The Double Phenomena

Chapter 23-41

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 23

Stepping from the mid morning train, assisted by a fellow passenger offering his hand, the raven woman smiled thanking the man for his gallantry. Picking up her skirts, she caught the eye of a porter and requested the name of a suitable hotel before instructing her bags be taken to the dwelling, slipping the old man a handsome tip before making her way down the boardwalk.

The dark eyes surrounded by creamy skin measured the town as she walked down the boardwalk, her willowy shape, her unknown face drawing the eyes of the citizens. The town shocked by the passing weekend’s events watched with trepidation at the newcomer’s arrival.

Fred Maden sat hunched over his desk, laboriously working on the report investigating the weekend murder of their district attorney. The lawman was unable to find a rhyme or reason for the callous act.

Instinctively he felt the attacks on both the late Archer and the former marshal were connected, however, the only common thread he’d been able to find was Gaylord Fleshton. The Gaylord Fleshton connection was tenuous at best.

Heath knew Fleshton from his past profession and Archer arrested Heath for attacking Fleshton. The lawman tossed his pencil onto the desk and leaned back in his chair, his hand rubbing his eye before he placed his boots up onto the corner of the square oak piece of furniture.

Remembering the gleam in Archer’s eyes when he denied the former lawman the chance to be released on his own good will, Fred wondered if the gleam was malicious towards Heath or towards the Barkley family in general. Archer had always been jealous of Jarrod’s success and his prominence in the legal field. The deceased man had lost to Jarrod Barkley on numerous occasions in the courtroom.

The opening of his door broke his concentration and the lawman jumped hastily to his feet when a dark haired woman entered.

“Morning, ma’am.” greeted Fred moving from behind his desk. “Sheriff Maden, ma’am.”

Smiling at the kindness in the eyes twinged with crow’s feet, the woman smiled and extended her hand. “Good morning, Sheriff.”

Taking the hand in his, Fred nodded and indicated to the chair in front of his desk, receiving a wave of denial before asking curiously, “How may I help you, ma’am?”

“I read in this paper of an altercation between two men in your town and I was hoping you would know of the whereabouts of one of them.”

Taking the paper, Fred opened it and saw it was the Modesto Times. Following the long finger, he read the article she indicated and Fred groaned inwardly at the words describing Heath and Fleshton’s fight on the saloon balcony. The blond’s last name was Thomson but he was a Barkley through and through, subject to salivating newsmen looking for any story on the prominent family.

Meeting the eyes of the woman, Fred sighed and hesitated for a moment, “Are you looking for Heath Thomson, ma’am?”

“No, I am looking for Gaylord. Is he in one of your cells?” replied the woman trying to peer into the holding area from where she stood.

“No, ma’am, Mr. Fleshton is at the office of Dr. Merar.” informed Fred puzzled at the look of astonishment on the woman’s face and the low whisper Fred was sure she hadn’t meant for his ears.

”The doctor’s? You surprise me Gaylord.”

“Ma’am?”

Drawn from her internal questions, the woman smiled apologetically and sighed, “Sorry, Sheriff Maden. Perhaps you’d be so kind as to point me in the direction of the physician’s office?”

Grabbing his hat, Fred offered with a smile, “Be happy to take you myself, Mrs….”

“Fanciful Fleshton.” interjected the woman. “My father’s idea of humor, I’m afraid. Though I’ve never quite gotten what his punch line was. Please call me Fancy.”

Chuckling softly, Fred opened the door and walked beside the woman down the street. “If you don’t mind my asking, Miss Fancy…is Mr. Fleshton your husband?”

The woman’s slender frame shook off a shiver, before snickering, dark eyes flashing with amusement, “Good lord, no way! He’s my half-brother. I pity the woman who would cast her eyes in Gaylord’s direction. Course with him as my brother you can well imagine I have my hands full.”

Fred found himself smiling and then found himself amazed this woman could be related to the double of his friend, Heath. Related to a man who Fred understood was a manager of a brothel and perhaps living on the edges of the law. Climbing the steps of the office, Fred opened the door and both people stopped at the sombre atmosphere weighing heavy in the air. All eyes in the waiting room turned to the strange woman standing beside their lawman.

“Dr. Merar this is Miss Fleshton.” introduced Fred feeling the slender woman tense at the gasps of disbelief before taking a breath as she approached the physician, her eyes scanning the faces filled with worry and concern.

The glare of anger in the hazel eyes of the black haired man didn’t escape her scrutiny and she met his look, brazenly challenging the large man and openly meeting his anger before shifting her orbs to the blonde haired girl standing beside a man she knew.

“Marshal Jackson, it has been a long time.” smiled Fancy with hesitation, stopping to extend her hand to the stunned man.

“Fancy, I thought you went back east after, ah, well, you know.” stammered Nate, feeling Audra’s hand on his arm in a predatory grip and quickly letting go of the offered hand held by his.

The composure on the woman’s face faltered for only a moment as a quick memory passed through her mind and she elected not to respond til she was sure her voice wouldn’t quiver.

“Well as you can see I returned.” stated Fancy before turning to the physician. “I’d like to see my brother please.”

Howard nodded and cleared his throat at the large body of the rancher which stood in the doorway. Nick stood with arms crossed and growled, “You said we couldn’t see him but you’re letting her go in. We need to talk to Fleshton about what’s happened to Heath!”

“Nick, she’s his sister. We’ll talk to him later.” explained Jarrod calmly pulling on the black sleeve of his brother’s shirt before offering a slight smile of apology to the woman who stood calmly waiting.

“Nick, get out of the way.” ordered Cassidy, pushing her brother-in-law from behind.

“Sorry.” apologized Nick moving to the side and quickly asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Howard, Heath’s fever’s climbing. Can’t we put him in ice or something?” asked Cassidy, her face drawn with exhaustion and fear. “The cloths aren’t working.”

Forgotten for the moment, the raven haired woman watched the faces in the waiting room, their looks of fears matching the blonde girl’s, the anxiety flowed off their bodies.

“Cassidy, we can’t use ice. Heath’s system can’t take such a shock right now. He’s too weak.” said Howard calmly. “We could try a cool bath but I’d like to not move him too much if we can help it. It’d only cause his body more pain and trauma.”

“Quinine, doctor. You can use quinine.” suggested Fancy, the words leaving her mouth before she could stop them and she lowered her eyes slightly at the open stares. “It worked last time Heath had an extremely high fever from an infection when he was shot.”

Cassidy stared at the newcomer, her mouth opening in surprise quickly closed at Nate’s confirmation. “She’s right, doc! I saw it myself!”

Chapter 24

Grabbing hold of the physician’s arm, Cassidy’s words rushed out, her questions filling the room, “Will it work? Do you think it’ll bring down his fever?”

“Quinine is used for those afflicted with swamp fever or malaria, Cassidy.” informed Howard with a frown. “I’ve never seen it given for fever from a trauma induced infection.”

“Dr. Merar, at the time when Heath’s fever was high I didn’t have access to anything else. Only quinine left in the room from the fever which ran through the area months before. It was a last ditch effort and thankfully, it worked.” explained Fancy softly.

“Dr. Merar, it did work before, why not again?” asked Nate, glancing between the two women and the physician, seeing uncertainty in his sister’s sienna eyes.

“I’m not saying I don’t believe you and Miss Fleshton, Nate. I have never prescribed it in these circumstances. However, if the family wants to try it, I will administer a dose.” stated Howard looking at Cassidy who glanced around at the torn faces.

“If we give it to Heath and it doesn’t work, will it make him sicker or weaker?” asked the blonde girl, biting her lip.

“It will simply stay in his system until it’s passed out.” replied the medicine man calmly. “If the fever climbs any higher, the chances of Heath’s body being able to fight will lessen. If we give Heath a small dose, we should see if it makes a difference in an hour or two.”

“Then do it.” ordered Cassidy firmly, looking at the newcomer and sighing. “I want my husband to have every possible chance, no matter how slim or last ditch.”

“We all do, Cassidy.” assured Howard, leading the blonde through the inner door.

Looking around at the faces in the waiting room, Fancy sighed, “Kinda like old times, right Marshal?”

“I’m not a marshal anymore, Fancy.” said Nate with a smile, “But at least this time you didn’t shoot Heath, Fancy.”

“WHAT?” growled Nick, taking a step closer towards the woman. “YOU SHOT MY BROTHER!”

“It was an accident.” explained the raven haired woman with a wave of her hand after glaring vehemently at the former lawman. “The gun was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Someone switched the bullets right under Jackson’s nose. I’m afraid it’s rather a long story from a different time. Now, Mr. Barkley, if you’ll excuse me I’ll just go visit my brother.”

“We never told you our names, Miss Fleshton.” said Jarrod curiously.

“No need to. I read most of the major newspapers each week and I saw the article in the paper about the wing of the hospital dedicated to Heath. There were pictures of everyone and everyone’s names were given in the article. I have a knack for remembering faces and names.” informed the woman simply.

“In your work with your brother, that probably comes in handy.” snorted Nick, turning red as he realized what he’d stated out loud.

“NICK!” snapped the others in the waiting area, unbelieving of his harsh assumption.

“Yeah and I believe under your picture it was simply titled Jackass, Mr. Barkley!” hissed Fancy, her dark eyes turning black as coal from her anger at being labeled by association with her brother. “Excuse me!”

When the door closed behind the angered woman, Nate looked over at the large rancher and retorted, “Fancy’s a bookkeeper, Nick. That’s all. She was never involved with the other part of her brother’s business. She only kept his books and invested the profits.”

“That was uncalled for and I’ll apologize to Miss Fleshton. I’m just worried about Heath.” offered Nick quietly, hazel eyes lowering in shame.

“Heath’ll be fine, Nick.” proclaimed Audra with a level of confidence betrayed by the worry in her eyes. “I’m going to see if Cassidy and Mother need any help.”

Waiting till Audra left the room, Nate looked at the three Barkley brothers and said firmly, “It’s not against the law to run a house of pleasure and it’s not against the law to keep the books for the man running it. Fancy Fleshton is only guilty of having a large heart and taking care of her brother, nothing more and nothing less. They only have each other in this world and Nick, if it wasn’t for her Heath would have died.”

Nodding, Nick ran his hand through his hair and exhaled slowly, “I know, Nate. But what exactly are the Fleshtons doing here? You can’t tell me it’s a mere coincidence!”

Shrugging, Nate frowned, “I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Gaylord may be up to something but as far as we’ve been able to find out from wires….he’s been clean as a whistle these past years. Ever since Heath posed as him it looks like he’s on the higher path instead of the lower one.”

“Perhaps he has and we’re assuming the worst because of what’s happened since he arrived in Stockton. Since he caused that big misunderstanding.” pondered Jarrod out loud to the other men in the room. “Still I think that would be a heck of a coincidence.”

Gene sighed and shook his head, taking a seat on the edge of a chair before asking, “Maybe it’s connected to that case Heath worked on, Nate. Sounds to me as if that’s the only time Heath and the Fleshtons have come into contact, right?”

Looking intently at the youngest male Barkley, Nate winked and smiled, “No wonder Heath says you’re the smartest one in the family, Gene.”

“Hey, now!” protested Nick and Jarrod taking great pleasure in ruffling the crimson faced college boy’s brown hair.

“Cut it out!” grumped Gene, brown eyes sparkling as he swatted their large hands away.

Grabbing his hat, Nate walked to the door and looked back, “I’m gonna send some wires. Let Audra know where I’ve gone boys. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Chapter 25

It took some doing but her other sons finally convinced Victoria to be relieved from her position by Heath’s bedside. Victoria placed a kiss on the warm forehead of her son, his ghostly white pallor with two flushed cheeks frightening to see as much as his struggle to fight. Gene, Audra and Jarrod led their mother from the room and away from the physician’s office. The strain could be seen in her delicate features and the exhaustion in her gray eyes filled with concern.

Nick stood on the side of the bed and took his mother’s place, soaking cloths and wiping down his feverish little brother, glancing every now and then to his sister-in-law working nonstop on the other side.

“He’s tough, Cassidy.” assured Nick quietly, the soft tone of his words seemed strange coming from the larger man.

Running her fingers over her husband’s bruised cheek, Cassidy smiled, “One of the toughest men I know, present company excluded, of course.”

“Of course.” winked Nick before turning to soak another cloth then replacing the warm cloth under his brother’s armpit and shook his head.

“I think I’m soft as a pillow compared to what he’s gone been through since birth. I don’t know too many who can come through what he has and still be who he is here, where it counts.” stated Nick placing his hand over his heart and staring down at his blonde brother. “Kills me to think I misjudged him like I did. What kind of brother am I? He may…without ever knowing…”

“Don’t Nick, don’t do that to yourself.” whispered Cassidy reaching across and grabbing hold of his sleeve. “Look at me, Nicholas.”

Waiting til the guilt filled hazel eyes raised, Cassidy reprimanded him firmly, “That kind of doubt isn’t helping Heath. I’m sure he can hear us wherever he is Nick and I’m not letting him go. He’s not going to die and he knows you love him, he knows we all love him and regret everything. He knows Nick, trust me, okay?”

Taking in a shaky breath, Nick nodded and smiled slightly before reaching up to ruffle the blond hair before brushing his fingers over the flushed cheek, looking upwards in surprise, “Cass, he feels cooler!”

Opening the door to her brother’s room, Fancy’s tiny boots stomped on the oak floor from the anger surrounding her, her dark eyes flashing as she stood by her sleeping brother’s bedside.

‘The nerve of that man! Hard to believe he’s a brother to Heath!’ thought the dark haired woman, her hands clenching into fists, her shoulders thrown back. Her mind brought forth the deep color in the hazel eyes and she let out a shaky breath, holding her forehead in her hand and chastising her thoughts.

Trying to get control of herself, the slim woman moved around the windowless room, her pacing stirring the blond on the bed, the hitting of the rolled newspaper against her leg waking him. Half opened dark sapphire eyes studied his older sister pace the room, clearly upset and he inwardly hoped her french blood wasn’t boiling because of him.

The door to the room opened and Fancy turned at the sound, her eyes widening and her mouth gaping open at the buxom woman entering whose green eyes filled with happiness as she gazed upon the bed.

“GAYLORD!” screamed the woman rushing to the bed and throwing herself on the awake man, her sobs filling the room.

Fancy’s stare of disbelief turned to disgust at the sound of the cries and she strode to the bed and pulled the woman up by her arm. Nick and Billy appeared in the doorway, the scream sounding like a cry of horror and not happiness. Sighing to himself, Billy returned to his post outside the other room while Nick stood mesmerized at the hellcat before him.

“For the life of pete, he ain’t dying! Stop that bawling!” snapped Fancy angrily, giving the woman a sound shaking. “Who are you?”

“Eva Harrison.” replied the brown haired woman, pulling her arm out of the older woman’s hold. “And who might you be? Are you one of Gaylord’s girls?”

“Why you!” growled Fancy, dark eyes flaring and she stepped forward, her wrist grabbed by a strong hand.

“Fancy, stop it!” warned the male voice struggling to sit up on the bed with his forehead creased in pain. “Sis, you gotta learn to control your temper.”

Nick entered the room when it appeared the widow was about to be trounced on by the sister of Heath’s double whose full red lips were pressed into a line of anger on her face.

“Gaylord’s my beau!” announced Eva lifting her chin in defiance of the woman’s glare.

