“Hannah, are you sure you don’t mind watching the boys while I head to the ranch?” asked Sue.

“Tis my pleasure, Miss Sue.” smiled Hannah widely. “Git on with ya’ now.”

Hugging the diminutive woman, Sue grinned, “I won’t be long, Hannah. Thank you.”

“Git, now.” said Hannah shooing the young mother out of the nursery and turning her attention to the month old twins. Her small strong hands gently caressing each of the sleeping boys’ cheeks. Sitting in the rocker by the cribs, Hannah picked up her sewing and hummed a gospel tune to pass the time.

Walking down the stairs with her gun belt over her shoulder, Sue entered the parlor, “I’m leaving, Mother.”

Glancing up, Victoria smiled at the shining in the emerald eyes at the prospect of a day out of the house, riding in the sunshine. Walking over, she cupped her daughter-in-law’s cheek and said quietly, “The boys will be fine in Hannah’s care, don’t worry.”

Blushing, Sue nodded, “I know, it’s just this is the first time I’ll be away from them, that’s all.”

“Enjoy your day on your ranch and we’ll enjoy our day at the orphanage. Will you be home for dinner?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’ll be a nice quiet dinner with no men to bother us.” smirked Sue putting on her gunbelt, causing the other women to laugh. “I’ll try to be back by six. See you later!”

Walking to the door, Sue picked up her hat and waved before leaving through the front door. Whistling happily, she saddled Amigo and headed to her ranch immersing herself in the leisurely trot of the horse on her first ride since the birth of her twins. Enjoying the sunshine and the crisp stillness of the air around her.

The sun was lowering itself to the horizon as Sue made her way back to the Barkley ranch. The day spent on her ranch had its ups and downs. Davey’s death still foreshadowed them but as with such things, life had to proceed.

Emily was scooting around, keeping the adults at the ranch amused and busy scurrying after her. The changes in her godchild had amazed Sue and she smiled at the thoughts of the children that would be playing together as they grew.

Reaching the gate separating the two ranches, Sue climbed down and tied Amigo to the fence. Walking over, she frowned at the gate, which was fine in the morning, but now lying on the ground. Sue lifted and pushed the gate up to lean against the fence. Breathing deeply from the exertion, Sue examined the wood of the gate for breakage. Finding none, she walked over and knelt to examine the hinges on the fence post.

“Looking for something in particular?” asked a deep voice quietly.

Deputy Billy Anderson was returning in the late afternoon from the house of Widow Thomas. Sighing loudly, he knew the Sheriff would have his head for spending so much time to get her cat out of a tree. ‘I get cats to deal with when he’s gone, not even a drunk to lock up.’

He sat behind the desk, read the telegram addressed to him and rushed outside to his horse. Galloping out of town, he headed to the Barkley ranch. Knocking on the door of the mansion, he was greet by Silas.

“Silas, are the Barkleys home?”

“No, Mr. Billy. They’s not home. Mrs. Barkley be home shortly.”

“Where’s Mrs. Barkley, uh, I mean Sue?” asked Billy.

“She’s out ta her ranch, Mr. Billy.”

“Is Mr. McCall here?”

“Yes’m. He’s in da bunkhouse.” replied Silas.

“Thanks!” shouted the young deputy running to the bunkhouse and bursting through the door. Silas watched from the front porch as Billy, the foreman and two hands came running out. Jumping on their horses, the group headed towards the Weston ranch in the setting sun.

Sue continued her examination of the hinges with the small hairs on the back of her neck rising at the voice. Sue knew the owner of that voice, the instant she heard it. The voice of the man who killed her friend, almost stole the life of Gene and was involved in the kidnapping plot that did kill her husband for a short period of time.

The image of her twin boys growing up without a mother briefly flashed through her head but she squeezed her eyes shut to force it out of her mind and to concentrate on the situation at hand.

“This is private land. You’re trespassing, mister.”

Eric laughed outloud at the confidence of the woman examining the post, kneeling on her left knee, her right leg bent. The sound of his laughter carried to her ears from the left of her.

Running the fingers of her left hand over the hinges of the post, Sue moved her right hand slowly back towards her gun. “You better leave or have a good reason for being on this range. The Barkleys don’t take kindly to trespassers.”

“Really? Gee, I’m shaking in my boots.” replied Eric sarcastically.

