Sitting at the oak desk in the study, Sue Weston worked on her ranch accounts to no avail. Her thoughts couldn’t concentrate on the figures or accounts in the book laying open before her. Grabbing her cane, she stood up and hobbled over to the liquor cabinet. Pouring a brandy, she made her way to the window and gazed out at the stars in the sky. Her mind going over the late afternoon visit from Sheriff Madden.

“Afternoon Miss Weston.” smiled Fred at the woman on the porch. The only reminder of her injuries sustained weeks before at the hands of John Travis was the plastered left ankle.

“Sheriff, to what do I owe this pleasure?” inquired Sue as she rose and gestured for him to follow her.

Maria greeted them as they entered the house, “Miss Sue, can I get you something?”

“Maria, could you bring some coffee and cookies into the study?”

“Right away, Miss Sue.” stated Maria as she hurried to get the requested items.

Sitting at the round table, Sue smiled warmly at Maria when she brought the tray in.

“Thanks Maria. Could you close the door so we aren’t disturbed?”

“Yes, Miss Sue.” smiled Maria as she left and closed the door behind her.

Pouring coffee for the sheriff and herself, she offered a cookie before she sat back in her chair.

“Have ya’ found him?” asked Sue softly as she held the cup between her hands welcoming the warmth to fight the chill she had suddenly felt.

“No, we haven’t found Travis yet.” replied Fred as he watched the woman across from him. Her strength of character and soul had astounded him when he had learned of the details of her kidnapping.

Sue sighed and waited for the sheriff to explain his prescence at her ranch. Taking a deep breath, he continued, “I just found out from the sheriff in Modesto that they found a girl strangled. She had green eyes.”

Sue nodded and leaned forward in her chair, “What else?”

“It appears there have been several other murders of women in various towns and cities in the state.” explained Fred drily.

“All with green eyes?” asked Sue as she studied Fred’s face.

“Yeah. That’s the one thing they all have in common. I’m warning all women with green eyes not to go out unescorted. That includes you, Miss Weston.”

Sue rolled her eyes and retorted sarcastically, “As if I have a choice, Sheriff!”

Chuckling, Fred grinned “You do have quite a few guardians around you.”

“I know they’re concerned for me, but they are driving me nuts!” sighed Sue as she smiled wearily at her guest. “Thanks for coming all the way out here, Sheriff.”

Fred stood and shook her hand, “It was my pleasure. I miss Maria’s cooking at the hotel.”

Laughing, Sue walked him to his horse. “Come out for supper anytime you’re in the neighborhood.”

Mounting, Fred tipped his hat, “I will definitely take you up on that offer. Bye Miss Weston.”

Jack Franklin nodded and frowned as the sheriff passed him on the road. Since John Travis had escaped, the whole crew had been on edge keeping their eyes open for any sign of trouble for their friend. When she had been confined to a bed due to her injuries, she slept most of the time and hadn’t been aware enough to notice the extra attention. But these past weeks, her temperment had darkened as the confinement grated on her nerves and suffocated her free spirit.

She snapped one afternoon and Nick had shouted right back at her. They both continued the tirade until he and Heath arrived, afraid they would have to separate the two. Both of their volatile tempers making the situation a powder keg. She told the Barkley brothers to stop coming around and to go home to run their own ranch.

Since that explosive day, Jack kept Nick and Heath informed of her medical progress and the situation at the ranch. The only people she hadn’t snarled at had been Maria and Jose.

Riding into the barn, he found his boss grooming Satan and cooing to him.

“Boss, was the sheriff here?” asked he unsaddled his horse.

“Yep.” replied Sue as she continued to groom Satan, “How’s the fencing coming along?”

Leaning on the stall door, Jack replied “Should be finished by tonight. Want to tell me what the sheriff was doing here?”

Her hand halted the grooming for only an instance, “I believe that’s my business, Jack.”

Jack waited and watched her care for her horse. When no answer was forthcoming, he said softly, “Is everything okay?”

Finished grooming Satan, Sue walked to the stall door that Jack opened for her.

“Everything’s fine Jack, just fine.” she replied as she entered Rio’s stall and groomed her.

“What did he say, Sue?” asked Jack, undaunted by the glare he received in return for his question.

