by Sable Hunter
“Stop. Wait for me. Please!”
Tossing and turning, Nathan awoke with a start. He was covered in sweat and like before, his heart was racing like mad. This time Nathan awakened with the memory of a face. A beautiful face. Sitting up he took several deep breaths, trying to recall what haunted him. “God, let me remember. I need to remember!” Why it was so important, he wasn’t sure. Regardless, Nathan couldn’t shake the feeling that learning more about the dream was paramount.
Glancing at the clock, he groaned. “Oh, hell. I overslept.” Not by much, but enough to worry him. He hated to give Aron something else to complain about. After showering and dressing, he collected Lobo and carried him outside to use the bathroom. Upon returning to the kitchen, he noticed there was no one there. Kneeling to give Lobo some food, he jerked his head around when he heard a car door closing. When the kitchen door banged shut, he stood to see who’d arrived. It was Cady. “Hey, where is everybody?”
She looked at him blankly for a moment. “Oh. I figured you were already out and about.”
“I overslept.” He looked at her with suspicion. “So, what’s going on? I seem to be missing a lot of the family memos lately.”
“Well…”
“Never mind. I don’t even want to know.” If the family wanted to include him, they would have.
“No. No. Don’t get upset.” Cady waved her hands in the air. “I promise, it’s all good.” She made a face. “I just can’t tell you anything else. So, trust me? Okay.”
“Okay. No problem.” Whatever they were doing was fine with him.
“Now, sit down. Let me get you some breakfast.”
“Well, I’m already late.” He glanced out the window, dreading the task he’d set aside to do today. “I’m stringing barbed wire at Panther Gulch.”
“Better find your gloves.” Cady opened the stove door and took out the remains of a frittata. “Oh, there’s plenty of this left. This is Skye’s creation. Her own version of corned beef hash.”
“Smells amazing.” His stomach rumbled. “Can I ask you something?”
She dished up his plate and came to sit by him. “Of course.” Cady studied his face. “What’s going on? Having nighttime troubles?”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Can’t hide anything from you.” He laid a napkin in his lap. “Yea, I’ve been dreaming every night. Same dream.” He smiled. “A really good dream.”
“Okay…what’s the problem?”
Shaking his head, Nathan sighed. “I can’t remember it. When I wake up…” He snapped his fingers. “It’s gone.”
Cady smiled. “You’re dreaming about a girl. Anyone I know?”
“No, I don’t think so.” He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “If I have this dream again, I’d give my eyeteeth to remember it.”
“Huh. Okay.” She tapped the table while considering his dilemma. “I believe I have something to take care of that.”
“I knew you would. You’re as much a witch as you are an angel.”
Cady grinned and put one finger over her lips. “Shhh. Remember, that’s our secret.”
“I know.” He set to eating in earnest, confident she would fulfill his request.
While he finished his breakfast, Cady made a list. “When you come in this afternoon I’ll have everything you need in your room waiting for you with instructions as to what to do.”
“Sounds perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She bent to pet Lobo. “Why don’t you let him stay with me today? The girls and I would enjoy a little playtime.”
“Sure.” He grinned. “Thanks. I need to build a little yard for him until he’s older. I know staying in that stall all day while I’m working is getting old.”
“Consider it done.” She picked up the tiny coywolf. “He can be my familiar today while I prepare the dream spell.”
“Good. He’ll enjoy that.” Nathan carried his plate to the sink. “I’m not sure why, but I don’t think I’ll rest until I understand this dream.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” She walked him to the door. “Have a good day, bud.”
“I’ll try.” With a wave of his hand, Nathan headed for the barn to saddle Buck.
…Stringing barbed wire by one’s lonesome was no easy task. Despite the difficulty, Nathan welcomed the solitude. Out here, he could breathe easy. Contemplate his situation. After speaking to Libby the night before, he was able to view his conflict with Aron in a new light. His brother was acting out of grief and fear. Nathan knew he shouldn’t take what was happening personally – although it was difficult not to. Impossible, actually. Yet Nathan knew if he waited long enough, things would right themselves. Unfortunately, waiting was not his strong suit.
