A light shining from the top of a slight tree lined rise caught the eye of Ed Coverington. Signals were used from time to time on such a vast holding as his, but light signals were not. They were dangerous and could, if not properly controlled, lead to forest or scrub fires.

“Who the hell?” He growled.

Turning to his crew he was surprised to find that all three of them had drawn their guns.

And were pointing them at him.

“Nice and easy now Coverington.” Russ ordered. “Just hand your piece over and continue riding. That was for us.”

“Have no doubts.” Pete continued “We’ll shoot you if we have to now move.”

“What the hell is going on here, but what authority?”

“This one.” Hank moved closer and pointed his gun at Ed’s temple. “And then there’s your wife. Don’t want her damaged in any way do you? Be a real shame if something were to happen to her, her being such a nice lady and all.”

“Just do as we say and lets ride.” Mordant took control again. “The house. Move!”

In the basement of the Coverington house Susannah Coverington paced. It had seemed like hours had passed since the men who had burst into the house had flung her down the steps.

Minutes or seconds ago, she couldn’t really tell the front door had opened, then closed. She’d heard voices, male voices swearing cursing and yelling at each other. Ed, one of the voices had belonged to her husband, he must’ve been up there with them. She prayed he was safe and not trying to be a hero. Ed was no coward but there had been so many of those brutes and not many of them were small men.

The leader and at least four of those with him were over six feet tall and build like steam train engines. Not one ounce of fat on them. Ed, one man alone, wouldn’t have stood a chance against them.

The shot, when it rang out caught her by surprise. With her hands to mouth she just about prevented herself from screaming. The door above her opened and something was thrown down the stairs and landed at her feet.

“Ed!” She cried and rushed to her husband’s side.

From out of nowhere hands grabbed her and began to drag her up the stairs.

“Leave me alone.” She fought to return to Coveringtons side. “My husband needs me.”

“Leave him lady, he’s gone, finished with. But you’re not. We still have need for you.” The voice said roughly to her. “You’re going to help us secure our goods.”

“Never.” She spat and tried to rake her nails down her assailants face.

Her gesture was meet with a slap across the face.

“Try that again lady and you’ll be joining your husband on that range in the sky we all hear about.”

Again she was shaken severely and forcibly dragged up the remaining stairs.

“Shall we?” Paul asked as he offered Heather his arm. “They’ll be waiting for us.”

“I know.” Heather replied with just the hint of a tremor in her voice.

“Honey?” Paul picked up on it at once.

“Nothing.” She looked at Paul’s puzzled expression. “This whole being the centre of attention thing is not my field. I’m better at blending into the background. It’s the one part of our wedding day I’m dreading.”

By now the couple were at the bottom of the staircase and had turned in the direction of the dining room.

“You won’t be alone. I’ll be there to see this through with you and together we’ll make it.” Paul pulled her into a quick embrace. “I promise.”

“And just where do you two think you’re going?” The voice of Nick boomed from where he was standing near the front door.

Startled the couple jumped.

“To dinner of course.” Heather replied.

“Not in the dining room you’re not, this way.” He indicated for the couple to join him by the door.

Both Heather and Paul eyed him with deep suspicion. The suspicion grew when he produced two blindfolds.

“Trust me?”

Both of them shook their heads to indicate no.

“How about us?” Jarrod and Heath appeared.

“You two?” Paul asked with humour in his voice

“Never.” Heather finished.

“Thanks.” Jarrod returned playfully.

“Would we ever do anything to hurt you?” Nick asked in an innocent tone.

“Can we think about that?” Paul continued the playful bantering that was going on.

“Nope.” Was Nicks quick reply. “Ready?”

“For what?”

“Your dinner of course. Now careful the steps are just in front of you.” Jarrod said as he and Nick guided Paul up the steps and out the front door.

“Heath?” Heather asked as she felt the strong arms of her twin encircle her. “What is going on? Where are you taking us and above all does Mother know what you’re doing?”

“Your dinner is what is going on.” Heath began to answer his sister’s questions in the order she presented them to him. “We are taking you to that dinner and yes Mother does know what we are doing. She thought of it.”

“This isn’t the way to the dinning room.”

“Who said we are taking you to the dinning room?” Nick asked from his position to Paul’s left. “Paul stop!”

“There’s a carriage just in front of you.” Jarrod instructed.

With ease, considering that both of the guests of honour were blindfolded, the brothers managed to get them both in the Barkley family carriage and the group set off.

Victoria and Audra in the carriage with Paul and Heather. Behind in the second carriage came Jarrod, Margaret Nick and Heath.

“No peeking.” Audra slapped Paul’ hand away from the blindfold for the third time. “We’re almost there.”

“But where?” By now Paul was getting a little more than frustrated.

