Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program Big Valley are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the authors. The ideas expressed in this story are copywrited by the author.

 

A Time to Rend-by nutterone

 

 

 

Eight~

 

Jarrod and Nick looked at each other.  “Maybe I spoke too soon…”

 

Nick jumped off the stair and started in the direction of the noise.  He hadn’t gone far when he sensed movement toward him, raising his weapon; he braced himself for a fight.

 

It was Heath who brushed by him, saying nothing.  Nick fell in behind him, waiting for an explanation. 

 

“It was an old drunk, sleeping off a bender.”  Heath continued on to the private car, ignoring his brothers.

 

“You sur…” trailed from Nick’s lips.

 

The lag time passed and with the sun’s early rays they were connected to the new train and again underway.  Jarrod slept fitfully.  His side was doing fairly well, but his shoulder hurt.  He was tempted to take some of the medicine Dr. Merar had sent, but it made him drowsy and he wanted to be able to wake on short notice.  He was determined to help rather then hinder the rescue.  He was certainly not going to lose Leah too.  He often wondered just how he had survived burying his own family.

 

“Jarrod, wake up!”  His shoulder was shoved again.

 

“Huh?”

 

“Jarrod Barkley, don’t pretend to be asleep.  Can’t you hear him?”

 

“Hear who?”

 

“Tim.”

 

He listened, but heard nothing, shutting his eyes again. 

 

“Jarrod Thomas Barkley, your nephew, in OUR care, is coughing.”

 

“How do you know its Tim?”

 

“I know my son’s cough and that isn’t it.  But that doesn’t matter.  Go fetch the doctor.”

 

“Darling, isn’t it a bit premature to fetch the doctor for a cold?”

 

“He’s running a fever too.”

 

“How do you know that?”

 

“I just checked him.  Are you going or not?”

 

“You’re sure this is necessary?”

 

“Do you want to face Heath and Katy tomorrow?”

 

Jarrod pulled his boots on.  “Consider me gone!”

 

~ Stockton ~

 

“He’s doing better.  I think the worst is over.”

 

Victoria closed the door to Silas’ room, where he slept soundly.  “That’s the first good news we’ve had in days, Howard.  Thank you.”

 

Dr. Howard Merar had cared for the Barkley family for too many years to be unaffected by this latest tragedy.  “How is everyone else doing?  Katy?”

 

“She’s doing amazingly well.  I was hoping the boys would have wired with news by now.”

 

“They haven’t even reached Mesilla, have they?”

 

“No.  But not knowing is so hard.”

 

He smiled sympathetically.  “I think I’d rather be with them now.  At least you could feel like you were doing something.”

 

“You’re absolutely right.  How about some tea?  There are even fresh cookies.”

 

“Fresh Cookies?”

 

She laughed.  “We have four children and three mothers needing to keep busy.”

 

Howard checked his pocket watch.  “I think that would be lovely.”

 

Victoria escorted him to the parlor, departing to make the repast. 

 

He found himself staring at the family portrait on the table next to him.  He recognized it from shortly after Heath’s arrival.  The smiles were genuine, but the body language betrayed the tensions of the moment.  Eventually, they grew.  In no time at all, it was impossible to tell Heath had not been part of the family from birth.  Sad as it was to admit, it had been the trials and various adversities that had brought them together.  He had witnessed far too many of those events.

 

Jarrod had been riding alongside his carriage, chatting casually.  They were about a mile from the house when they both saw the red and gray tinge to the night sky.  Fire.  They both knew immediately it was Jarrod’s home.  It could have been nothing else.  Jarrod tore away and Howard spurred his own animal to its highest level of endurance. 

 

Jarrod was racing to the front doors, trying to gain entrance.  It was horrible.  The entire first floor was in flames.  Howard knew it was hopeless.  Jarrod continued trying to gain entrance.  Howard ran to Jarrod and pulled him back from the porch. 

 

Jarrod fought him every step of the way.  “Let me GO! My family is in there!”

“No, Jarrod.  It’s too late.”  As if to emphasize his point, a large section of the second floor caved in. 

 

Jarrod lost his will, numbing to all around him.

 

The sound of screams and breaking glass gave both men hope.  Running to the rear of the house, they saw Beth in the window.  It was obvious she was trying to handle the children.  Jarrod called to her, momentarily locking eyes, sending unspoken messages of love.  The instant was over as flames engulfed her from behind, fed by the influx of oxygen from the window.  Soon, the back half of the second floor followed the front, caving in; taking the precious loved ones with it.

 

“Howard?”  She had laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.

 

“Oh, sorry.  Got lost in my thoughts.”

 

“They weren’t good ones, based on your face.”

 

He was slow to respond.  “No.  The fire.”

 

Victoria grew equally quiet.  “Sometimes, I am so tempted to curse God.  I find myself wondering what I or my family ever did to encourage…” Her voice fell off.

 

“It’s a compliment.”

 

“What?”

 

“My mama used to tell me, God never gives us more then we can handle.”

 

“So God punishes us to make us strong?  Or I suppose we’re strong, so we’re punished?”

 

“No.  Nothing of the kind.  As horrible as it sounds, people look up to you.  You give them hope.”

 

“Who’s going to give us hope?  I’m afraid I am getting too old and mine’s about all wore out.”

 

“I doubt that.”  He took her hand.

 

Upstairs, Katy rocked the baby, while Ellen and Audra sat on the floor playing with the boys.  Ben, having lost a fight over a toy, went to his aunt’s side, gently stroking his baby brother’s head. 

 

“Auntie Katy, when’s Leah comin’ home?”

 

Audra and Ellen looked stunned at the scene unfolding, not sure what to do.

 

Katy stroked the boy’s chin with her free hand.  “Soon, Ben.  Very soon.”  She closed her eyes, sending up a silent prayer for her daughter’s return.

 

~ Mesilla ~

 

“Mama?  Mama?  Is that you?”  Leah had been sleeping, wrapped in a ragged blanket.  She woke, hearing her mother’s voice calling to her.

 

“I’m here, Mama.  Are you coming soon?  Please?”

 

Outside her locked door, the men laughed.  “Kid’s calling for her mama again.”

 

Withers stared at him.  “Soon enough, she won’t call for her any more.  Soon enough.”

 

Nine~

 

The last image of his wife, surrounded by flames, was carved into his soul.   At first it terrified him, brought him to his knees.  Slowly, with time and patience, he accepted it, learning to wrap it with love in his heart.  Tonight, it woke him. 

 

It had been hard to bury his father.  He felt the pressure of the world as he had looked at his family that day.  They looked up to him, needed him.  He rose to it as best he could.  He was there for them and the task brought with it healing.  The day he buried his wife, son and daughter, he felt nothing but exquisite emptiness.  He had nothing left.  He had no task, no children to raise, no wife to console.  Although understanding Heath’s own tragedy, he longed to have a wife to comfort and be strong for. 

 

Seeing Heath again had raised these old feelings in him.  He watched his brother, back in his corner.  His hat was pulled down over his face, hiding it.  He knew Heath was feigning sleep, in actuality, awake.  The desire to care for and nurture his younger brother suddenly overwhelmed him.  The only thing in Heath’s life that ever came easy was horses.  Everything he had gained in his life had cost him and this was no different.  Jarrod had always wanted to smooth the way for him, but Heath never allowed it. 

 

He was tormented.  Part of him felt the brotherly bond strongly.  The other part of him longed to rant and rave at Heath as Nick had done.  He wanted to question him and if necessary, tie him to a chair to make him stay.  He envied Nick’s ability to express his frustration.  He was too well trained, burying his feelings instead.

 

Nick woke from his nap and went to stretch his legs.  Jarrod was compelled from somewhere deep to talk to Heath.

 

“I’m glad you’re here.”  He received no reply.  “It feels right.”

 

“What do you want, Jarrod?”

 

“I just…  I can’t believe it.  I’m at a loss for words.”

 

“It’s because you don’t mean what you’re sayin’.”

 

“That’s not true.  You still blame me, don’t you?”

 

“Jarrod.  I never blamed you.  It was my fault.”

 

As if he hadn’t heard what Heath said, Jarrod went on.  “I tried to get to them.  I did.  There was just too much flame.”

 

Heath moved quickly to his brother’s side.  “Jarrod.  It wasn’t your fault.  The fire was too far along.  Hell, if you had been home, we’d have lost you too.  You can’t blame yourself.  I know you can never forget, but you’ve got to forgive yourself.”

 

He listened to Heath’s words, warmed by the caring and love within them.  “I thought I had.”  They were both silent.  “When will you?”

 

“I did when I left.”

 

“Liar.”

 

“Jarrod, tell me.  How many people have died since I left?”

 

“None, but you can’t possibly…”

 

“Like I said.  I did when I left.”

 

~ Stockton ~

 

Katy woke, feeling physically the haunting dreams of the previous night.  She felt her body’s yearning for her husband more keenly then she had in years.  It wasn’t right.  She thought back on the arguments with Nick on the nights before they left.  She had insisted on going.  It was after all, her daughter.  Heath had been the one who said no.  Although she had argued plenty with Nick over the years, she knew, despite the absence, the tone of voice he used.  She knew she would not win.

 

Heath was now gone, bringing home their daughter.  He wasn’t here to disagree with her or put his foot down.  She hurried from her bed, packing a satchel.  She knew in her heart, so needed to be there for her daughter as soon as possible.  She could meet them on their return.  She placed the last of her things in the bag and turned to the door.

 

She was halfway down the stairs, when Victoria stopped her.  “Where are you going?”

 

She took a deep breath, prepared to do battle with her mother-in-law.  “I have to go.  I can’t stay here and wait.  I have to do something.”

 

“You can’t go.”

 

“Mother, I have to.  I need to be there for them.”

 

“For them?”

 

“I can’t lose them both.”  Tears welled in her eyes.

 

“You may if you go.”  Victoria’s voice was calm and cool. 

 

“I have to take that risk.”  She moved further down the stairs, preparing to pass Victoria.

 

Victoria boldly adjusted her position, blocking her departure.  “You can’t.  You have to let him bring her home.”

 

In that instant Katy saw the Victoria Barkley of years passed.  She saw in the small, aging package, a strong and vibrant woman.  A woman, who despite her petite stature had helped her husband tame their portion of the west and raised her family despite all the obstacles.  Katy sank to the stairs, her legs suddenly weak.  “What if he doesn’t bring her home?”

 

“You have to have faith.”

 

“No, I mean, what if he doesn’t bring her home?”

 

Victoria smiled, sinking next to her suffering daughter.  Placing her arm around her shoulders, she offered her logic.  “If you go to them, he will leave.”

 

“Why?”

 

Victoria took a deep breath.  “For so many reasons.  First, if you go to them, he will trust Jarrod and Nick to bring her back to you and he will leave.”

 

“All right, and?”

 

“If he is forced to come home, we can all work on him to stay.  It is much harder to fight us all.  That was the mistake we made last time.  He knew it and that’s why he won.”

 

A small smile formed on Katy’s lips.  She knew Victoria was right.

 

“And lastly, the most powerful of all…”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“Leah!”

 

“Leah?”

 

Victoria’s smile grew large and warm.  “Think about the first time Heath saw Tim…”

 

Katy smiled, sniffling away the tears as the memory consumed her.  “He was so…”

 

“Exactly!  And Leah’s not a baby.  She’s been around her uncle Nick long enough to know how to speak her peace.  Do you really think she will meet her father and just let him leave?”

 

Both women laughed aloud.  “No.”

 

Victoria grew momentarily serious.  “I suspect, he will take one look at those precious eyes of his and…  Well, you understand why you can’t go?”

 

“Yes.”  Katy turned to her mother and hugged her.  “I do now.”

 

~ Silver City ~

 

Shortly before reaching Silver City, Nick came bounding back to the car.

 

“What’s up, Little Brother?”

 

“Good news!”

 

“And that would be?”  Jarrod supplied the questions, while Heath merely observed.

 

“I was just talking with the conductor and he says that there’s a new line that just opened up to Deming.”

 

“Deming?  That is good news.  It puts us halfway to Mesilla.  It’ll save us three days.”

 

“Darn right and there’s a train leaving an hour after we get in.”

 

“By God, Brother Nick, that’s a break we can use.”

 

When the train arrived, the cars were again switched without incident.  The lack of interest in their strong box was lulling them in to a false sense of security.  

 

~ Mesilla ~     

 

“She eat?”

 

“Not much.  Why do you care?”

 

“I don’t want her expiring before we get the money.”

 

“She won’t.  Just got a wire.  They hit Silver City.”

 

“Excellent.  Won’t be too long now.  How many do they have?”

 

“Five in all, Nick and Jarrod Barkley, but he’s lame, and three hands.”

 

“Three Hands?”

 

“Yep.”

 

“Do we know who they are?”

 

“Nope.  Just hands from the ranch, I suspect.  Why?”

 

“Barkley hands are loyal.”

 

“They’re men, they die like any others.”

 

“You really do enjoy this don’t you?”

 

The man laughed.  “I got no problem with revenge against him.”

 

“Killing his son and brother’s family wasn’t enough?”

 

“Withers, ain’t no pain bad enough for Heath Thomson.”

 

“But he ain’t around to enjoy it.  He disappeared years ago.  I bet he’s dead.”

 

“Why do you figure that?”

 

“You mean to tell me a man like him would run out on his family if he weren’t dead?”

 

“I hope he is.  That would be the best part.  He’s up there watching his family and helpless to do anything about it.”

 

“You hope.”

 

“I know.”

