...Continued

Charlie and Mike came back into the room after saddling their horses and stopped in front of him. Charlie pulled out a chair and straddled it while Mike crossed his arms and leaned against a bunk.

"Ok Nick, what really happened?" Mike held up his hand before Nick could answer, "and before ya say anything, that tan he's got doesn't hide the fact that them bruises on his cheeks look like finger prints. He's our friend, we want to know."

Nick stared at them for a moment then put down his cup and sighed wearily, "he had a real bad attack a coupla' days ago and we almost lost him." He shook his head and shrugged, "he was in so much pain, it was the only way I could get him to open his mouth. I almost busted his jaw tryin' to get that pill in him."

They could see Nick felt guilty about hurting his brother and Charlie stood up to grip his arm and said, "ya did what ya had to do, Heath knows that." He patted the grey clad arm and jerked his head towards the door, "c'mon, let's go catch up to that hard headed brother of yours. Never know what he's gettin' up to when we're not lookin'."

They caught up to Heath and the rest of the men just as they were pulling up and dismounting in front of a large paddock in the north pasture. There was a lone chestnut stallion standing in the middle of it, snorting and tossing his head, ears flicking back and forth nervously as the men hauled themselves up to sit on the top rail.

Steve nudged Heath's shoulder and nodded at the horse. "Well, what do ya think boss?

Heath's eyes roamed over the strong chest and shoulders, powerful hindquarters and straight legs. He took in the wide forehead and intelligent eyes. "He's a looker all right. Jim said we'd like him and he was right. He'll make a good stud horse."

Nick and Heath had purchased the horse sight unseen on the recommendation of their friend Jim North. He had been at a horse auction in Nevada and wired then two weeks before that he had purchased some green broke breeding stock and a well bred stallion that he didn't really need himself and intended to sell, but would give them first choice if they wanted him. They had wired back that they would take him and Slim and Rory had gone over to Jim's and picked him up while they were away at the lodge.

Nick looked over at the man sitting on Heath's left and gestured. "Steve, go throw a rope on him. He's supposed to be half broke so we might as well finish the job today."

Jesse and Slim climbed down and opened the gate for Steve and he brought his horse into the paddock and shook out his lasso. The stallion gave a snort and raced to the other end of the enclosure before turning back and trotting slowly along the far fence. Steve brought his horse alongside and maneuvered him into a corner, dropping the rope over his head and leading him to the center of the paddock where Jesse and Slim quickly threw a saddle on him and slipped a bridle over his head.

Nick waved his black gloved hand at the horse, "well, who wants to give him a try?"

Heath hopped off the fence before anyone could answer and Nick reached down, grabbed his shoulder and jerked him to a halt before he could take a step. "Where do ya think you're goin'?"

Heath turned around and his mouth set in a stubborn line as he looked up at the scowling face above him. "Goin' to ride that horse."

Nick hung onto the tan jacket and slid off the fence to land beside him, his voice a low growl. "You're not riding that horse so ya just get that idea outa' your head right now, ya hear me?"

The men watched the confrontation in silence, it was one of many they had witnessed over the years and they didn't hold out much for Nick's chances of winning.

"I hear ya Nick, but I wanta' do it." The blue eyes pleaded with him, begged him. "One last time Nick. I wanta' feel that rush just one more time before I go...please."

Nick knew the feeling well, man and horse as one, alone in a world of your own with all that power surging beneath you, battling it out. There could only be one winner. He had hardly ever been able to say no to his little brother and knew he wasn't going to be able to say it now, especially when Heath wanted something this badly. He nodded and dropped his hand as he let him go.

"You be careful, ya hear."

Heath walked over and ran his hand over the glistening neck before unwrapping the rope from the saddlehorn and quietly settling into the saddle. Jesse looked up at him and let go of the bridle at Heaths nod. The chestnut exploded into the air and landed with a jarring impact before putting his head down between his forelegs, humping his back and lashing out viciously with his hindlegs. Heath went with the motion easily as the powerful body came off the ground again and again, enraged grunts and squeals accompanying each twist and turn the horse made trying to unseat his burden.

