The Price (45 page)

By late afternoon, Black Thunder wore himself out. Even Jack could see there was something terribly not right. The animal stumbled again and this time his muscular legs buckled beneath him and he collapsed to the ground, snorting as if in pain.

Black Thunder looked exhausted. He lay there as short, watery breaths escaped his nostrils. Kate rushed to his side but the animal kicked in a frenzied state and she jumped back. Jack knelt by the horse and stroked his cheeks, speaking in hushed tones in order to quiet the animal.

“What’s wrong with him?” Kate cried.

“I don’t know,” said Jack, observing the suffering of the great steed.

The animal seemed to release a sigh then looked at Jack with tired, dark eyes as if he was trying telling him something.

“We need to help him.” Kate stepped closer only to have Black Thunder snort and grow restless again.

She stepped back and Jack settled him down.

“Why won’t he let me come near him?”

“I don’t know.” Jack watched Black Thunder try to lift himself from the earth but to no avail.

He laid his head on the ground and grew silent. Jack knelt beside the steed and rubbed him on his cheek and neck. He looked at his hand and saw a coating of fur pasted to his palms again.

“I think he’s sick.” Jack looked up at Kate. “Real sick, baby.”

“No, he can’t be,” Kate cried, shaking her head.

The humane thing to do would be to put him down, but Jack didn’t have the heart—not after what this magnificent creature did for Kate.

It would be the ultimate disgrace, and Jack felt the animal deserved to be honored for the sacrifice he made.

It was then, that Jack realized exactly what Black Thunder had done.
There is always a price for healing
, he heard the old woman’s words. He looked down at the animal and saw the light fading from his eyes.

“With sacrifice comes death, and with death comes re-birth,” Jack whispered to the animal. “Is that what you did for Kate?”

The horse didn’t have to respond, for Jack already knew and a sadness engulfed him.

These would be the last days of Black Thunder. The horse that broke his fence and stole his mares, would never roam free again. He gave Kate the ultimate sacrifice—
his life for hers
—and it was at that moment that Jack knew Kate was healed.

He vowed to stay by the horse’s side to the very end. He owed him that. He looked up and saw the worry in Kate’s eyes. Jack stood and walked over to her.

“Baby, we need to talk.” Jack led her to the lounge chair and motioned for her to sit. He knelt beside her and reached for her hand. “He’s dying, Kate.”

She crumbled before his eyes, and he took her in his arms, holding her tightly.

“He can’t die.” Kate wept on his chest. “Not after what he did for me.”

“The choice was his, baby,” he said, rubbing her head and feeling small stubbles of growth. “Now we have to respect his decision and give him the honor of bowing out of this world with dignity.”

“How can I do that when he won’t let me near him?”

“Maybe you’re not supposed to be near him anymore,” said Jack, hearing the pain in her voice. “Maybe he’s got your sickness inside him, and he doesn’t want you taking it back.”

“So I’m just supposed to sit back and watch him die?”

“Your time with Black Thunder was for healing—now it’s my turn.” Jack knew what he had to do. “I’m to be with him in death.”

He stood and nodded to Kate, then returned to Black Thunder. He lay on the cold ground and stroked the animal’s neck as darkness fell over the desert terrain. Jack didn’t leave Black Thunder’s side, staying with him throughout the night.

On the Seventh day in the early morning light, Black Thunder took his last breath.

Jack knew it was time as the animal locked eyes with him and said his final goodbye. He sat there in the stillness of twilight, stroking the animal’s head as the great steed gave up and stopped breathing.

“Goodbye my friend.” He leaned over and kissed him on the nose as tears welled up in Jack’s eyes.

He would miss that damn, blasted horse who stole his mares, broke his fences and saved his wife from death.

He would never be able to look at life the same way again, and he was grateful to Black Thunder for opening his eyes. Jack looked up and saw Kate was awake, lying huddled in a blanket on the lounge chair.

He rose from the cold earth, leaving the sleeping stallion and walked to her side.

“He’s gone,” was all he said.

Then Jack knelt and wept into Kate’s lap. She rubbed the sandy stubble on his head as tears streamed down her face. Together, they grieved in silence for the loss of their friend and the price he paid in exchange for their life.

