"You ready to go to work?" he asked.

Jarrod didn’t answer. He just looked at the ground.

"I asked you a question boy," Dace said. "You answer me or else."

Again Jarrod didn’t answer. Dace grabbed the front of the boy’s shirt. He looked right in the boy’s eyes.

"All right," Dace said. "Since you won’t answer me, I’ll fix it so you won’t speak at all."

Jarrod swallowed. He knew he had angered the man. Dace pulled back his fist and punched the boy hard in the mouth. Jarrod closed his eyes to the pain coming from his mouth, while tasting the blood from his bleeding lip. He looked at Dace with pained blue eyes. He tried to speak but nothing would come out.

"Now," Dace asked, "you gonna listen?"

Jarrod nodded still unable to get a sound to come out of his mouth.

"Good," Dace said. "I’ll cut you loose and you get out there and bring in two buckets of water. Then you get that wood and stack it in the house. You understand?"

Again Jarrod nodded. When he was untied, he walked as easily as he could on his injured ankle. He managed to get the water into the house. He went back outside to the woodpile. As he was carrying a load of wood inside, he stumbled falling down and the wood went flying across the room. Dace grabbed Jarrod up by his collar and pulled him to the barn. Jarrod tried to fight him but he was just too weak from lack of food and water. Dace tied him to the stall wall. He whipped the boy over and over again. Jarrod wanted to scream but he couldn’t. He just let silent tears flow down his face. Blood was trickled from the wounds on his blistered back. His shirt was in tatters by the time Dace stopped. The boy cringed with each snap of the belt. Jeb walked out to see what was going on.

"Dace," he said stopping in front of his brother, "stop it. You’ll kill him."

"All right," Dace replied. "I think he’s learned his lesson."

Dace left the barn and Jeb untied Jarrod. He eased him to the floor in a sitting position.

"Hang on a minute boy," he said. "I’ll get you a fresh shirt. Yours is in shreds. It will be a little big."

Jeb walked into the house, retrieved a shirt from the stack in the bedroom and went back to the barn. He helped Jarrod change and rolled up the sleeves so he could use his hands. Jarrod looked up at Jeb with tears still coming down his face and nodded at him. Jeb also had a cup of water. He held it out to Jarrod who took it and drank.

"Listen boy," he said, "you’ve got to quit antagonizing Dace. He’ll hurt you bad if you don’t."

Jarrod nodded understanding that Jeb was trying to help him. He wiped away the tears. Jeb helped him stand and then helped him walk into the house.

"Boy," Jeb said as they walked toward the house, "it looks like you have a sprained ankle and not a broken one. You need to stay off of it but with Dace around, I know that’s impossible."

Dace was waiting when they walked in.

"Helping him won’t stop me from getting even with his father," Dace said. "I want his father to pay for what he did to me."

"Dace," Jeb replied, "killing the boy won’t help. You need to keep him alive. It’s a murder wrap if he dies. And besides he can’t go anywhere. He’s sprained his ankle."

"Yeah," Dace told him. "I know. But this boy is going to do what he is told."

"He will Dace," Jeb said. "I know he will. Won’t you boy?"

Jarrod nodded. Dace walked over to him and looked at the boy. Jarrod shivered despite it being a warm day. Dace shoved him into the corner.

"Sit down there and don’t move until I decide what I want you to do," he said.

Jarrod sat down and just looked at the two brothers. He tried to let his ankle rest. He was still in a lot of pain from the ankle. His mouth was still sore so he leaned his head against the wall and let his tired eyes close.

"We’ll find him," he said.

"Father," Nick asked, "please let me go with you? He’s my brother."

"No son," Tom answered. "I want you to stay here with your mother."

"All right," Nick said. "Father, Jarrod has someone helping him. Someone is taking care of him. The other one is still hurting him because I can feel it."

"Thank you son," Tom replied.

Tom mounted up and the group rode off. Victoria and Nick watched them go. Then she ushered him into the house. Nick was crying and Victoria held him close.

"Nick," she said, "your father will find Jarrod. Try not to worry."

"I can’t help it mother," he replied. "Jarrod needs me. He is hurt and he keeps calling for me. It’s all my fault."

"You can help him by staying here with me," she told him. "I need your help."

"All right mother," he said.

But Victoria knew from her own fears that Jarrod was probably hurt badly if he wasn’t already dead. She prayed for the safe return of her son.

The group of men scoured the countryside searching for any sign of the Barkley boy. Tom and Harry rode together both lost in their own thoughts.

"Harry," Tom said, "I know you think the world of Jarrod. I appreciate you coming along to try and help find him."

"Wild horses couldn’t keep me away," Harry replied. "I think the world of that boy. He is a special young man."

"Thanks Harry," Tom told him. "I should never have left the boys alone yesterday. I should have suspected that Jones would try to get even with me. I just never dreamed that he would take my boy."

"Tom," Harry said, "don’t blame yourself. You didn’t have any idea that Dace Jones was that vindictive. But he is. And I fear for that boy’s life. Dace would just as soon kill him as look at him."

"I know," Tom replied. "But Nick keeps telling us that Jarrod is still alive but he’s hurt."

"How does he know?" Harry asked.

"Those two have always known when the other one is in trouble or hurt," Tom answered. "Nick senses that Jarrod is still alive but he believes he is hurt and I believe him. We have to find him."

"I know," Harry said. "We will Tom."

The group searched all day. By dark, they had decided to look again the next day. Tom rode back to the ranch where Victoria and Nick met him as he rode up.

"Did you find him?" she asked.

"Not a sign," Tom answered. "We’re going back out tomorrow. I don’t know where they are hiding but I’ll find them."

"Tom," she said, "Nick says that Jarrod is still alive but he is hurt bad."

"I remember from this morning," Tom replied. "Nick, don’t worry. I’ll find your brother."

"I know you will father," Nick told him. "But will you find him in time."

