Chapter 27

Word came the next week that Ella had given birth to a healthy baby boy, Jonathon Andrew Sommers. "Drew" was a good natured baby and much adored by his mother and father.

Jarrod and Melissa were in town for the weekend. Nick and Abby decided now was a good time to announce their own news to the family. Earlier that day, Nick took Heath aside to let him know in private. He explained to his younger brother how he and Abby were concerned that the news of their baby would cause further pain for Heath. He smiled sadly but assured Nick he was happy for them. After the announcement, Heath hugged Abby close and instructed her to take good care of herself and the newest Barkley. The family had just sat down to dinner when one of the hands, Randy, came rushing in, covered in soot and dirt.

"There's a fire up near the Sommer's ranch. It's spread over to our side and we're trying to get it put out. Duke thought I should let ya'll know," Randy said.

"Let's go," Nick said, kissing his wife briefly. Jarrod and Heath followed behind, a half eaten roll in Heath's hand knowing the night was probably going to be a long one.

There had been no rain in a week, so things were getting dry. Every hand from both the Sommers and Barkley Ranches worked hard to stop the fire that threatened their homes and livestock. Thankfully, with so many men working on it, the fire was quickly put out.

Heath was looking around, trying to find the cause of the fire. It wasn't a lightning strike, that was for sure. Perhaps some drifter had started a fire to cook a meal, and it had gotten out of control? That was always a possibility. He almost missed it, but Heath as he scanned the area, he saw a small glass bottle that was blackened by the fire. He picked it up with a gloved hand, noting the label had been burned off. He smelled the inside, an eyebrow raised at the scent.

"Kerosene," he mumbled.

"What did you find?" Jonathon asked, he and Jarrod coming to stand beside Heath.

"This bottle had kerosene in it. I bet if we look around, we'll find more."

Heath looked up and saw how pale Jonathon's face had become.

"What is it?" Heath asked.

"Let me see that," Jonathon asked, reaching for the bottle. He held it in his hand, his eyes widening.

"Wilma," was all he said.

"What?"

"This bottle looks like the ones Wilma used to keep her herbs in."

Heath looked skeptical.

"Surely she isn't the only one who used these bottles?"

"She had these special ordered. Hundreds of them. She said they were the only ones that could keep the herbs fresh. You can only get them from one manufacturer. I've got to get to Ella."

Heath and Jarrod watched as Jonathon shouted orders to his men, then mounted his horse and rode off. Nick came to stand beside his brothers.

"What's wrong? Why did Jonathon leave?"

"Send one of the men into town for the sheriff. Tell him to go to Jonathon's," Jarrod answered, watching as Heath was going toward Charger.

"What's going on?" Nick shouted.

"Trouble!" was all Heath answered.

Earlier that evening...

Ella made her way down the stairs carrying Drew. She had just finished feeding her son who had an enormous appetite for one so small. Dr. Merar had been out that day to check on mother and baby, proclaiming that both were healthy and doing well. Ella walked into her husband's office just as Drew gave a loud burp.

"Oh, what a good little boy!" Ella exclaimed.

"Now that's what I don't understand about motherhood," Jonathon said, taking Drew from his mother's arms.

"What?"

"You're so excited to hear him burp, and I'll wager in ten years you'll be scolding him for that behavior."

Ella smiled at her husband's comment.

"Right now, I don't think I could ever scold him for anything. He's perfect!"

Jonathon smiled and put an arm around his wife, leading her to the couch in his office. Drew was wide awake, staring contentedly at his father.

"Isn't he amazing?" Jonathon asked, his voice held a sense of awe.

"Yes, he is. I can't believe we finally have our baby. And he's so beautiful!"

"Boys, my dear, are not beautiful," Jonathon gently scolded his wife.

"I think this one is," Ella answered, giving her husband a small kiss. "I can't wait until we have another one."

"Whoa! Let's get this one at least out of diapers before we think about that!"

"Oh Jonathon, I don't want to wait-"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jonathon handed Drew to Ella then went to answer the door. It was the Sommers' foreman, Marv.

"Sorry to bother you, sir. There's a fire over to the west. Looks like a bad one. I've already got men headed that way."

Ella walked toward the men, her face showing concern.

"I need to go," Jonathon said, reaching for his hat.

"Be careful," Ella said, accepting her husband's kiss. The men left without another word. Ella sent up a small prayer that the fire would quickly be contained, and her husband and his men would be kept safe.

