Chapter Forty Four

Heath stopped at Doc Merar's before heading home to the ranch. He had the rented private car unhitched and brought the doctor over to check on everyone before they made the trek home.

"Grete, I want you on soft foods and lots of rest. I suspect your jaw is cracked. Thankfully not the mandible part but still—-and all your teeth are intact. I think you have a concussion too with the headaches and nausea—-or just days without food. Either way, rest and soft foods."

"Anna, rest-rest-rest. I can't place my hand between an area that ain't got a bruise or two. You are skin and bones." He didn't mention the ragged condition of her hair.

"They did a good job setting Kai's leg. I will cast it in two weeks. Bed rest and the splint until then."

"Keeping the boy down will be hard but we will do it."

"Henry will help with that."

"Heath? Can I talk to ya private before you take the folks home?"

"Sure," and they walked outside..

"Nick is in a bad way. Still not out of the woods. He lost a lot of blood—and I am worried he might notta breathed for a bit. Time will tell."

Heath took a deep intake of air, "I get what ya saying."

"Victoria knows. I have talked to her. He may wake up—or he may not."

"I am hoping that little lady in there can help him come back."

"You too, Heath. You two have a brother bond. Like none I have ever seen."

Heath swallowed, not willing to acknowledge any emotion but just to doggedly take care of his family. He refused to think of Nick as anything but immortal.

He packed them carefully in the rig and took them home to the ranch.

—&—

Jarrod and Macklin searched Stanislaus county for Buck. For three days, they searched every part of Modesto—surrounding small towns—-and even trespassed numerous times on Buck's large spread. He was nowhere to be found. He had not been seen by anyone since he and his men partied in town on payday—-the day of the kidnapping and his rock solid alibi.

The Modesto sheriff sent a warrant poster all over California and neighboring states for the fourth man wanted in Lisette and Jarrod's hotel attack and a man of interest in the kidnapping, along with an attack on a saloon girl. A local widow and her housekeeper took the girl home to help her get back on her feet again.

Pinkertons were alerted to watch for the man in all their stations across the state.

Macklin sat with an exhausted Jarrod in their hotel room. He was unshaven and unkept with dark circles under his eyes. He was sleeping less than an hour at a time at night and riding hard during the day.

"Jarrod, I know you don't want to hear it but maybe it's time to go back to Stockton. Regroup with your brothers."

He flashed his eyes at Macklin, "I know she is here. I know it. I can feel it in my bones."

"I believe you are right, Jarrod. But there aren't any more rocks to look under."

Jarrod growled and downed the scotch, "Then what the hell am i supposed to do? Leave her? I know she's depending on me. She trusts me—-you know Macklin, I am Henry's guardian. Hs needs his mother."

"And Jarrod, it's none of my business but she is more than a client to you."

"You are right. None of your business."

"Sorry Jarrod. Just call it as I see it. You didn't bring me in on this for my tact."

Jarrod sulked for a few minutes and took a deep breath, "What would you do?"

"Catch him in a net. Prove it. Sell him the hotel or what he thinks is the hotel. Enough legal jargon to keep his lawyer busy for days. Enough to get her home. You know —Something to make him think he won."

"What if he kills her?"

"What if he already has?"

Jarrod slammed his glass down, "don't you think I know that."

"I do, friend. You asked me here to help."

"I am going to sell him the hotel. And if he has killed her, he will pay."

"Let's go draw up the papers."

—-&—-

Macklin delivered the offer and acceptance to the Mayor's home.

"The money is kept on hold at the Bank of Stockton until Mrs Taylor is returned to the Barkley ranch safe and sound. The deed transfer will take place at that time."

"Sir, I do not like what you are insinuating. My partners are legitimate business men. Half of the investors have already pulled out. As far as I know, we do not have an offer on the table nor will we be able to within any short time frame. Without Buck and the bank lawyers, we are short. There is no offer." and he shoved the papers back into Macklin's hands.

Macklin was astonished and the butler showed him to the door.

"Good day sir."