An unseen projectile flew through the air and pierced the back of the fleeing man, a burst of pain searing through him, his lungs gasping for precious air, his steps faltering in mid stride. His eyes locked briefly onto the face of the woman coming towards him when the brutal force of the blow to his body caused him to fall onto the ground. His awareness taken from him as his limp body lay there in the lush meadow grasses, the life seeping out of him from the round entrance wound and the hand of death gently caressed his valuable soul.

The world was swaying softly as he allowed the darkness to comfort him and take away the pain, his limbs held in place with chains,. The air around him was heavy, pressing down and around his body with an invisible hand. His lungs seemed unable to get a good taste of the California air he loved. His weakness making him float like a feather through the air, the movement reassuring as he made his way to the light.

Dr. Merar had cursed at the lack of an exit wound on the body of Nick Barkley. Fever had taken ahold of the injured man, his bruises too numerous to count, his wrists bleeding from the ropes that had bound him and his feet cut and bleeding from this escape flight through the woods. Working with his wife, he probed into the wound, sweat pouring down his face until he located the offensive item. Grabbing it, he tossed it to the side and it landed in the metal pan with a pinging sound. Wiping the blood from the wound, he delicately stitched it up and placed a large pad over it.

Mrs. Merar cleaned the face and hair of Nick, indicating the cut to her husband who nodded and used his needle and thread again. Taking a cloth, he wrapped it around the man’s head.

Feeling Nick’s abdomen, he frowned at the bruising on his sides and the ribs that moved slightly under his touch. Deciding it was best for the moment not to bind them. His wife cleaned and bandaged the damaged feet.

“Let’s start sponging him down to see if we can get reduce this fever. I’m going out to talk to Mrs. Barkley.” stated Howard cleaning the blood of the young rancher off his hands.

Walking into the waiting area, all eyes turned towards him except the green eyes of the woman who was sitting forward, her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

Sitting in the chair across from her, he spoke quietly, “I got the bullet out but he’s lost a lot of blood and is running a fever. We’re going to give him a transfusion of blood from Jarrod.”

“Can I see him?” asked Sue her voice shaking.

“After the transfusion, you can.” stated Howard. Staring intently at the downcast head, he stated firmly, “Sue, look at me.”

Slowly raising her head to look at the man sitting across from her, shocked green eyes looked into concerned brown eyes, “I know he’ll put up a good fight. Don’t give up on him.”

Nodding, she blinked back the tears that were threatening and climbed to her feet to stand by the window, her hands squeezing the window frame. Motioning to Jarrod, Howard directed the eldest Barkley son to the room where his brother lay fighting for his life. After the transfusion, Howard came back into the room.

“Sue, come with me I want to look at your leg.” instructed Howard.

Sue turned and limped towards the doctor, stopping suddenly and holding onto his arm. The vision flashing through her mind jolted her into action.

Rushing into the room where Nick lay, she grabbed him by the shoulders and yelled in his ear, “DON’T YOU DO IT! DON’T YOU DARE GIVE UP!”

The rest of the Barkley family held their breath watching the drama unfold before them. Howard using a stethoscope listened to Nick’s chest and shook his head sadly, “I’m sorry Sue.”

Ignoring the man of medicine, Sue slapped Nick’s cheek and screamed with tears streaming down her face, “NICK! YOU LIED! YOU SAID WE’D GROW OLD TOGETHER! LIAR!”

Her hysterical screaming leaving tears on everyone’s face and standing by the bed she sobbed uncontrollably, “I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, NICK BARKLEY! YOU HEAR ME? NEVER!”

Holding her hands up, she stopped the arms that reached for her. Limping away, she stumbled and collapsed as her vision blackened, the floor rising to meet her.

The light encircled him and a calming feeling filled him as it lifted him higher. Suddenly, a giant hand grabbed and yanked him backwards.

“Where were you going, boy?” asked the deep voice.

Opening his eyes, Nick looked around in surprise at the white room he was in. Confused, he looked at the man before him. Pieces of auburn hair tufted out from under a black hat, the blue eyes piercing under bushy eyebrows and a handlebar mustache showed a bit of gray.

“What’s going on?” inquired Nick looking around slowly.

Smiling, the man held out his hand to the confused cowboy. “Zane’s my name. And you are?”

“Nick Barkley.” replied Nick taking the man’s hand. “Where am I?”

Putting his arm around the younger man, Zane sighed and said softly, “This is called the holding pen by us cattleman, the in-between world by all others.”

