Man of Honor

Chapter Twelve

Nick and Heath had started down the hill only to realize other riders were heading their way. Because one looked to be Jarrod, they'd hurried back up the hill, mounted their horses and met him and the men with him half way. Jarrod and the men with him had informed them that the bank had indeed been hit. Michael, who had been shot in the gut, and another man had been killed and the rest taken into custody.

When asked how they'd know where to come, Jarrod had answered, "Before he died, Michael Billings bragged that even though the law had caught up with him at least Weaver paid for being a thorn in his side. He then told us where to find him. "

Heath and Nick had then quickly filled him in on everything. Because Heath and Nick already had a number of men with them, Jarrod had let his men go and then joined his brothers. The three were now making their way to the cabin, leaving McCall and the others to wait for their signal.

Once the three brothers reached the bottom of the hill, they made their way to the cabin. Because of where the wagon had been laid, they couldn't help but get a real close look at Weaver. They couldn't help but cringe as they could imagine the pain that had been inflicted upon him. Neither, did they like leaving the man where he was. The only problem was…they had to find out if the women were inside. Also, knowing full well there might be more of Billing's men inside, they didn't dare move Weaver as any noise might alert any man who might be inside to their presence.

"We'll come right back and signal for McCall and the others as soon as we can." Heath mouthed silently to his brothers. Nick and Jarrod hesitated only a second, and then agreed. They knew Heath was right. Nick and Jarrod quickly followed Heath to the side of the cabin having no choice but to leave Weaver where he was.

Inside the Roy was growing antsy over some of the things Weaver had been crying out before falling silent. "Shouldn't we go outside and check?" He started to rise only to have Mitchell slam his fist down upon the table. It made Roy hurry up and sit back down.

Tired of checking on their captive only to see the buzzards flying around in circles, Mitch wasn't about to go outside again. Instead he barked, "There's no need to check! Ain't nothing out there but the buzzards out there!"

Roy continued arguing with him thus, unwittingly, distracting his partner long enough for Heath to peek in the side window and get a look into the cabin.

It was all Audra and Rebecca could do to keep quiet when they saw Heath putting his finger to his lips. When the blonde haired cowboy pointed to the men at the table and mouthed the question 'Are they the only one's', Audra nodded ever so slightly.

Heath and his then quickly ducked out of sight. It wasn't a moment too soon either, as Mitch, thinking he'd heard something, looked away from the table. By the time he reached the window, there was nothing to be seen. Had he been able to see around the corner, he'd have seen Nick giving McCall the signal they'd agreed upon, the one that meant to join them as soon as possible, but to do it quietly.

"They're in there and they have company!" McCall snapped as he dismounted his horse and tied it nearby. He didn't want anyone hearing him approaching. The other men did the same.

The moment Heath saw McCall and the others coming towards them he poked his head around the corner of the cabin while Nick and Jarrod hurried to meet Duke. It didn't take the men long to decide that while a couple of men dealt with Weaver, McCall and Jarrod would rush the back door, while Nick and Heath rushed the front one. "Let's do it!" Nick snapped softer than he ever had before. Within a couple of minutes, he, his brothers and McCall were kicking the doors down.

Roy let out a string of cuss words and went for his gun only to have Nick's bullet bring him down. Mitch, who had better sense than the boy, threw down his gun. "We were just following orders." He looked at Nick and Heath while Jarrod pulled the man's arms behind him and secured them with the rope Heath handed him; the same rope he'd taken off his sister, who was now holding onto Nick for all she was worth. McCall stepped out the back door to let the others know everything was okay.

"You okay?" Heath asked as he looked at Rebecca. The young woman looked rather pale.

"I'll be fine. The other men though," she said as she looked at Mitch and the now deceased Roy, "the ones who were with them; they've gone to rob the bank!" She then looked at Jarrod, confused. "I thought you were with Fred."

"I was," Jarrod smile and answered as Nick led Audra out the front door behind Heath, who had a hold of Mitchell. Jarrod then repeated what he'd told his brothers and the other men.

"Weaver?" Rebecca suddenly questioned and turned to face the corner of the house as she thought on the lawman, only to be stopped by Heath.

Heath couldn't allow the girls to see Weaver, not with things the way they were. Because of the questioning look in both Rebecca's eyes and Audra's, Heath gave them just enough of an answer to satisfy them. "There are men taking care of him." Since he didn't know how close to death Weaver was, if he hadn't crossed over already, was something the girls could be told later. "Let's get home."

~Epilogue~

Rebecca and the Barkley's stood in front of the train station. Heath had just purchased tickets for Rebecca, who was going to live at a school for young ladies. Upon learning of her desire to get more of an education than she had, Heath had turned around and talked to his family. They'd more than readily agreed to help their new friend. Jarrod had then made the arrangements.

"Thank you for everything." Rebecca said as she hugged each of the Barkley's. "I'll never be able to repay you."

"Don't worry about it." Victoria smiled, as did the others. "We are glad to help."

Rebecca returned their smiled and then walked over to Heath, who was standing a few feet away with Joey in his arms. She just knew that out of all the Barkley's she would miss Heath and his son the most. Too bad she still had so much grief in her heart. Maybe if she hadn't, there might have been a chance for the two of them. Smiling upon Heath and taking a hold of Joey's small hands, she said,"I know many people who never would have lifted a finger to help me like you have. You are a man of honor, Heath Barkley. If you don't mind, if I ever remarry and have a child, I want you to be the child's godfather. Also, I'd love to look on Joey as I would my own nephew. It would be nice to have a nephew to spoil rotten and hand back when I visit. It will make up for the horror of what Mr. Billings and his men did." She was talking both of her and Audra's captivity and the murder of Mr. Weaver; the man had died within an hour after being taken to Dr. Merar. The Barkleys had paid the cost of burying the lawman in the Stockton cemetery.

Smiles spread upon all the Barkley's faces, along with a few chuckles filling the air, upon hearing Rebecca's comment about spoiling Joey and giving him back to Heath afterwards. Heath gave her one of his rare huge grins. "I like that idea; I'm sure Joey would love see another 'aunt' in the family." He then lowered his voice and said, "If you're his 'aunt' then that means you're a sister to everyone here. Maybe you could teach your 'sister' there how to bake desserts. Audra's main dishes aren't so bad anymore, but those desserts still pose a threat to one's health."

"I heard that!" Audra put her hands on her hips and gave Heath a glare, though it wasn't very sincere. She never took real offense at any of her brothers' jibes at her cooking anymore.

Rebecca chuckled, nodded ever so slightly and then boarded the train for San Francisco.