Chapter 5

Pilar had just finished milking the cows and was setting the milk cans in the cooler when they brought Candy and the children in. One of the guards called to Pilar and Pilar answered:
"Senor?"

"She wants you to make sure the babies have enough milk, and the woman does not leave the barn!" The guard said.

"Si, Senor." Pilar watched as the door to the milk barn was closed and latched Since SHE had caught her and the blonde man talking Pilar was not allowed out of the milk barn for 6 months. Pilar was not worried; she could hear many things from inside and also had a way to get out of the barn if she really needed to. The only other time that Pilar had out been when she had gotten out late one night and heard the men beating the blonde man for something that the woman had not found appropriate. When they were done, they had left him alone and bleeding. Pilar had gone back to the barn and had just gotten inside when the guard had called for her to come and bandage the blonde man's wounds. SHE did not want him to die, just to teach him a lesson.

Candy held her children close to her as they roughly shoved her into the milk barn. Pilar watched carefully, not speaking, just waiting for them to leave. Once the guards were gone and she was sure no one would hear them she spoke:

"I am called Pilar, what is your name?"

"Candy Bolt!" Candy said not to let go of her children.
"You are perhaps sister to blonde man?" Pilar asked.

"Sister-in-law." Candy answered. She watched as Pilar took some milk and put it in a cup for the 2-year-old. Pilar then said:
"I am Pilar Esparza. I am work for a woman detective Matilda. Have you heard of her?" Candy though for a while and then remembered who Matilda was. She smiled and said yes. Pilar was happy then she told Candy:

"I was sent here to help with your brother-in-law. He is a very good man, mixed up with a very bad woman. She and her family are planning to kill his family and take some mountain in a place called Seattle!" Candy gasped and said:

"But, why? Who is She? How, how can this be?" Pilar answered
"This woman kills men for their money, and whatever else they want. This place is her base of operation. Matilda wanted to be sure that your brother not be killed she is trying to help the others." Pilar said as Jonathan, who was thirsty, took the little cup from her.

"You are still breastfeeding, that is good, the baby needs it but the older one needs protein now. I can get him real food so he can eat. And you, you must keep up your strength. There will be much happening soon." Pilar said and stopped because she heard a noise by the wall. The baby started to cry so Candy sat down to feed the baby, Jonathon sat next to her and leaned against her shoulder. Pilar finished putting the milk cans away when the door opened. She walked in with Joshua.

"Pilar, I need you to come out with me. I am leaving him inside so he can visit his sister-in-law and children. He has earned it!" Pilar went out as requested. Joshua looked at Candy. They could not say much but he bent down since the baby was being fed and wrote a word or two in the dirt. Candy looked at him in surprise. Then he said:

"I cannot talk much but please do not worry. I will get us out of here if it is the last thing I do. I won't let Jeremy down or Jason!" Candy nodded and gave him a little hug. He smiled. The door opened and Pilar was sent back in, and he had to leave. Candy wanted to cry. She was so scared and worried for her babies and Joshua and wondered if she would ever see Jeremy again.

"Candy do not worry, what did Joshua tell you?" asked Pilar.

"He wrote something about a mission and Matilda. Does he know? Has he been doing this for the last few years to catch this lady?" Candy asked. Pilar answered.

"He did not join until about a year ago when he found out what her plans were. I have been here 6 months, to help as I said before. But we cannot talk about this any longer. It is night. Why don't you help the children settle down and say your prayers? I always say mine. If you need anything I will be over in the corner on the other side of the cow pen." Pilar said as she went to her corner where her bed was. Candy settled the children down and then she lay down on the sweet hay to fall asleep.

Joshua was in bed with his 'wife,' she wanted to be sure that he would not leave the cabin. Usually, he slept in the outer room but tonight she had him in her bed. She had him tied to the bed post so he would be unable to leave the bed. His thoughts ran the gamut of what could he do to get Candy and the kids away to how can Jeremy just leave without Candy. Except he knew the answer to that. She had made sure that Jeremy would have to leave.

"Sheila, Sheila" Joshua said softly.

"What is it?"

"Sheila, what happens if I have to go?" Joshua asked. She just looked at him and said:

"That is no problem. I have provided a special pad for you in case you 'have an accident'! or in case you would try to escape. I know that you want to help your family, but you won't be able to. In fact, soon your whole family will be dead, and you will be the one to kill them! Now, Shut up and be happy you get to sleep in my bed with me!" She had put up a board between them and he knew that he would have no more conversations with her.
He worked on the ropes that had his hands tied to the post. His feet were free, or they felt free, he could feel a rope that was loose around his ankles and thought maybe if he could make it loose, he could get his feet free and swing a little to the edge and get his hands free. Seeing Jeremy and Candy and his niece and nephew had given him new hope and strength. He could only try.

Jason and Jeremy and the detective who was to be the 'Jason' were ready and waiting to head to the train station. If anyone was observing, it looked like Jason was walking to the train station with Jeremy. Matilda and the Reverend had gotten off the train and into a wagon for traveling. They all looked at each other, no one letting on about who they were or where they were going. If all went well Jason and Matilda would be up at the cabin, the Texas Rangers would be there and Jeremy and the other ranger on their way. The whistle blew. 'Jason' and Jeremy left on the train. The Reverent and his wife left the train station on their way to a 'new life.'

Joshua had worked the ropes off of his wrists and had gently gotten out of the bed. He had dressed and was about to leave the room when he heard the cocking of a gun.

"Well, it took you long enough! But now that you are dressed it will save me time having you get dressed. You will get no breakfast this morning, 'My love'! Bronson: Take Mr. Bolt to the Milk Barn. He is going to find out what disobedience means! I will be along shortly!" Sheila said as he was shoved out of the room and out the door.