I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters.
Blindsided
Chapter Twenty-Eight
More than one head turned as Brigham, Nick and Heath rode towards the sheriff's office; the people were shocked to see two dead men draped over one of the horses and Brigham sitting on top of the crates with his gun on the stranger that sat as if he was in pain. By the time Heath drove the wagon up to the sheriff's office, the lawman was standing outside the door looking rather amazed himself.
"What on earth happened? Do you know who that is?" The sheriff couldn't believe his eyes. The wanted man's poster had been on his desk for months now.
"We know; he needs a doctor," Nick said as Brigham climbed down from the wagon.
"He's in his office," the lawman said as he pointed down the street. "How about bringing this fellow back when doc's done with him?"
"Don't you want to know what this is all about?" Brigham asked as the lawman turned to go inside the office. He would think the man would have questions; that is, if he was an honest lawman.
"Don't need to," the sheriff said as he opened the door, "I already know. I need to talk to you."
Brigham wasn't sure he liked the look on the sheriff's face. Oh, it wasn't one that said 'you're in trouble', more like 'I know who you are, and I have a job for you." Once Nick and Heath left, Brigham went followed the man inside his office.
Sure enough the lawman sat down, picked up a telegram and a poster. "The telegrams are finally coming and going like they should. Those," the lawman said as he looked at the telegrams on his desk, "are for you, well, all but one." He held the one in his hand a bit higher. "This one was for me, to ensure I knew what was going on, and to make sure I didn't cause you any trouble. Now, about this…" The sheriff turned the poster around only to have Brigham stop him.
"I'm not a bounty hunter anymore, sheriff. Matter of fact, once these guns are in the hands of this office, and a few telegrams sent out, I'm nothing but a private investigator out of work. That is, until I get to a larger city, one where someone might have need to hire me on a regular basis."
The sheriff put down the posters, disappointed. He had hoped to get someone to help bring the men in. Then again, he guessed a man would grow tired of being on the road all the time. Well, some men would. "I'm sorry to hear that. Good luck."
"Thank you," Brigham said as he turned back towards the door, "and good luck in finding them."
000
Audra was cleaning the room she'd been using at the Millers when Brigham walked in. She let out a delightful cry and ran into his open arms. "It's over, isn't it? It's really over?"
Brigham held her close, needing to feel her against him, and then made himself step back. "Mrs. Miller said you went for a ride this morning."
Audra shrugged her shoulders and grinned. "A lady has a right to go riding when she wants to." She'd known as soon as he walked in the door what would be coming, sooner or later. After all, Mrs. Miller, as good a woman as she was, still liked to talk IF a lady was doing things she ought not to. Freely admitting she was going riding without someone with her had appalled the older woman, especially since Brigham had told her not to.
Brigham took a hold of her shoulders. "You could have been killed out there had they seen you, or if they had other men nearby! What on earth were you thinking, princess!" The fact was, the thought of what could have happened to her scared the living daylights out of him could be seen in his eyes and felt in his slightly tightened grasp.
Audra slid her arms up his chest and around his neck. "So, fire me." She stepped in closer and pressed her lips against his. Brigham held on for all he was worth. After a few moments, he had to use all his will power to let go and back off.
"Audra, I told you before, I'm only a man. We're not married yet and somehow," he pointed towards the open door, "I don't think Nick will control that temper of his if I should lie with you before we've actually stood before a preacher, priest, judge or someone with the legal power to marry us." Before Audra could say another word, Nick appeared in the doorway, one of his 'how dare you' looks in his eyes.
"You going to fire me too?" Audra grinned as she wrapped her arm around Brigham's waist and held on.
"No." Nick shook his head as he looked upon Brigham with empathy. It didn't take a genius to see what the man was fighting. "But, the Millers have a visitor downstairs and I think the two of you best take advantage of it, say you want to renew your vows or whatever you wish, just do it. Afterwards, we can go back to Stockton and you two can face Mother." Nick turned to leave, only to be stopped by Brigham.
"Nick, could you do me a favor first?" Brigham was smiling as he spoke with his hand resting upon Audra's shoulder.
Nick turned around; the puzzlement he felt could be seen in his eyes. "And just what favor would you need of me now?" With the guns in the hands of the sheriff and Brigham sending wires off to Nevada, ensuring the wanted men's downfall, he couldn't see where Brigham would need anything.
Brigham looked from Audra to Nick and replied, "Shoot me before we get to Stockton; it'll be less painful."
"No way! Watching you squirm in front of Mother is going to make up for not being allowed to beat you to a pulp! Now, come on. The preacher's waiting!" Nick's roar of laughter rang through the house as he walked away.
NEXT CHAPTER HOLDS ADULT CONTENT. NOTHING I WOULD RATE M, BUT ANY THOUGHT OF REMOVING THE T RATING WENT OUT THE WINDOW WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER.