Dan and Tom jumped down and ran over to the two stunned people on the side of the road. Holding Nick’s hat, Sue walked to her horse, hung it from the saddlehorn and leaned against the side of the horse.

Putting his hands on her shaking shoulders, Heath said quietly, “Sue, let’s go get Nick back.”

Looking at Heath’s pale face, Sue wiped her eyes and nodded, “Okay.”

Taking the rifle from the scabbard on Tom’s saddle, she stated quietly, “I gotta borrow your rifle, Tom. Do you have more bullets?”

Dan put his hand on her shoulder and looked into the green eyes, “Sue, let me get some more men and then we’ll go after them.”

Pulling herself out of his grip, Sue said, “The doctor is needed at the mission. Petey Samuels is there and he’s hurt. Nick was on his way to get the doc when Varner got him.”

Opening his saddlebag, Tom handed her a box of cartridges. “I’ll bring the doc out to the mission and meet you later. I’ll swing by ranger headquarters and let them know what’s going on.”

“Thanks, Tom!” replied Dan as the sheriff rode away.

Looking at Sue kneeling and studying the ground, he said quietly, “Sue, we need to know where Varner is going, to get Nick back.”

“Varner is telling us where he’s going.” said Sue softly. “Heath!”

Rushing over Heath knelt beside her. Touching the ground, she held up her fingers for him to see, “Blood. Two places. Looks like he hit his head on this rock and there’s more further down. Could be a shoulder wound.”

“That would explain how he was able to get Nick.” replied Heath watching the green eyes blaze with fury.

Clenching the rifle in her hands, she nodded. “Yeah. It’s gonna be harder to get Nick away from Varner if he’s hurt bad.”

“If we get more rangers, we could split up and search a bigger area.” stated Dan.

“I’m not waiting for more men.”

“Me either, Dan.” stated Heath firmly walking beside Sue while she searched the ground.

“You don’t even know if he’s alive! Varner could’ve killed Nick and is using his dead body as bait.” snapped Dan angrily.

Sue grabbed Heath’s arm as he lunged at Dan. Heath’s body shook with anger at Dan’s words and he shouted, “What’s wrong with you! My brother is out there and he’s hurt! I know he’s alive!”

Sue stared at the ranger she called friend in disbelief. “Nick is alive and we’re going after him. Come on, Heath!”

Pulling Heath by the arm, they brushed past Dan and grabbed the reins of the horses. Leading them, the two friends took off following the trail Varner had clearly left.

“What’s wrong with you! My brother is out there and he’s hurt! I know he’s alive!”

Heath’s words resonated through his mind. Sue’s look of disbelief and hurt had seared his eyes. Dan hung his head in shame at the pain he had caused his friends. Jealousy, the green eyed monster, was a powerful and devastating emotion. Rubbing his horse’s neck, he could’ve sworn he saw shame in the eyes that rolled at him and in the shake of his head that said ‘what were you thinking’.

Looking to the heavens, he spoke outloud to himself, “God, what have I done? Am I really just hoping Nick’s dead so she’ll turn to me.”

Realizing his angry words were spurned by the love that burned inside him, his shame escalated. Mounting his horse, he galloped after the two friends he had hurt deeply.

‘Please forgive me.’ begged Dan silently following the tracks leading up the trail.

Stopping in a grove of trees in front of the cave, Varner dropped the reins of Nick’s horse and took out his gun. Pulling his horse to the side of Nick, the glazed hazel eyes watched him with trepidation.

“This is the end of the trail.” stated Varner calmly bringing the pistol down on the back of Nick’s head. Feeling the sudden onslaught of pain, darkness caved in all around Nick and he slumped forward in the saddle.

Tying the horses to a tree, Varner cut the ropes that tied the boots into the saddle. Reaching up, he cut the bindings on the saddlehorn and pushed Nick off the side of the horse. Grabbing the unconscious man under the arms, he dragged him to a tree, tied his hands behind the tree and stood back to study his handiwork. Pulling up Nick’s head by the hair, Varner studied the handsome face and decided there were not enough bruises for his purpose. Letting the head fall forward onto his chest, Varner said to the trees, “First things first.”

Entering the cave, he stopped abruptly and searched for the man he had left. Picking up the ropes that had bound him, Varner threw them down in disgust.

“Well, I don’t need him now anyway.” he stated as he built up the fire.

Heath watched as Sue ran her hand through her hair in frustration.

