Placing Blame

by Pearl

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.

Synopsis: Misplaced blame causes tragedy in the Barkley family, one they may not be able to recover from. This story takes place when Heath’s been with the Barkley’s for six months. Everything is concurrent with the show except there is no Eugene.

Audra stepped out of Claire’s dress shop and took a deep breath. The early morning air smelled so clean and fresh. It was a refreshing scent because she knew that all too soon the summer sun would heat the air so much it would be hard to breathe. She looked up at the blue, cloudless sky then turned to walk to the general store. Some matching ribbon for her new dress was just what she needed to compliment her new dress. As soon as she stepped off the sidewalk and was crossing the alley between the dressmaker’s and the general store, she felt a hand clamped down over her mouth and an arm hook around her waist. Her feet went airborne as she was pulled into the alley. She tried to scream but found it was useless. The hand had too tight of a hold across her mouth. She kicked with all her might but was unable to make contact with anything. Then she heard a man’s low, evil chuckle.

“Go ahead and kick little lady, we like ’em wild.”

‘We?’ Audra thought. She broke out in a cold sweat, and a cold chill coursed through her body. Bile burned in her throat, and she fought it back down.

As her body was swung around where she could see down the alley, she spied two more men at the end of it.

Whoever held her came to a stop in front of them. The two men wore identical, wicked grins. She felt bile rise in her throat again when she saw their nasty, yellow teeth stained with tobacco. Indeed some tobacco was still in their teeth. Audra felt the hand loosen around her mouth, but before she could scream, a filthy tasting cloth was shoved in her mouth.

The tallest man was the first to speak. “Wooo weee, lookie what we got ourselves. If it ain’t the princess of the valley. The only daughter of the Queen Bee of the valley.”

“Ain’t that the truth, Clyde? We’ve been waiting for a chance at you, girlie. I bet you’re gonna be mighty tasty. I don’t reckon I’ve ever had me any finer.” the shorter one added.

“Now wait a minute, Slim. You said I get first go at her.” Audra caught the name but was surprised because Slim certainly didn’t fit the short man. He was almost as round as he was tall.

“I changed my mind. Seeing her up close like this, well, I just got to have a taste first.” He reached for the dirty cloth to remove it, but Audra felt herself pulled out of his reach.

“You just hold up a minute. Let me get her hands tied first, then we’ll all have a sample.”

Audra looked toward the main street. She couldn’t see anyone. It was early, so there weren’t many people out and about yet. She berated herself for coming to town alone so early, but she had wanted to beat the heat of the day, so she’d left the ranch shortly after Heath and Nick left with the crew to begin their long day branding. Oh, why couldn’t she have waited? She was just in too big of a hurry to try on the new dress that Miss Claire had finished for the dance this Friday.

Audra screamed out when the rope bit into her wrist, but of course the only sound that could be heard was a muffled noise. The person behind her release her waist and swung her around, and she got her first look at her abductor. Audra’s eyes widened as she looked into the darkest, coldest eyes she’d ever seen.

Seeing her reaction, the man laughed. Unlike the other two men, this man had straight, white teeth.

“You are a pretty thing alright,” he said.

“Now you just hold on Rand. We’ve got first go with her. Yes sir, I’ve been itching to get my hands on her. Figured she was out of my class until I heard about her daddy.” Slim came around to stand next to Rand, so he could look at Audra’s face.

“Are you as wild as your Daddy, gal? Dropping his seed anywhere he chooses. The whole family’s not any better than dirt. They just got money.” He looked closely at Audra. “Oh yeah, I can see you’re a woman just made for it. I’ve heard things like that runs in the blood. Why I bet you’re gonna be sumthin’ to bed.”

Audra felt anger rise up in her face. How dare he insult her like that. When Heath arrived at the ranch six months ago, there had been plenty of talk about her family, but all of it had been directed at Heath. Nobody had insulted the rest of the family, especially not her father, at least not within their hearing range. At first they ignored the talk they heard about Heath and hoped it would go away, but when Heath was in their hearts, they started fighting back, hardest of all, Nick. It sure didn’t take long for the talk to cease. A few broken noses, and numerous bar chairs later, the talk was over - until now. And now, she was being insulted.

Audra kicked out as hard as she could and caught Clyde in the knee. Whether from the force of the kick or the surprise, Clyde tumbled to the ground, but he didn’t stay there long. Soon he was on his feet and advancing towards her.

“Why you little hellcat. You’ll pay for that.” He drew his arm back, and slapped her across the face with his open hand.

Audra’s head flew back from the force. Determined not to let her pain show, she defiantly looked back at him. Clyde raised his hand to strike again, but Rand caught it in mid-air.

“That’s enough Clyde. It would be a shame to hurt such a pretty face any further.” He turned towards Audra, “Now behave, and I won’t let anyone hit you again. Come on men. We’ve got to hurry. Someone’s liable to come along anytime.”

Rand put his hand to the gag in Audra’s mouth. “Don’t scream.”

As soon as the rag was removed, Rand lowered his mouth down on hers. She tried to turn her head, but it was no use as he held her head tight between his hands.

Simultaneously, she sunk her teeth into his lips as hard as she could and came up with her knee catching the surprised man unaware. She didn’t wait to see it her attack had the desired effect. As soon as she felt him loosen his hold, she jerked free, turned and ran towards the street screaming at the top of her lungs. She thought she heard steps behind her, but she didn’t look back.

When she got to the main street, she turned and ran into the arms of Ben Tillson, the owner of the general store. “Miss Audra, what’s happened to you?”

Audra fell into his arms crying hysterically. Several people gathered around. When the sheriff arrived, he gently eased Audra from Ben’s arms. “Audra, what happened?” Unable to stop crying, she couldn’t answer.

“She came from that alley,” Ben offered.

Sheriff Madden released Audra. “A couple of you men come with me. Ben, take her to Doctor Merar then send word to her family.”

After cutting Audra’s hands loose, he gently propelled her in the direction of the doctor’s office.

An hour later, Victoria Barkley came rushing into the doctor’s office. Dr. Merar met her in the hall. “How is she Howard?”

“She was shaken up pretty bad, Victoria. She hasn’t said anything about what happened to anyone. Ben Tillson said she ran from the alley between Claire’s and the general store. Her hands were tied behind her, and she was crying hysterical. Looks like she took a blow to her face.”

Victoria was visibly shaken upon hearing what the doctor had to say. She was experienced in hearing about injuries inflicted on her sons but not Audra.

“Where is she? I want to see her. ”

“Right down here.” He turned and walked down the hall. When he stopped in front to the last door, he turned and spoke, “I had to give her something so she could rest. She fell asleep a few minutes ago. Oh Victoria, the Sheriff Madden said for you to come see him after you looked in on Audra.”

Victoria nodded then eased the door open. She saw Audra lying on a bed sound asleep. Slowly she walked up to the bed. She silently gasped when she got a look at the purple face of her once rosy cheeked daughter. She bit her lower lip and unshed tears sprang to her eyes. After standing there several moments, she turned and rejoined the doctor who waited for her in the hall.

“Oh, Howard, her face.”

Howard Merar pulled his long time friend into his arms to give her what comfort he could. He’d seen her and her family through many hard times, and he didn’t think he knew a stronger woman, but once in awhile she needed to be comforted. This was one of those times.

“I know, Victoria.” He held her until she was able to compose herself. She pulled away and straightened up.

Doctor Merar continued, “It looks worse than it is though. She was lucky. A blow hard enough to make that color usually breaks a bone. She has no broken bones, but she’s going to be very sore for several days. She’ll need to keep ice packs on it as much as possible. It will help with the swelling. I’ll send her home with something for the pain.”

“When can she leave?”

“As soon as you’re ready. Is someone with you?” He started to ask if one of her sons were with her, but he thought about Heath. He didn’t know what she called him, so someone was how he asked.

“No, but I expect the boys or at least one of them anytime. I sent word to them. It’s branding time, and they’re way up in our north pasture.”

Doctor Merar nodded his head. “Why don’t you go see Fred then. Maybe by the time you’re through there, one of the boys will be here.”

“All right.” After a last look in on Audra, Victoria went to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Fred Madden was sitting at his desk going through so wanted posters when Victoria walked in.

“Fred, what happened to Audra?”

Fred shook his head. “As near as I can tell, she was accosted in the alley. By the look of the prints in the alley, there were more than one. Miss Claire said Audra had been gone about fifteen minutes when she heard her screaming. When she got to the door, Audra was in Ben Tillman’s arms crying. I haven’t been able to talk to Audra yet. The doctor said she was in no condition to answer any questions.”

Victoria silently thanked the doctor. Until they knew the intensity of Audra’s attack, the long time family friend was trying to protect her and the family.

“Did anyone see anything?” she thought to ask.

“No. It was very early, and not many people were on the street. Along with the prints, I found this.” Fred held up a dirty rag. “I followed their tracks out of town, but then they disappeared. My deputy is forming a posse as we speak. We’ll head out as soon as possible. It sure would help if I could talk to Audra and maybe get a description. See if she knew who they were.”

“I’ll get her to talk to you as soon as possible, Fred.”

The door opened, and Heath hurried in.

“Heath,” Victoria exclaimed and went to him. He caught her up in an embrace.

“I came as soon as I heard. How is she?”

“She’s going to be fine, Heath. I’ll tell you all about it on the way to the doctor’s office. He said she could go home as soon as we were able to take her. I’d like to get her home as quick as we can.”

Heath nodded. He would have liked to have stayed and questioned Fred, but he didn’t know Fred very well yet, and besides, right now Victoria needed him. This was the first time he was the only one around to help, and he wasn’t about to let her down. With his arm still around her, he guided her out of the sheriff’s office.

Victoria saw the storm build in her newest son’s face as she told him what she knew. Oh, he wasn’t really her son. She knew that, but she had come to think of him as such. He was an easy man to let into her heart, and she was proud to think of him as her son.

When they got to the doctor’s office, Victoria stopped. “Heath, why don’t you go rent us a wagon at the livery, and tell Sam you want the smoothest horses pulling it.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Victoria winced. There was that dreadful word again. Well, as soon as possible, she planned to do something about it.

Heath and the doctor lined the wagon with blankets and pillows. Then Heath went to Audra’s room to carry her out. He wasn’t prepared for the scene that met him. She was sound asleep in the large bed with white covering all around her which only made her purple face stand out all the more. He swore beneath his breath and vowed to make whoever had done this to his little sister pay and pay dearly.

Victoria noticed how shaken Heath was upon seeing Audra, and was once again warmed by the feelings he so freely showed towards her daughter. In just a short six months, Audra and Heath’s relationship had blossomed fully. They couldn’t be a closer brother and sister even if they had been raised together. Heath doted on Audra, and Audra loved him unconditionally. She had accepted him as her brother from the start. In fact, she was the only one who had. Doctor Merar broke Victoria from her thoughts.

“Victoria, if you’ll grab Audra’s things over in that chair, we’ll be on our way.”

Victoria picked up Audra’s purse, and turned to watch Heath pick Audra up without showing any effort. As gentle as he was, a person would have thought Audra was made of porcelain.

Victoria reached up and tucked the covers around Audra then met Heath’s eyes. “Ready?”

He nodded, and they took their first steps towards home.

* * * * * * * *

When they arrived at the ranch, Heath carried Audra in. Victoria had hurried on ahead to pull Audra’s covers down on her bed. Heath tucked her in, then excused himself to go see about the horses. He informed her he was going to get someone to return them to the livery as soon as they were rested and fed.

Upon entering the house, he made his way back to Audra’s room. He was about to enter when he heard Audra talking.

“Mother, it was so awful. They were saying such horrible things about us. Just because Father got another woman pregnant, they insinuated we were wild. They tried to .... to......”

Audra couldn’t finish, and Heath didn’t need to hear anymore. He could fill in the blanks. Quietly he backed up and headed for his room. His mind was reeling. He’d heard bad morals insinuated toward him as he was growing up. He’d seen the looks that didn’t need words when some people looked at him. No, not everyone, but enough. Now it seemed he’d brought it to this family - his new family. Knowing full well how Audra had felt upon hearing the words said and unsaid, hurt him deeply. Never would he have wanted that for her, yet he was the one that had caused it by coming here.

Without another thought, Heath threw some of his things - only what he needed - into his bedroll. He wouldn’t hurt this family further. When he was gone, and people heard he’d left without a word, then maybe they would think really bad of him and not bring it down on the rest of his family.

* * * * * * * *

Nick came storming in the house, slamming the door behind him.

“MOTHER!”

“HEATH!” He took the steps two at a time.

Victoria met him in the hall. “Nicholas, lower your voice. Audra’s trying to go back to sleep.”

Nick ran his hands down his face. “What happened, Mother?”

She took hold of his arm and led him back down the stairs. “Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll tell you.”

Reluctantly, he let himself be turned around.

When they entered the library, Victoria asked, “Nick, will you get us a drink? I, for one, could use one.”

After he handed her a drink, she started from the first.

Nick hit the mantle hard after hearing the story as Victoria knew it.

“I’ve sent one of the hands into town to get Fred. Audra said she felt like talking to him now.”

Nick turned around quickly, “Does she know who they were?”

“No, but she got a good look at them.”

“I want to talk to her.”

“No, Nicholas. We’ll wait on Fred to get here. You can hear what she has to say then. I don’t want her to have to tell it anymore than she has to.”

There was a loud, urgent knock on the door. A minute later, Silas showed their foreman, Dave McCall, in.

“Nick, Mrs. Barkley,” he nodded in her direction.

“Dave, what is it?” she asked.

That hand I sent to town to fetch the sheriff just got back. It seems the bank was robbed. The sheriff and his deputy were shot.”

“WHAT?” Nick bellowed.

“That’s all I know,” Dave offered.

“I’m going to town, Mother.”

She nodded. “Please be careful.”

Nick stopped at the door. “Oh, where’s Heath?”

“He rode out shortly after he brought us home. I thought he was going after you.”

Nick puzzled, then shrugged. “I must have missed him along the way. When he gets back, let him know what’s happened. I’ll see him in town.”

Victoria nodded.

With her drink in her hand, she went to the window and watched Nick ride away until she couldn’t see anything left but a dust cloud. What else was this day going to bring?

When Nick arrived in town, there was a group of people gathered outside the doctor’s office. They were really worked up about something and didn’t notice Nick. He slipped into the doctor’s office.

“Doc, how are they?”

Howard Merar shook his head. “Young Joe didn’t make it. Fred is hanging on. If he makes it through the night, chances are he’ll pull through.”

“Was either of them able to say anything?”

Again he shook his head. “But there’s plenty of people outside who will tell you what they saw. Trouble is, their descriptions of the men don’t match. One thing they agree on is there were three of them.”

Nick clasped the doctor by the shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll check back with you later. Can I do something?”

“No, but I’ll keep you in mind if I need anything.”

Before Nick turned the doorknob, the doctor happened to remember, “Nick, how’s Audra?”

