Texas Rebels: Falcon

by Linda Warren

  “I can’t wait for us to move into our own home. Thank you for letting us have the old house. I know it’s a lot of work to move everything y’all have stored there, but it’s perfect for us.”

  She’d mentioned the old house before and he never realized how important it was to her to have a home. They’d made plans, but Falcon had never got around to completing them. Once again he felt as if he had failed her.

  As if reading his thoughts, she said, “I’ve never had my own home. When we lived in Alabama, we rented, and then my mom died and my dad and I moved to Texas to live with my aunt. I’ve always wanted my own place. A place I could call home. And now I will have that with Falcon and our new baby. I’m so happy.”

  The light in her eyes reflected her feelings and how he wished he could go back and be more aware of her emotions at that time. He’d kept putting off cleaning out the house because he’d worked from sunup to sundown and he hadn’t had any energy left.

  She placed her hand over her swelling stomach. “I know Falcon wants a boy. He won’t say that, but I just can’t see him raising a girl. Can you?”

  Falcon twisted the Stetson in his hand. “Oh, I think he would love a little girl to death.”

  “If it’s a boy, we’re going to name him John. We’re undecided on a girl’s name. I like Eden, but Falcon wants to name her Jessie or Josie or something like Belle.”

  “I like Eden.”

  “Do you? I like it, too.”

  Leah looked out the window and there was silence for a moment. Then she glanced at him. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed in us.”

  He didn’t have a clue as to what she was talking about so he remained quiet, hoping she would elaborate. When she didn’t, he said, “I’m not disappointed.”

  “But you wish we’d been more careful about getting pregnant. I know we’re young, but we’re in love and we can make it work. I just...”

  “What?”

  “Sometimes I feel as if Falcon married me because I’m pregnant. He has a hard time saying I love you. I know he does, but sometimes I wonder.”

  A chill settled over Falcon. It was a surreal moment to get a glimpse of her feelings back then, something she hadn’t voiced to him at the time.

  He gauged his words carefully, trying to say them as his father would. “I know my boy pretty well and I can honestly say he loves you with all his heart. Yes, you’re going to be parents at a very young age, but Kate and I were young, too.”

  She touched her chest. “Thank you, Mr. Rebel. Could you do me a favor, please?”

  “Anything.”

  “Could you let Falcon off early so he can come visit?”

  I’m here. Please recognize me. Look into my face and see your husband. Please, Leah.

  “Sure,” he replied when she kept staring at him.

  “Thank you,” was all she said, and he left the room because he couldn’t say anything else. The visits were getting too hard, but he didn’t know what else he could do until she regained her memory.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A time to cry...

  Eden’s birthday arrived and Falcon decided to go home for the day so one of her parents would be there to celebrate. He had Quincy searching for a truck for her and he’d found one in Temple. It would be delivered and Falcon wanted to be there to see her face. It was a white four-wheel-drive with all the extras. And Grandpa and the uncs had bought her a horse trailer to go with it.

  He’d never been away this long from Rebel Ranch and he yearned for home, but not as much as he yearned for his wife to get well.

  There was no change in Leah that morning, so he headed home and was on the ranch in time for breakfast. He called to let his mother know he was coming, and the house was festive with balloons and banners and streamers for his daughter’s birthday.

  Falcon slipped outside to breathe in the fresh country air he’d missed so much. Home—there was no place like it. He headed for the barn to saddle up Titan. It had been too long since he’d been on a horse. He whistled and Titan galloped for the barn. Within minutes he had a saddle on him and rode for the open outdoors. He gave Titan his lead and they flew over brittle coastal patches and dried weeds. He slowed the horse as they reached the woods. But he kept riding, checking cattle to see how the herds were doing. The salt and mineral blocks were out and round bales of hay were in each pasture. The ranch was doing fine without him.

  The cold north wind blew against him and he buttoned his sheepskin coat. His nose was cold, but it felt good to be outdoors again. For some reason he rode toward the McCray property and saw Gunnar and Malachi near the fence. Their horses stood some distance away.

