“Nick we’ve been over this before.” Heath stopped his packing for a minute and looked at his brother. He couldn’t understand why Nick was getting so upset. “It’s a slow time at the ranch right now which makes it a good time to deliver those horses Travis Grant bought. Mark and I will deliver the horses, and Mark will come straight home on the first train out of Santa Fe. Since we’ll be so close to Garrett Lee’s ranch, I’m gonna ride on over for a short visit and be home in time for the horse auction on the 15th,” Heath explained again, but Nick couldn’t hear anything except that Heath was going to Garrett Lee’s ranch. He didn’t hear his little brother call the Barkley ranch ‘home’ when he said he’d be back.

It had been a little over eight months since Nick had brought Heath home from Garrett Lee’s ranch in Sante Fe where Heath had gone to work after Nick had finally succeeded in running him off Barkley land. Heath had ridden into the Barkley ranch six months before that claiming he was Tom Barkley’s illegitimate son The rest of the family believed and accepted him, but not Nick. He didn’t buy it for a minute. He made life hard for Heath, and because Nick didn’t accept him neither did the hands. So six months after riding in for the first time; Heath rode out. It wasn’t until after Heath was gone that Nick realized what he had in Heath, and went after him to bring him home. Nick now regretted losing the first six months that Heath was with them by not accepting him. He had thoroughly enjoyed the last eight months. Having a little brother working, living, and playing by his side was a dream come true.

Nick knew that what Heath was saying made sense, but he just didn‘t want to let Heath out of his sight. Suddenly he had an idea. “I’ll go with you. I could use some time off. We’ll make a vacation out of it,” Nick’s face lit up as he spoke.

“Nick, you know you have to be here. The Hendersons are bringing their horses to our ranch early next week to settle them down before the auction,” Heath answered while packing, not bothering to turn around this time.

Disappointment was obvious on Nick’s face, and he knew the truth of Heath’s words, but he wasn’t beat yet. “Then I’ll go, and you can stay here and meet the Henderson bunch.”

“Nick, the stallion I’m taking doesn’t even like you. He would fight you the whole way,” Heath snapped at him. He was now getting aggravated, and once more stopped his packing and turned toward Nick ready to send him out of his room. He stopped when he saw the look on Nick’s face. ‘What the...? Nick was worried. Why?’ Then it dawned on him. Heath walked over to Nick and stopped in the path of his pacing. Looking Nick in the eyes and putting his hand on Nick’s arm, he said, “I am coming home. Home, Nick. I’m happy here. The last eight months have been exactly what I thought it would be like to live in a large family.” Why Nick would even think he wouldn’t be back was beyond Heath’s comprehension.

Nick stared at him several minutes, then with a broad smile said, “Hurry back.” He not only heard the word ’home’ that time, but he saw ’home’ in his little brother’s eyes.

Heath nodded, and Nick left his room. He waited until Nick had shut the door before shaking his head and returned to his packing. He’d never figure his big brother out.

Heath and Mark Johnson left out at daybreak the next morning. Heath was leading the stallion that didn’t like Nick and two mares. Mark was leading one mare and riding one. Heath chose Mark to take along on this trip to try to get to know him better. Since his return to the ranch, Mark was the only hand he hadn’t been able to form any kind of a relationship with. Around him, Mark said very little and answered with only yes or no when Heath asked him a question. Heath thought he might just be shy and if he got him off to himself, he would open up a little more.

The sun was just showing itself above the mountains. Early morning was Heath’s favorite time of the day. He felt closer to God at this time than any other time. This morning he let his mind wander over all he was thankful for. It was then his thoughts turned to the day before. He was thinking back on Nick’s actions. He couldn’t stop the smile as he remembered Nick’s words ‘hurry back’. It had never entered Heath’s mind to not come home. He didn’t lie to Nick. He was happy. Happier than he’d ever thought possible. He and Nick grew closer every day. Any doubts Heath had about Nick’s feelings towards him or his towards Nick left a week upon returning to the ranch. Heath remembered it like it was yesterday. Jarrod had given Heath the Pinkerton report from his investigation on Heath’s past. At first, Heath had been furious. How could they violate his privacy? Jarrod explained to him that it was to protect the family, and that he and Mrs. Barkley, a woman he now called Mother, were the only ones to have read it and no one else. Heath had taken the report and read it. The next night the family was in the parlor. Victoria was reading, Jarrod and Audra were playing cards, and Nick was stirring the fire when Heath walked in with the report in his hands. Heath remembered his heart beating so hard and fast, and he could hardly breath. After looking at each family member, his eyes rested on Mrs. Barkley and he said, “This report is pretty accurate about my past, but it only mentions the bad and there’s been a lot of good in my life. I don’t want this. You can do what you want to with it.” He started toward Mrs. Barkley, but paused, then turned and walked over to Nick and handed him the report saying, “You can read it if you want to.” Nick looked at him and without taking his eyes off Heath‘s face, he threw the report in the fire and said, “I’ll wait until you’re ready to share whatever you want with me.” That moment, Nick had earned Heath’s respect until his dying days.

