Retribution

Chapters 24-38

by Catgirl63

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

Chapter 24

Evangeline climbed the staircase wondering if her insistence of Heath keeping the gun he wore as part of his wardrobe at home was wrong even though he’d only hesitated a moment before unbuckling the belt from his waist. The weapon hung on a peg by the door along with its twin in another holster. She thought she had seen a moment of panic or uncertainty flash in his eyes before he’d headed upstairs to hurry their son along.

The frown faded and a smile spread across her face at the two male voices floating down the hallway as she neared Evan’s bedroom. Slowing her steps and reaching the doorway, she stood and observed the two unnoticed. Heath knelt in front of his son nodding and answering the excited boy’s questions while he adjusted the small size chaps.

“Not til you’re bigger and older, son.”

“But papa I can ride a pony. Can’t I race, please?”

“Not yet son. Do you remember what Charlie told you about handling the big horses?”

“Uh…no.”

“Evan.”

“He said ya had to be strong like a grizzly and when ya’ break ‘em ya had to be quick like a deer on their backs. Uncle Charlie said ya’ have ta be part tick too. Papa, I don’t like ticks.”

“Not many do like ticks but Charlie was right, Evan. There’ll be plenty of time for you to ride broncs when you’re older. You leave that to me and Uncle Charlie for now. You just worry about trying to hold on during your ride on that sheep today at the festival. If we see Joey’s parents, maybe we can see if he can stay the night.”

“Okay, Papa.”

Sitting back on his heels, Heath nodded in approval and smiled, “Looking mighty good, son.

“Thanks Papa!” smiled Evan before a mischievous light sparked in his eyes. “Papa, Mama says havin’ a hard head don’t hurt none neither when ya’ bust horses.”

Chuckling, Heath plopped the tan hat on his son’s head and smirked, “Is that right my little buckaroo?”

Pushing the hat out of his eyes, Evan nodded. “Yep.”

“Got your gloves?” asked Heath.

“Yep.” confirmed Evan showing his small hands wrapped around an equally small pair of leather gloves. “I’m ready. Are we going now, Papa?”

Heath sighed, “Soon, Evan. We have to wait another hour or so for your mama to get ready.”

“Heath!” gasped Evangeline from the doorway. “We’re waiting on you two!”

“Papa was fixin’ my champs, mama.” explained Evan seriously, not sure if his papa was in trouble or not.

“Chaps, son. Not champs.” corrected Heath clapping the small back lightly. “Since your mama and sister are ready, we can go.”

“YEAH!” shouted Evan running out of the room and slowing when both parents called out as they walked out of the room.

Wrapping her arms around her husband’s waist, Evangeline smiled and shook her head, “He’s so excited!”

Heath shook his head at his son’s voice calling out to his twin as the door slammed behind him and he gazed into the azure colored eyes. “Boy howdy, he makes enough noise for three boys sometimes.”

“Heath, if you want to wear your gun it’s alright.” said Evangeline. “I shouldn’t have asked you to not wear it.”

Shaking his head, Heath smiled, “We have a rifle in the boot of the surrey if we need one, Ange. It’s fine. Don’t worry your beautiful head about it.”

“Why don’t we stay home and let daddy take the kids to the festival?” whispered Evangeline running her hands up and down his back. “Think of what we could do in this house all by ourselves.”

“Are you trying to seduce me, my wife?” whispered Heath in her ear and holding her against him. “I’ll have you know your womanly wiles won’t work on me.”

Evangeline pulled back and frowned, “Well, I was just thinking we could get so much down around the house without the kids underfoot. The new shelves you need to hang, the picture we need to put in Heather’s room, moving the bookcase from the attic to Evan’s room, cleaning…”

“No, we are not staying home alone!” replied Heath firmly. “If I did all that I’d be all tuckered out and not be able to play.”

“Play?” repeated Evangeline innocently.

“Hmmm…play.” whispered Heath capturing her lips in a lingering kiss, breaking their lips apart from the small voices calling from downstairs.

“Mama! Papa!”

“I’ll show you more later.” whispered the blond before sighing and wrapping his arm around her waist.

“Promise?” suggested Evangeline, his response was a tightening of his arm moving her closer into his side before they descended the staircase to the waiting carriage. Waving to Charlie who would be joining them later for lunch, the small family made their way to the fairgrounds for the town anniversary festival.

Sitting between her children in the back, Evangeline listened to the twins, their voices chattering nonstop, the excitement from the two small bodies filling the air around the adults. Glancing over, Thad smiled at his son-in-law who smirked and shook his head, the laughter in his pale blue eyes lightened the orbs.

Stopping the surrey, Thad jumped down and secured the horses while Heath reached up and helped his family down. Moving through the crowd of people, they walked to the table to sign Evan up for the sheep racing and spend the time greeting their friends and neighbors. Thad and Evangeline stopped to talk to the newest bank manager while Heath held onto his children’s hands and they walked towards the corrals.

Heath stood and watched the twins giggle after letting a four month old calf lick their hands before they petted his neck and face. Moving from each enclosure to another, the blond suddenly felt eyes upon him and he turned, the pale blue eyes turning to ice at the man appearing behind him.

“Heath, good to see you again.”

“What the hell do you want?”

Chapter 25

The heat of the day couldn’t freeze the layer of ice encasing and coating the blond whose tender smile as he watched his laughing children disappeared in the blink of an eye. The three piece suited dark haired man appearing out of the crowd on the fair grounds smiled calmly into the cold pale blue eyes before him.

Shifting his own dark eyes downward, he nodded towards the two curly headed blond children, obviously twins and asked as his hand reached forward, “Your children, Heath?”

The question, an innocent one out of most people’s mouths, waved on the wind like a red flag to an enraged two ton bull. The large hands of the blond touched the heads of each of the twins as they huddled close to his legs afraid at the change they instinctively sensed in the papa they loved and worshipped.

Lowering his voice, Heath’s jaw clenched and his face muscle twitched, his words hissed out, “Don’t even think about it, Josiah. I’ll rip it right off your arm.”

The calm dark eyes burned for a moment at the veiled threat before he shrugged and pulled his hand back. Meeting the pale blue eyes, the richly dressed man shook his head and smirked.

“Heath, I saw you and only wanted to stop by to say howdy. Is that anyway to treat an old friend you haven’t seen in what? Five years?”

The subtle laughter in the deep voice wasn’t missed by the blond who’d moved his eyes to the man standing behind Josiah’s shoulder. The dead green eyes carefully watching the meeting between the two men, his face expressionless.

“Papa, can we go find mama?” asked Evan quietly tugging on his father’s hand.

“Sure, son.” replied Heath softly. “Wait for me over by the calf pen.”

Looking up the length of their father, the twins didn’t move until he knelt down and smiled into the frightened faces. “I’ll be right there kids. Go on now.”

Putting Heather’s hand in her brother’s, Heath turned his children and watched til they reached the calf pen ten feet away before standing to face the smirking dark haired man.

“You’ve said your howdy, now leave. Take your dog Masters with you.”

The sound coming from behind the suit was a growled mixture of fury and venom. Holding up his right hand, Josiah waited for the sound to cease before his black eyes void of any resemblance of friendliness met the blue chips of ice.

“You’re not being very friendly, Heath. It wasn’t too long ago that you were standing right behind me where Masters now is. Have you forgotten how well we worked together and how I took you in to earn money for your sick mother?” challenged Josiah crisply.

Crossing his arms, the blond retorted, “I have a long memory, Josiah of how you used the cover of eminent domain to threaten people and take their homes.”

“Ah but who was the man who carried out my orders? You.” stated Josiah with a smile. “You are just as guilty of being heartless, my friend and kicking people off their homesteads.”

“I was a railroad agent for the company. Not like Masters who you’ve got on a short leash.” stated Heath coldly. “You’re the one who decided to cheat those honest people under the company’s name. By the way, how was prison?”

“Watch it Thomson!” hissed Josiah Crown, stepping closer to the blond who glared into the dark eyes. “If I find out it was you who turned me in, I’ll take my retribution. You’d best watch your back and your family.”

Reaching out and grabbing onto the suit lapels, Heath jerked his former co-railroad peer forward til their noses almost met. Masters stood calmly in the back and watched according to his boss’ prior orders of no interference.

“Remember who you’re talking to Crown. Touch my family and I won’t lose any sleep after putting a bullet in your black heart!” snarled Heath, pushing the man away and watching Masters grab his boss as he lost his balance. “Now leave!”

Brushing his hands over the front of his suit, Josiah Crown straightened the cloth before smiling. “We’re leaving. Nice to see you again, Heath.”

Heath watched Crown motion with his head to Masters and turn, walking four feet before stopping. The two sets of eyes met and Crown smiled.

“We’re building a new line in California, Heath. Guess you don’t want to join us for this one, huh? No?” asked Josiah not waiting for a response before frowning. “When you say family are you including your father’s family in Stockton? The ones who live on the land you own? The Barkley’s? Small world, ain’t it?”

Laughing at the look of shock which spread across the blond’s face, Josiah and Masters merged with the crowd around them, cut off from the stunned rancher’s view who stood rooted in place by the questions still ringing through his mind.

“Papa!”

The calls of his name brought him out of his wall of shock and he walked to his children whose small faces were filled with apprehension.

“How about if we go find mama?” smiled Heath, kneeling before the two youngsters who suddenly clung onto him. “Hey, it’s okay now.”

“He’s scary, papa.” whispered Heather.

“I want to go home.” stated Evan, his words muffled by his father’s shoulder.

“Shhhh…he’s gone.” assured Heath wrapping his arms around the twins and holding them close to him as he stood. The little ones snuggled against their strong father while he effortlessly carried them, weaving a line through the crowd.

Evangeline and Thad’s smiles faded at the two children in their father’s arms who were clinging to him and they rushed forward.

“Thad, I gotta wire Stockton. Crown’s going after the Barkleys.” explained Heath, his words causing the father and daughter to gasp in disbelief. “He knows he’s my…father and I own the land.”

“Ned was just telling us the wire’s down and won’t be up for four days.” replied Thad, taking Heather out of his son-in-law’s arm while they walked towards the surrey.

“We’ll have to head out by train. The next scheduled one heading west should leave in about two hours. We’ve got to be on it.” said Heath firmly.

“We?” asked Evangeline trying to keep up with her quick moving husband and father. “Heath!”

Stopping, Heath met his wife’s eyes and nodded to the children they were holding before whispering, “There ain’t no way I’m leaving Thad, you and the children behind with that vulture around. I’d never forgive myself if….”

Putting her fingers on his lips, Evangeline shook her head, “Shhhh…we’ll be ready, Heath.”

Chapter 26

Thad pulled the blanket up further and lightly touched the soft brown hair on his resting daughter’s head before his hand drifted down to caress the blond heads laying on her lap. The twins were curled up on both sides of Evangeline, sleeping through the noise of subdued talking in the car of the train, someone muttering in their sleep, a man’s loud snoring and a bout of coughing.

Frightened from the encounter of the early afternoon, it had taken some time to calm the two little ones enough for the steady sound of the wheels on the rails to create a lullaby and beckon the youngsters into sleep. Heath persuaded his wife to take advantage of the ride and rest also.

