A small figure appeared in the distance as Nathan rode over a hill. Sure enough, it was Jeanie slowly walking along. He urged Newton toward her.

A sense of urgency had gripped him ever since he'd spoken with Bill. He couldn't figure out why exactly. Inside he still believed he should be going after Elizabeth. And yet every time he thought of Jeanie his gut told him he needed to hurry.

He rode up next to her, and pulled Newton to a stop. Stiffly he nodding down to her.

"Jeanie."

She looked up to him, and raised her brow in surprise. Slowly she dipped her chin in response. "Evening, Constable." The moon shone bright that night, making her violet eyes shine. They really were breathtaking.

Quickly he shook himself from the thought. Focus, Nathan. He cleared his throat.

"What are you doing out here?"

She simply shrugged, looking around her. "Just taking a walk."

He raised a brow. "In the dark?"

Suddenly her hand went to her hip, her head cocked to the side. "You've never taken a moon lit walk before?"

Why did she have to look so darn cute, even when she was being smart? Again, he mentally chided himself. What was wrong with him tonight?

He dismounted Newton, keeping the reins tucked in his hand as he walked in front of her. "I need you to come back with me."

Her brows pinched, worry creasing her eyes. "Is there a problem?"

"I don't know." His lips pressed tight, suddenly feeling annoyed. How could she act so innocent after hiding her identity from him? From everyone. He'd even offered to help her and she'd turned him down flat.

His jaw tensed and he looked off into the distance. "Why don't you tell me." He then turned back to her, his brows raised. "Mrs. McElroy."

Her eyes went wide, terror filling her gaze. He cringed inside, knowing he'd stepped a little too far. But something inside him longed for her to trust him. Why did she feel the need to hide everything?

Suddenly a fire ignited her eyes, and before he knew what had happened, she slapped him right across the face. His eyes shot wide in shock, his cheek smarting. For such a small woman she really packed a lot of force in that little hand.

Irritation burned inside him, as he raised his hand to rub the spot. "What was that for?"

Her lips pressed tight, her hands flying to her hips. "You're such a snoop. You know that?" She spat the words out, each filled with a burning rage. Quickly she spun away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't you just mind your own business?"

Nathan took a step toward her. "Protecting this town is my business." He didn't like how harsh he sounded, but he couldn't help it. Why did she have to be so stubborn?

She suddenly spun back to face him, bringing them less than a foot apart. "And you think I'm a threat?" Her eyes popped wide in disbelief.

"No." He stumbled, his words tumbling over each other. "I'm not saying that. I…"

Oh, he was making a mess of this. Looking up to the sky, he sighed. "I think you should have just been honest with me in the first place."

Suddenly Jeanie's eyes dropped to the ground, as she wrapped her arms around herself. His heart twisted inside as he caught the glaze over her eyes. What was he doing?

"Jeanie…" He softened his voice, looking to her gently. "I want to help you. But I can't do that if you won't just tell me the truth."

Quickly she shook her head, turning her back to him. "No." She sniffed. "No, you don't."

His brows furrowed, as he stepped around to face her. "Why do you keep saying that?"

Her face twisted, as her eyes raised to meet his. "Because no one wants to help a McElroy." She half shouted, half sobbed.

He was taken back by her outburst, when suddenly her eyes shut tight, a sob racking her body. Tears streamed down her face, as her voice shook.

"Not even another McElroy."

Nathan felt his heart break with her pain. Guilt poured over him, as he winced internally at his earlier behavior.

"I…I should have known Scottie was lying about where he got all that money from." She sobbed. "But…but I didn't want to believe he was a…."

"A thief." Nathan finished for her quietly. He hadn't meant it to sound harsh in any way, but it only produced more tears from her. Again, he kicked himself.

"He said he was an insurance sales man." Jeanie rolled her eyes before rigorously wiping her hand over her tear-stained face. "And I…I was so stupid and believed him."

Tears poured down her face, as she wept. Slowly she started teetering, as she hunched forward, and Nathan worried she'd fall over. Against his better judgement he went to her, and wrapped his arms around her back.