“Are you saying I’m dead!” exclaimed Nick shaking his head in denial.

Zane shook his head, “To the people who were in the room, you have stopped breathing. To us, your soul still has a chance to return to your physical body. Your soul has not yet fully accepted it’s freedom from the pain and suffering that was engulfing your physical being.”

Looking closely at the man, Nick’s shock reflected in his hazel eyes, “You’re my wife’s father!”

Zane smiled, “Yes, Susie’s my daughter.”

“But you’re dead!” whispered Nick.

“So I am, Nick. I’ve always known we’d meet sometime, but I imagined it would’ve been a long time from now. What happened?” inquired Zane.

Thinking, Nick said quietly, “Your wife and her brother kidnapped me. I got away but they shot me. Sue was there! She was riding towards me.”

Zane sighed, “I never fully understood how Susie knew Ramona was bad, but she was right. I’d give anything to be able to let her know I was wrong and take back the arguments we had over that woman.”

“Yeah, she’s a good judge of people.” smiled Nick. “She’s quite a woman.”

“I love my daughter but she was always giving me gray hairs.”

Chuckling, a wide smile spread across Nick’s face, “I know what you mean, sir.”

“Susie’s skills are unusual for a woman. I always worried that she’d be left alone and never find that someone special.” admitted Zane. Looking at the man beside him, he asked “Nick, are you that someone special?

“I love her. She’s my life.” replied Nick love firing up the hazel specks in his eyes.

Placing his hands on Nick’s shoulder, Zane whispered, “She’s in agony, son. She won’t make it, if you don’t go back. Your souls are bound together. Listen, can’t you hear her screaming?”

Straining, Nick’s eyes filled with tears from the words filling his senses.

“Is her love worth crawling through the fires of hell for? Will you embrace the searing pain that was wracking your physical body for her? Are you going to give up and leave her alone? Are you gonna do that to my little girl?” asked Zane intently, his voice raising a pitch with each question as he stared into the hazel eyes.

“No! No! I’ll do anything for her. Anything!” stated Nick firmly.

Embracing his son-in-law, Zane squeezed him tightly, “Remember, nothing in life is easy but you’ll have each other to hold onto. Now go!”

Opening a white door and pushing Nick through, Zane yelled, “Give my little girl a kiss for me!”

Streams of tears dropped onto Heath’s cheeks as Sue’s screams tore into his heart. The loss and anguish in them almost too much for him to bear witness to. The ceasing of breath sounds from his best friend, his big brother, tore through his soul like a jagged knife. Reaching out to Sue, he stopped from the look of defeat and devastation in the green eyes when she halted his reach and walked by him in a daze.

Heath knew how extreme pain and suffering could make one wish their life would end. He knew how comforting the darkness could be to a body seeking shelter from pain. Sometimes the desire for comfort was stronger than the desire to fight the pain and emerge a victor. He had experienced it in his own past, but never thought his big brother, whose strength of will seemed infinite, would fall victim to it.

Victoria, Jarrod and Audra openly sobbed for the loss of the man in the bed. The man who was often heralded as a loudmouthed braggart by those who didn’t know him. He exuded confidence, arrogance and toughness, but those close knew of the gentleness he could and often did display with those he loved. His life cut short in his prime, the Barkley family would never be the same.

“Sue!” exclaimed Jarrod as she crumbled to the floor on the way to the door. Rushing over, he knelt beside his sister-in-law with Heath. Victoria pushed in between the two brothers and cupped the pale face.

“Come on, honey.” Urged Victoria while tapping her cheek trying to rouse Sue into waking.

Howard knelt on the floor and took her pulse. “Heath, bring her into the other room.”

Heath gently picked up his friend. Holding her in his arms, he whispered in her ear as he carried her to the other room, “Sue, please I can’t lose you too.”

Grabbing Howard’s arm when he left to follow Heath, Victoria said softly, ”Sue was dizzy two times before today, Howard. She says it was cause she didn’t have enough to eat.”

Patting the arm of his old friend, Howard nodded and left the room. Jarrod engulfed his mother in his arms, holding on tighter as the sobs wracked her body. Audra was sitting by the bed with her head down on her arms, exhausted by the emotions engulfing her.

Falling back into the darkness, Nick slowly felt the pain of his physical body from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The worst of the offending pain was in his back. His ears caught the muffled sounds of crying that seemed to be miles away.

