Prologue  The heavy thud of the door slamming shut seemed to fill the early morning air as the sun flickered and danced along the dew that clung to the leaves of the trees and grass. The faint sound of jingling spurs drifted on the morning breeze even as several long shadows stretched out over the ground. “Hope we don’t meet again,” said the man holding the rifle with a star pinned to his chest. “We do, you won’t even know it.” The slim boyish figure said coldly. “Don’t I get a horse or nothin’?” “You got two feet, and a heartbeat don’t ya? Nearest town is twenty miles thataway,” he spit out a mouthful of tobacco juice. It was the same every time he let out another one. A quick warning and then he watched them disappear. “See ya around, Warden,” the hostility in the words was echoed by the look of pure rage and hatred in the woman’s pale grey eyes. Shrugging deeper into her coat, she turned and started eastward, headed for the one place she knew her things would be. It didn’t hurt that the direction she needed to go was also the direction that town was in, that way the Marshall, and the prison warden wouldn’t have a clue about where she was going. She retreated to the place she knew beyond a doubt would give her what she needed and hunkered down. Watching the trees bend and flow within the wind, she hid a smile when she saw the hunched, crippled figure that seemed to move painfully about the small yard. Ducking into shadows, she circled the small cabin until she could ease closer, approaching the corral where a leggy sorrel stood dozing in the growing heat of the day. She watched as a crooked cross was tended. Flowers were laid at its base before the man shuffled back to the cabin. The man appeared A little older, a little more haggard. He moved as though he had no choice. “Soon Papa,” the soft whisper drifted away on the wind before it had even had a chance to be warmed by the sun. She sat there staring down at the cross, at the rundown shack and let the painful tears fall. All or nothing, and she’d never given up hope that someday it would be all. “Murder is a crime many cannot commit. You seem to have a preference for it,” hatred and anger chilled the tones. “Can’t help it,” was the quick, merciless reply. “He had it coming.” “Five years. Once you’ve set foot out of prison, you change your ways...or I’ll have you back there for the rest of your natural born life.” “My life is gone. What difference does it make where I spend my time until death comes to call?” “Figured you’d be here.” the gnarled hand resting on her shoulder drew a smile. “Where is she?” “Margaret took her nearly two months ago. Said I couldn’t raise your bastard,” he paused at the rage that twisted a face scarred by violence and petty jealousy. “And her father?” “Ain’t nobody talkin’ about that child. The whole thing was bad and your Father ain’t forgiven and forgotten yet.” With a pained nod, she rose to her feet and turned to hunched figure. “I’m taking Satan.” “You be careful that you don’t let vengeance eat you alive, little one. Ain’t a life worth what you’re risking by doin’ this.” “My baby doesn’t deserve to have to be stuck with Margaret. I’ll get her back or die trying.” A soft sigh echoed on the warm wind, “Where is he buried?” “Nobody knows. Your Pa kept it pretty quiet, just like he kept your charge of murder quiet.” The words were a gentle reminder of an act of self-defense that had ultimately cost her five long years. Five years during which she’d missed birthdays, Christmases, all the firsts in a baby’s life. She ground her teeth together and turned her cold gaze to the corral, “What’s with the cross?” “I figured I’d at least mark a place for you. The young woman I knew is gone, all that’s left is a woman embittered and hardened by life.” “Betrayal and prison will do that,” she replied softly. “Thank you Papa, you’ve given me a chance to have something like closure.” “God be with you child. Bring her home.” “You have my word. I swear on Bella’s soul, I will bring her home and I will make Margaret pay dearly, for every sin she’s ever committed.” He turned and walked away. he had things to get ready. His granddaughter was a light rider, made hard by the theft of her very life by her own flesh and blood. The horse standing in the corral snorted and stomped. oh yes, he would pray hard for the safe return of his granddaughter and his great-granddaughter’s return. Chapter One: “I’m tellin’ you that you’re hurting me here,” Cody whined. “I mean I’m telling you that kid was cuter than me...” “Cody, as much as some of us would love to believe you and thus shut you up, there is no way in this world you saw a little girl running around out in the middle of nowhere without her folks.” “All I’m saying is, I didn’t see them. I saw her by herself. Who knows, maybe her folks were at some other place. I mean they had to be close by! Baby’s don’t just run wild out there.” “Maybe we should go have a look,” Buck suggested. “We shouldn’t leave a little girl out there alone.” ”But would...” “Who’s gonna tell him?” Buck looked pointedly at his friend, “Cody? Teaspoon’ll be dead by the time he finishes what he’s saying.” “You’re not funny,” Cody whined. The other boys ushered him out of the bunkhouse. Coming to a dead halt, he stared at what sat in the middle of the yard - her dress dirty, her face smeared with dirt and sweat, an angelic smile on her face. “Holy…” “You seeing what I’m seeing?” Jimmy muttered as the girl looked up and smiled wider at them. “Yeah but I’m not sure how,” Buck replied. “How far out did you see her?” “Good twenty miles. There’s no way she could have made it back here by now, even if she knew where here was.” “Doesn’t matter,” Noah shrugged. “Hey little one, where’s your Ma?” “Hello.” the girl fell silent again, ignoring the looks from the boys Quick, ruthless movements too old for such a little frame, knocked the dust from her skirt. She smiled up at Buck, her blue eyes studying him carefully. She lifted her arms. “Up please.” Buck lifted the little girl and glanced at his friends as the sound of hooves on hard packed earth reached their ears. “Rider coming.” “Maybe its Ike,” Kid suggested. “He’s due in.” “Could be.” Buck settled the girl on his hip as he watched his friend ride into the station. “How was your run?” *Quiet. A little too quiet if you ask me.* “You have problems somewhere along the line?” Kid was familiar enough with Ike to know the man would let a wound emotional or physical fester for weeks. *No, just a bad feeling. It’s too still, too quiet along the trail. Almost like something is coming that isn’t good. Who’s your friend?* “Showed up today.” Cody smirked at the boys. “Ain’t said a whole lot but she’s taken a shine to Buck here.” “I ain’t really a good person with kids.” Buck looked at Ike with the beginnings of a smile. “Not like you are. Here you hold her, I’ll see to your horse.” Ike stared after his friend as he found his arms full of a small, dirty little girl, He smiled into icy blue eyes that held a hint of laughter. “Hi,” the girl grinned back at him and hugged his neck. She held on as he glared at the boys before heading inside. His plan of a coffee, a bite to eat, and a nap was shot to pieces. Chapter Two Adelaide stared hard at the tracks of a familiar team, her anger bubbling. She kicked at a stone and shook her head. It had been too long since she’d held her baby, since she’d seen her sweet little smile. it was only because of her sister that she’d lived that particular nightmare. Now though she would have the vengeance that her heart cried out for. Adelaide mounted her horse in one agile leap. With the reins in hand, she nudged him into a light trot. She had time. She had all the time in the world for what she was going to do – now she’d play with her target.  Let her sweat for a bit, let her feel the fear of the unknown. Pulling out the simple gold chain that hung around her neck, Adelaide stared at the small pendant. She popped it open and stared down into the likeness of the man she’d loved, the man she’d given everything to without regret, without a thought to the consequences. Oh yes, her dear sister would pay for stealing him away, for putting him into a grave. “Soon, very soon.” The soft snort of her horse drew a smile as she rode through the day, pausing as the sun began to set. She poked at the flames from her campfire, her mind miles and years away. ~~ Boots thudded softly on the plank. She looked up to see the lanky frame of a youth standing in the barn. She turned to eye the young man cautiously. “Hi,” she put her pitchfork down. “You lookin’ for something?” He shrugged silently, a slight hint of fear in his gaze. “Well? Either you are or you ain’t...” He scribbled on paper. Taking the slip from him, she glanced down at the note and tilted it toward the light to read the few simple words. “Oh.” she smiled, the tension bleeding from her body easily. “Uh, well we are looking for help at the moment actually. You any good with a horse?” He nodded quickly. “Good. You can talk to Pa about wages and such but since the stables are my domain, you can start right now. The stalls need to be cleaned, horses need to be groomed and the stock fed. You think you can manage that?” Again he nodded. She held out her hand, “Names Adelaide MacDonald and you are?” He put the pencil on the paper. Peeking at the note she nodded, “Well nice to meet you Ike. I’ll let you get to work; dinner’ll be in a few hours. Uh, you can bunk in the hay loft.” “Adelaide, are you here?” She groaned and rolled her eyes before turning to stare at the young woman standing in yards of pale satin. I like that image. “Of course I am. where else would I be? What do you want Margaret?” “Father wants to know if you’re planning on joining us for tonight’s dinner.” “I’ll think about it. I’m kinda busy right now.” “Well if you could quit mingling with the hired help, perhaps you could... Ooh, uh, hello.” Margaret smiled sweetly at Ike. The silent youth nodded quickly and stepped past his new ‘employer’ to pick up the pitchfork. He retreated to the nearest stall. “Who is he?” She asked loudly. Adelaide rolled her eyes. “My new stable hand. Now if you don’t mind, he’s got work to do and you’ve got to finish getting ready for your party.” With a flounce of her skirts, the dark haired beauty all but sashayed out of the barn. “You’re gonna have problems with that one.” Adelaide turned to smile at the old, black man leaning against the wall. “When don’t I?” she laughed softly. “Now then, could you chop up some more wood for me? I haven’t gotten around to it and if my sister is to have her party we’ll need it.” “Already cut and stacked four cords Miss Adelaide; you figure we’ll need more?” “Four? No, no that should be good. Did Samson get the buggy polished?” “Yes ma’am. I’ll see to the rest of the chores while you show the young man about. He’ll probably need to know the escape routes.” the old man chuckled as he shuffled off. Adelaide grinned at Ike. “Well come on, I’ll show you around. You’ll find that it’s hard working here, but rewarding.” Ike nodded silently and fell into step with her.~~ Shaking herself from the thoughts, Adelaide poured herself a cup of coffee.That day had been one of the first memories she’d had of ever being happy, of being more than just the daughter of a rich cattleman. It hadn’t taken long for her and Ike to learn to communicate with the rudimentary sign language he used, as well as the skills she’d learned lip-reading from her mother who was partially deaf.  In fact they’d spent hours every day working together, honing their communication skills. They’d learned each other’s quirks until it had been seamless.  They’d gone from being just employee/employer, to friends, to one fateful night when they’d become lovers. A year after that first night together, she’d delivered their baby girl. alone, scared to death and very aware of the fact that Ike had disappeared. Four months later, she was sitting in front of a judge being sentenced for murder – a crime she had never believed she would ever be capable of until she’d done it. Now all she wanted was her daughter back and her sister’s head on a platter. “Simple things really,” she muttered to herself. “Simple, unassuming things that are easily acquired. And my dear sister will never know what hits her.” Rubbing her arms against the chill that was as much in the air as in her blood? ,Margaret Willows gazed out into the darkness. Somewhere out there was a little girl who held the keys to her own salvation.  Adelaide’s daughter would keep the other woman at bay, would help ease the demons within her own mind and provide an ironic revenge. She was fortunate to have a father who loved her blindly, who believed her every word.   She reveled in the knowledge that she’d gotten back at Adelaide for stealing young Ike McSwain’s attention. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t wanted the boy; he’d been too savage, too beneath her for that. No, it mattered that he’d liked Adelaide; hell, she’d even go so far as to say that he loved her sister. That her younger sister was locked away in some prison didn’t matter to Margaret. Instead she focused on the hatred she’d seen in her sister’s cold grey eyes that day in the courtroom. It had infuriated her. Adelaide was plain, boyish and in no way, anything worth the second look of a young man. Adelaide was more comfortable with her horses and hired hands, and totally unwilling to be a puppet to Margaret’s plans. Margaret turned toward the sound of a slight snore. Her husband had money and a ruthless streak as wide as her own. He also had many weaknesses. She smiled coldly. First thing in the morning they would back track. She needed that little girl. She tugged on the blanket covering her husband.  Wrapping it around herself, she closed her eyes. She wouldn’t allow her sister to steal a moment’s sleep from her. Tomorrow would be soon enough to find the brat. Chapter Three The boys watched in amusement as the little girl who had shed her dress for a pair of tiny pants, boots, and a shirt much like Ike’s followed him around. A red bandana held her hair back from her face and she moved with a confident air one would associate with an older child. Ike didn’t seem to mind his shadow. He was patient with her, allowing her to help him brush the horses down, feed the stock, and clean up around the chopping block. “They seem to be getting along well,” Rachel held a basket of folded laundry on her hip as she watched Ike and Bella move around the yard. “Too well,” Buck stated calmly. “He’s gonna be hard pressed to give up that girl when her folks show up.” “Leaving her out there alone like that, I don’t reckon they got much to complain about.” Rachel tightly gripped the rim of the laundry basket, fury flashing in her eyes. “There might be a reason ya know,” Lou glanced at the others. “I ain’t saying its right. I’m just saying that she may have wandered off and they’ve been lookin’ for her.” “That close to town?” Rachel shook her head. “I’d be looking and when I couldn’t find her I’d go to the nearest town and get help. It ain’t the two legged varmints I’m worried about. That baby could easily have been killed by a snake or a coyote or…” “Rachel,” Lou glanced up at the woman, “Calm down. We won’t let anything bad happen to that girl.” “I know, it just makes me so mad. I guess I’m just uneasy with the thought of betraying a child in such a way.” “We all are,.” Kid glanced at corral where the little girl’s laughter rang out. “She’s a natural with the horses; sure glad she took to Ike.” “Aren’t we all,” Cody sighed. “I’m not cut out for babysitting.” “Shut up.” Seeing her sit on the highest rung Lou frowned. “She’s a little too controlled. I mean she’s what maybe four? Look at her, she acts like an old woman.” Buck looked from Lou to the little girl. “I think we should try to find out where she came from,” “At least give someone a chance to find out why and where she came from.” Kid suggested. “You thinkin’ of takin’ her home?” Noah watched Kid’s face soften.  “No, but if we know she’s got kin we can notify them. Tell ‘em she’s safe.” Rachel nodded, . “That’s a real good idea Buck. See if she’ll talk to you.” “She ain’t said more than five words since she got here. But she’s taken to signing really well.” “Yeah, too well,” Kid shifted uneasily. “Like she knew it or something.” Studying the way Ike and the little girl sat watching the horses, Buck felt a chill creep over him. A faint trickling of a memory that was just out of reach taunted him, pulling at his mind with all its might. Whoever the girl was, wherever she’d come from, there was something bad behind her. Something or someone that walked a dark trail. *You must miss your Mom,* Ike signed slowly. The little girl shrugged. *Yes, but she’s been in the bad place a long time. Papa said sometimes a good person has to spend time in Hell to come out a better person.* *Your Papa sounds like a wise man.* *He is. He’s getting old though, he’s had a hard time working the farm. He couldn’t stop Margaret from taking me, I know he wanted to but he didn’t have the strength.* Ike frowned. *Margaret isn’t your Mommy?* “Nope.” Bella turned a serious expression to him.  “She’s mean, and she hates me and my Mommy.” *Its good to hear you talking.* *Mommy says I shouldn’t spend so much time talking with my hands. Most folks don’t understand it. But you do. You must have had a good teacher.* Ike glanced over his shoulder at Buck  *Yeah I did.* *I bet my Mommy’s wondering where I am. I usually write to her. Papa always helps me, says it’s important I know her.  I sure hope she isn’t sad. Papa says when he sees her she always asks about me and smiles.* Ike smiled sadly. *You’ll see her soon.