"We only have a week before school starts again," Corey said as he tread water in the pond.

"Yeah," Jaycee agreed. "I saw Mrs. Drummond yesterday when she got off the train."

"That's the teacher, right?" Cole asked. "What's she like?"

"She's all right," Sam answered, "Her husband was killed in the war."

"Ben seems to think a lot of her," Cole told them.

"Ben thinks a lot of everyone," Jaycee said. "Even you!"

"Hey!" Cole said, reaching over to try to push his friend under the water, but Jaycee evaded the attempt.

"Hi there," a strange voice broke in, and all of the boys turned toward the bank to find a man sitting on a dappled gray gelding. He was thin, with graying hair, and smiled as if his face wasn't used to doing it. "Nice day for a swim."

"Sure is," Cole told him. "Can we help you, mister?"

"I'm looking for the Diamond D Ranch."

"You're on it," Cole answered.

The man looked around. "I'm looking for an old friend - Nick Everett. Do you boys know him?"

"Sure we do!" Jaycee said. "Mr. Everett's -"

"Not at the house right now," Cole broke in quickly, ignoring the look at the other three gave him. "He's in town." He pointed in the direction of Providence. "That way."

"Thank you," the man said before turning his horse in that direction and riding away.

Cole watched him leave, waving away Jaycee's words. "Why'd you tell him that your Pa was in town? He told us before he left that he wouldn't be leaving until we got back."

"Shh," Cole told him, continuing to watch until the man was out of sight.

"What's wrong, Cole?" Sam wanted to know as Cole waded out of the pond, grabbing his shirt and using it to dry off before pulling on his clothes and boots.

"You guys stay here. I need to go talk to Pa." He got onto Ranger's back and turned the horse toward the house at a fast gallop.

======================

Cole leapt off of his horse and left it in front of the house, taking the steps two at a time. "Pa!" he called out, going into the parlor. It was empty. "Pa?!" he called again.

"Something wrong, son?" Nick asked from the landing. Jess was behind him, holding Caleb. Nick was fastening his cuffs as he came down the stairs. "I was upstairs getting ready to go into town."

"I'm not sure, but - we were swimming at the pond when a stranger rode up and asked if we knew where you were."

"A stranger?" Nick asked. "Did you send him this way?"

"No, I told him you were in town."

"Why did you do that, Cole?" Jess wanted to know.

"The man - he - there was something about him that, - I got cold chills - and it wasn't because I was in the water."

"What did he look like?"

"Medium height, graying hair that looked like it needed a wash. He was riding a dappled gray gelding."

"It could have been anyone," Nick told him. "If he was going to town, I'll probably see him there."

"Be careful. I mean what I said - he looked like someone who could be trouble."

============================

The man who had talked to Cole and his friends was met on the edge of town by another man who frowned in confusion. "What are you doing here, Charlie?" he asked.

Charlie stared down the street beyond the other man. "Looking for Everett, of course."

"He's not here yet. I've been out here riding within sight of town all afternoon - he hasn't come in."

"Are you sure, Gene? I ran into some boys out on the Donager place that told me he was here."

"I'm sure. Those boys lied to you."

"It was only one boy - the others looked surprised. Dark hair, blue eyes-"

"Sounds like it could be Everett's older son," Gene said.

"His son?"

"He and his wife adopted a couple of kids - that one and a baby."

"Interesting," Charlie said. "So it was his kid who sent me away from Everett." He grinned at his friend. "Maybe he can be of use in our little - enterprise."

========================

Jess and Nick watched as Cole rode back out to join his friends again. "Nick, do you think he could be right?"

"The man could be anyone, Jess," he told her. "An old friend -"

"Or an old enemy," she added. "You've made more than a few of those, I'm sure."

"I'll keep an eye out," he told her.

"What about riding home tonight? If someone is out to -"

Nick reached out and pulled her close for a kiss. "I'm going to take a page out of your book, darlin'. I can take care of myself. Now, I'll see you later."

"Early, if possible? I'll worry. And I'm sure that Cole will as well."

"I have no doubt that he'll still be awake no matter what time I come in. I know you will be, as well." Another kiss, and a tap on Caleb's chin. "I'll see you later. I love you."

"I love you," she replied as she always did before watching him ride away. Holding onto the baby's hand, Jess said, "Dear Lord, watch over him tonight and bring him safely home."

====================

"I saw that Spirit was gone when I put Ranger away," Cole said to Jess as they started downstairs for supper. "I guess he went to town anyway?"

"You knew that he would. I'm sure he'll be fine. Did you see the man again after you went back out to the pond?"

"No. And I had to explain to the guys why I told him that Pa was in town when we all knew he wasn't. Jaycee and Sam said they'd let me know tomorrow if they see him there."

"It could simply be that he's an old friend of Nick's," she said.

But Cole was already shaking his head. "No. I can't explain, but I just had a feeling about that man. He's not a friend, Ma."

========================

Nick was already deep into a hand of poker when a man that fit Cole's description of the stranger came into the saloon and went to the bar. There was something vaguely familiar about the man, but Nick couldn't place him. The man spoke to Jake, who nodded in the direction of the game as he handed the man a glass of whiskey.

"Your play, Gene," Nick told the man sitting to his left.

"Fold," Gene said, putting his cards down. "That just leaves you and Leroy, I believe. Again."

Nick's eyes narrowed. "Well, Leroy?"

Leroy sighed and shook his head. "Isn't it time for you to take a break, Nick?" he asked.

Nick gathered the cards, then grinned. "You know, you're right." He handed the deck over to Leroy and got up from the table after picking up his winnings.

"Nick Everett?"

Nick went still, looking at the man. "Yes, Mr -"

"You don't remember me, do you?"

"I'm sorry," Nick apologized, shaking his head until something about the man's eyes - "Thornton, isn't it? Sergeant Thornton."

"Yes, sir, Lieutenant. Charlie Thornton. Haven't been called Sergeant since -"

Nick nodded as Thornton's voice trailed off. Soon after Nick's transfer to the War Deparment, he had been tasked with defending Sergeant Charlie Thornton for treason, but had gotten the charges changed to simple desertion. He had managed to keep the Army from shooting the man, but he had still been sent to prison. "Your sentence -"

"They cut five years off of my sentence for behaving myself, sir."

"Nick, please. I haven't been in the Army for a long time. How did you find me?" Nick questioned. He had still been Lt. Nick Nelson during the war.

"I still know a few men that were willing to talk to me. A couple of them told me that you changed your name and came West." Thornton finished his whiskey, putting the empty glass down. "Another one," he told Jake.

"It's on the house, Jake," Nick told the bartender. "What are your plans?"

"Don't really have any yet. I've been working ranches here and there - "

"Tell you what, my wife and her brother own the Diamond D - I'm sure they could find you a job if you'd like -"

"Sounds good to me," Charlie told him. "I - uh, I want to apologize for the way I acted after my trial. The things I said. I was a little crazy."

"So you don't want to kill me for losing your case?" Nick asked.

"Of course not. I know that you did your best. I didn't give you much to work with. You managed to keep them from charging me with treason as well as desertion, so I should be grateful for that, too." While Thornton had joined the Union Army at the start of the war, he had family in the south - and had discovered that the possibility of fighting and possibly killing some of them made it impossible for him to continue to fight at all.

"Tell you what, why don't you come out to the ranch on Monday - we don't do much work around here on Sunday, so -"

"I'll be there on Monday," Charlie told him. "Thanks for the drink."

Nick watched him leave. "You know him, I guess," Jake said as he picked up the empty glass.

"He was one of my first clients in the Army. I tried to defend him on a charge of desertion. Unsuccessfully. He threatened to kill me and the entire trial board when he was found guilty."

"So why are you going to get him a job at the ranch? I'd think you'd want to keep him as far away as possible."

"You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

=======================

Jess was putting Caleb into his cradle when she heard Cole's bedroom door close. Looking into the hall, she saw him going toward the front stairs and followed him, watching as he only hesitated a second before grabbing his gunbelt from the wall hook and fastening it on his hips.

He was just finishing when she reached the bottom stair and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Going to meet Pa and ride back with him," he told her. "Guess you're gonna try and stop me."

"You're really worried, aren't you?"

Cole turned to look at her. "Yes. You didn't see that man. He was smiling, but there was something about his smile that looked - like he didn't really mean it. Maybe it was his eyes. They were cold. Don't worry, if Pa gets upset that I came out, I'll tell him you didn't know what I was up to."

"No, tell him that I gave you my permission. Stay on the road - getting off of it in the dark can be dangerous unless you know it well."

He nodded and gave her a quick kiss before leaving the house. She said another prayer as she returned to the bedroom to await his return with Nick.

=======================

Just outside of town, Nick began to feel as though he were being watched. He slowed Spirit's pace, listening, and thought he heard what sounded like another horse shadowing him. For a moment, he considered moving off the road to the short cut, but opted to stay on the main road as the noise faded. He thought it might have been the echo of his horse's hooves on the dirt, and returned Spirit back to a fast walk.

But when he heard a noise ahead of him, Nick's hand dropped to his gun. "Who's there?" he asked.

"It's me, Pa," Cole's voice replied as Ranger appeared on the road.

Nick brought Spirit to a stop. "What in the world are you doing out here at this time of night?" he asked. "I might have shot you."

"I just wanted to make sure you got home okay," Cole explained. "Ma said it would be all right."

"She knew you were coming to meet me?"

"She did."

Nick kicked Spirit to a trot this time, and Cole turned to ride beside him. "I'm sorry if you're angry -"

"No, son," Nick told him, "I'm not angry. Nice to know that you care enough to be worried."

"I just kept thinking about that man earlier -"

"He came into the saloon - at least, I think it was him. The description matches anyway."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Charlie Thornton. He was one of the first cases I handled in the Army as an attorney. I was ordered to defend him against a charge of desertion."

"He deserted? During the war?"

"Yes. He ran away during a battle instead of following his orders to lead some men into the fight. I lost the case - but I was able to convince the court not to have him shot or hanged. He was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison."

"And he's already out?"

"He only had to serve ten years - he was given an early release due to good behavior."

"So why did he come and find you?"

"To tell me that he doesn't bear me any ill will for what happened."

"So he's leaving again?"

"Not right away. He said he was looking for a job in the area - I told him I thought your Uncle Kevin might be looking for a hand."

"What?! Pa! Didn't you hear anything I said earlier? He's dangerous!"

Nick pulled back on the reins. "Cole." He waited for the boy to stop his horse and look at him. "He served his time and deserves a chance to rebuild his life. Can you understand that?"

"I guess so."

"Then let's get home. It's late, and we have church tomorrow morning."

