A Cowboy and an Angel
Chapter 8
David found himself galloping towards the Barkleys ranch as the sun began to rise. He would have left the saloon sooner, but he needed to ask the bar keeper how to get to the Barkleys ranch. His mother taught him a lot of things and being honest was one of them. David had spent much of his life being dishonest to people, but he had listen to the conversion those men had and he didn't like it one bit. You just don't make a person do something they don't want to do. He came around the bend and he slowed his horse down to walking.
Nick and Heath had just stepped out of the house. They decided to get a couple of short simple chores done while breakfast was cooking. If they could get the menial tasks done and out of the way, then they would have more time to face the longer and arduous chores that it took to run the ranch. As they walked down the steps they spotted a rider.
"Who is that?" Heath asked.
"I'm not sure, but I suggest we find out." Nick replied as he went to meet the rider.
David stopped his horse in front of the two men and dismounted. He was just passing through and wanted this over with. "I'm looking for Mr. Barkley."
Nick and Heath smiled at each other, remembering the day Heath had ridden up and delivered such a request. "Which Barkley do you want to see?" Heath asked, repeating Nick's exact words that day, and keeping the private joke between him and his older brother.
David looked at them confused so Nick said, "We are both Barkleys; and we have another brother inside. Which one of us did you need to see?"
David shrugged and answered, "Doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell ya'll what I heard in the saloon, and then I am leaving this area."
Heath stiffened as he asked, "What did you hear?" he bristled.
"A couple of men by the names of Charles DenBourgh and Leman Collins asked a man by the name of Hank Pancho to do a job for them. Hank is suppose to take a lady by the name Kel away from here and take her to them. Where the meeting place is; I didn't hear exactly, except it is suppose to be on the north end of your ranch. They don't know I overheard them talking, if they did I have no doubt that I would be dead. Hank doesn't like ya'll and has no problem killing anyone who gets in his way." David answered.
Heath and Nick looked at each other then Nick looked back at the man telling them this. In one way they probably should be weary of this man, but Nick's gut told him that they should trust the man.
"Thanks for the info. Do you want to come inside and get something to eat before you start on your trip?" Nick asked.
David agreed and the three went into the house. So much for getting the small chores done, both Barkley's silently mused.
The yard was peaceful a couple hours later after David had taken off and Kel was standing on the porch overlooking the yard. It seemed so quiet, yet she felt trouble was coming. She turned around to go back inside when she saw Heath looking at her.
"What is it Heath?" Kel asked concerned.
Heath told Kel of the conversation he and Nick had had with David, as he watched her face pale. He was beside her in immediately and held her close. Kel felt safe in Heath's arms and began crying. Heath just held onto her tighter, rubbing her back gently as she cried.
"I can't stay here. They'll hurt your family. I just know it." Kel spoke not leaving his arms.
"My family can take care of ourselves, besides you need to stay here. Kel." Heath stopped speaking causing Kel to look up.
"What?" Kel asked quietly.
Heath took a few deep breaths and then said, "I think I am falling in love with you."
Kel gasped the man she found herself falling for was telling her that he felt the same. She asked, "I am falling in love with you too, but why me?" Kel shook her head, confused between the elation and warmth and the fear that niggled at her soul. "I've got trouble on my tail."
Heath couldn't help but laugh. "We all have trouble on our tails; some just have it closer than others. As for the why you, why not? You are beautiful, smart and sincere; that's what my brain and eyes tell me, but my heart cannot put the why into words. Let's just say, it's connected; my heart is yours."
Kel nodded her head and put it back down on Heath and reveled in the tingling sensations of her delivered heart. She would just enjoy the moment with him before her uncle raised his ugly head.
/
The sun was setting as Hank made his way to the side of the house. He climbed a tree near the house to get to the bedroom window where he knew Kel was. It didn't take long before he was back out of the house with an involuntary party slumped over his shoulder.
Heath went up to tell Kel that supper was ready. When he knocked on the door and got no reply, he quickly opened it. Panic hit his entire body, when he found Kel gone and the window open. He turned and yelled, "Nick!"
Nick ran up the stairs to find one angry Heath and no Kel. It didn't take Nick long to realize that Kel was gone, know exactly who was behind it; Kel's uncle. However, he wanted it different for his brother he knew different as he spoke, "We'll look for tracks tonight then we will meet in the study to make a plan on what we are going to do. Tomorrow at first light we will start looking for her, there is nothing we can do this late in the day."