Trying to open his eyes, he found he couldn’t even lift his eyelids. The exertion of that simple movement seemed beyond his capabilities. A sense of urgency filled him when his mind recalled the screams of agony from his wife. ‘Someone’s hurting her!’ the voice in his head repeated over and over. Sucking in a breath of air, he moaned softly when his ribs protested.

Audra lifted her head slowly and stared when she saw the rise and fall of her brother’s chest. Her eyes glued to the slight movements, afraid she was imaging it. Hearing the slight moan, she jumped to her feet. She ran out of the room to where Jarrod and her mother were waiting for word on Sue.

“Nick’s breathing!” screamed Audra at them turning and running back to the bedside.

Reaching his bedside, Jarrod leaned over at the moving of Nick’s mouth, “Someone..hurt..Sue.” was the painful whisper.

Holding Nick’s hand, Jarrod squeezed it gently, “Sue’s fine, Nick.”

“Screaming...”

Smiling, Jarrod replied, “She was screaming at you, little brother.”

Victoria’s eyes were closed in prayer, sending her thanks upwards for the return of her son. Opening her eyes, she kissed Nick’s cheek, “Rest, sweetheart. Sue will be here when you wake up.”

“He’s going to be fine, Tom.”

“You sure put the will to live back in our boy, Zane. For that, I thank you. What about Suzanne? She’s in such torment.”

“We can only watch and hope, she’s not where we can reach her. They truly are soul mates, our children.”

The two souls hovered above the room watching Dr. Merar examining their daughter. Heath stood close never letting go of the small hand. Breaking open a tablet, Howard waved it under her nose.

The offensive smell reached through the fog she was in. Moving her head, she moaned and lifted a hand trying to move the odor away.

“Open your eyes, Sue.” Said Howard firmly. Tapping on her cheek, he ordered, “Come on, open them!”

Her lids fluttered open and the men watched the dazed emerald eyes look at them. Taking her hand out of Heath’s, she pushed herself up to a sitting position. Closing her eyes to shut out the memory of her dead husband’s face.

“Go away.” Whispered Sue drowning in misery.

Howard shook his head, “I need to finish my examination of you, Mrs. Barkley.” She sucked in her breath sharply at the title the doctor bestowed on her and whispered, “There’s no need. It doesn’t matter, nothing matters anymore.”

Heath looked at her concerned, “Sue, ya’ gotta let him examine you. You just fainted.”

Climbing down from the table, she shook her head, “No. I’m going to the ranch.”

“Mrs. Barkley, I think…”

Anger swept through her and she snapped, “Don’t call me that! I am no longer Mrs. Barkley, you hear me!”

Grabbing her shoulders, Heath shook her slightly and yelled, “What the hell does that mean? You married a Barkley, so that makes you a Barkley!”

Pushing him away, she growled, “Don’t touch me. Leave me alone!”

Opening the door, she went through the kitchen, ignoring Sonja’s pleas and left the building through the back. Untying Amigo’s reins, she climbed in the saddle unaware she was being watched by a pair of evil eyes and two heavenly beings calling out not to leave.

Howard holding Heath by the arm stopped his attempt to follow her. “Heath, she’s not thinking clearly right now. She just lost her husband. Give her time to grieve.”

“Doc, she shouldn’t be alone.” Pleaded Heath.

Howard said softly, “Heath, go be with your family. They need you just as much.”

Torn between his family and his friend, Heath felt the gentle push out of the room by Howard. Both men stood stunned for a few minutes at Audra’s scream. Overcoming his shock first, Heath grabbed Howard and pulled him to the room arriving as Victoria was reassuring Nick his wife would be there when he woke up. Sonja hearing the words looked at Heath and shook her head.

Eric Fletcher left the siblings and Nick Barkley at the deserted farmhouse with the strict order to leave the bound man alone. His mouth watered at the thought of the ransom money that was just within his grasp. He had to keep up his appearance as the Consultant for the New York firm and maintain a vigil in Stockton. Thoughts of what his share of the money could give him made the ride back to the town faster and satisfying. Delusions of wealth and power were his companions while he traveled.

Reaching Stockton, he stabled the horse and went to the hotel. Grabbing his key from the clerk, he climbed the stairs to his room. Opening the closet, he took out the suit and brushed it carefully. The afternoon sped by quickly with the time spent grooming his clothes to fit his need. He headed down to the restaurant taking a seat by the window. Ordering his dinner, he sipped his beer and read a day old paper.

