The Payment (26 page)

His fists gripped tightly at his sides, Dane
struggled to keep his temper. He knew he deserved his brother’s
contempt, but it hurt. Hurt terribly. “You’re right my wife
deserves better, but I aim to prove to her that I will never do
anything to hurt her again. To show her how much I love her. I know
you might never forgive me Traye but I want you to know how I truly
regret that day. Drunk or not it’s no excuse.”

Traye heard the guilt and sadness in his
brother’s voice and closed his eyes as he drew in a long trembling
breath. “Well, only time will tell. Now since you’re here you can
give me a hand with stacking the bales of hay.”

Dane felt the tension drain out of him, he
knew he might not have his brother’s complete trust or respect back
but at least Traye offered a way back to each other. And he
promised he would do whatever he needed to do, to win his love and
respect back.

For an hour, they worked compatibly side by
side and the last bale was stacked. Dane wiped the sweat from his
brow on the sleeve of his shirt. “Whew, thank God that’s over with.
I don’t know about you, but I could use something cold to
drink.”

“
Yeah I could to. Dane I’m worried
about India, she’s so big will she be alright?” Traye asked with
concern as he and Dane walked out of the barn.

Dane slapped Traye lightly on the shoulder
and grinned reassuringly. “She’s so big because she’s expecting
twins. Chin Li told me a few days ago. I’m worried too but I’m sure
everything will be fine.”

Traye stopped walking and gazed at his
brother incredulously; he threw back his head and laughed. “Twins,
well I’ll be damned, I bet she took the news real well.”

With a chuckle, Dane shook his head. “She
thought I was joking at first I don’t think she liked the idea at
all, but we talked about it again this morning and she is resigned
and happy about it now.”

“
Hell I still can’t believe it.” Traye
laughed again.

“
What can’t you believe?” Devon came
up to them.

“
India’s having twins.” Traye answered
before Dane could.

Devon stared in shock. “Jesus, isn’t she too
small?” He asked in worry.

His brother’s reaction to the news pleased
Dane. It told them just how much they cared for India. “Chin Li
said she and the babies will be just fine.” Inside though he could
admit his own worry over his wife’s condition. However, no matter
how he felt he hid his concern. It would only make everyone else
worry even more. Especially India.

“
Well if Chin Li is sure she’s going
to be all right she’s going to be.” Devon tried to sound positive
when he caught the worry in Dane’s eyes he tried so hard to
hide.

“
And speaking of my wife I think I’ll
go and see her.” Dane forgot his thirst he wanted to check on his
wife.

“
I hope she’s going to be all right, I
can’t help but worry with her being so small.” Traye said quietly
after Dane walked away.

Devon slipped off his hat and slapped it
against his thigh as he watched Dane head for the house. “Yeah me
too, hell things are sure a friggin mess, let’s just hope we can
get it all cleared up and India and the babies come through the
birth okay. I think it’ll kill Dane if anything happens to any of
them.”

Traye frowned.

Devon noticed the look of confusion on
Traye’s face and clasped his shoulder. “Let it go Traye, he knows
what he did was wrong and will always have to live with what he
nearly did and how he hurt everyone. His suffered enough and he has
enough to worry about without you despising him.” He had finally
found out everything that happened and even though disillusioned at
Dane he could see how much he loved his wife.

Traye stiffened and glared angrily at Devon.
“Damn it I’m trying.”

“
Good, come on let’s ride out and see
what the others are up to.” Devon let go of Traye’s shoulder,
placed his hat back on his head and headed for the barn to saddle
his horse.

One more look at the house, Traye sighed
heavily before he turned and followed Devon to the barn. Devon is
right. Dane had enough to worry about besides their mother. He
needed to let go of his anger and disappointment.

FORTY-EIGHT

The weeks slipped by without any trouble.
Everyone decided with India having only four weeks to go, that Dane
should stay at the house. Things might be peaceful at the moment
but no one wanted to take any chances. Fences were still being cut,
cattle were still missing, but they heard nothing from their mother
and that is what worried them the most.