  He rode to about twenty feet from them. Gunnar looked up. “Well, Rebel, you made it home. I heard in town that Leah returned, but she has a tumor or something and you’ve been by her bedside.”

  Falcon didn’t show any emotion on his face. “You heard correctly.”

  Gunnar shook his head. “Man, Leah didn’t deserve that.”

  Falcon didn’t miss the fence cutter that Malachi was holding behind his back. In a neighborly spirit, he said, “When are you going to stop cutting our fences? When is this feud going to end? Life is too short to keep this up.”

  “We will never stop!” Gunnar shouted. “Your dad killed our uncle.”

  “But that’s not our fight. It’s time to let it go.”

  Gunnar swung into the saddle, as did Malachi. Still trying to hide the fence cutter. “Never. You’re getting weak, Rebel.”

  “You have kids, Gunnar. What would you do if someone shot them...in cold blood?”

  “Shut up.”

  Seemed he’d hit a nerve so he thought he’d give them a warning. “While I’m away Jericho will be keeping an eye on the fences and he’s not near as nice as I am. If he sees a fence cutter in your hand near the fence, like Malachi has now, he’ll slit your throat and feed you to the buzzards piece by piece. You see, Jericho has nothing to lose and he’s fiercely loyal to the Rebels.”

  Gunnar jerked his horse’s bridle and he and Malachi galloped away.

  Falcon nudged Titan closer to the fence to make sure it wasn’t cut. It wasn’t. He’d gotten there just in time. He’d have to tell Jericho and the brothers to keep a close eye on this area of the ranch.

  When he made it back to the house, everyone had arrived, including Egan and Rachel, his uncle Gabe, Gabe’s wife, Lacey, and their daughter, Emma. The whole family was together to celebrate, even Jericho.

  After lunch, they all went outside for the big surprise. Quincy had the truck and trailer parked near the back door and Eden just stared.

  She smiled at Falcon. “Is that mine?”

  Quincy put an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, ma’am. The truck is from your dad and mom. The trailer is from the uncs and Grandpa.”

  “But Grandpa gave me the silver dollars.”

  “Now don’t go quibbling about what Grandpa gives you. Just enjoy it.” Grandpa took her hand and led her toward the truck and trailer. “Let’s see if you can drive it with the trailer attached.”

  “No sweat.”

  Zane jumped into the passenger seat and for the next thirty minutes Eden backed that trailer up to everything imaginable on the ranch, smiling as if she’d won the lottery. She was happy for this moment in time. But the sadness lurked just beyond the surface.

  Seeing how happy Eden was to be home with the family, he talked her into staying. It wasn’t easy, but in the end she gave in. He wanted her to enjoy some of her senior year and be with her friends. And he promised to call the first moment there was a change in Leah.

  There was a sad moment as he hugged his daughter goodbye, but he knew it was the right decision. The sadness was dragging them both down and Eden needed to be away from the hospital for a while.

&
nbsp; But he missed her in that big house in Houston. He hoped Leah’s condition would turn around soon.

  Becoming wary that Leah would ever regain her memory, he scheduled an appointment with Dr. Morris. As always the doctor pulled out books and graphs to explain Leah’s brain and what was happening.

  Falcon waved a hand. “I don’t want to see those again. All I know is Leah is not regaining her memory. Her brain should have healed by now. I want an honest answer. Is Leah ever going to regain her memory? Is she ever going to remember me or our daughter?”

  “I’ve seen things happen with the brain that can’t be easily explained. This is one of them. My team keeps a close eye on everything she does. She’s in a repetitive mood. She does the same thing every day. I want to shake that up, but I’m waiting because of the baby. Right now the baby is our top priority. Until she gives birth, I can’t use any aggressive measures. But rest assured I have every faith she will regain her memory.”

  But will she remember that she loves me? There it was. That’s what was bothering him. When Leah woke up would she see the world differently? Would she see him differently? Finally he asked the doctor because he had to know.

