Chapter 2: “I’m so sorry Justin … Molly … if there’s anything we can do …” and Bill and Lizzie Sherman each took turns to hug the young brother and sister. It would have been a long day anyway, even if they’d been able to get much sleep the night before, but they hadn’t: with Justin coming downstairs around 2:00 to find Molly making a hot milky drink for both of them. She’d heard him moving around in his room and knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be down too. And after they’d consumed their drinks and retired, Molly snuggled up to her big brother and he’d hugged her; both of them trying but failing to get some much needed sleep. Lizzie Sherman and Sarah Lebanowitz had been over during the day and had taken charge in the kitchen; helping Molly out in order to make sure they would have enough food, with every neighbor pitching in and bringing something: they wanted to make sure their friends had the best send off they could provide. Justin had felt pretty damned useless. All he could do was make sure the animals were okay so he fed and watered the small assortment of livestock they kept and then with Rusty, the family retriever with him, he did a tour of the perimeter fence, making sure it was intact. Though he knew from the outset it was all okay, but needing to take all day about it: he had to get out of the way of the women. He knew they meant well, but he couldn’t stand all the fuss. He had to do something routine; something he didn’t have to think too much about. He couldn’t think; his mind was numb and had been that way for days now. When Justin found the State Patrolman standing on the doorstep late at night in the pouring rain, he knew immediately that something terrible had happened and there was no way to soften the blow. On one of their rare trips to the city, Jennifer and Craig Taylor’s car had swerved to miss livestock that had wandered onto the road in the dark on their return journey; an automatic reaction. But in the wet conditions, one of the wettest and coldest falls on record, the brakes had locked and the tire blew out, sending the car crashing down into the ravine. Neither survived. The little church had been filled to capacity. The Taylors were a popular family who’d owned the farm and small orchard since the early thirties, when Craig’s parents had taken a risk and moved from Pittsburgh in an attempt to escape the dirty environment of the steel industry, though both sets of Grandparents were now gone. They were well liked in the area and had always been known as good people; honest and hardworking, even if money had never been in abundance, but in this part of the world, they were not alone in that. Molly and Justin had sat in the front pew holding hands all the way through the service and only breaking contact when he’d stepped up to deliver the eulogy; a terrible ordeal where the young man had only just managed to hold it together and was constantly forcing himself to take deep breaths and try and keep his voice level. Watching him go through such an experience, none of the congregation, even those hardened by bad times themselves, could fail to be moved. But they also saw something else. Pride. Justin spoke out proudly about Jennifer and Craig: their loving parents and how much they’d taught him and his sister. To make decisions for themselves and to speak out whenever they’d witnessed an injustice and not just accept things at face value and although his hands were shaking as he held the paper on which he’d written his speech, Justin didn’t need to consult his notes once. And then at the cemetery, Molly and Justin clutched each other as they watched their parents’ coffins being lowered into the grave and they shivered in the cold winds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “You’re going to need help Justin,” said Mr. Sanderson, “and me and Phil will do all we can …” Justin shook his head. “No need … I can manage … but thanks …” and the small group of men who’d been standing with him in the rarely used parlor at the farm exchanged glances as Justin moved away to see how his sister was doing. “He’s such a proud kid … if he’s anything like his Dad he won’t want to be asking for any help … not from anyone,” observed Harry Sanderson and his son agreed. “We’ll just have to try and do it without him knowing,” said Phil and they watched the 18 year old as he tried to comfort his weeping sister. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Justin … I think Bessie’s sick … she hasn’t eaten anything for a couple of days and now she doesn’t even want to get up …” Just a few days after the funeral, Molly had come in from the barn having been out to feed the animals before heading off to school. One of her favorites was Bessie, a Berkshire sow that the family had reared some years ago: the runt of the litter that had become a family pet after being hand-reared by Jennifer and the children. But Bessie had rewarded them all for their care and attention and had produced many piglets with the assistance of the boar that a neighbor would loan them in return for a share of the offspring. But now she was listless and obviously unwell and a cause for concern. “Can we call the vet?” asked Molly as Justin squatted down beside the animal and tickled the usually friendly beast behind the ear, but getting no response: hearing only the animal’s labored breathing. “Molly … do you know how expensive it would be to get the vet to come out here … then there’s the cost of the medicine … leave her for a day and see how she is … just make sure she’s got fresh water she can reach …” and heavy hearted, Justin got to his feet and managed to smile at his sister and then he returned to the house, leaving Molly to refill the nearby trough with water. Bessie didn’t look well; anyone could see that, but she was getting a little old now and they just didn’t have the money. But Justin knew that in the past, she’d been a good source of both food and income: the sale of the piglets had brought in some much needed funds and he didn’t know how they would afford to buy a replacement should they need to. Justin looked in on the animal during the day and then Molly checked on her when she came home from school: there’d been no change and the following morning, Molly went to check on her at first light. But it was too late to do anything; Bessie had died in the night. “Looks like a respiratory problem … one of mine had the same thing last year …“ decided Bill Sherman. “Do you want me to take care of her?” and he stood up and put his arm around Molly’s shoulders. “You’re not going to cut her up and eat her?” asked Molly, looking up at him horrified and Bill shook his head. “No … of course not … but I can bury her somewhere nice and peaceful …” “Thanks, Mr. Sherman … I’d appreciate the help,” and Justin turned to his sister. “We can bury her in the corner of the orchard … she’d be happy there …” and Molly nodded and returned to the house, unable to prevent the tears that now started to fall. “It’s just one thing after another … isn’t it …” Mr. Sherman observed and he patted Justin on the shoulder in his attempt to comfort him and offer his friendship. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the death of their parents, Justin had made it quite clear to everyone that he was going to run the farm. He had to, it was his and his sister’s home and the family had worked so hard to keep it; there was no way he was going to let it go. But he knew he couldn’t put things off any longer; he had to sort out where they stood financially. His Mom and Dad never talked about their financial affairs in front of the kids and he still felt as if he was doing something he shouldn’t when one evening after dinner, Justin finally opened his Dad’s desk and he took out the ledgers and papers and, spreading everything over the kitchen table, Justin started to go through the figures. There were things they were going to need; the tractor was getting old and starting to be a little obstinate in the morning and now they needed a replacement sow. Though they didn’t have much life insurance, his Mom and Dad did have car insurance, but the payment hadn’t come through yet and when it did, would only be enough to buy a cheap replacement vehicle. In the meantime, he had to borrow a neighbor’s pickup when he needed to get into town. On the positive side, they hoped to have a pretty decent fruit and vegetable crop this year, but they would probably need funds to tide them over at some point and Justin hoped their credit was still good at the bank. “Do you want some coffee?” asked Molly, as Justin poured over the books after their meal had been cleared away and the dishes done, but Justin was so deep in thought he didn’t hear her. “Justin … Justin …” “What?” “Coffee? Do you want some?” “Oh yeah … thanks …” but the coffee went cold in the cup, as it sat neglected at Justin’s elbow, as he tried to work out what it all meant. Bank statements and details of the mortgage repayments; the mortgage his Dad had been forced to increase when they’d had two bad years running and the loan and payments balancing out with little to spare; no matter which way he did the math. Now he realized why there were times when Mom always looked so tired and worried, even though she tried to hide it from the kids and how she’d managed to stay so slim, with Justin remembering now all the occasions she’d told them she’d “get something later” which probably meant she’d gone without; anything as long as the children were fed. He remembered too how she’d make do and mend: especially her’s and Dad’s clothes. She had to, with two children who continued to grow out of their clothing and shoes and needed things for school. And then, in the last couple of years as things had started to improve, Mom had begun to smile a little more. But now that had all ended. After all their hard work and sacrifices had begun to pay off, they now wouldn’t get the chance to enjoy it. With the rolled up magazine in one hand and sipping her slightly sweet tasting milk, straight from Clara, their milking cow, Molly stood watching her brother. Their Mom had been beautiful, a blue eyed blonde and it was obvious where Justin’s looks came from, with Molly favoring the slightly darker coloring of their Father. He looked tired; now trying to work the farm on his own while Molly was at school and he had such a serious expression; looking so very much like Jennifer as Justin poured over the books and papers. And Molly realized Justin hadn’t smiled in days, not since Bessie died and he hardly lived up to the nickname given to him by Grandma Taylor. “Her little ray of sunshine,” is what she’d called him, the youngster having the widest smile she’d ever seen. My, how long ago those days seemed now. Although Molly missed their parents dreadfully, she still didn’t fully understand the implication of their deaths, but she could see that Justin was taking on a huge burden: that of looking after her, the farm and their business and she sat down on the chair opposite him. “I can leave school this year … help on the farm or get a job …” she informed him, but Justin shook his head. “No … no way … you need to stay on and get good grades if you’re gonna get anything like a decent job …” “But what about you … you’ve dropped out …” “Dad needed me on the farm … he couldn’t afford to pay anyone else … you know that Molly … besides … I don’t know if I could’ve got a grant or scholarship or anything …”. “What … with the marks you got in your S.A.T.’s … you could’ve done anything you wanted, Justin … you still could …“ Justin tapped the pen on the table and shrugged. “No … it’s too late to worry about that now …” “Not if you sold the farm … there must be something left …” “No Molly … not after all these years …” “But why Justin … why are you hanging on to it … so you can raise a family?” asked Molly and Justin looked at her and for the first time in days, he managed a weak smile and he raised an eyebrow. “Highly unlikely …” “So why are you hanging on to it?” she asked him earnestly. “Because it’s our home”, answered Justin. “It’s been in the family since the thirties … I can’t just throw it all away … just like that … not after all Mom and Dad’s hard work …” and Molly reached out and put her hand on his arm. “They wouldn’t want to think they were holding you back … stopping you doing something you wanted …” “You should have told Dad what you wanted to do … he wouldn’t have stopped you … you have such talent Justin …” insisted Molly, referring to Justin’s wonderful artistic gift, but her brother continued to shake his head. “Mollusk … that’s enough … I’ve made up my mind and I’m not going to change it,” stated Justin, using the nickname he gave his kid sister at an age when he knew he could annoy her. But these days, it strengthened the bond there was between them. Molly sighed: she hated it when they argued. There was a time when they fought constantly: the usual brother and sister stuff. But lately, they’d grown much closer and now they needed each other more than ever. Molly decided to let things lie and wanting to change the subject, she placed “Teen” magazine on the table and started to thumb through the pages. Luckily, her friend, Anna, managed to afford it from her allowance and was prepared to share it with her. “He’s hot …” said Molly, grinning and she turned the magazine around for her brother to see the latest shot of Tyler Hilton and Justin looked at the picture and then gave his sister a shy smile. “Yeah … he is …” Justin agreed and having to tear his eyes away from the page, he returned to the books. “Are we going to be okay Justin?” Molly asked him quietly and Justin bit his lip before he looked up at her and hoped she wouldn’t see through his lies. “Sure … of course we are …” and he smiled and got up from the table and collected all the paperwork together and then looked at her. “So there’s nothing for you to worry about …” Justin tried to reassure her and he went to put the papers away in his Dad’s desk, knowing he would have to go to the bank and try and work out how they were going to continue. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Justin phoned the bank to make an appointment he was informed that the manager’s post was vacant, owing to the sudden death of the manager; this time a heart attack victim and the job was waiting to be filled. He could however, make an appointment to meet with the Assistant Manager, Mr. Wemyss and Justin inwardly groaned. Wemyss; a married man in his late forties, had been employed at the bank for over ten years and was now hoping to get the manager’s job and he knew the Taylor family well. In fact in this part of the world, everyone knew everyone else and he’d often seen Justin come into the bank with his Father when the young man wasn’t at school. Justin had noticed how Wemyss watched him while he waited as his Dad met with the manager, but he ignored him and sat quietly drawing in his sketchbook. But the man always made a point of coming over and sitting down to talk to him and buy him a soda and never failed to put his hand on the young man’s shoulder or brush Justin’s knee with his hand as he went to stand up, something that Justin tried to avoid as he got older; the man barely able to disguise the attraction he found in the young blond. However, Justin knew he had no choice but to see him if he wanted to get their finances sorted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Justin … I’m so sorry for your loss …” said Wemyss as he welcomed the young man into his office and he closed the door behind him and shook Justin’s hand and held on with both of his, even though Justin tried to extract his own and then he indicated for him to sit down, while he took his seat behind the desk and then Wemyss opened the file. “I’ve been having a look at the records … it won’t take too long to get everything processed … but when you sell … you do know the bank has …” “I’ve no intention of selling,” interrupted Justin and Wemyss looked up in surprise. “You don’t?” he asked him. “But how do you propose to manage … it’s quite an undertaking … for someone of your age …” “I don’t see why my age has anything to do with it …” said Justin directly. “I know exactly what has to be done on the farm … I worked with my Dad all the time during term breaks … and he kept good notes … there’s no reason why I can’t make a go of it …” and Justin looked him squarely in the eye. Stand up for yourself. That’s what Mom and Dad used to say. “Well … actually … there is …” said Wemyss and he closed the file and rested his elbows on his desk and linked his fingers. “It isn’t bank policy to grant anyone under 21 a mortgage … unless you’ve got someone who can act as your guarantor?