**Warning, this chapter contains a sexual assault**
Chapter Seven
Audra and Isabella brought the baby down for breakfast with a hungover Heath and an annoyed Ed. He had no polite conversation with anyone except Scotty. He took her out of her basket when she started to fret.
"Y'all finish up your breakfast. I am going to walk my niece around outside. I ain't got much of an appetite this morning."
Ed rolled his eyes and got a laugh out of Audra.
"He will be fine. Seeing Don Alfredo again and Maria of course has him out of sorts. Once we get to the horse sale, he will perk up," Audra said as she poured more orange juice.
Ed made a hmph noise and went back to cutting his steak with vigor.
Isabella picked at her plate. "After the panther, I thought he might see me differently—then the dance with Jim Rivers—-I thought he was going to speak up but he never did—-then the horse auction came up—-I thought we could spend some time talking not at the ranch—-and now the woman who broke his heart is here—-it's not meant to be."
Al Montero came through the door, "Glad you are still here. I hoped to join you all for the morning walk-through of horses for sale. Maria, Roberto, and her Father are already there."
They all made small talk, paid the tab, and joined Heath outside.
Isabella's heart warmed as she heard him singing a nursery song to Scotty. She came to his side and began a little harmony. He gave her his lopsided grin and Scotty laughed aloud at both of them.
Al came around the corner with his mount and Heath's countenance changed back. He put Scotty in the basket and handed her up to Audra. He helped Isabella up into the buggy. Ed was waiting impatiently as Heath climbed on Charger.
"Let's go" and the group headed off.
Al rode up beside Heath before they got to the sale, "Mr. Barkley?"
Heath turned annoyed at him. "Yes?"
"Isabella told me the Barkley's are her guardians."
Heath frowned, "My brother Jarrod is. I guess Nick is while he's in San Francisco."
Al looked disappointed, "I was wanting to ask permission to take Isabella, Miss Beaufort to dinner tonight. I would like your permission as her older brother-in-law"
He furrowed his brow, "I guess if she says yes. Audra would be better to ask. She is closer to her than the rest of us."
And he pulled up on the reins and turned in after the rig.
Al shook his head.
Isabella and Audra parked their rig and went with the men toward the already crowded makeshift corrals.
Al tried to get beside Isabella but Heath walked up and glared. He took Isabella's arm and went toward the Spanish stallions he had been looking at for several years.
"Bella, you have seen Isabella's before?" knowing good and well she had by the conversations at the ranch. I don't like the way this Montero fella looks at Bella.
They spent the morning walking the acres of horses, discussing Isabellas, and looking at breeding pairs. They were pricey but Heath agreed they would be worth it. Nick and Jarrod both encouraged him to make the investment. It would be his first share of the Barkley wealth.
They stopped at a makeshift cafe set up beside a barn to serve the traders. He ordered them lemonade and pie.
Heath felt comfortable enough with Bella to trust her with his plans. He told her about how hard it was to use Tom's inheritance. She understood completely.
"Bella, I haven't touched a penny of Tom's since I came to the ranch. Nick and I had an agreement that I would draw pay like a foreman each week. He lays it on top of my dresser. Anything else Jarrod deposits into my bank account. At first, it was way out—-staying independent—-paying my own way, now it's just a way of doing things for me. My top drawer contains more money than I ever had in my life and that don't take into account the bank books Jarrod handed me. I still ain't settled in my head about Tom Barkley but I am not doubting I am a Barkley. I fit In the family. I am Nick's brother. I was born to give him grief." He chucked to relieve the serious turn the conversation took.
"Heath, I am the youngest of seven daughters by the Captain. Adrienne and I being baseborn."
He flinched at her candor but she continued, "I have spent my whole life in a family knowing that. Don't get me wrong, Papa and Mama Marie always treated me kindly and I never wanted for anything. I knew I was to marry to help the family but all my choices were taken from me. What I wore, who I would marry, what people judged me on….all out of my hands. Liesel told me about marrying Jarrod and escaping to America. I wanted it badly. I just want to be me, Isabella Claire Beaufort."
He smiled at her, "That's a beautiful name for a beautiful — " and he paused, "crack shot".