The dust was flying and the men were waving their hats and shouting encouragement as the blond cowboy raked his spurs across the foam flecked shoulders. The chestnut bucked even harder at each touch of the spurs.

Charlie shook his head, pulled out his tobacco pouch and rolling papers and observed to no one in particular. "Seems like half broke mighta' been a bit of an exaggeration."

Nick grimaced and nodded, "yep. I'd havta' say that animal's never seen a saddle before today, hope Heath can stick."

Mike spared him a quick look, eyes alight with pride, "I've never seen the boy ride better, Nick."

With his heart in his throat, it seemed like forever to Nick before the bucking slowed down and the stallion finally stood there, ears flicked back, listening to the man on his back who was now speaking to him quietly. Heath ran his hand down the damp neck before gently nudging him into a slow gallop around the paddock. He spent a few minutes turning him this way and that, stopping and starting, using the pressure of his legs and subtle shifts of his body to guide and tell the horse what he wanted him to do. They came to a halt at the far end of the paddock and Heath looked across at the men lined up along the top rail before shifting his gaze to the mountains in the distance. He felt the coiled up power beneath him as the stallion bowed his neck and danced sideways with restless energy. He looked at the wide open spaces beyond the fence and thought, 'why not?'

The stallion leapt forward at the touch of spurs, hooves pounding as he galloped down the paddock towards where the men were sitting. Nick watched Heath urging him on faster and turned to Charlie with a scowl.

"What's he doing?"

"Don't rightly know." He blew out a cloud of smoke, "but if he don't pull up soon, it's gonna' be too late, he'll be right through this here fence."

All of a sudden Nick knew what his brother was going to do and he cupped his hands around his mouth, his voice carrying a note of panic.

"PULL UP HEATH, PULL UP...YA CAN'T MAKE IT!!"

Everyone realized at the same time what he intended to do and they watched helplessly as Heath got closer and tugged his hat lower, a look of grim determination on his face. He aimed the horse at the nearly five foot high gate twenty feet down from where the men were sitting and leaned forward over the chestnut's neck, controlling the headlong dash with voice, hands and legs.

Rory shook his head and muttered, "it's too high, he'll never make it, gonna' get himself killed."

Mike narrowed his eyes as he watched Heath approach the fence and check the horse a bit, steadying him, making sure he was set.

"He'll make it."

They held their breath as horse and rider never hesitated, the powerful hindquarters bunched and the back legs pushed off strongly, front legs tucked up tightly as they sailed up and over without an inch to spare.

Heath pulled up quickly and whirled the big stallion around, his blue eyes filled with happiness, a huge smile lighting up his handsome face. The chestnut reared up as Heath pulled off his hat and waved it in the air with a shout.

"Whoooeeeee!!"

He spun the stallion around and took off, giving the big horse his head as they raced away. Nick scowled, grumbling as he snatched off his hat and slapped it against his thigh.

"I swear that boy's making me old before my time."

He slapped his hat back on and his scowl turned to a smile as he watched them running with the wind, the stallion's long stride eating up the ground, his tail up like a flag, head extended as Heath bent low over his neck.

Nick jumped down, strode over to his grey mare and hauled himself into the saddle. He crossed his arms on his saddlehorn and smirked at the ranch hands still sitting on the fence.

"'Cmon boys, let's see if we can't run that brother of mine down."

They mounted their horses quickly and took off with loud whoops. Heath slowed down when he heard them coming and let them catch up before all eight raced across the open meadow together, the ground shaking beneath the pounding hooves as they ran flat out for nearly a mile before pulling up just below the north ridge and dismounting to let their horses blow and get their wind back. They sat for awhile talking and smoking before the days work beckoned and they mounted up again.

