Hara's Legacy

It’s a serious game of cowboys and aliens when three psychically gifted brothers try to protect the one fragile, empathic woman who holds all their hearts against a menacing alien threat.

Montana rancher Caleb O’Hara’s precognitive abilities saved his family from an alien attach that annihilated almost everyone on Earth. Now the aliens have come to study the remnants of humanity. Caleb knows the only way to ensure the safety of his young wife, Janie, and his beloved brothers, Justin and Mick, is to keep the family together on their isolated ranch.

All three O’Hara brothers love Jane. They grew up next door to the young, empathic beauty and she stole all their hearts at one time or another, though she married Caleb. Caleb foresees the shocking truth of what they have to do in order to survive, and Caleb’s visions never lie. They’ll have to come to terms with a new world, and an evolving relationship, all while finding a way to protect two newborn babies who are innocent pawns in the aliens’ deadly game. Somehow, this one talented family holds the key for humanity’s survival on this new, conquered world called Earth.

“Justin is mad as a hornet about something.” Caleb slapped his work gloves together to rid them of the perpetual dust. He laid his hat aside and took off his jacket as he stomped inside the big kitchen, greeting his wife with a smacking kiss.

Jane put her coat on and picked up a wire basket. “I have to get the eggs anyway, maybe I’ll try to see what’s up with him.”

Caleb stayed her with a hand on her arm. “He’s in a foul temper, Janie. Don’t let him upset you.”

She patted his hand, then reached for the doorknob. “I won’t. But, Caleb, he needs a friend.”

Caleb muttered as he watched her traipse down the path toward the chicken coop and nearby barn where Justin kept his Harley.

“What he needs is a woman,” Caleb growled, knowing Jane couldn’t hear him, trying hard not to let guilt flood his mind. Jane would be back like a shot then, and he would have to explain why he felt guilty about being the only brother with a wife.

He’d tried desperately to hide the guilt caused by his belief that he’d stolen Jane out from under his brother’s noses. He’d always known his youngest brother, Mick, was sweet on her, but he’d been away in grad school. Of course, Caleb also suspected the middle brother, Justin, would have courted her too, had he been home at the time her daddy died. Caleb felt like a heel. He was supposed to protect his younger brothers, not cheat them out of the best woman in the world.
At the time, he’d figured they would find other great women, eventually. Now though, with the shortage of women, the prospects were grim, and Caleb felt worse each day and each night he spent in Jane’s loving arms.

Caleb watched her through the kitchen window, but staggered as he was hit by a vision. It clouded his senses in a way he hadn’t felt in years. At least not this strongly. Not since the dire revelation of the alien invasion had he been gripped so tightly by his gift. He slumped into one of the hard wooden chairs, letting the vision take him where it would. Surrendering to it, he feared what he might see, but resolved to use his gift to protect his family—the most important thing in his life.

Jane collected eggs and set the basket down on a shelf where it would be safe while she went to find Justin. He was really touchy lately and always refused her offers of a friendly ear. Still, if she got close enough to him, she could read his emotions and at least give Caleb some clue as to what might be wrong. Caleb was the problem solver of the family, but he needed something to go on before he could put his quick mind to work to find a solution. Jane’s empathic powers had provided those much needed clues in the past and she didn’t mind helping him in this small way if it meant she could help the other men as well. She loved them all and wanted them to be happy.

Justin was the rebel son. Two years younger than Caleb, he’d been a hell raiser back in the old days. He had luscious, chocolate brown hair he kept military short, wicked tattoos and a sleek, black Harley Davidson motorcycle he worked on in his spare time. That beauty purred like a mountain cat and seemed to be the love of his life. Justin was quiet now, quieter than he’d been before the cataclysm. His dark eyes watched everything, and he seldom smiled. Jane could feel the turmoil he kept hidden from everyone but her, but lately he rejected every overture of friendship she made, preferring to deal with his dark feelings on his own.

Justin was a telekinetic of amazing strength. He had once used his power to save his brother’s life when a piece of farm equipment threatened to crush him. From across the field they were working back in Montana, Justin saw the axle break and tons of metal list, collapsing on Caleb. Justin’s hand shot out to direct his power as he ran across the field, keeping the heavy object from descending fully while Mick and some of the workers pulled Caleb to safety. It had been a magnificent rescue, but it had let the cat out of the bag as far as Justin’s gift was concerned. He’d taken his bike and hit the road a week later, not to be seen for the next five years.

He’d kept in touch, calling his brothers each week to check in, and when Caleb told him to come home, he’d done so without question. He’d come home only to help pack up and move to the Waste. If he’d been taciturn before, now he was downright solemn. He never talked about his five years away, but he had picked up a huge two-headed dragon tattoo across his chest as a memento.

Jane saw it once in a while when the temperature grew warm enough for the men to strip off their shirts as they worked. And once, she’d practically crashed into Justin as he walked out of the bathroom after a shower. She couldn’t help but stare at the masterful image etched into his skin and fought the odd desire to touch his chest and trace the powerful lines.

Justin was telepathic as well as telekinetic. All the brothers had some telepathic ability, and he’d probably picked up on her half-formed desires. Since that day, he’d been careful to be fully clothed whenever he had a chance of running into her.

Jane knew Justin usually hid in the big stall he’d arranged to house his Harley and the various tools he needed to keep it in prime condition. It was about the size of one of the large birthing stalls in the barn, but unlike the rest of the building, it was spotless, with nary a sliver of hay in sight. The concrete was oil-stained, but there were good lights in there so Justin could easily see into the engine of his beloved machine. There was also a huge stack of spare parts and fluids he’d managed to stockpile that would ensure the machine functioned well for the next twenty years at least. Caleb’s precognition had allowed them time to stock up on all sorts of things that were unavailable or hard to get now.

Jane approached slowly, seeing light through the partially closed door. Justin had made this small room his personal retreat. There was a space heater, a comfy chair, and a small cooler with the bottled beer she’d learned how to brew for her men. They’d loved that little surprise, and a smile dawned as she thought of their reaction when she’d served up the first batch a few months ago.

The door was ajar just a few inches and she approached cautiously. Justin’s temper was unpredictable, though she knew he would never hurt her. Still, she didn’t want to alienate him. She hated when he turned away from her. Only Caleb could console her when Justin shut her out and of course, then Caleb would have words with Justin for hurting her tender feelings and only make the situation worse. If at all possible, she wanted to come out of this encounter with nothing more than the information Caleb needed, and no overwhelming emotions that would cause further strife between the brothers.
She edged forward into the small patch of light that spilled into the dark barn. “Justin?” she asked tentatively, not wanting to startle him. His reactions were lightning-quick and she’d learned not to sneak up on him unless she wanted to risk bodily injury.

“Go away, Jane.”