Texas Trouble

Chapters 1-15

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 1

 

Sitting at the base of a tree, Heath listened to the water in the stream trickling over the rocks, the birds singing a tune just for him, the wind rustling the leaves gently while the sun shined across the land.  Rereading the letter in his hand, he pushed his hat back up on his forehead, sapphire eyes full of wonder gazed out upon the beauty of nature.

 

Cassidy Jackson, the gangling teenager had grown into a beautiful young lady.  The girl whose young admiration he brushed aside so many years ago, the admiration hadn’t disappeared, it merely simmered since he’d left Texas.  The woman who greeted him with her brother had taken his breath away and was slowly working on his reluctant heart.  Since Melinda Rankin, the former lawman made it a point to steer away from members of the opposite sex.  His two stepping moves out of the clutches of Stockton females was a means of self-protection.

 

Carefully folding the paper, he held it up to drink in the scent again, closing his eyes at the fragrant perfume assaulting his senses.  In the quiet of this place, his closed eyes brought forth her face, the sienna color eyes, his fingers tingled remembering the softness of her skin and his lips burned from the kiss.

 

Remembering the last letter he received from Melinda, Heath sighed loudly and carefully tucked the paper into the envelope and tucked it in his shirt pocket under his vest.  Bullets, knives, cannons, weapons didn’t scare him but to look in the eyes of a woman and lose yourself, frightened the hell out of him. 

 

Matters of the heart were not his strong suit and he didn’t know if he could afford to lose in that game again.  The last time had nearly ripped him apart.  Remembering the time spent on the Jackson ranch over five months ago, Heath felt uncertainty rise up in him. With each letter Cassidy sent, he felt as if he knew her a little more, her thoughts and dreams were in those letters, her wishes and wants displayed for only him.  Walking over to Charger, he untied the reins and frowned at his reluctance, his hesitancy.

 

Shaking his head and mounting, he turned the red stallion towards the line shack, urging the horse into a gallop.  The wind on his face and the powerful horse beneath him were two of the blessings he received everyday. 

 

It was almost three years since he’d come to Stockton hauling a prisoner and ended up finding his father’s family.  Three years of ups and downs, peaks and valleys, happiness and sadness, a love found and a love lost.  Three years and he wouldn’t trade any of those days, not a one.  For even during the hardships faced over the past three years, he’d known he had a family to rely on, one who supported and loved him unconditionally.  A mother, sister and brothers at the ranch and a grandfather in Stockton. 

 

Yes, he was a man who was well aware of his blessings, well aware of what he had to lose and he’d gamble for money but never with what he valued most.  The love of his family and for this reason he turned down the request for his help from Jack Larkin. 

 

Slowing the powerful stallion, Heath let Charger walk and leaned forward to scratch behind his ears, “Jack was none too happy was he, boy?”

 

Heath sighed remembering the refusal was accepted graciously by his old friend in front of the other family members, but the blonde knew the look behind the forced smile on Jack’s face.  Taking a deep breath, he shoved down the flash of guilt at his refusal as his destination came into sight.  Reminding himself again, he was a rancher not a marshal.

 

Dismounting in front of the line shack and taking out a small notebook kept in his pocket, he walked around the wooden building.  His assigned task was to visit each shack and inspect their condition, the contents inside, the food supplies which would need to be replenished.  When he returned to the ranch, he’d sit down with Nick and Duke to work out a plan of action to take care of the repairs and restocking.  Just one of the many chores which needed to be completed in the springtime on a ranch.

 

While the line shacks were his main priority right now, the sapphire eyes also examined the Barkley lands he rode upon.  The rancher in him taking note of the fences needing repair, the condition of waterholes, pasture lands and any larger animals seeking to help themselves to a buffet of a Barkley piece of beef.  The former lawman in him casting an eye on the ground for tracks of any human guests. The winter had been tough and long, cold and wet.  When spring peeked around the corner, it had brightened everything it looked upon and the valley came back to life.

 

Thankful this was the last shack to check, Heath let a smile spread across his face and he hummed to himself while he checked the exterior of the small building.  His mood as bright as the orange ball in the sky, his thoughts barely on the job at hand before he took a deep breath and refocused, electing to whistle off tune instead.

 

Opening the door, he entered and froze at the cold metal pressed against his forehead, his right hand on the latch of the door.  Standing still, his eyes adjusted to the darker interior of the shack and he roughly stated.

 

“Boy howdy, ya’d best have a damn good reason for holding a gun to my head.  Cause if ya’ don’t, I’m gonna take it away and ya’ won’t like what’ll happen then.”

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

A dry chuckle filled the small cabin and Heath smiled at the twinkle in the brown eyes despite his anger at the unexpected greeting.

 

“Damn, I miss working with you, Heath.” sighed Jack Larkin putting his pistol back in its holster before moving to sit at the table rubbing sleep from his eyes.

 

“Things change, Jack.” informed Heath quietly taking a chair across from his former boss.  “There was a time nobody’d be able to surprise you.  You getting too old for marshaling, Larkin?”

 

“Sorry, I was dozing and hadn’t heard you ride up.” smirked Jack with a shrug, his exhaustion showing in his face.  “I’ll be a marshal til someone puts a bullet in me, Thomson.”

 

“Yeah, probably.” agreed Heath, pushing up his hat before leaning back and crossing his arms.  “Alright, out with it.”

 

Clearing his throat, the older man leaned his forearms on the table.  “Marshal Thane’s been asked to investigate one of his men.  They think he’s dirty.”

 

“Sorry to hear that.” replied Heath, memories of Dan Nichols springing into his mind, before asking.  “Does Thane have to do with you showing up here two weeks ago?”

 

Nodding, Jack yawned and rolled his head on his shoulders.  “Yep, you didn’t give me a chance to explain then but he asked for someone to help find out what they could, see if they can find a paper trail or any associations with the wrong people.   He needs someone to get close to him.”

 

“So, no one else in your office can do this?” asked Heath.  “All your men are quite capable of an assignment like this.   Why me?”

 

“None of my people have any experience in this area and I’m not sure if they have enough of a meticulous nature or the ability to look at the situation with a fully professional eye.  You do.” stated Jack firmly.  “You handled finding the evidence on Nichols and the important thing is, he was convicted of his underhanded dealings.  Your work certainly saved lives when he was put away.”

 

Frowning, Heath shook his head in denial.  “I’m a rancher, Jack.”

 

“Heath, you can’t tell me you don’t miss it a little.” winked Jack.

 

Heath thought for several minutes before responding, “I never said I didn’t miss it, Jack.  I can still remember my first assignment, my first arrest.  I saw the difference my job made on the lives of the citizens in my territory.  The rush of adrenaline in a fight, the satisfaction of a guilty verdict, those feelings make you thirsty for more.”

 

“I knew it!” exclaimed Jack with a banging of his fist on the table. 

 

Looking into the brown eyes, Heath emphasized, “I don’t miss dealing with the scum of the earth, the cold nights on watch, the long days of trailing someone waiting for a bullet to make an extra hole between your eyes.  The loneliness, the fear of dying on the trail and no one ever knowing except for the buzzards scavenging on ya’.  The crap you get from people when you show up at their door looking for their relative or friend.  The loss of personal relations, the loss of yourself in the badge.  Those are just a few of the things I don’t miss.”

 

Jack shifted in his chair, the blonde speaking more words of cons than pros, his brown eyes reluctantly reflected their agreement.  “I agree, Heath.  It’s not a soft life, never has been or ever will be, I’m thinking.  It’ll always take someone special to be a lawman.”

 

Sighing deeply, Heath nodded, “Anyway, I’m not gonna give up what I’ve found, Jack.  You’ll have to get someone else.”

 

Sitting back, Heath studied his old boss’ eyes and suddenly felt a chill run through him.  “I ain’t gonna like this, am I?”

 

Shaking his head negatively, Jack took a deep breath.  “It’s Nate Jackson.”

 

Jumping up, Heath shouted, “NO!  HE’D NEVER!  THEY’RE WRONG!  HE’S AS PURE AS DRIVEN SNOW!”

 

Several hours later, Heath rode up to the barn and dismounted, his bright cheery mood in the morning was a sharp contract to the darkness on his face as he curried the stallion.

 

“Hey, Heath.” greeted Duke with a smile, leaning on Charger’s stall door.  “I expected you back earlier this afternoon.”

 

“Yeah, sorry about that.  Something came up.” apologized Heath knowing he’d been expected earlier.  Taking out the notebook, he opened the stall door and handed it to Duke.  “Everything on the line shacks are written in here.  Let me know if you have any questions.”

 

“Sure.” replied Duke, his eyes studying the blonde carefully.  “You okay, boss?”

 

“Huh, yeah.” sighed Heath, patting the other man on the back as he walked by, mumbling to himself, leaving a puzzled foreman behind.  “I’ll be okay til Nick finds out I’m leaving.  I’ll be lucky I got any eardrums left after he’s done yelling.” 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

Entering the mansion, Heath placed his gunbelt on the table with his hat before walking up the staircase and entering his room.  Closing the bedroom door, he opened the closet, taking out his bedroll and saddlebags.  Quickly grabbing only the items he’d need, he was packed in a matter of minutes.  Taking off his vest, he pulled out the latest letter from Cassidy and frowned, eyes full of worry as he stared down at the white paper. 

 

Sighing loudly, he sat in the chair by the window, his eyes drawn to the two new horses prancing and playing in the corrals, the sight making him smile.  Feeling the start of a headache coming on, he leaned back and propped his boots up on the windowsill, running over the conversation with Jack in his mind, his stomach tightening further from the realization he had to go.  He had to find the truth to save Nate.

 

‘That’s why I’m going to help Nate, not put him away.’ thought Heath, satisfying his reason in his mind.  ‘He’d never do what they’re accusing him of.  Not him and I’m gonna prove it.’

 

Watching the lower ball in the sky, the former marshal found his inner being tortured with his thoughts, wondering how Nate would react when he finally learned why his old friend was there.  Wondering how his parents and Cassidy would feel?   In performing his newly revived job, would those who’d been like family turn their backs when his deception was revealed?  When the reason for his time in Texas exposed?

 

‘Could there be anyway he’s guilty?’ questioned the blonde in his mind, scowling for several minutes, the lack of trust displayed by the question making Heath hate himself for thinking it.  ‘No, not Nate.  Please don’t let it be him.’

 

Rubbing his temples, Heath glanced over at the clock and saw he had twenty five minutes to clean up before dinner.  Pushing himself out of the chair with a groan, he grabbed some clean clothes and headed to the watercloset.  Thankful he hadn’t run into any of the family members.

 

Slowly descending the grand staircase, Heath heard the sound of happy voices from the parlor and headed in.  Nick glanced over at his missing brother from the afternoon and raised an eyebrow at the darkened countenance showing on the blonde’s face before Heath consciously lightened his expression.

 

Jarrod nodded and listened to Audra, his eyes watching his younger brother entering the room, his keen eyes observing the same as Nick. 

 

“Heath, drink?” offered Nick not waiting but thrusting a drink into Heath’s hand.  “I was waiting for you this afternoon, little brother.”

 

Sipping the brandy, Heath nodded, “Yeah, sorry about that.  Duke has all the information on the line shacks.  I don’t reckon it’ll take too much time to restock and repair any winter damage.”

