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.

"Is he going to be alright?" Sam asked, his concern genuine. "I mean, really alright?"

Cade thought about that question before answering. "I wish I could say yes, given time. But I can't. I don't know if he will ever be alright again. And I'm sure without the right medicine he won't. But you didn't have anything to do with that, Sam. That began before you came here. I guess if anyone is to blame, it might be me. I should have seen and paid attention to all the changes in him. I think I did, but I ignored them. You never want to face the fact that something is wrong with someone you love. And I do love him. I always will.

"The man he is right now is not my brother. He's a stranger. The chances of him having a normal life now…well, they aren't looking good at the moment. But finding the right medicine and keeping him on it, could make a difference in how he lives out the rest of his life. And I am ever grateful to George for caring enough about him to do what he is doing. Problem is…Wade is a cowboy. You don't take the cowboy out of a man. It's inborn. It doesn't go away, and he will never be a working cowboy again. The problem I see is convincing him he can still be a person with a job and a future. It will take a lot of rehabilitation to straighten that out. If it can be straightened out.

"So don't blame yourself for Wade. No one is to blame. It happened and it's best put behind us and going on with our own futures. The fact that George McKay thought enough of him to take care of his well-fare, that is something I can't begin to repay. I sure never expected that.

"I got a baby comin' soon and that gives me a lot to look forward to. I got a job to do here, that makes me proud and doing something worthwhile in life can make the difference."

Sam listened intently. "You sure have your head screwed on well…"

Cade smiled. "Sam, your troubles are behind you now. You have a chance, thanks to Mr. McKay; don't mess that up. You have a girl that's crazy about you too…"

"Yeah, but…Cade I have nothing to offer her."

Cade walked straight up to him and shook his head and put a finger in his face. "Don't let me ever hear you say that again. You’re a man, a decent, God-fearing young man who tries to do the right thing, even if it gets him in trouble. Everyone on this ranch knows and likes you Sam for who and what you are. And Mr. McKay has a deep respect for that too. Don't forget it. Be a man. Don't look back. Looking back makes you stumble and fall. Looking ahead, that's what counts. You marry that girl, have some babies and make a good life. You're a good man, and she deserves that after all she's been through. In fact, she needs you more today than she's ever needed you. If you love her, be good to her, that's all any man can do. But don't make the mistake of walking away. You'll regret it the rest of your life."

And with that, Cade walked off.

Sam stood there, staring after him, his mouth hanging open, his mind trying to absorb all Cade had said.

After a minute or two, he shook his head. "Damn…there's a lot of good people on this ranch…"

"What are you mumbling about?" George walked past him.

"Nothing…I got to get to work." Sam smiled to himself.

"That's right…don't want no loafers on this place," the old man said.

The girls all gathered in the living room once all the men left, mulling over their father's words and revelations.

"Dad sure leaves an impression, whether he is dead or alive." Julie laughed.

Letty couldn't stop her chuckle. "God, I love that old man…"

Sandy sat down on the couch, sipping a hot mug of coffee. "I think I'm gonna miss Caleb."

"Me too," Wendy chimed.

"You know…" Julie shook her head with a smile. "All the men look up to Dad, and that hasn't changed. All of them. How could we get so lucky to have such good help?"

They all nodded.

"We got a lot to be proud of girls." Letty laughed.

Julie made a face suddenly and everyone's attention flew to her.

"Feeling rough today?" Letty asked.

"This baby is a kicker. He's already got a personality of his own." Julie laughed and changed positions.

Wendy brought her a pillow. "He's a McKay…and a Weston."

"So what about you and Sam?" Sandy asked out of the blue.

"I don't know…this whole mess has had him thinking too much. But I plan on making him a good dinner tonight and maybe having a long talk with him about things. He blames himself for Wade, and somehow I've got to stop that kind of thinking. We were all so blind that anything was wrong."

Julie nodded. "It's sad to see a man with so much power and drive come down like that."

"Some men can't handle power," Letty said.

"I hope Cade can…" Julie cried out.

"Cade's got a lot to look forward to in life. He's got a beautiful family and a great job. He'll be alright. We will all help especially when there is pressure…" Sandy promised.