“I haven’t seen her, but Mother says she’ll be alright. Thanks, Doc.”

Doctor Merar nodded, “I’ll be out to check on her when I can. Rest is what Audra needs.”

Nick was noticed this time by the crowd.

“Nick, we heard about Audra. How is she?”

“She’ll be fine.”

“Good. We’re getting a posse together. We need you to lead it. You willing?”

Nick nodded. “How many men have you been able to gather?”

“Ten counting you and Heath. Where is Heath?”

“He’ll be here.”

“What about Jarrod?”

“In San Francisco, but he’s due in tonight.”

“Good. The men will be ready to ride in an hour.”

Nick scanned the crowd then looked down the street in the direction of the ranch hoping to see Heath riding in. No luck.

He addressed the crowd. “All right then. We’ll meet at the sheriff’s office in an hour.”

Nick went to Fred’s office. Ed Pierce, the prosecuting attorney, was waiting on him when he got there.

“Nick, I’m glad to see you. We need someone to stand in as acting sheriff until...well, until we see how Fred does. I’d like you to fill that spot.”

“No thanks, Ed. I’m no sheriff.”

“But you’re the best man for the job. The people respect you. Someone has to be in charge.”

“Listen Ed, I’ve agreed to lead the posse, but I’m not going as a sheriff, deputy or any other kind of law officer. I’ve got a ranch to run, and as soon as we catch up to those robbers, I’ll be getting back to my ranch. It could be a long time before Fred’s able to be back at work. I don’t have the time.” Nick wouldn’t even consider Fred not pulling through. He’d known Fred all his adult life. It was inconceivable that Fred would not always be around.

“I understand.”

After a few minutes, Ed left. Nick sat down in Fred’s chair, and for the first time since hearing about Audra, he had time to think. He’d agreed to lead the posse, but now he wished he hadn’t of agreed so quickly. He needed to be at the ranch to protect Audra. Whoever attacked her could come back. He rose from the chair and looked out the window in the direction of the ranch. Where was that boy?

True to their word, the posse was ready outside the sheriff’s office in an hour, and Heath still hadn’t arrived. Nick hastily scribbled him a note and left it on the sheriff’s desk. Instead of having Heath join them, he decided to send him home to protect Audra and Mother.

* * * * * * * *

It was well after dark before the posse returned to town. They’d picked up their trail, and sure enough, there were three of them, and they were headed towards the mountains. Nick would have liked to have camped out, but every man in the posse had a family, and they were all wanting to get back to them. After what happened to Audra, no one felt safe leaving their family unprotected without a sheriff or deputy. So empty handed, the posse returned to town.

Nick checked on Fred at the doctor’s office. After finding out Fred was still holding his own, he went to the train depot to see if Jarrod had arrived. He had, and should already be home, so Nick headed there himself.

Upon arriving home, Nick found Victoria, Audra and Jarrod in the parlor. He went straight to Audra, and planted a kiss on her forehead, being careful not to apply pressure for fear of hurting her further. He was taken back to see the condition of her face, but hid it well. “It’s good to see you up, Sis.”

“Thank you, Nick,” she said slowly. Her swollen face made it hard for her to talk.

“Don’t try to talk, Audra,” her mother admonished.

Audra inwardly groaned. Didn’t her mother know how hard it was not to talk?

“Jarrod.” Nick nodded.

Jarrod poured Nick a drink and handed it to him.

After Victoria planted a kiss on Nick’s cheek, she asked, “Where’s Heath?”

Nick jerked back, an alarm going off inside him. “Isn’t he here?”

“I thought he was in the posse with you,” she answered.

“He never showed up in town. I left a note in Fred’s office for him to return home to protect you and Audra in case...” he stopped himself and looked at Audra. He didn’t want to say anything to upset her.

“I haven’t seen him, Nick, since he rode out this morning,” Victoria noticed the alarm on Nick’s face.

Nick put his glass down and bounded up the stairs. He opened the door to Heath’s room and looked around. Everything looked to be in its place at first glance, but upon closer inspection, he knew it wasn’t. The pictures Heath kept by his bedside were gone. He opened his closet. His clothes were still there or at least most of them were. He flung opened his dresser drawers, and saw only a few items in them. It was then he notice Heath’s bedroll was gone. He always kept in on the top shelf in his closet.

He turned abruptly and ran head long into Jarrod.

“He’s gone, Jarrod.”

“Gone, where?”

“HOW DO I KNOW?” Nick growled.

Jarrod bit the response he wanted to hurl at his hot headed brother and instead asked, “Do you know why, and for how long?”

Nick seethed, “I don’t know anything. You know as much as I do.”

“What are we going to do? I don’t think Mother and Audra can take anymore news that will upset them. And news of Heath leaving would definitely upset Audra,” Jarrod questioned.

Nick was about to respond that it would hurt Mother too, but he bit it back. Now wasn’t the time. Sometimes Jarrod infuriated him. He wasn’t around enough lately to know what might upset who when it came to Heath. “I’m going to go look for him.”

“Nick, you can’t. What would I tell Mother about why you were gone? Besides, it’s dark out. You can’t track him in the dark.”

Nick let out his breath. “All right. I’ll wait for tomorrow.”

“Maybe Heath will be back in the morning. Maybe he just needed a night away. Mother told me Heath was pretty shook up when he saw Audra’s face.”

“Yeah.” Nick answered, but he knew better. What happened to Audra wouldn’t have caused Heath to leave, if anything he’d stuck closer - to protect her and to see that nothing else happened to her. No, whatever made Heath leave was big, and Nick feared he may never see him again if he didn’t catch up with him soon.

The next morning, Nick headed into town bright and early. He had four of the Barkley ranch hands riding with him. As much as he wanted to go after Heath, he was committed to leading the posse. After what Audra shared what she knew with them about her attackers, Nick was convinced they were the same men that robbed the bank. He had a good description of the three men to share with the posse. He also wanted to check the wanted posters in Fred’s office to see if he could find one matching their description.

When Nick arrived in town, it seemed to him as if the whole town was out on the streets. Most of them were just watching a group of people gathered in front of the sheriff’s office. Nick thought the group must be the posse forming although it wasn’t the same men who rode the day before. He stopped at the doctor’s office and sent the hands on to the posse to wait on him.

He was relieved to find Fred had made it through the night.

“He’s awake, Nick, and he’s been asking to see you,” Doctor Merar stated upon seeing Nick.

Nick wasted no time in getting to Fred’s room.

The injured sheriff was lying in the bed and was white as the sheets he was lying on. At first Nick thought the doctor was mistaken - that Fred wasn’t still alive, but then he opened his eyes.

“Ni..ck.”

Nick leaned down close so Fred wouldn’t have to talk very loud.

“T..three of them, Nick. One tall, one short and fat, and one...”

Fred didn’t get any further as a coughing spell took hold of him.

Doctor Merar rushed in. After Fred quit coughing, the doctor told them both there would be no more talking. He ushered Nick out and told him maybe he could talk to him later in the day - if Fred was doing all right.

Now Nick was more convinced than ever that the bank robbers were the same men who had attacked Audra. Fred’s brief description was almost word for word the same as Audra’s. One tall, one short and heavy. Fred didn’t get to finish, but Audra said the third one was young, muscular build, and about Nick’s height. She also described his cold, evil eyes. She thought he was the leader and maybe the most dangerous.

When Nick walked towards the crowd, he could hear some angry talking going on among them. One of his ranch hands rushed up to him. “Nick you gotta do something. The crowd is turning into a mob.”

Nick could tell there was something else his hand wanted to say. Then Nick heard the words that would keep him from a good night sleep for many nights to come.

“And Nick, they’re blaming Heath. They say he’s part of the gang.”

“WHAT? WHY WOULD THEY THINK THAT?”

“They found out Heath didn’t come home last night. They’re saying..”

Nick pushed his ranch hand out of the way, and charged towards the crowd. He didn’t need him to tell him what they were saying, he could hear them. If anyone had been watching, Nick would have brought to their mind of a charging bull.

As he neared the crowd he heard - “I knew that boy was no account.” “He finally showed his true colors.” “Can’t trust his kind.” “We should have been ready for it - a boy of his background.”

Nick swung and hit the man that made that last remark. “Anyone else?” he asked, challenging the crowd before him.

No one in the mob said anything. They were brave enough with their mouths, but no one wanted a piece of Nick Barkley - not when he was about to explode. Finally, one man spoke up, “Well, where is he then Nick?”

“Where’s Heath?”

It was a minute before Nick answered. “I don’t know, but I do know he’s nothing I just heard.”

There was an uproar in the crowd then. Nick could hear only bits and pieces, but he heard enough to know the mob wasn’t changing their minds. They started talking of finding Heath and stringing him up. Joe Sanders, the young deputy, was a favorite around town. The crowd needed someone to blame, and Heath was an easy target. Nick had thought when the talk of Heath had quieted around town that people were starting to like and accept him. Now he knew not all of them had. He looked around, the vast majority of the town was on the streets, many of them good friends of the Barkleys, and although they weren’t joining in with this mob, they weren’t saying anything in Heath’s defense.

Nick motioned his ranch hands away from the crowd. “I’m going to find Heath. I want you to stay with the mob. If they catch up to Heath before I do.” Nick stopped. He couldn’t put to words the picture his thoughts conjured up. “Well, you do what you have to do to keep them from laying a hand on him.”

“We will, Nick. And good luck. Maybe with a little help from us, this mob won’t find Heath.”

Nick smiled. It had only been a few short months, but Heath had already won the respect and loyalty of every hand.

It crossed Nick’s mind to go home and let the rest of the family know what had happened, but then he decided not to. He didn’t want to waste precious moments. A minute could mean the difference between life and death. With that thought in mind, he swung up on Coco and rode out of Stockton. Let the posse find another leader.

Nick had no idea which way Heath went, but he figured if he went the way the robbers went then at least he’d be in the area of the posse in case they came upon Heath. He had studied the tracks leading away from the alley where Audra was attacked. One of the horse prints had a distinct identifying mark - it was favoring it’s left hind leg. With any luck, the horse would go lame, but for sure, it would slow them down. Nick picked the tracks up again a little ways out of town. They were headed south, and so was Nick. He just hoped if Heath was too, then he’d catch up to him first.

At that time, Heath was breaking up camp. He’d spent most the night trying to get to sleep, but every time he shut his eyes, he’d see Audra’s purple face. Shortly before dawn, he finally fell asleep which made him get a late start. Seeing as how the sun was already high in the sky, he decided to bypass coffee or breakfast. He had a piece of jerky and water as he was riding.

His thoughts took him back to the day before. Yesterday after leaving the ranch, he’d gone back to town. He was a pretty good tracker, so he went to the alley to pick up what signs he could that might identify Audra’s attackers. He reasoned that whoever they were, they wouldn’t be sticking around town for very long, so after finding the tracks near the alley, he search on the outskirts of town and found them again. He hadn’t stuck around town, in fact, he took extra care that he wasn’t seen, so he didn’t know about the bank robbery.

A couple of hours on the trail, Heath came upon the three men’s camp. The ashes were already cold, so he knew they had a good head start on him. Silently he berated himself for sleeping late. If he’d gotten up when he planned, he felt sure he’d come up on them before they were even awake. Well, he would do what he could to make up for lost time today.

“You up to it, boy?” Heath asked as he patted Charger’s back then he urged him into a faster gallop.

Nick came upon Heath’s campfire and rejoiced. It had to be Heath’s. No one else he knew fixed a fire like that. Heath always double stacked rocks around the fire, and the next morning after putting it out with water, he would take the rocks and scatter them on top of the ashes. ‘In case the ashes weren’t out good’ he’d explained to Nick one time when they were on a horse buying trip. Nick never thought he’d see the day a pile of rocks looked so good.

Then a thought occurred to him. Heath was going the same direction as the robbers. Was that coincidence, or was Heath tracking them too? Of course he’s tracking them. He’s going to see they don’t get away with what they did to Audra. No wonder he didn’t stick around to protect Audra and Mother yesterday. He’s after them. But why’d he take his pictures? Did he know about the robbery? Question after question sailed through Nick’s mind as he rode away from Heath’s camp.

His pace now was faster than he rode into the camp and his heartbeat lighter. He knew he’d see Heath again.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod rode into town in the middle of the morning. He hated leaving his mother and Audra at home without any family there to protect them, but he figured if Nick and the posse were after the men, they were pretty safe. The more and more he thought about it, the more he had to come into town. He needed to know Fred’s condition, and he needed to see what could be done about getting some temporary law established.

As he was riding through the town, the first thing he noticed was how near deserted the sidewalks were. It wasn’t bustling with activity as it usually was. A since of dread coursed through him. His first thought was that Fred had passed away, so he headed for the doctor’s office. Just then he heard his name called, and he turned around to see Ed Pierce, the prosecuting attorney, motioning him over.

Jarrod turned his horse and stopped in front of Ed’s office.

“Jarrod, am I glad to see you. What, with all that’s been happening...well, this town has been turned upside down.”

Jarrod nodded his head in agreement. “The streets are a bit deserted, aren’t they?”

It was Ed’s turn to nod. “Most people are scared and probably won’t be out much until those men are captured, and all of them are scared of the mob gathering again.”

“The mob?”

“Yeah,” then seeing the questioning look on Jarrod’s face, he added, “I thought you knew. I figured Nick would have told you.”

“I haven’t seen Nick since early this morning. Maybe you’d better start at the beginning Ed, and tell me what’s going on.”

“Well, it seems when someone found out that Heath didn’t come home last night, they figured he was part of that gang that robbed the bank and left with them. Then when your brother confronted them, some of them changed their minds and realized how foolish that ideal was. But, Jarrod, some of them didn’t change their mind. They continued to insinuated because of Heath’s ...uh... questionable birth and arrival in Stockton that he would be the type to do something like that.”

Jarrod’s face took on the look of stone with each word he heard. All except his eyes, they were blazing - wanting to shoot darts at whoever would have the audacity to think such a thing, much less say it.

Ed noticed Jarrod’s reaction and hesitated to go on, but he needed to tell it all. “Your brother, Nick, didn’t go with the mob. He lit out of here shortly after the talk of lynching started.”

“LYNCHING!” Jarrod couldn’t keep his composure any longer. “Who were the people in this mob saying these things, Ed?”

“A few of them I didn’t know, I figured they must be drifters joining in for the fun of it. The main ones spouting their mouth off was Henry Patterson and his friends.”

“Henry Patterson, I might of known.” Jarrod wasn’t too surprised. “Nick fired him shortly before Heath arrived - I guess it was about eight months ago. He swore to get even, but he was drunk, so we didn’t think much of it.”

“Well, I say he’s getting even now. He talked enough that he got about ten men to ride with him to catch your brother. The men in the posse with Nick yesterday stayed home with their families. I think they’re scared of those men returning, but they are also frightened of the mob. Jarrod, the mob was really heated up with they left town. They were after Heath. I didn’t hear them saying much about catching the other three men.”