"I'll be awake and ready," Cole said.

"I haven't said it, but thank you for continuing to go to church even though it's been over a month. I know we had an agreement -"

"Really, it's not that bad. I'm learning a lot - I guess the way you feel about this man - Thornton? I guess that's part of it in a way, isn't it?"

"Partly. Com'on, let's go."

==================

Nick wasn't surprised when Jess reaction to his story was similar to Cole's - especially since he included the part about Thornton's threat to kill Nick when the court martial was finished.

"Are you out of your mind?" she asked, only barely remembering to keep her voice low when Nick glanced in the direction of the cradle. "I don't care if he *did* say he'd changed his mind, Nick. He doesn't -" she paused as he handed her his coat and vest to hang up, "He doesn't need to be here at the ranch."

Sighing, he unfastened his shirt cuffs. "Jess, darlin', as I told Cole, Thornton has served his time, and has a right to rebuild his life. As his defense attorney, I should be part of that process."

"And what if he's lying?" she asked.

"About what? Not wanting to kill me?"

"Yes!" Caleb stirred as her voice rose slightly, and she went over to rock the cradle in an attempt to keep him from fully waking. "It could put us all in danger."

"And what better place for him to be than right here where there are people to keep an eye on him?"

"I still don't like it," she insisted. Finally satisfied that the baby was sound asleep, she moved to 'help' unbutton Nick's shirt. "But I'm not going to argue with you about it."

"Thank you," he said, linking his hands behind her back as she worked. "I was afraid you might."

"But I'll be keeping my derringer handy while he's here."

"Speaking of which - did you notice that Cole was wearing his gun tonight?"

"I did. I saw him put it on before he left, but I didn't mention it to him. He was really worried."

"And you weren't? You let him go to meet me."

"I didn't say that I wasn't worried - and a few months ago, I probably would have done the same thing."

Nick pulled her close as she finished with his shirt and gave her a long kiss. "Let me finish getting undressed and clean up and I'll join you in bed," he told her.

"I'll be waiting," Jess said, moving away from him. She turned and smiled at him over her shoulder as she added, "darlin'." The smile widened further as Nick's eyes narrowed in response.

=========================

"So what now?" Gene asked Charlie Thornton as they met at the camp they had established not far from town, just off of the Diamond D.

"He's going to get me a job on the ranch. Probably to keep an eye on me. I doubt that he fully believes my assurance that I don't hate him."

"What about the kid?" Gene wanted to know.

"He won't be a problem."

"He came out to meet Everett tonight on the ride out of town. I couldn't risk following close enough to hear what they were sayin, though."

"You let me handle it. Stay in town another couple of nights, then go find Reese and Leon."

"Why do we need them?"

"I need them. That's all you need to know. Once Everett's out of our way, we can use Providence as our base. Tell Reese that he's not to do anything in this area until I send word. From what you've told me, this town is full of sheep - once their shepherd is gone, they'll need someone to fill in the gap."

"What about the Donagers? They're big guns locally."

"I told you to let me handle it. This is one fight that I'm not going to run from."

===================

Nick wasn't really surprised when Charlie Thornton attended church the next morning. He was respectful, but kept to himself, nodding a greeting as the family arrived. "That's him, Ma," Cole said, leaning forward in his seat to touch her shoulder. "The man next to the cemetery gate."

"Don't stare, Cole," Nick admonished his son.

"He's not going to church is he?"

"Is there a reason why he shouldn't go to church?" Nick asked.

"Hey, Cole!" Jaycee called, waving him over.

"Excuse me," Cole said to the family.

Kevin joined Nick and Jess. "Who is that?" he asked.

"I'll tell you about him after church," Nick said, watching as Cole joined his friends.

==================

"Didja' see him over there?" Sam asked Cole.

"Yeah. I saw him. My Pa's convinced he's harmless."

"Did you find out who he is?" Jaycee wanted to know.

"Pa defended him during the war -"

"Cole! Time to go in!"

Cole sighed. "Talk to you later," he said, turning toward the church.

Nick put an arm around his shoulders as they turned toward the steps. "Cole, I'd rather you not tell anyone about the reason Thornton was tried and convicted by the Army."

"But -"

"It's up to him if he wants people to know. You can say that I represented him in a court-martial, but only that. Do you understand?"

"No, I don't understand. But I won't say anything," Cole told him as they entered the church just in time to sit down before Bro. Andrew stepped up to the pulpit.

==================

As the church began to empty into the street, Nick told Jess that he'd be right back and began looking around. "Charlie!" he called when he finally saw the man crossing the street.

"Good morning," Charlie said as Nick caught up to him, then grinned. "I guess that should be good afternoon, shouldn't it?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were aware that there's Sunday dinner provided free of charge at the Cafe -"

"I was heading that way. Someone mentioned it before church began." He looked at the carriage where Jess and Lily were seated. "They said that the red head is your wife, too."

"Yes. Don't forget about tomorrow morning -"

"I'll be there as I said I would."

"Good."

=====================

Cole was helping Ben into the carriage when Nick returned, and it bothered him that the young man seemed unwilling to talk to him. Instead, he fixed his blue gaze out of the surrey for the ride home.

"What's wrong, Cole?" Ben asked.

"Just trying to understand grown-ups," Cole answered. "They don't make a lot of sense sometimes."

"Yeah. Did you hear Uncle Thad say that he was going to take the splint off my arm this afternoon?"

"I missed that. So he and Aunt Elizabeth are coming to dinner?"

Ben nodded. "But they're the only ones, so we don't have to stay in our church clothes!" he announced with a smile.

==================

"Cole."

He continued to unbutton his dress shirt as he acknowledged his Pa. "Yes, sir?"

"I think we need to talk, son."

Cole shrugged as he changed shirts. "If you say so."

"I do say so." The door closed behind him. "Sit down, please."

Going to the bed, Cole sat down, still not looking at Nick. "Okay, I'm sitting."

"How would you feel if someone came into town and told people about your father?" Nick asked.

The question made Cole finally look at him. "What?"

"Answer the question, please."

"I - guess I wouldn't like it."

"You guess?"

Cole sighed. "I wouldn't like it."

"Why?"

"Because - it's none of their business. They'd look at me differently -"

"So why isn't Mr. Thornton deserving of the same privacy?"

"He is, I suppose."

"For the record, I don't think it would matter to people around here to know about your father - they know you now. But Charlie Thornton's still a stranger."

"I don't trust him, Pa," Cole insisted, and saw Nick's frustration. "I'm sorry. If Uncle Kevin hires him to work on the ranch, I won't treat him any differently than any of the other hands. But some of those hands, though - Sarge might not approve. And Jenks was in the war, too," he pointed out.

"Again, it will be up to Thornton whether or not to tell them about his past. Now, I'm sure that Mariana has dinner ready - I can smell it from up here."

"It does smell good," Cole agreed, smiling.

"First one downstairs gets an extra helping of dessert."

"You're on!" Cole agreed and took off as Nick followed, laughing.

"I won!" Cole told him as he reached the bottom step.

"You did."

Jess stood in the parlor doorway watching as they ran downstairs. "Honestly," she sighed. "I thought one of you was a grown-up."

"Not me," Nick told her, giving her a kiss on the cheek as he plucked Caleb out of her arms. "Hey there, little man."

"You're not setting a very good example for Benji," Lily pointed out as her son giggled.

"That looked like fun!" he declared.

"You do *not* run on the stairs, Benji Donager," Lily said firmly.

He sighed. "Yes, ma'am." But everyone knew he wasn't happy about it.

"That's the one thing we never did, Kevin," Jess said. "Falling while running downstairs. And that old house's stairs were narrower and steeper than these are."

"You are *no* help, Jess," Lily said, and Jess smiled.

"Oh, was I supposed to be?" she asked, and Cole chuckled.

Mariana came into the room. "Dinner is ready."

======================

"I don't know, Nick," Kevin said as he shook his head after hearing Charlie Thornton's story.

"You said yourself the other day that you needed a few more hands -"

"That's true, but - how do you know he's really done any ranch work?"

"All I'm asking you to do is give him a chance. If he doesn't work out, then fine, he can try something else, but -"

"And are you sure he's changed and doesn't still want to get back back at you for his being sent to prison?"

"Where better than a ranch with twenty other people to keep an eye on him? I'll talk to Hank and Robert, and they can keep an eye on him without everyone else knowing his history - unless he decides to tell them himself."

"You don't think that he could be a danger to anyone else? Jess, Lily, the kids - and if Cole doesn't like him -"

"Cole doesn't know him."

"Do you? You haven't seen him in over ten years - and that was in a military court-martial for desertion."

"I explained why he decided to run away. He had family in the area that he hadn't seen since he was young, and didn't want to have to kill any of them."

"I understand that - I guess. But he *did* threaten you - and what better way to carry out that threat than by hurting some of *your* family?"

Nick sighed in frustration. "Forget I asked. I'll tell him that you don't need any help -"

"Nick, I'll give him a chance."

"That's all I can ask."

"But I'm also going to watch him like a hawk."

=====================

"There," Thad told Ben. "Looks as good as new. No pain, right?"

"No, sir," Ben answered.

Thad pressed on the area of the break in his arm. "You're sure?" he asked again, but Ben didn't react.

"I'm sure." He bent the arm several times. "See? All better!"

"Good. Just stay out of abandoned mines from now on," Thad admonished.

"Don't worry, Uncle Thad. I will." He looked up at his mother. "Ma, can I go and ride Brownie for a little while?"

"I don't know -"

"I can go with him, Aunt Lily," Cole offered, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Okay. Don't go too far."

"Hooray!" Ben yelped as he and Cole left the house.

Jess saw Lily's look of concern and smiled. "Cole will look out for him, Lily."

"I know he will. He's a good boy. Although how, I don't know, with examples like you and Nick," she said with a grin.

"Cole was already a good kid when he got here," Elizabeth said. "Now, Caleb's the one that *I* worry about."

"Oh, Elizabeth," Thad sighed as he shook his head.

===================

"You were still using your father's name when you were in the Army, weren't you?" Jess asked Nick as they were preparing for bed.

Nick paused for a moment before continuing to remove his boots. "I was. I didn't change it until after the war, when I made the final decision that I wasn't going back to New York. Why do you ask?"

She sat down at the dressing table and picked up her hairbrush. "No reason," she said, beginning to brush her hair. "But - how did Thornton find you if he knew you as Lieutenant Nelson?"

Taking the brush from her, he said, "Move over", and joined her on the bench before running the brush though her hair. "He said he contacted someone who knew about my changing my name."

"He went through a lot of trouble just to find you so that he could tell you that he *doesn't* want to kill you," she noted.

