Chapter Text
“You Eugene Barkley?”
The young man turned to see a station attendant looking at him. “Yeah, that’s me,” he confirmed.
The attendant nodded. “Thought you had the old man’s look about you. Your brother left a message with me. Said you were to head to his office when you got in and that he made arrangements for your luggage to be sent on to the ranch.”
“Thanks.” Eugene handed the man a tip and picked up his small bag, whistling. Jarrod arranging for his luggage meant they’d likely be riding the four miles home and Gene was looking forward to being in the saddle again. Riding was the one thing he missed over the last two years at Harvard Medical school. Well, riding and his family. His oldest brother Jarrod’s sense of humour, Nick’s large and loud personality, Heath’s quiet confidence and his mother’s strong, steady presence. He’d missed his sister Audra’s vivaciousness too, but she wasn’t home. She’d stopped to see him in Boston last month on her way for a tour of Europe with their Aunt Ruth.
Walking dow the wooden sidewalk, he couldn’t help but compare the place he grew up versus the place he’d lived the past two years.
The dust of the streets compared to Boston’s cobblestones, the smell of horse dung that was collected before it even hit the ground in the larger city. The sound of a tinkling piano heard through the batwing doors of a saloon, the sight of cowboys sauntering down the street, gunbelts slung low on their hips. Even his lawyer brother often wore a pistol. Not something you’d see in Boston or the halls of Harvard.
Boston was a city of tall buildings, ladies everyday in what would be their Sunday best out here. Yes, he’d enjoyed the sights and the culture but when the chance came up to do his residency in Sacramento, less than two hours by train from the place he grew up, the newly graduated doctor jumped at the opportunity.
“Gene!” He was grabbed suddenly in a bear hug before his brother Jarrod let him go and held him at arms’ length. “I got finished early and was coming to meet you.” Scrutinizing his brother’s face, Jarrod added, “You’re looking a little pale. Hope you can stay long enough to get some sun. I’m sure Nick and Heath’ll find some cows for you to chase.”
Eugene chuckled as they walked towards the livery stable. “I’m sure they will. And I’ll enjoy every moment. It’s been too long.” They retrieved the horses and rode towards home in companionable silence.
“Y’know, Jarrod,” Gene said after a few miles, “I always used to wonder why you lived here and just visited your office in San Francisco. But after being away for a couple years, I finally get it.” He pulled his horse to a slow walk and Jarrod reined in beside him. Eugene gestured around them. “It’s this place, this valley. It gets in your soul and never leaves, does it?”
“Are you sure you’re a doctor not a poet, little brother?” Jarrod asked with a grin. “But I know what you mean. There’s nothing like it on earth. C’mon, race you home!” He clucked to his horse and the sorrel took off.
Eugene laughed and slapped his mount with the reins. “Hi ya!”
Ten minutes later they thundered through the gates of the Barkley ranch, Jarrod’s Jingo ahead by half a length.
Jarrod laughed as he swung off his horse. “Good show, brother Gene, especially with you on a livery horse.” He slapped Eugene on the back and they led their mounts to the barn. “Let’s get these fellows settled. We should be done in time to clean up before dinner.”
*
“Well, boy,” Nick asked as he speared a piece of steak, “you got some time before you head off to that hospital? You look like you need to get some sun, don’t you think so, Heath?”
Heath took a sip from his glass. “Got about a hundred head need rounding up and branding. Think you remember how?” he asked with twinkle in his blue eyes.
“You find me a horse and I’ll show you what I remember,” Eugene shot back with a grin.
“Sure your head isn’t too full of fancy learning?” Nick joked before returning to his steak.
“A head can never get too full,” Eugene replied. “Back at Harvard, they’re finding out so many kinds of new things, it takes a bit to keep up.” He looked around the table. “Any of you heard of genetics?” He took a bite as everyone shook their heads.
