Thunder Rolls

Chapter Fourteen

Lightning and thunder both filled the night air and the wind was blowing something fierce as Tyler stood at the crossroad. If he turned to his left he'd wind up at the small cottage they'd built for Callie, but if he turned to his right, he'd wind up at the Cartwrights home. He debated for a few minutes which direction to take. Finally, he decided he'd rid himself of Mr. Cartwright first and then go for Callie. He turned his horse down the path that led to the Cartwrights.

While Tyler made his way to the Cartwrights, Adam and Little Joe made their way down stairs. "You think he'll come here tonight? In the rain?" Little Joe asked the question in amazement as Adam sat in the tall blue chair, keeping an eye on the door. How could his brother think that anyone would travel in this kind of weather? Surely the man would wait until the storm was over.

Adam didn't answer for a moment. His mind kept going back to Boston and back to the article. There had been something in that newspaper article about Mr. Tyler's distorted sense of thinking. For the life of him though, Adam could not remember it. "I wouldn't put it past him." he finally answered. "He didn't succeed in killing anyone in town; he'll not be happy about that."

While Adam and Little Joe talked downstairs, Ben and Callie were having their own discussion upstairs. "Ben, this is not necessary." Callie protested as Ben finished laying out a bedroll on his bedroom floor. She, like Little Joe, couldn't imagine even Mitchell coming out to the Ponderosa in this weather.

Ben stood up, smiled and took a hold of her shoulders. "I can't take the chance, Callie. He's out there and, from his actions in Virginia City, I am going to assume he wants us both dead. Well, at least me. That bullet barely missed me. No," he ran his hands down the sides of her face and smiled lovingly, "No, I can't take a chance. If you'll have me, I intend to make you my wife."

Callie stared. She knew how she felt about him; she knew he liked her a lot, but that much? Enough to marry her? A smile spread across her face and her eyes started dancing, but before she could say anything the glass to the bedroom window suddenly shattered all over Ben's bedroll and the floor. Ben immediately dropped to the floor with Callie in his arms. They crawled over to the edge of the bed and looked to the window. There on the roof was Mitchell, wild eyed and crazy, was looking in through. Callie screamed and Ben went for his gun.

Adam and Little Joe heard Callie's scream and gunfire going off. They were up the stairs in no time flat. Both stepped into their father's room to see Ben lying on the floor and Mitchell grabbing Callie's arm. The crazed man tried to pull Callie towards him, intending to use her as a shield and make his escape out of the house. Callie was not making it easy. In frustration Tyler turned his gun on the Cartwright brothers giving Adam the space and opportunity to draw shoot. Tyler received a bullet right between his eyes. The man looked dazed and then fell to the ground dead.

"Pa!" Little Joe yelled as he flew to his father's side and turned him over. Thank heavens he was breathing. While Adam and he were curious as to all get out what prompted Mr. Mitchell to enter the house through a bedroom window, they didn't dwell on it; Ben needed help.

"I'm going for the doctor!" Adam barked after he and Little Joe got the bleeding from their father's shoulder stopped. He tore out of the room leaving Callie and Little Joe to watch over their father. It was a job neither one gave up until Dr. Martin had arrived and started the process of getting the bullet out. At that point, the two went downstairs and waited. Hoss had returned home with Adam on the way back from town with Doc martin.

"He'll be fine." Adam and his brothers did their best to get Callie to relax; she was standing by the window and listening to the last of the thunder rolling through the air.

"The thunder rolled and trouble came just like my brother always said it did, but" she said as she turned away from the window and looked up the stairs, "it can't take Ben away. You've got to be right; he's got to survive." When the doctor appeared at the top of the stairs, a smile upon his face, they all let go of the breath they'd been holding. With a smile like that, the news had to be good.

"I got the bullet out without a problem," Dr. Martin said as he walked down the stairs, "and he's resting fine, though he keeps mumbling something about a wedding." He smiled even wider at Callie as he stepped onto the living room floor. "And he's asking for all of you." He held out his hand shaking as all theirs as they started for the steps without half thinking. "Two at a time, he doesn't need the excitement," scolded Paul, to no avail.

EPILOGUE

Adam stood off to the side of the fireplace playing his guitar and singing while his Pa and new stepmother, dressed in a beautiful flowery wedding dress with lace sewn around the neck, the waist and the hem, started their first dance together. Hoss and Little Joe mingled among the guests and, once the dance was open to everyone, found themselves dance partners.

"It still feels like a dream," Callie whispered as she pressed her hand ever so slightly upon Ben's shoulder as they continued dancing, "I'm so grateful that bullet didn't kill you, and that you didn't develop an infection or anything after Doctor Martin removed the bullet; unlike the last time." she scowled.

Ben held her as close as he dared, seeing how there were still guests in the house. "If this is a dream, don't wake me up, especially with the best yet to come."

Ben very discreetly moved the hand he had resting on her side just enough to send one very clear request meant to be fulfilled later; one that Callie was more than happy to fulfill. Once the guests were gone, the house put back in order and the boys left to fend for themselves, Callie and Ben went and hid from the world in a little two bedroom cottage for a few weeks.

THE END