* Bella stared at the horses. She missed her Mommy, missed her hugs, her smiles, and her laughter. Mostly though, she missed the way Mommy always said she’d keep her safe, always love her. Snuggling into Ike’s embrace, she sat there letting the tears fall as only a child can. Crying for things lost and for the hope that she’d have what she needed soon. Biting her lip, something she’d remembered her Mommy doing, she offered a silent prayer to God. ~Please God, please let my Mommy come for me. I don’t want to go back to Margaret. I promise I’ll be good, I’ll never complain or nothing…just let my Mommy come for me.~ Ike sighed, unsure how long it had been since Bella had fallen asleep. He slid down from the fence with the little girl in his arms and headed for the bunkhouse “How’s it going Ike?” Kid watched Ike tuck the little girl under a blanket in his bed. *She’s scared. Whoever was out there with her isn’t her mother,* Ike explained. *She says she writes her Mommy regularly, and her Papa takes the letters to her.* “Maybe she’s in a hospital or something.” *No,that’s not the impression I got. If someone shows up lookin’ for her, we should be real careful. I think someone stole her from her grandfather’s farm.* “We’ll have to keep our guard up,” Lou glanced at the others. “Any idea where she’s from originally?” *She hasn’t said,* Ike joined the others at the table. * I’m not about to press for an answer. She’s just a baby. I don’t want to make things worse for her.* Nodding their agreement, each was lost in their own thoughts as they gazed at the sleeping form on the bunk. Chapter Four Pulling up by a stand of old pines, Adelaide dismounted easily. She moved away from the trees and up a slight incline. Just shy of the top, she dropped down to crawl the remaining feet. Peering over she sighed as she realized what she’d found, what the whisper on the wind had hinted at.  A familiar looking team that she’d helped raise and train stood in the shade of a tall poplar tree. A small wagon sat off to the side and two people were sitting by a fire. The tailored black of the man’s suit told of his money, or rather the use of his companion’s money. Adelaide sneered, seeing no gun in sight. “Mistake number two.” she watched the blonde sip her cup of coffee. A little older, her hair a little less perfectly coiffed, her dress slightly wrinkled but still the same old Margaret. Even from the distance, Adelaide could see how years of bitterness had marred her sister’s otherwise attractive features. Adelaide crawled downwards before rising to her feet. She hurried to her horse. Mounting up she circled Margaret’s camp. She stopped on the other side of the knoll nearest the wagon before dismounting and unsaddling Satan. “Well old man, you’re gonna have to listen tonight,” she whispered to the horse. “We’re gonna have us some fun.” Adelaide shook her head at the horse as she grabbed her rope, knife and blanket from behind the saddle. She crept closer to the camp, stopping near the horses when she heard the sound of her sister’s furious voice. “If you’d watched her like I told you to. We wouldn’t have to double back. God only knows where she slipped out of the wagon. The nearest town is Silver Gulch and that’s a two day trip!” “Well, if you’d just shot her like I told you to, it wouldn’t be a problem.” “Listen Ray, if that girl dies, we die. You think Adelaide ain’t going to find out about this? She will. That bastard brat is our ticket to freedom. Without her Adelaide is gonna kill us.”  “She’s locked away in a prison remember?” “Adelaide’s resourceful; she’ll find a way out.” “You worry too much woman. She’s probably wishin’ she was dead. I know the warden, he enjoys women prisoners.” “I don’t care about that,” Margaret poured another cup of coffee. “It’s what comes after she gets out. We should have killed the old man.” “Hell, he’s gonna be dead before spring anyway.” “Spring’s another year away you fool! No, we should have tied up all the loose ends.” “That brat’s a loose end and you wanna keep her alive.” “Because we need her! I told you to tie her up good because she could get out of the wagon by herself if she wasn’t tied but did you listen to me? NO!” Izabella was out there somewhere. Dead or alive, either way she was the only thing that would keep Adelaide out of their lives. At least until she could get the trap set. After that, Adelaide wouldn’t be a concern. “Should listen to her Ray,” Adelaide whispered softly. “She’s right. You do need the girl – not that it’s gonna save either of you.” Settling in, she checked the position of the sun. Another couple of hours until dark, the perfect time to sneak in and steal some horses. The soft cooing of a night bird didn’t stop Adelaide as she moved closer to the camp. A quick check revealed both people were sleeping. The leads on both horses were undone in seconds. She soothed the horses and then led them away from the campsite. Hiding them up the glen, she double backed. “Satan you’re about to find out how much alike we really are.” Adelaide followed a faint path, marking it with a bit of rope. Once back at her own camp, she settled in for the night. Chapter 5 Staring into the flames, Adelaide sighed. She would gladly give everything she had now to be, a young idealistic fourteen years old still living at home . her life, while filled with hard work, had been fulfilling. She’d had everything she could have ever wanted that year, a man who loved her, her horses, her ranch, everything. Before Ike, her life had been all about the horses, their care, and their wellbeing.  After the death of her mother young Adelaide had slowly been pushed aside in favor of Margaret. The older girl had gotten everything, her father’s attention, and gifts. Adelaide had been left with a life of hard work and the whippings that belonged to her sister. Then he’d come into her world and for the first time she’d felt like more than a ranch hand. She’d felt like a woman, someone who was wanted, desired for more than her ability to sooth the beasts of burden on her Father’s ranch. It had been their mutual love of horses that had bonded them initially. As time had passed, they’d talked about more than just work. There were long conversations, filled with tears and laugher as the two of them talked about their lives. They came to trust one another more than anyone else. Adelaide had actually relaxed and just enjoyed being a young woman. She’d gone fishing and riding with Ike.  They’d both been aware of the pull the other possessed but hadn’t acted upon it; they’d behaved respectfully, done the right thing for nearly a year. She’d just turned fifteen when a spring storm had driven them to seek shelter within the other’s arms. Blinking at the tears in her eyes Adelaide allowed herself to fall back into the memories. Shivering at the gust of wind that whipped the rain at her, Adelaide nudged her horse into the stand of pines next to a ragged corral. She quickly stripped the gelding down and turned him loose. She struggled into the cabin that was attached to the pen. Stepping inside, she shook the rain from her hair and coat even as she wondered briefly who’d already been there long enough to get a fire going. She stripped  down to her shirt, cursing the way the wet material clung to her curves.  she stepped over to the fireplace and held out her hands. Feeling a gust of cold, wet air she turned to find Ike standing behind her. Her frown turned into a warm welcoming smile “Hey, wondered who was here.” *I was over at the creek, checking out the new foals.* “How are they doing?” *Good, will make some nice cow ponies.* “I didn’t start coffee, just got here.” Rubbing her arms against the chill Adelaide turned to the cupboards and began digging through them,. Her nerves made her so jumpy that she shrieked when the coffee canister dumped out of the cupboard and clattered to the floor. Sinking to her knees she began picking up the can, her hands shaking as she tried to gather the beans. Ike stilled her hands with his own. *what’s wrong?* “I don’t know!” She jerked away from Ike. Rising to her feet, she pushed her wet hair back from her face. She crossed protectively over her chest.  “I just…” *I won’t hurt you.* “I know.” Her entire body burned for something, an ache had built within her for so long she didn’t know how to stop it and being near him, being so close and alone had only intensified it. “I can’t…I can’t do this. I’m going back to the house.” *You won’t get ten feet.  That storm’s a bad one!* Ike rested his hand on her shoulder. *Talk to me.* Adelaide looked up at him, her eyes revealing the torment she was under, “I  can’t do this. I can’t be this close, this…” *You know I would never force you to do anything.* “But I want to!” Adelaide shouted and pushed away from him. “God I’m such a…” *Addie you aren’t anything. You’re a woman.* She dug through the possibles trunk in search of a dry coat. Pulling it out she staredat the buttons as she did them up until Ike’s hand stopped hers. *Addie, this is me. We aren’t going to do anything.* There was firmness, a resolve in his gaze that soothed her nerves. The matching desire and awareness in his blue eyes made her tremble. The soft touch of his lips against her cheek calmed her. Turning her head, she boldly stepped against him, her fingers seeking out the buttons of his shirt. *Addie, are you sure?* She smiled at him, “No. I want to though; I need to be close to you.” The gentle, loving kiss they shared quickly grew untamed, demanding. Neither cared about the consequences of their actions; instead they’d focused on each other. She cried softly, it had been their first night together, but not their last. With no one to talk to that wouldn’t betray her confidence, Adelaide had kept her worries to herself. She had a feeling that perhaps most men weren’t as considerate of their lovers’ needs as Ike had been of hers. He’d tried so hard to please her, to be what she needed in her life and she’d loved him all the more for it. She’d never revealed anything to anyone about it, hiding all signs of their involvement from everyone…including Papa. She’d known he’d suspected something when the grizzled old man had smiled knowingly at her. She knew then he was aware of their relationship, aware of the love they shared. Although he’d never revealed how he’d come to be aware and she had often wondered if he hadn’t stumbled upon them in one of their secret meeting places. Despite her grandfather’s ready acceptance, Adelaide knew beyond a doubt that her father wouldn’t approve. She’d taken every chance she could to sneak off with Ike, to go to the small, warm little cabin her grandfather called home.  There they could be relaxed; they could show their emotions without fear. Margaret certainly hadn’t. She’d done everything in her power to attract Ike to her charms. She’d been very flirtatious, giggling at his written notes, brushing against him, and in general, acting like a besotted fool. It had aggravated Adelaide but she’d realized that controlling Ike was the one sure way to force him away so she’d let him make his own choice. It was a move that had ultimately secured their relationship and killed it at the same time. They’d gotten adept at finding ways of being alone together until Margaret had caught them kissing behind the barn. There hadn’t been anything inappropriate about it, a soft kiss on the cheek to sooth away a hint of pain but still. In it’s its own way that was the true killer. Within hours, Margaret’s vindictiveness had resulted in Ike’s disappearance and her father’s brutal attack. She hadn’t cried, screamed or begged; she’d kept her tattered dignity intact while her father whipped her like some mangy dog on the front stoop of the house. Margaret had only smirked as she looked on.  When the hitting stopped, he began yelling. “I won’t have a daughter of mine acting like some two-bit whore! You show some respect, you tramp!” He’d began yelling. The heavy weight of the belt bit into her back. Adelaide’s detached mind drifted to thoughts of Ike even as her father’s voice faded in and out. What had happened to him? Just how badly had her father wanted to get rid of him? And what of Margaret? How much of a victory had this been for the other woman? The slam of the door struck her like a blow and she flinched, her knees finally buckling.  Adelaide welcomed the darkness that wrapped itself around her, pushing aside the agony of flesh tore open. She lay in a tangled bloody heap on the porch, half aware of her surroundings. As night fell, she watched three of her father’s riders come in, a heavy, thick rope tied behind the saddle of one of them. She closed her eyes and cried. Her body aching, her mind racing and scattered, she’d sobbed for the loss of the man who’d understood her, who had loved her unconditionally. “You can come in now.” She flinched at her father’s furious tone “Maybe next time, you’ll think before you lay down with some hired-hand.” She bit back a sharp retort  and crawled to her feet. Standing on shaky legs in front of her father, she glared at him. “I’d rather be his whore than your daughter. At least he knew how to be a man.” Adelaide stumbled down the stairs as her father’s face started to go red. “You call me a whore, you beat me because of some imagined transgression but I don’t see you doing anything to Margaret for her ill-behavior.” “She knows how to be lady.” ”Really?” with a painful shrug, Adelaide moved toward the barn. “You couldn’t prove it by me.” That had been the last time she’d ever spoken to him, to anyone in her family. The darkness of night had hidden her as she’d taken Satan and disappeared. It had been the longest ride of her life. Every step the horse had taken, sent shards of white-hot pain through her body.  Papa took her in cleaned her wounds, dried her tears, and listened to her story. “I love him so much Papa and now he’s gone. I need him.” Adelaide sobbed into her pillow. “Now girl, you know this was bound to happen sooner or later.” Papa wiped at the trail of bloody water from her back. “Your Pa didn’t have no call to be this vicious but you had to realize he was gonna find out.” “But we didn’t do anything around him, not like here. We didn’t hold hands, or stand close or anything!” Adelaide sobbed. “You had to have done something…” “We weren’t doing anything!” Adelaide winced, her fingers crushing the pillow. “He kissed my cheek is all! We were talking and I told him something that scared me and he kissed me I could understand if he’d caught us making love but we weren’t.” “I know and I don’t hold with his punishment. Can’t see any of the hands tellin’ on ya.” “It was my dear sister. The ‘lady’,” the word was filled with more venom than ten snakes, “I don’t know what she told him. Papa, I can’t believe Father would go so crazy over a chaste kiss.” Frowning slightly, he turned his thoughts over his mind,. “Your sister is as evil as that horse of yours. She’s got a mean streak almost as wide as the poison running through her veins.” “But why? What did I do?” Brushing a gnarled hand over her hair, he sighed, “You were born.” Sobbing into the pillow even harder, Adelaide fought to remain still as he finished fixing the broken skin from the belt. There was no pain worse than the one in her heart. She’d lost everything!. She pulled her blanket up around her shoulders. Tomorrow she’d start back along the track; she’d follow Margaret to wherever she was going. Adelaide wondered how well Margaret would like being poor. There was only one way to punish her and that was take from her the most valuable thing she desired. Chapter 6 A shrill shriek woke Margaret from a sound sleep. She rolled over; screaming as she realized her husband was covered in rattle snakes. The massive, squirming coil of snakes struck at Ray as he writhed in terror. “Do something! HELP ME!” Ray screamed as another snake struck at his face, its fangs sinking deep into his flesh.   Grabbing her blanket, Margaret waved it at the snakes in a futile attempt to get them off him. Seeing that the blanket wasn’t working, she reached for a large stick and began removing them one by one. The snakes slithered off into the night. “Oh my God! Ray, how many of ‘em got you?”  She could see the numerous puncture wounds that covered his face and hands. “Too many,” Ray gasped. “This many bites, I’m as good as dead. What the hell happened? Who would…” “You should have listened to her, Ray!” A chilling voice echoed on the night. “I’m too smart, too determined to stay locked in a cell. Welcome to Hell, it’s a lot of fun!” Shivering at the laughter that echoed on the wind, Margaret whipped around. Her eyes searched the darkness for her sister. “Relax Marge; I’ve got other plans for you,” Adelaide called with a chuckle. “Ones that are much more painful than your husband’s demise. Although perhaps not as quick as his was.” “What do you want?” Fear gripped her throat. “You know. You’ve always known!” Silence filled the normal as Margaret sat next to a shivering twitching husband. Her own body was filled with terror as she realized just what she’d done. When darkness faded into the morning, Margaret got her first look at his lifeless body. His still form was covered in welts that had turned black with captive blood. His face bore a tortured look upon it. Huddled under the wagon, Margaret shivered. She’d never felt so alone, so hunted before. And frankly, she hated feeling this way. The soft nicker of a horse drew her attention. Standing under the tree where Ray had tied him, was one of her geldings. Being careful to step around the body, she grabbed for the lead rope. There was no reason why Adelaide would have given her a horse but she wasn’t going to dwell on it. She tied him securely before reclaiming her seat. It would take her three days on horse to reach Bentley. Her contact would be waiting for her there. Her gaze darted to her husband and she shuddered; she couldn’t afford to be late. This meeting would solve her problem. Then she wouldn’t even need the brat. For the first time since that day Adelaide had been sentenced, she felt confident in her own survival. Ike sat up in his bunk and yawned. He glanced at the others also beginning to stir. Kicking his blanket off, he frowned as he realized that his bed was occupied by more than just himself. “She crawled in with you last night,” Buck whispered, rising to his feet. “Came in in tears.” *Wonder why?