Chapter 6

Neither got much sleep during the night for fear that they would be found. Every sound seemed to be amplified. The first gleams of light were just beginning to show, and Jarrod helped Jaq to stand. She was stiff and in a lot of pain, but she knew they had to keep moving.

The small town they'd been trying to reach was just a few miles away. Jaq knew the sheriff there and knew he'd be willing to help them. There was also a doctor. The bleeding seemed to have stopped where Jaq had been shot. She was grateful it was a through and through, but she was concerned about infection, especially since they hadn't had much with which to clean the wound.

Jarrod held on to Jaq and half carried, half helped her walk. He'd let his mind wander back to leaving her alone and the thought of something more happening to her caused him to become angrier with himself. How had he just left her there with nothing to use for protection? He should have at least left his knife.

He knew it was of no consequence now and was thankful she had been able to do what was needed to protect herself. Jaq was a strong woman who'd been through a lot. She was a survivor. That was one of the things he admired about her.

"I need to sit down," Jaq gasped. Jarrod sat Jaq down at the base of a large tree and looked again at her wound.

"Damn," he said as he watched blood trickle from the wound. He looked Jaq in the eye. Her face was pale, and her eyes had a glassy look in them. He noticed the flush to her cheeks and felt how warm she was. Infection was setting in.

"I don't think we have too much farther to go," she said. "I'm just so tired. And I'm so cold."

Jarrod took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. He was trying to decide the best course of action. If they stayed and waited for Benny to find them, Jarrod was certain he could take care of him and then they could make it into town. The problem was Jaq was fading fast. He wasn't sure she had the time to wait.

The decision was made for him when he heard someone walking toward them. Jarrod put his finger on his lips to signal Jaq should be quiet and she nodded. He wasn't going to make the same mistake and leave her unprotected, so he handed her the extra gun.

"I know you're there," a voice said. "Might as well come out. I want to see who it was that killed my brother before I kill you."

Jarrod stood and walked from around the tree. In front of him stood Benny with his gun drawn. Jarrod held his gun in his hand as well and the men stared at one another.

"Where's the woman?"

"That's none of your concern," Jarrod responded.

Benny smiled. "Since you seem to be fine it must have been her I hit when I fired in the barn. She dead?"

Jarrod didn't answer, just stared at Benny, his blue eyes cold. The other man had the good sense to look a little intimidated.

"For her sake, she better hope she is. If not, well when I'm done with you, I plan to have a good ole time with her before she meets her maker."

Jarrod's expression turned to one of anger. Benny cocked his gun and Jarrod dodged behind a tree opposite from Jaq to avoid the shot that had just been fired. Jarrod peeked from around the tree and got off a shot of his own.

"You ain't gonna get away from me," Benny said taking another shot.

Jarrod thought if he could circle around and come up behind Benny, he could overpower him. He looked over at Jaq and she seemed to have lost consciousness.

Benny kept talking and Jarrod was getting frustrated listening to him. He knew it was just a ploy to get Jarrod to react and he wasn't going to do it. Jarrod decided to stop firing to see if he could get Benny to come toward him. Because Benny wouldn't shut up Jarrod knew exactly where he was. His patience paid off and he rushed Benny, both falling to the ground, their guns falling away. They traded blows but Jarrod had the upper hand most of the time until the other man drew his knife and caught Jarrod in the arm. Jarrod managed to knock the knife away and the two men made it to their feet. They both saw a gun laying over to the side and dove for it. Benny got to it first and stood up. Jarrod stood as well and watched as the man raised the gun to fire. Jarrod heard a shot and looked down at his chest. He didn't see any blood and looked to Benny who fell to his knees and then to the ground, dead. Jarrod looked up to see Jaq standing in front of him, the gun in her hand. He rushed to her and caught her before she collapsed. He sat her down next to a tree and then went to collect his gun.

Jaq awoke feeling disoriented. She heard voices unable to make out what they were saying. Her mouth was dry, and she wanted water, but she couldn't bring herself out of her foggy state to ask. As though someone was reading her mind, she felt a hand behind her neck and lift her head to give her a sip of water. She managed to open her eyes and stared into the very concerned face of Jarrod.

"Shhh," he said when she tried to speak. "We're safe. We made it to town. I've already talked to the sheriff and the doc is fixing you up. Just rest."

Jaq nodded and fell back into unconsciousness.

Three days later, Jaq was feeling much better, though weak. The doctor was pleased that she was looking better. He'd told Jarrod that if they'd waited a few more hours, he was certain Jaq wouldn't have made it.

Jarrod sat by her side until she regained consciousness. The doctor had encouraged him to go to the hotel to get some rest, but he refused. His arm was in a sling because of the knife wound and he was looking almost as pale as Jaq felt. It was Jaq who told him to leave because she was feeling smothered, though both knew she was saying it in jest. In truth, Jaq liked having him so near because the events that had transpired had frightened her. She couldn't ever remember a time she'd been more scared. But she knew Jarrod needed rest. Jarrod told her he'd be back in a few hours, but he didn't come back until the next morning, the lack of sleep of the past few days having caught up with him.

When he returned he found Jaq sitting up and eating. She still looked pale, but he could tell she felt better. Jarrod had bad news to deliver and he was dreading it. He asked the doctor to leave them alone so he could talk to Jaq privately.

"You're looking much better," he said, trying to smile as he came into the room and shut the door. He took a seat next to her bed.

"I feel better. Thank you for all you've done," she replied smiling. She noticed his smile seemed strained. "What is it Jarrod?

Jarrod took a deep breath and sighed.

"I went to the bank and found the deed. You father did legally purchase the land. I sent the information to Judge Holland and he declared that you own the land and have the right to sell the land to whomever you wish."

Jaq leaned her head back, feeling relieved. Still, Jarrod seemed bothered.

"There's more though?"

Jarrod nodded.

"Talbott didn't take the news well and I received a wire this morning," Jarrod said. He paused and looked Jaq in the eye, taking her hand in his, willing some of his strength.

"Talbott had some men ride out to the ranch and they…Jaq they burned the main house and outbuildings to the ground."

Jaq stared at him in shock, trying to comprehend what she'd just been told. She sat in silence, closing her eyes, trying to comprehend what she'd just been told. Finally she looked up at Jarrod.

"I guess I won't have to worry about the damage they did to my door now?" she asked trying to make light of the situation. Her eyes then filled with tears. There were so many memories in that house that she'd wanted to take with her to Stockton. She placed her head in her hands and sobbed. Jarrod moved to sit next to her on the bed and she leaned into him.

"Talbott was arrested and he'll face time for his crimes. I know that isn't much consolation."

Jarrod felt Jaq nod. He held on to Jaq with his one good arm and they stayed that way until Jarrod felt Jaq falling asleep. He gently laid her back and helped her get settled. Before she fell asleep, he heard her speak.

"Thank you for helping me, Jarrod. I don't know how I can ever repay you," she said as she drifted off. Jarrod stared at her and smiled softly. He leaned down and placed a small kiss on her forehead before he left the room.