Nick moved her hair aside and kissed her shoulder. "Would you feel better if I told you that I'm going to send some telegrams out tomorrow?"

"Telegrams?"

"I still have a few friends at the War Department. I'm going to ask them to send me whatever they have on Thornton's time in prison, and the status of the other members of that court-martial."

She had been watching him in the mirror, but now she turned her head to look at him. "You don't trust him. So why did you ask Kevin to give him a job?"

"I told you the other night - I can keep a better watch on him here than I can in town. Between Cole, and you and Kevin and Hank and Robert and myself, there are enough eyes that he won't be able to do anything he shouldn't."

"I'm sure that you remember something I said that night, too."

"What was that?"

"That I'll keep my derringer handy as long as he's here."

=======================

Nick sent a telegram to Washington on Monday afternoon, asking Lou to keep the answers strictly private when they arrived - and to get them into Nick's hands immediately, no matter the hour. Lou looked a bit put out by the request. "I never tell anyone else the contents of a telegram if it's not for them," he insisted. "It's part of the job. A telegrapher who doesn't do that isn't worth his salt."

"I know, Lou. But as you can see, these could be sensitive -"

"Mum's the word, Nick," he said.

"You're a good man, Lou." He tossed an extra gold piece onto the counter. "Thanks."

"Thank *you*," Lou grinned, picking up the coins before setting to work sending the telegram.

As he left, Nick started toward the saloon to talk to Jake, but just as he got to the door, he heard a voice calling his name. "Mr. Everett!"

He turned to see Sam Crane standing there. "Yes, Sam?"

"I need to talk to you for a minute - if you're not busy."

Nick moved out of the doorway toward the Cafe, and Sam followed. "What's up?"

"Well, I don't know if he told you or not, but Cole asked me and the guys to - keep an eye out for anything strange going on -"

"Strange?"

"Well, he's pretty concerned about that guy we saw at the pond on Saturday - the one who came to church on Sunday? I think Cole said his name was Charlie Thornton?"

"Yes, but I don't think you've seen him today - he started work out at the ranch this morning."

"Oh. Well, the thing is, I didn't see him, but I happened to be running an errand for my Grandpa when you were at the telegraph office - and I saw someone standing next to the door, like they were listening to what was going on inside."

"Who did you see?"

"I think he goes by Gene - I've seen him hanging out at the saloon for the last week or so - I don't know if one thing has anything to do with the other, but - well, I thought maybe you'd like to know. Just in case."

"Thank you, Sam." Nick continued to the saloon, looking around as he entered. Gene was sitting near the poker table, drinking a beer. Going to the bar, he asked Jake, "How long has he been here?"

"Just a few minutes. I think he's waiting for the game to start."

"He's leaving town tomorrow morning," Cara said as she joined them.

"How do you know that?" Nick asked.

"He told me when I took him the beer. Said he'd spent enough time here, it was time for him to move on."

"Considering that he's lost more playing cards than he's won, I'm surprised he hasn't already moved on," was Jake's comment.

"What else do you know about him?" Nick asked Cara.

"Not much. He's pretty quiet. Comes in, drinks a little, plays cards, then leaves."

"Is there a problem, Boss?" Jake wanted to know.

"I'm not sure. Just stopped in to tell you that I won't be in as much for the next couple of weeks."

"Something *is* wrong," Jake said.

"No, I just - need to stay close to the ranch," Nick explained.

"Well, whatever the reason, Leroy's going to be devastated."

"No, he won't," Cara said, "He'll be glad not to be losing money."

"That's when he complains the loudest!" Jake declared.

===================

"That's the last few, Boss!" Hank told Kevin as they finished rounding up the herd of wild horses.

"Nice looking herd," Charlie Thornton noted. "They'll bring a good price at market."

"They're going to the Cavalry," Cole told the man. "We have a contract with the Army for horses - and cattle for the Reservation -"

Kevin and Hank exchanged a grin at the statement. "He's right," Kevin nodded. "We do."

Suddenly a shot rang out, and then another. The tightly bunched herd of already skittish horses broke into thirty different directions, scattering like dust. "Don't let 'em run!" Kevin called, but the order was too late. "Anyone get hit?" he asked when the dust began to settle.

Jenks rode up, tying a kerchief around his arm. "Got a scratch. Nothing to write home about."

"Get back to the barn and have Pedro look at it. He can send for Thad if he thinks it's necessary. Did anyone see which way those shots came from?" Kevin asked.

"From the rocks over there," Cole said, pointing toward the formation to the southwest. "You want me to go look around?" he asked.

"We'll both go," Kevin said, turning to Hank. "Start gathering them back up, Hank. Come on, Cole."

======================

"We found a single set of tracks," Kevin told Nick and Jess after supper, "but once whoever it was hit the flats, it was like he vanished."

"A whole week's work gone, just like that," Cole said, snapping his fingers. "We all even gave up our Saturday to finish with the round-up." He sighed. "I think I should stay home next week and help gather them up again," he said, looking at his parents.

"You, young man, are going to school on Monday," Nick said in a firm tone that brooked no argument.

"I knew you'd say that," Cole sighed. "At least Jenks wasn't hurt too bad."

"You did a good job," Kevin said. "I don't know if I should admit it, but - I'm going to miss having you around every day."

"Then maybe you can convince these two that I don't need to go to school and that you need me here more."

"Sorry, Cole," Kevin said, shaking his head. "I'll tell you like I'd tell Ben. School's important, even if you don't think so right now. We'll manage."

Cole sighed. "I guess I'll head up to bed. Night, Ma, night, Pa."

"Goodnight," Jess said.

Once he was out of the room, Kevin said, "I really am going to miss his help. He's good at the job."

"Speaking of being good at the job, how is Thornton doing?"

"Well, he's been here a week, and so far he's pulling his weight. Seems to know what he's doing, anyway."

"Don't you dare say it, Nick," Jess told him.

"Say what, darlin'?"

"I told you so," she clarified. "It's only been a week, remember."

"I wasn't even thinking about saying any such thing," was his response.

"Uh huh," Kevin nodded. "Sure you weren't. Since you're not going into town, why don't you come out and give us a hand? We'll be short handed with Cole in school."

"You're on," Nick told him.

Jess, having expected one of Nick's excuses not to work on the ranch, was surprised. "Nick!" she exclaimed.

"He's short handed, and needs to get those horses rounded up - it won't kill me."

"No, but something else might," she said.

Nick put his arm around Jess' shoulders as Kevin told her, "Look, Jess, I'm starting to think that Thornton was being truthful about not wanting to kill Nick. He's been the perfect hand over the last week. He was out there with the rest of us today when someone took those shots at us. He could have been hit just as easily as Jenks was."

"Not if he's working with whoever was up in those rocks," Jess pointed out.

"Jess, darlin'," Nick began, but she shook her head.

"Never mind. You're going to go no matter what I say. I'll be upstairs in a few minutes. I need to talk to Lily about something."

Nick stood looking at the door after she'd left the room before turning to Kevin. "You don't think she's planning -"

"I do," Kevin nodded. "She's as stubborn as you are, my friend."

==================

Cole stood staring over the dark country side, his arms atop the corral fence. Sometimes adults just didn't make any sense at all. He heard someone approaching, and froze, wishing he was still wearing his side arm - but he'd taken to removing it before supper. Maybe he needed to talk to Pa about getting himself one of those little guns.

"Sorry," Charlie Thornton said. "I didn't realize anyone else was out here. I wanted a breath of air before turning in for the night."

"I was about to go back inside," Cole said, turning to go.

"We haven't talked much since I hired on. Guess your Pa told you about me?"

"He did."

"But you didn't tell me the truth about where he was that day at the pond. Told me he was already in town." Cole shrugged, not speaking. "I don't blame you, boy. You were trying to protect your Pa from a stranger. I must've looked pretty scary," he said, scratching his chin. "I hadn't used a razor in several days and needed a haircut and bath. Felt almost human after getting that done. I just - I want you to know that I don't mean your Pa any harm. He did his best for me - wasn't his fault that the trial board decided I was guilty. It was his doing that I ended up in prison and not on the gallows or in front of a firing squad."

Cole still didn't respond, and Thornton spoke again.

"Well, it's late, and I guess I need to get to bed. Church services start early."

"You don't have to go," Cole told him. "Uncle Kevin usually asks if anyone wants to stay here and ride guard on the herd -"

"No, I went to chapel in prison, got used to being in church on Sunday. See you in the morning."

Cole watched until he was back in the bunkhouse before going back into the house and up to his room. Getting undressed, he dropped onto the bed, but sleep was elusive. Charlie Thornton said all the right things, so how come Cole didn't believe him?

Maybe because he was *too* smooth. The words came too easy for someone who had spent ten years in prison. Far too easy.

===================

After church the next day, Nick found Lou Smith and asked if there had been any answers to his telegram, but the man shook his head. "Nope. And I've been waitin' for them. You want me to send them again, just in case they got lost? Happens, sometimes."

"Would you mind?"

"'Course not. I'll get it done this afternoon." When Nick reached into his pocket for some money, Lou shook his head. "No. Like I said, it happens that messages get overlooked. You paid once to send them. That'll do."

"Thank you."

"You're my best customer. I'll let you know what the answer is when I get one."

=========================

After the dinner guests - Ma and Doc and the Lees, as well as Elizabeth and Thad - left, Cole asked if he could talk to his parents. They went to the study, where Cole told them about his conversation with Charlie Thornton the previous evening.

"You still don't believe him, do you?" Nick asked.

"No, sir, I don't. I think he's just saying all of it to make us trust him so that he can do what he really came to do."

"He could be right, Nick," Jess agreed. "And with you going out with Kevin tomorrow -"

Cole's eyes widened as he looked at Nick. "You're going out to help? You're playing into his hands, Pa!"

"He hasn't done anything to make me think he wasn't telling me the truth about having changed his mind. And if he has been attending chapel services -"

"You don't know that he has. I'd feel better if I was out there, keeping an eye on him -"

"There'll be enough people out there doing that, son," Nick assured him, not looking at Jess as he spoke. "You need to be in school."

Cole sat down on the sofa. "When he came out last night, I wished I was still wearing my gun - had something - just in case. I was thinking - would it be okay if I was to carry a derringer like the two of you?"

"Not to school," Nick told him. "Besides, I thought you didn't like carrying a gun?"

"Sometimes it's necessary," Cole told him. "Protecting family comes under that heading, I think. Besides, I wouldn't carry it into school - I could leave it in my saddle bag so I'd have it going back and forth - I'll be with Ben, so -"

"We'll discuss it," Nick told him, including Jess in his glance this time.