 

“That’s good.” replied Nick tersely, “Guess it must’ve been too much to ask for all three of us to sit down and decide that.”

 

Clenching his jaw, Heath sighed, “Something came up, Nick.  I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

 

Heath stepped away from his irritated brother and greeted the ladies of the house with a quick peck on the cheek.  Victoria smiled and placed a hand on the blonde’s face, looking into his eyes with concern.

 

“Are you feeling okay, Heath?” queried his mother.  “You don’t look well.”

 

“I’m fine, Mother.” smiled Heath enjoying the maternal touch of the tiny woman who’d become so important to him.   “Just been a long day, is all.”

 

Satisfied with his reply, Victoria nodded and allowed him to help her up when Silas announced dinner was ready.  Holding onto his arm, they lead the procession into the dining room and Heath held her chair for his mother.

 

The conversation was animated and light throughout the family dinner.  The siblings and their mother listened to Audra’s excitement over the upcoming spring dance, the booths they were having, the decorations the committee had decided on.

 

Nick ate and complained between bites, teasing his little sister about which of her beaus she was going to force to take her to the dance.  The laughter in his hazel eyes fading at the deep thinking blonde brother across from him, the food on his plate barely dented and the furrow on his forehead reflecting unpleasant thoughts of some nature.

 

Nick kicked his brother under the table when their mother’s call to him went unanswered two times.

 

“Ouch, Nick!  What the hell?” growled Heath, reaching down to rub his bruised shin, realizing what he’d blurted out at the dinner table making his face turn crimson.  “I’m terribly sorry, Mother and Audra.  I didn’t mean to swear in front of ya’.”

 

Gray eyes studied the quiet man down from her and she smiled, accepting his heartfelt and sincere apology.  Audra reached over and squeezed his hand, beaming a radiant smile his way.

 

“Sorry, Nick for snapping.” sighed Heath placing his napkin on the table and glancing at the faces of his family.  “I’m not real hungry, Mother.  Excuse me.”

 

Everyone watched as Heath pushed back his chair and departed from the room quickly, all eyes turning to Nick for explanation.  The rancher returned their stares and he shook his head, holding his hands up, “I don’t know but I’ll find out.”

 

“Please do, Nick and let us know if there’s anything we can do.” stated Victoria watching her dark haired son nod before following after his brother. 

 

Jarrod excused himself and quickly caught up with Nick to help him search for the blonde.  The two men saw his hat and gun on the table, headed to the study where they saw the opened french doors into the garden.  In the black of the night under the moon kissed sky, the end of a red glowing cigarette gave away his hidden position at the edge of the garden on a bench.

 

Flanking the blonde on either side, Nick nudged him playfully in the arm and smirked, “Thought you gave that up, brother.”

 

“Haven’t had one in months.” admitted Heath staring at the end of the red ash before taking a final drag and crushing the rest of it out.  “Sorry to ruin your dinner, I got something I need to talk to you about.”

 

Jarrod reached over and placed a hand on Nick’s shoulder after Heath stood up and walked away a few feet.  His touch stopping the questions he felt rising up inside Nick.

 

“You didn’t ruin anyone’s dinner, Heath but your own.” stated Jarrod calmly.  “You were thinking so hard, you didn’t notice Nick had three helpings.”

 

Smiling at Nick’s retorted comment about working men and appetites, Heath sighed and took a seat in front of his brothers.

 

“Nick, I want you to hear me out before you say anything.” warned Heath.

 

“ME!  What about Jarrod?  Why does everybody think they have to talk to me about stuff like that?” complained Nick, his words causing Jarrod to snicker.  “Shut up, Pappy!”

 

“I didn’t mean it to sound like you run off at the mouth, Nick.” apologized Heath.  “Sometimes you get a tad bit excited.”

 

“Oh.” replied Nick.  “I’ll wait til the end before I say anything.”

 

“Me, too.” agreed Jarrod quickly, clapping Nick on the shoulder.

 

“Jack Larkin was waiting at one of the line shacks today.” said Heath.  “He came to tell me why he was here two weeks ago, the job he has for me.”

 

“YOU ALREADY HAVE A JOB!” exclaimed Nick the words leaving before he could stop them.   “Sorry, Heath.  I won’t do it again.”

 

Jarrod bit his lip to stop the chuckle hovering inside his throat and leaned back against the bench encouraging the younger man to finish.  “Go on, Heath.”

 

“Marshal Thane needs an outsider to investigate one of his marshals.  A man they think is dirty like Nichols was.  I’ll be leaving in the morning for Texas.” sighed Heath, feeling the anger inside Nick waiting to be released.  “Understand, I have to go cause I need to find out what’s going on.  I need to know if it’s true or not.”

 

Nick’s anger suddenly dissipated at the torture in his brother’s voice, the pain thickening his words and he sat forward, “What is it, Heath?”

 

Jarrod leaned his elbows on his knees, his upper body moving closer and he heard the name of the marshal Heath’d be investigating.  Both brothers sat stunned on the bench, unable to believe what they’d heard.  Both men thought the man in question had integrity of the highest quality, he oozed honesty and truth.

 

“Nick, I know it’s a bad time but I can’t let anyone else do the investigation.  He’s my friend and needs my help to clear him or if he is guilty, I’ll do what the law decrees I must do.” explained Heath quietly, climbing to his feet and moving away to lean against a tree, rubbing his forehead and wishing his brain would stop thinking for a second.

 

“I can’t believe it.” whispered Nick to Jarrod.  “Not Nate!”

 

Shaking his head, Jarrod agreed, “Neither can I, Nick.”

 

Running his hand through his hair, Nick walked over and stood by Heath, his hand on his shoulder.  “Hey little brother.”

 

“Hey.” sighed Heath.  “Know what scares me the most, Nick?”

 

“What?” asked Nick puzzled.

 

“I trusted Nichols too.  What if I’m wrong about Nate?  My heart and gut tell me not to believe what they say but my head says I was wrong before.  Maybe I’m wrong now.”

 

“Wish I could tell you everything would be fine, but I can’t.” stated Nick simply.  “If I were in your boots, I’d go.  Just don’t get hurt or anything while you’re gone.  Don’t worry about things here, we’ll get by.  Maybe our lawyer brother will have to pitch in and help, get some calluses on those baby soft hands of his.”

 

Jarrod smiled at the small chuckle Heath let out and agreed to lend their brother a helping hand in Heath’s absence.   Glancing over, Heath nodded before turning his eyes back to look into the darkness all around them.  “Thanks for understanding.”

 

“That’s what family’s for smart ass.” teased Nick placing an arm over the broad shoulders, his teasing helping take away some of the fear in his heart.

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

Sitting in the leather chair, Heath leaned his head back and stared upwards at the portrait of the man who was his father.  The striking oil portrait loomed above the fireplace mantle, old sapphire eyes, his mouth upturned into a smile as the eyes of the family leader stared down upon the study.

 

Younger sapphire eyes didn’t leave the painting while his hand reached down and lifted the crystal glass to his lips, the brandy warming him after it cascaded down his throat.  His quiet midnight reflections were shaken by a small hand touching his cheek and a petite body lowering itself beside the chair.

 

“Mother, it’s awfully late.” scolded Heath softly.  “You should be sleeping.”

 

Smiling into the eyes of her late husband’s son, Victoria squeezed the large hand she took hold of.  “The same could be said for you, son.”

 

Chuckling, Heath helped her onto her feet and moved to the divan with her, sitting sideways and sighing.  “I couldn’t sleep.  Too many things going through my mind.”

 

Victoria ran her fingers through the blonde hair, her eyes filled with softness, her voice low, “Were you thinking about Nate?”

 

Heath shook his head and turned his gaze upwards to the picture above the mantle.  Victoria questioned him silently.

 

“Actually, I was just wondering how things could’ve been different had we known each other.” admitted Heath with a shaky breath.

 

Tilting her head slightly, Victoria was puzzled by the admission.  “I had no idea those questions were on your mind, Heath.  You always told us not to look backwards because it wouldn’t change what happened.”

 

“I did, Mother.” agreed Heath with a shrug.  “Sometimes things make me wonder though.  Like tonight, Nick’s understanding with what I have to do.  He explained his, uh, our Father said family always comes before business.  Businesses you can replace but relationships with people and family cannot be recaptured.”

 

“Yes, your father believed in that philosophy, he lived his life by that rule and taught his children the same.” smiled Victoria rubbing her thumb over his large knuckles.  “He’d have been so proud of you, Heath as I am.  I wish you two could have known each other, bonded as father and son.  I’d like to turn back time and give you the opportunity, the chance to look him in the eyes, the chance for both of you to spend a single day together.”

 

“Yeah, such is life though.” sighed Heath sadly, gazing at the portrait for several minutes.  “Mother?”

 

“Yes, dear?”

 

“He was very lucky to have you by his side.” smiled Heath warmly.  “Your sons could only hope to one day find someone to stand by them in such a way.”

 

Tears sparkled her gray eyes and she welcomed his arms entwining her in a hug, the sincerity in her blonde son, a trait similar to his father, a trait not learned but came from within his soul.

 

“Perhaps you’re closer to finding that someone special, Heath, than you realize.” smiled Victoria knowingly.  The entire family was well aware of the correspondence back and forth between the two blondes.

 

“Time will tell.” mumbled Heath, the emotionless tone in his answer flagging the inner sense of the older lady, her eyes spotting the apprehension in his and clarity flew into her mind. 

 

Sitting beside the blonde, Victoria felt a flash of anger and wondered why was it deemed this gentle man be placed in this position.  Why couldn’t he be allowed the luxury of not worrying about ramifications?  Why couldn’t he be allowed a chance to build and nurture a fondness without fear?  Why did his believing in all the silver star stood for make his heart an open target?  Why couldn’t this gentle man be allowed to give his love without concern?   Placing a kiss on his cheek, Victoria knew no answer would be forthcoming to her unspoken questions.

 

“Time for bed, son.” ordered Victoria standing and pulling him to his feet.  Walking to the second level of the house with an arm wrapped one another, Heath escorted his mother to her bedroom and placed another good night kiss on her cheek before continuing down to his own room.

 

Sitting on her bed in a dressing gown, Victoria picked up the picture of Tom, her manicured finger lightly caressing his cheek.  “He’s such a wonderful man, Tom.  I wish you could’ve known him.  He so much needed a father growing up.”

 

Sleep didn’t come to the blonde after escorting his mother to her room and entering his.  Time was spent laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind not letting his body rest.  Succumbing to the knowledge of his wakefulness, Heath swung his legs over the side of the bed and opened the top drawer of his bureau.  Taking out the packet of letters carefully placed in a cloth lined box, the former lawman took a deep breath and sat at the table, the stack of mail in front of him.  The smell of her perfume lingered about the paper, her handwriting neat and flowing.

 

Starting with the first letter, the blonde spent the rest of the night reading, his eyes slowly drank in each word, each sentence, each paragraph.  The letters contained accounts of the Jackson family, their trials and tribulations, the events going on in their lives at the time the letters were penned.  Working from earliest to most recent, Heath tried to determine if there was any indication of anything amiss, any sign things were not as they should be. 

 

The morning sun rose, it’s arrival watched through the window, his mind wondering over his future.  The anticipation of gazing into the sienna eyes again, the eyes which smiled at him in his dreams was overfilling him with dread.  Those beautiful sienna eyes were sure to blaze with anger and disdain when his purpose for arriving in Garwood, Texas with a silver badge on his chest was revealed. 