Thad glanced to the end of the passenger car where his son-in-law stood watching the darkness outside of the moving contraption. The partially filled car was a godsend to the blond man whose temperament of gentleness was no longer evident, replaced by an intensity of watchfulness and readiness.

The other passengers no longer stared at the matching guns Heath wore slung around his hips, the rarity of the sight on any man no longer made them gawk for they’d spent most of the afternoon and all of the night to get used to the sight. The knowledge of the two guns was a sharp contrast to the sight of the blond handling his small children with a tenderness one would use with a delicate object of glass.

It was an extreme of two means, a contradiction in itself and after one look into the cold blue eyes when he first scanned the others in the car when they boarded, the passengers felt his warning which said stay back and so they did.

Thad caught the blue eyes of his son-in-law when he turned to once again walk the length of the aisle in his restless need to be moving. Nodding slightly in answer to the unspoken question in the blue eyes, Thad took his seat across from his daughter and grandchildren opening his coat in case he needed access to the shoulder holster given to him several years before by Heath.

The quick drive out to the ranch to frantically pack only the bare essentials and fill in Charlie of the reason for the unexpected trip seemed days ago, In reality, it’d only been hours and they were almost at their destination. The lightly copper skinned man wanted to accompany the family who were like his own but knew staying behind to guard the small ranch was another way of helping, allowing his friend and former unit member the piece of mind of not worrying about his home base.

The darkness of the night speeding by wasn’t going fast enough for the blond who’d made the split second decision to head out after the unexpected meeting with his former boss. He knew the ruthlessness and cruelness inside Josiah Crown and if it were possible, it seemed to have deepened since the time he’d been incarcerated in the Texas prison.

Letting out a silent sigh, Heath glanced back to where his family sat watched over by his father-in-law before looking back into the night, the darkness the same as Crown’s soul. He knew if Josiah found out it was him who went to the Texas Rangers and pointed them in the right direction to cause his subsequent arrest, the man would not rest until he’d destroy everything Heath loved before going after him.

Allowing a brief smile of satisfaction cross his face, Heath remembered how stunned Crown had been the day Captain Hank Terney and his rangers arrested the cold hearted man. For while the blond had been a railroad agent and he’d despised the job of displacing homesteaders who were compensated for their land for the good of the public, he’d never taken part in the hidden workings of Crown and his tightly knit group of other subordinates. Crown had known Heath wouldn’t stand by and let it occur for it wasn’t in his nature to allow others to be persecuted so he had tried to keep his nightly activities hidden.

Shaking his head, Heath turned and walked back down the aisle. Just as he wouldn’t let Crown continue persecuting those innocent people in the past, he couldn’t let the Barkleys become the man’s victims or his prey. They were innocent for he owned the land but Josiah would carry out his unspoken threat without remorse or a shred of second thought.

No matter what he felt about the man who sired him, he couldn’t in all good consciousness allow Crown to touch them. The man didn’t feel like others in the world, he didn’t care for anything beyond himself and therefore, he had no weakness which could be used against him.

Josiah Crown would strike, regardless of who would be hurt. Women, children or elderly people….he didn’t care and their deaths would roll off his back like droplets of water.

Thad studied his son-in-law intently, his eyes concerned and he pushed himself to his feet making his way to the blond’s side. Heath offered a slight smile at the hand which squeezed his shoulder before shaking his head.

“I shoulda killed him years ago like the rabid dog he is.” whispered Heath. “The world would’ve been much better off and safer to live in.”

“When we get to Stockton Heath, I’ll ride out to the Barkley ranch and warn them. You can stay with Evangeline and the kids.” offered Thad quietly, receiving a negative shake of the blond head for an answer.

“No, we’re all going to the ranch. I don’t want any of you out of my sight for even a moment.” countered Heath softly before frowning. “Why would Josiah so blatantly tell me his plans? It’s unlike him. I don’t get it.”

“I don’t know, Heath.” replied the former banker. “Do you think he knows about you and Captain Hank?”

Allowing his eyes to go back to his sleeping wife, Heath felt a cold hand of dread clench his heart and he swallowed the lump of fear in his throat. “What if the doc was right when he said he thought there were two Pinkertons in town? What if one of them wasn’t working for the Barkleys but for Josiah? That has to be how he found me, Thad. It’s been a long time since we left the panhandle.”

“My god, Heath, you could be right.” gasped Thad suddenly, remembering the confusion surrounding the different descriptions from the town citizens of the pinker ton agent who’d been asking questions. “If he knows, why didn’t he do something in Carson City?”

“It’s too public and because he likes to watch people squirm as much as he enjoys the torturing before the kill, Thad.” hissed Heath, his eyes filling with anger.

The door on the end of the car opened and the conductor made his way to the two men standing in the aisle. “Mr. Thomson, we’ll reach Stockton in twenty minutes.”

“Thank you.” replied Heath before moving up the aisle to his wife and twins with his father-in-law following.

Chapter 27

Lightly touching the silky cheek of his resting wife, Heath smiled into the light colored eyes after her eyelids fluttered open. His heart swelled at the pure emotion in her eyes and he found himself sending his thanks upward to the gods who moved heaven and earth to bring them together.

“We’re almost there, Ange.” whispered Heath.

Smiling and pushing her face further into the palm resting against her cheek, Evangeline welcomed the feel of her husband’s strong hand to push away the fears of the unsettled dreams she’d had.

“What time is it, Heath?” asked Evangeline softly, glancing to the darkness outside.

“Bout one.” said Heath lowering his hand and eyes to his children’s head on their mother’s lap. “Do you think they’ll stay asleep?”

Evangeline shook her head and winked, “Your children possess every ounce of orneriness and stubbornness you do, honey. What do you think?”

Heath sighed, “Maybe we all should have slept. When they get wound up it’s hard to keep up with them.”

Thad stood by and smiled at the couple thankful for the solidness of the love between them and the way they walked through life beside each other. After turning his face to look out the window, only then did he allow a brief moment of fear at what the future would hold to show in his eyes.

He was afraid for the safety of the small family, his mind remembering all too well the night raids on the panhandle and the dead left behind by the marauders. The unsolved murders were still unsolved for neither Heath nor his Texas Rangers compadres had been able to link those raids to Crown. All they could link him to was embezzlement of company funds and misuse of his power by strong armed tactics.

A paper trail was enough to convict Josiah Crown and sentence him to the state’s care for ten years. Unfortunately it appeared the man had been released early as such with others convicted of crimes where no blood had been spilled since none of the others would roll over on the boss whose eyes put a deep fear into them.

The whistle of the train sounded signifying its arrival to the town appearing on the horizon in the darkness, the lighted windows drawing the passengers’ eyes as they stretched and gathered their things about them as the speed of the train slowed, gliding into it’s stopping spot before the station. The release of steam and the grinding of the brakes halted the long metal line of cars, the swaying stilled after a final lurch.

Lifting Heather and handing her to Evangeline, Heath watched his daughter’s sleepy eyes open and glance around before closing, snuggling into her mother’s shoulder. Thad took Evan in his strong arms standing back while Heath grabbed the two valises, holding one by his left hand and tucking the other under his arm keeping his right hand free.

Evangeline met her father’s eyes for a brief moment, her heart pounding in her chest and she tried to calm her fear, afraid her small daughter would sense her unrest and wake. Thad reached over and squeezed the hand of his daughter which rested on the small back, sending her his strength.

“Let me look around first.” stated Heath to his wife and father-in-law, leaving them in the aisle by the door after the other passengers disembarked.

Heath stepped out onto the small metal landing of the train, letting his eyes run over the lighted depot platform before climbing down the steps. The shadows were scrutinized before he gestured to his father-in-law who was watching from the doorway. Putting his feet on the ground, Thad reached up and held his daughter’s hand as she slowly climbed down with her precious bundle in tow.

The small group made their way down the boardwalk of the street, the only noise coming from the saloons still open for business. The loud voices of the men enjoying their Saturday night could be heard through the swinging doors, laughter and a piano playing off key filled the night with a tune.

Watching for any threat to those following him, Heath kept his eyes moving as he bypassed the hotel and made for the livery. Stopping suddenly, Thad and Evangeline heard the whispered curse as the blond gawked at the burned out building.

Swallowing the lump of dread, Heath shook himself mentally before looking at the two adults with him, the blue eyes filled with guilt and pain.

“It’s Jarrod Barkley’s office, his law office.”

The sign now hanging from only one chain was barely readable, the wood was scorched and blackened from the fire which gutted the office. Evangeline put a hand on her husband’s back, his muscles tense and quivering while their nostrils took in the smell of torched lumber.

“Heath, you don’t know Crown did this.” offered Thad softly. “Anything could’ve happened.”

“No, I brought this down on them, Thad.” choked out Heath angrily before moving past the destroyed office and towards the livery. Thad and Evangeline followed quietly behind, the sight of the burned out office lingering in their minds and filling them with a dark apprehension.

Waking the liveryman, Heath welcomed his help to harness the horse to the surrey while he saddled a rented mount. His mind was whirling with implications and subjectures, wondering what else Crown had in mind while he tried to keep the rising guilt within him under tight rein.

If he hadn’t wanted to hurt the man who planted a seed in his mother’s womb before leaving town, the office would have been untouched. The Barkley lives would be untouched by those associated with him, his past wouldn’t have reached out and slapped them in the unsuspecting family in the face.

Heath half listened to the older man rambling on while he saddled the chestnut until a word caught his attention. Suddenly, he stopped and grabbed the other man’s arm in a viselike grip.

“What did you say?” asked Heath quickly seeing the confusion in the man’s arm. “About the fire in the lawyer’s office?”

“Oh, I said he’s lucky he weren’t killed. Doc’s still got him at the office in town but he should be going home tomorrow, I hear.” explained the older man puzzled at the look of relief flying into the intense blue eyes. “Why are ya’ so interested?”

“We’re here to visit the Barkley family. Where’s the doctor’s office?” questioned Heath, thanking the liveryman for the directions before settling his family into the surrey and mounting, leading the way to the white building on the edge of town where a lamp shown in the window.

Chapter 28

Hesitating for a moment, the blond dismounted and tied the reins to the hitching rail before walking back to the surrey. Looking up at his father-in-law in the soft glow of the moonlight, Heath smiled at Ange and the kids before stating.

“I’m just gonna check to see if one of the Barkleys is here. If they are maybe we won’t have to head to the ranch tonight. Be right back.”

Nodding, Thad replied, “I’ll keep an eye out.”

Sighing to himself, Heath walked around the surrey and climbed the stairs, looking around, scanning the darkness after he knocked on the door, waiting as he heard a man’s muffled acknowledgement from inside.

An older man with dark hair answered, the exhaustion in his face clear to see and he glanced at the stranger on the doorstep warily, “Can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me how Jarrod Barkley was or if one of his family was here?” asked Heath quietly.

Frowning, Howard met the blue eyes and questioned, “Are you a relative or friend of the family?”

The question caught Heath off guard and he scowled, wondering how he should answer before simply shrugging, “Ah…not really either, I guess.”