“Dammit!” she shouted to the sky and clenched the rifle in her hand.

Standing beside her, Heath squeezed her arm and spoke firmly, “You’re doing what Varner wants, Sue. You’ve gotta stay calm. We’re Nick’s only chance.”

Sue patted his hand and turned to look into the worried eyes, “I know, but I can’t help it. Every time I lose the trail, I’m scared to death I’ll never find it again.”

“Don’t think like that! You can’t let Varner beat you down this way.” exclaimed Heath.

“Heath, I can’t lose Nick. If I can’t get him back, I’m not coming back either.” whispered Sue watching the shock of her words widen his blue eyes.

“That’s not gonna happen.” stated Dan walking up behind the two and startling them.

Anger flared in their eyes and Heath retorted, “What are you doing here?”

Dan held up his hands and said quietly, “I’m sorry doesn’t make up for what I’ve done and said. I let my feelings get in the way and cloud my judgment. I want to help get Nick back. Please let me help.”

The sincerity in his voice rang clear to the two friends who glanced at each other. Squeezing Heath’s hand and nodding, Sue knelt and studied the ground, “Don’t bother me, I’ve got work to do.”

Heath flashed a small lop-sided grin to Dan and nodded. “We just lost the tracks again. It took us a while to find the trail again after Varner entered the stream.”

“Maybe he’s taken Nick to the same place he had Samuels.” suggested Dan. “Did Samuels say where that was?”

Glancing up, Sue’s face was thoughtful. “Father Martinez said Petey was held in a cave in the mountains. There’s some caves over the next ridge.”

“Are those the only caves in this area?” inquired Heath.

Standing, Sue shrugged, “I don’t know. I was only in this area one time with Haavi. That was a long time ago.”

Dan nodded, “Then we can’t take the chance of heading to those caves. We could miss them.”

“Yeah, you’re right Dan. We have to follow the trail that Varner left.” sighed Heath.

Studying the ground again, Sue cursed with anger, “That Varner’s a conniving bastard. Look at this!”

Dan and Heath moved closer looking at the thread she held in her fingers. Heath took it and examined it.

“Burlap?” asked Dan with a puzzled look.

“You sure this is from Varner, Sue?” asked Heath matching the ranger’s look of puzzlement.

Grabbing the thread back, she snapped at the two men, “Yes, I’m sure! He’s tied it around the horses’ hooves. The ground’s hard and with burlap on the hooves they won’t leave tracks. That’s why the tracks stop suddenly.”

Heath thought on her words and frowned, “If they don’t leave tracks, how are we supposed to find Nick?”

“If we follow this path, maybe we’ll come up on some tracks further on.” said Dan.

“Dan, do you still carry that bowie knife?” asked Sue studying the ground further up the trail.

“It’s in my saddlebag, why?”

“Can you get it for me?”

Dan walked to his horse and took out the knife. Handing it to her, the men watched as she took off her vest and inserted the knife into the sheath sewn in her vest.

“Sue, what are you thinking?” inquired Heath.

Putting her vest back on, Sue looked up towards the ridge. “Heath, I don’t think he wants us to find him or he wouldn’t have used the burlap. I think Varner means to find us.”

“You think Nick’s dead?” whispered Heath.

Grabbing his face, Sue stared into the anguished eyes and spoke firmly, “No! Heath, he’s not dead! He wouldn’t be any use to Varner if he were dead. I think Varner somehow plans to take one of us to Nick.”

Dan rubbed his neck and stated “Then why the trail?”

Looking into the ranger’s blue eyes, she smiled slightly, “According to Petey, Varner was going to watch the funeral. That’s how he knows Nick’s important to me. He must’ve been following us from a distance when we were going out to the mission. Then when Nick was on his way back to town for the doc, he took the opportunity to grab him. The trail is his way of forcing me to trail Nick in order to save him. He’s probably been laughing all afternoon knowing I was torturing myself each time I lost the trail. Varner will assume Dan will be with us, but he doesn’t know Nick is your brother. If he did, that would make it worse for Nick.”

Heath nodded, “Makes sense except for one thing.”

“What one thing?” frowned Dan.

Looking into Heath’s eyes, Sue said quietly, “What he has planned for getting one of us alone. He could shoot one of us, but the other would take cover before he’d get lined up for the next shot. I’d bet my ranch that he already has something in mind.”