 

Suddenly the blonde was overwhelmed, his nerves stretching taunt as a wire.  When the truth came out, he wondered if the outcome would matter to the family in Texas.  When they found out about his trailing of their beloved family member, his search for evidence against his friend…even if Nate was found innocent from his efforts, would the Jackson family, especially Cassidy, be understanding?  Would they greet him with open arms back into their small family? 

 

Or would he lose what his dreams had shown his future could be?    Would he lose any  possible future with the duckling turned into a beautiful swan?  Would his chance at possible happiness once again become a victim to his silver star?

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

Jumping down from the passenger car, Heath glanced over the waiting crowd before making his way to the stockcar and opening the large door.  Climbing up, he greeted his stallion, murmuring in his ear before untying the reins and leading him to the door and out the ramp the conductor pulled down.  Charger’s hooves clopped on the wooden plank and he followed his master from the train to the street, the gathered crowd not affecting the powerful horse as he was lead to a water trough. 

 

Heath felt the perspiration start to flow off him from the heat of Texas.  The weather in the area he’d left was drastically different and the rancher in him wondered if this part of the country was in for a drought this year.   Allowing Charger his fill, the blonde walked him down the street and stopped in front of the sheriff’s office, taking a few moments to enter and inquire as to the whereabouts of the Marshal Thane.  Receiving his information, he mounted and rode to the edge of town, studying the buildings, the businesses Wharton had to offer.

 

At the far northern edge of town, the blonde found what he sought and dismounted, entering the one level faded wooden building, the windows spotted with dirt.  A young woman sat at a desk in the immaculate outer office, writing in a ledger and smiled when she spotted the handsome man before her.

 

“Good morning.”

 

Taking off his hat, Heath nodded and stated, “I’m here to see Marshal Thane, ma’am.”

 

“May I tell him your name?” asked the receptionist, the low soft voice answering before she knocked and entered through the closed door. 

 

Heath sighed and looked around the rest of the building, his eyes looking past an open door on his left, the room was a kitchen and dining area with another door beyond it. 

 

Several photographs hung on the wall and he studied the men in print, his sharp eyes picking out some well known outlaws, their bodies on display flanked by the men responsible for bringing the dead men in.  The proudness of the pictorial display of death leaving the blonde shaking his head.  In all his years of being a lawman, he never saw a reason for flaunting someone’s death, criminal or not. 

 

“Thomson, come in!” exclaimed the older man, his hair more silver than when Heath’d last seen him.  Gesturing with his hand, John Thane welcomed the younger man into his office, requesting fresh coffee before offering the blonde a seat at the round table.  Hanging his hat on the chair next to him, Heath thanked the receptionist for the cup of coffee and watched Thane close the door.

 

Sitting on the other side of the table, the older marshal greeted the younger with a firm handshake, his green eyes relieved to see the blonde. 

 

“How was your trip?” questioned John before taking a sip of his coffee.

 

“Fine.” replied Heath.  “It was long and quiet.” 

 

“I want you to know how much I appreciate your agreeing to help with this matter.” stated Thane sincerely.  “There’s been some talk of creating an internal organization for matters such as this but most of us don’t know if it’ll happen anytime soon.  You’re the only marshal I know who’s had experience in this type of, uh, situation.”

 

“Lucky me.” sighed Heath with a shake of his head.  “Marshal Thane, I want you to  know I don’t believe these allegations against Nate Jackson.  I’ve known him for a lot of years and he can’t be bought.”

 

Thane nodded before opening a file laying before him, glancing upwards into the blue eyes before him, his words firm and crisp. 

 

“I didn’t want to believe it either, Thomson.  Nate Jackson has always shown himself to be a man of honesty and integrity.  He’s my top man and all the other men look up to him, trust him with their lives.  That’s why I requested your help.  Even though you’re his friend, you have proven yourself to be fair, honest and tenacious.  In the matter of Dan Nichols, you found ways to reveal his duplicity, evidence no one else could.”

 

“I wasn’t alone in Nichols’ investigation.  I had help from a friend.” informed Heath.

 

“Yes, I’ve read the report you filed and was impressed with your methods as well as Sheriff Sawyer’s contribution.  I need you to look at the evidence, hound dog around and see what you can come up with.  Good or bad, Larkin and I both agree you would deal with the information in a professional manner.”

 

“Why not have one of your men investigate Nate?  They’re sworn to uphold the law also.”

 

“Quite frankly I’m not sure my men would willingly give me any damaging evidence they found.  To them, Jackson walks on water.” sighed Thane grimly.  “I hope the allegations are false and come to nothing, Thomson.  However, I need to know.  I won’t have a bad apple hiding amongst the others.  I won’t have that on my watch.  A lawman in the wrong is a man who has the potential to do more damage than any known criminal could.  He’s a blight on our profession which we cannot afford, which society cannot afford.”

 

Heath retorted, “You don’t have to explain it to me, I understand the importance of having honest men doing this job.”

 

“Sorry.” apologized Thane with a slight smile.  “I know you understand, Thomson.  I get fired up when I hear about dirty lawmen.”

 

Nodding, the younger man held the side of his cup, letting the dark contents warm his suddenly cold hands.  “Thane, I’ll do what I can to get behind the truth but I won’t lie to Jackson about why I’m in Texas.  He’ll figure it out anyway when I start asking him questions to determine the route I need to take.”

 

“How you conduct the investigation is up to you.  I will expect you to keep me informed.   Let me show you what I have gathered on my own and then we’ll see the judge who’ll swear you back in.  He’ll also give you a blanket warrant to use however you need to in regards to Jackson’s activities.”

 

“Alright and I’ll want access to the paperwork on Nate’s past cases.” instructed Heath sitting forward in his chair.  “I’ll need to review the files before I leave here and head to Garwood.”

 

“Miss Baker can show you where they are stored.” said Thane curious at the request before taking the papers out of the file and handing them over to the other man.

 

Later alone in his hotel room, Heath plowed through the files, the past work of his friend.  The blonde filled with pride at the accomplishments of Nate, his old friend proving himself time and time again.  The state of Texas a safer place to live with people like him doing their jobs.

 

Sitting at the table, pencil in hand and jotting down notes in his small book, the blonde took a few minutes to lean back.  Rubbing his hands over his closed eyes, he was surprised at how easily he fell back into the old habits he’d lived by as a lawman.  The way his mind worked, the extra care he took when he walked down the street, the heightened awareness, sapphire eyes taking in everything around him.  The jotting down of notes, the method used in the past to capture those who thought they were out of the reach of the law.

 

Shortly after midnight, Heath rose and stretched the kink out of his back muscles from hunching over the table.  Rolling his head on his shoulders, he repacked the files in the boxes except for two.  One unsolved and the most recent case Nate’d been working on.  Both cases seemed to strike something within him and Heath couldn’t get them out of his head.  

 

Thane had informed Nate he was on leave until a full investigation into the allegations by an outsider was completed and a report filed.   The two cases were added to the anonymous note Marshal Thane received pointing in the direction of the bank in Eagle Lake where a sum of missing money was deposited under the name of Nate Jackson.  The newly reappointed lawman had a starting point and his stomach was still nauseous from this damaging information.  Appearances could be deceiving and Heath hoped to hell this information wasn’t true.

 

Blowing out the lamp on the table, the blonde moved to sit on the bed, his hand reaching over and picking up the family picture he usually carried in his wallet.  The smiling faces of his family looked back at him and he ran his finger over each profile, his eyes filling with happiness with each thought of them, wondering how they’d spent the last four days. 

 

Turning down the smaller lamp by the bed, Heath lay with his head on his locked hands, looking up at the plastered ceiling, his stomach churning acid.  His mind wondering what tomorrow would bring when he arrived in Garwood, Texas.  The home of the Jackson family, the home of the friend he’d either free or incarcerate with his investigation.

 

All their lives would be changed by what occurred in the near future and Heath wondered if he’d hate himself for the rest of his time on earth for the pain about to be brought to his friends.  The family who welcomed a battered, beaten teenager into their home and wrapped warmth around him.  The family who tried so hard to combat the anger, the rage left behind by his experiences in Carterson prison by bringing him into their fold.

 

Would this family understand he was doing a job?  Would they understand the powerful pull the search for truth created within him?  Would he ever be able to make his own soul come to terms with the reality of his search?

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

Wharton was a ways away from Garwood by horse, however, by the rail system it was only a few hours time.  Rising early and taking the first train, Heath found himself in Garwood by ten the next morning and mounting Charger, pointed him in a easterly direction.   The town hadn’t changed much since he’d last seen it over five months before.  No new businesses and the people of the small town took notice of the lawman riding amongst them.  He was familiar to some, familiar to those who’d met him briefly on his last visit.  Stopping at a restaurant, he left town ten minutes later after putting some sandwiches in his saddle bag.

 

Stopping at the ranch boundary, Heath took out a sandwich and ate it while studying the no trespassing sign posted on the wooden gate, his eyes looking towards the main house in the distance.  Topping off his lunch with a long drink from his canteen, he reached over and patted the neck of his stallion before dismounting, opening the gate and leading his horse through.

 

‘Why the new sign?’ wondered the blonde mounting and nudging his mount towards the buildings.  ‘Interesting.’

 

Stopping Charger at the riders coming cross range towards him, he pushed back his hat and rolled a cigarette, sapphire eyes intent on the welcoming committee.  Lighting a match, he drew a drag on the white cylinder and used the old habit to calm his jumpy insides.

 

“Heath!” exclaimed Mark Jackson, the eldest son, his brown eyes filled with surprise, recognizing the blonde instantly.  The other two men nodding their greetings to the returning family friend of their employer.  “We didn’t know you were coming.  The family’ll be so happy to see you!”

 

“Mark, you’re looking well.  Been a long time since I’ve seen you.” greeted Heath smiling slightly, taking the hand extended towards him in a firm shake, sapphire eyes studying the shifty eyes in the face of the man before him.  “I’m here to see Nate.  He around?”

 

“Nate’s working up at the barn.  Go on up.” invited Mark, studying the younger man before him, his eyes taking in the sun glistening off the badge.  “We have to finish the branding.  I’ll see you later.”

 

Nudging Charger towards the main buildings, Heath scolded himself for feeling as if he were a weasel in a hen house.  Entering the ranch yard, he glanced around and found he was hoping Cassidy wouldn’t be in the vicinity, fervently wishing only Nate would be around.

 

Dismounting in front of the large red barn, Heath lead Charger to water before tying him to the corral.  Entering the doorway of the building, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the difference in light and made his way down the walkway towards the voices he heard.

 

“Heath!” screamed a female voice loaded with excitement, his arms suddenly full of the slim body which lunged itself at him, making him take a step backwards forcing him to wrap his arms around her to prevent them both from toppling over.  The feel of her in his arms taking his breath away, the moment sending a rush of desire and happiness through his soul.

 

“Cassidy.” whispered the blonde, his voice hoarse from the warm welcome, his eyes looking past her into the warm male gray ones, his arms falling away and back to his side.

 

“Gees, Cass, let him be.” scolded Nate, his smile fading at the badge appearing on the broad chest when his sister stepped back.  “Returning to the old profession, Heath?”

