By Atonia and Jo

Jo writing Maximus, Caroline, Bud, Marie, Sid, Hope, Cort, Daisy, Lachlan, Ben

Atonia writing Terry, Dee, Alex, Linda, Jack, Tarwyn, John, Bethany, Dino, Max

PART 21:

Morning came and Cort rolled over in bed, nuzzling his face into Daisy’s hair.  It was nothing short of delicious waking up beside her and he tickled her left ear with his tongue, chuckling when she half-swatted at him in her sleep.  With a wicked grin he slid a palm over her breast and she sighed and moved toward him, waking to his caress.  When his lips followed warmly where his hand had been, she was instantly absorbed into awareness of his presence.  Slowly, almost lingeringly, they made love as the sunlight grew brighter through the gauzy white curtains of their hotel room.

They ordered room service and ate in bed, feeding each other bites of bacon and toast.  Today they were driving from Las Cruces to White Sands National Monument.  She had been there once as a teenager, but he had never seen it and it was only around 60 miles from where they were.  It was what they both wanted, to make their way toward east Texas, stopping to enjoy sights…and each other…all along the way.

There was an early morning scare when Alex began coughing and couldn’t get his breath. Each time he coughed it felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach. The nurses were in and a doctor called up. Alex was put on oxygen, given something for his cough and later Dr. Canfield came in to see him.

“I think we need to get you up and moving. I know…I know, but if we don’t, Alex, there’s a real danger of pneumonia setting in.”

“I…I just want to get out of here.”

“I know you do, son, but it’s too soon.”

Tarwyn’s shoulder was doing well and the size of her bandage was reduced. Dr. Canfield said she should be able to go home tomorrow.

“Why can’t I go today? What’s going to happen in the next 24 hours?”

“We don’t know. You might take fever. Tomorrow, Tarwyn.”

She looked at Jack. “I look worse than I feel. It’s sore and I don’t want to be moving my shoulder around but other than that, I’m good.”

“You’d better do as the doctor tells you. Let me put it to you differently. You WILL do as Dr. Canfield instructs.”

Terry and Dee were packing up to go home. He carried their bag out to the lounge. John had gone downstairs with Beth so she could get a new ID card. Linda was watching the early report on TV.

“They’ve identified him. Should be big headlines today.”

“Do you need me to stay with you?” Terry asked.

“No, Terry, you’ve done enough. I’ve asked Max if he will stay. I’m going to get my lawyer up here and I’m going to try and hide out here with Alex for as long as I can but eventually I’m going to have to come forward. I’ll have to make a statement and I don’t want to make it from this hospital and have the media all over it looking for something.”

“You’re a smart woman, Linda, and if I can help in any way, let me know.”

“I will.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him.

“Linda, I’m around if you want to talk about anything.”

“Thank you, Deidre. I might take you up on that.”

After Terry and Dee left Max asked, “What is it you want me to do, Linda?”

“Max, I’m about to come into money, so much money that I could never count it all. I want you to be my financial advisor. I want you to handle my money for me. I know I can trust you to do what I want with it.”

“I’m flattered that you’d put your trust in me. I’m not sure I’m up to counting in the billions.”

“Ah, come on, we aren’t here for the dental plan.”

Max laughed.

Bud was dressed and waiting on his discharge papers.  Canfield had arranged for Marie to have a couple of days off to be at home with him.

“Can’t tell you how fuckin’ good it feels to have my clothes back on,” he sighed.

“Why, Officer White,” purred, “I much prefer you with your clothes…off.”

He laughed and enjoyed the feeling of laughing.  The shit storm was mostly over. Only Alex and Lachlan would remain in the hospital longer. Tarwyn was going home tomorrow. He was going home today. It wasn’t over for Maximus, though, and he frowned at the thought of what the General was going through.

“What is it?” Marie asked quickly, seeing his face change. “Something hurt?”

“Yeah, Marie, something hurts bigtime…Maximus.”

She sighed.  “I know.  I still can’t believe we lost Caroline through this.  It’s just so…not right.”