Taking bites of the meal that had been set before him, Eric held himself still and felt a shiver of fear run up his spine from the conversation he overheard at the next table. His thoughts running wild and his eyes searched the restaurant, ‘Ramona and Brad dead? How did Barkley get free? Dammit, he knows I’m involved, I better get out of here.’

Paying for his meal, he forced himself to keep his steps to a walk as he made his way across the restaurant and up the stairs to his room. Throwing his clothes in a bag, he went down the backstairs of the hotel and to the livery. Quickly saddling the horse, he tied his bag on and led the horse from the stable.

As he rode from town, the anger in him grew from the ineptitude of his partners to the loss of the ransom money. His palms itched from wanting the feel of the money in his hands. He needed that money, he knew the Barkleys had it, he knew Sue Weston-Barkley had it and he was going to get it.

Stopping his horse under a grove of trees, he went through the options in his mind, discarding one after another. Arriving at the only two options that were left, he smiled and turned back towards Stockton. Tying his horse up, he made his way across from Dr. Merar’s office and settled down to wait. Night had fallen when his patience was rewarded by a woman rounding the building and heading out of town. Running to his horse, he rode off up the same trail on the moonless night, the darkness surrounding him.

Sue rode uncaring of where she was, unaware of everything around her except the anguish twisting inside of her, her mind called over and over, ‘You lied, Nick. Why’d you leave me?’

Standing on the shore of the lake, she sank to the ground and let the deep sobs of grief escape her lips. ‘He’s gone. I couldn’t save him. I was so close and I failed.’

Howard finished examining Nick who had finally found the strength needed to open his eyes. Looking around the room, his eyes lit upon each grateful face searching frantically for the one missing.

Astonished, Howard looked at the family, “His fever’s gone!”

“Where’s my wife?” asked Nick his voice shaking from the pain of his ribs and back.

The rest of the family looked to Howard and Heath. Heath said softly, “She rode off, Nick.”

“Rode off!” shouted Nick grimacing at the reward of pain for his efforts.

“Nick, please settle down. Heath, where’d she go?” asked Victoria.

“She said she was going to the ranch, Mother. She wanted to be left alone.”

“She went out the back.” Sighed Sonja.

“It’s my fault Victoria. I wouldn’t let Heath go after her. I thought Heath needed to be with you and she needed time to grieve.” Explained Howard.

“Time to grieve?” asked Nick confused. “Who died?”

Looking at the pale man on the bed, Jarrod smiled slightly, “You did, little brother.”

Trying to rise, Nick pleaded, “Heath, find her. I promised her father I wouldn’t leave her alone. You gotta find her!”

Howard pushed a frantic Nick back onto the bed admonishing him to lay there as the rest of the family stared in shock at his words. Running out the door, Heath jumped on Charger and headed to the ranch.

Riding the trail after Sue Barkley, Eric was frustrated at the moonlight that had disappeared. He had been sure he would have caught up with her by now. Puzzled, he sat on his horse listening to the darkness. No sounds of hooves reached him, only the normal sounds of darkness. Realizing he had missed a golden opportunity, he headed to the hills sure the law would be searching for him in the morning.

Sue never realized how lucky she was that night, the night she arrived at the place of her wedding to the only man she would ever love. The night she sat pouring out the grief from within her as two fathers above hid the moonlight so the evil one that searched for her on the trail home, was unable to see her turn off.

Spent and exhausted from the tears she had shed, she climbed slowly to her feet. Walking to Amigo, she felt the meager contents of her stomach rising and clutched onto a tree as she vomited. Rinsing her mouth with water from the canteen when she finished, she felt her forehead and frowned.

Leaning against her horse, the moonlight came out from behind the clouds and shimmered off the lake. The beauty of it watering her eyes again. Closing them, she envisioned the lake as it had been on the day of her wedding. The wedding Nick had arranged and organized still created a sense of awe in her. His attention to every detail telling her how much he loved her and held her in his heart. Entwining her adopted Yaqui tribe’s heritage in with the ceremony performed by Father Martinez had delighted and surprised her.

Climbing on Amigo, she walked him to the main road intent on heading to the ranch. Stopping at the junction, she reluctantly turned the horse towards Stockton and back to Dr. Merar’s. Responsibility engrained in her since she was a child was an old habit that couldn’t be broken. Nick was her husband and she would do what was expected of her position. After the arrangements were taken care of, she would decide then what her future held.

Seeing the lights on, she tied up Amigo and entered the building. Limping back into the room where he lay, she stopped in the doorway closing her eyes at the handsome face that lay uncovered on the bed. Leaning her head against the doorframe and rubbing her right leg, she grimaced slightly.

