by Sable Hunter
“I seem to recall Nathan had an imaginary friend for a few months after our parents’ accident,” Isaac muttered softly as he arranged crackers on his plate.
The statement floored Nathan for a moment. He’d forgotten all about that.
Case raised his chubby arm. When Aron pointed at him, he announced loudly. “He ain’t magi-nary. I seed him.”
“You seed…saw who?” Jacob asked his little nephew.
“That man. I just saw him once though. Colt sees him all the time.”
Nathan looked at Cady, who met his eye and shrugged. He’d noticed nothing odd and apparently neither had she.
“What does he look like?” Skye asked with interest.
Case lifted his shoulders. “Like a cowboy.”
“Interesting,” Noah mused as Libby returned with Colt in tow.
“He took three of my homemade rolls to share with his friend.” She held up the napkin full of bread.
“He’s hungry. He said he misses good home cooking,” the tyke announced as he flounced into his chair with his mouth pooched out. “I was just trying to help him.”
“Imaginary friends have imaginary appetites,” Noah stated with logical aplomb.
“He’s real,” Colt insisted, responding to his uncle’s point. “He said you were doing better since Aunt Skye. Before that, he said you went around with a corncob up your…”
Libby managed to capture her son’s last word with a quick hand over his mouth as every adult at the table broke out into gales of laughter. “Enough of that.”
“Whoever Colt’s friend is – he knows you pretty well, Noah.” Isaac ladled himself a bowl of gumbo. “Man this smells divine, Cady-girl.”
“Thank you.” She acknowledged his compliment as she placed a bowl in front of her husband. “Libby did most of the work, I just put it together.”
“Nonsense. I merely played sous-chef.” Libby made sure the twins had everything they needed.
“Sit down, Libby. I got your food all dished up.” Aron patted the place on his right. “You’ve been going like a house on fire since five o’clock this morning.”
“All right.” She sat down with a sigh. “It does feel good to get off my feet.”
Aron looked at her with concern. “Maybe we should cancel the outing.”
“Nonsense.” Libby waved away the idea. “You all need to get away and I’m as right as rain.”
“What outing?” Nathan asked, confused. His skin was prickling, picking up undercurrents on every hand. Everybody seemed to be hiding something. Of course, this was the nature of people – he just wished he was less aware of the fact. “Am I invited?” he asked in a joking manner, half afraid he’d be the one left behind to keep things going.
“Absolutely.” Jacob said with certainty. “I think it will do us good to spend some time together.”
“Just you guys, huh?” Avery leaned to kiss Isaac on the cheek. “I guess that’ll be okay.” She glanced at the other ladies. “Maybe we should have a party while they’re gone.”
“Hey. Hey.” Aron held up one hand. “Now, there’s no call for you girls to get outta hand.”
“Oh, I think we can be trusted on our own,” Libby told him with infinite patience. “At least for a couple of days.”
“We’ll look out for one another,” Cady promised the group as a whole. “You all need to do the same.”
“So, where are we going and when are we leaving?” Nathan was excited by the prospect of a trip with his brothers.
“Well, we’re staying on the ranch.” Seeing his younger brother’s disappointment, he was quick to add. “I thought we’d bring in the herd from the northern quadrant and make a camping trip out of the cattle drive.”
“Sleep under the stars? Do some exploring?” Nathan could see the possibility of a fun time. “Count me in. When do we leave?”
Chapter 2
Two days later:
Nathan sat high in the saddle as he surveyed Tebow Ranch from high atop a rocky ridge. “Most beautiful view in the world.” His eye followed the Guadalupe as it wound itself like a ribbon of blue among rolling green hills studded with spreading oak trees and fat, sleek cattle.
“You’re right about that,” Jacob agreed as he urged his mount up the steep trail. “There’s no place like home.”
From behind them, hoofbeats could be heard as the other four McCoys joined them. In a few moments, the six brothers were lined up on the crest of the mesa like a scene from an iconic western.
With a contented smile on his face, Aron breathed deeply of the fresh air. “This camping trip was a fine idea, Jacob.”