Victoria smiled to herself. The tone Paul had just used with Audra was so like that Nick and Heath had used over the years it was amazing. He would fit in perfectly.

“Here” Victoria said as she pulled the horses to a stop. “Now no removing the blindfolds just yet. We just need to get you both down.”

Thankfully the exist from the carriage went as smoothly as the entrance and soon the family stood before the ‘Party One’.

“Wood, I can smell wood burning.” Heather said “Are we at that spot near Watchers Lookout with the lake and bbq pits?”

“No.” Nick laughed, he enjoying this game.

“Water, I hear water.” Paul now joined in. “Meadows Creek near the natural dam?”

“Guess again.” Heath told him.

“Removing the blindfolds would be easier.” Victoria suggested. She too was enjoying the game.” At this rate we’ll be here all night.”

“SURPRISE.” The group yelled as Jarrod and Margaret removed the offending pieces of cloth.

Before Heather and Paul stood the ‘Party One’. Lights blazing and across the entrance way a banner with the words ‘Congratulations Paul and Heather.’

“Come aboard” Captain Sims called from where he stood next to Silas.

“Mother oh thank-you.” Heather flew into Victoria’s arms. “I can’t believe you hired the party boat just for us.”

“Sweetheart it was my pleasure. It was still here after the do the other night and I thought why not?”

While Heather was thanking the rest of her family Paul took the opportunity to also thank Victoria.

“Victoria I thank-you but all this.” Paul waved his arms.

“Is perfectly in order.” Victoria told him “You’ve made Heather very happy and this is my way of thanking you. She loves you very much Paul and after all that’s happened in her life to finally find someone to care for her as much as you do what more can a mother ask for?”

“Well come on.” Jarrod called “Let’s do as the captain suggests and get on board.”

“Miz Heather.” Silas stepped forward and offered her a glass of the best Barkley wine. “Mr Paul.”

“Thank-you Silas.” Heather replied and watched the rest of her family take the glasses that Silas offered them.

“To Heather and Paul.” Jarrod offered the toast. “And their future happiness, my their lives be filled with prosperity and love.”

“To Heather and Paul.” The family responded.

Glasses were emptied and refilled.

“We thank-you all for your kind words and thoughts.” Paul responded on behalf of the engaged couple. “And to you all, thank-you for this and for allowing me into your family. I’ll try my best to live up to your expectations and to take care of that which you have intrusted to me.” Saying that he draped his arm around Heathers shoulders and pulled her close.

“And if you don’t you’ll have us to answer to.” Nick piped up in teasing tone. Beside him Heath quietly smirked.

“Shh” Victoria admonished.

“Now if the happy couple will just follow me. ‘Captain Sims requested. “We’ll get under way.”

Puzzled both Heather and Paul did as requested and followed the Captain to the wheelhouse.

“Before any riverboat journey can begin we have to signal to any coming traffic that we’re pulling out.” Sims explained and indicated to the horn. “If you’d both care to do the honours. And none of this gentle tugging business give it a good long hard pull.”

From the deck in front of the wheelhouse Victoria, Jarrod, Margaret, Nick, Heath and Audra watched as the happy couple as one pulled on the whistle cord and a deep air-penetrating whistle sounded.

Further down river at the Coverington landing and further down beyond the landing others heard the whistle faintly on the breeze and smiled. Their goods were on the way.

“Just how far and where are you taking us?” Heather asked after the family group had sat down in the enclosed dining area.

“We’ll be heading towards the landing on Ed Coveringtons spread, collecting some meat that’s been cooking there, turning around heading back this way, past our own landing for about another four or five miles, stopping again briefly and then finally returning to Barkley’s landing.” Nick mapped out the route, leaving out one or two little things. “Round trip about four hours give or take.”

“We ran into Ed Coverington earlier said he and Susannah might come down to the landing when we arrive.” Heath told them.

This pleased Victoria no end.

“We really should thank them properly.” Victoria put in. “Without them most of this won’t be happening.”

“All Ed wants is to have the honour of kissing the bride first. “Nick told the group. “After the family of course”

“I think we can come up with something a little better then that Nicholas.”

“I’m only repeating what Ed said.” Nick defended himself. “Right?” He looked to Heath.

“Word for word that’s what he said. Heath confirmed.

“How about Paul and I ride to the Coverington house and invite them to dine with us tomorrow night?” Heather inquired. “We’ll take them to that new place in Stockton, the one that supposed to have that good reputation?”

“What Pete’s Grill?” Nick snickered. Pete’s had the worst reputation in the whole county.

“No” Heather was shocked “Château Andre.”

“That sounds like a lovely idea.” Victoria gave the plan her stamp of approval. “Jarrod?”

“Right first thing in the morning I’ll book us a table for ten.” Jarrod confirmed.

