Everybody but Heath

Autumn 1876

Chapter 1

It had been a long drive at the time of the year when the nights and some of the days were turning cold and snow could be seen falling in the higher mountains to the east. The herd they moved was large and it seemed to take forever to get to southern California, where the army took delivery. In reality it took three weeks to accomplish everything – the drive, the delivery, the paperwork. It also took Nick, Heath and all but two hands they left at the ranch. Nick didn't much like leaving his mother and sister there alone for that long – they'd done it before, but not for so long – but he coerced Jarrod into delaying his business in San Francisco and staying with them, and he thought that would be enough.

Nick and Heath were both bone tired after completing the deal, but it was only noontime and they decided they wanted to get home as quickly as possible. Giving the other drovers an extra two days to get back, they took off and were riding past the sign for the Barkley ranch late in the morning, in a little under a week.

It was a welcome sight. Nick even stopped beside the sign, surprising Heath, who also had to stop. "What are you doing?" Heath asked.

"Savoring the moment," Nick said with a sigh and a smile. "What do you want to bet our beds are made with nice fresh linens, and Silas has something warm and good for dinner, and Jarrod has some of the scotch of his ready to pour?"

Nick had wired ahead to let the family know they would be arriving today. Heath could tell he was expecting nothing short of a homecoming bathed in kisses, liquor and good food. Heath smiled. "Who, knows, Nick? Maybe they got tired of waiting for us and all up and went to San Francisco."

"No, no," Nick said. "You wait and see what kind of reception we get. It'll knock your socks off."

Heath looked down at his feet. "Well, I been wearing this pair for three days now. I expect they won't even COME off."

They moved on at a quicker pace, and soon the house came into sight. They almost galloped into the stable yard, expecting one of the hands to come out of the barn to help with their horses, but no one did.

They took their horses into the barn themselves. There was no one there. There was no one anywhere.

"Huh," Nick said as he dismounted and began to unsaddle his horse. "I wonder where Malone is."

Heath also dismounted and got his horse unsaddled. "Maybe in the house. It is lunchtime."

"Well, let's get on inside and brush the horses down later. I got an itch."

"An itch?"

"Malone should be here. I'm hoping there's nothing wrong."

They were off to the house in only a minute or two. They went in the back door. There was no scent of food for lunch, and passing by the dining room, they saw no one and no food there. They hurried on into the foyer. No one was in the living room, but there were bloodstains on the floor of the foyer. Panic set in.

"Mother?!" Nick yelled. "Audra! Jarrod! Where are you?!"

They froze when they saw Dr. Merar on the landing at the top of the stairs. They both ran up to him.

"What is it?" Nick asked. "What's happened?"

The doctor looked exhausted, and down the hall they could see his wife was even with him. "Calm down first, Nick," Dr. Merar said.

As Nick took a deep breath, Heath asked, "Where's the family? Are they all right?"

"Each in their room," Dr. Merar said. "There was trouble the night before last. We got your wire you'd be here today, so Mrs. Merar and I have stayed until you got here."

"Where's Mother?" Nick asked. "Is she hurt?"

Nick started for his mother's room, but Dr. Merar put a hand on his chest and stopped him. He decided to say things fast. "Three men broke in to rob the place the night before last. They shot your mother, your sister, Jarrod, Silas and both the hands you left here, then took what they could carry and fled. One of your hands was able to go for help. The sheriff brought us out here and he's already gone out with a posse to find the men who did this."

When they heard that everyone had been shot, Nick and Heath both nearly fell down. "How bad are they?" Heath asked.

Dr. Merar sighed. "Silas is awake and recovering. He was shot in the left arm, but it didn't hit bone. He'll be up and around in another day or so. Your mother was hit in the upper chest. The bullet went through without damaging anything vital, but she lost a lot of blood. She's not awake yet, but she's as well as I can expect."

"Audra and Jarrod, and the other hand?" Nick asked.

"I've got your hand in a guest room. He has two wounds – both in the back. He's not out of the woods yet, but I've done all I can do. The hand who came to town for help is still there, recovering from a shoulder wound."