Heath looked at Charlie, "you and Jesse are headin' into town for supplies this mornin'." He gestured towards the paddock in the distance, "can ya pick up my horse and take him home for me?"

"Sure thing Heath." Charlie nodded at the chestnut shifting restlessly under the firm but gentle hand, "yer not thinkin' of usin' him when the boys move those cattle to the other pasture are ya?"

"No, no. I'll take this boy home later." He glanced at the man beside him, "I just wanta' talk to Nick here for awhile."

Nick heard the seriousness in his brother's voice and waved his hand, "you men go ahead and get started, we'll be along later."

Heath turned his horse around, "c'mon Nick, let's go up to the top of the ridge."

Nick swung in beside him and they galloped up the slope, stopping at the crest and gazing over the valley spread out below them. Barkley land as far as the eye could see, green pastures, orchards, forests and streams, herds of cattle and, in the distance, the ever present vast solidness of the mountains towering over it all.

Heath spread his arm out to encompass the beauty before them, his tone reverent as he spoke. "This is it Nick, this is what it's all about - the land."

Nick watched a far away look come into Heath's eyes, his voice deep, soft and gentle as he continued. "The land is everything, it gives life and it takes it, it can beat you down and break you, but it can also build you up, give you hope and make you strong. Even after we're all gone, the land will still be here."

He turned his head and Nick caught his breath at the look in the blue eyes holding his. Heath reached over and laid his hand on his arm. "Don't lose it Nick, we've worked too hard for it and our father paid for it with his blood and sweat - it's our life, don't let it go."

Nick frowned and shook his head, "I don't know what you're talkin' about Heath, I don't intend to let it go."

The strong hand tightened on his arm, "Nick, listen to me. You've got a duty to this land, to this ranch and the people on it, they're depending on you. When you're gone, what will become of it all?"

That thought had crossed Nick's mind more and more frequently as he got older. He knew Jarrod had no interest in ranching and he showed no signs of ever remarrying anyway. Audra had her own place and, even though he didn't want to think about it, their mother was getting on in years and when she was gone, there would be no one left to carry on. He hadn't worried about it too much after Heath came, figuring eventually one of them would have children to take over. But the hand of fate had stepped in and the burden had shifted to him alone once again.

He shrugged and shook his head, "I don't know Heath, I can't think about that right now."

"You have to Nick, you need sons to help you run this ranch, to keep the Barkley name alive." He pulled his horse closer and searched the rugged face scowling at him from under the dark hat. "You made me a promise Nick, ya promised me ya wouldn't waste your life. You've got a good woman who loves ya and I know ya love her, marry her and have those sons, don't throw it all away and spend the rest of your life alone. I want ya to be happy Nick ... that's what I wish for you."

Nick held his brother's eyes with his for a moment, then reached out and gripped the back of his neck. "I know ya do Heath and I'll keep my promise to you. I've never broken any promise I've ever made to ya and I never will."

The smile that crossed his brother's face at the words brought immeasurable joy to Nick's heart and he knew he had done the right thing and would keep his promise. It might be awhile, but eventually he would be telling his children about their Uncle Heath, keeping his memory alive for himself and them through words.

They returned to the ranch so Heath could change horses before riding out again to help the men move some cattle to another pasture. Steve and Mike pulled up beside Charlie and sat for a bit, watching Heath chase down a stray, circling around in front of it, cutting off it's escape route. The steer stopped and shook his long horns before trying to dodge around them. Heath went with the motion smoothly as his cutting horse wove from side to side, anticipating the steers every move before he made it until the beast finally gave up and turned back to the herd with a bellow.

Steve pushed his hat back and said, his voice filled with admiration."Heath sure did train that big horse up right, ain't a better cutting horse in these parts. I'm gonna' miss seein' them two out here workin' together."

They watched Heath gallop past, riding with the smooth, easy grace that made him recognizable even from a distance.

Charlie leaned back in his saddle, "we'll all miss him. He may live in the big house, but he's still one of us, just a hard workin' cowboy that's seen more than his share of hard times."