Supper now finished, everyone sat in the
parlor in front of the fire when they heard a horse ride up.

Jesse rose to his feet and went to answer
the door. When he opened the door, he took one look at Jeff’s face
and knew instantly that something terrible must have occurred. His
eyes widened with surprise when Jeff pushed past him and strode
through to the parlor. Quickly closing the door, he followed.

Alarmed when Jeff came rushing into the
room, Dane quickly turned to Chin Li. “Take Mason and Tye upstairs
please.” No one said a word until the children were ushered out of
the room and upstairs. “What happened Jeff?” Never could any of
them ever remember seeing Jeff look like this. His clothes were
rumpled and askew, his hair a tangled mess, what glowed in his eyes
worried them the most.

Totally shocked over Jeff’s appearance,
India went tense. Jeff was always so immaculately put together.
However tonight he looked as if he must have slept in his clothes
for the past week.

Unable to meet anyone’s eyes, Jeff stood
staring out the window. He did not have a clue how he could find
the words to tell everyone what happened, but he knew he didn’t
have a choice. Reluctantly turning around, his gaze moved from one
concerned face to another, he felt heat burn his face. His
shoulders sagging, he dropped his gaze to the floor and wondered
how he could tell them.

Quickly noticing Jeff’s embarrassment and
agitation Dane turned to his wife and whispered in her ear. “I
think it might be best if I take you upstairs.” When she nodded in
agreement, he rose to his feet, swept her up in his arms and
carried her from the room.

Once he reached their bedroom, he placed her
on the bed and kissed her brow. “I’m sorry sweetheart but
something’s embarrassing Jeff, and I don’t think he will say what
it is while you're there.”

India settled herself on the bed. “You’re
right, just find out what it is and help him.”

Dane cuddled her lightly and kissed her brow
again. “I’ll do what I can sweetheart, I’ll be back soon.” He left
his wife and hurried back down stairs, his gut churned with worry
knowing something terrible happened to Jeff.

When Dane returned Jeff headed for the
decanter of whiskey and poured himself a large drink, he picked it
up and swallowed the lot.

No one said a word. They all sat tensely and
waited for Jeff to gain control of himself and tell them what upset
him.

Jeff poured himself another drink before he
moved back to the window and stared out at the darkness unable to
bear to face any of them while he explained. “I had a visitor just
before I closed the office. Your mother arrived. At first, she
acted all sweet and helpless. But when she realized her act didn’t
work. Damn it, she tried seduction. She...she started to
undress.”

His head falling forward, Jeff squeezed his
eyes tightly shut and heaved in a ragged breath, what he needed to
say next sickened him, and shame filled him. His brothers had a
right to know. But what she did next there wouldn’t be any way in
hell he could tell them. He just couldn’t. He loved them too much.
He knew then he could not tell them everything that had transpired.
It would hurt and shame them too much. “I told her to get dressed,
that she was making an utter fool of herself but it made no
difference. The only way I could stop her and make her leave was to
slap her.”

He shuddered, as he tried to force the
memories away, but the ugly scene slipped through his mind making
it impossible. “After the slap she finally realized that I wasn’t
interested. While she dressed, she laughed then left.”

Nobody said a word after Jeff finished
speaking; Dane slowly rose to his feet and joined Jeff at the
window. He placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sorry
Jeff. She only tried to get you on her side and failed, when she
realized it, she thought to tear us apart by trying to seduce you.
It won’t Jeff. You’re our brother and she can’t destroy the bond
between us. Don’t let her Jeff.”

With anguish in his eyes, Jeff lifted his
head and turned to Dane, the understanding in Dane’s eyes, he knew
Dane knew exactly what really happened.

The torment in Jeff’s eyes was nearly too
painful to witness. Dane hated seeing him suffer like this. “She
probably didn’t expect you to tell us. She doesn’t know how honest
you are, let it go Jeff.”

“
Not so honest Dane.” Jeff whispered
back and dropped his gaze unable to meet Dane’s a second
longer.

Traye came to stand beside Dane and Jeff and
caught his statement. “Damn it Jeff don’t feel guilty. The bitch
isn’t worth it.” He lowered his voice. “We appreciate you not
telling us everything.”

