Chapter 3

Connor looped Thunder's reins over the hitching post in front of the telegraph office. Walking in, Connor sent the telegraph he had been waiting a year to send. The message was short and to the point.

Resigning as per agreement.

Nick Barkley and Connor Owens.

The second wire was more mundane but just as important.

Waiting for the responses he knew would arrive, Connor stepped outside for a smoke. Watching the comings and goings on the street he thought about Nick and his family. Whether Nick liked it or not he was staying home even if Connor had to beat him to make him agree. Heath was just as Nick had described him. Quiet, reserved but Connor could see the stubborn streak in him, the same one that resided in Nick.

Jarrod he met this morning at breakfast. He could see why Nick was proud of him; it was rare to find not only an intelligent man but an honorable one. He could see the myriad of questions in Jarrod's eyes and he swore he would answer them as best he could. He could also see the stubborn streak in him too.

Audra was as beautiful as Nick had said. Her soft heart was evident when she was informed about her brother not only being home but injured. Her very next statement showed that she shared the same stubborn streak that was evident in her bothers.

Eugene was on his way home from college; his train arriving tomorrow. Connor wondered if he shared the same stubborn streak that was evident in the rest of his siblings. Chuckling softly to himself, Connor was sure he probably did.

That left only Victoria Barkley. He tried not to think of her but he found he was unable to prevent himself. He had known many beautiful women in his life but the moment he had seen Victoria Barkley at her husband's gravesite he was unable to get her out of his mind. There was something about her that attracted him. When she had placed her small hand on his arm last night he felt the shock travel through him. And from the look on her face she had felt it too, her slate-grey eyes wide in reaction. He found himself drowning in them. He managed to just stop himself from kissing her last night. Shaking himself out of reverie he walked back into the telegraph office to check for a reply. Seeing the clerk taking down a reply Connor waited.

"Oh Mr. Owens, I was just going to send a boy to find you. Here are the replies you were waiting for."

"Thank you," Connor replied taking the wires from him. Opening it he read the terse reply smiling at the imagined look on the Captain's face when he read his original wire. The second reply informed him that the funds from his bank to the local bank would be transferred within the next two days. Tucking both replies into his jacket pocket he decided to finish the few errands that he had to do before heading back to the ranch.

Tossing Thunder's reins to Ciego, Connor carried his packages to the house. The sight that greeted Connor when he opened the door was enough to make him to lose his temper. Standing in the foyer was Nick, dressed, pale, sweaty and quiet. Around him he saw Jarrod, Heath and Victoria standing, the looks on their faces ranging from anger to hurt. Tossing his packages aside Connor stopped directly in front of Nick and ground out, "Going somewhere?"

"Get out of my way Connor" Nick said softly, the threat evident in his voice.

Connor stepped aside to let Nick pass. As Nick walked by him Connor spun him around hitting him across the jaw. The force of the blow was enough to stun Nick allowing his exhausted body to take over. Catching him before he hit the floor Connor held him in his arms. Turning to Jarrod and Heath he said, "Let's get him back upstairs before he wakes up."

Letting his brothers take him Connor watched as they carried him back upstairs. Seeing the look of pain on Victoria's face Connor followed her to the living room. Her back ramrod straight she looked like a woman in complete control. Standing behind her he placed his large hands on her shoulders. Massaging softly he offered her comfort. Feeling her lean back against him he dropped his head into her hair. Moving away from him she turned, wrapping her arms around him she gave him a brief hug before letting go. Looking up into his face she whispered, "I need to check on Nick."

Taking her hand in his Connor raised it to his lips, turning it over he kissed her palm before releasing her hand. "I'll be down here if you need me," he replied softly.

Watching Nick sleep Victoria thought about the man downstairs talking to her sons. Connor Owens was a stranger that seemed to share a special bond with Nick. She knew he was a Ranger, a lawman, a reluctant one though by his own admission. But there was something more about Connor Owens. Something that made her feel the same feelings she had felt when her beloved Tom was alive. Their first meeting at Tom's gravesite was cordial but she could feel the undercurrents even then. Last night when she touched him it was as if something sparked between them. She had been sure that he was going to kiss her but he did not. She was surprised at the intense disappointment she felt when he hadn't. Then this afternoon when he stood behind her she felt it again the feeling that there was some sort of connection with him. When he had kissed her palm she felt those familiar tingles she had felt when Tom was alive. It had been so long since she had felt like a desirable woman. She wasn't sure exactly how to handle the feelings she was now experiencing. Closing her eyes Victoria sent a silent prayer to the heavens for guidance and strength.

Connor watched Jarrod pace back and forth digesting all the answers that Connor had provided to his questions. Heath, on the other hand, sat in the chair before the fireplace staring into the fire. He could tell both men were amazed at the change in their brother. Since Connor had not known Nick prior to his disappearance he did not know him as the loud, boisterous act first think later Nick instead he knew him as the exact opposite.

"Gentlemen, I am going to check in on Nick, give your mother a chance to rest," Connor said standing. "Jarrod if you have any more questions I'll be with Nick. Heath."

Walking out of the library, Connor headed upstairs to check on Nick and maybe talk with Victoria. Meeting Silas outside of Nick's room he took the tray from him assuring him that he would indeed make sure that Ms. Victoria ate a little. Thanking him Silas headed downstairs to prepare dinner.

Opening the door, Connor saw her sitting in the chair that she had pulled near the bed. Setting the tray on the small table Connor walked over to check on Nick.

"He's still sleeping," she whispered.

"Any change?"

"No, but he seems to be sleeping now instead of just being unconscious," Victoria observed.

"Silas sent a tray up for you. I promised him I would make sure that you ate a bit" Connor said softly, walking over to the window. "And I also told your sons that I would sit with Nick for a bit so that you could rest."

Watching Victoria walk over to the tray, he felt the desire for this woman course through his veins. Disgusted with himself at the inappropriateness of his feelings he turned to stare out the window. Feeling her behind him he grasped the curtain in his hand trying to quell the desire in him. Moving so that she stood next to him she stared out the window.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Victoria asked, afraid to know but even more afraid not to know.

Tightening his hand on the curtain until his knuckles shown white he groaned, "Yes."

Turning to her he saw the anxiety, elation and fear that he was sure was mirrored on his face on hers. Unable to stop he pulled her into his arms, her head forced up, his eyes searching hers.

"Victoria...Victoria...that is too cold a name for you. Tori is the name for you. A name as hot as the desire that flows through my blood for you. Tori tell me to stop and I will, I'll stop," Connor said his lips moving closer to hers.

"Kiss me, Connor, please," Victoria whispered. Groaning her name Connor dropped his head kissing her. Moving from her lips to her neck Connor kept repeating her name as if in prayer. Pulling back Connor stared down into the face of the woman he had just met and fallen in love with. Forcing himself to release her he moved back.

"Tori, go rest," Connor begged. "Now! Please."

Looking up into the eyes of Connor Victoria nodded her head. Walking over to Nick, Victoria kissed him lightly on the forehead before walking to the door. Turning to look at Connor once more Victoria's breath caught at the obvious desire on Connor's face.

"Go!" Connor ground out his control rapidly slipping. Seeing her close the door, Connor took a calming breath. Walking over to sit in the chair occupied by Victoria just minutes before Connor looked at Nick.

"You're going to talk to me boy and between the two of us we will bury whatever ghosts that are haunting you," Connor promised his sleeping friend. In a quieter voice Connor added, "And I pray you don't kill me when you find out about how I feel about your mother."