==================

Jess and Nick saw both boys off to school, and then Nick gave her a kiss. "I need to get over to join Kevin and the others. See you later."

"Be careful," she told him, waving as he went around the side of the house toward the barn. As soon as he was out of sight, Jess returned to the house and went upstairs to change clothes. Coming back downstairs, she grabbed her gunbelt and went into the parlor, where Lily was watching Kate as she played with a stuffed horse in the square pen that the men had pulled from the attic a month before. "You're getting used to her being in there, aren't you?"

"Honestly, it works better than I thought it would when you first mentioned it. And she seems to like being in there."

Jess finished putting on the gunbelt and picked up Caleb from his cradle. "Are you sure it won't be too much for you, taking care of them both?"

"Mariana's here. And Cassie mentioned that she's almost ready to come back and help a little, so we'll be fine."

Jess gave Caleb a kiss on his cheek. "See you later, little one." Turning to Lily, she said, "Thank you. See you later," she said, going through the kitchen and out to the back.

She stopped as she saw Nick sitting astride Spirit holding onto Midnight's reins. He held them toward her. "I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind, darlin'," he told her.

"How did you know -?" she asked as she pulled herself into the saddle.

"I know you, remember?"

Kevin came out of the barn. "You two ready? Let's go!"

===================

Soon after they reached the corral where they planned to keep the horses and split up into teams of three to go after the herd, Lanny spurred his mount, only to start yelling.

"Whoa! Whoa!!!!!!!" He finally grabbed the horses' mane to force him to stop his headlong run.

Kevin, Jess, and Nick rode over to join Lanny and his partners. "What happened?" Kevin asked.

"The right rein broke," Lanny told him, holding up the strip of leather.

Jess examined the strip. "It didn't break," she declared. "It was cut nearly in two." She got out of the saddle and moved to examine the left side. "This one's the same way. Someone cut them so that one or both would come apart. It was a good thing, Lanny, that you weren't out chasing those horses when it happened."

Kevin frowned. "Can we tie the reins into the bit well enough to get him back to the barn for a new bridle?" he asked.

Jess was already doing just that. "Just take it easy on it, Lanny," she warned.

"Thanks, Miss Jess," he said. "I'll be back as soon as I can, Boss," he promised as he turned his horse back toward the barn.

"I'll go with Robert and Sarge," Nick said, offering to take Lanny's place.

"Why don't I go?" Charlie suggested. "That way you can stay with the Boss and your wife."

Kevin nodded. "Go on."

Charlie rode off after the other two. "I don't like it, Kevin," Jess told her brother. "Shots fired on Saturday, and now today a perfectly good bridle cut. What's going on?"

"Cole would say that Thornton was behind it," Kevin noted.

"It could be that the bridle needed repaired," Nick said as Jess got back into the saddle.

"Pedro checks those bridles everynight," Jess said. "He wouldn't have let something like that get past him. And Cole did say that Thornton was out wandering around the other evening, remember?"

"When?" Kevin wanted to know.

"Saturday night," Nick answered. "Cole was out at the corral when Charlie came out and talked to him for a few minutes. But Cole said that he went back to the bunkhouse. And the men used their horses and bridles to go to church yesterday without incident."

"Town and back and then out here, that could have been just enough to weaken that rein so it broke," Jess suggested.

"Talking about it isn't going to prove who did or didn't do it," Nick said. "I thought we were out here to gather those horses up again?"

Jess and Kevin exchanged a look before Kevin nodded. "Let's go."

==================

Cole and Ben rode back in that afternoon and took their horses to the barn. After unsaddling Ranger, Cole turned to help Ben with Brownie, frowning when he saw that Midnight's stall was empty. Mariana smiled as the two of them entered the kitchen. "I have cookies and milk in the dining room if you want them," she said.

"Thank you," Cole said, steering his cousin to the table and grabbing one of the cookies for himself as Lily entered the room.

"How was the first day of school?" she asked.

"It was okay," Cole told her, looking past her to the parlor, where he saw Kate sitting in the pen and Caleb in the cradle. "Where's Ma, Aunt Lily? I noticed that her horse wasn't in the barn -"

"She went out with Kevin and your Pa to help."

"So they're both out there?"

"Yes. Jess has helped with ranch work all her life -"

"I know, but -" he took an envelope from his shirt pocket, "Mr. Smith gave me this for Pa - said it was important." He turned back toward the kitchen, stopping only long enough to gulp down the glass of milk sitting on the table before going up the back stairs.

"Where are you going?" Lily asked.

"To change clothes so I can ride out to give this to Pa."

"Don't you have homework to do?" she asked, calling up the stairs.

"I'll get it done before bed," he told her.

"Is there a problem, Miss Lily?" Mariana asked.

"I really don't know, Mariana," she sighed.

==================

"How many are we missing from Saturday's count?" Kevin asked Hank as they watched the horses.

"At least twenty, Boss," Hank told him.

"Let's go ahead and put these in that corral over in the box canyon, and we'll finish up tomorrow."

"Okay. Are you going to leave a guard with 'em tonight?"

"Might not be a bad idea," Jess told Kevin.

"Pick out four of the men and send them back in to get some food before coming back out," Kevin said.

"Someone's comin'!" Lanny called out, and all heads turned to see a single rider approaching quickly.

"It's Cole," Jess told Nick. "Is everything okay at the house?" she asked him as soon as he brought Ranger to a stop.

"What I'd like to know is why you're out here?" Nick questioned.

"Everything's fine," Cole told Jess before taking the envelope from his pocket. "And Mr. Smith asked me to give this to you as soon as possible, Pa. Said it was important."

"It could have waited until I got home later," Nick told him. "But thank you. How was school?"

"It was okay. And before you ask, I do have some homework - but I can get it done before bed - I thought maybe, if you needed some help, I could stay out here -"

"I think we have it handled," Jess told him.

"You got them all rounded up already? It took us a week -"

"All but twenty," Kevin said. "We'll get those in the next couple of days. Might even make the deadline for delivery."

"That's good news," Cole nodded.

"You might as well stay and help move them to the corral," Kevin suggested. "You know that little box canyon to the south?"

"Sure. That's where we were going to put them on Saturday before they got stampeded." He looked at Jess and Nick. "Is it okay if I stay?" he asked.

"Since you're already out here, I guess you can," Nick told him. He and Jess hung back as the others started moving the horses. Nick opened the envelope and read the contents.

"Well?" Jess asked.

"Requested info re: Thornton court-martial being sent by special courier. Stop." He continued to read in silence.

"How long will that take?" Jess asked.

"A week at least," Nick said, shaking his head. "It does confirm that Thornton was released early on good behavior three months ago."

"So we still don't have any answers," she told him, watching as Charlie Thornton rode around the flank of the herd, guiding it toward the south.

"Come on, let's go help get those horses to the corral so that I can get home and take a hot bath."

"You can go on back to the house if you want to -"

"Only if you come with me," he said, leaning toward her. "You could - wash my back."

"Sounds tempting," she told him, leaning over to meet him halfway for a brief kiss. "But I've got a job to finish. How about we agree to meet before bed?"

"And what about Caleb?" he asked.

"He'll be asleep by then. He's been sleeping longer, as I'm sure you've noticed. The towel basket in the bathing room is the perfect size for him."

"Hey, you two! You gonna help or not?" Kevin called out.

"We're coming!" Jess called back as she and Nick turned their horses in his direction.

====================

Lanny, Chico, Sarge, and Hank sat around the campfire near the entrance to the canyon corral. "How'd you pull night herd, Hank?" Chico asked.

"Well, it makes sense for me to work the night crew and Robert to handle the day."

"One of the perks of being a married man," Sarge suggested.

"And a new father," Hank nodded. "Why don't you and Chico grab a few winks while Lanny and I keep an eye on the herd?"

"Good idea," Sarge told him, grabbing his bedroll. "Com'on, Chico."

As they spread the blankets out, a shot rang out. "What the -?" Sarge questioned, his gun out as he stared at the rocks. "Everyone all right?" he asked.

"I'm good," Chico told him.

"I'm not," Hank muttered, and attention turned to him. "Got my left arm," he said. "Feels like - like it - it went through the bone." He winced at the pain. "Sarge, get back to the barn and grab the buckboard and you can take me into town."

"Shouldn't we go for the Doc?" Lanny asked.

"Just as quick to do as I said," Hank explained. "Stop and tell the Boss what's happened while you're there - just get back here - as quick as you can." Sarge nodded and jumped on his horse as Hank prayed. "God, be with me." He grimaced again. "Need something to wrap around this arm," Hank told Lanny. "To slow up the bleeding."

========================

Everyone in the house was awakened by Sarge's hammering on the front door. "Boss!" he called out.

Kevin was already at the door when Cole, Jess, and Nick reached the landing and started down. "How bad is it?" Kevin was asking.

"What's happened?" Jess wanted to know.

"Hank's been shot."

"He thinks the shot broke his left arm," Sarge told them. "He sent me to get a wagon so I could take him into town."

"Then do it. I'll get dressed and ride out there - make sure you put some blankets from the tack room in the wagon."

Kevin closed the door as Ben came onto the landing. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Just a little trouble, son," Kevin said. "Go back to sleep."

"Come on, Benji," Lily said. "I'll tuck you back in."

"I can do it, Ma," he insisted as Kate began to whimper.

"Okay. I'll go check on your sister."

Jess bowed her head. "Lord, be with Hank and those who are helping him."

Cole turned to head back upstairs, but Nick called out. "Back to bed, Cole."

He stopped and turned. "Pa, I'm just going to ride out there with Uncle Kevin."

"And what about school tomorrow?" Jess asked.

"I spent five years working a ranch on my own and going to school," he pointed out. "Never missed a day."

"You be back here in time to get ready for school," Nick told him.

"Yes, sir!" Cole agreed, turning and heading toward his room.

"Thanks," Kevin said. "I can use the company. I need to get dressed."

Cole was coming out of his room when Jess and Nick passed the doorway. "Take care," Jess told him.

"I will. See you in the morning." They watched as he grabbed his gunbelt before heading out of the house.

Jess looked up at Nick, seeing his concern. "You're worried that he's getting used to that gun."

"He seems to grab it without a second thought now - I can't help but remember how much he didn't want to wear it -" he shook his head.

And he's got a good head on his shoulders. He's not a killer, Nick."

"I know that. And I suppose I shouldn't worry - considering that I wear my side arm as much as he does, all things considered."

She put her arm around him, turning him toward their room. "Let's go back to bed."

==================

Kevin and Cole came in early the next morning, and Cole went directly up to get ready for school. "How did he do?" Kate asked her brother.

