"I'm sure if he has bi-polar problems they'll send him where he needs to go to get help. Maybe in the long run, this is best. At least Cade didn't have to force him to go to the doctor."
Wendy nodded. "You are right about that."
There was noise in the hall and they both glanced up.
"Now, here comes your lunch. Have you been eating?" she asked, getting out of the way while the hospital aid set his lunch in front of him. The nurse gave him a serious glance and took his temperature, then his blood pressure, and then insisted he eat and left.
"They sure are bossy around here." Sam laughed.
"Let's see what you have…" She opened the cover and he had soup and ham and a cheese sandwich, with tomatoes and lettuce, onions and pickles on the side.
"That looks pretty good. Do you need any help?"
"No, but I don't mind if you do." He leaned closer so he could kiss her lightly on the lips.
"They took Caleb for some tests; want to make sure he doesn't have internal injuries. The nurse said he'll go home in the morning." Wendy put his napkin in his lap. "I stopped by to ask where you two were. I'm going to have to make sure Caleb doesn't try to do too much for a day or two."
"Yeah, he was feeling a lot better. Told me he hated to leave me in here, but he needed to get back to work."
"He needs to take it easy for a while," Wendy said.
"I wish they'd let me go…" Sam complained as he tried to pull his pillow up. "Cade's going to have his hands full for a while, doing both his work and his brother's."
She straightened it for him. "You need some rest too. I don't want to overstay my welcome. But I had to see you."
"I'm glad you came by. I reckon they'll let me out of here in a day or two. This place tests you for everything. Poking and probers is what I call them. They wake you up to give you medicine and then expect you to rest," Sam insisted. "Hey, you should have heard Caleb taking up for you in front of Wade. He demanded Wade leave you alone."
"Really? That sweet old man. I'll have to fix him something special for supper when he comes home."
"Could you bring me something? I'm not much on boiled squash, and instant mashed potatoes." Sam laughed.
"I'll see what I can do. If you promise to behave and take care of yourself."
"I promise."
"You're so easy." She laughed.
"Maybe this will be the end of our troubles?" He smiled at her.
"I hope so."
"Bring me a hamburger and French fries, will ya?"
"Okay, cowboy, you got it. Are you running me off?"
"Of course I am. I don't want you hanging around a hospital. They might decide to strap you into one of these beds." He laughed.
"Okay, I'll go. But hurry and get well. I'll be back tonight." She smiled.
"Hey," he hollered as she was walking out. "How about a kiss…?"
She glanced over her shoulder. "Tonight…"
"It's a date." He laughed.
She stopped off at the nurse's station to ask how bad his injuries were. The nurse checked his chart. "He'll be going home in a day or two. He had a concussion, two broken ribs, and some bad bruising. We're making sure he's not bleeding internally. And his concussion was pretty serious. We don't like letting him out until we are sure he's okay. He won't be able to operate machinery, or drive for a few days."
"Thanks…" Wendy smiled.
That same night Wendy returned and she sat her chair between Caleb and Sam. She held their hands, kissed their cheeks and laughed at all their jokes. By the time she left, Caleb was in great spirits and Sam wanted to go with her.
The next morning, Caleb was sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch. He had a newspaper by his side, he'd just finished a meal, and he was sipping some coffee.
"Well now, how is the other patient this morning?" She smiled and pulled up another rocking chair.
"Cade won't let me get back to work yet. And the girls have been fussin' about me all mornin'. This sittin' around may just be the death of me."
Wendy laughed. "It's probably very good for you right now. You had a rough time of it."
"I guess you done seen Sam this morning?"
"Yeah, I went by, to see if he needed or wanted anything. He was sitting up and they just brought his breakfast. He's anxious to get back here too." Wendy smiled. "But they are going to do some test on him this morning and maybe release him tomorrow if all looks good."
"I tried to thank him for saving my butt, but he scoffed it off as nothing. That boy is from good stock. I never had anyone save me like he done. I owe him."
"Oh, I don't think he's keeping track of that. The way he explained it to me, he wants to do what is right."
Caleb's expression changed. "You heard about Wade?"
"No. What?"
"They are putting him in some sort of holding cell right now. He threw one hissy fit when they sent the doc to him. The doctor ordered a sedative and insisted they wait until he calmed down to examine him. I guess Cade was right. About that bi-polar thing. Never even heard of that before. There was no such thing in my day."
"Just the term they use for it, it's nothing new. It's a manic depressive disorder."
When Caleb looked at her strangely she smiled. "I looked it up online. It's a new word for an old disease. It's a mental illness, where the person becomes manic or depressed or both. They sometimes have a warped sense of the world, which might explain his extreme changes in moods. It also explains why at times Wade can get more done than anyone else. They call them highs and lows. I'm glad they know how to take care of him. I don't think any of us could help him," Wendy said, staring off into the distance.
"Sometimes a man takes on too much in his mind. And later he realizes it is too much. But it's done worked on him. If Wade will do as they say, he might be alright in time. But it's going to take some time, for him to work through all this. I sure hate that it has happened, but I don't reckon any of us could change things."
