Dade meets Orrin - 2. Chapter 2

Chapter two:

Talk about having to change your shorts. When I heard the guy talk it scared the crap out of me. Turning my head I saw this guy standing in the doorway, with the light behind him I really couldn’t see much. Plutarch had stuck his head out further and was almost hiding me, but not enough so the guy couldn’t see me. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Dade asked.

“I have come to collect what is mine, is Hank Carson around?”

“If he’s not at the house then no, and what do you mean yours?”

“Well Mr. Carson put this farm up as a bet last night and he lost, so I have come to collect it.”

“Wasn’t his to bet with. You can talk to him about it whenever he gets home, but I can tell you that the ranch is mine, always has been and always will.”

“You’re a kid how can you own this place?”

“It was my dad’s but he was killed, now it is mine, not Hank Carson’s and certainly not yours.”

“Well we will see about that.”

“Sure, I can have my lawyer talk with you if you wish?”

“I don’t think…”

“You don’t think what?” Angelo said coming up behind the guy.”

“Mr. meet my lawyer.” Dade said with a chuckle.

“Hi, it seems we have a problem, I won this ranch in a bet last night, and now I find that this kid owns it, if that is true, then I need to be paid at least 150k.”

“Mr. I don’t know anything about any bets made on this farm, but I do know that Dade Carson doesn’t gamble, so there couldn’t be any bets from him.”

“No it was made by Hank Carson, and I came to collect.”

As Angelo and the stranger was talking, Plutarch had pushed Dade away and started trying to kick his door open. When Dade tried to get to him to calm him down, he just backed up and started to raise his front legs. Not wanting him to get hurt Dade managed to get the stall open and before Dade could move inside Plutarch ran out and raced out of the barn. “Angelo, saddle Mystic for me, I can’t let Plutarch run wild.” Dade yelled.

“Alright Dade, you grab your Jacket and bags, make sure it has your radio and flashlights.” Angelo stated as he moved towards the tack room.

“Mr. we can talk about this later, but right now I got a horse to look for.”

“Can I help, I don’t know how to ride, but if you have a four wheeler or something I can follow you?”

“Yeah there are some ATV’s in the other shed, get them both out, Angelo can you ride with him, and Mr. what’s your name?”

“James Peltier.”

“Nice to meet your sir, I am Dade, and this is Angelo.”
“Likewise kid, but you got to school with my sons.”

“I do?”

“Yes Ashton and Leigh.”

“Oh hell, I forgot about Ashton, he was supposed to let me know if he could go camping this weekend.”

“I know and both his mother and I said he could, Leigh is a bit upset that he wasn’t invited.”
“Maybe next time.” Dade stated as he jumped on Mystic and rode out of the barn. “Find Plutarch girl.” Dade shouted.

Mystic took off at a full run almost losing Dade in the process, if Dade didn’t have a hold of the saddle horn he surely would have fallen. The way that Mystic was running you would have thought her tail was on fire. Dade could hear the sound of her hooves hitting the ground, but Dade could also hear Plutarch’s in the distance. Dade could see the fence coming up and Dade figured that both Mystic and Plutarch would stop, but no both gave a leap and over they went. Dade couldn’t believe it, both horses had just cleared a four and a half foot fence without breaking stride.

The two must have ran half the neighbors farm before coming to a stop and looking up through the trees that grew along the mountain side. Dade leaned forward and patted Mystic’s neck and was just sitting back up when again he heard a scream, much louder this time and a lot closer. Now Dade knew that someone was hurt. “Okay Plutarch, I hear it.” Dade whispered as he slid off Mystic’s back and grabbed the saddle bags.

Finding a small path Dade pulled out his flashlight and slowly made his way upwards. He didn’t know where he was going, only that he had to try. Once into the trees the area became pitch black, the only light was from Dade’s flashlight, and that really wasn’t much. Dade had walked a little ways when the scream came back again, but this time it was off to his left and a whole lot closer. Using his light, Dade found spots where it looked like someone had dragged themselves. Following those marks Dade soon found himself at the mouth of a small cave.