"Audra and Jarrod?" Heath asked.

Dr. Merar sighed. "They're both badly hurt. Your brother took bullets in his left side and upper chest. I had to take both of them out, and the one in his side shows signs of infection. He's come around once or twice but hasn't been coherent. Your sister was hit across the right side of her head. It's not as bad as it could have been, but she hasn't awakened and that gives me a lot of cause for concern."

"Do any of them need transfusions or anything like that?" Heath asked.

Dr. Merar shook his head. "If you'd been here when I first arrived, I'd have considered risking it for your mother but she has color back and I'm less concerned."

"Can we see them?" Nick asked.

"Not given the state you're in. You two need to clean up and clean up good before you see any of them."

Nick and Heath looked at each other. They were both bordering on frantic, but they were trying to stay calm and sensible. "We need to tend to the horses first," Heath said.

Nick nodded. "Then we'll clean up. Doc, can you stay longer?"

Dr. Merar nodded. "We'll be here."

Nick and Heath hurried back to the stable, but as soon as they were outside, Nick suddenly felt light-headed and began to reel. Heath caught him and sat him down on a nearby bench.

"Take it easy, Nick," Heath said. "We don't need you passing out and hurting yourself."

"I'm sorry, I've never done that before," Nick said.

"You've never had your entire family shot before," Heath said.

Nick looked up at his younger brother. Maybe it was because Heath hadn't been here that long that he was staying calm and collected, or maybe it was just his nature to stiffen in a crisis, but Nick was suddenly very grateful he was not trying to bear up under this alone.

His dizziness started to turn into rage. "I'm gonna kill the sons of $^# %$ who did this."

"Keep your head, Nick. We got bigger problems than getting even for this. We're gonna have to dig in and help with the family. The sheriff has a big lead on us, too. If the men who did this can be found, the posse will find them."

"Yeah," Nick said and got up.

Heath kept a hand on Nick's arm. "You okay now?"

"Yeah," Nick said and headed for the barns.

Heath went along after him, and in a few moments they were brushing down their horses and trying not to rush the job. The horses seemed to sense something was wrong, though. Each of them kept looking back at his rider, as if something in the way they were being treated told them that things around here were wrong. Nick's horse whinnied at him. Nick gave him a pat on the neck and a gentle rub behind the ear, but it was more himself he was soothing, not the horse.

Whether it was for himself or his horse, it didn't work. Nick was turned slightly when his horse shifted and suddenly Nick was crushed between the horse's rump and the post of the stall. He felt his ribs caving in, and even though he tried not to so as not to scare the horse more, he cried out.

"Nick!" Heath yelled and went to him right away. He was able to pull him out of the stall, and they both fell down, free of the horses.

Nick grabbed his side and grimaced.

Heath started to his feet, pulling Nick along. "Nick, are you hurt?"

"Ribs," Nick said. "Got my ribs."

"Can you stand?"

"Help me."

Heath helped him up and then supported him as they went to the house. All the way Heath was thinking, Dear God in heaven, I'm the only one left. Don't let me get hurt too. Please, God.

Heath was helping Nick through the upstairs hall to his room when the doctor came out of Audra's room and saw them. "What happened?"

"Horse caught him against the stall," Heath said. "I think he cracked some ribs."

They got Nick into his room and out of his shirt. It wasn't until he was on top of his bed and Heath was taking his boots off that he opened his eyes again. "I don't believe this," was the first thing Nick said.

Heath got him out of his pants. The doctor was gently probing his side, but Nick was grunting with every touch. "Believe it," Dr. Merar said. "You've got busted ribs. Heath, we need to clean him up before I bandage these, and once I do, Nick Barkley, you're in bed at least until tomorrow."

Nick groaned and swore under his breath. "Looks like I'm leaving you to take care of the family, Heath," he finally sighed.

"We'll stay as long as we can," Dr. Merar said.

Heath nodded, and Nick grimaced again.