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“Oh, my God! Daddy!” Sage rushed to his side, her silky hair flying behind her. “Are you okay? Oh no... look at you. No-no-no. Are you in pain?” Sage had gone deathly pale at first sight of Kaden. Angry red burns peeked out from beneath the gauze on his arms and hands. She gingerly grasped his fingers, afraid of causing him more pain.
Kaden regarded her with his one unbandaged eye, his smile creasing the white tape across his cheek.
“Just a few war wounds, darlin’. Nothing your old man can’t handle,” he rasped, his voice rough from smoke inhalation.
Sage looked around the room and shook her head, unconvinced. She shot an accusatory look at Kevin and Keith.
“Where’s the nurse? Why isn’t there someone here to take care of him?” She stomped toward the door. “This is unacceptable. He needs more medicine! I’m going to tell them a thing or—”
Kaden snagged her hand. “Babygirl, I’m fine. Stop. I don’t need a nurse by my side. My condition isn’t critical. Come here and give me a kiss. That’s all I need to chase away the hurt.” He drew her close and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. “Having you here is the best medicine around.”
She smiled through her tears, comforted by his reassuring presence. Seeing past the injuries to the steadfast spirit beneath, she gingerly curled up beside him on the bed.
“Kiss you?” She looked at him teary-eyed. “Where, Daddy? Even your lips are burned.”
He smiled at her woebegone expression. “I’m sure there must be a small spot somewhere for your lips to fit.” He squeezed her hand. “Relax, my love. It’s just a few burns, that’s all. I’ll be right as rain in a week,” he said bravely.
Trust their brother to put on a brave face even now, but Kevin and Keith weren’t fooled. They could see the echoes of pain in the taut lines around his eyes and mouth. Sage’s expression warned Kaden that she wasn’t fooled either.
“You’re a damned fool,” Kevin said but pulled him into a gentle hug. “A big, brave one, but a fool, nonetheless, and you saved that calf's life. Rest up now. You’ve earned it.”
“There’s no time for rest. We need to find out who caused that fire.” Kaden sat upright, ignoring the three shouts coming from all directions to stay in bed. Kaden’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening beneath the bandages. “I know that the fire was no accident. I could smell the gasoline in the air,” he said grimly. “Someone set out to destroy us, and they nearly succeeded. I want to know who and why.” His voice shook with fury and grief.
Sensing his rising distress, Kevin quickly spoke up. “And we will find out. You, big brother, are going nowhere. The doctor wants you to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Infection in burn wounds like these is dangerous, and some of them are deep. Take the time and rest. I’m sure Sage can take some time off work and keep you company through the day. Leave it in our hands. We will find whoever was responsible.” Kevin looked at Keith. He nodded in silent agreement. It would be better to tell Kaden now than him finding out later.
Kaden nodded, appeased for the moment. But then his eye narrowed in sudden suspicion, flickering between the two of them.
“What aren’t you telling me?” he asked hoarsely. “Something else happened... what is it?”
The brothers exchanged another anguished look. There was no way to soften this blow.
“It’s Rugga,” Kevin said heavily. “He didn’t make it. He refused to leave the cows trapped behind the fire line. We tried all we could, but the fire was everywhere. We couldn’t... we had to watch... I’m sorry.” His voice caught. “We lost him.”
“We all know how much you loved Rugga,” Keith interjected. “He was like a puppy to you from when he was born.”
It had been quite a sight to behold. Kaden had been there when Rugga was born. As he grew up, the two of them became inseparable. Wherever Kaden went around the farmhouse, you would find Rugga following him like a lovesick puppy.
Kaden sucked in a sharp breath, his face crumpling. Sagging back into his pillows, he squeezed his eyes shut against the tidal wave of grief. Sage wrapped her arms around him, tears wetting the bandages on his chest.
“I know you did all you could, Keith. My heart aches for Rugga, but I don’t blame anyone. Except for the bastards behind the fire.” Kaden’s eyes were rimmed with unshed tears. “Keep Rugga in one of the cold freezer rooms. I want to be there when he’s buried.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t even consider it before then.”
Kaden finally mastered himself and dashed the wetness from his cheek. When he looked up, fiery determination burned in his gaze.
“We’ll make them pay for what they’ve done,” he vowed, his voice iron hard. “Mark my words, no one harms this family and gets away with it.” His jaw locked. “And Rugga was the most loyal family member of all.”
