Author note: sorry for the delay. This has been a trying month for me. I could use some prayers? But God is good all the time. Here is a short update to keep the story moving along. Chapter 28
Nick insisted that Heath could be trusted to have his hands untied for eating. Heath was thankful for that as he settled down to finish off his meal. Nick hated seeing Heath tied up for a crime he didn't commit. But it was how it had to be.
Heath kept mulling over things in his head. He realized that Nick's gratitude for saving Jarrod's neck from a noose was the reason for Nick's change of heart. However, there seemed to be more to it. Heath thought of the times spent teasing Nick in the bar in sharing a beer or playing a hand of poker. Those times were easy camaraderie despite Heath killing Hickson to protect Nick. Heath would go to his grave relieved that no matter what caused the change in Nick, his story of being a Barkley was believed. That was more than he ever thought possible.
His only regret would be never finding his mama's killers. Heath breathed out as Nick sat down next to him. Nick offered Heath another cup of coffee. Heath nodded his head for Nick to pour him a cup of the strong brew.
"I have a favor to ask of ya, Nick. Really of ya and Jarrod. Two favors to be more like it." Heath blew on the hot brown liquid.
"Let's hear it." Nick raised an eyebrow in question.
"Take care of Allie Kay for me." Heath's throat tightened at saying her name. He wanted to curse for allowing his heart to open up to Allie Kay. He told himself that he would never do that to a woman or himself. But here he had gone and done just that. "She's a real good girl. She'll make a mighty fine wife to any man lucky enough to have her. Iffin' she doesn't want to marry, she'll make a real fine nurse. Iffin' she wants to marry, make sure the man is worthy of her. Will ya do that? Take care of her one way or another?"
Nick didn't want to argue that Heath could take care of her himself. Nick knew Heath wanted to talk facts not dreams of this turning out right in all ways.
"I'll make sure your gal is taken care of, Heath. I promise." Nick whispered in a saddened tone.
"She ain't my gal. Wish she was but I don't deserve Allie Kay." Heath closed his eyes thinking about the many times he dreamed of making Allie Kay his. He was glad he didn't allow himself that luxury.
"May want to inform her. Because the girl thinks she is." Nick teased Heath. He was surprised by the red hue that crossed Heath's cheeks. The boy was a hardened gunfighter yet he blushed at the mention of a girl. "What is your second request, Heath?"
"You and Jarrod try to find my mother's killers and bring 'em to justice. I know you might not can. But if you try, that is all I ask. My mama deserved more in life than what she was given. I reckon in death, I'd like to at least think I tried my best for her." Heath took a long gulp of coffee.
"You got it." Nick couldn't deny the boy that much.
He only wished he could do more. He was still trying to figure out how to keep both brothers from swinging at the end of a rope. Heath nodded as he placed down his coffee cup to lean back against the tree he was next to.
Nick stood up. "I'm going to get some fresh water for our canteens."
Heath watched his older brother head away. He felt bone tired but strangely wasn't as frightened as a man should be facing certain death. He always figured he'd be dead by the blaze of a bullet. He often wondered what it felt like to die by a gun. He knew the burning pain of a bullet. However, a killing bullet might feel very different. It was something that came with most gunfighters he supposed. Facing death each day with the thought of how it would feel being the one whose blood spilled first.
Heath stared at the fire's flames as he thought of his own death being by a rope. He figured he would rather have the dignity of dying by a bullet's bite. That wasn't to be. He didn't notice the deputy approaching him.
Ernie took in a nervous breath as he headed over towards the prisoner. He pulled back his foot and kicked Heath hard in the ribs. Heath rolled to his side.
"What the ####?" Heath gasped in surprise at the unexpected assault. "Are ya courtin' with death, deputy?"
"Funny there, Thomson." Ernie stood holding his hand beside his gun. "You ain't so tough."
Heath snorted out in sarcasm. "Yeah because it makes a man real tough wearing a side iron against a man with no gun."