“ and Justin shook his head: that came as something of a shock and something he’d never considered. “Then I’m sorry … there’s nothing I can do …” “But that’s not fair … I’m perfectly capable of running the farm … it’s not like it isn’t making a profit …” stressed Justin and he was sitting on the edge of his chair in his urgency to make Wemyss understand. “Barely …” pointed out the other man. “But it’s our home … mine and Molly’s … if I have to sell … we’ll have nowhere to go …” and Justin sank down into the chair. The only family they had was an Aunt and a few cousins back east and while Justin was sure he could probably fend for himself, Molly was still just a kid, and it looked like they’d have to go begging to distant relatives for handouts and a roof over their heads. Wemyss picked up a pencil and sat back in his chair and he studied the blue-eyed blond sitting opposite him who was obviously now very distressed. He looked so young for his 18 years. Young, fresh and at this moment extremely vulnerable and increasingly beautiful: something that Wemyss hadn’t failed to notice over the years. “How serious are you … about wanting to keep the farm on?” he asked him eventually and holding on to a glimmer of hope, Justin sat on the edge of his seat. “Anything … whatever it takes …” and the older man looked at him and chewed on the end of the pencil, wondering just how far this young man was prepared to go. “Well, providing I don’t inform head office … no one’s likely to know that you’d be running the farm instead of your Dad … I could give you whatever access you need to the account … but I would be taking a pretty big risk … personally …” “You’d do that?” asked Justin incredulously, wondering if this man would really risk his job to allow two kids to remain in the only home they’d ever known and slowly Wemyss put down the pencil and after taking a few moments to deliberate over something, he finally got up from behind the desk and went to the door of the office and turned the key in the lock. Justin’s mouth went dry as he now watched the man cross the room back towards him and perch on the edge of his desk: just a couple of feet away. “As I say Justin … I would be taking a very big personal risk … it just depends how bad you want to stay on the farm …” and after a moment of total silence between them, he reached down and started to undo his fly; all the while keeping his eyes fixed on Justin. “No …” exclaimed Justin, realizing what the man was intending and he half rose from the chair. “It’s up to you, Justin … where will you and Molly go?” asked the other man flatly and Justin sat back down in the chair and closed his eyes. Wemyss reached forward and Justin jumped and opened his eyes as the man put his hand under Justin’s chin and tilted his head up. “You’re a very beautiful young man Justin … I’m sure we could come to some … mutually beneficial arrangement …” he whispered: his face now just a few inches away and Justin swallowed as he considered his options. Would it be so bad, he wondered, if it meant he and Molly could stay in their home? What would it take? Just a few minutes and it would be all over and Wemyss could tell by the expression in Justin’s eyes that he fully understood his plight. Reaching inside his pants, Wemyss extracted his now fully erect cock and he guided Justin down onto his knees; holding him none too gently in order for the young man not to be able to turn his head away as he gave him instructions. Twenty minutes later and Justin was in the borrowed pickup and heading for home and suddenly he knew he needed to pull over. Jumping out, Justin ran around the side of the vehicle and steadied himself against the fender as he brought up the contents of his stomach. His heart was racing and he was bent double: hands pressed against knees as he took in several deep breaths of clean air. He’d tried not to think about what he was doing and had to fight to keep from gagging as he’d felt the man’s cock hit the back of his throat and now, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Justin fought to keep the taste and smell of the man at bay. Climbing back behind the wheel, he reached behind the seat for a bottle of water and after rinsing his mouth he spat it out. Then, trying to keep his hands from shaking, Justin put the pickup into gear and drove off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Justin … is everything okay?” asked Molly as she knocked on her brother’s bedroom door and opened it a little: the light from the hall partly illuminating the room. He’d been quiet all evening and had only picked through his meal, when normally he’d demolish everything in sight and had made an excuse to have an early night and Molly watched him as he slowly made his way up the stairs, wondering if he was coming down with something. Justin couldn’t clean his teeth enough and despite rinsing his mouth out a number of times he still couldn’t erase the taste of the man or deny his disappointment: that wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Justin sniffed and rolled over; he’d been in bed about half-an-hour by the time Molly came up and she wanted to check on him. “Yeah … I’m okay … don’t worry about me … I’m just tired …” and he tried to smile at her and didn’t quite manage it, but knowing that he wouldn’t be any more forthcoming, Molly smiled back at him and closed the bedroom door and retired to her own room to finish her studying. Justin rolled back onto his stomach and buried his face in the pillow. Wemyss had made his position quite clear. He was doing Justin a favor by not informing head office and allowing him and Molly to stay and work the farm and he expected something in return. Justin prayed he wouldn’t have to see Wemyss again for as long as possible, although they seemed to be always needing something, but somehow he managed to stay on top of things. He couldn’t bear the thought of going through that again; he’d felt used, disgusted and revolted enough the first time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was a constant struggle to keep their heads above water and Justin would fall into bed every night exhausted as he tried to run the place all by himself and hardly ever picked up a pencil these days: not finding the time to draw like he used to. Molly would help on the farm of course before and after school and on weekends, but she had studying to do and Justin was determined to encourage her to continue her education. Molly didn’t complain about having to do her share of the chores around the place, even if it meant not being able to spend time with her friends as much as she’d like to, which was why when the chance of an overnight trip away with school came up, Justin was determined that Molly should have the chance to go. The school had organized a trip to Lincoln’s birthplace, but Justin only found out by accident when Molly pulled the form out of her school bag with her books and it had fallen on the floor and Justin had stooped to pick it up. “But won’t the rest of your class be going?” he’d asked her and Molly hesitated. “Mostly …” she admitted. “But I don’t have to go … it’s not important …” and she’d taken the form from him and had gone to throw it in the trash. Justin stopped her. “You should go … Mom and Dad managed to find the money when I had the chance … it’s only fair … you do more