Victoria watched Heath groom Charger. The weeks had flown by into three months and his movements were now quick and sure. It had been over a week since his last back spasm.

During his forced rehabilitation, his moods varied from anger to happiness, sadness to despair. Some required no dealing with at all, others the family members dealt with using the love in their hearts.

Dr. Merar had witnessed and been a recipient of all the moods. He was pleased with the fire and spirit that helped the marshal cope in the restrictive time, the will to return to his previous strength, strong in the young man.

Everyday Heath put on his badge whether he left the house or not. The badge of the marshal. During the time of his rehabilitation, Victoria had often wondered if the metal star had made Heath into it’s own type of prisoner.

An honorable profession but one fraught with dangers, one that caused Heath concern for the family’s welfare in the form of retaliation from enemies. He never voiced those concerns to the family, but they could sense it in his inner thoughts from his actions and comments.

There was no doubt he was an asset to the marshal service and good at his profession, but he was good at ranching also.

After two weeks, he worked daily with Nick to build up his strength. His muscles worked slowly at first, he was often gripped by the horrible back spasms. Those things didn’t stop him from working and returning to the ranch exhausted at the day’s end.

Nick was often the only witness to the quick bolt of pain that would drive his brother to his knees. Eventually with time, the length between the spasms increased.

A month after Heath arrived at the ranch, Nick walked out of the house and nearly died from anxiety at the sight of the slow moving Heath in the corral with an unbroken mustang. Jarrod grabbed Nick’s arm to stop his frantic run to the corral, demanding Nick walk to ensure they did not put their brother in further danger by startling the horse.

Walking slowly to the corral, the two brothers stood mesmerized at the happenings before them. Neither moved while Heath worked with the horse and broke it in a manner different than anyone had seen.

After leaving the corral and receiving a full burst of Barkley fury for the reckless act from Nick, Heath shrugged and quietly explained it was better this way for the horse and rider. They trusted people more and were ready to ride faster.

Seeing a new horse follow the marshal boss around the corral still filled the hands and family with awe. His bond with his own stallion, Charger, a testament to the end results.

On occasion, Heath surprised Nick and Jarrod with ideas to improve things around the ranch. Heath would be embarrassed and would leave the room or change the subject at their surprise. These two actions quickly earned him a discussion regarding how family members shouldn’t be embarrassed to extend their ideas or suggestions.

Throughout the three months in Heath’s rehabilitation, he never openly talked about his past. He would join in discussions, sometimes a small part of his past would be revealed without giving details. He’d mentioned places he had seen or people he had met if the discussion warranted it. Otherwise, he did not willingly talk about it.

Today was Heath’s first ride on Charger since the brutal attack.

Today was an independence day for Heath and a day of imprisonment for his family. Heath was closer to his freedom and they were trapped in the prison of his impending departure. Nick and the rest of the family had grown to love the blonde immensely.

Heath’s blue eyes sparkled like the sunshine which glittered on his marshal’s badge, when he dismounted and clapped Nick on the back. The happiness Heath was feeling caused him to miss the sadness in the hazel eyes of his older brother.

While his recovery had been their ultimate goal, it was bittersweet. He had stolen their hearts and he was on his way to stepping back into his profession. p> “Mrs. Barkley?” asked Heath quietly, watching the unhidden thoughts on her face as she stood in quiet contemplation. Guilt rose within him, knowing he was the cause of her far away look.

“Oh, sorry, Heath. Guess I was day dreaming.” smiled Victoria. “How was your ride?”

Opening the stall gate, Heath closed it behind him, “Refreshing and invigorating, ma’am.”

Linking her arm in his, Victoria smiled and lead him to the house, “I feel the same way after riding. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

Smiling, Heath looked down and nodded, “Sure is, ma’am, especially after all this time.”

“I came to get you for dinner.” stated Victoria.

Patting her hand, Heath teased, “Boy howdy, lord forbid I should miss a meal.”

