Chapter 24

If Jarrod was surprised by Heath's revelation, he managed to hide his reaction and waited patiently for his brother to elaborate.

Lingering for a moment, Heath took a seat in the chair beside Millie that Jarrod had vacated. Jarrod brought over another chair and set it down beside him and as they watched over the sleeping girl, he began to tell the story of his sister. "A few years after I was born, my mother met another man and they married. A little over a year later, Matilda was born. My stepfather, James Tyson, was killed in a mining accident when she was three. She was five when I left home, that was the last time I saw her. A few months later I got a letter home from my mother, saying she'd died of diphtheria." He paused for a moment to pull the note from his pocket. "I dug up her grave, found this in the empty coffin."

Taking the note from him, Jarrod read it through. Shaking his head as he finished reading he looked back up at his brother. "I'm sorry Heath. I can't imagine how much of a shock this all must be for you."

"Least I know the truth now." Being given the note back he returned it to his pocket. "My mother, she never knew Matilda was still alive. Losing her… My Mama was never the same." He paused for a moment, deep in thought. "If only I'd found out earlier…"

Millie stirred a little and Jarrod was by her side in an instant, sitting down on the bed beside her.

"S-sick." She murmured weakly, her stomach in knots. "G-gonna throw up."

Motioning for Heath to hand him the basin, he helped her sit up and the basin was placed beneath her chin just in time. Again Millie threw up the meager amount of water she'd drunk earlier on and when she'd finished, she slumped against him in exhaustion. Jarrod frowned upon feeling the heat radiating from her and placed his hand on her forehead to confirm his suspicion. She was warmer then she had been earlier, her fever worsening. "Feel better now sweetheart?" He questioned as Heath placed the basin aside.

A meager nod was her response and after a moment, once she was able to grasp better to reality, she found that Jarrod wasn't alone. "Heath… When did you get here?" She wondered, seeing him crouched down in front of her.

"Only a little while ago." He replied, struggling to keep his voice steady as he looked up at his little sister. "How are you feelin'?" He asked as he placed his hand on her knee.

"Been... better."

"I bet."

"Wanna… Want to lie down again."

"You don't want to try drinking first?" Jarrod suggested.

Millie shook her head. "Too... Too tired."

"Alright, you just rest then. I'm right here." Gently lying her back down as Heath left to take care of cleaning out the basin, Jarrod ran his fingers through her hair until it appeared she'd gone back to sleep. With the reveal that Millie was really Matilda, Heath's half-sister, that defiantly changed things now. Numerous questions were going through his own mind, especially the one of what he was going to do now regarding custody of her. He'd been planning on requesting to adopt her at their next custody review but now...

Heath returned, asking exactly the same question that Jarrod was ruminating over. "What now, Jarrod?" He took up residence in the chair beside her bed once more as Jarrod continued to sit on the bed next to his sister, holding her hand. "She needs a doctor. Why isn't there one here?'

"We tried to find a doctor but there isn't one around here. Alder's doctor is out somewhere in the mountains in the mining camps. Closest doctor from here is Angel's Camp."

Hearing that, he rubbed his chin with worried expression on his face as he looked at his sister and thought over his older brother's words. "That's a day's ride from here and over hard country to boot."

"And a day back, if there is even one there." Jarrod pointed out. "Nick was able to bring back some supplies from the doctor's office so we've been able to take care of her wounds and clean her up but there's nothing more we can do. We decided that in the morning Nick will go to town and see if he can purchase a wagon and we'll start back to Senora. If we're lucky, we can make the afternoon train back to Stockton."

"Jarrod..."

"Can you think of another solution?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "We don't have much of choice now, do we?" He voiced out loud, his brother not replying to his statement. Heath knew Jarrod was right though given her condition, a long wagon ride was not going to be pleasant for her but unfortunately they weren't left any other alternative. "What happened to Matilda?"

"Nick and I found her chained up in the shed behind the barn, she'd been there since Alton left her there Monday. She hasn't drunk or eaten since. We've been trying to get water and some food into her but... Well, you've seen the result."