Jarrod paced. Of all the things he expected, this wasn’t one of them. How could things get so mixed up. “You say Nick rode out alone?”

Ed nodded.

“What about our ranch hands?”

“They rode with the mob.”

Jarrod was stunned at first. How could the ranch hands turn on them?

“Jarrod, I know this isn’t the time, but we need to decide what to do about getting some law established. You and I are the closest thing to the law Stockton has right now.”

“Ed, you’ll have to take care of it. In light of what you’ve just told me, I’m going to give first priority to Heath.”

“Jarrod, you can’t just put it all on me.” Ed whined.

“Ed, my brother’s life is at stake. I can’t help you. I’m sorry, that’s just the way it is.” Jarrod realized as he was speaking the words out loud just how true they were. He hadn’t known how much he cared for this new brother of his until now. He had accepted him, and even liked him right off, but until hearing his life threatened, he hadn’t known Heath was so deeply in his heart. Without wasting anymore time, he left Ed standing with his mouth open about to protest some more.

After Jarrod checked on the sheriff’s condition, he went to the general store and picked up the few supplies he might need. He was about to ride out after Nick and hopefully catch him when it dawned on him that his mother would need to be told the latest news. She didn’t need to hear it from an outsider, and news like this would travel fast. So instead of heading after Nick, he headed home.

* * * * * * * *

After filling his mother in on what had happened in town as well as Heath’s leaving, Jarrod set out to find Nick and hopefully Heath. He wasn’t near as good a tracker they were, but he thought as long as it didn’t rain, he might be able to pick up enough signs to keep him going in the right direction. As he rode along, his thoughts went back to when he broke the news to his mother. He was surprised at how hard she took it that Heath was gone. The last time he’d seen that stricken a look on her face when he told her about the mob, was when she heard about Tom Barkley being killed. Jarrod hadn’t realized that his mother held such strong feelings for Heath. He didn’t thing she could have been any more upset had it been him, Nick or Audra. And Audra, he knew how she felt. She carried her feelings out in the open for all to see. She adored Heath, and had since the first day. He left breaking the news to her up to his mother as he was anxious to be on his way.

“Well, Jarrod, old lawyer, old boy, I guess you’re the last one to figure out how you felt,” Jarrod said out loud to himself. Despite the concern and worry on Jarrod’s mind, he had a smile on his face.

* * * * * * * *

Victoria, Audra & Silas were all sitting around a small table in the kitchen sharing a bite to eat, or at least, they were pretending to eat. None of them felt like eating but they wanted to be close together in a small area. The news Jarrod brought to them was devastating. In just twenty four hours their lives had been turned upside down. Their world as they knew it had been shaken, and no one knew when or if it would ever be the same again.

Victoria excused herself from the room for a minute leaving Silas and Audra alone. Suddenly Audra started crying.

“What’s wrong, Miss Audra?” Silas asked.

After several minutes, Audra was able to stop crying and answer. “Silas, just a couple of days ago, my biggest problem was making sure my new dress fit just right, worrying about how I’d look in it, and whether I could get a ribbon to match it or not. And now,” Audra was tearing up again, “now...oh Silas, why did all this happen?”

“There, there, Miss Audra, everything will be all right, you’ll see. Why, right now, I bet Mr. Nick has found Mr. Heath, and they’ve gotten this whole mess straightened out. They’ll meet up with Mr. Jarrod and be right on home, you’ll see. And you don’t have to be worrying none about those men hurting you no more. Mr. Nick, Mr. Heath and Mr. Jarrod won’t let them hurt you again.”

“I wish I could be as sure as you are that everything’s going to be all right.”

“You can, Miss Audra. Those brothers of yours ain’t never let this family down, and I don’t reckon they ever will.”

“Thank you, Silas. I feel better now. I think I’ll go see where Mother went.”

Audra left the room, and Silas started cleaning up the table. “No sir, they ain’t never let this family down.

* * * * * * * *

Nick’s heart jumped for joy when he saw the campfire in the distance. He just knew it had to be Heath’s. He’d expected to catch up with him before now because he had pushed Coco hard. Guess his little brother was pushing hard too.

As he neared the campfire, he could make out Charger tied near some trees. Knowing how sharp Heath’s ears were, he thought it best to call out to him. Surprising him wasn’t a good thing because more than likely it would be Nick that would be surprise. Not relishing Heath pointing a gun at him in the dark, Nick called out.

“Hello in the camp. Got a cup of coffee for a tired rancher?”

Heath jumped slightly. Normally, he was alert and ready for anything, but his thoughts were a million miles away - at the Barkley ranch - thinking about what everyone would be doing at home at this time of night. He turned to see Nick come strolling into the camp.

“Nick, what are you doing here?” he scowled.

“Is that anyway to greet your brother, and I might ask you the same question, little brother?”

Heath didn’t answer, but turned and picked up the coffee pot, and poured another cup. When Nick was beside him, he handed the cup to him.

“Thanks, got any supper left?”

“You come all this way for my beans, Nick?”

Nick looked deep into Heath’s eyes. “Yeah, I missed ’em.”

Heath knew it wasn’t the beans Nick was talking about and averted his eyes to the ground.

“What are you doing out here, Heath? Why’d you leave?”

Heath wasn’t prepared for any questions, and he had no answers he wanted to share, so he ignored Nick’s questions and asked how Audra was.

“She’s pretty shaken up over her attack, but not near as shaken up as she’ll be when she finds out you’re gone.”

Heath looked up in surprise.

Jarrod and I kept it from her and Mother, but I ’magine they know by now. And if they know the whole story, then...well, I just hope Jarrod’s there for them?”

“The whole story?”

“There’s a posse, mob really, out gunning for you, Heath?”

“ ME! WHAT FOR? Can’t a person leave if he chooses?”

“They think you’re part of the gang that robbed the bank?”

“Robbed the bank? In Stockton?”

Nick nodded. “Three men, the same three men that attacked Audra?”

“Why would they think I had anything to do with it?”

“You left the same day - without a word.”

“Well, I didn’t rob any bank, and I'M NOT A MEMBER OF A GANG.”

“I KNOW THAT. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME.” Nick lowered his voice, “Look Heath, you gotta come back to the ranch with me. I know you’re after those men, and we’ll get ‘em, but we’ve got to straighten this thing out with that mob.”

“I’m not going back, Nick.”

“Heath, we’ll get them, I tell you, but if that mob catches up to you, they’re not going to listen to anything you have to say. They’re aiming to see that someone pays for young Joe’s death, and you’re it.

“Joe? The deputy?”

Nick nodded. “He and Fred were shot during the hold up. Joe didn’t make it.”

“And Fred?”

“He was alive when I left this morning.”

Heath walked away from the campfire and sat down on a log on the edge of the light from the fire. Nick followed.

“We’ll head back in the morning. Get this mess straightened out, and then get a real posse together and tract those men to the end of the earth if we have to.”

“I guess that would be the thing to do,” Heath answered to pacify Nick. He knew Nick well enough to know they wouldn’t get any sleep if Nick didn’t think he was going back with him.

Heath got up. “I’ll check on the horses before we turn in,” he said and left Nick alone on the log.

Nick wondered to himself at how easy Heath agreed to go back, but he was pleased. He’d been prepared to hog tie him if necessary. He realized Heath didn’t answer his questions, but he was going back, and that was enough for him.

Heath laid awake most the night trying to figure out a way to get away from Nick. He came up with a solution, one he didn’t like, but he didn’t see any other way.

The next morning as they were breaking up camp, Heath put his plan into action. Nick had been talking up a storm. He did that when he was happy or nervous and right now, he was both. Heath had just put the fire out and was throwing the rocks on top when Nick came up behind him. “Sorry about this, Nick,” Heath said.

“Huh?” Nick had just gotten out when Heath suddenly rose and with all the force he could muster, he laid a right hook to Nick’s jaw. Nick went down and was out cold.

Not knowing how long Nick would be out, Heath mounted Charger and rode out. He didn’t get a hundred yards when he stopped and turned back. He couldn’t leave Nick like that. Anything could happen to him while he was out cold. He made his way back to camp. He drug Nick over to a tree. Quickly, he tied his hands and feet leaving his hands in front of him. He put one rope around Nick’s waist and tied him to the tree. He left his hands loose enough so that with work, Nick could get free. Then he sat back and waited for Nick to come around. He didn’t have long to wait.

Nick moaned and opened his eyes. He brought his hands to his jaw, then noticed his hands were tied. He became alert instantly.

“What the..”

“Sorry, Nick, it was all I could think of.”

Nick looked at him. Heath inwardly flinched at the confusion and hurt he saw in his brother’s eyes.

“I’m not going back with you. I’m going after those men, and you can’t go with me. You go on back to the ranch when you get loose.”

Heath got up and retrieved Nick’s gun from his holster. Then he went and collected Nick’s canteen. After checking to make sure the gun was full of ammunition and the canteen was full of water, he handed them to Nick. “For protection.”

Nick’s expression on his face showed his surprise at being handed the gun, and he asked, “What makes you think I won’t shoot you?”

Heath gave him a lopsided grin, and walked away. When he was up on Charger, he turned to Nick. “With work, you should be free in less than an hour. Don’t follow me. It won’t do any good.”

For a split second it crossed Nick’s mind to shoot Heath in the leg to stop him, but knowing his pig headed brother, he would probably leave anyway whether he was wounded or not. Besides, Nick knew he couldn’t shoot Heath, not for any reason.

“Heath!” he called to the retreating form.

“HEATH!”

“HEATH!”

Nick watched until Heath was only a speck in the distance. Now he wished he’d made him tell him why he took the pictures.

* * * * * * * *

The three men were stopped, watering their horses when Heath caught up with them. Taking advantage of the element of surprise, Heath called out for them to throw down their guns. Startling them, Clyde and Slim drew their guns and started to fire in the direction the voice had come from, but before they could get their guns from their holsters, Heath put a deadly bullet in each of them. Rand raised his hands high above his head.

“Now slowly unfasten your gun belt and step away from it,” Heath ordered the lone standing man.

Rand complied, and as he stepped away, he scanned the area around him to get an ideal of how many men surrounded him. The shooting had only come from the direction of the voice, but that didn’t mean there weren’t more than one.

Heath cautiously emerged from where he was hidden.

Rand looked around. When he didn’t see anymore men, he smiled to himself. Getting away from this cowboy should be no problem.

Heath watched the remaining man closely as he made his way over to the two on the ground. He knelt down and checked the men’s pulse. Not finding any, he retrieved their guns while never taking his eyes from Rand.

As he was in the process of standing back up, Rand took his chance. Quick as lightning, he grabbed a knife that was strapped between his shoulder blades, and threw it at his intended target - Heath’s heart.

Heath caught the movement, and fired his gun at Rand as he dived back to the ground. As he hit the ground, he watched as his bullet slammed into Rand sending him to the ground.

Keeping his gun aimed at the downed man, Heath slowly rose and made his way over to him. He turned him over with his foot. A bright crimson stain colored the man’s shirt on his lower left side.

Rand’s eyelids fluttered open. “You’re good, Cowboy,” then he half chuckled - half laughed. “First time that trick hasn’t worked.”

Heath didn’t say anything. He removed his bandana, and applied it to the man’s bleeding wound. After checking to make sure there were no more hidden surprises on the man, he made preparations to leave. His plan was to turn them over to the sheriff in the nearest town. Then as soon as the sheriff said he was free to leave, he would be on his way. He wasn’t sure which direction he would head. Mexico might be good; he knew a few people down there. As he checked his watch to see how much daylight he had left, he wondered if Nick was free and on his way back to the ranch.

* * * * * * * *

Nick was free, but he wasn’t on his way back to the ranch. He was in hot pursuit of his little brother, and he was madder than an old wet hen. No one else was around, so Coco was getting an ear full.

“When I catch you, little brother, I’ll make you wish you’d never thrown that punch. And if you think you can get rid of me that easy, well, ol’ Heath, you’ve got a another thing coming.”

Nick unconsciously rubbed his jaw. If he’d known Heath could pack a punch like that, he’d probably not tried to rile him so much those first few weeks he was with them. “No, that wouldn’t have made any difference.” Nick said out loud, then chuckled. They sure had come a long way.

Over an hour later, Nick topped a hill and caught sight of Heath. He was leading three horses, and what looked like covered bodies were thrown over two of them. The third one had a rider on top, and by the looks of him, he wasn’t in too good of shape. Nick kicked Coco into a run.

“HEATH!” Nick yelled as he rode up.

Heath didn’t turn around; he’d already spotted Nick behind him. “Durn it Nick, I told you to go home,” he growled when Nick was along side of him.

Nick stopped his horse across Heath’s path. “And I told you to go with me. Seems neither one of us listens. Is that the men?”

Reluctantly, Heath stopped. “It’s them,” he answered as he looked at Nick for the first time. He felt a flood of guilt when he saw the purple showing through the tanned face.

Nick saw the look, and all thoughts of revenge were gone - for the moment. He scanned Heath to check for any injuries he might have incurred in the capture of the men. Outside of looking like he’d rolled in the dirt, he looked fine. But just because he didn’t see anything, that didn’t mean Heath wasn’t hiding any. He was good at that.

“You all right?” he asked. He doubted Heath would tell him, but he’d ask anyway.

“Yeah, he’s hurt pretty bad though,” Heath motioned back to the man behind them who was barely staying in his saddle. “Took my bullet in his side.”

Nick continued to watch Heath. After several minutes, he decide Heath was indeed uninjured. He relaxed.

Heath on the other had was anything but relaxed. Running into Nick again wasn’t part of his plan, and his mind was working overtime trying to figure out how to lose him this time. He knew he couldn’t hit him again. Even if he could find it in his heart to do it again, he knew Nick would be looking for it. He’d never be able to pull it off.

Nick studied the looks passing across Heath’s face. “You aren’t heading in the direction of Stockton.”

“I thought Modesto would be closer.”

“Well, if it is, it isn’t by much.” Nick wasn’t buying that excuse. He now knew Heath wasn’t planning on coming back to the ranch. That was why he took those pictures, and Nick wasn’t about to let him out of his sight.

“Now that I’m here to help, we’ll just head on back to Stockton.”

“Modesto’s closer, Nick.”

“It’s about the same distance. We’ll head to Stockton.”

“NICK, HE PROBABLY WON’T MAKE IT TO MODESTO, MUCH LESS TO STOCKTON.” Heath voice rose to match the height of emotions within. Between starting off the day by hitting Nick, then the run in with the outlaws, and now having to confront Nick again and not knowing how to get rid of him, Heath emotions were running rampant. He was about ready to explode.

“WE’RE GOING TO STOCKTON.” Nick matched his voice volume for volume.

They were so engrossed with each other, they didn’t hear the riders until they were upon them.

Sudden fear rose in Nick as he looked up to see Henry Patterson and ten other men surrounding them with their guns drawn. “Heath, it’s them, the mob I told you about.”

