Farraday Country

by Chris Keniston

  “Sure hope she gets a chance to check up on the Thompsons between rubbing elbows with the rest of those hotshot lawyers and horsemen.”

  Aunt Eileen fanned her cards. “Oh, I’m sure she will.”

  Nora, Brooks’ nurse, smiled up at Hannah. “I see you got roped into a game.”

  “Wasn’t that hard.” Hannah smiled back.

  “I bet,” Nora said through a chuckle at the same moment her phone sounded with a text. “Hm.”

  Before Nora could fish her cell out of her purse, Aunt Eileen’s cell dinged as well. Not much reason for concern in a city where folks were glued to their phones with the same fascination as a passerby and a car wreck, but in Tuckers Bluff, where folks still preferred to drop in for a visit than to call, the synchronized timing was curious.

  “Damn.” Nora jumped to her feet. “Best hand I’ve had all morning.” She dropped her cards on the table. “We’ve got an emergency. I need to go.”

  Aunt Eileen’s brows buckled with concern. “DJ wants us at the B&B.”

  “That’s where the emergency is.” Nora slung her purse over her shoulder. “Guess I’ll see you there.”

  Aunt Eileen nodded, and looked at Hannah. “We’d better haul ass.”

  “We’ll hold the table down till you get back,” Ruth Ann called. It wouldn’t be the first time three of the social club ladies kept a game going.

  Hurrying to the car, Hannah hit the unlock fob. “What’s going on?”

  “DJ didn’t say.”

  “Only one way to find out.” Hannah turned the ignition, backed out of the space, and as her aunt had said a few minutes ago, hauled ass down the street.

  At the B&B, Hannah took the porch steps two at a time. The only thing stopping her heart from pounding out of its chest was knowing if any of the family were in trouble, Aunt Eileen would have gotten a phone call not a text. At least that’s what Hannah kept telling herself.

  The first thing to grab her attention was Nora in the front parlor hovering over a lump on the sofa. What had her and her aunt moving on to the big living room was the sound of her cousins’ voices increasing in decibel.

  “What the hell is going on?” Aunt Eileen came to a stop in the middle of the room.

  “We have a situation,” DJ said.

  Brooks glared at his brother. “Not if we don’t make it one.”

  “Butler Springs is not an option,” DJ countered.

  Brooks whipped his stethoscope from around his neck and tossed it on the sofa. “And the ranch is?”

  “With limited information, this is the most logical step.”

  “No.” Brooks shook his head vehemently.

  “Maybe,” Aunt Eileen stepped between her two nephews, “y’all should let me in on why you’re bickering like a couple of young bucks.”

  The two brothers stared at each other for a moment longer than Hannah was comfortable with. She’d seen the wrath of Aunt Eileen growing up and didn’t put it past the woman to haul both grown men off to the woodshed.

  Brooks was the first to ease his stance, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke to his aunt. “Your dinner guest from last night threw a clot this morning.”

  “Oh, my.” Aunt Eileen’s hand flew to her mouth.

  “He needs to be monitored. Have daily blood tests,” he turned to his brother, “in a hospital,” then faced his aunt again. “It will be at least a few days before the prescription blood thinners kick in. Until then we need to keep him on a Heparin IV.”

  “He’s not in a hospital now and he’s stable.” DJ spun around and faced his aunt. “Here’s the deal. I spoke last night with David—who by the way, usually goes by Dale. He’s supposed to be under the radar.”

  Aunt Eileen’s lips tightened into a thin line.

  DJ continued, “I’m concerned if he checks into a hospital, any hospital—”

  “He won’t be under the radar anymore,” Aunt Eileen finished.

  “Exactly. It’s also probably best if the whole town doesn’t know he’s still here.”

  This exact scenario could have been taking place in Hannah’s family house. Only in her case the one asking for special favors would be Jamie, the free spirit, and the one arguing for following the rules would be Ian, the by-the-book lawman. And of course, the one making the final decision, probably in Jamie’s favor, would be her mom.

