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JACK DROPPED HIS CANE and caught Alice, sending them both to the floor. He helped her to her feet and onto the nearest chair.
Her eyes fluttered and she turned back to the window. “Harry . . .” She grabbed Jack’s sleeve. “Go after him. Tell him I didn’t mean . . .” Her voice faded.
He grabbed his cane and hurried through the kitchen and out the back door. He didn’t bother to put his boots on, hobbling through the yard in his stockinged feet. Knowing about Harry’s injuries wasn’t enough. He was as unprepared as Alice.
“Harry! Wait!”
His brother hesitated, back turned. “I saw how you looked at me. More importantly, I saw how Alice looked at me.”
Jack fast-limped to Harry’s side, his breath coming in short pants. “It was only the initial shock combined with her illness.”
Harry didn’t respond.
“She still loves you.” He looked back. He could see Alice waiting, hands pressed against the window glass. “She needs you, now more than ever.”
Harry turned, his eyes blazing, hands fisted at his side. “So, you’re saying she doesn’t care about this?” He pointed. “My face? My eye?” His voice grew louder with each question. Jack feared Harry might hit him or push him off balance the way he used to do when they were kids—just for laughs. “Are you saying she can love this for the rest of our lives?”
“Yes.” Jack lowered his own voice and put a hand on his brother’s arm. “Talk to her. Give her a chance.” Harry’s muscles relaxed.
They returned side by side to the house. It had been a long time since Jack spent any time with his brother. “I’m glad you’re home, Harry. We’ve all missed you. Mother especially. Have you seen her?”
“Not yet, but I’d be surprised if she hasn’t heard by now.”
Jack appraised Harry’s flea bag mare and chuckled. “Your horse looks a little worse for wear. Did it have to drag you all the way from Chicago, or was it the other way around?” Harry never was fond of horses, even the fine breeds their father favored. Jack could only imagine what his brother thought of this one.
Harry’s laugh rose from deep in his chest. It sounded good to Jack’s ears. “You don’t know the half of it. But that’s a story for another time.” Harry put his mask on as they approached the window.
Jack grabbed his boots from the back porch. “I’ll be checking on the animals, if you need me.” The window scraped against the frame. Alice shouldn’t open it, but he wouldn’t stop her, wouldn’t tell Doc.
“Does it hurt much?” Jack heard her ask.
“Sometimes,” Harry answered. “But not as much as missing you did.”
* * *
JACK CAME OUT OF THE barn just as their father’s horse and buggy sped into the yard. He jumped down from his seat almost before the horse came to a complete stop.
“Step away from that girl.” Pointing at Alice, he ran toward Harry.
Harry stood his ground.
“I said step away from that girl, Harry. She has the influenza.” He turned to Jack. “I have you to thank for this. You should have sent your brother away.”
“Hello, Father. Actually, Alice is doing very well, improving every day. Doc says she’s over the worst of it and will make a complete recovery.” Jack wiped his hand on his trouser leg and offered it to his father. He let it drop to his side when it was clear his father would not touch him.
“How do I know you’re not contagious, too?”
“Doc said if I haven’t come down with it by now, I’m one of the lucky ones.” He’d never convince his father. Once Harold Barnes, Sr. made up his mind, it was fact.
His father turned away, summarily dismissing any further argument on the matter. “Harry, when we heard you and Fin were seen in town and you didn’t come to the house, I knew I’d find you here. Your mother’s pacing the front porch, watching the road, and your aunt has already started cooking.”
Harry pulled off his mask. “Father, good to see you again.” He offered his hand and was pulled into a full embrace.
The familiar old jealous knot tightened in the pit of Jack’s stomach. Why did he still let it bother him after all these years?
“We’ll have Doc come to the house and examine your scar. Perhaps there’s something he can do.”
Harry shook his head and stepped away. “If the army doctors couldn’t do anything more, you can be assured Doc Peterson won’t be able to, either.”
“He can refer us to someone in Minneapolis. Army doctors are nothing more than butchers and nursemaids. We’ll find you a real doctor, don’t you worry. Now get your pack and I’ll take you home.”
Jack handed Harry the reins to his horse. “I’ll say goodbye to Alice for you. I’ll tell her you’ll return soon.”
Their father raised his eyebrows at the sight of Harry’s mount. “Leave that run-down excuse for a horse here. He isn’t worth the free grass he’d eat.”
Harry slapped his brother on the arm and handed him the reins. “Gotta go see Mother.” He grimaced and they laughed.
Jack imagined the venerable Mrs. Barnes taking her long-lost son into her arms and hugging him until he wished he was back on the battlefields of France. “Good to have you home, Harry.”
“Take care of Alice for me.” Harry stepped up into the buggy.
“I always have.”
Their father took his seat next to Harry. “You’ll want a bath and some fresh clothes before dinner.” He snapped the reins and drove away without saying goodbye.
Jack chuckled, shook his head, and waved to Harry. Why did he always expect something different from his father? Or Harry, for that matter.
Inside, Jack closed the window. “You’ve had a lot of excitement for one afternoon. You should rest. Sleep a little before dinner.”
“Yes. I didn’t realize how tired I am until just now.” Alice started toward her room but stopped part way. “He doesn’t look so bad. Not really.”
Was she trying to convince herself or did she truly believe it? “I hardly noticed after the first few minutes,” he agreed. “The scar will fade in time, and it’ll be like the war never happened.”
Alice nodded. “I’m going to lie down for a while.”
“And I’m going out to the barn to finish with the animals.”
* * *
JACK SAT ON THE WINDMILL platform. The sky shifted from blue to yellow and pink as the sun sank lower on the horizon. He’d brought in the animals, fed them, milked the cows, and secured the barn for the night. There was food in the icebox for a cold supper. Alice would be waiting for him to come in before eating anything. He climbed down.
The house was as quiet as the shadows creeping out from the corners. Alice still slept. Jack put a hand lightly on her shoulder.
Her eyes opened, and she smiled at him. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost seven. Have you eaten anything?”
“I was waiting for you.” Alice sat on the edge of her bed. “Was Harry really here, or did I dream it all?”
“It wasn’t a dream. Harry’s home.”