“I think so. We can do some fishing, tell yarns around the fire, and catch up with one another.”
“Catch up? For the most part, we all still live under one roof, Jacob. How much catching up do we need to do?” Pushing his Stetson back on his head, Noah took a sip of water from his canteen. “I think this would be a terrific opportunity to work on our ten-year plan.”
“Ten-year plan?” Isaac groaned as his dapple stallion danced in place. “Oh, don’t start that, egghead. This is supposed to be a fun trip, not a business symposium.”
Noah headed his paint mare down the path before them, sidestepping around prickly pear and small boulders. “You’d do well to pay more attention to your business, badass. What was your profit margin for the last quarter?”
“Good grief, Noah.” Joseph scoffed as he pulled on the reins to dissuade the high-strung stallion he rode from charging headlong down the steep slope. “Isaac runs Hardbodies for his own enjoyment, not to make money. Between the ranch and the royalties his romance-writing wife earns, our brother’s in high cotton.”
“Don’t go worrying your pretty little head over my affairs, Noah,” Isaac added. “My bar is doing just fine.”
“Yea, your bar’s a fine front for that sex dungeon in the basement.” Aron shook his head in mild disapproval as he swatted at a horsefly buzzing around his head. “I can’t believe Avery puts up with your nonsense.”
“Huh.” Isaac chuckled. “Avery loves it. When she cracks her whip, I come running.”
“Please. TMI!” Nathan exclaimed. “I don’t need to hear this. Come on, Buck, let’s go.” He clicked his tongue and set his mount down the hill at a gallop.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Aron whistled softly to Jacob. “When are we going to talk to him?”
Jacob grinned. “Not tonight. Let’s save it for the trip home.”
From a short distance ahead, Nathan raised his cowboy hat high in the air. “Yee-haw. Last one to the hunting cabin is light in the jeans!”
“Ha!” Isaac laughed as he leaned over the neck of his horse. “I’m ready for a pissing contest anytime you are, junior!”
With whoops and hollers, the six McCoy brothers took off, racing across the meadow and over the next hill. Glancing over his shoulder, Nathan could see his lead was dwindling. Flicking his reins over Buck’s withers, he gave the stallion his head. “Come on, let’s make ‘em eat our dust!”
Seeing their younger brother was winning, the others urged their mounts on. However, Nathan’s lead was too great to overcome. With a triumphant yell, he raced up to the hitching post and slid out of the saddle. “So old, so slow.” He grinned cheekily as the rest rode up to join him.
“Yea, your head-start didn’t hurt none.” Aron mused as he lowered himself from the saddle to the ground. “Damn, I’m gonna be sore as the dickens. I hope Libby packed some liniment in my saddlebag.”
“Libby has spoiled you rotten, old man,” Noah commented dryly as he removed the things he’d need from his own saddlebag. “Look at that middle.” He poked his brother in the side as he passed by. “You have a complete set of spare tires.”
“Watch it, nerd.” Aron lightly slapped Noah on the back of the head. “I can take you anytime. Anywhere. And I’ll be happy to prove it to you…now.” He caught the younger man in a chokehold and in a few seconds they were wrestling on the ground.
“I wish I had a water hose. I’d douse you both.” Isaac rolled his eyes as he gathered the reins of the horses to lead them to the corral.
“We’re going to need some firewood.” Jacob stepped over Noah’s legs and went on into the cabin behind Nathan and Joseph.
Grabbing onto the opportunity with both hands, Nathan volunteered, “I’ll do it.” Hurrying to the far corner of the cabin, he tucked his saddlebags underneath the last bunk. He didn’t want his nosy siblings to find his prank stash. “Where’s the axe?”
“Should be in the shed out back.” Jacob slapped him on the arm. “Thanks for doing this, bud. I’ve got a surprise for you tomorrow night.”
“Great.” Unbidden, Nathan could read Jacob’s thoughts about the makings for smores he’d tucked away in his backpack. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever it is.” He loved all of his brothers, but this one was special. Jacob was the heart of their family, he made sure no birthday, anniversary, or holiday went uncelebrated. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Just be careful, that old axe is sharp.”