Puzzled, Howard studied the young man for a moment before commanding, “Wait here and I'll get one of the family for you.”

“Thanks.” mumbled Heath turning halfway and shrugging at his waiting family in the surrey who were watching.

Hearing the sound of boots on the wooden floor inside coming towards him, the blond turned and saw the fist right before it connected with his jaw, propelling him backwards off the porch into the dirt of the street. Ange’s scream and the cries of his twins reached through the curtain of stars hovering in his vision.

The loud bellow of warning from his father-in-law overrode the ringing in his ears and he rolled up quickly onto his feet, pulling his gun. The fast advancing feet of a red faced Nick Barkley were stopped by the barrel of the pistol which suddenly met with his tanned forehead.

The dazed cold blue eyes of the man behind the gun blinked to clear away the fogginess from the steel closed hand of the rancher. Tom and Victoria ran to the door at the cries and stopped suddenly at the scene in the darkened street.

“PAPA!” cried the twins in fear.

“HEATH!” shouted Evangeline and Thad.

Nick stood still, his hands clenching and furious hazel eyes glared into the icy orbs of the blond. The rancher literally shook with his desire to enclose his hands around the blond.

“What the hell’s the matter with you, Barkley!” snapped Heath, knowing if he removed the pistol the fury in the man at the other end would explode again.

Victoria stood riveted on the porch, her eyes on the surrey where the children were sobbing over the scary man as they were wrapped in the woman’s arms. Tom shook his head at the unexpected appearance of the son who he had planned to see but the trip had been delayed because of Jarrod’s injuries and the fire.

“You have some nerve coming here after what you did.” growled Nick, finding his voice again. “I’m gonna break you in two.”

“Nick, that’s enough.” commanded Tom firmly. “Put the gun down Heath.”

Confusion flared in the light blue eyes and Heath backed up the large rancher using the force of the barrel on his forehead til Nick was up against the porch of the doctor’s office, unable to move anymore.

“Thad, take Ange and the kids to the hotel.” said Heath calmly.

“No! Not without you, Heath.” countered Evangeline, handing the children to her protesting father and jumping out of the surrey.

“Ange, go.”

Glancing at the older couple on the porch for only a moment, Evangeline stopped beside Nick and turned so she could see her husband’s face. The confusion and anger warring in his eyes were highlighted by the lamp light falling across his face.

“Heath, are these the Barkleys?”

“I’m Tom, this is my wife Victoria and this is one of our sons, Nicholas.” introduced Tom quickly, his words turning the brown haired woman for a moment before she nodded and turned back after saying, “I am Evangeline Thomson. Heath is my husband. This is my father Thaddeus Benton and our children.”

“Heath, put the gun away.” requested Evangeline softly, putting a small hand on her husband’s arm. “Please honey, the children are frightened enough. This is just a misunderstanding.”

“This is Sheriff Maden! Don’t move!” shouted another voice from the darkness at the corner of the building, the sound of a bullet levered into the chamber was crystal clear in the still night air. “Drop it! NOW!”

The blue eyes flashed defiantly for a moment before Heath lowered the gun slowly and replaced it in his holster, his hands moving up shoulder high. Nick reached up and rubbed with the heel of his hand the spot where the barrel had met with his skin, he was sure there would be a round bruise there shortly if there wasn’t already.

“I want him arrested!” snarled Nick gesturing to Heath.

“NO!” protested Evangeline and Thad, their loud voices causing the twins to cry out in fear.

“For what!” shouted Heath gesturing towards the older man on the porch. “For being his wayward offspring! Or so you can weasel the deed to the land outta me by threatening me with jail time!”

“HEATH MORGAN!” screamed Evangeline stepping in front of her husband and poking his chest. “STOP IT RIGHT NOW!”

Nick watched with disbelief and amusement at the small woman who was able to force the blond to clamp his mouth shut and take a deep breath. The tension flew out of the smaller man with the exhalation and he sighed wearily.

“Sheriff, we just came in from Carson City on the train. We saw his office was burned. The liveryman told us the lawyer Jarrod Barkley was here. We were on our way to the Barkley ranch to warn them about a man named Josiah Crown who threatened the family of my…the Barkleys…to get back at me. I don’t know what happened to the lawyer, Sheriff or why they think I’m responsible.” explained Heath staring into the hazel eyes of the man before him.

Nick frowned at the truth he saw in the other man’s eyes and rubbed his face, his gut instinct told him the blond was not hiding anything and he looked up at his father while he climbed down the steps.

The blue eyes flickered briefly at the man who was his father before they turned back to Nick. Tom gestured to the blond to put his hands down and scowled when they didn’t move.

“Fred.”

“Alright, you can lower them. Just don’t try anything.” warned Fred keeping his rifle trained on the blond wearing two guns after his hands lowered.

“Jarrod was beaten and then his office set on fire. He’s been awake long enough to tell us the men who did it said it was a message from you. They said you wanted us off the ranch.” stated Tom with Nick nodding at the questioning look in the blue eyes.

Heath shook his head and snorted, “If I wanted the land, I’d have thrown you off myself, Mr. Barkley without any qualms or any one’s help.”

“Heath, we need to take care of the children.” said Evangeline softly, the muffled cries of the twins twisting her heart. “They’re frightened.”

“Sheriff, can we leave?” asked Heath glancing to the lawman and receiving a nod of agreement before taking his wife’s elbow. “We’ll take rooms at the hotel. Com’n Ange.”

“Wait!” exclaimed the three Barkleys at the same time, stopping the man and woman who turned back to look at them.

Tom glanced at the family of his newest son and offered, “You can come out to the ranch with us. Nick was planning on riding out there in a little while. If this Crown person is around, it’d be safer for you and your family.”

“He’s not here, Mr. Barkley but it appears some of his mangy dogs are.” said Heath glancing at his father-in-law and receiving a prompting nod before agreeing with a low growl, “Just til I send Crown to the fiery depths where he belongs.”

Chapter 29

Tom and Victoria smiled happily at each other, the agreement of Heath Thomson to allow his family to stay at the ranch would give them time to come to know their newest members while keeping them safe.

Heath helped his wife back into the surrey before standing on the single iron step and whispering into Thad’s ear after the twins scampered over to the protective arms of their mother. Evangeline held the two blonds close to her and soothingly calmed their fears and stopped the falling tears. Two sets of wide blue eyes looked at the four strangers watching from the porch of the doctor’s office.

“I don’t know about his, Thad.” admitted Heath with a frown. “I just wanted to warn them not live with them.”

Smiling, the retired banker patted the strong shoulder of his son-in-law. “It’ll be fine. Besides, If I didn’t know better I’d think you were scared of the Barkleys and I didn’t think anyone scared you, Heath.”

“Only your daughter, sir.” teased Heath his voice reaching Evangeline’s ears and she winked at her handsome husband. Nodding slightly to indicate her approval of the plans, she watched as he jumped down to walk over to the hitching rail and untied the reins.

“We’re all set, Mr. Barkley.” informed Heath quietly, pulling himself into the saddle and glancing to the older couple, catching a look of happiness in the two sets of eyes.

“Vic, maybe you should go and see they’re properly settled in. Jarrod’ll sleep the rest of the night anyway, he’d understand and you could use the rest.” suggested Tom suddenly turning to his surprised wife after Nick had led Coco over and mounted.

Heath shifted in the saddle and scanned the darkness around them, aware the town lawman was standing quietly by and taking in every word spoken. The blond pondered how they could prove it was Crown behind the lawyer’s beating and the fire in his office.

“Would if be alright if I rode with your family in the surrey, Heath?” questioned Victoria, taking the blond by surprise at the request.

“Ah…reckon it’d be fine, Mrs. Barkley.” replied Heath before he climbed off the rented horse and grabbed one of the valises off the backseat of the surrey, moving it to the floor to make room for the extra passenger. Vic rushed back inside to kiss her sleeping son goodbye and grab her small handbag. Tom walked his wife to the surrey and helped her up.

“Nicholas, you’ll see everyone gets to the ranch safely.” stated Tom before squeezing his wife’s hand.

“Yes, Father.” agreed Nick firmly, nudging Coco forward.

Heath waited til the surrey passed so he could take up the rear guard. Tom raised a hand to stop his youngest son and sighed.

“Heath I was planning on coming to Carson City to see you and talk about what happened between us. But then Jarrod was injured and we couldn’t leave him.”

Looking down at the older man, Heath nodded and nudged the horse in the side when the older man stepped back. Stopping suddenly, Heath met the brown eyes of his absentee father.

“I hope your son gets better, Mr. Barkley and I’m sorry Crown is bringing your family into this .” apologized Heath softly.

“It’s not your fault, Heath. You can’t control another man’s actions.” reasoned Tom with a shake of his head. “Promise me, we’ll talk sometime before this is all over for you are family too.”

“After Josiah’s taken care of, we’ll be leaving. You can have your land back. I have my life and you have yours. They’ve been separate til now and soon everything can go back to how it was.” stated Heath firmly.

Tom watched the blond cantor off after his words were spoken and the older man smiled before he announced to the stars.

“You are home, son. You just don’t know it yet.”

The full moon provided the light as the small procession made its way to the outlying ranch. The twins edgy and upset by the emotional overload fought over the right to rest in the protective arms of their mother. The usually amicable and loving children bickered back and forth, unheeding the warnings of their mother and grandfather.

“Heather! Evan! That’s enough.” snapped Heath from the side of the surrey as he looked past his father-in-law.

The biting edge added to his words was a result of his own emotional upheaval and tension. The injured looks in the small faces with trembling bottom lips cut his heart to the quick and instantly he regretted the harsh unnecessary tone.

Victoria leaned forward and offered with a smile, “Maybe one of the children would like to sit with me? There’s lots of room back here. I’d love to know more about these two rays of sunshine.”

Nick had turned when the surrey stopped and heard the offer of his mother, hazel eyes took in the look on his newest brother’s face, the emotions spreading across quickly went from pain to protectiveness to anger in a matter of seconds.

Thad and Evangeline held their breath and Victoria sat puzzled by what in her words had caused such an array of emotions and increase in tension.

“Can I papa?” asked Heather, liking the smile on the older woman’s face.

Opening his mouth to deny his daughter’s request, Heath snapped it closed when Evangeline caught his eye and replied softly, “You can Heather but you must try to sleep and listen to Mrs. Barkley.”

“Thank you, mama.” said Heather after her grandfather lifted her into the back seat where she sat on Victoria’s lap and snuggled against her.

Gray eyes filled with a maternal love and happiness met the blue eyes filled with pain. Roughly turning the head of his horse, Heath moved back from the side of the surrey, seeking the comfort of the darkness away from the wondering eyes of the two Barkleys.

Thad glanced sideways at his daughter and waited til the children were asleep before stating after they were off again. “Mrs. Barkley, it’s not you.”

“How can you be sure, Mr. Benton?” asked Victoria, going over in her mind what had happened to cause such a reaction from the blond.

“Heath’s mama called the children her rays of sunshine.” informed Evangeline quietly. “Her passing is still fresh to Heath as if it happened yesterday. He’ll be fine, Mrs. Barkley. Your words reminded him of her is all.”

