Chapter Four. The Wild Stallion.

Nick was not happy. He was tired of staying home, tired of not doing anything, tired of the dull pain that reminded him of his situation every time he moved. At least the pain wasn't nearly as bad as it was before his arm was cast. But if he was going to be miserable, he was going to make sure Heath was as well.

But Heath had remarkable patience and mostly ignored him. Which made Nick even angrier. On Sunday, Nick sat in the library, randomly throwing books across the room. Heath silently cleaned up the mess. When he was done, Nick threw them again.

Heath spun around and faced Nick, his blue eyes flashing. "Quit acting like a child!"

"Shut up."

"The next time you throw something, I will not clean it up. I will leave it there until Mother sees it, and then you can explain to her what happened."

Nick scowled but said nothing while Heath picked up the books.

"How about a game of checkers?" Heath asked.

Nick let out a deep breath. "I suppose."

Heath set up the game and Nick calmed a bit.

Heath needed to understand this family and his place in it. But he wouldn't get answers if he didn't ask. "Nick, why have you been slugging me every opportunity you get?"

Nick took his turn. "Because you annoy me."

Heath shook his head. "Lots of people annoy you. That's not a reason to punch them. Are you mad because I showed up here?"

Nick looked towards the open window. "I don't know. I don't think so."

Heath captured one of Nick's checkers. "Because I am proof our father wasn't the saint you worshipped?"

Nick sat without moving for a few minutes.

Heath just waited, patiently, not saying anything.

Finally, Nick took Heath's checker and said quietly, "I hit you because you stand in the same cocky way Father did. I hit you because your blue eyes are identical to his and you squint the way he did when you look into the sun. I hit you because you have Father's smile." Nick paused and stared into the distance.

Again, Heath said nothing. He took his turn, intentionally missing a capture. He gave Nick time to gather his thoughts.

"I spent so much time with Father on the range. So much. And, with you out there, I just, I just see him again. It's like you are him. And . . ." Nick swallowed hard. "And I can't stand that man. I hate him. I hate him for what he did to my mother, and I hate him for what he did to your mother, and I hate him for what he did to you."

"Well, then, it makes a lot of sense for you to punch me in his stead," Heath said.

Nick closed his eyes. He was silent for a long time. Finally, he said, "I'm sorry."

Heath raised an eyebrow. "I hope you are. Things can't continue as they have been."

"I know."

"For one thing, I hit back now, with interest."

Nick growled. "Let's get something straight right now. There ain't gonna be no more hitting."

Heath nodded. "That's a deal."

"I mean, no more of you hitting me."

Heath shook his head. "Huh-uh. It goes both ways. I won't hit you first. But if you swing at me, I'll knock you flat on your hindquarters."

"You sure got yourself some swagger, boy. Too bad I'm laid up here and can't straighten you out."

Heath smiled. "You keep thinking you can do that. But I ain't taking no more bull malarky from you."

Nick sighed deeply. He started to knock the checkers off the board, but then stopped and put them in the box instead. "I'm gonna lose my mind before this week is over."

"C'mon," Heath said softly. "Let's go for a walk."

Nick looked up, interested. "Mother said I had to stay in until tomorrow."

Heath shrugged. "Let's be rebellious and go now."

As Heath opened the door, Victoria strode from the back of the house. "Where are you going?" she demanded.

Heath swung around to face her. "For some fresh air."

"Tomorrow. Not today."

Heath found his temper rising. "It would do Nick a lot of good to go outside and get some fresh air." His words were firm, non-negotiable.

Victoria pressed her lips together.

Heath didn't allow his eyes to wander from hers. His jaw was set.

Victoria drew in a breath. "Don't be out there long."

Heath didn't answer. He just followed Nick out the door.

Once they were off the porch, Nick looked at Heath. "You don't lack guts, do you?"

"What was she going to do? Lasso us?"

Nick chuckled. "You never know with Mother."

"Is she always like that?"

Nick shrugged. "Pretty much."

"It's not like we're children." Heath shook his head. "Do you just do what she orders?"

Nick grinned. "Go ahead and cross her. You'll find out."

Heath released a pent-up sigh.

Nick's grin broadened. "Rebellious much?"

"I'm starting to understand why you're such a rebel." Heath pointed at the corral. "Let's go visit the horses."

