The Heart Of Texas

by RJ Scott

  She thumbed through the contacts to find Steve's number, his familiar "Yo, Eden" a jolt to her heart. She always wondered why he put up with the shit the Hayes family dumped on him. The meals where comments were made on his lifestyle, where his heart condition was laid out for discussion in cold hard facts, the times Riley just dragged him upstairs to avoid the vitriol. Still he stayed. He visited for Riley. He was Riley's only real friend, and the only one who saw through the crap. Eden always thought that Gerald Hayes liked Riley friendless. It kept controlling his middle child that much easier.

  "Eden?" Steve's voice sounded puzzled. Eden wasn't usually this silent, and given it was four in the morning, it would be obvious something wasn't right, "Eden, you're scaring me, babe. Where are you?"

  "It's Riley. There's been an accident. He— I need you, and Beth needs you. Can you come, Steve?"

  There was no hesitation in Steve's voice. "Are you at Mercy?"

  "Yes."

  "I'll be there in ten."

  The phone went silent in her ear, and she pulled it away as the call ended message flashed on the screen, meeting Beth's eyes full of compassion and understanding, and suddenly she couldn't take any more. They had said it would be another hour at least, that it could be many more than that, and she needed air, needed to breathe.

  "I'll get coffee," she said abruptly, and before Beth could touch her, or say a thing, she fled the lounge.

  "He's all she has," Jack offered quietly, encouraging his sister to come sit with him, offering her his arm to lean on. "At the house, there is no one for Eden except for Riley, and the same for Riley. He only has Eden."

  "That's really sad," Beth said softly, her hand on her belly, reassuring herself that everything was okay. "To have no one left."

  The door swung open to reveal a disheveled Josh standing in the doorway, his eyes frantic to find Jack, and the relief was blatantly obvious as he found him. Jack stood to greet his brother, pulling Beth with them until the three stood in a close embrace.

  * * * *

  Donna waited in the doorway, seeing her children there for each other, together. There was sadness inside her that Alan had never taken the time to see this love in the family. He'd never seen that she'd chosen him over Hayes, that her love for him was enough for her. She didn't need money and prestige and a name that mattered in the pages of the Dallas Morning News. For all their issues, it was times like these when she missed her husband and his wide smile. She missed the start of their relationship when they had love and affection and had run away to marry, conceiving Josh in a small no-tell motel outside the Vegas main strip. Her eyes went to Beth. It wasn't right that Josh was the only one of them that didn't know his sister was expecting. He needed to know. They were a family.

  "Beth?" The siblings pulled apart, Beth's face wet with tears and the boys visibly shaken, but stronger for having each other. "It seems like maybe we should share your news with Josh."

  * * * *

  Eden rounded the corner, hot coffee in her insulated vending cup, heading for the blood bank. Her parents might be useless, and her family might be dysfunctional, but one of them, either her ice-cold mom or her scarlet-tempered dad, had donated the blood that Riley needed. There had to be some kind of redemption there. What she found in the blood bank was not what she expected, but it pleased her to see the man she called uncle standing with a similar cup of coffee in his hand.

  "Hi, Uncle J," she said, her spirits lifting.

  He glanced over, blinking steadily. It was confusing not to see his usual smile of welcome, but instead a look of shock on his face.

  "Eden," he said so softly she had to strain to hear, and then he held out his arms. She cuddled in to the familiarity of the man who let her color pictures in his office and who'd been her show and tell project at school on three occasions. He was the man who had taught her to ride a bike, build a tree swing, and how to handle boys, and she loved him totally.

  "Are you here with Dad?" she asked into his soft T-shirt. Her nose was tickling at the splitting logo on the front, something to do with his beloved football she assumed. She leaned back in his arms to look past his salt and pepper beard to his lips, pressed together in a harsh line, his eyes full of something. Something that almost looked like fear.

  "No, Eden, your father isn't here."

  "Mom then?"

  "No."