“When do you think we’ll be there?” Mark’s question jarred Heath out of his remembrances.

“Well, if the weather holds, we should be there in six to seven days.” Heath was surprised. This was the most the man had ever said to him.

Mark had heard talk around the bunkhouse, but he thought he’d ask Heath anyway, “Why is it we have to deliver these horses in person instead of sending them by train? Sure would have been quicker.”

Heath chuckled, “Travis Grant swears riding in a train makes horses loco. Getting them hand delivered was part of the deal before he’d agree to buy. Cost him a little more.”

The men then lapsed into a fairly comfortable silence again.

Heath had been gone for ten days, and to Nick it felt like ten years. He knew he’d miss Heath, but he had no idea he’d miss him this much. It was like a part of himself was missing. ‘How did that boy manage to mean so much to me in so short of time?’ Nick wondered as he rode through the front gate of the ranch at the end of another long day. He stopped at the pump to wash up. He dunked his whole head in the water and was shaking his hair when he saw a rider coming in. Fear gripped his heart when he saw who it was, and who he was riding. Mark was coming in the front gate riding Charger.

Nick reached Mark before he could get to the barn. “Where’s Heath? Why are you on Charger?” Nick knew something had to have happened to Heath for him to not have Charger with him. Heath took better care of that horse than he did himself.

Mark dismounted. “I don’t know. There was a note left for me from Heath at the front desk of the hotel when I checked out. It said for me to take Charger back with me on the train, so I did.”

“Let me see the note,” Nick demanded as he held out his hand to Mark.

“I don’t have it. I threw it away. I didn’t see any point in keeping it. I...”

Mark didn’t get to finish what he was going to say. Nick grabbed him by the collar and roughly pulled him towards him. “You’re lying. Heath would never part with Charger.”

Mark was visibly shaken. He had seen Nick Barkley angry plenty of times, but it had never been directed at him, and it shook him up. He had to hold himself together. He couldn’t let Nick suspect he had anything to do with Heath missing.

“I want the truth,” Nick started shaking Mark.

“NICK!” Jarrod came running across the yard, and started trying to pull Nick’s hands away from Mark. “NICK, LET GO!” Jarrod demanded. Jarrod had never seen such a furious look on his brother’s face.

“He’s done something to Heath! WHERE IS HE?” Nick yelled, shaking Mark again.

Jarrod managed to get Nick’s hands off Mark. “Settle down and tell me what’s going on. What’s this about Heath?” Jarrod’s voice was calm though he was getting uneasy after noticing Heath’s horse behind Mark. He kept telling himself there could be any number of reasons for it.

“Mr. Barkley, it’s like I was telling Nick. I don’t know where your brother is. I just got a note telling me to bring Charger back with me. Since Heath wasn’t suppose to come back with me, I didn‘t question it. I figured Heath wanted to take the train home instead of riding.”

“Then why wouldn’t Heath had brought Charger back with him when he came on the train?” Nick growled while trying to grab Mark again. Jarrod forcibly pushed Nick back. He may be older than Nick, but Nick was stronger and pushing Nick Barkley anywhere was not easy.

“All I know is what I already told you,” Mark said trying not to look at Jarrod. Something about Jarrod scared Mark more than Nick. Nick would get so mad he didn’t see things, but Jarrod could tell whether a person was lying just by looking at them. He hadn’t planned to have to talk to Jarrod. Actually, he hadn’t planned anything. The opportunity just presented itself, and he took it. Now if he could just pull it off. He realized he had made a mistake by keeping Charger, but he just had to find out what it felt like to ride that stallion through those white Barkley gates.

“Let’s go in the house and talk this over,” Jarrod said as he took Mark’s arm and walked him towards the house. He could feel Nick burning a hole in his back. “You coming Nick?” Jarrod asked without turning around.

