"What's happened?"
"Nothing." Wendy scrambled for something to do, so she hung up a couple of shirts that had fallen on the floor in her closet.
"I'm not buying that."
Wendy let out a breath, and turned to look Julie in the eye.
"Wade threatened me again, about Sam."
"What is his problem? I would think he would be happy you have finally found someone of your own age."
"I don't know. He just doesn't trust Sam. And Sam has given him no reason not to."
"Is that all…?"
Wendy turned away, and when she did, the slit in her gown showed the bruise halfway up her leg.
"My God….did he do this?"
Julie lifted her gown so she could inspect the bruise that was still turning different colors.
Wendy flopped on her bed and winced from the pain, and then tried to control the trembling in her arms and legs. But to talk about all of this aloud scared her. The more they knew, the more danger there could be with Wade.
He was literally going to have a fit when he tried to get in and couldn't. She knew that.
"I don't think he meant it…" Wendy's voice trembled with despair.
"My God, honey, he can't do this to you. I'll fire him myself."
"No…please…don't do this. It's something I have to figure out how to handle. Don't you see I can never grow up until I face my own problems? And I helped create this one."
"Yes, I do see that. I knew this day would come, when you'd insert your independence. I know what you are saying, and in other circumstances, I'd agree, but not with this. He's going too far, honey. I'm calling Letty right now."
"Oh God, I didn't want this to happen…." Wendy needed to say something reassuring, but she couldn't hide the worry.
"You just relax. We will take care of this. I agree you have to handle your life, honey. But this is bigger than what you are talking about. Something is wrong with Wade, and Cade, Letty and even Sandy and I have to figure out how to handle this."
"But…don't you see it might make it worse?"
"Can it really get any worse?" Julie dialed Letty's number. When she answered she held up a finger for Wendy to be quiet. "Get over here to the ranch, Letty; bring Hank, we need you."
"I'm on my way." Letty didn't argue.
Letty didn't even stop to ask what the problem was. She obviously recognized a troubled voice.
Wendy grew anxious. All of them would get involved now.
She then called Sandy. "Come over; yes, tonight, it's very important."
Wendy was shaking again now. The fear seemed to consume her. Things might get worse if Wade knew everyone was against him.
"Cade, can you stop long enough to come up here?" Julie called from the balcony.
"Sure, be right up," Cade said.
When he walked in, Julie opened the leg of Wendy's gown and showed him the bruise.
"What happened?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing on the bruise, his face a wad of concern.
"Wade!" Julie answered.
Cade nearly hit the roof. He banged his hand on the wall and cursed under his breath. "I knew he was having some problems, but I never thought he'd do something like this. And especially to Wendy."
"What caused all of this?" Cade asked Wendy as he put his arm around her protectively.
"He doesn't want me dating Sam."
"That's not his concern." Cade looked at her. "Do you like Sam?"
"Yes, very much in fact," Wendy answered.
"Good, it's time me and my brother had a talk. I knew there was something going on when you said you wanted the locks changed. I don't blame you. You are a grown young woman and you need your privacy. We'll do what we have to do. No one wants to live in a house where anyone can walk in on them."
"Cade…" Wendy looked up at him. "I don't want you to throw him off the ranch or anything, just talk to him, and try to find out what is eating him. He's not acting himself. And I really don't want to cause him trouble. According to him, I'm the one that causes him trouble."
"No…Wendy, it's more than that. Okay, we'll try that first. But, I can't let him hurt you,…" Cade said. "I've been suspecting something for some time. It seems Wade changes his whole attitude at the spur of the moment. I think…I think he's bi-polar."
"What is that?" the girls both asked.
"It is something that creates severe mood changes in a person. He can be calm and happy one minute and mad as a hornet the next. He's been barking at the men every day, and then he changes back to happy."
"I've caused all of this…and I'm so sorry."
"No…if he's bi-polar, it's a medical problem, Wendy. You didn't cause anything. Listen, even I can't get along with him for long."