than your share around the farm … you should get to go …” and he smiled at her as he put the form in his jeans pocket. “We’ll find the money … don’t worry …” and he turned around and bit his lip knowing that this time, it would mean a trip to the bank. And on seeing Justin enter through the doors, Wemyss couldn’t resist a smile: he knew Justin would have to come back sooner or later. He was such easy prey: desperate to maintain a home for his sister and himself and keep the farm going through his strong family loyalty and Wemyss was determined to exploit the situation as far as he could push him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The air was getting noticeably colder and the promise of a hard winter was now not far away. It was late Friday afternoon and the sun was starting to go down when the Buick pulled up at the farm and Justin came out of the barn to see who it was. It was Wemyss. “Justin …” “Mr. Wemyss …” Justin answered in acknowledgement and he swallowed; feeling his stomach knot as the man got out of his car. “I was over at the Henderson place … and thought I’d stop by … talk about your overdraft …” “But I’m making all the payments …” said Justin, puzzled by the unannounced visit to the farm and Wemyss approached Justin and the man shivered. “It’s a little chilly out here … let’s go in out of the cold …” and taking Justin gently but firmly by the shoulder, he pushed him around and guided the young man back inside the barn, pulling the door closed behind them. He had been out to the Henderson place and realized how close he was to the Taylor farm and unfortunately, Justin had been managing just a little too well. “I don’t understand …” started Justin, but he was cut off. “Justin … I don’t think I need to remind you just what a risk I’m taking … letting you stay here and then extending your credit …” “Let’s just say I’m looking for a little something extra on account …” and he begun to push Justin towards the back of the barn and with the young man now wedged up against the boards, Wemyss reached down and begun to undo Justin’s zipper but Justin grabbed his hand. “No … I won’t …” stated Justin firmly, but it was at that point they heard Molly calling out. “Justin … Justin … where’d you go?” She’d seen the car draw up from the bedroom window and had come down to see who it was and couldn’t understand where Justin had disappeared to: why he hadn’t brought their visitor up to the house. “Send her back inside,” instructed Wemyss, his face up close to Justin’s but the young man shook his head. Wemyss sighed. “How old is she? 15 … 16 … just right for plucking …” and he ran his fingers along Justin’s jaw line. The man’s insinuation was plain enough; it was Justin or his sister: he didn’t seem to care which and trying to prevent the tears welling up in his eyes, Justin allowed himself to be turned around to face the boards. With his hands against the wall to brace himself, Justin leaned his forehead against the rough boards as his jeans and shorts were pulled down around his ankles and he heard the rustling of clothing and he gasped at the shock and coldness of the lube that was forced inside him by Wemyss’ probing finger. Having sheathed and lubricated himself, Wemyss forced Justin’s knees apart and he could feel the young man shaking under his touch. “Justin … Justin …” they could hear the curiosity in Molly’s voice now as failing to find her brother close by, she approached the barn. “Send her away …” Wemyss growled in his ear and at last Justin found his voice. “Molly … go back in the house …” he called out. “Justin … what’s going on?” and Molly had rounded the corner of the barn and was just a few feet away from the door. “Molly … I said … go back … in the house …” Molly stopped in her tracks; she could hear her brother’s voice but he sounded odd and his words were punctuated with gasps. “Are you okay?” she called out to him and Justin closed his eyes tightly; wanting to scream out loud at the man’s assault on him: he felt as if he was being torn in two as Wemyss now pounded into him relentlessly, the man unable to contain himself any longer. “I’m okay … please … do as … I ask …” Justin was barely holding himself together; the pain was excruciating and he could hear the man panting heavily and he prayed it would be over soon. Molly could hear the muffled sounds coming from inside the barn, but doing as Justin asked, she made her way back to the house and standing away from the windows, she waited and a few minutes later, she saw the assistant bank manager come out from the barn, get into his car and drive away. Justin heard the man groan as he climaxed and then he felt the unfamiliar sensation as he withdrew and Wemyss clasped Justin by the shoulder. “Good boy … good … good boy” he whispered, still gasping for breath and then he straightened his clothing and left the distraught young man in the barn. Justin felt as if he wanted to cry but the tears wouldn’t come: the shock kept them at bay and slowly, he pulled up his shorts and jeans and dressed himself and he bit his lip at the soreness that allowed him to only make his way slowly up to the house. Molly saw her brother come inside, but she stayed hidden in the shadows. She’d just been able to make out the mixture of shock and hurt on his face as he’d come out into the fading light and make his way slowly from the barn and upstairs. There was something about his demeanor; and Molly knew that right now, he wouldn’t want to answer any questions. Justin toed off his shoes and lowered himself gingerly down onto his bed and lay down: covering his eyes with his forearm and in the dusk he must have dozed off, for it was a couple of hours later that there was a gentle knocking at his door and Molly came in with his dinner on a tray. “Did I wake you?” she asked him and Justin shook his head. “I was only dozing …” he answered her and he forced himself into a sitting position as she placed the tray down on the bed beside him and sat down. “Here … I thought you might want something …” “Thanks …” and Justin tried to smile, but he couldn’t quite manage it and he certainly didn’t have any appetite for food. “Justin … you would tell me if there was anything wrong … wouldn’t you?” asked his sister and Molly took his hand and Justin squeezed it. “Sure … ‘course I would …” he lied and then he reached for his fork. “This looks good …” and making a supreme effort, Justin put a forkful of food into his mouth and forced himself to chew. Molly leaned over and gave her brother a peck on the cheek before she got up and went downstairs to do her homework and Justin swallowed the food and pushed the tray aside: one more mouthful and he’d be sure to throw up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As well as the small apple orchard, the other produce that kept them going was the turnip and cabbage crop and they had some nicely matured strawberry and raspberry beds. A good yield this year would provide enough fruit and vegetables to live on and sell. Jennifer had taught Molly at an early age how to make delicious apple cakes and fruit preserves, learning how to feed the family and create income using everything the farm offered. Once the insurance had come through, Justin had been able to purchase the pickup they so desperately needed and on market days he would head off early with whatever fruit or vegetable had come into season. Some years before, several of the small farmers had formed a co-operative and Johansson’s barn on the edge of town had become the place where they would deliver their produce for collection by one of the big haulliers. Justin would stop here first and deposit most of the fresh fruit and vegetables and would take the rest into town to the twice weekly market, along with apple cakes, fruit preserves and trays of eggs from the hens; hoping to make enough to keep him and Molly going from one week to the next. While manning the market stall and when he wasn’t chatting to the other stallholders, Justin would often spend time sketching the scene. The market was a good opportunity for friends and neigbors to get together and talk about the crops or the weather or the way the big boys were trying to force the smaller farmers out of the market and Justin loved to try and capture the atmosphere of the occasion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The winter months seemed to drag on and on and they were glad when Christmas had come and gone. They’d dreaded it; hardly feeling like acknowledging the occasion; neither of them wanting to celebrate without Mom and Dad. But Justin had at last found the time to complete a pencil drawing of Jennifer and Craig and had scraped enough together to get it framed and on Christmas morning, he and Molly hung the picture up over the fireplace in the living room. Their amazing friends and neighbors were determined the two young people wouldn’t be alone and they had several invitations to meals over the festive season. Even people who didn’t have much more themselves were determined the Taylor kids wouldn’t be on their own or go without. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They’d struggled through the winter; a pretty bad one this year with the roads often blocked by floods or snow; conditions that Justin had started to thank the heavens for. At least Wemyss hadn’t been able to repeat his visit to the farm, but even if he had, Justin now took his Dad’s shotgun out with him far more often, telling himself it was just to bag the odd rabbit: one for the stew pot. The kindness of their neighbors was immeasurable and someone would telephone or drop by at least once a week on some pretense just to check they were okay. And although Justin wasn’t particularly bothered, Molly would often drag him along to the odd dance in town. Never one for joining the football team or being part of the locker room banter, Justin had always been more popular with the girls at school and would never be without a dance partner. But unfortunately there was never anyone at these events who remotely interested him and, Justin realized, probably never would be. A few of the boys from school seemed to be sweet on his sister, and he kept a brotherly eye. But seeing the kids pair up at the end of the evening or occasionally disappearing for a while between dances, Justin realized how lonely he was beginning to feel, on his own on the farm all day with only his sister for company in the evenings or on weekends. Justin was a young man with wants and needs. He told himself it didn’t matter how he felt as long as he provided a home for himself and his sister and kept up the farm, as his Mom and Dad would have wanted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was threatening icy rain and the forecast hadn’t been good. There was a cold front coming in that promised a storm: winter snows still clinging on and the school had been forced to close for a few days because the heating had packed up. But with just a slight break in the weather, Justin and Molly decided to take a chance on a trip into town, as there were several things they were now in very short supply of. They stocked up on what they needed and then on the way home, with about 25 miles to go, Justin suddenly found himself fighting the wheel. There’d been a loud bang and Molly screamed as suddenly the pickup almost veered off the road and Justin cursed: they’d got a flat tire. Hugging his coat around him against the chill, Justin clambered out of the pickup, but however hard he tried, he just couldn’t loosen the lug nuts and wondered what the hell to do next. It would do too much damage to continue on the flat and with the weather still unpredictable, the road wasn’t being used much, but if they waited they could be there for some time. “What are we going to do?” called Molly, leaning out of the window. “Need a hand?” came the voice from behind them and they both jumped, unaware that anyone had stopped to offer help. But the Jeep Wrangler had pulled up behind them and the stranger approached from the rear of the pickup, having seen the vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and the young couple in obvious difficulties. The winter sun was just disappearing over the horizon, but there was enough light to make out the features of the man who was coming towards them and Justin had to prevent himself from staring. The man was tall and slim and before Justin could answer him, he’d taken off his fur-lined leather jacket despite the cold. As he pushed up his sleeves, Justin could make out strong, muscular arms beneath the fabric of the man’s sweater. Watching through the window, Molly saw the stranger take the tire iron from her brother and set about loosening the wheel and before too long, the flat had been replaced. “That should do you … you got far to go?” the stranger asked Justin and he wiped his hands on the rag he was offered and the younger man felt himself blush as he answered him. “Uh? No … no … about … 25 miles …” said Justin and he looked up into the sky as the rain began to fall. “Just in time …” the stranger smiled at him and holding Justin’s gaze in the fading light and taking note of those two pools of liquid blue, he passed him back the rag and then he smiled and hurried back to his jeep and grabbed his jacket. “Thanks … thanks …” For a moment, Justin thought the man somehow knew his name, and then he felt himself blush, thankful for the now rapidly deteriorating light and he called after him, having suddenly remembered his manners and he watched as Brian got in the jeep and smiled back at him as he put the vehicle into gear and drove off. “My God, Justin … who was that?” asked Molly as Justin climbed into the pickup; the man’s good looks not escaping her. “I’ve got no idea …” said Justin, wistfully and he watched as the jeep disappeared into the distance. “But I do know one thing,” thought Justin. “That I’ve just seen the face of God” and he sighed as he and Molly now continued on their journey home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three hours later and it was pitch black and raining hard. Even with the wipers on fast, the water wasn’t clearing quickly enough for Brian to see where he was going and he took a wrong turn. Without realizing it, he was starting to head back in the direction he’d come from. Luckily, he’d been forced to reduce his speed because of the worsening visibility, for suddenly and with a lurch, the jeep dropped down the dip at the side of the road and was now stuck at an angle and Brian was unable to reverse out or push on. If he’d been travelling any faster, the outcome would have been far more serious. “FUCK …” Brian thumped the steering wheel and then scrambled from the listing vehicle and in the pouring rain he tried to survey the damage, using the light from the headlamps. But he could see the jeep was going nowhere fast and he got the map from the glovebox and using the interior light, tried to make out where he was. Brian realized he must have taken a wrong turn some miles back in the dark and had been going around in circles and had headed off down a rarely used track: It was pointless waiting for help to come along, he’d wait all night. He checked his cell; the battery was dead and pulling a bag from the back seat and collecting the flashlight from the glove box, Brian locked the jeep and hoped he’d remember where it was. Hunkering down into his jacket, the wind was a lot icier than he’d thought and he headed back down the track towards the main highway. “Why the fuck didn’t I head west … Palm Springs would be far better than this for chrissakes …” mumbled Brian under his breath. He’d been travelling now for a couple of weeks; heading nowhere in particular and had decided to press on despite the worsening weather. But unlike last time he’d been on the road, at least now he had money and his own transportation. After covering about half a mile and fighting against the wind, Brian thought he could make out a light in the distance. Hopefully, he could call a tow truck to take him to the nearest town and he left the