Hearing that, Heath grew angry. "Where is that son of a b**** now?"

"We don't know. The Sheriff is out looking for him now. I promise you Heath, he won't get away with this. He will be made to pay for what he's done, one way or the other." Jarrod paused. "Right now though, we need to stay focused on Matilda. Nick is keeping guard in case Alton does show up here. We will deal with him later, we need to take care of her first."

Nodding in agreement, he looked back down at his sister. "I don't know if taking her to Senora in her condition is a good idea but gettin' a doc from Angel's Camp, I don't know if she'd hold on till then either. She's bad off Jarrod."

"I know."

"Her throwin' up like that, that's not good. From the look of her face, I'd take a guess the rest of her is in pretty poor shape."

Heath wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know but Jarrod didn't say anything. "Alton gave her a thorough beating before he whipped her. We had to change her into clean clothes after we finished with her wounds." He shook her head and looked back down at her as he kept rubbing her hand with his thumb. "He really gave her a hiding."

He had to swallow the lump threatening to rise in his throat again. "Jarrod, if she's been beaten up that bad... I saw somethin' similar once a few years back. An old cowboy I knew got roughed up pretty bad in a saloon fight but he seemed to be alright. Few days later, he just dropped dead without much warning other then vomiting. Doc said he'd bled to death internally."

"I've been worried about that too." Jarrod admitted quietly. "But until we get her to a doctor, there's nothing more we can do." He paused for a moment, deciding Heath was better off knowing everything now rather than find out later. "There's one other thing." At that, his brother looked back to him. "She's been shot too."

"Shot?" He repeated with disbelief. "Jarrod, you've got to be joking."

"I wish I was."

"Where?"

"Her leg. It's a through and through but it's badly infected. I've cleaned it out the best I could but that's all I can do." Jarrod sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Heath, I wish I had better news."

Heath had to rein in those emotions once more. "God Jarrod... I can't believe this. That animal..." His voice was laced with restrained anger as the expression in his eyes turned deadly. "Just give me five minuets alone with him and we'll see how he likes a taste of his own medicine."

"Well you'd best get in line behind Nick and myself, brother Heath."

"He'd better not turn up here..." He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus his attention to his sister. "Jarrod..." His tone was grave as he observed her sleeping. "I dunno if she's gonna hold on till we can get her to a doc. I... I can't believe she's made it this far after..."

"I won't make empty promises to you Heath, I've been thinking that too but we don't have another option. We can only pray she's strong enough to pull through."

"Is there a doctor in Senora?"

"Not one that I'd trust to look after a cat, let alone Matilda. She needs someone with more experience then the town barber." Standing, Jarrod lingered for a moment as he looked down at the girl then back at his brother. "I'll give you some time alone with her, I'll go keep watch with Nick." He said, patting Heath on the shoulder as he went to leave. "Do try to get some rest though, it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

The sun finally started peeking over the mountains as morning arrived, none of the men having had much sleep during the night. Between taking turns to watch over Matilda and keeping guard in case Cade returned to the ranch, there hadn't been much time for them to be sleeping. They weren't the only ones to not have a good night either, between the constant throbbing of her leg and the throwing up, the young woman hadn't been able to get much rest at all. The only consolation to her was that she was no longer going through this alone, either Jarrod, Nick or Heath were there when she would wake, keeping watch over her.

She could rest knowing she was safe.

Unbeknownst to her however was the turn of events Heath had told Jarrod about when he'd returned to his brothers. When Jarrod had left him with Matilda, he'd gone to tell Nick about what had been found in Strawberry. Upon it being revealed for certain that Millie was actually their younger brother's half sister Matilda, Nick was dumbfounded to say the least. It was certainly a surprise to them all to find out the truth but they didn't have much time to think over what had happened for they had more pressing matters to attend to. There'd be time for it all later but firstly they had to get Matilda to a doctor.

