by Rita Hestand
"Is it that important how we feel about it?" Deke asked him looking straight at him.
"It is to me. I guess I'm really just like Clint and want acceptance…" Jake said glancing at his brother for some sign of what he might be thinking or feeling.
Deke got up, paced a little and went to the fridge for some milk. He poured it, and came back to the table to sit down.
"I think…." Deke began with a stern expression, "That you should have told us years ago. For that I should be mad."
Jake nodded…feeling a tad bad about the secret. "You're right of course."
Deke then burst out with a huge smile and extended his hand for a shake, "but I don't blame you a bit. And I think it's terrific Jake…"
Jake glanced up in shock, "You do?"
He took Deke's hand, held it a moment, and then shook hands.
Deke stood up and jerked his brother to his feet and hugged him for the first time in years. "I sure do…bro…."
Jake felt a sense of relief and pride and love all swelling inside him at the same time. He hugged Deke back and backed away to look at his face.
Deke grinned, "But I gotta know one thing."
"What's that," Jake was beaming.
"Why would you ever be afraid to tell me something that special, that wonderful?" Deke's expression was soft on him, and questioning.
Jake flopped back into the chair and twisted the milk glass. "You don't understand it. Most of my life, I've been a little different than the rest of the Travers clan. And that has been a little hard to swallow, I tell you. I've known it, but wouldn't acknowledge it. I wasn't as good a cowboy, I liked bikes better than riding the ranch in a pickup or on a horse. I wasn't a ladies man like most of you boys. I felt I didn't measure up. So when I realized my true calling I knew this would be way off from ranching, or law. I wanted approval…."
Deke shook his head, "And you didn't think we would give it? I can understand that. But we've known you were a little different than the rest of us. We just looked in the wrong direction. But being a preacher…wow, Mom sure would have been proud of you."
Jake chuckled, "That's what dad said. He had tears in his eyes when I told him. At first I thought, gee, I'm a real disappointment to him."
"Never. You of all the brothers have never been a disappointment, Jake. I've always been able to count on your help. You were there for me when I needed you. Always. I mean that. There has never been a time when I've had to ask your help. You've just been there for me. Running this ranch, it's a headache sometimes, especially these days. But you…you've never let me down for a moment Jake. I just wished you had felt freer to come and talk to me about what was bothering you. I've spent many a night worrying about you. I'll admit. I'm as bad as dad."
Jake grinned. "I'm sorry I caused you worry. But you can relax now, I have got it all together."
"Sounds like it."
"I bought the old Wells place."
Deke looked incredulous. "No kiddin'. Wow, that's a fantastic piece of property bro, and local. I love it. We've finally got you home again. I couldn't be happier…."
"I know, I showed it to Sam yesterday. She loves it."
"And…."
"Yeah, we're getting married as soon as dad gets back…" Jake announced.
"All right. Man…I couldn't be happier if you had given me a jackpot. I can't wait to tell Emma. She'll be like a bee in a bonnet around here, planning things for you. And to think you'll finally be home. None of us could be happier…."
Jake nodded…."It's almost too good to be true…"
"So you're going to run over to Peaceful and settle things there, today?" Deke asked.
"Yeah, fixing to head out now."
"There's a storm brewin'. Be careful." Deke warned. "Why don't you take my truck?"
"I'll be fine." Jake insisted.
"I really don't like you traveling on the road with that thing during bad weather," Deke said his frown returning.
Jake shook his head, "Will you ever stop worrying?"
"No…I won't. So get used to it." Deke tried to laugh.
"Peaceful isn't that far, Deke, I'll be home by tonight." Jake assured him and put his helmet on.
Deke frowned again, "I'm with dad on that. That thing isn't safe…Besides; won't you need to bring some stuff home?"
"Well, yeah, unless I make another trip. But yeah, you're right. Can you spare the truck today?" Jake asked.