Sue slid the thong off her pistol as she stood up and stepped away from the post. Looking into the eyes of the vile man holding a gun on her, she retorted, “What do you want, Benson?”

Eric couldn’t keep the surprise from showing in his eyes or on his face at her use of his name. “I’m surprised you recognized me and actually, it’s Eric Fletcher not Benson.”

“Actually, I don’t care what name you call yourself. You’re a kidnapper and a murderer.” retorted Sue sarcastically.

Chuckling, Eric nodded, “Touché. Your stepmother was right about that sharp tongue of yours.”

“From your choice of Ramona, anyone can see you have horrible taste in women.”

“She was only a means to an end and a fun companion while it lasted. Almost as fun as the afternoon I spent with the lovely Audra.”

“Audra’s out of your league. She’d never knowingly mingle with the scum of the earth.” replied Sue with disgust.

Anger reddened Eric’s face and he stepped closer towards his prey, the ominous clicking of the hammer sounded in the early evening air.

“I want that ransom money. From my research on you, I know you have it readily available. If you cooperate, I’ll let you live.”

Sue stared at him and started laughing, a wide smile gracing her face with her green eyes flashing. Stopping his advance, Eric glared at the laughing woman. Her insolence causing the corners of his thin mouth to upturn and the pistol barrel lowered just slightly as some of the angry tension left his body.

Watching the slight lowering of the barrel, Sue ran through the gate and dove behind a large tree. Her back protesting the jarring of the sudden landing. Rolling over with her gun in hand, she threw off her hat and laying on her stomach, peered around the large tree.

Catching a glimpse of Fletcher running through the open gate, she pulled the trigger and swore when the adrenaline pulsing through her veins caused her to miss. ‘Jose is gonna be mighty upset I didn’t follow my own teachings.’

Breathing deeply to steady, she watched the tree where he disappeared. Eric knelt behind the tree and studied the area around him. Her laughter and sudden run through the gate had caught him off guard.

Cursing, he realized with that unexpected movement, she had turned the tables on him. It would’ve been one thing if it was Audra Barkley playing hide and seek in the trees with him, but this woman could actually kill him.

“Fletcher, hope you’re not thinking of running to your horse. There’s a lot of open ground between him and you!” called Sue tauntingly and thinking, ‘Keep him off balance.’

Looking over, he clenched his jaw in anger realizing she was right. He looked at her horse and jumped when she let out a yell. Amigo responding to his training, pulled on the knot, untying the reins and trotted away from the fence towards his stable.

“Yaqui horse trick. Took us a few months to get that one down. I didn’t want you to get any ideas about riding my horse either, Fletcher!” called Sue smiling when she heard the faint cursing.

“Seems we’re both stuck here, Zanie.” yelled Fletcher searching the area for a better position. “You can’t make it to my horse, either.”

“Wasn’t planning on it, Fletcher. Leastwise, not while you’re still breathing.”

‘You sure got that wrong, Benson. I’m not the dead man. When my wife gets a hold of you, you’re all gonna wish you’d never known her.’ Eric shook his head to rid the words of Nick Barkley, from so long ago, out of his head. The chill running down his spine caused him to shiver. ‘Stop it! All you gotta do is wait til dark. Then you can get her.’

“You should have cut and run with your losses, Fletcher. But I guess, I really should thank you.”

“For what?”

“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve played dodge the bullet. I can feel all those forgotten skills coming back to me!”

“Think you’re pretty smart, don’t you bitch?” shouted Eric angrily at her seemingly blasé attitude about the situation.

“I do, Fletcher. Thanks for noticing.” chuckled Sue imaging the anger spreading across his face at her taunting and laughter.

Sue lay on her stomach keeping her eyes on the tree where Fletcher was. Watching intently for any movement, she squinted her eyes at the dark spot in the grass. ‘Hmm, looks like a boot heel’ Aiming, she let out her breath and slowly squeezed the trigger.

Eric let out an involuntary startled yelp from the bullet that struck his boot. He shook with anger at the laughter coming from the other tree. Firing a couple shots in the area where she was hidden, his hand clenched the gun tighter at her shout.

“You missed.”

“Too bad about your wrangler Hinton, Zanie!” shouted Eric. “If he didn’t work with you, he’d be alive today!”

“You killed him, not me. Since you mentioned him, it’s only fair I warn you about something.” called Sue.

