One day, as he stared down at her, he nearly broke down again. "I'm scared of this trial. I mean…I know why I hit him so hard. I know that if I hadn't he'd have hurt you even worse. And I just couldn't let that happen, no matter what. And even though you might not be there, I know your heart will be with me, Wendy. I know that for certain."
He kissed her on the forehead and sat down. He opened up a book by Robert Newton Peck, called Clunie.
As he read to her, he mimicked the voices.
He heard his voice echo in the room.
And as he was about to get some water, he saw a finger move.
He stared at the finger for a long time. Then it moved again. His heart practically jumped out of his chest. He wanted to shout to the world. Wendy was alive and she was going to be alright.
He buzzed for the nurse. A young nurse came running in. "What's going on?"
"She moved a finger," he said as though he couldn't quite believe it.
"She did…Good. That's a good sign. I'll let the doctor know." The nurse left and he flopped back into the chair, his smile spreading slowly, like a flower blooming in the sun. She was going to be alright.
He pulled out his cell phone and called Letty.
"She moved a finger," he almost yelled into the phone.
Unaware that tears ran down his face, he kept repeating it. "She moved her finger."
"Oh God…I'm so glad."
"I know…the nurse went to get the doctor. I'll let you know what they say…"
"Please do, and thanks for letting me know. I'll call Julie and Sandy," Letty was almost shouting now.
"Thanks…"
When the doctor walked in, he examined her and then sighed. "That's a good sign. It might take her some time to make a full recovery, but she should be coming out of it soon. Will you be here all night?"
"If you'll let me stay."
"Of course. Here's my number. Call me if anything else develops. This is definitely a good sign." He grinned at Sam.
The nurse was smiling too, as she plumped her pillow and checked all her vitals again then recorded them.
"Let me know if anything happens, right away."
"Do people come out of it real quick, or does it take a while?"
The nurse shrugged. "It depends. Sometimes they sit right up and snap out of it, other times they slowly begin to move and open their eyes and talk. There is no one way. But moving her finger means she's trying to come out of it. I don't know what you said, but it must have had some impact." The nurse smiled and left the room.
Sam took her hand and squeezed it.
Chapter Twenty
"Alright, Dad. I know you are under a lot of stress from what's happened to Wendy. We all are, but don't you think it's time to come clean and let us in on what is going on with you?" Julie insisted. "I've got to admit, several times I thought I heard your voice. Sometimes I would look at you and think…it's him. But you somehow disguised your face and your voice. I don't understand how you accomplished it."
"I know, I had a professional make-up man rework my face; it was part make-up, part-mask. And I listened to a lot of tapes on speaking differently, you know like the people do on TV that cut out their accents. It helped. I gotta admit I thought you'd all guess quickly. But…no, I'm not explaining, not until Wendy gets out of the hospital and comes home. I won't explain myself twice. Suffice it to say, I'm alive, and I had a purpose. I also have a lot to make right around here too," George said as he studied his oldest daughter. "I'm glad you are home, Julie…"
The way he said that had Julie reeling on her feet. She saw the sincerity in her father's face, and she ran to him and hugged him. "I'm glad you are still alive…" she said. "Oh God, you don't know how glad." She choked on her words as she hugged him tighter.
"How's Cade doing?" he asked, concern sweeping over him as he pulled away to look into her eyes.
"He's dealing with it. Wade came to last night and I think he's a little numb about it all. They were twins so it has affected Cade a lot. But I think he'll be fine, in time. He doesn't hold any grudges as far as Sam. He knew Sam had to act fast. But it is hard on him to come to grips with how bad Wade really was."
"I know that. I wish I could help him, but this kind of thing is something that has to heal from the inside out. No one can do it for you. And there is so much he'll have to deal with as Wade tries to heal from this."
Julie shot her father a look of empathy. She had missed him so and now to have him sitting here next to her seemed almost unreal. "He doesn't blame anyone, not even himself. He told me he'd have done the same as Sam if he'd been there."
George's expression changed to wistful. "I'm glad he understands. You know Julie, I've made some misjudgments in my time, but I think Cade is the biggest one I ever made."
Julie came to sit in a chair opposite her father in the living room. "What do you mean?"
"I gave Wade all the credit for running this place, when all this time I should have recognized it was Cade that kept things going over the years. The top dog, or top hand, is never the one that does the most work. Wade was good at giving orders, good at managing, but he didn't have a repore with his men. The men respected him, but it was Cade they turned to. Because it was Cade that ran things. I see that now. I see so many things more clearly now than I ever did before. Believe it or not, being Caleb taught me a lot about running this place right."
Julie nodded. "I can't blame you entirely for that, Dad. I made the same assumptions when I was younger about Wade and Cade. I worshipped Wade almost as much as Wendy once did. But he was like an icon to the place, not the real boss."
"Yes, I've been able to see that much more clearly since I've been Caleb." George chuckled. "It gave me an opportunity to see the problems that have built up over the years and the problems coming in the future. It's given me a guide to go by and I aim to make a few changes around here soon."