Nick left at first light, heading back to Alder to purchase a wagon or buggy for them to transport Matilda home in while Jarrod and Heath prepared her for them to leave. Time was against them in more ways than one. They needed to be on the road as soon as they could if they had a hope of making it back to Senora before the train to Stockton departed. Getting her back home to Stockton was their only chance to get her help but if she could hold on till then, that was another matter entirely. She was weakening, her fever having worsened during the night as the infection took a stronger hold of her. Her body had been fighting it off for as long as it could but without the proper care and nourishment to keep her strength up, her body just couldn't keep it up any longer.

Having left Heath to stay with his sister, Jarrod took care of readying their horses and their gear to move out while they waited for Nick to return. Not willing to admit the full extent of his concerns of Matilda's condition to either of his brothers, he'd remained silent. Both of them were already visibly worried enough, he didn't need to further add to their burden by his thoughts. Tacking up Jingo, deep in his own mind, he had to stop for a moment as his emotions got the better of him. He'd managed to keep it together through the night for his brothers and Matilda but out here in the barn alone, he couldn't hold back his tears any longer.

How could anyone be so cruel?

He loved that girl with his whole heart like she were a daughter to him and to see her lying in that bed, fighting for her life because of Cade Alton, was more than he could bear.

While he'd never met the man in his life, with knowing what he'd put Audra through and after witnessing firsthand what he'd done to Matilda, he held a hatred for him he didn't know he was even capable of having within himself.

Pulling himself back together, he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Nick would be back soon and they needed to be ready to leave as soon as he arrived. They had almost thirty miles to cover before the three o'clock train to Stockton pulled out, another train not leaving until ten the next day. They had no choice but to be on that train if they were to have any chance of being able to save Matilda. They had to get her to a doctor.

Even then it might prove to be too late to save her but they had to try.

Tossing his saddle over Jingo's back he tightened the cinch around the gelding's stomach. If he could hardly stand to see how Matilda had been treated, then how much Heath be feeling? After thinking his sister had been dead for the last ten years only to find out that she, was in fact, alive, that was enough of a shock within itself and to then find her subjected to the torture she'd endured… He didn't know how Heath was managing to keep it together.

Heath, in fact, felt like he was doing a very poor job of that.

After Jarrod had left him with Matilda, Heath had finally allowed his emotions a loose rein and shed silent tears over her as he kept vigil by her side. The bits and pieces of what she'd said about her past came back to him and combined with the knowledge Jarrod had shared with the family from the notes he'd gotten from everyone, he was able to paint a horrible picture of what his little sister had gone through in the years she'd been out on her own. Knowing that his Uncle and Aunt were responsible for giving her away and keeping her away from them, his hatred for them intensified. They had no right, no right in doing what they'd done and ultimately, his little sister had paid the price.

If he ever saw them again, it would be too soon. Much too soon.

His Aunt… He knew she was a vicious woman but he could never have imagined that she would be so cruel as to have done what she did. His Uncle was gutless, he'd always been a coward at heart. If only his Uncle had stood up against her when Martha had wanted to get rid of Matilda then she wouldn't have been here now. He could have stopped her, he could have stopped everything but he hadn't. He'd made his choice and they were left to pick up the pieces he'd left behind.

He hardly noticed when Nick had come in to let him know he was leaving for town or when Jarrod had come in to check on them during the night. All he could think about was her. How could he feel any differently? Even though they'd been separated all these years, deep down in his heart he knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was his sister. Why hadn't he figured it out sooner? Yes, there had been a couple hints here and there but having thought she'd been dead all this time, he'd never thought twice to look more closely at them.

He'd failed her.

He just hoped and prayed that she would pull through so that he could have a chance to make it up to her. To be the brother that she deserved.

His thoughts were interrupted once again when Jarrod returned to the room."How is she?" He questioned softly as he joined him.

"Still holdin' on." Heath replied, his brother taking up the chair beside him. "I just… I could never have expected this, you know." He said after a time as he continued holding onto Matilda's hand, his sister lying on her side on the bed next to him. She lay there motionless, apart from the shallow rise and fall of her chest, having fallen back asleep after another vomiting episode she'd had sometime earlier. "All these years, she was alive. I never knew. If I'd have known, I could have done somethin'. Anythin'. Maybe spared her from all this."

Jarrod placed his arm around Heath's shoulders.