Wendy's mind was wandering to the past, long ago, when she first met Wade. She'd been star struck then about him. She would have done anything for him. Now things had totally changed. She was the same person, but he might never be again. A sadness settled over her.
"I hope that someday they find a permanent cure for it. I feel so bad for Cade and what he's going through. Being his twin, this has got to shake him up a bit."
"That's true too. And it isn't over by a long shot. Wade might get out of the place and come here again. Then we'll have to deal with that."
"I know. It's depressing just thinking about it."
"My gosh, your sister is a great cook!"
"Which one?"
"Sandy. Although I have no complaints with any of you behind the stove. She comes up with a meat loaf that's to die for. Have you tasted it with fresh baked bread? I didn't know she could do all that. Don't tell her, but I had a bite of it before she cooked breakfast for me." Wendy knew Caleb was trying to take her mind off of the depressing thoughts of the other night when Wade lost it.
"Well, I'll have to try that myself." Wendy glanced at his plate. "She's good about sharing recipes, so I'll hit her up about that one. She is such a happy woman these days. Mike is perfectly content to not let her work, so she is trying to study to be a vet; she's doing that online right now, but later she'll need some field work for credits and she wants to be the best housewife around. And the great part is, she gets to go on some of Mike's location shoots. It's like having a honeymoon all over again."
Caleb smiled. "And what about you? What do you want for your life?"
"I guess this sounds dull by comparison, but I just want to live here on the ranch, work with our terrific crew and keep building the cattle empire my father started. This is home to me, and I don't ever want to leave it. And do you know what the best part is? My sisters are all close to me now. We get along so well. Everything is going so good I have to squeeze myself to make sure it's not a dream. Well, everything but Wade."
"It doesn't sound silly. Some people just belong in places where others don't. Your dad would have been proud that at least one of you wanted to be there. I think."
Wendy glanced at him. "Do you think so?"
"I sure do."
"Dad wanted boys who would take control of the ranch and run it. He got girls. By the time I came along, he was resigned to never having one. But, I want to stay here and run this ranch, or at least help run it. I have to give Wade credit, he taught me a lot about the business and I'm ever grateful for that. I just wish…"
"Yeah…so do I," Caleb finished for her.
She looked at him strangely. He just finished her thought for her.
"I better go see if Sandy needs any help."
"I'll be here…" he grunted with a smile.
Chapter Thirteen
When Sam was released, he was told not to do any heavy lifting or hard work for a week or so, in case the concussion was worse than they thought.
Sam reluctantly agreed.
How was he going to do his job now? They might have to let him go. And the bill at the hospital was a doozy. He couldn't help but worry about his finances and Wendy too. Wendy deserved someone who could support her. But he was growing very fond of her and it was hard not to show it.
As he drove back to the ranch, he thought about Wendy and how she had been up there every day to see him.
And when he drove down to the barn, several of the boys were there and congratulated him for saving Caleb. Hank came out and shook his hand and asked him how he felt.
Sam smiled; he hadn't expected anyone to make over him. He just did what was right.
Cade walked into the barn a few minutes later.
"Sam, how you feeling?"
"Not too bad, Cade. But the hospital wanted me to take it easy the first week back. It's this concussion they are worried about."
"That's reasonable. So take the week off, you deserve it."
"That's mighty generous; I thought maybe I wouldn't have a job when I got back," Sam said.
"After what you did for Caleb, of course you do."
"Much obliged."
Wendy strode into the barn and looked Sam over. "They let you out?"
"Yeah."
Cade saw them staring at each other, and shook his head with a smile. "Sam is to take it easy this week, so that means you too."
Wendy blushed. "Why don't I fix you something to eat. Are you hungry?"
"You know I am. That hospital food just doesn't cut it. Would it be much trouble?" he asked.
"Not at all. I'll come get you when it's ready then." She smiled at him.
He nodded.
"Cade, I know I’m not supposed to be movin' around much, but do you think you could give me some light chores around here? I'm not one to sit idle long. Make me itch."
"I'm sure I can find something."
"Thanks, I get restless when I don't have something to do." Sam flashed him a smile.
"Do you know how to make a rope?"
"I seen my daddy do it. I reckon I could learn," Sam said.
"Good. Caleb will get all the supplies and help. We could use a few."
"Sounds like something I could handle, easily enough."
"Good. I'll be back after lunch and get you and Caleb started then."
"Where is Caleb?"
"I sent him to town to get the supplies. He said he could do it, but I think he might need some help with those ropes."
Sam smiled. "Be glad to."
Cade left and Wendy waved at Sam from the porch. "It's ready," she yelled.
"Be right up…." Sam waved.
She had changed into a navy blue polka dot dress that flattered her figure and made Sam's heartbeat quicken looking at her.
"You look very nice," he said.
"Thank you." Wendy blushed.
"Don't many men tell you that?" he asked curiously when she blushed profusely.
"No, not many." She smiled at him. She gestured to the table. "But then, I don't dress up very often either."
"What's the occasion?" He asked.
"You and Caleb getting out of the hospital." She grinned.
Wendy had set a nice table for them in the kitchen and she'd fixed sandwiches and soup. "I know it's not much, but it is a little better than hospital food. Tomorrow I'll cook you something special."