Laughing, the two entered the house together. Nick and Jarrod glanced at each other when the laughter reached their ears. It sounded so natural and yet Heath wouldn’t call her mother.

She had asked and he had quietly refused, his blue eyes falling away from her intense gaze but not before she had seen the want and desire flare up in his eyes when she said the word, Mother.

Victoria had accepted his refusal and proceeded on as if his refusal hadn’t hurt. Heath strived to find the words to explain the reason, but the words remained elusive.

Eugene arrived home on summer break and quickly formed a friendship with his new brother. He had learned of Heath through letters from the family while he was away at school.

Meeting him for the first time, Gene felt awed at the power and strength displayed before him. Gene witnessed Heath practicing with his pistols and a case of hero worship formed towards his marshal brother. His young mind recalling stories he’d read in dime novel magazines, creating an almost super human image of Heath.

Heath, in his own quiet way, quickly brought Gene out of his hero worship and back to solid ground. He didn’t want his younger brother to glorify the profession. It was what it was. Dangerous, lonely and deadly.

Retiring to the study after dinner, Heath played checkers with Audra while Gene and Nick partook in a game of pool under Jarrod’s gleaming eyes. Gene and Nick sparred back and forth, the others in the room laughing or rolling their eyes at their comments.

“This time, you’re dead.” growled Nick with laughter in his eyes. His smile quickly turning to despair when his attention was directed away by Audra’s shout.

The growled words reverberated through the subconscious of Heath, creating a chink in the armor of his memory. The family saw his hands began to shake uncontrollably, his forehead and face glistened with sweat, his breaths coming in quick gasps. The look in his eyes faraway, angry and tortured.

The scene flashed before him slowly, the violence and brutality awakening him from his cushion of oblivion. The vicious attack by the three men took his breath away, creating a deep fury in him at their near succeeding in the cowardice act.

Lunging up, he fell onto his knees as a spasm shot through him. Kneeling in front of him, Nick held the tense shoulders and sucked in his breath at the hardness in the blue eyes before it was quickly replaced by pain. The steely hardness he hadn’t seen since the night he condemned them in the parlor of their own home.

“I…remember.” gasped Heath, face contorted in pain. “Night....Freemont…dammit”

“Okay, Heath. Just breath slow.” urged Nick, moving his hand to hold the back of the blonde’s neck, squeezing it softly. “Come on, little brother. Listen to me, boy!”

His face slowly lost it’s contorted look, the color returned and his breathing evened out. Heath nodded his gratefulness to the beacon and took the offered hand up.

His remembrance of that night had him clenching his hands in fury, his eyes were an icy cold blue and his face reflected his intention before the words left his mouth.

“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Nick rushed after the blonde, his words ringing through the house. “Heath, wait a minute!”

In the foyer, Heath turned back, “Yeah, Nick?”

“Heath, what do you mean you’re leaving?”

Heath’s eyes showed his confusion, “I’m going back to work.”

“You’re not fully healed yet.” snapped Nick. “Today was your first day back on a horse. You’re not ready!”

Heath slowly cocked his head to the side, staring into the hazel eyes which reflected fear. His face showed a quick pained look before he pulled the shutters over his emotions.

His voice was gentle, “Nick, you knew this day would come at one point.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about you rushing off to go after Freemont. You don’t know where he is, how many people are with him, anything!” informed Nick firmly.

Chuckling, Heath shook his head, “It’s my job to find out those things. When I find those answers, I’ll find him.”

“And do what? Kill him?” asked Nick, the challenge in his voice not hidden to any one’s ears.

Bristling at the tone and insinuation in the voice, Heath stiffened, “You got something to say, JUST SAY IT!”

“You’re gonna get yourself killed! You’re going off half-cocked! You’re not ready! You were almost killed last time when you met up with him. What are you trying to prove?” shouted Nick.