"I feel like I've failed her, Jarrod." Heath turned to his brother. "When she was born, the first time I held her in my arms, I promised her I would take care of her. I would protect her. And now…" He shook his head as his voice trailed off, that lump rising again in his throat.

"I know." Jarrod let out a heavy sigh. "I know somewhat how you are feeling. I promised her I would keep her safe and if only I'd known… If only she'd been able to tell me." He paused for a moment. "But Heath, what has happened, it's not our fault. Blaming ourselves, it won't help anyone. Circumstances beyond our control led to this. We did the best we could with what we knew. We got here as soon as we could, we couldn't have done more."

"Brothers are supposed to protect their sisters." Heath replied sadly. "And I let mine down. All these years she was less than thirty miles from home and I had no idea."

"You couldn't have known-"

"But I should have. I should have felt somethin' in here." He insisted, poking his chest with his finger over his heart. "I should have known she was alive but I didn't."

"You were just a boy Heath, you can't be hard on yourself for something you had no control over. You're in her life now, that's what matters."

"But for how long, Jarrod? I only just found her and to think I could lose her all over again…" It was more then he could bear and he couldn't hold back any longer.

As Heath began to sob softly, Jarrod's heart ached for his brother. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. Heath had already been through so much in his short life and this was another blow he didn't need. He didn't deserve this. Not after everything else he'd already endured. He wished there was something he could do or say that would help ease his brother's pain but there was nothing he could do. Instead, he sent a prayer heavenward for both his brother and little Matilda as he sat with his arm around his younger sibling.

The soft sounds of someone crying was what stirred Millie back to reality, the girl struggling to force her eyes to open. She was weary, her body felt like it was being crushed with an exhaustion she'd never experienced before but someone was crying and she wanted to know what was going on. As her vision cleared and she was able to focus she realized Jarrod and Heath were in the room with her and Heath was the one crying. She'd never seen him cry before. In fact, she'd never seen any of them cry. After a moment, she got the distinct feeling that she had to be the reason why he was upset. "H-Heath... I-I'll be... alright." Her voice was barely a mere whisper. "I'll be fine." She tried to reassure him.

He abruptly stopped crying upon hearing Matilda's voice and looking over, he saw his sister watching him with a worried expression on her face. "I'm... I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

She managed a tiny nod.

"I'm sorry."

"A-are you alright?" She wanted to know.

"Yeah, yeah I'm alright." He assured her, tucking a lock of her hair back behind her ear as he forced down the lump in his throat. He had to keep himself together in front of her. She needed him to be strong for her. "You feelin' any better?"

Matilda shook her head just a little.

"Do you want a drink?"

She shook her head again.

"I think I'd better give you both some time alone." Jarrod exclaimed as he rose, patting his brother on the shoulder. "I'll go keep an eye out for Nick. He should be almost back by now."

Heath nodded and his brother left as he kept stroking Matilda's hair with one hand, the other holding tightly to her hand. Gazing at her with loving eyes, he wanted to convert every little detail of her to memory. His little sister. She'd changed from what he'd remembered, she'd grown up but one thing that hadn't changed in all these years was those amber brown eyes. She had the same eyes as their mother, the same face shape and beneath the bruises, the faintest dusting of freckles adorned her cheeks.

"Take a photo…." Millie was beginning to feel uncomfortable with how closely Heath was looking at her. "It'd last... longer." She said, closing her eyes. "I-I can't look... look that hideous."

Heath couldn't help but chuckle at her humor. "Sorry."

"I-I must… Must look a sight."

"A right pretty one at that."

The slightest touch of a smile came to her lips.

"Millie…" He started, hesitating and after a moment, she opened her eyes again.

"Yes?"

"Millie, I… I need to tell you something. Well… Actually show you something."

"M-my locket." She exclaimed when she recognized the object that Heath withdrew from his pocket. "H-how?"

"Jeanie, the saloon girl in Gold Springs but that's a story for another time, when you're feeling better, alright?" He paused for a moment, looking down at the locket as he tried to find the right words to say. "Millie, you told me once this locket belonged to your mother."