Several minutes passed when against his better judgment, Eric shouted back, “Warn me about what?”

“Your death is gonna be a lot more painful than my friend’s. Did your research tell you about my Yaqui guardian? The Yaqui took great pleasure in torturing the enemy. Picture that in your mind while you wait for the cover of darkness to fall, Fletcher!”

Sweat rolled down Eric’s face and he wiped it away with his sleeve. Resigning himself to not answer any more of her taunts, his eyes grew frantic as he searched for a way out of there. Looking at the setting sun, he knew darkness couldn’t come fast enough. ‘Should’ve cut and run, dammit.’

The sound of pounding hooves reached their ears and his heart started beating just as rapidly as the horses were running.

“Cavalry’s coming, Fletcher. Time’s running out!” Sighing in relief when she heard the horses and thought grimly. ‘If I was in his position, I’d try to head further into the trees.’

Eric sprinted for the trees to the side and back of him. He was slammed to the ground and fell sideways from the bullet that entered his body. Hearing the feet running towards him, he started to lift his arm.

Pain flared in his wrist when a small boot stepped firmly on it and his gun was pulled out and tossed to the side, landing with a faint thud. He lay on the ground holding his left hand on his bloody side, seeing the black barrel of the pistol pointed at him.

Looking past the pistol, his eyes stared into the cold emerald eyes. The look in those eyes captured his attention. He lost all thought of the pain flaring in his body and thoughts of escape, his chest barely moving from his breaths. He had never seen such cold lifeless eyes in a woman before and he knew his life was over.

“Sue, put your gun down.” ordered Fred quietly.

Fred, Gene and Jarrod caught up with the group from the ranch shortly after they started to the Weston ranch. The single shot that rang out when they reached the intersection of the two ranches had the worst fear rushing into their minds.

The relief they felt at the sight of Sue holding a gun on Benson turned to dismay when she wouldn’t obey the sheriff’s command to put her gun down.

Jarrod and Gene hurried over to stand by Fred. The look on their sister-in-law’s face at the man on the ground was frightening to see. Her eyes never once leaving him as the sheriff spoke.

“You can’t shoot him in cold blood.” explained Fred calmly. “Give me your gun. Don’t make me take it from you, Sue.”

Jarrod said quietly, “Sue, let’s go home. Come on, it’s over.”

“Sheriff, you gotta do something.” pleaded Eric watching the tightening of her finger on the trigger. “You’re the law, I deserve a fair trial!”

Gene walked over and held his hand out for her gun, “You get revenge if you kill him, but you’ll wind up in jail. He’s already destroyed one life, don’t let him destroy your life with Nick and the boys. Let the law take care of him. Please, Sue.”

After several long minutes, Sue let out a shaky breath, pointed the pistol upward and lowered the hammer. Sliding her gun into the holster, she let Gene lead her away with his arm across her shoulders. Fred handcuffed the barely conscious prisoner and bandaged his wound before putting him on his horse.

“Thanks college boy.” whispered Sue when Gene pulled her into a hug. Her body trembling from adrenaline and emotions, she held on while tears flew from her eyes at the release of tension.

“Let’s go home.” said Jarrod softly taking his turn to gratefully hug her.

Nodding, Sue followed the brothers to the horses and climbed up behind Jarrod.

“Duke, will you help Fred take Benson to Stockton?” asked Sue quietly. “I wanna make sure he gets into a jail cell and stays there.”

“That would be our pleasure, Sue.” smiled Duke mounting up and following the lawmen with the two hands.

Jarrod pulled up on the reins at her request, Sue slid down from Jingo and stretched her lower back.

“Sorry, I think motherhood is making me soft.” winced Sue. “Or it could be landing on that tree root bruised my back.”

“Sue, why didn’t you say earlier you were hurt!” admonished Jarrod climbing down with Gene following suit.

“I just didn’t realize I’d bruised it cause of all the excitement until Jingo started bouncing me around.” smirked Sue.

“Jingo does not bounce. His gait is very smooth.” stated Jarrod in defense of his mount.

“Whatever you say, Pappy.” teased Sue.

Gene laughed and shook his head. “Maybe we should walk home?”

“I think that’d be wise.” groaned Sue. “I don’t think I can ride any more and the house is no more than a couple miles anyway.”

