Chapter Four

Previously:

Mr. Miller looked to be in his later fifties…if not early sixties. While Leah seemed capable enough, Nick was sure he didn't want her finding herself a part of any fight. That is, if it could at all be avoided. Of course, he didn't know how much good he'd do with his injured ankle either. 'Sure hope Coco has made it home.' Nick's thoughts turned to his family and his horse as he went back to gazing out the shack's window-the rain had finally slowed down. It was sure to stop within the next hour. Anyway, Nick hoped that would be the case.

The rain had gone from pounding on the living room windows to lightly tapping on them, and for that Audra was grateful. She'd curled up on the settee and started reading a book, though she really wanted to go and check on the foal that had been born shortly before it had started pouring cats and dogs. Maybe she'd get to do that soon.

When it came to the rest of the family, Heath and Jarrod were now playing a game of checkers while Victoria had disappeared upstairs. 'Probably decided to clean the attic…again' had been Audra's thought when she'd seen where her mother was heading.

"Did Nick say he would be back on Saturday morning or afternoon?" Audra shut her book and looked at her brothers.

"From what he said," Jarrod looked away from the chess board-as did Heath. "I'm not expecting him home until one in the afternoon."

"If he stops in Stockton, you can make it more like three or four." Heath grinned, seeing no reason to say Nick was sure to go to the saloon before coming home.

"He best come straight home. After all…" Jarrod started to speak only to hear the sound of someone knocking urgently upon the door. He hurried to answer the knock. For their part, Heath and Audra had quickly risen to their feet.

"McColl! Barrett!" All three of the Barkleys exclaimed when they saw the two, very drenched, men on the other side of the door. "Come in!" Jarrod quickly stepped out of the way and let their visitors in.

"Sorry to drip on your floor, ma'am." Barrett said as he looked up the stairs and saw the Barkley Matriarch descending the stairs.

"Me too," McColl, who held his hat in his hands, did his best to smile at Victoria, though he failed to keep the worry out of his eyes.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Victoria joined Jarrod and her other children -who had closed the gap between themselves and the two unexpected guests.

"We don't rightly know, Victoria." McColl spoke to Victoria, only he was looking at all the Barkleys. "Only, after being caught out in this rain, we…" he hesitated-something that put Victoria and the others on edge.

"You what?" Jarrod pressed for McColl to continue only it was Barrett who spoke up.

"We found Nick's horse; it appeared that he was trying to make his way home. We would have looked for Nick only the rain started pouring down something fierce. We took shelter in one of the line shacks until the storm died down enough to make it so we could get back here without killing ourselves to do it. We had the new ranch hand, Billy, take care of Coco while we came here." The fact that both men were more than upset could not only be seen by the look in their eyes but heard in the tone of their voice as well.

A look of instant fear and great concern leapt into all the family's own eyes-and hearts. For a few minutes no one spoke. They had a thousand questions run through their minds…the main one being where they should start looking for Nick once the storm was over.

"Rain's about stopped." McColl glanced towards the door. "Once it quits completely, we can start looking for him." He didn't want to add 'if he's even on the ranch'. For now, he was holding to the hope that Nick had at least made it to the ranch before whatever incident caused him to be separated from Coco.

"Go get some men." Jarrod said as he retrieved his gun belt from off the coat rack it hung on. "Heath and I will be with you shortly."

"I want to look too." Audra looked at her mother.

"I know you're as worried as the rest of us, Audra, only you're not coming with us." Heath, who had put on his own gun belt, looked at Jarrod-as if to ask if the oldest brother was going to back him up.

"Heath's right." Jarrod slid his pistol into the holster. "Stay here with Mother. We'll let you know what's going on as the first chance we get." Soon Heath and Jarrod had their jackets on and were heading out the door.

Audra growled silently and headed for the stairs; she was going to get her own coat in spite of what her brothers had said. That is, until her mother stopped her.

"Your brothers won't let you ride with them, you know that. Also, if you think you're going out looking for Nick alone-you best think again." Victoria spoke firmly-with a sound that screamed 'you WILL listen'.

Audra might have been upset only she saw a sparkle in her mother's eyes and heard the way Victoria said the word 'alone'. She couldn't help but allow a small smile to appear-even though she couldn't shake the worry in her heart. "So, what area are we searching?" She kept her eyes on her mother.

"I'll tell you – and Silas- after I see which way the men go. Victoria smiled and hurried out the door. No one had to tell Audra why her mother would talk to Silas. The man wouldn't like it only he wouldn't argue with Victoria…as he'd be grateful to at least know where they were going.