Julie sat with her until Letty arrived and when Letty saw the bruise she almost stomped out of the house, for the bunkhouse.
"Wendy thinks it's her fault," Julie explained.
"Like hell it is." Letty pulled Wendy to her and hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry, honey. If he touches her again, I'll kill him."
"Letty, you aren't helping the situation," Julie corrected her.
"Maybe not, but it might give me a lot of satisfaction. Who the heck does he think he is?"
Hank's face went white, his hands fisting at his side as he pulled Wendy against him. "It's not your fault."
"Then why is he acting this way? Why has he turned on me, so much?"
"Wade is a grown man. He's let the control of this ranch take him over. It's time someone set him straight. He's been getting too big for his britches for some time. But I won't allow him to hurt one of you girls. None of you girls," Hank was saying.
Cade was sitting on the edge of her bed with Julie and suddenly stood up and nodded. "You are right, and I'm the one to do it."
"Well, if you need any help, just holler. I don't approve of anyone hurting my sister-in-law like that," Hank insisted. "Why, she's just a kid. He could pull a lot of things, Cade, but not this…"
Cade nodded slowly. "I think he needs to see a doctor. I really do. But you all know how he feels about doctors. He's been having fits of rage lately. At first I ignored it, thought maybe he was under too much stress. It can happen with responsibilities. But it's happening more often. He's got to get some help; I won't put up with this…He nearly fired Caleb the other day. If I hadn't heard the yelling and gone in to stop it, I'm not sure what he might have done."
When Sandy and Mike came over, Sandy sat on the bed and, seeing the emotional toll it was taking on Wendy, she cradled her in her arms.
Mike bristled. "What the hell does he think he's doing?"
Cade's fury seemed to fester. "You know, he's my brother and I love him. But he's not going to act this way."
"You got two helpers right here." Hank pointed to Mike and him.
"Maybe it would be better if we all talked to him. All the men at least. He wouldn't listen to you women, I'm afraid." Cade shook his head sadly.
"Wendy, I don't know why he's done this, but I assure you it will stop. Or he will be off this ranch. And if he doesn't go willingly to the doctor, I might have to throw him off the place; there are three of us, I think we can take him."
Wendy stared at them. "It's just a bruise, it'll heal. I don't want to cause any more trouble. Really…I need to handle this myself."
"If it was an ordinary problem, I'd let you, but it isn't. He's sick, Wendy. And the problem is, he doesn't know it, or accept it."
"Maybe the bruise will heal, but what would he do next time?" Hank asked. "And this all seems to happen when none of us are around. When a man takes an advantage over a woman, it usually doesn't get better, Wendy."
Wendy sighed heavily. "I don't know."
"She's afraid of him," Letty announced.
Everyone looked at Wendy.
Cade sat down beside her. "Well, I'm not going to stand by and watch her be afraid. Either he straightens up, or he goes."
"I'm with you," Hank agreed.
"Me too."
Mike nodded.
"We'll talk to him tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yes. The sooner, the better. Now we are going downstairs and changing the locks on the doors so you can lock up without worrying about anyone coming in on you. I'll give everyone here a key and you can decide who to let in when we aren't around. And then we are going over there to talk to him. Don't worry, okay?"
Wendy nodded. But relief didn't flow through her. She would have to face him, eventually, and be able to stand her ground; until she did, he wouldn't respect her.
~*~
Cade went inside the bunkhouse and woke his brother.
"Come outside, we want to talk to you," Cade said in a stern voice.
"What the hell is this? It's late and I have to get up in the morning," Wade griped.
"Outside…"
When Wade threw on a shirt and went outside to the corral, he found the three of them waiting for him. He bristled.
"Okay, you got my attention. Now what is this about?" Wade demanded.
"It's about you ganging up on Wendy and rough housing her. That's what it is about," Cade insisted.
"I didn't rough house her," he began.
"She's black and blue on the leg where she fell," Cade shouted at him.
"She fell, wasn't my fault." He shrugged as though her injury were nothing to him. Cade bristled for his lack of concern.