relative safety of the track to make his way across country. The lights were a lot further away than he realized and now the rain had turned into driving, freezing sleet and the beam from the flashlight was fading. Suddenly, Brian lost his footing and gasped as he ended up thigh deep in ice-cold water as he fell into the unseen stream. Though he lost the flashlight, he’d clung on to his bag and had automatically held it up out of the rushing water. He reached out and managed to touch the other bank of the narrow creek and he threw the bag onto the other side, but it took all his strength to haul himself out. The temperature had dropped noticeably and the wind had whipped up; cutting him in two and now with his head down and soaked through from the icy rain as well as the river water, Brian stumbled blindly on, hoping desperately to find shelter, knowing too well how if the temperature dropped much further, his chances of surviving in open country were pretty grim. By the time he got to the barn; virtually stumbling into it, Brian was numb with the cold and wet that now seeped into his bones: he could barely feel his limbs and he was shivering uncontrollably, but he’d managed to keep hold of his bag which he’d slung over his shoulder. How close he was to the lights he’d been heading for he couldn’t tell; but the barn was a welcomed sanctuary. Clara looked at him in curiosity, but continued chewing her haybag as Brian somehow managed to haul the door closed behind him; fighting against the wind as he did so and now exhausted, it was as much as he could do to find the heap of clean straw and drop down into it. He knew he should get out of his wet clothes, but he didn’t have the energy: his brain just wasn’t functioning. Justin heard something bang in the wind, but the weather was so bad, he dared not leave the house. The barometer had dropped alarmingly and even when Rusty had barked and growled at the back door, Justin just went around the house to make sure all the doors and windows were locked tight: unwilling to venture outside. He hoped the power would stay on. They had a generator for backup in a shed out near the barn, but he didn’t want to have to go out there and fight against the wind and sleet to start it up. These were the only times he felt nervous with it just being him and Molly in the house. They’d often had storms, but Dad had always been there before and they’d felt totally safe. But now Justin was the man of the house and it was up to him to ensure Molly and the property came to no harm and he sat up all night; just dozing in the chair in the living room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was very little light well into the next morning; dark clouds still persisting and Justin stretched his stiff back as he got up out of the chair. Putting on his coat he went to investigate for damage and took the shotgun with him; the ground covered in a layer of frost. Rusty had made him nervous when he periodically growled and barked at the back door during the night and as soon as he let him out, the dog made straight for the barn and started scratching at the door. “What is it Justin?” called Molly from the back door and Justin told her to be quiet and nervously, he opened up the barn door, which he could see was now unsecured from the outside. “Who’s there?” called out Justin and he made Rusty sit and he brought up the shotgun as he heard a low moan from the far end of the barn and cautiously, he approached the shadowy figure he could see huddled in the corner. “Mister … mister …” called Justin louder, but the man was unresponsive and slowly, Justin leaned down to take a better look at him. Justin gasped, it was the man who’d changed the tire for them, but he looked dreadful and as Justin touched Brian’s forehead: feeling the skin burning up under his touch, Brian moaned and his head lolled to one side and he started to cough; a dry wracking sound and the effect taking over his entire body. “Shit …” muttered Justin and now placing the shotgun on the ground, he called out for Molly as he took Brian under the arms and tried to lift him up off the floor of the barn. Brian wasn’t quite unconscious and he could feel someone trying to pull him up. He fought to open his eyes, though they failed to focus properly and he tried to push himself up of the ground, but he just wasn’t able. It took all the strength Justin possessed, but between him and Molly, they managed to get Brian into the house and up the stairs. Between fits of coughing, Brian was mumbling something incoherent and he was still shivering violently. “Molly … let’s get him into the bathroom … he’s so cold … if we can get him into a hot bath … it’ll warm him up …” and carefully, Justin lowered Brian onto a chair in the bathroom, careful not to let the man’s head loll back against the wall as he did so and Justin took off his own coat. Molly was only too aware that her brother would always be willing to offer a helping hand to anyone in trouble, but there was something in the way he looked at the man and how he was being so gentle with him and she watched as Justin started to take off the man’s shoes and socks. There could only be one answer and she smiled to herself: Justin was obviously quite interested in him. When the man who’d done them a good turn had gotten into his jeep and driven off, Justin’s heart had sank and he thought he’d never see him again. Little did he think he’d now be undressing him as the bath filled with hot water. With Brian seated on the chair and propped against the wall, Justin had struggled to strip him down to his shorts: leaving his wet things in a pile on the floor and the man hadn’t been able to help him. Brian was aware of his clothes being removed, but his chest hurt and his arms felt so heavy he couldn’t lift them and then suddenly, Justin remembered Molly was in the room and he stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. “Justin … we live on a farm … we have animals … I’ve seen plenty of …” “MOLLY!” Justin didn’t want to hear the words that were about to come out of his kid sister’s mouth, but then again, she wasn’t really a kid any more, but he refused to remove Brian’s shorts while Molly was still in the room. Molly sighed in disgust at being treated like a child, but she retreated out into the hall so that Justin could remove Brian’s shorts and get him into the bath without further delay. Justin managed to slide Brian off the chair and into the water, having checked first that it wasn’t too hot. Brian felt himself sinking into the warm welcoming water and tried again to open his eyes. His head was spinning and he was still shaking; feeling hot and cold at the same time and then a cool cloth was laid across his forehead and Brian sighed. He’d heard conversation going on around him and had tried to make sense of it, but his head was too woolly. Brian had the feeling of familiarity of at least one of the voices and just wished his brain could work out who it might be. But what he was aware of; stripped naked and totally vulnerable, was the gentle touch of the young man that now took his hand and though he knew he was in the care of strangers, Brian felt safe and secure. Justin picked up Brian’s hand from out of the water and started to rub the fingers and gradually worked up the muscular arm; trying to bring all the feeling back into the man’s frozen limb. Brian’s eyes were closed and he’d drifted off into a light sleep and Justin studied his features and then let Brian’s arm sink back into the warm water as he started to massage his other arm. Unable to prevent himself, Justin’s eyes wandered down the man’s defined, but not too muscular chest and flat belly and rest at his groin. He was beautiful and Brian’s eyes flickered and opened momentarily, although unseeing. But Justin was suddenly taken over by a growing sense of embarrassment, as he was sure the man knew he was being studied. Letting Brian soak for a few minutes and thaw out completely, Justin continued now to massage his shoulders, not