  “I have every faith that Leah’s emotions and feelings will be the same, so please stop worrying.”

  “No offense, Doc, but this has been a nightmare.”

  “I know. Leah is lucky to have you here. She will need you when she regains her memory. After the baby is born, I will try some aggressive treatments to stimulate her synapses. But I’m counting on the delivery to do more than I can. The pain of childbirth may change something in her brain.”

  Falcon could do nothing else but trust the doctor. But his faith and trust were waning.

  He talked to Eden about three times a day and he’d made the right decision in insisting she stay home. She was back in school and doing well, but of course she missed her mother.

  The days seemed to never end and the ranch was the last thing on his mind. But the brothers were handling the winter months and he was proud of the way they had stepped up, making sure the cattle were closely watched and fed.

  He was beginning to wonder if the nightmare would ever end.

  * * *

  ONE MORNING IN early March he woke up around 4 a.m. Something bothered him and he couldn’t explain it. All he could think was that Leah needed him. He got up, dressed and headed for the hospital.

  As he got off the elevator, his cell buzzed. He immediately answered. “Mr. Rebel, this is Dr. McNeil’s PA. She asked that you come to the hospital immediately.”

  “I’m here.” As the words left his mouth, Leah’s door opened and she was pushed out on a stretcher. Dr. McNeil and several members of her team were there. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Rebel, Leah is hemorrhaging and we have to get her to surgery immediately to do a C-section. The baby’s pulse is very low and we don’t have a choice. We have to go. You can wait in the waiting room.”

  An invisible balled fist slammed into his chest. Leah was losing the baby. Oh, God, no. No! He walked into her room and sank to the floor, leaning his back against the wall. He’d been waiting for something, but not this. She’d fought so hard for the baby and now... Tears rolled from his eyes and all his strength pooled into a valley of tears around his heart. This was too much even for him. He wiped away another tear and tried to gain control, but strong men sometimes cried, too, even if they were a Rebel. He drew up his knees and cried like he’d never cried before. He never allowed himself that luxury when his dad had died. But now he couldn’t control it. Hard sobs shook his body.

  After a few minutes, he got to his feet and wiped away the last of the tears. For his wife and daughter he regained his composure. The cell phone was still in his hand and he called Quincy.

  Quincy’s sleepy voice answered. “What is it?”

  “Bring Eden to Houston. They’ve taken Leah into surgery. I think she’s losing the baby and Eden needs to be here. I don’t want her driving by herself.”

  “I’m on it. Don’t worry. I’ll get her there just as soon as I can.”

  “Thanks, brother.”

  Falcon made his way to the surgery area, but he couldn’t sit. He paced the hall outside the big double doors. It was too soon—eleven weeks too soon. The baby didn’t have much of a chance. The nurse offered him coffee and he gladly accepted it, waiting for Dr. McNeil to come out and tell him the news. This wait was like nothing he’d ever experienced before because no matter what happened he’d have to be strong enough to handle it. And he didn’t know if he could.

  Dr. Morris arrived and went into surgery. Maybe, just maybe, Leah might regain her memory. But then, how did he tell her the baby was gone? He continued to pace because his thoughts were torturing him.

  Finally, Dr. McNeil came out, still in scrubs. Blood was on the front of her clothes and Falcon swallowed the lump in his throat.

  “Did she lose the baby?” he asked before she could say a word.

  Dr. McNeil shook her head. “No, but it was close. If we had been five minutes later the baby would’ve died. The umbilical cord was tied around his neck, but you have a new baby son in the neonatal unit. He weighs three pounds one ounce and they’re checking him over.”

  “He?” Falcon’s knees buckled and he reached out to brace himself on the wall. They hadn’t wanted to know the sex of the baby until the birth.

  “Yes. We were lucky that Leah started to hemorrhage and that the nurse noticed the blood on the bed. That saved the baby from being stillborn. You got lucky, Mr. Rebel.”

