Hours seemed to pass quickly to Nick and slowly to his wife. Holding her hand, Nick winced in pain from the squeeze she subjected it to when the pain hit again.

“Look at me, Sue!” urged Nick placing his face in her line of sight when he saw the panic flaring in her eyes from the upcoming contraction.

Sweat beaded onto her forehead, her breath coming in gasps as the pain flared and then subsided. Wiping the perspiration from her face, Nick and Sue kept eye contact with each other. The contractions coming more frequently and harder. The repetition of the exercises exhausting the woman laying in the bed. Closing her eyes and resting between each session, trying to replenish the strength that was being drained from her. When the pains started and she opened her eyes, Nick was there helping her through.

Neither noticed the arrival of Dr. Merar from the focus they had on each other as another contraction came.

“I’m right here, honey!” Nick repeated over and over as the pain worsened and then subsided again.

Sitting his bag down, Howard said quietly, “Sorry I’m late. Nick, I need to examine your wife. You’ll have to leave.”

“No!” stated Sue clutching onto her husband’s arm. “Nick stays!”

Looking at the physician, Nick smirked. “Sorry, doc. You heard the boss.”

Sighing, Howard nodded, “Okay.” Washing his hands, he checked her progress and then listened to the heartbeat of the impatient baby.

“Doc, it’s too early.” said Sue in an exhausted voice.

“Well, it appears someone doesn’t want to wait til after the New Year.” replied Howard with a wink. “Just a few weeks early, but this is not uncommon. You’re progressing nicely, Sue.”

“If ya’ say so.” moaned Sue as another contraction started and Nick urged her on.

Nothing in life had ever prepared Nick Barkley for this moment. He had dreamed of how it would be, but the dreams paled in comparison to the reality of this moment in time. After eight hours of exhausting labor suffered through by the side of his wife, Nick stepped outside the room cradling his son.

Smiling at the anxious faces of the Barkley family and Silas, Nick put his son into his brother’s arms as tear-filled blue eyes met tear-filled hazel eyes.

“Heath, may I introduce your godson, Colton Heath Barkley.”

“Nick!” called Victoria from the room.

The blood drained from Nick’s face as he hurried up the stairs, leaving his son in the arms of his little brother.

His heart was threatening to explode in his chest as he burst into the room. His eyes rapidly taking in the exhausted smile of his wife, her auburn hair wringing with dampness from the sweat on her and the grin of Dr. Merar before he looked down in shock at the second baby his mother placed in his arms.

Pulling the shocked man out of the room into the hallway by the arm, Victoria closed the door behind her. Wiping her tears at the sight of her sons holding the babies, she smiled “Another boy.”

Nick was mesmerized by the tiny fingers that had a firm grasp on his index finger. “Two boys?” whispered Nick in awe. “Is Sue okay? Can I see her?”

“She’s fine and no you can’t see her right now, Nick.” said Victoria kissing his cheek and opening the door, “I’ll let you know.”

Sonja stroked the delicate skin of Colton’s cheek, the dark hair on his small head a contrast to the blond fuss that graced the other head, “They’re beautiful, Nick. Do you have a name for your second son?’

Shaking his head, Nick replied, “No. Twins? I can’t believe it.”

Heath whispered, “They’re so small and quiet. Hard to believe they may be like you one day, Nick.”

Nick smiled, “Yeah, I know…Hey, is that an insult?”

Heath placed a kiss on his Colton’s forehead and chuckled, “Would I insult the father of my godson and his brother?”

Reaching over with his right hand, Nick grabbed the back of Heath’s neck and gave him a little shake, “I should hope not, brother Heath or you’ll have to answer to the mother of my twins.”

Sonja watched the love flowing out of Nick’s eyes at her husband and felt her eyes welling with tears at the emotions the big man was openly displaying. Heath flashed him a lop-sided grin and a wink in response.

Clearing his throat when the moment between the two brothers was over, Silas said quietly, “Mr. Nick. Mr. Heath. Sheriff Maden is here.”

“Okay, Silas.” said Nick. “Silas, can you take son number 2?”

Smiling widely, Silas took the baby in his dark gentle hands, “Looks just like you, Mr. Nick.”

“Thanks, Silas” grinned Nick while Heath handed Colton to his wife. Heading downstairs together, the brothers greeted the sheriff.

“Fred, you are looking at the proud father of twin boys!” boasted Nick clapping their old friend on the back.

“Congratulations Nick! Wonderful news.” smiled Fred.

“Thanks! What brings you out here?” asked Nick.

Sighing, Fred frowned, “Well, it seems we have a couple citizens missing.”

“What do you mean missing?” asked Heath overcoming his shock first.