Ignoring his question, Sue groomed Rio and talked to her as she had Satan. Putting the curry comb in its box, she left the stall and looked at her friend, “They haven’t caught Travis yet and some green eyed women have been murdered.”

Jack nodded and walked her out of the barn, “I’ve some book work to do, Jack. Night.”

Jarrod and Heath were playing a game of pool as Nick sipped a brandy and stared at the stars. His thoughts centered on another ranch owner and the disturbing news that the sheriff had told them earlier.

The last few weeks had been difficult for the Barkleys as it had been for their neighbor Sue Weston. Duke McCall had run the ranch for the first week after they had brought the injured woman home. Nick and Heath, quite concerned about Sue’s welfare, had spent most of the week at her ranch. When her fever had broken, the brothers had helped Jack Franklin and the others with the ranch work. Pedro had been out of action with a concussion from the firefight with Travis.

Nick shook his head as he remember the confrontation between the two under the hot California sun.

“Nick, what are you and Heath doing here?” inquired Sue from the porch.

“I just came by to see how you were feeling?” replied Nick as he dismounted, walked to the porch and sat on the railing across from her. Heath had rode to the corral to watch Davey so Nick could have time alone with his chameleon.

Sighing, Sue stated “I’m fine. Why are you really here?”

Nick frowned at the tone in her voice, “I told you why. I’m just worried about you.”

“I told ya’ yesterday, I was fine.” retorted Sue angrily.

“Can’t a guy check up on his lady friend to make sure she’s alright?” snapped Nick.

Sue sat stunned as the frustrations and anger boiled over, “Lady friend? Who you calling a ladyfriend?”

Nick stammered as he saw her eyes flashing, “You’re my friend and you’re a lady.”

Standing, she looked up at him and glared, “I am NOT your lady friend! That I believe is Jamie Foster and she’s the type of lady friend you’re probably used to.”

“What does that mean?” snarled Nick back.

“It means I don’t want you coming around every day. If you need that kind of attention, see her!” yelled Sue as she gestured wildly.

“Why of all the… I can’t believe you just said that!” shouted Nick as he stood up and glared down at the angry woman.

Jack and Heath ran to the porch as the heated words blew across the yard to the corral. The men watched from the corrals as the two stubborn people exploded at each other.

“What pet name do you have for her?” shouted Sue

“I don’t have a pet name for her. I only have one for you!”

As Heath and Jack reached the two combatants, Sue walked to the door and yanked it open, looking back she snarled at the brothers. “You two go back and run your ranch and I’ll run mine. Don’t come around again!”

Nick stalked off the porch as the panes of glass in the house shook from the force of the slamming door. Heath sighed as he mounted Charger and followed Nick home. Nick rode in silence thinking about her caustic words.

Pulling up, he looked at Heath and growled, “What’s wrong with her?”

Heath chuckled, “Sue could be your twin Nick.”

“What do you mean by that?” shouted Nick with an incredulous look.

“Nick, she’s stubborn and tempermental, passionate and proud. She loves being a rancher, hates being cooped up, is independent and doesn’t like not doing her share. Reminds me of someone else I know.” said Heath as he watched Nick’s face slowly take on a bleak look.

“I think she’s more stubborn than both of us put together. I didn’t mean to upset her.” said Nick as he looked back at the ranch they had just come from. “Travis is still out there and I don’t wanna leave her alone.”

Heath smiled as he squeezed Nick’s shoulder, “She won’t be alone. I’ll ask Jack to let us know what goes on over there. Nick, she’s out of sorts right now. Give her some time.”

Nick nodded as he grinned, “I wish I could take back calling her chameleon. I don’t think she’ll ever get over that.”

Heath laughed as they continued towards home. Both their thoughts on the woman they had left behind.

Victoria eyes wandered again to Nick’s back as he looked out the window. He had been quieter these past weeks, since he and Sue had words. Not being able to see her was weighing heavily on his mind.

“Nick, would you ask Ciego to have the surrey ready tomorrow morning at ten?” asked Victoria as she worked on her needlework.

“Sure, Mother. Are you going into town?” inquired Nick offhandedly.