THIRTY-THREE

NEW BEGINNINGS

The long winter months were finally gone and so was Kate’s cancer. The doctors said she was in remission. They had no other medical explanation other than
It happens that way sometimes
, but Jack and Kate knew and so did their close friends. News spread fast in the small community of Virginia City, and most of the town was a buzz about the miracle the McBride family received.

As spring brought warmer weather, the snow plows were tucked back into the storage buildings and the ranch opened its doors for tourists. The summer season was upon them and the ranch became alive with visitors wanting to see what the west was like and handsome, rugged cowboys that were glad to oblige.

Today was a day of celebration, but instead of adults filtering in and out of the main house, it was overrun with balloons and toddlers, as they ran wild playing games and celebrating Jesse’s first birthday.

The blond, now green-eyed boy pounded excitedly on his high chair while everyone gathered round to sing “Happy Birthday.” Kate carried the child’s smaller birthday cake with a single candle in its center and the larger sat in the center of the table for their guests. With Jack by her side, they placed the cake in front of Jesse and watched his brilliant green eyes grow wide.

“Blow out the candle,” Jack instructed his son, puckering his in demonstration lips like he was ready to blow it out himself.

The youth mimicked his father blowing more bubbles than air. Jack snuck a quick puff and blew it out while his son took the credit.

“Yay!” Kate applauded, clapping her hands.

Jesse released a screech and clapped too, but then the cake caught his attention. He focused on the tiny candy horses pressed into creamy white icing. He made a face, just like Jack, and smashed his hands into the cake, feeling the creamy texture through his fingers. He lifted a handful to his mouth and tasted.

“Yum,” he said, savoring a mixture of icing, cake and fingers.

He reached into the cake again and offered his daddy a bite. Jack gladly accepted, opening his mouth wide, as his son stuck his little fist in with a handful of cake. Jack wrapped his lips around his tiny flesh and didn’t let go. Jesse laughed and grabbed another handful with his free hand and tried to put that in Jack’s mouth, too.

Kate grabbed the camera and starting taking pictures. This moment was priceless and she didn’t want to lose it. It would go in her scrapbook, the one she started ever since returning from her visit with Black Thunder. Life was too short, and she wanted to capture every waking moment.

Kate cut the birthday cake for toddler and adults alike while Clara passed them out.

“I can’t believe Jesse is one,” said Clara. “It seems like only yesterday when he was born.”

It was a cliché response, but to Kate, it seemed like a lifetime. She was grateful to be alive and share in her son’s first year anniversary, and she prayed she would experience many more.

“Just wait until he starts walking,” interjected Clara’s sister Felicia as she watched her son race through the dining room and head for the living area. “How many times do I have to tell you,
no running in the house?”

Felicia ran after her son, screaming like a banshee, for him to stop running. Kate looked at Clara and laughed.

“What can I say? She’s a nut job,” laughed Clara. “That’s going to be you a year from now.”

“God, I hope so,” said Kate, handing her friend another piece of cake. “Here give this to Adam.”

“Nah, he’s too busy playing X-box,” said Clara as she picked up the fork and took a bite. “Besides, I’m eating for two now.”

Kate did a double take as she tilted her head and gave Clara a questioning look.

“You’re pregnant?” A smile graced her face.

“Oh shit, I wasn’t supposed to say anything!” Clara bit on the plastic fork. “Adam wanted us to tell you both in private but I guess I just spilled the beans without him.”

“Oh Clara, I’m so happy for you,” said Kate, and she hugged her friend. “When are you due?”

“December,” she beamed. “We wanted to tell you sooner but we wanted to make sure everything was good with the baby and all.”

“You kept a secret from me for
three months
?” Kate’s eyes went wide with astonishment. Wow! Now that was a record because Clara couldn’t keep a secret for
two days
much less
three months
.

“Well, we only found out about a month and a half ago,” said Clara, emphasizing the half with pride.

“Do you know what you’re having?”

“Not yet, but I think it’s a boy,” stated Clara. “I have it on full authority if you crave junk food, it’s a boy, or at least that’s what Felicia keeps telling me.”