With his light leading the way, Dade entered and just inside his stopped and let out a gasp. There in front of him was a dirty bundle of what looked like a kid. Dade couldn’t tell whether it was a boy or girl, the hair was dirty and caked with mud, the face was streaked with dirt and the clothes were torn and ragged. As he stood looking at the bundle Dade noticed that both the left arm and leg were bent out of shape, looking like they were broken.

Not wanting to scare the person, Dade stepped back outside and started to gather pieces of wood that were dry. When he had a large bundle Dade went back in and started a small fire, hoping that the warmth would help. The fire would also let Dade look closer at the person and see what he could do to help.

With the fire going Dade looked through his bundle of wood to try and find some pieces that could be used as splints. After finding four good pieces he set them aside and left the cave. Going back to where Plutarch and Mystic were he took what pieces of bindings he could find and stuffed them into his pocket. “Got to find help.” Dade told Plutarch, before heading back up to the cave and the person laying there.

Marelon’s place was lit up as the family made ready for dinner. Felipe Marelon had grown up on the farm, in fact he was born in the house that he now called home. His two sons Philip and Manuel had both been born in the house and had come to love the place just as much as their father had. “Dad, there is someone outside.” Manuel said as he heard the sound of horse hooves.

“I will check, you two finish your supper and get the dishes done.” Felipe said with a chuckle.

Outside Plutarch was using his front hoof to bang on the step, and he was still doing that when Felipe stepped out the front door. “Easy boy, what has you worked up?” Felipe asked as he calmly stroked Plutarch’s neck. “Where is your rider big fella, did you lose him out there?”

Plutarch seeing Felipe and feeling the calming hand turned and started to walk back the way he came, only to stop and look back. “You want me to come with you fella?”

Snorting and bobbing his head Plutarch once more started walking away. “Okay fella, let me get my jacket and some light.” Felipe said as he turned and went inside to get the things he needed. Felipe also grabbed his first aid kit, since he didn’t know what he was going to run into.

Outside Plutarch was standing waiting when Felipe came back out, moving over to a stump he let Felipe climb up and taking hold of Plutarch’s mane smiled. “Okay big guy take me to your rider.” Felipe whispered.

“Dad, where you headed, and why is Plutarch here?”

“I don’t know Philip, I think the rider may be hurt. Throw a mattress and some blankets into the back of the old truck and then follow us, I have a feeling we could be going close to Carson’s place.”

“Sure dad, I’ll get bro to help. I hope Dade is okay.”

It wasn’t that long after that Plutarch stopped beside Mystic. Felipe slid off the horse and looking around just scratched his head. As he was turning to look at things he caught the smell of wood smoke and a shimmer of light through the trees. “Is that where your rider is fella, up there in those trees?” Felipe asked the horse.

Moving slowly Felipe climbed the slope and soon found himself standing beside Dade and the dirty bundle of a child. He noticed that Dade was slowly and gently washing the child’s face when he looked up and saw Felipe standing there. “Hi sir, please can you help, this kid is hurt real bad?” Dade asked.

“I can try son, but there isn’t much we can do for the little one here.”

“I know, but we can’t move him either, I think his arm and leg is are broken.”

“Well we can splint them, I see that you have some wood for that, then we will have to carry the child down from here somehow.”

“I know, I was thinking I could make a travois or something, maybe drag the kid down.”

“That is smart thinking, but now that there are two of us, we can carry the child down and hopefully that won’t hurt as much.”

“That would work, but then we have to get the kid back to my place, I can’t leave him/her out here.”

“My son Philip is bringing the truck, we can take him back to my place, and then around by road.”

“Thank you sir.”

As Dade and Felipe were talking the kid’s eyes opened and a small scream echoed through the cave. Turning Dade saw the scared look on the kids face and just smiled. “Its’ okay, no one is going to hurt you. My name is Dade and I am going to help you.” Dade said calmly as he wiped the kids face some more.