* “Nightmare probably. I can’t imagine she’s had it easy, what with being kidnapped an all.” Ike nodded, stroking her cheek softly so as not to disturb her. He knew that both Rachel and Teaspoon were actively trying to find Bella’s home. But he prayed that they didn’t find out. Regardless of his position in this world, Ike knew the girl needed him, needed more than she could get from an aging Grandfather and a mother that was in prison. Running his fingers through her hair, he smiled softly. Her dark locks were beginning to curl, reminding him of another woman he’d known. One that ultimately he’d lost… Ppushing aside the thoughts of that particular nightmare, he jumped out of bed and got dressed. Unaware of the looks the others had exchanged, Ike he grabbed his hat and left to go feed the stock. “He’s hooked,” Cody whistled softly. “What do we tell him when her kin shows up?” “He’s not going to give her up without a fight.” Buck watched from the window as his friend went into the barn. “He’s gotten way too attached.” “Seems to me he wouldn’t be Ike if he was any other way!” Lou pointed out pulling on her shirt and buttoning it. “Besides, there’s no guarantee that they’ll find her folks.” “Mommy’s in Hell,” the little girl said in a sleepy whisper “And Daddy died before I was born. Papa told me so.” “Hey,” Lou smiled at her. “I imagine you must be missing your Papa right about now.” “I miss Mommy more,” Bella rolled off the bunk. “Papa said he’d see me before long. Mommy’s special.” “We could probably let your Mommy know…” Bella shook her head; an eerily familiar petulant look crossed her face. “Mommy’s gonna come for me. She will. I know she will. Until then I’m staying with Ike.” Lou watched Bella slip out the door and head for the corral in her nightgown. “Well, that was interesting.” “This is a long way from over.” “You’re telling me,” Lou glanced up at Kid “There’s something more than just a kid alone going on here.” “Stay on your toes,” Buck warned, shivering at the way the girl clung to Ike. “Something tells me that Hell’s open and whoever’s after that kid is gonna come through here like a herd of buffalo.” A frown crossed Jimmy’s face “You think so?”  “I know so. That kid is the key to something bigger, something more dangerous than a lost child. Not only do we have unknown persons looking for her, but we have Ike who’s claimed her as his own. You tellin’ me that you like that situation?” “Hell no,” Noah shook his head. “But we don’t have much choice. Ike’s our friend, our family… we can’t abandon him.” Buck nodded, “Then stay alert.” Chapter Seven “Did you find anything?” Lou glanced at Teaspoon as he hurriedly piled potatoes on his plate. Setting the bowl of spuds down, he glanced up at the expectant faces before him and sighed. “No. I’ve sent word up and down the line and no one recalls a little girl matching Bella’s description.” *Then she stays...* “Didn’t say that Ike. I said I ain’t found anyone to claim her. Just cause folks don’t recall her don’t mean nothing.” *They don’t have a right to take her! They lost her out there! Tossed her aside like a sack of feed!* “Now son,…” *Bella is staying with me! I can take better care of her than they ever did. Besides why would you even think of giving her back to the same people that kidnapped her?* Ike jumped up and stormed out of the bunkhouse. “Ike,” Teaspoon called as the door slammed shut. “Well that went reasonably well.” “He has a point Teaspoon,” Kid glanced from the door to the man at the head of the table. “We can’t hand her over to someone that took her from her home in the first place.” “Son, it’s a matter of law…” “My Mommy’s gonna come for me,” Bella’s voice was soft, barely audible as she stared down at her plate. “Sweetie your Mommy can’t,” Lou faltered, seeing the mulish look on the girl’s face. “Papa told me she promised, she swore on the necklace Daddy gave her that she’d come back for me. Mommy doesn’t lie.” “I’m not saying she does,” Lou tried again,. “It’s just that Mommy can’t come back from…” “Mommy promised!” “Of course she did,” Rachel rested a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder. “But it could be a very long time.” Seeing Bella’s stormy expression, Buck felt a chill race through him. He wondered how she could be so certain of something she had no clue about. “Bella,” he asked softly, “Where is your Mommy? I know you said Hell but that’s a place for dead people.” “Papa always said Hell. It’s a big house with men with guns and a really big fence. It’s a long way from the farm. Mommy’s there.” “Is Hell a prison?” Bella thought about it for a moment. “I think so. Why?” “What’s she in prison for?” Jimmy asked “What? We’re all wondering about it.” Bella shrugged, “Papa said it wasn’t for me to know. Mommy wouldn’t want me to worry.” Jimmy glanced at Teaspoon who seemed to be contemplating something. Knowing better than to ask, he held his tongue. “I’m gonna go talk to Ike.” Buck headed out the door in search of his friend. Finding him exactly where he’d known he would, Buck leaned against the doorjamb.  *I don’t want to talk about it!* “Ike you know you can’t keep her. She has family.” *She’s just a little girl, Buck,* Ike paced in front of him, *Do you realize that she knew who took her? It makes me so mad that someone would hurt a child like that. She’s a baby and she belongs with her folks. But she’s here now. I’m not going to let Teaspoon hand her back over to that crazy woman.* “I don’t expect you to Ike. All I’m saying is that at some point you’re gonna have to let her go.” Staring into a stall, Ike shook his head slowly. *You said the pain would stop. That it would go away. It hasn’t.* “How long has it been?” *Seven years since I met her. Just over six since…* Leaning on the stall door, Buck stared down at Sampson. “Do you think she’d want you to be so unhappy?” *I try not to be, but there are moments. She wouldn’t have wanted that child to suffer either. She’d have fought tooth and nail to protect her, risk everything for her. She said it herself when she told me…* “Told you what?” *Nothing, never mind. I just know she wouldn’t let her go without a fight.* “It’s important to you isn’t it?” *I have to do this. Bella’s is a baby, those that took her from her Papa are adults.* Buck slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll try and to talk Teaspoon into delaying anything if it comes up.” He paused at the barn doors. “I know I never met her in person but she must have been a helluva woman for you to risk everything to do something for her ghost.” *She was,* Ike replied a far away look in his eyes. She’d been more of a woman than anyone he’d ever met before or since. Beyond that, she’d loved him faults and all. She’s accepted his silence, his moods, his need to have some control over his destiny… and she’d done it all with a big smile and a soft look in her eyes. Someday he’d have to go back, go see the old man and find out where she’d been buried. He would pay his respects, honor his vows, and he would do it with Bella. Chapter Eight The soft glow of the lanterns lit the street as Margaret rode into Bentley. She’d managed to make up some time. In fact she wasn’t due to meet Carter for another two hours. Leaving the horse at the livery, she headed for the nearest hotel and a hot bath. Watching from the shadows, Adelaide frowned, what was her sister up to she silently followed her up the stairs to a room.  She took note of which room it was and hurrying back to the lobby. Opening the door to the soft, unobtrusive knock Margaret eyed the man standing staring back at her, “Carter?” “At your service. You want to head downstairs for this conversation?” “No. Come in,” Margaret stepped back to and allowed him entrance. Taking a seat, she cleared her throat, “So you informed me you’d give me a quote when you knew what I wanted.” “I did. And I still don’t know so you’re gonna have to tell me.” Margaret rose and paced to the window to stare out at the inky blackness. “I have a rather troublesome pest I want disposed of. Perhaps you could deal with it.” “What kinda pest?” “My sister,” Margaret declared. “She’s very dangerous and I will pay handsomely for you to rid me of the threat she represents.” “Where will I find her?” “I don’t know for sure. I have no doubt in my mind that she’s close by, watching me. However, your best bet would be to find her daughter. You find the brat; you’ll find my sister in short order. She’s very determined to get her back.” “When?” “At first light. I see no reason to delay this.” “Where’s the kid?” “I’m not sure. She could be in any number of places but I recall she was with us near Rock Creek. When we stopped that night she wasn’t. Your best bet would be to start there.” “What about you?” “I’m going to Rock Creek as well. The kid may be a pain in the ass but she is just a child. She’s more valuable to me dead than alive and since killing a child is a special talent, I’m afraid I won’t impose on you.” “So one woman?” “One woman.” “Cost you five.” With a quick nod, Margaret moved over to her valise and pulled it open, “Gold coin okay?” “Very,” Carter tipped his hat at the woman. “Nice doing business with you.” “You have no idea.” Long after the door had closed behind him, Margaret stared out the window at the darkness. Somewhere out there was a woman capable of killing without thought, and the last person she’d sent against her hadn’t faired so well. She felt no guilt at the death of the man Adelaide had killed. There was no need for penance. That he’d been the local drunkard and prone to violence meant she hadn’t minded loosing a couple dollars to get rid of her sister. She hadn’t counted on her sister’s ability to defend herself, nor had she counted on anyone else in town taking her sister’s side. She certainly hadn’t counted on the judge using her then doing what the town wanted. “Damn fools. Oh well, soon it won’t matter. Soon she’ll be a ghost, part of the past that I won’t have to deal with.” Letting the curtain fall across the glass, she turned away from staring out the window at the darkness. She was unaware of the silent figure that stood in an alleyway watching and watched her window with a slow, hate filled smile. “Rock Creek’s a good bit of riding away,” a mutter drew Adelaide attention and she stepped back out of sight. “But it’s as good as a place as any I reckon to start the hunt. The girl shouldn’t be too hard to spot, an orphan alone in town… “Time to back track.” Adelaide moved through the darkness to the livery. With Satan saddled, she checked her gun before mounting up. It was best to be prepared for things rather than go into them blindly. Nudging Satan away from the warmth of the barn, she cussed at his stubborn crow-hopping before settling firmly in the saddle and tugging none too gently on the reins. “I think you’ll live if you don’t get to finish those oats, old boy.” Her mount emitted a snort of displeasure. She tightened her grip on the reins before kicking him into a full out gallop. She was losing the trail to her daughter. “Teaspoon?” Kid stepped into the Marshall’s Office. “You got a minute?” “What’s on your mind son?” “Ike.” sinking into a chair, Kid stared at the old wooden desk,. “He’s getting worse instead of better. Last night he promised Bella he’d take her on a picnic.” “He’s been doing that a lot. Don’t …” “He’s also promised she won’t have to go anywhere. That he’s gonna keep her with him, keep her safe. I know he’s great with kids and animals Teaspoon but he said he was going to start looking for a place of their own!” Teaspoon sighed. “He’ll learn from this son. The boy’s just doing what comes natural for him. He doesn’t see his actions as being inappropriate.” “But Buck’s siding with him, we all are, I guess I don’t want her to get hurt and I sure don’t want her to fall back into her kidnapper’s hands but still...” “What’s the real problem here son?” Teaspoon leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his stomach. “The fact that Ike’s focusing on raising that young-un or… you were thinking of the same thing?” “Lou and I have talked about it…” a sheepish shrug accompanied the admission. “But that doesn’t mean that we’d keep her from her kin!” “I don’t think we need to worry ‘bout that at this point Kid. I’ll talk to Ike tonight, you just relax. Way y’all are goin’, you’re gonna have apoplexies.” Chuckling at Teaspoon’s words, Kid rose. “Oh by the way, Rachel wants us to have dinner at the big house tonight. Something about Bella’s birthday or something?” “How does that girl know her birthday?” “She doesn’t. I think Rachel just wants to bake a cake and Bella is a handy excuse.” Shooing the young man out of his office, Teaspoon leaned back in his chair and exhaled sharply. He could see Ike was getting too attached to that girl and there would be hell to pay when it was time to let her go. He wondered what it was about the young man that drew animals, kids, and lost souls to him. Hell, Ike was even a calming presence on Jimmy – when he wasn’t in one of the rare moods of his. Shuddering at the memory of the violent mood swings the young man held when he was feeling isolated, Teaspoon swallowed against the knot of dread that settled in his throat. Hopefully Buck would be able to talk the man out of his depression after the girl’s kin showed up. Settling onto the top step, Buck watched the pair by the corral with interest. Ike was calm, steady, treating Bella’s questions and comments like they were more important than air. He’d seen Ike display a side of himself that he hadn’t seen in years, a side that he’d missed. “He does remarkably well with her.” Rachel sat next to him and smoothed the cotton of her skirt over her knees. “Too well. He thinks she belongs to him now. When her kin shows up they’ll have a fight on their hands.” “That isn’t what’s been bothering you though, is it?” “No,” his pensive mood evaporated into a dark scowl. “There’s trouble brewing.” “Surely you don’t think Ike…” “No, he might be involved but he’s not the cause,” Buck shifted uneasily. “There are things in the past, shadows that were never really laid to rest. He sees some of them in that girl.” “What kind of shadows?” “I can’t tell you what I’m not really too sure of myself. I just feel it on the wind, grating like sand in a storm. I can see it when I look in Bella’s eyes, there’s a sadness, an agedness that I’ve seen in Ike’s eyes.” “There’s nothing wrong with caring about her,” Rachel soothed gently. “It’s not that.” Buck hopped down onto the ground. “There’s more to this than I think any of us realize. I’m gonna go help Ike with the fence.” Watching him walk away, Rachel sighed softly. Those two were way too young to act so damn old!   Chapter Nine Covered in mud, horse manure, and sweat Ike hurried into the bunkhouse to change clothes. The soft creak of old leather and well used hinges filled the silence as he lifted the lid of his trunk. Pulling out clean clothes he paused, seeing a familiar box. Lifting it out, he sat back, running a calloused hand over the worn surface. The contents were far from a memory; rather, he knew each intimately. Bits and pieces of his past, memories he treasured. For some reason Bella had awakened memories he’d fought to bury. Memories that at one time had nearly killed him. Bella’s smile, her loyalty, even her affinity with the horses reminded him of ‘her’, the one ghost that never really died… the one if he was honest with himself he didn’t want to let go.  He couldn’t even think her name without hurting. She’d been open, honest, with a good heart. She’d accepted him readily, giving him a chance when others hadn’t. In many ways Lou reminded him of her, strong, independent, and yet a deep pain in her soul scarred her. In her own way Lou was a bitter reminder of what he’d lost. But Lou wasn’t ‘her’, Lou used her clothes, her attitude to hide herself. She hadn’t. She’d worn both with pride, with dignity much like a badge, a mark of courage. Beyond anything else, she’d loved him completely, body and soul. With her he’d learned how to be a man, leaving his boyhood behind him. They’d been happy, in love with no worries until that witch had interfered. “I don’t know what to do Ike,” her voice was soft, filled with fear. “I mean I don’t know for sure. What if it’s just my imagination?” *What are you talking about Addie?* “I’m late,” her reply was even softer than before. “What if I’m in the family way Ike? What then? I don’t expect you to give up your dreams for me. I won’t ask that of you.” *If you are, then we’ll deal with it. Did you go see Doc. Montgomery?* “No,” her eyes filled with tears. “I’m only a few days late. I didn’t want to go to him and have everyone know.” *Tomorrow, first thing we’ll go see him. We’ll find out. And if you are, we’ll get married. We’ll leave the ranch. There isn’t anything here that we need.* “But you’re dreams? You wanted to have a ranch, to save up your money!” *You’re more important.* Brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face, he smiled softly. *I’d rather have you, have a family of my own than a piece of land. There is no greater dream for me.* Pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, he tasted the salt from the lone tear that she’d allowed to escape. A cold voice broke the moment. “Wait until Father finds out about this,” Margaret snickered. “Dallying with the hired help.” “Just stay out of it Margaret. You don’t know anything about it.” Adelaide pushing past Ike; a stubborn, look upon her face, her grey eyes cold. “Do you think I care what you do with that dummy?” Margaret got in her younger sister’s face. “Not hardly. See my problem is this… what’s it worth to keep my tongue in check? Hmm?” Both of them had tensed at her appraisal of Ike, “If you’ve had her, perhaps you’d be willing to show me what’s so special about you?” The low, purr sickened him. He’d shaken shook his head firmly. *Not in this lifetime.