 

Smiling slightly at Cassidy, Heath took off his hat before turning his eyes back to his friend, “Nate, I need to talk to you.”

 

“Heath, why are you wearing a badge?” asked Cassidy, her sienna eyes scrutinizing the handsome man, her hand holding onto his muscular arm.  “You’re not a marshal again, are you?”

 

“Yes, I am.  I’ve been brought in from California.” stated Heath with a knowing look into Nate’s gray eyes, the other man nodding in understanding.

 

“Not you.” whispered Cassidy.  “You’re not the outsider?  Say it’s not you, Heath.”

 

Nate put a hand on his sister’s back when she dropped her hand from Heath’s arm and staggered backwards.  The betrayal in her whispered words filling his friend’s blue eyes with pain for a brief moment before the blonde brought out his formidable poker face. 

 

“I’d like to speak with you privately, Nate.” suggested Heath, his words spoken with professionalism and his manner shifting accordingly.  The blonde ignored the pain in his heart and focused on the man before him, keeping his eyes from the girl, knowing one look into her beautiful eyes would make him falter.

 

“Sure, Heath.” agreed Nate.  “Cass, why don’t you let the rest of the family know Heath’s here for a visit and we’ll have an extra person for dinner.”

 

“No!” growled Heath with a harsh denial before stating in calmer voice.  “I won’t be staying for dinner, Cassidy.  Please extend my apologies to the rest of your family.”

 

Overcoming the shock of his appearance and the reason, Cassidy felt a flash of guilt for her tone towards this gentle man and smiled.  “Please stay Heath.  We’d love to hear how you’ve been.”

 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” stated the blonde firmly.   “Please excuse us, Cassidy.  Nate, I’ll wait outside.”

 

Turning on his heel, the blonde put on his hat and walked to the outside, stopping beside Charger and patting the stallion’s neck.  Cassidy glanced sideways at him, her eyes full of questions before continuing onto the house and Nate appeared leading a black dun.

 

Mounting, the two men left the ranch yard, heading to a place of solitude, a place where they’d meet as lawman and suspect where once they met as friends.  The hill with the lone tree was waiting for them, the spectacular view of the ranch the same and taking the blonde back in time while he dismounted.   Heath sat beneath the tree and dug out a pencil.

 

“Nate, I have a few questions to ask you.” informed Heath opening his notebook.

 

Nate asked curiously, “Why you, Heath?  Why’d they ask you?”

 

“Because they know no matter what the truth may be, I’ll report all I find.  Regardless of the outcome of the investigation.”

 

“Do you believe me to be on the wrong side?” queried Nate, gray eyes studying sapphire eyes intently, knowing this man didn’t know how to lie.

 

“Personally, I believe you’re innocent.” admitted Heath firmly returning the strong gaze.  “Professionally, I’ll wait til my investigation is complete to draw any legal conclusions of wrongdoing.”

 

Nate nodded, gray eyes filled with friendship, his smile genuine.  “That’s why you’re the right man for the job, Heath.  I want you to know I’m innocent although for the life of me I have no idea how to prove it.”

 

“What about this bank account?” asked Heath casually, opening the small notebook in his hands, scanning the words he’d written the night before.

 

“When Thane told me about the account with the money in it, you could have pushed me over with a feather.  If I had kept embezzled money from the Hawkins case, I sure as hell wouldn’t set up an account under my own name IN my own community!” snorted Nate with disgust.  “I ain’t the brightest star in the sky but only an idiot’d do something like that!”

 

Chuckling, Heath grinned before clearing his throat, bringing himself back to the matter at hand, “Nate, I’m your friend but until this is done, you know our friendship must be put to the side, don’t you?”

 

“I know, Heath.” assured Nate, feeling infinitely better at their choice of an investigator.  The thoroughness of the blonde, the sharp mind and the hawk-like eyes wouldn’t miss a detail and the Texas born native welcomed the good feelings rising up within him. 

 

“I’ll try to help any way I can, Heath.  What do you want to know?” offered the brown haired man.

 

“I got some questions to ask.  First, when’d Mark get out and why’s there a no trespassing sign posted on your ranch.” stated the blonde firmly.

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

Heath watched the gray eyes turn chilly and the man before him unconsciously bristle at his firm demand for information.  Taking the stare in stride, Heath met its intensity, second by second.

 

“Well?” pushed the blonde.  “You wanted to help and offered your assistance.  Can’t you answer those two questions?”

 

“Mark’s got nothin’ to do with this!” snapped Nate angrily.  “Maybe we just don’t cotton to visitors!  Anyway, its none of your damn business!”

 

Heath stood on his feet and staring down at the agitated man, he stated brusquely.  “Fine, Nate.  It’s only your life, your future on the line.  I have a future in California that I’ll be going back to.  If you don’t want to help by answering any questions I have, I’ll go it alone.”

 

Not receiving a reply, Heath mounted and stated, “I’ll be at the hotel in town if you change your mind and wanna save your own neck.”

 

Gray furious eyes watched the blonde ride towards town, his fist clenching and striking the tree beside him.  It took several minutes for the man to calm down, the clear meaning of the words spoken reaching him through his haze of red.  Stomping to the dun, he mounted and galloped back to the barn, dismounting and tying the animal up.

 

“Nate, where’s Heath?” asked Cassidy, searching the horizon.

 

Sighing loudly, Nate shook his head and smirked, “I’ve forgotten what a cool customer Heath is when he’s wearing the star and on a trail.”

 

“What happened?” worried the blonde, catching the look of censure in the eyes of her older brother.  “Did you two argue?”

 

“Not really.  I’m the one who flew off the handle.  He started off by asking when Mark got out and it got my fur up.” admitted Nate.  “I’m so sick of people saying things about Mark.  He’s done his time and it was the last thing I’d ever thought Heath would ask.”

 

Shaking her head, Cassidy drew her brother into a warm hug before her hands held his face and she smiled, “You can’t fight Mark’s battles, Natty, not when you’re in the midst of your own.  Mark’s a grown man who’s made mistakes but he’s paid his debt to society and if he wants to live here, he’ll have to learn to deal with the whispers and finger pointing.  You can’t protect him twenty four hours a day, Nate.  Let Mark figure it out on his own.”

 

“When did you get to be so smart, sis?” teased Nate warmly, his eyes full of pride at the beautiful woman in front of him.  “Are you sure you’re related to me?”

 

“Well, someone has to have brains cause my brothers usually think with only their fists.” retorted Cassidy with a wink.  “Tomorrow, why don’t you go into town and see Heath?  I’m sure he’ll have forgotten you making a fool out of yourself today.”

 

“Yeah, you’re right, Cass.” agreed Nate.  “Heath’s my best hope at being cleared, especially since Thane threaten to arrest me if I tried to do my own investigation.  That old man would do it too, he’s sure a hard case.  I just hate the pain this is causing everyone in the family.  You shouldn’t have to suffer cause of me.”

 

“Nobody’s suffering cause of you, Nate.  WE  know you haven’t done anything wrong and that’s all that matters.” stated Cassidy firmly.  “Get off your pity wagon, suck it up and meet with Heath tomorrow, big brother.”

 

Laughing, Nate nodded and helped his sister mount her Modoc, Lady.  Stating she was heading to her friend Mary’s house, Nate waved and watched her ride out of the yard.  Shaking his head in amazement at how much his sister changed and her inner strength, he lead his dun into the barn and unsaddled him. 

 

Several hours later in the dusky light of the day, a weary lawman dismounted and stabled his horse, rubbing the animal down and giving his friend an extra helping of oats.  Flinging his saddlebags over his shoulder, the blonde shuffled across the street and entered the hotel, checking for messages and glancing at the wire in his hand.  A smile giving his tired body a small burst of energy.

 

Heath Thomson

Garwood Texas

 

Heath

Things fine here

New hand Jarrod working hard

Lots of calluses

 

Nick Barkley

Stockton California

 

Chuckling, Heath shoved the wire in his pocket and climbed the stairs, putting his key in the lock and opening the door to his room.  Stepping inside, he stopped and stared.

 

“Cassidy, what are ya’ doing here?” questioned Heath, not sure if in his exhausted state he wanted to have this unexpected meeting and closed the door behind him, preventing any other patrons from spying the girl in the room.

 

“You shouldn’t be here.  Wagging tongues can ruin your reputation.”

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

Smiling nervously, the woman who sat at the table in the room stood up and watched Heath shut the door, his movements stilted with uncertainty at his visitor.  The sight of the woman haunting his nights made him choke down the desire rising up. 

 

“Heath, I wanted to see you and talk to you.” sighed Cassidy wondering if perhaps she’d read more into his letters than he’d written, seeing him and being in his arms for a brief moment of time earlier sent a bolt of desire through her.

 

“You’d best go home.  Your family’ll be worried.” replied Heath quietly.

 

Staring into the blue eyes, Cassidy swallowed the lump in her throat and reached up to touch his tanned cheek, her touch sending a jolt of warmth through them.  Studying his eyes, she was relieved at the emotion burning in their depths, and she ran her hand around to the back of his neck.

 

“Cassidy.” whispered Heath, reaching up and pulling her hand down from his neck.  “You shouldn’t be here.”

 

Sienna eyes blazed and she brushed her lips against his.  Heath closed his eyes briefly at the light feather touch fighting to keep himself from holding her close.  Cassidy whispered, “I missed you, Heath.  I wanted to see you again.”

 

“I, you, I…this is not a good idea.”  groaned Heath pulling away and running his hand through his hair. 

 

“I’m sorry for how I acted this morning.” apologized the slim woman, her words bringing his eyes to her and she stepped closer.  “You’re doing your job and I didn’t mean to act like you had the plague.  Please forgive me, Heath.”

 

Entranced by the lilting voice and her red lips moving, Heath found he couldn’t speak.  Her nearness, the intoxicating scent of her perfume causing him to reach up and run his fingers over the silkiness of her cheek.   Running her tongue across her bottom lip, Cassidy heard the faint intake of his breath and she stepped closer, his hand entwined itself in her shoulder length hair, his mouth lowered to hers and gently caressed her bottom lip, the wetness lingering there from her tongue deepening his desire.

 

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she parted her lips and moaned when his tongue flicked inside her mouth, tasting her sweetness.  Tightening her hold, she met his searching tongue, their bodies melting together, their need building with each delectable feverish kiss.  Their moans of need, the desire to quench the raging fire in them rose and   suddenly Heath released her mouth, grabbed hold of her arms and held her away from him, his eyes wide with guilt and his head shook.

 

“Heath?” whispered Cassidy confused at the ceasing of pleasure.  “What?”

 

“I’m sorry.” apologized Heath.  “I lost control, Cassidy.”

 

“Lost control?” repeated Cassidy mistaking the look in his eyes for something else.

 

Heath sighed and took a shaky breath, “I shouldn’t have kissed you.  This is a mistake!”

 

Straightening as if she were physically slapped, Cassidy fought the tears rushing into her eyes and snapped, “Sorry, it was so offensive, Marshal Thomson!  I’ll remove myself from your sight!”

 

The hurt in her eyes shook him and Heath grabbed onto her arm, stopping her flight, turning her to look at him.  “Please, Cassidy, don’t think that!  That’s not what I meant?”

 

“What did you mean then?” demanded Cassidy fighting her tears.

 

“I just meant two unmarried people in a hotel is not, you know, well…” paused Heath turning red at his thoughts.  “It’s not proper Cassidy!”