A look around the room then back at Traye
and Jeff, Dane wished he could have found a way to protect them all
those years ago. Traye suffered the most at their mother’s hands.
He witnessed things no young boy should ever see.

When Jeff finally left and returned to town,
his family went upstairs Dane locked the front door and returned to
the parlor to turn out the lamps. He was surprised to see Traye
still in the room.

Slowly turning away from the fire, Traye’s
eyes burned with fury and loathing. “She did it to him didn’t she?”
The words came out on a strangled breath.

Quickly moving to his brother’s side, Dane
shook his head in denial. “No, she tried but she didn’t. Jeff feels
dirty and ashamed, but he stopped her before anything
happened.”

“
The damn bitch, poor Jeff. I hope it
doesn’t ruin things for him.” Traye said softly.

Dane sighed in relief that Traye believed
him. “I think he’ll be fine. Don’t let it eat away at you either
Traye. It’s something very special to share with someone you
love.”

Traye sneered. “If it is so special why were
going to do it with that tramp Dianne?”

His face drained of color and filled with
guilt, Dane forced himself to meet Traye’s gaze straight on. “You
have every right to ask me, and as I told you earlier I will never
be able to forgive myself for what nearly happened. But Traye it is
special with the one you love.” With nothing else, he could say to
Traye he left him. He hoped his brother would forgive him and
believe him one day.

Traye watched Dane leave. He turned back to
stare into the fire. He did not mean to lash out at Dane, but he
could not help himself after what happened to Jeff.

His fists gripped tightly at his sides, and
he silently swore that somehow he would find a way to stop his
mother from destroying any more lives or using her evil ways on
anyone else. Dane might say what his mother tried to do to Jeff
might be special but as far as he was concerned, it was immoral and
dirty. He witnessed more than once his mother going down on one of
her lovers to make it anything special.

FORTY-NINE

A week later Dane stood on the veranda
keeping watch for Traye. His gut burning, he sensed something was
wrong. He turned when he heard the footsteps behind him. “Dev I’m
going out to look for Traye, he should be working over at the East
boundary. Take care of India for me.”

“
I’ll go.” Devon
volunteered.

“
No, I need to go.” Dane whipped the
words out and raced to the barn, his gut telling him Traye needed
him. If anything happened to Traye, he would never forgive himself.
He prayed he was mistaken and Traye would be safe.

Traye rode slowly as he checked the boundary
fences. Suddenly his horse came up lame. Cursing, he slid from the
saddle and bent to check his front right hoof. Knowing he could do
nothing for his horse until he arrived home, he straightened up and
cursed some more realizing he would have a good three-hour walk
ahead of him.

With a heavy frustrated sigh, he adjusted
his hat on his head and began leading his horse home. Walking for
around an hour, he stopped and wiped the sweat off his brow with
the sleeve of his shirt. About to replace his hat he looking up and
observed a rider bearing down on him. He relaxed when he recognized
Dane.

Dane pulled his horse up next to his
brother. “Glad to see you all right little brother.”

Traye grimaced. “Damn horse came up lame.
I’m glad you came, saved me a long walk home.”

With a chuckle, Dane was about to help his
brother swing up in the saddle when he suddenly froze. He caught
sight of a group of riders heading straight for them. “I think we
have unwanted company.” He heard Traye swearing and agreed. “Keep
your hand away from your gun Traye.” He warned.

He did not want to but Traye heeded his
brother's advice and stood waiting; his body alert and ready for
trouble.

King smiled with malice when he pulled up
before the two Mathews boys. “Well now, what do we have here? Your
Ma sure is going to be pleased.” He waved his hand giving one of
his men a signal.

Traye spun and fell to his knees when the
bullet slammed into his shoulder. He cursed himself for not being
prepared.

Dane roared and jumped from his horse and
fell to his knees at his brother side. He held Traye by his good
shoulder and with hate and retribution burning in his eyes he
looked up at King. “I’m going to kill you for this. You’ve gone too
far this time King.”