“Gene, why don’t you ride ahead to let Mother know. We don’t want her to worry any more than necessary.” suggested Jarrod. “You can bring a wagon back.”

“No need for a wagon. I need to exercise my leg.” sighed Sue. “Gene, tell Mother I do NOT need a doctor.”

Grinning, Gene rode off to the ranch house. Holding onto the reins, Jarrod walked slowly beside his sister-in-law back to the ranch.

“Jarrod, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything, Sue.”

“If I had killed Fletcher, Benson or whatever his name is, could you have kept me out of prison?”

Thinking, Jarrod shook his head, “No, I don’t believe so. In the eyes of the law, you would’ve killed an unarmed man. Why?”

Stopping, Sue’s eyes took on a far away look, “When Benson was on the ground all I could see was all the blood that was covering Nick when Hank and I found him and how I felt when I thought Nick had died. I could feel my finger tightening on the trigger and then I heard Gene’s voice. I almost did it, I almost killed him for what he’d done. ”

“I, for one, am glad you didn’t kill him.” admitted Jarrod. “I don’t think Nick would appreciate visiting his wife in jail.”

Laughing, Sue replied, “No, I don’t think he would either.”

“Sue, can I ask you a question?”

“Anything, Mr. Barkley Attorney at Law.” teased Sue joining Jarrod in laughter.

“Do you have any other relatives we should be concerned with?” inquired Jarrod seriously, blue eyes twinkling.

“Lordy, I hope not!” groaned Sue rolling her eyes. “Relatives sure are trying on a person’s well-being.”

Laughing and talking, they continued to the ranch which lay just short of a mile away.

“I was wrong, Jarrod.” said Sue gesturing to the wagon heading towards them. The man sitting on the seat of the fast moving wagon was recognizable even from this distance.

“Do you suppose a relative by marriage counts?” inquired Sue.

Jarrod chuckled and stood by her, waiting for the nearing wagon to reach them.

“From the way he’s driving and that scowl on his face, maybe I should’ve considered jail.” sighed Sue.

“Everyone has to pay the piper eventually, my dear sister-in-law.” teased Jarrod with a smile at the sparkle in the emerald eyes.

Nick jumped down from the wagon and ran to his wife. Taking her in his arms, he asked quietly, “Are you okay?”

Stifling the moan he was causing from the hug, Sue replied, “I’m fine, Nick.”

“Good. Now, get in the bed that’s in the wagon.” ordered Nick firmly.

“Nick, your brother is standing right there!” exclaimed Sue with a shocked expression.

Jarrod tried unsuccessfully to stifle a chuckle while watching the red creep up Nick’s neck to his face.

“Very funny!” grumbled Nick gently pulling her to the wagon.

“I don’t need to lay down on a bed.” stated Sue.

Picking her up, Nick set her on the tail of the wagon and stood with arms crossed. “Get in.”

“Nick, really....”

“You’re not walking any further. Now, get in.” Nick repeated pointing to the bedding.

Sighing in frustration, Sue retorted, “You’re lucky I love you, Barkley. I already shot one man today, wouldn’t bother me if it was two.”

“Promises. Promises.” smirked Nick.

Moving forward, Sue lay on top of the quilts and smiled when Nick climbed in beside her.

“Jarrod, try not to hit any holes on the way back.” said Nick winking at his wife.

“I’ll certainly do my best, Sir Barkley.” replied Jarrod bowing grandly to the laughing couple, tying Jingo to the back before heading to the front and climbing up on the seat. Slapping the reins, Jarrod grinned at the low menacing growl coming from the back of the wagon.

“So, my wife, how was your day?”

Sue grinned as Sonja lowered herself into the rocking chair in the nursery. “Well, I can see you’re not gonna be much help to me.”

“I’m supervising.” smiled Sonja watching her friend take the pieces out of the open crate and lay them on the floor.

Placing the parts on the floor, Sue started putting the crib together. “I didn’t think this crib would get here before the baby came.”

“I still have two weeks, Sue.” stated Sonja catching the rattle Sue tossed to her.

Snorting, Sue replied, ”Well, I thought I had a month to go and look what happened.”

“Colton and Dakota must have the same level of patience as their parents.”

“As their Father you mean!” stated Sue receiving a chuckle from Sonja.

Leaning back in the rocker, Sonja watched her friend build the crib, her thoughts wondering over the past few tumultuous months on the Barkley ranch.