 

Ten ~

 

Katy sat alone in her room.  Ellen had attempted to bring her to the garden, but she refused.  She pulled the quilt from the bottom of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, wishing it were Heath’s strong arms.  The emptiness threatened to consume her.  She spent each day missing him, until Leah filled it with her joyous spirit.  A spirit inherited from her father.  She often wondered what would have happened had she not had Leah.  First she lost her parents, then her son and then her husband.  She occasionally questioned going on.  

 

She settled into her favorite place, the crook of his arm.  “Whatcha thinkin’ about?”

 

He smiled.  “You.”

 

“Really?  Like what?”  She moved from her spot and sat across his lower legs, facing him mischievously. 

 

“Kathleen Mary O’Hara.  I’m shocked at your behavior.”

 

“No you’re not.”  She tickled his side.  “Now, fess up.”

 

“I love you.”

 

She smiled.  “I love you more.”

 

He chuckled and flashed her a smile, then it faded quickly.  “I was thinkin’ about how you make me feel.”

 

“How’s that?”

 

“Complete.  Whole.  Safe.”

 

“Those are good feelings.  I feel them myself when I am with you.”

 

He was quiet, sobering again.  “Do you ever worry about being with me?”

 

“Worry?  Only about how I am going to keep from kissing you.”  Her attempt to lighten his mood hadn’t worked.  “No.  Never.”

 

“My past…”

 

She silenced his words with a kiss, finishing his sentence.  “is your past.”

 

“So, will you be my future?”

 

“Heath Barkley, is that how a Scotsman proposes?  My Irish grandmother would be rollin’ in her grave.”

 

He chuckled, taking her hands.  “Katy O’Hara, I love you.  I need you.  I can’t promise what the future will bring, but I know I want you in it.  Will you marry me?”

 

“Yes.”  She leaned in and kissed him, stroking her hand along his thigh.

 

“Whoa!  Future Mrs. Barkley, where did you learn to…”

 

She again stopped him with a kiss.  “I once was alone on a stage with four ladies heading to Modesto to open a brothel.  I learned a lot.”

 

Heath gulped.  “Modesto, you say?”  He grinned inwardly.  He had been to the brothel in Modesto and knew the ladies there well. 

 

The smile came to her lips and warmth flooded her body as she thought of the passion she had shared with her husband.  The memories had always comforted her on lonely evenings.

 

Victoria was relieved to have convinced Katy to stay.  She understood her impulse, having felt it herself.  She felt suddenly as old as her years, longing to lie down.  Closing the door to her room, she sat in her chair overlooking the garden below.  Audra and Ellen kept close eye on the playing children.  She loved hearing the sound of young laughter.  It had been so long.  There were times when she was sure none of her children would ever marry and have children of their own.  Patience had paid off and for too short a time, their lives were perfect. 

 

The fire had devastated not just Katy, Heath and Jarrod, but the whole family.  Katy and Heath turned to each other for strength, spending long periods alone together.  Jarrod had been another story.  His despair seemed to show no end.  He had been such a tower of strength when Tom had died, now, the family tried to be there for him.  He had at times run to them and at times shoved them away, but always they stayed true to him, bringing him from the apex of despair. 

 

Once the initial shock had worn off, they searched for answers.  There were few to be found.  Nick and Heath both immediately thought of the man from the bar.  A search of the town revealed no trace of him, however a bar patron did recall him ranting about his hatred for Heath one evening.  Their suspicions were strengthened when they discovered he had checked out of his room the night of the fire.  Wanted posters were issued for the man, for questioning.  He had registered at the hotel as Johnny Clummer.  The name meant nothing to Heath, furthering his guilt.  He assumed that if a man hated him enough to kill his family, he should remember him.

 

Slowly, the family healed.  Six months after the fire, Jarrod returned part-time to his law practice.  He had been helping on the ranch, but as he recovered, he slowly felt the need to reclaim what he could of his lost life.  Victoria knew that Heath must have begun his plan to go at this time.  She sighed, recalling the pain his departure caused. 

 

Katy’s warm feelings dwindled quickly, replaced by her last moments with her husband.

 

“When will you leave?”  She tried so hard to be strong and stoic for him.

 

“I’m goin’ to that horse auction.  I won’t come home.”

 

“Please don’t leave me…”

 

“We’ve been over this.  I have to.  I can’t stay.”

 

“Then take me with you.”  The pleading in her voice had been hard for him to ignore.

 

“That’s the whole point, Katy.  I love you too much to hurt you.  I’m not Jarrod.  I wouldn’t survive it.  I wouldn’t.”

 

“I’m not gonna…”

 

He grabbed her arms, gently but with purpose.  “Don’t say it.  I won’t take the risk anymore.  It’s not fair.  I…  You said you understood.  You said you could support me.”

 

There was a long pause.  “I can.  I will.  I love you.”

 

Tears formed for just a second in his eyes, but he steeled himself.  “It ain’t about love.  I love you.  I love this family.  That will never change.  That’s why I have to go.  You’ve gotta see that…”

 

She worked so hard to convince herself of the truth of his words.  She tried to understand.  For years her brain had overruled her heart and she went on, loving him for his sacrifice.  As the years passed and Leah grew older, asking questions about her father, it became impossible to deceive herself any longer.  He had been wrong.  No matter what the fears, a family belonged together. 

 

She wondered if the rest of the family could welcome him home?  Could Nick find it in his heart to forgive his brother?  She had tried to help him understand.   She knew he missed his partner.  She saw it in his eyes each time he looked at Leah.  ‘Oh, God!  What kind of a monster am I?  My daughter is being held by murderers and I sit here wondering if her father will come home.’  She slid boneless to the floor, crying. 

 

~ Mesilla ~

 

Leah’s dinner tray had been brought to her room.  She huddled in the corner as she always did.  The gruff looking man eyed her up and down before placing the tray on the floor near the door.

 

“Ya better eat this all.  Ya hear?”

 

A tiny voice timidly replied.  “Yeesss…”

 

“Yes, What?”

 

She immediately corrected herself.  “Yyeess, Ssiirr.”

 

“That’s better.  Now, mark my words and eat.”

 

The door was hinged in such a way, that it pulled itself closed and the lock naturally clicked into place.  Leah saw her chance.  The man closed the door and she jumped from her spot, moving quickly to the door.  She stuffed the small piece of her petticoat into the door, preventing it from locking.  Her uncle Nick had shown her how to do that with the icehouse door.  Her mother was always worried that she would lock herself in, so he had shown her the trick. 

 

She felt herself quite brave.  She knew they wouldn’t be back until morning.  During her short life, she had been spoilt with time from her uncles.  From uncle Jarrod, she would be told fairy stories and tales of old.  From her uncle Nick, she got made up stories from his mind.  He filled them with action and adventure.  He would sometimes tell her mysteries and have her keep track of clues.  Both of her uncles had inspired in her a vivid imagination and she used this to help plan her escape. In her young mind, she need only get out the door and she would be free.  She had no ideas or concerns about where she was or how she would fend for herself.  She assumed that outside the door, her mother would be waiting. 

 

Leah listened patiently at the door, nibbling on her dinner, waiting for the sounds from outside the door to still.  If her uncles weren’t coming for her, she would go to them.

 

Eleven~

 

“Hey, Boss.  Maybe word hasn’t spread this far.  Maybe nobody knows what we got here.”

 

Nick was about to reply, when Heath cut him off.  “It don’t matter if the news has hit here or not, we’ve been followed and they are gonna make a move, so be on your toes.”

 

Nick was angered about the cut off.  “What makes you think we’ve been followed?”

 

“If you had taken the time to plan this out, don’t you think you would have someone following us?”

 

Heath gave no opportunity for reply, turning to release Charger’s saddle.  He could feel Nick’s presence at his back.

 

“You turned your back on me again!”

 

Over his shoulder, Heath said in a low voice, meant only for Nick’s ears.  “If you want to finish the fight we can, but Jarrod made a point.  That girl needs us.”

 

“That girl is your daughter.”

 

“That’s not what you said earlier.  Now, can we go?”

 

Nick opted to discontinue the fight, but couldn’t drop the issue.  “Do you know who it is that is following us?”

 

“No.  I just feel it.”

 

“Good enough.”

 

Nick turned from a stunned Heath, seeing to his own horse. 

 

They had arrived in Deming, a burgeoning ranching town late that night.  They had unloaded, opting to camp just outside of town.  Although the brothers were tempted to move on by moonlight, since the area was unfamiliar and the trip had been long, they decided on a good night’s rest and early start.

 

Heath took first watch, knowing he wouldn’t sleep.  He focused his eyes on the flickering flames, enabling his ears to tune in for abnormal sounds.  His mind thought of his daughter, wondering what he might find.  Would she be filled with spirit and spunk like her mother?  He pitied her captures if she was.  The same thought brought him a spark of fear.  If she was fighting, were they hurting her?  He hoped she was being brave, yet smart.  The worst thing she could do was antagonize the men.  Would a six-year-old be savvy to those insights?  Would she know it instinctively? 

 

The questions continued.  Did she laugh like her brother?  Tim had a giggle that warmed your heart instantly.  Was she fiery and passionate like her mother and uncle or was she more quiet, as her father?  Her father.  What did she think or know of him?  He watched Jarrod sleeping across from him.  Could he ask Jarrod?  No!  He couldn’t let his brothers know of his interest.  They would surely use it against him, trying to convince him to stay.  Or would they?  Did they even want him back?  Could they ever find the level of brotherhood they had once enjoyed?  STOP!  Why was he thinking like this?  He knew he wasn’t going back.  He was going to get Leah back to her mother and then disappear just as quickly. 

 

Nick had pulled his hat down low over his face. Carl was on patrol.  Heath was guarding.  Jeb’s loud snores drowned out the soft ones of Jarrod.  In a few more hours, Heath would wake him for his own duty.  He knew Heath wouldn’t sleep.  He worried about his younger brother.  He wasn’t sleeping and barely eating.  He knew this was hard on him; it was hard on them all.  He wished he knew what to do.  Should he confront him?  Should he push him away?  Was Heath happier without them?  Had he found what he was looking for?  He came to them, seeking a family, a name.  He had it.  Could it be that he had been wrong?  Did he not need them after all?  He thinks he has brought us more pain then love.  How could he convince him that his leaving had been the worst pain? 

 

Damn it!  Why was he wasting his energy on Heath?  Leah was the issue, Leah and the dead men who had taken her.  Nick had no intention of paying these men for murdering his workers and harming his family.  They were gonna get paid with lead.  He wondered if Jarrod was with him on this or if his moral high ground would demand legal justice.  Jarrod would insist on a trial that would ultimately lead to hanging, so why not save the hassle. 

 

A crack flew into camp on the silent night.  Heath’s senses were on instant alert and Nick noticed it too.  Looking at each other, they readied their weapons.  Heath got to his feet, moving in the direction of the noise.  Nick woke Jarrod and Jeb and the three moved to defend the box.    Jarrod lay in the wagon next to the box, Nick and Jeb taking positions on either side.  Heath finally returned, cradling Carl around the waist, pulling him to the wagon.

 

“There was three of ‘em.  I got one tied up.  The others are circling around to the back.”

 

“You thinkin’ we can get around in back of them, Little Brother?”

 

Heath smiled, despite the circumstances.  “Yep!  You want left or right?”

 

“Right.”

 

“Wait.”  Jarrod didn’t like the silent planning going on between his brothers.  “You’re going to go after them?”

 

“Yes.  Ain’t no choice.”

 

“What about us?”

 

“You three stay here and guard this money.  If we fail, it’s up to you.”

 

“But…”

 

“No buts, Jarrod.”

 

The two men snuck off in opposite directions, while the three others remained on tense alert.  Jarrod wished he could be taking some action, not just sitting here.

 

Heath sprawled out on his belly, creeping slowly forward.  He knew these men were amateurs; otherwise he wouldn’t have made it this far.  The man before him was shuffling between his two feet.  From this distance, they couldn’t see what the men in the camp were doing.  They seemed to be waiting for a signal from the third one.  Heath knew that signal would be a long time in coming, continuing his painstakingly slow advance.

 

Nick had more shrubs to hide behind as he moved in.  He had made the same assumptions as Heath.  He was close to making his move, only short steps from the man, when his spurs scraped on rocks.  The noise alerted the already nervous man to his presence and Nick sank down, hoping to maintain an element of surprise.  He held his breath in anticipation. 

 

The nervous watcher moved closer, gun at the ready.  Nick couldn’t see his approach from his position, relying instead on instinct to guide his actions.  The moonlight glinted off the approaching man’s pistol, alerting Nick to his arrival.  His muscles tightened in preparation.

 

As the man finally came around the bush Nick had hidden behind, he lashed out at the man’s legs, felling him.  The gun went off and the two men continued to struggle for dominance.

 

Heath’s own target literally jumped at the explosion from the gun.  Heath raised himself, leaping at the fleeing target.  The lunge fell short and he was barely able to grab at the man’s foot.  He captured it and he fell flat on his face.  The enraged man kicked out at his assailant, catching Heath in the cheek with his heel.  While Heath ignored the stab of pain, he brought his body up just enough to blanket the man and struggled with him. 

 

Nick’s target had boldly shoved Nick off him, getting to his feet.  Nick followed suit and the men began a slugfest.  Powerful fists made direct contact over and over again until both men took a staggering step backwards.

 

Jarrod, Carl and Jeb could hear the skirmishes and longed to aid the two men, but knew they couldn’t leave the box.  Jarrod’s hand tightened and relaxed on the grip of his gun, itching to join the battle.