The rest of the ride to the ranch was completed in silence, all of the adults in the group found themselves contemplating what the near future would hold. Pulling up in front of the house, Nick dismounted and walked to the surrey stopped ten feet away. Thad put on the brake of the rented rig and stepped down, reaching up to take Evan from his daughter. Heath pulled up by the surrey and dismounted, placing the bags in the foyer of the house.

“We’ll take care of the horses and be in shortly.” stated Heath to his wife and father-in-law who were both holding a sleeping child. Nodding, they followed Victoria through the oak door.

The two men led the horses to the barn, quickly making short work of the unsaddling and unhitching the harness. Nick watched the quiet blond finish grooming the chestnut before they left the barn together. Stopping Heath with a hand on his arm, Nick stared into the blue eyes.

“Remember that day at the church?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“You were wrong that day, you know.” stated Nick firmly. “You have everything to lose. Everything in life that is important, brother Heath.”

Heath stared at the back of the larger man as he walked to the house, contemplating for only a moment before following. Stopping in front of the guest room shown to him by the rancher, Heath stated softly before entering the room.

“I have a family, Mr. Barkley and I don’t need another. I don’t plan on losing any one of them to Crown. Good night.”

Chapter 30

Nick watched the door to the guestroom close and frowned, the natural inclination of gravitation towards the blond was strong, even stronger than the day at the church. He wasn’t sure how long he’d stood at the door thinking before he realized the voices behind the plank of wood had raised in their volume, only a spattering of words were distinguishable.

Feeling as if he was eavesdropping, the tall rancher silently moved from the door and down the hallway to the staircase. Descending the steps, he headed outside to speak with Duke McCall about the possible threat against the family, perhaps even the ranch.

Closing the door behind him, Heath sagged against it and sighed, his eyes finding Evangeline as she sat on the bed watching him. Glancing around the spacious room, the blond frowned and straightened.

“Where are the twins?”

“They’re in the room across from us.” replied the brown haired girl, the brush falling down from her hair.

“I’ll go get them.” said Heath turning to the door.

“Heath! No! They’re asleep!” exclaimed Evangeline, raising from the bed and setting the brush on the dresser. “They’re very tired, honey.”

“So, they can fall back to sleep in here, Ange.” stated Heath offhandedly. “I’ll just be a minute.”

Crossing over to her husband, Evangeline grabbed his arm which reached for the brass knob. “Heath, it’s been a long day for the children. I don’t want them disturbed.”

“Well, I want them in here!”

“Why can’t they sleep in the next room?”

“I’d feel better if they were here, is all. I don’t want the Bark..uh..I want them by us. This is a strange place.”

“That’s not it at all and you know it!”

“They’ll be scared when they wake up, Ange. It’s just best if we bring them in here!”

“Don’t try to work this around on me, Heath! You’re afraid they’ll like the Barkleys, aren’t you?”

“No, I ain’t!” protested Heath loudly.

“Yes you are otherwise you wouldn’t be acting so foolish and wanting to drag them from a sound sleep!” pointed out Evangeline angrily.

“I’m not being foolish for wanting my children with me!” responded Heath fervently. “At least I know about all my children!”

“Heath Thomson! You know your mother didn’t tell him so how was he supposed to know! She kept you to herself all those years! You’re blaming the wrong person!” snapped Evangeline, the events of the past day and the stubborn set to her husband’s jaw sharpening her tone. “He IS your father!”

“Don’t matter! The only grandpa they need is Thad!”

“Is that so! What about uncles and an aunt?” asked Evangeline thrusting her hands on her small hips. “You have brothers and a sister now!”

Shaking his head negatively, Heath hissed, “Once this thing is done, we’re not coming back here, Ange!”

“Heath, you’re not even gonna give them a chance? What if I want to see them afterwards? What if I want them to be part of the children’s lives?” questioned Evangeline pushing her husband who was warring within himself. “What are you going to do then?”

Staring at his wife with an open mouth, Heath gasped, “You wouldn’t dare go against my wishes!”

A laughter of anger and disbelief at his response left her and she crossed her arms over her chest, arching an eyebrow, “Oh, wouldn’t I? I’m just as stubborn and ornery as you my husband. You know I’d do it! We’re here and I suggest we make the best of it, Heath!”

“Ange!”

“Heath, I love you more than you’ll ever know but I’m not gonna let you take the coward’s way out. You have to give them a fair shake. If you don’t, it’ll eat away at you slowly.” said Evangeline softly, her eyes concerned and worried. “Don’t throw away a chance your mother gave you on her death bed. She wanted you to come here, to know your father or she’d have never told you. Have you even considered that?”

“I need some air.” hissed Heath opening the door and turning left down the hallway.

Evangeline sagged against the door frame and watched her husband head towards the staircase, shaking her head and sighing. Turning back into the room, she closed the door softly and brushed at the tears trickling down her face, her heart pounding at the raised conversation they’d had.

Climbing under the covers, she looked at the ceiling and prayed she was doing the right thing by pushing her husband to open up his heart and mind to his new family while he had a chance. If he could look past his anger and hurt, he may find in them what he’d felt missing all his life.

Stepping out into the darkness of the night, Heath’s jaw hurt from the muscles clenching so tightly. It wasn’t the first and certainly wouldn’t be the last disagreement he had with his wife, however, he felt almost cornered in a sense. He was in the middle, Barkleys pulling on one side and his wife pushing on the other.

Stopping under a large tree off to the side of the house, he mumbled under his breath to himself and leaned back, staring at the stars through the opening in the leaves. Only back in Stockton a few hours and already he was regretting the rash decision to bring his family with him instead of perhaps sending them back east to Thad’s sister for a visit.

At least back east, he’d know they be safe from whatever Crown had planned in his warped mind. Considering the idea of relocating his wife and children back east for an indeterminate amount of time, Heath let out a frustrated sigh knowing Ange wouldn’t go and the thought of being apart from them for so long twisted his heart with a sick feeling.

His thoughts turned to his mother and the words of his wife. Letting a wry smile turn up his lips, he shook his head and chuckled to himself. ‘What a stubborn woman, I hate it when she’s right!’

It was the changing of the wind which brought a smell on the breeze and he straightened, stepping away from the shadow of the tree. The brief odor fluttering on the soft air currents was tantalizing his mind and he suddenly cursed at the tinge of orange on the horizon.

Chapter 31

The blackness between the horizon and the ranch was slowly being dwindled away by the orange fingers of flame consuming the grasslands. The unleashed hand of the devil pulled its way towards the buildings made of wood, towards the kindling it saw standing there waiting to be consumed and devoured.

If you could determine how fast a man’s heartbeat sped up on adrenaline, Heath’s would have been uncountable. His eyes widened and he ran from the shadows of the large oak tree, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“FIRE! FIRE!”

Just leaving the bunkhouse with Duke right behind him, Nick’s mouth dried instantly at the dreaded words of warning and the sight of the running blond. Duke took one look at the horizon and ran to the metal triangle clanking the metal rod hanging from it. The shouts of danger coming rang out with the sharp tinging. The once calm serenity of the evening broke out into chaos and confusion.

Heath met Nick halfway across the yard, grabbing at the dark haired rancher, blue eyes wild with frenzy.

“Barkley, you need a fire break! You got bout twenty minutes I figure or it’s all gone!”

Turning, Nick shouted over the top of the men shouting as they spilled out of the bunkhouse, directing the crew to dig the furrows to protect the ranch site. The tall rancher ran into the barn helping the men quickly harness the horses to the three single bladed plows used to cut into the earth for their supply of grain.

Duke grabbed a handful of men and they hitched up a team with barrels of water and old sacks. Men with shovels galloped towards the devil coming towards the ranch, the whites of their eyes shining in the night air, the fear in man and beast filled the air. The three men slapped the horses forward to pull the blades to dig into the earth in hopes of stopping the advance of orange.

Heath saw his father-in-law jogging across the yard, avoiding the men around him and reaching his side.

“Heath!” gasped Thad. “What can I do?”

“Get everyone in the house to the first floor! Keep them in the foyer in case the firebreak doesn’t work!” shouted Heath, pushing his father-in-law towards the house.

Running back in and taking the grand staircase two steps at a time, Thad saw Evangeline and the Barkley women gathering the children. The sounds of the outside mass melee streaming through the open windows of the house. Grabbing Evan and Heather in his strong arms, the woman followed him down to the foyer where Silas met them. Setting the twins down, Thad kneeled in front of the wide eyed children.

“You kids listen to your mama and Mrs. Barkley.” instructed Thad firmly, their blond heads nodding as one and they clung to the older woman after Evangeline followed her father out the front door.

“My god!” whispered Evangeline, her eyes wide and she grabbed onto her father’s arm.

“Evangeline, get back in the house!” snapped Thad, his eyes finding his son-in-law in the midst of the yard, grabbing onto Nick who was trying to mount his horse.

“Barkley, it’s a diversion!” shouted Heath, grabbing hard on the muscular bicep. “Crown’s men will be out there somewhere waiting for you. You gotta stay here!”

“Dammit, I’m not letting the fire reach the ranch!” snarled Nick pushing the blond back. “Let go! I gotta help my men!”

Staggering back a few feet, Heath leapt upwards and grabbed onto the black shirt of the man who was swinging his leg over the horse, pulling him down and tossing him to the ground several feet away. Rolling over and taking in a gulp of air to replace the wind which was knocked from him, Nick let out a bellow of rage at the man who was in the way of him joining the fight for his beloved ranch and he lunged.

Heath’s eyes widened at the flying rancher who moved quick as a june bug on a hot rock and the shoulder of the larger man propelled into his stomach, sending him to the ground. Hitting the hard packed ground of the ranch yard, Heath felt for the second time that night a large fist meeting with his jaw. This time the blow was followed by another and he was stunned into immobility.

“STOP IT!”

Evangeline screamed and ran off the porch towards her husband who was shaking his head and forcing himself to his feet. Nick heard the deep voice of Thad shouting his daughter’s name and he turned to see the petite woman dash off the porch, running towards them with her skirts in her hands.

The sounds of galloping horses coming from out of the night away from the blaze on the horizon behind Nick turned his head and as if his mind was mired in molasses, the warning of the blond went painstakingly through it.

Heath screamed and ran towards his wife, who heard the horses and stopped, frozen in her place at the unexpected peril and let out a scream of terror. Thad reached his daughter and grabbed onto her, the two unable to escape from the hooves suddenly upon them.

Chapter 32

From the place where Duke rode the skirmish line trying to stop the advancement of the enemy, he saw the horses running out of the ranch yard. Puzzled, the foreman wondered for a brief moment why Nick had started the horses off before turning his attention back to the fight his men were waged in.

The roaring of the fire, the crackling of it greedily consuming the grasses in its wake prevented the foreman from hearing the screams of those in the house who ran out to the yard. The thick smoke carried by the wind intermittently obscured his vision and sent tears of irritation from his eyes. Cursing the damage done to the precious grasslands, Duke coughed and watched his men work tirelessly in their anxiety driven efforts.