"I made sure he got a little sleep earlier, so he should be good for the day."

"You look tired," Lily said, pulling out a chair at the table. "Eat something and then get some rest -"

"We have to finish getting those horses -" he began, but Jess sighed.

"I'll take care of things out there," she said.

"*We'll* take care of things," Nick corrected. "Lily's right. Get some rest. Looks like we're going to be running two shifts for a while -"

"What did Thad have to say about Hank?"

"Sarge wasn't back yet when I left out there. I'll ride in later and check on him -" seeing Lily's concern, he took her hand before continuing. "After I get a some rest."

======================

"How's Hank?" Jenks asked Sarge as he rode back in the wagon. The other hands were all gathered, getting ready to ride out with Jess, Nick and Robert.

"Dr. Mitchell says it was a clean break, and should heal okay - but he'll be out of commission for a little while."

"That's good news," Jess said with a smile. "Except for his being out of commission, of course."

On the way back out to the herd, Robert suggested that they use most of the men to take the horses already gathered on to the main corral while the rest looked for those missing twenty head. "Sounds like a good plan," Nick agreed.

"I said he'd make a good foreman," Jess reminded him as they came up on the corral.

Lanny and Chico came out of the canyon, holstering their guns. "Are we glad to see you!" Lanny told them.

"What's the problem?"

"They were up there taking potshots at us again until about fifteen minutes ago," Chico told them, pointing at the rocks to the south.

"Started not too long after the Boss and Cole pulled out, then kept it going just enough that we couldn't let our guard down." Lanny's frustration was evident. "Any word about Hank?"

"He'll be good as new in a few weeks." Robert told him. "You two head back to the bunkhouse and get some sleep. You'll be on night herd again tonight."

"Yay for us," Lanny grumbled.

"Wouldn't mind," Chico nodded, "except for the shooting at us part."

Robert raised his voice. "Okay -" he singled out six hands, including Thornton "-we're going after those missing head. The rest of you - take this herd back to the main corral."

As the herd began its move to the northeast, Nick asked Robert, "Do you think you can manage without us for a while?"

"I guess so," was Robert's answer. "Why?"

"We're going to ride down toward the rock ridge," Jess told him. "If we see any horses, we'll move them back up this way."

"Be careful," he said, turning toward the hands, calling out names. "Pair up and go find those horses! Charlie! Jenks! You two are with me!"

Charlie hung back as Robert approached, nodding toward Jess and Nick. "Where are they going?"

"To see if they can find any signs of the shooter, I guess," Robert told him.

Charlie took off his hat and wiped the brim with his kerchief, shaking the dust off it before putting it back on his head. "Gonna be a hot one."

"Yep," Robert agreed. "Let's go."

Charlie took another look at the two riders moving toward the rocks before turning his own horse to follow the foreman.

====================

"You know that we're not going to find anything," Jess told Nick.

"Most likely. But it's worth a try. Whoever this is has to make a mistake eventually. Might as well take the opportunity to see if today's the day."

"We'll have to go up close to the top - I don't see anyone trying to make the shot at the canyon from anywhere else."

Nick pulled Spirit up, listening. "What's that?" he asked.

Jess heard the steady rumble as well, looking up just in time to see the horses running toward them. "Move!" she told Nick, kicking Midnight's flanks, sending him into a gallop away from the other horses as Nick made a similar move on Spirit.

Once the horses were past, she looked around until she saw Nick riding back toward her. "Are you okay?" she asked him.

"I'm fine. Where the devil did they come from?" he wanted to know.

"Near the rocks," she said, still watching the horses. "We need to catch them and get them back to the others."

"Okay. I somehow doubt we'll find anything up there now."

=====================

Robert turned when Jenks looked up and shook his head. "That woman gets all the luck. Sometimes think she should be running this spread."

Jess and Nick steered the ten horses into the corral before joining them. "That makes fifteen," Jess said.

"Where'd you find them?" Robert asked.

"They found us," Nick said, taking a drink of water from his canteen before handing it to Jess. "Came at us out of nowhere."

Jess explained his comment as the others returned with the last five horses. "Might as well take these in with the rest," she told Robert.

"Did you find anything at the rocks?" Jenks asked.

"Other than horses?" she said with a smile. "We never got there."

"Well, I need to get over to the north range," Robert said. "So let's get these horses moving."

"You might as well do on, Robert," Jess told him. "We'll handle this."

He grinned. "Thanks, Boss," he said before taking off as everyone else laughed at his teasing.

"Okay," Jess called, "Let's go!"

=======================

"He was fortunate that it was a clean break," Thad told Kevin as they spoke to Hank.

"Now I just need to convince the doc here that I'll heal just as quick at the ranch as I will here," Hank insisted.

"I've been out there enough to know how you and everyone else working out there tends to work when they're injured," Thad said. "If I let you go back out there, you'll overdo and extend your recovery time."

"Boss?" Hank said, giving Kevin a pleading look.

"I know how you feel, Hank, but - he's probably right. I need you back sooner rather than later."

"I won't know what to do with myself, sitting around here all day, not doing anything," Hank insisted. "I can do that at home!"

"If you behave yourself," Thad said, "I'll consider - *consider* - letting you go back to the ranch in a week."

"Sounds fair to me, Hank," Kevin said. "How long since you've taken any time off?"

"I don't remember that far back," Hank replied. "But I don't need any -"

"Take the week. Enjoy Ma's cooking. It's even better than Pedro's or Mariana's, from what I've been told."

"I've had both," Thad nodded. "It is better. Just barely, and if you ever tell Mariana I said so, I'll deny it."

Hank sighed, clearly feeling put-upon. "Okay. One week. And then I'm out of here."

"*If* you listen to and follow my instructions without arguing," Thad said.

Hank began to grind his teeth, but he sat back. "Startin' to feel like I'm in jail."

"Food's better," Thad told him.

"Seriously, Boss, what's going on out there? People shooting at us, cutting reins, stampeding stock -?"

"I wish I knew, Hank."

"Could it be commancheros? I heard someone talking about how some of them had moved north because of the cavalry going after them hard down south."

"I doubt it. No, commancheros might take pot shots, but cutting leather? That's something that had to be done in the tack room."

Thad frowned. "Are you suggesting that someone who works for you might be behind this?"

Kevin sighed, looking at Hank. "It's possible."

"You're thinking about Thornton, aren't you?" Hank asked. "Nick's not going to like that."

"I'll talk to Nick when I get back. We have to do something before we start losing hands because they're scared of being hurt."

=======================

Kevin pulled back on Rusty's reins as he saw the horses in the corral, moving slowly in that direction as he counted the heads. "You found 'em!" he exclaimed as Jess turned to look at him.

"We did," she told him, coming over as he got out of the saddle and handed the reins over to Pedro, who paused.

"How is Hank?"

"Not happy that Thad's keeping him there for a week, but he'll be fine after his arm heals."

"Thank God," Pedro said, leading Rusty away.

"Don't unsaddle him, Pedro, I might be going out again."

"I can imagine Hank not wanting to be off work that long," Jess said, slipping her arm through his as they turned back toward the house.

"Where is everyone?"

"They went up to the north range to help with the cattle up there."

"Including Nick?"

"Including Nick," she confirmed.

"Why didn't you go back out with them?"

"I wanted to wait for you to get back so that I could let you know what happened this morning."

"What happened?" he asked cautiously.

She told him about the shots fired at Lanny and Chico, and about the ten horses that had almost run Nick and her over as they approached the rocks.

"You sound like you think that someone was keeping them to scare off anyone who went looking for -"

"That's exactly what I think. So does Nick."

"Speaking of Nick," Kevin said, pulling Jess back before they went inside the house, "This has be at least partly being done by someone here at the ranch."

"Thornton."

"He's the newest hand - and while he might deny it now - he did have a score to settle with Nick -"

"With Nick, yes," Jess agreed. "But why all of this? The shooting and stampede and the reins being cut? That's not going to hurt Nick."

"I don't know, Jess. I just don't know."

===================

After Kevin had something to eat, he and Jess rode out to join the main crew for the rest of the day. As they returned that evening, Cole met them at the barn. "How did it go?" he asked. "I saw that you got all the horses back -"

"We did."

"What about a night guard?" he asked.

"Already set.," Jess said. "Four instead of two - but they're already out there."

"So tonight, you get to sleep," Nick finished. "How was school?"

"A little more homework - it's already finished," he told them with a grin. "I stopped in to see Hank during lunch. He's not happy about having to stay in town."

"It's for the best," Kevin told him.

"Has there been anymore trouble?" he wanted to know, and when the adults exchanged glances, he asked, "What happened?"

=====================

"Tired?" Jess asked as she got into bed after getting Caleb to sleep.

"Exhausted," Nick said. "I've gotten soft. Too much time in saloons and playing poker, I guess."

She lifted his arm and moved closer to him. "You're just not used to being in the saddle," she told him.

"You haven't been, and you're not -"

She smiled as she realized that he was almost asleep. "I love you," she whispered.

"Love. You."

=====================

Cole's wagon had been moved to sit behind the hay barn, and under cover of darkness, a match was struck and tossed inside of the wood and cloth structure, spreading quickly.

"Get some water!"

Jess heard the raised voices and grabbed her robe as she went to the window. Seeing the glow, and hands already forming a bucket brigade, she heard Nick's voice. "What's going on?"

"Something on fire," she told him, grabbing Caleb and going into the hallway just ahead of Nick, who took the back stairs and met Kevin and Caleb coming around the house.

"What's on fire?" Lily asked, holding Kate and watching Ben to keep him close.

"The hay barn. If it spreads to the horse barn -" Pedro was already leading horses out of the barn as a precaution.

The wild horses in the corral were whinnying and neighing, almost screaming in fear of the noise and the flickering light of the fire, but the corral held the onslaught, and before long, the all clear was sounded by Kevin, so Jess went down the walk toward the barn, meeting her brother as he thanked the hands for what they'd done to help save the hay.

"How bad?" she asked as Nick and Cole joined them.

"The back wall of the barn needs replaced, but I think the hay is good."

Cole held out the remnants of a tin of coal oil. "This is what caused it. Someone opened it and tossed it into the wagon, then set it on fire."

"It was deliberate, then," Jess stated.

"Looks like," Cole nodded. "I'm going to help Pedro get the horses back into their stalls," he said, moving away. Charlie was leading Midnight in that direction, and Cole took the reins from him. "I'll take care of him," he said, pulling the horse back toward the barn.

"Robert!" Kevin called out to the younger man.

"Yessir, Boss?"

"I need someone to keep an eye on the hay barn. Make sure it doesn't fire back up."