"Sure. The brakes are acting a little crazy, so watch it, but I feel safer with you in the truck than on that bike…" Deke declared.
"Okay, you win. I'll borrow the truck, that way I won't have to go back. Samantha kinda likes me hanging around. Selma hasn't been up to snuff and I want to be available if Sam needs me…"
"You call her Sam all the time?" Deke snickered.
"Yep, and she loves it…" Jake smiled and winked at his brother as though they shared a secret. "Are the keys in the truck?"
"They are, and be careful." Deke declared. "Watch those brakes…"
"Okay, I'll see you tonight, then…" Jake hollered on his way out the door.
Chapter Eleven
The storm came up suddenly, at first just a big ominous black cloud that quickly blacked out the sun and sent a shield of rain that was so thick it was hard to see. Deke's wipers weren't very good, and the windows started to fog because it was cooler inside than out and humid. Jake shut the air off and turned the vent on. The rain came down so hard on the metal top of the truck it sounded like nails hitting it. He considered pulling over until some of it passed, but if he was going to get things loaded up and back by nightfall he'd have to push onward.
For once he was glad he had listened to Deke and taken the truck. Riding a bike in a storm was no pleasure ride.
Jake tried to wipe the windows with his bandana; he slowed, knowing it was better to take his time than to try and out run the storm. It often came a gully washer in the middle of a drought season. This wasn't the worst he'd been through.
He turned on the radio to get a weather forecast but there was too much static. He switched it off.
There was a lot of traffic on the other side of the highway, but his side was pretty clear. Most of the traffic was moving toward the metroplex areas and not toward the country.
Summer storms were common and this one would soon blow over as though it had never been.
He saw the car on the other side of the road coming up fast and passing the semi then swerving a bit. Then the car almost braked and the truck began to swerve. He's out of control.
It happened so fast, Jake didn't know what hit him, but the semi came barreling through on the other side of the road, obviously in a hurry, he was splashing water everywhere, making it a blind spot to see for the other cars. The truck driver had lost control and was now headed toward Jake. Jake tried to swerve and hit his breaks too hard. He was suddenly in a spin and went sailing into the ditch, rolling several times before he came to a silent halt.
Never had rain sounded so haunting almost like it was in some dream. He couldn't see, everything had gone dark. He didn't move, he knew he should but somehow he couldn't. He blinked but there was nothing but darkness. There were noises too, but he couldn't make them out, like falling into some black void. He wanted desperately to see what had happened, but everything began to fade out. Pain shot through him somewhere but he couldn't identify where.
His mind drifted to the fact that there was an accident somewhere. Was anyone hurt and could he help? But the void drew him in. And then there was nothing.
***
Samantha put the phone down with a loud bang. She stood motionless for a long minute. Selma came into the kitchen and stared at her daughter, noting the way Samantha stood there, as though in shock. "Is something wrong, dear?"
Samantha nodded woodenly, her eyes full of tears, her mind in a huge turmoil.
"Jake's been in an accident, that was Emma on the phone. He's being care flighted to the hospital. I've got to get down there." Saman
tha cried out.
"Oh my, I'll go with you…" Selma nodded, her own face ashen from the news.
"Momma, are you sure you feel up to it?" Samantha asked her mind in a fog.
"Of course I do. Now, let's get the keys and go. Does she know anything?" Selma asked.
"Not really, the police notified Deke because Jake borrowed his truck to go to Peaceful. He was going to clear out his desk and take care of his business there." Samantha murmured. "I'm glad he was in the truck…instead of on his bike. Can you imagine if he'd been on his bike?"
Selma nodded, "Come on dear. It will be all right, leave it in God's hands…" Selma looked at her daughter with concern.
Samantha's mind was working overtime and all the what if's in the world didn't help. She had to keep calm, and concentrate. Just driving to the hospital seemed like some deep fog. She didn't remember even parking.
When they arrived, Deke and Clint were already there, and they hugged them,
"How is he?" Samantha whispered in Deke's ear.