Mike nodded and gave the highest compliment one man could give another. "Yep, he's a good, honest man and I'm proud to call him my friend."

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Nick and Heath came into the house at lunch and tossed their hats on the table in the foyer.

"MOTHER??... MOTHER!! WE'RE HOME, WHERE'S LUNCH?"

Nick waited for an answer and when none was forthcoming, he planted his hands on his hips and threw back his head.

"MOTHER ... SILAS ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY??"

Heath winced and whacked him on the arm, "would ya stop yelling for a second, they're not here."

"I wasn't yelling and what do ya mean, they're not here?"

"Mother left a note, see?" He waved the notepaper in front of Nick's eyes for a second before dropping it back on the table, "Silas drove her over to Audra's this morning and we're supposed to go over there for supper tonight at six."

"Hrmmmmmph. That means Silas isn't here to make us lunch." He followed Heath down the hall towards the kitchen, grumbling as he went. "I sure do hope he's doin' the cookin' for little sister, 'cause it's the only way we're gonna' get a decent meal today."

They arrived at the Wheeler ranch shortly after six and handed their horses over to a ranch hand. Nick didn't bother with the formality of knocking, he just threw the door open and proceeded to announce their arrival in his customary way.

"MOTHER??... AUDRA?? WE'RE HERE!"

Heath rolled his eyes in exasperation as Nick looked around the empty living room with a scowl. "Where the devil are they? They wanted us here at six and it's past that now, I'm starvin' and I wanta' eat."

Heath patted him on the back, "don't get yourself all in a lather Nick, we're a bit late so maybe they started without us. Let's go check the dining room."

Nick ran into Heath's back when he stopped suddenly at the scream that went up as he opened the dining room door.

"SURPRISE!!!"

Victoria and Audra rushed over to him and planted kisses on both his cheeks, while Jarrod and Carl shook his hand and patted him on the back.

"Happy Birthday Heath!!"

Nick scowled and waved his hand at them, "it's not his birthday, his birthday's not for two weeks yet."

Even as the words left his mouth, he wished them unsaid at the look of sadness they brought to his mothers eyes. She hadn't asked about the bruises on Heath's face when they had returned yesterday, and he realized it was because she already knew what had happened. Her mothers instinct had told her that, despite their assurances that everything had gone well, she knew the truth. She put a smile on her face and spoke lightly as she wrapped her arm around Heath's and led him to the table.

"We decided to combine it with your homecoming and celebrate it early this year."

Nick backpeddled furiously trying to make things right, "actually this isn't a bad idea. Remember two years ago me and Heath here were at that cattle auction and ran into bad weather comin' back? We were two days late gettin' home for his birthday dinner - 'course we had a little party of our own in this back water town we stayed over in. I tell you, there was this..."

Jarrod raised his eyebrows and held up his hand, "thank you Nick, but I don't think the ladies need to hear about how you two celebrated. Let's just sit down and enjoy the fine feast Silas has prepared."

Nick sat down quickly and nudged Heath's arm, "did ya hear that? Silas did the cookin', we're not gonna' starve or be poisoned!"

"NICK!!"

Victoria and Audra both reprimanded him and gave him a sharp glare. Carl hid his chuckle behind his hand and Jarrod cleared his throat as Silas entered the room and put a large covered platter on the table. He laid his hand briefly on Heath's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

"Happy Birthday Mr. Heath. I made all your favorites and a big ol' chocolate cake for desert, I knows how you and Mr. Nick likes it."

Heath looked up at him and grinned, "thank you my friend."

The words brought an ache to his heart until he remembered what Heath had told him, 'only think of me with happiness'. He gave the shoulder one more squeeze and started serving.

