Chapter 5

The rain had turned to snow as Beason had Molly open the door.

"Oh, it's snowing, well now isn't that lovely, a virtual winter wonderland! Well, since I have the gun on her, I know you will go and get a horse for me and then we will be off."

"I don't think so!" said Aaron as he came in through the kitchen with Jason while Joshua entered through the front door.

Mr. Beason looked around him. He still had the girl. She would help him escape but Molly had other ideas, she was about to bite him when he, one handed wrapped a piece of cloth over her face and held her nose.

"Now, if you will let us get out of here, I may leave her to die with you!" he said as he shot Jason and then shot at Jeremy. Joshua had grabbed his elbow but suddenly Joshua felt something hit him in the side. He fell as Beason made it out to the snow-covered ground. He pushed Molly down and grabbed one of the horses that was nearby. As he was mounting someone came up behind him and pulled him to the ground, Molly jumped up to help her brother.

Candy had put Michael down and told him to stay at the top of the stairs while she went to help the men. Jeremy told her to get the doctor and to let Emily and Biddie know not to come with baby Abigail. Joshua was still reeling from the blow to his side while Jeremy was holding Jason's arm trying to stop the bleeding.

When Christopher caught Beason off guard, he had pulled him to the ground at first Beason threw snow at Chris's eyes, but he did not see the shovel coming over his head. He was out like a light, Aaron had gone out the back door to see if he could stop Mr. Beason and when he came around to the front, he saw that both Molly and Chris had tied him with a rope, and he was sitting on the ground at the hitching post in the yard on the cold wet snow. They both had big smiles!

Joshua had a large bruise in his side, but the doctor felt that nothing was bleeding inside but advised Joshua not to do any heavy lifting until he was better. Jason had been shot in the shoulder and the doctor was wrapping up his shoulder. After Candy checked that everything was fine, she heard some whimpering on the top stair. She looked up and realized that Michael had been there the whole time with no one to comfort him. She ran to the top of the stairs and picked him up. Jeremy had run up behind her and caught her as she lost her balance.

"It is a good thing you are strong Jeremy!" said Jason who watched the whole thing. Jeremy smiled and helped Candy get her balance.

"We will be back as soon as we get Michael settled." Jeremy said as he helped Candy get her footing and they went to Christopher's room where Michael was staying.

Jason wanted to leave and take care of things, but the doctor was adamant that he went home and rest a few days before he does anything else.

"And if you don't rest, I will be sure to have Biddie take care of both you and Joshua!"

Joshua looked at the doctor and said:
"I think I would rather have Karen stay with us! After all we have a license to get married!"

The doctor looked at him and so did Jason who agreed wholeheartedly until he moved his shoulder. It had begun to snow very heavy, and it looked as if Jason and Joshua might have to stay overnight with Jeremy and Candy, but Swede and Corky had borrowed a wagon to get Jason and Joshua home. Aaron had gone to see that Mr. Beason was safely ensconced in the jail. Also, he wanted to be sure that Biddie was not going to be the one to bring over the meals. He knew her track record of helping without realizing she was helping the criminals. He had stopped at Lottie's as well to make sure she could bring over the breakfast in the morning.

"Is everything all right Aaron?" Lottie asked as she was just cleaning up and closing early due to the snowfall.

"Yes Lottie, Jason is hurt and so is Joshua, but they just need rest and Emily has Abigail and Jeremy and Candy have Michael. The next thing is to find some relatives for the children as soon as possible."

"You know Aaron, what are we going to do if they are orphans?" Lottie asked

Aaron looked at Lottie not quite knowing what to say.

I wonder where Candy and Jeremy are? Said Chris taking off his coat.

"Well Chris, they are probably taking care of Michael and with Ben and Emily. After all, I think that Michael and his sister will need a place to live, especially if we can't find any decent relatives!" Molly said.

Chris nodded, "That Mr. Beason sure was a bad hombre!"

Molly looked at him shocked to hear that come out of Christophers mouth! Christopher Michael Pruitt! What would Candy say and even mother if she heard you talking like that!

Chris just laughed and said: "Well, I don't think they would mind too much, after all, I did learn that from the Kid!"

Molly gave him the look and he was about to go find them when Jeremy, Candy, and Michael came down.

"I am glad to see that you too are home, and Christopher, I heard what you just said and I don't want you to mention the Kid or anything he said while he was here. You have already seen the damage that a man with a gun could do! I …"

Candy interrupted, "Jeremy, His name is Richard and we can discuss this later. Molly and I need to get dinner made and we need to speak with Ben and Emily about the children later."

Jeremy nodded and Michael went over to Christopher with his arms outstretched and Chris picked him up and held him for a little while.