Deke's face was lined with worry and Samantha felt her world start to crumble.
"He's…he's in a coma, Samantha."
"Thought you were gonna lay it on her easy like, bro," Clint protested, and then shook his head, "Sorry, I guess we are all a little tense."
"What does it mean, Deke. How bad is he? Did he hit his head?" Samantha was full of questions.
Deke guided her and Selma to the waiting room and had them sit down. He bent to a squat in front of Samantha and took her hands in his. Samantha thought Jake must be dying the way Deke was acting.
"He's had some trauma to his head, he hit the dash, the truck rolled with him, so he was bound to have some injuries. But right now they are doing tests on him to see exactly how bad it is. They said at this point they know nothing. It could be days…weeks, even months but they are holding out for no more than a couple of weeks." Deke explained to her.
"How could they know that?" she shrieked.
"They don't, they just wanted to calm us down for the time being. Me and Clint sort of barged in here and I'm sure they don't want a disturbance." Deke tried to smile.
Samantha squeezed his hand, "But…he will be all right…right?"
"Hon…I just don't know." Deke sighed.
"Can we see him?" The urgency in her voice seemed to echo through the hallway.
Clint shook his head, "That was a definite no, for now. They said once they have established how bad an injury he has, and have him stabilized then we can go in and see him. They said the danger now is asphyxiation." He obviously saw Samantha tensing and tried to sound reassuring, "But they are taking all precautions."
"Stabilized that sounds so serious. Is he in ICU?"
"Yes…and will be a while…"
"Does anyone know what happened?" Samantha asked, putting a hand to her temple and rubbing.
"Not entirely, no. They said a policeman would be by with some kind of report on the accident." Clint volunteered the information.
"Was his head the only injury?" she asked after another worry hit her.
Deke looked at Clint, "His leg, they had to reset it, it was broken. A couple of ribs were broken too, so far that's all we know…"
"They were waiting on the results from a MRI before they said anything else. It is all at the testing stage right now. But at least they are being thorough." Deke assured her.
Samantha nodded, "Does….Cal know yet?"
"Not yet, we weren't able to reach him. They were probably out and about; we should be able to get a hold of them before too long."
Deke got back to his feet and paced the area, glancing at the desk nurse. But nothing was happening and his pacing continued. Why did nurses always look so unconcerned, so distanced?
Clint closed his eyes a time or two and when he opened them, the sight of a tear had Samantha worrying more. Were they telling her everything? She wished she was already married to Jake so they would tell her how he was. An engagement didn't mean anything to doctors. If she wasn't his wife, they wouldn't rush to tell her they'd tell his family. Not that the Travers didn't consider her family, she sighed.
Selma reached for her hand and squeezed it.
Samantha squeezed back.
Emma and Abby showed up next, concern laced their faces, as they hugged Samantha and Selma and listened to Deke explain his condition to them. Emma nodded as though she understood and was taking it from there. She sat beside Samantha and Selma, her face calm and serious.
"Jake's a healthy man, and he has faith in God. I know that he is going to come out of this, okay. Don't you worry…?"
Samantha wanted to shout, scream, do anything besides wait here in a cold waiting room for word. She wanted to see Jake, and reassure herself that he would be all right.
Emma glanced up at her husband, "I…I finally got a hold of Cal…"
Deke pulled her to him, "How'd he take it?"
"I heard the concern in his voice. He said they'd be on the first flight home and they'd call us when they got in."
"Good…thank you for taking care of it for me." Deke murmured and kissed her cheek.
"Do you know any more…" Emma asked.
Deke filled her in on Jake's condition according to the paramedic who care lighted him to the hospital.
Selma suddenly looked up and her expression was one of concern, "Was anyone killed?"
Deke glanced at her, his glance going to the floor. "Yeah…the man driving the semi, the car in front of him swerved and they had some minor injuries, but the truck driver didn't make it. Killed on impact."