 

As their struggle went on, Heath risked one hand to reach at the knife in his boot.  At this proximity, a gun was too risky.  He had just released it from its sheath, when the other man knocked it from his grip.  They both lunged at it, hoping to be the one to repossess it. 

 

Nick’s battle had come to a standstill as both men stood facing each other, gasping for breath. 

 

“Where’s my niece?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Nick took a step closer.  “I intend to kill you, unless you tell me where my niece is.”

 

“Listen, Mister.  I don’t know nuthin’ about no niece.  You got nuthin’ on me.”

 

“Why were you watching our camp?”

 

“The money.”

 

“Money?”

 

“We just wanted the money.”

 

A powerful surge of anger welled from deep within Nick and he sprung at the man with all the intensity he could muster.  Thinking his opponent was as worn as he was, the man didn’t expect the ferocity of attack, quickly succumbing to the vicious blows.  Giving him one more punch, to assure his state of unconsciousness, he straightened his back, stretched a bit, shook his hands out and moved to the sound of his brother’s battle. 

 

The smaller man reached the knife first, lashing back at Heath, catching his arm.  Heath ignored the pain in his arm as he fought on. It infuriated him that the man had drawn first blood. The quickening onslaught of hits left the stunned man no room to use the knife and he eventually dropped it.  Neither man was aware of Nick’s approach until he grabbed the smaller man, turning him abruptly and laid him low with a well-placed punch. 

 

Heath was bent over, hands on hips, breathing deeply. 

 

“Geez, Little Brother.  He was way smaller then you.”

 

Between breaths, Heath replied.  “He… packs… more… punch…then… you…suspect…”

 

“Sure.  Sure.  Come on, let’s get these two taken care of.”

 

They hauled all the men back to the wagon, tying them securely.  After examining the area, they found the men’s horses.  Claiming the canteens, they sent the horses racing. 

The three men came around as the sun was rising.  While Heath and Nick ate breakfast, Jarrod interrogated the prisoners.

 

“Where is my niece?”

 

“Like I tol’ the other one.  We don’t know nuthin’ ‘bout any niece.  We jes’ come fer the money.”

 

“How’d you find out about it?”

 

“We been following ya since Stockton.  Whatcha gonna do with us?”

 

“We’re gonna leave you here.”

 

“What?  You can’t do that.”

 

“Yes, we can.  We’ll leave you water.  The rest is up to you.  At the next town we get to, we’ll wire the sheriff to come find you.”

 

“But…”

 

“Would you rather we kill you now?”

 

The men were silent, happy for what they could get.

 

Jarrod rejoined his brothers at the remains of the fire.  Jeb and Carl saw to the horses. 

 

“Heath, I wish you’d let me look at that cut.”

 

“It’s fine, Jarrod.  It’s just a scratch.”

 

“Ya, that’s why it’s bleeding.”

 

Heath looked at his arm, frowning at his brother when he learned he had been duped. 

 

“Heath, we need you in top form.  Please, it’ll make me feel better.  Let me look at it?”

 

“You only got one arm of yourself.  What good will you be looking at mine?”

 

“I got two arms.”  Before he could argue, Nick was at his side, untying the makeshift bandage from the previous night. 

 

They rode off feeling that they had done all they could with Heath’s arm and the captured men.  With good luck and hard riding, they would be in Mesilla in two days.

 

Twelve~

 

Leah could tell things had settled down for the night.  She sucked in a deep breath and slowly opened the door.  Poking her small head around the door, she was happy to see a clear passage.  Moving painfully slow to avoid making noise, she slid along the wall to the only door she could see.  At the end of the hall, she came to an open foyer.  Glancing to her left and right, there were men sleeping in both side rooms.  She debated for just a moment, deciding to risk it.  She dropped to her hands and knees, assuming the smaller she could make herself, the safer she would be. 

 

Scuttling across the cool tile floor, she soon reached the imposing front door.  It was only then that she realized the handle to the door was higher than most.  Making sure she was still safe, she glanced again at both rooms.  Standing on her tiptoes, she could just reach the tip of the latch.  She stretched her body as long as she could.  In the process a small gasp escaped her lips, causing her to shrink back to her knees.  Frightened of having alerted someone to her presence, she again checked the rooms.  No one stirred.  She stood again, stretching out.  Prepared for the physical strain, she remained silent.  She moved the latch with the tips of her fingers and felt the door give ever so slightly.  She backed away and swung the door open.  Slipping outside the door and pulling it behind her, she broke into a run, when she heard the loud click as it closed.  

 

~ En Route to Mesilla ~

 

The day under the hot sun passed without incident.  They had come across a town around lunch, notifying the marshal of the men that were bound on the trail.  Carl was patrolling and Jeb was watering the horses.  The Barkley brothers were eating beans, quietly.  Little did they know, they were all thinking about the same thing, the events of that morning.

Each brother was caught up in the emotions of the simple act of bandaging Heath’s arm.  For that brief time, it was as if the past years had never happened.  There had been banter and genuine concern.  It had felt good.  It had shown them a possible future.  Each was pondering the implications.

 

“We should be there by tomorrow night.”  Jarrod was attempting to break the silence.

 

“I wonder how long we’ll have to wait.”

 

“Wait?”

 

“To be contacted.”  Jarrod and Nick were keeping up the conversation.

 

“If they have been watching us, I’m sure they’ll be waiting.”

 

“The trip home will be a lot more fun.”

 

“Leahloo will keep us entertained.”

 

“Non-stop chatter.”  Nick risked his next comment, eyeing his brother.  “She sure is nothing like her pa in that regard.”  Both brothers held their breath for a response.  They got none.

 

Heath ignored their comments.  He knew they were baiting him.  He knew they were attempting to bring forth his brotherly love.  He was fighting it with all the energy he could muster.  He refused to get sucked in.   He would get Leah out and move on again.  He began to wonder if Nick and Jarrod could bring her home.  He certainly wasn’t needed. He had, however, promised Katy.  He told her he would bring her home.  He owed her that much.  It was then that he noticed the distortion on the horizon.

 

“Rider comin’ in.”

 

Nick and Jarrod immediately followed Heath’s eyes.  They rose and moved to the wagon, waiting.

 

Withers saw the campfire and called out the traditional greeting.  “Hello in the camp!”

Hearing no response, he rode in anyway.  As he entered the light of the fire, he noticed two men in the shadows near the wagon and one by the fire.  He sat slumped shouldered on the ground, with his hat pulled low, as if cold. 

 

“Howdy.  I saw your fire and wondered if I might warm my hands.”

 

“No.”  The slight southern drawl was ice cold and quiet.

 

“Well now, Mister.  That don’t seem hospitable.”

 

“No hospitality here.  Ride on.”

 

Withers ignored him, knowing he had the advantage.  “Seems that wagon is important.  Why the guards?”

 

“I said, ride on!”

 

“I hope you ain’t run in to any trouble.  It’d be a shame if that little girl didn’t get home to her mama.  Don’t want any mistakes now.”

 

“Say what you got to say and move on.”

 

“Tomorrow night, when you hit Mesilla, get rooms at El Patio.  You’ll be contacted around midnight.”

 

“You the man in charge?”

 

“Me?  Hell no.  I’m just the messenger boy.  I was sent to be sure you remembered just how important it is to follow the rules.”

 

“We’ll want proof.”

 

“Proof?  Of what?”

 

“That she’s alive.”

 

“Now, Mister.  We got no interest in harming the girl.  We just want what’s in that box.”

 

Heath finally looked up at the man, with steeled eyes, pulling back the hammer on his gun.  “If the girl is hurt, the deal is off.  If she’s dead, so are you.  Is that clear?”

 

Withers was shocked by the man’s challenge, not sure how to react.  His voice stuttered.  “You do what you’re told and all goes well.”

 

The tension was broken by the return of Carl and Jeb, who had no idea of the situation. 

 

Their arrival startled the shaken man.  “NO TRICKS!  Don’t get any ideas, if I don’t get back, or you try and follow me, the girl DIES!  Got it?  SHE DIES!”  Needing to reclaim not only his nerves, but also his dignity.  “I’ll slit her throat myself.”  He climbed on his horse, riding out quickly.  He rode through the night to update the rest.

 

“Damn.  What was that?”  Nick had remained quiet.

 

“He was checking us out, making sure we knew they were in control.”

 

“Well, Brother Heath, there was no doubt he was in control.”  Everyone noted the sarcasm in Jarrod’s voice.

 

“Get some rest.  Tomorrow’s gonna be a long day.”

 

~ Mesilla ~

 

Morning dawned bright and warm.  Johnny Clummer smiled.  It was going to be a great day.  By this time tomorrow, he’d be a rich man and Heath Thomson’s daughter and brothers would be dead.  It didn’t matter if Thomson was dead or not; revenge was still sweet.  When that stupid kid of a deputy walked in on the middle of the bank, he had upset more then just a simple robbery.  There were unclaimed land deeds in that vault valued in the millions.  The heist had been planned for months and one stupid deputy had ruined it all.  He had spent his years in jail planning his revenge.  His only delay had been the man’s change of name.  Heath Thomson or Heath Barkley, it didn’t matter. 

 

He had watched the brother try and save his family.  Men with hearts might have agonized at the scene, but he didn’t.  He had smiled.  He hung around to watch the floors cave in and listened to the agonizing screams of the stricken father and husband.  The only thing that would have made the scene more perfect would have been the death of Thomson himself.  For now, this would have to do.  His pride had gotten the better of him.  He had been watching Thomson for weeks.  If he hadn’t of approached the man and his brother, he might have had a better opportunity to attack.  As it was, he struck before the man had time to remember him.  That moment had sealed his fate.  The bastard hadn’t even remembered him.  It was then he decided to strike for all the other men Heath Thomson had sent away.  The men whose lives he had also destroyed. 

 

He knew, he knew deep in his heart, that Thomson had left because of what had happened.  His initial victory had been the slow and painful destruction of the man.  Today he would have the riches from the Barkley family, that Thomson had denied him so many years before.  His happiness soon faded.

 

“Boss?”

 

“What?”

 

The man was scared.  “Um, we…  I mean she…”

 

“WHAT?”

 

“The girl, she’s gone.”

 

“WHAT THE HELL???”

 

He was stumbling for words now.  “The room, its empty.”

 

Clummer stormed past the terrified man to the empty room.  Everyone cleared out of his way.  Once inside, he raged.  “HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?”

 

A different man, less frightened, pointed to the door.  “She stuffed some of her dress in there.”

 

“And NO ONE SAW HER?”

 

All around him, men turned away, shaking their heads.  Jason Hardy, a young man of nineteen on his first criminal activity, stared at his feet.  There was no way that he was going to tell Clummer that he had heard the door click shut, but had been too tired to check it out.  He had assumed it was one of the other men getting some air. 

 

“DON’T JUST STAND THERE, FIND THE BRAT!”

 

The men scattered, while Clummer berated himself.  Once the girl was secured in her room, they had run a rather lose ship, knowing the Barkleys would not arrive for some time.  No one would have expected the kid to have the ability to get herself out.  He cursed the daughter of Heath Thomson.  He knew without a doubt, the girl would now die.

 

Thirteen~

 

They rode hard all day, arriving in Mesilla around dinner.  They had spent much of the day discussing various possibilities and how they would handle each one.  They all felt confident they had planned for all circumstances.  It was a growing town and El Patio was a busy stage stop with lots of people coming and going.  El Patio was in the center of town, on the square.  The buildings were all one-floor adobe, except the church at the end of the square, which loomed over the town. 

 

“It’s gonna be hard to guard this box with all this traffic.”  Nick waited as Heath signed the register.  He noted that the book was signed Tim Carson.  He frowned inside.  He had hoped for more by now. 

 

“Just get it to the room, it ain’t long now.”

 

The five men settled in the large room.  It was the biggest room available, facing the alley in the rear.  There were two windows and two beds.  The box was placed on the floor between the beds. 

 

 Jarrod stretched out on the mattress.  “It may be lumpy, but it’s far better then the hard ground.  We should all have short naps before midnight.”

 

Nick, however, could see that Jeb and Carl were itchy.  He opened his wallet, removing some cash.  “Why don’t you two head downstairs and relax a bit.  Get a good hot meal and maybe a game.”  They accepted the cash with enthusiasm. 

 

Jarrod called out to them as they left.  “Just remember, no drinking.  And order us up some steaks for dinner.”  They both turned back, nodding their understanding.  “Looks like it’s just us.”

 

Nick and Heath were silent, not having heard a word he said.  Heath stared at Nick’s wallet and Nick at Heath. 

 

“You didn’t think I’d have it?”  Nick removed a worn blue paper from behind the bills.

“Did you think it didn’t mean anything to us, so we’d just throw it out?”  Nick’s anger was beginning to boil. 

 

Jarrod finally realized what was happening.  He moved quickly from his spot on the bed, attempting to break the tension.  “Ya know, I think we rode by a doctor’s office on the way in.  I’m gonna go get my stitches checked.  Perhaps they can come out before tonight.  Nick, why don’t you come with me?”  He wrapped his arm around Nick’s shoulders, but was rejected.

 

“Good idea, but it takes two of us to guard this box.  You’ll have to go alone.” 

 

Jarrod knew his plan had failed, but left the men alone.  Just before closing the door, he called back into the room.  “Just remember what we are really here for boys.  Leah needs us.”

 

Nick pulled the letter from his wallet.  “Do you remember what it says?  Maybe I should read it to ya?”