Once they were in the library, Jarrod asked. “Now Mark, when was the last time you saw Heath?” Nick came in and stood by the fireplace with his fist on his hips and glared at Mark.

“Two days ago. We delivered the horses and ate lunch in Sante Fe. When we were through eating, we parted ways. I went to the hotel, ’cause my train didn’t leave ’til early the next morning, and Heath, I thought, went on to that friend he was gonna visit. I didn’t see him again.” Mark tried to sound as truthful and as dumb as he could.

“I’d like to see Heath’s note,” Jarrod stated. He was studying Mark the whole time they were talking. Maybe Nick was on the something. Mark hardly ever looked into Jarrod’s eyes as they spoke. Usually a sure sign of a person hiding something, but maybe he was just shy or intimated.

“HE DOESN'T HAVE IT JARROD. SAID HE THREW IT AWAY,” Nick was gritting his teeth. It was all he could do not to tear into Mark again.

“Well, Mark?” Jarrod wanted to hear it from Mark.

“Nick’s right. I don’t have it. I’m sorry Mr. Barkley, I just didn’t see how the note was important. I’d kept it if I’d knowed it was gonna mean something to you.”

“All right Mark. Go on and clean up. You’ve had a long day,” Jarrod said as he sat down at his desk.

“Thanks, I sure hope everything’s ok with him.” ‘Lying was getting easier with each word,’ Mark thought, as he walked out.

“Jarrod, you’re not gonna believe that story are you?” Nick said as he leaned over the desk staring hard into Jarrod’s eyes.

“Why not? Heath might of sent Charger on home.”

“Oh come on Jarrod! Why? What reason would Heath have to do that?” Nick was starting to get mad at Jarrod now.

“I don’t know. Maybe he sent Charger home because he didn’t need him, or...,” Jarrod paused.

“OR WHAT!” Nick’s face was taking on an even angrier scowl, if that was possible.

Choosing his words carefully, Jarrod said quietly, “Or maybe he sent Charger home because he wasn’t planning on returning.” Jarrod didn’t really believe that, didn’t want to believe it, but like Nick, he had been apprehensive about Heath going around Garrett Lee again.

“NO, I won’t even listen to talk like that. Heath WAS coming home.” Nick started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Jarrod called after him.

“SANTE FE!” Nick yelled not stopping or looking back.

“Nick wait!” Jarrod hollered, but Nick wasn’t waiting.

Five minutes later Nick was coming down the stairs with his bag. “Jarrod, you keep an eye on Mark. I don’t believe his story.” Nick stopped and was fastening his gun belt around his waist. “I’ll let you know what I find out in Sante Fe. Tell Mother, Audra and the Hendersons whatever you want to when they get back from town. I’m going to be on the next train out.”

“Nick, hold up,” Jarrod said as he grabbed Nick’s arm.

“Pappy, I’m going now,” Nick snarled.

“I’m not trying to stop you Nick. I just want to tell you, I’m going to wire Garrett Lee and Travis Grant to see if they know anything. Check with the telegraph office as soon as you arrive in Sante Fe. I may have some answers for you.”

Nick softened, “Ok, Jarrod.....Wait! Where’s that picture of Uncle Jim? We don’t have a picture of Heath to show around, but I’ll show Uncle Jim’s picture as Heath since they look so much alike.” Nick made a mental note to get an updated family picture made as soon as possible.

“I’ll get it,” Jarrod replied.

Within minutes Nick was on his way with the picture.

Mark was still a little shaken up when he entered the bunkhouse. After greeting the other hands, he ate a bite of supper, and went to bed early. He needed to think. He was in over his head or was he? After all, he hadn’t actually hurt Heath. He had just taken advantage of the situation. They’d just delivered the horses, and were coming through Eagle Pass when the rock slide happened. Heath had hollered out a warning to Mark seconds before a large rock smashed into his head knocking him off Charger. It was over as quick as it started; and in the end, Heath lay unconscious and half buried under a pile of rocks. He had quickly uncovered him and found a strong pulse. It was quite awhile before Heath regained consciousness, and when he did, he didn’t know who he was. He couldn’t remember anything. It was when Heath lost consciousness again that Mark sprung into action. He cleaned out all of Heath’s pockets, destroyed all identification, and pocketed the money from Travis Grant. Without really thinking things through, Mark mounted Charger and rode off. He had been riding a loaner horse from Travis Grant which he was suppose to turn into the livery in Sante Fe. He went ahead and did that, then he boarded Charger on the train and headed back to Stockton. Mark was sure Heath would be all right. He didn’t have any broken bones, appeared to have no internal injuries, and he was within a half days walk from Sante Fe. He didn’t want Heath to die, but if he never got his memory back that would be just fine with him. He didn’t know what he was gonna do yet, but he figured he’d wait until things settled down, then he’d quit. The money, close to twelve hundred dollars, was gonna take him far away. If Heath did recover his memory, he’d be long gone before he made it back to the ranch. He really wasn’t expecting Nick to be suspicious so quick. He half expected him to accuse Heath of running off with the money, but that hadn’t happened, at least not yet. Maybe he could put a suggestion in that direction that would sway the Barkley’s into thinking it.

