Nick awoke from a sound sleep, his subconscious hearing a subtle noise that it was still trying to categorize. Sitting up, he listened carefully to the quiet of the house.

Hearing nothing, he walked to the window that overlooked the ranch yard and looked up at the sky. His eyes drawn back to the yard from movement in the barn door as Sue came out of the barn on Satan, leading Rio and galloped out of the ranch yard.

Nick angrily opened the window and yelled at the departing woman, “Sue! Sue!”

“Dammit!” Nick hollered as he pulled on his pants and boots. Grabbing his gunbelt and shirt, he ran out of his room and down the stairs.

Maria with tears in her eyes, handed him a paper. Nick stared at her as he took the paper and read the writing.

Dearest Nick,

I’m sorry but I have to do this alone. Travis has taken one of the Baldwin twins. I have to come alone or he’ll kill her. You and I both know he means it and will do it without a second thought.

I could never live with myself if he hurt her because of me. Don’t worry, I’ll be home in time for breakfast.

Sue

Nick crumpled the paper as the anguish twisted his heart. “Maria, did she say where’s she going?”

“No, she no say.” sobbed Maria.

Nick ran his hand through his hair as he tried to decide what to do. ‘Where would Baldwin take a small child? Why didn’t she wake me up? Why would she need two horses?’ he thought.

“Maria, the telegrams she got today! Do you know where they are?”

“In the desk. Right drawer” said Maria shakily.

Nick ran to the study and yanked on the drawer finding it locked. “Where’s the key?”

“I do not know.” whispered Maria as Nick tried opening the lock with a knife.

Frustrated, he took out his gun and shot out the lock as Maria screamed. Grabbing the telegrams, he read the first one, his heart catching in his throat.

Sue Weston
Stockton, California

Father’s murder solved
Need you in Texas right away
Ranch is yours

Captain Dan Freely
Texas Ranger

Pushing his thoughts aside, he opened the second one.

Sue Weston
Stockton, California

I have one twin. Meet me alone
Miller Creek - Midnight – lose gun
Bring one parent with you

JT

Nick ran out of the house to the barn and found Jose holding Coco who was saddled and ready to go.

Nick mounted, “Thanks Jose. Ride to my ranch. Tell my brothers that Travis is at Miller Creek and Sue’s gone there alone.”

Jose mounted and rode in the direction toward the Barkley ranch as Nick galloped the other way praying he wouldn’t be too late.

John Travis, his hair scraggly, unkempt and a beard on his face had traveled all day to get to Stockton to start the next phase of his plan. He had sent the telegram to the home of Sue Weston earlier in the morning himself. His knowledge of morse code gained when he had worked at one time in a telegraph office.

Standing in the shadows, he watched as Dan Baldwin was greeted at the door of his home by his wife and daughters. After greeting the ladies of his family with kisses, they went inside.

As the darkness of the night fell across the land, he crossed to the door of the home. Dan answered the knock at the door and looked into barrel of a pistol pointed at his head. Gesturing slightly with the pistol, Dan backed up into the house. Travis’ didn’t utter a word as he shut the door behind him.

“Dan, who’s at the door?” asked Marie as she entered the entryway stopping in shock at the sight before her.

“Don’t make any noise and no one gets hurt. Go into the living room.” said Travis following the couple and gesturing for them to sit on the couch.

Dan held onto his shaking wife and asked angrily, “What do you want?”

“I want one of your daughters.” replied Travis with a grin.

Dan and Marie sat stunned. “Travis, please! Leave our girls alone.” pleaded Dan. “I’ll do anything you want, just leave my family alone.”

Travis shook his head and laughed, “I can’t use you. I need one of your girls so Sue Weston will come to me. I’ll even let you decide which one will go with me.”

Clinging to Dan, Marie sobbed, “Please not my little girls, please Mr. Travis.”

“I’ve sent her a telegram to meet me at midnight and to bring one of you with her. When she meets me, you can have your kid back and I’ll have her. That’s how its gonna work.” said Travis smugly.

Dan held his wife, watching for any chance to get the gun away from the madman sitting across the room from them. Travis was careful and stayed out of their reach. He wasn’t going to slip up and let this chance get away from him. At ten thirty, Travis stood and gestured for the parents to go ahead of him.

“Don’t try anything, I’ll kill all of you if I have to.” he said coldly as he followed them to the room of the twins.

Dan and Marie walked on shaky legs into their daughters’ room. The girls asleep unaware of what was to happen. Throwing a blanket to the parents, he said “Wrap one of them up. I wouldn’t want her to catch a cold, now.”

Frozen in their tracks, Dan and Marie couldn’t move. The thought of handing over one of their angels to the crazy man was unthinkable, unimaginable and one of the worst horrors they had ever faced.

Pulling back the hammer, Travis cocked the pistol and pointed it at Marie. “Do it or you’ll be burying your pretty wife.”