* “I didn’t think so,” with a cruel smile she turned and stomped through the barn toward the big house. “This is going to be bad,” Adelaide whispered tearfully, her eyes searching out Ike’s. “She’s not used to getting refused.” *She isn’t important.* Addie had headed for the house. Her shoulders hunched, her head bowed. “Come on son. It’s best if you disappear for a while.” Samson tugged on his arm,. “The old man’s gonna have a fit.” *I can’t let her face him by herself. We weren’t doing anything wrong!* “With Margaret you don’t need to. Come on son, discretion is the better part of valor. Take the old grey gelding and head out to Lookout Point. I’ll let you know what’s happened tomorrow.” *But Addie…* “We’ll take care of her.” he led Ike to where the grey stood tethered. Ike pushed the gelding hard to reach the rock overhang that Sampson had spoken of. He made a crude camp and spent the night thinking of Addie and the child he suspected she carried. Finally exhaustion had claimed him and he’d awakened the next morning to the sound of a lone horse walking on rock. Standing up, he’d waited until Samson had come into view. From the look on the older man’s face, he knew it had gone badly. *Where’s Addie? What happened?* Samson was unable to meet his gaz,. “It didn’t go well. Her pa sent three riders out to hang you from a stout tree; they came back in near on to dark. Spent two hours last night cleaning up the blood from the porch, Addie didn’t make it.” Sinking to the ground in agony wracking sobs tore at his body. *I shouldn’t have left her.* “You did what you know she’d have wanted you to. I’m sorry.” Pulling a small, handsomely carved wooden box from under his coat, Samson stared at it for a moment before holding it out to him. “This belonged to her. She hid in the tack room.” Taking the box, Ike nodded slowly. He’d look inside it later, when the pain wasn’t so damn bad. Right now all he wanted was to curl into a ball and disappear. Margaret had managed to take away the woman he loved, and quite possibly the child they’d created. Long after the other man Sampson had ridden away, Ike remained on the ledge. Unaware of anything, even the sun as it crept higher in the sky. Only when thirst and hunger gnawed at him did he venture from where he’d settled. After taking a long drink from his canteen and eating some jerky, he returned to his silent vigil. Before he knew it, the day was fading and he was staring out over the land in the gathering darkness. At first light, he saddled the grey and headed south.  There was nothing left in Missouri for him. “Ike?” Shoving the box back into his trunk before pushing it under his bed,. Ike whirled around to face the intruder into his memories. *Bella.* “Can we go fishing yet?” *Just let me get cleaned up. Don’t want to scare off the fish cause I smell bad.* Ike gave a pained smile. Casting a final glance at his trunk, he headed for the shower, clean clothes under his arm. Happy that her friend was still willing to take her fishing, Bella hurried toward the big house. She had to get changed herself. With a quick shake of his head at her youthful exuberance, Ike went to get cleaned up. Stomping his boots on, he grabbed a coat.  Hurrying back out the door of the bunkhouse, he met up with Bella.  *You ready?* “Yes sir.” Bella held up a small metal bucket,. “Got the worms here.” *Good. Let’s go catch us some supper,* Ike gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and started for the fishing pond. Pushing aside all thoughts from his past aside, Ike refused to dwell on things he couldn’t change. Instead he’d think of happier times with ‘her’. Eying the haphazardly resting trunk, Cody glanced out the window to check the yard. He didn’t see a single person. “Just what’s in there that has you so upset?” Cody pulled the trunk out and opened it slowly. The usual things occupied the trunk, clothes, his gun, boxes of shells, socks, a bible, and a pretty wooden box that was held together with a long piece of old, pale ribbon. Picking it up, he untangled the ribbon carefully before opening the box and frowning. “What are you doing?” Cody glanced up at the sharp tone from Buck. “Investigating,” Cody returned his attention to the contents of the box. “Cody, you realize if Ike catches you, he’s gonna beat you half to death?” Buck reached for the box. “He will not.” “Yes, he will. I’ve seen him get into a fight before because someone touched it. That you’ve opened it is going to drive him insane.” “If you’re not going to help, leave.” “Help you? I’m not you – I prefer to keep myself out of the grave!” Cody merely shrugged and lifted the pale silk scarf that sat on top. An old gold watch lay underneath it. The chain wrapped around the watch body carefully. Next to it was a stack of notes, each well worn, and creased. Under the letters was a small delicately carved wooden cross, and under that a small circular piece of wood with a strange insignia on it. “What do you make of this?” Cody held it up, noting in passing that a piece of rawhide was threaded through the hole at the top of it. “I don’t know,” looking at it Buck frowned, “Looks like a brand of some sort?” “I ain’t never seen one like it.” “Look Cody, put this stuff back. I don’t feel right going through Ike’s things.” “Quit worrying. He’s off fishing with Bella. Saw ‘em leave myself.” “Exactly, you never know when they’ll get back.” The box tipped. The metallic sound of a ring hitting the floor caused both men to freeze for a moment before they both dropped to their knees to search for it. “What in the hell are you two doing?” Jimmy opened the door, hitting Buck in the rump with it. “Do not move,” Buck warned as he scanned the floor. “Ha, got it.” They both breathed a sigh of relief,. “Put it back and get out of his things!” Cody dropped the ring back into the box and closed the lid before setting it back into the trunk. Slamming it shut, he kicked it under the bed. “He’ll never know.” “Yes he will,” Jimmy drawled. “Everything has a place in there. He’s gonna know someone was messing with it.” “Oh quit worrying. He’ll never notice.” The trio shared a glance, none entirely sure that Cody was right. Chapter Ten Bedding down as darkness fell, Adelaide chewed thoughtfully on a piece of jerky. She didn’t bother with a fire; instead she welcomed the chill of the evening air. Her soul felt cold so why not her body. A snort accompanied a stamp and she glanced at her horse. “I sure wish we weren’t here. We should have left before she caught us. Ike and I could have made it work, I really believe that.” “I still remember the night Ike told me about his plan. We were cozied up together in his bedroll by the pond. A small fire before us, his hands running through my hair gently. I’d worn a wide, pale gold ribbon in my hair. We talked about so many things under the stars. How many kids we wanted how many acres the ranch would be. What we would grow, what we would raise. We had it all planned out, Satan, and she crushed it.” Adelaide toyed with the chain around her throat, “She couldn’t destroy me though. The Judge saw to that. Stupid twit, letting him use her body in the hopes that he’d sentence me to hang. But at least my age, and the fact that I was a new mom swayed him.”  “I got to spend some time with my baby before I was sent to prison. Of course it wasn’t easy to leave her with Papa but I knew he’d do right by Izabella.” Glancing at the stallion as he stomped again, she shrugged. “Margaret never knew about the papers I had drawn up. The ones that gave Papa full custody if anything every happened to me. Never understood why I loved them so much. She never realized what was under the façade I showed at the trial. She never will, because she loves nothing.” Adelaide slid down in her blankets. Tomorrow she’d swing back along the trail and head for Rock Creek. With any luck she could get ahead of that gunslinger and her sister. Smirking to herself, Adelaide had to admit that it was pretty handy knowing how to lip read. “Goodnight my sweet Bella. I’ll see you soon.” Adelaide promised the night. Margaret awaited the stagecoach impatiently. She would arrive like a proper lady in Rock Creek, secure the girl and head for home. She knew beyond a doubt that her grandfather would gladly pay for the return of the girl. However, as Ray had said, both the girl and the old man were liabilities that needed to be fixed. The old man was easy; he’d be dead within a few months. The brat, on the other hand, would never make it back to that old farm. How ironic, Adelaide was willing to do whatever it took to reclaim the girl and thus would pay dearly for her weakness. The irrational jealousy that had colored her life had no bearing upon the moment. Margaret knew she was right. - No one would dare stand in her way. With both her sister and her sister’s bastard brat out of the way, she’d get the ranch and all the wealth that went with it. “Stage is here,” A booming echo got her on her feet. Minutes later, settled on the seat, her hands in her lap and a lady-like smile pasted on her face. Time was on her side. For the promise of all the wealth her Pa had, she was willing to endure the discomfort of a stage ride. Idly glancing out the window, she wondered if Carter had made contact with Adelaide yet. She hoped that the man would be so generous as to inform her of her sister’s demise.  Shuddering at the memory of exactly what Adelaide had been in prison for, Margaret refused to dwell on the possibility that Carter would be unsuccessful. “Going a long way?”  Margaret nodded to the small, delicate featured young woman sitting across from her. “Yes. Back to Missouri.” “Not all by stage I hope.” “No. I’m getting off in Rock Creek, where my entourage awaits my arrival. And you? Are you going home?” “No, to work. I’m a school teacher.” Feigning interest, Margaret allowed the young woman to prattle on about her teaching post. She cared little for working, and men were only valuable as long as she had a use for them. At the moment she had need of neither. Pushing both herself and her horse hard, Adelaide pulled up near a creek and dismounted. Another two days and she’d reach Rock Creek. Filling the canteen, she scanned the area.  she watched Satan drink thirstily from the stream before mounting up and moving along the trail.  She wondered how she was going to talk about things with Bella. How do you explain to a child that her family had no use for her? That the man who’d fathered her had died because he’d loved her mother? Nudging the stallion into a light jog, Addie didn’t notice the lone figure sitting atop the rise above her. A searing agony tore through her back a moment before the boom of a gun going off hit her ears. Jerking hard on the reins, she upset Satan. Rolling and sliding down the two feet high embankment, she landed on her back in the water. Silently cursing her sister’s hired gun, she pulled her own gun out of its holster. She rolled, trying to buy a moment or two of cover. The sharp nicker of her own horse drew her attention and she winced slightly. There was only one person that Satan had ever tolerated on his back, and that was her. The rolling of pebbles down the bank told her the position of her assailant. She waited, lying as still as the pain allowed. Listening to the crunch of stones under heavy tread, as a dark shadow jumped down a few feet away from her. “There ain’t no way I missed you.” the man stalked toward her, his gun hanging loosely in one hand. “You didn’t,” she gasped, bringing her gun up, “And I won’t either.” She moved when the man crumpled, crawling a few feet away. She heard rocks shifting and saw him twitch. He was slowly rising.  she fired again, making sure to hit him so he wouldn’t rise again. Pressing one hand against her back, she stumbled toward him and kicked his gun away. “She paid you way too much.” She looked up along the bank. “Well don’t just stand there get down here!” Satan came trotting up to her. Pulling herself into the saddle, Adelaide barely spared the fallen gunfighter a glance as she directed the stallion away from the water. She needed to get as far as possible before anyone came along, and she couldn’t risk leaving a fresh trail. With every jostling stride from Satan, she could feel the damage from the bullet increasing, could feel the agony as it ripped through muscles and tissue. Grinding her teeth, she leaned forward, easing into a more secure position and let the darkness overtake her. Charles MacDonald frowned at the unopened envelope sitting on his desk. He wondered what in the world the office of Judge Reynolds could want with him. Tearing it open, he unfolded the letter. Dear Mr. MacDonald, I’m sure you’re wondering as to why I would be so hesitant in contacting you in regards to your inquiry. It was recently brought to my attention that you requested some answers several weeks ago and I have been dragging my feet getting back to you.  I have long felt regret about the situation that resulted in the imprisonment of Adelaide MacDonald some years ago. Due to poor judgment on my part I allowed myself to be seduced away from my true purpose and  did not act accordingly and in a just manner. I could have shown some leniency as to the charge. Evidence revealed to me before judgment demonstrated that the case was of self-defense and not murder. I have enclosed several documents for you to look over. Please accept my most humble apologies in regard to this matter. I have already taken the necessary steps to seal her records, which should help ease some distress. Sincerely yours; Judge Walter Reynolds Tossing the letter aside, Charles opened the other pages and slowly began reading. With each page his face became paler, a tremble set in his fingers. The pages slipped through his fingers onto his desk. “Maddy!” he bellowed furiously. He had to find his daughters, both of them. “Yes sir?” the older, rather plump woman that filled the doorway. “Where is Margaret?” “I do not know, sir. She left a few months back with that good-for-nothing husband of hers.” “What about Addie?” “Addie sir?” “Yes Adelaide, my youngest daughter?” “She was released several months ago. The last anyone knows, she was walking toward town.” Charles nodded slowly. He’d done something he shouldn’t have, something he had to repair and fast. Where would Adelaide have gone if she hadn’t come home? “Sir? Why the concern for Adelaide? You’ve never shown any in the last twelve years. why now?” Charles flinched “Thank you Maddy. That will be all for the moment.” Maddy closed the door. Even now Charles MacDonald was still hiding his head, catering to the whims of a spoilt little brat such as Margaret. Adelaide cursed Satan for dumping her in the cold creek. Wet clothes did nothing to soothe her fever wracked body. Gunpowder could cauterize a wound. She remembered hearing that somewhere.  Adelaide struggled to get a bullet out of her belt, cursing the way her hands trembled. Unable to get to the lifesaving gunpowder inside, she threw it down with the others already at her feet. She gave in to the exhaustion with a silent sob. Margaret was jarred awake by the halting of the stagecoach. “We’ll be in Rock Creek for all of four hours,” the deep, booming instructions did little to sooth Margaret’s nerves. Five days on a stage with that overly friendly school teacher and she was ready to shoot her. Margaret glanced around the small, typical western town and inwardly cringed. Glancing up at the stage driver, she noted the dust, sweat, and assorted tobacco stains he wore. “Can you direct me in the direction of the Marshal’s office?” “Down the street ma’am,” he pointed at the battered sign hanging from two hooks, “Marshall Hunter’s either there or the express station. His deputy will know where to find him.” Margaret nodded curtly. She had a child to find, a gunslinger to catch up to and arrangements for her return trip to make. Stepping into the Marshall’s office, the first thing Margaret saw was a tall, half-blood standing next to the desk, a star pinned to his chest. She took a deep, calming breath. She couldn’t afford any slip-ups. She had to retrieve that little brat before heading home. “Excuse me; I’m looking for Marshall Hunter. Is he around?” “No ma’am,” Buck glanced up, nodding at the young woman who watched him with narrowed eyes. “He went with another deputy to pick up a prisoner from Silver Gulch.” “Oh. When will he be back?” Margaret asked coyly, pasting on a false smile even as her stomach rolled at being so close to him. “Couple of days,” Buck said indifferently. “You’re more than welcome to wait for him at the hotel. Do you need help with your things?” “No, I do not.” Watching the woman stomp off, Buck shrugged; he didn’t particularly care what the woman wanted. He’d seen too many like her, rich, polished, bigots that claimed to be decent Christian ladies until it was someone who was different.  