CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A Happy Man

December 13, 1877

Then a baby cried. Nick glanced around, hoping it was Number Two. But it wasn't the second-born—it was the firstborn. Isabella's eyes were so focused on the gray infant that Number One had slid down and could no longer latch.

That was something Nick could do something about. He moved the baby back into position and gently touched Isabella. "Izzy? The baby needs to eat."

Nick continued to hold the suckling infant in place, his eyes also on his second-born child.

Dr. Merar used two fingers to compress the baby's chest. After a few moments, he stopped and rubbed the baby with the towel, then returned to the compressions. Time was rapidly moving on. Finally, he picked up the baby and placed him over his arm and gently tapped his back.

Nick closed his eyes in silent prayer.

The baby gurgled.

The doctor turned him back over and again removed liquid and mucus from his mouth and nose. The baby coughed, then gasped. He took a long breath, then wailed. The blue-gray skin slowly turned pink.

"Is he okay?" Nick asked, realizing he'd been holding his breath.

"I don't know yet," Dr. Merar stated. He glanced at Victoria. "Get me a warm washcloth."

Victoria hurried to get one and took it to the doctor.

He gently washed the bawling infant who now angerly kicked his legs and thrust his arms. His skin tone reddened until it was a deep reddish purple. He was obviously not a bit happy about leaving his cocoon.

The doctor smiled and looked at Nick. "I think he'll be just fine. And I have a feeling he has his father's temperament." He snipped the umbilical cord and tied it off, then handed the infant to Victoria.

Victoria diapered and dressed the baby, then carried him to Nick.

Nick held the squirming, fighting infant. "It's okay there, boy. We only picked out one name, so we're gonna have to figure out what to call you, but you'll get a name. Don't you worry."

"What name did you pick?" Victoria asked Nick.

He glanced at her, smiling. "Thomas Heath. First name Thomas for Jarrod's middle name, and second name Heath for Heath's first name."

"This one is Thomas Heath," Isabella said, nodding at the baby she held. "And that one," she said and nodded at the one Nick held. "That one is Jonathan Nicholas."

"How about Jonathan Eugene?" Nick asked.

Isabella nodded. "Perfect."

Nick looked at his beautiful, exhausted wife and at his two—two!—new sons. He now had four sons. Joy bubbled up in his heart, working its way through his veins. Joy like he'd never known before. His wife, though tired, was doing okay. His sons, though the second one gave them a scare, were both healthy. He was a blessed man. A very blessed man.

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Nick dozed off once or twice, but mostly it was an exhausting night of either taking care of the babies or watching them to make sure they were still breathing. Dr. Merar had warned that early and low-weight babies were more likely to have breathing issues.

Before daylight, he heard a very soft tap at the door. Heath, no doubt, so Nick didn't bother putting clothes over his drawers. Isabella was actually dozing, so Nick silently slid off the bed and opened the door.

Heath had already given up and was halfway down the hall. He turned when he heard the door open and walked back to meet Nick.

"Isabella and the babies doing okay?" he asked.

Nick nodded. "I ain't goin' out today."

"I didn't figure. Just wondered what you wanted done and what I should tell the men."

Nick smiled. "Tell the men we have identical twin boys, Thomas Heath and Jonathan Eugene. They are small but healthy. Tommy was born at 11:48 and weighed four pounds and thirteen ounces and Jonny was born at 12:11 and weighed four pounds and fourteen ounces."

Heath slowly grinned. "Identical? I missed that last night."

"I guess Doc Merar thought we'd realize they were without being told. But, yeah, they're identical."

Heath's smile broadened. "So, they're identical twins but have different birthdays?"

"What?" Nick's forehead wrinkled.

"Tommy was born on December twelfth and Jonny was born on December thirteenth."

"Hmm." Nick shrugged. "Didn't think of that."

"How could you not—"

"I had other things on my mind—like whether they were breathin'."

Heath nodded. "Anyway, what did you plan for today?"

"I was gonna take Sam with me to run the length of the redirected creek and make sure there ain't no impediments. You gotta have two people, one on each side so they can watch the opposite bank. And if there's rocks that need moved, you want a strong back out there with you."

Heath nodded.

"So," Nick continued, "You can take that lead and take someone with you, or Sam can take that lead and take someone with him. Everyone else will be moving the herd to the winter pasture."

"Okay," Heath answered and turned to leave.

Nick grabbed his arm. "Just a minute."

Heath swung around. "What?"

"I didn't put that spider in your bed. I wouldn't a-done that to Margaret."

Heath studied his eyes in the low light and then nodded. "Okay. I believe you."

"And?"

"And what?"