"I'll take care of it," Robert assured him.

"Thanks." He turned to Lily. "You and the kids might as well go back to bed, honey," he told her. "I'll be up as soon as things settle down." Turning back to Jess and Nick, he shook his head. "Chalk up another one," he said. "If I ever find out who's doing this -"

"You and me both," Nick agreed. He told Jess, "Why don't you take Caleb back up to bed and -"

"What are you going to do?"

"I just want to talk to some of the hands."

"Don't be long."

He smiled and took her hand from his arm, kissing it. "I won't be. Go on."

After Jess was back inside, Kevin turned to Nick. "What do you want to talk to them about?"

"Whether or not any of them saw if one of the others left the bunkhouse at some point before the fire."

=====================

Jess was still rocking Caleb when she heard Nick in the hallway telling Cole goodnight before coming into the bedroom. "He wanted another bottle," she explained. "I think he's almost asleep again." She watched him as he sat down to remove his boots. "Did you find out anything?"

"No. No one left the bunkhouse after they all settled in for the night. If he's behind it, I don't know how he managed to start the fire while still in his bunk," he said, standing up to remove his pants before going over to the wash stand.

She stood and carried Caleb his cradle. "Then he has a partner - someone who's doing all of this to keep *his* hands clean."

"Kevin's worried," he told her, drying his hands and face before joining her in bed. "Until tonight - with the exception of the cut reins - everything that's happened has been out on the range. He doesn't like the idea of having to leave someone here to keep an eye on things - Pedro's here, but - with Lily and Cassie and Mariana and the babies -" He turned over and looked at her, running his fingers through her hair. "I have a favor to ask -"

"What?"

"Would you be willing to stay here tomorrow - for the next few days, anyway -"

"You mean not go out with you and Kevin and the men?"

He nodded. "I think Kevin would feel better, knowing you were here to keep an eye on things. So would I. I know that Lily's a decent shot, but she's not you."

"Of course I'll stay here - as long as you promise me that *you* will be extra-careful."

"I promise," he told her, pulling her close.

=================

Not long after after noon the next day, the men were ready to start gathering calves for branding when a shot rang out. "Find cover!" Kevin called out, diving behind a rock.

"Did you see where it came from?" Nick asked as a second shot hit the rock next to him, sending a stone shard into his cheek.

"You okay?" Kevin questioned.

"Barely felt it."

A third shot, and this time Charlie cursed and began muttering as he pulled a kerchief from his pocket to tie around his arm.

"Bad, Charlie?"

"No. 'Bout like Jenks got the other day - just a scratch. I'll survive. I think it came from those cliffs to the Northwest."

Kevin finally stood - slowly. "Okay, men, looks like we're in the clear for now. Anyone else get hit?"

A chorus of "No" rang out, and Kevin sighed with relief. "Get 'em back to work, Robert. We need to get those calves branded." He turned to look at Nick's cheek. "Don't think it'll ruin your good looks," he said, "but Jess might think otherwise."

Nick grabbed his canteen and wet his kerchief, using the cool water to wipe the small cut. "She'll manage. How bad is yours, Charlie?"

Charlie shook his head and moved toward his horse. "It's not bad enough to stop me from working," he declared, stepping up into the saddle and riding off.

Kevin held Spirit's reins out to Nick as he asked, "You going back to the house or staying?"

Nick chuckled. "For this? I'm staying. Let's go."

====================

"What happened to you?" Jess asked, reaching up to touch the cut on Nick's cheek.

"Our shooter made another attempt this afternoon," he told her, glancing behind her as Cole came out of the house. "Hey, son."

"If it's any consolation, Jess," Kevin said, "Thornton has something similar on his arm."

"He got shot?" Cole asked. "I don't believe it."

"We all saw the blood on his sleeve, Cole," Kevin said.

"And his handkerchief," Nick agreed.

"I'll take the horses to the barn," Cole offered, still looking like he had his doubts about the story.

"Thank you," Nick told the young man. Putting his arm around Jess' shoulders, they followed Kevin up the steps. "Any problems here today?" he asked.

"Nope," she said. "A nice, boring day."

"I might trade places with you tomorrow," Nick said quietly, only to have Kevin turn to look at him.

"Might get more work out of Jess, come to think of it," he commented, laughing as Ben opened the door of the house.

"Pa!" he declared. "Ma! Pa's home!" He grabbed Kevin's hand and pulled him toward the parlor.

"I spent most of the day working on the ranch books," Jess told Nick as they followed more slowly. "So you wouldn't have enjoyed it."

"I would have sent for Eban and asked him to do it," he told her, pausing in the entryway to give her a kiss.

She lifted a hand to his cheek again. "I need to put something on that - it needs cleaned."

"You can do it when I go upstairs to clean up before supper," he told her.

"Uncle Nick!" Ben said, coming out to them. "Did Cole tell you?"

"Tell me what, buddy?" Nick asked.

"Ben," Jess warned, "it's Cole's news to tell, remember? He hasn't had a chance to tell his father yet."

"Tell me what?" Nick asked.

"Cole will tell you when he gets back in here," Lily answered. "Why don't you go and see if you can help him, Benji?" she suggested.

"Sure!" Ben said, leaving the room at top speed.

"Oh, to have that much energy again," Nick sighed, bending down to pick up Caleb. "Hello, little one. Did you have a good day?" Caleb's tiny fingers grabbed Nick's finger and held on as the baby gurgled and cooed. "Really?"

"Com'on, Cole!" Ben said as he returned with his cousin right behind him. "He was heading back this way already."

Nick handed the baby to Jess as he looked at Cole. "Ben says you have some news?"

"It's nothing, really," Cole said, obviously embarrassed at being the focus of attention.

"Yes, it is!" Ben insisted.

"Mrs. Drummond asked me if I'd help her grade some of the younger kids papers is all," he finally said.

"There's more," Jess reminded him, and Cole sighed as if he were being put upon.

"Ma -"

"Mrs. Drummond does a spelling test for each grade to see how much everyone remembers from the year before - and Cole was the only one who got the bonus word right."

"Bonus word?" Nick questioned.

It was Ben who answered. "She always includes a word that we didn't learn the year before."

"What was the word?"

Cole sighed again. "Acquiescence," he said.

"He also did almost perfect on the arithmetic test she gave," Jess told Nick.

"Almost?"

"I missed one problem," he said. "And it was a problem that a lot of the other kids missed, too."

"And how did you do on these tests?" Kevin asked his son.

"I only missed a couple of words - and I got an A on the arithmetic."

"I told you that I'd need your help with that, didn't I?" Cole reminded Ben, who giggled.

"Good work, both of you," Nick told the boys.

"Did you see Hank today?" Kevin asked Cole, who nodded.

"Went over at lunch again. I - uh told him about what happened last night."

Both Nick and Kevin shook their heads. "Don't blame Cole," Jess told them. "He had no way of knowing that you didn't want Hank to know about the fire."

"What was his reaction?" Kevin asked.

"He would have come home immediately if Ma Hawkins hadn't come in and told him that he wasn't getting his clothes back until the doctor said he could leave," Cole told them, grinning. "I think she meant it."

"She did," Nick told him. "She made the same threat to me when I was in there," Nick agreed. "Now, I'm going to go clean up before supper."

Jess smiled, still holding Caleb. "We'll go with you," she told him. "Excuse us," she said to the others.

"Mariana will have supper on the table very shortly," Lily told them.

Kevin reached out for Lily's hand. "Why don't you help me clean up?" he suggested. "Cole, Ben, can you keep an eye on Katie?" he asked, stopped to drop a kiss on his daughter's head as she contentedly played with her toys.

"Sure, Uncle Kevin," Cole told him.

Ben watched them go, then turned back to Cole, who was leaning over the pen, shaking Kate's rattle. "Why does Pa need help to clean up, Cole?"

"Sometimes grown ups are like that," was Cole's answer. "You'll understand when you're older."

===================

Cole was washing up before bed when there was a knock on his door. Opening it, he was surprised to find Nick standing there. "Pa. Is there a problem?"

"No, I just thought we needed to talk."

Stepping back, Cole let him into the room. "How'd you know?" he asked, closing the door. "That I needed to talk, I mean."

"It just seemed to me that you aren't as enthusiastic about helping Mrs. Drummond as everyone seems to think you should be." Cole shrugged. "Let me guess: you don't want to be teased about being the 'teacher's pet'."

"Yeah. I don't understand why she had to pick on me. I'm the new guy. The last thing I need is for my new friends to hassle me - The thing is, I don't want to let Ma or you down by refusing to do it."

"You wouldn't be letting either of us down, Cole," Nick said.

"You didn't see Ma's face when Ben told her about it -"

"She might surprise you," Nick told him. "She was the teacher's helper when she was around your age."

"All the more reason for her to be disappointed -"

"She hated it," Nick told him. "Oh, not actually doing it, but she hated being teased by the other students."

"Oh."

"Cole, if it wasn't for the prospect of being teased, would you be willing to help the teacher?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Do you think it's an important job?"

"Sure. There are a lot of younger kids - I'm sure Mrs. Drummond has to work hard to get everything done, teaching so many different ages."

"Would it be for the entire year, or -?"

"No, she said she changes her helpers every six weeks, depending on grades."

"So, it wouldn't last very long - and I know that you wouldn't deliberately get a lower grade to get out of it -"

"Of course not."

"Well, I'm going to leave the decision up to you," he told the young man. "No matter what you decide, your Ma and I will accept it. You could always agree to do it on a trial basis. If you find you don't have the time, or if the teasing is more than you can handle, I'm sure that Mrs. Drummond will understand and choose someone else."

"You're right."

"Tell me, how did Ben find out about it? She didn't ask you with him in the room, did she?"

"No. She asked me to stay for a minute after school, so I sent Ben out to get the horses. When I came out, I guess I was so surprised that I didn't think about it before telling Ben what she wanted. As soon as I told him, I knew it was a mistake. He was so excited that she'd asked me, and when we got home, I stayed in the barn to unsaddle the horses. When I got inside, he'd already told Ma and Aunt Lily the news."

Nick laughed softly. "I don't think you'd have to worry about *him* teasing you."

Cole laughed as well. "He probably thinks I'll give him good grades because he's my cousin. Thing is, he doesn't need me to do that. He's smart."

"Yes, he is." Nick put a hand on his shoulder. "Sleep on it tonight and you can make your decision tomorrow."

"Thanks, Pa."

"All part of the job, son," Nick told him, leaving the room.

=================

"I think we'll have the branding finished this afternoon," Kevin told Nick as they watched Robert heating an iron while Charlie held a calf. "I'll send most of the hands back to the house so they can start breaking those horses."

