CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Little Boys!

Sam's family ate at the Barkley's Saturday night. Sam and Jeannie were awestruck by the size and the elegance of the family mansion. Sam continually looked at Nick and Isabella, two of the most down-to-earth people he knew, trying to figure out how they could be as comfortable in this extravagance as they had been in their little home in Roseville. Or, maybe, how Nick could be as comfortable living in poverty and mucking stables as he was living in this luxury. His respect for Nick grew.

Victoria had set a small table for the five children. Nick took a large drawer from the buffet, removed the linens, added a pillow, and made a bed where Jeannie could lay Austin and keep him close by.

Silas served prime rib with roasted potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, creamed peas, and buttermilk biscuits. After the blessing, the children were served and then the adults helped themselves. Victoria engaged Jeannie in conversation, and all seemed to be going well.

Nick kept glancing at the kids' table. They appeared to be eating and behaving, but there was a lot of giggling. And then he saw what was happening. Toads. At least four of them. A couple just sat, but two were hopping from one plate to another, keeping the children laughing.

"Excuse me for a moment, please," Nick said. He strolled over to the children's table, his hands on his hips as he stared down at them.

Two of the toads disappeared off the table with a little help. The other two sat frozen—as did the four boys.

"Get the toads and let's go," Nick said quietly so only the children could hear.

Abby started crying.

Nick lifted her and handed her to Jarrod, who had stood to see if Nick needed help. Jarrod passed Abby on to Sam.

"Now, you four. Let's go." Nick pointed at the door.

The boys held the toads and kept their eyes low as they walked to the door.

Sam passed Abby to Jeannie. "Excuse me, too, please." He followed Nick and the boys as they went outside.

"What's going on?" Sam asked.

"The boys invited toads to dinner." Nick took the boys away from the house. "Let all the toads go," he ordered.

Andy and Jack were crying. James and Levi pulled additional toads from their pockets.

"Ain't no need to cry," Nick said, gathering them into a tight group that included Sam. "Bringing toads to the dinner table ain't a good idea. They can get loose and cause a disruption, they can make messes, and they simply don't belong in the house." He looked around at the boys. "And the toads don't like being carried in your pockets. So, we ain't gonna do that no more, are we?"

"No, sir," Jack said and Levi echoed.

The two younger boys nodded, wiping their eyes.

James and Jack looked at their father. "I'm sorry," James said.

"Me, too." Jack wiped his eyes.

"Here's what's gonna happen," Nick continued. "You're gonna go to the bathroom and wash your hands. Then we're goin' back to dinner, and each one of you is gonna apologize for disturbing dinner. Got it?"

They each nodded.

"And there's no dessert for you tonight."

Andy and Levi raised their eyes to look at Nick, tears rolling down their cheeks.

Sam pointed at his two. "You're getting your hides tanned when we get home."

James joined Jack in bawling.

"Now, c'mon. Let's go." Nick led them through the kitchen and up the backstairs to the bathroom. He turned on the water and gave them soap, then stepped into the hallway, pulling Sam with him.

"I'm sorry," Sam said. "I had no idea—"

Nick smiled. "I didn't figure you set 'em up to doin' it."

"My boys will be taking a trip over my knee."

"That's not necessary," Nick said. "They're just little boys. They don't mean no harm."

"They knew it was wrong. Otherwise, they wouldn't have hid 'em."

"They hid 'em right out in the open. And I have a hankering the two older boys instigated the whole thing and the younger ones just followed along, but I don't know that. But, anyway, that's why they lost dessert. And Silas made ice cream, so, when they don't get any, they'll know they've been punished."

Sam scowled. "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

"That don't mean you gotta whip 'em for every little thing," Nick said firmly. "Save it for the important stuff."

"Don't you think being disrespectful at dinner is important?"

"They didn't realize they were being disrespectful. They're just little." Nick put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Now, if they turn right around and do it again after I explained to them why it was wrong, I'll agree with you. But they're still learning how to live in this world, and they don't always know what they're doing is wrong."

Sam sighed. "Okay."

Nick smiled. "Hey, it gives us something to laugh about someday." He went into the bathroom, picked up a towel, and wiped up the water splashed onto the floor, then dried the boys' hands.

They went down the front stairs and back into the dining room. Everyone stopped talking and looked at Nick.