“Dade, I will go get some more blankets and let’s get this child out of here.”

“Okay sir.” Dade said without looking up. “Are you hungry?” Dade asked the kid.

Getting a nod from the kid, Dade smiled then through some more wood on the fire. “I am going to have too splint your arm and leg and it might hurt a bit, so try to relax. Once we get you back to my place I will call my doctor and he will come and look at you, is that okay?” Dade asked as he brushed the dirty hair from the kid’s eyes.”

“Uh huh. You promise not to hurt me?” the kid asked.

“I promise, can you tell me your name, I don’t think you want to be called kid all the time do you?”

“Nope, and my name is Orrin.”

“I like that name, makes you sound like an angel.” Dade laughed.

“I no angel, least I been told that.”

“Well let’s not worry about that right now. Let’s just worry about getting you off this mountain and into a nice warm bath.”

“Uh huh, but I can’t walk, I hurt my leg and arm.”

“I can see that, but if you trust me, my friend and I will get you out of here.”

“Okay.”

Philip had found the horses and parked the truck with the lights still on. Jumping out of the drives seat he smiled at his dad. “We got everything you asked for dad, even got some bottled water. Did you find the rider?” Manuel asked from the passenger side of the truck.

“Yes son I found him, he isn’t hurt, but there is a child that is and we need to bring them both down. Dade wants the child to be taken to his place, so that is what we will do.”

“So we cut the fence and drive that way, it would be faster and the fence can be repaired.” Philip said.

“We can do that, but as for fixing it after let’s forget that, I think it is time that Mr. Carson and I had a talk.” Felipe answered.

“You’re not thinking of giving up this place are you?”

“I can’t give up what we never owned son, but don’t worry we’re not going to be moving.”

“Good, I would hate to leave here, I mean this is the only home I or we have ever known.”

“I know, now let’s get up there and help Dade and his little friend.”

Three hours later everyone was back at Dade’s home, with the little kid in the bath soaking. Dade went back downstairs and called his doctor. Everyone was looking at Dade as he walked into the kitchen. His uncle had a scowl on his face that would have turned milk sour, but Dade ignored it. “Why you bring that kid here?” Hank Carson asked.

“That kid has a name and it is Orrin, as to why I brought him here, well I thought it would be better for him and secondly, this is my place and I can bring who I want here.”

“I won’t have it and before you get riled up, you better understand this isn’t your place, it belongs to the Carson family and I happen to be the only family that is here right now so what I say goes.”

“Uncle, like I told you two weeks ago, back your bags and get the fuck out. I have read my parents will, I have read all the papers needed to run this place, and you don’t have a say in anything. Now leave this place and DON”T come back.” Dade snapped before turning around and going back upstairs to check on Orrin.

Dieppe, France is steeped in history and more so in the twentieth century. From world war one to the present the beaches have held the attraction of visitors. Looking across the channel one can see the coastline of England, but that is only on a good day. For Dawson Carson, Dieppe has been his home for the past twenty five years. A place where Dawson thought he could retire to. When Dawson first landed in Dieppe he went out and bought himself a small store something that would keep him busy and help keep his mind off part of the farm he had just given up and the acreage he had leased out. He wasn’t too worried about the farm, he knew his youngest son would make it work.

Now twenty five years later Dawson was flying back to Kentucky to visit his son and family. His private Gulfstream 280 was his pride and joy, though it was an older model Dawson kept it if perfect shape. The aircraft had a seating capacity of four, but Dawson seldom had more that his wife and himself on board. This flight was just Dawson as his wife had passed away six years before.