"Well, Little Man," Ella crooned to her newborn. "Let's see if you need a diaper change. I bet you do."

After changing Drew, Ella started down the stairs again. She was halfway down when she heard the front door open again.

"Is the fire out already?" she asked, wondering why Jonathon was back so soon.

"I seriously doubt it," came the reply. Ella froze. She knew that voice.

"Wilma!"

The other woman had come to stand at the bottom of the stairs. Ella grew frightened at the wild look in Wilma's eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Ella asked, trying to sound angry. In truth, she was afraid.

"I'm here for my baby," came the reply. Wilma moved up the stairs as Ella backed away.

"He's not your baby! You need to leave!" Ella said, her voice sounding authoritative.

"I'll leave. Don't worry," she said with a small smile. Ella cringed at the madness she saw. Deciding to make a mad dash for the bedroom to buy herself and Drew some time, Ella ran up the stairs. She had made it into the bedroom and managed to get the door locked just as Wilma reached the top of the stairs.

"You can't stay in there forever. I'll get in!" Wilma shouted. She began beating the door, screaming wildly over and over again, "Give me my baby!"

Drew began to cry. Ella placed him in the middle of the bed, then went over to the dresser that was against the wall. It was heavy, but she had to push it in front of the door. The lock was weak and the way Wilma was beating the door, it wouldn't last much longer. She managed to get it halfway in front of the door when the lock snapped. The door opened just a crack, and Ella could see the rage on Wilma's face. The woman was deranged.

"Go away!" Ella screamed, running back to her baby to try and calm him. His cries had become frantic.

Wilma continued to push against the door and the dresser, slowly moving them out of the way. Ella searched around for something to protect herself and Drew. All of the guns were downstairs. She looked toward the window but knew she or Drew could be hurt if she tried to jump.

The dresser crashed to the floor and Wilma pushed her way inside. She smiled triumphantly.

"Now," she said. "Give me my baby."

"Oh God!" Ella shouted. "Help me!"

Jonathon pushed his horse as much as he dared in the darkness. The moon would come out from behind the clouds just long enough for him to see he was almost home before moving behind the thick clouds again.

He jumped off his horse as soon as he reached the yard, running to the house. The front door was open, and he heard Ella scream, "Oh God! Help me!"

Jonathon took the stairs by two's and with his gun drawn, he rushed into the room. Wilma was walking slowly toward Ella and Drew. She turned around upon hearing Jonathon enter.

"What are you doing here?" she screamed. The demented look in her eyes caused Jonathon to pause for a moment, but it was all Wilma needed. She rushed Jonathon with surprising speed, grabbing his gun. He was amazed at her strength. The fight only lasted a few seconds, a loud gunshot sounding off. Wilma and Jonathon stared at one another, eyes wide. Jonathon then let his eyes move to his wife before collapsing to the floor.

"Jonathon! NO!" Ella screamed.

Wilma turned around, her bloodsoaked hand still holding the gun. She pointed it at Ella.

"Put the baby down," Wilma demanded.

"No," Ella cried, holding her son closer to her bosom.

"I said put him down or I'll shoot you while you're holding him!"

Ella knew Wilma would do as she threatened. She moved slowly toward the bed, trying to think of some way to save her son. Whatever happened to her, it didn't matter, but Drew had to be protected at all costs. Ella couldn't look at where Jonathon lay, or she would break down. She stared into the face of her son, drawing strength from him. She placed him on the bed, then stood up to face Wilma.

"Now," the crazed woman said, a small triumphant smile in her face. "I'll take care of you, then my son and I will be on our way."

Another gunshot rang out.

Ella stared in shock at the prone body of her former housekeeper. She then raised her eyes to the man standing in the doorway, before looking at her husband's still form. The only sound in the room was Drew's crying. Heath noticed that Ella seemed to stand indecision about what to do next. Her eyes kept going back and forth between Drew and Jonathon.

"Pick up your son and come over here," Heath said firmly. He knew Ella was going into shock and softly spoken words would not be of much help. Ella nodded and reached for her son, holding him close as she whispered words of love to him. She stepped over Wilma's body, then went to her husband. Heath knelt beside Wilma, making sure the woman was truly dead. He then looked back at Ella, who was softly calling out to Jonathon. "Oh Jonathon, please wake up. Please don't be dead," she whispered. Heath examined Jonathon, the man was alive, but just barely.

