Chapter Eighty Six
The smoke was thick in the warm summer air. The Barkleys pulled their bandanas over their mouths and their eyes burned from the green wood burning and the leather in the corral. The thick acidic smell was nauseating and almost debilitating. Their horses even with their blinders pulled were struggling as their owners spurred them on.
They made it to the pens and corrals. The horses were loose in the pasture and a group of chickens and quail filled the yard. Many were already escaping out of the pasture.
The men jumped off their horses
How in the hell did it start?"
"Looks like arson. Lit straw was thrown into the quail pen and it spread to the chicken coop. The winds carried it to the roof of the corral. It's still intact but quite a bit of smoke."
"Everyone get out?"
"Yep, haven't seen Ciego. Might have went up to house with that Injun,"
Nick asked, "Brahma?"
The men looked around sheepishly, "Nah, haven't seen him." One of the men spoke up.
Nick immediately ran through the smoke, grabbed a saddle blanket and kicked open the door to Brahma's room. It was empty. Heath followed him.
They wet their bandanas and went back through the corral to check for life. Heath almost stepped on a quivering quail . He picked it up and tossed it outside. A dead puppy was also found hiding behind a hay bail. Outside they had passed the frantic mother dog searching. Heath put the pup in his jacket to return to its mother to sniff.
"Good thinking to send the horses to pasture. I doubt we can save this."
"Gonna be a fortune in tack and saddle to replace—-it's just money. Thankfully no men or horseflesh."
When Heath said, "horseflesh", it struck a cord in Nick. "That's what Brahma always called it."
They were just about on the way out when Nick decided to check the tack room. It was bolted shut which was unusual during a work day. He popped the bar and the room was filled with noxious gas from smoldering leather and dye.
He wiped his eyes with the bandana and took a few steps. He stumbled over Ciego, bound on the floor. He was unconscious and when he lifted his head to see, sticky blood covered his hand.
"Get me some help in here." Nick bellowed.
Heath and a couple of hands ran in and pulled the heavy Mexican out of the room.
Nick took a few more steps and saw what he feared, a bound and gagged Brahma.
He pulled out the cloth, "Hold on old buddy, I am going to get you outta here."
"It's ok Nick. Leave me. Tom and me been talking. He has been here the whole time. Ya know he's proud of ya. Said you paid too much for the bull. You gonna have a son soon, to give the ranch too. He's real glad Heath made it here. Jarrod and Gene—-and his little princess." with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
Nick swallowed and tried to untie him. Brahma shook violently for a moment, and took his last breath. Nick yelled for help but knew in his heart, he was gone. He picked up the listless body, probably fifty pounds lighter than in his prime and carried him outside. He took him to a tree and splashed some water on his face. He wiped the grime off and only saw the most peaceful smile he had ever seen from the man.
"Happy trails, Brahma. Tell Tom, I miss him every day."
By then, the men had circled around them. He wiped the tears from his streaked face.
"Get a blanket to cover him until we can bury him in the family grove."
—&—
Lisette walked slowly up the stairs toward the voice. She whispered to them, "Tell Jarrod to raise Henry and that I love him—-if something happens."
"Shut up wench."
She looked back down the stairs; Anna and Grete were literally shaking. Anna's hand rested on the rifle. They both looked up at Lisette and she slightly patted the gun in her pocket.
The man laughed loudly, "Come on honey, we is going to have a real good time. I'ffn we don't, the kids die."
Grete sobbed again and Anna put her hand on her to still her emotions.
The man at the bottom startled them, "Come on girls, you are mine."
—-&—-
The man at the top of the stairs did not surprise her. She had memorized his voice from her dreams—-recalling the voice in the hall while she was being tortured and from the hotel restaurant.
He roughly grabbed her arm, "Hear you like it rough. I was there that night, least in the casino. That purple dress set me off. Hated to leave you to the others. I wanted you bad. Me and Paul liked to share our women."
"You are disgusting."
"And you will remember me the rest of your days, my face in your bed. Never had a man like me. And I will leave ya with something to remember me by i'ffn—- it don't kill ya. It killed my last lady friend just about time that friend of yore husband went swimming in the river. Old Miller wasn't able to swim in the river. Funny thing. My housekeeper collapsed. The pox weakened her heart. Killed my wife too. Probably some ladies at Big Annie's will start ulcers and fevers soon enough. I have a strong constitution. Don't bother me much."
"You killed Miller?"
"I blame it on the river. All going to die one day."
And he pulled her into Victoria's room. He slapped her across the mouth and blood trickled down as he ripped her day dress down the front.
She struggled to get away but he hit her again. She lost her wits with the pain. He pawed and pinched and ripped her clothing. As he fumbled with his pants, he took off his belt and slapped her with it.
The excruciating pain was what she needed to think clearly.
He tugged and pulled on his trousers. Those few moments were crucial.
She pulled the derringer from her pocket and shot him right between the eyes.
She pushed off his slumped body, pouring blood on her. His eyes were wide open in surprise as he hit the floor.
"No man will ever hurt me again—ever."
—-&—
The ladies downstairs heard the shot. Grete was frozen in fear as the young hand took them towards the ice house. He looked up trying to decide what to do. He wrested the rabbit gun from Anna and a shot fired into the air. He popped her forearm with the butt of the gun as she shielded Grete from the blows.
"Nick!" Anna screamed as the three brothers ran toward the shot.
She wanted to give them fair warning that the hand was armed. She grabbed Grete and pulled her away.
They drew at the same time, putting six bullets into the ranch hand at the very same moment in complete unison. He fell where he stood and Anna fell on top of Grete to protect her when the shooting started..
Nick slowly pulled her up and she fell into his arms.
Heath kneeled down next to Grete checking on her. There was blood on her gown. His stomach sickened.
"I am here honey, I am here."
"Kai?"
He ignored her question and cradled her.
Nick noticed the large gash on Anna's forearm where she took the butt of the gun. He was furious.
Jarrod asked Anna, "Where is Lissy?"
"Upstairs with that man—-we heard a gunshot."
"The boys?"
"We don't know." Anna said with grief.
Nick grabbed Anna, "Come with me. We will find the boys."
"Last time we knew, Butch was heading to the pens. Patrice too."
He didn't hear her response. Jarrod ran full speed towards the back stairs praying to find her safe.