CountryCore Series: The Ranch Hand (WLW)

Chapter Five

When they arrived back at The Barracks, Chris didn't hesitate to get out. She jumped down from the truck and turned to help a now very sleepy Hayley down, then waited until she was steady on her feet. Sav came around the front of the truck, clearly sobered up after taking in some refreshing night air on their way back, and surveyed Eddie's behavior. She took Hayley's hand, but she just stared aimlessly at Chris with a glaze settled over her eyes. She reminded Chris of Lee and Annie's children when they were too tired, yet wouldn't go to bed no matter what their parents said.

"Go on and get some sleep, doll." She told her, not wanting to part from her since the night, while chaotic, was rather fruitful. She reached out and rubbed Hayley's arm, then started to move around the truck calling over her shoulder, "Sleep tight. Y'all're goin' to need it for tomorruh."

Chris made her way to the other side of the truck and waited for Dan to join her. They both watched and waited until Hayley and Sav disappeared inside of the building, then looked at each other. Dan looked downright terrified and Chris couldn't blame him. After all he'd been through with his past wife, she never wanted him to have to deal with something like this ever again. She gave him a sturdy, but tender pat on the back, then turned toward the truck with a nod.

She took a few deep breaths and Dan made his hand that was extended toward the door into a trembling fist. Chris patted him on his back once more and shrugged. She had no idea what to tell him in a situation like this, but she knew one thing for sure: She couldn't do it alone.

As if he picked up on this, he wriggled his mustache, then grabbed the door handle and pulled. Once the door was open, Chris unbuckled a squirming Eddie from his seat and pulled him out. She made sure he was steady on his feet, then waited for Dan to close the door and grab onto him as well. Together, they held him around the waist as he mumbled something incoherent under his breath with his eyes hazy and glazed over. Chris grabbed hold of his belt along his back and Dan followed suit as the dead weight of his shuffling legs nearly threw them both off balance.

For such a skinny kid, Eddie was quite heavy. They slowly moved him toward the house and got him up the front steps. Once inside, Chris nodded toward the kitchen and they made their way there, then out of the back door as the men's showers were out past the other side of the wrap around porch. Eddie began to pull against them, muttering more inaudible thoughts aloud, but they prevailed and got him out through the back door. After making their way down the porch stairs, Dan wrapped his arms around Eddie's waist and gave Chris the okay to let go.

She jogged to the showers and got one ready as Dan lifted Eddie up onto its deck and into the stall. He stood behind Eddie and let the water blast over his body, making him jump and fight back. Dan stood his ground, but grunted for Chris to help him and she got into the stall where only the tiniest bit of space was available between Eddie and the far wall. Wedging herself into it, she held onto Eddie's shirt and helped to keep him upright, but kept her eyes fixed on his face. Once she saw a spark in his eyes that was pure rage, she pulled back.

"Let him go, Dan. He's got his conscious mind back, I'm thinkin'."

Dan obeyed and hurriedly backed out of the stall as far as he could without falling off of the deck. He went around the corner as tears began to swell in his eyes and Chris knew he was spent.

"Go home, Dan." She called around Eddie who was still daringly glaring at her. She shut off the water. "I got this, bud."

"Ya sure?" His voice was barely over a whisper, but layered with pain from those pesky past memories.

"Yeah. Go on and get home to Austin and Tangy."

"I'll be 'ere first thing for the harvest, 'kay?"

"Get outta 'ere already, bud." She slightly grinned at his protective, overbearing nature, but knew he meant well.