 

Her anger faded quickly when she realized his hesitation was only out of concern for her.  The fear of him not wanting to kiss her left and she smiled fondly.  Moving away to create space between them and prevent any continuation, Heath took a deep breath and smiled slightly, “So, tell me why are you here?”

 

“I want to help.” offered the beautiful woman, her words inviting as her fingers brushed across his cheek, his lips mesmerizing her eyes.  She longed to have him hold her and her breaths quickened at her thoughts of lying in his arms.   She felt the heat in her body rise from his nearness, her lips ached for his burning kiss.  “I want to help however I can.  I’d do anything to help my brother, Heath.”

 

Sapphire eyes widened before narrowing at the huskiness in her voice, the parted lips and the simmering eyes.  Heath clenched his jaw and removed her hand from his cheek, his voice crisp and cool as he walked her to the door.

 

“Miss Jackson, it’s best if you leave now.”

 

Protesting at the hurtful grasp on her arm, Cassidy didn’t understand what just occurred, what caused the dark anger in his beautiful eyes.  Opening the door, Heath was startled at the sight of Nate on the other side of the wood.

 

“Perfect!” growled Heath. “Here’s the sacrificial lamb safe from the lion’s den!”

 

Nate stood stunned when Cassidy was thrust into his arms and the blonde brushed past the siblings slamming the door and leaving them standing in the hallway, shocked at the rage in their friend.  Coming to his senses, Nate called out to Heath’s back and pulled his sister along with him, rushing after the departing man.  Bursting out onto the boardwalk, two sets of eyes searched up and down the street, no sign of the blonde lawman could be found. 

 

Nate swore before demanding.  “Cass, why were you in Heath’s room?  What the hell happened up there?”

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

“I don’t know.” whispered Cassidy shaking her head, eyes filling with tears, her hand rubbing her arm where his firm hold had been, the soft tissue turning red. “I don’t know.”

 

Nate pulled her to the side of the hotel door, his hands gesturing upwards to the room above, his words heated with fear. “What happened?  Something had to happen for Heath to drag you from his room and throw you at me!” demanded Nate angrily.  “He doesn’t treat ladies like that!  CASS!”

 

Nate held his sister by her shoulders, his eyes searching her face, their knowing gaze didn’t miss the sign which told him kisses had been exchanged.  Taking a calm breath, he said slowly.  “Did he touch you after you kissed?”

 

“NO!” exclaimed Cassidy, shaken from her thoughts by the question.  “Nate, he didn’t!”

 

“I didn’t think so.  Anyone else but Heath would have.  I’m sorry Cassidy but I needed to ask.” sighed Nate, his eyes filling with relief.  “I don’t know what happened but I think he really cares for you, Cass.”

 

“I just want to go home, Nate.” whispered Cassidy, her bottom lip trembling, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. 

 

“Okay, sis.” assured Nate gently, wiping the tears from her face.  “I’ll come back and talk to Heath tomorrow.  We’ll get everything straightened out.  Don’t worry, Cass.”

 

Riding beside her brother back to the ranch and remembering Nate’s assumption of Heath’s possible love, a happy smile light up her face.  Reaching up she lightly touched her lips, the burning sensation lingering in her memory.  Her smile was rapidly replaced with horror, recalling the words spoken before his sapphire eyes turned to blue ice.

 

Nate looked over when Lady stopped and his sister cried out in horror, “Oh my god!  He couldn’t possibly, could he?  Nate!  Oh my god!”

 

The cool night air brushed on his inflamed cheeks and his body merged with the darkness of the night.  The coolness of the air had little effect on the emotions trembling him.  The desire, the need had changed into disbelief and anger with one spoken sentence, one declaration spoken with a female voice.

 

Stepping into the shadows of an alley across the street, sapphire eyes burned at the two people exiting the hotel.  Hands clenched into fists as he spied on the animated gestures of Nate, the shaking of her head and he turned.  Walking down the length of the alley seeking to escape the outrage, the revulsion at her offer, the unexpected offer infuriating him.

 

How could she make such an offer?  What would possess her to take that step?  A step where goods were traded for services.  Her goods for his services.  Why would she do that to herself?  Did Nate put her up to it?  He looked shocked in the hallway, but was he really?  How could she think he’d be the type of man who’d allow her to place herself in such a position?  Did she think he was a man who would’ve happily taken what wasn’t his?

 

His stomach contents rose and he leaned his hand against the building waiting for the heaving to stop.  Unsure if the tears in his eyes were from the assault of his thoughts on his body or the assault on his heart and soul.  The pain of disillusionment was constricting his heart, leaving him with the urge to fall to his knees and sob like a child.

 

Making his way to the livery, the blonde entered the stall, his hands welcoming the feel of the powerful muscles of his mount, his emotions slowly subsiding and the storm in his eyes clearing slightly.   His hands worked while his mind contemplated, the grooming of the large animal offered the lawman a therapeutic method of refocusing.  Complete the job, hand in his star and return home.  Those were the three goals he decided he’d focus on, the three lights at the end of this tunnel.

 

Two hours passed before the blonde reentered his hotel room, only staying long enough in the area where her perfume hung in the air, to grab his saddlebags and bedroll.  The aroma teased his senses and he wiped his lips with a shaky hand, seeking to remove the tingling sensation the memory brought forth.

 

Leaving his room, he stopped long enough to advise the desk clerk to hold his room til his return.  The portly man nodded and accepted the money from the marshal, enough to hold the room for two weeks.  The lawman stating he wasn’t sure exactly when he’d return.

 

Attaching his bags and bedroll to his saddle, Heath mounted and under the full moon bathing the small town in a soft light, the blonde left Garwood behind.  Charger who was rested after only a few hours carried his master with an ease, almost as if to say the blonde weighed no more than a feather. 

 

Staying on the trail, the marshal kept his horse to a walk heading east towards Eagle Lake.  Heath gazed up at the stars in the clear sky, trying to bring up memories of his family in California but only her face came into his head. 

 

Her eyes, the parted lips, the feel of her against him.  The memories tumbled inside the blonde head, his mood darkening as the night sky lightened all around him, the shadow lifting from the land, the rising of the fireball in full glory for the lone traveler went unnoticed.

 

Stopping beside a small stream, a fire was quickly built and coffee put on from his small store of supplies.  Visions of her lingered and the blonde knelt on the bank using his hands to scoop up the cold water, its icy coldness numbing his head and face, cooling the last remnants of anger evident in his eyes. 

 

Drying himself, he sat on a rock and dug out his notebook, going over the notes, the questions he’d ask at the bank in Eagle Lake while he ate a quick breakfast of coffee and hardtack.  The lawman renewed within him sensed this bank was the starting point he needed to focus on, it could hold the key to everything out of place, missing links in the chain of events.

 

Putting out the fire and breaking his small camp, Heath ran his hand down the wide nose of Charger, his voice low, his words making the stallion’s ears twitch.  “Sooner we figure this out, the sooner we can be back riding with Nick and Coco, boy.  Would you like that?  Huh, boy?  Bet Coco misses you.  Jingo, too.”

 

Nuzzling the man before him, Charger wasn’t quite sure why his master moved and hugged him around the neck, the action was new but the horse liked the feel it created in him.  Patting the silky neck one last time, Heath mounted and nudged the stallion into a cantor.  His sights set, his plan of action in place and Heath let the massive horse have its head, bending low and encouraging the display of power from the dirt churning beneath its hooves. 

 

The marshal was anxious to work out the weavings in the rug, anxious to find the one strand to pull and unravel the rest, anxious to put distance between himself and this Texas trouble.

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

Garwood to Eagle Lake required a full days ride on horseback, longer by surrey, however, it was much shorter by train.  Since he’d made his escape from Garwood at night, Heath reached Eagle Lake the following night, shortly after the sun went to bed.  

 

Stopping first at the telegraph office, the blonde wired Marshal Thane and his family in Stockton.  Paying the man, Heath checked in at the hotel, obtaining his room key before leading Charger to the livery where he liberally groomed his friend.  Taking his saddlebags, the marshal made his way to the hotel and climbed the stairs, cleaning up before making his way to the hotel dining room noting he was the lone diner. 

 

Sitting at a corner table, Heath drank his coffee and read the weekly paper for the town, setting the pages made of pulp aside when his dinner arrived.  Absently eating the prepared food, he read the paper from front to back before accepting more coffee from the waitress. 

 

“Just arrive, Marshal?” questioned the matronly woman who appeared to be close to fifty, her black hair streaked with silver, her dark eyes small in her round face.

 

“Yes, ma’am.” replied Heath politely.  “Seems like a nice town.”

 

“It’s okay.” admitted the woman pointing to the paper on the table.  “It don’t say it in that paper but do you wanna know how Eagle Lake got it’s name?”

 

Heath smiled slightly, “Sure, why don’t you tell me, Mrs.?”

 

“Ma Thames, Marshal.” offered the older woman.  “Everyone calls me, Ma.”

 

“Heath Thomson, ma’am, uh, Ma.” grinned Heath, her friendly deposition putting him at ease.  “How’d the town come by it’s name?”

 

“It’s based on a legend of a Karankawa Indian.” stated Ma, lowering herself into the chair across from him, her forearms on the table.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yep, legend says there was a brave who went up against a rival.  They say he crossed the lake and came back with an eagle for the maiden they both were chasing after.  He won her heart and that’s how the town got it’s name.” informed Ma, studying the inquisitive eyes across from her, seeing the interest there not just polite passing of conversation.

 

“Very intriguing, Ma.” smiled Heath.  “I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never wondered where towns get their names.  In fact, I never really considered it, just took the names for granted.”

 

Waving off his admission, Ma snorted, “That’s cause too many people are concerned with the here and now, Marshal.  Most folks around here don’t think about yesterday, all they’s care about is what kind of money can they get hold of today.”

 

Heath nodded in agreement, “I’m afraid it’s the way our society seems to be headed, Ma.  Progress means big bucks.  Big bucks means having more money to purchase things.  More things means less importance on what you can’t see or touch.”

 

Several minutes passed while the two lone occupants of the restaurant internally contemplated on the topic of conversation.  Heath sipped his coffee, his eyes studying a spot on the table while Ma took his dishes away and returned with two plates of dessert and a coffee for herself.

 

Sitting across from him, she took a forkful of her apple pie before pointing the silver plated instrument at him, “You’re here about that embezzlement, ain’t you?”

 

“Why would you think so?” questioned Heath offhandedly, his eyes studying the woman across from him.  “I could just be passing through, Ma.”

 

Chuckling, the older woman shook her head, “Marshal, only time a strange lawman shows up here is to talk to the bank manager about two years ago.  Other than what happened back then, it’s mostly quiet, well, at least it was til that damn speculator set up shop here.”

 

“Speculator?” repeated Heath, his heart stilling slightly.  “What’s his name?”

 

“Morgan Yates.” spat Ma.  “Slimy, no good piece of…”

 

“MA!” warned Heath with a wink.  “Careful of my young ears, now.”

 

Blushing at the gentle scolding from the blonde, Ma’s laughter filled the room, her wrinkled eyes sparkling with amusement.  She knew instinctively this was a man of high integrity, his manners proving he was a gentleman in every sense of the word. 

 

“I was only going to say trash.” said Ma with an innocent look causing Heath to chuckle and grin.  “He’s always got men hanging around and such.  If you’re gonna investigate the bank…you’d best look at him too!”