"Hear tell that you'rn more dangerous with or without a gun. Reckon you've killed more men than even record of." Ernie jerked nervously as his fingers twitched over his six shooter.
Heath licked his lips. He glanced over at Daniel and Edward. Both men nervously watched. They didn't know what Ernie was trying to prove. They hoped the man wouldn't kill the prisoner in cold blood. Both feared he would.
"Leave him be, Ernie." Daniel called out. "We ain't got far to go. Thomson ain't causin' us grief."
"He's killed a lot of men, Mr. Leary. Hanging may be too good for him. Maybe he should die by a bullet just like all those men." Ernie called back without taking his eyes off Heath.
Heath straightened from his rolled position. He sat up then rolled his neck. He drawled out slow and sure. "Reckon I've never drew first but I've always drew first blood."
Ernie breathed out as his fingers twitched over his gun. He wanted to see this man dead. He didn't know why but Heath being a great gunfighter irked him. Since a small boy, Ernie had fantasized about being a quick draw and shooting down the bad guys. He had practiced years for his quickness. He wished he could give Heath a gun to show him who was faster. However, he'd kill him instead to get rid of the fast gun.
Nick walked out of a wooded area to spot Ernie standing near a sitting Heath. He saw the man's fingers twitch over his gun. Nick swallowed as he realized the crazy deputy's intent.
"Don't even think about it!" Nick yelled loudly.
This caused Ernie to jerk around and draw his gun aiming it at Nick. Suddenly, Ernie screamed in pain as he dropped to his knees. Nick, Daniel, and Edward stood in shock at the view before them. Ernie was grasping his shooting arm as blood poured from it. His gun dangled in his hand loosely as his other hand grasped his upper arm. A knife stuck out from his bicep. It was driven in deep.
"He stabbed me!" Ernie screamed out at the others. "That #$%^ prisoner stabbed me!"
"No he didn't." Edward walked up to his cousin. He took a look at his arm. "He stuck you good. But I figure it was more like he threw it. Don't know if that is called stabbin'. Heck, he was quick. You best be glad that boy didn't have a gun!"
"Shut up, Eddie." Ernie moaned as Eddie checked his arm. "Just get out the knife."
Daniel shook his head in disgust. He stooped beside Ernie. "You almost shot Nick Barkley. You better be glad that Heath Thomson struck you with his knife. Speakin' of which. Where did you get a knife, Thomson?"
Heath, who was back to calmly drinking his coffee, answered nonchalantly. "Now, if I told that secret, it would no longer be a secret would it? Had it on me since I was taken in by the sheriff."
Nick finally took a breath as he sauntered over to his younger brother. "Saved my hide again."
Heath arched his eyebrow. "He needed that shootin' arm being worthless. I reckon if I didn't stop the man, he'd be dead by a bullet before too long. He won't be usin' that arm any more. I figure the knife is deep. Won't kill him but it will stop him."
They both heard Ernie cursing as Edward and Daniel worked on wrapping his arm after taking out the knife. Nick smiled slightly as he watched the calmness of Heath. His smiled faded when he saw Heath's hands begin to shake slightly.
"Are you okay?" Nick said as he touched Heath's shaking hands. "You can calm down now. It's over."
Heath's blue eyes met Nick's hazel eyes. He had never had anyone try to calm him when the shaking started. He noticed at Nick's touch, his hands stopped shaking immediately. Is this what it felt like to have a brother be there to help calm the storms?
"I reckon until I take my last breath, it won't ever be over." Heath stated feeling sad that he wouldn't have long to feel the feelings of brotherhood.
"I suppose that boot of yours held that knife." Nick stated. He added with a squeeze to Heath's now calm hand. "I wish you had used that knife to escape, Heath. I don't want to see you die."
Heath never answered but he thought of Allie Kay then Audra, Jarrod, Nick and Eugene. For the first time, he momentarily allowed his heart emotions of not wanting to die either.