"You couldn't have caught her, or keept her from falling? I don't know what's happened to you, Wade. You are not yourself. The Wade I know would never hurt a woman. I'm telling you it's got to stop."
"You are telling me? Just who do you think you are?"
Hank and Mike moved in then. "Yes, we are telling you."
"I run this ranch; I could have Hank fired, and even you, brother," Wade threatened.
"I doubt that. You might run the ranch, but you don't own it."
"No…I didn't marry into it like you did," Wade said, letting his sarcastic words bounce off his brother.
"I ought to knock some sense into you, Wade for that. But I promised Wendy I wouldn't. But if you ever touch her again, you are going to be off this ranch for good. And you can take that to the bank."
"Don't let that stop you, bro. I don't think Mike's much of a threat. And I can probably take Hank too. And you've been itching for a fight with me lately."
Mike doubled his fist at his side and firmed his lips. "I'll admit, I'm not a fighter Wade, but every man knows you have to stand up for what is right. And the way you are treating Wendy is not right. Not right at all."
"Why are you harassing her?" Cade wanted to know.
"Is that what she said?"
"No, it isn't. She didn't want us to come out here. But it's time someone did. Leave her alone; that hands off policy goes for you too, Wade. Leave her alone, or I'll be forced to physically put you off."
"I'd like to see the day."
"What's gotten into you?" Cade asked, his face lining with real concern. "I think it's time to see a doctor, Wade."
"A doctor? What the hell are you talking about? I'm not sick."
"I'm not so sure about that anymore, Wade…"
Wade stared at his brother as though he'd lost his mind.
"Look, I won't bother her again. You can tell her to call off the dogs. But if she messes with me, there will be trouble. You better tell her to stay out of my way."
"She's dating Sam, leave it alone," Mike insisted.
"He's rift-raff and you all know it. I am supposed to take care of this place. How can I do that when you go and hire someone like him?" Wade frowned up at Cade, who was a couple of inches taller.
"So? He hasn't done anything wrong since he's been here. Has he?" Hank asked, gritting his teeth.
"No, but he will. And then you will all be sorry." Wade laughed.
Just then, Sam came out of the bunkhouse and heard the goings on.
"What's wrong?" Sam asked softly.
"Wade has overstepped himself. He hurt Wendy tonight."
"Hurt her?" Sam shouted. Then he dove for Wade.
Mike pulled him off, and told him Wendy was alright.
Sam was beside himself with concern for Wendy. Mike had to hold him from tearing into Wade again. He came up to Wade and looked him in the eye. "You hurt her again and we will tangle. That's a promise. Even if I have to go to jail, it's a promise."
"You honestly think I'm scared of you, Sam? You little runt." Wade laughed. "You are just a little thug. That's all. But no one's throwing me off this ranch. Not even my big brother here."
"Just because you are taller, doesn't make you stronger," Sam insisted.
Cade came up to him now, got right in Wade’s face. "Wade you are officially warned. Leave Wendy alone. You touch her again, and I'll have the cops on you so fast you won't know what hit you, bro. And we will physically throw you off this property. And I know how much this place means to you. You get to the doctor and find out what's wrong with you, before it's too late. Or I'll haul your butt there myself."
"I'll be the foreman of this ranch until the day I die. It's already in the will. You can't fire me. Try it and see."
"And she loved you once," Sam said sadly.
"Don't kid yourself, she still does." Wade laughed and he walked back in the bunkhouse.
"He really believes that, doesn't he?" Hank shook his head. "That poor little gal is so scared she really shouldn't be alone here."
"Should we tell him about the locks?" Mike asked.
"Nope, let him find out tomorrow." Cade laughed.
"What about the locks?" Sam asked.
"Wendy wanted them changed so Wade couldn't just walk in on her any time he wanted."
Sam nodded. "That's a good idea. Makes me feel a little better. She's really been spooked lately."
"You knew she was uneasy about him?" Hank asked.