“What does Adam want?”

“Adam doesn’t care as long as the baby is healthy,” said a male voice behind Kate.

They both turned and saw Adam frowning.

“It slipped!” Clara shrugged before reaching for a second piece of cake.

“I swear to God, Clara, your mouth runs more than the Truckee River,” said Adam, shaking his head.

“Congratulations, Adam.” Kate leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“What are we congratulating him for?” asked Jack, stepping into the mix as he held Jesse like a football, keeping his cake-riddled hands away from him.

“Why didn’t you clean Jesse up before taking him from the highchair?” Kate grabbed the baby wipes from the table.

“Because your son has become an escape artist,” stated Jack, holding the screaming child while his mother washed his hands and face. “He slid out from under the tray.”

“You didn’t have him buckled in?” Kate frowned.

“Oh,” said Jack, and looked at Adam and Clara. “I forgot!”

He winked at Adam then laughed.

“Can we get back to my original question,” Jack continued, hoping to divert Kate’s wrath. “Why are we congratulating Adam?”

“Because he’s about to become a father,” said Kate as she finished cleaning Jesse and took him from Jack. “Don’t let any of Jack’s bad habits rub off on you!”

“You don’t say!” Jack grinned from ear to ear. “Well congrats, old man, and might I add, it’s about time!”

Jack shook Adam’s hand and patted him on the shoulder.

“Thanks, I think,” said Adam, sliding his wire-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose that had slipped down from Jack’s firm pat .

“This calls for a celebration,” said Jack. “I have a bottle of scotch with your name on it. Let’s say you and me head to my study and we’ll crack it open.”

“I’m game if you are.” Adam nodded.

They both went to leave, but Kate stepped into Jack’s path and blocked him.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” asked Kate, lifting her brow.

“Sorry, baby, I forgot.,” Jack leaned over and planted a kiss on her lips. “How was that?”

“Nice, but that was not what I was talking about.” She passed their son back to him. “Jesse needs his diaper changed.”

Jack’s eyes grew horrified wide.

“Can’t you do it?” he asked, knowing what he was going to find.

“I could, but seeing how Adam is going to be a daddy soon, I thought you might want to show him how it’s done.” She winked at Clara.

“I agree with Kate,” said Clara. “It would be good practice, Adam.”

Kate locked arms with Clara and they headed for the front door.

“I think we just got played.” Jack looked at his son and smelled something permeating from his underpants. “You want to change him?”

He held out his son for Adam to hold.

“Not really,” said Adam, and he stepped back when he caught a whiff. “I’m still in the textbook mode of training.”

“No better time like the present to learn firsthand,” said Jack. “Follow me to the nursery.”

“I thought we were going to your study to drink,” said Adam as he followed Jack up the stairs.

“Rule number one for becoming a dad.” Jack turned on the stairs and looked at Adam. “The things that you like to do are not necessarily the things you are going to do. Take it from me, I’ve been trying to break into that bottle of scotch for the past four months now.”

“That bad huh?” asked Adam with a petrified look on his face.

“No, that good.” Jack smiled and kissed his son on the cheek. “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

Kate and Clara slipped out the front door and sat on the porch swing. It was a moment of escape from the party and screaming kids. Not that Kate minded. She liked a houseful of family and friends.

“You do realize as your best friend, I am obligated to throw you a baby shower,” said Kate to Clara.

“I was hoping you would,” Clara sighed with relief. “I love my sister but her parties always suck.”

“Felicia isn’t that bad,” Kate laughed.

“Oh, she’s the worst.” Clara rolled her eyes. “She’ll do baby stork centerpieces, baby stork take home bags and make me play those ridiculous shower games that I hate.”

“Oh yeah, stork stuff is the worst,” Kate scrunched up her nose and made a face. “But I like the games.”

“All right, I’ll let you do a couple of games, but please, for the love of God, make sure they aren’t lame.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” she giggled.

They heard a low rumble on the ground and they both looked up to see an aqua-colored Toyota Prius traveling along the dirt road, heading for the main house.

“Who’s that?” asked Clara.

“I haven’t a clue,” said Kate.