  "So they left?" Eden was bewildered. Surely they would have at least spoken to someone about Riley? Stayed to see he was okay? Eden felt the sigh run through Jim and the rise and fall of his chest under her hands, and she dropped them to rest on his arms, touching something that felt like… a bandage.

  Eyes widening, she looked up at him in shock and sudden, instant, realization.

  "They're not here, Eden."

  "Why? Were they here? Did they go? Is something wrong?" Eden's voice was broken, and her eyes searched his, looking for some kind of denial or answer to her unspoken question.

  "I think we should sit down, Eden," Jim said simply, guiding her to sit and half turning towards her. "I've wanted to tell Riley for so long."

  "Tell him what?"

  "Riley is my son." Eden stared back at him, a myriad of emotions on her face.

  "Are you my father?" There was hope in the question.

  Jim cupped her face in strong capable hands. "Oh, baby, you don't know how much I wish I was your father as well as Riley's."

  Eden held out her hand, determination in her words. "You need to come with me, to be with the family."

  Jim tugged back. "I can't, Eden. You don't understand. Your mom and I—"

  "Just come with me Uncle J. Trust me. Riley will want to thank his daddy."

  "I want to, Eden." He stopped, finally tugging his hand away. "But I won't. Riley doesn't have much from his family, apart from you, but at least he has his name, and that's important to him. I won't destroy that."

  * * * *

  Josh sat back on his seat, his mouth open in an O of surprise. "Expectin'?" he parroted what she had just said, paling as she nodded. "Your heart, Beth." He was only saying what everyone else had said to her.

  "I've seen a specialist. It can be okay," she offered helplessly, knowing what he needed to hear, that his little sister was going to be fine, but it just couldn't be said.

  "Can be okay?" Josh stood and stared into her eyes for a moment. "Who did this to you?" he finally demanded, startled as Jack made to stand between them, ever the pacifier in their sibling rows.

  "She won't say, Josh, and we shouldn't push it." There was fire in Jack's eyes. Fire and determination for the matter to be laid to rest. Josh simply nodded, and she knew what he thought— there'd be time for details later, when paternity tests could be carried out with no room for error. Jack took a step back, obviously trusting their older brother to do the right thing, and in one smooth movement, Josh had pulled Beth into him for a hug, and was saying the things she needed to hear.

  Releasing her, he pulled Jack into a bear hug and then stood back. "It's about time we get to share being an uncle!"

  Beth smiled up at her brothers. It was good that they both knew. Very good.

  Chapter 24

  Jack closed the cell, a smile on his face that belied the worry he was feeling about his husband. One piece of good news— momma and baby doing well. The veterinarian gave the usual provisos. Solo's foal was strong but premature, and she'd need care, but Solo's injuries were minimal as well.

  "Mr Campbell-Hayes?" The nurse stood at the door, looking expectantly from Josh to Jack.

  "Me," Jack replied, standing abruptly. "Is Riley okay?"

  "If you come with me, the surgeon would like to talk to you." Glancing back at his family, strengthened by their unspoken support, he followed her to the side room where a man stood, hardly older than him. Everything he said was a blur.

  "Everything went well— nicked an artery— blood transfusions from his father—unconscious— sleeping—"

  "Can I see him?" Can I just touch him and
maybe check that he's still alive?

  "The nurse will take you through as soon as he's situated in ICU. Do you have any further questions?" Jack tried to follow what he was saying. He had hundreds of questions… What happened? Why did Riley push Beth out of the way? Why did he run right into the fire? He just had none that he had to ask to surgeon. So thanking him and shaking his hand, he turned to follow the nurse who babbled on about having someone famous in the OR and the last time that had happened it had been some bit actor off of Dynasty, way, way back. Jack half listened, apprehension rising in him, wondering if he should go back and get Josh, or his mom, just to… to what? Hold his hand? Hell, he was an adult, not a kid. He could handle one unconscious husband.

  The door opened, and he listened carefully as she said not to look too closely, that each tube and wire was there for a reason.

  "He's out of any danger; everything went well."