She nodded just a little.

"It belonged to my mother too." Heath said, looking back up at her. "We share the same mother Millie."

"You… You're my… B-brother?" She questioned when it finally dawned on her what he was suggesting.

Heath nodded.

"How?"

"It's a long story, one that I'll have to explain to you later when you're feelin' better and maybe you can help me put together the pieces that I'm missin'." He paused for a moment, tucking back her hair over her ear. "You're my half-sister, Matilda. Matilda Thompson-Tyson. When we were little, I used to call you Matildy or Tildy. Do you remember?"

She shook her head. "I-I don't remember much from when I was little… Matilda…" She repeated. "I-I like it." Heath chuckled a little as tears came to her eyes and she bit her lip as she felt herself on the verge of crying. She didn't know. She hadn't known what her real name was. If it wasn't bad enough that she was taken from her real family, Hosea and Ruth had taken her name from her also. Her name wasn't really Missie Williams or Millie Anders. She was Matilda Tyson, Heath Barkley's half-sister. "I-I didn't... didn't know."

"Is Millie what they called you?"

"N-no. My name was Missie. That's what… That's what Cade... knows me by."

"And Millie…?"

"So he couldn't... find me… And so I couldn't get sent back."

Heath nodded in understanding. He had to hand it to her, his little sister had smarts. No wonder they hadn't been able to find anything about her past when they'd gone looking. "So… What do you say to us callin' you Matilda from now on?"

"I-I'd like that." She smiled a little up at him. "But… But I thought…" Her expression turned serious once more. "Y-you left me. Why? Why did you leave?"

"I didn't want to, believe me. It wasn't by choice. I had to go." Heath took hold of her hand again. "I had to help provide for us after your father, my step-father, was killed. The army was paying thirteen dollars a month, it was more than I could have ever earned at home. Leaving meant I could send back money to Mama to help keep you both fed."

"But you… You never... came back." Tears again welled in her eyes. "I-I waited. I hoped you'd come for me. You never did."

Heath felt his heart breaking a little more. "I didn't know you'd been given away. Uncle Matt, Aunt Martha, they lied to Mama. They said you died. We didn't know you were alive. We didn't know. If I'd have known…" His voice cracked. "I'd have come. I'd have come and taken you home."

Her eyes searched his face closely in order to decide if he was telling the truth or not. For so long she'd come to her own conclusions about what had happened to her but presented with the facts, how could she hold it against him? If he genuinely hadn't known she was alive…

"Please forgive me, Matildy."

Matilda felt her tears overflow down her cheeks. "There's nothing… To forgive... you for... It wasn't... your fault." Mustering what little strength she could, she squeezed his hand. "But… If you need to hear it... I forgive you."

Heath swallowed back the lump in his throat. "I'm gonna make it up to you, Tildy. I promise. I'll be the best brother a girl could ever have."

"You already are." She told him softly. "I-I'm gettin'... tired Heath…"

"I'm sorry. We can talk later. I just… I wanted you to know."

Nodding a little, her eyes closed again.

"Get some rest lil sis. I'm right here."

As Nick brought the wagon and team he'd purchased in town to a stop outside the house, Jarrod came out to meet him. "How's Matilda?"

"Still with us. How'd you go in town?"

"See for yourself. Got it as cozy in there as can be." He replied, motioning to the back of the covered wagon as he applied the brake, jumping down from the driver's seat while Jarrod went to check it out. Inside the wagon was a thick layer of straw with canvas laid over the top of it and on top of that, a thick mattress. "It'll have to do."

Seeing what his brother had been able to pull together on such short notice, Jarrod nodded in approval. "It'll do the job."

"I hope so, paid a pretty penny for this all. You 'bout ready to get movin'?"

"We're ready. I'll go bring Matilda down."

"How's Heath?"

"I don't know. He had a short talk with her earlier, she knows now about them being related." He paused, his thoughts turning to other equally as important matters. "The Sheriff had any luck in tracking down Alton yet?"

"None so far. I for one wouldn't mind a moment with him…" At the mention of the monster who'd dared lay a hand the young woman, Nick's voice had dropped to a low growl. "See how he likes havin' a taste of his own medicine."