Glancing down at her brother and back to the woman, Fancy shook her head and unwound her brother’s fingers from her wrist before opening the newspaper and shoving it under her brother’s nose.

“You care to explain this little brother?” asked Fancy, her voice low and intense. “What the heck did you do, Gaylord?”

Turning crimson, the blond lay back on the bed and groaned, his hand reaching up to squeeze his temples. His groan of pain bringing the widow to the side of his bed, unceremoniously pushing his sister back and holding his hand to her face.

“Gaylord, darling, what can I do?” purred Eva, her breasts heaving up and down with each breath.

“It’s just a headache my dear.” answered the blonde, his eyes not leaving her neckline. “Fancy’s my sister, Eva. Please don’t fight with her.”

“Well, whatever you want, darling.” agreed Eva with a smile leaning over to place a kiss on his forehead, her breasts brushing against his chest.

“Lord, I think I’m gonna be sick.” hissed Fancy, rolling her eyes upwards and turning quickly, stumbling over the man who was suddenly behind her, his large hands holding her up.

“Sorry, Miss Fleshton.” apologized Nick softly, lowering his hands after she was steadied on her feet.

“I didn’t see you there, Mr. Barkley.” replied Fancy, blushing slightly. “Excuse me, I need some air.”

Brushing past the darkly clothed man, Fancy turned at the doorway and smirked, “Gaylord, don’t think having this….woman here will preclude our conversation, little brother. I look forward to hearing what you have to say!”

“Get out, can’t you see he’s injured!” huffed Eva shaking her finger at the dark haired girl. “He’s your own brother!”

“Yeah, ain’t I the lucky one!” retorted Fancy turning and stalking from the room with Nick following after a moment of hesitation.

“Miss Fleshton!” called Nick as she left the office and moved along the boardwalk, stopping at his shout.

“Mr. Barkley, as you can no doubt see I’m not in a good mood right now. There’s lots of questions I have for my brother and unfortunately, he seems preoccupied!” informed the tall girl, her flashing eyes almost level with the warm hazel eyes.

“I can perhaps answer some of your questions later but for now, my sister-in-law Cassidy wanted to speak with you, Miss Fleshton.” stated Nick with a smile. “Heath’s fever is lower.”

The happy smile on her face erased the anger and her dark eyes sparkled. “That’s wonderful news, Mr. Barkley. Just wonderful.”

“Yes, we think so too.” smiled Nick before clearing his throat and looking at his boots before glancing back into her dark eyes. “I also wanted to let you know how bad I feel about what I said before. I was upset about Heath and, well, it was easy to take it out on you.”

Fancy sighed and smiled slightly, “You’re not the first to assume the same thing about me since my brother is who he is, Mr. Barkley. I’m sorry for calling you a jackass.”

Chuckling, Nick winked, “Some people would say the name fits, Miss Fleshton.”

Blushing and entwining her hands in her skirt, Fancy winked back, “Well, whatever you say.”

“Truce then?” suggested Nick holding out his hand and arching an eyebrow.

Reaching up, she felt her hand engulfed in his and nodded, her voice low and hushed, “Truce.”

“May I escort you back?” asked Nick holding out his arm to the woman whose eyes filled with amusement.

“Why thank you, Mr. Barkley.” smiled Fancy, placing her hand in the crook of his arm and walking back towards the physician’s office, the blush on her cheeks seemed like it was a permanent feature.

The couple entered the office unaware of the pair of eyes watching from a nearby rooftop. Lowering himself down below the false front of the building, the watcher nudged another man who was dozing.

“Tell the boss, Fleshton’s sister’s here. She musta got in before we were here this morning.”

Nodding the second man scurried toward the edge of the roof and disappeared over the edge. The sound of a horse galloping away from town reached the watcher’s ears as he returned to his reconnaissance.

Chapter 26

Howard nodded with satisfaction and glanced upwards, smiling into the sienna eyes watching him. “His fever’s come down, Cassidy. You were right.”

Letting out a shaky sigh, Cassidy smiled, “The quinine worked then just like Miss Fleshton said it would.”

Frowning, Howard shrugged, “It could have been either the quinine or the cooling measures we’ve been taking. I’m not sure it was the quinine but guess at this point it doesn’t really matter. What matters is getting this husband of yours back on his feet.”

“When do you think he’ll wake up?” asked Cassidy, holding one of the large hands in hers and running her thumb over the battered knuckles.

“Heath will sleep now. His body will work on restoring his energy reserves which were depleted from fighting the infection. Let’s keep forcing sugar water into him and I’m certain by the end of the day, we’ll be seeing him rise to a higher level of consciousness.”

“When he wakes, Howard, can you give him something for the pain?” inquired the girl, knowing with the awakening will come the realization of the pain for her husband.

“Well, we can try but I’m not sure he’ll take it. I had to practically twist his arm the other day for him to take the laudanum, Cassidy.” sighed Howard putting his instruments back into his bag. “You know how much he dislikes how it makes him feel.”

“Yeah, I know.” admitted Cassidy with a shake of her head. “Such a stubborn and ornery man I married.”

Chuckling, Howard reached over and squeezed her hand and winked, “I know you wouldn’t want him to be any other way either.”

Smiling broadly, Cassidy nodded in agreement. “You are certainly right about that, Howard.”

“I’ll leave you two alone for now. Don’t hesitate to find me when anything changes.” instructed the older man with a smile before leaving, meeting Nick and Fancy on the way out.

“What was all the noise in the next room, Nick? You didn’t go against my orders and grill my patient, did you?” queried Howard with a raised eyebrow.

“No!” snorted Nick in disgust. “The widow Harrison was acting like Fleshton’s on his deathbed.”

“That woman is just so…appalling…she’s so….” interjected Fancy with a shiver and wave of her hand. “Lord, I hope Gaylord isn’t serious about her.”

“Some men find her quite appealing or so I’ve noticed.” suggested Howard biting his lip to keep his laughter inward at the dark frown suddenly appearing on the woman’s face before he left the room.

“He can’t be serious!” gaped Fancy staring at the physician’s retreating back before shaking her dark locks in denial. “What a nightmare!”

Cassidy smiled at the amusement in the hazel eyes of her brother-in-law and shook her head, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggle before gesturing him over. Placing a hand on the back of the slender woman, Nick lead her to the bedside of his brother.

“Cassidy Thomson, this is Fanciful Fleshton.” introduced Nick with a flair of gallantry causing both ladies to smile.

“Mrs. Thomson, congratulations on your marriage.” offered Fancy with a shy smile.

Taking the extended hand, Cassidy smiled, “Thank you, Miss Fleshton, I have been blessed to marry a man I’ve loved ever since I was a young girl. I wanted to thank you for suggesting the quinine. I know Dr. Merar won’t admit it, however, I think using it did lower Heath’s temperature.”

“I am happy it worked also. Your husband is a fine man, Mrs. Thomson.” replied Fancy nervously, glancing down to the pale man on the bed before looking back at his blonde wife, turning red before stammering slightly. “I, uh, wanted to let you know Heath was on an assignment when we met previously. He was impersonating my brother and, well, there was nothing, uh, between us.”

Sienna eyes filled with warmth at the woman who stood embarrassed with the topic of the conversation and Cassidy squeezed her hand, offering a smile of friendship, “Thank you, Miss Fleshton for thinking of my feelings. I certainly hope sometime in the near future, you’ll explain to me the circumstances of how you two met. I’m sure there’s quite a story waiting to get out.”

Nick sat by the side of the bed, his brother’s hand held in his while he listened and watched the two women conversing. The initial hesitation and nervousness by the dark haired woman was gone, dissipated by the warmth of his sister-in-law and the two females carried on their discussion forgetting he was in the room.

Shaking his head, he bit the inside of his cheek when the topic came around to the woman who was in the next room, flouncing all her attributes for the world to see. Reaching up, he ran his hand over the blond hair, willing his little brother to wake up and fight to get outta the bed. He stood up in surprise when he saw the pale face flash with pain and there was movement under the eyelids, the hand in his suddenly clenching his.

“Cass, Heath’s waking.” stated Nick, cutting into the female chatter and bringing both women to the bedside before Fancy left the room and returned with Dr. Merar.

Leaning over her husband, Cassidy squeezed his hand and called out, “Heath, honey. Open your eyes for me! Com’n darling, you can do it.”

Groaning and moving his head slightly, they watched with breath held at the evidence of the pain in his injured body increasing as he rose out of the darkness he’d been in. Howard soothingly called to his patient before placing the end of his stethoscope on the broad chest, listening to the functioning lungs and nodded in satisfaction.

Several excruciating minutes later, the lids opened slightly to reveal two glazed sapphire pools of pain, the orbs moving sluggishly and falling upon his wife who placed her tearing relieved face in his line of sight.

“Cass.” whispered the blond, his eyes closing and his face twisting in pain for a moment while he fought to control it with shallow breaths, his hand gripping tightly onto the large one holding his.

“That’s it, Heath.” urged Howard calmly. “Don’t fight the pain, just embrace it.”

Relaxing slightly, the lids opened again and moved to the hand holding his before finding the worried eyes of hazel, lifting the corner of his mouth slightly at the squeeze of his hand.

“Hey, little brother. Welcome back.” greeted Nick, his voice trembling with emotion at the small offering of a smile. “You’re giving me gray hairs, boy.”

Fancy stood at the edge of the bed, her hands gripping onto her skirt, unable to take her eyes off the immense struggle of the blond marshal she hadn’t seen in years. She reached up to brush the tears off her cheek at the immense amount of emotions filling the room and offered a shaky smile when the sapphire eyes found her.

Squinting and staring at the woman at the edge of the bed, Heath whispered, “Fanny?”

Nodding, Fanciful swallowed the lump in her throat and answered, “Yes, it’s me Heath.”

All watched as the former marshal started shaking and his breaths came in gasps, his forehead breaking out with beads of sweat and his sapphire eyes looked outward.

“Heath, what is it?” stammered Nick. “HEATH!”

“Calm down, Heath!” shouted Howard, concerned at the racing pulse and sudden rocketing of his friend’s blood pressure.

Looking at the end of the bed to the woman whose face had turned pale from the blond’s tortured gaze, Heath groaned, forcing the words out before the pain took him back under.

“It…was..Craven…Fanny.”

A frightened gasp filled the room as Fancy backed up to the wall, her dark eyes filling with terror before Nick caught the slim woman on her way to the floor.

Chapter 27

“Heath’s just passed out, Cassidy.” assured Howard at the fright on the young girl’s face. “Why don’t you help Nick?”

Nodding, Cassidy rushed over to where Nick knelt on the floor with Fancy Fleshton in his arms, her face pale and her eyes closed.

“What the heck happened?” growled Nick as he looked up at his sister-in-law. “Whose Craven?”

“I don’t know, Nick.” said Cassidy, gesturing to the extra cot in the room. “Why don’t you lay her over there?”

Picking her up in his arms, Nick pushed himself upwards and effortlessly carried the fainted woman to the cot, gently laying her down and watching Cassidy open the top two buttons of her dress. Nick stepped back to make room for the physician and returned to Heath’s bedside. Sitting by his brother’s bed, Nick kept his eyes glued to the other side of the room, unable to get the terror which filled the eyes of Fanciful Fleshton out of his mind.

Opening a capsule, Howard waved it under the nose of his newest patient and pushed down the slow moving hand which was trying to push it away.

“Easy now, Miss Fleshton.” soothed Howard calmly, watching the lids over the dark eyes lift slowly.

“What?” moaned Fancy, confused as to why the physician was waving those foul smelling things under her nose.

“You fainted, Miss Fleshton.” offered Cassidy with a smile, reaching over to help the shaky woman to a sitting position.

“Fainted?” repeated Fancy taking a deep breath and glancing across the room, her eyes filling with remembrance, her hands shaking before she clenched them into fists and pushed her way off the cot. “I, uh, I need to see Gaylord. Excuse me!”

“Wait, Miss Fleshton!” stated Cassidy, stopping the woman with a hand on her arm. “Please wait for a moment.”

Unsure of what to do and surprised by the request, Fancy hesitated before nodding, her eyes wide with her rising fear. Cassidy looked over towards Nick and back to the woman who was trembling under her hold.

A low groan of pain from her husband stopped any more words and she pulled on Fancy’s arm, pulling the woman to the bedside with her. Brushing her fingers through the blond hair on his moving head, Cassidy spoke quietly to her husband.

“I know it hurts, honey. Open your eyes, Heath. Com’n now.”

A minute later, clenching his jaw from the renewed pain, Heath grabbed onto Nick’s hand, stared into his eyes and ground out. “Keep…Fanny…safe.”

Nick put his hand on his younger brother’s and nodded, “Alright, Heath, I’ll protect her just like she was your wife.”

Smiling slightly until a burst of pain thinned out his lips, Heath closed his eyes for a moment before raising his lids to look at his wife and the pale woman beside her. “Get…Nate…Cass”

Cassidy nodded and squeezed his arm before leaving the room, the urgency in her husband’s eyes moving her feet quicker to the waiting room, heading outside when the outer room was barren.

“Heath, no more talking now.” ordered Howard. “You’re using up all your strength.”

Scowling at his old friend, Heath motioned to Fanny and squeezed Nick’s hand, “Take…her…home.”

“To the ranch?” queried Nick receiving a slight nod and raised his hazel eyes to the raven haired woman, who stood shell-shocked and unaware, her look of dependency raising his protectiveness a notch or two. “What about her brother?”

Sluggish sapphire eyes gazed into the hazel ones before Heath closed his eyes and whispered, “’im…too.”

Groaning inwardly for a moment, Nick sighed, “I was ‘fraid you’d say that. I’m not gonna like hearing what Jackson says, am I?”

Forcing his eyes open, Heath squeezed the large hand, his eyes saying more than his exhausted and pained body could. Letting the darkness take him under, the blond’s even breaths filled the room and Nick reached up and laid his palm against the cooler cheek.

“For you, little brother.” promised Nick softly before releasing his hold on the blond’s hand.

Cassidy led Nate into the room, the former marshal turning to Dr. Merar and stating, “Get the Widow Harrison outta Fleshton’s room. Tell her he needs to rest or something, but get rid of her and make sure she don’t come back til tomorrow.”

“Do you care to explain why I should throw out my patient’s visitors?” requested Dr. Merar firmly, not moving out of his place.

Nate pulled the physician to the side and whispered, “Doc, take a look at Fancy’s face, a close look. That is a look of sheer terror and the man responsible for that is here…that’s why…I’ll go into it later, not now.”

The dark gray eyes of the former lawman were filled with determination and decision. The jovial young man who’d only recently come to live in Stockton had been replaced with seriousness and tenseness, briskness and crispness. Nodding, Howard left the room to complete his part of whatever the unknown mission was.

“Heath said…”

Holding up a hand to silence Nick, Nate walked to the door and watched as the family physician apologetically and efficiently removed the visiting widow from the next room. The shutting of the office door could be heard and he moved over to where Nick stood.

“Fancy?”

Looking over at the former marshal, the dark eyes blinked and Fancy stammered, “He’s not in jail, is he? ”

“No, I was on my way here to tell you when Cass found me.” sighed Nate.

“Heath wants the Fleshton’s to be taken to the ranch.” informed Nick, narrowed eyes studying the man who was courting his sister.