"What do you mean?" Tom asked him.

"Jarrod is being punished everyday," Nick answered. "I don’t know how much longer he can take it. I feel that he has been beaten and he can’t talk."

"Can’t talk?" Victoria asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "Something is wrong with his neck."

"Oh Tom," she said. "We have to rescue our son."

"We are," Tom replied. "I intend to search every inch of this valley if I have to. I don’t intend to let Jones get away with this either."

"I know you don’t," she told him. "Do you want a sandwich?"
"No," Tom said. "I’m not very hungry."

"You have to eat something," she replied.

"Not now," he told her. "Maybe later."

Tom walked into the house. He went to their bedroom where he laid down on the bed. As his eyes closed, he thought about his young son.

"Lord," he said, "please help me find my son. And let him be all right. Amen."

Tom let his tired blue eyes close and he slept. Victoria checked on him a couple of hours later. He was still asleep. She walked into Nick’s room. He wasn’t there. She became momentarily concerned until she realized where he was. She walked into Jarrod’s room where she found Nick sitting on his brother’s bed holding Jarrod’s favorite book. He looked up when she walked in.

"Sweetheart," she said, "it’s time to go to bed."

"Mother," he asked, "can I sleep in here. I feel closer to Jarrod here. I miss him so much. I want him to come home."

"Of course," she answered. "You put on your nightshirt and I’ll tuck you in."

"Can I wear one of Jarrod’s?" he asked.

"It will be big on you," she said.

"I don’t care," he replied. "I want to be close to him."

"All right," she told him.

Nick changed and laid down in Jarrod’s bed. He began to cry as he thought about his brother. Victoria comforted him until he finally fell asleep. She left the room and went to her bedroom. Tom was still asleep when she walked inside. She changed her clothes and laid down beside her husband. She thought about Jarrod. He was out there somewhere all alone. He was probably scared. She prayed that he would be found and soon. She drifted off to sleep.

"Going somewhere boy?" Dace asked.

Jarrod shook his head but he knew he was in trouble. Dace grabbed him by his right arm and pulled him over to the stall. He looked at the boy trying to decide what to do to him. He smiled that devilish smile. Jarrod was terrified.

"Since you tried to run away," Dace said, "I’ll have to punish you."

He tied Jarrod to the stall. The boy was made to sit down and his arms were tied to the top of the stall. There was an enormous strain on his shoulders and arms. Dace walked over to him and put his weight on Jarrod’s sprained ankle by standing on it. The boy cried out as the pain radiated from his injured ankle.

"Please," he begged but his voice was no more than a gasp.

Dace then tied another rope around Jarrod’s neck and then tied the other end to the stall. Jarrod’s air was cut off and he was gasping. Dace smiled at the torment the boy was going through.

"That’ll teach you not to run away," he said and walked back into the house.

Jarrod sat there in agony from being tied. His air was still being cut off and he knew that he would be dead in a few minutes if he couldn’t get free. He tried to free himself but he was tied securely. A few minutes later, Jeb walked into the barn. He had seen Dace leave the house and wanted to see what was going on. When he saw how Jarrod had been tied, he rushed over to the boy.

"Take it easy," he said. "I’ll untie the rope from around your neck."

Jeb released the rope from around Jarrod’s neck and he breathed a good, deep breath. He looked up at Jeb.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"You’re welcome," Jeb told him.

Jeb left Jarrod tied.

"Look," he said, "if I untie you, Dace will beat me up. He can be real mean especially if you rile him. I’ll bring you something to eat later. Just take it easy and try to rest."

"Thank you," he whispered.

"You’re welcome boy," Jeb answered.

"I want to go home," Jarrod murmured. "Please let me go home."

"I’ll try to convince Dace to let you go," Jeb said. "But he can be stubborn sometimes. I’ll be back in the morning."

Jarrod nodded as Jeb walked back inside the house. Jarrod closed his eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.

"Jarrod," he said, "I miss you so much. I promise that I will find you. Hang on son."

Victoria was inside trying to fix breakfast. She was also crying thinking about her son who was gone.

"Honey," she said, "we’ll find you. I love you."

Nick walked in and looked up at his mother.

"Mother," he asked, "are you all right?"

"I’m fine Nick," she answered.

"I know you miss Jarrod," he said. "I miss him to. Father will find him. He’s still alive but he is hurt."

"I know your father will find him sweetheart," she replied. "He doesn’t know where to look. The men searched most of the area yesterday. Where ever Jarrod is, he is being hidden from your father."

"Father is a great tracker," Nick told her. "He will find him. And he will get the man responsible for hurting Jarrod."

"I don’t doubt that Nick," she said. "Your father is very angry at Dace Jones. I just hope he doesn’t kill him."

"Father won’t," Nick replied. "He’s a good man who lives by the law."

"Yes he is," she told him. "But where his family is concerned, sometimes he doesn’t think that way. He wants the man responsible for your brother’s disappearance caught. And he plans on being the one to catch him. I just pray that he doesn’t do anything he will regret."

"Don’t worry mother," Nick said hugging his mother.

"Thank you sweetheart," she replied returning the hug. "You are a very sweet boy and I love you very much."

"I better get to my chores," he told her heading out the door.

When Nick walked into the barn, he saw his father sitting and crying. He slowly walked over to him and put his arms around him.

"You’ll find him father," Nick said.

Tom raised his head and looked over at his young son. He smiled at him.

"Thank you for the encouragement son," Tom said. "You have a lot of faith in me."

"You’re the best father," Nick replied. "If anyone can find Jarrod, it’s you."

"I don’t know any more," Tom told him. "It’s been two days and no sign of your brother. I don’t know where to look."

"Maybe I can help," Nick said. "I’ve been seeing something when I’m asleep."

"What?" Tom asked his curiosity peeked.