As Jacob turned away, Nathan caught a whiff of something else brewing…something about him.
“Stop it,” he whispered under his breath. Time to go. The solitude and silence of the great outdoors called him like a siren. Escaping out the back door, he found the axe and headed off to split a few logs for the cookstove and fireplace.
Once he made it to the woodpile, Nathan rolled up his sleeves for the task at hand. Physical exertion helped keep his demons at bay. It didn’t hurt his muscle tone either. After positioning the log, he raised the axe over his head and brought it down with force. The blade buried itself deep within the wood – a very satisfactory feeling. Nathan repeated the process again and again until his breathing was regulated and his thoughts manageable.
“Hey, Nathan. Nathan!”
“What?” He stopped swinging the axe in midair.
“What’s wrong with you? I’ve been yelling at you till my voice is hoarse.” Aron leaned against the door jamb watching Nathan with a slight frown on his face.
“Sorry. I got a lot on my mind, I guess.”
“Don’t tell me that. You ain’t got nothing on your mind but a hat.”
Nathan didn’t argue. “I’m almost through here.”
“You can stop. I think that pile is more than enough. Just bring a load in the cabin, the air’s gonna be nippy tonight.”
“I thought we were going to camp out – as in out of doors.” Nathan gathered up a load of wood in his arms.
“Oh, whoever wants to can sleep under the stars.” He rubbed his chin as his younger brother walked through the door he was holding open. “In fact, it might be fun.”
Nathan hid a smile. His older brother’s idea of fun had changed since he became a family man. This thought brought forth another one, a darker one. Even through the mental barrier he’d erected, Nathan knew something was wrong in Aron’s world. He could sense the uncertainty and the fear. Even more, he read a deep-seated reluctance to talk about what was wrong or to even face up to it. Nathan resolved not to pry, not until Aron was ready to share.
“Come on in.” Jacob motioned for them to join the others around the table. “I’ve got coffee brewing and a platter of Jessie’s snickerdoodles to go with it.”
“Remind me,” Nathan told his brothers with a sly smile. “I brought Oreos for later.”
“Sounds good.” Aron found a seat at the table as Nathan filled the cookstove and the fireplace with the split logs. “Okay, what’s on the agenda?” he asked as he reached for the cookies.
Joseph pushed the platter closer to his brother. “Well, I want to do some fishing. There’s a great trout stream near here. Three hours prior to sunset is prime catching time. Who’s with me?”
“I am. I’ve been craving fried fish.” Noah rose to go to the coffee pot. “Anyone need a refill?”
“Me.” Aron spoke around a mouthful of cookie. After swallowing, he cleaned the crumbs from his lips with his fingers. “I figured you wouldn’t know what to do without a K-cup, Mr. MBA.”
“Are you kidding?” Noah passed Aron a mug of coffee. “I’m married to a proud Native American woman who believes in grinding her own cornmeal. I can rough it as easy as you can, you old softie.”
Aron frowned as he passed a hand over his middle. “I probably need to cut back…and I will. After this weekend.” He sighed with regret. “It’s just so hard with Libby’s cooking.”
Nathan grinned at the exchange. His prank plan was going to work out perfectly. “While Joseph and Noah are fishing, I thought I’d ride out to the old Whitehead place to pick persimmons. Libby said if I bring back enough she’d make some jam.”
“The old Whitehead place…” Isaac considered the suggestion. “I remember when Daddy bought that parcel of land. Is the old house still standing?”
“It was the last time I was out that way,” Jacob noted. “I’ll go with you, bud. There used to be an old pomegranate tree out there, I’d love to see if there’s any fruit on it.”
“You’d better be careful, you two. I seem to remember the old Whitehead place is haunted.” This warning came from a straight-faced Isaac.
“I think we’ll be okay.” Jacob didn’t look worried. “I’m much more leery of that pack of coywolves roaming the area.”
“I’d rather not run into either of those things, thank you very much.” Joseph stood and walked toward the storage closet. “I hope our fishing gear is still here.”