Nick jabbed the badge on his little brother’s chest to accent his words, his actions infuriating the man on the receiving end. Heath’s face was red from the constant jabbing of the strong finger at the badge he wore so proudly, his sudden movement shocked Nick. Grabbing Nick’s hand, he twisted bringing his older brother down to his knees in pain.

Stepping back, he loosed his grip and clenched his hands at his side, his gaze on the foyer floor, breathing deeply at his loss of control. Looking down at his brother holding his pained hand, his blue eyes reflected his own torment.

Kneeling down, his hand reached toward Nick, stopping at the unconscious flinch of the larger man and it fell onto his raised knee. Sighing and hanging his head for a moment, Heath looked into the hazel eyes, speaking quietly.

“I’m sorry, Nick. I didn’t mean it.”

“Heath, you’re not ready. See Dr. Merar and wire Jack Larkin before you make a decision.” urged Nick. “Do this for me, Heath. Please, little brother.”

The concern in the hazel eyes and voice caused Heath’s heart to swell with love. His desire to find Freemont was strong, but the words spoken by his brother were true. He couldn’t rush to find Freemont, it would be reckless and careless.

“All right, Nick. I’ll do it for you.” replied Heath and then adding, “Understand this Nick, I’m a marshal, that’s who I am and what I’ll be returning to.”

Putting his hand on the black leather shoulder, Heath squeezed, “There’s a wildness in me Nick. A recklessness. The only thing that’s ever kept it under control is this metal and what it stands for. I owe it, Nick. It’s been my lifeline for many years. I can’t turn my back on it.”

“Do you understand what I’m saying, Nick?” asked Heath, his voice pleading to the man who’d been there for him.

Nodding his understanding, Nick glared into the blue eyes, “Now hear me, Heath Thomson. In the time you’ve been recovering and working on the ranch, that look in your eyes has disappeared. It didn’t return until you remembered what happened that night. Not once.”

“What look, Nick?” puzzled Heath.

“That hard deadly look. That look of cold fury. It’s been gone all these months.”

His observations creating a frown on the face across from him, the words stinging Heath’s ears, floating across his mind.

“Heath, if you give into the feelings that go with that look, you’ll never come back.” admitted Nick despair mixed with his words. “You’re my brother and I’m afraid I’ll lose you forever.”

The depth of the emotions in the hazel eyes startled Heath. The words straight from the heart of the man he was kneeling in front of, the words which clearly reflected the man’s deep love for his little brother and the deep fear he carried.

Swallowing the emotions welling up in his throat, Heath pulled Nick up and wrapped his arms around the stricken man.

“Nick, I can only be what I am. Nothing more. Nothing less. I am Marshal Heath Thomson, based out of Ely, Nevada. I can’t be Heath Thomson, Stockton rancher like you may want me to be.”

“You’re my shadow Nick. I’ll always be your little brother and you my big brother. Whether I’m here or elsewhere, that’s never gonna change. Never.”

Nick held on as his heart broke until he was under control. Heath sensed the ending of the outpour and held onto the broad shoulders. The silence between them uncomfortable from the sudden display of emotion between two strong men.

Heath winked, “You’re lucky, big brother, if you kept jabbing me with that finger you might’ve have lost your whole hand.”

Chuckling, Nick wiped his eyes and put an arm around the smaller man’s shoulders directing him slowly up the stairs, oblivious to the witnesses of the whole emotional scene.

“Let’s have a drink, little brother.”

“Sounds good, big brother.”

“How exactly did you do that, Heath? I thought you were gonna twist my whole hand off!”

“Well, Nick, I’d be glad to show ya’. It’d come in handy when you’re trying to get a date.” said Heath seriously.

“HEY! I DON’T NEED HELP LIKE THAT TO GET A DATE!” blurted Nick. “Well, maybe sometimes it’d help. I could hold them down til they agreed to go out with me.”

Heath’s laughter mixed with Nick’s floated down to the rest of the family until it was shut off by the closing of Nick’s bedroom door after the two men entered.

Jarrod, Audra, Gene and Victoria stared at the retreating brothers, their cheeks filled with tears and their heart with dread at the thought of Heath’s future departure.