"I see an old shack or one room cabin somewhere in the woods," Nick answered. "It has a barn with a stall where Jarrod has been tied on several occasions."

"Do you have any idea where this cabin is?" Tom asked his son.

"No," Nick answered. "But maybe if you talk to the sheriff he will know."

"All right," Tom said. "Come on. I want you to go with me. You might be able to give me more clues."

"Yes father," Nick replied.

Tom and Nick walked into the house.

"Victoria," Tom said, "I’m taking Nick to Stockton with me. He remembers the place where Jarrod is. He just doesn’t know where it is located. We’re going to talk with Harry to see if he might be able to figure it out from Nick’s description."

"All right Tom," she replied. "Please be careful."

"We will," he told her.

Tom and Nick went to the barn, saddled two horses and rode to Stockton to see Harry.

Dace looked down at the Barkley boy. He smiled his evil smile. He untied Jarrod and pulled him roughly to his feet.

"This is your last day with us," he said. "We’re going to be leaving this afternoon. But you won’t be accompanying us. I will leave you here."

Jarrod just looked at him not sure what he meant.

"Oh by the way," he said, "you won’t be killed but you will wish you had been when I’m through with you. You see. I want your father to remember what I do to you. It’s his fault you are here. If he had minded his own business, you would be fine."

Dace pulled Jarrod toward the house. Once inside, Dace shoved him over to Jeb.

"Jeb," he said, "we’re pulling out. Give him something to eat and then get the horses ready. I’ll tie the boy and leave him in the barn. I won’t kill him."

"All right Dace," Jeb replied. "Sit down boy."

Dace went to the bedroom. He knew what he was going to do to Jarrod. He would leave him tied but he would mark him so that his father would remember who had hurt his son.

Jeb fixed Jarrod some food and the boy ate it all.

"I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you," Jeb said. "If I had known what Dace had intended to do, I would have tried to stop him before he grabbed you. But you’ll be all right and your family will find you."

Jarrod looked up at him but he knew he wouldn’t live much longer. He wished he could thank Jeb for everything he had done for him but he knew that if he did he would tell Jeb that he feared Dace was going to kill him someway.

Finally, Dace walked out of the bedroom. He grabbed Jarrod by the collar of his shirt and pulled him out to the barn. Jeb had the horses out front and he was fixing some food for the trip. He had no idea what Dace was doing in the barn. Dace tied Jarrod to the stall. Then he looked at him and did what he said he would do. He walked out of the barn. The two men mounted up and rode off.

"You did leave the boy tied didn’t you Dace?" Jeb asked as they rode. "I mean you didn’t kill him."

"No," Dace answered. "I didn’t kill that boy."

"Tom," he said as he stood up. "Nick. What brings you to town?"

"Harry," Tom replied. "Nick can describe the building where Jarrod is being held. But he has no idea where it is."

"Maybe I can help," Harry told them. "Nick tell me what you know."

"It’s a one room shack or cabin with a barn," Nick said. "It’s in a wooded area. There is a stream nearby. The barn is old."

Harry began to study in his mind where he had seen a place like that. Finally, it dawned on him.

"Tom," he said, "I think I know where Nick is talking about. There is a wooded area with an old shack and barn six miles east of Stockton. It belonged to an old trapper who died several years ago. It’s been abandoned since."

"Let’s go," Tom replied. "If Jarrod is being held there, we need to get to him."

"Hold on Tom," Harry told him. "Do you want to take Nick?"

Tom looked down at his son.

"Yes," he said. "Nick can tell if it’s the same as what he saw in his dream."

"All right," Harry replied. "Let’s mount up."

The three of them left the office, mounted their horses and rode off. An hour later they arrived at the shack. Nick looked at it and the barn.

"This is the place," he said. "I remember that stream."

"All right," Tom replied. "Nick, you stay here with the horses. Harry and I will go in and find Jarrod."

"Yes father," Nick told him.

Tom and Harry eased their way toward the shack with their guns drawn. Harry broke the door down with his foot and they entered. They looked around but didn’t find anything.

"He’s not here," Tom said. "He has to be in the barn."

"Yeah," Harry agreed.

The two of them left the shack and walked to the barn. When they entered, Tom saw something tied to the stall wall. When he got closer, he realized it was Jarrod. He rushed to his son’s side and that’s when he saw it. He closed his eyes at the sight. Harry was right behind him. He cringed when he saw it too. Jarrod was tied to the stall. But what had stopped both Harry and Tom was the noose around the boy’s neck that had been thrown over one of the overhead beams. Jarrod had been hanged. Tom rushed to him and eased him to the ground. He removed the noose from around his throat. He felt for a pulse and found a faint one. Jarrod was still alive but barely.

"Nick!" Tom called. "Nick!"

Nick appeared in the doorway. When he saw Jarrod, he ran to him. Tom caught him before he reached his brother.

"Nick," Tom said, "listen carefully. Jarrod has been hanged. He’s barely alive. Can you ride to town and bring Dr. Merrar here? I need to stay with Jarrod and Harry is going to see if he can pick up their trail."

"Yes father," Nick replied. "Jarrod was hanged by the neck?"

"Yes," Tom told him. "He’s hurt very badly. I need to get help."

"I’ll be back as soon as I can," Nick said running out of the barn.

"Harry," Tom replied turning to look at Harry, "I want Dace Jones. He will pay for what he did to my son."

"I know how you feel Tom," Harry told him. "But right now you need to concern yourself with Jarrod."

"I am," Tom said angrily.

He took off his jacket and put it under the boy’s head. He began to check Jarrod to see what other injuries he had.

Harry walked out of the barn and began to look for tracks. He knew Tom needed to be alone with his son. But Harry had a feeling that the boy wouldn’t live out the day. He believed that Jarrod was injured too badly to survive but he hoped he was wrong.