Opening his eye slightly, Nick’s heart welled with love and he whispered, “You hurt your leg again?”

“Twisted it, I…” responded Sue rubbing her forehead and snorting. “Must be losing my mind. Talking to a dead man.”

“Dead men don’t talk, honey.” Growled Nick softly watching her eyes slowly open. Staring at him, she limped slowly to the bed, her body shaking in disbelief. Reaching her trembling fingers towards him, she gasped when he clutched her hand and held it to his lips.

“Chameleon, where have you been?”

His gentle words freed her soul from the torment it was languishing in and the tears of happiness came. Sue was unable to answer from the emotions raging through her. Nick watching the torrent of emotions in the emerald eyes blinked his tears away and pulled her onto the bed to lay beside him. He wrapped her in his arms, embracing his physical pain to take away her emotional pain.

Arriving back in town, Heath stared at the black tied in front of the building. Running up the stairs, he ran into the room where Nick lay and sighed with relief at the sight of his friend laying beside her husband. Walking over, he grinned at Nick who opened an eye and held his finger to his lips.

Listening to Sue’s even breathing and peeking at her face, Heath frowned and whispered. “Nick, she’s awful pale. I’m gonna get Dr. Merar.”

“I wanna hold her a little while longer, Heath.” whispered Nick his eye pleading.

Nodding, Heath flashed a lop-sided grin and whispered back, “If I was in your place, I wouldn’t let her go. I’ll keep everyone out for a little while, okay?”

Nodding and kissing the head laying on his shoulder, Nick tightened his arms and closed his eye relishing the moment.

Thirty minutes later, Howard walked to the bed and gently shook her shoulder, whispering, “Sue. Come, Nick needs his rest.”

Forcing her eyes open at the doctor’s words, Sue stared at the man beside her watching his chest rise and fall. Touching his face softly with her fingertips, he moved his head away annoyed and mumbling in his sleep, “Cut it out, honey.”

She wiped her tears when she confirmed he was real and still with her. Howard moved Nick’s arm so she could rise from the place she had fallen asleep and helped her up. Leaning over, she tenderly kissed his lips and grinned at the mumbled response, “Working ranch.”

Walking to the family in the doorway, she embraced all of them before Mrs. Merar lead her away to an examination room. After checking on Nick, Howard followed the women and closed the door behind him.

Finishing their breakfast, Jarrod made his way to the sheriff’s office while Heath took Sonja and Audra home. Victoria sat by Nick’s bed reading a magazine waiting for Sue to return. Looking up, she smiled at her daughter-in-law and hugged her tightly.

“I’m fine, Mother.” Smiled Sue at Victoria’s question.

Waiting for the hug to be completed, Howard said quietly, “Victoria, see that she uses the crutches until that sprained leg is healed. I’d like to see her in two weeks and no horseback riding, Sue.”

“Yes, Dr. Merar.” Stated Sue sitting in a chair by Nick’s bed leaning forward and watching him sleep.

“Thank you Howard.” Smiled Victoria walking with her friend from the room.

Patting her shoulder, Howard shook his head, “I can’t explain it, but Nick had divine intervention on his side last night. Actually, I don’t want to be able to explain it. I’m just happy it was there.”

Sitting at the table, the three old friends spoke quietly of the night’s events and drank coffee.

Later that day, Nick roused from his sleep and gently stroked the auburn hair that was laying by his hand. Looking up at his touch, Sue climbed up on the side of the bed and gently kissed his lips.

“I thought I’d lost you, Nick.”

“For a while you almost did, honey. I’m sorry for scaring you.” Whispered Nick tenderly kissing her. “I love you.”

Stroking his cheek, Sue smiled, “I love you too, Achai.”

“Achai? What’s that mean?” asked Nick and then teased “Am I going to like it?”

“Hmmm. I think so. It’s a Yaqui male kinship title.” explained Sue.

“Achai. You didn’t tell me before that’s what husband means in Yaqui.” replied Nick winding a strand of her hair around his finger.

“It doesn’t mean husband. It means Father.” said Sue softly hiding a small smile.

Looking into the shimmering emerald eyes, Nick’s grin turned to a grimace from the bruises gracing his face. “Father? Really? A Father! I’M GONNA BE A FATHER!”

Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he groaned from the protest of his ribs and back, “Thank you, honey. Thank you.”

Smirking, Sue replied, “In case you weren’t aware, it does take two, darlin’”

....Continued