Part 2
As the three dark riders reigned in, they were met by a small boy with chocolate brown eyes, curly brown hair, and dark complexion…a carbon copy of the shortest rider. The little boy gazed up at the three men.
Dismounting, each man tousled the boy’s hair and the obvious leader asked, "Where are your brothers?"
"Scott and James are inside and Little Howard is at home."
The shortest dark rider asked, "What are you doing out here?"
"I was passing a note…to a girl."
"And your teacher sent you out here?"
"Yes sir…after she paddled me."
The three men smiled at each other knowing that she had no problems keeping the boys in line. She was the only woman who could keep THEM in line.
The leader of the three reached in his pocket and pulled out a gold coin. Tossing it to the boy, he said, "Wait here for your brothers and then the three of you go get some candy."
"We’re not allowed to go to the mercantile."
"Don’t worry about your ma. We’ll take care of her."
"It’s not Ma…it’s Mr. Littrell. He doesn’t allow us to go into town. He says there are people who will hurt us."
The middle one of the three mumbled, "He’s the only one who wants to hurt you."
The leader said, "Don’t you worry about Mr. Littrell either. He WILL be dealt with."
The three men made their way into the school. Their shadows fell across the students who were working hard on their assignment as the teacher was grading papers at her desk. As a ripple of gasps and whispers spread through the class, she looked up, her eyes meeting theirs and she felt a flutter in her stomach.
She was a small woman with soft brown hair that fell softly on her shoulders. As her blue eyes met the piecing emerald green eyes of the leader, she said, "Children, school’s dismissed. Don’t forget to do your assignments tonight."
The three men watched as the twenty or so children gathered their things eagerly and exited the building. Only two remained behind…two boys.
"Scott, James, get Dwaine and go to your hiding place until I come to get you."
"But, Ma…" Scott started to protest.
The leader spoke, "Listen to your mother, boy."
The young boy hung his head, ashamed that he’d spoken out against his mother. "Yes sir."
The two boys started to leave but stopped at the door looking back at their mother. The older, Scott said, "Ma, be careful."
"I will be, son. Go on, now. I’ll come get you soon."
James asked, "Before HE gets home?"
"Yes, now go."
With the boys gone, she rose quickly and flew into the arms of the leader. "Oh, Kevin! It’s really you!"
Kevin lifted her into his arms, kissing her soundly. "Yes, Sarah! We’re here to make things right."
Setting her down, Kevin released her and she greeted the middle man much the same way. "Alex, I’ve missed you so much!"
Alex held her close and he whispered into her ear, "I’ve missed you too."
Sarah turned to the third man and moved slowly into his arms. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, his soft lips touching hers, his tongue darting in to taste her. A soft moan escaped from her throat into the kiss and she ran her fingers through his hair. Pulling out of the kiss, he leaned his forehead to touch hers.
Tearfully, she whispered, "I thought you were dead…all three of you."
Howie continued to hold her as Kevin asked, "Is that what HE told you?"
"Yes!" she answered softly. "You took a big chance coming here. Brian owns this town and he’s going to have you killed when he finds out you’re here."
Kevin spoke coolly. "He knows we’re here."
"Is there some place we can go to talk, where we can’t be found?" asked Howie.
Sarah smiled, "I know just the place. Only the boys and I know where it is. We go there together so that we can talk about you and cry without being seen."
"Is it far?" asked Kevin.
"No, it’s about a mile or so…directly behind here. I’ll go out the back so no one sees me leaving."
Kevin said, "We’ll make it look like we’re leaving town and double back to get you."
"Before we go, are the boys safe?" asked Howie.
"Perfectly. They have a hide-out of their own that they go to."
"What about Little Howard?"
"Brian won’t hurt him. He thinks I named him after his brother."
"How long do we have?" asked Alex.
"Long enough," smiled Sarah as she thought about being in the arms of her men once again. It had been a year and a half and she longed for their touch once more.