As he worked the post hole diggers, he sorted through his feelings. What should he do? If Aron did hire someone new, what did that mean for him? He could carry on as usual, working his butt off and following everyone’s direction but his own. Somehow, this didn’t sit well with him. There had to be another answer. Stopping, he wiped his brow, glancing around to take in the scenery. “Oh, well. Something will come to me. I can’t live in limbo forever.”
Limbo. Yea, that fit. He wondered if all young people his age felt that way. Out of nowhere, something his dad said came to mind.
It’s ironic, they say wisdom comes with age. Yet, you have to make the tough decisions when you’re young and far less qualified to do so.
“Boy, was he right.” Nathan wished with all his heart that his dad was here to tell him what to do.
When evening fell, Nathan was worn out. Truth be told, it was a pretty good feeling. An honest day’s labor, he’d accomplished what he set out to do. The fence posts were up, and the barbed wire was strung. Upon his return to the barn to settle Buck for the night, he ran into Joseph.
“Hey, outlaw. Where you been?”
“Putting up a fence near Panther Gulch.”
“Hmmm. Been a while since I was out there.” He smiled with nostalgia. “I used to prowl that place when I was a kid, jumping from one ridge to the other. Once, I swear to goodness I saw one of those panthers that place is named for.”
“People say they’re a myth.”
“Yea, people say a lot of things,” Joseph muttered, “but like Cason said the other day…” He pointed at his own eyes with two fingers. “I seed ‘em. I was headed down this path on my horse when she started going nuts. Prancing. Rearing. Snorting. I pulled up on the reins to steady her and out of the bush ran these two big black cats with long tails and neon yellow eyes.”
Nathan knew this story, but he loved to hear Joseph retell it. “How big were they?”
“Bigger than any mountain lion I’d ever seen. Jet black. They were in front of me about ten seconds before they bounded out of sight.” He shook his head. “I’ll never forget it.”
“Well, I didn’t think about the panthers when I was out there today, too much other stuff on my mind.”
“Yea.” Joseph looked at the ground, kicking a small rock with his boot. “This must be hard on you, and I apologize. You have to know, we meant nothing but good. Aron…well…”
“You don’t have to say anything. I understand. I have some inkling…” He hesitated, he’d promised both Aron and Libby he wouldn’t say anything.
“It’s all right.” Joseph gave him a half-smile. “Remember, I’m married to Cady. Because of her, I know more than the average bear. They’re going through something. I just hope they come through it okay.”
“Yea, me too.”
Finishing up in the barn, they walked together toward the main house.
“When I quoted Cason a bit ago, it reminded me of Colt’s imaginary friend.” Joseph chuckled. “Hearing that friend’s assessment of Noah as having a corncob up his ass made me think this might not be the boys’ imagination.”
“I tend to agree.” Nathan thought a moment. “I know mine wasn’t.”
“Oh, yea? Who was it?” Joseph asked with interest.<
br />
“Grandpa Isaac.”
“Really. Damn.” He laughed. “I might doubt you, but I’ve seen and heard too much since marrying into Cady’s spooky family. What was it like? Seeing him. Talking to him from the other side.”
“Comforting.” Nathan reminisced. “He appeared to me right before and after our parents were killed. I think he came to prepare me and help me get through it – and he did.”
“Huh. I’m sorta jealous.”
“Don’t be. Seeing spirits is no joke.”
“I can imagine. Do you see them often?”
“Often enough. I try to ignore it when I can.” He thought a minute. “You know…” Nathan hesitated.
“What?”
“Maybe it’s Grandpa Isaac who’s visiting Colt also.”
“Ah, gee.”
“Hey, it doesn’t mean…” Nathan refused to even put the thought into words. “Maybe he’s just here to help him along with…whatever.”
