Chapter Twenty-Three

"She is going to be fine, now that she is warmed up. Wrapping her in a warm blanket and giving her a shot of whiskey was smart." The doctor spoke to Heath, in the waiting room. It had been over an hour since he'd arrived at the office, holding Sarah tightly. The drive to town had seemed to take an eternity, even as Heath pushed the horse and carriage fast as he could.

"Is she awake? Can I talk to her?" Heath let loose a sigh of relief, glad to know that Sarah wasn't in danger anymore. The doctor nodded his head and escorted Heath into the back room, where Sarah was resting on a small iron frame bed. He noted several heavy quilts on top of her, along with a roaring fire emitting heat. The room felt overly warm to him, but knew that it was for Sarah's sake.

"Sarah, it's me." Heath waited until the doctor left the room, and pulled a chair up next to the bed. It appeared that she was sleeping, and he gently reached under the covers, to take her hand. She turned her head and slowly opened her eyes.

"Heath, Heath, where am I? Those men!" Her hazel eyes flew open and she jerked up, causing some of the blankets to slip. He took her in his arms, before laying her back down, rearranging the quilts to cover her up.

"It is fine and you are safe, darlin. The men, and Roland White, are in jail." Heath went on to explain what had happened, with Nick, Jack Regan, and the posse showing up at the last minute. Or rather he explained what he could, since he still didn't know how or why they'd come to be there.

"So it was Roland White all along, because he was stealing money? That seems a rather dramatic turn of events. What would killing you do?" Sarah, after several sips of hot tea, answered. She went to sit up, and Heath was quick to help her, putting a pillow against her back.

"Roland knew that I would figure out his scheme, since I would be on-site in the mines, as well as have access to the financial documents." Heath ruefully shook his head, still annoyed at how he'd been duped by the lawyer. He also acknowledged to himself that he'd been too wrapped up in mining reform and a ghost from his past.

"I owe you an apology Sarah, as I am to blame for what happened. It wasn't fair of me to put the mines – and Logan Dawes – ahead of you. I promise that I will do better from now on, and make sure that you are my priority. I love you." Heath's voice was soft, and he took several deep breaths while delivering the words. It was hard to say them, but he knew that Sarah needed to know how much she meant to him.

He knew his desire to help those that he could, along with the tendency to focus on righting wrongs, made him not always consider other people. Heath winced internally, knowing how he could go off on his own, without a bye-your-leave to anyone. However, he acknowledged, he was now a married man; his wife had the expectation of being his main priority. Up until now though he had not given Sarah the attention and consideration she needed.

Sarah removed her hands from his, to pull the covers higher up; she didn't think she would ever be warm again. The memory of the cold clinging to her body was still with her, causing a chill to go up her spine. She let it pass, as she studied her husband, his blue eyes pleading with her, to forgive him. It amazed her that he was being so open about his actions and feelings. Sarah nestled under the blankets and thought about what Heath had said.

She wanted to believe him, and knew that as his wife she should believe him; in her heart though she had her doubts. Sarah was honest enough to allow that her doubts were not just about Heath, but her heart and her marriage also. She felt like she'd learned a great deal about herself on the trip to Colorado, and wasn't the same person as when she'd left California. However, she didn't know how, or was even sure if she wanted to, acknowledge that to Heath.

"I don't think you could have anticipated Roland White and his gang attacking us in the clearing. He looked like the type of man who never left town." Sarah smiled at Heath, trying to think of what to say next. She recalled how he was willing to make a deal with the lawyer, to save her and sighed. Heath would give his life to save hers, and would protect her no matter what.

"Oh Heath, there is nothing to apologize for. You were just trying to do the right thing, for the miners and I understand that." She put her arms around him and kissed his forehead. "I wish you would have told me about Logan Dawes; I would have understood your actions better." She felt him put his arms around her, pulling her close. Heath's lips found hers, and as the kiss deepened Sarah felt passion overtaking her.

"Mmm, ah, excuse me?" The sound of the doctor's voice caused the couple to break off the kiss, but Heath gave his wife a quick wink. When they were back at their hotel, well he could finish making everything all right. The fact that Sarah wasn't angry with him made him feel blessed and the luckiest man on earth.

"There is a Detective Jack Regan who wants to talk with you both." The doctor stated, as a loud voice could be heard coming from the waiting room. "And your brother is also here to see you. Shall I show them in?" It was clear to Heath that the doctor wanted Nick out of the waiting room, so he indicated to show them in. Heath was very curious as to how Jack Regan and his brother had come to the clearing.

After the men were shown in, several minutes were spent as the detective enquired about Sarah. Nick added that Priscilla sent her regards, and was waiting to see her back at the hotel. The men pulled up chairs, so Sarah could hear everything.

"Heath when you were almost run over yesterday." Jack began, and Heath saw Sarah turn to look at him with surprise. He remembered that he hadn't said anything to her about the incident, and gave her an apologetic look. The detective had not noticed Sarah's reaction and was still talking.