“I thought I would see how Sue was doing and bring her some of the books we had discussed.” replied Victoria.

Clearing his throat nervously, Nick stated, “Mother, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, why not?”

“Travis is still around and anyway, we’re not welcome there.”

Victoria stood and smiled at Nick, “I believe just you and Heath are not welcome there. She didn’t say anything about the rest of the Barkley family. Good night.”

Jarrod and Heath smiled at their mother’s ploy and bade her a good night. Nick shook his head as he walked out of the room to his bedroom.

“Well, brother Heath. I’d like to be a fly on the wall at the Weston ranch tomorrow.” grinned Jarrod as he lined up his shot.

Heath chuckled, “Sue’d never yell at Mother, but it would be fun to see though.”

Sleep had eluded Sue Weston once more. Each night had become a free for all of dreams and nightmares. The one constant bright spot in her dreams had been Nick, until she had instigated the shouting match and ordered them off the ranch.

Her fears climbing for the safety of those around her when she became more aware after they brought her home. When he and Heath had stayed at the ranch that first week, it had warmed her heart and calmed the fears her nightmares would bring.

Shaking her head, she drank her coffee as she realized she hadn’t really minded Nick calling her his ladyfriend that much. She was just fighting the bit the men were forcing on her and used him as an excuse to lash out. ‘I’m not too sure about being called chameleon though.’ she thought with a slight smile.

Jack frowned as he walked into the kitchen and saw his boss sitting at the table. Grabbing a cup, he sat across from her. “Morning.”

“Morning, Jack.”

“You got anything in particular you want us to do today, boss.” asked Jack quietly as he observed the shadows under her eyes that seemed to grow everyday. She wouldn’t talk about it, but Maria admitted Sue was having nightmares and wandering the house at night.

“You and the men are leaving today to get that herd up north.” advised Sue quietly as she watched the disbelief and anger flash across Jack’s face.

“We’re not leaving you here alone. One of us will have to stay behind.” stated Jack firmly.

“Maria and Jose will be here with me. I get my plaster off today so Jose and I can run the ranch while you’re gone. I’ve already transferred the money. Mr. Hastings and his men will drive them part way for you. It’s a done deal, Jack.” informed Sue as she stood.

Jack stood up and looked pleadingly into the green eyes, “Sue, please let me leave one of the men behind. How about Davey? He won’t bother you much cause you scare him lately.”

Sue chuckled as she put on her hat, “Jack, I’ve decided that I’m not gonna let Travis slowly steal my life from me. That’s what he’s been doing! I’ve had enough of this skulking around and I’m not doing it anymore. I can take care of myself.”

Jack shook his head, “You, me and Pedro are lucky to be alive. That man’s loco and dangerous.”

“I was at a disadvantage before cause I didn’t know it was him. Now I know and that can make all the difference. I need to feel alive again. I will promise that I’ll shoot first and ask questions later.” grinned Sue as she strapped on her gunbelt.

“The men ain’t gonna like this.” whispered Jack as he followed his boss to the bunkhouse.

Knocking on the door of the bunkhouse, Sue waited til she heard the okay from inside. Standing at the door, she watched as the jaws of the men dropped with her news.

“Boys, you’ll only be gone a few days and will return on Monday.”

Hank stood and smiled, “A lot can happen in a few days, boss. I think we should stay here.” The others murmured their agreement.

Sue smiled at the giant before her, “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll let Jack ride over to the Barkleys and update them like he’s been doing every day.”

Jack blushed, “What are ya’ talking about, boss?”

Chuckling, Sue grinned, “Jack, the only reason Nick and Heath haven’t come around is cause you’re letting them know what’s going on. Otherwise, they’d have been here themselves.”

“I knew she’d figure it out, didn’t I tell you.” laughed Hank in a deep booming voice as the others chuckled.

“Take the train up north and you can have the herd back in two days.” replied Sue as she opened the door and looked back at her crew, “As Nick Barkley’d say ‘This is a working ranch’. I’m tired of letting some snake in the grass take that from me. Have a good trip.”

Jack shook his head, “I don’t like it.”

“Did you see the look in her eyes, Jack?” asked Bill as the foreman looked at him puzzled. “I see fire and determination. She’s made up her mind and if we don’t do it, she’ll be mad enough to hire a new crew.”

