A/N: I've got another story plot planned for after this one, which means a lot more chapters! Just to give you guys a head's up! And Crystal Kenobi, thank you for the wonderful reviews you always post! They are greatly appreciated!!! On with the story!

Chapter 13

Isabelle had been asleep for a little while. She didn't feel any better but her mind had cleared and her tears had stopped. She had a plan and if she hurried, she could execute it. She had overheard Terrence tell his brothers to guard the house for a day or so, so he could 'prepare' himself for the 'wedding.' At the thought, Belle rolled her eyes; she would never in a million years agree to marry him. He had told her he believed one hundred percent in superstitions and didn't want to see the bride before the wedding, so he would be leaving for the boys' hiding cabin a few miles away in a cave.

Isabelle's mind started racing. If he was gone, she only had to deal with the three dumb brothers. The youngest one would be the easiest to get by; Everett would just beat her to a bloody pulp since he'd already threatened to do so if she tried to run off again. It was getting by the sentinel at the door that would be the only issue, but at least Terrence hadn't put Everett outside her door.

Isabelle nibbled on her lower lip. She went back over to the mirror and adjusted her hair, trying her best to pin back the loose strands. She dug through the drawers of the dresser and found an old shirt that was relatively clean, using it wipe off her dirt-covered face. When she decided she looked presentable enough, she found an old ceramic pitcher that was chipped pretty badly, then she opened the door and peered through the crack at Kenneth.

"What're you doin?" he snarled at her. He stood up and walked over to where she had the door open.

Belle batted her eyelashes and smiled at him. "We are going to family soon. I might as well get to know my future family. Make the best of a bad situation."

Kenneth, looking confused, leaned against the doorframe. "You seemed pretty dead set against my brother earlier this evenin."

Belle shrugged, opening the door a little more with the pitcher still behind her back. "Yes, I know. I was awful. And after I made an agreement with dear Terrence…" she sighed heavily, faking remorse.

Kenneth, still obviously confused, relaxed and dropped the shotgun he'd been holding. "That's a relief. He'll be happy he won't have to tie ya up for the weddin."

Kenneth turned around, looking like he was going to call the others to come in and relax. While his back was turned, Belle withdrew the pitcher from behind her back and smashed it over his head. Kenneth turned his gaze back to her, slightly, before collapsing into a heap on the floor. Belle grabbed his gun and took off toward what she assumed was the back of the house. Thankfully, she had been right, because she found David, heading lulling up and down, on a seat on the porch.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and propped the gun quietly against the wall, walking over to the young man. She laid a soft hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. Turning on her most flirtatious smile, raised a finger to her lips, moving the other hand down to his gun and causing him to sit back down from where he started to get up.

"What are you doin outta your room?" he asked quietly, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Belle ran a finger up and down his arm. "I was so tired of being alone. I have no idea where Kenneth went off to." She stood straight up and clasped her hands in front of her and looked at him from underneath her lashes. "And besides, I kind of wanted to talk to the cutest of my new brothers." Belle faked a blush.

David's eyes widened and a flush covered his stubble-covered face. "Uh, well, um…" If he hadn't been one of the people who had held her captive, she would have thought him sweet.

Belle held out a hand to him, which he hesitantly took. She pulled him out of the chair and wrapped her long arms around his neck, letting a fingertip linger at the back of his neck. She smiled sweetly at him. "Why are you helping your brother? Obviously, I feel a lot stronger for someone else." Thank goodness she was such an amazing flirt.

"He, uh, says he loves ya. Wants to be your husband." David looked nervous, but pleased.

"But what do you want?" She pulled away from him and walked over to the wall where she had leaned the shotgun, hiding it behind her back.

David swallowed hardly in the pale moonlight. "I reckon I'd like to get to know ya a lil better myself." He walked over to where she was standing, stopping only a few feet from her. "If that's alrigh, ma'am."

Belle had the shotgun by the barrel, and when he said that last statement, she felt almost sorry for what she was about to do. She didn't let it show; instead, she continued her pretty smile and said, "How about a kiss for the bride? Close your eyes…"

David did, poor stupid boy, and Belle grasped the shotgun tightly and swung at his head, shutting her eyes tightly at the loud crack to his skull. She opened one eye slowly and looked down at the limp body on the porch. She leaned over him and checked to see if he was still alive; he was breathing softly. She looked over the bloody cut on his head, which looked like it would heal. She said a silent prayer of thanks; although he had held her captive, she was still worried about the young man who had to live up to his evil brothers' expectations.

There was a noise behind her. Belle grabbed the gun and pointed into the darkness. There was a form on the porch, struggling. Belle inched closer and saw it was a man, tied up, with a priest's vestments. Belle fell on her knees beside the clergyman and removed the gag from his mouth. "I'm so sorry you had to see that, Father."

The man's eyes were full of understanding. "In the West, nothing shocks me."

Belle released the man and handed him her gun. "You take this one and I'll take his." He nodded and accepted the weapon. Then, with the priest following, she raced to the barn, clinging to the shadows. She kept alert, then ran off into darkness.

"Why are we going this way, my child? Town is toward the front of the house." He whispered this, not wanting to give away their location.

"Because the mean brother, Everett, is around front. We'll head this way about a mile and backtrack around the ranch to head toward town. That way we won't get caught again."

The priest said nothing more, but followed quietly, gun pointed to their rear. They walked, stealthily, for several long, quiet minutes. When Belle felt they had gone a sufficient distance from the ranch, she turned to her right and walked that way for several more minutes. She looked back at the ranch, which she could see several hundred yards away from her in the moonlight. There was no noise or movement. Thanking the Lord, she continued and made another right, walking in a parallel line to the ranch.

Belle was quite happy that she made a clean getaway; then she heard a gun cock. Cursing under her breath, she turned toward her new assailant, ready to go down fighting…