“Yep and the day’s almost gone.” replied Heath causing the three of them to look at the setting sun and the darkening shadows that were falling on the land.

Slowly making his way to the light that was at the end of the tunnel, Nick’s eyes moved under their lids. Moaning from the pain shooting in his head, he cautiously shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Awareness came rushing back when he tried to move his hand to wipe the fogginess from his eyes.

Gingerly opening his eyes, he glanced around the area. He sent a prayer upwards when he realized Varner had not captured Sue or Heath when he was unconscious. Hearing a noise, he opened his eyes and watched Varner make his way towards him.

“See you made your way back to the living.” grinned Varner.

Hurt and angry, Nick retorted, “Go to hell, Varner.”

Anger flared in the dark eyes and Nick braced himself for the pain when Varner swung his fists hitting him in the ribs and face. His arms holding him upright against the tree, the edges of Nick’s vision darkened. Backhanding him, Varner laughed when Nick’s head hit the tree and his head fell forward from the pain shooting through the lump on the back of his head.

Lifting the head up, Varner spoke to the unaware man, “Soon, I’ll have one of them. Soon.”

“We still have some daylight left, how about if we ride up this path and check for tracks.” suggested Dan.

Agreeing, the three mounted their horses with Sue leading the way. Keeping an eye on the trail for tracks, Sue made her way following the path up the mountain. Rounding a bend, the group preceded to make their way through a narrow pass. The walls of the pass caught the shadows of the disappearing sun and the darkness slowly gathered around the riders. Three quarters of the way through the pass, the three looked up at the sounds coming from above them. Sheer terror gripped the riders’ souls at the sight of the rocks plummeting down towards them.

Letting out a yell and kicking her horse, Sue let him have his head as he ran through the pass in fright from the Yaqui yell. Reaching the end and yanking back on the reins, her heart sank at the empty trail behind her.

Jumping off the horse and tying the frightened animal to a branch, Sue ran back to the rocks that lay in the pass. Coughing from the rising dust, she called frantically, “Heath! Dan! ANSWER ME!”

Panic moved her to climb up the rocks looking for her companions. Climbing the obstruction, halfway to the top a rock shifted and sent her tumbling backwards down the pile. Crying out in pain when she landed on a rock, hitting her leftside and rolling onto the hard packed trail with the rifle falling out of her hand. Gasping from the air that was knocked out of her and the pain in her side, Sue rolled to her stomach from her curled position and climbed to her knees. Staggering to her feet, she felt the pain flaring in her abdomen.

“Think!” muttered Sue trying to ignore the stabbing pain and looking at the pile of rocks before her. Looking at the walls of the pass for a way around the rocks, she sighed in frustration. Slowly walking back to her horse, she took the rope off the saddle and headed through the trees to find her way to the top of the wall of the pass.

Working her way through the trees, she made an estimated guess of where the rockslide had happened. Cutting back to where the pass was, she approached the edge and peered over. Her estimation off, she continued down further and peered over the edge. Laying on her tender stomach, she felt sick at the sight of a horse’s leg jutting from the pile of rocks. Unable to tell which horse it was, she called, “HEATH! DAN!”

Looking around for a place to tie off her rope, she looped it around the trunk of a tree and tied a knot. Walking over, she threw the rope over the edge. Holding the rope in her hands and preparing to go over the edge, she froze at the sound of the hammer of a pistol being cocked.

Catching the look in the emerald eyes, Varner grinned, “You can try it, but you won’t make it. Now, let go of the rope and keep your hands where I can see them.“

The Yaqui yell from Sue, who was ten years ahead of them, startled Dan and Heath. A split second was all that was necessary to tell them they couldn’t make it through the pass or turn their horses around to avoid the rock slide. Jumping off, they scurried to find cover from the rocks that were raining down. Heath’s head showed red as a rock glanced off the side. Seeing Heath stumble, Dan grabbed his arm and threw him in a small crevice on the wall pass. A small boulder caught him in the chest and his scream of agony was cut off in his throat when his head was smashed. His lifeless body not feeling the other stones that piled on him and covered him in his final resting place.

“Heath! Dan!” was the muffled far away echo through the pass that slowly worked it’s way through the unconscious state of the blond laying in the crevice. Coughing and moaning, he pulled himself up on his elbows.

“Sue” whispered Heath fighting to open his eyes. Wiping his hand across them, he panicked when he only saw darkness before him. Moving slightly, he bumped into the wall beside him and felt it with his hand. Reaching out with his left hand, he felt the other wall just inches away. Fumbling for a match, he lit it and looked around in shock.