He returned his attention to the fliers Teaspoon had given him. “Hey Buck,” Cody settled into a chair seeing that Buck was deeply engrossed in a stack of wanted posters. “Rachel said for me to come relieve you. You’ve got a run coming up and you need to get ready for it.” “Ike ain’t takin’ it?” “Ike ain’t here. Seems he, Lou, and Kid took Bella out for a camp-out. Didn’t say where just said they’d be back in a few days.” “And Rachel let them?” “Yep, said they’d have to work out their issues themselves.” “Issues?” Buck finally looked up from the poster in his hands. “What are you talkin’ about?” “Seems Ike’s already made a big offer on the Ferguson place and Kid and Lou are trying to talk him out of it. Apparently, Ike’s determined to keep the little girl.” “He should know better. Nobody’s gonna give him custody, not unless it’s someone who knows him.” “Teaspoon’ll side with him. Course he’s gonna have to muscle Kid and Lou. It seems they’ve been talkin’ bout taking the girl in if her family doesn’t show up soon.” “What?” Buck groaned. “I don’t know if I should take this run or find ‘em and try and knock some sense into their heads. Do they not realize that the girl’s got family who must be…” “You know Ike. He’s bound and determined to prove he can raise her right.” Cody shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Did you uh mention us lookin’ in his things?” “No, I’m not ready to die just yet.” “Well lets hope he don’t find out then,” Cody chuckled and slapped Buck on the shoulder as he walked out the door. “Have a nice run.” Riding into Rock Creek, Teaspoon wondered if his aching backside would ever feel normal again. The prisoner they were supposed to collect turned out to be some old woman who’d been sellin’ snake oil. A stiff reprimand was all it had taken to get her to agree to steer clear of the area for good. “You’re getting old Teaspoon,” Jimmy chuckled. “That woman ain’t gonna be trouble. Hell, she probably don’t even know what she was doing.” “Either way the Deputy ain’t gonna be too happy you let his prisoner go.”  “I ain’t worried about Bowers. Man’s half a bubble off the plum if you catch my meaning.” “Yeah, I get the picture,” Jimmy refrained from smiling. He had to agree with Teaspoon, the woman was probably closer to one hundred than fifty – no sense in drawing her misery out by locking her in jail. “Sure hope Rachel’s got something to eat. I see another can of beans and I’m gonna shoot it.” “Son, you got to quit worryin’ over what’s in your belly. Food is food and when you’re half-starved you’ll be glad of those beans.” “Yes, Teaspoon,” Jimmy dismounted by the barn. Rachel let out a sigh of relief upon seeing Jimmy and Teaspoon return from their two day errand. “It’s good to have you back. Maybe you can do something about Kid, Lou, and Ike.” “What did they do?” Jimmy asked. “Took Bella camping for a few days. Not to mention Ike put a bid on a piece of land outside of town.” Teaspoon groaned, “That boy is gonna…” “Why not let him have his way?” Jimmy demanded. “Ain’t nobody gonna take as good a care of her as he can.” “Don’t seem right. She ain’t his…” “Kid’s been trying to talk Ike into letting him and Lou have her.” Rachel interrupted before they could get going. “And what does Lou have to say about that?” Teaspoon demanded crossly. “She put him up to it.” “Oh no, I’m too old for this,” Teaspoon left his mare in Jimmy’s capable hands. “Where did they go?” “Didn’t say. Just said they’d be back as soon as they were done camping. A day or so after you were due back actually. Buck came back from town, said some woman was lookin’ for you earlier. He said she was another ‘banker’s daughter’. He didn’t seem impressed.” “Don’t blame him.” Teaspoon explained quietly. “I’ll deal with her in the morning. Right now, I’ve got to straighten out some confused heads around here. They’re losing their minds.” “No, just their hearts. Bella’s a wonderful little girl who’s gotten very attached to Ike. I don’t see you separating them easily.” “I know,” Teaspoon watched Rachel walk away. He had no doubt that Ike would rebel against the notion but it was necessary. The girl belonged with her family. Chapter Twelve With the desperation of a fever clouded mind, Adelaide curled into a ball as she waited for something or someone to take her. *Addie what are you doing?* the whisper echoed within her mind. “Waiting.” “For what? No one’s going to come for you.” “He will,” she whispered softly. “You promised you’d never let Margaret get the best of you and that’s what you’re doing now!” “I can’t.” “Get up!” “You need to find Bella. Get on the damn horse. Go!” Addie rolled over. Struggling to get her knees under, she glared at her horse. “Come here you over grown couch. I need some help.” With Satan lying down, she crawled into the saddle. She had a promise to keep. “I’ll find her, Ike. I’ll protect her if it kills me.” Letting Satan wander as he would, Addie slumped over the saddle horn. Hazy images filtered past her mind’s eye. Wincing at the sharp pain in her back as she sat up, Addie stared at the familiar form of a building. “Where the hell are we?” Darkness swirled around her and as she slid soundlessly from the saddle to crumble on the ground. Blinking at the noxious smell of salts under her nose, she jerked away from the hand on her shoulder. She stared up into the concerned face of an older gentleman dressed in a dark suit. “Well, it’s nice to see you’re awake,” the man smiled softly at her. “Do you remember anything?” “About what?” Pushing herself away from the mattress, she struggled into a sitting position. “Okay, what’s the last thing you remember?” “Uh, falling off my horse?” Addie looked around the room. “Where am I?” “Rock Creek. I’m Doc…” “Oh great.” Raking a hand through her hair, Adelaide stared at him for a moment. “Can I go? I have things to do.” “You can’t ride for at least a day or two. You won’t be leaving that bed for as long as that. You had a good deal of infection, not to mention damage done to the muscles.” “Did a handsome woman about my height show up? Probably dressed real fancy like?” “Yeah she did. Two days ago. The Marshal said something about her leaving on the stage though. Why, you know her?” Adelaide shook her head, “Not anymore, I don’t.” The distinguished looking man walked out the door, closing it softly behind him. A moment later, Adelaide tossed the covers off and swung her legs painfully over the edge of the bed. Cursing the dizziness and weakness that ate at her, she searched the room for her clothes and found them missing. Collapsing back on the bed, she closed her eyes for a moment. She’d get up and find Margaret right after her world stopped spinning. Adelaide blinked as she realized that the room had more shadows in it than before. She realized she must have been unconscious longer than she could afford to be. A quick glance around the room revealed a pile of freshly pressed clothing sat on a chair in the room. Adelaide snickered; obviously the doc’s assistant wasn’t as particular as her employer. Dressing quickly despite the pain of pulling on her wound, Adelaide did up the last button on her shirt.  She grabbed her coat, gun, and hat, and walked quietly to the door. Stepping out onto the sidewalk in the late afternoon sun, she glanced around. The battered sign that read ‘Marshal’s Office’ started her moving. She remembered the doctor saying something about a handsome woman who was supposed to be leaving town. Perhaps the lawman knew which direction to go in. “Afternoon, Marshall,” Adelaide closed the door softly, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to herself if she could. “Afternoon,” Teaspoon looked up at the visitor. “What can I do for you?” “I was over at the Doctor’s office. He mentioned there was a handsome woman about my height, real classy, that had spoken to you.” “Yes, she did. Left last night on the stage.” “Can you tell me what she was after?” “Said she was looking for her niece or something along those lines. Didn’t find her, so she moved on.” “Did she say where she was going?” “Home, I believe. She a friend of yours?” “No. She isn’t.” Adelaide looked out at the sun baked street, “Did anyone happen upon a tall, rangy sorrel stallion? Kinda temperamental?” “One of my riders brought him in to the livery. Walt’s near insane trying to keep him from tearing the place apart to.” “Thank you,” Adelaide opened the door and stepped out into the fading sun. If Margaret hadn’t found Bella here, then where could the girl have gotten off to? Exhaustion wrapped around her, dragging her down. She forced herself to push past it. The loud ruckus of hooves against board drew a faint smile as Adelaide stepped into the barn.  An old man weathered by life was trying to feed the red horse a bucket full of grain. The stallion was having none of it. “He won’t eat that,” Adelaide called. “He doesn’t eat grain.” “Well, for pity’s sake!” the man exhaled sharply. “Got to find something that’ll sooth him.” Adelaide walked up to the old man and smiled, “You have to have a woman’s touch,” she patted her horse. “Hey old boy. You’re giving this fine man a hard time I see.” “Well I’ll be a suck-egg mule,” the man whistled. “He yours?” “Yes, he is. What do I owe you?” “Two bits.” Digging in her pocket, Adelaide pulled out a coin and dropped it into the man’s hand. “For the trouble he’s caused.” Leading him out into the sun, she dropped the rope and turned to get her saddle. After a quick, hard brushing of his coat she swung the saddle up. Tightening the girth, she heard  the sound of voices. “I’m tellin’ you Cody they’re acting mighty weird these days. Who goes camping?” “Camping?” “That’s what they said. I think it was just a way to get outta the chores. Course they got the luck, not having to deal with Mrs. Willows.” Jimmy drawled.  “Yeah, personally I’d much rather have dealt with the little girl.” “She sure was cute.” “Yeah.” Watching the pair of young men Adelaide turned her attention back to the stallion. She wanted to get out of town. “Hey! You can’t do that!” One of them called, hurrying toward her. “Excuse me?” “That horse is a demon. He’s bad tempered; you’re likely to get stomped.” Adelaide shrugged, “Naw, he was broke by a real horseman.” “I still say…” “Cody, if she says she knows the animal. Let her be.” “I saw what that animal did to Buck. Nearly took him apart.” Adelaide smiled, “Thank you for your concern but I think I’ve got it.” Swinging into the saddle, she gathered her reins. She touched his ribs with her heels.  Cody waved at the dust as the animal lunged into a full out run, “Well, obviously she knows the horse.” “Obviously. Come on, it’s your turn to bring in the water.” “Aw Jimmy, can’t we work something out? I’m exhausted!” Chapter Thirteen Ike turned his head to check on the pair cuddled under a single bedroll. Their deep, even breathing told him they slept soundly. Satisfied they would offer no resistance; he tossed his blanket off and rose. Saddling his horse in the pale moonlight, he led him into the gully and tied him. It would be easiest to put the sleeping child on him from above the saddle. Wrapping her in blankets, he carried her to the waiting animal before climbing on behind her. With Bella clutched to his chest, he nudged the animal into a walk. They wouldn’t let him keep her, didn’t have the faith in him that he knew he deserved. A slight pang of guilt at abandoning his friends was ruthlessly pushed aside. In his heart, Ike knew he was the best possible person for raising Bella. Putting some distance between them and camp, Ike nudged the gelding into an easy lope. They would need to be miles away before Kid and Lou woke up. He needed to find a path that would make it hard to track them. Once they got to a town, he’d leave the horse and they could continue on the stage. He didn’t know how long he had before the others figured it out but he was going to try to make some good time. With any luck they’d be able to get to Missouri, see Papa and then head west. Maybe to California, or maybe some unnamed place but somewhere that he could raise Bella right. “Teaspoon,” Buck called, disturbing the man lounging in a chair. “What is it son?” “Kid and Lou are back.” “What do you mean Kid and Lou are back? Where’s Ike? Where’s Bella?” “Just that. Ike and Bella aren’t with Kid and Lou that I could see.” “Do they have any idea where he went?” Buck shook his head. “Come on son; let’s go see what’s going on.” Kid nudged Lou gently as soon as he spotted Teaspoon walking toward them. “Here he comes.” Lou glanced up before returning her attention to her mount.  She had nothing to say about the situation other than Ike deserved to get his rear end blistered. “What’s this I hear? Ike disappeared?” “We Woke up yesterday and Ike, Bella, and his horse had disappeared. Couldn’t find a track after they vanished onto the rocky ground. Figured it would be best to come back and get Buck.” “Buck, you have any idea on where he’d go?” “He never said anything to me about this. Matter of fact, he ain’t said more than a few words to me in a week so.  …” “Maybe he said something to someone else.” Teaspoon hurried across the yard.  he took the bunkhouse steps in one leap. Opening the door, he glanced at those sitting around. “Hey Teaspoon,” Cody glanced up at the disturbance before returning to his book. “Ike say anything to any of you about where he was headed?” Teaspoon snatched the book from Cody’s hands. “No.” “Well damn,” Teaspoon grumbled. “Where could that boy have gotten off to?” Buck glanced at Ike’s trunk. Would he find answers in it? He couldn’t bring himself to go poking through his friend’s things again. Ike was fiercely protective of his secrets, his treasures and all were tied within that slim box. He turned his attention back to Teaspoon. “Does anyone know where Ike likes to go to think? A special spot?” Buck shook his head, “Ike isn’t one to tell that sorta thing.” “When he gets back, I’m gonna have to talk to him. He shouldn’t be running off like that,” Teaspoon muttered as he headed out the door. “Taking the little girl doesn’t sound much like Ike.” Cody mused. “I don’t know,” Lou shrugged, “I mean when we talked to him, he didn’t seem upset at the prospect of us taking her in.”  Staring out the window, Buck could feel a headache coming on. Was having a child so important to Ike that he’d go so far as to do this? He knew the other man could get possessive, moody even, but he would never have believed him capable of stealing someone else’s child. “Buck.” Lou’s voice drew him from his thoughts. “What?” “You’ve known Ike the longest. Are you sure that there isn’t there somewhere or someone he’d go to?”  “He’s been talking about her. I think she was in Missouri cause that’s where Ike and I met.” “Her who?” “He’s never told me. I guess she’s important to him, maybe she helped him out or something.” “Do you know where she lived?” Teaspoon asked. “Other than somewhere in Missouri, no.” He’d never found that out either. Ike had kept his past a secret, even from him. He’d excluded those in their new family from that part of his life as well. He remained silent, trying to recall something Ike had said once; something that had haunted the other man enough to speak of it late at night by a campfire. Holding Bella’s hand, Ike moved through the crowd to the teller’s window. He greeted the teller with a nod. “Morning son, what can I do for you?” Pulling out a small notebook, Ike scrawled a note on it. “The next stage is leaving in ten minutes. Headed up to Saint Jo.” Ike nodded and held up two fingers. “Here you go,” the teller smiled at the little girl who beamed at the silent man. “You have a pleasant ride.” He handed over the money and took the tickets. Tugging gently on Bella’s hand, he headed for the waiting stagecoach.  Ike lifted her into the stage. He quickly climbed in after her, tucking their small valise under his seat. “Where are we going?” Bella settled in next to him. *To see and old friend of mine. He lives far away.* “How come Kid and Lou didn’t come?” *They had to work.* Bella turned her attention back to the doll in her lap. A ride on the stage with her ‘new’ daddy sounded like great fun.  Chapter Fourteen Buck stared at the shadows dancing on the wall. The crackle of the flames in the dry wood was the only sound in the bunkhouse. Everyone else appeared to be asleep. He couldn’t put his finger on it; there was something he felt he should know. Some clue he knew was there about what was going on but he couldn’t see it. “Buck go to sleep,” Cody shifted on his bunk. “I can hear you thinking.” Buck rolled his eyes and settled down under his blanket. He’d known Ike for years. The silent man had stepped up and helped him out of an unpleasant situation. They’d both been young, no more than boys then and yet Ike had demonstrated the qualities and strengths of a man. He could still remember that dusty, hate-filled town in Missouri. The way people had shunned him, spat upon him. He’d been struggling to stay alive, drifting from town to town. One step ahead of the trouble that had dogged his steps since he’d left the Kiowa. It had never failed to amaze him how quickly the ‘Christian’ folks could turn on someone they didn’t want. It had been one such turn of events that Ike’s quick action had saved him from. He’d been on the receiving end of a severe beating from, five big, tough, drunken men behind the saloon. Ike had rode into them and refused to back down. As it was, they’d laid low for a few days. Neither had escaped without bruises and cuts. For nearly a year, Ike had kept them firmly in Missouri, drifting along the trail. Taking odd jobs that paid next to nothing and living off the land. Ike had avoided the largest working ranch in the area, flat out refusing to go near it. Instead he’d sit and stare out over the landscape, a pain etched deep in his eyes. Before they’d left Missouri, Ike had seemed even more moody, more distracted than usual. He’d seemed to distance himself emotionally, almost like he’d come to terms with something. Buck had watched him spend countless evenings staring into the simple black box, his fingers tracing over the contents, tears pouring down his face. Buck swore profusely in his native tongue. He rolled off his bunk and grabbed his boots. “Where are you going?” Jimmy reached for his gun. “Outside,” he slammed the door on his way out. Pacing on the porch, Buck wondered if he was right. Who was the woman Ike rarely spoke of? Somehow, what was happening was tied up within that little black box. Buck knew it; he could feel it just like he felt the coming storm. If only he knew the answers, knew what was within Ike’s mind and heart.  