When Charlie released the newly-branded calf, the animal kicked his wounded arm, causing him to groan loudly as he dropped to his knees. "Dad-blamed animal!" he said, placing his hand over his arm, which was bleeding again. "Stupid-!"

Nick and Kevin went over to him, and Kevin examined the wound. "You need to have that looked at by a doctor, Charlie," he declared, taking out his handkerchief and tying it around the man's arm.

"I don't need a doc," Charlie insisted. "But if it's okay, I'll go back to the bunkhouse and put a proper bandage on it -"

"Okay, but if it doesn't stop bleeding, I'm sending you to the doc tomorrow no matter what you say."

"I'll be back -" Charlie began, but Kevin shook his head.

"No, stay there and get some rest. You can ride night herd tonight, give Chico a break."

"Okay. Thanks, Boss," Charlie said, grimacing as he got into the saddle and turned the horse back toward the house.

=========================

Jess was working on the ranch books again when there was a loud banging on the front door. Curious, she rose and went into the entry as Lily opened the door. "Mrs. Donager," she heard Charlie Thornton say, "I need to talk to Mrs. Everett -"

"I'm right here, Charlie," Jess told him. He looked out of breath and nervous, she thought. "What's wrong?"

"Well, your brother asked me to come get you - Nick - Mr. Everett, he's had an accident."

"Oh no," Lily said, turning to look at Jess.

"What happened?" Jess asked the man.

"Something spooked his horse. It reared up and he fell off - he's hurt pretty bad, ma'am."

"The doctor -" Jess said, but Charlie quickly spoke up.

"Mr. Donager sent Jenks to get the doctor from town, but, well, he said I should get you. He's calling for you."

Jess moved to the wall hooks and grabbed her gunbelt, putting it on as she looked at Lily. "Lily, can you -?"

"I'll watch Caleb. Go. I'll be praying."

"Thank you." As they left the house and went around to the barn, she asked, "Should we take a wagon?"

"The doc's supposed to be bringing one out with him, from what I understood," he told her.

Jess led Midnight out of his stall and started to saddle him until Pedro appeared and finished for her. "What's wrong, Miss Jess?" he asked, glancing at Charlie.

"Nick's been hurt," she told him, stepping into the stirrup and pulling herself up. "Pray."

"I will," he nodded, watching them ride to the west.

==================

"Why are we going this direction?" Jess asked her companion. "I thought Nick and Kevin said that they were working up toward the rail line in the northwest section."

"We moved down here just before it happened," he told her.

Jess stopped her horse, looking around. "We don't run cattle out here," she said, and froze as she heard the sound of a gun being cocked.

"I'll take your gun, Mrs. Everett," Charlie said.

She pulled the gun from its holster and held it out toward him. "Nick's not hurt, is he?"

"Not yet," was his reply as he stuffed her gun into his belt. "Keep going."

"Where?"

"Toward the cliffs," he told her. "My friends are waiting there."

Jess stared at the cliffs - praying that he wasn't taking her to the Ridge. "I knew you had to have someone else doing everything - And letting yourself be shot -" she nodded at his arm. "You're bleeding."

"I've had a lot worse," he told her. "Took a lot to get it start bleeding again this morning so I could use it as an excuse to come back to the house and get you."

"You're going to use me as bait," she stated.

"Bravo."

"I should warn you that if you hurt or kill Nick, you won't be able to run far or fast enough to get away from me."

"So I'll just kill you both," Charlie told her, and Jess could hear the smile on his face when he said it.

====================

Lily and Mariana were kneeling beside the hearth, praying, when there was another knock on the door. Wiping her eyes, Lily rose and went to answer it, stepping back as she saw the US Cavalry Officer standing there. "Oh."

He smiled. "Hello, Lily."

"Justin. Lt. Brunell," she said. "Come in."

"Thank you," he said, searching her face. "You're upset about something."

Lily nodded, trying not to cry. Justin Brunell had been a weekly customer at the saloon for several years - and had been infatuated with Lily, but she hadn't seen him since having married Kevin. "Jess' husband - Nick -"

"Nick Everett?" he questioned.

She nodded again, leading him into the parlor as Mariana left the room and went toward the kitchen. "He's been hurt - she just left with one of the hands to go to him."

She saw him glance at Kate, who was sleeping in the pen, and then at Caleb. "Nick's the reason I'm here," he told her, lifting the satchel that he was carrying. "I have some papers that he asked for."

"Papers?" Things started becoming clearer to Lily. "About Charlie Thornton?" she wanted to know.

"I'm not sure -"

"Justin, I need to know. Charlie Thornton is the man that came to get Jess and take her out to Nick."

"What?! Thornton's here? On the ranch?"

"He's been working here for two weeks," she told him.

"Where are Nick and Kevin working?" he asked.

====================

Jess was relieved when they rode past the Ridge and continued to the blind canyon, passing a man holding a rifle. "I guess he's the one who's been taking potshots at the hands and stampeding horses?" Jess asked.

"That was Reese. He used to be an Army sharpshooter, till he got tired of being told where to go and what to do."

Two other men were waiting near the back of the small area. "Got your message, Charlie," one of the men said. "Welcome, Mrs. Everett," he said, taking Midnight's bridle as she dropped to the ground.

"So what now?" she asked Charlie, ignoring the other two men.

"Now," he said, "We wait." Turning to the other men, he said,

==================

"Someone's coming, Boss!" Robert called out.

Kevin turned to watch the rider. "Probably Charlie. I told him not to come back out, but -"

"It's not Charlie," Nick said.

"No," Kevin agreed. "It looks like - Major Blair's Adjutant. Lt. Brunell. Not sure what he's doing here."

"From Fort Carson?" Nick asked. "He might have the papers I asked for -"

"It's possible. Although why *he* brought them -" He watched as the horse came to a stop and the officer practically launched himself from the saddle. "Hello, Lieutenant," he said.

"Kevin." Turning to Nick, he said, "I have the paperwork that you requested -" he saw Nick looking for said paperwork, but shook his head. "I left it at the house with Lily -" he paused, "Mrs. Donager. When she told me that Charlie Thornton is here I thought it best to inform you of the fact that he's wanted for questioning in the deaths of several members of the court-martial that sentenced him to prison." He drew a breath. "And you also need to know that Thornton was at the house earlier, before I arrived, and that Jess - Mrs. Everett, left with him."

"What? Why?!"

"Apparently he told her that you'd been badly injured and were calling for her. As I was riding out, Pedro told me that they rode toward the west."

Nick was already on Spirit and riding toward the Western Ridge as Kevin called out, "Robert! Finish up here and then get the men back to the corral!" before following his brother in law.

===================

Jess sat on a rock on the edge of the clearing, watching the three men. The blind canyon was a natural corral - her father had used it more than once in the early days. Coming from the west or north, the canyon was blocked by a high wall of rock. The entrance was narrow, and easily defended. At the moment, there was only one man standing at the entrance, watching the flatland beyond from about halfway up the rocks.

"You're liable to be waiting awhile," Jess told Charlie and the man he had called Gene. "Nick won't be back at the house until this afternoon -"

"Early afternoon," Charlie nodded. "Your brother was going to send most of the hands back to start breaking the horses we rounded up. I'm sure Everett will return to the house then. He'll find out that you left with me - and why -"

"How will he know where to come?"

"Pedro was watching us as we left - so it's all taken care of." He stood up. "You want some coffee?"

"No, thank you." Jess wondered how she had missed seeing the smoke from their fire. "Have your men been here since this started?"

"No, we moved around," Gene told her. "Mostly at night. Didn't move here until last night -"

"Be quiet, Gene," Charlie said.

"Why? It's not like she can do anything about it."

"Stoke up the fire," Charlie told him. "We want to make sure Everett knows where we are."

"Charlie!" Reese called out. "Riders comin'!"

=====================

"There's smoke over there," Kevin told Nick as they neared the Ridge. "Looks like it's coming from that blind canyon to the north -"

"You can bet we're already being watched," Nick told him.

"Not too many ways to get over there without being seen. We could climb up to the Ridge and move around to the overlook - but they'd see us head that way -"

"There's only one option, then," Nick said in a grim tone. "Why don't you go get the hands and bring them back here -"

Kevin shook his head. "That's not an option. He's got my sister in there."

"She's my wife, too," Nick said.

"I know that. I'm sure Robert and the men will be along - knowing that Jess is in danger, he'll do whatever he can to help her. Even if it means disobeying my orders."

"You're not suggesting that we wait for them?"

"No, of course not."

"Everett!" Charlie's voice echoed eerily as he called out, causing Nick and Kevin to rein in their horses.

"I hear you!" he called back.

"Drop your weapons. Handguns and rifles, then ride this way!" He appeared on the rocks, with Jess in front of him, and even from where they were, Nick and Kevin could see the gun he was holding to Jess's side.

"Let her go and I'll come in without a fight!" Nick said, and saw Jess shaking her head.

"No, Nick! Stay away!" Charlie put his hand over Jess' mouth to stop her from continuing.

"I'll kill her right now if you don't get those horses moving!" Charlie yelled.

Nick and Kevin dropped the weapons as ordered, and continued to ride toward the entrance.

==================

As he and Ben rode in after school, Cole was surprised to see the hands talking to a Cavalry officer. "Lookit that," Ben said, clearly in awe of the uniform. "Wonder what he's doing here?"

"Don't know," Cole answered. "Why don't you go on inside, Ben? I'll take care of the horses."

"But -" Ben began, clearly intending to argue the point.

Cole turned to look at him. "I'm sure your Ma will tell you what's going on. I need to talk to Robert." Getting off of his horse, Cole moved to the group. "What's going on?" he asked. "Where are Pa and Uncle Kevin?"

===================

Charlie disappeared from the rocks as they neared the canyon, moving to stand in the middle of the clearing, still holding onto Jess, his gun against her side. "Take their horses, Leon," he told the forth man.

Nick met Jess' eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked as she tried to move toward him, only to be stopped by Charlie's hold on her arm.

She nodded. "Just angry that I fell for his lies," she told him.

Nick's eyes narrowed as he looked at the man standing beside Charlie. "Well, Gene. I had a feeling I'd find you here. Still playing a losing hand, I see."

"Not sure how we're losing, Nick," Gene said. "Right now, we're holding all the cards."

"Yeah, the Queen," Leon said, and Gene shook his head at the attempt at humor.

"For the moment," Nick replied. "Look, Charlie, let Jess and her brother go. I'll -"

"No," Jess said.

"Don't worry, ma'am," Charlie told her. "I'm not going to let any of you go."