"Well, Heath Barkley! That's a first but a compliment I will cherish. I think we are kind of alike. We both want to make our own way."
"Boy howdy, you got something there."
"Heath, I think it is very honorable and wise to begin your own part of the ranch. Your brothers support you, Audra does too. My sisters are my rocks."
They did not notice so deep in conversation that two of Don Alfredo's men listened to the whole conversation. He had not liked the look on the gringo's face and didn't want him near Maria and Roberto. "Make sure Heath Barkley does not come near my daughter."
"Senor Montero will like to hear what we just heard. Al is interested in the girl with Barkley. I can't believe she is a by-blow herself."
—-&—
Ben had been in Jack County, Texas for a week and he had only been free eight hours. The younger Magness brother had been an excellent host or jailer as it was. Much better than the time he spent bound in the shed. But a prisoner nevertheless.
Every day, he was treated as a guest but subtly and sometimes not subtly interrogated about the land, where the heir was, how Jonathan Nicholas acquired the land, where were the Wheelers? and such.
Ben gave his rehearsed story and even added little personal antidotes for realism. He asked again for the judge's orders, lien filing, tax records, and land surveys.
His captor and guards allowed snippets of information to slip during the week. The oldest Magness brother had an only child, Emily Anne. She was his heir, pride and joy, and his life. She married Carl Wheeler without his permission. They contInued to live on old Sonny Wheeler's property smack dab in the Magness holdings. They refused to move away from his grandfather's ranch. Old Sonny had refused to sell his homestead from the early days of Texas. He was the last original settler in Jack County and the last holdout from the Magness.
Her father offered wealth, land, and power. Carl wanted no part of the dealings of her family; Emily Anne respected Carl even more for standing up to her family. They lived through an uneasy truce, the young Wheelers, and the Magness family: visiting for Sunday lunches, sharing grazing land, and church services.
"Emily Anne is my daughter and I will be damned if Wheeler takes her away from Jack county."
Carl didn't but childbirth did. She died giving birth to Grace Anne Wheeler. Her grandfather immediately tried to take the child and instituted legal proceedings when Carl met him with a rifle at Emily Anne's graveside when he announced his intentions.
Sonny had to take some warning shots at the Magness men to make them leave his property after that. His longtime attorney got wind of a plot to kill the men and take the child.
Carl hatched his plan soon after and left the ranch in the chuckwagon with Sonny,a one-month-old Grace Anne and a goat for milk along with his 70-year-old grandfather. They made it to Stockton with a significant amount of subterfuge.
Magness' younger brother wanted no part of the vendetta, for his own reasons. Emily Anne had truly loved Carl and it seemed right to him that his great-niece should be with her father. He knew his brother's days were numbered and he would never allow a Wheeler to inherit the vast family lands. He was the obvious choice after the infant; he was married and had six of his own children to work the ranches and businesses. His brother's physical and mental state had digressed since his daughter's death.
When he heard about the kidnapping of the attorney, he had to intervene; "Yes, we rule Jack County but I want more outside this town. I would like to be governor one day, but I have to tread lightly. My brother is a very powerful and angry man."
The telegraph operator let him know, "Jonathan Nicholas, the property owner, is on his way to check on his attorney and his property."
He would be waiting on that train, hopefully getting there before his brother.
—&—-
Isabella sent her regrets in a note for her dinner invitation from Al.
He had been informed earlier of her birth status from Don Alfredo's men.
"I am not concerned about that. Beaufort claimed her. That is enough for me. She is beautiful and lithe. I would enjoy those first fruits of her young body."
The idea delighted him but something about Heath Barkley bothered him.
"Did he decline for her? Was he planning on keeping such wealth to himself? I bet Barkley said ``No to keep her for himself."
"Fuitina or willing? She's an heiress and beautiful—-no matter."
The more he drank, the angrier he got. He sent a note to the clerk asking Isabella to come to the Spanish corrals and trading house.
Maria heard him leave. She went into his room and saw the empty bottle.
"Roberto, that scares me. Mamacita said he becomes ugly when he drinks too much."
"I will go look for your cousin, my love" and he kissed his wife on the top of her head.