Mike came in and saw them all gathered around the living room. "I hate to break this up, but I've got an assignment and I'd like you to come with me…" Mike stared at his wife with a warm smile.

"Duty calls, ladies." Sandy smirked and reached for Mike's hand.

The girls all smiled and watched them leave.

"They are so good together. Dad was right, we all chose well."

"Even me?" Wendy asked with a tear in her eye.

"Even you." Julie and Letty laughed.

 

~*~

 

That evening, Sam came over for supper. Her father was right behind him.

Wendy had hoped they would have some alone time, but she also wanted to be near her father too.

"Come on in guys, it's almost ready. Spaghetti and salad, hope you are both in the mood." She smiled as she finished setting the table.

"Sounds good to me." Her father smiled, going to the sink and washing his hands.

Sam followed. They both had hung their hats up on the peg by the door and looked eager to dive into the food as Wendy filled their plates.

Sam glanced at the old man. "So what do I call you now?"

"Whatever you want," George replied with a smile.

"I've gotten so used to you as Caleb…"

"Then call me Caleb. In fact, I've been thinking. I want Cade to run this place, but I'd like to keep my position as horse groomer. It's like retiring to what I love best. And I'd just as soon any new hands think I am just that, a hand, not the owner. I learn so much more that way about the man or woman."

Wendy sat down and joined them. "Don't you think that is a little deceptive?"

"Maybe it is, but it will help keep any riff-raff off this place. Getting to know the men, one on one is an eye-opener. So if it is all the same to you, I'll continue being Caleb. In the long run, it will help Cade keep the upper hand on it all."

Sam nodded. "I can see where it would be advantageous for you and for Cade. You could keep a better eye on things that way and let Cade know of any trouble before it started. I agree, that's wise."

"And what about us girls, what do we call you?" Wendy frowned at him.

"In public, Caleb. In this house, Dad." He smiled.

"It seems so underhanded," she admonished.

"Running this ranch is no easy feat. Keeping the scum away from it gets harder all the time. My men are good ones. I want to keep it that way. I love my work. I don't want the full duties of being an owner. I trust all my sons-in-law too to help me keep it running. I get the best of both worlds by doing this, and I hope to keep you safe for the rest of your life…."

Sam nodded again. "He's right."

But Wendy wasn't so sure. She hated him hiding behind a façade.

When he retired for the evening to the bunkhouse, Wendy wanted to protest, but he held a hand up. "Mind your father. Trust me, girl. I know what I'm doing, and I really enjoyed being Caleb. Let me do this…without worrying about you all the time…"

"Okay…I love you, do you know that?" she asked, eyeing him.

He came up to her, put his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "I love you too, girl. Now let me get to bed, I got things to do tomorrow."

She giggled and let him go.

Sam gathered the dishes up and put them by the sink.

"I'll help you," he suggested.

"Just going to rinse most of it off and put it in the dishwasher." She smiled.

In minutes, the two of them had finished cleaning the kitchen up and he started to dismiss himself to the bunkhouse.

"Sam…I spent a lot of years ogling a man that didn't even see me. I don't want to continue in that same path. I need to know where I stand with you. I need to know how you feel about me…."

He took her hands in his, and rubbed their softness.

"I need to sort that out a little, Wendy. You know I love you. I think I have since the day you answered the kitchen door. But…there are some things I gotta work out in my head."

"Are you still leaving?" she asked breathlessly.

"No, I can't now. I'm on probation, and I'm to work it off here at the ranch, for your father. The judge ordered that."

"Is that the only reason you aren't leaving?"

"No…" He came closer, bowed his head against hers and whispered, "But Wendy, a man in my position doesn't propose to a woman like you unless he has something to offer her. I'm on probation, how can I possibly make any vows to you about the future? What can I offer you?"

"Your love…" she whispered.

"You have that, no matter what…" he said and his lips found hers as he gathered her to him and she began to feel the full impact of that love with a kiss that left her breathless and wanting more.

"So what do you want me to be…just your girl for the rest of my life?" she asked as anger seeped into the conversation.

He pulled away from her.

"For now…" Sam murmured. "And I truly hope it's enough, until I get my head on straight."

And he turned and left her standing there with her mouth open.