"You don't even know Kevin!" Jess insisted, wrenching her arm out of his grasp. "Why kill him?"

"Unfortunately, he would interfere with my plans," Charlie told her, letting her move over to stand with her husband and her brother.

"What plans?" Kevin asked.

"My friends and I like this ranch. We need a place where we can hang out, and this is remote enough. Once you three are gone, we'll take over the town and set up a base of operation here. I still have friends in the South that would be glad to come out here -"

"You told me that your sympathies were with the North," Nick reminded him. "But it was all a lie, wasn't it?"

Charlie shrugged, "They wanted to try me for treason," he said. "I figured I could convince you that I was just a coward who didn't want to kill family in the south and keep me away from the firing squad."

"And he did that," Jess pointed out. "So why do you want to kill him?"

"Because I knew he'd eventually figure it out. Especially after I went after the members of the court-martial. He's the last one."

"Do you really think that the Army's going to leave you alone less than a hundred miles from Fort Carson?" Nick asked.

"Why should that be a problem?" Thornton asked. "I did my ten years."

"What about four murders? Or didn't you think they would be looking at you for those?"

"They have no proof - I have an alibi for each one," Thornton smirked. "Gene here will swear we were a hundred miles away every time."

"Killing us won't give you the ranch anyway," Kevin told Charlie. "There are other heirs -"

"And you can't kill them all," Jess finished as a shot rang out, striking the dirt between Charlie's boots.

"Thornton! You and your friends, drop your guns."

Jess, Nick, and Kevin all looked at each other upon hearing the voice, and Jess saw the concern in Nick's eyes.

"*Now!*" Another shot, closer to the left boot. "Do it, or you'll take the next shot between the eyes!"

"Drop your guns!" Charlie said, taking a better hold of his own weapon. Leon, Reese, and Gene's guns all hit the dirt.

"Now, you three, get your horses and get out of here!" One shot was fired into the air, and the three men took off, scrambling to get on their horses to ride out of the canyon.

"If you don't come down, I'll shoot Mrs. Everett," he told the unseen shooter.

"And I'll have no reason to keep you alive. You have to the count of three to drop that gun, Thornton! One, two -"

With Charlie's attention diverted, Jess reached into the pocket of her riding skirt, but stopped as Nick quickly knelt and plucked his derringer from his boot, pointing it at Charlie as he shouted, "Three!"
Charlie turned and fired, leaving no choice for Nick but to return fire, hitting the man in his chest.

"Cole?" Jess called out, looking up at the rocks.

"On my way down, Ma," he said, scattering small rocks as he half-slid down the side of the canyon. "Are you okay?" he asked her once he got to the bottom.

Nick was kneeling beside Charlie when they joined him and Kevin. "I was going to take care of him," Cole said. "Is he -?"

"He'll live to face another court-martial. This one for treason and murder."

"Why did you risk shooting him, Pa?" Cole wanted to know.

Placing his arm around Cole's shoulders, Nick explained, "He was my problem. And I didn't want you having to live with killing him."

"I wasn't going to kill him," Cole insisted as Kevin brought the horses over. "I planned to wound him - sort of like what you did."

"You did good, anyway. Did you ride all the way out here by yourself -?"

"Not really," Cole told him as Lt. Brunell and the hands rode into the entrance to the canyon - with the other three men in custody. "They were behind me."

"As soon as we told him what was going on, he went into the house and got his gun and was gone before we could stop him. I wanted to go after him immediately, but Lily - Mrs. Donager convinced me that Cole could handle it if we gave him enough lead time," Justin told them. He finally looked at Jess. "Hello, Jess."

"Lieutenant," she said, her voice decidedly cool, drawing a look of curiosity from Nick, which she ignored.

Brunell looked at Cole. "From what I've heard, you're a good shot. Ever thought about a career in the -"

"He's only fifteen, Lieutenant," Nick said.

"I'll think about it, sir," Cole told Justin, who nodded and moved over to inspect his prisoner.

"Think you can ride, Thornton?" he asked.

"No. I'm shot!" He glared at Nick. "I'll get even with you for this," he promised.

"He can ride," Nick told Justin. "At least to the barn, where you can transfer him to a wagon."

"We'll take the train on to Mesa City tomorrow morning and then a wagon from there Fort." He looked at Kevin. "I suppose you'll give me the loan of a wagon until tomorrow?"

"Of course. I'll even have some of my men ride into town with you."

"Thank you."

==============

On the way back to the house, Jess rode faster than the others, and Nick caught up with her far enough from the men and horses that he felt they could talk without being overheard. "What's with you and the Lieutenant, Jess?" he asked.

She concentrated on the ground in front of Midnight as she answered. "He and I - spent some time together a few months after I got back from the east."

"Another piece of your past?" he noted, but she shook her head.

"Not really. He only spent time with me to try and get close to Lily. He thought he was in love with her, and knew that she and I were friends. When I realized why he was paying me so much attention, I told him that I never wanted to see him again."

"Does Kevin know?" Nick asked, glancing back to see that the two men were as far apart as possible.

"No. I was afraid of what he or Pa might do if they found out."

"Did you tell anyone?" he asked.

"Lily. I thought she should know what he was like, just in case she might have been considering - but she told me that she had no interest in marrying him, that she was in love with Kevin."

Nick reached over and touched her hand as it lay on the saddle horn. "And now he's helped save all of our lives."

"I suppose that balances the books, doesn't it?"

===============

Lily met them as they entered the yard, barely waiting for Kevin to slide off of Rusty before throwing her arms around him. "I'm so relieved you're all right," she said, kissing him and crying.

"Hey, I'm okay. No tears necessary," he told her, aware that Justin Brunell was watching the scene as Ben came running from the house and launched himself into Kevin's arms.

"Pa!"

"I was so afraid -" Lily said, looking at Jess and Nick. "For all of you."

"At least you had the good sense to realize that letting Cole follow us was the best course of action," Jess told her, accepting Lily's hug. "He saved the day."

Cole looked embarrassed by her praise. "Excuse me," he said, "I'm going to the house. Does Mariana have supper ready? I'm starving!"

==================

Kevin stood watching as Lily spoke quietly with Justin Brunell as he prepared to lead the wagon carrying his prisoners - all securely tied up - into town. As the wagon began to move, she came up the steps to join him. "What did he have to say?" Kevin wanted to know.

"Only that he knows now that I was right to marry you instead of him." She looked up at him, turning to put her arms around him. "Kevin, you never had any reason to be jealous of Justin or any other man. From the moment I met you, you were the only man in my life."

"Did he tell you why he brought the papers from Washington?"

"He was in Washington on an errand for Major Blair, and was asked to bring them to the ranch on his way back to the Fort. It was basically an order, and you know Justin - he always follows orders." She gave him a kiss. "And he also told me that he's going to be married next month - to the Major's niece."

"Why am I not surprised?" he wondered, shaking his head. "Let's go inside, Mrs. Donager."

==================

"So, you're the hero of hour," Nick told Cole as they stood at the corral later.

Cole lifted his shoulders. "I guess so."

"You still don't understand why I shot Charlie instead of letting you do it."

"I heard what you said, but - " He turned to look at Nick, "How am I going to find out if I can do what needs to be done if you or Ma always step in to protect me?"

"I think you'll be able to do whatever needs to be done. Were you really going to just wound him?"

"Yes. You know, I don't think you really believe that I can hit whatever I want to."

"Oh, I believe it. I'm sure that you could have just as easily put a bullet into his big toe if you had a mind to."

"I considered it," Cole said with a grin.

"You realize that once this gets out, people are going to realize how well you can use that gun."

"Maybe it's time." He sighed. "It's one way to keep the guys from teasing me about helping Mrs. Drummond."

"You decided to do it?"

"Yes, sir. I figure that if Ma could handle doing it, I can, too."

"You need to tell her that."

"I will. I wonder if she'll tell me about the frogs?" he mused, laughing at Nick's surprised look.

"How did you find out -?"

"Mrs. Drummond told me about it," Cole said. "Said that she hoped that I wouldn't go to that extreme if I decided that I didn't want to help her."

"How did *she* find out about it? She wasn't in Providence when -"

"Mrs. Lee told her about it when she first started teaching here."

"Cole -"

"Don't worry. I wouldn't put frogs in Mrs. Drummond's desk."

"Thank you."

"But I might start collecting lizards..."

==================

Jess woke to find herself alone in the bed, and looked around, finding Nick standing at the far window. Grabbing her robe, she checked on Caleb before joining her husband. "Can't sleep?" she asked, putting her arms around him. He had been quiet all evening, going to bed early.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"For what?"

Everything that happened. It was my fault."

"How?"

"I trusted a man who lied to me -"

"You didn't know he lied. You were an attorney, defending your client in the best way you could. If he lied to you about himself, that's on him, not on you."

"I put all of you in danger. You and Kevin especially."

"Nick, you have no reason to blame yourself. You're a good man - no matter how much you try to convince people otherwise - and you wanted to help a man that you thought wanted to be helped. It's not your fault that he never wanted to be helped. So stop beating yourself up. No one blames you or holds you responsible for that Charlie Thornton and his friends did."

"What about Hank?"

"Hank will understand. I think you need to talk to Andrew."

"I plan to," he confirmed.

"Good. Now, let's go back to bed."

He didn't move from the window, but he turned to look at her. "I'm going to get Cole a derringer - maybe for Christmas. Something similar to yours - with his initials on it."

"I was thinking the same thing," she told him. "But a four shot - three for warnings, and the last one in case the warnings don't work."

"Fair enough. He'll tell you himself tomorrow, but - he's going to help Mrs. Drummond with grading papers."

"Good."

"He also knows about the frogs."

"What? How?"

"Apparently Mrs. Drummond was told about it when she first came here - by her predecessor."

"Mrs. Lee - does he know that I -?"

"He does indeed. But he promised not to put frogs in her desk."

Jess relaxed. "That's a relief."

"He's talking about trapping lizards."

Jess' eyes widened, and she buried her face against Nick's chest, smothering her laughter. "I can see it now - and he - he would probably recruit Ben to help him collect them."

"And with Ben's hero worship, he would no doubt go along with the plan," Nick agreed, laughing as well.

"I need to talk to him," she said, moving away toward the door.

"Whoa, darlin', where are you going?" Nick asked, keeping a hold on her arm.

"To talk to Cole," she told him.

But Nick scooped her up into his arms. "It can wait until tomorrow. Right now, I have a plan of my own."

Jess linked her arms around his neck. "And what might that plan be, darlin'?" she asked as he carried her back to bed and followed her onto the mattress.

The End

Jess, Nick and the rest will return in the next installment of "The Donager Saga".