  He thanked her, delaying looking at Riley until the very last minute. Until, finally, he was there, next to his husband's bed, looking down at the tall man, impossibly pale against the white sheets. He didn't look hurt. Every sign of the injury he'd received was hidden under hospital issue sheets and bandages. He simply looked peaceful, his hair pushed back from his face, his eyelids shut, and his lips separated by a tube disappearing into his mouth. Sighing Jack traced a finger from his forehead to throat, gently touching each mole, each inch of skin. Fear gripped him. How was he going to talk to this man when he finally opened his eyes? How could he possibly thank him for what he'd done for Beth?

  Scooting a chair closer, he slumped into it. He obviously now had time to think, and he was here for the long haul.

  * * * *

  Steve took the stairs, too impatient to wait for the elevator, bursting into the family room in a flurry of early morning air and panic. He sought Beth, found her, pulling her close in a frenzied hug. He then leaned back, looked at her pale face and tamped down the need to push her into a bed to sleep.

  "Talk to me," he ordered swiftly, half turning to Josh, looking for answers.

  "There was a fire at the D," Beth started.

  "Are you okay, Beth? Is the baby okay?" Steve looked down at her belly and back up at her beautiful eyes, drowning in the depths of tear-bright blue.

  Beth smiled softly, nodding. "I'm fine."

  "So how bad is Riley?" Eden asked. "Is he out of surgery yet?"

  "They took Jack out to talk," Josh said. "I think it's gonna be okay. The nurse was smiling." He stood to one side and looked from Steve to Beth and back again.

  "Are you really okay?" Steve pulled Beth close.

  "Riley put himself between me and the horse. He protected me from injury and probably saved the baby's life. He went in and helped Jack bring the horses out. If he hadn't, Jack would have been in there when it collapsed. Please, Steve, whatever made the two of you fall out, can you not forget, just for today?"

  "He—" Steve stopped the words on his lips, words that would damn Riley in front of his husband's family. He couldn't say them, couldn't even begin to string them together. "Okay, okay, shall we get you home, eh?" He looked at Josh, who nodded his approval. "I'll take her back to my apartment," he confirmed, kissing away the dissent in Beth's voice and clutching her hand. "Will you let us know?"

  * * * *

  Josh waited until his sister and Steve had left, crossing to close the door behind them and turning back to his mom. She was sitting quietly to one side, observing everything that was happening with a careful eye.

  "Is Steve the dad?" Josh asked his mom, wanting the truth.

  "She's saying nothing, but in my heart, I don't think it is Steve. I'm not sure how their relationship has evolved, but no, it isn't Steve."

  Josh subsided back into silence, crossing his legs and pulling at a magazine, covering a yawn behind his hands. So, if not Steve, then who?

  Chapter 25

  Riley woke to a new day, the light bright. Jack's face was the first he saw. His husband was slouched in the chair, breathing deeply, stubble lining his face and his hands crossed across his stomach.

  "Jack," he croaked, his throat raw. He watched as Jack blinked sleep away and sat upright.

  "Hey," Jack said softly, standing and pressing the button for the nurse, who arrived quickly, relieving the minute or so of uncomfortable and embarrassed silence.

  She bustled around Riley, lifting the head of his bed and maneuvering him into a more upright position. He was grateful the pain in his chest was currently numbed with meds. She finally left, leaving only Jack in the room with him. Memories and emotions swirled unchecked around them, waiting to be dealt with.

  "So," Jack started, "thank you. For coming in to help me, but mostly for stopping Solo from hurting Beth."

  Riley nodded and half smiled. "Better squashing a six-four muscle man than an itty bitty girl, eh?" he joked, glancing down at his bandages, a flush of embarrassment climbing his face. Jack sighed and moved closer to sit on the side of the bed.

  "Don't do that. Don't discount what you did like that. It was taking too long to get Taylor out on my own. She was terrified. I wouldn't have had time to go back for Solo. But when you came in—"

  "I think I freakin' fainted," Riley interrupted crossly, and Jack snorted.

  "Nah, I think it was more likely you passed out due to the internal bleeding from the nicked artery," Jack pointed out pragmatically.