Dan with tears running down his cheeks, lifted up Jenny and wrapped her carefully in the blanket as Marie sobbed and pleaded for Travis to not take her girl.

Crossing to the bed, Travis held his pistol on the two as he picked up the sleeping girl in his left arm. “Warn the sheriff or anyone and I’ll kill her. Sue Weston will be here to get you. Come with her and you’ll get your girl back unharmed. Try anything else and I’ll snap her neck like a twig.”

Keeping his eyes on the parents, he walked out of the room and out of the house. Hearing the door shut, Marie and Dan slumped to the floor as the grieve and anguish poured out of them.

Jose rode at a full gallop to the Barkley Ranch. Fear gripping his heart at the thought of his boss meeting Travis. Stopping in front of the mansion, he jumped off and pounded on the front door waiting for someone inside to open it.

Jarrod on his way upstairs, rushed to the front door as the pounding increased. Opening it he was surprised to find Jose, “Jose, what’s wrong?”

“Senor Nick sent me. Miss Sue is meeting Travis. Hurry, you have to help her. Senor Nick rode after her.” exclaimed Jose in a frantic voice.

“Where Jose?” asked Jarrod

“Miller Creek!”

Jarrod ran up the stairs and burst into Heath’s room. Heath bolted upright in his bed, “What is it?”

“Get dressed. Its Travis.” said Jarrod as he hurried to his room to get his gunbelt.

Victoria met her sons in the hallway, “Where are you going? What’s happened?”

Jarrod replied as he strapped on his gunbelt. “Jose rode over here. Sue went to meet Travis at Miller Creek alone. Nick’s on his way there now.”

Gasping, Victoria replied “Bring them both back safe.”

Heath nodded, “We will Mother.”

Victoria followed them downstairs and stood with Jose as Jarrod and Heath galloped out of the ranchyard towards Miller Creek with Duke racing towards Stockton for Sheriff Madden.

“Jose, I’m going to get dressed and then we’ll go back to your ranch to wait.”

“Si, Mrs. Barkley.” replied Jose softly.

Sue and Dan rode towards Miller Creek in silence. Her mind on the safety of the young Baldwin child and Dan. Her heart heavy with guilt at the look of anguish on both parent’s faces, knowing her presence in Stockton had caused it. Slowing, they walked the horses towards the designated meeting place.

Riding up to the fire, Dan’s eyes wildly searched for his daughter.

“You can stop right there.” called Travis from his hiding area.

“I’m here Travis, where’s the girl?” yelled Sue as she tried to figure out where he was.

“First, you get off that horse and walk to the fire. Then I’ll tell Baldwin where his kid is.” called Travis.

Dan whispered, “Don’t do it, he’ll kill you!”

“I have to Dan, just get your girl and get out of here.” whispered Sue as she dismounted. Leaving Satan’s reins trailing, she walked to the fire and stood.

Travis watched, satisfied they were alone and she was unarmed, stepped out from behind a tree with his gun pointed at Sue. He said coldly, “She’s asleep behind that log.”

Dan jumped down and ran to the log. Picking up his sleeping girl, he headed back to Rio, a chill running down his spine when Travis spoke, “I’ve changed my mind. You stay here and watch what’s gonna happen.”

“You don’t need them, you have me.” said Sue calmly as Dan stood a few feet away from her with Jenny.

Travis sneered, “You can’t tell me what to do. I’m the one with the gun and I’m calling the shots. There’s no one to protect you this time.”

“Let them go, Travis. You can’t watch them and look in my eyes at the same time.” replied Sue softly.

Sue watched Travis’ eyes glance at Dan. Screaming at Dan to run, she grabbed the knife from its sheath under her vest and threw it. Travis startled by the scream, jumped and received a knife in his right shoulder that was headed for his chest. The intense pain running down his arm and chest caused his grip to loosen on his gun and it fell.

Anger flared in him as he lunged at Sue. Ducking out of the way, she kicked him in the knee cap as he went by her. Grabbing his knee in pain, he lay on the ground. She grabbed a branch and swung it at his head as he rolled out of the way. Springing at her from his crouched position, she jumped out of the way, twisting her weakened ankle and fell to the ground.

Jumping on top of her, he grabbed her throat and squeezed as he felt the stirring from within him. Fighting for air and unable to loosen the hands, Sue grabbed the knife that protruded from his shoulder and stabbed his chest. Feeling the hold on her throat slightly loosen, she plunged the knife again. Travis grabbed at the knife in his chest as she pushed him away.

Sue staggered away into the trees as darkness closed in and she slumped to the ground. Nick making his way to the campsite ran towards her when he saw her fall to the ground.

Travis stumbled over to the horse that stood there as the blood poured from his body. Pulling himself into the saddle, he kicked at the horse. Satan feeling the unfamiliar weight on his back, bunched his muscles and bucked. Travis fell off with his foot stuck in the stirrup as Satan ran trying to dislodge the thing attached to his saddle. The screams from the dying man permeated the midnight air.