Selma sighed heavily and shook her head. "This will affect Jake deeply…"
Clint nodded, "She's right about that…"
Samantha shook herself, "I'm just glad it wasn't him…."
"Did he have family, was he a local…?" Selma asked.
"He has a sister here in town. That's why he was here. He'd been visiting her."
"Then I'll get the ladies auxiliary together and we'll gather a meal up for her. Do you know how old he was or anything?"
Deke shook his head. "No…but that's a great idea, Selma."
Samantha squeezed her mother's hand again. "That's very sweet mamma."
Samantha couldn't concentrate on all the small talk, she was too worried about Jake. She wanted to see him so badly, to reassure him everything would be all right and all their plans were not ruined.
But they were interrupted by a police officer who stopped by to talk to them.
"Are you the family," the officer asked.
"Yes, we are…" Deke answered.
The officer shook his hand, "Officer Daniels."
Samantha wanted to hear, and Clint didn't hesitate to bring her forward, situating her between Deke and himself.
"We got a report from a Highway Patrolman. A small sedan with some college kids were in front of the semi going east, your brother was headed west. The sedan was swerving all over the road according to some eye witnesses, and speeding, the witnesses stopped long enough to make a report, For some reason the ones in the sedan put on the brakes and the Semi tried to correct and couldn't, he lost control of his vehicle, sending him into your brother's lane and bouncing him over the highway where he rolled several times into a ditch. Fortunately there was no one on that side but him at the time. The pickup didn't catch fire, but it was totaled. We're holding the kids driving the sedan. They didn't pass the sobriety test, needless to say. I'm sorry. Is your brother going to be all right?"
"We don't know…we're waiting now to hear. He had a head injury, his leg and a couple of ribs were broken." Deke replied.
"I'm very sorry. These kids, they won't be drinking for a long time to come." The officer assured them. "Been to a college party after the game, celebrating."
"Did the driver die instantly?" Selma asked from the back of the crowd.
"Yes ma'am he did."
"Thank God…" Selma nodded, "Thank you officer…"
"I'll make my report and you can
come by the station and collect your brothers things." He informed them.
"Thank you…"
Now all that was left was to wait for the doctor's report. How long would that be?
"Honey, if you want to go home, go ahead, Clint and I will stay with Samantha and Selma." Deke said.
Emma nodded, "We'll go home after we hear something."
Abby nodded.
"What about Rusty?" Clint asked.
Emma shrugged, "I'm sure he'll be here as soon as possible, but I don't see Hannah coming, unless she brings the kids with her."
"That's why you need to go on home, honey…" Deke insisted. "Looks like we're going to have the entire brood for a while, and you'll need to prepare."
"I'll be there to help, too," Abby assured them.
"And I will as soon as we hear something, but I'm not about to leave until I know something. I couldn't bear not knowing." Emma replied as she leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.
"You are a stubborn woman," Deke snorted and kissed her cheek.
"That's why you love me so much," Emma smiled and kissed his cheek.
Abby sat down beside Clint and laid her head on his shoulder. No one totally relaxed.
It proved a long wait. Half way through the night, Deke sent Clint and Abby out to get some food for everyone. And Rusty and Hannah both showed up, they seemed weary from the drive and concern laced their expressions. Hannah grabbed Samantha and hugged her to her.
"How is he?" Rusty seemed over the top with nerves.
"We don't know…much of anything," Deke said and explained it all to him. Rusty shook his head his fist coming down against his leg in some expression of anger and fear.
"Man, why did this have to happen now?" Rusty fretted, as though anger was what kept him sane during this kind of stress.
Deke grabbed him for a minute and pulled him close for a hug, but Rusty flung himself away, as he pushed the fear away with anger.
Hannah pulled him by the hand to a chair and they sat, side by side, waiting.
Coffee went around a time or two, but Samantha couldn't eat or drink, not until she knew he was going to be all right. Not until she heard it from the doctor.