 

“I know what it says.”

 

“Are ya sure?  It ain’t been too long now has it?  You left us all when we needed you most, it kinda made every word burn into my memory.”

 

“Then why do you carry it?”

 

“To remember.”

 

“What?”

 

Nick seemed to soften just a moment.  “I never thought of you as a bastard.  People called you that, and you thought it yourself a time or two, but never me.  I never thought of you that way until we got this.”  Without warning, he grabbed his brother’s arms, dropping the letter.  “I never figured you for a weak coward until this came.  It was bad enough you running out on us, after all we had been through, but to leave your own wife and daughter.” 

 

Heath was flailing in a sea of emotions.  He tried to defend himself verbally, but the words didn’t come.  “I… I didn’t…  I didn’t kn…”

 

Nick let him go, choosing his words carefully, to inflict the most damage.  “I guess you ain’t so different from the old man after all.  He ran out, leaving a fatherless child and so did you.”  Nick ducked from the fist he knew would follow his words. 

 

Heath’s chest heaved with pent up anger.  He knew in his heart, no matter what the reasons, his brother was right.  He couldn’t bear it anymore.  Turning away from Nick, he left. 

 

Nick picked up the paper from the floor.  He unfolded it, looking at it, but not reading.  He knew the words.  They were etched on his heart.

 

~ Mesilla, Early that Morning ~

 

Leah ran as fast as her short legs would carry her.  She had no idea where she was.  Once outside the front door, she found herself in a large open courtyard.  She crossed it quickly, finding a road.  She had guessed at the direction to go and began running. 

 

She was feeling confident in her escape, stopping along the road to draw in deep breaths.  She listened to the brightening world around her, hearing a stream.  She moved to it and drank from it.  She tried to think of the daring escapes her uncle had told her of, wondering what to do next.  She remembered that she needed to cover her tracks.  Uncle Nick had taught her that since she was a baby.  Uncle Jarrod used to hide, and she would follow his tracks with Nick’s help, eventually finding him.  They would both surround her with hugs and kisses at her success.  She had always felt so loved, so secure.  She longed for that feeling now. 

 

She walked a while alongside the stream.  She had tried walking in it, but the water quickly became too cold and deep.  She picked up a branch, dragging it behind her to cover her tracks.  Eventually, as the sun moved beyond the horizon, she moved back to the road, hoping to find help there.  Once, as riders approached, her instincts told her to hide and she did so.  She knew that the help she wanted would travel by wagon.  Riders on horse, moving fast, might be looking for her, or so she thought.

 

After what seemed like hours, she saw a church steeple in the distance.  It became her driving focus as she moved to it.  She was tired and hungry.  Her mother and grandmother had always taught her to seek something called solace in the church.  She hoped that solace meant food, water and a bed.

 

Clummer paced the room he used as an office.  He was stupefied that a six-year-old girl had managed to outwit a group of grown men.  They had been searching for her all morning.  In an attempt to funnel his anger, he began throwing his knife at the windowsill next to the door.  The door opened, just as he released the knife.  Withers backed away from the sharp projectile flying past his head. 

 

“Damn it!  I made as good of time as I could.  I had to get some sleep.  They should be here shortly.”  He figured Clummer was mad at him.

 

“Get in here.  We got bigger problems.  The girl escaped.”

 

“WHAT?”

 

“We’ve been looking all day.”

 

“And no one has found her?”

 

“Not a sign.  We had her tracks, but they lost them.”

 

“Where would she go?”

 

“Home?  I don’t know.  Where the hell would she go?”

 

“Think like her.”

 

“What?”

 

“If you were her…  Where would you go?”

 

Clummer saw the man’s logic and applied some reason.  “Somewhere familiar…”

 

“But, she ain’t seeing anything familiar, so what’s the next best thing.”

 

The answer dawned on both of them and smiles formed on their faces.

 

Jarrod stopped and wired the family on his way to the doctor’s office.  He knew it was late and he might miss the doctor, but missing the wire would have been worse.  He debated waiting until they had Leah, but knew it would bring them some consolation to know they had arrived safely.  With any luck, the next wire would tell the women at home, that Leah was on her way.

 

The doctor was indeed closing his office for the day, but agreed to check Jarrod’s wound. 

 

“Can the stitches come out?”  Jarrod sat without shirt or bandages on the table in the doctor’s exam room. 

 

“I think so.  It should free up your mobility, but doesn’t mean you’re healed, Young Man.”

 

Jarrod chuckled at the endearment.  He hadn’t felt young for a long time. 

 

“I can’t believe your own doctor allowed you to travel.  You took quite a risk.”

 

“It was important.”

 

“Must be to have risked your life.”

 

“I don’t suppose you’ve seen any…”  Jarrod realized the doctor probably wasn’t in the habit of looking for criminals in town.

 

“Any what?  Perhaps you better tell me why you’re here.”

 

“My niece.  A group of vicious murderers kidnapped her.   We’re to meet them here to deliver the ransom.”

 

“A group of men, huh?”

 

“Seen anyone like that?”

 

“Mesilla gets its fair share of visitors.  Can’t say as I remember them all.”

 

Jarrod knew it was foolish to have raised his hopes.  When his wounds were re-bandaged, he buttoned his shirt.  He looked up, noticing the doctor had a strange look on his face.  “What?”

 

“Well, it might be nothing, but…”

 

“But what?  Doc, my niece is only six.  Please, anything.”

 

“Couple days ago, I was riding out on my rounds.  The Casa Diablo had lights on inside.  Near as I know, it’s been vacant for years.  Could be, maybe a group of men could be hiding out there.”

 

Jarrod was overjoyed at the possible lead.  After securing directions, he walked quickly back to their room.  He burst into the room, not sure what he would find.  He was surprised to find Nick alone. 

 

“Where’s Heath?”  Jarrod hated to think of Nick guarding the box alone.

 

“Gone.”

 

“Where?”

 

“I don’t know.  I don’t care.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

Nick laughed; it was weak and sickly.  “What else could I?  I had to make him hurt.  I had to make him feel as bad as we did when he left.”

 

“Nick.”

 

“DON’T SAY IT, JARROD.”

 

“We’ve got to find him.  Jab and Carl are on their way back in.  The doctor gave me a lead.  I might know where she is.  We can get the jump on them.”

 

Nick was as excited at the turn of events as Jarrod.  “We ain’t got much time.”

 

“Go find Heath.”

 

“I don’t think I’m the best one to go.  Maybe you had better…”

 

Jeb and Carl knocked and entered the room.  “Jeb, go find Heath, will ya?”

 

“Do I have to?”  Jeb and Carl had seen Heath leave.  They had no desire to tangle with the angry man.

 

“YES!”  Both brothers responded at the same time.

 

Heath was in no mood to deal with the crowded streets.  He needed to be alone, to be isolated.  He saw the church, San Albino, in front of him.  Entering its cool, darkened sanctuary, he looked for the darkest recess and sat on the pew. He bowed his head in silent meditation.

 

Leah had entered the bog church, finding it empty.  She wandered up its main aisle, trying to decide her next step.  Seeing a darkened alcove, she moved to it and lay down on the pew there.  Her body, starved and exhausted, succumbed quickly to sleep. 

 

When Leah woke she knew several hours had passed, as the sun shone differently through the windows.  She didn’t bother to sit up, she merely lay on the pew, allowing the enormity of her situation to overwhelm her.  At first her tears were silent, as they rolled along her cheeks, but soon, despair took hold and her sobs echoed through the large building.

 

Heath heard the sobbing to his right.  At first he attempted to ignore it.  He had thought he was alone.  This person obviously also wanted to be alone.  The louder the sobs became, the more drawn to the noise he was.  There was something childish about it.  The noises were laced not only with pain, but fear and innocence.  He rose to his feet, following the noise.  He saw the little girl in a dirty dress, her face buried in her arms.  She was obviously needy.  The dress was in tatters and her blonde hair was dirty, caked with mud.  He reached out to touch her shoulder.  The touch took her by surprise and she screamed.

 

“Whoa, there, Little One!  I ain’t gonna hurt you.  I was just seein’ if I could help.”

 

She turned over and their eyes locked.  They stared at each other, the same blue eyes, the same blond hair, the same button nose. 

 

“Papa?”

 

Heath was taken aback.  They had traveled enormous distances, fought for every step, and here she was, calling him papa.  “Leah?”

 

“Are you?  Or am I dreamin’?”

 

“Am I what?”

 

“Are you my papa?  I seen pictures and mama tells me stories all the time.  Are you?”

 

Heath didn’t know what to do.  He hadn’t wanted this.  He had hoped to talk to Jarrod and Nick, convincing them not to tell her who he was.  He had no idea she would recognize him.  “Ya.”

 

She lunged into his arms.  “I figured Uncle Nick and Uncle Jarrod would come for me, maybe even mommy.  I never figured you’d come.  Mama said you would.  She said one day you’d come back…”

 

Leah continued to ramble on with childish enthusiasm, as if recent events had never happened.  He held her in his arms, stunned to be holding her, his daughter, in his arms. The only thing that could disturb the moment was the click of the gun, and the feel of its barrel at his head.

 

“Well, well, well, what have we here?”

 

Fourteen~

 

Nick and Jarrod worked on a plan, as Jeb and Carl hunted for Heath.  Time was running out and they needed to move soon.  The two men finally returned, alone.

 

“We searched everywhere.  We couldn’t find him.”

 

“Did you check…”  Jarrod prayed Nick’s words hadn’t caused Heath to flee.

”Charger is in the livery.”

”He’s got to be somewhere.”

 

“Maybe they grabbed him?”

 

“Trying to even out the odds?”  Jarrod mused aloud. 

 

“No matter.  We got to get going, if this is going to work.”  Nick refused to think about Heath. 

 

The plan was simple.  There knew they were being watched, and it was already past nine.  Jeb and Carl would stay in town, guarding the strong box and covering for the brothers.  If they didn’t return with Leah by midnight, it would be their responsibility to deliver the ransom.  They assumed Heath would return by then and aid the men. 

 

Jarrod and Nick saddled their horses and rode out in different directions, hoping to throw anyone else off their trail.  After some time, Nick doubled back and followed Jarrod.  They met up outside the villa and watched.

 

Leah was returned to her room, but this time her legs and wrists were bound.  The large man with a knife guarded her personally.  He terrorized her by continually flashing his knife in her face and running its dull side up and down her arm.  Knowing her father was near, gave her the strength to hold on, but silent tears still moistened her cheeks.

 

Clummer was shocked to discover the blond hand riding with the group was none other then the great Heath Thomson.  His day was now complete.  The girl was back and Heath Thomson was alive and his prisoner.  They held Heath in a wine cellar under the house.   All the men had recently taken turns beating the blond, who was held in place by ropes from the ceiling and floor. 

 

Clummer stopped the latest man’s attempted blow.  “Careful now, I don’t want him dead yet.  He’s gonna live long enough to see his brothers and daughter dead at his feet.”

 

Heath spit at the man, earning him another blow to his abdomen.  “You’re a dead man!”

 

“A dead man?  Tell me, Thomson, or Barkley, whatever your name is…  What name ya gonna put on my tombstone?”

 

“Ain’t gonna be nothing left to bury.”

 

“Big talk.  But from where I stand, I just don’t see it happening.  Ya know, I might have stopped with the fire, but…  If only you remembered my name…  You ruined my whole life and didn’t even bother to remember my name.  For that reason, you gotta die.”

 

Nick and Jarrod crouched low, blending in with the surroundings as they watched the house.  The presence of guards on patrol told them their destination was correct.  Leah was inside.  

 

“If they are gonna contact us at midnight, you don’t suppose they are gonna make the trade off in town, do ya?”  Nick was assessing their best chances.

 

“No.  I suspect they will bring us here to make the exchange, on their territory.”

 

“So, someone’s gonna have to leave soon, to meet us?”

 

“Right, Brother Nick.”

 

“It gives us better odds.”

 

“Sure does.”

 

Nick checked his weapon and ammo supply, preparing to do battle, then and there.  Jarrod was rethinking the entire situation.

 

“If we go now, we can get back to meet the men when they come.”

 

“Why?”

 

“What are they going to think when they get to town and WE aren’t there.  We can send Jeb and Carl back here.”

 

“There’s no time, Jarrod.”

 

“Then maybe we better go now.”

 

Before Nick could respond, they heard a man approaching.  Hunching even closer to the ground, Nick prepared to spring.  When the man drew near enough, Nick jumped him, delivering a quick punch to his midsection and a second blow to his chin.  The surprised man fell silently to the ground.  Retrieving a length of rope from his saddle, Jarrod bound and gagged the man. 

 

“Looks like we’re bringing it to them.”

 

“Sure does…  Let’s go get Leah.”

 

Heath’s body cried out for relief, but he did his best to ignore the pains.  His head lolled forward.  He was alone; there was no need to put on a brave front.  He prayed they hadn’t hurt Leah.  God, how scared she must be.  Her face kept swimming in front of him.  He couldn’t help smiling at her escape.  It gave him hope.  If a little girl could get away from these men, surely Nick and Jarrod could rescue her successfully.  He had no hope for his own rescue.  It seemed fitting.  He would die trying to save a daughter he hadn’t even known existed.  It would certainly make things easier.

