Part 8
As the early morning sky began to pale, Howie felt Sarah stirring beside him. He kissed her tenderly and whispered, "Good morning, baby."
Yawning, Sarah whispered, "Morning, Howie."
"How do you feel?"
"Stiff…soar, but happy."
"Happy, huh? Could it be because you’ve seen Alex and Kevin?" teased Howie.
"Yeah, and because I’m in your arms," she answered running her hand across his arm. "Howie, Kevin said something last night about the five of you riding together. Who was the fifth one?"
"The sherriff….Nick. He was just a kid…and orphan. Brian took him in."
"What happened? Why did you break up?"
"You happened, beautiful," whispered Howie as he kissed her, his tongue sweeping her mouth tasting her as his hand moved to caress her breast.
The click of the hammer of a gun interrupted the couple and Howie scrambled for his gun.
"No need for your gun, Howie," cackled Brian. "Now, isn’t this just perfect? MY wife in bed with her lover…OUR bed…after losing our child. Justifiable!"
"He’s more than my lover, Brian. You know full well he’s my husband."
"But the town doesn’t know it. They think you’re my wife…You get to watch your lover die…WHORE!"
As Brian took aim at Howie, a whoosh sliced the air and Brian dropped his gun. Falling to his knees, he stared blankly at Sarah. "All…I ever…wanted…was for you…to love me."
Howie looked to the door to see Alex then he turned to see the knife sticking out of Brian’s back as he fell to the floor. His attention turned to Sarah when he heard her gasp. She turned into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
"It’s okay, Sarah," soothed Howie. "I never intended for you to see this."
"I know," whispered Sarah. "It isn’t that he’s dead…it’s what he said and the way he said it. He looked…I don’t know…possessed. Who did it?"
"Morning, beautiful," smiled Alex from the door.
"I should have known," smiled Sarah. "Come here."
Alex joined Sarah on the bed after pulling his knife from Brian’s back.
Leaning over, Alex kissed her, his tongue slipping in and she accepted him
willingly. Pulling back, Alex asked, "How do you feel?"
"I’m gonna be okay."
"Baby, how in the hell did you manage to get hurt? I thought I taught you better."
"I tripped trying to stab him."
"Alex, you need to get him out of here," said Howie. "Where’s Kevin?"
"He’s getting the boys together. We’re leaving as soon as we can get Sarah settled into a wagon."
"Sarah can’t travel yet."
"We can’t stay here, Howie. Brian’s dead and he WILL be missed."
"Why didn’t Scott or Kevin warn us?" asked Sarah.
"We…Kevin and I…knew he was coming and thought it would be better to deal with Brian here and not in town."
"No problem. You just took a chance of Sarah getting hurt."
"I’d never let Sarah get hurt," protested Alex.
"Okay, you two…get Brian’s body out of here before one of the boys comes in here."
"Yes ma’am," teased Alex kissing her again.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! That’s MY wife...get your own," laughed Howie.
Alex lifted Brian’s body onto his shoulder. As he started out the door though the sheriff stopped him "Where are you going?" demanded Nick.
As Nick’s attention was focused on Alex, Howie eased his gun out and set it under the covers between him and Sarah. He nudged her and she nodded that she understood.
"I’m taking Brian’s body out of here, Nick. Don’t cause any problems."
"Oh, god! Brian! What happened?"
"He drew on us, Nick. Alex had to kill him," explained Howie.
Nick turned on Howie and Sarah tears in his eyes. "YOU! You drove him to this! You’re the one who made him…you drove him crazy! All he ever wanted…"
"Was for me to love him? How do you love a man like Brian, Nick? He loved his dog; he loved his money; and he loved himself…but he NEVER loved me," said Sarah struggling to sit up.
"That’s NOT true, Sarah. He loved you with all his heart. He’s pined for you for ten years," sobbed Nick as he drew his gun.
"Nick, don’t do anything stupid," reasoned Sarah. "You know Howie is faster than you."
Aiming at Sarah, Nick said, "Put your hands where I can see them, Howie, or I’ll kill her…. just like you killed Brian.
Howie eased his hands out leaving his gun where it was.
Alex tried to ease out but Nick shot him.
"ALEX!" cried Sarah as she watched him crumple. "Damnit, Nick! Don’t do this! Think about Becky and the baby…your new son! You know you won’t live. There’s still Kevin and you know he WILL kill you!"
Aiming at Howie, Nick wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "Brian was the only family I had…the only one who loved ME. You three saw me as a kid…you never respected me…you always thought I was a screw up! Brian…he believed in me. As his friend, I can’t let you go."
Howie and Sarah both saw how bad Nick’s hand was shaking and Howie whispered, "Keep talking, baby."
"Nick…please…."
"SHUT UP!" screamed Nick as he pulled the trigger.
The shot rang out and Howie fell back onto the bed.
"NOOOOOOO!" screamed Sarah. In a split second without thinking, she pulled Howie’s gun and she fired hitting Nick in the chest.
As Nick hit the floor, Kevin burst into the room. "Sarah?"
"Check on Alex!" said Sarah as she turned to Howie. "Oh god! Howie! Please!"
Painfully, Howie gasped, "I’ll be okay. He hit me in the shoulder."
Tearing her gown, she reached over to cover his wound. Remaining calm, she pressed on his shoulder to stop the bleeding.
Wincing in pain, Howie grimaced, "Damn, woman! That hurts."
"Stop being a baby! You don’t hear me complaining, do you?" said Sarah struggling to help Howie. "Kevin, what about Alex?"
Gruffly, Alex answered, "Sarah…I’m okay. He hit me in the shoulder too…damn screw up. Can’t even shoot straight."
"What about Nick?" asked Sarah still holding Howie’s shoulder.
"He’s dead, Sarah. You hit him in the chest," answered Kevin.
Scott, James, and Dwaine appeared in the door.
"Pa?"
"Scott, go get the doctor…NOW!"
Dwaine looked at his parents and began to cry as James moved to help Alex up.
Howie nodded towards him. "Sarah, Dwaine needs you, baby."
Sarah turned to her son, "Come here, Dwaine."
The little boy climbed up and Sarah wiped his tears. "Mama, is Pa gonna die?"
"No, sweetheart."
"Son…I’m fine. Just a shoulder wound. Kevin and Alex have hurt me far worse horsing around."
"Dwaine, it’s over," said Kevin standing beside the bed. "You’ll have your parents…together…as a family."
**********
A week after riding into town, the three dark riders were headed out of town. This time, the short dark rider sat beside his wife, their sons with them. They were all headed north to a new life in Utah…together as a family in a new place.
