Audra’s twentieth birthday was a mere three days away and Heath was doggedly intent on finding the perfect gift for his favorite girl. He recalled Audra being the one who openly welcomed him into the family while her brothers entertained serious doubts regarding his lawful birthright claim. Blessed with a vivacious nature and a bewitching smile that would mellow the most pertinacious tempers, she loved unconditionally. Heath readily latched on her tenderheartedness the moment he laid eyes on her at their father’s grave.

Heath halted the team in front of the general store. Audra jumped off the back of the buckboard while Heath assisted Victoria down the front seat.

“Okay, I’ll go to the hotel to see if Mrs. Anderson needs my help with the preparations,” Victoria said.

“In the meantime, I’ll handle the supplies,” Heath offered.

“No, I’ll get them. You go with Audra down to the dress shop.”

“Dress...shop?” Heath’s voice faltered as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

“Yes. Mother said you’d help me pick out a dress for Saturday’s dance social.”

“I did?” Heath turned his aghast expression towards Victoria for enlightenment.

Victoria fashioned a mischievous smile at her flustered son.

“Mother, how could you do this to me? You just branded me a dead man,” whimpered Heath.

“Come on!” Audra urged, getting a tight grip on Heath’s hand.

Heath’s terrorized countenance remained fastened on Victoria as he was being dragged away by his tenacious sister. A chuckle escaped Victoria as she caught the haunted look in her blond pride and joy’s blue eyes. She didn’t revel in his predicament knowing how Heath scorned looking at women flaunting in their evening wear and unmentionables, but she trusted he would emerge from his “harrowing experience”, as Heath described, unscathed. Like a poor chap hurled into a snake pit scrambling to get out, Heath would not allow Audra to lapse into great raptures over the dress arrays and hurry her along.

As they neared the dress shop, Heath’s feet exerted a breaking force, but Audra’s forceful grip and stern jog proved a stronger leverage. Faced with no alternate escape, Heath yielded and resigned himself to entering the store.

The reluctant man’s dreaded nightmare materialized with the tinkling of a miniature silver bell conveniently hanging above the door that veered everyone’s attention to the newest customers. Heath sheepishly removed his hat and began fidgeting with the edges. Audra released his hand to walk over to a blue dress, laced with beautifully handcrafted embroidery at the seams, displayed on a mannikin. She removed one off the rack and held it in front of Heath.

“What do you think of this one?”

“That’s nice,” he acquiesced dubiously.

“You’re not sure?”

“Why didn’t you ask Mother? Women are better at this sort of thing,” he lamented.

“Because I need a man’s opinion.”

“What about Nick’s or Jarrod’s?”

“They were both busy.”

“Lucky them, “ he mumbled.

“Listen, if you’re far too embarrassed to do this...”

“No, no, it’s okay,” Heath interjected sensing her sister’s chagrin. “I’m just teasing you.” He gave her an impish smile. “Go try it on.”

“Okay.”

The dress draped over her arm, Heath watched Audra’s undefiled gait saunter its way to the dressing stalls at the back of the store. Once the curtains drawn, he was alone, standing amidst patrons’ piercing glares blitzing him like a pack of wild dogs pouncing on a maimed animal. He was bolted to the floor, cringing in his corner, forcing a diffident lopsided smile at the prying hawk eyes. He heaved a long-drawn sigh, clutching his hat close to his chest, wishing he could shrink enough to squeeze himself inside it and disappear altogether.

The bell’s resounding tinkling offered Heath temporary relief from the storm as eyes shifted to the door. A young man, roughly Audra’s age, cagily stepped inside. Had he been snared into a similar plight?

“Hi there!” Heath greeted the unsettled black-haired man.

“Hi,” he replied timidly.

A tense situation in which both men found solace in each other’s company.

“Waiting for your lady?”

“No. Just came in hoping to buy a birthday present for my cousin.”

“You’re from around these parts?”

“Yeah. My brothers and I live on a small farm on the outskirts of town.”

Heath extended a welcoming hand. “My name’s Heath.”

“Tommy.”

Both men locked grips in a sturdy handshake. Tommy gave a side glance at Audra waltzing out of the dressing stall, wearing the dress. The winsome lad was positively spellbound, bowled over by this dazzling enchantress. Puzzled by Tommy’s reaction, Heath followed his gaze to Audra standing resplendent in her lavish laced blue gown trimmed with flounces and slightly ruffled sleeves.