Jarrod was in the library sitting at his desk when his mother walked in. “All right Jarrod, I want to know what’s really going on.”

Jarrod should have known his mother wasn’t going to let him get by with just the brief explanation he’d given her, Audra and the Hendersons when they returned home. How much should he tell her? He didn’t want to worry her especially when he wasn’t convinced there was anything to worry about. Nick could be wrong - it sure wouldn’t be the first time. Still, he did know Heath better than anyone. When he looked up at his mother, he knew he had to tell her all of it. If he told anything less, she’d know it.

Victoria Barkley looked long and hard at Jarrod after he finished telling her all he knew. Finally she said, “I think Nick is right. I want you to contact the Pinkerton Agency first thing in the morning and get an investigation and search going right away.”

“Don’t you think we should wait until we hear from Nick, Garrett Lee and Travis Grant?”

“No I don’t,” Victoria stated firmly. “If we end up sending the Pinkertons out for nothing then so be it. I truly hope that is the case. Now, I’m going upstairs to tell Audra what’s going on.” Victoria stopped at the door on her way out and looked back. “First thing in the morning Jarrod.” She was a little put out with Jarrod for not telling her what was going on when she first got home.

“Yes, Mother,” Jarrod watched his mother leave the room. ‘Was he the only one who thought there was a remote chance that Heath did send Charger home with Mark?’

The next morning Audra went to the stables. She always felt near Heath when she was with Charger. Many times she had sat on a bale of hay and watched him groom his horse. She picked up a brush to groom Charger now the same way she’d seen Heath do it hundreds of times. She stopped in mid-stroke when she saw a few small cuts on him. She dropped the brush and ran into the house.

“Mother! Jarrod!” Audra yelled upon entering the front door. “Moth...”

“In here Audra,” Victoria called from the dining room.

Audra entered the dining room and found her mother polishing the silver. It didn’t surprise her. Her mother always polished the silver when she was worried.

“Mother, I was just in the barn brushing Charger. He has some small cuts on him. Oh Mother,” Audra voice was getting shaky as she spoke, “something has happened to Heath. He would never send Charger home like that without being with him. Mark is lying.”

Victoria looked at her only daughter and saw the tears welling in her eyes. “Audra, Jarrod has already gone into town. Ride in and tell him what you’ve told me. See if he thinks the sheriff needs to question Mark.” Audra turned to leave. “And Audra,” Victoria added, “don’t say anything to anyone else. I don’t want Mark to get spooked.”

“Yes Mother,” Audra said as she turned to leave. She was glad to be able to do something to help.

Heath opened his eyes to see the face of an old man looking down at him. He tried to raise up.

“Easy, son, just lie still.”

“Where am I?” Heath asked. Oh, his head was hurting something fierce.

“You’re at the doctor’s office in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I’m Doc Bailey.”

“What happened?” Heath could hardly get the words out; his head was hurting so bad.

“Here drink this,” the doctor said as he held Heath up so he could drink. “It will help the pain. You’ve got a concussion and a large bump on your head cause by what we think was a rock slide according to the people who brought you in. You’ve got several cuts and bruises. Nothing serious, but you’ll be mighty sore for a few days.”

“When?”

“Well, the Patterson’s, that’s the folks who brought you in, they said they found you the day before yesterday. No telling how long you laid there before they found you - not too long though,” the doctor added trying to get a smile out of his young patient, “you were still alive.”

“Now son, I know you probably don’t feel like talking, but I need to ask you a few questions. I need to know your name, and where you’re from? I’ll notify your family for you. Could be they’re worried sick about you.”

Heath searched his mind and drew a blank. He didn’t know. He couldn’t remember anything. What was he going to say? He looked at the doctor who was looking intently at him as he waited for an answer. Heath shook his head and said, “I don’t know,” so low the doctor had to lean down to catch what he said. “I can’t remember anything.”