Nodding, Nate agreed, “It’d be one place he wouldn’t expect them to be. In a couple hours, it’ll be dark. We can move ‘em then.”

“What about Heath?” worried Cassidy. “This man almost killed him once, Nate. What’s to stop him from trying again!”

“He won’t try if he thinks he’s succeeded.” suggested Nate with a shrug. “Heath can die and the Fleshton’s will have fled town in the middle of the night. Simple and quick.”

Four pairs of eyes stared in disbelief at the lawman who nodded and smiled, “Yeah! Yeah, I like it.”

Chapter 28

“I’ll be right back.” stated the physician to the others in the room, leaving the room with his head shaking in disbelief and confusion from trying to ascertain if there was any sanity left in the town of Stockton.

“You have got to be joking! We are not going to pretend my husband is dead, Nate!” snapped Cassidy, stepping up and glaring into her brother’s face. “That is not happening and you have no idea what you’re suggesting, Natty!”

“Cassidy, settle down!” stated Nate calmly, putting his large hands on his sister’s shoulders. “You don’t know this guy. If he’s after the Fleshton’s he won’t stop and he doesn’t care who he goes through to get to them.”

“Now, just a minute Jackson!” retorted Nick, standing and pulling Cassidy back. “I don’t like it either. Maybe he was only after Heath, did you consider that? Heath has said he’s gained some enemies over the years being a marshal.”

Unmoved by the flashing in the hazel and sienna eyes, Nate shook his head, “Nick, THAT doesn’t make sense. This guy escapes from prison, travels through the Yuma desert all the way to Stockton to jump Heath at the livery and knife him but not even making sure he killed him…for what? Craven may be lower than a snake’s belly but there’s no profit in it for him.”

“For revenge then.” suggested Nick loudly, his fists jammed onto his hips. “Revenge is a powerful motive.”

“Not in this case!” shot back Nate, his voice raising along with the large man before him.

“I say you’re wrong!” growled Nick angrily. “We don’t know otherwise.”

Raising his hands in the air, Nate clenched his teeth and hissed, “If he wanted revenge, he coulda shot Heath from hiding. Waited til he was alone working the ranch and jumped him. He coulda done any number of things without revealing it was him. Hell, Heath’s always working on the fence line and stuff, he’s alone a lot so what was to stop Craven or anyone else from taking a shot with a rifle…”

“STOP IT! STOP IT” screamed Cassidy, her tears flowing down her pale face and her body trembling in Fancy’s arms.

“ARE YOU TWO CRAZY?” shouted Fancy at the two crimson faced men. “FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!”

“Would anyone care to explain what is going on in here!” snapped Victoria angrily from the doorway, the loud conversation heard well out into the waiting room as they entered the physician’s office, meeting Howard at the door to Heath’s room.

Jarrod stood by his mother and beside Faith Johnson and her daughter, Angeline. The newcomers to the spectacle staring open mouthed at the raised voices. Moving into the room, the two men backed away from the flashing gray eyes of the Barkley matriarch, her hand reaching up to the forehead of her sleeping son, his exhausted spent body keeping him unaware of the conversation.

“Excuse me, I do believe I asked a question.” stated Victoria after turning from Heath’s bedside and moving to Cassidy, brushing the tears off her face.

“Nate wants Heath to pretend to be dead.” stammered Cassidy. “I don’t like it Mother. It’s almost as if we’re tempting fate and it frightens me.”

“It’ll be alright.” assured Victoria with a smile towards the two women before looking with confusion to her oldest son who’d stepped into the room and shook his head before ushering everyone to the waiting area. “Howard, obviously we need to get to the bottom of this. Can you stay with Heath while we join the others in the waiting room?”

“Certainly Victoria and when you find out what the heck’s going on, let me know.” replied Howard with a frown watching the ladies leave before examining his slumbering patient, whispering to the unaware blond. “Well my friend, lately I swear everyone’s been smoking locoweed.”

The waiting room was filled, eyes meeting others in challenging gazes from across the room and Jarrod cleared his throat after all the ladies were seated.

“Would someone care to start with an explanation?” asked Jarrod quietly, raising his eyes to the plastered ceiling when the four voices started speaking at once and then clapping his hands together to silence the group. “Children, one at a time please!”

“This is what I know.” stated Nick from his chair. “Heath woke up and saw Miss Fleshton standing at the edge of the bed. He said, ‘it was Craven, Fanny’ before he passed out again. So, we know it was this Craven fellow who stabbed him. Fancy, uh, Miss Fleshton then fainted.”

Nodding, Fancy blushed and looked down at her hands clenched in her lap, adding quietly, “When I woke up, I wanted to see my brother but Mrs. Thomson had me wait and then Heath woke again.”

“Heath told me to keep Fanny safe.” informed Nick.

“Then Heath told me to get Nate and I left to find him.” said Cassidy.

“When Cassidy was looking for Nate, Heath asked me to take Miss Fleshton out to the ranch.” stated Nick, then scowling lightly. “Yeah and her brother too. He fell asleep or passed out but I promised him I would.”

Smiling slightly at the promise their younger brother could extract from his mother grizzly, Jarrod nodded he understood.

“I was on my way back from the telegraph office when Cassidy found me. I was following up on Gene’s theory and found out Craven escaped from prison. I had Dr. Merar throw out, um, ask the Widow Harrison to leave Fleshton’s room. Once she was gone, I agreed it would be safer for the Fleshtons to stay at the ranch and taking them out there in the middle of the night was best. Cassidy was concerned Craven would go after Heath again, so I thought we should let people think Heath died from the knife wound. With the Fleshtons skipping town in the middle of the night and Heath dead, Craven would leave.”

Squeezing her temples from the pressure building behind her eyes, Victoria watched Jarrod stare at the four in the room who once again started arguing over the validity of the solution posed by the former marshal.

“Miss Fleshton.” said Jarrod loudly, stopping the bickering and bringing the dark eyes upwards to his. Smiling gently, the prominent attorney kept her gaze and asked, “Do you believe this Craven man is after you, your brother or Heath?”

The dark eyes flared with fear and her voice quivered slightly, “He hates us all. I didn’t know he was out of prison.”

“Perhaps the answer lies in the reason you are here in Stockton.” suggested Jarrod.

“My brother wired requesting I meet him in Modesto. I arrived but Gaylord didn’t. The next day I saw the article in the paper about the altercation between Heath and Gaylord. I came on the next train expecting him to be in jail but he was here instead.” offered the pale faced woman, her fingers unconsciously intertwining and untwining in her lap.

“Did your brother say why he wanted to meet you in Modesto? Is it common for your brother to wire you to travel to strange towns and meet him? Why not Sacramento or someplace else?” questioned Jarrod.

“Knock it off, Jarrod.” snapped Nick jumping to his feet. “She’s not on trial!”

Realizing he had unconsciously switched to lawyer mode, Jarrod sighed and shook his head, “Nick is right. I apologize, Miss Fleshton, this is not a court of law.”

“That’s alright, Mr. Barkley.” whispered Fancy, her eyes catching the hazel ones before looking back down. “I handle Gaylord’s investments and sometimes we will travel to places where he’s thinking of opening a new business. He usually accepts my judgements on location, feasibility and other things.”

Glancing at Nick who hovered near the women as if he were their bodyguard, Jarrod replied, “Is it possible Craven is after your brother and he wanted you with him, to keep you safe.”

“I don’t know. I was going to question Gaylord on why he stopped in Stockton, why he got in a fight with Heath but that woman was in the room.” sighed Fancy. “I can’t imagine Gaylord having anything Craven wants. The man’s been in prison for seven years. That’s a long time.”

“I suggest we talk to your brother and see if he can shed any light on this mystery.” smiled Jarrod.

“Damn, uh, that’s a good idea!” added Nick loudly. “About time, too I say!”

“Nick, remember you promised Heath you’d keep BOTH of the Fleshtons safe.” informed Jarrod watching the dark frown appear on the tanned face. “Keep your hands in your pockets.”

Chapter 29

The dressmaker, like all the others in town, heard of the vicious attack on Heath Thomson and his consequential fight to survive. The lack of sleep look on the concerned family tore at her heart. Having grown up in an orphanage without the love of a family or their support left her wondering if she ever fell ill or was injured, would anyone other than Angeline care?

Her husband, Lloyd had became a man in the same orphanage. They’d formed a friendship after he arrived at the age of fourteen. His parents died in a cholera epidemic and the teenager had no other relatives, thus becoming a ward of the state.

Her own parents Faith had never known. As far back as she could remember, she’d been a ward of the state and nothing was ever revealed about how she came to reside in the monstrosity of an orphanage.

When Lloyd died in an hunting accident, she’d lost a friend. For it was after the birth of their daughter, she’d come to realize what she thought was love was actually comfort and a deep friendship. Lloyd was a wonderful man, an attentive husband and loving father but she’d mistaken the warmth in her heart for him as love.

Faith Johnson sat in a chair with her daughter quietly playing with the locket which hung on a gold chain and listened to the others in the waiting room. Perplexed by the fast flowing conversation, Faith stayed silent, her green eyes wide in her face. Eating alone at a table with her daughter, she’d been happy to share her table with the members of the Barkley family.

It was strange to her…this feeling when she first looked into his eyes. It was new and something she’d never experienced before. It was as if he were the only person in the room when their eyes casually met the first time.

Her breath was almost nonexistent and his voice sent goosebumps up and down her arms. It was excitement, nervousness and longing all rolled into a tight ball which bounced around inside the very pit of her stomach.

Even now, she had to force herself to keep from staring, afraid he’d think she was too forward and not a lady. She fought to pay attention as he kept his attention on the conversation in the room, she struggled to listen to the words of everyone but only when he spoke did she find she was relishing each syllable, each inflection, each word.

She’d wanted to help when she heard of his brother’s attack. The former marshal she could tell was a man of outstanding qualities, generous and thoughtful. Angeline had readily taken to him and Faith felt compelled to offer any assistance she could.

For Heath Thomson had extended his hand in friendship and she would do no less. Sighing to herself, she smiled shyly as the blue eyes found hers and a smile spread across his face before he turned to his mother.

“Mother, why don’t you stay here with Mrs. Johnson and Angeline while we speak to Mr. Fleshton?” suggested Jarrod quietly. “I promise I’ll tell you everything we find out.”

Victoria sighed when she realized they had forgotten the dressmaker had accompanied them back to the physician’s office. “This will be a good time to relieve Howard from Heath’s bedside. Audra?”

“Yes, Mother?” responded Audra from Nate’s side.

“Would you mind watching Angeline while Faith and I visit Heath?” requested Victoria.

“I’d be happy to, Mother.” smiled Audra walking across the room and kneeling in front of Angeline and her mother.

Nick held onto the elbow of Fancy Fleshton and walked beside her with Jarrod, Nate and Gene following. Hesitating for a moment outside the door, Fancy looked over into the hazel eyes before pushing open the door after a smile of encouragement graced the tan face.

Gaylord Fleshton propped against the headboard with pillows, opened his eyes and frowned at the group which entered, his bed quickly ringed with people. Taking a shaky breath, the injured man smiled at his sister when she took his hand and squeezed it.

“What’s goin’ on, sis?” questioned the younger man.

“Gaylord, why did you send for me to come to Modesto?” asked Fancy taking a seat on the bed.

“Now, does there have to be a reason for me wanting to spend time with my big sister?” whined the man, his eyes filling with hurt.

Rolling his eyes upwards, Nick clenched his hands and looked at Jarrod. Jarrod looked down at his brother’s fists and raised an eyebrow turning the rancher’s face a shade of crimson before Nick glared back and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“Fleshton, don’t give us that line of bull.” snorted Nate. “Lives depend on this now!”

“Mr. Fleshton, our brother Heath is in the next room fighting for his life from a knife wound and a beating.” stated Jarrod firmly, blue eyes locking with the surprised darker sapphire orbs. “He was able to tell us who was responsible and it seems you know him.”

“I didn’t know it was Heath who was hurt.” admitted Gaylord with a frown. “Nobody told me.”

“Gaylord, what’s going on?” urged Fancy. “Just tell us!”

Taking a deep breath, Heath’s double let out a shaky breath and looked at the determined male faces in the room before finding his sister’s dark eyes. “Twice I’ve been attacked in the past month. I don’t know who it was but they’re looking for something. Each time I was able to escape.”

“What are they looking for?” asked Nate watching the man before him closely.

“I’m not sure. They didn’t say. Each time they said their boss was gonna take great pleasure in making me tell them what they needed to know. I was able to get away before I had to find out who their boss was.” explained Gaylord seeing the skeptical looks in the room. “Honest, Fancy.”

“So, why send for your sister? Did you think she was gonna protect you?” growled Nick turning the blond’s face red.

“NO!” snapped Gaylord at the larger man. “I didn’t want to take the chance these people would use her to get to me. I’m not without my family loyalty. My sister’s the only family I got!”

Smiling at the love in her brother’s eyes, Fancy squeezed his hand. “So, that’s why you wanted me to come to Modesto? So, I’d be safe?”

“Yeah, sis.” sighed Gaylord with a shake of his head. “I don’t know who it is Fancy and I was afraid they’d know you were my sister and knew where you lived.”

“Why didn’t you go right to Modesto? Why stop in Stockton, Mr. Fleshton?” questioned Jarrod.

“Have you ever heard the expression ‘hiding in plain sight’?” queried the blonde, his question receiving nods from all in the room. “That’s why I stopped in Stockton. I only meant to come by and talk to Heath. He was so helpful in the past, I thought maybe he could give me some ideas or suggestions on what to do.”

“You thought Heath would help you?” scoffed Nick in disbelief.

“Obviously you don’t know your brother very well!” retorted Gaylord, his words causing Nick to move towards the bed until Nate grabbed his arm. “Of course he’d help! That’s the kind of person he is.”

“Since you looked like Heath, you decided to hide as him in plain sight in his own town?” stated Gene incredulously.

“I found out Heath was out of town and people assumed I was him. I was only going to stay for a couple days and then when I saw Eva, well, I forgot about laying low. I didn’t mean to cause any problems but in hind sight, it was not a smart move.” admitted Gaylord with a shrug.

“It wasn’t until a few days after I kissed Eva that I found out Heath was married. I figured when he came back to town, I’d ride out to your family’s ranch and straighten out the whole mess. I didn’t want his wife to think he stepped out on her.”

“Only Heath came back early.” offered Jarrod.

Nodding, Gaylord let out a loud sigh, “Damn, he was furious when he kicked open that door. I honestly didn’t mean for things to get out of hand like they did. Really, I didn’t.”

“What a mess!” snapped Nick, crossing his arms over his chest and fighting the overwhelming urge to throttle the double of his brother.

“I know and I’m sorry.” apologized Gaylord quietly. “Who stabbed Heath?”

“Ike Craven.” informed Nate.

Surprise and fear could be seen in the sapphire eyes before they closed for a moment. Reopening his eyelids, Gaylord sighed deeply, patting his sister’s hand and offered his condolences.

“Sorry, Fancy.”

Chapter 30

“Cassidy, come along dear.” smiled Victoria watching her daughter-in-law waver between the two doors. Wanting to be by her husband’s side and yet, wanting to hear what his look alike had to say. The reminder of the homecoming Heath received still fresh and shaming in the young newlywed’s mind. “Jarrod will let us know later what happens in there.”

