"I hate to admit it, but I'm almost sorry for her. My God, Julie, what's wrong with him?"
"We aren't sure, but something is definitely wrong. Cade promised her he'd get Wade to the doctor. He told her he suspected he was bi-polar. But they needed a doctor to confirm it and then he'd need treatment, which means he'll have to go away for a while," Julie explained. "Valarie was upset about it, but even she agreed something needed to be done."
Wendy shook her head. "He's really sick, isn't he?"
"It looks that way, yes. And I want you to pack a bag and have Sam bring you to our house tonight when you come home. I don't want you here anymore until this is settled," Julie insisted, staring at her.
"But can't I just lock the doors?"
"No honey, you can't. If he decides he wants in bad enough, he'll break a window or something. I would worry if you stayed here while this is going on. And I've got enough to worry about with Cade having to face him down with it."
"Cade shouldn't be alone when he talks to him." Wendy sighed heavily. "I never thought it would come to this. And I never imagined saying this, but I don't want to see Wade hurt on account of me."
"Of course not, none of us do. But Wade can't go around terrorizing women. And Cade is his brother. He'll be the one that needs to handle this."
Wendy shook her head and then burst into tears. "Not alone he doesn't. Get Hank, and Sam and Caleb."
"Caleb's too old." Julie shook her head.
Wendy grabbed her and looked into her worried eyes. "Don’t be telling him that. He knows everything that goes on at this ranch. And he cares about all of us."
"Well, that's true enough. Kellie wanted to come over tonight after supper and see Caleb; she misses him since she started back to school. They got rather close over the summer. She said they both love horses so much. But I told her I'd rather her not be here."
"Julie?" Wendy pulled on her sister’s arms. "Did I cause all of this?"
"No, honey. You didn't do anything. It's Wade. He's sick. And we have to get him some help before it goes any further. If he hurts someone, he could go to jail."
"I feel so bad about him…."
"We all do, but sometimes these things have to be done. So pack you a bag, I'll take it home with me and put it in the spare bedroom. You can stay with us until things smooth out."
Wendy nodded dully.
"You know deep down, a small part of me cares for Wade still."
"You aren't still in love with him, are you?"
"Oh no, but…I never wanted this to happen."
"Cade is feeling responsible too. I think when Dad died it all got to be too much for Wade. I think it's been slowly building to this point all along. Cade hates to be the one to take him to the doctor, knowing how Wade feels about seeing one. It isn't going to be a pretty scene, and Cade might need help."
"Wade might fight him."
"Oh…I hope not." Wendy reached for Julie's hand.
"Me too."
Wendy finally got to her feet again and went to pull some clothes from her closet. "How long you think I will need to stay?"
"I'm not sure, just bring several outfits you can wear and when things settle down, you can come back," Julie encouraged her. "We can wash your clothes if you need to stay longer."
"Okay."
Wendy packed the bag and Julie kissed her on the cheek. "Keep the doors locked and don't let anyone but Cade or Sam in."
"I won't….Julie?"
"What?" Julie turned to look at her at the doorway.
"Thanks for helping me…"
"No thanks needed. I'll see you tonight."
"Julie…when is Cade going to talk to Wade?"
"Tomorrow."
Wendy nodded, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Julie went back to hold her close for a moment. "Don't worry, everything will work out."
Wendy nodded numbly. But she wasn't so sure that was true.
Chapter Eight
Sam was on time, and Wendy wasted no time in turning all the lights out, and locking the door behind her. Sam hadn't even gotten out of his truck before she ran up to him, kissed him hard on the lips and slid into the truck beside him.
He grabbed her hand automatically.
"I sure like the way you say hello." Sam grinned.
Wendy smiled shyly.
When he gave her the once over, he stared at her hands. "You are shaking. What's wrong?"
"A lot. I'll tell you later. Where are we going?"
"I thought we'd get a bite to eat; we can go to a show or something if you want."
"No…eating is good though. I guess I forgot to eat today."
"Want to tell me about it?"
"Over supper, just let me stay close right now…" she cried, moving closer to him. He wrapped his free arm around her and before he pulled out of the driveway he kissed her warm and long.
"You say hello nicely too." She attempted a smile.
All the way to the café, he held her close and she snuggled against him.
When he found them a cozy booth toward the back of the café, she sat very close to him and kept her hand in his.
After they ordered, he looked at her. "Okay, want to tell me what is wrong?"
"You remember that girl that was with Wade the day you stumbled into the kitchen?"
"Yeah, vaguely. After you announced I was your boyfriend I sorta forgot to look around."
"Her name is Valarie, and she's engaged to Wade."
"They really are engaged, then?" Sam asked.
"Yes, they really are." Wendy sighed.
"Okay."
"Well, anyway, she came to see Cade today. She told him that Wade had been pressing her for sex. It was something they had already decided would happen after they were married. But since she's been up here, Wade has tried to get her to concede. She refused and he roughed her up a bit."
"You don't mean it."
"No, Julie told me."
"Man, someone should put a stop to this." Sam tensed. "If there is anything I can't stand it's to see a woman hurt by some no-good guy."
"Cade is going to do something, tomorrow."