An odd mixture of guilt and warmth filled him, as her face pressed into his chest. It felt wrong to be hugging her. After all it was Elizabeth he was trying to pursue, not her. Yet, somehow it felt right. And he was just doing it because she was so sad and heart-broken, he decided. He owed her that much after his poorly chosen words before.

She didn't hug him back, keeping her hands over her face. Yet she didn't resist him.

She felt so small in his long arms. So fragile. Instantly the need to protect her filled him, its intensity surprising him. Her shoulders shook up and down, as she continued to cry her heart out.

"You loved him, Jeanie." He tried, wanting to bring her some measure of comfort. "We always want believe the people we love." His voice caught in his throat. Suddenly moister pricked the back of his eyes, his own past playing before him.

"I hate him." She stomped her foot, sobs shaking her. "He blamed me for everything. His arrest, for losing the lawsuit, for being…."

Nathan winced, knowing the picture playing before her eyes. He'd read two years ago how the judge had sentenced Scottie with one of the worst punishments possible. Hanging.

Realization hit him with a hard blow at the trauma Jeanie had endured. Again, guilt flooded his chest at how he'd treated her. He knew better than anyone what it was like to love someone who was…less than honest. He also knew what it felt like to lose someone he loved dearly.

His breath caught in his throat as his sweet sister's face flashed before his eyes. She was so young, with so much life left to live. But she hadn't been his wife, and he didn't have to watch her die a death so miserable as hanging.

A chill crawled down his spine at the thought. Suddenly a new respect for Jeanie sprouted in his chest. She'd been through so much hardship, and yet she still greeted each day with a smile on her face. She was one remarkable woman.

Eventually her sobs died down to a few sniffles, and hiccups. Pulling back, she wiped her red rimmed eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. "I'm such a mess." She sighed, seeming embarrassed at her outburst.

Inside he ached knowing the burden she'd been carrying. He felt the need to say something. But what?

"Jeanie," He started, his tongue seeming to stick in his mouth. "None of what happened was your fault."

Jeanie simply sniffed, looking off into the distance. How did he make her see what he did? Suddenly words came to him, and he opened his mouth before he knew what he was doing.

"Look, I didn't know Scottie, but what I do know is that he didn't deserve a girl like you." Instantly he winced at his boldness. He wasn't sure what had come over him.

Suddenly her eyes darted to his face. Those entrancing purple bulbs widened, a sense of shock seeming to come over her. Her mouth fell open slightly, and he found his eyes dropping to her parted lips.

Pull it together. He shook himself mentally. This was absurd. He wasn't interested in her. Elizabeth was the woman he wanted.

But he'd be crazy to deny that Jeanie was pretty woman. It was just natural for him to notice that, he decided. Nervously he cleared his throat.

"We need to get back to town." He turned back to Newton who had stood faithful behind them this whole time. He needed to put some distance between him and Jeanie. Slowly she walked up behind him.

"Why?"

Suddenly his chest constricted as he remembered the whole reason he'd come after her in the first place.

What was he doing lollygagging out here, when Elizabeth could be in serious danger? Mentally he smacked his forehead.

He took Newton's reins, not quite meeting Jeanie's gaze. "Lucas, and Elizabeth are missing."

"What?" He heard her gasp. Turning he found her eyes popping wide. "No." She shook her head, taking a step backward. "No, they're just down at the pond."

Her face seemed to pale, terror filling her eyes. Before he knew it, she turned quick and raced toward the direction of the pond.

"Jeanie wait." He called after her, dashing to mount Newton. Somehow, he never knew what that woman would do next.

Suddenly a shriek sounded from the trees. Nathan's heart stopped cold. "Jeanie!"

Elizabeth's head jerked up off Lucas' shoulder as the cabin door was thrown open. Spurlock nearly stomped in, throwing his Stetson at a sleeping Denny in the corner. He jerked awake with a snort, his eyes wide.

"Well?" His face held a question.

Spurlock seemed to ignore him, glancing toward her and Lucas. She shivered at the evil ladened in his gaze.

