Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's)

by Hestand, Rita

  After the verdict, everyone yelled and hollered in the courtroom.

  Sam felt shell-shocked.

  He wasn't convicted. He wasn't going to trial. He was again on probation. He could live with that. But could he ever live with what he'd done? And being consistently on probation made telling Wendy how he really felt about her hard. He still had nothing to give to a relationship with her.

  Everyone came up to him congratulating him and Sam was too shocked to move. His head was swimming.

  Sam sat down. When everyone urged him to go, he shook his head. "I need a few minutes…"

  George nodded. "Of course you do, son. Of course you do."

  He'd have never gotten off so light if it hadn't been for George Bennett McKay. He knew that. He owed that old man for everything. And he owed God.

  On his way home, he was mostly silent.

  Cade was sitting beside him and he glanced at him from time to time. "Sam, I know how you are feeling. At least I think I do. It's hard to take it all in. But what you did was save Wendy's life, and I don’t think you've considered that. We all know it, but you haven't come to grips with that part yet. She's alive because of you, Sam. I know what you did was hard. I know you are feeling guilty. But Sam, Wade's my brother, and I have to tell you…I'd have done the same."

  Sam looked at Cade slowly, his eyes finally meeting his. "When I threw the lamp and then the radio at him, I wasn't thinking clearly. I was thinking of stopping him from doing what he was trying to do. When he fell to the floor, I couldn't quite believe it. But I've got to tell you this…I wanted to kill him for what he was trying to do to Wendy."

  "The thing you have to remember is that you saved Wendy," George reminded him.

  "Maybe I did…but it still doesn't sit well that I could have killed him…" Sam admitted. "I've never been that mad before, mad enough to kill."

  "Look Sam…I'm his brother. I know him better than anyone. But he ceased being my real brother a long time ago. He had problems that he couldn't deal with. He wouldn't have done what he did if he'd been sane. He hadn't been sane for a long while and we just never realized it, until we saw those changes taking place. By then, it was too late. Too late for him…you did the right thing, remember that. My brother would never have hurt anyone intentionally. I have to believe that. You have to believe that."

  Sam listened, took it all in. But the guilt didn't go away. He had to find some inner peace about it, to go on.

  But when he got home, Wendy was standing outside on the porch, waiting for him.

  He took one look at her and took her into his arms.

  "Oh God…I love you," Sam cried, with real tears.

  She squeezed him tightly. "Sam, you're home…and I love you too."

  They stood there for a long time just holding each other.

  It would be a while before Sam could shed the guilt and go on, but Wendy seemed to understand it and love him all the more for it.

  But probation seemed to haunt him no matter what. He couldn't do what he wanted to do…not now.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It was a week later before George gathered everyone together. Everyone was in the living room and waiting anxiously to hear what he had to say.

  "This is going to take some time, so everyone grab themselves something to snack on and drink," George suggested. "I'm not usually a long-winded man, but I have a lot to say today."

  He was standing in front of them, dressed like Caleb, in ordinary ranch clothes. But he stood tall and handsome now.

  Julie, Cade and Kellie were sitting together. Hank took an easy chair and Letty sat on the edge of the chair beside him. Mike and Sandy grabbed a bunch of kitchen chairs and sat side by side.

  Wendy and Sam were together and Sam started to leave, but George cleared his throat and shook his head. "Don't go Sam, this includes you too."

  Sam nodded slowly, and held Wendy close as they sat in the other chair side by side.

  George's lawyer was there too, sitting at a small desk in front of everyone.

  He stood up. "Nearly a year ago, I read the will to you girls. Now the letter that was written by your father that he was to open after that year is in my hands now. However, we have discussed it and he wanted to just talk to you about why this has all happened, and what to expect."

  The girls all sat on the edge of their seats, waiting for the revelation.

  George stepped front and center.

  "Can you all hear me?"

  Everyone nodded.