The firebreak was in place. The crew hastily scooped up shovels of dirt and doused the jumpers of the plowed earth. Some used the wet rags, blankets and towels to squash the determination of the culprits breaking through their perimeter. The men worked to prevent further damage by the devil’s hand unaware of the damage in the ranch yard behind them, barely a mere half-mile away.

It was a moment of decision, a split second of quickness in the space of time as thin as the width of a single strand of hair. It was a scene of pure horror that would flash in the mind of Heath for years and years to come, a time of great helplessness and inability to keep those he loved from harm.

Heath’s hands moved downward and two guns expelled flashes, the projectiles sent to the corner of the triangle formed by the three groups of people in the yard.

Nick, closest to the father and daughter pair, fell to the ground as an unseen threat from safety at the back of the startled horses found the object of his mission in time to place a quick shot. The burning sensation in his body couldn’t override the stark fear in him for the pair his eyes could no longer see.

Nick was unaware his body flinched unconsciously at the sounds of more reports and two of the lead horses fell in the group, stumbling from the cylinder of lead entering their heads and their legs gave out. Thad who wrapped his daughter in his arms, holding her close and using his body as a shield was thrown to the ground from one of the sliding equines.

Even in the midst of the pounding hooves and screams, the frantic noise level of the night, he heard a bone in his daughter’s body break and her scream of pain when he fell on top of her.

The human body is encased by the layer of tissue called epidermis. It is not a covering of iron or steel and certainly not the hardest substance known to man. When it meets with a object, it becomes bruised, cut and damaged. Sometimes the damage leaves a scar after healing and sometimes it does not, sometimes it simply doesn’t heal or it cannot protect the vital fluids and organs it encases.

Epidermis is not the hardest substance but it was all the parent had to protect the child who had given to him two beautiful grandchildren, a son-in-law he held dear in his heart and the love-filled cherished memories of a father.

Heath pivoted to meet the men riding at the back of the horses and was met with the shoulder of a fast driven galloping horse. Knocked back several feet from the spot he’d stood, he met with the solid wall of the barn and experienced a flash of pain before sliding to the ground in a crumpled heap, the deadly weapons falling from limp hands.

Inside the mansion, the running horses and the shots erased the coloring in the faces of Victoria, Audra and Silas. The sounds were over within a span of thirty seconds and a deathly stillness was all that was heard.

Cringing against the older woman in a wide eyed state of confused fear, the twins were handed off to Audra with an order to whisk them off to the study. Silas and Victoria opened the oak door and the moonlight yard revealed the aftermath of the sounds they heard.

Rushing over to the father and daughter who were the closest, Victoria shook with fear and sickness at the blood on the back of the older man, the only sign of the twins’ mother was a hand sticking out from under her father. Tentatively reaching out with slender slim fingers, the silver haired woman prayed silently as she tested the pulse points of both.

Silas knelt beside the middle son of his employer and sighed with relief at the hazel eyes slowly opening at the pressure he placed on the wound in the shoulder to stem the flow of blood.

“Easy, Mr. Nick.” ordered the older man. “Ya’s gonna be fine.”

It took Nick several times for his brain to comprehend how he came to be on the ground with Silas standing over him. With realization came the panic of mobility and he rolled onto his knees, gaping at his mother kneeling beside the pair on the ground before he pushed Silas back with a wince, his hand entwining in the older man’s shirt.

“Get Duke and doc! Hurry!” grunted Nick, staggering to his feet and stumbling to his mother’s side, not watching Silas jump up and run as fast as his older legs could carry him to the battle on the horizon.

Victoria glanced up at her injured son, grateful for the moment he was able to move on his own. Unable to use his left arm, Nick held it close to his side and swallowed the lump of fear inside his throat at the blood darkening the shirt of Thad Benton and his mother’s small hands pressing against the wounds in his back with cloth torn from her night dress. The jagged punctures made by hooves and not by bullets.

“Mother, should we move him?” questioned Nick taking hold of the small hand sticking out freely from under the larger body. “What about Evangeline?”

“We need help, Nick. I’m not sure what kind of damage’s been done.” stated the matriarch with a shake of her head. “I don’t want to hurt him more.”

“Silas went for Duke.” informed Nick in a weak voice, unable to tear his eyes away from small hand he held, the limpness in it stealing his breath away.

“Where’s Heath?” asked Victoria suddenly in a voice short of a terror filled scream, glancing up into her son’s white face who opened his mouth in shock and looked over to the spot where the blond had been. His eyes found nothing as he raked the area with his quick moving orbs until he noticed the lump in the shadow of the barn.

“There! By the barn!” exclaimed Nick laying the small hand on the ground and pushing himself to his knees, falling two times before he reached the side of the blond in what seemed an eternity to the dark haired rancher.

Chapter 33

Waking shortly after he’d been carried from the yard and into the house, the blond, weakened with dizziness from his head injury and deep bruising on his back, fought his way past Silas and one of the hands to the side of his wife who suffered a broken arm, multiple contusions and a cut to the side of her head when the sliding horse pushed her father to the ground and he shielded her with his large body.

Staggering to her bedside, Heath ignored the Barkley matriarch who was in the room and lowered himself onto the bed. Studying the face cleaned of blood and dirt but pale, his shaky hand reached upward and brushed a tendril of hair off her forehead before his fingers gently ran down her jaw line. Leaning over, Heath placed a tender kiss on her lips and whispered in her ear.

“Ange, I’m nothing without you. Don’t leave me, honey.”

Picking up her small hand and holding onto it, he placed a kiss in its palm before laying it down beside her covered form. Closing his eyes for a moment, Heath felt a small hand on his shoulder and he kept his eyes on his wife, his voice choked with the strong emotions keeping him going.

“Where’s my father-in-law?”

“He’s two rooms down.” informed Victoria quietly. “We got the bleeding stopped and the doctor is on his way. Let me look at your head.”

“Not now, Mrs. Barkley.” hissed Heath pushing himself up and holding onto the bedpost for a minute, til the bout of wavering vision passed, moving away from the petite woman who reached to help him and making his way to the door.

Duke McCall stood beside the bed, his eyes full of worry with the condition of the older man lying on his stomach. The wounds on his back where the hooves cut into him were deep and had bled extensively. The back of his head was opened with a jagged cut, not deep and appeared to be caused by a glancing touch of a hoof. Wringing out the cloth in the basin by the bed, the long-time foreman’s calloused hands were soft as silk as he moved the cloth over the injured man.

“You saved their lives you know.” said Duke in a matter-of-fact tone to the blond man who held on with one hand and leaned against the door jamb in the corners of his vision. “If you hadn’t shot those two horses, they’d have been trampled til there was nothing left of them.”

“Thad would give all for his little girl. She’s the light in his world.” whispered Heath quietly to the strange man tenderly caring for his father-in-law after several minutes and several flashes of the scene sent waves of sickness over him.

Pushing away from the door, Heath lurched slightly as he walked until he reached the opposite side of the bed where his father-in-law’s face was turned. Lowering himself to his knees, the blond leaned heavily on the bed, his eyes staring at the man who took a chance on the love between his daughter and a gun toting man still in his teens. This man had seen what was hidden inside him and he put his daughter’s happiness in Heath’s hands.

Blinking the sky blues against the rain threatening in them, Heath reached out and took hold of the large right hand of the unconscious man and held it to his forehead, tightly encased in his as if he could will the rest of his precious strength to this man who shared his daughter’s happiness. Duke kept on with his care while the blond held onto the older man with a grip of ferociousness.

“I’m sorry it’s my fault. We never shoulda come here. I need you, Thad. Please sir, you’re the only father I need.” hissed Heath between clenched jaws, his body shuddering with the feeling of death he could sense lingering about the room.

Howard Merar glanced sideways at the face of Tom Barkley, pinched white with guilt and worry, before he entered the room and took Duke’s spot. Looking across the bed at the anguished paining man, the town physician reached across and placed his hand over the entwined ones.

“Heath, your wife will be fine. She was asking for you and the children. I gave her some medicine and I’ll cast her arm in a few hours when she wakes. I need you to leave and let me work.” suggested Howard softly and calmly as he stared into the blue eyes. “I’ll move heaven and earth to keep him here. I promise.”

Staring into the dark brown eyes of the doctor, Heath heard the deep heartfelt promise and slowly nodded, using the bed to push himself upward and place a kiss on the side of the pale head before turning, doggedly placing one foot in front of another.

Dazed from the whirlwind of emotional trauma on top of the physical trauma, the blond barely glanced at the older couple in the hallway, watching him intently. He could almost sense their need to reach out to him but he kept himself on the other side of the hall, the space and distance kept between them as if he were on the other side of the canyon.

Jarrod moved to lean against the doorway to Nick’s room where he lay in pain, having insisted the physician look to the father and daughter welfare first. Howard had quickly completed a cursory examination of the wound and was relieved to find the bleeding stopped. With a warning word to the rancher to stay in bed, the family friend left to look after the others and would return afterwards.

Duke stood in the hallway by the trembling blond, unsure why he hadn’t left the moment the physician and his employer appeared. Tom pushed himself away from the wall after Victoria entered to assist Howard and closed the door. The patriarch was stopped by a warning shake of his foreman’s head. The long-time employee knew enough about the Barkley family to know by putting the spattering of facts together, this man was another son. A fact he could see hinted in the features of the younger man and the foreman wondered how Tom Barkley could have missed the look of his own father in the blond.

“Heath, maybe you should get cleaned up so you can check in on your children?” suggested Duke quietly, his words slowly bringing up the blond head. “You don’t want them to see you like this, do you?”

“No.” whispered the blond focusing for the moment on his children. “No, it’ll scare them. They’re frightened enough.”

“Need some help?” asked Duke.

As if realizing for the first time, he didn’t know the man beside him, the blond’s eyes narrowed in confusion and he turned toward the stranger. “Who are you?”

Chuckling, the older man winked, “Duke McCall, foreman and top jack of all trades.”

Nodding a greeting to the foreman, Heath stated gratefully before turning to walk to the room where his wife was sleeping, “Thanks Mr. McCall but I’ll be fine.”

The need to see his children gave him a different focus other than the fear of his father-in-law’s struggle for life and Heath made his way to the room, his back feeling the two men behind him staring and watching his progress.

Jarrod stood in the doorway to Nick’s room, finding his battered face and bandaged hands were examined by the guilt ridden blue eyes of the blond who stopped and held onto the wall. He knew this was Jarrod Barkley, attorney at law, the first victim to Crown’s act of revenge against him.

“Mr. Barkley, how is your brother?”

“Brother Heath, our brother will be fine.” said Jarrod softly, the blue eyes outlined by bruising which was turning from dark purple and black to lighter colors, were filled with worry for the younger man. “I’m sure your father-in-law will be fine also. Dr. Merar is the best.”

Closing his eyes for a moment and fighting against the feelings the endearment conjured up, Heath found the scene replaying in his head again before he straightened and moved to the door of the room where his wife was. Glancing sideways at the first born son of Thomas Barkley, Heath’s jaw clenched and he stated, “When I find Crown, I’ll be hiring you to keep me outta jail, Mr. Barkley. Your payment will be the deed to your ranch and then we’ll be leaving.”