“Yea.” Joseph blew out a long breath. “The only thing certain about the future is that it’s on its way. We’ll stick together as a family come what may.”
Nathan chuckled. “That rhyme goes without saying.” As they came to the back door he opened it to step inside.
When he did – a combined yell nearly caused him to miss the last step.
“Surprise!”
“Happy Birthday!”
A chorus of whoops and hollers caused Nathan’s jaw to drop in shock. “I can’t believe I forgot.” He was twenty-one today.
“Well, we didn’t forget.” Libby gave him a quick hug. This embrace was followed by a dozen more – one member of the McCoy clan after the other.
Nathan was overwhelmed, he didn’t know what to say – except… “Thank you. Thank you all.”
Cady came up to whisper in his ear. “That’s where everyone was this morning – getting ready for this.”
“Wow.” His eyes bugged at the sight of the huge cake and the pile of presents. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, you’d better put on your thinking cap.” Isaac popped him on the shoulder. “A speech is required.”
“I’ll think of something,” Nathan muttered as he accepted a present from Angel, Joseph’s oldest daughter. “Thanks, sweetie.”
“I made it myself,” she told him with a smile. “It’s a scarf for this winter. You’re going to need it where you’re going.”
“Where am I going?” he asked, watching her face as she looked down shyly. “Do you know something I don’t know?”
“Maybe.” She said no more but scampered away.
Nathan wondered if Cady’s oldest had inherited her mother’s second sight.
“Can we have cake?” Bowie Travis asked loudly to anyone who was listening.
“Not until we eat,” Jessie answered her son.
“That’s right.” Libby stood on a chair and whistled loudly. “Take a seat, please. The order for this party is food first, then dessert and presents.”
Everyone knew better than to argue with the boss. Nathan took the seat of honor, graciously given up by Aron. His older brother hadn’t said much, but he kept squeezing Nathan’s shoulder in way of an apology every chance he got.
“The girls cooked all your favorites,” Jacob told him. “Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, and cole slaw.”
“Dang. I’m impressed.” He beamed with pleasure. “This is great.”
The chatter around the table grew to an inaudible level as Nathan enjoyed his birthday meal. All of the angst and ill feelings floating amongst them seemed to have dissipated.
“We are eating good this week.” Noah grabbed a roll from the platter. “Chicken tonight and Joseph’s brisket tomorrow night.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Aron pointed at Joseph with his fork. “The Connelly boys will be here tomorrow.”
“They will.” Joseph licked the chicken goodness from two of his fingers. “We’ll be busy all day but plan on a shindig at the pavilion in the evening.”
“Sounds good to me.” Avery raised her tea glass to Skye. “We won’t have to cook.”
“Hallelujah.” Jessie joined in the salute. “That’s always good news.”
“We’ll need to do sides and desserts,” Libby said. “Won’t we?”
Cady shook her head. “We’ve got it taken care of. Corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, and peach cobbler. All on the grill.”
“Still sounds like work to me. I’ll help.” Libby promised her sister-in-law.
“You need to rest.” Aron pointed his finger at his wife.
“I’m fine.” Libby gave him a warning look that Nathan picked up on. He glanced at Cady to see if she’d spotted it also. She had.
“We need more chicken at the kids table!” Colt announced with a bang of his knife handle on the table.
As Libby rose to pass out seconds, Aron turned to frown at his son. “Don’t beat the table with your silverware, son. This isn’t Angola.”
Isaac found his brother’s comment funny. “Do you know what Axel did last night?”
“Oh, God. We’re such bad parents,” Avery whispered to Skye. “Our kid is so strange.”
“What did he do?” Nathan asked already laughing.
Isaac proceeded to tell the story. “I walked into his room and he’s holding a microphone and singing on his toy karaoke machine at the top of his lungs. The only things he’s wearing is one of my old ties around his neck and a sombrero on his head.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Joseph asked. “Everywhere that kid goes, it’s gonna be a party.”
“Yea,” Avery agreed with her brother-in-law. “And we’ll get to remind him of the day because Isaac filmed it.”