  "That sounds a damn sight more manly than fainting," Riley finally said, his voice getting scratchier and his eyelids starting to droop.

  "Hang on," Jack said, sliding off the bed and disappearing out of the door.

  He came back with people in tow, Eden, Beth, and Josh and a very pale Donna. It was Eden who climbed up to curl up next to her brother, but it was Donna the Campbells let through first as they crowded around his bed.

  "Riley," she said, leaning over and kissing him on the forehead. "For Beth and Jack, thank you."

  * * * *

  Jack made his excuses, needing to meet the veterinarian back at the Double D, and one by one the others made their excuses to go. Riley assumed they felt he needed time on his own with Eden, who remained curled close to her big brother, clinging to his hospital gown, her knuckles white with the pressure. Riley held her close, not remembering the last time his confident sassy sister had come to him for comfort.

  "I think I'm going to be friends with Beth," she whispered into his chest. "She's pregnant, and so sick. Did Jack tell you that?" Riley's closed his eyes with shame. That his sister sat here, her heart in her voice, and to know what he'd done to Jack and his sister was too much.

  "That's good, Eden. She needs friends," he offered instead, his fingers digging into his sister's long hair as if to anchor himself to his sister's world of innocence where there were no secrets and no lies.

  "Riley, I have something I need to talk to you about," she said quietly, and he shifted slightly, leaning closer, his head spinning a little from the meds. "It's about the transfusion. When they brought you in, you needed blood. A lot of blood. They didn't have your type match, and mom and I weren't matches."

  Riley waited for her to say more, to explain the point, then suddenly put two and two together. "Did Dad donate the blood?" Eden uncurled herself from his side, placing her feet flat on the floor.

  "Your father donated the blood you needed, only it wasn't Daddy. It would never be Daddy, 'cause, Riley," tears choked her voice, "he isn't your dad."

  "What do you mean?" A frown creased his forehead.

  "Jim. Riley, he's your father."

  * * * *

  Jim Bailey was not one to mope or sulk. Life threw what it wanted at him, and he dealt with it. From falling in love at eighteen with the boss's wife, to dealing with the devil by not claiming his son as his. Now, though, he stood outside Riley's door, trying to get up the courage to open it. When Jack came up next to him with a coffee and a smile, the simple words "Have you been in to see Riley?" were enough to make him turn tail and run.

&n
bsp; "No, no, I haven't." he stuttered in reply, still staring at the door. Jack frowned and pushed the door opened

  "Come on in then. He'll be pleased for the company," Jack said simply and walked in.

  Eden was curled up again with Riley, her eyes wide and tear-filled. Riley was stiff and unyielding, and fury was carved into his face. "What's wrong?" he asked quickly, hurriedly placing his coffee on the table by the door and crossing to Riley. "What's happened?"

  "Me," Jim said as he closed the door. "Me," he repeated. "I happened."

  Jack rounded on him. "What the fuck did you do? Did Hayes send you? What have you done?"

  "Jack, wait," Riley interrupted. He drew in a breath, looking at Jim, but Jim couldn't look him in the eyes.

  "Riley—" Jim began, but Riley waved a hand in a gesture of no.

  "I just can't believe what Eden told me," Riley started, turning his head away from them all for a moment. When he turned back, his eyes were wet with tears, and the spark of something else. Something real. "All along I thought it was me, you know. I thought that I wasn't good enough. Not strong enough or smart enough. That was the reason Gerald Hayes hated me. But I was wrong. The problem wasn't me. It was him, because I'm guessing he knew. He knew he wasn't my father." He stopped.

  "We loved each other, Riley, your mom and I," Jim said quietly. "We were going to leave. She used to have a good heart, loved music, art and books. I loved her, and when she told me she was pregnant, I was the happiest man alive. You have to believe me."

  Riley dropped the smile, a mask of seriousness falling over his face. "I do believe you. I want you to know one thing."

  He paused, long enough for Jim to insert an encouraging, "What?"

  "Jim, I couldn't be happier."

  * * * *