"The law will deal with him Nick-"

"And if it doesn't? If he comes after her again, what then?"

"Then we deal with it as it comes. There's no need for us to go borrowing trouble, we've got enough of that already. You got that wire off to Senora?"

"Yeah, I got it off."

"Good. I'll go get Matilda and we'll get moving." With that Jarrod headed back up the stairs into the house and made his way up to the bedroom. Matilda appeared to be sleeping again as he walked in, Heath looking up from her upon hearing him.

"I take it we're ready to leave then?" His brother asked.

He nodded as he crouched down beside the bed. "Matilda, honey..." He gently placed his hand on her shoulder where he wouldn't hurt her wounds. "It's time to wake up."

After a moment, her eyes flickered open. "Jarrod…"

"We're leaving now sweetheart, Nick's got a wagon all ready for you." Jarrod explained. "You'll be home soon, don't you worry now." He felt her forehead, her skin still much warmer then he'd hoped to find it. "Have you been able to get any more water into her?" He directed his question at his brother.

Heath shook his head. "I've been trying Jarrod but she keeps throwin' it right back up again."

"Makes me feel sick…" She added, looking up sadly at him. "I'm sorry... I try... to keep it down..."

"I know. It's not your fault sweetheart." He went to brush her less bruised cheek with the back of his hand but she flinched away as she saw his hand approaching and inwardly, he chastised himself as he withdrew his hand back. Of course she was going to be averse to touch after what she'd just been through. "Sorry honey, I forgot."

"It's not... Not you..." She assured him. "Cade... He-he'd do that... To me." She paused as memories came back to her. "P-please... I-I can... handle you... touching my cheek... I-I trust you... But don't ever... ever... call me kitten... understood?"

Jarrod nodded. "Of course sweetheart."

"Was that his pet name for you?" Heath wondered out loud.

"Yes..."

When she didn't elaborate further, Jarrod returned to matters at hand. "We've got to get you down to the wagon, who do you want to carry you down? Me or Heath?"

"You…" While the other might be her brother, Jarrod was the only one she trusted enough right now. "Please."

"Alright. Heath, would you mind grabbing those saddlebags from over there and this bedroll?" His brother nodded and rose, Jarrod turning back to Matilda. "I'll be as gentle as I can be. I'm going to button up your dress now, we need to keep these wounds clean."

She nodded, closing her eyes again as Jarrod carefully buttoned up the back of her dress. Feeling the material on her raw wounds brought fresh tears to her eyes but it was nothing compared to the throbbing she'd endured so far from her leg. She could cope with it. She had to.

"Alright, up you come now." He helped her to sit up now that her dress had been buttoned and when she was sitting, slipped one arm beneath her legs and the other around her back. She began whimpering in pain as he picked her up, her head resting on his shoulder. "You're alright. You're alright... This won't take long honey. It's alright."

With Matilda in Jarrod's arms, Heath was able to grab the bedroll now she'd been lying on and after rolling it up he followed them downstairs. Watching his brother with his sister he couldn't help but feel a sting of jealousy that Matilda was closer to Jarrod then she was to him. However, what could he expect? He'd only just found out that she was his sister. How would things change now because of that? Jarrod had been all set to take permanent custody of her, he'd told them before that he thought of her as a daughter and for anyone who saw them interacting together, they could be described as such. After all, it really shouldn't have surprised him that she'd chosen Jarrod; he'd spent the most time with her but it still didn't sit well with him.

Exiting the house onto the front porch, Jarrod was about to carry Matilda down to the wagon stopped out front where Nick was waiting for them when in the distance, rapidly approaching, they all could hear the sound of hoof-beats. Coming down the road was someone on horseback, riding in fast and the three men stopped where they were as the rider came into the ranch yard.

Nick's eyes turned deadly upon immediately recognizing the man.

"Just what do you think you're doing!?" Cade roared as he pulled his horse to a hard stop in-front of the house, the poor gelding throwing his head in the air as the bit cut into his tender mouth. "This is private property, you have no right to be here-"