Nick slapped his hands to his hips. "I think I got an apology coming."

Heath scowled. "I'm sorry for accusing you."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "You're supposed to say it like you mean it."

"I ain't got time for your nonsense the s'mornin'." He pointed his finger at Nick. "And, just for the record, I ain't scared of no spiders."

Nick tried to withhold his grin, but then he just let it glow. "Right. You were just crying like a baby 'cause you weren't scared. Made your poor wife—"

Jarrod's door opened and he strode down the hall while tying his robe. He looked like he hadn't slept yet. "I'm not in any mood for this today, boys."

"I'm on my way to work." Heath ran for the backstairs.

"Sorry, Pappy," Nick whispered and returned to his room.

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Heath gathered the men for assignments as they did every morning. He told those gathered about Nick's babies, then waited for the whistles and whoots to subside. "Sam, you're gonna go with me to check out the creek redirection, and everybody else is goin' with Duke to move the herd from the summer pasture to the winter pasture, so get on your chaps and take an appropriate horse. We'll be doin' that the rest of the week. Any questions?"

"Isabella and the babies doing okay?" McColl asked.

"Yeah. The babies are small but seemingly healthy," Heath answered. "One was born just before midnight and one just after."

Several of the men laughed. Heath grinned back at them, then motioned for Sam to follow him.

Sam wanted to ask why Heath chose him to go with him but stayed quiet. When he'd first come to the Barkley Ranch, he'd asked Nick to never put him in the position where he reported directly to Heath. Nick had said he couldn't promise that, but he'd do what he could. Which made him think this wasn't Nick's decision.

Yes, he and Heath had made peace. They could work together and be in social situations together, but they certainly weren't friends. Still, he'd do his job and he'd obey reasonable orders and he'd keep his mouth shut. But at least if Heath started something, they'd be far away from the others and no one would be around to witness the retribution.

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"Would you boys like to meet your new brothers?" Nick asked as he woke Levi for school.

"Is he here?" Andy jumped up and down.

"Come in and see, and then, Levi, you need to get ready for school."

The boys ran to their parents' room.

"Settle down," Nick cautioned. "Grandmother and some of the others are still sleeping."

Andy couldn't contain his excitement. He jogged in place, lifting his knees high, going around in a circle.

"Now, you have to be very careful with the babies, okay?"

"How many babies are there?" Levi asked.

"Two."

"Yay!" Andy continued his nonstop motion. "We each get one!"

Nick put his finger to his lips. "Now, go in quietly and don't touch until I help you."

Isabella sat up in bed, holding Jonny. She smiled at her older boys.

"Which one is mine?" Levi asked.

Nick chuckled. "Both of them."

"But what about Andy?" Levi asked at the same time Andy demanded, "I want one!"

"They are your brothers. They both belong to both of you."

"You mean like James and Jack have a little brother and sister?" Andy asked.

"Yes."

Levi took a peek at Jonnie. "He doesn't look big enough to play with."

"He's not. They need to grow up a bit first. Do you want to hold him?"

"Yes!" both boys said simultaneously.

"Levi, you sit up there next to Mama." He lifted Levi so he was on the inside of Isabella.

Isabella smiled at him. "I'll put him in your arms. You need to sit very quietly and make sure you don't drop him."

She gently placed Jonny in his arms. "That one is Jonny."

Levi smiled at his tiny brother.

"Being a big brother is a big responsibility," Nick stated. "You have to always keep an eye on your little brothers and make sure they don't get in trouble or get hurt."

"Andy is my little brother and he gets in trouble no matter what I do."

"Do not!" Andy yelled.

Comfortable that Isabella could catch Jonny if Levi dropped him, Nick picked up Tommy. "Andy, you sit down over here."

Andy went to the chair and climbed onto it.

Nick put a pillow under Andy's elbow, then gently put Tommy in his arms. "That one is Tommy," Nick said, kneeling next to the chair, his reflexes ready to leap.

Andy smiled at his baby brother. "I like them. Do we get to keep them?"

"Yes," Nick said.

Jonny kicked.

"He's moving!" Levi announced, not sure what to do.

"That's okay," Isabella said. "He's just stretching his legs."

"Like he did when he was in your tummy?"

"Yes."

"Okay, boys, let me put the babies away. Levi, you need to get ready for school. I'll drive you over today."

"Can I stay here with the babies?" Andy asked.

"You better go with me," Nick stated. "Mama and the babies need to take a nap." He took in the scene in front of him—his two older boys holding the two babies, his beautiful wife in the middle. His heart was full. He moved this picture of his young family into his memory so he could savor it for years to come. It wasn't often life seemed absolutely perfect. He was a happy man.

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