“And she was just trying to help, you know, trying to protect the rest of us.  One of the guys shoulda been doing what she was doing.”

Marie smiled at him, touching his cheek.  “I’ll excuse that statement on the ground you are a man of the 1950’s.  It’s just as much a woman’s job to protect those she loves.”

He smiled back at her.  “You would, wouldn’t you?”

“If I’d been there, I’d have done the same thing she did, yes.”

“Then I’d have lost you.  I don’t want that. I don’t ever want that.”

Maximus walked through the pine woods near the blue house, watching the two dogs playing together.  Terry had called, explaining about Hope, and Maximus was going to stay at the house in case she and Lachlan returned so he could help watch over her till Cort got back.  He was glad Cort was coming back.  He and Cort shared a commonality of the understanding of great loss.  They could be quiet in one another’s company and not have to speak of it.  The knowing was simply there.

A horn beeped and he turned around to see Terry letting Ben off.  Ben was going back to the safe house, but he wanted to get Outlaw. Later in the morning Maximus would drive him over there. 

Terry threw his hand up at Maximus and turned the car around. “I’ll be glad when Cort gets home.” Seeing Maximus without Caroline brought an unexpected lump to his throat.

Outlaw saw his adopted man and practically hurtled himself in Ben’s direction.  Ben squatted

to greet him and the dog knocked him over onto his backside and proceeded to stand on him

and lick his face and neck.

“I believe he is glad to see you,” Maximus commented.

“Damn, I ain’t never been greeted like this in my life.”

“Get used to it, Benjamin.  You have family now…and a dog and, I hear, a horse.”

“Ain’t that somethin’, Gen’rul?  Terry an’ Linda done got me my black.  Still can’t believe it.  I’m sure hankerin’ to get to him an’ ride him.”

“He is out at Linda’s, is that not right?”

“Yeah, got there right as we was moppin’ up the last of Hawkins’ gang.”

“Lachlan and Hope are remaining in the hospital today.  What if I drive us out to Linda’s and we both can go for a ride?  I think I would like the feel of a horse under me just now.  Here, in this house, the day stretches before me long and empty.”

“Now that sounds like a mighty fine idea, Gen’rul.  Mighty fine.  Dennis done told me to come out whenever an’ I think right now is as good a whenever as a man can find. You think we can take the dogs?”

“I think yes.  Outlaw does not look like he is going to let you out of his sight now that he has you back.”

Beth had the day off thanks to Dr. Canfield. She and John stopped by the grocery and picked up a few things before going home. John was quiet on the drive and when they reached the apartment. He couldn’t contain it any longer.

“Bethany, when were you going to tell me?”

Beth leaned her head on the fridge. “I was afraid to. It was so…so stupid of me.”

“How long have you known?”

“Not long.”

“In the first place, Bethany, it’s not your fault, in the second place…there’s nothing stupid about it. When the doctor came out and told me I was shocked. It was kind of the last thing I was thinking about. I’m not sorry.”

“You’re not mad?” She felt his arms come around her and he leaned her against him.

“Mad? You don’t know me very well, do you? Look at me?”

She turned in his arms and looked into his eyes.

“I love you, Bethany. The greatest thing in the world you could give me is your love…and our baby.”

“Over there!” Daisy pointed at a distant dune of purest white.  “I want to get a picture of you showing how big these guys are.”

Obligingly, Cort walked down the dune they’d been standing on and up another.  “Here all right?” he called out.

“Perfect!” she shouted back, taking the photograph.

Cort thought the place was marvelous.  He’d grown up, or so he remembered, in the desert but it had been nothing at all like this.  Arizona had a lot of red sand, often mixed with a substantial amount of grit.  But this…this was smooth and soft and fine and he sat down, letting it sift through his fingers.  That made him think of Maximus, who would be back at the pink house with Caroline, and he felt an anticipation of going to see him, bringing his Daisy, and the four

of them could share their happiness of profound love. 

Daisy came trudging up to him, grinning at the sight of him sitting there sifting.  When she sat down beside him, he grabbed her and began to roll down the dune, sheltering her with his arms and knees as he rolled so her back wouldn’t impact even the soft sand.  At the bottom, he relaxed back, holding her still in his arms.