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” Henry sneered.

“Heath caught up with the men who attacked Audra and robbed the bank. Two of them are dead, and one’s badly injured. We’re taking them back to Stockton.

“Don’t look like you’re headed back to Stockton. Looks to me like you’re helping him escape.” Henry said as he nodded towards Heath. “Ain’t that right, boys?”

Acknowledgements of agreement came from every one of the men.

“YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT PATTERSON.” Nick growled.

“If you don’t believe Nick then ask him,” Heath nodded towards the injured outlaw.

As all eyes turned to the injured man, the man swayed and fell out of his saddle. Heath and Nick started to dismount and go to him, but Henry stopped them.

“You two just stay when you are.”

One of Henry’s men checked the injured man out. “He’s still alive, but just barely.”

“Let’s get him to a doctor. When he comes to...” Nick suggested but was interrupted.

“Oh, we’ll get him to a doctor all right - in due time.”

Remembering his men, Nick asked, “Where are our ranch hands?”

Henry snorted. “They were slowing us down, so we took care of ’em.”

“What are you talking about?” Nick’s eyes were dark and steely.

“We sent them on a walk. They should be back in Stockton by now. Don’t know where their horses will end up. If you’re lucky, they’re back at the ranch. Now lift your hands high in the air.” Henry said. His gun was pointed at the two brothers.

Heath and Nick did as the man said. They didn’t have much choice, they were out numbered - ten to two.

“Keep your guns on them, men.” Henry commanded as he and two other men dismounted. It would give him great pleasure to personally disarm the two high and mighty Barkleys.

Heath and Nick looked at each other and hoped they were communicating what to do next. When the men were close enough, they sprung on them. Neither man thought they had much chance, but they weren’t going down without a fight. Heath was the one that landed on Henry and another man. The force of the attack sent all three to the ground. Heath was on his feet in a matter of seconds, and began plummeting Henry. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nick taking care of the third man. The other man Heath landed on hadn’t gotten up yet. He looked unconscious, and Heath hoped he was.

Heath was giving Henry a good beating when he felt pain explode in the back of his head, and he fell to the ground.

A shot went off, stopping Nick’s punch in mid-air. He looked around and saw two men standing over Heath with their guns pointed at his head.

“You want us to finish him off right here, then you just go on and throw that punch,” one of the men said, and he pulled the hammer back.

Heath tried to get up, but one man put a foot in the middle of his back and forced him back down.

Henry Patterson got up from the ground. Blood was pouring from his nose and his lip was split in two places. The area around on of his eyes was already turning purple. Nick felt a small amount of satisfaction that Heath was able to get some good punches in on him.

Henry dusted off his clothes, pulled a rag from his pocket and wiped at his nose and mouth.

He motioned to the two men pinning Heath down, and they pulled him to his feet.

Nick felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when he saw the look on Henry’s face. He started towards him intending to stop what he thought was fixing to happen, but more men had come up behind him and grabbed him before he had a chance to get very far.

“I don’t think you want to do this, Henry. Until now, you’ve done nothing wrong, but you do this, and we’ll see you pay,” Nick tried to stop him with words.

Nick’s words didn’t slow Henry down. He just laughed and answered, “One of you won’t be around to make anyone pay.” Then he stopped and walked over to Nick. In a voice for Nick’s ears only, he said, “If you do manage to clear this so called brother of yours of being a part of this gang, it will be too late for him.” Henry laughed and turned back towards Heath.

Nick went wild. He struggled violently for his freedom, but it was no use. The men holding him had a vise like grip on him. He could do nothing but watch as Henry beat Heath until he was unconscious.

“HEATH,” Nick called out as he saw his little brother go down.

Nick’s voice calling his name was last thing Heath heard before he slipped into the land of darkness.

When Henry had quenched his anger on Heath, the men holding him let him go, and he fell to the ground. Standing above the unconscious man, Henry spit, “That will teach the likes of you to lay a hand on Henry Patterson.”

“Patterson, I’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth for what you’ve done. There won’t be a rock you can hide under that I won’t find you. And that goes for all of you.” Nick looked around. He didn’t recognize any of the other men, but he knew their faces, and he would find them.

“Nick, these men won’t scare. They’ve seen enough of mighty rich and powerful people like you Barkleys to last them a lifetime, and each one of them has a score to settle with the rich. To see a rich man get off after robbing and attacking a young girl, well, let’s jut say, we’ll see he pays. Put him on his horse, men.” Henry indicated of Heath.

“Listen to me. He wasn’t a part of them, and you know it. He would never attach any woman LET ALONE HIS SISTER.” Nick’s voice reached paramount volume as he realized they weren’t listening to him.

“Half-sister at best,” Henry corrected.

“SISTER,” Nick snarled.

Henry ignored the last statement. “You’d say anything to get him off. I seen you two lately - thick as thieves. Ah, and he turned out to be one.” Henry laughed at his own joke.

He walked over to Coco and hit him on the rump, sending the horse running off.

When the men had Heath tied across his saddle, Henry mounted, then turned and with a snarl said, “See ya, Barkley. Have a nice walk.”

Nick ran at Henry as the group started to ride off. One of the men came up behind him and clubbed him with his rifle, and Nick fell to the ground unconscious.

“That will slow you down some,” the man commented and joined the rest of the group.

* * * * * * * *

Nick slowly regained consciousness. He groaned and pulled himself to his hands and knees before he was fully aware of his surroundings. When his thoughts became clearer, he looked up and cried out,

“HEATH!”

Silence.

He staggered to his feet and set out in the direction he’d seen Patterson taking Heath. He had one thought on his mind and that was to get to Heath before Patterson could make good his intentions.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod had come up on Nick and Heath’s camp. Like Nick, he was well aware of how Heath made a fire, so he was in no doubt of who’s camp it had been. He could tell the camp at been shared by two men, and he was sure the second one was Nick. He found the end of one of Nick’s favorite cigars.

Jarrod let himself take a deep breath and relax a little. He found relief in knowing the two were together. When those two were together, not much was able to stop them.

Yet, there was something gnawing at him. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something wasn’t letting his mind rest easy. Even though Nick and Heath were together, the mob and outlaws were still out there. Then Jarrod saw something that made him stop. There, by a tree near the campfire, was a discarded rope. Now why would Nick and Heath even have a rope out, much less leave it here? Jarrod picked the rope up. He didn’t see any blood on it, but he could tell something had been rubbing against it. Not being able to quench the gnawing unrest within or come up with any reasonable answers about the rope, Jarrod mounted and pushed Coco at a faster pace. He was in a hurry to reach his brothers.

* * * * * * * *

Nick staggered and fell several times, but still he kept going. The tracks from so many horses were easy to follow, so Nick knew he was headed in the right direction. His head was pounding, and several times he had to fight dizzy spells, but still he pushed on. Anyone who knew Nick Barkley, knew his love of family ran deep, and they knew his rage, if one of them was in trouble, could drive him a long, long way, possibly forever.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod came upon the spot where the mob met up with Nick and Heath. He couldn’t tell what had happened, but he had a cold, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. With all the tracks, he felt sure the mob was involved. He told himself maybe the mob had found the robbers and that’s what all the tracks were about. Then he found a set of footprints that made his heart skip a beat. There in the dirt were footprints on top of the hoof prints and behind the prints were scuffs marks made from spurs. He’d seen enough of Nick’s prints to know them when he saw them. He urged Coco into a steady pace while keeping his eyes on the prints. From the staggered prints, he knew Nick was hurt, probably hurt bad. And the fact that Nick was following the tracks only meant one thing, and Jarrod refused to let himself think about what might of happened to Heath.

It didn’t take Jarrod long to catch up to Nick.

Nick was so intent on his mission, he didn’t hear Jarrod call to him, nor did he see him until he was in front of him.

“NICK!” he called.

Nick had been staring at the prints so long he had to focus his eyes to see who was in front of him. The ringing in his ears from his pounding head made it impossible to distinguish who’s voice it was he heard.

“Jarrod?”

“Jarrod?” he asked again, and he started to sway.

Jarrod caught him in an instant.

Nick regained his balance and grabbed Jarrod’s shoulders. “We’ve got to find him. We’ve got to go, Jarrod.”

Nick tried to pull Jarrod towards Coco.

“Nick, wait a minute. Here take a drink first.” Jarrod held his canteen out to Nick.

Nick started to swat it away, but then grabbed the canteen and threw a large amount of water into his mouth. He handed the canteen back to Jarrod, then Jarrod heard the words he’d refused to think about.

“The mob has Heath. We got to get to him, Jarrod. They’re going to kill him.”

“Nick, let me look at your head.” Jarrod could see a large knot on the back of Nick’s head.

“NO,” Nick said with some of the coldest eyes Jarrod had ever seen on him. “We’ve got to go NOW.”

“All right, Nick.” He helped Nick up on Coco then mounted behind him. Nick insisted on taking the reins, so Jarrod put his arms around Nick to help hold him on. Pushing Coco as hard as they dared, they started on their way.

* * * * * * * *

Nick felt like a wild man inside. His body was crying out for him to stop, but he kept pushing on. He wouldn’t give in to the bile that was now staying constantly in his throat.

His eyes thoroughly searched their surroundings while still keeping up with the tracks left by the mob. Suddenly Nick’s eyes stopped along with his heart. There they were not two hundred yards away. Heath was on a horse with a noose around his neck. About the time it registered to Nick what he was seeing, someone hit the horse, and it ran out from under Heath. Heath was kicking and dangling from the tree hanging by his neck. His hands were grabbing at the rope choking the life out of him. Nick opened his mouth to scream, but his fear and shock was so great no sound came out. He kicked Coco into a dead run.

The men were focusing so hard on what they were doing, no one was looking around. No one saw the madman on the horse come riding up.

* * * * * * * *

Nick was broader than Jarrod, so Jarrod couldn’t see around him, and Nick had been swaying in the saddle, so he’d been concentrating on keeping Nick upright instead of what was in front of him. Suddenly he felt Nick’s body go rigid, and seconds later, he found himself hanging on for dear life. Then everything seemed to happen at once. Nick slid Coco to a stop. He heard Nick holler “NO!” so loud that it seemed to echo forever, and there was something totally chilling in the sound.

* * * * * * * *

Nick slid off Coco, and ran straight for his little brother. He reached Heath before any of the men had time to realize what was happening.

“NO!” he screamed as he grabbed Heath’s legs and tried to lift his body to take the pressure off his neck. Nick was unaware of what was happening around him, his complete concentration was on keeping Heath’s body up. He felt the dizziness he’d been fighting since regaining consciousness start to come on strong. ‘Oh God, please no. Not now. Keep me awake. Help me God! Don’t let him die!’ Nick prayed as he held his burden.

As Nick’s world became darker, and he felt himself slipping to the ground, his last words were, “Heath, I’m sorry, little bro...”

* * * * * * * *

Nick was staying in a world of darkness. He heard voices calling to him - the voices of his mother, Jarrod and Audra, but he didn’t hear the one he longed to hear, so he didn’t try to go to them. He wanted to hear Heath, and he couldn’t, but he could feel him. He felt Heath near him. So stay he would, right where he was, so he could keep feeling Heath close by.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod and Victoria stood next to Nick’s bed. It had been twenty-four hours since he’d succumbed to his world of darkness, and there weren’t many signs of him coming around. Every so often, his hands would reach out like he was trying to grasp something, but his eyes never opened.

Audra entered the room, and stood next to her mother. “I don’t understand, Mother. Why hasn’t he come around? Dr. Merar said there’s no reason for Nick not to have regained consciousness by now.”

“I don’t think he wants to wake up,” Victoria said in a very sad voice.

Silas tapped at the door. “Mrs. Barkley, Mr. and Mrs. Colter are downstairs to see you.”

“Thank you, Silas, tell them I’ll be right down.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

After Silas left the room, Victoria looked at Jarrod, smoothed out her black skirt, and said, “Well, I guess it’s started. Jarrod and Audra, will you join me? This isn’t going to be easy.”

“Yes, Mother,” Audra replied as Jarrod held his arm out to his mother and sister to escort them downstairs.

* * * * * * * *

“Jim, Sarah, thank you for coming,” Victoria said as she released Jarrod’s arm and went to the couple.

“Oh, Victoria, Jarrod, Audra, we came as soon as we heard. We are so sorry; we don’t know what to say,” Sarah said. She hugged Victoria then Audra, as her husband shook hands with Jarrod. Audra then stepped off to the side. She wished she was anywhere but here.

“There’s nothing for you to say. Your coming says it for you,” Victoria commented.

“It’s such a shame. He was such a young man. I know he wasn’t with you very long, but I could tell by watching you that he’d come to mean so very much to you.”

“Yes, he did,” Victoria replied.

“Won’t you and Jim come in?” Victoria offered, though she hoped they wouldn’t.

“Oh no, Victoria, we won’t stay. Not in your time of need. We really must go.” With all the undecided talk in town about whether or not Heath had been a part of that gang, she was uncomfortable just being out at the ranch. She hoped no one knew they had come. Sarah turned to the door, but then stopped and turned back to Victoria, “Oh, how is Nick?”

Victoria’s voice broke, “He still unconscious, but he is alive.”

“It’s a shame, a real shame. If there’s anything we can do.”

“I’ll remember you,” Victoria stated.

When she shut the door, she leaned back on it and said, “That was harder than I thought it would be.”

“We have to do this though, Mother, for Heath.” Jarrod said as he came up and put his arm around his mother and led her into the parlor.

No sooner had they sat down than there was another knock on the front door.

“I’ll get it,” Jarrod said as he left his mother’s side.

* * * * * * * *

Nick was slowly returning to the land of the living. He didn’t want to and fought against it, but his body wouldn’t obey his command. It fought to live.

He opened his eyes and slowly looked around his room. His head was pounding, and he put his hand to it, wincing when it came into contact with a bandage over a large bump.

Moaning slightly, he shut his eyes against the pain. As he laid there, he tried to remember what had happened to him. His eyes opened all the way when he did remember. “Heath,” he whispered and roll over on his side and slid his legs off the side of the bed. Slowly he sat up. Shutting his eyes, he fought against the nausea and dizziness that was sweeping through him. After several minutes it subsided somewhat, and he stood up. Slowly, he made his was to the door. He had to find out about Heath.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod opened the door, and Don Miller, Stockton’s banker, and his wife, Jane, were standing there.

“Jarrod,” Don said as he extended his hand to Jarrod. “We’ve come to offer our condolences.”

Stepping back from the door, Jarrod invited them in. Victoria met them in the foyer.

“Oh, Victoria, it’s so tragic. We didn’t know Heath very well, but he seemed like such a fine young man,” Jane offered Victoria.

“Thank you, Jane.” Victoria answered. She didn’t really feel like conversation, and she wished these people wouldn’t have come, but she knew going through all this was something she had to do.

“Won’t you come on in?” she extended a half-hearted welcome.