Carl dimmed the lamps after supper leaving the room in near darkness until Silas pushed open the door and wheeled the birthday cake in on a trolley, the flickering candles casting a warm glow around the room. Heath's eyes lit up at the sight of it and Nick let out a low whistle. There were four layers, ascending like steps with colorful toy horses and riders set in amongst the candles on each of the bottom three layers and one lone candle on top. The whole thing was covered in thick, gooey chocolate icing with the words, 'Happy 29th Birthday Heath' written in yellow icing across the top.

Audra was nearly bouncing in her seat with excitement. "Make a wish Heath."

Almost everyone watching thought they knew what he would wish for simply because it was what they wanted, but just before he blew out the candles, Heath looked up and held his brothers eyes. Nick could read the thought almost as if Heath had spoken the words aloud, 'there's no sense wishin' for things that are gone'. Heath gave him a lop sided grin and blew out the candles and Nick knew with a certainty that Heath hadn't used the wish for himself, but for someone he cared about more than himself.

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Nick came awake suddenly in the early hours of the next morning, sensing the familiar presence even before the mattress dipped. He rolled on to his back to see Heath sitting beside him in the fire lit room, his hand pressed hard against his chest.

"I want to go see the sunrise Nick."

His stomach dropped and his heart slammed against his ribs. "Heath ..."

He watched his brother take the small bottle of pills out of his shirt pocket and look at them for a moment before setting them on the night table with an air of finality.

"It's time Nick."

The quiet words were said with conviction and all Nick could do was nod and accept them, knowing in his heart that time had run out for them.

"I'll get dressed and go saddle the horses."

Heath squeezed his arm and stood up, "thanks Nick."

He moved to the chair beside the bed and watched Nick get up and cross the room to his dresser. He knew how hard this was going to be on him and, just for a moment, he had been tempted to go alone. The thought was gone even as he considered it - they needed to be together right now, they needed each other. He couldn't do that to himself or Nick.

Heath felt an irrational burst of anger at life, fate ... whoever or whatever was responsible for his brother's pain. 'Why does this have to happen to him? Why does he have to suffer? He's such a good man, he doesn't deserve this.' He looked over at the big, tough, gentle man who meant everything to him and remembered all the good times, the laughter and companionship they had shared through the years. Oh, there had been some bad times and angry words, but they had been few and far between, quickly forgiven and forgotten.

He smiled and remembered the day Jarrod had climbed up on the corral fence beside him to watch Nick trying to break a horse. They had hooted and hollered and laughed along with the rest of the hands when Nick came flying off for the third time and landed on his backside in the dirt. He had gotten up slowly, whacking the dust off and grinning sheepishly, rubbing his hands over his sore butt. Jarrod watched him climb back on and he turned to Heath with a smile.

"You know Heath, there was a time when Nick wouldn't have let anyone laugh at him or make fun of him that way. He would have just lost his temper and used his fists on them. He was a hard man our brother."

Heath looked at him in confusion, "what do you mean?"

Jarrod held up his hand, "don't get me wrong Heath, he still loved and cared about his family, but after father died he was all business. He had a ranch to run and nothing else mattered to him. He was barely twenty two then, far too young for that much responsibility. He had to grow up too fast and didn't take time to enjoy life. All he did was work, all day, every day, trying to keep up what Father had built and make it better. He pushed himself and everyone around him hard. I don't know why the men stayed, unless it was loyalty to Father."

His eyes narrowed in thought, "I hardly ever remember him laughing or having fun back then. He's changed so much since you came."

Heath watched Nick finally get the horse under control and ride him to the opposite side of the corral where the rest of the men were sitting on the fence. He gave them a smug smile and waved his hand at them.

"See? I told ya. You should'a placed your bets on me and not the horse!"

Mike rolled his eyes at him and jeered, "it took ya four tries!! He was all bucked out!"

Nick tipped his hat at them, "doesn't matter, I'll collect my winnings later boys."

Heath shook his head at his older brother's words, "Jarrod, I don't think I had anything ..."