Realizing he was alone in the small area, he crawled to his knees fighting the dizziness within. Lighting another match, he stared at the rocks before him and felt a chill tickle his soul. Taking deep breaths, he fought the panic that was rising within him at the thought of being buried alive in the darkness.

“Stop it Heath! Get a hold of yourself.” he mumbled. Still gasping for air, he glanced upward and saw a small sliver of light that allowed hope to flare within.

“Dan? Can you hear me?” called Heath. Standing on the edge of his toes, he reached up and pushed.

Fighting the renewed panic at the rock’s lack of movement, he took another breath and imagined sunshine on the open range in his mind. Feeling the calmness returning, he reached and pushed with the strength of a madman. The stone tumbled down opening the sliver by a few inches and letting a small amount of light in from the retiring sun. Repeating the process, he finally opened an area that was wide enough for him to crawl through. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and breathed the air deeply. Pulling himself up with shaky arms, he wormed his way through the opening and over the pile of rocks. Landing on the trail, his eyes widened and he gagged at the sight of the smashed fingers laying under the pile of stones.

Standing against the wall, he vomited and jumped back in surprise when a rope landed beside him. Stepping away from the wall, he opened his mouth to call out to Sue. Seeing her freeze on the rope and look at someone, he stopped the words from leaving. Fear gripped him as she stood still and taking the rope in his hands, he gently tugged it hoping she would be the only one to receive the signal.

Catching the look in the emerald eyes, Varner grinned, “You can try it, but you won’t make it. Now, let go of the rope and keep your hands where I can see them.“

Feeling a gentle tug on the rope between her hands, Sue breathed a small sigh and dropped the rope to the ground.

Looking into the dark eyes, she lifted her hands and snarled, “I was hoping to see you through the sights on my rifle, Varner.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” said Varner motioning her over with a move of the gun. Walking forward, Sue watched Varner carefully and walked past him.

“Hold it.”

Stopping, she felt him slid the pistol out of the holster and winced at the force he used to shove the gun into her already bruised back.

Bending forward, Varner whispered in her ear, “Walk and don’t try anything. You know I’ll pull the trigger.”

Varner carefully watched the woman in front of him as they walked back to the campsite, noting how she was favoring her left side. When he started the rockslide, he did not know which ones would come out survivors or corpses until he heard Sue Weston calling to the men with her. He had known they would follow the trail and the rockslide had been a last minute addition to the plan to weed out some of those following.

“Hey Barkley, I brought you a visitor.” gloated Varner as they entered the area.

Walking into the campsite, Sue saw Nick against the tree in the fading light and smiled, “Hi, Nick.”

“Hi yourself.” said Nick with a smile at the woman across the campsite.

“Too bad about Thomson and Baldwin.” said Varner with callous delight at the shock that formed on Nick’s face.

“How do ya’ like your momento from our last visit.” sneered Sue angrily at the man behind her.

Nick watched helplessly as Varner brought her to her knees with an angry punch to her back. Sue’s face draining of color from the explosion of pain in the injured area.

“YOU’RE A DEAD MAN VARNER!” screamed Nick in rage fighting the rope that bound him. “I’M GONNA RIP YOU APART!”

Gasping for air and falling over onto her side to keep an eye on her captor, Sue’s shaky right hand reached under her vest for the knife.

Feeling the rope move and seeing Sue’s hands raise, Heath watched as she stepped away from the edge. Reaching down, he checked to make sure the thong on his pistol was still in place.

Counting to fifty, he gathered his strength and grabbed the rope. Pulling himself up, he climbed hand over hand. Stopping a few inches away from the top, his muscles quivered in protest while he listened for sounds. Hearing none, he slowly peered over the top and his eyes saw only trees and bushes. Pulling himself up onto the top of the wall, he lay on the ground panting from the exertion and closed his eyes against the pounding headache. Hearing Nick’s scream of anger, Heath climbed to his feet and stumbled towards the sound in the darkness. His heart freezing with fear at the sound of a gunshot and the piercing scream of pain that followed.

Miguel and Juan lead Tom Watkins along with three rangers up the trail. Darkness was falling around them as they swiftly rode striving to catch up to the three friends before Varner caught up to them. The two Yaqui teenagers had shown up at the mission inquiring about the tribe’s adopted sister, Sue Weston. Knowing where Varner had held Samuels, the Sheriff asked the boys to lead the lawmen to the area of the cave.