When Sue arrived home after apprehending Fletcher, she would not leave the twins in anyone’s care. In her sleep at night, her mind would conjure up the images of her sons growing up motherless.

Many times Nick had woken in the middle of the night to find his wife standing in between the cribs in the nursery, watching Colton and Dakota sleep. Her greatest fear was not being around for her children when they grew.

This fear had become overwhelming since Fletcher had surprised her at the gate. Walking up behind her, Nick would hold her tightly and peer over her shoulder at their little wonders. Quietly letting his presence and strength calm her.

The trial had spanned a week and every member of the Barkley family had testified. The association between Sue’s stepmother and Eric Fletcher had created much fodder for the newspaper, but through it all Sue had focused on her twins and Nick.

The tension which had been felt in the household the past two months had dissipated with the life sentencing of Eric Fletcher, kidnapper and murderer.

Once the sentence had been handed down and the knowledge that Fletcher would never get out of prison unless he was in a pine box, worked its way into her subconscience, the nightly trips into the nursery slowly stopped.

Heath and Nick had brought the crate home yesterday, carried it up to the nursery and advised Sue how she would be spending her Sunday.

“What no time limit? No bet?” smirked Sue at her husband’s scowl.

“No way! I’m not betting with you anymore. You cheat!” snorted Nick.

“I…do…not…cheat.” replied Sue firmly emphasizing every word. “You’re a sore loser!”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Not!”

“Too!”

“Not!”

“Not!”

“Too!”

Sue kissed the cheek of her husband and left the room with Sonja, laughter from the ladies in the hallway reaching the men’s ears.

Heath shook his head and sighed loudly, “Will you ever learn, Nick?”

“Oh shut up, Heath!” growled Nick opening the crate and grumbling to himself. “Woman makes me nuts. Hope those boys don’t grow up to be just like her. That happens, I’ll be in the crazy hospital.”

Heath clapped his brother on the back, “How about a drink?”

“Best idea you had all day, little brother!”

“Sonja. Sonja!” called Sue.

“Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.” blushed Sonja. “You finished it!”

Frowning, Sue looked at the crib, “I’ve been wondering. What are we gonna do when the babies outgrow these cribs?”

Smiling, Sonja shook her head, “Sue, they go into regular beds then.”

“I know that!” retorted Sue. “I mean where are we gonna put their regular beds. We should keep this room as a nursery. We may have more children and there’s always Jarrod, Eugene and Audra too. I think we may need a bigger house.”

“I think we have a while before we have to decide that, Sue. Eugene, Jarrod and Audra are not married or even engaged. I haven’t even delivered this baby yet, let alone think of more!”

“Yeah, guess you’re right.” grinned Sue putting the top on the crate and pushing it to the side. Grabbing the bedding, she finished and stood back looking at her creation. “Perfect for your son or daughter!”

“Looks wonderful. Thank you, Sue.”

Waving off her friend’s thanks, Sue looked at the time. “We have a while to go before dinner. Since Nick and Heath are taking care of the twins, you want to play some cards?”

Sitting at the table in Sonja and Heath’s bedroom, the two played cards and were joined by Audra shortly after. Talking and giggling, the three passed the afternoon away until it was time to ready themselves for dinner.

Standing up, Sonja looked at her friend in shock, “My water just broke.”

“What!” exclaimed Sue jumping up and pushing Audra out the door, “Get Heath! Tell Nick to get Dr. Merar! Mother, too!”

Helping Sonja to the bed, Sue winked, “Guess somebody else is a little impatient.”

“Oh shut up, Sue!” moaned Sonja.

The sun woke itself and climbed slowly to the horizon, spreading the hues of orange and red across the clear sky. The light filtered through the window and shone on the exhausted young woman in the bed.

The opening and closing of a door sent five pairs of feet rushing to the bottom of the stairs. Looking up expectantly at the blond walking down the grand staircase, Jarrod, Sue, Silas and Audra held their breath watching as Heath placed the bundle in Nick’s arms.

Blue teary eyes looked into the teary hazel eyes. Nick pulled back the blanket revealing the sleeping baby with light brown hair. Her father’s gentle voice carried to everyone’s ears.

“Brother Nick, may I have the pleasure of introducing your goddaughter. Nicoleah Victoria Barkley.”