“I love you, Daisy Wells,” he said, then lifted his head to kiss her.

Terry was sitting out on the deck smoking a cigarette. The last few days had been so intense he was having a hard time relaxing. He was glad to be out of the hospital and glad the Hawkins threat was over. The fallout was just now hitting him. Caroline was…dead. Had to be. No telling where Hawk’s people had dumped her body. He’d seen Maximus go through this before. There were no words he could say to him that would make it any easier. He tried to imagine if it were Nolia…no, no, he couldn’t imagine that at all.

He rubbed his eyes. There’d been the early morning panic over Alex. Lachlan and his wound…and Hope. The men were going to survive this. Alex had a long way to go, but…Hope. He shook his head slightly. Like Nolia told him on the way home, there was nothing he could do about any of it and making himself sick with worry wasn’t going to help anybody. Cort would be home soon and it wouldn’t be a pleasant homecoming.

He wondered what was happening to all of them. Why were they destined to suffer so? Fucking Sid he could understand but this latest thing came out of left field. Hearing the door open he turned his head.

“Get your shower?”

“Yes, got my hair washed at last. I checked the computer.”

“What were you checking for? We were all at the hospital together.”

“This,” she handed him a print out.

“Hmm, flight schedules.”

“It’s time…don’t you think? Time to start shifting around those simmering pots on the stove.”

He reached for her hand. “Time for us…yeah, Nolia, it’s time.”

The activity of the dogs in the back seat made the drive out to Linda’s less tense than it would have been if it had just been Maximus and Ben in the car.  Maximus was not in a conversational mood but either Marcus or Outlaw kept drooling on his shoulder or licking his ear and it was impossible not to respond to the good humor of the animals. 

When they arrived, they sought out Dennis, who was just coming out the front door of the main house.  “Get that there bloodstain cleaned up?”  Ben asked him.

“Had to replace the office carpet,” he shrugged, “but there ain’t a trace of ol’ Hawkins nowhere. 

“Well, we’re all well rid of the man,” Ben added.

“You come to ride your horse?”

“I did,” Ben smiled, “an’ the Gen’rul here would like to borrow hisself some fine horseflesh to ride if that’s all right.”

“Come on this way.  Ribbon’s down in the paddock at the end of the drive.”

“If you don’t mind, Dennis, his name’s Ranger an’ I prefer the usin’ of that.”

“Hey, fine by me.  He’s your horse.”

Maximus picked out a big white gelding and the two men rode off across a large pasture, the dogs following.  The sky was blue with several mounds of puffy white clouds and when Maximus sent his mount into a gallop, Ben grinned and kept up at his side.  There was nothing quite like

a full out gallop to set a man’s heart loose and Ben could see the General relax somewhat as he rode. 

Cort and Daisy drove from White Sands to Carlsbad Cavern and took the three hour tour of the huge cave.  Neither of them had been there before and it was an amazing and together time, holding hands as they went down the long switchback trail that led to the natural entrance.  Their guide explained about all the formations and told them the names of certain ones like the Whale’s Mouth, which was cleverly lit to emphasize its similarity to what it was named for. 

Bud took a nap, cuddled up with Marie, and felt better when he woke.  His headaches had stopped though it still hurt if he tried to do too much with his left arm.  Marie watched over his dressings and coddled him.  He enjoyed that.  It was still new enough to him that having a woman fuss over him was something special.

Lachlan couldn’t sit up yet without pain, so lay in bed the whole day.  Hope wasn’t able to stay in bed so long so got up twice and passed out twice.  Canfield was there and she was put back to bed.  “It’s just a…a…sort of vibrating feeling deep inside me,” she tried to explain,  “and when

I stand up, it comes up into my head and then…I’m gone.  That’s the only way I know how to describe it at all.”

Lachlan was threatening to get up out of his bed and sit on her to keep her down.  Her fainting kept him on edge and Canfield had to speak up and say he was going to be forced to put her in

a different room just so Lachlan could get some rest.  It was only that that made her lie quietly for a while. 