Reaching the pass, the boys and men stared at the obstruction of fallen rocks. Dismounting, they walked closer to search for a way around. Miguel grabbed the sheriff’s arm and pointed at the rocks.

Seeing the fingers, Tom and one of the rangers, carefully moved the rocks to reveal who lay beneath. Lifting the last rock, both men gasped at the distorted face that lay underneath.

“Do you think the others are buried also?” asked Bill taking a blanket and covering the face of their captain.

Tom shook his head and frowned, “It’s hard to say. They..”

A shot echoed down the pass and stopped the words in his throat as the scream sent shivers up their spines. Using the rope, the men prayed it would hold as they climbed to the top and followed the teenagers to the area of the cave.

Varner laughed at the bellow of rage from Nick, pointed his gun and pulled the trigger.

“NO!” shouted Nick.

The anguished scream of pain cut through Nick’s heart when the bullet entered her thigh. Dropping the knife behind her, she held onto her leg and cried at the fire that was burning her skin. Grabbing onto the wound, Sue clamped her hand down to stem the flow of blood, sucking in her breath from the pain.

“YOU BASTARD!” screamed Nick with tears running down his face at the sense of helplessness overpowering him. “SUE!”

“I’ve waited four years to do that!” yelled Varner. Kneeling beside her, he tipped her chin up with the hot barrel of the pistol and looked into the eyes dazed with pain. “Don’t worry, we’re not done yet!”

Reaching the campsite, Heath drew his gun and pointed it at Varner’s back. “Yes, you are.”

Hearing the voice behind him, Varner grabbed the woman before him and turned with her in his arms. His left arm around her throat and the other holding the pistol to her head. “Drop it, Thomson!”

“KILL HIM HEATH!” screamed Nick. “SHOOT HIM!”

Heath stared at the man holding his friend and yelled, “Let her go!”

Tightening his grip around her neck, Varner screamed from his kneeling position, “I’ll put another bullet in her, drop it!”

Her right hand was holding onto the forearm that squeezed her throat, Sue felt the ground with her fingers and pulled the knife to her. Grabbing the hilt of the knife, she plunged it into his left foot and pushed the gun up with her right hand. Screaming in pain, Varner fell backwards to the earth and stared up at the stars with a bullet hole between his lifeless eyes.

Falling to the side, Sue let the darkness and the pain carry her away. Rushing to Nick, Heath cut the ropes that bound him and hugged his brother before helping him to her side.

Taking his handkerchief, Heath made a tourniquet, tied it around her leg while Nick held her in his arms and whispered in her ear. Putting more wood on the fire, Heath tore his shirt and gingerly wiped the blood off Nick’s face with water from Varner’s canteen.

Peering at the shoulder wound that was no longer bleeding, Heath looked into the hazel eyes and flashed a lop-sided grin, “Glad to see you didn’t lose all your blood, big brother.”

“I missed you too, little brother.” said Nick with a smile. Studying the blue expressive eyes, he asked with a whisper, “Dan?”

Shaking his head, Heath said quietly, “Rockslide.”

Moaning, Sue opened her eyes and gazed at the two men. Reaching up her hand, she gently touched Nick’s bruised face and whispered, “Nick, you alright?”

Holding her hand, he kissed her fingers gently and replied in a husky voice, “I am now, honey.”

“Dan?” whispered Sue watching Heath’s eyes fill with sorrow and shake his head negatively. Her emerald eyes filled with tears and Nick tightened his hold.

Tom and the others rushed into the clearing startling the three on the ground. Observing the wounds on the three, he barked “Get some water boiling and some bandages.”

Looking up into the hazel eyes, Sue was overwhelmed with the love shining back at her and gave a tired smile, “I love you, Nick Barkley. Will you marry me?”

Overcoming the shock of the unorthodox proposal, Nick smiled widely and nodded, “I would be honored. I love you, too.”

Leaning over, Nick sealed his acceptance of the offer with a tender kiss as Heath watched with tears in his eyes.

“Nick?” whispered Sue, her eyes slowly drooping.

“Yeah, honey?” asked Nick as he leaned forward.

“I’m tired, Nick. No more mountains for me.” was the whispered reply and the eyelids closed while the brothers laughed and nodded their heads in agreement.

....Continued