Jarrod cut him off and looked at him seriously, "it's a simple fact Heath, he's changed for the better since you came into his life. He's happy and enjoying his life now and he hadn't for a very long time." He slapped Heath's thigh and his eyes twinkled, "you know those little pranks you two pull on me?" He raised his eyebrows at the innocent look his brother gave him, "Nick would never have done anything like that before, he wouldn't even have taken the time to consider it."

They watched Nick jump off the horse and Jarrod turned to his youngest brother and spoke sincerely, "I'm glad you came Heath, you've made our family complete." He nodded at the man coming towards them, spurs jangling and grinning like a little boy who had won all the marbles, "and he needed you most of all."

Heath laid his head back with a smile and closed his eyes, his hand rubbing his chest, the motion making no difference to the feeling of a heavy weight pressing down on it. It was just as Doc Merar had said, it wasn't the stabbing, debilitating pain like all the other times. No, this time it just felt like a big old steer was sitting on him and the three pills he had taken before he came to Nick's room hadn't made any difference. He had somehow known when the dull aching pain had started that all the pills in the world weren't going to help him this time. It wasn't all that painful really, he could still function and for that he was grateful.

Nick stripped off his pajamas quickly and pulled on his socks and pants while trying to keep his mind blank.

'Don't think, don't think, don't think. Just get dressed, you don't have time to think. That's it Nick, buckle your belt and get a shirt out.' He opened a drawer and pulled out a light grey shirt, 'that's the way, one step at a time, keep going, don't think, just do it.'

He pulled his shirt on and glanced back to see Heath rubbing his chest, his elbow propped on the arm of the chair, his hand covering his eyes and he faltered for a second then clenched his jaw and turned back to face the wall, 'don't think about it, just do up the buttons. C'mon now, you can do it. He needs you to be strong right now, he's counting on you, don't let him down.'

As he lifted his chin to straighten his collar, his eyes fell on his gold pocket watch sitting open on top of the dresser, the treasured words inside bringing an ache to his heart. His thoughts took control and he went back to the day before when Heath had jumped the fence and turned around with a huge smile on his wind burned face, his blue eyes sparkling with happiness and a boundless love of life and Nick knew that soon he would never see that crooked smile again and he already missed it.

His hands started shaking as he tried to get the button through the first hole and he looked up at the ceiling and took a deep shuddering breath before trying to do up the button again. He fumbled with it, his eyes blurring and he scrubbed his arm across them angrily.

'DON'T THINK!!'

Heath's eyes flew open at the sound of a sniff and he looked over at the rigid back. He got up and went to stand beside his brother, rubbing his hand over the quaking shoulders as he spoke to him gently.

"Nick, don't."

"I'm fine."

His deep voice was low and raspy and he shrugged off Heath's comforting hand, immediately regretting the loss of warmth and support. He sniffed again and cursed the buttons that refused to co-operate.

"DAMMIT."

Heath came around in front of him and pushed his hands away. "Here, let me do that for ya."

Nick didn't argue, he didn't have the strength for it - he just dropped his head and watched Heath's sure, steady fingers doing up the buttons before his strong hands took a hold of his forearms.

"Nick, look at me."

He waited patiently until Nick lifted his head, his hazel eyes were glistening with tears and his breath was coming in choking gulps.

Heath gave him a little shake, he couldn't stand to see him hurting this way, "it's going to be all right Nick."

Nick shook his head and his dark hair fell forward across his brow as he swallowed hard, his throat tight and aching. He looked into his brother's eyes and two big tears spilled over and ran down his rugged cheeks.

"No ... no it isn't Heath, it's... it's never going to be all right again."

Heath reached up and gripped the back of his neck, "yes it is Nick. Yes it is. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but someday ... someday it will, you have to trust me."

He pulled him into a hug and Nick wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent greedily. He stored it all away and squeezed his eyes shut as Heath whispered in his ear, "it will get better Nick ... I promise."