Chapter 34

Sitting by the bed of the sleeping twins, Audra looked up when the door quietly swung on its hinges and openly stared at the man she’d recently found out was her newest brother. The revelation of her father’s indiscretion caused an anger of unquestionable depths in the girl who revered her father above all others. The falling of the man in her eyes had been a harsh lesson in the failings of mankind. No one was above it not even her beloved father.

When she’d been woken by her mother after the beginnings of slumber took her away and ushered to help with the twins, the blonde had found her heart taken in a single glance at the innocent frightened eyes of her niece and nephew.

Standing in the foyer after the aftermath of silence fell over the ranchyard, Audra clutched the twins to her and lead them into the study at her mother’s insistence. Sitting on the settee with an arm wrapped around each of the trembling small bodies, her heart filled with a protective love for the children of her newest brother while she struggled to keep fear out of her voice as she told them the story of the princess and the frog.

Silas appeared in the study and helped her take the children upstairs before the ranch crew carried the injured members of the twins’ family in. Audra settled them into bed with a gentle command for them to stay while she went for a book of tales she had in her room. The book and a crateful of others were to be taken to the orphanage’s small library on her next visit.

The blonde girl leaned against the closed door and stared as slowly the injured people were tenderly carried into three separate rooms. Her eyes filled with tears and spilled onto her cheeks with the fear that in one single event, the twins could lose a father, mother and grandfather. After a quick reassurance from her mother, they wouldn’t allow such a horrible thing to happen and her responsibility was to watch over the two youngest in the house, the blonde girl wiped the tears from her eyes and hurried to retrieve the book.

Leaving her room she ran to Nick who was being helped down the hallway by Duke. Placing a kiss on his cheek when he forced a small grin to his lips, she stepped aside and allowed the men to continue. His grin hadn’t been able to erase the pain in his eyes or the way his jaw was clenched.

Heath stood in the doorway and nodded to the daughter of Thomas Barkley. His eyes filled with pain under his forehead beaded with droplets of sweat turned soft and tender at the two blond head of the twins, their curly hair resting on cushions of white.

Standing, Audra motioned for him to take the chair next to the bed and stepped back. She could see the way he moved stiffly to the bed and the way his lips thinned out against his own injuries. When he moved past, she could see the swelling on the back of his head just starting beneath his hair line and moving upwards.

Not sure if he sat if he’d be able to rise again, the blond simply stood by the bed and rested his hand on the head of each of his children. The softness of the skin on their cheeks when he touched them never ceased to amaze him.

Audra watched with a tender smile on her face at the reassurance his touches gave to the blond man. Holding onto the large wooden headboard with a white knuckled grip as he gazed upon his children, Heath whispered quietly.

“Thank you for taking good care of my little ones, Miss Barkley.”

Moving closer to the man barely holding onto the last of his strength, Audra touched his arm lightly, the warmth of her smile spreading to her eyes as she looked into the face which turned her way.

“I’m Audra, your sister and it is my pleasure to watch over them, Heath. They are simply beautiful. You and your wife must be very proud.” whispered Audra, taking in the light blue eyes the same color as hers.

“Yes, Evangeline and I are. We’re fortunate to have been blessed with these two wonderful gifts.” agreed Heath quietly while gently pulling his arm out of her hand. “Thank you again, Miss Barkley.”

“You can call me Audra.” suggested the blonde girl with a smile of encouragement. “No matter what happens in the future, you will always be my brother, Heath.”

Tilting his head at the eyes searching his, Heath opened his mouth and closed it before turning away from the young woman. Letting out a sigh, he released his hold on the headboard and quietly repeated as he moved past.

“Thank you again, Miss Barkley. I’m beholdin’.”

Audra watched him shakily move past almost reaching the door before he stumbled to his hands and knees, his body no longer able to keep up with the commands of his mind, his arms quivering from their lack of strength. Groaning at the hand which found it’s way to touch his deeply bruised back when she knelt beside him, Heath couldn’t hold up his body and he fell forward onto the floor, his head resting against the cool oak flooring.

Tom after receiving an update from Duke on the fire and reassurance three of the ranch crew were on guard to ensure the blaze wouldn’t re-ignite appeared on the landing in time to see Heath leave his room and enter the one across. The older man made his way to the hallway outside the open door and eavesdropped on the first meeting between brother and sister.

He shook his head at Heath’s conscious decision to not address his sister by her name even after she gave her encouragement to do so. The Barkley patriarch felt a deep sadness and guilt for what should have been but never had the chance to be. He couldn’t turn back the clock but he wanted to find a way to be part of his blond son’s future and wondered if he’d ever be allowed the right…no…the privilege.

Audra’s gasp of her brother’s name broke into his thoughts and he rushed into the room, going to his knees beside the man who’d lost his fight against the pain of his own injuries. Reaching out and running a hand down the arm tense with tightened muscles from clenched fists, Tom leaned down face level with his youngest son and studied the eyes squinted shut against the pain open halfway at his repeated low calls of the blond’s name.

“Heath, let me help you to your room.”

“Don’t touch me.” hissed Heath moving his arms underneath to push himself upward, not wanting that man’s hands helping him.

The brown eyes flared with shock before they narrowed in anger and Tom clamped his jaw shut watching the blond flounder before pushing himself to his knees and glancing at the bed. The older man was relieved the two small children were sleeping unaware of their father falling to the floor and struggling with his pain.

Audra watched their father resume his previous position beside his hurting son and she leaned forward to hear the angry whisper.

“Dammit, there’s no doubt you’re a Barkley from your pure stubbornness and cussedness! I know you don’t want those young’uns of yours to wake and see you like this. Now, I don’t care if you like it or not, I’m helping you to your room!”

Not waiting for a reply from the flashing blue eyes, Tom took a firm gentle hold on the left arm of his son and Audra held onto the right. Together they lifted Heath to his knees stopping at his sharp intake of breath, waiting til he nodded slightly before Tom put his left arm over his shoulders and stood.

Holding up the smaller man, Tom forcibly dragged his son into the hallway, the blond’s legs seemingly not able to find the functionality they had earlier. Heath clenched his jaw and fought to stay coherent, recognizing without help he’d more than likely would never have made it off the floor.

Tom turned at the sound of the door opening and Heath tensed further at the sight of the physician leaving the room, stepping into the hallway. Howard hurried his steps down the carpeted runner and pulled the right arm of the blond across his shoulders.

“Doc?” whispered Heath, his heartbeat seeming to have stopped completely and his mouth dried waiting for the answer.

“He’s in a lot of pain, Heath but thankfully was able to take in some fluids before he fell back to sleep. He’s very weak from the loss of blood and won’t be moving from that bed for a while.” informed Howard looking sideways and smiling. “I have great hopes for a full recovery.”

Blinking the blue eyes which filled with tears at the news, Heath let out a sigh of deep relief and suddenly sagged in their arms. Holding up the blond who slipped into darkness, Tom and Howard gently placed him on the couch in the room where his wife lay sleeping.

Chapter 35

Ten minutes after carrying Heath into the guest room, Howard pointedly ignored the father of the Barkley clan who hovered over his shoulder watching his every movement. Bending at the waist to examine the unaware blond’s head which was made larger from the goose egg on the back of it, the physician sighed when he felt the other man’s breath on his neck.

“Tom, could you go let Nick know I’ll be right in.” stated Howard softly, keeping his voice low.

“What?” asked Tom startled from his deep scrutiny of the family physician’s work, clearing his throat when he realized what he’d been doing and backed up slightly. “Oh sure, Howard but how’s he doing? Will he be alright?”

“He’s likely only got a mild concussion otherwise even stubbornness wouldn’t have been able to keep him on his feet so long. Also, when Nick found him he was out cold but has been coherent since he woke up. Judging by what you said about how he was moving, stiff and pained, I’d venture the surface bruising on his back is just the tip of the iceberg. All in all, it’s nothing rest won’t cure.” diagnosed Howard.

“That’s wonderful to hear.” smiled Tom, brown eyes filling with relief as he patted the physician’s shoulder. “I’ll get Nick ready for you.”

Nodding, Howard watched the relieved man open and step into the hallway, gently closing the door behind him. Looking around, Howard moved to the bed and grabbed the extra pillow, carefully lifting the blond’s head to place it underneath. Grabbing a quilt which was draped over the footboard, he covered the young man before taking a moment to examine the brown haired woman in the bed.

Evangeline slept blissfully unaware from the laudanum taken earlier for the pain of the broken arm and bruised body. Howard was pleased with the return of color to her relaxed face and smiled at the young woman even though her eyes stayed closed.

Looking around once more at the couple, the physician left the room and walked next door finding Tom and Victoria trying to convince their first born to retire to his own room instead of the chair next to Nick’s bed.

“Mother, I’m fine.” insisted Jarrod calmly with a wink before teasing. “Really, we should be worried about Nick here. After all he had a bullet go through him. It wasn’t his head so I am a bit concerned about it cause we all know how thick the walls of his head are.”

Tom glanced over to his middle son who didn’t rise to the teasing barb by his older brother, the hazel eyes simply closing and he reclined back against the pillows. Moving towards the bed, Tom stopped when Howard placed a hand on his arm.

“Victoria, I’d like for both you and Jarrod to head to bed.” stated Howard placing his bag on the night side table.

“Howard, I think my place….”

“Your place is resting. This has been a long day and you’ll need your strength to care for all your patients, Victoria.” said Howard watching the battle spring to her eyes before he asked, “Or were you planning on having the Thomsons and Mr. Benton find somewhere else to recuperate? Perhaps the hotel in town?”

Gray eyes flared with indignation and the petite woman drew herself up even further with the slight against the hospitality provided under the domain she ran like a fine oiled machine. “Well, of course not, Dr. Merar! They will be recovering here with us! I would NEVER consider otherwise and can’t believe you’d think such a thing!”

Tom and Jarrod looked down at the floor, keeping the slight smiles from their faces at the outrage in the silver haired lady’s voice. Howard nodded once and watched as she walked past him, chin in the air to place a kiss on Nick’s forehead before moving to the door.

“Jarrod!” called Victoria, the edge to her voice sharper than before and her eyes dared her adult child to disagree.

Letting out a sigh, Jarrod leaned down and squeezed Nick’s hand promising to see him in the morning before his father tenderly gave his battered frame a hug.

The two older men watched the reluctant pair leave the room and close the door before their soft chuckles filled the room.

Within the hour after casting Evangeline’s broken arm, Howard was resting on the sofa in the room of Thad and Tom sat on Nick’s bed studying his son who was waiting for the medicine to take him out of the pain.

“What is it, Nick?” prompted Tom softly reaching up to brush away a lock of thick black hair which fell over his eyes. “Son, you look as haggard as a whino’s second day on the wagon.”

Nick let out a shuddering sigh and reached up to knuckle the sudden moisture out of his eyes. Tom, a man who was once known for his infinite energy and brashness in his business dealings became the father his children grew up with. The leader of the Barkley empire sat quietly waiting for his son to reveal the cause of the haunted look in his eyes.

“It’s my fault, Father.” whispered Nick, reliving the sound of the horses pounding in his ears.

