Chapter Ten

"Just what is going on?" Jarrod, who stood next to the sofa, gave Heath the same look he'd given many of the witnesses he'd questioned on a stand in a courtroom. He didn't like what he'd just heard and wanted answers, as did the rest of the family; the women sat on the sofa while Nick leaned against the fireplace. Heath had just informed them he'd found Eugene, and that the youngest Barkley was still caring for his patient, but was refusing to say where Eugene or his patient were.

"I told you." Heath planted his feet and stood his ground. "Eugene is taking care of his patient, and neither one of them wish for anyone else to be around, but me." He looked at the family and then laid into them when it came to the way they continued to treat Eugene. "He's a full grown adult. He's stood his ground more than once and proven himself a man. A fact which," he took a deep breath and said, "you've all acknowledged with your words, but aren't backing it up with your actions." He then apologized saying he knew how hard this was on all of them, only he was with Eugene on this one.

"He's our baby brother!" Nick raised his voice as he stepped away from the fireplace. "We have the right to know where he is and what is really going on!"

Heath glared at Nick as another memory, not all that long ago, came into mind. "Yes, you do! Only I gave him my word!" Heath snapped at Nick and added in a low, angry tone, "I always keep my word, no matter what the family might say!"

The hot tempered rancher looked as if Heath had taken a bucket of cold water and thrown it in his face, as he remembered extracting Heath's word of silence after the wolf had bitten him; no more objection came out of Nick, as he sat down with a heavy sigh in a chair that sat a few feet away.

"His life isn't in danger is it?" Jarrod, who stood on the other side of his desk, remembered the aftermath of Nick's requirement that Heath remain silent, asked with great concern in his eyes. He hated the idea that history might be repeating itself…that Gene, like Nick, was facing death and had chosen to leave his family in the dark.

"Not that I know of," Heath's eyes relaxed as he answered Jarrod's question, keeping the musings that Eugene may be falling in love with the strange woman to himself. "But, like I just said, he's an adult; it's about time everyone in this family gave more than lip service to that fact and respected his wishes." Heath softened his tone as he turned around and walked to the window.

"There is something else going on." Victoria sighed as she stood up. "Only I won't push you to break your word as long as you promise me one thing."

Heath turned around and faced his mother, putting on his poker face; he had to. He had no idea what she was going to ask. "And that is?"

"Ask Gene to tell us when he feels like he can, and do all you can to help him." Victoria asked, her eyes saying how hard it was for her not to demand Heath tell them everything in spite of what he had just said. Though, the truth was, she was only backing off for Heath's sake. After all, this was the second time he'd been put in a position where he wasn't free tell them everything, and she could tell how hard it was on him.

"I can tell him, but he'll never feel like it-nor will I; neither one of us wanted to be locked up in an insane asylum' Heath thought as gave the family a crooked smile. "I'll do both; I promise." He then walked out of the room.

As Heath walked out of the house, Victoria was getting her other children to promise her not to follow Heath…for the same reason she was not pushing the issue.

Heath couldn't help but inwardly both smile and frown. If they could support him like this, why couldn't they do the same for Eugene?

~oOo~

Eugene, who had wasted no time in traveling to the lodge, found the spare key the family kept under the porch of the lodge, unlocked the front door and led Dawn into the lodge. He then went throughout the lodge closing all the curtains; that is, after he'd lit a few lamps. "Sit on this." He said as he pulled the kitchen table away from wall. "Just make sure your back is too me; your wings can hang over the edge." After she climbed up on the table, tucking her legs under her at an angle, Eugene carefully unwrapped her one wing.

Dawn glance over her shoulder and tried to see the back side of her wing. "How is it?" She was more than anxious to be completely healed.

"As fast as your other wing healed up, I'm surprised this other one hasn't done the same." Eugene said as he ran his fingers lightly over her wing, and then asked how long her injury would affect her ability to her use any of her "gifts".

Dawn could hear the concern in his voice, but was prepared to feel the same concern in his touch, or the feelings that arose inside her. "I'm sure it will heal up soon. As far as my other abilities, some have returned I can feel it; other, ones I need even more, won't come back until I'm completely healed. Shouldn't you be putting the bandages back on?"

Eugene didn't answer, but did as she said. However, when she climbed down from the table, she found Eugene's arms around her waist and his eyes gazing upon her face. "We can't…" she started to protest, though her voice was weak as she spoke.

"Tell me why not. You said your father left your people to go live in the sea. There's got to be a way for us to be together." Then, due to the fact that she watched over animals, he said in an even quieter voice, "I could help you with the animals. As you can tell I do know medicine."

Dawn had never felt so torn in her life. The fact that the two of them had fallen in love with each other in such a short time was mind boggling. But… "You don't know what you're ask…" Dawn would have continued only she couldn't; Eugene had pulled her gently to him and covered her mouth with his.

After sharing an intense, and passionate, kiss with her, Gene moved his mouth to the side of her face and whispered in her ear, "So tell me."