  "Good, we'll wait a few minutes as I've asked all the hired hands to come in and listen. We are a family here on this ranch. We always have been. And I hope sincerely we always will be. The men I've hired through the years have served me well, and I have a lot to say about that too. In fact…I have a lot to say about everything."

  Julie and Letty exchanged glances. "He sounds like Caleb more than Dad."

  "I guess some things don't wear off…" Letty laughed.

  He cleared his throat as the men all came in and filed behind the family to listen. They stood up, but were offered cold drinks and snacks.

  "Get comfortable, pull up a kitchen chair or sit on the floor, I've got a lot to say." George smiled at his men.

  When it got very quiet, George pulled up a comfortable leather chair he had always loved and sat down. He glanced around the room as though making a mental note that everyone was there.

  "I don't intend standing up through all of this. I know you are all wondering why I played dead. First of all, there was a very good reason for my disguise. I wanted my children home, close to me. I wanted to get to know them better. I wanted to learn their individual wishes and wants. And I wanted to see and I do mean see…them happy.

  "I staged my death purposely. Although I knew it cruel in some ways, it afforded me an incredible chance to get to know them as I've never seen them before. It's my fault we all became strangers in this house. I had to rectify it if I could.

  "When Julie left home, it tore at me for ages. I'm not sure I ever got over it, until she came home. And that homecoming was everything I ever dreamed it could be. I got a chance to meet and get to know my only granddaughter. Who has become very important in my life."

  Everyone in the room laughed and glanced at Kellie who was sitting between her mother and father.

  "But it wasn't easy for her. I soon realized that. In the process, I began to understand what she could not face nor tell me. And I understood it, as I've been quite a rascal in my youth also. It also gave me a chance to see Cade Weston in a new light too.

  "I began to notice so many things. It was like my eyes were finally open to what was going on around me. I'd been much too busy before to see any of this. Granted, I worked too hard. I put the ranch first. It was a huge mistake. I made the mistake of wanting to leave my children with so much, and then I quickly realized I had created more trouble for them by doing so."

  He paused and looked directly at Cade.

  "Cade proved to be beyond all my hopes and dreams as the man to succeed after me. He was running this ranch from day to day, just as I had. Not changing much of anything. And he did a great job and I found out just how in touch with his men he really was. Not only that, I realized he had values that mirrored my own. It made me proud. But I must say I did him an injustice as I made him my second man, not my first. I won't go into that right now. Suffice it to say, we have all learned many things since I supposedly departed from this earth."

  A few laughs echoed around the room.

  "Then Letty surprised me with a streak of independence, stubbornness and pride I hadn't really expected of her. I made a silly, not so thoughtful rule for my men. I made them feel inferior when it came to my daughters. Suffice it to say, I was merely protecting my girls, or thought I was, but from all the wrong people. As no one on this ranch has failed me with their qualities.

  "Hank understandably thought himself beneath my daughter because he was a cowboy. Nothing could be further from the truth. I saw a str
ength of character in Hank when he refused to admit his true feelings for my daughter. And a direct stubbornness I admired in him. I also saw that my daughter was more than determined to change his mind. Which I'm proud to say she had the good sense to do. Letty was a woman who knew how to make money, and yet, the most precious thing in her life became unobtainable. Love. But that didn't deter her, I’m happy to say.

  "Then there was Sandy, my…supposedly forgotten daughter."

  His eyes found hers and a tear hovered in his eye.

  "The quiet one, the thinking one, the one who quietly stole my heart many times over and never knew it. To her, I apologize for my oversight. Quietness is not meekness. Sandy had a hard time figuring out what it was she wanted, but I'm proud to say that Mike knew exactly what he wanted and he didn't give up on it, even when he thought he'd lost her. For that I am very proud. I've never seen a couple more suited to each other."

  Then his glance flew to Wendy and Sam.

  "Now we come to my youngest. Young and starry-eyed, Wendy focused her attention on the wrong man, with a crush that lasted much too long. But when the right man came along, she was intelligent enough to recognize it and grab him. So we added Sam to our family group.