At midnight, Jarrod walked out of the study and saw the front door quietly closing. Curious, he opened it and spied Heath walking from the house. Following, he stopped beside his little brother who was smoking and staring at the stars in the clear night sky.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” asked Jarrod quietly his eyes following his brothers.

“Sure is.” drawled Heath. “Perfect temperature, no clouds. Couldn’t ask for a finer night. Working late?”

Leaning against the corral post, Jarrod crossed his arms, “Just catching up on some paperwork.”

Snorting, Heath threw his cigarette to the ground and rubbed it out with boot toe. “I hate paperwork. All those reports ya’ gotta fill out. Boy howdy, the bosses sure want to know how you spend your time and the taxpayer’s money.”

Laughing, Jarrod nodded in agreement, “Sometimes it’s not my favorite thing either.”

“Yeah, bet you like the game in the courtroom better, huh?” inquired Heath curiously.

Though he’d been on the ranch recovering and working for months, he hadn’t spent a lot of time with the blue eyed attorney. Jarrod had been away in San Francisco, his attorney skills being honed in another trial for another client.

Having studied his oldest brother, Heath admired the analytical mind of the attorney, the attention to detail, his love for the law and his sense of justice. Upon closer scrutiny, he knew under the suave attorney was the same temper Heath shared with his other siblings but shining through everything was his love and devotion to his family.

“I must admit I love the challenge, Heath. I still get excited and nervous the night before I’m due to be in court. I guess it’s the exhilaration of finding out if I have what it takes. Can I ask the right questions to get to the truth? How do I get this hostile witness to answer truthfully?” stated Jarrod, adding with a chuckle. “I love the dance I have to do.”

“When did you realize you wanted to be an attorney?” asked Heath quietly sitting on the corral.

Jarrod’s face reflected fond remembrance as the unexpected question took him back. His voice quiet in the evening air, “I think in mother’s womb. I’ve always been interested in the law, ever since I can remember. It felt so right. It’s always been a part of me.”

Looking up at Heath, he hesitated and wondered if his little brother wanted to hear the next part. Heath glanced down and read the hesitation in Jarrod.

Staring at his boots, he asked, “How about your Father? What’d he think about it?”

“It took a long time, but Father came to realize I had dreams and visions of a future outside of the ranch. It was difficult for him. His eldest son wanted to leave the empire he was building for his family.” replied Jarrod quietly.

“Guess I can understand that.” nodded Heath.

“Heath, he’s your father too.” stated Jarrod gently. “If he’d known, you and your mother wouldn’t have had to struggle. I just know it.”

Heath suppressed the anger in him, born so many years ago. He knew how much his siblings and the community held Tom Barkley in their hearts. He knew the respect held for the man, a respect he could understand based on some of the things Tom Barkley’d done for those around him.

He’d been a builder and a shaper of dreams. He built an empire and shaped the dreams of his children. Heath could respect the role of father he played in the lives of his siblings, but would never condone Tom Barkley’s actions in regards to his mother. His hatred for the man in that respect would probably never fade.

Staring at the stars, Heath knew Jarrod was expecting an answer of truth and would accept no less. “No, he’s your father. To me, he’s the man who shared a bed with my mother. That’s all. I’ve hated him for so long, I don’t think it’ll ever go away. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. Ya’ can’t change the past.”

The two brothers fell silent, their thoughts of Tom Barkley different from each other. This was the first time, Heath shared his thoughts on the man who was never there when he was growing up, the man who left a woman with child in a mining camp. Each time the family broached the subject, he would purposely refuse to answer and leave the room.

“What about you, Heath? Why did you become an officer of the law?” asked Jarrod curiously wondering if he’d get a response.

Heath’s elusive answers to questions regarding his past kept his family longing to know more about the blonde, his life, his thoughts, his hopes and his dreams.

Rolling another cigarette, Heath lit the end and inhaled deeply, his thoughts cringing as they went back over the years of violence.