—&—-
Audra and Isabella went upstairs to their room from playing cards with Ed and Heath.
The porter handed Isabella the note and she smiled.
"I will be right back, Audra" and she grabbed her cape.
Dearest Mademoiselle Beaufort—-I have found the exact mare that Senor Heath Barkley was inquiring about. I am willing to make a deposit tonight if you approve. But I would not dare without you seeing the horse. Come to the Spanish trading house—-the rented corrals next door. It will be a wonderful surprise for your new family. Warmly, Al Montero
Isabella looked out of the hotel window at the darkness. She hesitated but thought, "it's only a few blocks to the corrals and there are still plenty of people on the streets. I can't wait to tell Heath we found another Isabella mare to breed" and she left the hotel looking both ways.
Audra waited about ten minutes and Isabella didn't return. She went down and shared her concern with Ed and Heath. They strapped on their sidearms immediately and headed out of the room as Audra called out,
"The desk clerk said she asked directions to the Spanish corrals."
They ran into Roberto in the street, "Have you seen our cousin, Al?"
The men shook their heads, "Isabella is missing too."
Ed raised his eyebrow, "An assignation?"
Roberto grimaced, "No, Senors. She declined him earlier and he was very angry—now Maria found an empty whiskey bottle. He cannot hold his temper and his liquor at the same time."
They stepped up their pace to the Spanish-leased corrals and trading house.
The corrals were empty of humans; they looked around and saw two doors into the back of the old Spanish trading market.
Roberto and Heath chose the first door; Ed took the second. "Meet you inside."
Muffled scuffling noises alerted men's ears. Heath drew his gun and motioned the unarmed Roberto behind him.
Isabella cried out and Heath knocked the supply closet door open with his boot.
A bruised and bloody Isabella was lying on the hay and Al was getting up adjusting his pants. Tears were flowing down her face and her hair was in disarray.
"Well Barkley, you are too late. Isabella is to be my wife."
She whimpered, "No" and Heath lunged at Al. He began pounding him unmercifully.
Isabella cried out in pain and Heath knocked him back to the wall.
He dropped his gun and Al inched toward it. He got off a mis-angled shot towards Heath but it ricocheted towards Roberto's arm and grazed it.
Ed entered and shot the gun out of Al's hand along with several fingers. He went over to the young man and checked the wound giving Heath some privacy.
Heath picked up her cloak and laid it over her gently.
He pulled her hair back. "I got ya Bella, I gotcha."
"No, you don't have her. She's mine by right. She's leaving with me and we will be married. Probably be settling back in Spain running Beaufort Shipping."
"No" she cried out again.
"Shut up Bella. You are ruined. You marry me or I will shame you and no gentleman will ever want you."
Ed stepped over and put his black boot on his bloodied hand.
"You need to shut up" and he ground his foot on Al's mangled fingers. He screamed in pain.
Heath went back to Isabella and helped her up.
Don Alfredo and two of his men walked in. "Maria told me there might be trouble."
He looked over at the injuries of Isabella. It was obvious what had happened.
"Uncle, get me out of here. I am losing a lot of blood. I am dying.
"By your own choices, I see" and he stared steely at his nephew.
"You will marry the girl, Al"
"See, that's what I told you, Isabella. Thank you, Don Alfredo."
"No," Heath said firmly. "I am marrying her."
Ed and Roberto looked at each other. Isabella looked bewildered.
"Barkley, don't call the sheriff. There is no need to shame the girl anymore."
Al smiled painfully, "It's her fault. Any decent woman wouldn't be out after dark. I am willing to marry her."
Roberto stood up and spoke clearly, "You dog, you are a rapist. Pure and simple. You need to be shot."
Don Alfredo looked from his son-in-law to his nephew.
He thought for a moment, "Since she won't marry you, we need to cull the line. Castration would be appropriate in the old country. I will leave you to nature. You are no longer a Montero."
Al screamed, "No"
"Barkley, I was wrong. You are an honorable man. Mademoiselle Beaufort, I am sorry for the pain my nephew caused you."
Don Alfredo took his man's gun and took one well-aimed shot. Al howled in pain. He walked out with his men.
