Vendetta by Buckskin

Word Count 21,647

Thanks to Cat for the beta. And to my Amigo for the inspiration.

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The stage hit another rut, jostling the passengers out of their musings as they struggled to stay in their seats. Johnny Lancer could only smile as he thought of Murdoch at home, sitting in his comfortable leather desk chair. The senior Lancer had been plagued with pain for weeks now, and due to that, it was decided that Johnny take on the task of ranch business up north in Paradise, much to his chagrin. 

The usual argument was launched, and he did his best to talk his way out of this chore. Ol’ man didn’t learn anything from the trip he made me take ta Cabot Springs! All I got him was a dollar an’ some biscuits, but them biscuits never made it home. I ate ‘em! 

“Murdoch, you know I don’t do those paper things. Send Scott,” Johnny had said, although knowing what the outcome would be. A resounding “You’re going!” was like a door slamming in his face. And here he was, bouncing around the stagecoach like popcorn trapped in a basket held over a hot fire. Shoulda rode Barranca… Then wondered if he would have any biscuits on this trip that was as good as Jessamie’s had been. Probably not.

Upon boarding the stage, Johnny appeared to give his fellow passengers a brief acknowledgment, but from under lowered lashes, he carefully scrutinized them all. It had served him well in the past to know exactly who it was sitting next to him. Granted, life at Lancer did not usually warrant these precautions, but you never knew when your past would sneak up and punch you in the gut when you didn’t expect it. So, Johnny Madrid Lancer remained ever vigilant.

Alright, Johnny, just relax an’ enjoy the ride, well, as much as ya can feelin’ like you’re sittin’ on a buckin’ bronc. What was it that Scott said? ‘It is what it is’, an’ I can’t change it now. 

And Scott had been right. He usually was about these things, and again, Johnny had to smile. He thought back to the day they met for the first time and how wrong he’d been as he sized up the eastern dandy that claimed the same blood. And after giving the relationship a chance, Johnny had never been so glad to be so wrong. Scott turned out to be, not only everything a man could want in a brother, but his best friend to boot. When I get back maybe ol’ Boston an’ me can go huntin’. The ol’ man, too, if he’s up for it.

The stage, once again, hit a deep rut that snapped Johnny’s teeth together. He sighed deeply and vowed next time Murdoch ordered him on a trip that he would definitely ride his horse. Scott’s right, Scott’s right, It is what it is…

Johnny turned his attention to his company inside the coach. A businessman in a neatly pressed suit sat across from him, unconsciously snapping his newspaper with irritating distractions every time he turned a page. The ruddy complexion dampened with perspiration and the frown that never left the pudgy face attested to the fact that this man, too, was not a happy passenger.

An elderly woman sat beside Mr. Businessman, looking as miserable as he. Traveling alone on her way to meet her son and his family, Mrs. Mabel Wixton expounded on her three grandchildren. Theodore was ten now and growing like a weed, with hair the color of a carrot and freckles that danced across his nose and cheeks! And, then there was Charles, taller than his older brother and he’s so smart! He never missed a word of what others said… 

Johnny was struggling to get control; could he block it out? 

… and little Eloise, oh, she’s just the cutest little girl! She’s only five but can recite her alphabet and tie her own bonnet…  

Johnny had developed a selective ear, and he had to stop listening or risk throwing himself out the stage door and hope for early death crashing down the steep rocky mountainside before he could listen to another word. Imagine that! Johnny Madrid taken down by a babbling ol’ abuela!

The last person to share the ride was the young woman sitting beside Johnny. Young woman? No, still a girl, but it won’t be long before she’d have the fellas comin’ ta court her. She was attractive with long dark hair neatly combed, and she was expensively dressed, looking as if she would be attending one of those fancy soirée things that Scott told him about. Prim and probably proper Johnny thought as he pulled his hat down over his eyes and pretended to doze. It is what it is…

It was later in the afternoon when the voices of the two women in conversation began to rise, no longer the friendly tones as Mrs. Wixton expressed her shock. “Why, Miss Monroe, it simply is not right that you travel alone! You must have a chaperone!”

“I assure you, Ma’am, that I do not need a chaperone. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” the young woman said as she turned away from the harridan as the prune-like face pinched in disapproval. 

Johnny did his best to hold back his smile. Maybe not prim and proper… The situation was worth further investigating. He watched as more wrinkles began to grow on the pasty white skin of the older woman, and apparently, Miss Monroe wasn’t bothered by it for one little minute. Nope, not prim and proper… 

They stopped for the night at Willowbrook Station. Pretty name except there were no willows, and there definitely wasn’t a brook. The stationmaster and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Vince Terrell, supplied the passengers with a hearty stew and fresh bread for their evening meal. Mrs. Wixton and the businessman, now known as Buford Carlson, shared the main table, and Miss Monroe sat alone at a smaller table off to the side. Johnny walked to the empty space where the dishes waited for him next to harridan. On his approach, the woman fixed him a withering glare.

“Young man, you certainly are not going to wear that gun while we take our meal? And, young man, you have not told us your name!”

“Well, yes, Ma’am, I am, an’ you’re right, I didn’t,” he answered with a sweet smile.

“There’s room over here if you would like to join me, sir,” Miss Monroe politely said, drawing yet another frown from the two commiserating older folks.

Johnny picked up his plate without another word and took a seat across from Miss Monroe.

“Thank you, Miss. You saved me from a long, boring ordeal that we all woulda ended up regrettin’,” Johnny smiled warmly. He placed the napkin on his lap and began to eat.

“You’re welcome, and my name is Lexi,” she smiled back.

“Johnny Lancer. Lexi, huh? Pretty name.”