"Johnny pack up." He ordered, his eyes never leaving hers. "We're leaving in five."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. Five minutes?

Johnny came toward his boss, his brows raised. "Is someone following us?"

"And what about Harvey?" Denny added before Spurlock could answer. "He's gonna be awful mad if we don't find out where that girl is."

Spurlock smirked, looking from Elizabeth to Lucas. "We will." His jaw then locked, his eyes turning to steal. "Now pack up."

Johnny and Denny jumped to do as they'd been told. Johnny instantly began gathering their supplies and shoving it into a saddle pack, while Denny headed out the door. Where the third man had gone Elizabeth had no idea.

Suddenly her heart stopped as Spurlock eyed her. His fists clenched as he started toward her. Absolute terror gripped her soul.

She shrunk back against Lucas, trying to hide behind him. Lucas leaned forward and placed himself in front of her, trying to shield her. Her heart pounded as Spurlock's footsteps thundered through the wooden floor boards.

He stopped in front of her, and drew a knife from his pocket. Squatting down he grabbed the rope around her ankles, and in one quick motion severed it in two. Instantly her feet thudded to the floor, slight relief filling her at the freedom she now felt.

Her chest then seized as he stood and reached down for her.

"No, no…" Panic seized her as he grabbed her arm, his fingers squeezing her skin like a vice. With a jerk he attempted to rip her from her position behind Lucas.

"No!" She screamed fighting to resist his strong hand. Lucas leaned back, attempting to shield her even more. With a grunt he gave a kick with his tied feet into Spurlock's legs.

Spurlock only staggered a minute. He then raised his own foot and kicked Lucas over onto the floor.

Lucas landed with a groan, as Spurlock then yanked her onto her feet. Fear consumed her, tears springing to her eyes, as she fought desperately to pull away. Spurlock nearly dragged her forward, digging his nails into her arm.

"Lucas!" She dug her heels into the floor, pushing back against Spurlock.

Glancing behind her, she found Lucas frantically fighting to sit upright again. "Let her go!" He yelled, his arms and legs squirming to free himself.

"Denny stand guard." Spurlock shouted, and Denny poked his head in the door, giving him a nod. "Johnny get our guest ready to ride." A hint of amusement laced Spurlock's voice, and Johnny grinned in agreement.

A tear escaped her, trickling down her face.

"Lucas!" She screamed, and swinging her foot as hard as she could she launched her shoe's heel into Spurlock's shin. Instantly he let out a yelp, stumbling over. With a forceful yank she pulled her arm free from his grasp and nearly dove back next to Lucas.

Her heart pounded as she realized there was nothing she could do. The knife she'd seen earlier was gone, three ruthless men with guns surrounded them, and her arms were tied tightly behind her back. All she could do was cling to the man who meant more and more to her with each passing minute.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she used her shoulder to push Lucas back into a sitting position. Still, he fought furiously to free himself, twisting his wrists and struggling with his feet. But inside she knew it wouldn't help.

Her voice caught in her throat, her words barely a whisper. "Lucas…."

Instantly he sat still, his face turning to hers. He breathed hard, his eyes widening. Something crossed his gaze. A deep realization seeming to sink inside him.

This was it. This may be the last time they ever saw each other.

Suddenly he leaned forward and brushed a kiss to her lips, spreading warmth through her chest. The fiery contact only lasted a mere second before Spurlock yanked her away. He jerked her to her feet, this time wrapping his other arm around her waist as he dragged her toward the front door.

"Elizabeth!" Lucas' voice broke, terror filling his eyes.

She wriggled with a vengeance, using every bit of strength she possessed to try and free herself. "Let me go!" Spurlock's arm only squeezed her waist tighter.

"Shut up."

"I'll pay you!" Lucas called after them. "I'll pay you ten times what Harvey is!"

Spurlock only smirked, as he pulled her out the door.

"Spurlock! Spurlock do you hear me?" Lucas' voice sounded behind them. "I won't tell you anything if you hurt her!"

Elizabeth craned her neck back, catching a final glance at Lucas, before the door shut.