“Nick, it’s not your fault.” stated Tom firmly. “It’s this Crown’s fault, whoever he is.”

“No, Father! Heath told me it was a diversion but I was so worried about the ranch. I jumped on him and hit him after he pulled me off my horse.” snapped Nick looking up at the ceiling and fighting the tears from falling before choking out with a sob.

“If I hadn’t jumped on him, Evangeline wouldn’t have run out into the yard. God, I can still hear her screaming when she knew she was in the horses’ way.”

“Nick.” whispered Tom pulling his agonizing son into his arms and rubbing his back at the sobs which shook his frame. “Please son, it’s not your fault. If Heath blamed you he wouldn’t have cared enough to ask Jarrod how you were. I’m sure of it, Nick.”

“How can you be sure, Father?” countered Nick with a negative shake of his head. “I’m not sure, how can you be so sure?”

“Simply because it’s not you he’s angry and upset with, Nick. Neither, you or Jarrod or Audra. It’s me.” explained Tom with a sigh. “If I was laying here after a bullet went through me, I’m not so sure he’d be quite so free with his concern.”

“Well of course he would, Father.” assured Nick, wiping the rest of the tears off his cheek.

Smirking, Tom winked, “Let’s just say I’m not ready to bet the ranch on that summation, son. With time and perhaps lots of talking, I pray we’ll get there. For now, I’m just thankful you all are going to be okay.”

“He asked about me?” repeated Nick softly fighting a yawn. “Really?”

Nodding and smiling into the drowsy hazel eyes, Tom watched as his grown son fell to sleep, his hand caressing the stubbled cheek before he stood, pulling the blanket up further before leaving the room.

Taking the time to check on each of the room where the injured people were asleep, the Barkley patriarch retreated to the haven of his room. Leaning against the door after closing it and rubbing his hands over his face, the older man suddenly felt his age and then some with the worries and trauma of the night.

Chapter 36

Heath wasn’t sure if he even wanted to attempt a move from the sofa he was lying on in the bedroom when he woke before the sunrise. An ingrained time of rising, his body’s internal clock was finely tuned and unless he was in a sleep from drug inducement, the inner alarm never failed no matter how little sleep he received.

Taking a large breath and slowly exhaling, the blond pushed himself upward, one inch at a time, his hand clutched onto the edge of the sofa. Slowly standing and biting back a threatening groan when he moved towards the bed, the blond felt worse than the time he’d been thrown over the top rail of the corral to land on the ground outside of it.

Stopping beside the bed, he stiffly bent over and placed a kiss on his sleeping wife’s lips, studying her face from mere inches away, taking advantage of her relaxed countenance and brushing a finger down her unbruised cheek. Many a morning he’d wake and watch her sleep, forever thankful for the blessings she gave him every day.

Letting the reaffirmed feeling of her well-being wash over him, he smiled and gently tugged the blanket higher, his eyes falling onto her left arm wrapped in plaster. The tenderness in the blue eyes disappeared and a coldness formed before he straightened slightly and shuffled over to the bag sitting on a chair. Pulling out another shirt and pants, he struggled but finally got the garments on over his bruised body.

Standing for a moment and tightly closing his eyes against the throbbing in his back, Heath waited til he felt able and moved to the gunbelts, picking them up from their place on top of the dresser where someone laid them. Thinking back over the years, he ran through his mind to the time he’d worked under Josiah Crown and the tactics the night riders used in the guise of economic development.

Taking a cleaning kit from the bag, he carefully placed the cloth and oil on the table, gingerly lowering himself into the nearest chair. Working on cleaning the weapons which were covered in dirt, Heath frowned while his hands moved instinctively over the steel he’d known longer than he’d known his wife.

The blond struggled inwardly, trying to get his mind to see the man atop the horse which rammed into him causing the world to explode in pain. He replayed the horrific scene in his mind and scowled when he couldn’t see the riders behind the driven horses.

It was the familiar tinge of gun oil in the air which reached her senses first. She recognized the smell of the cleaning item and struggled to open her eyes. The sluggishness from the pain medicine made the task arduous and near impossible. The heaviness on her left arm confused her and when her lids finally opened, she shifted her eyes downward and squinted at the white plaster for a moment.

Licking her lips and frightened at the weakness in her body, Evangeline coughed slightly when she tried to speak with the dryness in her throat. Heath glanced at his wife when her small cough sounded in the room. Pushing himself upwards, he hissed in a sharp breath at the protest of his back before taking two small steps to pour a glass of water. Holding it to her mouth, he smiled in relief when she drank the contents down.

“Morning, darlin’.” whispered Heath tenderly, seeing the confusion in his wife’s pale eyes.

“Heath…what?” asked Evangeline fighting to stay awake.

“Shhh…go back to sleep Ange.” whispered the blond placing a finger over her moving lips after her eyes widened with remembering. “Everyone’s gonna be fine, honey. Dad’s in the next room. It’ll take a while but soon you’ll both be healed. You need to rest now.”

Weakly pulling the hand holding hers, Evangeline struggled through the tears filling her eyes, barely able to speak her request, “Stay…with..me.”

The pleading in the weak voice of his wife tore into him and Heath slowly lowering himself onto the bed and staying on his side, he placed his arm across her stomach. Placing a kiss on her brown hair, the blond quietly soothed his crying wife, both falling asleep before the tears dried on her cheeks, secure in the warmth of each other signifying a future instead of a coldness that could have been one or both their fates.

Woken from the dark nightmare which stolen into her early morning dream, Victoria took a deep breath and let it out slowly, listening to the soft snores beside her. Shifting onto her side, the petite woman placed her arm across her husband’s stomach letting the feel of him erase any lingering frights from the vividness of the nightmare.

With her head laying on his shoulder, she studied the profile of his face in the room which was lighting with the first rays of the morning. The past night and the previous week seemed to have finally caught up with the man who had tapped his reserves of energy and drained them.

The fire at Jarrod’s office and the beating of their first born had severely shaken Tom to the core when he realized how close they’d come to losing their child. Closing her eyes, Victoria swallowed and fought the tears which threatened to resurface with her own memories of agony.

Taking solace in the knowledge Jarrod would recover as well as the others who’d been hurt by the actions of this man from Heath Thomson’s past, Victoria let her mind drift in the quiet dawn. She found her mind filled with questions needing to be answered.

Who was Crown and why did he want to hurt her husband’s son? Was Tom’s worry over the future with his blond son valid or would time allow the two to reach an understanding, to come to a middle meeting ground? Would the threat of this enemy Crown steal from the two men the time needed? Would this man succeed in his mission against the man who had two small children to raise?

Victoria smiled thinking of the two smallest guests of the house and found herself almost giddy with anticipation of spending the day with the blond twins. There was nothing like the innocence of a child to put your own world in prospective or to allow a person to observe life’s purest form of love.

Quietly moving out of the bed and entering the watercloset attached to the master bedroom, the silver haired lady hurried and readied for the day. Smiling as she pinned her hair up, Victoria wondered if Heather and Evan would like pancakes for breakfast. Taking a look at her still sleeping husband, the Barkley matriarch quietly opened the door and just as quietly latched it behind her.

Turning, she stopped at the sight of her husband’s blond son standing in the doorway of the room where the twins were before walking over. The rustling of her skirts announced her arrival to the blond.

“Morning, Heath. Shouldn’t you be laying down and resting?” whispered Victoria before smiling at the two blond heads in the large bed.

“Morning, Mrs. Barkley.” greeted Heath quietly.

Victoria felt the wariness hovering around the blond and glanced sideways at his profile. “Would you like some coffee? I’m sure Silas has made some already.”

“That’d be fine, Mrs. Barkley.” admitted Heath moving stiffly from the doorway.

“Perhaps you should see Dr. Merar first.” suggested Victoria. “He could give you some medicine for your back.”

Slowly walking beside the small woman, Heath shook his head negatively, “No, thanks, ma’am. I dislike that stuff and sides, I’m just a tad stiff is all.”

Looking over and arching an eyebrow at the word tad, Victoria smiled at the spark of amusement in the blue eyes before he turned his face away. Descending the stairs, she grabbed two cups and poured the coffee, carrying them to the table, motioning for Heath to sit. The blond simply pulled out the chair for the older woman and waited for her to take a seat. Smiling her thanks and appreciation, Victoria sat and watched over the rim of her cup at the slow moving man.

Several minutes passed before she frowned and put her cup down, looking directly into his blue eyes and holding them with her gray ones.

“Heath, you seem to be a man of action to me as well as a person with deep convictions.” said Victoria suddenly. “What are you planning to do now?”

“Now?” repeated Heath feeling as if this woman intense eyes could see down into his soul. “You mean today, Mrs. Barkley?”

“I mean when you’re well enough to sit a horse.” sighed Victoria. “You’re going after him aren’t you? After that man?”

“Remember who you’re talking to Crown. Touch my family and I won’t lose any sleep after putting a bullet in your black heart!”

His words to Josiah Crown replayed in his head and Heath nodded, “Perhaps not today but soon, ma’am. Josiah’s like a wolverine. Bad tempered and dangerous he’s always been but now also rabid. Like any rabid animal there’s only way to stop him.”

Tilting her head slightly, Victoria didn’t flinch at his declaration. Placing her forearms on the table and leaning forward, she suggested, “When you hunt do you always go alone?”

Smirking slightly, Heath lifted the coffee cup to his lips and replied, “Only a fool would follow a rabid wolverine into it’s den alone. I can’t be called the most educated of men but I ain’t a fool, Mrs. Barkley.”

Chapter 37

Victoria was left puzzling at the table in the kitchen, absently sipping the cool brew in her cup. She had to stifle the questions on the tip of her tongue while she spoke with Heath. Her curiosity rose over the confliction of a man who had shared a fleeting moment of comfortability before falling back into uneasiness and nervousness, his conscious stepping back over his invisible boundary line could almost be seen as much as it was felt.

Sighing, she placed the cup down and rose when Silas entered the kitchen offering a smile to their faithful friend of so many years who took infinite care of their family.

“Silas, I was thinking pancakes would be a treat for the children today.”

Dark brown eyes sparkling, Silas nodded and smiled, “Yes’m Mrs. Barkley. Alls children love Silas’ pancakes. Yes’m theys sure do.”

The back stairs of the mansion seemed to have an incline of a steep grade up the side of a mountain by the time his boots stopped on the landing. Heath took a moment and closed his eyes, allowing a deep breath to settle him before he walked to the door where his father-in-law was behind. Knocking softly, he entered and Howard glanced up in surprise.

“Heath, you should be resting.” censured Howard with a frown. “Your back and head will thank you for it, trust me.”

“Reckon that won’t be too easy with havin’ to take care of the kids, my wife and my father-in-law, doc.” drawled Heath waving off the physicians’ concern as he walked to the bed, studying Thad’s pale face. “Sides, I don’t much like laying around. Makes me edgy.”

Shaking his head, Howard sighed before stepping beside the blond and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your father-in-law will be asleep for most of the day. I’m going to keep him heavily sedated for a couple days so he can rest without feeling the pain.”

Heath looked over with worried eyes, “He’s gonna be okay like you said last night, right?”