Nodding, Cassidy gave the two other ladies a smile and entered Heath’s room, his sapphire eyes moving from Dr. Merar to the women.

“Heath, you’re awake again!” cried Cassidy, rushing to the bedside and taking the hand he lifted, holding it in her own. His eyes pained but clear of fever studied his wife’s face before he looked towards his mother and Faith Johnson.

Standing at the edge of the bed after their family friend left the room, Victoria was unsure if she should intrude on the reunion between her son and daughter-in-law, almost unsure of her place. In her mind knew they still had things to discuss, topics which needed to be talked about and the air cleared between mother and the son who came to her later in life.

“Mother?” asked Heath, his voice quiet and questioning. “Are you okay?”

Smiling, Victoria moved around to the side of the bed and leaned over, placing a kiss on his forehead. “I’m fine, Heath. You need to think about getting yourself better and not worry about anyone else.”

Studying the gray eyes, Heath sighed, knowing he was the one who put the hesitation in her guarded words. His rage at their lack of trust, their lack of understanding who he was as a person was the cause. Though he felt his previous anger was justified, suddenly, it didn’t seem all that important. He was thankful to be alive and holding his wife’s hand. He was thankful to have his Mother placing a kiss on his cheek.

Taking the tiny wrinkled hand in his, Heath smiled softly and stated, “What kind of son would I be if I didn’t worry about my Mother?”

“You’ll always be a son I’m proud of and love very much.” whispered Victoria, her eyes welling with tears. “Heath, we have so much to talk about when you get better.”

“Mother, we have a whole lifetime to talk and we will. Sometime.” replied the blond squeezing her hand. “How are you, Faith? And how is Angeline?”

“We are both fine, Heath.” said Faith, her own eyes filling at the happiness on Barkley matriarch’s face. “I’m so happy to hear you are doing better.”

“Won’t be long before Nick’s hollering in my ear about the working ranch.” said Heath, sapphire eyes twinkling.

“We’ll leave you two alone.” whispered Victoria, squeezing his hand in hers and placing a kiss on his cheek. “Try to get some rest, sweetheart.”

Nodding and bidding the ladies farewell, Heath watched them depart through the door, closing it behind them. The feel of his wife’s fingers caressing his cheek was heavenly. Reaching up, he moved her hand to his mouth and placed a light kiss in its palm.

“I love you, Cass.” whispered Heath, his voice raw from emotion, realizing he’d almost been taken from her for eternity, his burst of strength quickly leaving.

Bending and placing a soft kiss on his waiting lips, Cassidy replied, her voice husky from emotion, “I love you too, hon. Now go to sleep and I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Smiling, the lids closed on the sapphire eyes and he relaxed, giving into the beckoning sleep which seemed to be a constant companion each time he woke. The sound of even breaths filled her ears and she sat in a chair, never losing hold of his large hand.

“Sorry? That’s all you can say!” retorted Nick, incredulity raising his voice. “Where’s your family loyalty now, Fleshton!”

Jumping up from the bed, Fancy gaped at the fury in the hazel eyes before stammering. “It’s okay, Mr. Barkley…”

“Now, just a minute!” protested Gaylord. “You have no right to talk like that?”

“NO RIGHT!” shouted the larger man, his eyes flashing and he shrugged off the hand of Nate. “I got every right! My little brother damn near lost his life cause you got some...some person from your past after your sorry hide! Heath didn’t stand a chance, he was blindsided cause of your stupid ‘hide in plain sight’ theory, plan…whatever you wanna call it! Then you have the gall to kiss some women when you’re pretending to be him and you’re gonna say sorry. LIKE THAT MAKES IT ALL BETTER! I’M NOT HELPING YOUR SORRY A….”

“WHO ASKED FOR YOUR HELP? NOT ME! I CAN TAKE CARE OF ME AND MY SISTER!” snapped Gaylord pushing himself upwards, dark sapphire eyes sparking with fury.

“That’s enough you two.” warned Jarrod firmly. “We have to talk about this calmly.”

“Take care of your sister? Fine job you’ve done already, Fleshton! You went and left her alone in Modesto. YOU NEVER SHOWED UP!” growled Nick gesturing to the woman who suddenly wished the world would open up and swallow her whole.

“It’s a good thing she’s got her wits about her! Who knows what could have happened to her if she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself!”

“Listen to me you overgrown mammoth!” hissed Fleshton, pushing himself onto his feet. “Don’t you even look at her! She’s too good for the likes of you!”

“Fancy’s too good to be your sister! Anyone can see she’s a far better person than you!” stated Nick with a twist of his lips.

“KNOCK IT OFF!” bellowed Nate, his shout closing mouths and bringing all eyes to him after Jarrod and Gene stepped between the two men who were advancing on each other. “Lord almighty! I don’t care if you two kill each other later BUT FOR NOW, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE’RE GONNA DO ABOUT CRAVEN!”

Fancy stood against the wall, her eyes shifting from one explosive male to the other, the tension in the room suffocating and stifling. Suddenly, the renewed threat looming at the door and the lunacy of this day had her shaking her head and moving past to the closed door, her decision hastily made in her head. The torment and upset too much to witness or be party to any longer.

Grabbing her arm, Nick held her in place, his voice calm and even, “Whoa there, Miss Fleshton. You need to stay by me.”

“I can’t. I’m going back to Denver.” announced Fancy, the hand on her arm searing her skin through her long sleeve. “Today.”

“No, you’re not.” protested Nick loudly, his voice lowering when she flinched from the words echoing in her ear. “I promised Heath I’d protect you, Miss Fleshton. I gave him my word and you wouldn’t want our recovering little brother to be upset, now would you? I think doc would say it’d hamper his recovery.”

“Mr. Barkley, we’ve caused enough problems for your family.” sighed Fancy. “I think this way would be best. With us gone, no more threat from Craven. Simple and quick.”

“No, Fancy.” argued Nate firmly. “You know he’ll be watching and follow you. If Heath knew you’d left, he’d kill himself to follow.”

“Miss Fleshton, please don’t do anything hasty.” requested Jarrod, looking at her brother who was staring as if seeing his sister for the first time then prodding him with a finger and a glare.

“Sis, the big mammoth’s right.” admitted Gaylord rolling the other man’s eyes to the ceiling. “Jackson’s right, too. If only we can figure out what Craven wants.”

Sighing after he felt the tension in the arm under his hand lessen, Nick lead her to the chair in the room, sitting her down and commanding softly into surprised dark eyes. “No more talk about leaving. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

“Nate, when Heath was posing as Mr. Fleshton, were you there for the whole operation or assignment?” questioned Jarrod.

Shaking his head, Nate frowned, “Only parts of it. I was the eyes in the background when Heath needed me. Why?”

“It must have to do with that case.” surmised Jarrod, pacing slowly around the room. “Does the marshal service keep records of cases and what happened?”

“Yeah, but only the marshals and judges have access to them.” informed Nate. “Together, Heath and the Fleshton’s should be able to provide more detail than a report.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Fancy glanced towards her brother, his face frowning as he met her eyes. Shaking his head negatively at her questioning look, Fancy closed her eyes and took in a haggard breath.

“I was with Heath the whole time.” admitted Fancy nervously. “I never left his side once, day or night.”

“That makes sense cause you would have been known as his sister.” stated Jarrod with a smile.

“No one knew I was Gaylord’s sister. His business was established and I came to town the day Heath started his assignment. I was known as Heath’s, uh, Gaylord Fleshton’s personal….prize….whore.”

Chapter 31

“Your brother’s…no...uh...Heath’s….HIS WHAT? exclaimed Nick loudly, his eyes wide in his face, gaping at the scarlet faced woman sitting in the chair, shifting nervously under the similar looks on the other two Barkley men.

“His personal whore.” sighed Gaylord, falling onto the bed and letting out a loud groan.
”Couldn’t ya’ left that part out sis.”

“Jarrod, tell me I’m having a Christmas-tree-falling-on-my-head nightmare again. Please.” implored Nick practically begging his older brother to say he were dreaming instead of awake.

“Brother Nick, I’d like nothing better than if you and I were both having a nightmare and this wasn’t real.” retorted Jarrod before shaking his head and groaning. “I think I’ve had a headache for the past whole week. Suddenly life seems extraordinarily complicated.”

Gene’s blushing face was turned downward and his hands shoved into his pockets, the college senior shook his head and took in some breaths til he felt calm enough to look up, unable to meet the dark eyes of the woman across the room.

Nate lowered his head and bit his lip to stop the laughter from escaping at the faces of Heath’s brothers. All three were stunned and having a hard time wrapping their thoughts around the newest revelation, wondering what in the world was going to be said or happen next.

“You know…I’m almost afraid to ask how….that acting….came to be.” stated Nick hesitantly then glaring into Nate’s amused gray orbs causing the former marshal to lose control over his laughter.

“Sorry.” snickered Nate grabbing his stomach when his throes of laughter shook his body, his lungs left gasping for air.

“Shut up, Jackson!” growled Nick sending the man into a hysterical fit. “What is so funny anyway?”

Holding up his hand, Nate took several deep breaths to get himself under control, brushing the tears of his amusement away and smiling at the bewildered brothers.

“You boys are a riot! You’re so upset about Fancy PRETENDING to be Heath’s personal…treasure…what if they’d really done something. What would you think then? With everything that’s happened…I can’t believe how this shocks you three. After all, it was a brothel and heck, Heath’s done more harrier things than pretending to be that one!” snorted the brown haired man gesturing towards his friend’s double.

“Yeah, well…it’s not everyday we hear of someone in our family...having to pretend to be a…uh…slaver of women!” snapped Gene suddenly, leaving the Fleshton siblings’ mouths hanging open.

“Slaver of women?” repeated Jarrod loudly with raised eyebrows at the youngest male before glancing at Nick who stared at their collegiate brother like he’d never heard him speak previously. “That’s a bit harsh don’t you think, Eugene?”

“No, I don’t believe so, Jarrod.” replied Gene with a shake of his head and his arms across his chest. “Some people say women in that profession are kept there by their…bosses…by the low pay they receive in exchange for their services. The pay is so low or they become addicted to different vices, they are unable to get out of that life and are stuck there forever.”

“Not forever boy and I resemble…uh…resent that statement!” retorted Gaylord. “Have you ever seen a seventy year old woman in those places? No, you haven’t so that means they left after their looks…uh…bodies…uh…when they saved enough money.”

‘Seventy year old professional lady of pleasure’ thought the other men in the room, trembling with the vision conjured up. Jarrod shook his head and raised his eyes to the hazel ones glaring at their youngest brother, the gaze a mix between disbelief and amusement.

“Gene, where exactly did you come by this revealing information?” queried Jarrod.

“A class in college. It was quite informative and interesting.” nodded Gene remembering how the lectures stoked his curiosity along with Mary Sue who sat beside him, her elbow bumping into him and her beautiful smile of apology each time.

“Aren’t you done with college yet?” groaned Nick. “I swear you’ve been going the past ten years. Jarrod, are you sure it’s not a waste of time?”

“Very funny, Nicholas!” shot back Gene, using his brother’s full name in the same manner as Heath was fond of doing simply to irk the larger man. “At least I know Heath supports my endeavors fully!”

“Speaking of our fair haired brother…” interjected Jarrod closing Nick’s mouth and cutting off his words. “I, for one, would like to hear about the rest of Miss Fleshton’s time spent with our brother. Miss Fleshton?”

“Well, it wasn’t Heath’s fault. I happened to show up in the right place at the wrong time.” stated Fancy with a slight clearing of her throat. “I arrived five days early to see my brother who had just purchased his new place of business. It was supposed to be Gaylord’s first day and I wanted to surprise him. When I walked into his office, I was the one who got the surprise.”

“Cause it was Heath.” stated Nick, receiving a nod to his statement.

“From far away, he looks just like my brother but close up I knew instantly it wasn’t him.” explained Fancy. “I started to demand to know who he was when all of a sudden Heath pulled me against him and kissed me.”

“HE WHAT!” exclaimed the three brothers simultaneously.

“He had to! Ike Craven..” said Fancy with a shiver of fear. “He was also heading to the office and it was the only thing Heath could think of. When he, uh, kissed my earlobe, he whispered to trust him and asked my name. I said Fancy but after he pretended to notice Craven was in the office, he introduced me as Fanny.”

“That explains that.” mumbled Nick loudly.

“Craven wanted to know how much and Heath told him I was off limits…cause I was only his.” whispered Fancy, her cheeks glowing red and her hands clenching nervously in her lap.

“How long did this whole operation last, Nate?” asked Jarrod, taking the attention off the raven haired woman, allowing her time to gather herself.

“Little over two months.” informed Nate, looking at his pocket watch and sighing. “Listen, it’s gonna be dark soon. I still think we need to get the Fleshtons outta town tonight. It’d be the safest for them.”

“I told you I don’t like this plan of pretending Heath’s dead!” snapped Nick. “I don’t think Heath’d like it either.”

“I have to agree with Nick on this.” sighed Jarrod. “It would be easier to guard the Fleshtons if they were in one place, however, I don’t think the ranch is the best place.”

“Jarrod, I promised Heath I’d take them out to the ranch.” protested Nick loudly.

“I know, Nick.” soothed Jarrod before looking at the former marshal. “Our ranch has too many people on it and the chances of someone talking could be the downfall to the plan.”

“Yeah, I gotta agree with you there, Jarrod.” frowned Nate. “There are a lot of men working for you.”

“I thought you’d see it my way, Nate.” smiled Jarrod watching as the confusion in the gray eyes turned to denial.

“No way! I am not taking them to my ranch!” protested the former marshal, the prospect of spending time with the brothel owner under one roof left him shaking his head violently. “THIS IS NOT HAPPENING, BOYS!”

“Okay, Nate. I’ll just go let Audra and Cassidy that you didn’t want to help keep safe their brother and husband.” offered Nick with a shrug and walking to the door, stopping at the snarl behind him from the former marshal.

“Blackmail is against the law, Barkley!”

“Blackmail is such an ugly term.” tsked Jarrod, blue eyes twinkling in delight. “We are simply giving you something to consider. A consequence to your action of denial.”

Chuckling, Gene nodded in agreement, “We certainly are, big brother. Your generosity and caring is so…so….admirable, Nate.”

“Oh shut up, college boy!” retorted the former marshal, not quite sure how his suggestion had been turned around and used against him, the laughter of the three Barkley boys raising the hackles on his neck. The fate-worse-than-death look on the Fleshton siblings’ faces only further enhancing the dread inside him.

Chapter 32

Scowling at the three Barkley brothers, Nate turned his eyes towards the blond in the bed and jabbed the air with his finger, “So help me, Fleshton if you give me one reason to regret this, I’ll leave you tied up on the side of the road for Craven myself!”

“It’s not my idea!” whined Gaylord. “Geez!”

Fancy looked up and questioned, “What about Heath? Do you think he’ll be safe here in town?”

“I don’t think doc will let us move Heath yet. He just had surgery.” worried Nick.

Nodding, Jarrod replied, “We won’t need to move Heath yet not with Billy and us watching over him. We can even get a couple of the men from the ranch to stand guard until he can be brought home.”

“That’s a good idea.” agreed Gene then asking, “Can you spare some men Nick since you and Heath are both gone?”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Heath’s safe until this whole mess is done.” offered Nick emphatically, leaving no doubt in anyone’s minds as to the truthfulness of the statement and the protectiveness in the older man towards the younger.