“It was a choice Frank Sawyer forced me to make the night I was gonna kill him. Boy howdy, I was a wild one. Standing there in front of Frank, he saw something good in me. I hadn’t seen it in my seventeen years of life, but he saw it. He looked me in the eye and stated, ‘Boy, I need a deputy. Do you think you’re up to the challenge or are you a coward who’ll take the criminal way?’”

Chuckling, Heath jumped off the corral and leaned back, “I was stunned by his question. It seemed like an eternity while I was thinkin’ about it and accepted his job offer. To this day, I can’t imagine what he saw that night.”

Jarrod was stunned at the admission from the normally close-mouthed man. His heart felt a sense of wonder and pride, his new little brother was trusting him with a portion of his past in this evening game of truth.

Looking at Heath, Jarrod said firmly, “I imagine, little brother, he saw what we all see in you.”

Shrugging, the blonde sighed, “Well, a year later Larkin recruited me into the marshal service. End of story.”

“Have you ever regretted the life of a marshal, Heath?”

Jarrod was surprised at the pain springing into Heath’s eyes. “Never the life, just the consequences to the people around me.”

“What do you mean?” frowned Jarrod, his tone gentle and wondering.

Closing his eyes, Heath replayed the scene in his head, his whisper tortured with guilt and grief. “It’s too hard, Jarrod. I don’t know if I can do it. I’m not strong enough if it happens again.”

Putting a firm hand on the broad shoulder, Jarrod squeezed, “What, Heath? If what happens again?”

“Heath?” insisted Jarrod tenderly.

Breathing deeply, Heath wiped his hand over his face, “The retaliation against people you love. My mama was killed cause of me being a marshal. I won’t go through that again. Night, Jarrod.”

Heath walked off into the shadows of the night leaving his shocked brother behind, his confession stealing the breath from Jarrod’s chest, twisting his soul from the deep pain and guilt in his little brother’s voice.

Rising early the next morning, Heath left the ranch before anyone else was up. On his way to Stockton, he stopped on a small hill and enjoyed the waking of the sun. The colors brilliantly lighting up the sky, washing away all remnants of his pitiful sleep the night before.

Leaning forward, his forearm resting on the saddle horn, Heath wondered if he’d made a huge mistake the night before. He let his heart make the decision to stay in Stockton and on the Barkley ranch for a short while longer.

Nick was right, he couldn’t go off half-cocked in his search for Freemont and Croker. Remembering the look of concern in Nick’s eyes, Heath sighed and shook his head.

Thinking back, he didn’t know when it happened. When had the Barkleys found their way into his heart? It was almost as if they had waylaid him, ambushed him with their unselfish caring and giving.

It seemed to happen so suddenly. At first he was angry, confused and now months later his gut twisted when he thought of anyone possibly using them against him.

“Boy howdy, we’re in a pickle Charger.” drawled Heath patting the bay’s neck. “I don’t think the Barkleys are gonna let us go without a fight. No matter what the reason, family’s important to them.”

Arriving in Stockton, Heath’s first stop was the telegraph office. The second, the newspaper office where he spoke with the editor and left with several papers in his hand. Walking down the street, he greeted some of the citizens with a nod or tip of his hat. Entering the restaurant, he sat at a corner table, ordered breakfast and opened the first paper.

Sipping his coffee, he ran his eyes over the articles. Reading only the articles that caught his attention, taking out his little notebook and making several notations. Two hours had gone by the time he had completed his examination of the papers. Standing, he paid for his breakfast and walked to Dr. Merar’s office.

Opening the door, Helen Merar smiled widely, “Heath, how wonderful to see you! How are you feeling?”

“Fine, Mrs. Merar.” smiled Heath sheepishly. “Any chance I can see Dr. Merar this morning?”

The older lady and her husband had been to the ranch on several occasions during his recuperation. The couple now included the blonde marshal as one of their Stockton children.