Victoria lifted her glass. “But we’d love to hear about it. Go on, Eugene.” She sent a stern look around the table that let everyone know she expected them to listen with interest.
“Well, there’s all this research going on overseas in Germany that shows you can predict what offspring will be like depending on the traits of the parents.”
“Gene, we already know that.” Nick protested with a snicker. “It’s used all the time when deciding which stud to breed to which dam. Horses, cattle.” He snorted. ”Even sheep.”
Eugene nodded enthusiastically. “I know. And frogs and birds, even people! They’re calling it genetics and guess what they’re calling the bits that pass on the traits?” His blue eyes twinkled mischievously. “Genes.” A loud groan issued from his siblings as he took a bite and gestured with his fork. “They just discovered people with blue eyes can only pass blue eyes on to their children. The things we’re finding out now…” Eugene trailed off as he saw some of the expressions around the table.
Jarrod and Heath’s eyes slowly turned to Nick, to their mother, and back to Nick again.
A piece of bread halfway to his mouth, Nick also noticed the stares. “What? Why are you all looking at me like that?” He glanced around the table and when saw the barely concealed look of fury on Victoria’s face directed towards Eugene, it dawned on him. “Hey, wait a minute! You can’t be suggesting what I think you’re suggesting. Just because my eyes ain’t blue like the rest of you don’t mean—!” He surged to his feet, tossing his napkin angrily on the table. “Gene, you snot-nosed little brat! I should take you behind the barn and whup your sorry behind for suggesting such a thing!” He glared at his other siblings. “And as for the rest of you— Bah!” Nick gave an angry dismissive wave at those seated around the table and stormed out of the room.
Eugene turned to Victoria. “Ma, I never meant to suggest anything,” he apologized. “I didn’t even consider that Nick’s eyes aren’t blue. It’s just a theory and I’d never believe…” Realizing he was starting to babble, Gene shut his mouth.
“His eyes’ve got a sort of greenish tint. Green’s kinda close to blue,” Heath observed helpfully. “What do you think, Gene?”
Before Eugene could answer, they heard the front door slam.
“Think I should go after him?” Heath added.
Victoria took a deep calming breath. “No, Heath. You know your brother. Nick needs to blow off some steam and calm down a little before he’ll listen to anyone.” She turned a severe look on her youngest. “ And you, young man, you’re not too old for me to take you over my knee and that’s exactly what I’ll do if you start spouting unfounded nonsense at the dinner table again. Do you understand?”
Eugene nodded and hung his head. “Yes, Ma.”
“Well.” Jarrod lay his napkin on the table. “ On that note, I have some paperwork to do.” He rose to his feet, walked to the other end of the table and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Don’t fret, lovely lady. We all know better than to believe anything like that, Nick included. And Gene,” he turned to his younger brother with a smile that belayed his next words, “I’m not writing you out of the will. Yet.”
Heath stood as well. “Think I’m gonna go out to the barn. There’s some harness that needs mending and I’ll be there if Nick comes back before I’m done.” He clapped Eugene on the shoulder as he walked by. “Don’t worry, little brother. We all say fool-headed things from time to time.” He grinned wryly as Gene looked up at him. “I mean, you were there when I burst into the house that first night. Things worked out then and they’ll work out now. You’ll see.”
Once they were alone, Victoria turned back to Eugene. “Well, what do you think I should do with you?” she asked sternly.
Gene hung his head. “Make me sleep with the chickens? Get out your wooden spoon?” He sighed. “Maybe I should just head to Sacramento in the morning. I’m sure the hospital won’t mind me starting my residency early. I think I’ve caused enough trouble for one visit.”
“Young man, you’ll do no such thing,” Victoria ordered. “You’ll stay right here and help sort this out. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Ma, “ Eugene complied sheepishly. “I’m going upstairs to unpack.” He got up and gave his mother a kiss. “Again, I’m sorry. And if it comes to that, I’ll go out behind the barn with Nick and take my consequences willingly.”