“No, we just wanted to bring this cake out,” Jane said as she took the mentioned item from her husband and handed it to Victoria.

“That’s very nice of you, Jane. Thank you.”

“It isn’t much, Victoria, but we wanted to do something.”

“Your coming out was enough, thank you. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.”

“We’d better be going Jane,” her husband spoke his first words. Despite the sadness he felt for this family, all the talk in town about Heath was making him uncomfortable about being here.

“Yes, all right, Victoria, do you need anything?”

“No, but thank you.”

“Oh Victoria, do you know when Heath’s services will be? Don said several people have been asking him.”

“No, but we’ll let everyone know as soon as we have set a time.”

“Well,” she kissed Victoria on the cheek, “If you need me, just call.”

“I will and thanks again.” Victoria shut the door a second time. She didn’t know how many times she could go through this. A shudder ran through her body as she thought how close she had come to having to do this for real. She caught a movement at the top of the stairs and looked up. She gasped and her face turned deathly white. Jarrod and Audra looked up also. Nick stood at the top of the stairs, an ashen look on his face. He had a death grip on the banister. “I didn’t save him.” he muttered and succumbed to the darkness once more.

Jarrod rushed towards the stairs, but before he could get to them, he saw Nick start to fall.

As Nick’s body started falling forward, two strong, tanned arms gripped him from behind and held him close.

* * * * * * * *

Heath had just gotten Nick back in bed when Victoria, Jarrod, and Audra rushed into the room.

“Heath Barkley, you shouldn’t be out of bed, but I’m so glad you were,” Victoria’s voice started out harsh but ended up gentle as she caressed Heath’s cheek. “We only left Nick for a few minutes. We never thought he would awaken while we were gone much less get out of bed.” Victoria could see the angry look on Heath’s face, but then it softened. He couldn’t talk yet because of all the swelling in his neck from the rope that almost took his life, but he nodded his head.

“Mother, did you see Nick’s face and hear what he said? He thinks Heath is dead.”

“Yes, Audra I know.” Victoria replied, and she was very concerned. From what Jarrod had shared with her about the incident with the mob and Nick’s last words as he held Heath’s body up, she felt sure it had taken Nick so long to regain consciousness because he thought Heath was dead. And now, to Nick, that thought has been confirmed. Fear washed over her as it occurred to her that this could keep Nick from ever waking up again.

Jarrod's eyes hadn’t left Nick’s face since he’d entered the bedroom. He had a very lost look on his face. Suddenly, and very hastily, he walked out of the room. This hadn’t gone like he had planned. He’d thought it was a good idea to pretend as if Heath had died, but he never intended for Heath to die to Nick.

He went into the library and poured himself a scotch. Sitting down at his desk, he took a long drink and leaned his head back. The scenes from that nightmare played again in his head.

He could still hear Nick’s tormented scream as he rushed to Heath’s side. When he himself realized what was going on, he rushed to the rope and began cutting it with his knife. Any minute he’d expected to feel a bullet enter his body as he could hear shots, but none ever did. As the rope finally snapped, he looked around at Nick and Heath just in time to grab Heath’s body as Nick slipped into unconsciousness. There were still shots being fired, and he glanced around to see how best to protect his fallen brothers and then found out where the shots were coming from. Six Barkley ranch hands were firing at the retreating mob. Sending a world of thanks to the Man above, he then turned to his brothers. He went to Heath first. He was breathing but very raspy. While carefully lifting his head, he took the rope from around his neck. He could see some terrible rope burns, but thankfully his throat didn’t appear to be crushed. He then checked Nick, his pulse was strong and steady, so he turned back to Heath. Heath started to cough and pull at his neck.

“It’s all right, Heath. The rope is gone.” He’d soothingly spoke as he grasped his little brother’s hands.

Jarrod took another long drink of the scotch, and shut his eyes tight as he once again felt the emotions that had passed through him during that time. The sick feeling of fear that gripped him upon seeing Heath dangling from that rope would stay with him forever. He could still feel how his hands shook as he breathed prayers to just get the rope cut in time.

Jarrod got up from the chair and chastised himself, ‘It’s over, Jarrod. Quit thinking about it.’

* * * * * * * *

Leaving Nick in Heath and Audra’s care, Victoria went in search of Jarrod. She’d seen the look on Jarrod’s face as he’d left Nick’s bedroom.

He was pouring himself another scotch, and filling the glass as full as he could get it when she entered the room.

“You really think that will help?” she asked.

Jarrod looked at her, downed the glass and poured another.

“Jarrod,” she said as her hand stopped his glass filled hand halfway to his lips. “Don’t. It’s not your fault.”

“Isn’t it? Wasn’t it me who convinced you all to pretend Heath had died?”

“It was for the best, Jarrod, and I think it still is. I’m sorry Nick overhead that conversation with the Millers, but it happened, and we’ll deal with it. Protecting Heath is what we were trying to do, and it’s what we’ll continue to do. Until there is some law in town, or until Henry Patterson and that mob is stopped, Heath won’t be safe. So until that happens, it’s best if everyone believes he’s dead.”

Jarrod nodded.

Victoria released his arm, and he put the glass down. She pulled his head down and kissed his cheek.

“Why don’t you go lie down? You haven’t had any rest since you’ve been home.”

“I think I will, but first I’ll check in on Nick and Heath.”

Victoria watched Jarrod’s retreating body until he was gone. She shut her eyes tight and tears fell down her cheeks. This entire week had been a horrible nightmare.

* * * * * * * *

Heath sat next to Nick on the edge of the bed. He had a tight hold on his big brother’s hand. He hadn’t liked this plan of Jarrod’s from the beginning, and now look what it had done. Nick, along with the rest of the world, thought he was dead. Even the ranch hands that’d help save him thought they had been too late.

It wasn’t in Heath Barkley to hide from anything. No, he didn’t like this plan one bit, but he’d had no choice in it. He only vaguely remembered the trip back to the ranch. He could recall hearing Jarrod call to someone to bring a wagon. He remembered being lifted in the wagon with Jarrod’s hands firmly holding his head back so he could breath. He remembered the feel of Nick being laid down beside him. And he remember reaching up and clasping Nick’s shoulder and not letting go until he heard Jarrod’s words of ‘We’re home.’ But he couldn’t recall anything else until he woke up in his own bed with Mother, Jarrod and Dr. Merar standing over him. By this time, his neck was so badly swollen that he could hardly breath. Dr. Merar explained to him that it would be like that for several days, and that his voice should come back by taking care of his neck and with time.

“Heath, honey,” Victoria interrupted his thoughts as she placed her hand upon his shoulder, “you need to get back in bed. We’ve got to get some ice back on your neck.”

Heath briefly took his eyes off of Nick to look up at her. He shook his head no.

“Heath, we won’t leave Nick alone again. I promise, and we’ll come get you at the first sign of change.”

Again Heath shook his head. His eyes were glued to Nick’s face.

Victoria stood over him looking down upon his stubborn head. She stepped to the side, took his head between her hands, and lifted his face so she could look into his eyes.

“Heath, I think Nick needs to hear your voice. I believe that will be very important in bringing him around. It could possibly be the only thing that will bring him around.”

She watched as Heath thought this over, and sighed with relief when she saw agreement in his eyes.

Reluctantly he left Nick’s side, and Victoria took his place beside Nick.

* * * * * * * *

Dr. Merar stared out the window of his office. He was the only person privileged to the Barkley’s secret. Knowing the Barkley brothers were in pretty bad shape, he’d left his wife attending the wounded outlaw. From a hurried examination, he’d assessed that the man would live then he’d hurried to the ranch to check on Nick and Heath. After checking both men’s injuries and assuring the family that Heath and Nick would both make a full recovery, he’d hurried back to town. Upon his arrival back to town, he’d spread the word of Heath’s ‘death’. The sheriff was out of the woods, but he was still very weak. When he was strong enough, he’d be the only one he’d share his secret with. Until things changed, he’d be the Barkley’s eyes and ears and keep them updated on the lawless conditions in the town. He’d wholeheartedly agreed that pretending Heath was dead was the safest thing to do.

As he watched the activities about town from the window, he thought about how strange that the town was back to it’s normal, busy activities. A movement across the street caught his eye. When he recognized what and who it was, he grunted in disgust.

“Some law you turned out to be,” he muttered as he watched Ed Pierce walk down the sidewalk.

When Jarrod left town to search for Nick and Heath, Ed had put on the sheriff’s badge and ‘attempted’ to establish some sort of order to the chaos threatening to consume the once stable town. But when news of what had transpired between Henry Patterson’s ‘posse’ and the Barkleys reached town, Ed quickly washed his hands of the whole mess.

Though Henry Patterson and his mob had not shown their faces back in Stockton, Dr. Merar still believed that Heath Barkley should remain ‘deceased’ until a U.S. Marshall, Judge or some law official could take control. He turned around to check on the two men he had moved into the same room so he could keep a close eye on them. The best thing he could do for the Barkleys and the whole town was to see that the outlaw lived to clear Heath and the sheriff lived to resume authority in the town.

* * * * * * * *

Meanwhile at the Barkley ranch, it was anything but normal. With Nick still unconscious and Heath dead, the ranch hands were starting to wonder when they would get back to work. Only a skeleton crew was sent out each day to check on the cattle. The rest stayed close to the ranch doing odd jobs, resting, playing cards and sleeping. That life was alright for awhile, but the men were starting to get restless. Cowboys were use to doing a whole lot more than what they were doing. Some were talking of moving on soon; others thought they were crazy. They were receiving their same pay and doing a whole lot less. One thing they all agreed on - the Barkleys were in a crisis and for now they would sit tight and see them through.

* * * * * * * *

“Mrs. Barkley?”

“Yes, Silas, what is it?”

“It’s the men, ma’am.”

“What about the men?”

“They’re getting restless. Some of them are talkin’ of finding work elsewhere.” Silas saw the troubled look on her face.

“Don’t you go worrying none. For now they’re here, and any day Mr. Nick is gonna come around and everything will be just fine, you’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right, Silas. I sure hope you’re right.” Victoria’s voice trailed off as she looked up towards Nick’s bedroom.

* * * * * * * *

Heath sat by Nick’s bed. His voice was not back to normal yet, but he could whisper. He’d been by Nick’s bed all morning, whispering and hoping to reach into the world where Nick was and bring him back. Everyone had taken several turns at talking to him, but nothing was working. Nick made no indication he heard anything anyone said. It had been twenty four hours since he caught Nick from falling down the stairs, and Heath was starting to worry.

* * * * * * * *

Nick was in his own world. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t hear. But most of all, he couldn’t feel. He never wanted to feel again.

* * * * * * * *

Henry Patterson and his posse wasn’t far from Stockton, but they were lying low. Henry knew going up against the Barkleys was risky and now that he had, he wanted to see what the reaction from the town would be. So far nothing was being said about him and his men. Outside of talk about Heath’s death, the incident wasn’t mentioned. Not one word had been said towards the fact that maybe the posse had overstep their bounds. Of course, nothing was being said about them being in the right either.

Henry smiled at the thought of Heath being dead. The smile came not so much from Heath being dead, but from what it had done to Nick. Henry smiled every time he thought about the look on Nick’s face and the tormented scream that had come from his mouth.

“Finally got yours, didn’t you Barkleys. That will teach you to fire me.” He’d heard about Nick not regaining consciousness yet from the shock of his brother’s death. “Too bad,” he laughed. Then an ideal came to him. He got one Barkley, why couldn’t he get two more? After all, didn’t Nick and Jarrod get in the way when he was carrying out the law?

“Boys, pack up, we’re going back to Stockton?” Henry grinned.

* * * * * * * *

Later that evening, Heath sat once again by Nick’s side, watching his face. Nothing he’d done had worked. Nothing anyone had done had worked. Everyone talked to Nick, told him how much he meant to them, how much they needed him, and begged him to come back. Nothing had reached Nick.

Suddenly Heath had an ideal and smiled. “Gotch ya, big brother,” he whispered.

He got up and went to the wash basin. He gargled with some solution the doctor had left and hoped it would help him do what he needed to do. He needed his voice to be as loud and strong as he could get it. As yet he hadn’t tried to yell, he knew he was doing good to just whisper, but if he could just get his voice to be strong and to sound like himself for three words, he just knew Nick would come around. Until now, everyone had talked sentiments, that was not the way to reach Nick Barkley.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod stayed close to home. After all, the family was in mourning. Having some of the town people turn on them the way they had, had shaken Jarrod to the core. He’d thought his family’s relationship with the people in town - all of them - was secure. Now he knew how easily security could be taken away. In all his years of practice, he’d seen it happen in small degrees in other towns, to other people and for various reason, but he never thought it could happen to the Barkleys. He didn’t necessarily think it was because of Heath either. After all, Henry Patterson didn’t have anything against Heath, he had it in for the Barkleys, and he found enough people to go along with him to almost get two of them killed. Hearing his mother enter the room, roused Jarrod from his thoughts.

“Jarrod, we going to have to do something and soon.”

“I know, I heard what Silas said this afternoon. I also know, the town people are starting to wonder when we’re going to hold Heath’s services. I’d hope to have Heath cleared by now so they’d be no need for any services, but Dr. Merar says the surviving gang member has not regained consciousness yet.”

Suddenly Victoria and Jarrod heard in a loud Heath Barkley voice from upstairs, “HELP ME, NICK!”

Both were so startled, at first they couldn’t move, but then they both headed for the door, meeting Audra and Silas at the bottom of the steps. All four headed up the stairs.

* * * * * * * *

Nick sat up in bed . “HEATH,” he yelled before his eyes were open.

Heath grabbed at him to keep him in bed.

Nick opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was Heath smiling back at him.

At first Nick just stared at him. Not a word was said by either man. In Nick’s eyes, Heath saw apprehension at first - he guessed from being scared awake. Then he saw bewilderment, confusion and questions. Next he saw love followed closely by tears.

Then Nick grabbed Heath in a bear hug. And that was how the two men were when Jarrod, Victoria, Audra and Silas entered the bedroom.

* * * * * * * *

As expected, yelling those three life awakening words to Nick did cost Heath what little voice he had gained, and now he couldn’t even whisper. It didn’t matter to him though, he was just glad to see the other side of Nick’s eyes again; however, he did have to go through Victoria chastising him for that little stunt. When she was through with him, Nick lit into him. Nick dressed him down for taking off after those men in the first place, but it hadn’t lasted very long. Heath couldn’t quit smiling - it was so good to have Nick back, and Nick couldn’t keep seriously yelling at a grinning Heath, so he ended up just shaking his head and walking off.

Everyone was in much better spirits when Dr. Merar pronounced that Heath hadn’t done any lasting damage to his vocal cords, but he wasn’t to try to talk or even whisper for at least a couple of days. Nick, he told to take it easy and no physical work for at least a week. Then he dropped the bombshell.

“Henry Patterson and his so called posse rode back into town and established law in Stockton,” he told the stunned family.

“HE DID WHAT?” Nick yelled.