 

Nick’s words resounded in his brain.  “I guess you ain’t so different from the old man after all.  He ran out, leaving a fatherless child and so did you.”  He knew in his heart that he would never have left his child.  Katy knew that.  She could have told him.  A smile lit the corners of his bruised mouth.  Katy and his mother were so much alike.  He instantly had a greater understanding and if possible, more love, for his mother.  She had sacrificed her happiness, to protect a man she loved.  Katy had done the same thing.  He thought back to the first time he told Katy he would be leaving.  It had been shortly after Tim’s death.  They were sitting at his grave, planting flowers.

 

“Katy, I can’t stay.”

 

She grabbed his hands, holding them to her.  “Please don’t talk like that.  I need you.  I can’t do this alone.”

 

“I won’t go right away, but I can’t stay.”

 

“When will we leave?”

 

“You can’t come with me.”

 

“Why not?  Why do you have to go?”

 

“I love you.  I love this family.  I can’t keep bringing this pain to you.”

 

“What pain?  You think it won’t cause pain if you leave?”

 

“I can’t escape my past.”

 

“No one expects you too.”  She took his face in her hands.  “No one blames you, Heath.”

 

“They should.  I blame me.  This family was fine before I came and they’ll be fine when I am gone.  It’s what they do, they survive.”

 

“You think you have brought nothing to this family?  I dare you to say that to them.”

 

“It’d be different, if I had grown up here.  But I didn’t and my past keeps causing them pain.  This Clummer man, the man who killed not only our son…”  His voice caught in his throat.  “But Jarrod’s whole family…  He was here to get me.  I’m HERE.  I’m ALIVE!  But my son is dead.  That’s not right, Katy and I won’t let it happen again.”

 

Katy pulled him into her loving embrace.  She struggled to find the words to dissuade him.  “Heath, you’re so wrong.” 

 

He pushed back from her.  “No, I’m not.  The strong of bad luck I have brought this family goes on forever…  Bentell, my aunt and uncle, Handy Random, Tom Wills, Vern Hickson…  It goes on.  All those people came from my past and hurt them…”

 

“You’re wrong.”

 

“Name one person from your past who has affected us, Katy.”

 

“Heath, it’s not like that…”

 

“IT IS.  I can’t do this anymore.  I don’t feel their love.  I look at them and all I feel is shame at what I have done to their lives.  I never meant to hurt ‘em.  I won’t hurt them anymore.”

 

“What about me?”

 

“You’re one of them.”

 

“No, I’m not.”

 

He smiled, pushing a stray lock off her cheek, along with an errant tear.  “You are.  They will need you when I’m gone.”

 

“It won’t be that easy.  Nick won’t let you go that easily.”

 

“I know.  I’m workin’ on it.”   

 

He wondered if Nick would fight him now?  Hell, Nick would send him on his way with blessings.  There would be no overcoming the gorge that had formed in his brother’s heart.  The life he had once treasured was over. 

 

Fifteen~

 

Nick and Jarrod made their way to the edge of the compound as quickly as they could.  Crouching behind the corner of the wall, they watched as two men rode out toward town.  Exchanging small smiles, they moved forward.  They were blessed with a cloudy evening to hide their approach.  Nick indicated to Jarrod to split up, each searching for a passage to Leah. 

 

Nick tucked himself low under the window.  He peer upwards just enough to make out the room.  It was empty and dark.  Crawling on all fours, he moved to the next window, again, it was empty.  He continued on his path toward the small sliver of light that radiated from a window ahead of him.  As he stopped himself, he could see a portion of the room within from the slight opening in the thick drapes.  He saw two men relaxing in overstuffed wingback chairs, drinks in one hand and cigars in the other.  He smiled to himself.  The enemy was celebrating already.  Nick was tempted to crash through the window and dispose of them now.  He tuned his ears to pick up the words spoken within.

 

“Have they left?”

 

“Yep, a few minutes ago.”

 

“And the other men are in place?”

 

“Yep.  As soon as we get the trunk, they’re dead.”

 

Nick sucked in a deep breath.  They knew they couldn’t trust the kidnapping murderers, but he hadn’t expected them to plan an all out blood bath.  He hoped Jeb and Carl would be prepared for all eventualities. 

 

“Excellent.  Soon, we’ll have all the money we need and the Barkley’s will be history.”

 

“You ain’t plannin’ on goin’ back for the rest of ‘em?”

 

“Na.  Kill the brothers and the kid, it’ll destroy the rest of them.”

 

Withers hesitated a moment.  “Still.  I don’t trust them.”  He took a long drag of his cigar.  “Our little celebration might be a bit early?”

 

“No.  In a few short hours, it’ll all be over.”  Clummer felt a cold shiver at that moment, moving to the window, he pulled open the drapes and look into the night. 

 

Nick willed his body to shrink, holding his breath.  The window was pulled closed and Nick moved to the next window.  Inspecting the next, he found nothing.  He made a mental map of the interior, as he now knew it.  Once inside, he wanted to be sure to move efficiently.   As he moved to the next window, his heart caught in his throat.  The light of a small oil lamp in the corner of the room revealed the bound figure of his niece, tormented by an obese man with a knife larger then the girl’s arm.  It took all his will power to keep from crying out at the sight before him.  He bit his lower lip and turned from the image to think.  Did he go through the window?  Should he take the time to go find Jarrod?  He opted to try entering a window in one of the vacant rooms.    Taking one last look at Leah, he slid down the wall to the next room.  Finding it vacant with the window open, he pulled himself up.  He was supporting his body on his arms and waist, as he felt the pressure decreased from below.  He turned to look, seeing only a large fist aimed straight at his chin.

 

Jarrod was having no luck.  Halfway around the building, he decided his route was unoccupied.  He did, however, locate an unlocked door, which allowed him access.  Once inside, he moved slowly down the empty corridors. 

 

Jeb and Carl paced the room.  Both prayed Heath would return.  Midnight arrived before Heath and the men held their breaths.  Shortly, a knock at the door heralded the beginning of the end.  Jeb moved to slowly open the door, but it was slammed open and 3 men entered with guns drawn.  They eyed one another up and down.

 

“Where are the others?”

 

“We don’t know.  They left us here.”

 

The angry man moved closer to Jeb and pointed his gun at Jeb’s chest. “That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard.”  He pulled back the hammer.  “Where are they?”

 

Jeb stammered.  “I tol’ ya.  They’re gone.”

 

Carl was quicker on his feet.  “They had a big argument and left to cool off.  I don’t think they meant to be gone this long.  We heard a commotion downstairs, maybe they got hauled off to jail.”

 

This change of events worried the man.  He knew they couldn’t risk checking the jail.  He knew it was possible.  “Looks like you two get to haul the box in.”

 

“We’ll need to saddle our horses.”

 

“We brought you mounts.”  With a wave of the gun, he motioned Jeb and Carl to carry the box. 

 

Nick was vaguely aware of being dragged, pulled into a standing position.  He was being supported under his arms, or was it being held?  He struggled to clear his mind.  A hand reached out and pulled his lolling head back.

 

“Wakey!  Wakey! Barkley.”

 

Nick shook off the hand and focused his eyes on Withers’ face. 

 

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you was trying to rescue the girl.  But that can’t be.  That would be about the stupidest thing I ever heard.”

 

Nick ignored the man’s words.  “Where is she?”

 

Withers chuckled.  Clummers merely observed the interaction.  Nick still wasn’t sure who was in charge.

 

“I got a few more questions?  Like, where’s your brother?  Outside?”

 

“He’s with the box.”  Nick pretended to expel the words through gritted teeth, buying time.

 

“Really?  Why don’t I believe you?  You came out here by yourself?”

 

Nick grinned.  “I didn’t say that, did I?”

 

His impudence earned him a punch to the stomach.  He doubled over, having been unable to protect himself from the assault.  He sucked in breaths.

 

Clummer finally spoke.  “Search the grounds.  Shoot to kill.”  Nick prayed they didn’t notice the flicker of panic on his face.  Clummer turned back to Nick.  “Have a seat Mr. Barkley.  I’m sure we can finish our business quickly.  My men have already gone for the box.”

 

Nick was forced back to a chair, but left unbound.  “Business?  You call kidnapping and murder business?”

 

“What would you call it?”

 

“Your death warrant.”

 

“Big words from a man in a weak position.”

 

It was Nick’s turn to laugh.  “Don’t matter how you see my position.  You’re gonna die by my hand.”

 

“I don’t think so, but if you need that delusion, you go right on believe in it.”

 

Jarrod had a good view of the main foyer and saw the flurry of activity as Nick was dragged in.  Fighting his natural reaction to fire, he waited and observed.  He knew they would be searching the grounds for more men and tucked himself further into the alcove as men came back out of the room down the hall a few minutes later. 

 

Jeb and Carl weren’t allowed to talk as they rode.  Each was having the same internal conversation.  The both hoped that Nick and Jarrod had gotten the girl out and that this would all end soon.  Jeb and Carl rode with a packhorse touting the box between them, the four outlaws surrounding them.  The moonless night did nothing to relieve their growing stress.  They were heading toward an unknown confrontation, with a good chance of not surviving.  The men in front were chatting casually and Jeb and Carl listened to their wafting words.

 

“I can’t wait to see that much money.”

 

“Me either.  I hope they split it up right away.”

 

“Heh.  Me too, I even bought myself a new saddlebag to carry my share.”

 

“Course, we gotta kill ‘em all first.  Do ya suppose we’ll have to bury ‘em afore we cin go?”

 

“Naw.  We can leave da bodies to rot.  Someone’ll be along to see to the remains.”

 

Jeb and Carl glanced at each other, issuing silent prayers.                

 

Heath moved what muscles he could.  It was an old adobe building, and although they were built to last a thousand years, he knew he had to try and free himself.  He debated the best approach, opting to use his legs as leverage to pull an arm out.  Ignoring the burn of the rope as he twisted his wrist, he grabbed the knots just above his wrists and pulled with all his might.

 

His first attempts were futile, serving only to drain his precious reserves.  He called upon that which lived so deep inside him he thought it dead and redoubled his efforts.  Katy would never again suffer the loss of a child at his hands.

 

Sixteen~

 

The rotation of the earth seemed to have stopped to Nick.  There was no way to occupy his brain, no way to plan for what might soon happen.  Charging his foe, with Leah being guarded by that ape, held no possibility.  He wasn’t afraid for his own life, but he’d be damned if Leah would pay with hers.  His mind wandered from Leah to his own sons.  Heath’s departure had left him with a dark void; Leah’s birth had only deepened it with anger and regret.  His mother had dragged him to the picnic, which had offered him his first salvation.  Ellen Davies was visiting her uncle in Stockton and had stolen his breath away. 

 

They met, married and he found healing in her loving arms.  He knew he would be happy if they had children, but he never imagined the feelings that overtook him when he held his son for the first time.  Benjamin Jarrod Barkley all but made the void disappear.  He cherished time with his eldest, and now his infant son.  He remembered the arguments Katy and Heath had had prior to Tim’s birth.  She so wanted to name a boy after his papa, but Heath wouldn’t hear of it.  Nick had decided at that time to circumvent Heath’s plan.  It had never been an argument with Ellen.  She had dreamt early in her life of having a boy named Ben.  Nick wasn’t about to fight fate.  She acquiesced to him on their youngest son without hesitation.  The clatter of hooves in the yard disturbed his reverie.  The time was now.

 

Jarrod heard the arrival as well.  He had made his way to the other side of the foyer and began the move down the hall.  He ducked into the first room and waited. 

 

Clummer pointed his gun at Nick and directed him to the door.  “Looks like it is time for our exchange.”  Nick said nothing, doing as directed.

 

They met the riders in the courtyard and moved the box to the ground.  “Open it.”

 

“I can’t.”

 

“I said, open it.  I don’t like to repeat myself Barkley.”

 

“Let the men go.”  Nick hoped that Jeb and Carl would have enough sense to retreat and prepare to cover the escape.

 

“I’m not stupid.”

 

Nick laughed.  “I had to try.  No sense more dying then need be.”

 

“Get on with it.” Withers was anxious to see the money.

 

“I don’t open the box, until I see Leah.”

 

Clummer thought a moment.  “Alright.”  He turned to one of the men.  “Go get Monte and the girl.”

 

They all waited in silence as Leah and the large man, now known as Monte, arrived.  Leah’s eyes filled with tears at the sight of a man she loved as a father.  She started to run toward him, but was stopped short. 

 

“There she is.  Open it!”

 

Nick’s eyes risked a scan of the environment.  Withers caught it.

 

“What you looking for?”

 

Clummer saw it too.  “Have the men spread out.”  He moved toward Nick and spoke so only he could hear.  “Understand this Barkley.  You got one chance of that girl living.  You follow my rules.  I don’t care what happens or who causes it, the girl’s only chance of living to see her ma is your actions right now.  Monte won’t hesitate to slit her throat.  Now, I figure you got other men out there, but remember, one wrong move, she dies.  Now open the box.”

 

“I can’t”

 

Withers was losing his control and spit in Nick’s face as the words came out.  “What do you mean you can’t?”

 

A cheeky smile spread across Nick’s face.  “I ain’t got the key.”

 

Withers began to rant and mumble.  Clummer smiled.  “And just who does have the key?”

 

“Another man in our group.”

 

Withers lit up at his words.  “The blond one?”  Nick said nothing. 

 

Clummer laughed now.  “Go ahead, Barkley, play your games.  I can wait.”  He pulled a cigar from his pocket, lighting it.  He strolled toward the front door without a word. 

 

Jarrod watched the scene unfold from the window.  He had a clear sight on most of the men.  He waited for the right moment.

 

Withers grabbed Nick by the vest.  “Are you insane???”