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They rode side by side through the crisp, early morning hours, old CoCo pressed up tight against Charger as they galloped along, Nick wanting to be as close as he could get in case anything happened. Heath had insisted that he could ride, so Nick had saddled CoCo. It just seemed right that the four friends who had travelled so many miles together should be together again for this final trip. Both horses knew the way and their steps were sure in the darkness surrounding them. Heath looked up into the inky blackness above him and thought, 'it really is darkest before the dawn'. He felt Nicks leg bump against his and was reassured by his solid presence.

The sky was just starting to pearl with a pinkish glow when they pulled their horses up at the edge of the canyon at Lookout Peak. It was eerily silent save for the sound of the horses champing their bits and the creak of saddle leather. They talked quietly for a time, laughing and reminiscing about the good times they had shared. The sky continued to lighten across the horizon and Nick looked over and studied Heath's face, trying to commit it to memory, so afraid as time went on that he would forget and he never wanted to forget.

His stomach dropped when he saw Heath reach forward and grab his saddlehorn in a white knuckled grip, biting his lip and dipping his head, trying to hide the pain on his face below the brim of his hat.

Nick dismounted and dropped CoCo's reins on the ground. He walked around and removed Heath's foot from his stirrup before grabbing a handful of the big bay's mane, putting his foot in the stirrup and hauling himself up behind his brother.

He wrapped his arms around the lean waist and Heath took a deep breath and relaxed back against him, his head resting on Nick's shoulder as they watched the new day peek above the horizon. There was a thick bank of dark clouds in the distance and the sun's rays shot underneath them in rippling waves of orange, crimson, yellow and deep pinks, spreading across the deep blue sky in gossamer streaks. Nick looked around at the sunlight touching the dew wet grasses and wildflowers. Heath was right, it really did look like millions of tiny diamonds dancing across the meadow.

They watched a golden eagle take flight from a rocky crag on the canyon wall and soar above the rim, the rising sun glinting off his outstretched wing span. He felt Heath stiffen a bit and lift his hand to press against his chest, the weight now crushing as his heart pounded furiously trying to do what it no longer could.

"Niiick ..."

Nick put his chin on his brother's shoulder and pleaded with him, "hang on Heath, keep fighting, don't give up. C'mon now, listen to me, you're gonna' be alright if ya just fight harder."

Heath shook his head wearily against the strong shoulder he was leaning on. He didn't have the strength to fight anymore.

"Tired Nick ..."

CoCo snorted and rubbed his head against Nick's leg and he glanced down at him, seeing clearly for the first time, the greying muzzle and sunken eyes of his old friend. Heath's words as they had sat together on the corral fence and watched the old horse coughing as he walked away from them came back to him forcefully.

'Sometimes ya havta' let go of the things ya love, even if it breaks your heart.'

He closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath before he reached forward and put his hand over the one Heath was clutching around the saddlehorn. He laced their fingers together and gently murmured the words that broke his heart.

"It's all right Heath, ya can let go now ... I've got ya, I won't let ya fall."

Heath lifted their entwined hands and held them to his heart, his voice the merest whisper as he struggled to get the words out.

"Don't forget Nick ... when ya need me, I'll be right by your side."

Nick rubbed his thumb over the back of the work roughened hand in his, "I know ya will Heath because you'll always be in my heart."

Heath turned his head and Nick looked into blue eyes that were full of happiness, eyes that had always spoken to him, told him things without words. They spoke to him now and he heard the words before Heath said them aloud.

"I love you big brother."

Nick pressed his lips to Heath's bruised cheek and held him tightly, keeping him warm and safe against all that would harm him.

"I love you too, little brother ... till forever and beyond."

He looked down to see the lop sided grin and he smiled and laid his cheek against his brothers. He was finally ready to let go, knowing in his heart they would be together again some day. They relaxed into each other and watched the bird soar above them, wild, golden and free. Heath took a deep breath and gripped Nick's hand hard for a second before his fingers loosened. The shadow of the eagle passed over them ...

... and he was gone.

....Continued