  Aunt Eileen spun around to face her other nephew. “Can we keep an eye on him at the ranch?”

  Eyes closed, Brooks blew out a sigh before leveling his gaze with his aunt. “It could be done. We can do Heparin shots, but it’s not optimal.”

  Spinning about to face DJ again, Aunt Eileen seemed to weigh what both men had shared. “Will this be putting anyone in harm’s way?”

  DJ paused longer than Hannah was comfortable with. Of all the crazy things she’d come up with in her lifetime, and a few had been whoppers, none would have put anyone in any kind of danger.

  “It’s a possibility, but I think it’s low. If I learn different…” He let his words hang.

  “I’ll have to talk to your father, but in this family we do because we can. As long as we know what we’re up against we can certainly take care of ourselves. If it comes down to it, we all know how to use a gun.”

  DJ sighed and nodded. Hannah knew Aunt Eileen and guns were a sore spot in the family.

  “I don’t see any reason Sean will say anything different,” Aunt Eileen continued. “I have a good feeling about that young man. If it’s all right with your father, it’s all right with me.” And if her Uncle Sean was anything like Hannah’s dad and her mom, whatever was right with Aunt Eileen would be fine with Uncle Sean.

  ****

  Dale had the mother of all headaches.

  “Don’t move,” a soft voice urged.

  Maybe if he was really lucky, the voice was that of an angel and this mess of a life as he knew it was over. Taking way more energy than it should have, he managed to open his eyes. Or at least one of them.

  “Hi,” the angelic voice said. This time there was a face to go with the words. A pretty face. A familiar face. “You’ve had a rough day.”

  Had he? Struggling to focus more clearly, he let his gaze skip over the pretty face and glance around. Nothing else seemed even remotely familiar. The pleasant homey room implied he wasn’t in any danger. Steely blue eyes narrowed at his prolonged silence and it dawned on him he should say something. “Hi.” Not exactly Shakespeare, but what did they say about less is more.

  “Stay still, I’m going to get my cousin.” Quick-paced steps disappeared down what sounded like wooden stairs.

  Cousin? This time his gaze turned to the IV in his arm and then scanned the room again. The place didn’t look a thing like any hospital he’d ever been in. Why couldn’t he remember where he was, or how he got here? The last thing he recalled was talking with DJ. No. Breakfast and the fabulous smell of fresh baking cinnamon rolls. Then nothing. He was still wracking his memory for more details when multiple footsteps pounded in his direction.

  The door eased open and the angel, no not an angel, DJ’s cousin came in the door with a DJ clone. “You look better than you should.”

  “Thanks.” Though that wasn’t the first word that had come to mind.

  “I’m Brooks Farraday. Remember me from last night?”

  Barely, but Dale nodded anyhow.

  The good doctor pushed the bottom end of the bed sheet to one side and reached under Dale’s left leg, nodding. “Good. Not so warm anymore. You threw a clot.”

  A flash of recollected pain came to him. “My leg.”

  Brooks nodded. “I noted signs of recent injuries.”

  Not a question. Dale didn’t bother nodding.

  “Your doctor should have warned you that several hours on a motorcycle with your legs locked in a single position is just asking for a problem.”

  This time Dale nodded. The doctor had mentioned several similar things when they’d made the switch.

  “Now you’re
grounded.”

  “Grounded?” What the hell was the guy talking about?

  “You’ve been on an IV of Heparin to prevent more clots. You’re damn lucky we got this under control quickly. Had I not noticed you rubbing your leg last night, had my brother not noticed you sweating and called me right away, had I not placed the Heparin in my bag, you would probably be dead now.”

  Dale wasn’t a doctor but even he knew what a blood clot to the heart or lung could do and how fast it could kill a person. “Thanks.”

  “That’s my job.” The hint of a smile took the edge off his words. Another humble Farraday. And another one that Dale was very pleased he was better than good at his job.

  “Now what?” He needed to get moving. Out of town. Out of Texas.