Tom found out that Jarrod’s left ankle was badly swollen and surmised that it had probably been sprained because he could see the swelling through the boy’s boot. Tom made Jarrod as comfortable as he could until the doctor arrived. The boy was unconscious and Tom felt that if Jarrod were awake he would be in enormous pain. Tom had a bad feeling too. He was afraid that Jarrod would be dead before Nick could get back with the doctor but he continued to hope that Jarrod would make it.

"I promise you son I will get the man responsible and I will kill him," Tom said out loud.

He stayed beside of Jarrod and waited.

"Doc," Nick said slightly out of breath, "we found Jarrod. Father wants you to come at once."

"Let me get my bag," he replied.

The doctor disappeared into the back room and came back out a few minutes later carrying his bag. The two of them left the office. Merrar went to the livery and had his buggy hitched up. Nick tied his horse to the back and told him how to get to where Jarrod and Tom were.

"How far away is it?" the doctor asked.

"About six miles," Nick answered. "Doc, you can help Jarrod can’t you?"

"I’ll do my best," he said. "Nick, I know you are very worried but Jarrod is young and he is a healthy boy."

"I hope he’ll be all right," Nick replied. "He didn’t look good in the barn."

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Finally, they arrived and the doctor hurried into the barn.

"Thank goodness doc," Tom said. "He’s barely breathing. He was hanged."

"I know Tom," the doctor replied. "Nick told me. Let me examine him and see what we’ve got."

He went to work on Jarrod. Tom stood up and stepped back out of the way. Nick walked up to stand beside of his father. Tom put his hand on his son’s shoulder. Nick looked up at him with tears in his hazel eyes.

"Nick," Tom said, "the doctor will do everything he can to help Jarrod."

"I know father," Nick replied. "But he’s so still."

The doctor looked up at Tom.

"His neck is not permanently damaged," he said. "It’s lucky you got here when you did. Another few minutes and Jarrod would have died."

"How is he doc?" Tom asked with worry.

"Jarrod is suffering from an injury to his neck but its not a real bad one," he answered. "He has sprained shoulders, a blistered back and a badly sprained ankle."

"A blistered back?" Tom asked.

"Yes," the doctor answered rolling Jarrod over on his side gently to let Tom see the boy’s back.

Tom had to look away at the sight of his son’s badly injured back.

"Why?" he asked. "Why did he have to do this?"

"My guess is that he wanted you to remember who did it," the doctor answered. "He wanted you to see him when you looked at Jarrod."

"He’s got his wish," Tom said angrily. "I want him. I want to kill him."

"Tom," the doctor replied, "your son needs you right now. He’s starting to come around."

Tom kneeled down next to Jarrod. The boy began to moan as he woke up. When Jarrod finally opened his eyes, he saw Tom. He smiled at his son.

"Jarrod," he said, "it’s all right. We’re going to take you home."

"Father," Jarrod rasped, "where is he? He’s going to kill me."

"No," he replied. "You’re safe now. The man is gone."

"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked still scared.

"Yes son," Tom answered. "You just take it easy and rest."

Jarrod’s eyes closed and Tom looked at the doctor.

"He’s asleep," he said. "It’s better this way. I want to get him to the ranch before I treat any of his injuries. Tom, I want you to ride with me in the buggy and hold him."

"All right doc," Tom replied. "Nick, you bring my horse."

"Yes father," Nick told him going outside to get his father’s horse.

Tom appeared a few minutes later carrying the still form of his oldest son. The doctor was the last one out of the barn. They climbed into the buggy and headed for the Barkley Ranch.

"Father," he rasped, "where are we?"

"We’re going home son," Tom answered. "We’re going home to see your mother."

"Mother," Jarrod whispered. "I miss her so much."

"I know you have had a very rough time," he said. "But as soon as the doctor fixes you up, everything will be fine."

"No it won’t," Jarrod replied. "He’ll come back and this time he’ll kill me. I know he will."

"Son," he told Jarrod, "calm down. Dace Jones is a long way from here. He thinks you are dead."

"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," Tom answered. "I will protect you and Nick."

"Thank you father," Jarrod said. "My back is beginning to bother me."

"The doctor will fix you up as soon as we get to the ranch," he replied. "You just rest."

Jarrod tried to smile but instead his eyes eased closed. Tom held his son close and made a promise to him.

"Nothing is going to happen to you son," he said. "I promise."

They arrived at the ranch and Victoria rushed out of the house. She hurried over to the buggy.

"Tom," she asked, "how is he?"

"He’s going to be all right," he answered. "But the doctor needs to fix him up. I need to talk to you."

"What’s wrong Tom?" she asked concerned.

"Let me get him settled in his room," he answered, "and then I’ll talk to you."

Tom gently carried his son into the house. He laid him down on his bed where Victoria removed his boots, pants and shirt. She left him in his long underwear. The doctor moved over to the bed and went to work on Jarrod’s injuries. Tom drew Victoria away from the bed. He looked into her face.

"Jarrod was hanged," he said.

She just starred at him for a moment before his words sank in. Then she looked over at her son.

"Hanged like with a noose?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "But he’s going to be fine. Another thing, he was whipped like a dog. Jones wanted me to remember what he did to my son."

"Oh Tom," she said. "My poor baby."

"He’s not a baby anymore," he replied. "He proved that he was a man by surviving the last two days. A lot of men wouldn’t have handled this situation as well as Jarrod did. I’m very proud of him."

"You’re right," she told him. "I can’t believe that he was put through all that just because he and Nick wanted to have a little fun."

"Yes," he said. "I know what you mean."

"Your son is a lucky boy," the doctor replied. "He could easily have been killed but he wasn’t. I believe the man wanted him to live. And remember what was done to him. He wanted you to remember too every time you looked at him."

"I won’t be able to forget what I saw when I walked into that barn," Tom told them. "Nick is the hero. He’s the one who figured out where Jarrod was. He is the one who saved Jarrod."

"Where is Nick?" she asked.