 

Sitting back in his chair, Heath smiled, “Thank you, Ma.  I’ll be sure to include his place of business on my list.”

 

Smiling widely, the older woman took his plate and offered, “I like Marshal Jackson.  He’s a good man and wouldn’t do anything they’re accusing him of.  He always goes out of his way to come through our town.  He keeps his eyes on us since we don’t have our own lawman.  Night, Marshal.”

 

Heath watched her head back to the kitchen, her words of respect for Nate left him shaking his head.  Leaving some money on his table, he went to the room and undressed for bed. 

 

His mind wondering, her reminder of Nate bringing Cassidy into his thoughts.  Sighing deeply, he rubbed his hands over his face and felt the tingling in his lips again.  Growling out loud at himself, he leaned on his elbow and punched his pillow several times before laying his head down. 

 

Sleep was long in coming and when it came so did his dreams of her. 

 

The sheer negligee hid nothing as she walked towards him, her hands reaching and pulling him to the bed. Putting her hands on his shirt, she slowly opened his buttons, her eyes smoldering with need. 

 

Pushing open his shirt, she ran her hands over his bare chest, the muscles quivering under her touch.  His hands drew her face to his, his mouth pressing against hers, his tongue delving inside, their bodies lowered together on the bed, lying beside each other.  Breaking off from her mouth, he moved up to her ear, nibbling on the delicate tissue, her fingers moving down his back and over his bottom, her gasps of delight when his tongue flicked in her ear left him moaning with desire.

 

Pushing her onto her back, his hand brushed over her breasts before he ran his tongue over the sheer material, her hands moving his head to each one, his mouth giving her pleasure.  Her body arched when his hand traveled downward, his mouth captured hers again, his kiss stifling her cry of delight when his hand went under the material and upwards.

 

Her fingers dug into his back, her body arched, begging for fulfillment.  Crying out for him, he led her hands to his buckle, her mouth kissing his, her tongue searching his mouth.  Pushing off his pants, she lifted her gown, shifting her hips to meet him and the room was filled with cries of pleasure when they came together. 

 

Instinct moved her body, the newly found motions sending her to heights of ecstasy, his sweat drenched body welcomed the clawing of his back, the legs wrapped around him and his name being cried out before he claimed her lips again.  Her sob of passion when he held back sending each of them over the edge of anticipation and with a frenzied pace, they collapsed together, her name leaving his lips.

 

“Cassidy!” called Heath, moving to hold onto her and falling off the bed onto the wooden floor. 

 

The jolting with the immovable object waking him and he again felt the constriction around his heart when he realized it’d only been a dream.  His sweat ridden body curled up into a ball and he pulled the sheet down from the bed, too weak from reality to pick himself up off the floor, his tears mixing with the perspiration flowing down his face.

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

A week of haunted dreams, a week of loneliness, bitterness and California longing crept by, seven days of hell on earth, hell created by anger and frustration.  Days were spent riding and investigating, nights were spent thinking and dreaming of what might have been. 

 

When Marshal Heath Thomson entered the dining room, Ma Thames raised an eyebrow at the blonde’s face which suggested his sleep during the night was anything but restful again.  His mood was as dark as the thunderclouds rolling in the distance on the horizon.

 

Smiling tenderly, the older woman was rewarded with a slight grin from the large mug of coffee she placed before the lawman.  Heath took a sip of the coffee, his hand rubbing over his eyes and he smiled his appreciation when his breakfast appeared.

 

Sipping his coffee, the blonde stated.  “Thanks, Ma.”

 

“My pleasure.” smiled the older woman, moving her large body around the room effortlessly from table to table of patrons. 

 

Pushing his plate away, Heath took out his notebook, his eyes studying the information gathered over the past week with the neighbors of the Jacksons, citizens of Garwood, the manager of Garwood’s only bank, the information uncovered by Marshal John Thane and his own nosing around.

 

Morgan Yates was interested in the Jackson family ranch or so the rumormill had indicated in the small town of Garwood.   Hearing the rumor, the marshal traveled to the Eagle Lake bank, produced a warrant and spent four hours pouring over the books he was given access to.  The speculator had purchased the mortgage against the ranch in the course of the normal bank business.  Nothing was underhanded about the transaction.  Land companies were always buying and selling land, buying mortgages which were sold off from one company to another.  If the owners wouldn’t be able to make the payments the company holding the mortgage would receive the land and its buildings upon default.

 

‘Natural progression of business’ thought Heath with a frown, taking his pencil from his pocket and jotting next to the speculator’s name.  Why the Jackson ranch?

 

Since the inception of the business a little over a year ago, the Yates Land Corporation had only purchased the Jackson mortgage, no land or other mortgages in the area.  Why? 

 

It was the business of a land company to buy at low prices and sell at a profit.  Based on the accounts at the bank, there was land for sale that was of higher grade than the Jackson ranch.  No move had been made since the inception of Yates’ company to purchase prime property.  Why?

 

Adding to the questions was Marshal Thane’s jotted note of Morgan Yates’ prior conviction on fraud and misuse of funds.  Heath had already planned on visiting the speculator before the suggestion by the concerned Ma Thames.

 

Eagle Lake.

 

The area where the anonymous damaging note to Marshal Thane derived from.  The place where the embezzlement occurred and the prior bank manager disappeared along with the funds.  The man was never to be seen or heard from again, the money never found.

 

Now the exact amount of embezzled money appears in an account under the name of the marshal who investigated the embezzlement case.  The same marshal whose family owns the ranch Yates seems to be hungering after.  The same marshal whose wayward brother shared a cell with Yates during his incarceration for a year before the speculator was released, having served his time.  The last bit of information obtained from an inquiry into the names of Yates’ cellmates by a wire to the Texas Department of Corrections. 

 

The key to this mystery would lie with the reason the Jackson ranch was so valuable to the speculator.  If Mark Jackson was in cahoots with his old cellmate, the real obstacle to obtaining the land legally by default was Nate.  With their father out of commission from his injury and subsequent illness, divulged by the town physician to the marshal, making payments on the mortgage fell onto Nate’s shoulders.

 

The no trespassing sign had been posted only two months before his arrival back in Texas.  The honest bank manager of Garwood stated the Jackson ranch had suffered heavy losses from rustling and other night activities.  Nate working to curtail whoever was riding in the night across their land posted the signs, the first legal step to protecting ones home from all outsiders.

 

Nate Jackson used all his savings to pay this month’s mortgage payment on the ranch and now without his income as a marshal, the screws were slowly tightening around the Jackson family.  An infuse of money would be needed to keep the ranch in their name. 

 

This infuse of money, the money needed to save the ranch was the apparent motive for Nate’s turning his back on the profession he loved.   The anonymous note, the knowledge in the community of the financial strain the Jacksons were under and the deposit into an account of the same monetary figure never found from the unsolved case Nate worked on two years prior. This was well planned and thought out.   

 

Mark Jackson’s face flashed in his mind and Heath frowned.  Nate’s anger over his question about Mark spoke volumes.  Nate loved his brother, Heath had no doubts about that and it was blinding him to Mark’s possible involvement.  The old scenario of Cain and Abel seemed to be playing out right here in Texas.  Nate was too close and protective of those around him.  Keep your friends and loved ones close, but keep your enemies closer.  Heath wondered if those words were a philosophy Mark subscribed to and lived by. 

 

The blonde sincerely hoped he was wrong but what a coincidence it was to have the man’s old cellmate show up in Eagle Lake.  His old cellmate who purchased the mortgage on the ranch.  Scowling, Heath felt in his gut it wasn’t a coincidence, he just needed the one link connecting all the clues.  If he found it and he was right about the eldest son, the truth would devastate Nate and his family.

 

Ma Thames filled his cup and cleared her throat, raising the sapphire eyes from the notebook.  Holding her hand in front of her body, she pointed with her finger to the two men entering and taking a seat across the room, Heath nodded slightly and smiled his appreciation.

 

Heath drank his coffee, his mind going over the information gathered, his eyes moving around the room and suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to have this job over with.  He didn’t want to be here, he didn’t want to stay here any longer.  He wanted the evidence to clear Nate and he wanted to return home, back to California, back to his life as a rancher. 

 

Deciding the only way to end his turmoil and get the job done was shake the apple cart and watch what the two bad apples did after they were thrown off balance.

 

Sapphire eyes watched the exchange at the other table as he made his way across the room.  Grabbing a chair, Heath straddled it, leaning his forearms on the back and gazed intently at the two men before him who were startled by his unexpected action of sitting at their table.

 

“Gentlemen.”

 

“Marshal Thomson, still among us I see.” stated Towers with a slight smile, becoming uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny.

 

Heath stated firmly, “I’m afraid your breakfast will be on hold for a moment, Mr. Towers.  I’d like you to accompany me to the bank.”

 

“The bank opens in two hours, marshal.  Couldn’t this wait?” asked the manager after clearing his throat. 

 

“No.” said Heath firmly, standing and looking down at the speculator.  “I will be at your office after I’ve finished with the bank, Mr. Yates.”

 

Nodding his understanding, the speculator put his cup on the table and smiled, “May I ask what this is in reference to, Marshal Thomson?”

 

Aware the entire room was listening to their conversation, the lawman replied nonchalantly, “It’s regarding the creation of false evidence and your association with your recently released prison cellmate, Mark Jackson to get your hands on the family ranch of Nate Jackson.”

 

Black eyes burned with fury at the gasps heard throughout the room, his hands clenched in his lap and Morgan Yates fought to control his anger, his words spoken with forced civility.  “You are accusing me of all those things?”

 

“Accuse is a word which signifies they may not be true.” stated the lawman with a smile before growling.  “I never accuse.”

 

James Tower, bank manager, watched wide eyed at the exchange before him, his stomach leaping into his throat.   What could this lawman have uncovered the others hadn’t?  What loose end had they left for him to find?

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

Naomi Jackson paused outside her daughter’s door on the way to her bedroom, the crying and sobbing heard from within tore at the older woman’s heart.  Raising her hand to knock, she paused and lowered her fist back to her side.  Her daughter was a grown woman and until she was ready to speak, Naomi would have to wait and offer her strength at that time.

 

The bright sienna eyes which sparkled with laughter and love, now were dulled by pain and confusion.  Nate had taken his mother aside and explained what occurred between his sister and their friend.  Cassidy was ashamed and didn’t want her mother to know what occurred, preferring to wallow in her misery.

 

Nate had gone to town the next morning and returned, looking in his sister’s hopeful eyes and explained Heath’d left the night before.  The blonde had paid for his room two weeks in advance, signifying he would return but the desk clerk was unsure of when. 

 

Cassidy took the information in stride and spent the rest of the day cleaning their home until it glowed.  Her hands hurt, her back ached but the manual labor did nothing to drench the aching in her heart, the pain in her soul.  She knew she’d caused Heath pain and anger with her innocent statement spoken at the wrong time. 

 

If Cassidy knew where he’d gone, she would have saddled Lady and followed.  But she didn’t know, Nate didn’t know and the wait was ripping her apart, bit by bit.

 

The days were long but the nights were longer, her dreams haunted by the fury in his eyes, the coldness in his voice before he tossed her into her brother’s arms.  Sitting in the chair by her window with her legs drawn up to her chest, Cassidy sobbed, her fingers brushing her tears away.  It’d been over a week and still the tears flowed at night, the salty droplets fell in the haven of her room. 