The vessel’s whistle sounded again, letting those on shore know that the boat was approaching the landing.

“Why not ask them now?” Audra asked as the landing came into view, beyond sitting in a buggy she could just make out the shape of a man and woman. “They’re waiting for us.”

“Now.” The boss of the gunrunners ordered. “Just smile and wave. Don’t make a sound and no funny signals. Just a smile and a wave.” He grasped the arm of Susannah and gave her a shake. “And remember what’s pointed at your back.”

In front of them men uncovered the cooking pits and made ready to hand over the meat. Just like the boss wanted .Not one thing was to appear to be out of the ordinary.

“Come on Heath, Jarrod. “Nick called as the boat pulled into the landing. “The sooner we load this stuff the sooner we eat.” Saying this he jumped onto the wooden landing and headed towards the cooking pits.

“Don’t you ever think of anything else?” Jarrod called back as he and Heath made to join Nick.

“When I haven’t eaten since lunch? No!”

“How do you and Paul manage to keep up with him?” He looked at his youngest brother.

“Easy.” Heath smiled. “And he’s right. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“Thanks fellas.” Nick addressed the cowboys in front of him. “We’ll take it from here now.”

“I don’t think so Barkley.” The closet hand said. “Hands up move slowly back to the boat.”

Before any of the Barkley’s could react they were surrounded.

Out gunned and out numbered they had little choice but to obey.

“Well, well the high and mighty Barkley’s.” The boss gloated as he leapt down from the carriage that he’d shared with Susannah Coverington and approached the paddleboat.

“What do you want with us?” Nick asked and the growled as a rifle barrel was poked into the small of his back. “And what have you done with Ed Coverington?”

“Let’s just say we took care of him.” The leader smirked. “As to what we want. Do you Barkley’s think yourselves so important that everything is about you? Well sorry to disappoint you but it’s not you we want, it’s the boat and more urgently what’s on it.”

“Smugglers?” Jarrod asked.

“I prefer the term Gunrunners.” The boss corrected.

“Why now, why us?” Heath asked.

Out of the corner of his eye he’d caught Paul setting up for something on the other side of the entranceway and wanted to keep the gunrunners attention firmly fixed on their prisoners.

“Why now? Easier and less people about then the other night. Why you because you’re here. Simple really. Now shut it and get moving.”

“This one’s getting itchy boss.” The runner behind Nick said. “ Spoiling for a fight.”

“Well then keep a tight watch on him. And be on the lookout there’s one other on board.”

So they knew about Paul. Nick’s hopes took a nosedive. He too had seen Paul make his move and was preparing himself.

“Hey boys.” The boss called. “Like a herd of cattle and a flock of geese what’s the name for a collection of Barkley’s?”

The gunrunners just smirked and said nothing.

“A pain of Barkley’s boys and do you know why they’re called a pain?”

Again silence.

“Because that’s what they are a pain in the #$%. Always sticking their noses in where they shouldn’t, upsetting others plans.” The boss stopped by the entranceway. “Just like somebody else I know.”

He paused.

“I know you’re there, you think I didn’t see you Paul.”

“Jack?” Paul thought to himself. “What was Jack Rushmore doing here now and with gunrunners?"

Ever the strategist Jack had spotted him and knew he was there, so a full on rush, knocking the wind out of whomever was leading the villains there by creating the needed diversion was out of the question Time for the backup plan.

“Mr Paul.” The voice of Silas interrupted his thoughts.” Take this.”

From out of nowhere Silas appeared and handed him a weird looking contraption. It was about whiskey bottle size with a nozzle and a compression handle at the top.

“There is some strange and weird things in that galley Mr Paul but this beats them all, you pumps it and then push this towards the body of the bottle.” He pointed to a strange looking handle. “It shoots out a jet of water, expect I fills it with a mixture of water and pepper.”

“Good man Silas, thanks and now make yourself scarce, the last think I want is for you to be injured.” Paul took the device pumped it and waited. “Silas where are the ladies?”

“Miz Barkley, Miz Audra, Miz Margaret and Miz Heather are safe and with Capt Simms in the galley Mr Paul.”

“Good now go and join them.”

“Yes sir.”

“And Silas thanks again.”

It was totally unconventional but at least he was armed.

“PAUL.” Rushmore's voice sounded again. “GIVE YOUR SELF UP YOU’RE OUTNUMBERED AND YOUR FRIENDS CAN’T HELP YOU.”

“AND SINCE WHEN DID YOU ASSOCIATE WITH GUNRUNNERS JACK?”

“Since you and your MI superiors closed down my military gunrunning operation.”

Finally it all made sense. Jack was involved with the outfit he’d been on the trail of until he was discovered and had been sent into hiding on the Barkley ranch. And that was also how they’d eventually found him. Jack Rushmore the link into Jamie Spence’s office.