  "I want you all to know that I've observed so much being Caleb. I was able to see things so clearly as a different individual. I saw what great men I have working for me. Men of good character. And I've come to have a deep appreciation for all the support that all of you gave Wendy during this time of strife.

  "Now we come down to what my family will someday inherit from me. A year ago, I thought making them all rich was the best I could do for them. But I was sadly mistaken. In fact, it would seem that the money got in the way of their happiness.

  "Already, they have found the richest thing in life is love. And they all chose well.

  "However, I have come to realize that just handing over the McKay fortune to my daughters is not what I should do."

  Murmurings rose throughout the room. But everyone seemed glued to his next words.

  "They chose their men well. They chose love. And above all, I respect that.

  "Therefore, my will is changing as of this moment. That's why I'm having this whole thing recorded as we speak."

  George nodded to the stenographer behind the big desk.

  "First, we come to Cade. He's been my real right hand all along, and I see that now. He runs this ranch. And I'm not going to change that. As he is now the manager in charge of everything on this ranch. I don't give him this job lightly. But knowing all of you as I do, I know you'll continue to give Cade the respect and honor I'm bestowing on him.

  "Then there is Hank. Hank is in charge of the remuda here on the ranch. He will continue to be and he will have the capabilities to hire and fire his own crew as he is a man of the earth and I know he will choose wisely.

  "Now Mike, Mike is different from most of you. He's not a cowboy. But…that doesn't mean he's not one of the most valued members of my family. I've seen moral character in him that is hard to find and I respect him. Self-sufficient or not, Mike is part of my family, and he has an equal say in matters that must be respected.

  "Then we come to Sam."

  George nodded toward Sam. Sam squirmed a bit.

  "Now Sam, as you all know, is a little bit of a hero. He's proven himself to me and to all of you as a man that can't and won't be taken lightly. He has my undying respect and loyalty.

  "Now, my biggest problem became…what do we do with all this money? Which, by the way, took me this long to acquire it all.

  "First of all, I've put aside a handsome amount to fund Cade and Julie in their charitable work. This should allow for the finest equipment needed, and expenses incurred for those children. And I might add I am proud to be a part of something so worthwhile."

  Everyone clapped loudly.

  George nodded. "I thought you'd all be pleased about that. And with their vision, and my money, we can make a real success out of this endeavor and help a lot of children.

  "As you all know, Hank came here as a regular hand, and has worked himself up. He's a modest man and has this attitude that he's not quite good enough for my daughter. An attitude I intend changing. His salary increase will reflect my admiration.

  "Mike, although you make a handsome salary yourself in your own field, funds will be set aside for endeavors for you and Sandy. You find something you want to invest either time or money, I'm behind you one hundred percent. The money will be there to fund it. No matter what it is.

  "And then there is Sam…Sam, like Hank, thinks he's not worthy of my daughter too. I want to erase that from everyone's mind. Sam has more than proved what a man he is and his salary will reflect the work and dedication he shows to the running of this ranch.

  "Now don't get the idea that I've left anyone out. I have not. Instead of giving my daughters money that will only cause them headaches and strife in life, I am making an endowment for every hand on this ranch. Most of which have been with me for years. For your faithfulness and service, all will have an equal share of profits from the ranch each year. Which boils down to a bonus every year of twenty thousand dollars a year added to your salary if not more. This money comes straight from my daughters' inheritance. You've all earned it and I want to see you all profit and live well, so that no one will feel inferior to anyone else here on the ranch. Because we are a family. A big family. And before you ask, no I have not lost my mind, I've found it.

  "To my daughters I say this, 'There will be no endowments given'. I'm not being mean, I am trying to be fair. You've chosen your husband and men well. They are all of good stock and I'm proud of that. I know they will strive to make a wonderful living for you for the rest of your lives.

  "Investments will continue to be made to keep everyone in a stable income. But you've all shown me that happiness does not come from inheriting a fortune. And that a fortune can be a noose around your necks. A noose I don't want to put there.