"Your comment about the mayhem in Denver following you up to Georgetown made me remember something I'd seen earlier that morning." Jack went on to explain that while doing rounds at the trouble spots in town he'd seen a cowboy who looked out of place. "His gait and bearing didn't match the clothes he was wearing, and when I saw his face it reminded me of Roland White. I'm trained to recognize features, even when they are disguised, but at the time it had not made any sense for Roland White to be dressed like that."

"The wagon that almost ran you down was similar to one that had been outside the saloon where I'd seen the strange cowboy." Jack tilted his head and gave Heath a hard stare. "I couldn't think of why Roland White would be involved in you being killed until I remembered the train ride up to Georgetown. I sat with him, and he was very happy to share with me the doubts he had about your character. Now two things make me suspicious, Heath; suspects who aren't honest with me and witnesses that are way too helpful. Do you see where I am going with this?"

Heath understood what Jack Regan was telling him, that his refusal to tell the detective about his past with Logan Dawes had made the case harder to solve. He nodded his head to the man's statement, and indicated for Jack to go on.

"I put the facts together and started to suspect Roland White. I telegraphed my partner in Denver, to see what he could find out. In the meantime I made it a point to follow the lawyer, and this morning when he turned up in his cowboy clothes I knew I was onto something. Leaving a deputy to keep an eye on Roland, I went to the Marshall and asked him to form a posse." The detective detailed how he followed Roland as he hired the thugs, and trailed Heath and Sarah to the clearing.

"Mrs. Barkley I know that you are still recovering from your ordeal, but I need to ask you about a statement you made, to Roland White." Jack Regan directed his attention to Sarah, and Heath felt her stiffening up.

"Detective do you have to do this now? My wife suffered a great deal and needs to rest." Heath spoke up, hoping to deflect the man's questions, but Jack wasn't going to back off.

"No Heath, I have to ask; it is pertinent to the investigation and the charges against Roland White." There was a strident note in the man's voice and Heath's shoulders dropped, as he moved to take Sarah's hand.

"I just want to get this all over with, and go home!" Sarah's voice hitched as she spoke. "What do you want to know Detective?" Heath felt so bad for her, even as he wondered what was so important that Jack needed to know.

"You stated that you knew the whereabouts of a journal and money that Roland White was looking for. Per his statement, it contained evidence of his embezzling from the VanDer Hoffen estate." That made Heath remember Roland talking about the materials, in reference to Hester and what she'd done to him. He also recalled what Sarah had said, but had assumed it was just a dodge, to buy them some time. But what if it wasn't? He pondered, a hard knot forming in his stomach.

"I just said that, because finding the items seemed so important to Roland White. My hope was that it would buy us some time, and maybe keep us from being killed." Sarah's words were diffident and spoken softly. Heath was sure that she was reliving the event, of being tied up and almost killed. He was also reassured that his guess had been correct, about her motives. There was no reason to doubt Sarah, Heath chided himself silently.

"Does it really matter Detective if the book is found or not? Roland White has confessed." Nick's booming voice filled the room. "Look, you have your crook and we heard how he paid an assassin to kill Logan Dawes." This was news to Heath, and when he asked Jack told him that Roland had paid someone to kill him. Logan had been killed by mistake, when the assassin mistook him for Heath. Nick's next words interrupted Heath's thoughts. "My plan is we head back to Denver tomorrow, and leave for California the next day."

Heath agreed with Nick's plan, wanting to get home as soon as possible. Yes, the mining reform was important, but he could manage most it from California. He had already decided to offer Andre Moix the job of on-site engineer; the man was capable and knew the mines. That would leave Heath more time to spend with Sarah, as he'd promised her.

"Yes, that won't be a problem Nick. I don't see a trial happening, because of Roland's confession, and I'm sure the VanDer Hoffen trust will want the matter of the embezzlement handled quietly." Jack replied, standing up to leave. Heath, knowing that Priscilla was the trust, was sure that she wouldn't want a trial either. It would entail publically acknowledging what her sister had been doing, and he couldn't see her wanting more dirty laundry aired in public.

Later that evening Heath and Sarah were entwined in each other's arms, under the covers in their bed in the hotel room. The doctor had released Sarah, and when they arrived back at the Hotel De Paris, she had stated that she wanted dinner in the hotel dining room. Heath was ready to go along with anything, being glad that she had forgiven him. He remembered the stirrings of passion he'd felt in her earlier, so was looking forward to the time after the meal.

"I love you Sarah. I promise I will be a better husband." Heath laid a gentle kiss on her check, as he brushed back a lock of hair from her forehead. When they had finished dinner he'd escorted her back to their room, for time alone. He'd barely had time to lock the door, and their scattered clothes on the floor were proof of the passion of their coming together.

"Heath I love you too. Thank you for trying to save me today." Her reply was accompanied by her body moving against his. Heath was more than ready to respond to her, and the rest of her words were lost as he kissed her. No, it wasn't camping out in the mountains, but for Heath having her with him now was enough.

Finis – For Now