“Come in and get me then. If you can. You’ve botched it once before remember? Your ego was always your down fall Jack. You always let it get in the way of your reason.”

Knowing he only needed to divert Rushmore’s attention for a second. He primed his ‘weapon’ and took a firing position.

“You’ve interfered with my plans for the last time Paul. This deal I’ve got going is worth far to much to let the likes of you and your friends be to going and upsetting…”

His triad ended as Paul’s ‘water cannon’ caught him in the eyes. The pepper in the water causing his eyes to burn and sting.

“NOW” Paul called.

That was all the Barkley brothers needed to hear. With their boss writhing in pain the gunrunners were caught in the dilemma of going to his aide or keeping a tight leash on their prisoners.

“Get them you idiots.” Rushmore ordered trying in vain to stop the stinging in his eyes. Although not totally blinded everything was extremely watery and hazy. Beside him he could just make out a rifle or at least a piece of wood and not to far away his old friend Paul Roberts. Uncontrolled rage took hold and he took a swing the direction of Paul’s head

Busy with another of the gunrunners Paul never saw the approaching danger. The double barrels of the gun caught him on the temple and he slid to the ground unconscious.

“Behind you.” Jarrod called a warning but he was too late.

In doing so exposing himself to the same sort of danger that was heading for Paul. A rifle butt slammed into the back of his head.

“JARROD” Nick cried and giving his opponent one last jaw shattering punch rushed over the his fallen brothers side. Only to meet the same fate.

With both Nick and Jarrod now out of action the gunrunners now turned their attention to the one Barkley still on his feet. Heath.

Overpowered by the five gunrunners it wasn’t long before he too joined the rest of his brothers in an unconscious pile on the floor.

Pain, pain and dampness?

The throb in his temple told Paul Roberts that he was still alive. Man his head ached.

“Slowly there Capt Roberts.” A female voice urged. It was faint. “That brute got you good with that rifle.”

“Victoria?” He asked feeling very confused. She was the only person he knew that spoke in such a genteel tone.

“No young man. It’s Susannah Coverington. We’ve haven’t been properly introduced yet but I’ve heard a lot about you. And you knew my husband.”

“Ed?” Things were starting to come back to him know.

“Yes. You’re in my front room. Those brutes left us here while they unload the wagon.”

“Heather, Nick, Heath, Jarrod and the others? Are they all right? There was a fight. Somebody hit me.” He sat up quickly and regretted it. The room started to spin.

“I said slowly young man and I meant it.” Susannah scolded and held another cool clothe to his head. “The rest of the Barkley’s aren’t here. All I know is they dragged you back to the wagon dumped you in the back of it, made several more trips with boxes and then drove us back here.”

“The boat what happened to the boat?”

“They set it adrift, that’s all I know.” Susannah helped him to sit up properly. “Now I have a question for you. Who are these people? They seem to know you.”

Their leader and I go back along way. We became officers together, rose through the ranks together. Even got command of our own units at the same time. Captain Jack Rushmore.” Paul told her. “The big four with him are ex soldiers I’m guessing.”

“And you’d be guessing right.” Jack Rushmore said as he entered the room. “Three of them are from my old unit, and Sergeant Hawkins there is or rather was good old George’s second in command.”

“George..?”

“Refused to join us. I made him a good offer. Stubborn fool won’t even consider it. So there was, shall we say, a change in command and Hawkins brought most of George’s men with him.”

“So you killed a fellow officer? Jack what happened to you?”

“Money and power.” Rushmore smiled as he launched himself into a comfortable armchair. “The two most alluring things in this world. My arm career was going nowhere, so l looked around for another options and found them. Then you and MI came along and ruined them. So now instead of military weapons I sell whatever I can to whomever I can.”

“With stolen weapons, raids on armaments factories on munitions factories?”

“You bet. High profit low risk.”

“Just what was on the ‘Party One’?”

“Some very expensive and highly sort after toys.” He indicated to his men. “These to be precise.”

Crates were ripped open revealing Smith and Westerns, Winchesters and the required ammunition.

“Everyday stuff.” Paul scoffed. “Hardly in your league.”

“Then there are these!”

The third crate was opened.

“Gatling guns?”

“Latest model, top of the range.” Rushmore boasted. “ The right people will pay a small fortune for these babies.”

“You’re sick Jack you know that really sick.”

“Not half a sick as you will be Paul, by the time I’m finished with you.” Rushmore laughed an evil laugh. “Lock them in the basement for now. We’ll continue playing with our friend later, after our buyer leaves.” He turned, lashing out at Paul with his fists and boot. “A little something to think on.”

From the direction of the river an explosion was heard.

“That’ll be your friend's meeting their fate.”

...Continued