Nick watched as Satan ran with Travis’ body bouncing on the ground behind him. He carried Sue to the fire as Travis’ screams could no longer be heard and Dan carrying Jenny rushed back.

“God Nick, is she alright?” asked Dan concerned.

“She’s alive. Get me some water, Dan.” Said Nick as he brushed the hair from her forehead and examined her neck.

Jarrod and Heath rode up as Dan handed Nick the canteen. Rushing up, they knelt by Nick who was washing her face and neck with a wet rag.

Moaning, Sue fought her way back from the black hole she had fallen into. Hearing voices calling her name, she slowly opened her eyes. Jerking up, she looked wildly around as Nick held her. Seeing only Dan and the Barkleys, she relaxed.

“Dan, is she alright?” she whispered as her neck and throat protested.

“We’re both fine, thanks to you.” smiled Dan.

“It’s my fault she was taken from you in the first place.” Sue said softly.

Dan shook his head angrily, “It’s not your fault! You couldn’t have known he would do something like this. He was crazy.”

“That’s right, Sue.” said Heath and Jarrod.

Nick looked down at Sue with angry eyes, “YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK FOR HELP?”

“I had to do what Travis asked. I’d never gamble with the life of one of Dan’s girls. I’d do it the same way if I had to.” whispered Sue as pain flashed across her face from her neck and ankle.

“Stubborn! That’s what you are, stubborn.” stated Nick as Heath pulled off her boot eliciting a moan of pain from her as she leaned into Nick’s arms.

Heath smiled as he looked into the green eyes watching him, “I think ya broke it again.”

“Oh great!” said Sue sarcastically as her face paled from the pain and sweat broke out on her forehead.

Hearing horses ride up, Heath and Jarrod stood protectively in front of the group on the ground. Duke, Sheriff Madden and Dr. Merar rode up and dismounted.

Rushing over, Dr. Merar arched an eyebrow at the sight of the woman on the ground. “I was hoping I wouldn’t see you for a while Miss Weston.” smirked Howard as he opened his bag.

“If I had my way Doc, you’d only see me at a social.” gasped Sue as the pain intensified from his probing fingers.

“Hmm. I don’t think its broken, only badly sprained. You’re lucky.” said Howard as he wrapped the ankle. Pouring some laudanum in a spoon, he held it in front of her as she glared. “Open like a good girl.”

Opening her mouth to snarl at him, Howard thrust the spoon in as the others laughed. Swallowing the foul tasting medicine, Sue rolled her eyes. “Help me up Nick, I want to go home.”

Heath and Nick put her arms over their shoulders as they walked her to Coco. “Where’s Satan?” asked Sue as she looked around.

“He’s back in the barn by now. Travis was hanging from his stirrup as he was running down the trail.” Nick informed her. “If that’s how that horse is when someone else rides him, don’t bring him over. I’m not getting on him.”

Sue, Jarrod and Heath laughed as they remembered the conversation.

Dan walked over with Jenny and kissed Sue on the cheek. “Thanks again. I’m gonna get our little angel here home.”

Sue smiled and kissed Jenny and Dan. “I’ll send one of the boys into town for Rio. Give Marie my love.”

“I will. We’ll stop out to see you in a couple days.”

Sue yawned as the medicine took effect and climbed on Coco with Heath’s help. Nick sat behind her and pulled her backwards into him. “Let’s get her home, boys.” Smiling, he realized she was asleep from the strong medicine and tightened his arms around her.

One week later, Sue Weston waited for the noon train to arrive at the depot in Stockton. Sitting on the bench outside the station, she enjoyed the warm summer day as her thoughts wondered what changes the trip to Texas would bring.

“This seat taken?”

Looking up, Sue smiled as Nick grinned and sat beside her.

“Leaving today, huh?” asked Nick as he twisted his hat between his hands.

“Yep. Train should be here any minute.” said Sue softly. “How’s the family?”

“Fine. They’re fine.” replied Nick. “Aren’t Jack and the boys seeing you off?”

“No, they’re fencing in some meadows in the box canyons today.”

Nick looked at the train coming up the tracks, cleared his throat and looked into the emerald eyes staring at him, “You’re coming back, aren’t you?”

Sue smiled, “I’ll be back, Nick. I have to go take care of a few things, but I’ll be back.“

Nick helped her up and walked her to the train. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers, “Can I call on you when you get back?”

“Yes, you may.” whispered Sue.

“Don’t forget where your home is.” said Nick as wrapped her into a hug. “I’ll be waiting.”

Smiling Sue climbed the stairs and looked back at him, “I won’t forget Nick. Hey, Nick while I’m gone can you make sure you check on Nicodena?”

Puzzled, Nick nodded, “Sure, but who’s Nicodena?”

Sue laughed as she opened the door to the car, “My calico kitten.”

Walking into the car, she giggled as she heard “YOU NAMED IT NICODENA?”