  “My brother seems convinced putting you in the hospital isn’t in your best interest. I’m going to remove the IV. You have a prescription for blood thinners to take until your next check up with your regular physician. We’ll do injections for a few days until there’s enough of the Warfarin, the prescription, in your system for you to ride off into the sunset again.”

  “No.” Setting the un-needled arm at his side to shove off the bed with, Dale paused at the soft grip on his shoulder.

  “Not a good idea,” the angel whispered.

  “She’s right. Like it or not, it will take time for the blood thinner pills to kick in. Even after that, you’ll still need to be under a doctor’s care to stabilize the meds and blood clots. Then—”

  “Stop. That sounds like a lot more time than I have.”

  “You like breathing?” Brooks asked.

  Dale remained quiet.

  “Then you take the time.”

  “I can’t check into a hospital.”

  “You’re not.” The angel smiled at him. “You’ll be staying here. Brooks is going to monitor you.”

  “Where exactly is here?”

  “You’re at the ranch house. I’m sure you’ll be way more comfortable here than at the hospital in Butler Springs.”

  “I can’t do this either.” He knew she was right. He’d be a lot more comfortable here. And he knew the doctor was right, getting on his motorcycle was not the best idea. But he knew even more importantly, staying here was most definitely not a good plan.

  “It’s DJ’s idea.”

  “DJ?” Had his friend lost his mind?

  Brooks nodded. “That was my first thought too. But whatever you and my brother are not telling me, starting with why you gave us a different name, he seems to think this is the best place for you.”

  Maybe a few years in the country had made DJ soft. That had to be the only answer. Once again trying to push off his free arm, Dale raised himself upright. The stiffness in his back and pin prickle sensation in his leg reinforced the notion that staying put was in his best interest. But since when did he do what was in his best interest? “Thank you, Miss—”

  “Hannah.”

  That’s right. “Thank you, Hannah.” He went to sling his legs over the side of the bed and realized his pants were nowhere in sight.

  “If you’re looking for your britches,” Aunt Eileen came into the room carrying a tray, “forget about it. They had to cut them off you.”

  “I have more in my bag.” Less concerned with where he was, he took another look around the room for his bag.

  “I’m sure you do.” Aunt Eileen set the tray on a nearby dresser and turned to face him. “Now you get back into the bed and raise your legs. You do exactly as you’re told because you are in my charge now, young man, and nothing is going to happen to you on my watch.”

  Dale came within seconds of arguing with the older woman when muffled laughter reached him. Taking unexpected interest in the ceiling, Hannah stood to one side, her fingers over her mouth in an effort to better hide her amusement. Brooks, on the other hand, wore a satisfied smirk. Something told Dale that arguing would get him nowhere. The question at hand now was how did he explain to these nice but misguided people that it was in their best interest to give him his pants and let him go?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Now things were starting to get interesting. Hannah kept to herself as Aunt Eileen set the drink and dish on the night table.

  Clearly ready to leave, Brooks snapped his bag shut and looked at Dale. “Hannah and Aunt Eileen have instructions on what you can and can’t do. I’ll be by tomorrow to check up on you. DJ will be by tonight. Until then I suggest you just go with the flow.” Shaking his head, Brooks didn’t wait for a response. He turned, gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek, then Hannah, and headed straight for the door. “Remember, if Aunt Eileen isn’t happy, nobody is happy.”

  Sitting upright with the sheet wrapped around his waist, Dale painted a very pretty picture. Well, maybe not pretty. Perhaps handsome was a better word. Or maybe hunky. Or maybe calendar material. Or maybe Hannah should stop thinking about how good-looking this guy sitting in front of her was and start thinking about how he almost died this morning. Then she could start to wonder about why he was so anxious to get the hell away from Tuckers Bluff and why DJ was so anxious to keep him here and the town thinking he’d left. Whatever the case was, her aunt could handle it for now. “I’ll let you two decide who’s going to win this round. I want to pop over a minute to Connor’s and check on Starburst again.”

  “You go ahead, sweetie.” Aunt Eileen held a glass of water out to their guest. “We’ll be just fine.” She leveled her gaze with Dale. “Won’t we?”

