Time Marches On Twenty Two and Epilogue

Previously:

While she could not see Miss Lindon in the alley she was approaching, Melissa found her hair standing on the back of her neck. 'It's her. She's around here somewhere." Melissa thought as she quickly looked around. While she could not see Nick or McColl, she was relieved to see Jarrod and Heath in front of the attorney's office, along with a few other men scattered through the town. She couldn't help but smile just a little. "At least we're not unprepared…" However, she never finished the thought as she stepped in front of the alley.

"Wh…" Melissa started to say only to realize the hand that had reached out, took a hold of her arm and pulled her into the alley belonged to Miss Lindon. 'Knew you wouldn't be able to resist' Melissa thought as the former orphan director pushed her up against the side of the building on the west of the alley.

For Miss Lindon's part she was didn't care for the for the confident air about Melissa. She had wanted the girl to cower under her hand as the other orphans from day one-only Melissa never had. Instead, it was her influence that given a number of other orphans the courage to stand up for themselves. In fact, while none of the Leitches knew it, Miss Lindon would have been out of a job even if they hadn't exposed her activities with the mine…..as enough of the orphans had began talking to 'the right people' - about the ill treatment they'd received under Miss Lindon's care- after the Leitches had fled. "I've looked for you for a long time."

Melissa attempted to get out of Miss Lindon's grasp only to have the woman snarl as she pulling out a long bowie knife with her free hand. Though she felt a tremor of fear roll through her, Melissa managed to keep what might as well be a 'poker face' on. She wasn't about to give this woman the satisfaction of knowing how scared she was. No, all she could do was pray like mad Heath, Nick, or one of the other men would soon step into the alley.

Miss Lindon, who now had an even firmer grip on Melissa's arm and was determined to make sure Melissa would stay put, lied through her teeth. "I found out where that brother or yours is. If you manage to get away from me, I'll just leave town and wire a friend of mine to take care of the brat!"

While Melissa was ninety five percent sure the woman was not telling the truth, she couldn't take the risk- not if there was any chance Casey "Now," Miss Lindon hissed as she twirled the knife in her hand around in circles, why don't I give you your wedding present early?" The cold hearted woman was sure that once she disfigured the young woman no decent gentleman would want Melissa as their wife.

Melissa managed to keep from gulping as the knife was moved closer to her face, though her heart felt like it was beating a mile a minutes. However, the blade had barely touched her skin as a shot rang out, sending the knife flying. It caused Miss Lindon to let go of Melissa and jump backwards.

"HEATH!" Melissa screamed as the blonde haired cowboy appeared at the back of the alley.

Miss Lindon tried darting out of the alley only to find Nick and McColl blocking her way. Still, out of desperation, she tried to go around the men only to find both men detaining her.

"What's all the ruckus!" Fred, who had heard the shot, ran up to Nick and McColl, while glancing at Heath, who was holding a more than shaky Melissa.

Before any of the men could answer, Melissa-still shaking slightly, started blurting out the whole story. By this time she was finished Jarrod-who had been further down the street, and others had gathered around the entrance way to the alley.

"Everyone break it up!" Fred ordered the crowd. Once the men and women had dispersed, he looked at Heath. "May I assume charges are being pressed?" He glanced at Miss Lindon, who was to Fred's amazement, still struggling to get away from Nick and McColl-though it wasn't the major struggle it had been.

"Any legal charge I can make!" Heath snapped as he glared at the woman who had finally given up trying to get away.

"Let's get her to the jail." Fred said as he turned to leave. Nick and McColl wasted no time in forcing Miss Lindon to follow their sheriff. Once they were gone, Heath asked Melissa how she was.

"Shaken up a bit, but I'll be fine." She held onto Heath. "I'm just glad all of you got her when you did." She told him what Miss Lindon had planned on doing.

"I'd have married you no matter what." He held her close as they walked out of the alley. "However, I'd be l lying if I said I'm glad things didn't go that way." He paused and then promised her he'd make sure Jarrod threw the book at Miss Lindon. "As you know, he knows his law well. Now," he smiled as they headed for the livery stable. "Let's not worry about 'that woman' and worry about our up coming wedding."

Melissa grinned from ear to ear as she and Heath walked out of the alley. She couldn't have agreed more.

Epilogue

Rachelle sat in the swing Nick had hung in the back yard. She could hear the music filling the air, and the adults talking. Heath and Melissa had been married a few hours before, and the young girl was sure every person living in Stockton had come to the reception. She knew she should go back to the party only she didn't feel like it. If she hadn't been so deep in thought she'd have seen Nick come around the corner and seen him walking towards her. Only when he sat down on a nearby bench did she realize she wasn't alone.

"Gonna use the fact you're my brother now to get me to go back there." Rachelle asked, a bit of annoyance in her voice.

"No, just thought you might want someone to talk to." He then asked if she'd changed her mind…that is, if she was upset about the wedding.

"Oh no!" Rachelle, who was horrified to realize that was what Nick thought. "I'm happy for them, really!"

"Then what's wrong? You look upset." Nick rested his arms on his legs and let his hands hang free.

Rachelle shrugged her shoulders. "I..well…" She let out an 'ugggh' and then blurted out, "Melissa is my sister, but I heard one of the guests call her my sister in law! Heath married her which makes him my brother in law, but…" she took a deep breath and continued, "If Mother Barkley adopted me, my friend says that makes me a stepsister to my brother in law! I'm so confused!"

If it wasn't for the fact that his adopted sister was so stressed and looked as if she was on the verge of tears, Nick would have busted up laughing. Family relations could definitely get confusing. "I'll tell you what." He stood up. "Don't worry about all that. Melissa is your sister, and Heath is your brother-in-law. Anything beyond that will make sense in the future. For now, I'll stick with you and, if by chance, anyone makes any confusing remarks we can ignore them together." He held out his hand. "The best refreshments were just put out. How about we go get some before they're gone."

"Nick," Rachelle took a hold of her new brother's hand and began walking towards the side of the house.

"Yeah," Nick smiled at her.

"If Melissa and Heath make a baby together, will that make me a double aunt?" However, before he could answer her, Rachelle changed the subject and began talking non stop. It made Nick chuckle silently even as they turned the corner and saw Heath and Melissa dancing. It made Nick smile wide-life may have given their family a heartache in the past, but at least it was giving them joy now. 'God bless you both," Nick thought as he turned his eyes away from the dancing couple, and hurried to the refreshment table. He had to…Rachelle had let go of his hand, told him she was going to get the best food before he did and ran for the table!

A/N Rachelle's friend should have said 'adopted sister', but she's confused as Rachelle. hehehehe