 

Nick lowered his voice.  “Maybe.  Maybe I am.  You should know this.  I’m gonna kill you.  It doesn’t matter what happens here.  You’re a dead man.”

 

Withers began to laugh hysterically.  He had been calm and collected throughout the whole procedure, but his wits were escaping quickly.  He staggered around the strong box, waving his gun in the air.  He waved the gun at Leah and she shrunk back.  Nick attempted to lunge forward, but his arm was held fast.

 

Jarrod tensed, waiting for his turn. 

 

Clummer seemed to have disappeared and Withers was maniacal.  Without warning, he fired at the lock on the strong box.  The other men cried out in anger.

 

“Hey, watch the money!”

 

Withers ran to the box and pulled open the lid.  It was dark and he couldn’t make out the contents.  He called for a lantern and a man moved to bring it.

 

Jarrod held his breath and took aim, knowing what would soon come.

 

Withers grew instantly calm and stared into the box as the light from the lantern he now held revealed the prized loot, a box of shredded newsprint.  The appeal of the money had lulled everyone’s senses and Nick was able to pull away from his captor.  He moved forward and whispered to Withers.

 

“Surely you didn’t think we was gonna pay you for kidnapping and murder?”

 

Withers looked at him wild eyed with anger.  He picked up the lantern and smashed it into the box, bringing instant flames.  “Kill the girl.”

 

Jarrod took aim and fired at the monstrous man holding his niece.  The first shot alarmed him and Monte backed up a bit on impact.  Leah saw her chance and ran.  Monte wasn’t felled and a second and third bullet slammed into him before he fell.  Jarrod continued to shoot at any of the men. 

 

Nick took advantage of the distraction and slammed his fist into the midsection of the nearest man.  In one swift motion, the man doubled over and Nick grabbed his gun and began firing.  Withers had run to a trough, firing.  Jarrod’s well-placed shots were allowing Jeb and Carl to fight guards and attain guns as well.  Nick yelled to them to secure the perimeter.  They moved quickly to do so.  Leah was terrified of the gunfire and moved to find shelter.  Withers reached out and grabbed her, pulling him to her.  Nick saw with horror as Withers used her as a human shield. 

 

Jarrod saw Withers grab Leah as well.  He checked his aim, firing.  A last second twitch by his target sent the bullet off mark, winging his shoulder.  It was enough though to attract his attention.  Forgetting the value of his shield, he shoved her fiercely from his side and aimed at Jarrod.  Nick took the opportunity to fire, hitting him point blank in the forehead.

 

“I told you, you were going to die.”

 

Shots continued to ring out in the distance.  Nick knew he should help Jeb and Carl, but his primary focus was the little girl before him.  Leah had been violently flung against the side of the house and lay unmoving.  Nick took a deep breath, praying his niece was unharmed.  Jarrod was just coming out the door, eyes focused on the same sight.  They reached her side at the same time and Nick scooped her into his arms.  It was Jarrod who soothed her brow and spoke to her.

 

“Come on, Leahloo.  Open those baby blues for us.  Come on sweetheart.”

 

They were rewarded with a small groan.  As if all she had been through was forgotten, she curled into her uncle’s arms to sleep.  Jarrod placed his arm on Nick’s shoulder and their eyes met. 

 

“Clummer?”

 

“I didn’t see where he went.  If he’s smart, he’s long gone.”

 

“We need to get him.”

 

“We will, Nick.  But right now, Leah is more important, wouldn’t you say?”

 

Nick looked at the precious girl in his arms and nodded. 

 

“Let’s go home.”

 

Seventeen~

 

Clummer knew Heath had to have the key.   Going to the small door that led to the cellar, he intended to retrieve it.  Heath, hearing the movement of the door latch, prepared for what was coming. 

 

“So, Barkley, your brothers are here to claim your daughter, but we have one little problem.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“You have the key to the box.  As soon as we open the box, I’ll be bringing them down one at a time.  You can watch as I kill each one, and then you’ll die.”  Heath took a brief moment to laugh inside.  It hadn’t occurred to him that the key was in his back pocket. 

 

“Why wait?  Why go through the charade?  Bring ‘em down and kill ‘em.”

 

Clummer laughed.   “Yes, that would be easier.  You see; I have no intention of sharing the money.”

 

“You’re gonna kill your own men.”

 

“I won’t share it.”  He paused.  “You still don’t remember me, do you?”

 

“I know all I need to know.  You’re a sick murdering low life, who attacks children.”

 

“Don’t forget arson.”

 

Heath’s eyes grew cold.  “So, it was you.”

 

“For sure.  I lost my life; you deserved to lose yours.  Does your brother still dream about seeing his wife and children burn before his eyes?  How about you?  Do you miss your son?  What was his name?”

 

Heath was silent.

 

“I could have been content after that.  You leavin’ your family was even better then I could have imagined.  I was content.  The kidnapping was just icing on the cake.  I had no idea you would turn up.  I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to find you.”

 

“Get on with it.”

 

“Getting impatient are you?”

 

“To kill you.”

 

Clummer feigned shock.  “What?  Barkley, you are speaking of cold blooded murder.”

 

“It’s only murder if a human being is involved.  I would just be eliminating one useless predatory animal, varmint even.”

 

“Big words.  You’ll burn in hell along side me.”

 

“I suspect so, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.  How about you?”

 

“This is gonna be fun.  I can’t wait to see how this goes.  You’re gonna die.”

 

 “Well, if you want to go ahead and release my hands, I can help you out.”

 

“Very funny.  No.  I can get the key myself.”  He moved closer. 

 

Heath held his breath.  Unexpectedly, Clummer landed a strong punch to Heath’s stomach.  As much as it hurt, it was exactly what he needed.    He had managed to free his legs and one hand just prior to Clummer’s arrival.  He kicked out with his legs and flipped Clummer onto his back.  Clummer edged away, regaining his composure, as Heath worked quickly on his final bond.  His wrists were raw and bleeding, but he pulled hard.

 

Clummer recovered his footing and charged at Heath.  The ensuing battle drained every ounce of Heath’s reserves.  Both men threw punches with fervor, each taking a beating.  Having been shoved by Heath into a corner, Clummer finally had the chance to remove the knife from his boot; he’d left his gun in the kitchen.  Without time to deliberate, he threw the knife at Heath.  Heath deflected it, but sliced his hand in the process.  Angered by the stupid move, Clummer ran at Heath.  Like a force of nature, Heath was unable to avoid the impact.  He fell backward and Clummer’s hands quickly went to his throat.  His thumbs found their mark and drove into the fleshy area around Heath’s Adam’s apple.  It was more then Heath could bear.  His hands flailed between Clummer’s face and the hands at his neck.  He felt himself succumbing to the pressure at his neck.  He closed his eyes and prepared for the inevitable, his failure. 

 

As he closed his eyes, a fleeting image of Tim appeared, followed by Leah, his children.  They called to him voicelessly.  He knew they cried out to him.  The image of Tim quickly dissolved in flames.  Leah seemed to at once shrink and yet be pulled away from him.  He would never be able to describe to anyone what happened in the next seconds.  He relaxed his arms and stretched out, as if succumbing.  At the tip of his fingers, he felt the handle of the blade.  He glanced and then reached for it.  He was not quite fast enough.  Clummer followed his eyes.  Both men went for the fallen weapon and the wrestling continued until one was still, a knife in his chest.

 

“I told you, sooner or later, you were a dead man.”  He breathed heavily and slumped into darkness as well.

 

Finding their horses, then Jeb and Carl, the group rode back to town.  Jeb and Carl both had minor wounds.  Leah stirred now and again.  Arriving back at El Patio, they secured another room for the men and took Leah to theirs.  Jarrod brought the doctor to see to the wounds and Nick hovered near Leah.  Dawn’s light was breaking as all three settled into sleep.  Both Nick and Jarrod slept lightly, fearing retaliation from Clummer. 

 

Leah stirred as the sun warmed her face.  She stretched out in the bed, hands reaching out to find her beloved doll. 

 

“Misty?  Where’s Misty?” 

 

Jarrod and Nick both woke and moved to her side.

 

“Where’s Misty?”

 

They looked at each other, alarmed.  Was the head injury worse then they thought?  “She’s at home, Princess.   Waiting for you.”

 

Leah then remembered where she was and terror filled her eyes.  She turned to Jarrod’s loving arms and was received warmly.  “It’s all over, Leahloo.  We’ll head home as soon as you’re ready.”

 

She smiled up at her uncles.  “I miss mama.”

 

“We know.  We’re so proud of you.  You were such a brave girl.”

 

She grew serious.  “I was really scared until I found Papa in the church.”

 

The brothers were shocked.  “You saw your papa?”

 

“You knew it was him?”

 

“Sure.  He found me in the church after I ‘scaped.  I was crying, but he helped me until the bad men came back.”

 

“Leahloo, you mean your papa was with you?”

 

Her voice was quiet and she grew scared again realizing he wasn’t with them.  “Yes…  Did he leave me again?”  Large tears formed in her eyes.

 

“Princess, we didn’t see him.”

 

“Maybe he’s still there.  We gotta go find him Uncle Nick.”  She pulled herself off the bed.

 

“Sure, Princess, we will. But you need to rest.”  He pushed her back onto the pillows.

 

Nick went to get Jeb and Carl, asking them to stay with Leah.  She fought the idea, demanding to go with her uncles.  Knowing Clummer was still on the loose; they refused her.  Her tears and screams of outrage filled their ears as they left the room and saddled up to seek out Heath.

 

As they rode back to the compound, the silence was awkward.  Jarrod finally broke the tension.  “I can’t believe we didn’t consider this.  We didn’t look for him.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He disappeared and we knew his horse was still here.  We should have searched the grounds.”

 

“He’s disappeared before, why should we have thought it was any different.”

 

“Nick”

 

“Don’t ‘Nick’ me.  Have you forgotten what we came for?  Leah!  Not Heath.”

 

“If we’re gonna convince him to stay, you’re gonna have to change that attitude.”

 

“WHY DO I HAVE TO CHANGE MINE?  He is the one who left.”

 

Jarrod pulled up the reins.  “Nick, do you want him home?”

 

Nick was silent, refusing to acknowledge the question.

 

“Do you have that much hatred in your heart?  No compassion?  No understanding?”

 

“Compassion?  Understanding?  Where was his, Jarrod?”

 

“On his sleeve.”

 

Nick spurred his mount on and rode ahead, unwilling to continue the conversation.

 

They rode the rest of the way in silence and arrived to find the bodies gone.  Drawing their guns, they cautiously moved to the front door.  It was ajar.

 

“Where would he be?”

 

“Why you asking me?”

 

Jarrod took a deep breath, holding in the desire to lecture his younger brother.  “You take the left wing.  I’ll take the right.  Call out if you find him.”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Nick, you will call?”

 

Again, Nick said nothing.

 

When each had scoured their side of the adobe mansion, they met back in the foyer. 

 

“Find him?”

 

“Did I call?”

“We must have missed something.”

 

“Or maybe he just left?  We looked everywhere.”

 

“Did we?”

 

“Yes.”  Nick removed his hat, running his hand through this hair.  “Let’s get back to Leah and get the hell out of this nightmare.”

 

“We can’t just leave him.”

 

“HE left us.  Remember?  We held Leah when she cried.  We soothed her brow when she had a fever.  WE taught her to ride.  Hell, you taught her to read.  Now, WE are gonna bring her back to her mother.”

 

“Nick, I’m not the enemy.”

 

Nick’s head fell, turning away from his brother, he punched the wall lightly, with ever increasing strength.  His voice was quiet.  “Why?”

 

Jarrod stood behind Nick, placing his hand on his shoulder.  “Why what?”

 

“Why can’t I open my arms to him like the prodigal son?”

 

“You’re afraid, like me.”

 

Nick turned to him.  “Afraid?  You?”

 

“What if he leaves again?  I don’t know if I could bear it.”

 

“So why aren’t you as angry as me?”

 

“Because, I know, no matter how hard this was on us, it was agony for him.”

 

“He made the choice.”

 

“Yes, but we had each other.  We held Leah when she cried.  We soothed her brow when she had a fever.  WE taught her to ride.  I taught her to read.  WE are going bring her back to her mother.  He had nothing.  He accepted that, to protect us.”

 

“How did it protect us?”

 

“It didn’t.  It was a chance he had to take.  Now, we need to show him it was wrong.”

 

“He sure as hell was wrong.”

 

“No, Nick.  The decision was wrong, not Heath.”

 

Nick considered his older, wiser brother’s words, offering him a faint smile.  “A place this big has got to have a root cellar.”

 

Eighteen~

 

After tearing apart the kitchen, they finally found a cabinet that was actually a door to the cellar.  Using lanterns hanging nearby, they descended the stairs, terrified at what they saw ahead.

 

“Heath…”

 

Nick and Jarrod rushed to their brother’s side.  A glance around the room revealed the cold body of Clummer.  Nick shoved the corpse further into the corner.  Jarrod pulled Heath gently into his arms, calling his name and gently tapping his face.  He felt the breaths and beating heart he sought and it settled his nerves.

 

“Come on, Heath.  Time to wake up.”

 

Heath swatted at the offending hand.  Nick caught the hand and noticed the raw wrists.  He grabbed the other and saw the blood, using his kerchief to bandage it.  “We need to get this boy to the doctor.”

 

Heath hadn’t said anything until now, and his words were slightly garbled.  “Ain’t no boy and don’t need no doctor.”  Heath was now coming more fully into awareness.  He looked over Nick’s shoulder at Clummer’s body and then at Nick.  “We gotta get her.”