Once on board and in the air Dawson set about making a pot of fresh coffee. His flights never had alcohol on board, in fact Dawson couldn’t remember when he had a drink of anything other than coffee, tea or sweet lemon juice. That was the way he was. Having offered his flight crew a cup, Dawson sat back and enjoyed his flight. As he was drinking his coffee, he started to think to himself that maybe it was time to come home. The store was no longer his as he had sold it two years before and the company that he had worked for before that had let him retire with full benefits, so he wasn’t hurting for funds.

The last time Dawson had checked any of his accounts was just after he had sold his store, and at that time his net worth was close to twenty five million, that wasn’t counting his stocks or bond, in fact his whole portfolio was something he would have to deal with while he was in Kentucky. Smiling, Dawson also thought it would be good to see his son Arturo again. The last time they had spoken was when Arturo had called and told him he was a grandfather. That was fourteen years ago, God, Dawson thought “how time flies.”

One of the nice things about having money was the fact that you don’t always have to drive for long periods of time. For Dawson that was a bonus since he didn’t have a license to drive in the US. He could always have Arturo drive him around, though it would take hours to get anywhere. When Dawson stepped off his gulfstream the heat hit him hard. Dawson had forgotten what Kentucky was like, he had gotten use to the cool breeze and the chill that was in the air around Dieppe all the time.

Being wealthy sometimes does have its advantages and for Dawson Carson that meant that he could have his ride waiting for him when his plane landed. After the customs inspector had gone over everything and the crew had retrieved his bags it was into the limo and off to the farm. The drive would take about forty five minutes, which gave Dawson a slight chance to relax.

The gate was open when Dawson's limo got there which surprised him. Parking in front of the house, the driver helped Dawson with his luggage before being paid and leaving. "May I help you?" A young voice sounded behind him.

"Yes young man, you may. I am looking for my son Arturo Dawson is he around?" Dawson answered.

"Uh... No sir, but if you could wait I will get Angelo to speak with you."

"Thank you young man."

A few minutes later Angelo walked over and froze. "Dade, I think you should go check and see how Orrin is doing."

"Sure, besides it is almost lunch time, so I'll get that started also. Sir may I get you a cup of coffee or something?" Dade asked.

"Thank you ice tea if you have it."

"Okay I will be right back with it" Dade said with a smile.

"That is one very polite young man." Dawson stated.

"That boy has had to grow up fast."

"So tell me where my son is?" Dawson asked.

"Which one?" Angelo asked.

"Arturo, I figured he would be here."

"Did you nor receive the letter from your lawyer, I did contact him."

"I may have, but all I have ever looked at were the bills."

"Mr. Dawson Arturo was killed almost two years ago, your son Hank was here until Wednesday. Due to complications, your grandson ordered him off the property and not to return."

"I see, so Dade is my grandson and now runs this place?"

"Yes I do, and if I am your grandson, how come we have never met."

"No Dade we haven't, but that will change. I guess it is times for me to come back home where I really belong. As for not meeting you sooner, well that is my fault, when I moved to France with your grandmother, I left the farm to your dad. It is not an excuse for not coming back, but I really liked where I was living and then your grandmother passed away and I couldn’t bear to leave her. Now I am here and if you would let me I would like to come back and live here with you. The farm would still be your, but you would have me around and life could be a bit simpler for you.” Dawson said while looking out over the fields.

“I don’t know, I just got rid of Uncle Hank because he was lazy and demanding. Who is to say you’re not the same way?” Dade asked.

“Young man, Dade, I can promise you I am not like your Uncle Hank. I was just a bit older than you when I started this farm with just two cows and an old nag for a horse. So I can promise you that I am not lazy or demanding. I will respect you as the boss and owner of the farm now, and even though I am almost 70 I can still do some work.”

“Okay, so when do you plan on moving in.”

“Well I would like to stay here for a few days, while I get things sorted out with my lawyers here and in Dieppe, then it would be a month later that I probably could move in.”

“That is fine, just let me know what is happening so I can either be here or have Angelo here to help you.”

“I can do that, I can also probably fine you a good cook and house keeper if you wish?”

“That costs money, and right now I have other things to work on.”

TBC