  "That's one reason I want so much of the money to go to places where it is needed.

  "Now…there is one other thing…and I know this is a touchy subject for us all right now, but it must be dealt with. Wade Weston sits in a Sanitarium where he will live probably for the rest of his life. His problems way exceed ours here. I am making a special fund for Wade, as he was at one time my trusted right hand. He will have the finest care money can buy, for the rest of his life. His brother and family will never be burdened with this expense. I'm doing this out of concern for the man I know he once was, and respect. I will personally see to that. For several reasons. One, he was family. Two, he earned whatever we can do for him. And I think it best for all of us to recognize the importance to this ranch that he gave. And it will help relieve the hurts and the wrongs. You men all have integrity and I am sure you can understand this.

  "So…now I am going to stop talking. But I do want to stress that given the opportunity to be Caleb, I'd do it all over again. And I rather liked being Caleb, so my position is one of retirement, as I plan on doing the same thing Caleb did. I found it a healing balm to me and I wish to continue being a regular hand here on the ranch.

  "I do want to thank you all, and that no problem we have on this ranch is so big that we can't help. Whether it is money, love, or just living. George Bennett McKay is going to be here for you, as long as I live. And it is my wish that it will continue even when I really am gone.

  "I love you all, and that's all the mush I'm gonna be talking today." George smiled.

  His lawyer smiled and nodded.

  His daughters all gathered about him.

  "Oh Dad…I'm so glad you are alive…" Julie cried, hugging his neck. "And thank you for this…Everything you said was so…I don't know…beautiful."

  Letty grabbed his neck and pulled him to her. "You really got an eye-opener, didn't you?"

  "And then some…" Her father smiled at her.

  Sandy silently walked up to him, grabbed him and kissed him on the cheek. "God�
�I've missed you," she cried.

  Wendy stood off to the side, staring at him.

  When he approached her for some kind of reaction, she let a tear roll down her cheek. "I love you, Daddy…" she cried.

  After he hugged her, he cleared his throat. "Let's party; we got a side of beef on the grill now, and Jenkins is coming with his band. Your families are welcome to join us and always will be."

  Hank and Sam huddled together. "I never expected this." Hank shook his head.

  Sam smiled and shook his head. "I still don't know whether to call him George or Caleb."

  The men were all a little shocked that George Bennett McKay would give his money so generously to them all. But they knew him too, and they knew Caleb.

  His generosity was part of what made him so special.

  Julie and Letty stood back in the background of the room and glanced at each other, both with a tear in their eyes. "Our father is something, isn't he? I mean, he really is something."

  Sandy and Wendy joined them. "He sure is…" they both said at once and laughed.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Sam felt he needed to talk to Cade after Mr. McKay revealed all the secrets and his generous heart to them.

  Cade was about to return to work when Sam hollered at him walking toward the barn.

  "You got a minute?" Sam asked.

  Cade turned and studied the man behind him. "Sam, of course I do…"

  "That Mr. McKay is one generous and thoughtful man, isn't he?" Sam said, pushing the toe of his well-worn boot in the ground.

  "Yeah, he is. They don't make many like him." Cade smiled. "He's the reason this place runs so smoothly, the reason so many hands stay with him through the years. And he's quite a character…"

  "Cade…I'm sorry…" Sam began.

  "Sorry? For what?" Cade frowned.

  "A lot of things. Mainly what I did to Wade. It's going to take me some time to reason it all out in my head. But I'll keep trying."

  Cade rubbed his jaw a minute, his frown dissipating. "Sam, you did what you or any man in your situation would have done. Myself included. I would never let him hurt any of the girls, nor anyone on this ranch. I knew it would have to come to something physical with Wade as his mind was no longer working correctly. If it was, he'd have never attacked Wendy like that. All Wendy was ever guilty of was looking up to the man. Julie herself felt the same at Wendy's age. I guess in a way you could say he became bigger than he should have. Even he couldn't take the pressure of it. We all have our breaking point, Sam." Cade glanced at him.