Both men stood agape, transfixed by her enthralling beauty. Their hearts fluttered.

“What do you think?” she asked as she paraded before a mesmerized Heath.

Still captive of her bewitching stance, Heath was tongue-tied. The little sweet, naive girl he would often engage in bantering games with had given way to this enchantingly beautiful woman. He had seen Audra in a dress before, but never like this. She was simply breathtaking.

“You don’t like it?” she observed, as Heath’s silence made her grow concerned.

“No, on the contrary. You look...ravishing!” he finally enthused, his voice faltering as he strived to regain his composure.

“Thank you.” Audra blushed at her brother’s heartfelt comment. “Should I take it?”

“Definitely.”

Eyes glittering with excitement, she stole a peck on her brother’s cheek before dashing off to the dressing stall.

“You’re a luck man, my friend.”

“I know,” Heath sighed.

“How long have you two been married?”

Tommy’s inquiry snapped Heath out of his trance. “She’s my baby sister.”

“Oh!” A wave of relief washed over Tommy as he ventured into the possibility that Audra might be unspoken for.

“Is she going with anybody?”

“Not that I know.”

“Do you reckon she’d fancy going to Saturday’s social with a chap like me?” he asked bashfully, fearing the sibling’s answer.

Heath’s big-brother rampart promptly deployed. He aimed his laser beam at Tommy, scanning him from top to bottom, stripping him down to expose the tiniest flaw in his otherwise apparent gentlemanly disposition. The shy chap looked like a younger version of Nick, but was he blessed with similar redeeming qualities? Audra had bestowed upon Heath the honor of escorting her to the town’s grand soirée and he wasn’t ready to abdicate his throne to the first passing stranger. The suitor had to abide by an exhaustive once-over. If the jury were lenient then Heath would entrust Audra with the final decision.

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“If it’s alright with you?” Tommy asked meekly, under big brother’s probing stare warning him to do right by his sister.

“Sure.”

“What’s her name?”

“Her name’s Audra.”

Audra. A pretty name for just about the prettiest girl he’d laid eyes on. Tom fiddled with his hat, mulling over his introductory words.

Heath rested a friendly hand on Tommy’s shoulder. The jittery man flinched at the touch. “Want some friendly advice?”

“Please!”

“Take it from a man who’s been down that road a few times. Don’t lay it on thick. Be yourself.”

“I’ll try,” he heaved out.

The curtain slid open and out came Audra, her newest acquisition draped over her arm. Tommy stole a few crucial seconds to collect himself. He brushed aside the lock of hair out of place on his forehead and edged towards Audra. Heath remained in the background, mentally encouraging Tommy in his endeavor.

“Miss Audra?”

Audra turned round to face Tommy. “Yes?”

“My name’s Tommy...Tommy Harden. I must say you’re just about the prettiest gal I’ve ever seen.”

Heath winced. “Wrong approach,” he thought to himself. To worm your way into a girl’s favor by using a hackneyed cliché often had dire results, as Heath recalled. However Audra wasn’t labeled as an uppish snob who believed men had to undergo the test of strength to prove their worthiness. She was a freehearted spirit, kind, magnanimous and trusting to a fault, which latter attribute occasionally aroused her brothers’ suspicions.

“Thank you,” she smiled, bowing her head shyly.

“I was wondering, Miss Audra, if...well my brothers and I are all attending Saturday’s social and I was...”

“Yes?” she interrupted longingly.

“Well I’d be mighty proud if you’d go with me.”

Audra’s ecstasy could not be contained. She had relished this day for months. Tommy was handsome, reminded her of her brother Nick, and his coyness made him highly attractive to her.

Her answer was obvious. Her euphoria was soon stolen over by anguish as she repentantly peeked at Heath over Tommy’s shoulder. After all, she had knighted her brother for the formal event.

Heath set her qualms free by giving her an approving nod. Audra turned to Tommy, beaming at Heath’s blessing.

“I’d love that very much,” she replied girlishly.

Audra and Tommy felt like two school lads acting out on their puppy love crush. Their titters filled the room as patrons were now going about their business.

Heath smiled, his heart brimming with joy at Audra’s gleaming eyes. In the event Tommy proved to be the wrong prince for his sister, he would be close by to soften her fall.

“My entire family is going. I can meet you there.”

“As you wish, Miss Audra.”