“Bill’s right, Jack. She’d do it just to spite us.” said Pedro softly. “On the way to the train, we could stop by and let the sheriff know. He can check on her, too.”

Hank grinned, “Let’s get going. Sooner we leave, sooner we get back.”

Sue and Jose spent the morning cleaning out the stables and forking fresh hay to the animals. Jose enjoyed the time he spent alongside his boss and was happy to see her ankle without the plaster on it. She always treated him equal to the others on the crew and voiced her pride in the work he accomplished.

Completing the chore, Sue and Jose sat on the porch enjoying a drink. “Jose, tomorrow we’ll start back up on your shooting practice.”

Jose’s eyes lit up with excitement, “I would like that, Miss Sue. Your ankle is better?”

“Yep. Doc says it’ll be weak for a while, but its better.” smiled Sue at her young hand. “Jack tells me you haven’t picked a horse out of the remuda for yourself yet.”

“No, I was hoping you could help me decide which one, boss.” replied Jose shyly.

Chuckling, Sue squeezed his shoulder and stood, “You have to decide for yourself, but I’ll narrow it down for you if you want.”

Walking to the corrals, they watched the horses and Sue pointed out their finer points to him. Jose listened carefully as she talked, her knowledge of horses and ranches being passed to him with the time they spent together. The sounds of the horses running and playing in the corral covered the approach of another horse behind them.

Feeling eyes on her back, she pushed Jose to the side, spun and drew her gun. Victoria sat stunned at the sudden movement from Sue and the gun that was pointed at her. Seeing Victoria, Sue holstered her gun and knelt down by Jose.

“You okay, Jose?” asked Sue concerned at his pale face.

“Yes, Miss Sue. You drew so fast!” whispered Jose as he stared at her.

“I had a good teacher. Jose, drawing your gun quickly is not as important as hitting what you shoot at.” said Sue as she helped him to his feet.

Handing Jose a rope, she smiled softly “Go get your horse, Jose. I need to talk to Mrs. Barkley.” Jose nodded and left them by the corral.

Sue walked over to Victoria who had climbed out of the surrey, “You shouldn’t be driving around unescorted Victoria, it’s dangerous with Travis running around somewhere.”

Smiling, Victoria drew the young woman into a hug, “Thank you for caring. It’s good to see you without any bandages or plaster.”

Laughing, Sue returned the hug, “I feel great! Sorry for scaring you, guess I’m kind of jumpy.”

“I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t realize you hadn’t heard me. I brought some of those books you wanted to read.”

Watching Jose leading a horse back to them, Sue grinned “Thanks, Victoria. Did Jack make it over to your ranch this morning?”

Victoria shook her head and chuckled, “Heath and Nick are very angry with you right now.”

“I expect they’ll probably be here sometime after lunch, huh?” asked Sue with a smile.

“I believe you’ll have some weekend guests.” teased Victoria as Sue rolled her eyes.

“Good choice, Jose!” smiled Sue as she patted his back. “Now we can work on breaking him in. But first, lets have some lunch.”

After lunch Sue and Victoria sat on the porch watching Jose work with his new horse in the corral. The calico kitten that was Sue’s ever constant companion jumped up and sat on her mistress’ lap.

Victoria listened to the purring of the contented kitten, “What’s this beauty’s name?”

“Nicodena.”

“That’s an unusual name. Does it mean anything?” asked Victoria.

“No, she’s named after the person who gave her to me.” replied Sue with a sly smile.

Watching the amusement in the green eyes, Victoria’s eyes widened as she realized what Sue was saying, “Nick! He hates cats! I can’t believe he actually picked one up.”

Sue chuckled, “Knowing Nick, he probably grumbled the whole time.”

Squeezing Sue’s hand, Victoria smiled “He must think a lot of you to do something like that.”

Shrugging her shoulder, Sue’s eyes watched Jose “I’m sure he’ll come to his senses like the others. Not too many men will let a woman be their equal. I’m not holding my breath, Victoria.”

Victoria’s reply to the sadness in Sue’s voice was cutoff as Sue jumped from the porch when Jose flew to the ground of the corral. Running to the corral, she climbed in and helped the stunned teen up.