“I’m afraid he’s not here my dear boy. Mrs. Henry went into labor last night. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I promised Nick I’d see the doc before I left town.” sighed Heath. “I can check back tomorrow.”

“Oh, when are you leaving?” asked Mrs. Merar.

“Well, soon as I can. Duty calls.” smiled Heath slightly. “I’ll be at the sheriff’s office for a while in case the doc returns this morning.”

Mrs. Merar agreed to send her husband to the sheriff’s office when he returned. Opening the door to the sheriff’s office, Heath entered, an hour later he emerged and headed back to the telegraph office.

Nick and Jarrod rode up the street, dismounting in front of the telegraph office where they had seen their brother enter. Walking inside, Heath was writing out a wire.

“Hey, Heath!” called Nick.

“Nick. Jarrod.” drawled Heath handing the wires to the telegrapher. “I didn’t know you were gonna be in town today.”

Jarrod smiled, “We have some business to take care of in my office. Why don’t you come with us?”

Nodding, Nick clapped the smaller man on the back, “Yeah, money bags here can buy us a beer after we’re done.”

“Sounds good.” admitted Heath. “I’ll be in the saloon or Mr. Barkley’s office. Find me when you get a response.”

“Sure, Marshal.” said the telegrapher grinning at the tip handed to him.

Sitting on the edge of the desk, Heath waited patiently for his brothers to finish. Jarrod looked at Nick and pulled out another agreement. He handed it to Heath.

“What’s this?” asked Heath opening the document.

“This is an agreement which states you are Thomas Barkley’s son and entitled to a share of everything.” explained Jarrod. “We, the family, would like you to sign it, Heath and accept what is yours.”

Shaking his head, Heath handed the paper back towards Jarrod, “I don’t want anything.”

“You’re entitled to it Heath.” said Nick. “You’re our brother and you own part of everything.”

“I don’t want it.” replied Heath firmly letting the paper fall onto the desk. “If you’re done, let’s get that beer.”

“Why not?” asked Nick brusquely. “Why won’t you sign it?”

Jarrod put a hand on Nick’s shoulder, his voice quiet, “Nick. Heath, we did spring this on you. Perhaps you need time to think about it.”

“Jarrod, you know the law. Well, so do I. It doesn’t matter if I sign that paper or not. Under California law, children born out of the sanctity of marriage, bastards like me, aren’t entitled to anything unless the father initiates the legal proceedings. Well, the father is dead, unable to initiate anything and I don’t want it!” gruffed Heath walking to the door. “I’ll see you in the saloon.”

Frowning, Nick looked at Jarrod. “He won’t sign it cause he’ll feel obligated to come back here. I think that’s why.”

“We can’t keep Heath here if he doesn’t want to stay. He’s a grown man.” sighed Jarrod picking up the document and putting it back into the file folder.

“Is what he said true, Jarrod? That bit about California law?”

“Yes, it is.” admitted Jarrod. “Mother and I went over it thoroughly before we had the family discussion. Mother didn’t want anyone else to know about the California regulation. She wants Heath to get his fair share, should anything happen to her. With a signed legal document, we’d hope to circumnavigate any future problems.”

Nodding, Nick grinned, “Stubborn, ain’t he? He’s a Barkley, no doubt about that!”

Laughing, Jarrod agreed and they walked to the saloon. Heath was standing at the end of the bar, a beer in front of him talking to Harry. Nick swept his eyes over the crowd, swearing under his breath at the sight of Barrett, a fired hand sitting at one of the tables.

“Marshal, I’m talking to you.” called Barrett.

Heath picked up his beer and took a swallow, continuing his conversation with the bartender. A clenching of a muscle in his jaw the only indication he had heard the man.

Nick and Jarrod walked to the bar and ordered a beer. All three brothers sat at a table on the other side of the room. Heath on the side, his forearms on the top of the table, Nick was in between he and Jarrod. The three quietly talked, ignoring the comments from the other side of the room.