  Lucky? Was she kidding?

  “The nurse will direct you to the neonatal unit. Dr. Young will take over now. He is a great doctor, so you don’t have to worry. Your son is in very good hands. Dr. Morris is with Leah, so he’ll be out to talk to you soon.” She held out her hand. “Good luck, Mr. Rebel. I know this has been an ordeal, but you’re due for some good news.”

  “Thank you,” he replied, shaking her hand.

  Falcon’s heart pounded so fast that his chest hurt, but in a good way. They had a son. The baby was okay. Small, but okay. For a moment he stood there giving thanks for a son who had been given a chance, the way Leah had wanted. Now Leah had to survive this, too. But he knew it was still touch and go for both of them. He would remain strong, as always, and as the doctor had said they were due for some good news.

  Falcon was torn about where to go—to the neonatal unit or to wait for Dr. Morris. He figured his son was being attended to so he waited. Soon the doctor came out.

  “They’re taking her to Recovery and I will be there when she wakes up. I’m hoping for the best.”

  “You mean...?”

  “Yes, I’m praying there’s a change in her memory. You can check on your son and then meet me in SICU. She will wake up in about an hour.”

  Falcon vigorously shook the man’s hand. “I’m going to see my son and I’ll see you in an hour. If she wakes up sooner, you know my number.”

  The doctor’s lips twitched into a smile, something Falcon felt he never did. “I have it memorized.”

  Falcon headed for the elevators. It opened and Eden and Quincy got off. Eden ran to him.

  “Daddy, did Mom lose the baby?”

  Falcon grabbed her and hugged her so tight she probably couldn’t breathe. “You have a baby brother and he’s in the neonatal unit. He’s very small and not out of the woods, but he’s alive.”

  “Oh, Daddy.” Eden began to cry. “And Mama?”

  “She’s in recovery and the doctors are hoping for the best and we have to do the same. Now let’s go see the new addition to our family.”

  Nothing prepared Falcon for the sight of his tiny son. He was hooked up to tubes and needles and monitors in an incubator, or a warming bed as the nurse called it. But Falcon saw his little c
hest rising and falling. He was breathing. He was alive. Tears stung his eyes once again but this time he was in total control. They’d been given a miracle. Now he waited to find out about Leah.

  A man came out of the unit dressed in scrubs. “I’m Dr. Steven Young. I met you in Dr. McNeil’s office.”

  “Yes. How is my son?”

  “He’s a preemie, but a fighter. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Later, I will allow you in to touch and hold him. I like the parents to have contact as soon as possible so the baby will form a connection to you. You’ll have to put on a gown.”

  “No problem. I’m sure his mother will want to touch him, too.”

  Eden poked Falcon in the ribs. “And my daughter, too.”

  “Family is the best medicine for preemies. They respond to it and I’m sure he’d be happy to get to know his big sister.”

  “Thank you,” Eden replied.

  “Mr. Rebel.” Falcon turned to see one of Dr. Morris’s team behind him. “Your wife is coming around and Dr. Morris wants you in SICU.”

  “Stay with Quincy,” Falcon said to his daughter. “I’ll come back as soon as I can. Keep an eye on your little brother.”

  Falcon walked as fast as he could to the same unit he had so many months ago and once again he was holding his breath for good results. He was shown into the room. Dr. Morris and two other members of his team were standing around Leah’s bed.

  Monitor lines were attached to her head and her chest and there was an IV in her arm. Once again she was pale, so pale. She lay still and motionless and his stomach gave way to a foreboding feeling. Was she okay?

  Dr. Morris motioned him forward. “Talk to her about anything so she can hear your voice, a familiar voice.”

  He reached for her limp hand and caressed it. “Hey, beautiful lady. I love you. Open those gorgeous eyes. Just wake up. That’s all I want you to do. Can you hear me, Leah? Can you hear me?” He kept talking, saying anything that came into his head, but Leah remained still and unresponsive. Anger shot through him and he motioned to the doctor to meet him outside.