"Putting up the horses," he answered.

At that moment the door opened and Nick walked in. He walked into Jarrod’s room and looked up at his parents.

"How is he?" Nick asked.

"The doctor is working on him," Tom answered.

"The doctor is finished," Merrar said. "I’ll leave two bottles of medicine. One is for pain. Give him one spoonful every four hours. The other one is for infection and to help him rest. His back is pretty red and I don’t want to take any chances. Give him one spoonful every four hours as well. Keep him in bed for a couple of days. Then let him put weight on that ankle. I want to see if there is any ligament damage. One more thing. Rub this cream on his back every night and it should start to heal in a couple of days."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied.

"You’re welcome," the doctor told him. "I’ll be by some time tomorrow to see how he’s doing."

The doctor left and the family went to the bed. Victoria sat down beside of Jarrod gently stroking his hair.

"Honey," she said, "you rest. Mother and father are right here."

"That’s right son," he replied. "If you need anything, we’re right here."

"Jarrod," Nick told him, "I’ve missed you. I can’t wait until you’re feeling better so we can play."

"Nick," Tom asked looking over at his youngest son, "will you do us a favor?"

"If I can father," he answered.

"Would you sleep with Jarrod tonight?" Tom asked. "I think he would rest better knowing that you were with him. After what he’s had to endure, I don’t want to leave him in here all alone."

"Sure father," Nick answered. "I would love to."

"Good," Tom said. "You go get changed and we’ll tuck you in."

"Yes father," Nick replied walking out of the room.

Tom looked at his sleeping son and then over at his wife.

"I think it would be better this way," he said.

"You don’t have to convince me," she replied. "I don’t think he should be left alone either."

Nick walked in and climbed in bed beside of Jarrod. Tom and Victoria tucked him in.

"We’ll come by about midnight and give Jarrod his medicine," Tom said. "Thanks son."

"You’re welcome father," Nick replied. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight son," Tom told him.

"Goodnight sweetheart," Victoria said as she kissed him.

They left the room walking into the living room. They both sat down on the couch and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Our boy is home and he’s safe," Tom said.

"Yes he is," Victoria replied. "Tom, do you think Jones will come here?"

"I don’t know," Tom told her. "He could. But I don’t think it’s likely. He would want to get away from here."

"I hope so," she said.

Right before Tom and Victoria retired for the night, she gave Jarrod his medicine. He barely opened his eyes and then he went back to sleep. She covered him up and then went to their bedroom.

"Did you get him settled?" Tom asked as she walked inside.

"Yes," she answered. "He barely woke up."

"I hope he is able to sleep all night," Tom said.

"I’m sure he will," she replied.

The two of them went to bed.

"Good morning father," Nick said.

"Hello son," Tom replied. "Is Jarrod still asleep?"

"Yes," Nick told him. "He hasn’t moved all night."

"Good," Tom said. "He needs the rest."

"Father," Nick asked, "do you think that man will come back?"

"What man son? Tom wanted to know.

"The man who hurt Jarrod," Nick answered.

"I don’t think so," Tom said. "He will probably want to get as far away from here as he can."

"I guess you’re right," Nick replied. "He knows you’ll beat him up if he tries to hurt Jarrod again."

"Yes that’s right Nick," Tom told him.

But Tom was worried about Dace Jones trying to get to his son. He knew that if Jones knew Jarrod was alive, he would probably come back to finish the job. He didn’t want to worry his youngest son or his wife.

"Father," Nick asked, "are you all right?"

"Yes," Tom answered. "I was just thinking. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll go ahead and let you eat. Then you can head out to the barn and do your chores."

"Yes father," Nick said and sat down at the table.

Victoria walked in. She looked at her husband and then at her youngest son.

"Where’s Jarrod?" she asked.

"He’s still asleep," Nick answered.

"He needs the rest," she said. "I’ll go check on him."

She walked to Jarrod’s room. But before she reached the door, she heard crying coming from inside. She opened the door and looked inside. Jarrod was lying on his bed crying. She walked over to him.

"Honey," she asked sitting down on the bed, "what’s wrong?"

"I don’t feel well," Jarrod answered. "My head is hot."

Victoria felt Jarrod’s forehead.

"You do feel a little bit warm," she said. "Do you hurt anywhere?"

Jarrod thought about the question before he answered.

"I don’t think so," he said. "I just don’t feel very well."

"All right," she replied. "The doctor is due here any time. Can you wait until he gets here?"

"I can try," he told her still crying. "Mother."

"Yes," she said.

"Will you hold me?" he asked holding out his arms to her.

"Certainly," she answered pulling him up and over into her lap.

Jarrod laid his head on his mother’s shoulder and she held him tightly. He finally closed his eyes and drifted off again. She talked quietly to him and rocked him on the bed. Tom walked in.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. "I was getting worried when you didn’t come back out."

"Jarrod’s running a slight fever," she answered. "He was crying when I walked in so I’m holding him as he requested. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. But I wish the doctor would come on."

"He rode up a few minutes ago," Tom said. "He’s outside. Shall I send him in?"

"Yes," she replied.

The doctor walked in the room. Victoria eased Jarrod back down on the bed.

"He seems to be running a slight fever doctor," she said. "He said that nothing was hurting."

"I’ll examine him," he replied, "and we’ll see what’s going on."

The doctor examined Jarrod. When he finally looked up at Tom and Victoria, he nodded his head.

"He is running a fever of about 100," he said. "His back has begun to heal but his ankle is still very painful. I’m afraid that is where the infection is coming from. I am very worried that because he was forced to walk on that ankle after it was sprained that ligament damage might have occurred. I won’t know for sure until I let him stand on it. But in his current condition that is impossible right now. I don’t want him to put any weight on that ankle for at least a couple more days. Then we will see what we have."

"What about the fever?" Victoria asked.