 

“We already did.  She’s fine.”  Jarrod helped Heath sit upright without support. 

 

“What happened?”

 

Nick tried to lighten the situation with a smile.  “Jarrod shot his gun.  I shot mine and we won.”

 

Heath’s eyes fired.  “You shot guns around her?  You could have hit her!”

 

“She’s fine, Heath.  It’s over.”

 

“Not til she’s in her ma’s arms.”

 

“True, Brother Heath, but right now, that little girl is waiting for her father’s arms.”

 

Heath grew silent and looked away.  “It’s best she not get attached to me.”

 

Nick silenced Jarrod with a gesture.  “Let’s get you to the doc.  As soon as he clears you, we’ll head out.”

 

“No need to wait for me.”

 

Ignoring Heath’s words, each of his brothers grabbed him under the shoulder and pulled him up.

 

As they reached the stairs, Heath stopped, eyeing the lantern.  Pulling his arms from his brothers, he turned violently, smashing the lantern on the corpse of Clummer.  Before he could light the match in his good hand, Jarrod had dropped a lit one.  Both men watched the flames grow until Nick gently pulled them away. 

 

Finding one last horse in the stable, they got Heath to the doctor’s office in town.  Nick had insisted Heath ride double with him.  He didn’t think Heath looked too good, but Heath fought them, persistent in his argument.  He didn’t allow either brother in for the doctor’s exam either.  Nick, again thrilled with the idea of being at his brother’s side, was not happy as they waited in the parlor.

 

Nick was absentmindedly looking out the window at the busy street when the quiet answer escaped his lips.  “yep”

 

“What Nick?”

“I said, yes.”

 

“Yes, what?”

 

“Katy’ll love having him home.  Mother too.  Who knows, maybe they can have a few more kids.  Course, they’ll need some time alone together.  Maybe they should go on a long trip, just the three of them.  Course, you’ll like having him back too.  You’ll be able to win an argument against him.  He even lets you beat him in billiards now and again.”

 

“But never cards.”

 

Nick laughed.  “He don’t let anyone win in cards.”

 

“Mother will be happy.  She always said we could never hold him here against his will, but I know she was hurt when he left.  She loves him as one of her own, you know.”

 

“I know.”

 

“I want him home.”  It was the voice of Nick’s past, an innocent child expressing his heart’s desire.

 

Jarrod smiled.  He knew the price Nick had just paid for that admission.  “Me too.”

 

Heath was putting his shirt on over his bound ribs.  This man frustrated the doctor.  The others in the group had been easy going and cooperative. 

 

“Mr. Barkley, I can not stress enough, you should NOT be out of bed.”

 

“Thanks, Doc.  But I’m fine.”

 

“You are not fine.  You haven’t slept.  It’s obvious you haven’t eaten much and you’ve been beaten.  Now, I’ve stitched the cut and wrapped your wrists, they shouldn’t become infected if you keep them clean, but those ribs are bad.  That tenderness and tension in your belly is a good indicator that something is hurt worse inside.  You must rest.”

 

“Doc.  There’s a little girl that needs her mother.  I told her I’d bring her home and that’s what I intend to do.”

 

“They’ll wait a few days.  Just long enough to be sure you’re not bleeding inside.”

 

“Thanks, Doc.  I appreciate the help you’ve given my fam… us.”

 

He opened the door and closed it behind him, offering Nick and Jarrod a small smile.  “Let’s go.”

 

Jarrod hesitated.  “What did the doctor have to say?”

 

“Nothing much.”  He flashed his brother’s his bandaged wrists and hand.  “All set.”

 

Heath left the parlor and after exchanging quizzical glances, Nick and Jarrod hurried to catch up.

 

They caught him just as he had secured the last room at the inn.  “I’m gonna take me a nap.  We startin’ off first thing in the morning?”

 

“Ah, Heath.  Leah’s gonna want to see you.”

 

Heath’s face was troubled.  “Tell her I’m fine and I’ll see her in the morning.”

 

“But what about dinner?  Surely you’re hungry?”

 

“I ordered dinner in my room.  Night.”  He turned, going directly to his room.

 

“Well, how about that.  So much for our good thoughts.”

 

“At least he is planning on coming with us.”

 

Nick got an evil grin on his face.

 

“What’s that grin for?”

 

“Well, Older Brother, we need to go tell Miss Leah that her papa’s here.”

 

Jarrod instantly understood, sharing his brother’s grin.  “That’s not nice, Nick.”

 

“What?  Not nice to reunite a father and daughter?”

 

“I almost feel sorry for him.  Leah’s not gonna let up.”

 

“Nope.”  Nick’s grin grew even bigger.  “Let’s go tell her!”

 

Jarrod decided he should feel guiltier about using his niece this way, but a serious situation warranted drastic measures.  As soon as Leah heard her father was near, she demanded to see him.  Jarrod and Nick weren’t heartless, knowing Heath did need some rest.  They convinced her to take a bath and change into the new clothes they had bought her.  She did as instructed, wanting to be pretty for her papa.  As her uncle Nick struggled to comb her blonde tresses, she suddenly wished she were home with her mama. 

 

“Ouch.  Uncle Nick.  I’m not a horse.  Ya gotta be gentle with me.”

 

“Sorry Princess.  I ain’t to used to combin’ little girl’s hair.”

 

Leah, being naturally inquisitive, caught his words.  “Do you comb big girl’s hair?”

 

Jarrod coughed to hide his laughter and Nick fumbled for the right words.  “Well… I…”  He finally decided to ignore the girl’s question.  The girl was too damn much like her father.

 

When she was finally ready, she demanded to see her papa.  Her uncles again stalled, by insisting on an early dinner. 

 

“You don’t want your tummy growling when you see him, do ya?”

 

She didn’t trust either of her uncles at that moment, but gave in to them.  She picked at her food and finally asked the question burning through her heart.

 

“Why doesn’t he want to see me?”

 

Nick and Jarrod were at a loss for words.

 

“He does, Leahloo, but it’s hard for him.”  It was obvious she didn’t understand.

 

“Princess, what has your ma told you about your papa?”

 

“She tol’ me he loves me, but he had to be away for awhile.”

 

“That’s right.  Well, you see…  Um, Jarrod?”

 

“Leahloo, your papa’s a bit nervous.  He’s afraid you might not want him.”

 

A look of outright anger settled on Leah’s face.  “That’s silly.  First’s, mama says papa is very brave, like a knight.  He wouldn’ be scared.  An also, its just silly.”

 

Jarrod smiled at her logic.  “You’re right.  Someday, this might make more sense to you.”

 

“Blarney!”

 

“Leah!”

 

She covered her mouth, knowing she had spoken incorrectly.  “I sorry.  Everybody always says when I’m older.  I am smart now.  Uncle Jarrod you always say I am too smart for… for my own good.  I’ve heard you.”

 

“Yes, Princess.  You are.  Now, let’s go see your papa.”  He was laughing inside.  Her little ears missed nothing.

 

They knocked on Heath’s door; hearing no response, they entered slowly.  Heath was sleeping.  Nick and Jarrod both knew that for Heath to sleep through their entrance, he had to be tired.  They started to pull Leah out, but were too late.  She was already at the side of his bed.

 

“Papa?  Papa?  Wake up please.  It’s early.  You can sleep later, when I do.”  She reached up and shook his shoulder.

 

“huh…”  Heath was slowly joining the land of the living.  He was instantly aware as Leah hopped onto the bed next to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

 

“Come on, Papa.”

 

“Leah?”

 

“Of course, Silly.  Uncle Jarrod and Uncle Nick said you needed a nap before I could see you.  That’s silly though too.  Only little kids like Ben need naps.”

 

Heath was immediately caught up in her world.  “So, big girls like you don’t need naps?”

 

“NO!  I gotta go to school.  They don’t let me take naps.  Uncle Jarrod takes me…”

 

She chattered on, allowing Nick and Jarrod to quietly slip out.  When they returned several hours later, they discovered father and daughter sleeping soundly.

 

Nick grinned at Jarrod.  “Hook, line and sinker.”

 

“Welcome home, Brother Heath.  Welcome home!”

 

Nineteen~

 

Nick caught the grimace.  “Ya know, Big Brother.  You did good in this fight.”

 

Jarrod wasn’t prepared for the compliment.  “Well, Thanks, Brother Nick.”

 

“Maybe we ought to hunker down a couple days and rest.”

 

Jarrod was now suspicious.  “And why is that?”

 

“I was just thinking, maybe you’ve overdone it the last week or so…  Seeing as how you were shot twice and all.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“Really?”  Nick eyed him.

 

“So, it twinges every now and again.”

 

“When was the last time you took your medicine?”

 

“How did you know I had any?”

 

Nick laughed.  “Were we raised by different mothers?”

 

Jarrod laughed, then grew sober.  “I ran out.”

 

Nick took his hat off the dresser, starting out the door. 

 

“Where are you going?  Nick, No carousing.  We’re leaving early in the morning.”

 

“I ain’t goin’ to the saloon.  I’m gonna go get you some more medicine.”

 

“The doctor’s office is closed Nick.”

 

“So, I’ll wake him up.”

 

“But…”

 

“But nothing.  You need a good night sleep and something for the trail ride.  I ain’t worried about the train.”

 

Jarrod knew Nick was determined, loving his brother even more for it.  “Thanks.”

 

The office was closed and dark, but after pounding long enough, the doctor opened the door. 

 

“I figured you’d be back.  I’ll get my bag.”  He hurried away.  Nick grabbed his arm.

 

“Whoa.  What do you mean you figured I’d be back?”

 

“Your brother needs me, right?”

 

“Well, kinda.  But it’s no emergency.”

 

“Oh.”  The doctor was troubled.  “Then what do you need?”

 

“My brother needs a bit more pain medicine for the ride home.”

 

“No.  I won’t give it to you.  He shouldn’t be riding.”

 

“What?  Why not?”

 

“He needs rest.”

 

“He traveled down here.  He just needs a little something to take the edge off.”

 

“I’m sorry.  He needs that pain.  Maybe, just maybe, if the pain gets bad enough, it’ll get through his stubborn hide.”

 

“Doc?  You got me confused.”

 

“I told you brother he needed to stay here.”

 

“But Jarrod’s fine.”

 

“Jarrod?  Oh.  I’m sorry.”

 

“You thought I was talkin’ about Heath?”

 

“Yes.  I…”

 

“He’s hurt worse then he let on?”

 

“Yes.  I think he may be bleeding inside.  I take it he said nothing.”

 

Nick was silent.  He wanted to be angry, but it was typical Heath.  “No.”

 

“Let me get you something for Jarrod.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Nick’s mind whirled.  He knew he didn’t stand a chance of convincing Heath they all needed to stay and there would be no leaving him alone.  What a mess.  The doctor’s return interrupted his thoughts.

 

“Here you go.  He can use the drops as needed.  A few extra drops tonight and he’ll have a good sound sleep before travel.”

 

“Ah, thanks.  Ah, Doc.  Just how worried should we be about Heath?”

 

“Very.  He has two badly broken ribs and there is tension in his belly.”

 

“So, riding could make it worse?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“How about in the wagon?”

 

“That might help.”

 

“He’s a stubborn man.  All he can think of is getting his daughter home to her ma.”

 

“That’s understandable, but it would be nice if he lived to see the reunion.”

 

Nick paid the doctor and went back to the room he shared with Jarrod.  He and Jarrod discussed the doctor’s words, debating plans. 

 

“It’s no use.  If Leah weren’t here… We could handle him.  Make him stay.”

 

“But with her here, he’ll insist on getting her home.  If we leave him here alone, I don’t think he’ll ever come home.”

 

“I suppose one of us could stay with him…”

 

“It wouldn’t work.  He won’t admit anything is wrong.”

 

“Maybe nothing is wrong.”

 

Jarrod glared at Nick.  “You just talked to the doctor.”

 

“Yeah, I know what he said.  But he don’t know Heath like we do.  Sure, Heath is stubborn, but he knows his own body and he knows pain…”

 

“OK, I’ll buy your logic.  Do we tell him we know?”

 

“I don’t think so.  We’ll just watch him closely.  Get him to drive the wagon with Leah.  It’ll help him in more ways then one.”

 

The journey home was uneventful.  Leah bounced back and forth between her uncles, father and the wagon.  They hadn’t convinced Heath to drive the wagon.  He had Charger and Jeb and Carl both needed to ride more he claimed.  Heath could feel his brothers’ eyes on him at all times.  It was annoying, but he expected no less from them.

He had to admit, to himself only; he didn’t feel well.  The pain from his ribs left him breathless at times.  As much as he enjoyed the times Leah insisted on being with him, it hurt even more to share the saddle with the little girl.  Evenings, when they made camp, she would clamor for his attention and insist on games of tag.  It wore on Heath even more.  Unfortunately for him, he was doing a good job of hiding it.

 

That first night in the hotel, with Leah snuggled into the crook of his arm sleeping; he had made a decision.  He was going to enjoy this journey home with his daughter; but once she was home with her mother, he would go.  He thought about what he had seen of his family so far.  They were doing fine.  He wasn’t needed.  He told himself over and over again, that it was for the best.  There were times on the journey that it felt so right being with them, he fought to keep his focus.  He would steal glances at Nick and Jarrod, capturing their images in his heart.  He had done the same before leaving the first time, but those images seemed to have paled, now that he saw the real thing. 