“Didn’t anyone in town try to stop him?” Jarrod asked.

Dr. Merar understood their reactions, and was ready for it. “How Jarrod? Besides there are some in town who are happy to have him act as sheriff until Fred can resume his position. They saw nothing wrong in what he did. They don’t say they thought Heath was guilty, but they don’t say he wasn’t either. Other folks are just glad there’s a lawman in town again. It makes everything normal, don’t you see?”

“WELL, I DON’T SEE. HOW CAN THEY possibly think Henry Patterson is any kind of lawman?” Nick lowered his voice when he noticed his mother and Audra covering their ears.

“They’re not thinking, Nick. They just want a lawman in town,” Jarrod offered.

“Well, we’ll just see about that.” Nick started for the door. Dr. Merar and Jarrod both grabbed an arm.

“Nick you can’t. You’re not well enough and even if you were, you couldn’t. This family is in mourning remember?”

How could he forget? Nick hadn’t liked it one bit when he found out what charade they were playing - pretending Heath was dead. It gave him an eerie feeling, one he didn’t like to think about much less pretend it.

He stopped and Jarrod and Dr. Merar released his arm.

“I’ll go back to town. See if I can find out anything. I’ll keep you informed.” Dr. Merar said as he picked up his bag and headed to the door. He needed to get Sheriff Madden back on his feet and fast. He’d kept everything that had been happening away from him. Soon he’d have to tell him, but he wanted to wait until he was stronger. As for the outlaw, Rand, he was puzzled as to why he hadn’t regained consciousness yet. Then another thought stuck him. It might be a good ideal to post a guard or two around his office. Henry Patterson may decide he wants to keep the sheriff’s job.

* * * * * * * *

When Silas opened the door, Henry Patterson and his gang entered the mansion with their guns drawn.

“Keep quiet old man,” Henry said as he pointed his gun right at Silas. “All right men, you know what to do. When you find one of them, yell out.”

One man took Henry’s place and kept his gun on Silas. Henry started up the stairs with two other men. They stopped at the room Henry thought was Nick’s. Henry kicked the door in and saw Nick and Heath playing checkers. At first he was startled upon seeing Heath Barkley alive and well, but he quickly recovered, and his eye took on an additional shine. He was loving this.

On instinct, Nick and Heath went for their guns, but came up empty. They weren’t wearing them.

“Well, well, what have we here,” Henry turned to the man next to them. “Tell the rest of the men to round up all of them. Harboring a fugitive is a crime - we’re taking them all in.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Nick, followed by Heath, rose to their feet.

“No, you wait Barkley. First you interfere with a lawman doing his duty when you went after your brother, and then saved his neck from being stretched. Then you, along with the rest of the family, commit fraud by proclaiming his death. Now I find the whole family hiding a fugitive. Oh, this is going to be so good.”

“You’re no lawman,” Nick stated hotly.

“No? Well this says differently,” Henry said as he pulled his vest back to reveal a sheriff’s badge. “Now downstairs, both of you. And if you know what’s good for you, you won’t try anything, ‘cause you know I’d just as soon shoot you where you stand.”

Nick and Heath did as instructed. When they got downstairs, they saw the rest of the family and six of Henry’s men with their guns on them in the parlor.

“That’s all of them, Henry. Now what? We taking them all in?” One of his men asked.

“All but him,” Henry indicated Silas. “I don’t reckon he had anything to do with this. He’s just a servant - having to do as he’s told. Having to wait on the mighty rich Barkleys. Doing things for them they could well do themselves.”

“No sir,” Silas started to object, but changed his mind upon catching Mrs. Barkley’s look, “I means, Yes sir.”

“A couple of you men go hitch a Barkley wagon up. We’re taking them to jail in their own wagon, and hitch Coco to it. It will do that horse some good to pull a wagon.” Henry challenged Nick to respond.

Nick started towards Henry but was stopped by Heath’s hand on his shoulder, which brought Henry’s attention to Heath. He walked over to stand inches in front of Heath. Reaching up, he pulled the collar of Heath’s shirt back to reveal the marks and swelling still visible from the rope.

“How’d you survive that, boy?” Henry asked. When Heath didn’t answer, Henry drove his gun into his mid-section.

Heath gasped and bent over.

“I asked you a question, boy?” Henry sneered.

“He can’t answer you,” Nick snarled as he held to Heath while he tried to catch his breath.

“Why can’t he?”

“Because the rope you put on him took his voice.” Nick growled.

“Did it now? Good. Nice to see I’ve left a lasting remembrance with him.”

No one bothered to correct Henry on his assumption that Heath was permanently without a voice.

“The next rope I put on him will be the last I’ll have to put on him, I promise you.”

“And I promise you, you won’t live to put another rope around his neck,” Nick glared.

“Maybe we should just see about that right here and now.” Henry challenged.

“Henry, you can’t get by with that now - not here,” one of his men interrupted.

Henry’s jaw tighten then relaxed again and again as he thought about what the man had said. He didn’t want to give in, but he knew what the man said was the truth. As it stood right now, even if he didn’t have the town behind him then at least they weren’t speaking out against him, but kill Heath Barkley again and in front of so many witnesses would not bode well with the town folks. Henry gave Nick a look that said ‘this isn’t over with,’ then walked away.

The rest of the family let out the breath they had been holding. Though they well understood Nick’s reaction, they sure thought this time it was going to cost Heath his life.

“Just what is it we’ve done that’s causing you to take the whole family to jail?” Jarrod questioned.

“Shut up, lawyer. You’ll find out in due time. Until then, I don’t want to hear another word out of you.” Henry had no use for Jarrod. Always dressed in his fine clothes. He never saw the fancy lawyer do any physical labor the whole time he worked for them.

Seeing the way Henry was looking at Jarrod, Victoria spoke up, “Would mind if I changed into something more suitable? As you can see, this is hardly something for a stay in jail.”

Henry looked her up and down. Though he didn’t like rich people, she had never mistreated him when he worked for them. He nodded and spoke to the man next to him, “Go with her. If she tries anything, shoot her.”

“Would you mind if my servant goes with me? As you pointed out, I can’t get by without his help. I hardly no where to begin.”

Henry thought she could have been making fun of him, but she was so serious, and he really did believe Silas did everything for them, so he indicated for Silas to go with her by motioning with his gun.

“What about Audra? Can she change out of her dress?” Victoria pressed her luck.

Henry sneered at Audra. He never did care much for her - she acted too uppity. No wonder those men went after her. She was always flirty to his notion. The thought of those men caused him to answer, “No, if she needs help out of her dress, I’m sure one of us can accommodate her.”

Nick started forward again, and once more Heath grabbed his arm to stop him, but this time Nick jerked loose and continued towards Henry.

Before he could get close though, one of Henry’s men slammed Nick across the shoulders from behind with a rifle. Nick fell to the floor. Heath and Jarrod started forward, but Henry’s armed men stopped them by stepping between them and Nick. Henry stepped on Nick’s gun hand, and with all his weight on it, he ground Nick’s fingers into the floor. Nick cried out, and everyone in the room felt sure Nick’s fingers were broken.

“Now you try that again, and it will be more than your hand next time,” Henry said as he lifted his foot.

“Get him out of here,” he motioned to two men.

Two of the closest men grabbed Nick and pulled him up by his arms. Dragging his legs, they pulled him out the front door.

Looking at Victoria and detesting the tears and defiance in her eyes, he told her if she wanted to change, she best get a move on.

Henry’s eyes lingered on Audra for awhile as he wondered how he might manage to get a taste of her.

Upstairs, Victoria was briefly able to talk to Silas without their guard hearing. She instructed Silas to let Dr. Merar know what had happened, and see if he could get a sheriff from a nearby town to come to Stockton immediately.

* * * * * * * *

Earlier that morning, Nick had sent the Barkley ranch hands out to do the various jobs they’d gotten behind on from their ‘little vacation’. Jarrod tried to explain to Nick that the family was in ‘mourning’, and he thought the hands should only do minimal work. Nick totally disagreed - he didn’t like having to pretend to anyone that Heath was dead, and he certainly thought letting the work go was taking it a bit too far. So, after sending all but a couple of the older hands off, Nick had returned to the house, complying with Dr. Merar and his mother’s wishes. Seeing as how Heath was confined to the house too, it wouldn’t be too bad, and that’s how they came to be playing checkers when Patterson’s bunch arrived.

Old Charlie Bains and Max Martin had been with the Barkleys for over ten years. They were both working out in the barn when Henry Patterson and his bunch rode up. They watched as Patterson and his men entered the house. Seeing a few of the men draw their guns before the door shut, Charlie and Max knew there was going to be trouble.

“Get your horse saddled, Max, and get the men. Get them back here as soon as you can. I’ll stay here and keep watch on the house,” Charlie said.

Before Max could make a move, two men came out of the house and headed towards the barn. Hiding in the loft, Charlie and Max watched as the men harnessed Charger and Coco to a wagon. Before the men had the wagon stopped in front of the house, the door opened and two men dragged Nick out and tossed him in the back of the wagon.

“You better get a move on, Max,” Charlie said, “this don’t look good - it don‘t look good at all.”

Max barely got his horse saddled before the front door of the mansion opened once more, and the remaining Barkley family was lead out at gunpoint.

“Would you look at that!” old Charlie exclaimed.

Despite the grave situation, Max’s eyes lit up.

“I tol’ you, Max, I tol’ you. I told you something wasn’t right. Old Silas wouldn’t have fixed wild duck yesterday, Mr. Heath’s favorite, if Mr. Heath had gone to his grave. Ah! Ah!” Charlie slapped his leg. He and Max’s smiles were a mile wide.

“Well, Charlie, this is one time I’m glad you’re right.”

As soon as Patterson and his men rode off with all the Barkleys in the wagon, Max set out to round up the rest of the Barkley hands to help.

“Don’t forget to give them the good news too, Max,” Charlie yelled through his smile.

* * * * * * * *

The Barkley family spent the trip to town in silence.

Nick flexed his fingers. No bones appeared to be broken but his hand was throbbing and parts of his fingers were numb from being smashed. He didn’t feel the pain though, he was too busy silently berating himself. If he hadn’t of sent the hands to work, the ranch would have had some protection. He knew better, but having to pretend this whole ordeal of Heath being dead was hard, and he hadn’t been thinking straight. And now, having failed to protect his family was eating him alive. His mother and Audra facing jail? And though Jarrod was used to jails, this would be his first time on the other side of the bars. His whole family concerned him, but it was Heath that worried him the most. Henry seemed to have it in for him, and today he made it clear that it was because of him. Heath was paying the price for Henry hating the Barkleys - most of all Nick, and it could cost him his life.

Jarrod was a bit in shock. He couldn’t believe the whole thing was happening. Here they were in a wagon, on their way to jail in their home town. How had it gone this far? Why had it gone so far?

Audra kept quiet, and tried not to draw anymore attention to herself. The way Henry looked at her made her skin crawl. She dared not even look his way. The seriousness of the situation hadn’t reached her yet. She was sure once they got to town, Jarrod would have the whole thing cleared up, and they would be back home before sundown.

Victoria was quite worried. All her family was in trouble, especially her sons. She was equally worried about all three of them. She heard the threats Henry spoke against Heath, but it was Nick he really disliked. And the look Henry bestowed upon Jarrod was nothing but cold. She didn’t think for one minute that Heath was the only one who’s life was in danger. She watched Nick and Heath. They were both watching every move Henry and his men made. There was no doubt in her mind, they were looking for a chance to free the family, and she silently prayed they wouldn’t. She believed Henry was itching for an excuse to be able to hurt or kill one of them before they got to town.

Heath was watching for his chance. Because of him, the family he’d come to love was in trouble. If he hadn’t of come to the valley, none of this would be happening. If the chance presented itself, he would lay his life down for them. He even thought that maybe if Henry could expel his anger out on him, he might forget about the rest of them and let them go. If he could talk, he’d try to convince Henry of that. As it was, he contemplated how he could get the ideal across to him. Maybe if he jumped one of them, Henry would finished him right there? No, then Nick and Jarrod would dive in to help him, and Henry would have the excuse he needed to hang them all. Henry didn’t tie any of them up, so Heath was sure he was hoping they’d make a move to escape. He’d have to think of another way.

The family rode to Stockton; each one with their own thoughts.

* * * * * * * *

Ed Pierce had watched the Henry Patterson’s gang, as he’d come to think of them, ride out. Quickly, he gathered the more important people in town for a meeting.

“I, for one, have a problem with Henry Patterson and his gang taking over as the law of Stockton. I think we need to do something about this right now,” Ed stated as soon as the men were gathered.

“What do you suggest we do?” Don Miller, the banker, asked. He, too, thought having them as the temporary law was a bad ideal, but at least it was some sort of law.

“When they get back, we’ll go tell them that their services aren’t needed. I’ve sent a wire requesting for a law official be sent to us, and I expect to hear back from them any day,” Ed replied.

“Well, maybe we could let them stay acting as law until someone gets here,” Jim Colter spoke up. He just wanted this whole matter settled. “After all, they did bring those outlaws in.”

“Yeah, but they hung Heath Barkley, and I’m not convinced he was part of the gang. I’m betting he wasn’t. I mean what evidence did Patterson have - none. All he had was his suspicions, and he didn’t hesitate to spread those around. The next thing any of us knew, he’d hung him, and somehow hurt Nick in the process. I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all,” Ed replied.

“Yeahs,” and “That’s right,” were heard throughout the room.

“They should be held accountable for their actions taken against the Barkleys, I agree, but I think that is something for the law to handle. What we need to talk about is the here and now. Right now, we need to get them out of the sheriff’s office. We don’t need their brand of law around here,” Don Miller added.

Others in the room seemed to agree.

“Take a look at this. I don’t believe it,” exclaimed a man standing, looking out the window.

The men all crowded to the windows. Their months dropped opened as they watched the Barkley family being brought in. Their mouths dropped a little more when they spied, Heath Barkley, alive and in the flesh, sitting among them.

Ed Pierce recovered first and hurried out the door.

“What’s the meaning of this?” he yelled as he rushed towards the now stopped wagon in front of the jail.

Henry turned and pointed his gun at Ed. “That’s far enough.”

Ed stopped and again asked, “What’s going on?”

“I’ve brought the Barkley family in,” Henry flatly stated.

“On what charges?” Ed continued his questions.

“Harboring a fugitive among other charges. As you can see, Heath Barkley is alive and well. I found him hidden in the house,” Henry stopped to address the man as the rest of his gang escorted the Barkleys into the sheriff’s office.

Ed was speechless. The rest of the men in the meeting were gathered outside by this time. They, too, were silent.

Henry continued, “I’m going to hold them in jail until they can stand trial. I can’t trust them, so there will be no bail.”

All thoughts of the discussion the important men in town were having before seeing the Barkleys brought in were forgotten. Seeing Heath alive after the Barkleys said he was dead, made them question the whole situation and the decision they’d just made. Were there some ring of truth to Henry’s accusations after all? They weren’t so sure anymore.

