Thanks so much for all your kind comments and reviews! They keep me going! Part III, Winner Loses All will be posted in a week. Life will be getting in the way of fan fiction this week with work and travel. Part IV, A Flock of Trouble will conclude the series after that. My AU of an AU started on a lark after Bermuda. I tried it with New Orleans and Desespoir is the eighth in the Jarrod and Elizabeth sagas. Thank you for reading!
Chapter Twelve Conclusion to Part II
Nick and McColl brought a bloody and dazed Jarrod into the house, "It's just a bump on his hard head but it's bleeding a lot. Head wounds always do. Tanner doesn't want the cat to scent Jarrod's blood when we go after him."
"Once a cat gets blood as its scent, they are even more dangerous."
Liesel ran to Jarrod's side and Victoria went to get her medical supplies, "Look's like he will need a stitch or four or five. Maybe more. Silas, bring me the scotch."
Jane grabbed McColl's hand as Nick went to grab more ammo and rifles. "Please be careful, Douglas."
"Janie, I just found you. I ain't going nowhere" and he kissed her on the cheek. They headed out of the door.
Nick told McColl as they were saddling up, "On second thought, send some men over to Wheelers since the cat may be heading there. Have them take two lanterns and swing them as soon as they come within a mile. Their guards will recognize our signal that we are friendly. I will be glad when Jarrod gets him out of this mess and that damn panther is dead."
Audra turned and walked into the house before they saw her. "What trouble are the Wheelers in?" she wondered.
"Jarrod, you have a six-inch gash in your head. I am going to cut some of those locks off."
Jarrod didn't say a word; he just kept rubbing his thumb on Liesel's hand, dazed. She was perfectly quiet staring into his sapphire eyes.
"Are you ok?" she mouthed. He nodded in assent.
Jarrod was flinching as his mother cleaned his head and got it ready to stitch. His shirt was soaked in blood and his pants were caked with dirt and blood. He left a trail of blood into the house.
Audra asked first, "Did the cat do that?"
"No. A rock. I was about a mile from the house when I sensed I was being followed. I sped up then slowed down to see if I could draw the cat into my vision. No avail."
The ladies gasped.
He reached out to Liesel with his other hand and she picked some gravel out of a scrape; he continued, "A coyote came out of the brush and startled Jingo. Jingo was so close, the cat's tail brushed her leg. At that point, I held her in place but she rared just as the cat pounced. The coyote tried to run but he had her in his mouth and broke her neck instantly. He shook her for a second and then stared at me. I lifted my rifle slowly. Jingo was in the first line of attack and I couldn't let that happen. Jingo reared just as I shot and the cat took off with the coyote. I am pretty sure I wounded him by the wail I heard. Jingo tossed me quickly at that point with both hands on the gun. Thus my hard head hit a rock. They are tracking them right now."
Liesel finally found her voice, "I don't know what I would do if that panthère …" and she swallowed her words with soft sobs.
Her sister put her hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Victoria stitched up her son as she had for years, all of them. They were all very quiet realizing how close they came to losing Jarrod again and saying prayers for the men out tracking the cat in the moonlight.
Jane went to make a fresh pot of coffee as this was to be a long night.
She thought to herself, "Is this what a rancher's wife lives with? I wouldn't have thought I was cut out for this but Douglas has changed my mind."
Ed stopped several times. "There are two trails of blood. I think Jarrod did wound it but not mortally. The cat is confused and not predictable at this point. This is the best trail we have had in days. I am going after the cat."
Nick, Heath, and McColl all answered affirmatively that they were going too.
Heath and McColl headed out with the first trail; Nick and Ed went with the second trail.
Nick found the carcass of the coyote about an hour and a half later. He motioned quietly for Tanner.
He got off his horse. "No bullet holes. Jarrod for sure then hit the cat."
Heath and McColl kept finding pools of blood. They came upon a small cave in the outcropping of rocks. They fired a shot for the others to come.
All four men stood at the entrance. It was about 3:00 am at their best guess. McColl made rag torches.
All four men offered to go in first. "Let's flip for it."
Nick won or lost the toss depending on how you looked at it.
He said a little prayer, Dear Lord, I ain't always been a good churchman but I try to live by your good book. Do with me what you will but look after Katarina and the children, please. And the new baby too"
The cave smelled of decay and rot. Nick almost screamed as two bats flew out startled by the light. He ducked, glad that no one saw him around the corner. He could hear his heart beating in his ears and his chest was tight.
Heath stepped up next after ducking the bats himself in front of Tanner, "He's my brother."
Ed shook his head then looked back at McColl, "You want to go next."
"Nope. I got all that fool bravery out by the time I was fifty."
Ed chuckled. "You are a wise man and by the looks of Miss Jane, a very blessed one."
"Yep" was all he said as they moved forwards with their rifles drawn.
It was all for naught. The cave was empty. Bones and fur were present to show the cat had been there but no one could tell when. It was 4:00 am.
"Let's take the path one more time. He can't just disappear."