“Poor Axel.” Skye shook her head.
“Fortunately, the tie was just long enough to keep the clip from being really embarrassing.” Isaac drained his tea glass. “Hey, is it dessert time yet?”
“Nathan needs to blow out his candles!” Bowie Travis clapped his hands together.
“Yea, I think it’s time.” Jessie rose to light the candles, then brought the cake to sit in front of Nathan. As she did, the whole family joined in song – a slightly off-key version of Happy Birthday. When they finished, everyone clapped and cheered as Nathan blew out the candles.
“Yay!” Libby stepped near to do the honors and cut the cake. “Did you make a wish?”
“I did.” Nathan wished with all his might that Libby would live a long, happy life.
“From his heart to God’s ears,” Cady whispered, not needing to be privy to his thoughts.
“This looks good.” Nathan admired the massive chocolate cake. “Who made it?”
“I did!” Avery raised her hand. “Hope it’s good.”
“Oh, it is. I can tell by the smell.” Nathan held his plate out for the first huge piece.
Soon the whole family was served.
“Everybody dig in!” Cason led the charge, spearing a large piece to put in his mouth. Soon there was more chocolate on his lips than on his piece of cake.
Nathan enjoyed every bite and every minute he spent with his family. When it came time to open gifts, he was touched and amazed by their generosity. “I don’t know how to thank you all.” He wiped his eyes, vowing to not cry on the day he officially became a man.
“Oh, this one arrived for you today, Nathan.” Libby retrieved a package from the kitchen.
“Is that another one from your secret admirer?” Isaac teased. “How many is this?”
Nathan shrugged. “I don’t know. One for the past couple of birthdays and Christmases. High school graduation. I’m not sure.” He hastily tore off the wrapping to find a rare Clovis arrowhead. “Oh, freaking…”
“Language,” Libby cautioned before he ventured into forbidden word land.
“Hey, that’s valuable.” Noah came forward to look more closely. “Really valuable.”
“I know.” Nathan marveled at the fluted slender blade carved from stone. “This is anci
ent.”
“Wow, somebody knows you well.”
“Yea, I just wish I knew who.” When he’d received the first gift from the mystery person, Nathan did his best to find out their identity. The packages were always mailed from Albuquerque, New Mexico and he didn’t know anyone in New Mexico. All of his attempts to find out from the originating Post Office went nowhere. “I can’t imagine who’d want to give me something so rare and beautiful.” He carefully replaced the arrowhead in the box and put it with his other presents. “I’m overwhelmed.”
“That’s not all, bud.” Aron approached him with a pair of keys dangling from his finger.
“What is this?” He locked eyes with his brother, his heart pounding. If the image coming to his mind was true – he was just about to get the best gift ever. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Go look out front.” Aron relinquished the keys to his brother, then watched as he took off to see what awaited him. “Come on. Let’s all go.”
As one, the whole family adjourned to the front porch to watch Nathan discover the newly restored classic Mustang convertible. “Happy Birthday, Nathan!” Libby hollered as they all clapped their approval.
Nathan was thrilled. Life couldn’t get any better than this.
Chapter 6
Nathan’s smile was a mile wide as he sped down the road in his black Mustang. “I can’t believe this.” He glanced at Aron who was riding shotgun. “Did you know I asked Jonah about this car?”
“Yea, he told me. Fooled you, didn’t we?”
“Completely.” He didn’t know how he’d missed this. Too much worry, maybe. “I love it though. I love it so much.” Nathan caressed the steering wheel. “I can’t believe it’s mine.”
“I’m glad you like it. I got the idea when Libby was having daddy’s truck restored for me.”
Nathan glanced at him. “You weren’t supposed to know about that. What are you psychic now?”
“Nope. Just nosy. She left the receipt folded up on the dresser.” He shrugged. “I looked at it, folded it up, and put it back where I found it. Sweet thang never knew the difference.”
“Aw, she wanted to surprise you.”