Henry turned and followed the Barkleys in the jail. Before he closed the door, he turned back to face Ed Pierce, “They can’t have any visitors, so don’t even try.”

He shut the door. No one in town tried to stop him.

* * * * * * * *

The Stockton jail had three cells in it. Henry Patterson had Heath put in the middle one by himself. On one side of Heath, he put Victoria and Audra, then Jarrod and Nick on the other side. He had his reason, but he told no one.

After the evening meal, and all the men had made their last rounds around the town - for appearances they did the things they remembered Fred doing as sheriff - Henry dismissed all the men. He said he’d be able to watch the Barkleys without any help. He sent them all out to stand guard around the town. He fully expected the Barkley ranch hands to attempt to rescue their employers, and he wanted to put his plan in action before they did.

Henry waited until after all the men had left, and everything was good and quiet, before he took the key and went in to the prisoners. He stood looking from the door with an evil smile upon his face. It was such a pretty sight. The high and mighty rich Barkleys in jail, and he was the one who put them there.

Everyone was laying on their cots except Nick, he was pacing in his cell. Henry walked over and stood in front of it. He dangled the keys. “You’d sure like to have these, wouldn’t you?”

Nick only glared at Henry.

Smelling trouble, Jarrod rose from his cot. Standing next to Nick, he said, “Patterson, why don’t you leave us alone? You’ve got what you wanted. We’re in jail.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong lawyer man, I haven’t gotten what I wanted, but I will,” Henry laughed.

Heath rose from his cot. As he did so he caught a shadowed movement outside his window. He couldn’t tell who or what so he shrugged it off - probably one of Henry’s men guarding the jail.

Henry looked from Nick to Heath then back to Nick again. He gave an evil smile then walked out of the room and returned shortly with a rope in his hands. He stood and stared at Nick and held the rope up. There was a noose on the end of the rope.

Nick felt a chill run through his body upon seeing the noose. Despite his still throbbing hand, he gripped the bars of his cell so hard his entire fingers were white. “Patterson, you lay one hand on him,” Nick snarled through gritted teeth.

“Henry, if you’re really the law, lawmen don’t play vigilante,” Jarrod added trying to stop Henry with words.

Henry ignored them both. He threw the rope in Heath’s cell. “Throw that rope over the rafter above your head.”

Heath stood still - a stone cold stare fixed on Henry.

By this time Victoria and Audra were on their feet also.

Henry smiled, licked his lips and looked at Audra. “Do it, or I’ll have a little fun with your sister.”

Heath picked up the rope.

“PATTERSON, YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS,” Nick yelled.

“Don’t do it, Heath,” Audra begged. “He won’t do anything to me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, little lady,” Henry glared, “and he knows it, don’t you, boy?”

“Heath, it isn’t worth it. Let him do what he wants with me. It isn’t worth dying for,” Audra begged again. Tears starting to fall down her face.

Heath had his eyes fixed on Henry. He couldn’t bring himself to look at his family.

“Heath,” Victoria softly spoke.

At her voice, Heath turned and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes. He looked away then threw the rope over the rafter above his head. The noose dangled right in front of his face.

Henry pulled a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket. Looking at Heath, he said, “Come over here, turn around and put your hands through the cell walls.”

“Don’t do it, Heath,” Nick demanded.

Henry looked at Audra and licked his lips again.

Heath walked to Henry, turned around and put his hands through the bars.

“HEATH!” Nick yelled.

Jarrod put his hand on Nick’s shoulder.

Henry fastened the handcuffs around Heath hands.

“Now back up against the wall over there,” Henry demanded indicating the wall opposite the cell door.

Heath did.

Henry opened his cell. Thinking Heath would try to attack him even if his gun was pointed at him, he decided to point it elsewhere. Keeping his gun pointed at Audra the whole time, Henry put a small stool under the noose. He then grabbed the noose and held it out towards Nick’s direction with his eyes on Heath and his gun on Audra.

“Take this rope, Nick Barkley,” Henry commanded.

When he didn’t feel Nick take the noose, he pulled the hammer back. “You want to see your little sister die before your eyes?”

Nick took the noose. Picking up the other end of the rope, Henry backed out of the cell and locked the door.

“Go over and let your brother put the noose around your neck,” Henry demanded. He spoke to Heath, but he was looking at Nick, fully enjoying the pain on Nick’s face. The color of Nick Barkley’s face was deathly white and was covered in a sheen of sweat.

Nick’s heart had stopped. He couldn’t breath. The room started spinning.

“You can’t do this, Patterson,” Jarrod snarled as he gripped the bars of his cell.

“Mr. Patterson, we will pay you. Just name your price, but please don’t do this,” Victoria pleaded.

“SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU,” Henry yelled. He looked at Heath, “Well?”

Heath walked over to Nick.

“I won’t do it,” Nick said as he looked right into Heath’s eyes.

“You will do it, or the rest of your family will die one at a time,” Henry grinned.

‘Just do it, Nick,” Heath’s eyes pleaded.

Nick shook his head.

Henry unlocked the women’s cell door, pushed Victoria back, grabbed Audra and pulled her out of the cell by the hair of her head. Victoria fell back on the cot, and Audra screamed, “MOTHER!”

Jarrod, Nick and Heath helplessly watched.

Heath whipped his head around, “Nick, do it,” he croaked out as best he could. He bent down and tried to get his head through the noose on his own. Nick jerked the noose away from Heath.

Henry slammed the cell door shut so Victoria couldn’t get out and dragged Audra over to Nick’s cell. He pulled Audra’s head around and brought his mouth down on hers. As Henry’s hand came up and grabbed the bodice of Audra’s dress, Nick groaned out in an animal-like voice, “All right.”

Henry stopped and pushed Audra to the floor. He turned to watch Nick, ready to enjoy every minute of this. The look on each Barkley’s face was priceless save for Heath. His was hard and expressionless.

With trembling hands, Nick held the noose up. His eyes held Heath’s.

Heath nodded his head slightly, then Nick slipped the noose over his little brother’s head. With tears unashamedly falling down his face, Nick whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Heath gave him a half smile.

“Now get up on that stool,” Henry ordered.

Heath did. It was a small, wobbly stool, and his feet would barely fit on top. Again movement outside the window caught his eye.

Henry pulled on the end of the rope in his hand. He pulled it so tight that Heath had to stand on his toes, and lean his head back as far as he could just to breathe.

“Heath,” Nick whispered as he watched.

Henry tied the rope to the cell door. “That will do. Now, I’m going to leave you like that. It’s up to you when you die, Barkley. You go to sleep and slip off that stool then you’re a dead man, or in the morning when I bring you breakfast and have to open that door, it will tighten the rope. Either way, your time is limited.”

After locking Audra back in her cell, Henry sat down on a chair and waited. He personally wanted to see Nick’s reaction when Heath slipped off that stool. He didn’t think it would take long. He might could stay awake all night, but that stool was so weak and wobbly, it couldn’t possibly hold his weight for very long.

Thirty minutes passed. Several times, the family had tried to plead and bargain with Henry, but he paid them no mind. Nick’s eyes never left Heath. He couldn’t see Heath’s eyes because his head was back so far, but he continuously watched the rise and fall of his chest.

Then Heath’s breathing changed. It was noisy where it had been quiet. Victoria who could see from a different angle, gasped, “His neck is starting to swell.”

Nick straightened up.

“Patterson, you’ve got to do something. You can’t just let him suffocate!” Jarrod shouted.

Henry laughed.

“You’re inhuman man! You can’t sit and let him slowly die,” Jarrod again tried to elicit some human feelings from Henry.

Henry rose and stood in front of Jarrod. “Oh yes I...”

He never got to finish what he wanted to say. It happened so fast, Henry was out cold on the floor before any of the Barkleys knew what happened.

When their eyes left Henry on the floor, they looked up to see their trusted friend with an iron skillet in his hand.

“Silas!” Victoria exclaimed.

“You’re sure a welcome sight man,” Jarrod’s smile reached ear to ear.

“The keys, Silas,” Nick pointed at Henry, “Get the keys.”

Within seconds, Silas had Nick and Jarrod’s cell unlocked. Nick took the keys and as he unlocked Heath’s door, Jarrod untied the rope. When the rope loosened, Heath’s body, stiff from standing on his toes in such an awkward position, started to fall to the floor. Nick flung the door opened and caught him before he hit the floor. Gently, he laid him down as Jarrod, for the second time, took a noose from around his little brother’s neck.

Heath looked at them and smiled. Both brothers smiled back.

Silas, having taken the keys from the lock on Heath’s door, quickly unlocked the door holding Victoria and Audra. The three rushed to Heath’s side.

Jarrod rose, hurried from the room, grabbed a gun and started for the door. Before he could opened the door, he heard a commotion outside. He looked through the window.

“Well, I’ll be,” he exclaimed.

“What is it?” Nick asked as he entered the room.

Jarrod opened the door and stepped back.

One by one, Henry’s men entered the room, accompanied by a large group of black people - men and women alike. There were close to forty of them.

Nick watched with his mouth open as they walked through the sheriff’s office into the cell area. The black men and women carried hoes, shovels, pitchforks, skillets, knives, hammers and various assorted hand tools.

“Silas?” Victoria questioned as she saw all ten of Henry’s men being ushered into the cell once occupied by Nick and Jarrod.

Silas was all smiles. “I knew the ranch hands couldn’t get here in time, nor that sheriff you wanted me to get. That Patterson’s a powerful, evil man.”

Silas looked at his friends locking up the mob. “They’re from my church. I tell them the family was in trouble. You been so good to them throughout the years, Mrs. Barkley, they wanted to help. We got the weapons we knew how to use and got here as quick as we could,” he explained.

Tears fell down Victoria’s face. She stood and took Silas’ hands into hers. “How can I ever thank you, my dear friend?”

“This is what friends do. You taught me that.”

“It’s what family does too, Silas,” Audra spoke up as she hugged him, “And you a very important part of ours.”

* * * * * * * *

A month later, everything was back to normal in Stockton.

Fred was back to work with two new deputies to assist him.

Rand survived his wounds, and cleared Heath of being a part of their gang.

Henry Patterson and all his men pleaded guilty, and were serving time in San Quentin.

Some, not all, but some of the people in town apologized to the Barkleys for not trying to do anything to prevent what had happened. Their excuse was - they were scared.

Nick’s hand was completely healed.

And Heath had his voice back.

* * * * * * * *

Everything was not back to normal at the Barkley ranch though. Heath was acting strange and no one could figure him out.

For the first time, the family and ranch hands saw a lazy Heath. He didn’t get up until almost noon, and it took him three times as long to complete his work as it used to. He talked and joked with them still, but that was all that was the same. He had an ‘I don’t care,’ attitude about everything.

At first the family thought it was because he was recovering from his ordeal, but after a month had passed, they had started to wonder. Shouldn’t he be back to normal by now?

Not knowing what else to do, the family decided to just be patient a little longer. They knew this wasn’t the Heath they knew and loved, and they hoped if they gave him all the time he needed then he’d be back to the Heath had come to love.

Nick wasn’t so patient.

Having had enough, Nick decided to confront him one day when they were out fixing fences together, and as usual lately, he was having to wait as Heath gingerly dug a hole - like he had all day to dig one hole.

“Heath what is wrong with you?” It came out a little more gruff than Nick intended, but then again, it came out how he felt.

“What do you mean, Nick?” Heath replied as he stopped, removed his hat and wipe the sweat from his head and face.

Nick stood amazed. He didn’t see how Heath had worked up a sweat.

“What I mean is, you’re not acting right.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Nick.”

“Not much you don’t. I’m talking about....I mean....you’re....” Nick found it hard to say the words. Heath and lazy in the same sentence just didn’t fit.

“I’m what, Nick?” Heath urged him on.

Nick heavily sighed. “You’re ...well, you’re lazy, boy. You’re work’s shoddy. You halfway do things. Your not acting right.”

“If YOU’RE NOT HAPPY WITH MY WORK, NICK, JUST SAY SO,” Heath yelled.

Not use to Heath yelling at him or at least being the first one to yell surprised Nick, and he reacted quickly, “NO, I’M NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR WORK. NO ONE’S HAPPY WITH YOUR WORK?”

“YOU WANT ME TO LEAVE NICK?” Heath rapidly threw at him.

Nick’s mouth flew open, and he retorted, “WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?” then quickly added, “NO, I DON’T WANT YOU TO LEAVE.”

“JUST SAY THE WORD, NICK. I’LL BE GONE,” Heath pushed the words at Nick.

Nick’s face turned completely questioning.

Heath suddenly turned around and walked off.

“Heath?” he called, but Heath kept walking.

* * * * * * * *

Nick came in the front door, slamming it shut. He stomped up the stairs not bothering to look into the parlor where Victoria, Audra and Jarrod waited for him and Heath to join them as was customary before dinner.

Halfway up the stairs, Nick stopped and tromped back down. He stopped just inside the parlor. His face was beet red.

“If someone doesn’t get to the bottom of what is wrong with Heath pretty soon, I...well, I can’t be responsible for what I might do to him.”

Before anyone could respond to his outrage, Nick stomped back up the stairs. They heard the bathroom door shut and water being ran for his bath.

Jarrod looked at his mother and was about to say something when Heath walked in the front door. He was whistling. He hung up his hat and gun belt and strolled into the parlor.

“Well, Heath, it sounds like you had a good day,” Jarrod replied to the whistling as he poured Heath a drink.

“I always feel good after a hard days work,” Heath took the drink Jarrod held out for him.

“Heath,” Victoria said, “did anything happen between you and Nick today?”

“Not much,” Heath answered jovially, but Jarrod caught the look Heath covered up upon first hearing the question. He couldn’t make out what the look meant though. It was one he hadn’t ever seen on him before.

“Well, Nick sure is in a bad mood,” Audra offered.

“He’s probably just tired. After he’s had a bath, he’ll be fine. And speaking of baths, I think I’ll go get ready to grab the tub as soon as Nick’s out. Excuse me.” Heath threw the contents of his glass down his throat, laid down his empty glass and headed upstairs.

Jarrod looked at Victoria and Audra and shrugged.

* * * * * * * *

Dinner that night was quiet. Neither Heath nor Nick had anything to say. After a few attempts to draw them into conversation, Jarrod, Victoria and Audra gave up.

Heath’s appetite was good though, and he wolfed down his food. Nick, however, hardly touched his. Finally Nick excused himself and left the table.

Jarrod found him later in the library with the door shut. He was staring into the fire with a whiskey in his hand. Jarrod poured himself a scotch and joined him by the fire.

“Want to talk about it?”

After receiving no response, Jarrod called his name, “Nick.”

Coming from his thoughts, Nick replied, “Huh?” and looked up at Jarrod.

“I asked if you wanted to talk about it?”

“I don’t know, Jarrod, I just don’t know,” Nick answered as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“You don’t know what?”