Twirling his hat in his hands, Fred replied, “Davey Hinton went for supplies yesterday afternoon and never made it back to the ranch. Jack found the wagon on the road to the ranch with a busted wheel. Horse was gone, but there was no sign of Davey.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Fred. Davey can make the ride to either of the ranches with his eyes closed.” stated Nick puzzled. “You said a couple citizens?”

“Jack found a valise in the wagon with the initials of EB. He opened it and looks like it’s Eugene’s from the veterinarian book on top of the clothes. We can’t find him either.” Fred informed the stunned brothers.

“Eugene wasn’t due back til today.”

“He must have got back early and caught a ride with Davey.” suggested Heath. “Let’s get some of the men together and spread out, Fred.”

“Jack’s men are checking around their ranch.”

Nodding, Nick agreed, “I’ll just get my gun and hat.”

Heath held onto Nick’s arm stopping his flight, “Nick, you ‘re not going. Duke and I’ll take the men out.”

“Heath..”

“Nick, your wife needs you here. If Sue knows Davey and Gene are missing, she’s gonna be mighty upset. I don’t think that’d be good for her seeing how she just had two babies.” smirked Heath. “You know how stubborn she is, Nick.”

Running his hands through his dark hair, Nick sighed in defeat, “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll just let Mother and the others know. You’ll send word as soon as you find out anything, right?”

“As soon as I can, big brother.” assured Heath strapping on his gunbelt and giving Nick’s shoulder a squeeze before leaving with Fred.

Eric galloped down the road leading to the Barkley and Weston ranches. He was familiar with the area since one step in his planning of a job was to obtain maps of the surrounding land and familiarize himself with it. As darkness fell, he slowed the horse not wanting a repeat of the last time he tried to catch someone on the road and missed his chance when they turned off. Seeing the outline of a wagon a little further down the road, he made his way to it smiling at the sight of the two men contemplating what to do with the wheel.

“Davey, we can just walk to the ranch and bring another wagon back.”

“Walk! I hate walking. That’s why they have horses.” grumbled Davey. Gene shook his head and smiled slightly knowing some of the men on his family’s ranch felt the same way as well as his older brothers.

“We can unhitch the horse and one of us can ride to the ranch.”

“Yeah, now that’s better thinking college boy!” smiled Davey. “Hey, someone’s coming.”

Standing, the two boys greeted the stranger who dismounted and looked at the wagon “Howdy, wheel break?”

Davey smiled, “Sure did. We were just debating what to do.”

Nodding, the man asked, “What did you decide?”

“One of us will be riding to the ranch for a new wagon.” replied Davey casually turning his back to the man intent on unhitching the horse, seeing only darkness greeting him as the pain flared in the back of his head.

“Don’t move!” stated Eric coldly aiming the pistol.

The unexpected brutality from the stranger caused Gene to still his movements and ask, “What the hell do you want, mister?”

Smirking, Eric replied “I want the ransom money that I should’ve had for your brother. Since I didn’t get it for him, I’m gonna get it for you two.”

Staring at third man from the botched kidnapping, Gene felt the reality of the predicament run a cold chill up his spine. Pushing Gene backwards with the gesture of his pistol, Eric pulled the unconscious wrangler into the center of the road and held the gun to his temple, “Unhitch that horse and don’t try anything or Hinton’s dead.”

Hesitating, the wheels in Eugene’s mind turned, stopping as the man sneered, “Doesn’t matter to me if I take both or only one of you. You wouldn’t want to try to explain his death to your sister-in-law, would you? Seeing as how fond of her crew, she is.”

“No.” replied Eugene coldly unhitching the horse and cursing silently that he packed his gun in his valise instead of putting it on before heading home.

Keeping an eye on the young Barkley, Eric ordered him to put Davey across the back of the horse. Struggling with the dead weight of his unconscious friend, Eugene was finally able to get Davey up on the horse. Gasping for air from the struggle, Gene’s blood boiled as Eric said, “You know, if we run across your blonde sister maybe she’d like to join us.”

Turning sharply, Gene shouted, “You stay away from my sister or I’ll kill you!”

Laughing at the rage in his eyes, Eric smiled, “I’ll do what I want and you won’t be able to stop me, boy! She’s just the kind I like, innocent and pure. I can feel her now.”

Seeing red, Gene lunged and knocked the gun aside propelling Eric back unto the ground. Punches flew wildly between the men as the scuffle ensued on the ground. Scrambling for the upper hand, the dust rose from the rolling on the ground, fists on flesh sounded in the still night air.

Landing a solid right, Eric pushed the unconscious man off him unto the ground and wiped the blood that was flowing from his nose. Grunting in surprise at the marks the young man left on his face and body, he threw him on back of the horse and tied the hands and feet of both men.

Nick stood looking at the door that Heath and Sheriff Maden left through to start the search for Eugene and Davey, a dark look gracing his handsome features. Feeling a hand on his back, he turned and smiled at his Mother holding Colton while Audra held his second son.

Audra smiled, “Nick, where is Heath going?”

“We have to talk.” stated Nick leading the ladies into the parlor.

Sitting on the sofa, Audra and Victoria watched as Nick paced the room gathering his thoughts. Stopping, he sat on the coffee table in front of them and took a shaky breath.

“Mother, Heath and the men are riding with Fred. Gene and Davey Hinton are missing.” said Nick quietly listening to the gasps of the two women.

“Nick, I think you better start at the beginning.” stated Victoria.

Explaining what had brought Fred to the ranch, Nick shook his head. “Heath and I don’t think it’d be a good idea for Sue to know right now. Heath will send word when they know something.”

“I think you’re right. We won’t tell Sue, but Sonja needs to know.” agreed Victoria squeezing his hand. “Now, let’s go see your wife. Audra, can you make some tea and sandwiches for Sue?”

“Yes, Mother.” said Audra handing the baby to Nick, wiping her eyes and heading to the kitchen.

Looking at the sleeping blond babe in his arms, Nick sighed, “I can’t believe just a short time ago, I was ecstatic, so proud and now…”

Standing with Colton in her arms, Victoria placed a kiss on his cheek, “Nick, you have every reason to be ecstatic and proud. Your wife has given you two beautiful babies. Don’t feel you can’t rejoice over this miracle of life. Gene and Davey will be fine, I’m sure of it.”

Smiling slightly, Nick nodded and followed his mother up the stairs to the bedroom. Entering, Victoria placed Colton in his mother’s arms and left the room with Sonja and Dr. Merar.

Sitting on the bed beside her, Nick placed a tender kiss on her lips. “How are you doing, honey?”

“I’m tired but so happy.” replied Sue with a smile.

“We make beautiful babies and they have all their fingers and toes.”

Laughing softly, Sue caressed his cheek, “Nick, what’s wrong?”

“Why do you think something’s wrong?” asked Nick.

“Because your smile is not reaching your eyes, darlin’. What is it?”

Shrugging, Nick smiled slightly “I was real worried about you and the babies. I’m a little tired too.”

Looking at him intently, Sue nodded, “It was scary for me, too. But having you there gave me the strength I needed.”

“I’ll always be there for you.” whispered Nick kissing her lips again. “I love you.”

“I love you.” smiled Sue. “We do have to decide on another name since we have received this unexpected surprise.”

“Yes, we do Mrs. Barkley.” grinned Nick. “Do you have any ideas?”

Gene grimaced and wiped his face on the material of his sleeve. His stomach hurting from the pounding it was receiving from laying across the back of the trotting horse.

“Davey. Davey.” whispered Gene trying to see the man beside him in the darkness receiving a low groan in response to his whispers.

“Davey!”

Pounding like a sledgehammer made itself known to Davey as he fought his mind to obey the urging voice whispering to him. Trying to move his arms, he didn’t know why they wouldn’t work. Nausea became another companion to him as he lost the contents of his stomach.

“Davey, you okay?” asked Gene concerned by the sounds and smells coming from his friend.

“What?” whispered Davey after several minutes.

“You okay?”

“Happened?” was the agonized painful whisper.

“It’s Eric Benson.” stated Gene.

“Who?” inquired Davey the orchestra playing in his head preventing his mind from wrapping it’s thoughts around the name. Unable to keep his eyes open, he welcomed the dark hole he fell back into.

“The one that helped kidnap Nick. He’s after the ransom.” replied Gene. “Davey?”

No response was received from the wrangler and the horses continued on their way to the location Benson had selected. Letting his head fall onto his arm, Gene let his thoughts wonder to his family and his friends on Sue’s ranch.

‘I gotta get us out of this.’ thought Gene knowing Davey was unable to protect himself in his current condition and the safety of his friend lay in his hands.

If Eric Fletcher had been looking into the eyes of the youngest son of Thomas Barkley, he would have been surprised, maybe wary, at the determination and the sudden aging of the blue eyes at the responsibility that had been laid at his feet.

Before the sun was rising above the horizon, Eric Fletcher was dismounting from his horse in front of the abandoned house that had been the original holding place for Nick Barkley. Stretching his back from the long ride, he walked back to the other horse. Lifting the head of Davey Hinton by his hair, he noted the state of unconsciousness and wrinkled his nose at the smell of vomit. Cutting the rope that held the wrangler onto the horse, Eric pushed and listened to the sound of the body hitting the ground with a thud.

Gene grimaced when he heard the sound of Davey hitting the ground, thankful the man was already unaware and would not feel the pain from the vile gesture. Unable to see what Benson was doing, Gene listened to what he thought was dragging. ‘Probably pulling Davey’ thought Gene waiting for Benson to cut him loose from the horse.