They locked stares. The magnetism between them anchored Tommy, his feet riveted to the floor. His heart was leaping out of his chest, occasionally skipping a beat or two. “Well, I’d better be leaving now,” he managed to heave out in a single breath.

He turned to the door, eyes fastened on Audra’s fetching smile. He fumbled with the doorknob and exited the store. Audra ambled to Heath’s side.

“He’s handsome,” she mused.

“Not bad,” Heath replied underwhelmingly, feigning indifference.

“Heath, I’m sorry,” she smiled apologetically, picking up on her brother’s sorrow. She was, however, duped by his inveigling theatrics. “I know I promised you’d be my escort at the dance...”

“Don’t worry about it, sis,” he reassured, grinning complacently at his convincing play acting.

“Heath Barkley!” Audra playfully nudged her elbow at him.

“But I expect you to save me a dance.”

“Promised,” she smiled tenderly.

“Okay, let’s pay for the dress and join Mother.”

They crossed to the cashier counter. As Heath took out his money, a white pearl necklace exhibited on the counter in a black velvet box caught Audra’s attention. She stood, admiring it. Heath glanced at his sister’s dazed expression only to realize that the necklace was the culprit tugging at her heartstrings. He gave the money to the saleslady and unwillingly pried Audra’s gaze away from the highly coveted item.

“Come on, let’s go,” he said, draping the dress over one arm and wrapping the other around his sister’s shoulders.

Before leaving the premises, Heath cast a last glimpse behind at the pearl necklace. A fine gem that was to be Audra’s birthday present he was desperately seeking. How radiant she would look waltzing onto that dance floor in her laced blue gown adorned by the string of glimmering white pearls trickling down her heart-shaped neckline. That meant offering Audra her present a day early but it would be worth it just to see the jubilation on her face. He promised himself to return for it.

They both met with Victoria heading out of the general store, a hefty clerk in tow carrying a heavy pouch of potatoes to the back of the buckboard.

“Mother, you already bought the supplies?” Heath remarked.

“Yes. I have everything I need.”

“What about Mrs. Anderson and all that planning?”

“She had already ironed out all the minor details. She didn’t need my help.”

Casually browsing through the store window nearby was a scruffy suspicious character. His sloppy bearing and obvious itchy trigger finger spelled trouble. A hardball looking to instigate a brawl at first set of circumstances.

“I hope everything is satisfactory, Mrs. Barkley?” the store manager asked as Heath slung a sack of corn seed over his shoulder and hauled it out to the wagon.

The name Barkley struck the sandy-haired wanderer’s mind like a thunderbolt. He turned to face the threesome finishing securing the supplies to the back of the buckboard. A blind rage surged up within him like an oil gusher battering at the earth’s crust raring to spurt out of the ground. He grew up cursing the ground the Barkleys walked on. He and his brothers were dead set on exacting revenge on Tom Barkley’s family for the hideous murder of their father. Deadening the wrath flaring inside him, he stealthily crossed the street to the saloon.

“I’ve thrown in an extra pack of beef jerky at no cost. I know how mighty hungry our boys get when they’re out on the range.”

“Very kind of you, Harold. Indeed, Heath and Nick have healthy appetites.”

“They work hard, Mrs. Barkley. Fine boys you have.”

“I agree. Wouldn’t trade my babies for anything in this world.”

Babies. The word echoed in Heath’s mind like a sparkling stream pearling down a peaceful meadow. No doubt this refined, grand lady had grown to love him dearly as her own flesh and blood during the past year. Heath was given to her at a belated age but nevertheless regarded him as one of her own “babies”. She worried if he were late showing up at the dinner table; she listened whenever he needed a compassionate ear; she snuggled him close whenever he craved a comforting presence; she nursed his wounds following a brawl; kept a vigil during those long gruesome heartrending nights when he was at the grip of a deadly disease. She was his mama.

“We’d better get a move on if we want to get to the ranch before sundown,” Victoria impelled, bidding farewell to Harold walking back inside his store.

“I need to run an errand for Nick. Shouldn’t take me long. In the meantime, why don’t you and Audra go to the hotel restaurant and get some refreshments. I’ll join you there when I’m through.”

“Okay, but don’t dawdle, Heath. I wouldn’t want to get caught in pitch dark on a cold night.”

“I won’t,” he assured, kissing her on the cheek.

Heath waited for the women to be out of range before sidling over to the dress shop.