Doc Bailey frowned, “Well, that’s not too unusual. That was a hard hit you took to your head. Lucky to be alive Mr. Patterson said by the looks of the rock slide and your head. It’ll probably come back to you. Give it some time. I’ll go see if the missus can bring you some broth.” Doc said as he left the room.

Heath tried to sit up, but collapsed back on the bed as dizziness came over him. He needed to get up. He thought if he could move around and look outside maybe his memory would come back to him. He was trying to get up again as the door opened, and a middle age woman walked in carrying a tray.

“Oh no you don’t young man. You just lay back down. You need to rest.” She put the tray down and quickly walked to the bed to help Heath settle back down. She propped him up the best she could and got the broth. “Can you take a little of this for me?” she asked as she brought a spoonful to Heath’s mouth. He took a sip; it felt good going down. He was able to finish half the bowl before he quit. “Very good, young man, the doctor will be glad to see you’ve gotten some substance in you.” She walked to the door carrying the tray. “Oh by the way, I’m Elizabeth Bailey, the doctor’s wife. Now don’t you be trying to get up again unless someone is in here with you.”

Heath lay back in the bed. He felt vulnerable, naked like, not knowing who he was, or anything about himself. Am I a good man? An outlaw? A husband? A Father? He didn’t know, but he needed to find out and quick.

Nick went to the telegraph office as soon as he got to Sante Fe. Jarrod was true to his word. There was a telegram waiting for him. Nick’s face clouded over as he read it. ‘Grant hasn’t seen him since the delivery, and Lee hasn’t heard from him at all. Let me know what you find out.’ Nick crumbled the note up and stomped out of the telegraph office. He headed straight to the sheriff’s office.

“Can I help you?” A man sitting at a desk cleaning a rifle asked when Nick walked in.

“You can if you’re the sheriff,” Nick stated without cracking a smile.

“Sheriff Tate,” the man held out his hand.

“Nick Barkley,” Nick stated shaking the man’s hand.

“What can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for this man,” Nick said as he handed Uncle Jim’s picture to the sheriff. “Have you seen him?”

Looking at the photo a minute, the sheriff finally said, “I don’t recall, though I do see a lot of people. What’s he done?”

“Nothing, he’s my brother and he came here two weeks ago to deliver some horses, and no one has seen him since,” Nick said a little too sharp. It rubbed him wrong that the sheriff would jump to the conclusion that Heath had done something.

“Have you checked around town yet?” The sheriff wanted to know.

“No, but I will. Thought I’d come here first,” Nick ran his fingers through his hair, and headed for the door. “Thanks,” he said as he headed out the door. ‘At least he’s not in jail’ Nick thought, though he kind of wished he had been then at least than he’d know where he was.

A week later Nick was no better off. He’d checked everywhere and gotten nowhere. One interesting thing he learned was a Mark Johnson was not registered at any motel in Sante Fe in the last month, and no clerk remembered giving any guest a note from a Heath Barkley. Sheriff Tate had agreed to send a telegram to all the towns in a hundred mile radius asking for information on a missing man fitting Heath’s description. So far they had received no replies.

Nick had just gotten back into Sante Fe and was headed to the motel. He wanted a hot bath and a good meal. He’d been to Travis Grant’s ranch again only this time he had traveled even slower looking for any signs of Heath. No luck.

“Mr. Barkley!”

“Mr. Barkley!”

Nick turned around to see a boy about ten years old running after him.

“Yeah son what is it?”

“The sheriff wants to see you.”

Nick turned his horse towards the sheriff’s office and yelled a quick “Thanks” to the boy.

As he opened the door, the sheriff said, “Mr. Barkley, I’m glad you’re here. We may have something. This came today from Los Alamos.” He handed Nick the message. Hope sprang up on Nick’s face as he read the note. He turned and ran out of the sheriff’s office.

“Where you going?” he yelled to Nick’s back.

“Los Alamos,” Nick yelled not stopping to look back.

‘I hope he’s not headed on a wild goose chase’ Sheriff Tate thought and hollered, “Good Luck,” at Nick‘s back.

Doc Bailey looked up as a big man wearing a week’s worth of trail dust walked into his office. “You Doc Bailey?” Nick asked.

“I am.”

“Your sheriff sent a telegram to the sheriff in Sante Fe. Said a couple of weeks ago you had a patient that had lost his memory.” Nick’s face didn’t give one hint of the emotional turmoil he was feeling inside.