"Everything's fine, but the boys have something to say. Don't you, boys?"

"Yes, sir," Levi said. "We're sorry for disturbing dinner."

"We're sorry," James added, his eyes on the floor. "We won't do it again."

"Sorry," Andy mumbled at the same time Jack said, "I'm sorry too."

Nick pointed at Andy. "You can do better 'n that."

Andy swallowed hard. "I'm sorry for de-struppin' dinner."

"Now, sit down there and eat." Nick looked at the rest of the family. "The boys will not be having dessert tonight."

"What did they do?" Isabella asked softly.

"I'll tell you later," Nick answered quietly. "It's not a big deal. Just boys being boys."

"Me dessert?" Abby asked.

Nick couldn't help but smile at the little girl, her big blue eyes staring at him and her blond hair falling in ringlets around her face. "Yes, sweetie. You can have dessert."

XXXXX

On Sunday, all of them went to church, filling two pews. Silas had prepared picnic lunches, thinking it might be easier if the boys could be outside after sitting in church all morning. As they all enjoyed the fried chicken, corn on the cob, raw vegetables, and chocolate cake, Jarrod suddenly stopped eating. "Oh, Nick!"

"Yeah?" Nick asked, still chewing on a drumstick.

"Heath got a package—no, a few packages—on Friday after you left for Roseville."

"Where are they?"

"I had them moved to the barn," Jarrod said.

Nick rubbed his forehead. "If it's Heath's—"

Jarrod smiled. "I think it might be the baseball equipment Heath had me order a few months ago."

"Oh." Nick grinned and looked at Sam. "You ready to teach everyone how to play baseball?"

Sam's easy smile covered his face. "Sure. Where can we set up the bases?"

Nick shrugged. "We'll look around after lunch."

"It sure is beautiful here," Jeannie said.

Nick nodded. "I missed this land." He looked at Sam. "You know we'll probably not make it back from roundup tomorrow, right?"

Sam nodded.

"In fact, plan to be gone Tuesday night, too. I'll make sure we get back by Wednesday." Nick sighed. "I didn't used to mind being gone." He winked at Isabella. "Anyway, I need to talk to McColl tonight since I missed the last roundup. Why don't you come with me, and I'll introduce you?"

"Of course," Sam said.

"Jeannie." Victoria leaned back. "Why don't you and your children plan to eat your meals with us while the men are gone?"

"I couldn't possibly take advantage of you like that, Mrs. Barkley."

"Please, call me Victoria. If you don't want to come for every meal, why don't you at least come for supper each evening? I know you're bound to be tired after running after these children all day."

"Actually," Audra said, her blue eyes sparkling. "I was hoping Jeannie and Isabella would let me have the four boys tomorrow. I want to take them exploring."

Jeannie looked at Audra. "Oh, Audra, that's kind of you, but—"

"Audra helps out at the orphanage a few days each week," Victoria interrupted. "She knows exactly what she's getting herself into."

Nick glanced up to see the four boys teetering on the bank of the river. It had rained the night before, so the water was higher, muddier, and faster than it normally was.

"Hey! Get back from there!" he bellowed and took off running for the river. Sam jumped up and sprinted after him.

But just as they got there, Andy took a step backwards. His arms and legs thrashed the air but found no purchase. He hit the water, still floundering. For a moment, his legs kicked the air, but then he disappeared under the rapid current.

Nick dove in, boots, spurs, gun belt, and all.

Sam ran on downstream and grabbed a fallen branch.

Nick searched frantically for the boy. The muddy water made it almost impossible to see anything. The swift current could have taken Andy anywhere. Nick swam to the bottom and back up. Nothing.

Time was not on his side. In precious few minutes it would be too late. Unbearable tragedy would be upon them—a tragedy they'd regret forever and that could not be undone. God help me.

Should he go forward or to the side? Or down? The river was only about eight feet deep. He took another dip to the bottom and swam around, then headed back up. Time. He was almost out of time. C'mon, God, help me find this precious boy.

He dogpaddled downstream, keeping his legs as deep into the water as he could, kicking to the sides to cover as much territory as possible. And then he kicked something. Nick dove under and grabbed a shirt. He immediately pulled Andy's head above the water. The boy was limp in his arms.

Sam ran to his position and held out the branch.