failing to take notice of the man’s beautifully smooth and lightly tanned skin. Molly took a thick warm towel from the airing cupboard having seen her brother‘s flushed face as she passed it in to him and he’d taken the towel from her. They both realized it was going to be far harder for Justin to lift Brian out of the bath on his own then it was to put him in there and Justin didn’t want to leave him any longer so that the water started to cool. Between them, they hauled him out as gently as possible and Molly desperately tried to suppress her giggles at having to help a totally naked man out of the tub. But Brian was too weak to know or care and Justin quickly wrapped the large towel around him and sat him back onto the chair and started to rub him down. Having dried Brian off, Justin retrieved the robe from the back of the bathroom door. It had been his Dad’s and although several sizes too big, Justin had often worn it just after his Dad died; it had made him feel safe. Molly had been making up their parent’s bed and got a fire started in the hearth of the bedroom as now wrapped in the robe, Brian was helped to the bed. He was barely able to put one foot in front of the other and allowed himself to be virtually carried from the bathroom. The warmth of the water had relieved Brian’s stiff and aching bones a little, but the cough persisted. The total weakness that had overtaken him didn’t allow for him to object to what was happening as he felt himself being lowered onto the bed and placed between clean sheets. Molly went downstairs and a few minutes later came back with their Grandmother’s cold remedy: cooled boiled water, a dash of lemon juice sweetened with honey and a shot of whiskey. It would certainly do him no harm and lifting Brian’s head gently off the pillow and offering the drink to his lips, Justin tilted the cup to allow the liquid to drizzle into Brian’s mouth. Brian coughed and spluttered the first drops, but the second time he managed to keep a little down, feeling the warming liquid work its way to his stomach, easing his sore throat and chest just a little. Once they saw that Brian could keep down the liquids, Molly turned to her brother. "I brought up the aspirin too. Mom always gave us aspirin when our temperature went up ... I think he needs to have his fever brought down," and Justin nodded. “Thanks … good idea … let's try to get two of these down him before he goes to sleep." Justin sat on the bed and helped Brian into a sitting position and then allowed the man to rest against him. With Brian unable to help in any way, Justin placed the first of the aspirin between the man’s lips and then took the glass of water from Molly. Brian fought to open his eyes and he took in a sip of water and managed to swallow the tablet and Justin repeated the process. After managing a few more sips of water and trying desperately to keep his eyes open and see who was ministering to him so tenderly, Brian was able to make out a halo of golden hair and the slightly blurred features of a young man before his head was laid back on the pillow. “I wonder what his name is,” whispered Molly and she went into the bathroom and picked up Brian’s jacket and looked through the pockets and discovered the stranger’s wallet. “Here … maybe there’s someone we need to call …” and she passed it to Justin. He opened it; he hated the thought of going through someone’s personal possessions, but they needed to find out who this man was and whether he had any family who might be missing him. Justin read the name and address on the license, which had been issued in Texas and gave the man’s address as ‘Whispering Winds’ Ranch. “He’s a long way from home … once he’s settled I’ll try and find a number … let them know what’s happened …” said Justin and he reached over to reassure the man as Brian moaned quietly and his eyes flickered open. Thoroughly exhausted, the last thing Brian remembered before sleep totally overtook him, was the face of an angel looking down at him and the touch of a hand on his cheek. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Making sure Brian was comfortable and asleep, Justin went downstairs to the phone. Though hard to believe it would seem they had been on the edge of the storm. It was a lot more powerful further west and the telephone lines out of the state were down and the operator came on to advise Justin to leave it a while and try again. Brian slept for a few hours, but then he woke and the coughing began again and so did the shivering. Molly had gone out to tend to the animals and had started her chores around the house while Justin built the fire up and sat in a chair at the foot of the bed. Wrapping himself in a blanket, Justin dozed on and off, hardly having got any sleep the night before during the storm. But waking up and seeing Brian shaking, he got up from the chair and leaned over and placed his hand on the man’s brow. He was still burning up and he heard Brian mutter. “Cold … so cold …” came the hoarse words and instinctively, Justin climbed onto the bed, covered them both with the blanket and snuggled up to him, hoping his body heat would help warm him up. But the coughing just wouldn’t quit and Brian was shaking uncontrollably and Justin decided he couldn’t take any chances and called down to Molly to go and phone Doctor Matthews, hoping the phones were still working in the area, so concerned as he was at Brian’s apparently deteriorating condition. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thankfully, the phone lines into town were still up and it was now very late in the afternoon, but the doctor had come as soon as he could. Molly immediately took him upstairs to the patient and it didn’t take long to make a diagnosis. “Yep … definitely pneumonia … I had an idea it might be from what Molly told me on the phone …” said Dr. Matthews after he’d examined Brian, who’d only been vaguely aware of the doctor’s presence. “Have you found anything Justin?” he asked him and the doctor took a syringe and vial from his bag. Before prescribing anything, Jim Matthews asked what they knew about the stranger and Molly brought upstairs the bag she’d discovered in the barn when she’d gone to check on Clara and she’d brought it inside along with the shotgun they’d forgotten about in their hurry to get Brian to the house. Justin had felt uncomfortable about it, but he was now going through the man’s bag, looking for any more information. “How else are we supposed to find out anything about him?” asked Jim and Justin shrugged. “I guess …” he acknowledged and he searched through its contents. There were a few clothes and some obviously personal papers, which Justin hoped he wouldn’t have to open. “Are you sure there’s nothing in his wallet?” asked Jim and Justin picked it up from where he’d placed it on the dressing table. “No … just his drivers license … oh and a couple of photographs …” said Justin, still feeling guilty at going through the man’s credit cards and money. One photograph was of Brian and an older man; probably his Father, assumed Justin and then he studied the second. Brian had a young boy up on his shoulders and a woman standing beside him, with another small boy in her arms; the children were obviously twins and everyone was smiling broadly. They looked like a normal family group and Justin’s heart sank when he realized Brian must be a happily married man with a family. The only other thing they’d found in Brian’s jacket were his car keys and Justin wondered how far the man had come on foot to get in the condition he was in when they’d found him. “I can’t find anything about any allergies …” “Well … he’d be carrying a card or wearing something if he had a serious reaction to anything,” observed Jim and having satisfied himself that it was unlikely the man would have any serious intolerance to penicillin, he filled the syringe. With Justin’s help, Jim rolled Brian onto his side and exposing the man’s left buttock, he administered the shot and Brian gave out a little groan. “Will he need to