Out in the hallway, Canfield muttered to himself, “This is going to be a long nine months.”  Then he added, “If it is nine months.”  For all he knew it might be six weeks.

Jack and Tarwyn had been watching all the news reports on TV about the mysterious death of Bret Hawkins. The media descended on his widow who appeared to be enjoying the attention of the cameras focused on her. Speculation about who would inherit his vast enterprises was all over the place.

“I wonder how long it will be before they find Linda?”

“I couldn’t say, Tarwyn. I don’t envy her at all.”

“I don’t envy me either.” Tarwyn hit the bed with her good left arm. “This is going to set us back, Jack. I’m not going to be able to work for awhile. On top of that, how are we going to move with me like this?”

“The same way we would have moved if you were not injured. Did you think to be carrying chairs and tables? Do not worry.”
 

“I am worried. We’ve got house payments to make.”

A few doors down the hospital hall in Alex’s room, Linda, Max and her lawyer were holding a little meeting.

“First off, I want you to know you can say anything in front of Alex or Max. Max is my financial advisor.”

“All right, Linda. You know this is going to be complicated because of the way he died. There’s going to be an investigation and the culprits will be brought to justice.”

“Just skip that part and tell me what you know.”

“I’ve been in contact with his attorney in Dallas. You know he employed several firms to take care of different aspects of his empire.”

“I’m interested in the one with the will.”

“That would be Cramer & Cramer. I talked to Todd Cramer earlier this morning. He wants to set up a meeting with you and Thalia Hawkins.”

“That should be rich. I’ve been watching her on TV.”

“Are you aware he had a prenuptial agreement with her?”

“No, I’m not aware of anything to do with her. A prenuptial…so that means she already knows what she’s entitled to.”

“That’s correct. I also know that he hasn’t changed his will in fifteen years. You are his only living relative, Linda, and his only heir.”

Linda took a breath. “I understand.”

“So, you want me to go ahead and set this meeting up?”

“The sooner the better. He’s not going to be any deader. What about his remains?”

“I guess you can work that out with Thalia.”

“I guess not. It’s my wish that he be cremated…she can have his ashes. Once I step foot out of the hospital, I’m going to be subjected to the same kind of frenzy she is…only worse. I want protection from the media and I want a spokesman. It can be you or someone from your firm. I won’t be available for any interviews.”

“I’ll take care of it for you.”

“Thanks, Seth. One more thing. I’d like for you to call Mr. Charles at my bank and set it up for Max to meet with him. Max will be managing my accounts and will be the one writing checks from now on.”

“I can do that.  Max, I’d like to have a word with you if I may?”

Alex lay back on his pillow with a lopsided grin. “I’m not sure I can handle you now.”

“Oh, yes, you can. I’ve been praying for this day for a long, long time, Alex. It’s finally come and now I have a new prayer. I’m praying you heal quickly because I’m going to need you more than ever.”

Ben spent a long time with Maximus, mostly riding, but sometimes dismounting to walk the horses or let them graze along a small stream that ran through that part of Linda’s huge ranch.  They developed a quiet fellowship between them, both men out of their time, both fairly much alone in this world.

Ben got Maximus talking about some of his campaigns as General of the Felix Legions and he was fascinated by everything Maximus had to say.  It also served to keep Maximus’ mind fixed on a time before his great losses.  Maximus, aware of what Ben was trying to do for him,  permitted himself to go along with it because it did relieve the pressure of his pain to a certain degree.

Late in the afternoon, they drove back to the blue house and Maximus invited Ben to spend the night in the spare bedroom, an invitation he accepted.  They found a bottle of good brandy in a cabinet in the kitchen, built a fire in the fireplace and spent another couple of hours talking.  This time Maximus asked Ben questions on how he survived at so young an age after being left

at the depot. 

The next morning, Tarwyn was discharged from the hospital and Jack drove her back to Terry and Dee’s house.

“Where do you want to go, honey?” Dee asked her.

“I’d like to sit up for a while. I’ve been in bed long enough.”

Dee arranged some sofa pillows around her. “Your lip looks like it’s healing up fast.”