"I’ll give him something for it," the doctor answered. "And something for the pain and also to help him rest. Right now rest is the best medicine."

"All right," Tom said.

The doctor gave Jarrod some medicine and he drifted off to sleep.

"He’s still very upset about everything," she said.

"I know," the doctor replied. "He is going to heal physically but he will have a hard time healing emotionally and mentally. It will take time."

"Doc," Tom told him, "I’m worried about the man who kidnapped him returning."

"Harry mentioned that earlier," the doctor said. "He’s coming out here to talk to you about protection for Jarrod as well as Nick."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied. "That’s a relief. I haven’t had a chance to speak to Harry since we found Jarrod yesterday. He went looking for any sign of what direction the Jones went."

"He should be out shortly," the doctor told him. "He wanted to know how Jarrod was. He seemed genuinely worried."

"He’s been a good friend and mentor to our son," Tom said. "I couldn’t have asked for a nicer person for my son to look up to."

"Jarrod should sleep most of the day," the doctor replied. "Don’t let me stand on that ankle for at least two more days. If the fever doesn’t go down by tomorrow, come get me and I will give him something stronger."

"All right doctor," she told him. "What about getting Jarrod to eat?"

"If he wants to start eating, I see no problem with it," the doctor said. "But he will have to make the decision. Right now, he needs plenty of rest and quiet."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied.

"I’ll be by again in the morning," the doctor told them. "If you need men before then, just come and get me."

"We will," Victoria said.

The doctor left.

"Oh!" he cried. "That hurts."

Tom and Victoria both heard him and came rushing into his room. Jarrod was sitting in the floor clutching his ankle in his hands.

"Honey," Victoria said as she squatted down beside of him, "are you all right?"

"Yes," he replied. "I tried to stand and my ankle gave out on me."

"You’re not supposed to put any weight on it for the next few days," Tom told him. "Here, let me help you up."

Tom reached over and scooped his son up in his arms. Then he sat him down on the bed. Jarrod looked up at his parents.

"I’m sorry," he said. "I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. I wanted to get up and I fell."

"It’s all right honey," she replied. "But from now on, when you want to get up let us know and we’ll help you."

"Yes ma’am," he told them. "Can I have something to eat? I’m starved."

"Yes you can," she said smiling. "I’ll fix you a good supper. Tom, you carry Jarrod to the couch in the living room while I fix him something to eat."

"All right," Tom replied also smiling. "How do you feel son?"

"I’m still sore and I’m still scared that he will come back to get me," he told him. "But other than that, I guess I’ll do."

"Son," Tom said as he carried his son to the couch, "that man is long gone. He won’t ever come back and hurt you."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

There was a knock at the door. Tom sat Jarrod down on the couch and opened the door. The visitor didn’t surprise him.

"Harry," Tom said as the sheriff stood there, "the doctor mentioned you would be stopping by."

"I’m sorry I’m so late getting here," Harry replied. "But I’ve been wiring sheriffs and marshals all over the state to keep a sharp eye out for Dace Jones and his brother."

"Sir," Jarrod told him, "Jeb is a good man. He tried to help me. If it hadn’t been for him, I would already be dead."

"All right son," Tom said. "Harry won’t hurt Jeb. Come on in Harry."

"Thanks Tom," he replied walking into the room. "How are you feeling young man?"

"Better," Jarrod told him. "I’m still a bit woozy from the medicine and my ankle is still bothering me but I’ll make it."

"Good," Harry said smiling. "I wanted to bring you something while you’re laid up. Here."

He handed Jarrod a book. Jarrod opened the book and smiled up at Harry.

"Thank you sir," he said. "I really appreciate this."

"It’s the least I could do," Harry replied. "I wasn’t sure the last time I saw you whether you would be here or not. When I saw you hanging in that barn, the thought went through my mind that you would be dead in a few hours. But I’m so glad I was wrong."

"Me too," Jarrod told him. "I wasn’t sure myself. But I’m doing a lot better."

"I’m so glad," Harry said smiling. "Tom, I wonder if I can speak to you on the porch."

"Sure," Tom replied walking out onto the porch with Harry.

"Tom," Harry told him, "Dace Jones is wanted for cold-blooded murder. He killed an old trapper last fall near Modesto and fled before he could be tried. I know he will not hesitate to kill Jarrod if given a chance."

"You’re right," Tom said. "But I don’t think he’ll come here. He knows that I can identify him as well as Jarrod. He’ll probably stick to back roads."

"I hope so," Harry replied. "I just wanted you to be aware of what I had dug up."

"Thanks," Tom told him as Harry mounted his horse and rode away.

Tom walked back into the house.

"What did he say father?" Jarrod asked. "I need to know."

"Nothing son," Tom answered. "He just wanted to tell me that there was no sign of him yet."

"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes son," Tom answered not wanting to worry his son.

"Jarrod," Victoria interrupted, "your food is ready."

"Thank you mother," Jarrod said. "Father, would you give me a hand?"

"Certainly," Tom replied picking his son up, carrying him over to the table and sitting him down in a chair.

Jarrod ate his food while Tom went into his bedroom.

"Honey," she said, "you go ahead and eat. I want to talk to your father."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

Victoria walked into the bedroom and closed the door. She looked at Tom.

"What did Harry say?" she asked.

"He said that Jones was wanted for murder," Tom answered. "He killed a trapper near Modesto last year."

"We have to protect Jarrod," she said.

"I will," he replied. "But he doesn’t need to know. It would only upset him and worry him."

"You’re right," she told him. "I better go check on him."

She walked back to the kitchen. Jarrod was just finishing up. He looked up at her and knew something was going on.

"Mother," he asked, "what’s wrong?"

"Nothing honey," she answered.

"I know there is something you’re not telling me," he said. "Please tell me what it is?"

"We’re not hiding a thing from you," she replied.

Tom walked out and looked at his wife and son. He knew that Jarrod suspected something was wrong but he made a promise to himself not to tell him.