A new stallion pranced in a side corral. "Hey!" Heath pointed. "That's the stallion I was trying to befriend. When did he get here?"

"I don't know. He wasn't here Friday. Must've been yesterday. I'll have to ask McColl."

"Boy howdy, he's a pretty one."

"Yep. Pretty wild, too."

"That's a shame someone forced him in. I was hoping to calm him before snagging him." Heath exhaled slowly. "But what's done is done. I'm gonna go get some apples and carrots." He ran to the stables and back, bringing a bucket. As he neared the corral fence, he slowed to a walk. He glanced at Nick. "Don't make any sudden movements and don't be loud."

Nick's eyebrows raised, but he said nothing.

Heath slowly climbed the fence and then sat atop it. He held a carrot in front of him and clicked his tongue.

The stallion took a look at him, but darted away, bucking.

Heath didn't move. Once the stallion quit bucking, Heath made a clicking sound again.

The stallion started to approach, but then reared up and jumped back.

"What are you doing?" Nick asked softly.

"I'm gentling him."

"Gentling? What is that?"

"It's a way of breaking a horse. It takes longer than the way you usually break a horse, but the horse always remembers you were kind to him. It builds trust."

Nick rolled his eyes. "I'll have to see that to believe it."

"It's not going to happen in one day," Heath said. "And, if you want me to gentle him, no one else can work with him. Not until I'm done."

"You think it's worth it?"

"Darn tootin'!"

Nick rubbed his chin. "I'll talk to McColl."

"Thanks."

The stallion grew curious again. He came closer, but then reared up and ran away.

Heath didn't move. He just sat on the fence, holding a carrot.

"You have a heck of a lot of patience, don't you?"

"With horses and kids," Heath said. "Not so much for fools." He looked Nick in the eye as he said "fools."

"You do know I'm not gonna have this cast on forever, don't you?"

"I ain't scared of you."

A bit of time passed, and then the horse again approached. In a soft voice, Heath said, "You're a pretty boy. We're going to be friends soon. I can feel it. You can trust me. I will never hurt you."

"You talking to me or that horse?" Nick asked.

Heath grinned at him. "I surely wouldn't say you're pretty."

"And you can't say you'd never hurt me, either, I don't suppose."

Heath rolled his eyes at him and again spoke softly to the horse.

The stallion came within five feet of Heath, staring him in the eyes for several seconds.

Heath held his gaze and continued speaking softly. "Did you get those carrots I left for you in the valley? I bet you like carrots. And then we'll try an apple. Lots of good treats for a pretty boy."

The stallion moved closer. Then, in a quick move, he jumped forward, grabbed the carrot, and took off.

Heath smiled. "Yep. He's going to be easy to gentle."

"Because he took the carrot?" Nick asked.

"No, because he looked into my eyes and held my gaze. He realized I wouldn't hurt him, and that gave him the courage to take the carrot." Heath continued speaking softly, watching the stallion eat the carrot from the safety of distance. "If that boy ain't claimed, I sure would like to work with him."

Nick nodded. "Fine by me."

As they walked back towards the house, McColl stepped out of the bunkhouse. "Nick!" He hurried over to them. "How're you doing?"

"A lot better, but I'm gonna lose my mind if I have to stay in that house for another week. And thanks for picking up the slack around here."

"Hey, it's my job." He glanced at Nick's cast. "You better do what the doc says." He tipped his head towards the corral. "How do you like that stallion?"

"He's a beaut. Heath spotted him last week. Who brought him in?"

"Casto and Lyons."

"Either of them want to lay claim to him?"

"No. They're happy with their mounts. But I kinda thought maybe we could put a little bonus in their pay this week."

Nick nodded. "Good thinking. Remind me." He looked back at McColl. "So, he's unclaimed?"

"So far."

"Heath would like to break him."

"Sure. No problem." McColl turned toward Heath. "You got a good eye. He's a fine animal."

"Thanks," Heath answered. "Would it be a problem if no one else bothered him? I don't want anyone else trying to break him."

"You got it." McColl looked from Nick to Heath. "Everything going okay?" he asked pointedly.

"We're just lollygagging around," Nick said. "I want this boy to get back to work, but Mother seems to think I need babysat."

"And I'd sure like to get back to work, too," Heath said. "I need a vacation from babysitting Nick."

McColl laughed. "I hope to see you both back to work soon. Take good care of yourselves."