“Jose, you okay?” asked Sue as her heart pounded furiously.

“Yes, Miss Sue. My breath was just knocked out.” replied Jose.

Sue grabbed the teen by the shoulders, “You scared the pants off me boy! If you get hurt, your mama’s gonna tan both our hides.”

Jose looked down at his feet and whispered softly, “I’m sorry Miss Sue.”

Looking down at the dark haired boy, Sue smiled and ruffled his hair, “I shouldn’t have snarled like that Jose. Just don’t do it again. I’m already an old maid so you don’t have to scare ten years off of me. Com’on I’ll help ya’ with this critter.”

Victoria watched from outside the corral as Sue and Jose worked with the horse. Her thoughts were on Sue’s comments on the porch before she had run down to the corral. Watching the interaction between the rancher and the young boy, Victoria could see the love she felt for the teenager. Sue cheered as Jose proudly rode his new horse around the corral.

Opening the door of the corral, Jose trotted out, dismounted and tied his horse to the corral bars. Sue shut the door and turned as Jose wrapped his arms around her, “Thank you, Miss Sue. She is the best horse!”

Sue smiled, put her arm over his shoulders and walked the young ranch hand to his horse, “You earned her Jose. You’re one of my best workers. Now go for a ride, but stay close to the buildings of the ranch.”

“I will!” called Jose as he galloped away, passing Nick as he rode and dismounted by the women.

“Hi Nick.” said Sue as she looked curiously at the horse Nick tied to the corral.

“Sue, Mother. This is Barrett’s horse.” said Nick at her look. “Barrett’s our hand that was murdered. I realized last night that I never brought him over for you to check the tracks.”

Nodding, Sue untied the horse and walked him with Nick to the front of the house where she retied him. Nick knelt beside her as she examined the tracks.

“Same one I tracked to your ranch. How do ya’ suppose your hand and the banker got mixed up together?” asked Sue quietly as her face took on a thoughtful expression.

Shrugging, Nick replied “Don’t know. One of our other men, Scotty, saw them having a drink together one time.”

“Guess we won’t know, will we?” said Sue as she stood. “Nick, I took my frustrations out on you. I’m sorry I yelled at ya’.”

Grinning, Nick held out his hand, “I’m sorry too.”

Laughing, Sue shook his hand and winked at the cowboy with the wide smile on his face.

Travis had fled the area after he was unsuccessful in completing his kidnapping of Sue Weston. He had watched the men take her from the deadfalls and the desire to take her from them swelled within him. The little bit of rationale he had left won out over that desire. Four against one were not very good odds.

When the men headed down the mountains taking her with them, he faded back into the trees and made his way to the area where his horse was. Seeing the back of a man watching, he stepped forward to shoot him when his foot snappped a branch. The sudden turn of Pedro that day saved his life. As Pedro turned and shot, Travis grazed his head. Pedro’s bullet had sailed harmlessly past Travis. While Pedro lay still on the ground Travis started towards his horse, stopping as he heard the others shouting to their still friend.

Hearing the crashing of men coming towards them, Travis turned and ran out of the area. Ducking behind some bushes, he made his way out of the area following a small gully. He continued walking out of the mountains towards Modesto where he could rent a horse and obtain supplies. As he walked, his thoughts were on the green eyed woman who had thwarted and escaped him.

Reaching Modesto, he obtained the items he needed and headed further down the coast. Knowing that he would be a wanted man, he kept to the outskirts and seedier parts of the towns and cities he rode to. He traveled for weeks within the state, satisfying his need to feel the arousal whenever he found a woman with green eyes. Uncaring of the destruction he caused, he forged on slowly making his way back to his hunting ground leaving a trail of bodies behind.

His need to have her drove him on. Knowing her ranch hands would be watching her like a hawk, he focused on developing a way to get her to come to him willingly.

He needed some bait to get this to happen. Listing the possibilities in his mind, he discarded them for one reason or another. He needed someone he could control easily and who Sue Weston would come for without a thought to her own safety. Someone young and easily handled.

He smiled as the idea formed in his mind. ‘Yes, this’ll work. Now, to work out all the details.’

....Continued