Heath, Ed, and Roberto helped Isabella up and she leaned on Heath's arms. They walked her to the hotel and Audra's care. Then Heath walked the wounded Roberto back to their hotel.
Maria came out to greet them. She embraced her husband and checked his wound.
She looked up at Heath, "Thank you for bringing my husband back to me."
"Betta clean that wound up before it festers."
She smiled and clasped his arm. "Heath…"
"Maria" and he tipped his hat.
Her husband shook his hand, "You are a good man, Mr. Barkley. May you have a long life with your wife. She is a beautiful, kind senorita. I am truly sorry for what happened tonight and I shall light a candle that she heals well with you, sir"
He just nodded his head, "Take care of him, Maria" to her confused look.
Ed walked back to the corral alone. Al was still moaning in a pool of blood from his castration wound. He leaned over him.
"Help me please"
Ed took his knife and pricked the bulging artery in his neck. Blood began to flow and Ed walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
—-&—
Audra tended Isabella's wounds. She bathed her and piled up the soiled clothing. Isabella had quit crying and was just becoming numb and disoriented.
"Audra, what if there is a child?"
"Shhhh Bella, we will take each day at a time. You are family and we will protect you."
Audra handed her two stiff shots of whiskey. "Let's try to get some sleep"
Scotty woke up and cried for a moment and Audra put her in the crux of Isabella's arm. She weakly smiled and cuddled the child. They both closed their eyes.
Audra went and picked up the clothes and Al's note fell out.
She read it and tears started to fall, "She went for Heath".
Heath and Ed were waiting outside the room.
"How is she?"
"I gave her something to sleep"
She handed the note to Heath and he cursed under his breath. Ed read over his shoulder. It broke both their spirits.
Ed and Heath slept on the couches in the sitting room of the suite. Neither of them was leaving tonight.
The morning sun came through the windows awakening the men. Scotty's crying pierced the room as she demanded to be fed. Isabella opened the door to the room and peaked out. She was dressed in a quilted robe and her hair was braided down one side. The bruises on her face belied the violent attack of the night before.
"Morning, Bella." Heath buttoned his shirt sitting up.
Ed stood up quickly; he gently kissed her on the cheek. "Want some breakfast, coffee, tea? I will go see what can scare up"
"Thank you, Ed. Tea sounds good."
She walked over and sat by Heath on the couch. At first, there was an awkward silence then they spoke at the same time. "I am so sorry"
"Bella, you ain't got nothing to be sorry for. I just wish I coulda found you sooner. I saw the note he wrote."
"Heath, I am scared."
He put his arm around her gingerly. She flinched, took a deep breath, and leaned into his shoulder. She released a long sigh of relief.
"Bella, I am here and I am not going anywhere. I meant what I said. I want to marry you."
"What if there is a —-child?" she whispered.
"It will be your child. Our child. I would be proud to raise a child with ya, Bella."
"Oh, Heath" and she started crying softly.
Audra came out and saw them. She backed up into the room with Scotty on her hip.
"It's ok, Audra. There's nothing you don't already know"
Heath nodded his agreement and she sat on the other couch.
Audra began, "I don't think Bella is in shape to travel for a few days but we can make some plans when we get back to the ranch, no matter what you two decide."
Heath looked over at Bella and she nodded.
"I am going to marry Heath."
He grinned his lopsided grin and Audra smiled. "My best friend is now officially my little sister."
Ed came back with breakfast and they ate companionably.
The men got up to go back to their room.
Bella called Heath back, "Please buy OUR horses. Don't let him take that too."
—&—
Heath went back to the Spanish clearinghouse and bought the Isabellas. He staunched the bile in his throat when he passed the barns.
The sheriff and his deputy were talking. Heath stopped to listen.
"Looks like a possible robbery. No money left on him. Stinking drunk. Or maybe caught with another man's woman where that wound was. The Uncle filed a missing person's report last night. Funny thing, he woulda bled out no matter what—-no doubt but the killer was a hunter, no doubt. He opened the neck artery to speed up the process. Seen hunters do that before. Ain't going to spend much time on a dirty Mexican horse thief. My family was glad to get all of them off of our land as soon as we could."
Heath closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He jumped on Charger and rode back into town.