Nick grabbed onto it, and Sam pulled them to shore.

Jarrod, who had taken off his boots and gun belt in preparation to jump in the river to help Nick, grabbed Andy while Nick climbed out of the river.

The rest of the family had arrived by then. Jarrod took a few steps back and turned Andy over. He slapped his back. Nothing happened. He slapped again, between the boy's shoulder blades, harder. Still nothing.

Jarrod held the boy upside down and again slapped his back. Water gushed from Andy's mouth. Jarrod continued slapping his back. Andy threw up more water, and then vomited.

Nick grabbed the boy back. Andy was gasping for breath, but he was breathing. Nick examined him, his fingers starting with his head and working their way down his small body. He had a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious.

Andy began crying.

Nick sat down, pulled the quivering boy against his chest, hugged him tightly, and rocked back and forth. "You okay now?"

Isabella dropped next to Nick. She also examined every inch of him, checking for damage. "What were you thinking?" she scolded Andy. "You could've been killed!"

Victoria dragged over the quilt they had picnicked on. "Nick?"

Nick nodded and took the wet clothes off the still shivering boy. Isabella took Andy, wrapped the quilt around him, and held him against her.

Nick's breathing had finally slowed as well. He was still trembling and weak, but he took off his boots, pouring water out of them. He handed his gun belt to Jarrod. "You can clean that in your spare time."

Jarrod smiled and accepted the dripping belt.

Nick looked over at Sam. "Thank you."

Sam nodded. "Glad I could reach you."

"Me too." Nick shook his head. "That boy is gonna be the death of me yet." He checked again that Andy was still breathing. "You okay, Andy?"

"Yes," the boy answered in a quivering voice.

Nick remained sitting for a few more minutes, waiting for the shakiness to pass. Finally, he stood. He glanced at Sam. "It's time to put the fear of Nick into these boys."

"Fear of Nick and Sam," Sam said.

"You boys!" Nick yelled. "All of you! Over here!"

The other three, who had huddled next to Jeannie and Audra, hurried over.

"You pay attention too," Nick said, pointing at Andy. "Water is not a plaything. Don't you ever get that close to a river or a lake or any other water again! You understand that?" Nick demanded, water dripping off his hair and over his face. "You can get killed doing that! And if I ever find out you've done it, you're takin' a trip over my knee. Do I make myself clear?"

Nick waited until each of the boys nodded.

"And when he's done with you, I'm whipping your butts," Sam added.

Four sets of big, watery eyes looked from Nick to Sam and back.

"There are a lot of things on this ranch that can be dangerous," Nick went on. "And there may be times when no one is watching you. So, you need to keep your eyes and your ears open. Don't ever go near a snake. Most of 'em won't hurt you, but a rattlesnake will kill you. Don't go near a bear or a wolf or a wildcat or a coyote. And don't ever, ever play with cute little bear cubs or wolf pups or any other baby animals. Their mama will kill you." Nick glanced around at the boys, who were listening intently. "Don't ever get in the way of a running horse. It could mangle you. Don't ever go near the grain silo or any of the equipment. Don't ever go near the branding irons or the forge. Don't ever touch any of the equipment. Don't touch or eat anything if you don't know what it is. And don't ever, ever touch a gun or a rifle or a knife. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Levi said.

"Andy?"

"Yes, sir."

"James?"

"Yes, sir."

"Jack?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now, for the next couple of months, I don't want you wandering around without a grownup knowing exactly where you are. Once you learn more about the ranch and what places are safe, you can have more freedom, but for now, you must stay within eyesight of grownups."

He again waited for them to each answer him.

Nick glanced at Sam. "You got anything?"

"I think you covered it."

"Okay, me and Andy gotta get on some dry clothes." Nick waited for the boys to move away, then turned to Sam. "We got a helluva lot to teach these boys."

Sam nodded. "Yeah. I didn't realize how much until you started rattling things off."

"And we also gotta teach 'em to swim."

"You'll have to do that," Sam said.

Nick glanced at him. "You don't know how to swim?"

"Nope. Otherwise, I'd've been in the water with you. But I figured you didn't need two of us to hunt for and I could help you better gettin' something to pull you out with."

"Good thinkin'," Nick said. "Guess I'll teach you to swim too."

Sam smiled. "Okay, boss."

XXXXX