“Alright, I’ll get a couple horses and hide them in the woods behind here. After dark, we’ll sneak out through the basement and out the storm cellar door, get to the horses and should be at my ranch a couple hours before sunrise.” stated Nate, receiving a round of nods in agreement before pondering out loud. “How are we going to get the word out about the escape into the night of these two?”

“What if tomorrow Dr. Merar eats breakfast in the restaurant and complains to Mrs. Lerner that one of his patients, Gaylord Fleshton left in the middle of the night without paying his bill?” suggested Gene. “You know she’s the biggest gossip this side of the Rockies.”

“Word will spread like wildfire when she’s through.” stated Nick with a sneer. “That woman can’t keep her mouth shut about anything. And if Miss Fleshton’s belongings were left behind at the hotel, it’d look like she was too scared to go back for them.”

“And the rumor may find its way to the ears of Craven or one of his pals.” said Fancy with a smile and shake of her head. “Yeah, there is nothing like an efficient rumor mill to get the word out.”

Snorting, Nick nodded, “At least this time, she can spread a rumor for good instead of bad.”

At the puzzled look on the face of Fancy, Jarrod sighed, “Mrs. Lerner saw your brother, who she thought was our married brother, kissing Eva Harrison. By the time their lips pulled apart, all of Stockton knew about it.”

Looking over at the blond twin of their brother, the darkness on the faces of the other four men in the room left Gaylord smiling nervously and shifting under their stares. “I didn’t know Heath was married, okay?”

“Gaylord, that doesn’t make it any better.” sighed Fancy. “I’m very sorry about all this.”

“It’s not your fault.” declared Nick with a smile before turning to pin the blond with his hazel eyes. “We all know who started this whole confusion.”

Rolling his eyes, Gaylord took a seat back on the bed and suddenly exclaimed, “What about Eva? I can’t have her thinking I deserted her!”

“It’s either that or take chances with you and your sister’s lives.” retorted Nate. “Personally, I like your sister and wouldn’t want to see any harm come to her. Now you, well, I’m not so sure I much care one way or the other.”

“Can’t I send her a note?” asked the blond, pleading softly.

“NO!” snapped the others in the room.

“What harm would a note do?” complained Gaylord. “One small piece of paper!”

Stepping closer, Nick pointed a finger at the smaller man and growled, “Start thinking with your head instead of with your…uh…uh….heart! If the widow knew where you were going, she’d want to come out and see you. She could ruin everything! That’s all we’d need.”

“But..”

“One more word, Fleshton, just one!” warned Nate. “Keep it up and I’ll hogtie then gag you! Think of Fancy for pete’s sake. Also, if Craven knew you were sweet on the widow he could use her against us. Do you want that on your conscience? Do you have a conscience?”

“Of course I have a conscience!” huffed Gaylord, his eyes filled with sadness in his bruised face. “I just don’t want to loose such a fine woman, is all.”

Squeezing her temples, Fancy bit her lip to stop the disdain lingering on the edge of her tongue before standing. “I think I’ll just see how Heath is doing.”

“Can I see him too?” questioned Gaylord looking at the wary faces. “I want to apologize in person.”

Shrugging when his brothers looked at him, Jarrod replied, “As long as you don’t get any idea to leave this building and don’t upset Heath, I guess it’d be okay.”

“Thanks.” smiled Gaylord before following his big sister to the door, well aware of the men shadowing his every step and breathing down his neck.

Knocking softly, Fancy heard the invitation and entered the room, making her way to the bed where Cassidy sat holding onto her sleeping husband’s hand.

Smiling, Cassidy whispered to the other female, “He’s finally sleeping peacefully now that his fever’s gone.”

“I’m glad.” whispered Fancy, turning to pull her brother closer. “Cassidy, this is my brother Gaylord. Gaylord, this is Heath’s wife, Cassidy Thomson.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thomson.”

“And you, Mr. Fleshton.” replied Cassidy softly, unable to take her eyes off the double standing across the bed, studying his features and categorizing the differences between the two men. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you.” offered the blond. “I wanted to tell Heath how sorry I was for, well, everything.”

“I’m sure Heath would like to hear what you have to say but for now, rest is what he needs, Mr. Fleshton.” offered Cassidy with a slight smile. “Perhaps when he feels better you two can talk.”

“Of course that’d be best for Heath but if he were too weak and couldn’t grab hold of me, I’d stand a better chance of walking away after our talk.” chuckled Gaylord nervously.

Biting back her laughter, Cassidy shook her head at the siblings who said their goodbyes and left the room. Entering the waiting area, the Fleshtons stood waiting as the evening plan was disclosed to the three women sitting in the room.

“Hey!” exclaimed Gaylord suddenly pointing to Faith Johnson. “How come she gets to leave? Craven may think she was here to see me. Do you think it’s wise to let her stay in town?”

“She doesn’t even know you!” snapped Nick. “No matter what you say, you’re still outta here tonight!”

“Wait, Nick. As much as I don’t want to admit it, he does have a point. If Craven’s watching the doctor’s office, he wouldn’t have any hesitation about grabbing a woman and her child.” groaned Nate massaging the back of his neck. “This is getting too blasted messy!”

Faith’s green eyes filled with fear at the former marshal’s words, her hands holding her daughter tightly against her side. Looking upward, she found the compassionate light blue eyes of the dark haired attorney who smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnson.” sighed Jarrod. “I believe Nate has a valid point. Until this is settled, perhaps it’d be best if you and your daughter…”

“Were guests at our ranch.” interjected Victoria with a smile, taking hold of the young woman’s arm. “I’d love for you and Angeline to stay with us for a bit. I realize you’d have to forego the opening of your shop for a bit but we’d be more than happy to help you start it up once we know everything is safe.”

“I don’t, uh, know.” hesitated Faith. “It could be everyone is overreacting, Mrs. Barkley.”

Taking a deep breath, Fancy shook her head and cleared her throat. “I know this man Mrs. Johnson and it’d be best if you took Mrs. Barkley up on her offer. Please think of your daughter and hopefully it wouldn’t be for long.”

Jarrod found he was holding his breath waiting for the green eyed woman to answer, his heart floundering in his chest and he let out a relieved sigh when she agreed. His eyes found her face and his smile warmed the green eyes immensely before she glanced down at the red head of hair laying against her.

Chapter 33

Nick sighed with relief as the three shadows blended in with the night darkness. Sitting atop Coco, he waited til he couldn’t hear the sound of their horses before turning back towards town. The stillness of the night wrapped around him and he nudged Coco into a cantor, anxious to return to the physician’s office.

Tying the dark horse in front of the building, he climbed the stairs and entered, making his way to the back, nodding to Scotty who stood guard in the hallway. Opening the door, the rancher stopped by the bed studying the relaxed face of his brother before taking a seat in the nearby chair, stretching out his long legs and propping his feet on the edge of the bed. The quiet of the room quickly easing its way through the tension in his body, closing his eyes as his cheek rested on his fist.

The night stole away soundlessly, the darkness slowly faded into the colors of the new day, the sun was barely pulling itself up over the horizon when Jarrod entered the physician’s office with Billy. The deputy relieved the tired ranch hand who left and headed to the hotel for some sleep. Billy took his place on the familiar chair in the hallway, the schedule of protection worked out with the sheriff and the family yesterday.

Opening the door, Jarrod’s searching eyes were met with sapphire and a lop-sided grin. Waving his older brother into the room, Heath smirked at the sounds of deep sleep filling the air. Smiling widely, Jarrod held a finger to his lips and winked, silently making his way over to the dosing man and shouting.

“FIRE, NICK!”

Startled from his deep sleep, the long legs pushed back off the bed and toppled the chair onto its side before Nick rolled over and jumped to his feet, his eyes wild and disoriented with slumber. The chuckling of his brothers cleared the confusion in the hazel eyes away and he snapped.

“What the hell are you doing, Jarrod? I should bust you a good one for that! You could’ve given me a heart attack!”

Smiling innocently, Jarrod sighed, “At least you wouldn’t have to go far for medical help, Nick.”

Picking up the chair, Nick grabbed his hat from the floor and smacked it against his leg, his face red with embarrassment and anger. “SMART ASSES!”

“Ouch!” groaned Heath, holding onto his chest and side, eyes sparkling with laughter as he stammered. “You shoulda seen yourself, twitbrain!”

Despite the anger at being the brunt of the brotherly joke, Nick was unsuccessful as he tried to hide the smirk which twisted his lips. Jarrod clapped the black vested back and snickered.

“Sorry, I just couldn’t stop myself, Nick.”

Rolling his eyes, Nick scowled, “In case you forgot big brother, we got some important things to discuss with little brother here. This ain’t the time for foolishness!”

Raising an eyebrow, Jarrod winked at Heath before nodding and taking a seat in the chair before his scowling brother could reclaim it. Nick huffed and sat on the bed, offering his blond brother a wide grin.

“You look better today, Heath.”

“Feel better, Nick. Can’t wait to get outta here.” sighed Heath, the long period of uninterrupted healing sleep replenishing his reserves of strength. “Any idea where my beautiful bride is hiding?”

“Cassidy’s at the ranch.” informed Nick. “Took us quite a while to convince her last night to take a break from your bedside and get some rest. Tim’s gonna bring her in later.”

“She was exhausted, Heath.” added Jarrod. “Mother’s taking good care of her.”

Entering the room, Howard smiled at the brothers and made his way to the bedside of his patient. “Morning, Heath. Thought I’d stop in and check you out before I go to breakfast at the hotel.”

“Oh oh, doc. Did you and the missus have a spat?” teased Heath quietly as the physician studied his handiwork. “Is that why you’re eating at the hotel?”

Chuckling, Howard shook his head and gestured to the others in the room after replacing the bandage. “No, it’s part of the grand plan. You’d best ask your brothers. Looks good, Heath.”

“So, when can I leave?” asked Heath quickly. “Today?”

Letting out a deep breath, Howard laughed, “I should have known by now that would be your first question and no, you are not leaving today or tomorrow. Perhaps if you behave yourself, I’ll consider letting you go home in three days.”

“Three days?” complained Heath.

“Three days but if you are not on your best behavior, I’ll add more days.” threatened Howard with a wink, heading to the door and looking back at the two dark haired men. “I’ll stop by after breakfast.”

“Okay, Howard.” said Jarrod. “Good luck!”

Waiting til the door closed behind the family friend, Heath questioned, “Good luck with what? What plan is doc talking about?”

Retaking his seat on the bed, Nick ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “We got a lot to fill you in on, little brother. Just sit back and don’t say anything til we’re done. You care to start, Pappy.”

“Well, Heath it’s like this…” started Jarrod, calmly divulging all the events since the night of the attack in the livery. “So, we think whatever this Craven wants is tied to the case you were working on when you had to impersonate Fleshton.”

“I can’t figure if the murder of Archer somehow fits in with all this mess.” growled Nick.

“How can it, Nick? It doesn’t make sense.” offered Jarrod.

“After I left the marshal service and settled on the ranch, I didn’t realize who he was when I saw him for the first time. He’d changed quite a bit over the past years.” mumbled Heath quietly, remembering clearly that day for a moment before his thoughts were interrupted by his confused brothers.

“Saw who, Heath? Craven?”

“No. Phil Archer was Ike Craven’s defense attorney.” informed Heath watching the shock appear on his brothers’ faces. “Craven was sentenced to life in prison. It wasn’t Archer’s fault. Jarrod, even you couldn’t have gotten Craven to be found innocent. There was just too much evidence against him along with my testimony, Fanny’s and some of his own men who turned state’s evidence to save their own necks from being stretched.”

Whistling, Nick shook his head, “That would be too much of a coincidence, wouldn’t you say? Archer murdered the same night you’re almost done in by this guy.”

“I’d like to think it is but I don’t think so, Nick.” whispered Heath, wincing as he coughed and gratefully drinking the glass of water thrust into his hand.

Leaning his head back, Heath closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, the pain while ever constant from his injury and the physician’s surgery, seemed to be refueled by the coughing attack. Taking several shallow breaths, the blond smiled at the hand which held onto his. Opening his eyes, he nodded at the concerned hazel eyes spearing deep into his.

Jarrod sat forward in the chair and hesitated for only a moment, “Miss Fleshton told us she pretended to be your….uh….friend and Nate told us the operation lasted two months but we didn’t have time to go into all the details last night, Heath. I think knowing what went on at that time is the key to this whole thing.”

Frowning, Heath bit his lip and questioned quietly, “Fanny told you that?”

“Yes, she did.” responded Nick, watching the frown as it appeared on the younger man’s face.

“I admit we were all shocked to say nonetheless but we understand it was just an act.” admitted Jarrod. “Heath, I know Nate said she was her brother’s bookkeeper but why then is she so terrified of this man?”

Chapter 34

Running the questions through his mind, the blond stared at a spot on the far wall and his brothers watched his eyes turn reflective, the present gone and the past taking its place. Heath leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling for several minutes before letting out a small sigh.

“Craven and his men were a bunch of cutthroats. They had no problems with killing men, women or children. Didn’t much matter to them. They would make raids into Nevada and Utah from their base in the Grand Wash Cliffs of Arizona. Hit and run tactics, kill anyone who tried to stand up to ‘em, steal whatever they could before heading back. They didn’t even leave behind orphans.”

Nick and Jarrod waited til the cloudiness in the sapphire eyes slowly cleared, the memories of what happened as strong as yesterday to the former lawman. Heath glanced at his attentive brothers, accepting Nick’s help to sit up against the headboard of the bed before continuing.

“Two marshals were murdered trying to find the gang’s hangout then one of Larkin’s snitches showed up one day with some interesting information. Seemed Craven had taken to hanging out at this brothel. Larkin slipped into Wolf Hole and had a talk with the proprietor. The owner knew who Craven was but he wasn’t able to do anything about Craven and his men. Poor guy was a lunger who came from the east for his health. Craven running loose isn’t good for anyone’s health.”

Nick nodded, “You’re an example of that, Heath.”

Heath growled, “It mighta been a different story if they hadn’t almost busted my leg. Next time it’ll be someone else’s blood on the ground.”

Taking a breath, Jarrod stated firmly, “Time for that later, boys. So where does Fleshton come in?”

“Seems this owner had just received an offer from the notice he put in the paper and Gaylord was the only one who responded. He was coming from New Orleans and was due to arrive in two weeks. Larkin came up with the plan to put a man in his place cause nobody would know what he’d looked like. We staked out the depot in Flagstaff and waited for him to show up. When he stepped off the train, he was brought to the office and I thought I was lookin’ in a mirror.” remembered Heath with a slight shiver.

“Course Jack had a good ole time with the resemblance. That’s when he thought I should go since we looked so much alike. I agreed…”

“Nate said you pleaded with Larkin to let you infiltrate the gang instead.” interjected Nick with a wink. “He said you thought that’d be safer than running a brothel with all those women.”

Turning redder, Heath clenched his jaw and glared at his two smiling brothers, before mumbling, “I’m gonna wring Nate’s neck when I get out of here.”

“Little brother, if you get any redder someone could mistake you for a beet.” teased Jarrod with a wink.

Rolling his eyes at the chuckles, the blond snapped, “You want to know what happened or not?”

Assuring the flustered younger man they indeed wanted to continue hearing the story, it took some deep breaths to push the laughter in the two men down and they nodded when they were ready to continue.