Inside the saloon, the enigmatic personage, named Cassidy, joined his two brothers sipping whiskey at the bar. The eldest was a disarmingly tall, brawny blood-thirsty bullyrag who had inherited his irascible temper from his late father. His mother, who passed away when he could barely hold a rifle, had managed to instill him good manners in the short time that she walked upon this earth. However, when the truth about his father’s death was inadvertently blurted out, his mild-mannered disposition readily evanesced. His heart turned to stone. He shed his velvet gloves and began slogging with tightly clenched iron fists. He’d swab the streets of anything or anyone that impeded his movements, blocked his path, indiscriminately slaughtering innocent souls. He was Johnny Harden.

Sitting next to him was his younger brother, Andy. Three years his junior, light-haired blue-eyed Andy often differed in opinion with Johnny. They had clashing personalities. His stance on life was live and let be. Never dwell on the past. He barely knew his father for he passed away when he was a toddler. Johnny believed he could raise up his ire, stir up the resentment stifled deep in the abysmal corners of his heart and soul by relating the hideous story of how Tom Barkley came to cold-bloodedly murder their father. Andy was hurt, naturally, but never subscribed to the “eye for an eye” resolution. He had unwittingly embarked on this journey solely to keep Johnny at bay. The initial plan was to kidnap as many Barkleys as they could in exchange for a substantial ransom, which was enough revenge for Andy, and was dead set on coercing Johnny to uphold the ground rules.

“Guess who’s in town?” Cassidy quizzed.

“I don’t like to guess, Cassidy.” Johnny grunted, leaning against the bar sipping his whiskey.

“The Barkleys.”

Johnny stopped drinking. He reared his head, staring blankly at the bottle-displayed wall before him. He flumped his glass on the counter. turned to Cassidy and stared at him. He clawed at his brother’s shirt, nearly tearing off a strip of fabrics.

“Are you sure?” he pressured between clenched teeth, eyes smoldering with hate.

“Yeah. Tom Barkley’s widow and two of his offsprings.”

Johnny loosened his grip on Cassidy’s shirt, neatly pressing his lapel flat. He carved a vindictive grin. “Well, well, well...what d’you know? Don’t need to ride out to their fortress, they’ve come to us.”

“Johnny we’ve agreed...no violence,” Andy admonished.

“That all depends on their actions.”

“I reckon they’re ain’t going to let us snatch ‘em. They’ll put up some kind of a fight.”

“We’ll just tie ‘em up and gag ‘em, right Johnny?” Cassidy teased as he and Johnny exchanged conniving smiles. Cassidy was Johnny’s younger sibling by one year and both shared congenial tastes in women, liquor and guns. Their heartfelt hatred of Tom Barkley was a venom coursing through their veins and the antidote would only be administered by the agonizing demise of one of his heirs.

“I’m warning you, Johnny!” Andy threw a withering look at Johnny behind his back.

Johnny smirked at Cassidy one more time before facing Andy. “Sure, Andy. Don’t fret, Little Brother.” He clawed a peeved hand at Andy’s shoulder. “Let me handle everything.”

Heath entered the dress shop, politely removing his hat out of deference for ladies present in the store. The bell’s tinkling didn’t register in his mind for his quest made him oblivious of his surroundings. He walked to the counter, disregarding the pairs of eyes peering at him.

“Pardon me, Ma’am.”

“What can I do for you young man?”

“How much for this pearl necklace,” Heath motioned with his finger.

“Thirty-five dollars and fifty cents.”

Heath’s face almost dropped to the floor at the sound of the steep price tag. The image of Audra’s elation as she popped open the box danced on Heath’s mind, trampling any lingering doubts about his perfect gift. He had to have it. Heath burrowed in his waist pocket and remitted a sum of forty dollars to the saleslady. She handed him his change and reached for the black velvet box and closed it.

“Aren’t you the young man who was here with the pretty lady awhile ago?”

“Yes, Ma’am. She’s my sister. Her birthday’s coming up on Sunday and I wanted to surprise her with it.”

“She surely will,” she emphasized, wrapping the box in plain brown paper. “It’s a fine piece of jewelry, genuine and rare. She’s a fortunate girl to have such a caring brother.”

“She’s precious, bless her heart.”

The saleslady sealed the package with a tiny white string and handed it out to Heath.

“Here you go, young man.”

“Thank you.” Heath contemplated it for a brief moment, grasping at the reality that the necklace was now his to give to his best girl.

...Continued