Barrett, ignoring his cousins’ remarks, stood up and stopped four feet away from the table of Barkley brothers. Standing with his hands on his hips, Barrett sneered, “I’m surprised the Barkleys let you stay, seeing as how you let the old man’s murderer get away. Seems ta me they done traded a back shooter for a bastard.”

Cursing, Nick was stopped by Heath’s hold on his arm, “Nick.”

Barrett walked over and leaned on the table, “Back shooter. Barkley. Bastard. Hey, they all start with B. Funny coincidence, ain’t it?”

Nick’s face was red with fury, Jarrod’s fists were clenched and Heath sighed loudly. Taking off his badge, he slowly placed it on the table and said quietly, “Hold this for me, Nick. Don’t interfere boys.”

Jarrod and Nick looked at Heath, then nodded. Barrett smiled and waited. The occupants of the room watching the confrontation closely. Everyone in Stockton was fully aware of the injuries the marshal had sustained several months ago. When the fight started, everyone in the saloon knew the marshal was fully recuperated.

Striking out with his left hand, Heath knocked Barrett’s right arm out from under him. Jumping up, he slammed Barrett’s head onto the table, the beers in their mugs spilling out onto the wood.

“Dammit, Heath!” yelled Nick grabbing the badge before the beer could reach it.

Jarrod pushed his chair back to escape the flowing beer. Picking up his mug, he took a sip and watched from the sidelines.

“Sorry, Nick!” replied the blonde calmly.

Grabbing the stunned Barrett by the shirt and belt, Heath threw him across the room where he landed with a loud crash on the floor. The cousins ran over, each grabbing Heath by an arm.

“You need help?” shouted Nick curiously.

“Nope!”

Thrusting his heel viciously onto the instep of the man on his left, the man cried out in pain and let loose of the left arm he was holding. Striking the man on his right in the stomach, Heath brought his knee into the bent over man’s face, breaking his nose. Rushing over, Barrett grabbed Heath from behind, pinning his arms to the side.

Jarrod looked over at Nick, “Shouldn’t we help, Nick?”

“Let’s ask. Heath?” called Nick, hazel eyes beaming with pride.

“I’m busy, Nick!” shouted Heath raising his legs and kicking the cousin in front of him who leapt off the floor in the groin.

The man’s face turned deathly pale as he slid to the floor out of commission. Heath threw his head back and smashed it into Barrett’s eye. Cursing Barrett stumbled backwards, a right sending him to the floor, where he lay still.

“WATCH OUT!” shouted Nick and Jarrod when broken nose came up with a knife.

Pushing the blade to the side with his hand, Heath twisted the wrist and broke it, the sound of the crack mixing with the scream of pain. A left hand sent the agonized man into oblivion.

Sitting back at the table with his brothers, Heath replaced his badge and picked up his half empty beer. Swallowing the remainder of it, he took out his watch and looked at the time.

“You ready to head back to the ranch?”

Chuckling, Nick nodded and clapped the blonde on the back. “I am. Thanks for the entertainment.”

Jarrod smiled widely as Harry yelled to the departing brothers, “First time a Barkley didn’t bust up the place during a fight! Come back anytime, Heath!”

“Very funny, Harry!” scowled Nick as they left through the swinging doors.

A week later with a blessing from Dr. Merar and instructions from Jack Larkin, Heath knocked lightly on Nick’s bedroom door. Nick’s anxiety reflected in his face at the early morning request from his little brother for a ride and talk.

Stopping beside the lake, Heath dismounted and stood on the bank gathering his thoughts. Nick leaned against a tree and waited, his heart filled with dread, the day he feared was here.

Turning, Heath sat beside Nick and rolled a cigarette. “Nick, I wanted you to be the first to know I’ll be leaving tomorrow, headed back to Ely.”

The constriction in Nick’s throat matched his heart. Nodding, he twisted a piece of grass in his hands, unable to speak at first, he had to force the words out of his mouth.

“I don’t want you to go, Heath.”