 

Staring out the window until she could no longer keep her eyes open and knew she would again experience the returning nightmare from the hotel which replayed itself each night.  The blonde stumbled to the bed and crawled under the covers, her head falling onto the pillow from forced exhaustion and her breathing calmed. 

 

The moonlight streamed through the window, falling onto the bed, bathing the rectangle furniture in soft glow.  His fingers entwined in hers, the warmth in their joined hands sending a shiver through both of them.   Stopping next to the bed, he turned towards her, his eyes filled with love, his smile gentle and his thumb grazed her cheek.  Stroking the soft skin, his hands moved and his fingers ran through her silky hair, the sensation tingling her, her eyes closing at the sensual touch.  

 

Moving slowly, he lowered his mouth, his lips brushed hers before he ran the tip of his tongue over her lips.  Her mouth parted and her tongue touched the wet area he left.  Kissing the corner of her mouth, Heath tenderly moved his lips down her neck, finding the pulsating hollow, teasing her by licking the area of skin before gently kissing it. 

 

Raising her hands to hold onto him, she felt him take hold of her wrists and move his lips up the length of her neck, his breath hot on her skin and he parted her lips, his tongue flicking inside tasting and searching.  Her tongue met his, her chest heaved with her gasping breaths, her body ached from his slow deliberate movements. 

 

Using her captured wrists, he sat her on the bed and kneeled, his mouth moving to the bare skin of her chest, the hint of whiteness shown from the open buttons, his tongue reaching out and leaving a line of dampness, her moans loud in the room when he followed the trail with his mouth.  Moving to the right, he pushed the material aside nibbling on the creamy skin of one heaving mound before moving to the other. 

 

Trembling and shaking with need, he released her hands, his fingers finished undressing her, his hands pushing hers away when they reached for his clothes.  Taking off her garments, she lay back on the bed, naked and yearning for him.  His sapphire eyes glittered with desire, his arousal clear but still he stayed clothed.  No garments in the way to hamper his movements, she cried out his name when he brought her to the top of the world, his mouth the only instrument, her hands entwined in his hair. 

 

Pleading for him, he undressed and captured her mouth before he parted her legs, his tongue searching her mouth, taking away her cry when entry was made into her virginal body.  Her pain was tossed to the side from the pleasures of the old time movement, the old age act of love rocking them in tune, his gentleness tearing her eyes, her hand pulling his face to hers and she sought his mouth with her tongue, her nails digging into his back, her legs wrapped around his slim body. 

 

Rolling onto his back, he held her in place and she felt a glorious surge through her, the need of her body causing her to move over him instinctively, her body seemingly knowing how to respond, what to do to drive him towards the brink.

 

Unable to hold off any longer, he rolled her onto her back and entwined his fingers in her hands, holding them over her head.  Eyes locked on each other, mouths met, tongues searching and he released her hands, the slow movements replaced with an urgency, a hunger of thrusts left both crying out for each other from the explosion within them.

 

“Heath!” cried Cassidy, her calling voice waking herself and she stared at the pillow wrapped in her arms and legs, the tears starting again when she realized it’d been a glorious dream instead of the nightmare but still was not the solid body of man she wanted.  The cries rose up in her and she sobbed into her pillow, her body heaving and shaking from the waves of pain assaulting her.

 

 

 

Chapter 13

 

James Tower led the marshal to the bank, taking out his key and opening the door.   Heath nodded and directed the man to go before him, his eyes picking up the sheen of sweat which suddenly appeared on the forehead of the suited man as he passed.  Locking the door behind them, Heath stepped over to the counter and studied the nervous movements.  The lightning and thunder shook the wooden building and increased the fear in the eyes of Jim Tower.

 

Sapphire eyes bored into the manager as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.  Jim Tower tried to meet the stern gaze, his weak character no match for the other man’s scrutiny and his eyes fell downwards, shifting left to right as if trapped in a corner, seeking a way out before he swallowed the lump in his throat.

 

“What can I help you with, Marshal?” The question was squeaked out from nervousness, the fear of discovery choking him.

 

“I’d like to go over the day you say Nate Jackson walked into your bank, SUPPOSEDLY, and opened an account.” snarled Heath, moving closer by taking two steps.  His movements sent the manager stepping back unconsciously and he felt his desk behind him. 

 

“Again? I already told you and the other marshal about it.” stammered Tower, his face turning red from the fear he knew was exuding off himself, the fear he wasn’t able to control.

 

Standing over the fearful man, Heath stated coldly.  “We both know it’s a lie, Tower!  Nate Jackson never opened an account here.  You say you were the only person in the bank that fateful day.  I want to see your personnel records.”

 

Stunned at the request and the cold hard truth in the words, the eyes of Tower widened, his hand reached up to straighten his tie and Heath shouted, “NOW!”

 

The one word demand from the lawman caused the man to jump, his face paling and his feet stumbled as he made his way to a wooden file cabinet.  Heath watched and internally applauded his sixth sense once again.  The inner voice, the ability to gauge the weakness in people had left him to believe of the pair, this man would be the one to crack under pressure. 

 

Standing over the man, Heath spoke quietly, heaping more pressure on, widening the crack in the man’s countenance further.

 

“There is no perfect crime, Tower, there is no loyalty among thieves.  Did you really believe your duplicity with Yates wouldn’t catch up with you?  Are you so ignorant to actually believe that he cares if you go to prison or not?  Do you know what would happen to a man like you in prison, Tower?  A tiny, weak man like yourself?  Have you thought about that, Tower?  Use your imagination and then increase it one hundred fold and maybe, just maybe, it’ll come close to the reality of how your prison life will be.  A life amongst hardened criminals, men who could snap you in two like a twig with their bare hands, men who have to find ways to, let’s say, occupy themselves at night.  What do you think will happen to you in a place like that?”

 

The gut of the bank manager revolted with nausea at the questions the marshal kept asking, the picture his statement painted caused bile to rise into his throat and he dumped the files on his desk.  Ordering the man turning green to sit in a chair, Heath sat behind the desk, opening each file and glancing through them, his eyes running through the papers and glancing upwards at the sick looking man before him. 

 

James Tower, bank manager, was a weasel in the disguise of a man.  His background was muddied like the waters of the Colorado River.  His movements under the guise of business always skirted the outer fringes of the law, shadowing the criminal world.  Not smart enough or strong enough to act on his own, Heath knew this man was merely the pawn and the true leader was Morgan Yates.

 

Morgan Yates was the man to watch for.  He was a rattlesnake sunning himself on a rock in full view of your eyes.  Thinking you’d be safe to walk around him, he’d lunge at you from his position and strike you down.  Morgan Yates was the ex-con, the man whose past read like an instructional manual for the criminal element.  He had his hand in most everything it seemed but only once had he been made to stand before a jury of his peers.  Morgan Yates was good at keeping himself far away from the actual dirty deed, using others instead and sitting back, reaping the benefits under his supervision.

 

James Tower felt his stomach cramping, his hands couldn’t stop shaking and he fought to control the fear which wanted to send him jumping up and running.  His mind kept repeating over and over, trying to reassure himself Yates wouldn’t let this marshal arrest him.  Not Yates. 

 

Yates was his cousin and blood was thicker than water, wasn’t it?  It was to most people but the cold reality was, his cousin wasn’t like most people.  Morgan was without remorse, without love and had always been a heartless person.  Rubbing his face with a sweaty palm, Jim Tower suddenly saw the truth before him.  His cousin was only loyal to himself and no one else.

 

Heath studied the files and felt his stomach turn over.  He’d been certain when the thought hit him, he’d been certain the answer would be in the meticulous files the bank manager kept.  When the lawman realized he hadn’t requested to review the personnel files, he felt sure it was the key to open the next piece of the puzzle. 

 

Glancing upward, he let his eyes stare coldly into the eyes of the weasel, making the man shift in his seat before he opened another file.  The last file was opened and Heath caught Tower’s eyes move to the wooden cabinet before he realized the marshal was watching him.

 

Raising an eyebrow at the quick returning of eyes to his, Heath stood, making his way to the piece of wood furniture.  Tower watched, unable to move, unable to understand why he couldn’t keep his eyes away, why he subconsciously revealed the piece of information to the lawman.

 

Heath yanked out the drawer, turning it over in his hands and pulled out the file wedged in the bottom.  Opening the file, he ran his eyes over the information and smiled in relief.  Jim Tower hadn’t been alone in the bank that fateful day.  A clerk was there also.  A clerk who would be able to confirm if the well known marshal Nate Jackson was in the bank that day or not, starting the way for a clearing of his good name.

 

Taking the papers out of the file, Heath folded them and put the evidence in his pocket.  Stepping over to lean against the desk, the lawman asked calmly.  “Where is he?  Where’s the clerk?”

 

Shaking his head in denial, Jim Tower was seized by dread, he was terrified of the prison picture the lawman thrust into his mind.  He couldn’t go there!  He wouldn’t go there not for Morgan or anyone else.

 

“Tower, Morgan can’t help you now.  You’re gonna be charged with obstructing justice.  He didn’t hide this information!  He didn’t lie about being the only man in the bank!  YOU DID!  HE CAN’T HELP YOU NOW!” grilled Heath, moving around the man sitting in the chair, his movements akin to a mountain lion.  His voice demanding and loud in the man’s ears, shaking him to his very core, sending terror through him.  “WHERE’S THE CLERK?  TELL ME!”

 

“Austin!” cried Tower, holding his head in his trembling hands,  “He’s in Austin!”

 

Heath watched the man who fell apart before him.  The marshal had no pity, the man made his choice, his bed and now he had to lie in it.  Pulling Tower up by the arms, Heath put handcuffs on the sobbing man and walked him across the room.  Both men stopping suddenly at the loud roaring sound, their eyes widening at the scene outside the bank window.

 

Moving suddenly, Heath pushed the manager under a table, his ears catching the sounds of screaming outside before the world exploded around him.

 

 

 

Chapter 14

 

The noise was deafening, all sound was drowned out by the rotating winds, the glass in windows blew out from the pressure, the wooden structures were no match for the ferocious winds which bore down on the small town.

 

Buildings fell like match stick towers, while neighboring structures went untouched.  Trees were uprooted, their giant roots pulled from the ground exposed as easily as a child could pull up a dandelion.  Massive trees, hundreds of years in the making stood tall and true no longer, now they were strewn across the plain tossed like a piece of straw.

 

In a matter of minutes, the deadly tornado emerged from the sky, the sight of it sending terror through people and they ran for the storm cellars, ran for their lives.  In a matter of minutes, the funnel shaped cloud changed the lives of an entire town.  No one person would ever be the same.  No one person could live through such an experience and remain unscathed in some way.

 

The funnel was indiscriminate, deadly and powerful.  It was beautiful in the sense of the swirling winds generated.  It was a power no man could ever harness.  It was a power capable of making you feel you were experiencing an apocalypse, making you feel this was your last second on earth.   It flashed your life in front of your eyes and it made all cry from the sheer horror it invoked.   It made you feel small and minute in the face of its fury.

 

It made the town of Eagle Lake stand up and take notice of their blessings.  Lives were spared that day and some were not. 