“I took Fleshton’s place and arrived a week early. The owner was more than glad to pass the keys over and he took the next train outta town. I was able to make contact with Craven’s men, mostly just from overseeing the workings of the business and playing cards in the bar area. I didn’t push anything with his men but didn’t hold back either. If they pushed, I pushed back hard but fairly. If they celebrated, I made sure they were taken care of with whatever they wanted. It was flowing smoothly until it happened.”

“What?” asked Jarrod and Nick together

“The unexpected arrival of Fanciful Fleshton, big sister to Gaylord Fleshton, chief bookkeeper and investor.” groaned Heath wiping a hand across his face and stifling his yawn.

“Miss Fleshton told us briefly about entering the office and seeing you weren’t her brother. Then you kissed her because this Craven was also coming in the office.” informed Jarrod.

Nodding, the blue eyes filled with fury and his words became clipped from anger, “Yeah, but the real fireworks happened after Craven left. Boy howdy, what a mess it became. I tried to get Larkin to pull the plug after Fanny showed up. But, this was the closest anyone’d ever gotten and...well…Larkin’s bosses figured I could keep her safe, outta harm’s way. If I couldn’t, they acted like she was expendable or something.”

“I’m sure they didn’t consider it like that, Heath.” assured Jarrod calmly.

“Oh, please Jarrod!” snapped Heath, his face contorting in pain when he forgot his injuries and tried to sit up. Jumping up, Nick grabbed onto the trembling shoulders and pushed the blond back against the stack of pillows.

“Settle down, Heath.” soothed Nick watching the pained look falling away as the smaller man took in some shallow breaths.

Jarrod stood beside the bed running a hand over the blond hair, concerned eyes meeting hazel over the blond’s head, the scowl on the tanned face not changing the gentle tone of his brother’s words.

“Sorry.” whispered Heath finally gaining control over the surge of pain.

“Don’t sit up like that again.” growled Nick.

“Smartest thing I’ve ever heard you say, twit brain.” shot back Heath before looking at his oldest brother.

“Heath, we can finish later, you should get some rest before we go any further.” suggested Jarrod pouring a glass of water.

Shaking his head, the blond accepted the glass and drank it down gratefully. “No, let’s get it done.”

Jarrod pulled the chair closer, sitting forward and nodding. “Is Craven the reason Miss Fleshton shot you?”

“Yeah.” admitted Heath, his face darkening as he recalled. “Craven became obsessed with Fanny. I think cause she was untouchable and he couldn’t have her. He would froth at the mouth every time she was around. It was hard for Fanny to pretend to be…uh…she had to…god…she had to act familiar with…and she’d never….”

The lids on the tortured sapphire eyes closed for a moment and his hand reached up to squeeze his temples, whispering softly. “We were close to wrapping everything up when Craven got wise to who I was or maybe sensed something was wrong. One of the girls overheard him saying he was gonna have Fanny shoot me with my own gun. I had no idea how he was gonna do it, cause Fanny wouldn’t willingly pull the trigger on any weapon. She told me, Nate switched the bullets and put in blanks. Never found out how but someone seen him do it and after I was knocked out, real ones were put back in the chambers.”

Wiping a shaky hand down his face, the opened eyes couldn’t meet his brothers’ concerned orbs before he finished, his face turning down and the nausea rising up from deep within. “Craven slipped her something and she didn’t know what she’d done til…afterwards…when she was fighting to save my miserable life after he was done with her. She never should’ve been there. I couldn’t keep her safe and he damn near killed her.”

Chapter 35

Neither man moved, they were cemented in place, their stomachs knotted and twisted with anger, revulsion and fear over what Heath painstakingly revealed to them. The blond’s body was trembling from reliving the nightmarish events and his strength was sapped from him. Closing his eyes, he opened them again, studying the pattern of the blanket covering his lower torso forcing the relived scene from his head.

Nick stared at the blond head and the downturned face. He fought to connect the feisty raven haired woman from earlier with the same woman who’d been with his brother in the past. Taking in a gulp of air, he remembered the pure terror in the dark eyes of Fancy Fleshton when Heath revealed who had assaulted him in the livery, the name of the man invoking a fear seeded deep within her.

Running a large hand through his hair, Nick reached up and wiped his face with both hands, seeking to clear the graphics his eyes flashed. He didn’t want the images in his mind to be there when he saw her next. He didn’t want those pictures to be what he saw when he looked at her.

With each image and each vile picture created, his anger simmered hotter. His jaw clenched and his muscles quivered until internally he’d reached a boiling point. How can a man perpetrate such a heinous act? It was an act of cowardice, an act to make the man feel superior and all powerful. It was an act of violence inconceivable to the dark haired man.

Jarrod’s head was in his hands, his elbows on knees which were shaking and trembling. His stomach clenched in repulsion and his eyes filled with tears. Tears for those whose memories were haunted and fearful. Tears for his brother and the slender woman being forced to relive those moments of darkness.

His little brother’s voice, tortured with guilt and choking with the emotions as he spoke, rang in his ears even though the room was silent. He could recall times in the past years when he ached to know more about the life of the former marshal before he came to be in their family.

He could recall times when his need to know and his brother’s reluctance to venture back to those times left him feeling slighted almost as if he felt Heath was holding back, unwilling to share as a brother. Now, the oldest child felt shame for the annoyance or brusqueness he’d shown when Heath wouldn’t elaborate, confide or was elusive about his past life.

He now understood what Heath meant two months after they returned from the mission at San Reyes when he’d been trying to pry information out of his tightlipped brother. ‘I been to places and seen things no one should ever experience. You think to know me you need to know those times. That’s not me Jarrod. I’m here with you and that’s what’s important. This moment now…not the past.’

Taking shallow breaths to stop the eruption from within, it took minutes before the smooth and debonair attorney could find calm in the shocky waters surrounding him. Silently, he vowed to see the demon from the past lives of the former marshal and the siblings was unable to further damage either of the three.

“Heath?” said Jarrod after pushing up onto his shaky legs and standing by the bed. The blond head shook negatively before it turned away to face the wall and his injured body sagged back against the pillows. “Heath, it’s not your…”

“Don’t! Don’t try to say it’s not my fault!” hissed the blond furiously, his eyes closed against the harsh pain inside and out. “God, don’t try to rationalize what we lived through! I placed her in harm’s way and she paid the price! You weren’t there so don’t tell me what to think or feel!”

Jarrod stood riveted from the rage filled words and simply nodded his answer, his brother was right. They hadn’t been there, only he was. While they were sickened by what Craven had done to both he and Fancy, the living through it and the suffering afterwards couldn’t be understood fully by outsiders. Never would anyone ever fully be able to comprehend the aftermath of that day.

Opening his mouth, despair filled blue eyes turned from the blond’s profile at the hand on his shoulder. Nick shook his head and moved the hand squeezing his brother’s shoulder to his back.

“Heath, what do you think Craven is after?” questioned Nick, his voice unsteady from his anger directed at the unknown man.

Minutes passed before they heard a reply and the blond’s voice weakened from memories and lack of strength responded, “I don’t know what he wants, only Craven does for sure.”

“What can we do, Heath?” asked Jarrod. “Just tell us what you want us to do.”

Reaching up with a hand, the former marshal rubbed the emotion away from his eyes and slowly looked over at the older men. The fire in the hazel eyes drew his eyes first and he sighed, “Don’t go looking for him, Nick. I want your word cause I don’t wanna be lying here worrying about you. Please.”

Surprised at the blond’s reading of his mind, Nick let out a sigh of frustration and growled, “I give you my word I won’t seek him out but if I run across Craven, all deals are off.”

Nodding, Heath moved his gaze to the eyes of blue where despair and shame reflected in their depths. “Jarrod, I shouldn’t have…the wounds are raw after all this time and I know you mean well….uh….I’m sorry for growling at you.”

“No, you were right, Heath. We weren’t there and you have nothing to apologize for. I wasn’t trying to minimize what’d happened and didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I’m sorry.” stated Jarrod placing a hand on the shoulder closest to him.

Reaching up to cover the hand on his shoulder, Heath let out a tired sigh and squeezed his brother’s hand, “That’s all I can tell you about what happened until the trial took place. Fanny and I…well…we weren’t much good for a long while. We were put in protective custody and Jack took care of the rest of the operation, tidying up the loose ends and such.”

“Larkin, huh?” frowned Nick with a shake of his head. “I swear every time that guy’s around…bad things happen.”

“Nick, that ain’t true.” defended Heath receiving a glare from his partner.

“Yes, it is. First it was Freemont, hell he threw you out a window and we didn’t know if you’d walk again! He was Dan Nichols’ boss too and I think Larkin shoulda been able to figure out somehow there was a rogue marshal on the loose before he killed a woman and knocked you back down the staircase. We were damn lucky that fire he set didn’t spread to the rest of the buildings. Oh and then that business in Texas with Nate. Hell, you could’ve been blind permanently.” snapped the larger man bounding up from the bed and pacing the small room. “I think Larkin’s a bad omen, a bad penny that keeps popping up!”

“What about Jack capturing Mia Ling in Houston when I was there to see the specialist, huh? You forgot that one big brother.” pointed out Heath calmly.

“So he did something once that almost didn’t kill you.” growled Nick and crossing his arms over his chest, his face dark with worry. “I still don’t like it, Heath.”

“Nick…” replied the blond impatiently.

“What if I wire Jack to see what information he can offer or perhaps he has something he can give us to go on? He simply has to wire back. He doesn’t need to travel here from Ely.” suggested Jarrod, secretly knowing of Nick’s fear of his blond brother being pulled back into the life of a lawman.

Heath looked to Nick who hesitated and then nodded his agreement, the blond rolling his eyes before returning his gaze to Jarrod. “That’d be fine, Jarrod. Thanks.”

A knock on the door stopped any further words and Howard entered, stopping suddenly at the pale exhausted face of his patient. Biting back angry words, Howard simply pointed to the two standing men and pointed to the door, their faces turning red as if they were two errant school boys being sent to the principal’s office and they hurried out the door.

Heath sank further onto the pillows at the anger in his friend’s eyes, trying to conjure up a grin to offset the look, unable to squelch the risen temper and silently took the dose of laudanum and drinking it down, deciding silence was the best defense.

After his friend’s breaths of slumber filled the room, Howard shook his head and sighed to himself.

“Son, I swear your orneriness if gonna drive me to drink.”

Chapter 36

The gossip mongers in the community held true to their standards after their leader Mrs. Charity Lerner licked her lips in anticipation of hearing the newest tidbit from the town physician. By noon time, all of the town was aware of the flight into the night of the two siblings. The hotel owner handed over the belongings of the woman who never slept in her rented room to Sheriff Maden.

An uneventful week passed for the town, the citizens settled back into their daily routine, handling their normal chores and responsibilities. The past weeks of disturbing happenings were put in the past and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, happy for normalcy and boredom once again.

To an outsider it appeared the town was an ordinary western town, prospering and thriving under the California sun. The citizens knew of the escape into the night of the Fleshton siblings, however, they didn’t realize the ruse had been created to draw out a dangerous man.

To the crew on the Barkley ranch, the return of the marshal boss to his home was a reason for celebration and happiness. The blond was respected and well thought of. The attack and subsequent fear the wound was fatal had passed. Although unable to work with the crew side by side, the former marshal toiled away at the ledgers and chores around the home base to keep his day occupied.

Howard shook his head and closed his bag before picking up his hat, watching Heath sitting on the divan and buttoning his shirt. “Do you have any questions?”

“Doc, I need to head out…”

“Heath, your ribs aren’t healed enough yet for you to work and that’s final.” stated the healer firmly. “Also, your leg needs to rest. Walking is okay to keep the strength built up but it’s bruised deep inside. You don’t want to put too much of a strain on it.”

“Now, doc all I was…”

“Heath, you don’t know how to take it easy. You’ll end up back at my office again if you take on too much too soon.” retorted Howard.

“HOWARD!” called Heath waving his arms in the air to gain the physician’s attention. “Can you wait to hear what I gotta say before jumpin’ all over me?”

Howard smiled slightly and sat down, “I’m sorry, Heath. Your stubbornness brings out the watch dog in me. Please, go on with what you were going to say.”

“Sorry for yelling like Nick.” apologized Heath with a grin, knowing his chuckling friend only had his best interest at heart. “I’m not gonna ride til you say it’s okay. I have to head over to Nate’s to check on his guests and I’ll be taking the surrey.”

The surprise on the physician’s face couldn’t be kept hidden at the seeming good sense overriding the usual male Barkley desire to get back to return to work and physical activity.

Howard asked suspiciously, “Okay, what gives? Why are you agreeing not to ride til I say it’s fine? What’s going on?”

“I’m just trying to be a model patient is all.” replied Heath pushing himself to his feet and limping over to the fireplace, reaching up to straighten one of the pictures on the mantel.

“Is that right?” asked Howard frowning and puzzled at this foreign attitude from the former marshal. “Are you sure you’re Heath Thomson? The Heath Thomson, I know.”

Turning crimson, Heath rolled his eyes and sighed, “Cassidy said if I didn’t follow your instructions, there’d be hell to pay…actually she said heck but it left no doubt in my mind what she meant. I think her temper is worse than mine and Nick’s put together.”

Snickering, Howard smiled widely and walked over to the embarrassed man, clapping him lightly on the back. “Well, how about that! Isn’t marriage a wonderful thing, Heath? Ahhh…the things we do for the special ladies in our lives.”

Opening his mouth and scowling, Heath started to speak only to stop at the soft warning from the doorway, “Be careful what you say now, husband. The walls have ears.”

“Now darling, you know I would never go against your wishes.” smiled Heath innocently when his wife leaned into his side and slipped an arm behind his back.

“Sounds like Heath could be delirious, Dr. Merar.” teased Cassidy, sienna eyes sparkling with amusement. “I wonder if he has a new ailment.”

“He may have but I do believe it’s called being hogtied with love, Cassidy.” smiled Howard, winking at the increase of red on the young man’s face. “I’d best get going and riding in a surrey is fine Heath. Just don’t go driving like a maniac. I’ve seen both you and Nick driving too fast on occasion.”

Laughing, Heath nodded and offered. “I’ll see you out, doc.”

Waving off the offer, Howard picked up his bag, “Thanks but I can find my way. I’ll see you in one week.”

Saying their goodbyes to the physician, Heath waited til the family friend left the room and pulled his wife to his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he smiled and whispered, “How would you like to go for a ride with this broken down former marshal turned rancher?”

Sienna eyes sparkled with deviltry and Cassidy placed a lingering kiss on his lips before whispering back, “I’d love to go for a ride but don’t you think everyone will want to know why we’re in our bedroom in the afternoon?”

Sapphire eyes flared with desire before he captured her lips, the passionate delicacy leaving both hungering for more. Breaking off the kiss, Heath ran his finger down her jaw line to the neckline of her dress and smirking, “Boy howdy, that wasn’t quite the ride I had in mind darlin’ but I’m more than willing. You don’t even have to ask.”

Cassidy placed a tender kiss on his lips and winked, “Don’t worry, hon, I know you’re always ready and willing.”

Grinning, Heath chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, resting his cheek against her blonde hair. “Just keep it in mind for later, darlin’. For now, we’d best get to Nate’s and see how he’s holding up.”