Julie reached for his hand. "I'm glad you are still here. I'm also glad you are here to help Cade, because right now…he needs you…."
George squeezed her hand. "I adore my granddaughter. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter little girl. I'm so glad I've gotten to know her. Have you told her who I am yet?"
"No…I thought I'd let you do the honors." Julie smiled.
"Maybe I should do that now. Just one on one…"
"She's down at the barn…Dad." Julie smiled.
"Good. And let me know if the hospital calls," he said, clearing his throat as though he had choked on something.
"I will."
~*~
Kellie was combing her horse down and when he came in, she glanced at him. She was dressed in overalls and had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was growing every day it seemed. He had missed so much with her, but he wouldn't have traded the last few months for all those years.
"Hello…"
George grumbled in his throat. She didn't recognize him at all.
"Kellie…" he began and then suddenly realized he didn't know what to say to her. How could he make a child understand?
She twisted her head when she looked at him again. "Are you really my grandpa?" she asked, her brows nearly meeting at her nose.
"Yes I am…But how did you know?"
"I heard Mom and Dad talking about it the night Aunt Wendy went into the hospital."
"And what do you think about me being your grandpa?"
"What happened to Caleb?" she asked as though he'd disposed of the old man himself.
"Kellie, I was Caleb. That is…I was disguised as Caleb," he explained, knowing his explanation left a lot of loop holes he'd have to fill.
Kellie turned on him. "How could you do that? How could you play dead? My mom was so hurt when she thought you died. But how could you be another person?"
His frown deepened. This was more complicated than he thought.
"I had my reasons," he began.
"No." She stopped what she was doing and came closer. "I mean, how could you look so different?"
"Oh…well, it was make-up and sort of like a mask I wore. A very professional job…I suppose, because it worked."
She nodded slowly. "Like they do on TV, I guess. Like a costume for Halloween or something?"
"That's the idea," he began.
"Did you like being Caleb?" she asked out of curiosity.
"Yes…yes I did. It gave me a chance to see everyone in a new light. To look at things differently. To understand people better. And to know what I had to do…"
She shrugged as though that information did her absolutely no good. "I liked Caleb better."
He stared at her. "You did?"
"Yeah. He was someone I could come to and talk to. He listened to me. And he helped me accept my mom and dad. I loved Caleb."
"You don't think you could love me?" he asked, hurt that she felt that way.
"I don't know. Maybe…someday." She shrugged again. "I'd never play dead with my kids…"
"You wouldn't?" he asked.
"No…Mom cried a lot when she found out you were dead."
"I'm sorry for that." He pulled her around to look at her face. "Kellie, meeting you has been one of the best things about playing Caleb. Because you opened right up to me, and talked to me. I have to admit, I was a lonely man…until you came along. Trouble was, I didn't know I was lonely. But when you came into my life, the loneliness was gone."
Kellie's expression changed. "Lonely?"
"Yes, lonely." He smiled into her face. "I'd longed for a grandchild so long. I thought I'd never see one before I died. And then you walked into my life. You brought so much sunshine."
"I did!" Kellie's expression changed and her hand fell on his shoulder now.
"You see, honey. I missed your mother. She'd been gone so long and it didn't look as though she'd ever come home. So I pretended to be dead to bring them all home again. I missed everyone terribly. And I didn't know how to bring your mother home. I knew there were things I didn't know. But none of that mattered when they all came home. I was so happy. So fulfilled."
"Isn't that like lying though?" she insisted with a frown.
"Yes, a little. Well, maybe a lot. But we had always been a tight knit family before. Then Julie left and Letty, and Sandy was about to leave. I just couldn't bear it that they were all running away from me. I wanted them home. I wanted to be a family again."
Kellie studied him a moment. "Family is important. I didn't have much of a family before…just Mom. It's a lot better now, being with my Mom and Dad and my Aunts and new Uncles."
"Do you think you could come to care for me…as much as you did for Caleb?" he asked.
"I don't know…" she began then pouted at him. "What do I call you?"
"You can call me Grandpa, Papa, Pops, anything you like," he assured her. "Even Caleb if you want to."
She thought about it a moment. "I think I like Papa the best."
"Okay, Papa it is." He smiled at her.
She started to walk away then turned to look at him. Suddenly, she ran to him and hugged him tight.
"What was that for?" he asked with surprise as he hugged her back with a smile.
"Because you look lonely…and I know how that feels. Besides, you are still Caleb, aren't you?"
"Well," He scratched his chin. "I guess I am."
"Then I'm going to call you Papa Caleb. Is that okay?"
George took her in his arms, kissed her lightly on the cheek and smiled. "That's very okay. Can you forgive me?" he asked.
She nodded. "Mom says it's important to forgive. She said forgiving makes you feel better. But I still…have to get used to you."
"Caleb wasn't as good looking, was he?" he asked with a smile.
"No, but he had the kindest face. I got used to him. I guess I'll get used to you…in time."
"Good, that's a start."
"But don't do this again; I'm not used to multi-personalities." She smiled.