After several minutes had passed, Gene heard his footsteps returning and felt the rope that was binding his ankles cut. Eric pushed the young Barkley over the side of the horse and when he hit the ground full force on his back, Gene’s breath was stolen from his lungs. His legs were free and his hands tied in front of him as he looked up at the man holding the gun on him.

“Get up.” ordered Eric gesturing with the pistol.

Rolling to his knees, Gene tried to stand on his numbed legs. Pins and needles pricking his legs when the circulation started to work it’s way around. “Can’t, my legs are numb.” replied Gene through clenched teeth.

“Get up, Barkley!” Lifting his leg, Eric directed a kick into the ribs of Gene. Rolling over from the blow, Gene fought the tears that welled to his eyes from the vicious kick, moaned slightly from the pain, gasping for the air that had been propelled from him.

Snorting, Eric put the gun in his holster and grabbed his shirt collar, pulling Gene to his feet. Eric held on tighter when the young man stumbled on his wooden legs and the edges of his vision darkened when the young wolf he found that he had cornered, swung his fisted hands into his groin area.

Roaring from the overwhelming pain, Eric fell back and grabbed blindly at the pistol in its holster. Gene stumbled on top of the writhing man and using his fists as one, he pummeled the face of the man beneath him. His fear, anger and desire to keep his friend from harm spurring him on til Benson lay unconscious.

Falling onto the side, Gene’s body shook from the rush of adrenaline and his breaths were coming in great gasps. Taking deep breaths to calm himself from the burst of necessary violence, his hands shook as he grabbed the gun from its holster and put it in his waistband. Finding the knife, he opened it and held it between his boots. Working diligently, he cut the ropes off his wrists and rubbed the chafed skin.

When his legs no longer felt like tree trunks, Gene walked to the horse, bent down and grabbed the long piece of rope that was laying on the ground. Standing, he turned quickly at the sound behind him and screamed when the knife pierced into his left shoulder.

Fred, Heath, Jack and the crews from both ranches split up to search the area surrounding the broken down wagon. Having turned the land the Weston ranch lay on, upside down, the frustrated men had met the Barkley crew on the road.

Designating the search patterns to the crew members, Heath and Jack headed off with Fred. Fred having tracked men before, followed the trail of two horses that led from the wagon. From what Fred could make out around the wagon, one of the young men had been dragged to a horse by the other, however, he couldn’t tell which one was hurt.

Keeping his eyes to the ground, Fred used the skills he had learned in the past to follow the trail, hoping it would lead to the missing boys. The ground was not conducive to providing distinctive horse tracks and a light mist had fallen early in the morning. The men were relieved the rain had only been a misting and not a downpour.

Heath’s fear for his little brother and his friend lay smoldering beneath the surface, scared of the condition Gene and Davey would be in. He was relieved there were no pools of blood at the wagon but one of them was hurt bad enough to have to be dragged to a horse. Anyone who was able to take two young man away against their will was not one to be taken lightly.

Gene and Davey may not have experienced as much as others around them, but they had been witness to what the lack of decency in people could do. The two young men had started a friendship when they first met at the festival. Both fair haired and blue eyed, both possessed an extremely gentle soul and both still held a look of innocence about them.

Sure, both boys had been in fist fights but to his knowledge, neither of them had ever killed a man or even been in a gun fight. Sighing, he wondered if when push came to shove, could either of the young men look someone in the eye, pull the trigger and take the life of another human being.

He knew that sometimes fate made you experience things that were beyond comprehension and a person would act from instinct. The instinct to live, to survive would rise up and take over any conscience thought. They would cause a decision to be made instantaneous and you reacted without even thinking about it.

He remembered the first time he had to do that and how his nights had been haunted by the eyes for months afterwards. Even in self defense, it was a hard choice that was sometimes necessary.

‘I hope they don’t have to experience that.’ thought Heath darkly.

Reining in Charger sharply, Jack and Fred looked back, startled when Heath cursed loudly. “Fred, this is near when Nick was kept, you don’t suppose?”

Shocked at the possibility, the men all looked at each other and without a word galloped towards the abandoned house.

Enraged at the beating he received, Eric climbed to his feet and rushed towards the object of his rage. He thrust the knife at the unsuspecting back and found the shoulder instead when Gene turned quickly at the sound of his feet. The pain radiating throughout Gene’s upper body was momentarily forgotten, his body receiving the full rage of the man he had beaten.

The shock wave of the rage pushed Gene backwards as they traded punches and he could feel his strength leaving him from the blood that poured from his wound. He grabbed the pistol from his waistband and screamed in pain from Benson twisting the knife in his shoulder and replunging it again. His fingers tightened on the trigger, the gun spurting a single flame. The grip on the pistol loosening and his vision frayed when a curtain closed down over his eyes, sliding limply to the ground.

....Continued