Sighing against his chest, Cassidy ran her hands up his broad back before moving her face to his, lips meeting again with a promise for a long night.

Chapter 37

Sending his wife upstairs to change into her riding outfit, Heath limped over to stand in front of the fireplace, sapphire eyes lifting to study the portrait above it. Some of the characteristics in the man’s face reflected in his own and he sighed recalling the conversation he’d had in this room with his mother.

Two days before and sitting behind the massive oak desk, Heath shifted in his chair. Itching from the stitches closing the two openings in his chest, one from the knife and the other from Howard’s scalpel, his leg still pained from the deep bruising. The wrap binding his ribs irritated him and he scowled, tossing the pencil onto the desk, running his hands through his hair and locking his entwined fingers behind his neck.

He couldn’t seem to conjure up the patience needed to deal with the inactivity the family physician decreed as his sentence. His family would be circling around each time he moved, concerned his leg would buckle and give out in its injured state. Their worry worked against him almost like a caustic agent does on any surface it met.

In a way their hovering reassured the loner in him of their acceptance and love, yet, in another way it was stifling to the inner man who’d handled his own worries, problems and concerns for a lot of years on his own.

Anxious for the day when he would be back working beside Nick outdoors and away from paperwork. Anxious to know if the ruse worked and Craven left the area. He was anxious to have this whole business taken care of, have life return to normal and move through the coming days and weeks without having to wait for the next boot to drop.

Shaking his head, Heath wondered at what point had he become this champion for complacency and normalcy. No matter what occurred in the past, he suddenly realized he was settled with this family, settled with the future goals they’d set for their holdings, settled and happy with everyone in his family, except for one person.

Sitting back, he leaned his head against the leather headrest, his eyes finding the oil picture of his father. His father. He only knew the man from what he’d heard since arriving in Stockton, what he’d read in the papers and what he’d gleaned from past stories told by his siblings. Even now, his brothers and sister tried everyday to follow in the man’s footprints, trying to live their lives to a standard he’d set for them before his death.

He’d hurt his mother when he’d slandered her husband’s name. At the time of the emotional upheaval, he’d was under a tremendous anger and overwhelming confusion. It was easy to lash out at him, protest vehemently he was not the same as the man they known all their lives.

Yes, he knew of all the good and charitable deeds Tom Barkley had accomplished before his life was taken by an assassin’s bullet. But to the former marshal, the boy he unknowingly left to grow up labeled from birth, he couldn’t simply smile and condone his father’s actions. He’d never be able to swallow the bitter pill and simply move on.

Victoria stood in the doorway of the study studying his profile as Heath scrutinized the portrait of his father. She could remember the scene in the foyer as if it happened mere minutes before.

“HOW COULD YOU, HEATH? CASSIDY LOVES YOU!” shouted Nick from his knees, his body trembling with shock and fury, his hands clenched into fists, the knuckles bleeding from the exchange of blows. “YOU DISGRACED HER AND YOUR MARRIAGE!”

The sharp intake of breath was heard throughout the foyer and the blond snapped in retaliation, lunging against the hands holding him in place, “I’M NOT HIM! I’M NOT MY FATHER! I’M NOT THE SAME AS THAT SONOFA…”

“You will not speak of your father in that manner, Heath Thomson. He was not a perfect man and that sneer will not be tolerated.” stated Victoria firmly and through her tears. “No matter what, he was your father and I’m your mother.”

It seemed so recent and yet, was in actuality weeks ago. The after effects from the time of turmoil caused by Gaylord Fleshton’s single public kiss lingered still in the mansion. Several times since Heath returned home she had sought him out and each time she stopped, haunted and confused at her thoughts. She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to accomplish with the conversation.

Did she want him to accept his father for who he was without question and reservation? Was it so important to her for him to accept wholeheartedly his father? Why should Heath do such a thing?

Tom wasn’t there while he was growing up in Strawberry, he wasn’t there when his son went to war and he wasn’t there when he came back from the dreaded Carterson prison. He wasn’t there to shop his son from heading to Spanish Creek to kill Frank Sawyer, who thankfully, saw something in Heath that dark night and pulled him back onto the right side of the law. Tom wasn’t there to hold his son and comfort him when his mother was murdered because one of his fellow peers was tainted.

Her husband, her soul mate wasn’t there when one of his sons needed him. Not because of conscious thought but simply because he didn’t know of his very existence.

‘Ignorance is not always bliss.’ thought Victoria as she lay in her bed and stared at her husband’s framed picture for several nights in a row, seeking answers in the moonlight shining in through the window.

She knew Tom would have been as proud as Heath as he were of all his children. For her husband was that type of person, that type of man. A man who put his family above his need for wealth and recognition. He’d done it willingly and not out of responsibility but out of love.

Clearing her throat in the doorway, his mother startled him from his own internal ponderings and he pushed himself up to his feet as she neared.

“Heath, what are you doing in here?” questioned Victoria quietly, placing a kiss on his cheek and directing him to sit, watching the clenching in his jaw from the pain as he lowered himself into the soft leather chair.

Gesturing to the ledger on the desk, the blond sighed, “Just some paperwork, Mother. Nick’s flying high these days cause he can leave it all to me.”

Laughing, Victoria brushed her fingers across his cheek before moving to lean against the desk. “Paperwork has never been Nick’s favorite past time. Getting him to do his homework when he was in school was always a grand battle.”

“I imagine it was hard to keep him sitting in one place long enough.” smiled Heath, his eyes showing a hint of sadness for the years they’d missed out on before he looked away, seeking to wipe the thoughts from his mind.

Reaching over, she turned his face back to her and shook her head at him, “Heath, I want to apologize for slapping you that day. It was…”

“No, Mother.” interrupted the blond quickly. “I was angry and outta control. I never should’ve said those things. I was wrong.”

“It’s never wrong to be true to what you feel or believe, sweetheart.” offered Victoria taking his hand in hers and silencing his protest with a finger on his lips.

“Yes, you were angry and confused that day. I was wrong when I said no matter what he was your father. He was never your father in the ways that matter most. He was never there for you growing up as a child. He should have been there but we can’t change the fact he wasn’t. I know if you hadn’t been in such a whirlwind of emotion, you’d have never made such a statement in my presence.” offered Victoria calmly, before smiling. “Sometimes I forget you weren’t here as a child. I forget because to me you are the same as your brothers and sister in my heart. You have an equal share of my love and will have for the rest of eternity. It’s hard to remember when you haven’t been my son.”

Studying the gray eyes filled with nothing but love, Heath heard the sincerity in her words, the tone of her soothing voice as he raised her hand and placed a kiss on it.

“I love you too, Mother.” replied Heath before sighing, “Still what I said wasn’t right. You and the family knew him…father…and I don’t want anyone to feel as if they can’t talk about him when I’m around. That wouldn’t be right just cause I don’t have the same experiences with hi…father.”

Victoria leaned over and wrapped her arms around him, placing a kiss on the top of his head, before lifting his face upwards by his chin. “You are so much like him in so many ways, Heath. You inherited from your father a certain trait which draws others to you, no matter how much you try to hold them at arm’s length. People gravitate towards the goodness and gentleness in you. It’s funny in a way because it appears only you and Audra have that trait, only his blond children.”

“Nick and Jarrod are leaders in this community, Mother. The people look up to them.” replied Heath with uncertainty. “I’ve seen how people listen to their every word.”

Nodding, Victoria said, “Nick and Jarrod’s qualities of leadership were learned at their father’s knees. He groomed them from the time they could walk and talk for success, for handling our vast entities. Yes, your brothers are leaders in the community and are respected. They have earned that respect over the years, worked hard for it and they were rewarded for all their toils. You are like your father….you simply do because inside you have an innate sense of business, you exude an inner confidence and people find they trust you from the onset. I want you to know Tom would have been as proud as you as he is of his other children, Heath. I know it without a doubt.”

Blushing slightly and becoming uncomfortable with the comparison, Heath scowled suddenly, “Mother, please don’t repeat what you’ve just said to Nick. He’ll probably start calling me the Thomson magnet or something. It took long enough for him to stop calling me Captain Heath after that Texas trouble.”

Laughing, Victoria held his face in her hands and nodded in agreement before placing a kiss on his forehead. “Anything for you, my son. I love you.”

“Heath?” asked Cassidy, rubbing her hand over his broad back.

“I’m sorry, darlin’.” apologized Heath, opening his arms in invitation. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Stepping into his arms, sienna eyes scrutinized her husband’s sapphire orbs before questioning. “You okay?”

Taking a breath and nodding, Heath smiled into his wife’s face, “Just going over what Mother said a couple days ago. I still find it kinda strange how without ever knowing my…father…I’m like him in some ways.”

“I guess it’s the same as inheriting eye color or facial features. It’s simply passed on somehow from generation to generation.” stated Cassidy with a shrug. “A mystery of life, I suppose.”

Holding her tighter to his body, Heath whispered, “Maybe we can ride over to Nate’s tomorrow? I can take ill and we can spend the afternoon in bed. How’s that sound?”

Blushing slightly, Cassidy brushed her lips over his before purring, “Exactly how many times do you think Mother will check on you once she finds out about your retaking ill?”

Groaning in exasperation, Heath placed a kiss on her lips before grabbing her hand, “Com’n wife, I suddenly feel one hundred times better! The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get back for an early evening.”

Chapter 38

“We’ll hook Charger to the surrey. That way we get to Nate’s quicker and back even faster. What do ya’ think darlin’?” winked Heath, his sapphire eyes twinkling at her.

“Heath!” protested Cassidy as her limping husband pulled her out the study, slapping his arm playfully and teasing for his ears only. “You keep up this rushing around and you won’t have to worry about what might happen later cause you’ll be exhausted.”

Stopping suddenly, Heath leaned down, brushed back a lock of his wife’s hair and whispered in her ear, “What do you mean might, my dear?”

“I don’t believe Howard has cleared you for that activity yet, husband.” whispered Cassidy with a smile, turning and walking into the foyer.

“CASS!” exclaimed Heath loudly, his voice ringing through the lower level of the mansion as he limped after his wife. “I DON’T NEED HIS PERMISSION TO….”

“Heath, must you yell like Nick.” chastised Audra with a snicker, puzzled at the flush covering his face when he heard her voice. “Whose permission don’t you need to do what?”

“Oh, he’s talking about…” smirked Cassidy, finding her husband’s hand covering her mouth.

“Uh, just you never mind about that Audra.” stammered Heath with a firm shake of his head.

Looking at her sister-in-law’s sparkling eyes and her brother’s crimson color, Audra rolled her eyes and huffed, “I already know about THAT Heath. I’m not a child for heaven’s sake.”

“AUDRA!” choked the former marshal, his expression sending both women into laughter. “This is not funny you two!”

Walking in from the kitchen and munching on an apple, Nick felt a pang of sympathy for the color sported by his brother and was curious as to what was occurring. “You girls are giggling so loud I thought there was ten of you out here. What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, Nick.” grumbled Heath trying to silence the two snickering woman with a glare. “Cass and I are going for a ride. We’ll be back later.”

“Where to?” asked his two siblings at the same time, the Sunday passing slow with Jarrod, Angeline, Faith and their mother in Stockton.

“Over to Nate’s.” informed Cassidy. “Dr. Merar says Heath can ride in the surrey.”

“Can I come with you?” asked Audra with a wide smile. “I haven’t been out all week.”

“Hey, let’s make it a family visit!” offered Nick quickly, suddenly the thought of Heath traveling with Craven out on the loose sent a red flag in front of his face and much to his brother’s chagrin, the larger man was more than happy to invite himself along. “I’ll hitch up the surrey and meet you outside. I’m anxious to see if Nate has any hair left after a week with Fleshton.”

“I’m gonna run upstairs for just a moment.” said Audra, leaving the couple standing in the foyer as she ran up the grand staircase and called over her shoulder. “I’ll be right back!”

“SIS, IF YOU AIN’T READY IN FIVE MINUTES, WE’RE LEAVING!” threatened Heath loudly after his fleeing sister.

“Honey, you know you wouldn’t leave Audra behind no matter how long she takes.” smirked Cassidy.

“Well, so much for a ride alone with my wife.” mumbled the former lawman. “Maybe we should wait for Pappy, Mother and the others. They might wanna come too.”

Cassidy shook her head and pulled his arms around her back, smiling tenderly into the tanned face, “I think seeing their eyes twinkle with excitement is so sweet.”

“What?” queried Heath placing a kiss on his wife’s lips. “Oh, you mean Audra and Nate? Yeah, I guess so.”

“Not Audra and Nate, silly. Nick.”

“Nick?” repeated Heath with a negative shake of his head. “I can’t recall anyone saying he was sweet before. Nah. He’s more the sour variety.”

“Heath!” scolded Cassidy. “You know he’s not like that at all.”

“Why exactly are we talking about here anyway?” suggested Heath narrowing his eyes at the scheming look in the sienna eyes. “Cass?”

Pulling back further to look at her husband’s face, Cassidy stared and then sighed with exasperation, “I can’t believe you haven’t seen it, Heath. How could you not have noticed?”

Running a hand over his hair and massaging his neck, the blond sighed loudly, “Cass, Nick doesn’t like people talking about when he gets mushy like a marshmallow. I know he’s soft inside but if you say anything to him, we won’t have a moment’s peace on the ride over! He can be touchy about stuff like that!”

“Honey, Nick is very interested in someone.” hinted Cassidy with an arched eyebrow.

“Faith? He’s got some competition cause she and Jarrod seemed to hit it off pretty good.” frowned Heath.

“It’s Fancy. Miss Fleshton!” stated Cassidy. “You can track a horse across rock but you can’t see this! Heath, ever since the Fleshtons have gone out to Nate’s, Nick’s been moping around and all anxious.”

Shaking his head in denial, Heath snorted, “Nick, doesn’t mope honey and he’s not anxious, he just needs to always be moving. He can’t ever sit still…that’s just him. Maybe he just isn’t moving enough lately and you ain't’ used to it yet when he’s calm.”

“Oh, really?” challenged Cassidy lowering her voice when Audra descended the stairs. “Mark my words, Heath. Watch when we get out to Nate’s. Then later you can admit I’m right.”

Any reply to the smugness in his wife’s words couldn’t be made due to the appearance of a freshly clothed Audra. Opening the door for the two ladies, Heath made his way to the surrey, helping his wife up before taking a seat in the front beside his partner and brother.

Glancing over, Heath studied his brother’s profile during their conversation as the ride progressed under the warm sun. The ladies chatted in the back and Heath rolled his eyes at the sudden anticipation springing into the hazel eyes as the small ranch came into view.

Turning slightly, he saw the same look of excitement on his sister’s face and sighed, his wife leaning forward and whispering, “Told ya’ so.”

Stopping the rig in front of the small house, the ladies entered the house and the men were greeted by a less than enthusiastic Nate on his way back from the barn.

Glaring at the two brothers, Nate gestured towards the man lagging behind and hissed, “You boys owe me for this!”

“Nate, what happened to your face?” asked Heath, reaching up and turning the brown haired man’s face with a hold on his chin. The side of his friend’s face darkened with a bruise, a perfect deep purple, black line gracing the side of his face and running almost the length of his head.