"It's a deal." He shook her hand. At least he'd made peace with his granddaughter.
Chapter Twenty-One
Wendy was released from the hospital a few days later when she suddenly sat up and asked for some hot chocolate. Sam was so shocked he was jumping out of the chair.
She looked at him and slowly began to smile again.
He ran up and down the halls telling everyone she was awake and talking.
After she was examined thoroughly and watched for another forty-eight hours, they released her and she went home.
The girls couldn't wait on her enough. And they had switched her room to another down the hall. They were afraid it might traumatize her to be in that room. Especially since the doctor told them that sometimes in cases like hers the patient reverts back if there is shock.
So Julie and Letty repainted the guest bedroom, and the men moved all her furniture and stuff to the new bedroom. They shut her old bedroom off and began renovating it to some degree so that when she did venture there, it wouldn't remind her.
Wendy was quiet most of the time, but the girls got her to laughing after she adjusted to her new surroundings.
Sam visited her every day, telling her how much he loved her and how things would work out.
But deep down, he was still very worried about leaving her. Going to prison wouldn't be easy on her.
So the day of his hearing, he kissed her goodbye as though it were the last time he'd see her.
She looked up into his eyes and smiled sadly. "Don't be afraid, Sam; I will be with you in spirit and mind."
"I know…" he whispered just before he kissed her one last time.
~*~
Strangely, the courtroom was filled with all the boys from the ranch that day. Sam shook hands with all of them and told them how much he appreciated them being there.
George, Hank, Cade and Mike, as well as the lawyer George had introduced him to, all sat just behind him.
The judge made a speech about the case, saying it was not a trial as an investigation had taken place and the findings would determine if a trial was necessary.
Sam's brow shot up. He was guilty. There had to be a trial. But he was silent through the proceedings. Through experience he knew that being quiet was the best he could do for now.
In the end, the judge considered the case and nodded after a lengthy speech on the law; the judge concluded that the only part that was unclear was why Sam broke into the house and hit Wade several times.
"Your Honor. Wade Weston was already arrested on assault charges and judged mentally incompetent at one point. When he returned to the ranch, where there was a restraining order for him not to go near it, he broke the restraining order. He was known for violence. When Sam Jamison heard the screams, he knew the victim was at risk. He was defending her."
The judge nodded. "But that move also violated his probation."
"Judge," George stood up, objecting. "He was the one that defended my daughter. If he hadn't taken action, she might be dead today…"
"Objection, your Honor," the prosecutor objected.
The judge hit his gaffle and quieted the room once more.
"That will be taken under consideration. And after a brief break, I will rule on that matter."
He hit his gaffle once more and everyone left the courtroom.
Sam walked and paced and squirmed as he waited in custody for the judge to rule on the hearing.
All the others stood out in the hallway pacing, talking and discussing it. The ranch hands sat with George and his sons-in-law.
"I sure hope the judge is lenient," one of the boys said.
"He better be," said another.
"It's all gonna be fine," George said as though he knew the outcome already.
"The breaking probation is the only real problem, the way I see it," Hank fretted.
"It is, but the reason for it was obvious," George said.
"Sam's sure been through a lot, for as young as he is." Mike shook his head.
"That's true. He's had a hard time of it. But I feel as though t
hings are going to get much better for him soon," George said quietly.
"I hope you are right," Cade said. "He feels so darn guilty, I wish I could relieve his mind of that. It's gonna take him longer to get over the guilt than it will take Wendy to fully recover."
"That's true." George hung his head. "But at least he knows we are all behind him. I don't think that boy has had anyone stand up beside him before. At least he sure doesn't act like it."
When court convened, Sam sat with his head hung, ready to hear that he would go to trial for breaking and entering and assault on Wade Weston.
The judge waited until the courtroom filled, then he began. "This is an unusual case. As was the case that this young man endured over a supposedly stolen car. I have read the transcripts on it too. It is true that Sam Jamison severely wounded Wade Weston. It is also true that Wade Weston was mentally unstable by a court ruling and that he was under restraint not to go to this ranch. He did so without restraint. He attacked a young lady, in which I have doctor affidavits and pictures of the victim. It is also true that the intent was to prevent Wade Weston from attacking this young lady, not mentioned by name. He was verbally warned to cease the attack, and he did not do so. Thereby Sam Jamison attacked him, nearly killing him. The defendant has admitted to his guilt. He has also admitted he broke probation. Therefore, I must rule on the case as a whole.
"The case of Wade Weston's being attacked is dismissed as the end result was saving a girl's life. But…the breaking probation to do so is under consideration. Since Sam Jamison was on probation, I hereby sentence him to two years for that violation…however, those two years will be served on another probation of three years and under the supervision of working for Mr. George Bennett McKay. If this violation is broken in any way, Sam Jamison will serve his two years in prison. And if he lives up to his probation, he will be a free man in three years."
Sam sat stiffly, listening to the judge. His eyes were wide with surprise. Probation? That was all?
"Court dismissed." The judge glanced at Sam and his face remained stone-like.
Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's) Page 14