"Wow…" He squeezed her hand. "It's all coming to a head then."
"Yeah, and…when you drop me off tonight, you've got to take me to Julie's house. I'm staying with her until things settle down."
"Now that's a great idea. I'd be glad to. Then I won't have to worry about you all the time."
"You worry about me?" She looked at him.
"All the time since this started."
Wendy couldn't find the words to thank him for being so concerned. But she cuddled against him until their food came.
"Maybe I better hang close tomorrow, in case Cade has trouble with him," Sam said as he cut into his grilled pork chops.
"He might need some help." Wendy looked worried.
"Yeah, he might…Does he have a plan?"
"He's almost certain Wade is bi-polar and wants to get him into a clinic so they can treat him."
"And I take it Wade is no hospital kind of guy."
Wendy nodded.
"Yeah…he's gonna need some help."
After that, Sam didn't talk about Wade anymore. He must have sensed her tension. In some ways she was glad, but she needed to set her own mind at ease about it all. She still felt partly responsible.
But a stolen kiss in the booth where they sat was shared by several amused couples.
When they came up for air, he stared into her eyes, and kissed her on the tip of her nose. "I'm sorry. I don't usually make a public display. But I can't seem to control it."
She blushed.
"Do you like to dance?" he asked as he walked her back to the truck.
"I haven't danced much. But I'd like to learn."
"I can teach you. If you want me to. I can line dance. I took some lessons a while back."
"Sounds great."
"How do you feel about kids, Wendy?" he asked out of the blue.
"Kids?"
She stared at him through the darkness. "Well, I get along good with them most of the time. Why?"
"I mean…do you want kids when you marry?"
"I think I'd like to have a few. Three or four."
"Yeah, me too."
"What religion are you?" he asked.
"Religion? Well, we used to go to the Baptist Church. I have to admit though, I haven't been in a while."
"I'm Methodist. I don't go regular myself. But I believe in God, and Jesus. I guess that makes me old fashioned, huh? You probably think I'm crazy for asking."
"Nothing wrong with being old fashioned. I believe the same, myself."
"Where do you want to live when you marry?"
Wendy glanced at him and realized he was quite serious.
"Well, I guess that would depend on who I marry. I mean, I'd love to live on the ranch. It's been my home all my life. But I guess when I marry, I'll go where my husband goes."
"The man that gets you is going to be awful lucky."
She twisted so she could see his face. "Where are you going with all these questions?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure…"
"Well, let me know when you are."
But when he pulled up in front of Julie's house, he turned to her.
"Look, Wendy. I'm not in a position now, to ask much of you. On probation and all, but…well…I've come to think a lot of you," he said, reaching to stroke her cheek with one hand. "I know I've said that before, but it's the truth."
"I like you too." Wendy smiled.
He bowed his head and took his hat off. Wendy itched to run her fingers through his hair, but sensed he was trying to say something important.
His eyes met hers, and her heart did a flip-flop. "It's more than just liking you, Wendy. But…there are a lot of things to work through. I guess what I'm trying to say is…will you be my girl?"
"Your girl? What does that mean exactly?" Wendy asked, almost breathlessly.
"Just means you won't date anyone else, and neither will I."
"Well, I guess I could be your girl, until we see where this is going…"
"Look…you are about to inherit a fortune. I'm no gold digger, Wendy. I just want a wife and family of my own, that's all."
"You've made mention of that fact."
"If things were different…" he began. "If you weren't so rich, and me so poor. If I wasn't on this probation thing…if I had anything of value to offer. Well…"
She stopped him with her lips as she kissed him wantonly. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her back thoroughly. Her fingers ran through his hair, knocking his hat back off his head. His hands simply warped around her, holding her. Their breathing became labored. Then he pushed her gently away.
"Something wrong?"
"No…" his voice faltered. "Something is very right…"
She was beginning to understand what Sam meant and she respected him for being such a gentleman. "Goodnight, Sam…" she blurted with a shy smile.
Then she opened the car door and got out, turning to stare at him through the window.
"See you tomorrow, Wendy. Let's take it slow tomorrow, okay?"
"Sounds good. I had fun…"
"Yeah, me too."
"I'll pick you up over here, then?"
"Yeah, same time?"
"Same time. Night, honey."
And then he sped away before she could say anything. She smiled, hugged herself and went inside.
Chapter Nine
"Well now, young lady. You are home fairly early; is anything wrong?"
Wendy smiled to herself. "No, not one thing."
From the stars in her eyes, Julie was sure she was looking at young love.
"You two are getting along pretty well, aren't you?"
Wendy nodded. "Yes we are. He…wants me to be his girl."
"Oh really? Already?"
"He says until he can do better." Wendy's smile faded. "He's so intimidated by the money we are going to inherit. He doesn't think himself worthy of much more than that."
Julie studied her a while. "But you do, don't you?"
"Again, am I that obvious?" Wendy huffed.
"He's a nice young man. And maybe when he gets the probation thing behind him, he can rest easy," Julie offered her some hope.
"You know Julie, I've been thinking. I don't want Dad's money. I just want to live there, the rest of my life," Wendy said softly, as she took her cross necklace off and laid it on her dresser.
