Chapter Nine and Epilogue

Previously:

An evil grin spread across all the Millers' faces. "I should thank you for helping us get rid of her. No one turns down a Miller and gets away with it!"

"Just make sure I get my cut of the money you get from selling what you take! I plan on relocating after this is over." Eric remounted his horse and rode away convinced he was going to continue living the lifestyle he'd grown accustomed to having. As it was, he was oblivious that his next place of residence was not going to be of his choosing.

Jake, Samuel and Timothy waited until it was getting dark before they saddled up and headed towards the campsite Eric Bradley had been so eager to tell them about. Being unaware of Jarrod, John and the others who had joined them in finding places of hiding that still kept the two Barkley brothers in sight, the three Millers were eagerly looking forward to taking what ever they could off 'the two unsuspecting targets'…and sending 'that girl' to prison for it.

"The moon isn't as bright as it's been." Samuel looked around and glanced down at his bandaged hand. He hoped he wouldn't have too much trouble handling his pistol with other hand, as he had been practicing such a thing. Though, in all honesty, he was still not comfortable with the task.

"There's light enough!" Jake barked quietly as they turned the bend and caught sight of the barely visibility camp off in the distance. Thank goodness for the fire or they might not have been able to see it at all. "Looks like Eric knew exactly what he was talking about!" The excitement Jake felt could be heard in his eager voice and dancing eyes. His sons' eyes mirrored the same look.

For their part, Heath and Nick-who were saying nothing and listening closely (as were the hidden men) were aware of the Millers' presence sooner than they might otherwise have been. They causally poured their coffee out and put out the fire, and then lay down-doing their best to relax. That might not have been even close to possible only they knew Jarrod, John, McColl and the others were all hidden nearby watching.

With the distance that was still between them and the two Barkley men who were, as far as the Millers knew, all alone, Jake, Timothy and Samuel proceeded with great excitement. By the time they rode into camp, all three were chomping at the bit to get this job done and over with.

"This is going to be like taking candy from a baby!" Samuel, who was elated there would be no need to worry about his still injured hand, started to dismount…as did his brother and father. Timothy and his brother began looking through the saddle bags that had been left next to the firepit. Their eyes widened at the amount of money they saw inside. It was all they could do to keep from letting out an elated scream of delight. However, when they looked up, they saw that their father had walked towards the bedrolls…and now had his gun out of its holster.

"What are you doing?" Timothy, who was standing and holding some of the money that he had retrieved, looked at his father. "We've hit the jackpot. All we have to do is ride out of here and plant some of this money on Abby. That is, we can put it in her house."

"If she goes to prison for robbery, she'll be out in a few years. However, if she goes for murder…" Jake snapped as he started to lift his gun only to have Jarrod and John stand up and yell for him to drop it. Jake whirled around and swore when he saw John-as did his sons. "You…" He took a shot at John only to miss. Before he could get another shot off, Jarrod and his son were crouched below the rocks they'd been hiding behind. Nick and Heath had also flown out of their bedrolls and hid behind some trees that stood near where they'd been lying down.

"A friend once told me that finding home made a world of difference!" John shouted out as he thought of one of the many conversations he and Abigail had had since they'd met. "Well, I found mine, and my father said to drop it!" John- who had no real desire to kill anyone, yelled, knowing how his words would affect the three Millers.

No one that was hidden needed to see the Millers' faces to know the three men had just received a shock. "What are we waiting for?" Sheriff's Lawson's new deputy whispered, "Why not just go out there and arrest them now?"

The sheriff gave the young man a look of utter disbelief. "They're still armed! Just hold your horses and see how this plays out!"

"You heard us!" Jarrod yelled. "Drop your guns! It's not just me and my son you have to deal with!" He went on to admit the extra help they had. "Don't make it worse!"

Jake and his sons looked as if a train had hit them. Since when did John Michaud have a father in his life? Jake swore and threw down his gun-revenge would just have wait, whether or not he liked it. Timothy might not have thrown down his weapon as well only Samuel was stupid enough to take a shot at what he thought was Jarrod sticking his head from behind the rocks. While his bullet never came close to hitting Jarrod, Jarrod's bullet hit its mark without a problem. Samuel never had a chance to say a word as he dropped to the ground. In a matter of seconds, Jarrod, his brothers, and John were gathering around Jake and Timothy while the sheriff and his deputy were throwing Samuel's body over a horse.

"Let's go." Sheriff Lawson barked at the prisoners. He received no argument from either man.

"Are you going to stay here?" Jarrod looked from his brothers to their campsite. His eyes added 'You know there's room for you at Brighton's Boarding House.'

"We'll meet you in the morning." Heath gave Jarrod a crooked smile. "I like sleeping under the stars."

"Sounds like a good idea," Nick quickly agreed.

Jarrod couldn't help but smile. "Fine," He turned to John. "Let's go get that girl of yours and take her back to her home."

"Yes, sir!" John beamed.

Jarrod silently groaned. Now he knew how his mother felt with the 'ma'am' from Heath. He was going to have to work on getting John to drop the blasted 'Sir' bit.

Epilogue

"If you're not careful, you'll have the silver washed off before they ever have a chance to get here-and then there'll be nothing for the guests to use tomorrow." Jarrod teased his mother as he walked into the dining room. It had been almost a year since Jarrod's trip to Brighton. While he'd wanted John to move to Stockton after Abigail had been released from jail, the young man had insisted on staying behind in order to court Abigail properly. Now, as much as he'd have liked to see the young couple wait…Abigail's father had given his consent for a union to take place between his daughter and 'that young upstart who hasn't turned out to be so bad'. The good part was that John had insisted that, since he was accepting the job Nick had offered more than once, the two marry in Stockton…if not on the ranch itself.

"I can't help it." Victoria smiled wide. While she agreed with Jarrod when it came to the timing of the wedding, she was still very excited. "I have a grandson…and I get to be at his wedding! How do you feel?" She laid her hand on her son's upper arm and looked him straight in the eye.

Jarrod thought a moment and smiled wide. "Happy, very happy indeed. He and I don't have to see eye to eye on everything. The important part is that my son is coming home."

"Amen!" Victoria agreed….and, to Jarrod's amusement, went back to polishing the silverware.