Chapter 8

Nick reined Satan in, patting the stallion’s neck in affection before dismounting. Dropping the reigns across Satan's neck Nick allowed the stallion to roam, knowing that he would not go more than a few yards from him. Nick looked at the campsite. 'It could be just a drifter,' he thought kneeling next to the ashes. Pulling his glove off he picked some of them up, rubbing them between his fingers to test for warmth. 'Cold. But not too cold. Whoever was camped here left this morning.' Standing up slowly Nick looked at the natural layout of the campsite. 'Back and sides are covered by rocks. Good view of who is coming in. You can see them before they see you. Yep, whoever camped here has been on the run before,' Nick decided. Walking around the perimeter of the camp Nick noticed that there were no hoofprints other than his. 'Wiped the area clean.'

Stopping near one of the large boulders Nick leaned back on it deep in thought. While one part of his mind was running down a list of possible destinations of his mysterious camper, another part was systematically comparing the visual data about the campsite. Moving away from the boulder Nick walked toward a small space in between two boulders. No one else would have noticed anything out of place here but Nick new intimately every stone, crevice and blade of grass on Barkley property and whatever in that space was not part of his memory. Looking at it closer Nick noticed it looked like a piece of oilskin. Reaching for the space Nick pulled on the protruding piece freeing it from its hiding place.

Turning the small package over in his hands he untied it opening it to reveal its contents. A letter addressed to him was the first thing he saw. Newspaper articles featuring members of his family were the next thing he saw. And finally a Ranger star was the last thing he saw. Picking up the letter he began to read.

Barkley,

I see you found the little package I left for you. I figured that I would let you know what I am planning on doing before I do it. You see I am not interested in killing you immediately. No, not at all. First I want you to suffer like you have made me suffer. I want you to know how it feels to lose someone you love and not be able to do anything to stop it!

Now I am sure you are wondering which member of your fine family I plan on killing first. Will it be the lawyer? It would be so easy to shoot him as he walks to his office in the morning.

The bastard? I could do you a favor by getting rid of him. This way you wouldn't have to share your Daddy's money with him.

Your baby brother? It would be so easy to kill him while he is attending school.

Your lovely sister? That one I may just enjoy for while before I kill her, she is such a pretty little thing.

Your mother? She is a pretty woman too. Now that she is spreading her legs for that partner of yours I am sure she wouldn't mind doing the same for me.

Or will it be your partner? Which do you think it will be? Well, let me tell you so this way you can try to save them. I think it will be. No Barkley, I've changed my mind I don't think I will tell you. Will you be able to protect all of them, all the time? Are you that good?

Good luck in trying. You’re going to need it.

Masters.

Enraged, Nick shoved the letter and clippings back into the oilskin before striding over to Satan and swinging up onto his back. Slapping the reigns against the stallion's flanks Nick urged him into a gallop heading to the house.

Audra walked out of the milliner shop pleased with her purchases. The fabrics that she picked would make wonderful dresses for some of the younger girls at the orphanage. The heavy cotton would make good shirts and pants for the older boys. The shoes and boots she had ordered for the children arrived today along with a number of pre-made dresses and pants. She was glad she had brought along the buckboard instead of riding Midnight into town. This way she would be able to deliver the items to the orphanage and pick up the supplies for Silas.

Hitching her skirt up, she made sure that her pants did not show underneath, she climbed up onto the buckboard. Her brothers would give her hell if she appeared in town wearing pants. Although to be honest, she couldn't see what the big deal was, they were just pants. She had worn their hand-me-down pants around the ranch most of her life so she didn't see why she couldn’t wear them into town. It wasn't as if she were riding into town naked. That would really get her hell! Smiling at the thought of how her brothers would react to that she flicked the reins and headed to the train depot.

Pulling up to the depot Audra jumped down form the buckboard. Walking inside she waited for smiled at Nate.

"Hello Nate, are those mine?" Audra asked pointing to the three medium size crates that sat on the floor.

"Yes, Miss Audra this here is yours," Nate answered. "Would you like me to load them up for ya or are ya gonna get your brothers to pick them up?"

"Could you load them for me Nate? I am going to deliver them to the Sisters on my way home."

"Sure 'enuff, Miss Audra," answered Nate. Grabbing the baggage cart, Nate loaded all three crates onto it before wheeling it out to the dock. Seeing the buckboard next to the dock, Nate loaded the crates into it securing them with a rope for the drive to the orphanage. "There ya are Miss Audra…loaded and secure for ya."

"Thank you Nate," Audra replied as she climbed up onto the drivers seat. "Have a good day."

"You too, Miss Audra," Nate replied. "And be careful," he reminded her as she drove away.

Waving in response Audra turned the buckboard around heading to the orphanage then home.

Audra hummed as she drove the buckboard back to the ranch. The children had been thrilled with new clothes and shoes while the sisters had been enamored of the new school texts and books for the library. She had noted that a few items had been missing from the shipment. Making a mental list she had assured Mother Superior that they would have everything they needed to begin preparing the older children for boarding school.

Flicking the reins gently Audra urged the team into a smooth trot hoping to beat the approaching rain that threatened. ‘I should have left a bit earlier,’ she admonished herself. Feeling the wind begin to pick up, Audra knew she would not make it home before the rain began. Pulling the horses to a stop she jumped down from the buckboard. Reaching under the seat she pulled the rain slicker out from its hiding spot, pleased that Nick had demanded that all the Barkley buckboards and carriages carry the oilskins. Slipping the large slicker on Audra climbed back onto the buckboard tucking the slicker around her she flicked the reins urging the horses into a smooth trot once again. Moments later she was glad that she had taken the time to stop and put on the slicker as the rain began.

Nick reined in Satan. The rain had begun an hour ago. What had begun as a soft drizzle was now a torrential downpour obscuring everything. Knowing that it was futile to continue tracking Masters in this weather Nick wheeled Satan around heading back to the house.

Riding in pouring rain was difficult for any rider even an experienced one like Nick. Chancing Satan’s safety was not something that Nick did willingly so rather than ride him the full way back to the house Nick dismounted, walking the horse and himself home.

Audra knew the futility of traveling any further, the road was muddy increasing the chances of the wheels getting stuck. Between the chance of stuck wheels and the possibility of the horses getting injured Audra knew that she would have to stop. Luck though was on her side, she was less than a half mile from the old mine, its entrance was large enough for her to unhitch and stable the horses there. And if her luck held out she would even be able to light a fire to dry herself out.

Masters stood in the entrance of the old mine watching the rain as it poured down. It had postponed but not canceled his quest for revenge. Moving away from the entrance Masters walked back to the fire. Pouring himself a cup of coffee he added a bit of sugar before sitting down. Sipping at the hot liquid he settled back against his saddle imagining the look on Barkley’s face when he exacted his revenge.

Wiping the rain from his face Nick stopped. At the rate he was going he would never make if back to the ranch tonight. He needed shelter; he was wet and cold as was Satan. Nick turned left heading to the old abandoned mine. It was large enough to afford him and Satan shelter. If he was lucky the men would have made sure that a cord of wood had been stored under the overhang. If it had been he would have a roaring fire to dry off near. Mounting Satan Nick urged the stallion forward, the promise of a warm dry mine foremost in his thoughts.