"You don't have to treat me special."
"Of course I do. You were hurt pretty badly. I've got to nurture you back to health," she insisted.
"Boy the mothering sure comes out in you sometimes."
She'd made ham and cheese sandwiches and vegetable soup. Sam ate every bite, and took the last sandwich when she offered it to him. "Is this homemade soup?"
"Yeah, I like to make it fresh."
"It's great. My mother used to make it like this."
"Really? That's one of the first things I learned to cook. Actually, Dad taught me how. So…how do you feel?" she asked.
"Not bad, my head hurts a little, but I'm not dizzy anymore."
She smiled.
"Say…what happened to Wade?" Sam asked.
"No one told you?" She looked at him with surprise.
"Nope, no one said a word about him."
"He's in a special facility right now. He has to take his medicine regularly for a while, and they have to check to see if it is working for him. When they get him on the right medicine and the right dosage, he should be almost back to normal. Providing he takes his medicine every day."
Sam finished the sandwich and wiped his mouth with the napkin she had laid out for him. "Do you think he will?"
"I don't know. The problem is that Cade won't let him work here anymore. And that could cause more trouble, if he tries to come back. Which I'm sure he will. It's liable to 'cause some real problems."
"Has Cade been to visit him?"
"Yeah, several times. At first it was rough on him, as Wade was very angry. But now that they have started his medicine, he's settling out some," Wendy said. "I just don't know what he'll do when he is released."
"So even if he gets on this medicine and it straightens him out, Cade isn't letting him come back?" Sam frowned.
"That's right. And I know that sounds harsh. It is so hard for Cade. He loves his brother despite everything, and Cade knows how much this place means to Wade. But he said the dangers he presents to everyone else is just too risky. I mean, if Wade got mad and decided not to take his medicine anymore, the same thing could happen again. Or worse. The hospital warned him of that. That's the reason Cade has decided Wade can't come back. He didn't make that decision lightly I can tell you. Julie said she's worried about Cade. He handles everything now, just like Wade used to."
"But what will Wade do? He's been a ranch foreman for so long."
Wendy nodded. "I know. None of us want to contemplate the future right now. Cade's taking it one day at a time. He's trying to figure out what he can do for his brother when he does get back to his old self. But he knows Wade won't take it well when he finds out he can't return here. I can understand that, but I'm glad he isn't coming back just the same."
Sam sighed heavily, and leaned back in his chair. "I really hate that this happened. I'm sorry it came to this. Seems like everywhere I go, there is some kind of trouble."
Wendy put her hand on top of his. "This isn't your fault, Sam. Wade should never have beaten Caleb, or you. He is sick, and somehow he's going to have to face that fact."
"When I saw him jump Caleb, there was pure terror in Caleb's expression. I saw it. I was scared he'd kill him. You should have seen Wade's face. And Hank…if it hadn't been for him, I might not be alive. I saw him for a few minutes before he left. But I didn't get a chance to thank him for all he did."
"Hank's working on the north ridge right now, but he'll be glad to see ya. He said he'd never seen anyone tackle Wade before."
"Well, I can't say that I bested him." Sam smiled.
When lunch was over, he stood up and asked if he needed to w
ash dishes or not. She shook her head.
"Then, I'll be getting to the bunkhouse now. Thanks for the lunch."
She nodded and started to put the dishes in the sink.
But Sam came up to her and lifted her hair and bent to kiss her on the neck as he put his arms around her. "I sure have missed being with you."
"Have you?" she whispered.
Then he turned her around, lifted her chin and planted a sultry kiss to her sweet lips.
"Yes, ma'am." He sighed with a smile and wink.
"I'll fix you some supper if you want some," she said huskily.
"Not tonight. Tonight, I need to rest and sleep a little. Hospitals don't let you sleep long. They come in there all hours of the night wanting to probe this and take that. But tomorrow would be good. If it's no trouble."
"No trouble at all, cowboy." She smiled sweetly as his hands still held her at the waist.
"One more kiss for the road, so I can dream about it?" He smiled.
Wendy started to say something, but his lips claimed hers quickly and she sighed against him, as he gently tugged at her bottom lip, and his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. Wrapped in each other's arms, the kiss lingered, feathering her brow, her nose, her cheek, and back to her waiting lips. Wendy was becoming addicted to his kisses.
"It's good to be back." Sam smiled as he finally released her.
"You're feeling a lot better, I would say." She laughed.
"Much more of your vitals and I'll be fit as any cowboy. Thanks, honey. See you tomorrow." Sam winked and started for the door.
He forgot his hat so she ran to catch up with him. "You forgot…"
She didn't have time to finish the statement before he grabbed her and pulled her close to him again. This time the kiss inflamed her senses. She was aware of the sweet smell of aftershave, the light stubble on his chin, and the way he kissed her today was different. His slight stubble grazed her face, and she felt it grow stiff as the kiss intensified. So aware of everything about this cowboy, she molded herself against him.
He shook his head when he came up for air. "Saying goodbye to you is awfully hard."
Flushed from head to toe, Wendy stared at him.
Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's) Page 10