"Honey, if you marry, that might not be an option. You know that, don't you?"
Wendy looked at her for a minute. "If he loves me, it will be…"
"Who?"
"Whoever I decide to marry, I guess." Wendy giggled.
"Oh…"
Wendy glanced down the hall. "Where's Kellie?"
"She's spending the night with a girlfriend. First time I've let her. I know the young girl and she's very nice." Julie shook her head. "She's growing up, Wendy."
"Yes, she is. And now you are going to have another child." Wendy smiled, patting her stomach lightly.
"Yeah, a whole decade apart. I may need some help when it comes."
"I'll be here for you, you know that." Wendy smiled and lay back on the bed.
"So have you seen Wade today?"
"No, he tore out of the yard earlier but I have no idea where he was going. Maybe to see his girlfriend," Wendy remarked. "Julie, do you think Cade can handle him tomorrow?"
"I think if he can't, he'll have lots of help. The men all know about it and they are ready to help in any way possible."
"Sam said he'd be there for him."
"That was nice of him. Especially since he's only been here a few weeks."
"Has it only been a few weeks?" Wendy smiled.
Julie shook her head. "You are impossible."
"What?" Wendy looked at her.
"You are already head over heels for that young man, aren't you?" Julie asked.
"A little…"
Julie laughed. "He seems very nice, Wendy. I’m happy for you, really."
"Yeah, well, we have a few kinks to work out. Kind of like Letty and Hank. Hank didn't have a lot of money when they first got together."
"Yeah, love is funny that way, sometimes."
"She really loved him. To go to all that trouble to hook him."
Julie nodded. "I'm so happy for her. I've never seen Letty this happy before."
"Yeah, she is, isn't she?"
Chapter Ten
Sam parked his truck by the front of the barn, where most of the hands parked theirs. He heard voices coming from inside. The voices were loud. Someone was shouting.
"I don't want to hurt you Caleb, but I won't tolerate you threatening me. Do you understand?" Wade's voice reverberated through the wall of the barn as Sam slid out of the truck. He came closer, listening. "Wendy is my business, not yours. She needs someone to take her down a notch. Changing the locks on the doors and not even telling me about it. How long have I worked here? How long…?"
"A long time, but the girl is growing up, and she's alone now. Why should she tell you? She's a young lady and she needs her privacy."
"That never bothered her before," Wade yelled.
"Maybe, but she's growing up, Wade. And no woman likes to be walked in on. She don't have her sisters here anymore."
"Woman! Hah! She's got a long way before she reaches a woman. She's a little spoiled tease, that's what she is," Wade yelled.
"That's about enough out of you, Wade. You'll treat her with respect or I'll…"
"You'll what? Come on, old man, you want a piece of me so bad, take a shot at it…"
"You'll be off this ranch before you know what hit you."
"Off this ranch? Are you kidding me? I was written in the will. No one can fire me. The only one with that power is the old man himself, and he's dead and gone."
"I'm telling you, Wade. You don't want to tangle with me. But you are drunk, and I'm gonna see that you are run off this ranch. You know the
rules as well as I do." Caleb sounded angry.
"I’m going to bed, old man. And if you want a job in the morning, you'll shut up now," Wade said, staggering around the stall.
"I won't put up with you scarin' Miss Wendy any longer. Do you understand?" Caleb threatened, coming closer.
"What do you think you can do about it?" Wade laughed.
"Throw you off this property, that's what I'll do. And there ain't a man here that would blame me."
"You just got to irritate me, don't you, Caleb?" Wade frowned at him. "You have been a real bur under my saddle for a while now, Caleb. You are sure replaceable, you know. A man your age can't find work that easy, so you better back off or you'll be retiring real soon."
"Don't push me, Wade."
"Oh shut up, you old fart." Wade lunged toward him, knocking him to the ground.
Caleb grunted, and then found himself fighting Wade as he pummeled him in the side, on his head. Wade got in a couple of hard blows to his stomach and Caleb could hardly move; his breathing was shallow.
Wade was in the middle of beating him when Sam walked in.
"Get off of him, Wade." Sam's voice went to icy steel.
"From an old fart, to a little runt. You don't honestly think you can best me, do you, little guy?" Wade laughed.
"If you don't get off of him right now, I'll show you."
"Better be careful runt, I can send you to prison with one wrong move."
"Maybe, but you won't hurt anyone else. Now get off of him, now!"
Sam didn't wait for him to react; he jumped on top of him, rolling him off of Caleb, as Caleb tried to get to his feet.
Sam wrestled, Wade hit him over the eye, then the lip, and then he pummeled him in the stomach. Sam got in a couple of blows. Blood and sweat went everywhere. Caleb staggered to his feet.
"Wade, get off of him," Caleb hollered.
Sam didn't respond. Wade just kept hitting Sam over and over. Sam wasn't breathing too well and Caleb ran and got the pitchfork.
"Get off him Wade, or I'll stab you with this thing," Caleb threatened.
Wade ignored the old man, knocking Sam out.
Then he dove for the old man's feet and knocked him to the ground.
Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's) Page 8