It was times like this that Buck resented Ike’s need for secrets. If he knew what Ike was doing, what he was thinking, they could have helped him. Even now, after years of friendship, Ike still kept that part of himself shut away. Buck wondered if it was because tragedy lay behind him. If he’d lost someone or something so precious to him would he want to relive it? When they’d met, Ike had only been sixteen or seventeen, and yet he’d seemed old then. Could it be because of some deep, scarring loss? He wanted to know what was so heavy on Ike’s soul that he was willing to throw it all away. He needed to know why he wasn’t, why all of them in their new family weren’t enough for Ike now. “Buck?” Kid joined him outside. “You’re gonna wear a hole in the porch.” “I know.” Buck settled onto the narrow bench by the wall. “Wanna talk about it?” “What’s to say? I’ve known Ike for six years. I’ve watched him bury something within himself so deeply, I’m not sure I could ever dig it out of him.” “How’d the two of you meet?” “He helped me out of a fight in some dusty little Missouri town. It was five against one until he stepped in.” “Do you think he’d go back there?” “I don’t know. I didn’t think he’d ever run from us and look how wrong I was.” “Maybe he isn’t running from us so much as trying to lay ghosts to rest.” “But why not confide in me? Why not let me in?” Buck rose and began to pace again. “It feels like I should know what’s going on. There’s something up here that just cries out to me but I can’t understand it. The man I’ve known is no longer the man who rode out of here.” “Is it important to you to know everything about him?” “No, we all have our secrets, Kid. It’s just that Ike and I have weathered more than one storm together. We’ve watched each other’s backs. Lived and worked together and now I’m scared that I’m losing my brother.” “Maybe what you need is to focus on what you know. You said you met him in Missouri, maybe he had an old contact there that would know something.” “He never said anything about anyone. I wish he had now. I do know he claimed Bella. he’ll do whatever he has to so she stays with him.” “Even run?” “Yes.” “Than maybe we need to think of where he would run to. Where would he feel Bella would be safest?” Buck sighed. “I always thought it would be here. With us.” “Perhaps it is. Ike’s trunk is still here. Could be he’s just gone off for a while. Give him a few days.” Kid smiled. “You know where the answers are Buck, and all you have to do is look.” Buck watched him disappear inside. He didn’t think it would be that easy. Chapter Fifteen “Daddy, I’m hungry,” Bella rested her head on Ike’s shoulder Ike pulled an apple our of their bag and he handed it to her. Bella took it with a smile. She’d easily accepted his explanations about calling him daddy. Never questioning, always polite, and happy. She relished acting like his daughter.  Her willingness to do so was one less worry they had. It had been a week since they’d left Kid and Lou sleeping beside their fire. Seven full days of a head start, yet he doubted they had that much. Buck would try to follow him. he’d figure out quickly that Ike was going back to Missouri. If Buck was coming after him, so would the others. Ike hoped it would take them a few days longer than it was taking him and Bella. He was going to see Adelaide’s grandfather. Once he learned where she was buried, he’d go see her. From there he would take Bella back to Rock Creek, collect what few things he’d left behind and then head west. Maybe they’d go to the Canyon that he and Addie had talked of. Either way, he’d make sure that he fulfilled his and Adelaide’s dream of owning a farm. They would start over again, somewhere far away from anyone who would take Bella away from him. He smiled at Bella as she happily crunched her apple. She was everything he’d ever wanted in a daughter. Bright, happy, everything but his own flesh and blood… but that had died with Adelaide before it had ever had a chance to draw a breath. He would protect Bella raise her, and love her in Adelaide’s memory. Tapping his riding quirt against his boot impatiently, Charles MacDonald watched his eldest daughter sashay about the place like royalty. She’d arrived two days before and to the utter dismay of his staff, fallen on old habits. It appeared that married life had done little to tame her selfish streak. Instead he’d watched as his hands, men toughened by hard work and weather, made excuses to do jobs away from the limited comforts of the yard, jobs no one willingly did without a complaint or two. His house staff had become hard to find, even those who were readily available, were hard to assign tasks to. “Your horse is ready sir,” Charles glanced at the young man standing a tall grey gelding. Charles stepped into the saddle with ease. For some unknown reason, his father had refused the last two invitations to the ranch. If he was ill, Charles wanted to know. It wasn’t as though he had a lot of family left these days. Especially not with Adelaide gone. The documents he’d received still stuck in his mind, stressing his own acts of betrayal and violence toward Adelaide. Charles felt a low burning anger flare up. The young woman had been wronged by so many. In time, he’d have her home to stay. Until then, he’d wait and watch. Praying for a chance at redemption never hurt either. “I’ll be back tonight.” “If anyone asks what do you want me tell them?” “I’ve gone for a ride.” Charles nudged his horse into a trot. Margaret watched her father riding out. Narrowing her eyes, she moved to the porch railing, “Where is Father going?” “Said he was goin’ for a ride, Miss.” Her plan was too close to being completed for her to let some old man stand in the way. If her father wasn’t going anywhere in particular then it wouldn’t hurt to go silence the old man now, rather than wait. Turning at the sound of hoof beats, George stared hard at the man riding into the yard. “What can I do for you, Charles?,” George leaned on the shovel in his hand at the appearance of his son. “I came to see what was going on with you. You haven’t come down to the house in a long time.” “Don’t see no need to. Ain’t nothing there for me.” Dismounting Charles felt the little barb. “Pa please. How can I fix whatever’s wrong if you won’t talk to me?” George gathered his cane as he shuffled toward the house. Charles saw to his mount before following is father inside. “Pa, talk to me.” “Nothing to say.” “Obviously there is Pa.”  Closing the door, he watched his father pour coffee into a cup. “Pa talk to me. What is going on? I’m getting letters from Judges. Margaret disappears and reappears without her husband, Adelaide’s…” “Adelaide’s what?” Charles felt a chill at the tone of voice. “Pa she’s in jail for a violent…” “She was in prison because of your precious daughter!” George snarled, slamming his hand on the table. “Not because of anything she did or didn’t do.” “Then tell me the truth! Tell me what happened!” Staring at him, George shook his head. “What difference is it going to make Charles? You don’t even know Addie anymore. Turned your back on her years ago!” “That’s in the past. A past I’m trying desperately to make up for!” With a shuffle, George sank into a chair. “I’d gotten used to the pain in her eyes. The far away, distant look that told about her pain. Oh, she hid it well, worked harder than any two men.  Stayed out of the way, never complained none. But you could see it if you looked. Then that boy came to work and it was like the girl I’d known when Elizabeth was alive, came back. I saw a light in her eyes, a warmth that pushed aside the shadows. Instead of just another hand, I saw her become a young woman. I saw her go from pants and sweat stained shirts to skirts, and pretty blouses. From plain old braids to ribbons in her hair.” “I don’t recall.” George shook himself out of his musings. “I hardly expected you to. You never saw her. Never saw what was happening right under your nose. Margaret took up all your time, your energy. You lavished your attention upon her and forgot Adelaide.” “Something I regret now. But that doesn’t explain…” “For a year I watched ‘em dance ‘round each other. Trying desperately to fit in, to be more than what they were without giving too much ground. Watched as they fell deeper and deeper into love. It was the second spring that he’d been here, when they came up to see me. Adelaide brought him up a couple of times before that but this time there was something different. Something I didn’t believe.” “What? What did you see?” George looked at his son and smiled, “A young couple in love. It was in the way they looked at each other. The soft, shy smiles. The little touches they shared. They had become lovers.” Charles shifted at the feeling of rage boiling within him at the thought that someone had managed to seduce his baby girl. Dragging himself out of his thoughts, he focused on his father. “What aren’t you telling me?” George sipped at his coffee, “What makes you think I’m hiding something?” “The secretive little smile on your face, perhaps?” “It was late summer, when I woke in the morning to find Adelaide. She’d been beaten so badly that she passed out on the way here. I had to cut her hands outta that sorrel stallion mane. Poor kid clung so tightly to him she couldn’t have fallen off if she’d wanted to. I tended her wounds, listened to her cry, listened to her sobs of agony. Listened to her tell me of a betrayal that hurt worse than any beating. I heard her talking of a father who had flown into a rage and beat her because of a simple touch. A soft kiss to help ease her fear. Nothing more, and yet she was publicly humiliated.” Charles frowned,. “Margaret told me she caught them in the hay loft making love.” “So you beat Addie?” “The boy had run off!” “A boy you sent riders out to hang! You got your revenge! Your honor was restored!” George raged. “Only it wasn’t. You couldn’t stop what was so precious to them. Adelaide hid here until she was well enough to travel but by then she’d begun to show.” “Show?” George smiled cruelly. “Adelaide gave Ike McSwain a daughter. A healthy, happy little girl that Margaret snatched from me not more than four months past. God only knows what became of that child, what became of any of them. I pray every night that Adelaide will have her justice.” “How so?” “She’s out. She’s free to chase Margaret down. To make her suffer the same fate, the aching loneliness that has become her life. You and your precious daughter destroyed that family without a thought. And for what? They were gonna run away. If you’d have waited until payday, they’d have vanished.” Pacing to the window, Charles stared out. He felt nauseous as he realized the full extent of his actions. He knew his father was right. Knew beyond a doubt that Adelaide had been getting ready to run. Her things had been neatly packed and hidden under her bed. After she’d vanished he’d found money stashed amongst her dresses. There had been money enough to buy a lot of things, perhaps even a small amount of land. Leaning his head against the cool glass he swallowed, “Oh God, what have I done?” “You know what you did,” George snapped. “Now get out of my house.” “Where was she going?” “Oh, she’ll be back,” George rose and shuffled toward him. “Margaret came back, and she’s gonna come for her.” Charles stared out at the sunlight, chilled to the bone. Chapter Sixteen Pulling the reins in sharply, Margaret stared at the small figure hunched over by the creek. She could smell the campfire smoke but paid it no heed. Instead, she focused on the little girl playing so seriously in the cool, slow moving water. Perhaps Adelaide had found the girl and was returning to the old man’s shack.  The thought drew a twisted grin; it would be much more gratifying to kill both of them herself. Tossing the reins over a branch, Margaret slipped past the underbrush and headed for her target. “Hello again, sweetie.” the girl whirled to face her with a stricken, fearful expression. “Go away! You’re mean. You hurt Papa!” Bella backed away from the woman before her. “Oh please, child, the old man’s fine. You, on the other hand...” Grabbing for the girl as she darted past her, she pulled her against her body. She slapped the squirming girl when she screamed. “Shut up. Now then where’s Mommy? Did she ride in and rescue you?” Bella remained silent even as she heard a branch snap. Glancing up, she stared at the furious look upon her daddy’s face. “Well you’re alive and kicking,.” Margaret paled at the sudden appearance of the man she’d believed dead. Ike stared at the woman before him. She’d aged gracefully, at least on the surface. Beneath the veneer was the same cold, calculating woman he’d met so long ago. *Let her go.* Ike said. “Now Ike do you really think I’d do that? She’s my ticket to freedom. My dear sister’s bastard is much too valuable to me to just let go.” *She’s just a kid. Let her go.* “Aw, takin’ in strays now are you?” Margaret inched backward, pulling the girl along with her. “Even when they aren’t yours.” Ike stared at her, his hand itching to palm his colt. It was better to let her talk herself into a hole than to move too fast and get Bella hurt. “Such a pathetic excuse for a man? You don’t have a clue about anything. She isn’t even yours.” *Yes, she is. I took her in, gave her a home. She’s mine in every way that counts.*  “Oh give it a rest, Ike. Just because you were the first doesn’t mean you were the last. Poor innocent Adelaide was quite the little whore.” Margaret taunted, glancing for her horse. “She even let Carl Botimyer into her bed…” *Addie wouldn’t do that,* Ike signed furiously. *She wasn’t like you!* Flushing red in anger, Margaret stared at him. Her grip tightening on the girl in front of her. “Addie was a lot of things. She’s spent time in prison. Did you know that? Went to prison for killing a man. Never denied it. Makes a body wonder doesn’t it?” *You killed her.* Ike moved closer to her. *She’s been dead for years because of you!* “Oh no Ike, I didn’t kill her, not then. I hired a man to do that for me, rather recently at that. Course, I don’t know where exactly he got her. Somewhere in Nebraska, I imagine. But she’s dead. And you’re cartin’ around her bastard! Don’t you see the irony in that?” Ike struggled with his anger. How much of what she was saying was the truth? How much could he risk believing? If she was telling the truth, then the woman he longed for had been so close. So close, and yet so far from him… from them. Glancing at Bella, Ike blinked as realization set in. The same dark hair, the same facial features, only her eyes were different. Bella had his blue eyes. It was suddenly so clear how Bella had managed to speak in sign even before she’d been around Buck.  Even her talking about her ‘Papa’ had been a clue and he’d missed them all.  Feeling a shaft of agony tear through him, Ike took two steps closer only to stop when Bella squeaked in pain. He watched Margaret gather the rein from her horse. “Well I’d love to say it’s been fun…but we both know I’d be lying. You know if you’d done what I wanted that day behind the barn, none of this would have happened.” *I don’t sleep with anyone I don’t love.* “Adelaide was the same way at first. I’m sure she’s figured out that men are easily manipulated by now. All you have to do is use their own lusts against them!” *What did you do Margaret?* Ike stared as she mounted up with Bella. “Whatever it took to survive, just as Addie’s doing now. I’m riding outta here and I suggest you slither back to whatever hole you came from. I’m afraid this little angel will be remaining with me. I’d hate to see things go badly. Wouldn’t you? ” Ike felt trapped as he watched Margaret turn her mount away. If he moved, Margaret would likely kill Bella. However, if he didn’t, Bella was worse than dead. Margaret galloped off toward Bronchead Mesa. Ike offered a silent prayer that he could remember that country. He wasn’t about to let his daughter, the only part of Addie he had left, be terrorized by that monster. Chapter Seventeen Cursing Margaret once again, Adelaide swung a loose rein as she debated her next move. She knew that when she found her, she’d find Bella. It wouldn’t take her long to get the information from Margaret a few hours at most. It was the perfect irony. Adelaide glanced behind her.  She liked this area. It was nice, safe even and there were several properties that would make good farms. Nebraska, Rock Creek specifically would make the perfect home for her and Bella. She nudged Satan into an all out gallop. It would take her a day, perhaps more to get to the edge of the ranch. From there she had no doubts about getting to her sister. Poor little Margaret would soon regret taking her daughter away from her. “Buck what in the world are you doing?” Rachel stared at the assorted clothes strew about on the floor. “Looking for answers,” Buck pulled out the bible and set it aside. He pulled out the black box and rose to sit at the table. “Ike’s things are private.” “Not when he runs away!” Buck opened the box carefully. Rachel barely acknowledged the arrival of the other riders. “But you know Ike won’t like it.” “So?” Buck lifted out the red velvet fabric and set it on the table. He gently put the ring on it, followed by an old watch. He then pulled out a beautifully crafted pendant by its long chain. “Wow, that’s gorgeous.” Lou took it from Buck’s fingers. “Wonder where Ike got it?” Buck reached in and lifted out the last few jewelry items before the letters. Untying the ribbon, he left it in place.  “Do you want some help?” Kid asked. “No.” Buck opened the first letter. Scanning through it, he realized it was in Ike’s scrawl. Opening several more, quickly he realized the box’s contents were someone else’s. A frown settled on his face as he wondered what else he’d find. “So have you found anything?” Jimmy sat at the table, admiring the watch. “Not yet.” Lou turned the locket over. “Buck, who’s Addie?” “What?” Buck’s head snapped up. “Here, on the back of the locket,” Lou handed it to him. “It says…” Buck stared at the neatly inscribed lettering. A slow smile spread across his face as he recognized the last name. “MacDonald. He went to Missouri.” “How can you be so sure?” Kid asked. “MacDonald’s own a large ranch there. It’s the only place Ike wouldn’t go when we first met.” “So why would you think he’d go there now?” “Because these things aren’t Ike’s. They belong to Addie MacDonald.” “Uh, this is Ike’s writing.” “Yes it is.” Buck pulled on his coat. “And if you read ‘em you’ll see they’re love notes. Ike must have been involved with Addie MacDonald and her Pa found out.” “That doesn’t make sense,” Kid frowned. “Why would Ike go there with a stranger’s child?’ “Maybe it’s not a stranger’s child. Maybe the little girl belongs to Addie or to a sister or something. We won’t know until we catch up to him.” “We?” Cody gaped at Buck as he disappeared out the door. “Why do I get the bad feeling that we’re going to Missouri?” Jimmy grabbed a biscuit on his way out the door. “Because Cody, that’s precisely where we’re going!” Pushing his horse hard, Ike headed up the back trail. Bronchead Mesa was as familiar to him as his own skin. Every rock, every crook and cranny held memories of when things were simpler. ‘I’m coming Bella.’ his horse half jumped, half lunged up the steep incline. It wouldn’t take him long to catch up, and when he did, Margaret would regret ever being born. He would make her pay for what she’d done to him, to Bella, and to Addie. “Daddy’s gonna come for me.” Bella ducked a wayward branch. “He’s gonna make you sorry!” “Shut up, you little brat,” Margaret pushed her horse up the incline. Once she got into the rocks, it would be an easy trail. She wished she could be free of all of this, but knew that the end result would be well worth the trouble she was having now. Chapter Eighteen Sliding off Satan’s back, Addie dropped the rein. She walked across the stone floor to stare out over the ranch.  She shuddered at the memory of the last time she’d been here.  Desperate to connect to Ike’s memory, to something that was good in her life she’d come up here from Papa’s. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, she stared out at the view of the ranch. The land dipped and rolled like a living thing. Each tree, each stone was familiar to her and yet she hated it all. She hated what it meant to some, and what it meant to her. Hearing the sound of footsteps on gravel she turned, expecting her grandfather instead she was face to face with Carl Botimyer. The slight wind brought the stench of sweat and whiskey to her. Eyes fogged with alcohol, stared back at her lustily. “What do you want?” “Payment,” Carl inched towards her. “Something you know all about, don’t you? Heard about the little whore from MacDonald’s place…” “Go home Botimyer. You’re interrupting a private moment.” “Aw, now you don’t got to be that cold.” He slurred, moving close enough to trail a grubby hand down her cheek. His hand fell from her face to cup her breast. Addie slapped him hard. “I’m not for sale!” “Bought and paid for.” He thrust his body against hers. She winced at the sharp pain of his fingers digging into her neck. His grip was firm, hard has he groped a breast.  Adelaide knew he wasn’t going to leave any time soon. Striking and kicking out she fought hard to break free of his grasp even as she felt sickened as he squeezed a breast.  She wondered why it was that people saw her as an object. Why she held so little value to most that they were willing to hurt her even when she was rounded with child. Stumbling back, she glared at him. “I’m not one of your whores Botimyer, why don’t you just go back to town. I’m sure there’s a bottle just callin’ to you there.” Carl shook his head, his eyes fastened on the row of buttons on her blouse. “Not until I’ve had a taste of you first.” He tackled her, shoving her hard against the wall of stone. Addie screamed. She struggled to fight him off as he ripped her shirt. His rough hands groped her bare skin. Her fingernails dug into his wrists as she tried to pry him away but Carl only pressed against her more firmly. Desperate, her eyes caught a glint on his belt. A knife. Addie grabbed it. She drove it hard into his throat. Carl dropped to the ground. He laid still, his eyes staring at nothing. She scrambled away from him. Sobbing as the realization of exactly what had happened hit her. Shivering, and tired, Addie cried for what had so nearly been stolen from her.  The sound of hooves on stone drew her attention. She ducked behind rock. Watching the path, she spotted the bay a moment before the riders came into view.  Her eyes widened sharply as she recognized Bella in front of her sister. Tears streaked down the girl’s face. A bruise colored one cheek. She hunkered out of sight until Margaret was nearly on top of her position. “Going somewhere?” Margaret stared into the scarred face of a woman she’d long since learned to hate. Her horse was as startled as she was. It reared abruptly, sending her tumbling down even as she reached futilely for the saddle horn. She landed on the ground with Bella still in her arms. “Don’t you come one step closer.” Margaret jumped to her feet. “Why? You scared of a real fight? It wasn’t enough that you took Ike away. You, had to hurt my daughter too?” “Oh come, Adelaide. Do you really think I was going to pass by the chance to have the entire ranch to myself?” “It’s always been about the money, hasn’t it?” Adelaide pulled the gun from its holster. “If it has no dollar sign attached, you don’t want it.” “Not always. I like to think it’s more about taking away from you. He should have been my toy while he worked for Pa. You always had the hand-me-downs, the leftovers. What makes you think I’d let you have him first?” Adelaide stared at her sister, “You don’t get it do you? He wasn’t a toy, an object. He was real, he loved me! Something you could never understand!” “But you did. Poor little Addie, mourning the loss of her bastard's Father. Too damn stupid to leave and find him.” “You and Pa killed him that day. You took away my future, my dreams. Now I’m gonna repay you the kindness.” “You won’t do anything to me. Not if it means harming your precious little brat.” Adelaide shuddered at her sister’s cold tone. “She’s not a brat. I spent nine months carrying her, two days giving birth to her. She’s the only thing in this world I want or need. You harm her and I’ll kill you myself.” “No you won’t. Wouldn’t want to go back to prison!” “You hurt her and I’ll bury you.” Adelaide aimed her gun at Margaret. “Now let her go.” Her horse stood a few steps away, if she was lucky she could get to her horse before Adelaide fired. Margaret pulled out the small handgun from her pocket. “Take her.” Bella stumbled forward. The sound of two separate guns going off filled the air. Bella screamed. Adelaide winced at the pain in her shoulder. She saw Bella on the ground by the rock and Margaret crumpled a few feet away. “Izabella, come here baby,” she whispered to the little girl. Scampering across the stone, Bella curled up next to her. “I was scared.” “I know, sweetie,” Adelaide whispered painfully. “I was to. “I want my new daddy.” Bella buried her face in Adelaide’s chest. “I don’t want to be here when she wakes up.” Adelaide held her tightly. “I know. I want you to listen to me now. You see that horse there?” She pointed at Satan. “You go over there and bring me back the reins. He’ll take you to safety.” “But,” Bella wiped her eyes. “But daddy’s gonna come here for me. Please don’t make me go away!” “Izabella, listen to me.” Adelaide smiled softly, hoping the pain of the bullet hole didn’t show on her face. “I’ll tell your, uh, daddy where you go. I promise. You need to go. I lost you once; I’m not willing to lose you again.” Bella sniffled. She looked closely at Adelaide. “I know you.” Smiling, Adelaide nodded. “You’re on Papa’s mantel. He has a picture of you, says you’re name is Mommy.” “That’s right. I’m Momma.”  Bella frowned. “Did you get out of the bad place for good?” “Yeah baby, I’m out for good. Now do as I ask okay? Go get on my horse and go. He’ll take you to Papa and I’ll follow.” Bella hurried over and grabbed the rein. She led the stallion over to her Mommy. “Papa said your horse is named Satan.” “Yes.” “He seems nice.” Adelaide glanced sharply past Bella. She could hear horses coming, hard and fast. “Baby, go now. Don’t look back no matter what.”  “No. I’m gonna hide over there. Daddy’s coming. I know he is.” She darted off into the low hanging brush, hiding so well even Addie could barely see her. Adelaide rolled over, wondering when she’d lost the ability to convince even a child to do as she was told. Grabbing for her gun, she winced at the agony searing through her. She cursed; realizing the wound from Nebraska had reopened when she’d checked her gun. Five shots. It would have to do. Pushing herself along the ground, she fought the waves of darkness that washed over her. She had to protect her baby…even if it meant her own death. Gunfire and a scream filled the air. Ike kicked his horse forward. If Bella was harmed, Margaret would suffer greatly. Hearing gunshots, Lou and the boys raced over the uneven ground. Topping the rise they spotted a single rider coming from the other direction. Two figures were caught between them. One dressed in lady’s riding attire, the other in jeans and a work worn shirt. The one in pants seemed to be still alive. Cody groaned. “It’s the horse from hell!” Spotting the sorrel, the boys glanced at each other. Pulling up sharply, Ike dismounted. He ignored the advancing riders. Glancing around, he swore to himself. Bella was nowhere to be seen. A familiar horse stood watching him He smiled painfully when the stallion trotted up to him. *Hey, old man.* He patted his  sleek neck and turned to the figures lying on the ground. Both were covered in blood, but only one wore riding attire more suited to a ranch hand than a lady. “Damn,” Buck grumbled dismounting. Checking Margaret he turned to Ike, “She’s dead.” *A better person for it.* Ike hurried toward the other figure. ‘Please let it be Addie. Please.’ he rolled her over, shoving the gun aside easily. Pushing the dark hair out of her face, Ike let out a sigh of relief. He traced a gentle finger down her jaw. A small bundle of gingham wrapped warmth, lunged at him. Ike cradled Bella to his chest. He stared down into the features of his woman. “Ike!” Buck called as he saw him roll one of the bodies over. *What?* "You sure you should do that?" Hiding a smile Ike nodded and picked Addie up easily. He was very sure. Chapter Nineteen Jimmy watched Buck and Ike signing furiously. Obviously they were deep in debate about how to handle the situation. Lou held a bandage against the woman’s chest.  “Uh, guys, while you’re busy arguing, you, might want to think about this. She’s still bleeding!”  *We’ll finish this later.* He glared at Buck.  He knew how to treat Adelaide. He knew she wouldn’t want a lot of fussing over her, especially by strangers. Probing around the wound, he exhaled sharply. The bullet was still in there. Bella happily ate the food Cody had brought. She watched the woman from Papa’s mantel. She was pretty, and her voice was warm. She was glad that her Mommy was with her new ‘daddy’. Ike dug around in Adelaide’s saddle bags. Knowing when they’d both worked together that she always kept few things to use in case of an emergency. He prayed that she hadn’t changed that much in the time they’d spent apart. He found a knife and a bottle of whiskey. He stuck the blade in the coals before turning back to peeling the fabric away from the wound. “There a doctor around here or something.” Kid asked. *Nearest doctor’s half a day’s hard ride east of here. He doesn’t make house calls.* “How do you know?” Cody demanded. Ike rolled his eyes and returned his attention to the wound. “Ike? How do you know?” Cody was persistent. *I used to live here.* “Why didn’t you say so?” Buck demanded. “This whole thing could have been avoided if you’d just talked to me… to us!” Ike shrugged, he had no time for this conversation. Tearing a long piece of fabric from the spare shirt in his saddle bag, he handed it to Lou. Pulling the blade out, he dosed it with whiskey.  The hissing and popping of cold liquid on hot metal told Ike the blade was ready. *You might want to hold her down.* Ike signed clumsily to Lou as he held the knife. *She might come to a bit before passing out again.* “You’ve done this before?” Ike inserted the tip of the blade past the opening of the wound. A moment later he had the bullet in one hand. Lou glared at him as she struggled to hold their patient in place. “Quit lookin’ at it and finish up.” Lou grunted as the woman shifted beneath her weight. Sticking the blade back in the flames. Ike poured a liberal amount of whiskey on her shoulder. He tapped the knife on the stones to knock off the ashes. With an apologetic look, he pressed the hot blade against the wound. “Ouch,” Cody winced. “That’s just cruel.” “Makes sense. She can’t afford to get an infection.” Kid stated. “Wonder how he knows about it?” Jimmy watched Ike bandage the wound carefully. “He never bandaged any of our gunshot wounds.” “We always had someone else to do it. Teaspoon or Rachel, or Emma, or even the Doc.” The boys fell silent as Ike tossed aside the dirty bandages and bottle of whiskey. “Daddy? Is Mommy okay now?” *Yeah baby, she’s okay. Just needs to sleep.* Ike said as Bella moved to sit next to him.  “I didn’t like that lady. She was mean. She hurt my Papa.” *I know.* Margaret was a good one for hurting those that were weaker or seemed less important to her. At least now they didn’t have to worry about her but they were far too close to the MacDonald’s main houses for Ike to be truly comfortable. Glancing at Adelaide, Ike knew she couldn’t be moved. Her body needed rest and time to heal He wondered idly if Charles MacDonald was even aware of what was happening. With the luck that he’d had lately it was highly likely. He didn’t want to risk anyone else getting hurt because of him. A glance at his friends told him they’d never leave him behind. Silence clung to the small camp, broken only by Bella’s chatter as she relayed her newest adventure to Lou and Kid. A soft smile crossed Ike’s face periodically but most of his attention was on the woman who was now sleeping beside him. With darkness came sleep and Bella was the first to succumb to its calling. The others lay down, staring into the flames. “You should have come to us.” Buck muttered, sitting down next to Ike with a cup of hot coffee. *It wasn’t your problem.* “But it is yours. Ike we’re family, you don’t…” Buck sighed “Why wouldn’t you come to us? I always thought that you cared more about us than your pride.” *It wasn’t about pride,* Ike looked at him steadily. *I knew what you would say. Kid and Lou are a couple; they can do a better job of raising her than I could. I can raise her just as well as they can.* “But she doesn’t belong to us.” Buck whispered softly. *She’s mine.* “Ike I know you’re attached…” Ike shook his head and stared at the flames for a second. *Yes I’m attached to her but that’s not what I meant.* “Then what do you mean?” *I mean she’s mine. She belongs to me.* Ike and Buck glanced up as Jimmy rose. Moving carefully, he walked around the flames until he was kneeling next to Adelaide’s feet. “You guys okay?” Ike tried to stifle his annoyance at the interruption. “Yeah,” Buck nodded quickly. “Just trying to figure things out.” Jimmy accidentally bumped the sleeping woman’s ankle with his boot. A moment later he was cursing as he felt a sharp kick to the back of his knees followed by a boot in the gut. Hiding a grin Ike glanced over his shoulder.  “Damn it!” Jimmy shifted, rubbing his rump as he glared at the woman trying to get to her feet. “What is your problem?” “Go play with somebody else,” Addie groaned as she rolled over. Struggling to get her knees under her, she winced at how badly her entire body ached. “For the love of…” Jimmy rose. “You kick like a mule.” “Thanks.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on Jimmy. After watching her struggle for a moment, he reached down to help her up. She jerked her arm out of his grasp. “I don’t need you or your help.” Looking to Ike and Buck for guidance, he shook his head at their stunned expressions. He backed to where his bedroll was stretched out and flopped down.  It was apparent that the others were watching her struggle. From the splash of red on her clothes he could easily tell she had another bullet hole. Ike grabbed her wrist and pulled. The motion forced her back onto the ground on her stomach. “Get off of me!” Adelaide turned her head and glared first at the half-blood then up into blue eyes as familiar as her own. She dropped her head down on her arm. “I ache all over and you’re no help!” *Shouldn’t go stumbling into gunfights.* The sudden wash of tension in her body had everyone shifting uneasily. “Where’s Izabella? Where’s my daughter?” *Sleeping.* Ike nodded to where Bella was curled up under a blanket. *And doing a real good job of it to.* “Margaret?” “If you mean that other woman she’s dead.” Buck said. “Good. Hope it hurt like hell.” Adelaide moved into Ike’s warmth. “I’m tired.” *Go to sleep. I’m not going anywhere.* “If that annoying rat Charles shows up, feel free to shoot him.” Adelaide muttered. Ike pushed the stray locks of hair from her face. *I’ll do that.