 

His agony was relived a bit, as they boarded the private car for the final legs of the trip home.  As on the journey out, he sunk into himself, sitting in the same corner, keeping to himself.

 

Nick was frustrated by Heath’s behavior.  He had hope at the beginning of the journey.  Heath had been relaxed, even bantering with them like old days.  The closer they were to Stockton, the more withdrawn Heath became.  Nick knew they needed to talk, but knowing what he did about Heath’s health, he hesitated.  Heath needed to rest, not fight.  Nick knew enough to know, there would be some angry words, perhaps even a fist or two in this discussion.  He waited, watched and bided his time.

 

It was Leah who informed them that she didn’t want everyone coming to the station when they arrived in Stockton.  Jarrod wired ahead and when they arrived, they hitched up the wagon and rode home. Leah insisted on riding with her father.  She chattered non-stop.

 

“Ain’t it jes the purtiest, Papa?  Didn’t cha miss it?”  Leah rambled on about everything she saw and the memories she connected with it.  Heath might have enjoyed these last moments with his daughter more, if her squirming excitement didn’t send waves of pain through him.  His breaths were increasingly more shallow and difficult to control.  At moments of extreme pain, he decided the decision was made.  Somewhere deep in the back of Heath’s heart, he knew he wasn’t going to make it.  Holding his daughter firmly to him, he regretted not heeding the doctor’s words.  Then again, it simplified things for everyone.

 

The Barkley women, normally elegant, calm and regal in all things paced anxiously across the parlor.  Although the tension had greatly diminished since receiving the wire that Leah was safe, Katy knew she wouldn’t be completely relaxed until her daughter was home in her arms.  She screamed with joy, waking the baby, when she heard the approaching wagon.  Victoria, Ellen and Audra followed her out the door as she ran to the riders. 

 

Leah leapt from her father into the waiting arms of her mother.  The force of impact causing both to fall to the ground.  They laughed, giggled and cried with joy.  As the rest of the family laughed, hugged and congratulated themselves, Heath nudged Charger away from the celebrations.  Katy saw him from the corner of her eye, running after him.

 

“Heath!  Heath!”

 

He reined in, waiting for her to catch up.  The rest of the family turned to watch them.

 

Katy was breathless as she caught up to him.  “Wait.  You can’t go now.”

 

Heath was barely in the saddle, wanting nothing more then to ride off alone.  “Katy…  I gotta…”

 

“No.  Stay.  Rest.  You look like you could use a good rest.”

 

“I could.  But not here.  She’s…”   Heath couldn’t finish his sentence.  His eyes rolled back in his head as he slipped from the saddle to land at Katy’s feet, unconscious.  Nick and Jarrod were already on their way. 

 

“Papa!” 

 

Twenty~

 

“Papa, Papa!”  Leah’s shrieking wasn’t helping anyone.

 

A hand was dispatched for the doctor and several men moved in to help carry Heath to the house.  Heath was oblivious to the world around him.  He had no memory of being carried up the stairs, or placed on his bed in his old room.  He didn’t feel his shirt and boots being removed or the cool clothes, which bathed his skin.  In his mind he was beginning the journey to hell, promised by Clummer so recently.  In the tiniest depths of his mind, he was at peace.  He had seen his daughter, wife and family and played a part in reuniting them.  There would be no need for the battle over his place in the family, no need for angry words or fists to fly.  They would have peace as well, experiencing his death.

 

Somehow, in this remote place in his soul knew they were trying to save him, willing him to stay with them.  Here, in this place, it was easy to fight them.  The spark that had long held him hostage was growing dim.  He would fail them as he had failed everyone in his life.  He had been doomed to walk alone since his birth; he would pay for even attempting to find a place in the world.  He would rest now, safe in the fires of hell, where the preacher always said he would.

 

“Come on, Love.  There’ll be no leavin’ me now.”  Katy held fast to his hand, willing her life force to him. 

 

Victoria sat quietly on the other side of the bed and Nick and Jarrod stood in the doorway, sending out silent prayers.  Audra and Ellen were doing all they could to attend to the children, while all along, wishing they were with the rest of the family.  Ellen had never spent any time with Heath, but she knew from her husband, that he was special.

 

“How could he travel like this?”  Katy was staring at the vicious bruise on his abdomen.  One didn’t need to be a doctor to know it was bad.

 

“We, ah…”  Nick tried to explain, but lost the words, his guilt overpowering him.

 

“Heath insisted he was fine.  We tried to watch him closely…”  Jarrod attempted to further explain.

 

Katy’s eyes grew dark with anger.  “You knew he was hurt?”

 

“Only by accident.  The doctor told me…”  Nick was stammering to try and find a justification.

 

“Katy, you know him as well as we do.  When he has got his mind set, there is no changing it.”  Jarrod appealed to her rational side, but he forgot about the fiery Irish passionate side.

 

“I KNOW THAT WHEN I TELL HIM TO DO SOMETHING HE DOES IT AND I LEARNED THAT FROM HIS BROTHERS!”

 

“That’s enough, Katy.”  Victoria had stayed quiet until now.

 

Silenced by her words, all present stared at the grand lady, so small, yet so powerful.

 

Katy immediately swallowed her words, as tears flooded her eyes.  “I’m sorry.”  She turned to Nick and Jarrod, eyes pleading for forgiveness.  Nick came to her side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

 

“It’s alright.  You’re right, ya know.  We should’ve…”

 

“No, Nicholas.  No apologies.”  Victoria’s wisdom was guiding them.  “This is a strange situation.  If you had pushed him then, he would have never come this far.  At least now we have a chance to remind him of our love…  How important he is to us…  How much we need him…” All bowed their heads at Victoria’s logic.  She was absolutely correct and each knew it.  Katy used her free hand to hold Nick’s as it rested on her shoulder.

 

“Little Brother is goin’ no where, Katy.  You can count on that.”  Nick squeezed her to reinforce his message.

 

“I counted on it once before…  It didn’t work.”

 

The room plunged into silence again as all waited for the doctor.  Dr. Howard Merar finally showed up.  It felt as if they had waited a lifetime.  With him was a new doctor, Adam Marters.  Stockton had long been in need of more physicians and Howard had been following this young man’s progress for years.

 

“What do we know?”  Marters went about setting out instruments, while Howard began a preliminary exam.

 

“He got beat up in Mesilla.  The doctor there wanted him to rest, but he wouldn’t.  Doc said he had broken ribs and tension in his belly.”

 

“I can see that, Nick.  I’m sure you tried to keep him still?”  Howard’s question was innocent, not having been privy to the prior conversation. 

 

“We watched him, but I guess we missed it.”  Jarrod’s comments were quiet.

 

Howard allowed a small chuckle as he checked Heath’s pulse.  “Like Heath has ever made it easy for us to know when something was wrong.”

 

Victoria was at once more at ease.  Howard Merar was more then just their doctor; he knew and cared about Heath as much as they did.  He would do whatever he could to save him. 

 

“Now, you all head out and leave us to our patient.”  It was Adam whose eye contact got them moving to the door.

 

“Can’t I stay?  I can help.”  Katy was desperate to stay with her husband.

 

“No, Katy.  Go be with your daughter.  She’ll no doubt be scared by all this.” 

 

Nick guided Katy to the door, following Jarrod out.  Victoria stalled.  “Howard?”

 

Howard Merar admired this woman enough to stop his work and look her in the eye.  “I don’t know Victoria.  It doesn’t look good.”

 

A small smile came to Victoria’s lips.  “You’ve said that before.”

 

“I know.  And each time I am happy to be wrong, but…”

 

“But, each time it is possible you will be right.”

 

He nodded.  She joined her family downstairs in the parlor. 

 

Later~

 

Leah stood in the archway to the parlor, watching the adults.  She had been upstairs with her cousins, but longed to be elsewhere.  She had slipping out of the room and now stood there waiting to be noticed.  She didn’t have to wait long.

 

“Leah?  Honey, do you need something?”  Katy had noticed her somber daughter.

 

“Papa?”  The word was quiet and full of sadness.

 

“Come here.”  Katy held out her arms and Leah rushed to them.  She was enveloped in arms of love and comfort, as she had been all her life.

 

Astonishing all present, Leah started to giggle.  Katy pulled back a bit and questioned her daughter.  “Leah?  What’s so funny?”

 

Leah stopped her giggle and tears formed in her eyes.  “Your arms are so much smaller, Mama.”

 

“Smaller?”

 

“Then Papa’s.  I felt I coulda got lost in papa’s arms.  I rode with him a lot.”

 

Katy forced a smile to her lips, despite the tears, which threatened to flow freely.  “Did you enjoy that?”

 

“I felt really safe, but…”  She paused, uncertain of whether or not to go on.

 

“But what?”

 

“Did I hurt him?”

 

“What?”  Katy was stunned, having no idea how to answer the innocent question.  It was Nick who saved her.

 

“Princess, no way.  You helped him.”

 

Leah turned to her uncle and eyed him suspiciously.  It hurt him; it was Heath’s eyes staring back at him.  “I did?  But I was pushing against his belly.  That’s where he hurts, ain’t it Mama?”  She nodded.

 

“Think about it, Princess.  You snuggled up next to him kept him nice and warm.  Why it was only after you left him that he started feeling poorly.”

 

Leah thought about his words, seeming to accept them.  “Is he gonna be alright?”

 

Katy was again at a loss for an answer to her daughter’s question.  She had never felt so lost.  “I hope so.”

 

“Me, too.”

 

Further questions were halted by the arrival of Howard Merar.

 

“Doc?”

 

Howard looked at Leah.  Katy asked her daughter to go and see if Silas needed anything.  She did as instructed.  As she passed Howard Merar, she stopped and hugged him tightly. “You’ve always made me feel better.  I know your gonna make Papa well.”  He was so overcome; he could say nothing.  He patted her head and sent her on her way.

 

When she had left, Victoria broke the tension.  “How is he?”

 

“Not good.  I might have more hope if he were in better shape, but it doesn’t look like the years have been too kind to him.  He is exhausted and undernourished.”

 

“How bad is the damage?”

 

“He was bleeding internally.  I think we got it all stopped, but…”

 

“But?”

 

“There is infection.”

 

“Infection?  But how?  He didn’t have any open wounds.”

 

“There was the knife wound.”  Jarrod looked at Nick. 

 

Nick stammered.  “It wasn’t deep…  and I cleaned it…”

 

“I can’t begin to tell you I understand exactly how the body works.  There is just too much we don’t understand.  It could be he wasn’t feeling well before the attack and the infection took advantage.  I just don’t know.”

 

Katy had been silent, taking it all in.  “What can we do?”

 

“Pray.”

 

“May I see him?

 

Everyone noticed her use of the word ‘I’, but said nothing.  “Certainly.”  Katy was on her feet and out of the room quickly.  “Adam is going back to town, but I will be staying.”

 

Victoria stood and took Howard’s arm.  “Thank you.”  Their eyes met in understanding.

 

Katy replaced Dr. Marters at Heath’s side, taking his hand and holding it to her heart.  She leaned in and whispered in his ear.  “I don’t care what else happens, Heath Barkley, but you ARE going to live.  Even if you feel you have to leave again, I don’t care.  You must live.  My strength comes from yours, near or far.”

 

Heath’s fever raged.  He was never alone; his family was continually at his side battling for his life, even if he didn’t.  A constant barrage of cool water tinged with alcohol was applied to forehead, chest, arms and legs.  They were careful to avoid the bandaged midsection, which was frequently changed due to the draining infection.  What scared the family most was the stillness.  Not only were the children and adults in the house subdued, but Heath lay unmoving.  Despite the high fever, normally bringing delirium, he lay motionless.  This frightened them more then anything else.  Heath was too mired in darkness.

 

Three days had passed and still there was no change.

 

“It’s a good sign, Brother Nick.” 

 

“What do you say that, Jarrod?”

 

“Somewhere, deep inside, he hasn’t given up.”

 

“I supposed you could be right.”

 

“He is.”  Both men turned to look at Katy.  They had pried her away from Heath’s side hours before, convincing her that Leah needed her as well. 

 

“Kate…  You need more rest.”  Jarrod was equally concerned about her, yet secretly admiring her strength.

 

“I’m fine.  I was resting and I had an idea.”

 

“What’s that?”  Nick asked as he rose from the chair and was replaced by Katy.

 

“Leah’s coming.’

 

“It may scare her.”

 

“We already talked about it.  She understands.  She’s going to take a little nap with him.”

 

The brothers dared not say anything.  Presently, Leah appeared timidly in the doorway.  “Mama?”

 

“Come on in, Honey.  See, It’s like I told you.  Papa is sleeping very soundly.”

 

Leah came to her mother and sat on her lap.  “I’m not gonna hurt him?”

 

“No.  He will enjoy knowing you are near.” 

 

Leah reached out, placing her hand with her parents.  Nick and Jarrod watched, soon joined by Victoria.  After a few minutes, Leah stood and went around to the other side of the bed.  She climbed up, being very careful not to bounce much.  She pulled the now warm towel off his arm, dragging his arm around her as she stretched out next to him.   She curled up in his arm at his side and began chatting with him.

 

“I thought I didn’t like naps.  I’m too big, but I figure I kinda liked our nap before…  Maybe you did too, so how about we try again.  Uncle Nick says I helped you stay warm on the way home.  You’re kinda warm now, but maybe I can still help..”

 

Tears again threatened to overwhelm Katy, but she held firm, watching her daughter reach out to her husband.  They all knew, if anyone would get through, it would be Leah.