go to hospital?” asked Justin as they lay Brian down on his back, but the doctor shook his head. “No … the Cipro should do it …” and he removed a small bottle from his bag and wrote the instructions on the label and handed it to the young man. “Do you have any Tylenol, Justin?” asked Jim Matthews, but before Justin could reply, he answered his own question. “’Course not … I forgot … you’re allergic.” “I have aspirin though,” answered Justin. “We gave him two earlier this morning when he was shivering so bad.” “Good … tomorrow morning, you can start with the Cipro I’ve given you,” continued Jim. “He gets that every twelve hours so maybe at 8 and 8. Then about every four to six hours if his fever remains high and he’s shivering, continue to give him the aspirin. And should you feel he is even warmer than he is now, it would be best to put him in a tepid bath and sponge him off …” and then Jim shook his head in amazement. “Seeing the two of you and him, I have no idea how you did it to begin with. Hopefully once he gets the antibiotic on board and some aspirin, his fever will come down as well and then the aspirin can be given for general aches and pains he may have from this whole incident. What he needs most is rest, fluids … and more rest," and he placed his hand on Justin’s shoulder, seeing clearly the look of concern on the young man’s face. Justin had been looking down at the bottle of pills and Jim knew from the young man’s expression exactly what he was thinking. “You can sort that out with me later … when we know whether or not he’s got any insurance … don’t worry …” “Are you sure you’ll be okay with him … you still don’t really know anything about him or how he ended up here …” observed Jim as they made their way downstairs and Justin nodded. He’d already told the doctor how they’d met on the road and then he’d found the man in his barn, still not knowing his name. But for some reason, it hadn’t seemed important that he’d taken this man in: a complete stranger and was caring for him and Justin shrugged. “He seemed a nice enough guy … must have just got lost in the storm …” said Justin and Jim nodded, but he was still cautious. “I could have Sheriff Johnson drop by … check him out if you want …” but the young man shook his head. “No … I’m sure there’s no need … but thanks anyway …” and Justin stopped as they passed the larder in the kitchen and disappeared for a moment, only to emerge with one of Molly’s finest apple cakes. “Thanks for coming out … I’ll settle up with you as soon as I can …” and Justin handed the man the cake. “Don’t worry over it … I was only too pleased to help …” and taking the wrapped cake, Jim chuckled. “I’m going to have to put myself on one of my own diets after this … Jennifer …” and Jim hesitated for a moment before continuing and he smiled. “Well … your Mom and now Molly sure know how to make a great cake …” and Justin smiled in return and opened the back door. “I’ll drop by in a couple of days … hopefully he’ll be awake enough by then so that I can get to speak to him … but if you’re worried at all … give me a call …” and Jim stepped out into the cold air. Justin returned to Brian. Molly made dinner and brought Justin’s in on a tray and was now downstairs watching the TV, but Justin hadn’t wanted to leave Brian’s side and stayed with him all evening and then settled down in the chair for the night. Around midnight, Brian stirred and tried to speak and Justin gently raised Brian’s head to give him a little water and two aspirin and Brian managed to move his hand so that it covered Justin’s as the young man held the cup against dry lips and Brian looked at him. “Thanks …” came the hoarse whisper and even in his disorientated state, he’d felt something; an electric shock that seemed to go through him as their hands touched. Though still a little hazy, Brian could see Justin’s face illuminated in the light from the lamp on the nightstand and he tried to take in the beautiful blue eyes that looked familiar, but also concerned and now puzzled and Brian managed a slight smile before dropping back onto the pillow. Justin thought he’d felt something too as their hands touched and he bit his lip, unable to comprehend what, if anything, had just passed between them. Brian closed his eyes, but Justin leaned towards him. “Brian …” the sound of the young man saying his name gently brought Brian around again and he tried to focus on the blond who’s face was just inches from his own. “I’ve haven’t been able to contact your family …” but it took Brian a few moments to comprehend what Justin had said to him. “Family?” he asked him huskily. “Yes … down in Texas … they could be worrying where you are …” Brian tried to process what the young man was saying and finally, he managed to shake his head just a little. “No … there’s no one worrying about me … don’t bother …” and Brian closed his eyes, no longer able to fight against the sleep that overtook him. Justin frowned. How could there not be anyone missing this beautiful man and puzzled by Brian’s statement he then tidied the bedclothes and returned to the chair. With Brian’s words still in his mind, Justin dozed on and off during the rest of the night. Around 8:00, he woke Brian in order to give him the Cipro and he felt his forehead, Brian’s temperature still pretty high. Giving the aspirin and antibiotic throughout the day as Jim had instructed, Justin left Brian only to quickly go out and tend to the animals, but Brian slept through the day and into the night. For the second night in a row, Justin prepared to sleep in the chair at the foot of Brian’s bed and he built up the fire and settled down with a pillow and blanket. Around 11:00, Brian seemed to stir and start mumbling something unintelligible, but was obviously pretty distressed about something and his forehead felt very hot. Justin rushed to the bathroom and started to run the bath and called for Molly before returning to the bedroom and he stripped back the bedclothes and swung Brian’s legs around. Between them, they managed to get Brian to the bathroom and Justin removed the robe and slid him into the bath of lukewarm water and began to sponge him down. “He doesn’t look too good,” observed Molly from the doorway, but Brian’s temperature appeared to have dropped a little by the time he managed to get him back into bed. Justin knew he should really settle back down in the chair. But instead he told himself he needed to be close at hand in order to make sure Brian was okay or in case he should need to phone Jim and before he could stop himself, Justin climbed onto the bed and lay down next to Brian. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sun was up and Molly had already left after first going out to feed the animals and milk Clara. The school had reopened and Justin had made her promise that she wouldn’t stay at home; thinking he might need her. She’d been surprised and not just a little jealous, to find her brother lying on the bed and asleep by the stranger’s side, but she’d quietly closed the door and allowed him to sleep on. And it was Brian who woke first; the fever had broken and though his senses were still woolly, he slowly began to realize that he could feel someone leaning against him and he managed to turn his head. A young man with hair the color of corn was asleep: his head on Brian’s shoulder and the older man frowned, but then with a little smile on his lips, Brian closed his eyes and he succumbed once again, wondering who this kid was that was sharing his bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin woke with a start. It was daylight and for a moment he couldn’t work out why he wasn’t in his own bed and then he remembered. Brian was sleeping peacefully, his temperature had reduced noticeably and Justin sighed in relief and thankful that their patient seemed to be on the mend and that the man hadn’t woken and found him lying beside him: how could he possibly explain that. To be continued. Many thanks to Lois and Judy for all your help, advice and friendship.