“Heath. I’m really worried about him.”

“How do you mean?”

“You know he’s been acting different - with his work habit and all?”

Jarrod nodded.

“Today, I questioned him about it.”

“And?”

“He blew up. Told me to say the word, and he’d be gone.”

“He said that?”

“He did.”

“Maybe he just needs some time, he was almost hung - twice, Nick.”

Nick got up and paced the floor. “I know that, Jarrod,” he growled, angry that Jarrod would think he’d have to remind him of the horrifying experience.

“Nick, if Heath doesn’t want to talk about it, and it appears he doesn’t, there’s nothing else we can do. Give him time.”

Nick stared at Jarrod. Sometimes his oldest brother thoroughly exasperated him. Always willing to wait, well he wasn’t, but he was through talking about it. “I’m going to bed,” he said and left the room.

Jarrod looked up at his father’s portrait and left out a long breath.

* * * * * * * *

Heath was laying in his bed staring up at the ceiling. He heard Nick slam his bedroom door and shut his eyes against the pain he felt upon what he was doing to everyone, especially Nick.

He’d thought it was a good ideal he’d come up with. His entry into their world had caused this family enough trouble and pain, and now that the ordeal with Henry Patterson was over and things were back to normal, he still intended to leave, but he had a major problem. Nick would follow him, and bring him back by force if he had to, of that, he was certain.

So he’d come up with what he thought was a pretty brilliant idea. He’d make them want him to leave. Slacking off on his work was his way of getting to Nick. Nick hated laziness, and one of the first things Nick had liked about him was the way he worked, so changing that should make Nick start to not like him.

Laying in bed half the day was his way to get to everyone. With a few exceptions, this family rose out of bed early every day. Trouble was, he’d been at it for a month, but his plan didn’t seem to be working. No one had asked him to leave, and then today when he challenge Nick to ask him to leave, Nick acted like he’d struck him. He didn’t look like he’d even been close to wanting him to leave. No, his plan wasn’t working and now he lay in bed trying to conjure up another one.

Slacking off with his work was hard for him to do. He’d always taken pride in what he did and never did anything halfway, but for the last three weeks that’s all his work was - halfway. It was getting to Nick but it was also getting to Heath. It was causing the hands extra work to pull Heath’s part, and he couldn’t live with that. He had to find another way and find it fast.

Then he smiled.

* * * * * * * *

The next day, Nick rode out to check on Heath and maybe have a decent conversation with him. He hadn’t said a word to him even though Heath had spoken to him this morning.

He was suppose to the checking the north pasture fencing and report back at noon. He hadn’t showed up. Nick thought maybe he hadn’t shown up because of him, so he thought he’d try to make things right between them again. If the rest of the family could be so patient, he’d try a little harder too.

He found Heath leaning against a tree sound asleep with an empty whiskey bottle beside him.

He nudged him with his foot. “Heath, wake up.”

Heath didn’t budge.

“Heath,” he nudged him harder.

Heath’s body fell sideways.

Nick blew out a hard breath, and shook his head. He stooped down and pulled Heath up. A strong smell of alcohol assaulted his nose. His anger rose quickly to the surface, and before he could stop himself, he jerked Heath to his feet and shook him hard. After not getting any response, he let Heath fall to the ground. He got his canteen from his saddle and pour its contents on his drunk little brother’s face.

Heath moaned and stirred.

“Get up, Heath.”

“Huh?” Heath said as he opened his eyes, squinting from the sun.

“That you, Nick?”

“Well, it ain’t Santa Clause,” Nick replied angrily. “What the hell is wrong with you, Heath? Drinking on the job. I’ve never known you....I sent you out here to do a job, and you drink yourself into ...” Nick couldn’t finish his thoughts. He was too angry and confused by this Heath he was seeing, besides, his drunken little brother didn’t seem to be listening to a word he said anyway.

He pulled Heath to his feet and pushed him toward his horse. “Mount up.”

Holding on to the saddle horn, Heath tried unsuccessfully to get his foot into the stirrup.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Nick exclaimed and grabbed Heath by the back of his belt and tossed him up into the saddle.

“You think you can hold on?” Nick snarled.

“Sure, Ni...ck,” he slurred then hiccupped. “I got him,” and hiccupped again.

As Nick walked away, Heath smiled. This ought to do the trick. Nick was about as mad as he’d ever seen him.

Nick turned around. Heath quickly wiped the smile off his face and started swaying.

“You fall out of that saddle, boy, and you will walk back to the ranch - every step of the way.”

* * * * * * * *

Nick rode behind Heath all the way back to the ranch. A few times he thought Heath was a goner, but he would straighten up and somehow he managed to stay in his saddle the whole way home.

By the time they reached the ranch, Heath was slumped over his saddle with his head resting on Charger’s neck. Nick led them over by the corral near the watering trough. He pulled Heath off his horse and into the trough. He went under and came up spitting and sputtering.

Nick turned his back on Heath and walked to the house. This had gone far enough. Patience be hang - he was going to get to the bottom of this brother that was quickly becoming a stranger.

* * * * * * * *

“Come on, Jarrod, we’ve got to go,” Nick stated as he burst into Jarrod’s law office in Stockton unannounced.

Jarrod put his pencil down. “Do you mind telling me where we’ve got to go.”

“To find out what’s wrong with him.”

“I take it we’re talking about Heath.”

“OF COURSE, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HEATH.”

“Lower your voice, Nick. I can hear just fine.” Nick had been short tempered lately, but Jarrod knew Heath was why so he’d basically ignored it, but in his office, it was another story.

Handing Jarrod his hat, Nick rushed him, “Hurry up.”

“Now, Nick..”

“He’s faking it, Jarrod.”

“Faking what?”

“He hasn’t been drinking, He’s been pretending to be drunk.”

“You sure about that?” Nick had informed the family of Heath’s condition several nights ago. They’d still decided giving Heath time was the answer.

“I followed him. I’ve been watching him all morning. He did a little work, about all he’s been completing in a days time - it only took him an hour mind you, then he opened a whiskey bottle, took a drink, swished it around in his mouth and spit it out. He poured the rest of the entire bottle all over himself. Then he sat down and leaned against the tree in the same position I’ve found him in for the last three days. Now tell me, Counselor, why would he do this?”

Taking his hat from Nick, Jarrod replied, “I don’t know, but it’s time we found out.”

* * * * * * * *

Heath was in his normal drunken position when Jarrod and Nick rode up.

Nick grabbed a hold of the front of Heath’s shirt and jerked him to his feet. “The game’s over little brother. You’re going to tell us what’s gotten into you, and you’re going to tell us now.”

Heath swayed and slurred, “Hey, brothers, what’sss sup?”

“Oh no, you don’t. You’re no more drunk than I am. I watched you, Heath. I saw your whole trick.” Nick spun him around to face him.

Heath ‘sobered’ up, and stared at Nick.

Nick stood in front of Heath with his hands on his hips and his legs slightly spread. It was Nick’s ‘nothing moves me’ stance that Jarrod knew so well, and Heath was beginning to.

“Heath,” Jarrod interrupted before fists could fly, “we can’t help you if we don’t know what’s wrong.”

Heath stepped back and turned where he could look at both of them. They saw a thundercloud build in his face.

“I don’t get it. I slough off with my work, I stay in bed half a day, I drink on the job, but no matter what I do, you won’t throw me off this ranch.”

“Throw you off the ranch?” Nick’s hands dropped from his hips. He felt a stab in his heart upon hearing those words.

“Is that what you’ve been trying to get us to do - throw you out?” Jarrod asked. His face showing utter disbelief.

The defiant look and lift of Heath’s head gave them their answer.

“Heath, nothing you could do would get us to throw you out. Nothing.” Jarrod answered.

“So, I’ve found out.”

“Why do you want to leave?” Jarrod asked.

Heath didn’t answer, instead he turned around and headed for Charger. He didn’t want to talk about it. Nothing he did worked, so he was just going to leave. If Nick followed, so be it.

Anger, confusion, hurt - several emotions were running through Nick, so he’d let Jarrod do the talking because all he really wanted to do at the moment was smack Heath. But when he saw him turn to leave, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Where are you going?” Nick growled as he fell in behind him.

“I’m going back to the ranch, pack my things and leave.”

“Heath?” Nick said in a voice so strange that Heath turned around. He never saw what hit him. Nick caught him as he went down.

“What did you do that for?” Jarrod asked.

Thinking of the punch he took from Heath that had laid him out cold, he replied, “I owed him one.” Pausing he added, “He’s not leaving, Jarrod. I won’t let him.”

“I know he’s not, Nick.”

* * * * * * * *

It was two hours before Heath came around. When he opened his eyes, he saw Nick and Jarrod looking at him.

“Oh,” he moaned, then sniffed, “this is some hangover.”

Nick and Jarrod exchanged looks.

“Sorry, I guess I hit you a little too hard,” Nick said a little guiltily.

“You hit me?” he looked at Nick then realization came flooding in, “Now I remember.”

Heath moved his jaws around, and tried to sit up, but the room swayed. He laid back down. From the bed, he looked around the room. He didn’t recognize it. “We are we?”

“Just a little place Jarrod and I have - a hideout of sorts,” Nick replied. He wasn’t about to tell Heath they were at an old abandoned line shack on Barkley property that they’d fixed up over the years for a brothers’ getaway.

“We thought it was time for some brotherly bonding,” Jarrod explained. “And now that you’re back with us, little brother, I think I’ll rustle us up something to eat.”

Jarrod gave Nick a warning look and left the room.

Heath tried raise up again. This time the room stayed put, and he was able sit on the side of the bed.

“You pack some punch, Nick.”

“So do you, if you’ll remember.”

Heath gave him his lopsided grin. “Guess we’re even.”

“Heath,” Nick sat down in a chair next to the bed, making himself eye level with Heath, “why do you want to leave?” Nick dived right in. He’d wasted enough time in getting to the bottom of this nonsense.

“It’s not what I want, it’s what I have to do,” he tried to stand up, but Nick took hold of his arm and stopped him.

“Why, Heath?”

“Nick, I don’t want to talk about it.” he answered as he removed Nick’s hand from his arm.

Nick looked at him hard for a few minutes, the conceded, “Fine, but you aren’t leaving this place until Jarrod and I know why it is you think you have to leave your home.”

Nick saw anger build in Heath’s face, and he turned to leave Heath alone with it, “I’ll go help Jarrod.”

“Nick.”

Nick turned around at the door and looked at Heath.

“You can’t keep me here forever.”

Nick gave him a ‘try me’ smile and walked out.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod was putting the food on the table, and Nick was hauling in some wood when Heath emerged from the bedroom.

Heath looked around. The place was modestly furnished, but the rooms were spacious. He counted two other bedrooms besides the one he was in. The kitchen, dining room and living room of sorts was one large room.

“Well hello, brother Heath. Hope you’re hungry. We’ve got fried chicken, corn on the cob, rolls and apple pie.”

Heath raised his eyebrows, “You cooked?”

Jarrod chuckle, “Not hardly, Silas threw us a little something together.”

Heath didn’t say anything, but wondered how many people were in on this?

“Uh, if you’d like to wash up, there’s a bathroom off the kitchen.” Jarrod pointed to the back of the house.

“I’m not hungry. Am I allowed to go outside?”

Jarrod and Nick looked at each other.

Jarrod answered, “You’re not a prisoner here, Heath.” They did have the horses hidden from him though.

“Could have fooled me,” Heath countered back as he looked at Nick and walked out the door.

Nick shrugged and shook his head.

“I trust you got no where with him?” Jarrod asked.

“No, he’s as stubborn as ..”

“all the other Barkleys,” Jarrod finished.

“He’s twice as stubborn as all the other Barkleys,” Nick replied, “and if you tell me to be patient with him one more time, I’ll punch YOU out.”

Jarrod put his hands up in surrender, “I was only going to tell you to wash up, supper’s ready.”

* * * * * * * *

Heath stood on the front porch and looked around. They were somewhere high in the mountains, but he didn’t recognize any of the landmarks. He saw a stream off to the left of the cabin and walked towards it.

An hour later, Jarrod found him sitting on a boulder on the edge of the stream and joined him.

“You know, Heath, you aren’t responsible for what other people do.”

A surprised Heath looked up at Jarrod.

“You’re blaming yourself for Audra’s attack, aren’t you?”

Though Heath didn’t say anything, Jarrod knew he was right. He’d given it a lot of thought, and it was the only thing that made sense.

“Look Heath, you might say if you’d never came here, Audra wouldn’t have been attacked. But I could say if she was fat, ugly and dressed awful, it wouldn’t have happened. So you think we should blame Audra for being attacked because she looks good and dresses nice?”

“Of course not.”

“Well, I could say they attacked Audra because their parents failed in raising them. You think I should confront their family?”

“Jarrod, it’s not the same thing.”

“It’s exactly the same thing. Heath, when something happens it’s usually the result of a lot of things. If it hadn’t of been Audra, it would have been another young woman. Those men were just like that.”

Heath’s face remained stoic, and Jarrod didn’t think he was reaching him, so he tried something daring.

“It’s Mother’s fault you were born without a father.”

Heath face shot up, and his mouth flew open to protest, but Jarrod continued before he could say anything.

“She didn’t make Father happy enough to keep him from straying.”

“You’re wrong, Jarrod,” Heath face was ablaze.

“Or let’s say it’s mine and Nick’s fault for being born and possibly causing problems in their marriage that made Father stray.”

“Jarrod, that’s ridiculous. You and Nick couldn’t help...”

“And you could?”

Suddenly Heath understood what Jarrod was trying to get across to him. He grinned, “Guess I’ve been a little ridiculous.”

“A little. Heath, no adult is responsible for what another adult does or says. No one.”

Jarrod chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Can you imagine blaming Mother for Nick being so loud. Who knows why that is - it just is.”

Heath laughed, “Thanks, Jarrod.”

Jarrod clapped Heath on the back, “Anytime. That’s what big brothers are for.”

“Now, how about something to eat.”

Heath nodded, and they headed back towards the cabin.

Nick was watching the entire scene from the cabin. He didn’t know what was said and for the moment, he didn’t care because by the looks on their faces, Jarrod’s arm around Heath’s shoulder, AND Heath leaving it there, all was right with his world again.

* * * * * * * *

They spent three days fishing, talking and sharing - bonding. One of the things Nick and Jarrod shared with Heath was the story behind the cabin. After their father was killed, they needed a place to get away - a man’s only place for just the two of them. A place where the outside world would be hard pressed to reach them. So, they fixed up the quaint little cabin out of an old line shack.

Heath thought on their words for awhile. “I got one question.”

“Anything,” Jarrod and Nick answered simultaneously.

“If you fixed this cabin up for just the two of you, why are there three bedrooms?”

Nick and Jarrod exchanged looks and grinned.

“A couple of months ago, when you went to Strawberry to see Hannah, we added yours,” was Jarrod’s answer.

Two days later, they went home - all three of them.

THE END