  Mr. Hunky barely blinked. Nodding, he lifted his leg back onto the bed and let Aunt Eileen help him adjust the pillows before accepting the water. Whatever happened over the next few days, Hannah decided this could prove to be the most entertainment she’d had in a long time.

  Her foot hit the bottom step just as Brooks opened the front door. “You want to give me a lift over to Connor’s?”

  The way he glanced up the stairs and back, Hannah thought for a moment he was going to say no. “Sure, no problem.”

  “You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?” She wasn’t referring to just the man’s medical condition and Brooks knew it.

  “I’m not sure yet.” Brooks held the door open for her and stepped aside. “There’s just enough I don’t understand to make me want to know a whole lot more before letting this guy spend even another hour in this house. On the other hand, I trust my brother with my life, and if DJ says this is the best thing for everybody, I won’t argue with him.” He shifted his bag from one hand to the other and gestured for her to lead the way. “Might as well get moving.”

  Up until a few seconds ago Hannah was anxious to get back to the stables since Connor had brought in more horses than she had expected for potential therapy rides. Once Grace had started seriously working on the nonprofit end of the adaptive riding business, the entire family had been overwhelmed by the amount of interest and need in this part of the state. Everyone had assumed this far out in the middle of nowhere they’d be limited by whom they could help. As it turns out, plenty of people were willing to drive insane distances to get good help for their loved ones.

  As excited as she was with every inquiry, new horse, new piece of equipment, new board nailed into place and every inch of the program coming together, and as much as she wanted to go and work the stable now, suddenly the thought of leaving Aunt Eileen alone in the house didn’t sit right with her. “On second thought, the horses will still be there in the morning.” As her cousin had done a few seconds before, she looked up the stairway and back. “Besides, Aunt Eileen may need some help.”

  Brooks smiled at his young cousin. “Aren’t we the pair of worrywarts?”

  A puff of dust kicked up in the distance. A parade of cars turned onto the long driveway. Shading her eyes with her hand, Hannah squinted to get a better look. The sight almost made her laugh. “Looks like we’re not the only two. That’s Sally Mae’s car leading the pack. My guess is the rest of the social club is following in tow.”

  “You and
I may be worried. The rest of those ladies are overprotective on steroids. But I do feel better having a houseful of people here.”

  Hannah nodded in agreement. “You’re probably right.”

  “Still want a ride?” Brooks offered again.

  “Nah,” Hannah took a step back, hiding from view, “I think I’ll stick around. Things might get a bit interesting.”

  “Suit yourself. But just in case, if any of them come bearing cake balls....” He glanced over to the first car pulling up in front of the house and shook his head, holding back a smile. “Lock the guns and run for the hills.”

  “Got it, cuz.” Hannah really did love being around so much family again. Jamie and Ian had left home so long ago that she often felt like an only child. All this concern mingled with humor reminded her of her own family when she was a kid. “If things get really rough I’ll send up smoke signals.”

  Still shaking his head, Brooks made a mad dash for his car, pausing a moment to wave at the ladies as they one by one slammed their car doors and made their way to the house.

  Hannah closed the door and hurried up the stairs. Whatever the plan was to keep the presence of the new house guest under wraps, she was pretty sure none of it included an afternoon call from the Tuckers Bluff Ladies Afternoon Social Club.

  ****

  “Y’all didn’t have to come all the way out here.” Eileen repositioned her playing cards.

  Ruth Ann looked to her friend. “The way you and Hannah took off this morning—”

  “That was nothing.” Eileen tightened her grip on her cards. If they were going to pull this off, distracting these women for the next couple of hours would be key. “Poor Meg was just all aflutter over her guest passing out.”

  Sally Mae threw a chip into the pot. “I’d have thought Meg was made of stronger stuff than that. On the other hand, it can be rather frightening to have a supposedly healthy person suddenly drop at your feet. Good thing for everyone it was just his blood sugar.”

  Eileen focused on her cards. The last thing she needed was for her friends to see on her face the fib that the young man had recovered and ridden out of town.