* Listening to the soft, even sound of her breathing, Ike trailed his fingers through her hair. It was shorter than he remembered. The long, faint scar that traced over her face told of at least one fight. But even half dead she still knew him, and still worried over their child. Ike stared into the flames, remembering times when the campfires they shared were cozier, and more loving. Chapter Twenty Smothering a moan at the pounding in her head, Adelaide opened her eyes a slit. The first thing she noticed was that she wasn’t alone. The smoldering ruins of the fire were flanked by six riders. The second thing she noticed was that her entire body ached in ways that she knew would stay with her. With a promise to avoid getting shot in the future she kicked off the blankets. Sitting up, Adelaide scanned the group easily. A black man, a half-blood, and four or rather three white boys and a girl lay sleeping soundly. The remnants of a bedroll occupied a spot between the girl and one boy. She searched for the small figure she knew should be there. Spotting Bella curled up next to the body beside her, Adelaide smiled softly. Reaching over the man’s stomach, she trailed a finger gently through her baby’s soft hair. Turning her head slightly, Adelaide wondered idly who she’d been pressed up against. It seemed odd to her that she wasn’t scared or uneasy. Seeing the familiar features she smiled, ‘one of these days, darling, you’re gonna have to let me stand on my own two feet.’ Climbing painfully to her feet, she limped over to where the horses were tethered. None bore the scrawled M that signaled MacDonald’s Ranch. The only brand was on Satan’s hip and it was the familiar A with an I in it that she and Ike had picked out. Everyone was still sleeping. She gathered her saddle. Cursing under her breath as she struggled to lift it into place.  She didn’t notice movement behind her. She jumped as an extra pair of hands grabbed the saddle. With a hiss of pain she turned; ready to strike out only to freeze at the pair of blue eyes that stared at her.   *Been years since I’ve helped you saddle a horse.* “Yeah well, I don’t need help,” she muttered turning around to face her horse. Ike stared at her shoulder. *I’m sorry.* “For what?” Adelaide whispered. “For being a figment of my imagination like every other time. You can’t help that.” *I’m flesh and blood Addie. Same as you and Bella.* Looking at her sleeping baby, Adelaide bit her lip as a lone tear escaped her control. “She needs me. I should never have…” *She does need you. She needs me too.* “I really need to get help. I’m carrying on a conversation with a ghost.” *Stubborn, proud woman. What do I have to do to make you see I’m real?* Adelaide chuckled. “I don’t know. I couldn’t believe Margaret…” *Izabella?* “You named her.”  She admitted. “I remembered you saying you always liked that name.” Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. Slowly, Adelaide relaxed. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she deepening the kiss. Silently moaning at the sudden desperation he could taste, Ike pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her. He didn’t care who caught them, or what anyone said. He had his beloved Addie back. Buck frowned, realizing that Ike and the young woman were missing. He spotted Bella still sleeping soundly. “Ike?” The others woke at the sound of his voice.  Jimmy looked annoyed. “Where’s Ike?” Lou noticed another empty blanket. “And our patient.”   “Ike!” Buck called again, rising to his feet. A cursory glance around the camp revealed nothing. He headed for the horses, if their patient had taken off; it was highly likely Ike would have followed. He seemed bound and determined to take care of both Bella and the girl. Pushing a branch out of his face, Buck felt his face heat up. His jaw dropped as he stared in shock. Locked in a passionate embrace, pressed as close as two people can be without being naked, was the pair he’d been looking for. “Um,” Buck cleared his throat. “Ike?” A feminine giggle and a muted groan were the only acknowledgements of his arrival. “You uh want coffee?” Buck asked weakly as the two bodies moved apart until there were two shadows instead of one. Burying her face in Ike’s chest, Adelaide tried to smother her giggles. “This is worse than having Papa catch us,” she whispered. Ike chuckled. *Yeah but he left as soon as he did. Buck won’t, he’s waiting for an answer.* “Coffee sounds good.” “I’m glad to hear it.” Buck turned away, “Then maybe we could all get some answers.” Adelaide looked at Ike. He shrugged. “You think they want the whole story or just a few details?” *Go make coffee.* Ike smiled at her. Yelping softly when he smacked, her she glared at him. “So what do we do now?” she asked softly. “Granted we haven’t seen each other in years but I still feel the same.” *We do what we would have done back then. Only we’re older, wiser. We will have to deal with your father.*  “Couldn’t I just send him a nice wide leather strap and call it square?” *Strap?* Ike stared at her. *Why?* Adelaide lifted her shirt, exposing the scars left by the lash.  “Figure I owe him a couple.” Tenderly he traced over the scars. His fingers trembled as they touched warm skin marred by cruelty. *I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.* “You’ve always been with me Ike. Sometimes it was just in spirit instead of person.” Ike ground his teeth as he followed her back to the camp. When he saw Charles MacDonald again, he was going to kill him. The disheveled woman limped into the camp and settled painfully on the ground next to Bella. Ike nudged her with his hand on her shoulder. “Make your own coffee,” she protested. “I don’t drink the stuff anymore.” *Really?* “Morning sickness cured me of that!” she smirked. *It made it worse.* A slight shadow crossed Ike’s face before it was quickly hidden. *You can still make it though. It’s got to be better than what they make.* Adelaide made short work of fixing coffee before setting it on the edge of the fire. “There, happy?” Ike hid a grin when she looked at him. “Quit laughing at me!” “I’m Buck Cross,” Buck held out a hand wondering if the woman would take it. “Adelaide.” Her grip was firm and confident. “These are friends of ours, Jimmy, Cody, Kid, Lou, Noah. You obviously met Ike.” Adelaide saw the feigned innocent look upon Ike’s face. “You could say that.” “So are you from around here?” Kid asked. “Was, years ago,” Adelaide admitted. “Not so much recently.” “Oh?” “Did time for murder,” Adelaide clarified. “Good thing that the territorial prison is only a few miles the other side of town.” *Yeah, Margaret said something about you doing time. Course, she said a lot of other things…* “I can imagine what my dear sister said.” Adelaide spat. “Only good thing she ever did was dying.” “Seems kinda harsh for your sister.” “Lou, right? No, I don’t think so. Because of her I lost Ike, I lost my freedom, my child, and everything I’d ever worked for. I don’t see it as harsh.” “No, I don’t imagine you would.” Buck sighed. “So what do we do now? Should probably get you to a doctor, and Bella needs to get home.” Glancing down at her daughter, Adelaide smiled softly. She was the spitting image of her father, right down to those beautiful blue eyes. “Where’s home?” “Rock Creek, Nebraska,” Lou replied. Adelaide shook her head. “I should swing by and talk to Papa.” *He still kicking?* “Far as I know.” she said as Bella shifted, opening her eyes. “MOMMY!” The happy cry of the little girl was the only warning as she launched herself at Adelaide. “Hey there,” Adelaide smiled at her warmly. “I see you found Daddy,” Bella pointed to Ike. Glancing amongst themselves the boys turned to Ike. “We need to talk to you Ike.”  “You might want to tell ‘em about the birds and the bees, Ike. Seems to me they ain’t exactly familiar with that particular bit of information.” *Seems to me you’d know more than I do.* Feeling everyone look at her, Adelaide smiled. “So what do you wanna know?” Chapter Twenty One At the sound of hooves on rocks, everyone reached for their guns. Addie lifted Bella off her lap and reached for her own. Adelaide spotted a well built bay. She tensed, gripping Ike’s leg tightly. The stern faced man atop the gelding stared at the little group for a moment before dismounting. “Can we help you?” Kid intercepted him. “I was just going to ask you the same thing. Seems my hands found a body a few miles west of here. She’d been shot.” “So?” Adelaide struggled to her feet. “I figured I owed her the lead.” “Adelaide Elizabeth, this is hardly the time or place to air your grievances. I’ve come to take you home.” Adelaide stared at him. “You what?” “I’ve come to take you and your daughter home.” Adelaide laughed bitterly. “I do believe we had this conversation Mr. MacDonald, years ago. Remember, the front steps after I picked myself up out of my own blood?” “Adelaide, I apologize for that. I reacted badly to the situation.” “Again, I was quite clear about it. What part of that conversation did you miss?” “Addie…” Charles sighed, “Look I know I made mistakes.” *You nearly killed her!* “Mr. McSwain, when I want you opinion, I will give it to you.” Ike glared at him, only Bella’s presence stopped him from moving toward the man. “You don’t get it,” Adelaide glanced around. “I trust these people more than you. Margaret told you some story and you bought it. You put her above anyone and anything after Momma died. I made myself clear that night, I meant it.” “Addie, everyone makes mistakes. Are you really saying you’re willing to throw everything you’ve got away over some…” “Man?” Adelaide smiled painfully. “I don’t think you have any room to talk.” Charles looked furiously at the silent man standing next to Adelaide. “I don’t think this is the right time or place to discuss this.” *I do. You never even saw us when we worked for you. What makes you think her or I are going to believe you now?* “I don’t believe I was speaking to you.” “Still the same old Charles. Still so unwilling to bend. What’s the matter? Margaret’s dead and now you need someone else to fawn over? It won’t be me.” “Addie, at least think of your daughter!” “Don’t you dare use my daughter as a pawn.” Adelaide stepped toward him. She was stopped by Ike’s arm around her waist. “You can’t have her.” “I’m not saying that. I’m saying she deserves whatever money can buy. She deserves a good education, fine clothes…” “She deserves to be loved, not bought.” *You can’t change his mind.* “And you won’t let her try!” Ike stepped toward him only to come to a dead stop at the pressure on his arm. He turned to face Addie. “There was a time when I’d have given my right arm to have him notice me. To care about me. It never happened. Instead I got love from the ranch hands, from Papa and finally from you. He doesn’t matter to me. I won’t let him take any more from us than he already has.” Charles watched the pair carefully. Their bodies were pressed close, their eyes focused upon each other. From where he stood, he could clearly see Addie dusting off the vest worn by the young man. “Look, this isn’t going well.  I don’t want anything from either of you, I just want to give back what…” “You can’t.” Adelaide glanced at her daughter standing behind Buck’s leg. “Maybe back then you could have but we’ll never know.” Charles grabbed her arm. He let go at the sudden cocking of a gun. “Please. Let me try.” “Do you remember what I said the last time we spoke?” A frown crossed his face as he struggled to remember that final conversation. He suddenly realized that the last words he’d spoken to her had been in anger. He hadn’t spoken to her when they were at the trial, nor had he ever gone to see her in prison. “No? Didn’t think so.” She moved past Ike and picked up Bella. “Addie wait,” Charles sighed. “Look can’t we just sit down and talk about this?” “What part of no, don’t you get?” She hissed. “We did all the talking a long time ago. You want something from me? Tell me what it is. I’ll tell you whether you can have it or not.” “Time, I want to spend some time with you. Get to know you, and the baby.” Ike watched Addie struggle with her choices. Seeing the cold resolve in her eyes, he knew Charles had lost before he’d even begun. *It’s your choice.* “I made my choice Ike when I fifteen years old and scared to death. It hasn’t changed.” *Looks like she isn’t interested,* Ike declared. “You turned her against me,” Charles growled. “Took the girl I knew and made her into this, this…” *Woman?* Ike shot back. *No, I may have made her a woman but I sure as hell didn’t turn her into what she is. You and Margaret did that. As soon as we’re done with our coffee and Bella’s fed, you can be sure we’ll be off your property before nightfall.* “You won’t get far. Adelaide and Bella belong here. This is their home.” Ike walked away. There would be no convincing Charles MacDonald, not now, not ever. He saw a chance to ‘make amends’ but he had no idea how to go about it. For him everything was so wrapped up in dollar signs and respectability that he’d lost sight of the woman his daughter had become. Charles felt something freeze inside when Adelaide turned her back on him. Turning back to his horse he mounted up. Tomorrow would bring her to her senses. The boys exchanged a glance as the rider disappeared. Turning, they looked at Adelaide and Bella playing a game with their hands. “Addie?” Lou touched her shoulder, “You okay?” “Of course? Why wouldn’t I be?” “He is your Pa.” A dismissive shrug was her only answer. *You won’t change her mind Lou. Don’t even try to.* “But she has family. I mean yes her husband’s gone but Bella at least…” Ike flushed slightly; obviously they hadn’t really understood what Addie had told them. *You don’t understand Lou. Izabella is my daughter.* “Ike, you know she’s got…” *She’s mine.* “Bella, why don’t you and Daddy go check on Satan,” Addie suggested. The girl gripped Ike’s hand and they walked off. “I take it you didn’t grasp what I told you.” “We get that you and Ike were involved,” Cody started. “I don’t think so Cody,” Adelaide looked between them. “When I said Ike and I were together, I mean we were ‘together’.” At the blank looks Adelaide raised an eyebrow, “You’re gonna stand there and tell me not one of you has ever engaged in marital relations before?” Lou shook her head a slight flush coloring her face. “But what…” “When we say Bella is Ike’s daughter, we mean physically.” Buck choked on his cup of coffee. “I never even thought Ike was interested in that sorta thing. I mean, he’s always been so shy.” Adelaide laughed. “That’s good for you. Makes things so much simpler for me, means I won’t have to be beating anyone off him.” “So where does that leave us?” Kid asked, glancing at the others. “Ike has a home to go to…” “In Nebraska,” Adelaide declared. “Ike wouldn’t stay here even if you paid him to. I have no intention of remaining on this land any longer than it takes to cross it.” “What about your Papa?” “You’ll find Papa is very determined to be on his own. He’s always known I wouldn’t stay here, even if none of this had happened. Too many memories, too much pain.” “So we’re heading back to Rock Creek?” *Yes we are,* Ike smiled at them. *We’re going home.* Epilogue Teaspoon glanced up at the sound of spurs on the boardwalk. Spotting Cody, he waited anxiously as the young man slid into the jail and settled across from him. “Well, glad to see you managed to make it home.” “Sorry Teaspoon, had to make a couple of stops along the way.” Cody leaned back in the chair. “But at least Ike’s home.” “So where did you find him?” “MacDonald’s ranch in Missouri. Seems he had some business to see to.” “Where is he now?” “The old Ferguson place. Said he’d expect you.” Seeing the mischievous look in Cody’s eyes, Teaspoon was intrigued. Perhaps he should just go on out there and see Ike. Ike watched Bella run around the yard. She was so much like Addie it was scary. The soft sound of footsteps had him glancing behind him. *What?* “Do you remember the first night we spent together after that storm?” Addie moved up to lean on him. Ike nodded. They’d spent hours just talking and touching. When they’d come together, it had been a slow, sweet burn. “Do you think we could get it back? Do you think we could have that love back in our lives?” *Depends. Do you want it? Need it?*  “I’m not the same girl I was Ike. I did hard time, watched what happened to people who were weaker. It didn’t sit well with me.” *That’s just cause you’re stronger than that. Tell me something.* “What?” *What did you say to him?* Adelaide sighed, “Do you really want to know?”  *Yes I do. I want to know what made you so cold, so unforgiving towards him.*  “I don’t know exactly what Margaret told him that she saw but he was furious. When I wouldn’t answer his questions, he lost it. I don’t remember too much beyond the first couple of blows from that strap. I woke up caked in blood, hurting more than I’d ever hurt before. It felt like my entire body was on fire. He came out of the house and said I could come in now. I told him I didn’t want to. He called me a whore and I looked him in the eye. His face got this hard, cold look on it. I said I’d rather be your whore than his daughter because you were a man and he wasn’t.” *You were never my whore.* “I let you take me without benefit of a wedding.” Staring out over the yard Ike sighed. *That thought never mattered to me. I always knew we’d be married. It was just a matter of time. What we have is something that most people never get the chance to have. Nothing has changed it; we’re still the same as we were. I still love you just as much if not more now.* Adelaide glanced down the road. “We have company. Don’t be long Ike; I have plans for later for you.” Laughing, Ike watched the boys and Teaspoon loping toward them. With Addie and Bella now at his side, the shadows of his past had disappeared. Ike welcomed Teaspoon and the boys to his new home. Author’s Note: Many many huge thank you’s to Gypsywitch who betaed for me. Without her this storyline wouldn’t have happened. Destardi Email Destardi HOME