Chapter 2: Memories
Heath blinked a little and saw that the sun was slowly fading. He moved and felt a sharp pain in his chest so intense that he grunted and sucked in a bout of air. Nick had been sitting next to his brother and watched him stir, "How you doing?"
Heath forced a weak smile and replied through the pain, "It isn't that bad."
"Uh-huh. And I'm whistling Dixie," Nick retorted lightly. He grew quiet for a moment and let his brother settle before speaking gently, "Look, um. I've dug out my fair share of bullets, but this – it's too close to your heart. A doctor is going to have to do it."
Heath closed his eyes heavily then nodded slowly. "He knew exactly where he wanted to hit me. He could have killed me if he wanted to. He just wants me to suffer a little bit."
"Some friend. How did you cross paths with him?"
"Grew up in Strawberry together. He would get into trouble, sometimes me with him. Sheriff thought he could teach Wade a lesson by having him spend the night in jail a couple of times. Every night in the cell, Wade grew colder. He'd brag that one day, he wouldn't get caught. One day he could get away with murder. And he did. He killed the Sheriff. And that's what he's known for doing since. Killing Sheriffs."
Nick chose his words carefully so Heath would not think he blamed him for Audra's kidnapping, "Wilson, he uh –"
Heath smirked and cut him off, "Don't worry, Nick. If he's still the Wade I knew, he doesn't hurt women."
Nick was about to pat Heath on the arm like he normally would do, but his hand hovered as he hesitated. He then placed his hand gently on his little brother's shoulder before getting up.
Nick approached Mr. Hurley, the female passenger, the driver and his mother who were finishing fixing the stagecoach. Victoria turned, "Nick. How is he?"
"Hanging on. Look, I can't get the bullet out. It's too dangerous. We're gonna have to take him to the closest city."
"That's Calverston," Mr. Hurley replied.
"I know." Nick nodded sadly.
"But the trip would kill him," Victoria shook her head.
"I've been thinking. What if we fastened a stretcher on the luggage rail? He'll be suspended a couple inches and hopefully it'll keep the jostling down to a minimum. The doctor in Calverston can treat him there."
"That's the only plan we got," the stagecoach driver agreed.
"All right. Find some thick branches and we'll have to tear up some cloth, to tie to the limbs."
Victoria chimed in, "Peggy and I can do that," she gestured to the female passenger.
BBBBBBBB
Audra was being tied to a chair by Perry. He looked up at her when he finished tying her legs. "You are one pretty lady," he placed his hands on her legs.
Audra instinctively jerked him away which caused Wade to turn from looking out the window. "What are you doing, Perry?! You better be treating this high to-do lady with the respect she deserves." He shoved his associate out of the room, "Just get out of here!"
Audra watched as Wade grabbed a chair and sat opposite her. "Well, now. Looks like it is you and me for a little while. I haven't had such pretty company in many years. And a fancy lady like yourself – should provide interesting conversation. Not the dull half-wits that I ride with day in and day out," he grinned happily at her, "So, talk to me. Talk all educational-like."
Audra only frowned at him and huffed.
He turned on a dime and got inches from her face, "I said talk."
"I don't know what you wish to talk about," she spat back at him.
He thought for a moment, "How about we talk about Heath? You were riding with him."
Audra looked down, worry showing on her face.
"You are a classy lady. Heath is a poor ranger. I can smell a liar. So it be best you tell me what I wanna know. You were not Heath's gal, but you are fond of him. Why?"
Audra stiffened defiantly for a moment then answered, "He's my brother."
He got real close to her and clicked back the hammer, "I've known Heath since we were small boys. I never've known him to have a sister. Now, I'll only give you one more chance—"
"He's my half-brother."
He eyed her suspiciously, "Heath talked once about not knowing his daddy. You saying he finally found his old man's whereabouts?"
Audra's silence answered his question.
"What's your name?"
"Audra Barkley."
"Barkley? As in the Barkley's of Stockton? You sayin' Heath is – his daddy is-?" Wade shook his head and whistled, "to think that the Heath I grew up with in Strawberry was the son of one of the wealthiest men in California! He sure is one lucky bastard," he laughed at his pun. "Oh, those were some good times, real good times. Him and me taking on odd jobs around town and in the mine, swiping pies cooling on window sills, laughing that we never got caught. Those were some of the happiest memories. I've been short of happy memories lately. Come to think of it, that was the last happy time I've had," he paused for a moment. Something in his eyes changed, "It could work."
Audra wondered what he was thinking but did not dare to ask.
"Heath and me palling up again. If Heath was with me, we could have a grand time."
"You shot him!"
"Oh, where I hit him he's still alive."
"He wouldn't join up with you again after you shot him."
He didn't hear her. He was lost in his head, "…Unless those fools do something to kill him. No, they're going to have to bring him to the nearest doctor to remove that bullet. And this is the nearest town. Guess I might pay the doctor a little visit. Yes, they'll have to come here. Heath will come and I will make sure that they have no other choice but to bring Heath to me. And we'll start having those happy memories again."