The family was still gathered in the study. Katarina was dozing on the divan. Jarrod was in his thinking chair; Victoria and Jane were reading their Bibles and checking the clock every few minutes. Audra had gone upstairs to feed Scotty. Isabella was writing a letter to Adrienne, praying she had good news to close it with about Gene's brothers. Liesel sat at Jarrod's feet leaning her head on his leg quietly. He ran his fingers through her hair and drank scotch.
"I should be out there Liesel. I know it has already scented me and I would put the others in danger. But I just can't stand waiting."
"Because that is who you are-a man of action and courage and trust. You would never leave your family if you could help it. You are the best man I have ever known. I couldn't bear to lose you." and her tears started again.
He kissed her head and allowed her to cry again.
The clock struck 5:00 am.
Everyone turned towards the clock. Victoria and Jane went into the kitchen to start some breakfast. "Might as well start the day."
Tab came sleepily down the stairs dressed for the day, "I want my daddy. Is he home yet? He said we could ride today."
Isabella put her finger to her mouth. "He is out hunting. They should be home soon. Don't wake your Mama. She is asleep. Let's go into the kitchen and get your breakfast."
They walked to the kitchen and Isabella didn't have time to warn them-they were talking about the panther and Jarrod."
Tab yelled, "No! That panther can't get my Papa."
The ladies tried to convince him otherwise but he was Nick's child and a Barkley--stubborn.
Isabella finally settled him. "Eat your breakfast and I will take you outside to wait on the men. That way you will be the first to see them and you can tell the family the news."
"That is kinda being like the man of the house, right. Ince Uncle Jarrod is hurt."
Victoria tousled his dark brown hair so much like his father. "Yes, Tab, I would like to hear the news from you first."
He ate his breakfast and went upstairs to get his coat quietly.
Isabella told the others, "We will just read on the verandah and I will make sure Tab doesn't wake the rest of the children."
She took two lanterns and two books to the rockers near the front porch. The sun was starting to rise just slightly with that pale blue glow in the east.
On second thought, she walked back in and got her rifle. It only had two bullets but it made her feel a bit safer until the men came home.
Tab got in her lap and she began to read another chapter of his favorite book. She didn't hear the rustle in the bushes off the road but she did hear the neighing of a couple of horses. The barn cat ran quickly in front of them. The wind had picked up some and she assumed that was bothering the cat. She touched the rifle beside them and continued to read.
The men did the two paths twice again. Nick said, "It feels like we are going in circles."
Ed said, "We are. The cat is confused. I can't tell how much is his blood and how much is the coyote or something else he picked up on the way."
"Let's head back and start again tonight."
About two miles out from the house, Heath stopped Charger and jumped off. "This blood is fresher. Look at its color."
Ed took a look too, "Good eyes. Let's go" and they followed the fresher trail.
Nick said, "Oh dear God it's heading for the road-or the house!"
"It's tracking Jarrod's blood."
They galloped towards the white mansion.
Isabella heard a snapped branch and looked up as the panther stood on the side of the road in front of the house. It was sniffing.
She looked at Tab and told him to put his finger on his mouth. She looked over at the carved front door and the windows.
"There is no way to get him in safely without drawing attention from the cat."
"Get behind me and do not run until I tell you."
She aimed her rifle at the cat; she saw what the cat was trailing. Jarrod's blood onto the porch.
He was coming their way.
She said a prayer and shot the rifle. She took a second shot.
The men heard the two shots and spurred their horses on. They rode up to see a shaking Isabella getting hugs from the family and a dead seven-foot panther less than ten feet from Victoria's rose bushes.
They jumped off their horses and Tab yelled, "Aunt Bella dropped him with one shot and took another one just in case. She's the best shooter I ever saw-for a girl."
The men ran out of the bunkhouse and everyone was congratulating Isabella.
"I could use a partner if you are interested." Ed smiled at her.
Heath did an intake of air waiting for her to answer.
"I will stick to music and hopefully Heath will keep his promise to take me deer hunting."
"You got that pretty lady" and she took his arm into the house.
They all ate a big breakfast in celebration and headed off to their rooms for some much-needed sleep.
Liesel and Isabella walked upstairs together.
"I am so proud of you, little sister. Papa would be too."
"But I will always be illegitimate at the chateau, with the Beauforts, with Mama Marie, in France-so will Adrienne. Nothing I do will ever wipe that away. But you Liesel and the Barkleys don't care a fig. I am proud to stay in California with you. Thank you for bringing me" and she hugged her sister.
"Get some sleep. I love you la sœur."
Liesel went in and closed the door to Jarrod's bedroom.
Heath stepped out of the curtained landing not meaning to overhear the private conversation.
"I had no idea." and he walked down to his room deep in thought.
Jarrod came out of the water closet in his silk pajamas.
"Liesel, why is that green silk kimono still unworn?"
She smiled. "I don't think we have had time to unpack all of Mama Marie's ah say ..outfits?
He tossed her the kimono. "For when we wake up-"
She smiled and changed into it. She came back in and kissed a sleeping Jarrod on his forehead.
To be continued Part III coming