“I must look a mess. I didn’t even want to look in a mirror.”

“It’s not too bad. A little makeup would cover it but I wouldn’t even worry about it, Tarwyn. I wanted to tell you that Terry and I are going to take a much-needed vacation. I know you and Jack want to move out but you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”

“Where and when are you leaving?”

“We’ve got plans to travel next Monday. I know Terry wanted to wait until Cort got home and he figured he’d be home by then. It would be nice if Cort would call him and let him know something but then Cort doesn’t know we’re buying plane tickets based on when he might appear.”

“Cort’s coming home to a surprise and not a good one.”

“Do you want anything, something to drink or…?”

“No, I just want to kind of settle down a little.” Tarwyn was worried about her job. She’d taken a half day off for a family emergency and then ended up in the hospital. Jack hadn’t called the bank to tell them she’d been injured. If she lost her job how were they going to afford the house they’d bought? “Deidre, I don’t know where my cell phone is, could I borrow yours?”

Cort and Daisy spent that night in Hobbs, New Mexico, right on the Texas border, then the following day drove east and somewhat south to San Antonio where they spent the next day strolling along the beautiful Riverwalk, riding in the little boats that plied up and down the course of it, shopping in the many little stalls and stores, listening to music being played outdoors. 

The closer he brought her to home, the more he wanted to be sure she was prepared to meet his large family.  “You were raised an only child,” he said, shaking his head, “an’ I’m about to plop you down in the middle of so many brothers-in-law your head’s gonna be in a whirl.”

“I feel like I know them somewhat already,” she explained.  “Well, at least like they were in their films.  I see how you’ve changed, though, since you’ve been out here because of all you’ve been through, all you’ve learned, so I guess they have, too.”

Back in Tubac, he’d watched Yuma again with her since she’d fallen asleep before finishing it.  That Cort had gone through the entire film being made to believe he was Dan Evans put a different spin on it for her, and for him, too, as he watched it for the first time since having experienced it from inside.

He talked with her at some length about all his brothers, what he knew of them and their experiences.  He knew fairly little of what had befallen Max.  “Of course, since I’ve been gone,

I don’t know what new things any of them have experienced, but Hope said Sid had done nothin’ an' it’s only him causin’ us any grief.  I’m hopin’ they’ve all just been leadin’ nice quiet lives since I’ve been away.”

The following day they stopped just west of Houston for lunch and Cort called Hope again to let her know he’d be home in the early afternoon.  Her cell lay on the table between her and Lachlan and he picked it up.  She was still recovering from a recent faint.

“Lachlan?  Guess I misdialed.  I was tryin’ to get hold of Hope.  Is she there?”

“Cort! Thank God it’s you!”

Cort chuckled.  “Why Lachlan, I didn’t know you’d be that glad to hear my voice…our voice, come to think of it.  Is she there?”

“She’s here, Cort, but she can’t talk right now.  Where are you?”

“Just outta Houston.   I’ll be there in a couple of hours.  You two at the blue house? I can come…”

“No, Cort, we’re not at the blue house.” 

Cort could hear a big sigh come through his phone’s speaker.  “Everythin’ ok, Lachlan?  Hope said Sid had been quiet.”

“Sid’s been quiet, Cort.  Haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since you’ve been gone.”

“Good.  I was hopin’ there hadn’t been any trouble.  I’ve got some real good news, real good, an’ I want to share it in person as soon as I get there.  If you two aren’t at the blue house, where can I find you?”

“County Hospital, Cort.  That’s where we are.”

“County Hos…! Good Lord, Lachlan, why?”

“Just come, Cort.  Sixth floor.  There’s too much to tell you on the phone.”

“But…Hope.  Is Hope all right?  Why can’t she come to the phone?”

“She fainted.  She’s…just get here, Cort.  Just get here.”

When the call ended, Cort looked across the lunch table at Daisy.  “That was Lachlan.  He said Hope had fainted an’ they were in the hospital.  I…I…you ready to go, darlin’?  I need to get there.”

DIRECTLY CONTINUED AS WINDFALL OF LIFE

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