"Yeah, she wouldn't talk about it, but every time I brought her home this week she's been so tense. I wanted to say something, but figured I should stay out of it, unless she wanted to tell me."
Cade came up to Sam. "If anything happens when you are around, let me know and fast."
"Will do. Hey, you knew why I wasn't around today, didn't you? I mean, I told you I had to report to my probation officer in Dallas."
"Yeah. Thanks for letting me know. Everything go alright?"
"Yeah, he was impressed I got a job here and thinks things will work out for me. As long as I don't get into any trouble. But Wade…"
"You let me handle Wade. I don't want you messing up your life over my brother's problems. If he doesn't go to the doctor soon, I’m gonna knock him out and take him myself."
"You really think he's bi-polar?" Mike asked.
"I do. I've been reading up on it since I first suspicioned. People are known to completely change their personality for short periods of time. Problem is, we can't let him hurt Wendy in the process. Because most of his anger is directed toward her."
"That's for sure." Sam nodded.
Cade slapped him on the shoulder. "Get some rest. Everything is going to be alright."
"I hope so…I surely do," Sam said as he went back inside the bunkhouse.
"You think he'll be alright, in there with Wade?" Hank asked.
"He better be. Sam might have had some problems, but he hasn't been a problem to us, and he's doing his best to stay out of trouble. Wade starts something with him, it will be Wade who pays. That little fella is tough as nails. I wouldn't go up against him when he's riled like he is right now. I guess he does have some feelings for Wendy. I don't know what is wrong with Wade, but I don't like this change in him any better than Wendy does," Cade said. "He's not himself. He's got to get to the doctor."
"We need to all keep an eye out for trouble here," Mike encouraged. "She's alone a lot here and no one to see after her."
"That's true, but we can always put a bug in the rest of the men's ear and make sure they keep an eye on her. Caleb would call me any time something went wrong."
"
You got that right," Hank agreed. "He loves little ole Kellie like she was his own."
"Anyone has any trouble, let me know," Cade said. "Hank, you get into any trouble with him, you let me know, first thing. Alright? He might even try to fire you, ignore him if he does and let me know."
"Will do." Hank nodded.
They walked back up to the house, and all had a cup of coffee, discussing things with the girls. But it was Wendy they seemed concerned about. And the three brother-in-laws never felt closer to her than now.
Chapter Six
The sun hadn't come up yet, the birds weren't chirping outside her window, and yet something woke her. Wendy opened her eyes and looked around her room. That's when she realized, Wade was already banging on the doors. It was still dark outside. She glanced at her alarm clock, it was barely five thirty. Wendy resisted going downstairs, for one thing it was too early to be getting up unless there was an emergency, and she hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet. She put her hands over her ears as the banging got louder. She didn't want to face him like this; besides, she wasn't dressed properly. He could just be mad. But his constant banging was driving her crazy.
She heard voices and the banging suddenly stopped.
She closed her eyes. But the worry of Wade's anger made her open them again. It was no use, she had to get up.
Someone had told Wade about the locks. He was probably livid.
She expected his fury, but she had no idea how to handle it yet.
Wendy decided she wouldn't go out today to do her chores. Maybe she was a coward, but right now, she knew she wasn't ready to handle him. Wade was supposed to run the ranch, not her. He got a very handsome salary for doing it. This time he could do it alone, she decided. No more running errands and doing favors for Wade. He'd have to handle his job alone, without her help.
She took a shower, locking the bathroom door; afterwards, she couldn't help but glance in the mirror at her sore leg. It was still black and blue, and a few other colors to boot. After dressing in jeans and t-shirt, she went downstairs to make coffee. It was hard not to limp, but if the others knew how bad it hurt, they'd make a fuss and she didn't want that. Her hands shook as she poured the water in the pot. She silently scolded herself for her fears. "Bone up, get tough!" her father had once told her. Wade could easily best her unless she got tough. But her leg hurt, and her feelings were so mixed, she wasn't sure how to get tough. She wanted to just cry.
Stand By Me (Book 4 of the McKay's) Page 6