 

The devastation brought many to their knees when they emerged from the underground havens.  The hotel and restaurant gone.  The telegraph office and railroad depot gone.  The Yates Land Corporation and the church were a pile of rubble.   The bank was reduced to a stack of timbers, the iron safe lay on its side in the middle of the back alley where the wind had thrown it.  The only buildings standing or slightly damaged were the general store, livery and saloon.  Homes of some of the citizens were gone.

 

Ma Thames wiped her eyes of the tears, taking note of the hotel and restaurant employees, counting her adopted family members and sending a prayer upwards in thanks for the sparing of their lives.

 

The citizens emerged slowly, the clear sky was colored with a rainbow after the passing of the storm.  Ma Thames and her employees moved about the growing crowd of citizens, dressing wounds and helping in any way they could.

 

Walking into the street, her dark eyes glimpsed Morgan Yates being helped from the rubble of his building.  Turning towards the bank, she gasped in horror at the pile of mangled wood.  Rushing frantically around, her cries stopped everyone and all eyes turned to the matronly woman. 

 

“Has anyone seen the marshal?  Did he and Jim Tower come out of the bank?” 

 

Realizing the men were missing, the matronly woman led the rush forward to the building, her employees following closely behind.  Calling out to the two men and receiving no answer, the crowd started the process of digging a way into the rubble, their efforts hampered by the haphazardous pile of rubble.  The possibility of shifting debris was frightening to the workers and those waiting for word held their hands in prayer for the two lost men.

 

Six hours passed before the body of Jim Tower was discovered, the ground below him saturated with blood from the feather quill pen driven into his chest by the powerful winds.  The bank manager’s handcuffed body was taken to the make shift undertaker’s office.

 

The sun was lowering in the sky, the dusk was coming and the blonde lawman was still missing.  Ma Thames handed the workers mugs of coffee and sandwiches at shift change.  Her dark eyes filled with worry as she glanced at the falling sun before looking back at the rubble.

 

“FOUND HIM!” called a voice from the beginning of the massive pile, the message received by relay from worker to worker, deep within its depths.

 

Lou Briggs reached out with a shaky hand, his fingers feeling the bloody neck, the only part visible between the rubble encasing the lawman.  He closed his eyes in prayer at the feel of the heartbeat, raising the lantern, he studied the structure around the still man.  The pile of wood creaking and shifting above him.

 

“Lou?” whispered Stony Martin.  “What ya’ thinking?”

 

“I’m thinking let’s get the marshal and get the hell outta here.” muttered Lou, his hair standing on the back of his neck from their precarious position, his eyes staring at the wood, a deck of card formation.  One wrong move and it could bring everything down.

 

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he reached through the opening and placed a hand on the back of the man’s neck when he heard a small groan. 

 

“Don’t move, marshal.” warned Lou firmly, repeating the order several times before he heard a faint pained answer.

 

“Ni…Nick?”

 

“No, it’s Lou, marshal.  Lou from the hotel.”  stated the bald man.  “Ya’ was in a tornado.”

 

Heath fought to understand what’d happened, his body cold and his eyes only seeing darkness.  The words reached him but he couldn’t for some reason comprehend what the man wanted or was saying.

 

“Ca…ss?” whispered Heath softly before he lost the struggle to keep his eyes open.

 

Lou felt the body go lax under his fingers and he sighed with relief again when he moved to feel the pulse sight.  “Probably for the best, marshal, that you’re out of it.  Stony, help me with this one here.”

 

Working together, the two men carefully picked their way through the wood, the carefully orchestrated movements reminding the men of the pick up sticks game they played as children.  Using the freed pieces of wood to shore up others, Lou let out a whistle and shook his head when they’d opened enough of a space to crawl forward.  The only thing keeping the blonde from being crushed from the rubble was a piece of timber which lay over him.  The end of the timber rested on top of the remnants of the decorative metal statue in the office of the bank manager.  The board was a mere half inch above the unconscious man’s body.

 

Pulling gently on the two arms of the lawman, Lou backed up, his strong muscles slowly removing the blonde from the wooden encasement until his whole body was clear.  Stony moved down and ran his hands over the tan jeaned legs, shaking his head at the unspoken question from Lou.  No bones were broken, the only injury appeared to be the blow to his head and the deep cut which stopped flowing blood.  His blonde hair was matted down, turned red from the liquid and each man carefully lifted the end closest to them.  Crawling and dragging the unconscious man, they made their way out of the death trap and into the night, bringing him to the large fire set up in the street. 

 

The flames licking hungrily at the wood thrown on it, it’s light casting weird shadows all around.  Laying the marshal on a blanket by the fire, Ma Thames hugged her two men and profusely thanked them for their hair raising work before turning her doctoring skills to the pale blonde.

 

Watching the men carry the lawman from the fire, Morgan Yates cursed under his breath and turned away, his fists clenching at the knowledge of the living man.  The man with the power to destroy all he’d worked for and planned for.

 

The damn tornado killed the wrong man.

 

 

 

Chapter 15

 

The breaking of light in the east brought with it warmth, it brought with it skies free of darkness, it brought with it a promise of a better day, it brought with it Marshal John Thane.  The older lawman rode into town and stared at the devastation before him. 

 

He’d come to Eagle Lake after he’d received a wire from Heath Thomson requesting his presence three days earlier.  Thane had been out of town and left as soon as he returned to find the wire.

 

It only took one glance to tell the marshal what occurred and he nudged his horse, picking his way through the piles of rubble and stopping in front of the general store where several people departed from.  Dismounting, he entered and inquired about Heath, the clerk pointing him to the tent set up across the street.  Thanking the clerk, the marshal rushed across the street, entering the makeshift hospital.

 

“Ma, they say Marshal Thomson’s here.” stated Thane, familiar with the woman who’d managed the hotel and restaurant.

 

“Marshal Thane, he’s over here.” nodded Ma leading the way to a cot, watching as Thane knelt down and placed a hand on the shoulder closest to him.  The bruises on the blonde clear for the older man to see, the blonde head was wrapped with a white bandage and his eyes were bandaged closed.

 

“How is he?” whispered John, glancing over at the woman who moved to the other side of the cot.

 

Worry filled her dark eyes and she sighed, “He hasn’t been coherent since they found him in the bank rubble.  He’s all bruised up, got this head injury but no broken bones..and..”

 

“His eyes?” choked out Thane, fear rising up in him.

 

Brushing the top of the blonde head gently, the tired woman sighed heavily, “He’s got some glass in them.  I wrapped his eyes to keep him from rubbing at them.  That’s why we had to tie his hands to the cot.  The pain was horrible and he kept trying to grab at them.  He’s been quiet for several hours now, probably from his head injury.  I’m real worried.”

 

Taking a shaky breath, the older marshal frowned, “You don’t have a doctor in this town, do you?”

 

“Nope.  One of the men rode over to Chesterville first thing this morning to bring a doc back.” informed the older woman.  “Your marshal was in the bank with Jim Tower when the twister came.  Tower is dead and when they pulled him out, he was handcuffed.”

 

“Handcuffed?” repeated Thane, turning his eyes back to the man on the cot, his eyes filling with questions, no answers would be forthcoming at this time.

 

Reaching into her pocket, Ma held out a paper and stated in a hushed tone, “This was in his pocket.  Looks like a personnel record for Ben Haley.  He was a clerk at the bank.  He ain’t been around for a while but it musta been important.”

 

Taking the piece of paper, Thane studied it and he smiled with pride.  “Clever, Thomson.  Very clever.”

 

Glancing around, Ma Thames whispered across the unconscious man.  “Marshal, if’n I was you I’d get this boy outta here.  I don’t trust Morgan Yates and neither did this young man.  I think he was close to finding out whatever he wanted.  He’ll be as helpless as a newborn with his eyes bandaged and injured like he is.”

 

Nodding in understanding, John Thane reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes showing his appreciation.  “Thanks, Ma.  A lot of people think this youngster is real special.  I won’t let anything happen to him.  Is the telegraph working?”

 

Shaking her head negatively, the dark eyes raked over the blonde again, her chubby hand moving to squeeze one of the restrained large hands.  “No, but I can ask Lou to ride to Chesterville and send one for ya’.  You can stay here and keep watch.”

 

“I’d sure appreciate it.” sighed the older marshal thinking for a moment before writing in his small notebook and tearing out the page, handing it to the woman with some money.

 

Watching the large woman rush out of the tent, Marshal Thane took off his hat and set in on the bed, taking a seat in the chair next to the cot, he checked the rounds in his gun and reholstered the weapon.

 

“You’re going home, Heath.  You’ve done your job.  You found the one person who’d be able to verify if Jackson opened the account or not.” sighed John closing the blonde’s notebook Ma placed in his hands before she left to find Lou. 

 

Holding one of the strong hands, the head lawman said a quick prayer before adding softly.  “May your family forgive me for bringing you into this trouble.  May you forgive me for what this might have done to you.”

 

The morning passed quietly and John Thane stood by, green eyes carefully scrutinizing every move of the medicine man, the physician unfazed by the stare, straightened after finishing his examination.

 

“Well, Marshal, he has a concussion and bruises as you more than likely could figure out for yourself.  The cut was deep but Mrs. Thames did an excellent job of cleaning it and there doesn’t appear to be any infection.” stated the physician, lifting the blonde head and slowly removing the gauze holding the pads over the patient’s eyes in place. 

 

“And?” prompted the marshal firmly, his body tensed and rigid, preparing himself for the information on the blue eyes after the doctor carefully examined the damaged orbs.  The bright light from lanterns lit up the small area by the blonde’s head, not making a sound from the pain Thane was sure his body must be experiencing.  The silence of the strong man making him nervous, the stillness from unconsciousness left him clenching his hands.

 

Not answering, the physician took out a tweezers and under the harsh light, carefully removed the shards, his focused attention drowning out everything else.  His mind seeing the anatomy of the human eye…iris, pupil, optic nerve, retina, cornea, sclera.  Only the sclera, the white part of the eye seemed to be effected by the foreign bodies of clear consistency, the physician carefully washed the injured eyes out, his keen eyes studying the damaged orbs before placing two clean circular pads over the lids.  Wrapping another piece of gauze around the young man’s head to hold the pads in place.

 

“Doc?” queried Thane studying the physician’s profile.

 

Placing his instruments back in his bag and rolling down his shirt sleeves, the doctor sighed, “I think I got all the shards but the damage won’t be known for a while.  We have to let the eyes heal and conduct an examination in a few weeks.”

 

Digesting the information for several minutes, Thane’s questions were stopped by the groan from the bed, both men bending over.  Nodding to the marshal, the physician silently urged the other man to speak.

 

“Heath?  Heath?” called a deep voice in his head, the pain radiating from two different places and the blonde’s face grimaced.

 

“Niicckk?” whispered Heath, moving his head slightly, trying to raise his hands towards the pain in his eyes. 

 

“Heath, it’s John Thane.” replied the older marshal, grabbing hold of one of the hands jerking against the binding holding his wrists in place, a painful stammering curse filled the air before panic spread across the pale face.

 

“Eyes..my eyes!” gasped Heath, the pain excruciating, unable to see or open his eyelids, the darkness sending his heart racing, his breaths left him shuddering and hyperventilating, the fear engulfing his whole being.

 

“Heath!” shouted John capturing the frantically moving head in his hands.  “HEATH!  CALM DOWN!”

 

 

 

Continued…