Smiling, the physician watched the blond take hold of the hand nearest him before replying, “Yes, it will simply take time for Thad to regain his strength from the blood loss. Rest is the best medicine for him. When he wakes, we’ll push liquids into him. Juice, water, porridge and some broth. In a couple days, we’ll try something more substantial.”

Nodding his understanding, Heath cleared his throat and placed the hand back on the bed. Turning slowly, he met the friendly brown eyes and pursed his lips together before talking.

“Doc, I’m not considering it today mind you but I need to know how long til I can move Thad and my wife? How long before they can take a trip?”

The surprise and worry for his patients flashed in the medicine man’s eyes and he frowned, hesitating before suggesting, “Heath, the Barkleys are more than capable to help with the care needed for your wife and father-in-law. In fact, I don’t think they would consider not doing so.”

“How long?” repeated Heath softly, his eyes falling but not before the physician watched a glint of stubbornness flare in them.

“Rough guess for your wife would be at least six days, perhaps less.” admitted Howard. “For Mr. Benton, I wouldn’t even want to give you a timeframe. It will depend on how well his wounds heal. They are very deep and we need to watch them carefully for infection.”

“If he heals okay and has no problems?” prompted the blond, lifting his eyes back up.

“Two weeks at the earliest, however, I think it’ll be longer than that.” stated Howard. “He is after all not as young as you or your wife. It will take him longer to heal. Moving him too soon could be detrimental, Heath.”

Letting out a whisper of a sigh, the blond nodded and held out his hand. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize either of them, Dr. Merar, I just needed your professional opinion…so plans can be considered. Thanks for your help and for saving Thad’s life.”

Taking the offered hand, Howard smiled, relief filling his eyes at the young man’s reassurance of his patient’s welfare. “No thanks are necessary, I was glad to help. I’ll check on your wife before I go and will make sure to leave instructions for their care and be back in two days to check on their progress. If anything changes have the Barkleys send someone for me right away.”

“I will.” promised Heath before opening the door and stepping into the hallway.

Taking a quick glance into the room and seeing his wife was still sleeping, the blond opened the door to the room where the twins spent the night. Two sets of eyes wide with surprise greeted him when they looked up from a book sitting on the bed and he held his finger to his lips, silencing the words ready to leave their smiling mouths when they both jumped up onto their knees.

“How’s my favorite little ones?” whispered Heath crossing to the bed and slowly lowering himself, wincing at the small bodies which wrapped themselves in his open arms.

“Did you get in a fight, papa?” questioned Evan, frowning at the marks on his father’s face.

Heather stopped squeezing the muscular neck and pulled back, her tiny hands taking hold of her father’s face and turning it, shaking her head and tsking. “Mama ain’t gonna like that papa. She don’t like fish tin cuts.”

Chuckling slightly, Heath tweaked the small nose on his daughter’s face. “Fisticuffs, Heather. Mama don’t like fighting with your fists.”

“You’re gonna be in trouble papa when mama sees.” sighed Evan. “You can’t hide it.”

“Papa, can we go home now?” asked Heather snuggling up against his shoulder.

“Not for a while, darlin’.” replied Heath placing a quick kiss on her blonde hair, pushing up and getting the bag in the corner of the room. “I want you to get dressed and then we’ll talk about why we can’t leave yet.”

“Cause of mama and grandpa?” asked Evan quietly.

Heather moved to sit in the spot vacated by their father, close to her brother. The two had never been separated for more than a few hours. They’d fight like cats and dogs sometimes when together but when one was gone, the other would sit and wait for their other half to return.

“The bad man’s here, papa.” whispered Heather, her small bottom lip trembling. “He hurt mama and grandpa.”

Kneeling in front of the bed, Heath reached up and brushed a hand through her hair and asked with a small smile, “Where did you hear that, honey?”

“Aunt Audra was talking to Mrs. Barkley when she left the room to get a book to read.” stated Evan with Heather nodding in agreement.

“Aunt Audra?” repeated the blond trying to keep the emotion out of his voice, unsure if he was angry or frightened of the children addressing any of the Barkleys in such a familial manner.

“She said we could call her that, papa.” informed Heather with a happy smile.

“Now we have a Uncle Charlie and a Aunt Audra.” declared Evan with a lop-sided grin.

“We’re guests here and you call her Miss Barkley. Okay?” commanded Heath gently and firmly, the smiles on the small faces fading. “Okay?”

“Yes, papa.” replied the twins, their eyes filling at the firm tone in his words.

Helping the children dress, Heath shook his head and inwardly sighed at the quiet demeanor of the twins. The intuitive children picked up on feelings of disquiet and discontent quickly.

“Tell you two rascals what I’ll do.” suggested Heath waiting til they looked up at him when he stopped in the doorway. “You wait here and I’ll see if mama’s awake. If she feels up to it, you can see her real quick and give her a good morning kiss, okay?”

Smiling eagerly, the twins nodded and watched their father open the door, disappearing inside. Small fingers twisted nervously, the anticipation of needing to see their mama making them shift in their places. Heath opened the door and smiled, beckoning them closer.

“No running, no jumping and no hollering. Mama’s very sore and bruised up. You can see her for a few minutes and then she needs to rest.” instructed Heath quietly before moving aside and the overflowing excitement of the children shifted to fright and worry. Climbing on the bed slowly and giving their mama a kiss on her cheek, the tears hovering behind their orbs burst over the dam.

Chapter 38

Children need the powers of the golden rays of sunshine to help stimulate their growth and they need the outdoors to increase the vivid colors in their eyes. The first two days in the great house had been spent indoors. The twins were temporarily satisfied with spending their waking hours between the three guest rooms of the mansion.

The reminder of how frightening the outside world could be kept the twins securely by the side of their father. The two days were spent reading and playing with their toys between short visits to their recovering mama and grandpa.

Heath couldn’t remember the last time he’d willingly stayed indoors for two or more consecutive days. Even as a child he needed to experience the expanse of the world just beyond the battered door to his childhood home in Strawberry.

When he’d been snowed in the Sierra’s one fall from the unexpected storm which closed the passes in the high elevations, he felt an urging to leave the warmth of the hunter’s deserted cabin just to feel small and minute in the majestic mountains.

Now, the blond found himself not venturing further than the kitchen on the first floor of the large home. The gentle ebony houseman of the Barkleys, Silas, smiled a warm welcome each time he made his way down the backstairs to the room to feed his children or bring refreshments Thad or Evangeline needed.

He watched his small children playing on the rug in the room before he stood at the window and gazed out towards the horizon bathed in the morning light. Sighing and leaning his head against the glass pane, he berated himself for being a coward and using the excuse of caring for his family as a means to keep the majority of the Barkley family at arm’s length.

Each of them offered to help but he had rebuked their attempts, stating he preferred to take on the task of caring for his small family himself because he was worried about the effects of the events on the twins. They were not fooled by his reasons for keeping them at bay but it was Tom who refused to push his youngest son to accepting what he didn’t want at the moment.

The older man sensed to push the blond would only serve to deepen the canyon. Tom’s gut feelings said if given an excuse Heath would push back if he felt cornered and push hard. There was more at stake than not getting to know his son…the future of the whole family rested on what transpired between them.

The task of caring for Ange and Thad was daunting and exhausting, the sleep lost showed on his face and under his eyes. Only Thad had witnessed the recurring dream his son-in-law was experiencing, the night of the raid playing itself out in his mind with a different ending…an ending that had the capability of shattering any sense of calm inside the blond upon waking. An ending which narrowed his light blue eyes in anger for the man he knew was responsible and who had to be dealt with before someone was hurt or killed.

A slight grin upturned the one corner of Heath’s mouth, his attempts to sidestep Victoria Barkley proved interesting. The gray eyes of the silver haired woman were able to pin his boots down in place and an arched eyebrow at his desire to spend mealtimes on the second floor told him she would only stand for his avoidance a little while longer.

The leader of the household against her better judgment relinquished the caring over to the blond. Heath had a feeling she resisted yanking him by his earlobe after her gray eyes filled with frustration at his unwillingness to allow her to at least watch over the children while he cared for his wife and father-in-law.

“Give it back!” whined Evan grabbing for the wooden horse his sister was holding. “It’s mine!”

Shaking her head, Heather held the horse out of her brother’s reach and her lips formed a pout, “You weren’t playing with it. Papa said to share!”

“PAPA!” shouted both twins at the same time, this sibling spat was not the first one of the morning and he inwardly sighed.

Turning away from the window, Heath ran a hand over his face, the time spent indoors was slowly wearing on the two energetic young ones. They needed the expanse of the outside to wear them out and relieve the stores of energy inside them.

“Princess Peanut’s not sharing!” stated Evan sticking out his tongue to his sister who angrily jumped to her feet.

“I hate that name!” declared Heather emphatically, her small hands clenched by her side as if she were ready to unleash her temper.

“Mama doesn’t like you to say the word hate.” reminded Heath softly, watching the angry face of his daughter contort and her eyes fill suddenly with tears.

“I want to go home.” sobbed Heather, unable to understand the reason for how she was feeling inside, not knowing it was the anxiety and stress constantly around her father which sent her emotions into a whirlwind.

“Shhh, don’t cry.” soothed Heath kneeling down and wrapping his arms around the tiny girl. “We can’t leave yet, honey. How about if I take you two for a walk outside? It’s a beautiful day.”

Evan’s face light up with happiness before falling into a frown and his small shoulders sunk in despair. “We can’t papa!”

“Sure we can, son.” assured Heath absently wiping the tears from Heather’s face.

“Uh huh, papa.” denied Evan with a firm shake of his head. “Ya’s said ya don’t want those people around or takin’ care of mama and grandpa. How come, papa?”

The surprise showed on his face and Heath turned crimson realizing the little ears overheard his stilted conversation with Evangeline who was upset over his rejection of the Barkley family’s help. Heath’s mouth open and closed but no words came out. How do you explain such a thing without causing confusion by not following the same rules you expected of them?

“Yes, I did say that Evan.” agreed Heath with a small smile. “Papa was wrong to say that.”

“Are they mean, papa?” asked Heather her upset forgotten for the moment.

Heath hesitated before responding slowly, “They’re nice people. They’ll take real good care of mama and grandpa.”

“But if they’s nice how come ya’s mad at them, papa?” questioned Evan in confusion. “They’s not like the bad man.”

“No, they’re not like the bad man. Sometimes big people get well…upset…and…uh…they need time to…hmmm…think...about stuff. You’ll understand when you’re older.” stammered Heath unsure of how to answer as the eyes of the twins stared at him before he took a deep breath and suggested. “Let’s see if Mrs. Barkley or Mr. Silas will take care of mama and grandpa?”

Evangeline looked when the door opened and smiled widely when Victoria entered and teased. “Mrs. Barkley, how’d you get past Heath? Did you put some sleeping powders in his coffee?”

Laughing at the brown haired younger woman, Victoria shook her head and neared the bed, sitting down before taking hold of Evangeline’s right hand. “Heath asked that I watch over you while he takes the children outside to play.”

Azure eyes sparkled in amusement and Evangeline winked, “My stubborn wonderful husband held out longer than I thought he would.”

Continued…