"Since you’re not going to tell me what you learned about Jones, can I go to my room?" he asked. "I’m not feeling well."

"Are you sick honey?" Victoria asked concerned.

"I don’t know," he answered. "I’m a little hot."

Victoria walked over to him and felt his forehead. She looked over at Tom.

"He does feel warm," she said. "I think he may be running a slight fever again. Maybe you had better go get the doctor."

"Right," Tom replied leaving the house after carrying Jarrod over to the couch in the living room.

"Mother," he asked, "can I have some water?"

"Certainly honey," she answered. "Are you still sick?"

"I’m not certain," he said. "I’m still hot but my head is feeling funny."

"What do you mean by funny?" she asked very concerned.

"I’m not sure," he answered. "I feel sluggish."

"Do you want to lie down?" she asked.

"Maybe I better," he answered.

Victoria went to Jarrod’s room and picked his pillow and blanket from his bed. She brought them in and fixed him a bed on the couch. She watched Jarrod as he laid there. He was flushed in the face and his breathing was slightly erratic. He looked up at her with fear in his blue eyes.

"The doctor will be here soon Jarrod," she said. "Try to rest."

"Yes mother," he replied letting his eyes close.

Victoria continued to keep a close eye on him. Nick came out of his room and when he saw Jarrod, he started toward him.

"No Nick," she said. "Your brother is not feeling well."

"What’s the matter?" he asked.

"I’m not sure," she answered. "He’s running a slight fever but I can’t figure out where it’s coming from."

"Where’s father?" Nick asked looking around.

"He’s gone to Stockton to get the doctor," she answered. "We want him to check Jarrod."

"He will be all right," Nick asked, "won’t he?"

"Yes sweetheart," she answered. "Jarrod will be fine."

Tom and the doctor walked in. The doctor went straight to Jarrod and examined him. He looked up thirty minutes later.

"Jarrod is indeed running a fever," he said.

"What’s causing it?" she asked.

"He’s picked up a respiratory infection of some kind," he answered. "That’s why his breathing is labored."

"Where did it come from?" she asked.

"Probably from where he was kept while he was with Dace Jones," he answered. "I believe Tom mentioned that the cabin was not very clean. He’ll be all right in a couple of days. Right now I want him in bed."

Tom picked up Jarrod and carried him to his room. He moaned and then finally opened his eyes. He saw the doctor.

"What’s wrong with me?" he asked.

"You have a respiratory infection Jarrod," the doctor answered. "I’m going to give you some medicine to help you feel better."

"All right," he said. "Will I be all right?"

"Yes," the doctor replied. "But I want you to stay in bed a day or two."

"Yes sir," he told him. "I’m sorry mother."

"Honey," she said, "you have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who is sorry."

The doctor gave Jarrod some medicine and he closed his eyes drifting off to sleep.

"He’ll be up and going in a few days," he said. "Right now, I want him to rest."

"All right doctor," she replied. "Thank you for coming."

"Any time," he told her leaving.

"Tom," she said, "I want to keep a close eye on him."

"I know," Tom replied. "With Jones on the loose we don’t want to take any chances."

"Yes," she told him.

Nick overheard them and walked in.

"You know something about that man who hurt Jarrod don’t you?" he asked.

"Yes son, we do," Tom answered. "Jones is wanted for murder. He killed a trapper last year."

"That means he could try to kill Jarrod," Nick said.

"Yes," Tom replied. "But I won’t let that happen. I’ll keep a close eye on him."

"I can help," Nick told him.

"I know you can," Tom said smiling. "We’ll make sure that Jarrod is fine."

"Yes father," Nick replied.

"Don’t say a word and your family lives," he said. "Try to warn them and I’ll kill all of them."

Jarrod nodded.

"What do you want?" he asked very frightened.

"You," the man answered. "You didn’t think you would get off that easily did you?"

"No," Jarrod said.

The man pulled him from the bed and placed his gun leveled at Jarrod’s head. Then the two of them walked out of the room into the living room although Jarrod was noticeably limping.

"Now to wake your father up," he said.

He shot off his gun at the ceiling. Tom flew out of the room. When he saw Jones and Jarrod, he stopped.

"I wanted you to join this little party," he said. "Let’s go."

"Where are we going?" Tom asked.

"To the barn," he answered. "I’m going to finish the job there. And if you don’t come along, I’ll kill the boy right here."

"All right," Tom relented.

Tom and Jarrod were forced out to the barn. Jones gripped Jarrod hard on the arm and he was still limping badly as they made their way out to the barn. Once inside, Jones tied Jarrod to a stall wall. Then he turned his attention to Tom.

"You think you are a big man," he said. "Say good bye to your son."

"No!" Tom cried. "He’s not dying."

"He’s gonna die and you’re going to watch," he said still holding his gun on Tom.

He walked over to Jarrod. He threw a rope over one of the supports in the barn. He tied a noose on one end of the rope and tied the other end off. Then he placed the noose around Jarrod’s throat. The boy swallowed hard.

"Father," Jarrod said crying, "help me."

"Your father can’t help you boy," Jones replied. "He’s going to die after you. I want him to watch you hang."

"Jones," Tom told him, "I swear I’ll kill you if you harm my son again."

"You are in no position to swear anything," Jones said.

Jones began to pull on the rope and it tightened around Jarrod’s neck. He began to cry harder as he struggled to breathe.

"Son," Tom said, "be brave. I’ll get you out of this."

"I’ll try father," Jarrod gasped.

Tom watched as Jones began to forget he was in the room. Then Tom sprang like a cat and knocked Jones to the ground freeing Jarrod. The boy breathed hard trying to replenish the air that had been sucked from his body. Tom and Jones fought one another. Finally, Tom got the upper hand with a solid punch to the body. Jones bent over to catch his breath when Tom hit him right under the chin. He went backward right into the back of the stall and was knocked out. Tom quickly tied him up and hurried to his son.