“Oh, I’m sure everything’s in order,” Jacob mused. “The girls came out and gave the place a good cleaning in the spring.”
“What about you, Aron?” Isaac refilled his cup of coffee. “What do you feel like doing this afternoon?”
“I was thinking about a nap.” He yawned loudly.
“Oh, no. None of that.” Nathan rose and went to the cabinet to find a couple of large paper bags. “This is family time.”
“Yea, you can come with me.” Isaac told their big brother. “I thought we’d take a little ride together. I have a business proposition for you.”
Aron frowned and narrowed his eyes. “I ain’t investing in no leather whips or chain contraptions.”
“Nothing like that. This is more of a real estate deal.”
“Huh.” Aron stood and stretched. “Well, we’d better do something fast or I’m going to fall asleep.”
“Just don’t fall out of the saddle, old man.” Noah punched his brother playfully as he walked by. “I’ll get our horses, Joseph. Make sure you bring a cooler to put the fish in. I’m feeling lucky.”
A few minutes later, the McCoy clan headed out on their various adventures with an agreement to meet at the cabin before nightfall.
…Nathan and Jacob set their horses in a northerly direction, taking their time to enjoy the nip in the air. “Well, is there anything going on in your life that I don’t know about?” Jacob asked, cutting his eyes over to the younger man who meant the world to him.
“No, not really.” Nathan raised his head to meet his brothers gaze. “I just picked up where I left off with the ranch work since I’ve been home.”
“We missed you while you were on the circuit. I sure was surprised when you walked away from it all.”
“I felt like my place was at home.”
“Yea, but no one could have faulted you for it had you stayed. After all, Aron and Joseph both spent several years on the road.”
“True. Although, I’m happy with any job that keeps me in the open air.”
“Really.” He sounded worried for a moment, then continued, “I’ve noticed you’re rarely at the ranch house these days. Nothing’s wrong?”
Nathan answered carefully. “No. Everything’s fine. I just don’t want to get in Libby and Cady’s way. They have their hands full with the children – not to mention Aron and Joseph.
Obviously, Jacob didn’t like what he was hearing. “Now, wait a minute. You will never be in the way. We are your
family, and Tebow is your home. Yes, our number is growing. Jessie and I have our house, Noah and Skye live in their cabin, Avery and Isaac spend most of their time in their apartment at the bar – but we all have our place at the main house. That will never change. Hell, we’ve talked about building on when you get married. Don’t ever think you don’t have a place.”
“It’s not that,” Nathan said, and he meant it. “I just need my space sometimes.” Yea, that was true in a way – but it was still a cop out.
Jacob considered his statement. “Well, I guess I can understand that. A young man like yourself has different interests than us old married folk.”
“Jacob…I love all of you more than anything.”
“I know it. I just worry about you.” Jacob smiled at him. “That’s my job, you know.”
“Yea, of course.”
“I just never want you to hesitate to come to me or Jessie for anything. Anything. The whole family feels that way, I just want you to remember that.”
“Oh, I do.”
They rode along in companionable silence, listening at the sound of wildlife skittering through the fallen leaves.
Nathan, sensing his brother’s concern, sought to reassure him further. “None of you have ever given me reason to think otherwise. So, don’t presume my need for solitude stems from anything other than my natural hermit tendencies.” He patted Buck’s neck as they came to cross a shallow stream. “You know, I’m close to each member of the family in a unique way – but Jessie is special to me.”
“She loves you, that’s for sure.”
“Your wife has saved my life in more ways than one.” A shiver ran through him as he remembered the day he was knocked off the river bridge into the Guadalupe. A farmer pulling a trailer behind his pickup had bumped him, causing his bike to go off the bridge. “If Jessie hadn’t seen the accident happen and acted quickly, I wouldn’t be here today.” She’d pulled him from the river and given him CPR, then flagged down a passing motorist to call an ambulance.
“Oh, I remember. I came so close to losing you both that day.” Jacob shook his head to dispel the thought. “But here we are. A happy family.”