Horses were heard in the yard and then the voice of Sheriff Madden came from downstairs. Heath called to the lawman, waiting in the hallway to explain what had happened. The sheriff sent Billy, his deputy, back into town for the doc.

"Ma'am," Fred said to Ella. He waited until she looked up at him to continue. "Let's get your husband on the bed so he can be more comfortable. Then Heath and I will take care of the other body."

Ella nodded, moving out of the men's way. They gently deposited her husband on the bed, Heath covering him with a quilt.

Heath helped the sheriff to get Wilma's body out of the room. They would store it in the barn until Billy got back with Doc Merar. Then he would have the young man take it back into town to the undertaker. More horses arrived in the yard. Heath sighed with relief when he heard Nick's voice talking to some of the men that had ridden with him. Heath explained to Nick what had happened, then asked his brother to bring Victoria to Ella. Nick agreed to hurry. Heath went back upstairs and found Ella sitting in a chair next to Jonathon. Drew's cries were becoming more frantic and Ella felt her milk let down. She knew it was time to feed her son, but she didn't want to leave Jonathon.

"Sounds like this one may be hungry," Heath said softly, referring to the wailing infant.

"I don't want to leave Jonathon," Ella whispered, looking at Heath with tortured eyes.

"The doc will be here soon. There's nothing we can do until he gets here. Why don't you go into Drew's room and feed him? I promise to stay with Jonathon. If there's any change, I'll come and get you. I promise."

Ella knew she could trust Heath, but she didn't want to leave her husband. She feared each breath would be his last.

Instead of pressuring Ella to do as he suggested, he said, "Stay here and feed the baby. I'll make sure no one comes in until you're finished. If you need me, I'll be right outside the door."

Ella nodded gratefully and waited only until Heath closed the damaged door to unbutton her blouse and draw her son to her breast. He suckled greedily and still cried out every few minutes as if to let his mother know he was unhappy with having to wait so long for his meal. Ella kept her eyes on her husband, sending up prayers of thankfulness that he was still with her, but also prayers of healing for his body.

Heath held the bedroom door closed with his hand since it wouldn't have stayed closed otherwise. Again, horses were heard. Heath strained to hear if it was Nick returning with their mother or if the doc had arrived. It was Victoria who made her appearance, her eyes questioning Heath's placement at the door. Nick and Jarrod were right behind her.

"Ella's feeding the baby. She didn't want to leave Jonathon," Heath explained.

Victoria nodded. The four waited in the hallway until Ella opened the bedroom door.

"Is the doctor here yet?" the young mother said. Her cheeks were tear stained and she looked pale. Drew rested on her shoulder, Ella patting his back.

"Not yet. But he'll be here soon," Heath promised. He stepped past Ella and went to examine Jonathon again.

"Ella, let's go downstairs and I'll fix us some tea. Have you eaten recently? You need to keep up your strength so that you can take care of Drew," Victoria said soothingly.

"I don't want to be that far away from him, Mrs. Barkley," Ella said, her voice catching.

"I understand dear. Think of Drew though. You're the only one who can feed him. If you become ill, who will care for him?"

Ella looked at her young son. She nodded slightly, knowing Victoria was correct. Just before they descended the stairs, Doctor Merar arrived, his black medical bag in his hand.

"He's in here, Doc," Nick said, thankful that he could finally be of some use. He hated just standing around in the hallway.

"Go get something to eat," the doctor told Ella, having heard some of the conversation between the women as he climbed the stairs. "I'll come and get you when I've finished examining him."

Victoria led Ella down the stairs and to the kitchen. It was almost as hour later before Heath came down to tell Ella the doctor was ready to see her. Ella handed Drew to Victoria then ran up the stairs to the bedroom where her husband lay, Heath following her. Jonathon was awake, though sweat beaded his forehead.

Ella ran to him and buried her face in his chest.

"Oh Jonathon," she sobbed.

"Shhh," he comforted her. Ella calmed down, then turned to face the doctor. Heath and Nick had left quietly to give them some privacy, joining Jarrod and Victoria in the hall.

"How is he?" Ella asked.

"He's in no immediate danger, but I'm worried about where the bullet is. It's lodged deep inside and I'm afraid it could be close to the spine."

"And if it is? What does that mean?" Ella asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

"Ella," Jonathon called to her. She turned to look at him.

"What is it, Jonathon?" She could see something was wrong.

"I can't feel my legs."