"Son," he asked, "are you all right?"

"I’m a little out of breath," Jarrod answered. "But I’m all right."

"Let’s get you inside," he said picking Jarrod up and carrying him into the house.

Jarrod clutched Tom hard while they walked toward the back door.

"Father," Jarrod said, "thank you for saving my life."

"You’re welcome son," Tom replied. "I made a promise to you that that man would never hurt you again and I kept it."

"You did sir," Jarrod told him.

When he walked in the door carrying Jarrod, Tom called to his wife.

"Victoria!" he called. "Victoria."

Victoria came out of her room. She saw Tom holding Jarrod and ran to him.

"Is he all right?" she asked.

"I’m not sure," he answered. "Jones hanged him again. I want the doctor to check him. I’ll take Jones to Harry."

"You got him?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "While he was trying to hang Jarrod, he temporarily forgot about me and that allowed me time to jump him. I’ll be back soon."

Tom left and Victoria hurried to the couch where Jarrod lay. She looked down at her son with the red mark around his neck.

"Honey," she asked, "how are you?"

"I don’t feel well," he rasped. "My throat hurts."

"It’s no wonder," she said. "You just rest and the doctor will be here soon."

Jarrod closed his eyes and Victoria kept a close watch on him until the doctor arrived.

"You got him," he said.

"He came back to kill Jarrod," Tom replied. "He hanged my boy again but he forgot about me. So I was able to jump him and here he is."

"Let’s go Jones," Harry told him motioning for him to head for the cells.

"Barkley," Jones said, "this still ain’t over."

Harry locked Dace Jones up and walked back into the office.

"How’s Jarrod?" he asked.

"He seems to be all right," Tom answered. "But I want Doc Merrar to check him again."

"You go on to the doctor’s and I’ll see you later," Harry said.

"Thanks," Tom replied heading out the door.

Tom rushed over to the doctor’s office. When he walked in, Merrar exited from the back.

"Tom," he asked, "what’s wrong? Is it Jarrod?"

"Yes," Tom answered. "Dace Jones showed up at the ranch. He hanged Jarrod again. Will you take a look at him?"

"Certainly," he said. "Let me get my bag."

The doctor disappeared into the back and reappeared a short time later carrying his black bag.

"Let’s go," he said.

The two of them headed for the ranch.

At the Barkley Ranch, Victoria was still very concerned about Jarrod. His breathing had become somewhat labored and he was slightly warm like he was running a fever. She covered him up and waited.

Tom and the doctor rode as fast as they could. They finally arrived at the ranch thirty minutes later. When they walked into the house, Victoria hurried over to them.

"He’s not breathing well," she said. "He’s complaining of a sore throat and his forehead is slightly warm."

"All right," he replied. "Let’s have a look."

The doctor began his examination of Jarrod and then he finally looked up at the anxious parents. While the doctor’s head was turned, Jarrod began to choke on something. The doctor turned back to his patient. He pulled Jarrod so his head was hanging off the couch. Then he took the lamp and held it over close to the boy’s face. Next, he looked into Jarrod’s mouth.

"He’s choking on something and I can see it," he said.

The doctor took a pair of forceps and eased them into Jarrod’s mouth. He found the obstruction and with care, he removed the obstruction.

"That’s out of the way," he said dropping a small bone fragment on the table. "His throat will be sore for several days. I think it would be best if he doesn’t strain it. That means no talking. Also kept it coated with ice to keep the swelling down and to soothe it."

"We understand doc," Tom replied. "Is he going to be all right?"

"I believe so," he told them. "But I want to examine his ankle again."

The doctor finished examining the boy. He wrapped Jarrod’s ankle again.

"I want you to give him this liquid four times a day," he said. "It will help with the pain and discomfort. Keep him in bed for at least two more days. Then you can gradually start letting him get up and move around. As for the fever, it’s only ninety-nine. I don’t believe that we need to worry about that. I’ll come out later this afternoon and see him."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria replied.

"No son," Tom said, "no talking. The doctor had to remove a small obstruction from your throat. He doesn’t want you to strain it for a few days."

"Father," Jarrod rasped, closing his eyes to the pain, "did you get him?"

"Son," Tom replied, "I told you not to talk. But to answer your question, yes I got him. He’s in the jail in Stockton."

"Good," he whispered.

"Jarrod," Tom told him sternly, "I don’t want you to strain your throat."

Jarrod nodded trying to smile at his parents but the discomfort in his throat kept him from it. Tom put a comforting hand on his son’s shoulder.

"I know you’re in pain," Tom said. "But it will get better. I promise."

Jarrod nodded again. This time he did smile.

In the Stockton jail, young Tad Moses was watching the office while Harry had other business. Dace Jones got the young man to come to the cells.

"Hey," Jones called. "Anyone out there?"

"What you want?" Moses asked as he walked back to the cell.

"I need some water," Jones answered.

"Hold on a minute," Moses said.

He went to the office and picked up a cup. He filled it with water and walked back to the cell. When he handed the cup to Jones, his arm was grabbed. Jones held it at an awkward angle that Moses thought it was broken.

"Give me the keys," he ordered.

Moses had no choice but to hand the keys over. Jones freed himself and locked Moses in the cell with a gag over his mouth and his hands tied behind his back. Jones left the jail and headed away from Stockton.

"Barkley," he said as he rode away. "You have not seen the last of me."

He rode off but he was already planning his revenge against the Barkley family. Jarrod finally recovered and the family went back to living their lives as normally as possible. A manhunt produced no clues as to the location of Jones. Finally, Harry decided that Jones had hightailed it and would not be back. Tom could never have been more wrong in thinking that Dace Jones was gone for good. The man was already forming a plan that would take care of the boy and his meddlesome father.

Stay Tuned For The Sequel "The Vengeful Man"