It's not an option; it would be too dangerous to move her. But, please," Eugene, afraid his family would insist on following, "just trust me and leave things be. They don't want more people around. It's not that they're unfriendly," he looked around at his family, "They just prefer to be left alone. If it wasn't for the injury I'm tending to, they wouldn't' have showed themselves to me and asked for help." At least he didn't have to think about how to phrase that part; it was the truth.

Eugene could see his family didn't like the idea of his helping someone who didn't want to be seen by anyone, probably made them think the person was wanted by the law. He just hoped they would accept what he said and leave it be. It was Heath who spoke up first. "As long as they're not causing any trouble, I don't see why we should disturb them. But," he said as he looked at his baby brother, again feeling that sooner or later he would be involved whether he liked it or not, "if you run into any problems, don't hesitate to speak up." The rest of the family said the same thing.

"Thank you," Eugene finished the small amount of food he had taken and stood up. "I'm sorry, but I have to get back. I only returned to get a few more things and to make sure I didn't worry any of you." He said the last part while looking at Victoria; with Audra leaving to visit their Aunt Clara just that morning, he didn't want to add to any concerns she might have. He then again asked they trust him and just leave things be.

Victoria smiled. She didn't like not knowing exactly who her youngest was helping; still, she appreciated his not wanting to cause her any undue stress. "Listen to Heath; if you need anything, speak up. You best get back to your patient if they're that bad off."

Eugene wanted to tell his mother about Dawn and that she wasn't lying at death's door as he knew everyone thought that was the case…had to with the comment he'd just made about his patient holding their own. Only he didn't dare. While he trusted his family not to say anything, they might accidentally say something to each other with another party nearby and he couldn't have that. Dawn was trusting him to keep quiet. "Thanks; I'll be back when I can." He stood up and left the room.

"I don't like it." Nick said after Eugene had left. "Whoever he's helping has to be hiding something."

"Maybe," Jarrod said as he put down his napkin. "But as long as they're not hurting Eugene or causing any problems, I don't see where it's our place to interfere. Besides, we have to help Mr. Thomas, remember?"

Fred Madden had stopped by that morning and told the family about a small field on William Thomas' land, which lay south of Stockton, had burned down during the night. He said that, most likely, the cause of the fire was an old lantern belonging to the man's nephew had been found nearby. While the young man could have sworn the lantern wasn't burning when he left it hanging on a nearby post, he couldn't swear by it either. That being the case, everyone was assuming it had been lit and the passing wind had knocked it off, and started the fire. Now the man needed help cleaning up the mess…as he had no older children at home, his leg was already busted and his nephew was only twelve years old.

"Fine," Nick gave in, knowing Jarrod was right. "Though I still think one of us should go locate Eugene and whoever he's helping. Make sure he's not putting himself in danger."

Knowing Nick the way he did, and remembering the feeling he'd had more than once, Heath spoke up. "If you feel that strongly about it, I'll track them down later. Remember, you already promised to deliver the horses we got last week to their new owners."

Nick didn't argue as he worked on finishing his breakfast. However, what he and the others didn't know was that Eugene had entered the house once more-having forgotten one item-and he'd heard everything. Silently he swore, knowing how good of a tracker Heath was...so much for sparing his mother some stress. Eugene didn't know what he was going to do, but he turned around and slipped out the door. He had to get back to Dawn.