“It’s just best if I leave.” stated Heath firmly.

“Best for who? Not me and not you. You’ve become a different person these last few months, Heath. The ranch and the work has well, it’s stilled some of that wildness inside of you. Can’t you see that?” implored Nick, his hazel eyes wet with unshed tears.

“Nick, it’s safer for the family if I leave.” replied Heath quietly. “Please let me try to explain. Just listen to me.”

“Okay, I’m listening.” choked out Nick turning his eyes away from the blue ones.

Squeezing his older brother’s shoulder, Heath sighed, “I want ya’ to understand, then you’ll realize why I can’t stay here.”

Nick swiped his eyes and turned back to look at pain and anguish in the sapphire eyes. Heath closed his eyes briefly and started speaking.

“Bout five years ago, I was after a group of rustlers in Nevada. I caught them all but one. There’s five of them, two were killed by me and two sent to prison. One of the men, escaped on his way to prison.”

Nick saw the hand holding the cigarette begin to shake and Heath took several deep breaths to calm the shaking.

“I didn’t know he’d escaped. I’d been on their trails for months after them, so Larkin sent me home to Strawberry. He figured I needed a break before starting on another case. Anyway, I went home and visited with my mama, spent my free time being lazy, rejuvenating my soul and body.”

A smile flitted across Heath’s face, his ocean eyes lit up with love before filling again with anguish. Wiping his face, he glanced at Nick, the hazel eyes were intense on him.

“I was home for two weeks when I went out hunting one day. I came back and walked in the cabin. He was there Nick, the man that escaped. I don’t know how he knew where I was. Nobody but Larkin and his secretary knew where I had gone. Mama, uh, she’d been attacked and..”

Standing, Heath walked to the bank, his hands clenched at his sides, breathing heavily. Two large hands squeezed his shoulders from behind, his voice was thick as he continued.

“He hurt her, real bad. She was so small and he was an animal. She was laying on the floor, bleeding and unconscious. When I walked through the door, I froze. He told me he was gonna kill me, like I killed his father. Then his eyes changed and I knew at that moment, he was gonna kill her. When I went for my gun, he put a bullet in me and shot mama in the head while she lay on the floor. I remember shooting him before I passed out. When I woke, he was dead.”

“She’s dead, Nick cause of my job. She’s dead cause he wanted revenge and she loved me. She died because he followed me to my family.” stammered Heath, grief stealing his voice of any strength.

“Heath..” whispered Nick turning his shaking brother and wrapping his arms around him. “God, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t, Heath.”

Breathing deeply, Heath nodded and stepped away. Looking into the hazel eyes, he shook his head, “Doesn’t matter now, Nick. What matters is the family. I don’t want to take a chance on the same thing happening again.”

“What are you saying, Heath? What are you asking?” The hesitation clear in Nick’s voice.

“When I leave here, I won’t be coming back. I won’t put any of you in danger like I did mama.” said Heath quietly. “You’ll all be safer after I’m gone.”

“Heath, you want us to forget about you?” inquired Nick, incredulously. “How are we supposed to do that? You’re our family! You’re my brother! I can’t just forget about you!”

“Nick, I can’t sleep at nights thinking of what could happen to you all. It’s eating me up inside! This isn’t easy for me either, Nick. You think I’m heartless and made of stone! Well, I’m not! This is how it’s gotta be.” shouted Heath, the words filled with torment before he walked over and leaned on Charger. “I didn’t want to care for anyone ever again. It’s too hard and dangerous.”

Walking towards his little brother, Nick’s voice was pleading, “Heath, I can’t give you up, not now. We just found each other, don’ t throw it away.”

Looking over, Heath said quietly, “What if someone comes after me and they find Audra and your mother instead?”

Heath watched his words halt Nick’s steps and confusion graced his face. “Think about it, Nick. It’s possible, do you wanna take the chance? I don’t.”

Climbing up, he nudged Charger into a gallop towards Stockton leaving his brother behind.

....Continued