Gesturing to his face, Nate snapped, “This is from Gaylord offering to help me fix the loft in the barn. This sprained wrist is from letting him try to be helpful and saddle my horse. That man is like a bad penny. Always showing up and never really doing any good! I’d rather face a dozen outlaws unarmed than spend my nights wandering what the hell Fleshton’s gonna do when he’s helping me the next day!”

Chapter 39

Nodding to the group of men, Gaylord walked past keeping a wide berth between himself and the host on his way to the house, thankful to reach the dwelling and leaving the uneven tempered former marshal behind.

Nate jerked his face out of Heath’s hold and scowled at the laughter in the sapphire eyes. The past two weeks left him seriously considering a return to a profession as a lawman, the helpful ways of the brothel owner were becoming detrimental to his health.

Added to the sting of the bruises and injuries was the understanding of his friend and brother-in-law in the form of snickering he couldn’t keep under control. Nick bit his lip and stared at the ground, keeping his eyes turned downward to avoid looking at Heath’s amused countenance, afraid he’d bust a gut from laughing at his angry neighbor.

“Dammit, it’s not funny Heath.” snapped Nate gesturing with his wrapped arm. “I think he’s bad medicine. A bad omen or something.”

Rolling his eyes, Heath took a breath to stop his snickers before offering, “Nate, Gaylord doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body. He’s never worked on a ranch before. Hell, he was born in the back of a brothel and spent his life in the ones his daddy owned. He can’t help it.”

“Well, that makes me feel so much better!” hissed the brown haired man.

Surprised at the information handed out by his younger brother, Nick glanced sharply at the blond, “Sounds like you almost like Fleshton, little brother. I thought you were anxious to get rid of him.”

“I never said I didn’t like him, twit brain.” drawled Heath with a shrug. “I don’t like what’s happened since he’s been in Stockton and he can be very….trying at times is all. Nate, ya’ can’t expect him to be comfortable in an environment that’s foreign. It’d be like Nick here trying to work in a china shop. Can ya’ picture that?”

“I see smart ass is back!” snorted Nick, glaring at the smirking blond.

Despite his previous anger, Nate smiled at the burst of growling from the dark haired rancher before asking in exasperation, “Can’t you take him to your ranch now? I think I’ve suffered enough.”

Shaking his head, Heath replied, “Not til we know where the hell Craven is. I’m not putting Fanny in danger til we know where that slimeball is hiding.”

“Has Jarrod heard anything yet from Larkin?” asked Nate. “It’s been long enough since he wired.”

“No, not yet.” said Nick, watching the dark look pass over the face of his little brother. “Jarrod and Mother took Miss Johnson and her daughter back to town. They’re gonna help her get set up to open her shop this week. He was gonna check the telegraph office while he was there.”

Heath’s eyes were turned towards the land past the small barn of his friend’s ranch, half-listening to the conversation of the other two men, his thoughts trying to put the rest of the pieces together. He couldn’t fight the feeling which passed over him for a slight moment, a feeling of being watched, his eyes scanned the area around the buildings and seeing nothing out of place.

“Heath, something wrong?” queried Nick quietly, bringing his brother back to the area where he stood in the yard.

“No, I was just wondering what was keeping Jack from wiring back. He could be out on assignment or something, I reckon.” suggested the blond with a frown before stating. “Audra brought some oatmeal cookies, why don’t we go in and have some coffee, see what the girls and Gaylord are up to?”

Gray eyes sparkled in anticipation and Nate clapped his hands together, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I love Audra’s oatmeal cookies.”

Nick and Heath looked at each other, shaking their heads in disbelief before following the excited rancher into the small house. Nudging his limping brother, Nick whispered out of the side of his mouth, shaking off a shiver.

“There’s something seriously wrong with your friend, Heath. I think he’s the only one whose ever liked Audra’s cooking.”

Nodding, Heath smirked, “Yeah, good thing for sis Nate was born with a cast iron stomach and no taste buds.”

Laughing loudly, Nick waited til his recovering brother slowly climbed the steps with his bruised leg before bounding up onto the porch. Following the blond into the house, the men took off their hats, hazel eyes sparkled at the raven haired girl who blushed slightly under the welcoming eyes.

Cassidy leaned into her husband who took a seat beside her on the bench, his arm finding its way around her back, nodding his thanks when Fanny placed a cup of coffee in front of him. Nick smiled into the eyes he had come to the conclusion were the color of a dark chocolate, his smile widening when she sat in the only seat open at the table, beside him.

Heath watched his brother and Fanny across the table before glancing over to Gaylord, his double’s sapphire eyes not leaving the two dark haired people further down the table, the frown on his face seemed a permanent fixture. Cassidy smiled at the shy looks passing between Nick and Fanciful, both appearing to be tongue tied with the proximity of the other.

Audra smiled at her beau’s delight over the oatmeal cookies, his compliments sending a rose color to her cheeks. The blonde girl sighed with contentment and gazed into the gray eyes of Nate, his hand reaching under the table to take hold of hers, offering a gentle squeeze.

“Audra, why don’t we take a walk before you have to head back?”

Looking at her brothers who nodded in agreement, Audra smiled, “I’d love to, Nate.”

Beaming with happiness, Nate stood and pulled out her chair, offering his arm and leading the blonde to the door. Closing the door and stepping into the yard, Nate slowly strolled with Audra, hand in hand around the yard. Stopping in the barn to look at his newest foal, the former marshal smiled as he watched her face light up in delight at the new baby, her excited voice a pleasure to his ears.

Reaching up, he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, the foal was forgotten as she turned her face towards him, his fingers running over the outline of her jaw until his hand moved across her shoulder and down her back. Audra stepped closer and placed her palms on his chest, Nate lowered his head, hesitating only a moment before claiming the waiting lips.

Releasing her lips several minutes later, Nate caressed her cheek before lowering himself to one knee, holding her hand, he glanced up into the astonished tearing blue eyes.

“Audra Victoria Barkley, will you honor me by agreeing to be my wife?”

Chapter 40

Cassidy smiled at the quiet pair across the table, enjoying the looks each gave the other as they talked. Right now if she didn’t know better, she’d have thought Nick took on Heath’s persona that day, his natural brashness gone to be replaced with shyness and a certain nervousness. Much like the nervousness she’d first felt around her husband when he was the physically injured, emotionally explosive teenager of fifteen.

Fancy excused herself to clear the table and Cassidy stood to help the taller woman, both taking the dishes over to the sink. Whispering between themselves, their words not for the ears of men or a certain brother who had been constantly glancing between his sister and the dark haired rancher.

When the ladies left the table, Heath glanced moved closer to his body double and asked, “Gaylord, how are you holding up out here?”

Shrugging, Gaylord sighed, his cheek resting on his closed fist, his elbow setting on the chair of the arm, “It’s okay, Marshal...uh…Heath. I really need to get back to my businesses though. How much longer will we have to stay here?”

“I don’t know, Lord.” admitted Heath, using the shortened version of the brothel owner’s name. “We haven’t heard back from the wire Jarrod sent Larkin yet.”

“But Heath, maybe Craven’s gone. Nobody’s seen him or anything. We can’t stay here forever.” whined the blond before snorting. “Can’t say I care to see your boss again. I don’t like him much.”

Snorting, Nick nodded in agreement with the younger man, receiving a glare from his little brother across the table.

“What?” asked Nick with a smirk. “I’m only agreeing with Fleshton.”

Rolling his eyes, the former marshal replied, “Jack’s not coming here. He can just wire the information, Lord.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Gaylord smiled nervously, “That’s good. When he wires, then can we leave?”

Scowling, Heath didn’t answer the question, a sliver of doubt flickering in his head as he went over in his mind that time of years past. Nick frowned at the intensity in the sapphire eyes and he held his breath as the orbs took on a hardened look. Heath leaned his forearms on the table and unconsciously studied his body double for several minutes. Gaylord shifted in his seat at the piercing scrutiny and finally snapped.

“Will you cut that out! I never liked it when you’d do that.” protested the blond.

“Heath, stop scaring him.” added Nick firmly, watching as his little brother shifted further into lawman mode without difficulty.

“I don’t get it, Lord. Did something happen back then between you and Larkin that I don’t know about?” questioned Heath quietly. “Was it when Fanny and I were recovering, when we weren’t there Gaylord?”

Frustrated, the blond let out a shaky breath and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes imploring to the former marshal. “It’s not something you can just point out, it’s...I don’t know…like a feelin’ is all.”

“What kind of feeling?” puzzled Heath, eyes narrowing as his mind tumbled around and he felt a rise of guilt within him at his line of thought. “Lord?”

Glancing towards the women who passed by the table on their way outside to examine the flower beds, Gaylord waited til they were out of earshot, “He’s not the same as you, Heath. When I first met Larkin after the other marshals met me at the depot in Flagstaff, he was okay. Seemed likable enough and everything.”

Heath pushed the other blond for more information when he stopped. “And it changed at some point…”

Swallowing, Gaylord hesitated for a moment before continuing, “When they finally found you and Fancy, he was relieved and seemed….sincerely upset about both of you, he kept offering help or whatever else he could do. Then Craven and his men were rounded up while I was helpin’ the doc care for both of you, remember? We didn’t think either of you were gonna make it for a while.”

“Yeah, I remember some of that Lord.” stated Heath with a nod. “What else?”

“It was after that. His whole demeanor changed for some reason. He was irritable and on edge. Almost like he seemed to be lookin’ over his shoulder or something.” recalled Gaylord with a frown before glancing upwards. “It was like he became a different person, I don’t know, it’s kinda hard to explain it. He may seem like he’s the same type as you but I think deep down inside he ain’t. Like I said, it’s more of a feelin’. Sorry.”

Heath offered his double a small lop-sided grin and waved off the apology, “Don’t be sorry, Lord. It was a bad time and sometimes in those stressful situations, things take on a whole new meaning.”

The small grin on the tanned face didn’t reach the sapphire eyes and Nick felt his gut clench at the look in the sapphire eyes before they caught him studying him. Looking upward into the concerned hazel eyes, Heath took a deep breath and pushed himself up from the table, limping over to look out the window.

“Well, guess we should be getting back Nick.” suggested Heath looking back towards the two men at the table.

Nodding in agreement, Nick stood and walked to the door with Gaylord following, the three stepping out onto the porch. Cassidy and Fancy’s excited voices flowed through the ranch yard as they both hugged Audra and Nate.

“What’s going on over there?” wondered Nick out loud.

Clapping the larger man on the back, Heath smirked, “Guess whose gonna be your new brother-in-law, brother Nick? Nate asked Mother and Jarrod’s permission a couple days ago when he came to the ranch.”

“Well, it sure took him long enough!” snorted Nick, hazel eyes sparkling with happiness as he bounded down the steps and wrapped his sister in a giant hug before twirling her around.

Looking at Gaylord, Heath sighed at the man’s forlorn expression and reached over to squeeze the nearest shoulder. “I hear Eva Harrison is still in town and still unattached, Gaylord.”

Smiling at the bit of happy news, the brothel owner sighed, “She’s quite a woman, isn’t she?”

Heath teased, “She better be Lord for all the trouble you two have caused me these past weeks.”

Blushing, the younger man stammered, “Heath, you know I didn’t mean for all that to happen, not once. I…if I’d known…I wouldn’t have kissed her…well...not in public at least.”

His dark thoughts were brushed back by the skittish man beside him and the former marshal flashed a grin, deciding to let him off the hook. “Com’n let’s go give our congratulations to the happy couple.”

Limping down the stairs, Heath stopped when the other man grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes, “No matter how mad Jackson’s been getting lately at me, I know he’s one of the good guys like you.”

“Yes, he is.” stated Heath firmly before reassuring the man. “One of the best and don’t worry, he’ll protect you and Fanny like you were his children.”

Chapter 41

Nodding at the assurance the former marshal was handing him, Gaylord frowned and his face shadowed with worry as he watched the newly engaged couple across the ranch yard.

“What’s the matter now, Lord?” asked Heath stopping and watching his double’s face.

Lowering his head, Gaylord sighed in defeat and kicked at the ground with the toe of his boot, “I swear Heath, I really am trying. I know Jackson thinks I’m doing it on purpose but I’m not!”

Rolling his eyes at the whiny voice, Heath said calmly, “Nate knows you’re not used to manual labor, Gaylord. It’s not as bad as you’re probably thinkin’. Think of it as learning a new trade. Something to fall back on in case your whor…uh….brothels ever go under.”

“I can’t even saddle a damn horse without the thing falling off and rolling over to the side,” snorted the brothel owner in disgust, his head snapping up from the ground. “I can’t get the hang of this ranching business like Nate or even like that overgrown mammoth brother of yours. Hell, I got my pride too you know.”

“Gaylord, maybe you just need someone to show you the ropes?” suggested Heath watching the idea twirling round in the other blond head. “Because until I know where Craven is or what’s come of him, you and Fanny are stuck here. Just remember all this is for your own good, Lord, and Fanny’s safety. After everything’s settled then I’ll let you back loose on the world, okay?”

“Fine, Heath. I guess all this crap is my own damn fault anyways.” replied Gaylord, shoulders slumped in defeat before he asked grudgingly, Who can you have show me what I need to know about this….this…manual labor?”

“HEY, WE’RE WAITING ON YOU TWO OVER HERE!” shouted Nick from across the yard where everyone else was gathered.

“BE RIGHT THERE!” called Heath back, placing a hand on the other man’s shoulder and limping along beside him, sapphire eyes twinkling as he said, “I’ll see who I can find, Lord. For now, just try your best and see that you don’t injure my brother-in-law too much. Now that he’s getting married, he’ll need all his faculties intact.”

Reaching the gathered group, Nate hesitated at the hand extended in congratulations of his house guest. Heath raised an eyebrow at his friend and crossed his arms, glaring into the brown eyes. Smiling slightly, Nate quickly took the offered hand and shook it once before loosening his grip on the other man’s limb, almost as if he’d expected a shock from the connection.

Fanny sighed at the happiness in the faces of the two couples in the group and watched how they stayed link with either a simple gesture or touch. Heath saw the sadness and longing in the dark eyes before she saw him watching. Embarrassed, the raven haired woman looked down at the ground before her brother appeared by her side and garnered her attention.

Bending to his wife’s ear, Heath whispered and squeezed her hand when she nodded before drawing Nate and Audra into a conversation. Nick’s eyes narrowed at the sparkle in the sapphire eyes of his little brother who limped over and threw an arm across his shoulders, steering him away from the others.

“Whatever it is, you can forget it.” growled Nick, the smirk on the tanned face making him nervous and skittish.

“Now, now, brother Nick.” scolded Heath as they stopped at the small corral. “That doesn’t sound very brotherly of you, big brother.”

Nick stood with his legs apart and his hands on his hips, hazel eyes filled with caution as he questioned the grinning blond. “What do you have on your mind? Am I gonna like this?”

Shrugging, Heath leaned his right arm against the top rail of the corral and said softly “Fanciful’s a nice woman, Nick. She’s smart and caring. Her heart’s made of gold…”

“I kinda figured that out myself, Heath. But thanks for pointing out her good qualities.” replied Nick sarcastically.

“How would you like to see Miss Fleshton everyday, Nick?” suggested Heath seeing the hazel eyes quickly fill with agreement before they narrowed again in suspicion.

“Exactly what’s going on in that head of yours, little brother?” demanded Nick, shaking his head in denial several minutes later and leaning forward into the other man’s face. “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?”

To be continued…