“And you are?” the doctor questioned.

“Sorry, Nick Barkley.” Nick said as he extended his hand to the doctor.

“Have a seat Mr. Barkley,” Doc Bailey said after shaking his hand. He wasn’t sure how much information he wanted to give out. He liked his young patient, and if this man meant him any harm...

“Look Doc, this is important to me. I’ve been looking for my brother a long time. He went missing three weeks ago, and no one has seen or heard from him since. I’ve looked everywhere, and this is my first lead.”

“Well, I did have a patient that temporarily lost his memory, but he’s since recovered it.” The Doc softened when he noticed the fallen look on the Nick’s face when he heard this news. Maybe this man wasn’t the bad sort after all.

Nick sat there for the longest. He was beaten. He had been so sure; had hoped so hard.

“Can I get you some water?” Doc Bailey asked. He wished he had good news for this cowboy. By the lost, stricken look on his face, he could tell he cared a great deal for his missing brother.

“No thanks doc. Sorry to bother you. The description of your patient fit my brother, and I was just so sure at last I’d found him.” Nick started to rise.

“Why don’t you tell me about your brother? Maybe I’ve heard of him or seen him.”

“I don’t know where to start,” Nick said softly as he ran his fingers through his hair and sunk back into the chair.

“What’s he look like?”

Nick’s eyes took on a far away look as he described his little brother, “He’s about 6’2”, sandy blonde hair, sky blue eyes that tell you more than his mouth ever will, and he’s got the darnedest old lop-sided smile. He usually wears a blue chambray shirt, tan pants, and a brown vest.”

Doc Bailey’s face paled as Nick described his patient.

“You got a picture by chance?” the doc questioned.

“Yeah,” Nick said as he pulled it out from his vest pocket and handed it to the doctor.

Doc Bailey looked at the picture as he tried to decide what to do. He didn’t want any harm to come to the young patient he’d gotten so fond of; yet his gut instinct told him Nick Barkley was on the up and up. He had thought it fishy when his patient had regained his memory so quick, and the fact that he wouldn’t look him in the face as he told him his name was probably because it wasn’t his real name.

“This is my patient. But Heath Barkley is not the name he gave me,” the doctor stated.

Nick jumped up. “ARE YOU SURE? WHERE IS HE? WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM? Oh doctor, are you sure? You don‘t...”

“Slow down now Mr. Barkley, and I’ll tell you everything I know.”

Nick was headed to the McClennon ranch as fast as he could go. His spirit was riding high, and he was running on pure adrenaline. A shot brought him to a halt. Standing in the road was a man with a rifle in his hand pointed skyward.

“You’re on McClennon land. State your business?” the man demanded.

Nick didn’t like the way the man was talking to him, but the doctor had warned him the McClennon’s and the Wilson’s were in the middle of a range war.

“I’m here to see Mr. McClennon.”

“What about?” the man asked not taking his eyes from Nick.

“Well, now that’s between me and Mr. McClennon.” Nick knew he should go nice and easy, but this man was getting to him.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Mr. McClennon’s not expecting you and you’re not going any farther. Now, get off McClennon land.”

“Now look, I just want to ask Mr. McClennon about a man he has working for him.” Nick was getting angrier by the minute.

“You’ve got five minutes to get.” The man brought his rifle down and cocked it.

“My name’s Nick Barkley, and I’ve got reason to believe my brother’s working here.”

“I don’t care who you are, and we don’t have anyone working here by the name of Barkley.”

“HE’S GOING BY THE NAME OF BARTLEY NICHOLS,” Nick yelled, and he saw a brief flicker of recognition in the man’s eyes before he pointed the rifle at him and coldly said, “You got three minutes left.”

Nick gave the man a hard, cold look back and said, “I’m going, but I’ll be back.” He turned his horse and headed back to town.

“Mother! Audra!” Jarrod yelled as he entered the house.

Victoria thought Nick was back for a minute. Alarmed because Jarrod never yelled, she ran to the foyer practically running head on into Jarrod.

“Jarrod, what’s wrong?”

Jarrod put his hands on his mother‘s shoulders and gently kissed her cheek. “Sorry I frightened you, here read this, it’ll explain. I’ve got to pack. There’s a train that leaves in an hour, and Mark and I are going to be on it,” he explained as he hurried up the stairs.

Victoria bit her lip and held back her tears as she read the telegram from Nick. ‘Found Heath. Need your help asap come to Sante Fe. Bring Mark’.

...Continued