“It’s short for Lexington. Papa is a proud Kentuckian, so, as his only daughter, he felt it was his duty to the state to pick that name when I was born. But don’t let it fool you. What I told her before is true,” Lexi nodded to Mrs. Wixton, “I can take care of myself. Papa taught me how to shoot and to hit what I was aiming at, and growing up with four older brothers, I was bound to learn about more than how to sew a button on a shirt and bake bread.”

Mrs. Mabel Wixton made it her business to hang on their every word, and she huffed in disgust. It’s dreadful! Simply dreadful! Miss Monroe carrying on with Johnny Lancer!

Johnny watched Lexi as she talked. She was educated, well mannered, and independent. She was not shy and interesting to talk to. And Johnny thought they would get along just fine.

As Mrs. Terrell was clearing the table, Mr. Terrell announced that there were only three rooms. It didn’t matter to him who took which one. The three passengers, now suddenly alarmed as the thought hit them that two of them would have to double up. It was then Johnny spoke.

“If it’s all the same to you, Mr. Terrell, I’ll bed down in the barn.” Johnny came near to laughing out loud when the faces of Mrs. Wixton and Mr. Carlson seemed awash in relief.

“It’s fine with me, son. If you’re sure  that’s what you be wantin’ to do, I’ll get some blankets for ya.” 

“Thanks,” Johnny said softly and turned to the door after placing his hat on his head.

“Sir, wait a moment, please?” Lexi asked as she retrieved her shawl from the back of her chair and followed him out the door.

Johnny waited and held the door as she joined him. With a gasp of shock and disapproval from Mrs. Wixton, Johnny quickly stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind them and eliminated the further rebuke that followed.

“Miss Monroe!” and that was as far as Mrs. Wixton got before the door shut, effectively cutting off her objection.

Once outside in the cool evening, Lexi sighed harshly. She wanted to scream. 

Johnny heard the exasperation in the gesture and turned to face her. “You alright, Lexi?”

A bit of a smile tugged the corners of the pretty mouth as she turned to him, and Johnny could detect a sadness that crept into her features.

“Things never change, do they, Johnny?” she asked as she leaned against the hitch rail.

Johnny shrugged into his jacket as he took his time with an answer. Then he huffed a small laugh as he considered her question.

“You talkin’ about her?” Johnny asked as he inclined his head toward the house.

Lexi nodded. “Her and a thousand just like her. Why does everyone seem to think that a woman can’t take care of herself? Or… or needs a chaperone? It makes me crazy that everyone thinks that women are these helpless creatures that will faint at the first sign of trouble! Because not all of us are that way.”

“Tell me somethin’, Lexi. Where ya headed that your father let ya travel alone?” Johnny asked, taking his lead from Lexington Monroe, who was openly talking like they’d known each other for years instead of a day.

At first, Lexi shot him a look of irritation, then slowly gave him a grin that revealed pretty, even white teeth, and Johnny knew the story before she was able to say a word.

“Well, I’m supposed to be on my way to a cousin’s house in Stockton, but I decided to take a little detour and see some of this beautiful, wild country and, now, I’m glad I did! It’s so different from home! And I want to see it before Papa does his best to marry me off to the neighbor’s son… Can’t stand that boy! Why, I could whip him myself with no help from my brothers!” 

Definitely not prim or proper! The sparkle in her eyes reminded him of Melissa Harper, the daughter of an old friend of Murdoch’s that found herself up to her neck in trouble before she realized what had happened. Johnny dropped his gaze to his boots.

“And you don’t approve, do you, Mr. Lancer?” Lexi asked, suddenly wondering if she’d told him too much. She felt her defiance boil to the surface.

“Well, Lexi, that ain’t for me to decide. I’ll tell you one thing, if you were my sister, I’d tan your hide when I saw ya next!” His smile grew as he raised his head and met her eyes.

Then the defiance began to fade as she saw the honesty reflected in his face. She returned the smile. “You have a sister, Johnny?” Lexi asked softly.  

Briefly, he wondered why she didn’t argue with him for the ‘tanning her hide’ statement. “Yeah, kinda. She’s my ol’ man’s ward. Her father was the foreman on my father’s ranch an’ was killed; Murdoch took her in since she was born there an’ knew him all her life. So, I can tell you right now if she pulled somethin’ like this, yeah, I’d turn her over my knee.”

“You won’t pull me over your knee, will you, Johnny?” she asked with a laugh.

“You ain’t my sister. ‘Night, Lexi,” and Johnny left for the barn.

*****

There it was again, the tickle that wouldn’t go away. Johnny cracked an eye open just as the first light of dawn broke over the mountains. The tickle now danced across his forehead as he turned to stare into large green eyes set in a furry calico face as a soft bushy tail flicked again over his skin.

“Hey, cat, ya sharin’ my blanket? Nice an’ warm, huh?” Johnny stretched out an arm to gently scratch under her chin as the eyes closed with a contented purr at the attention. Johnny got up, shook out the blankets, once Miss Kitty was roused, and had them folded in no time. He stepped out into the yard, and seeing smoke pouring out of the chimney, went in search of coffee.

Johnny opened the door as the aroma of sizzling bacon, coffee, and fresh biscuits filled his senses.

“Good morning! Breakfast will be only a few minutes yet, but there’s coffee ready an’ lots of it!” Mrs. Terrell shoved a large mug into Johnny’s hand.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” and he savored the dark brew as the steam swirled into his face. Gotta be one of the best smells ever! 

“Sleep alright, Mr….?” 

“Johnny, call me Johnny, an’ yeah, slept fine. Even had me some company,” Johnny grinned.

Mrs. Terrell paled, and she clasped a hand to her lips. “Oh, Johnny, I’m so sorry! That pesky cat doesn’t have a shy bone in her body! I hope she let you sleep!”

Johnny laughed. “It’s fine, Mrs. Terrell, heck, she even kept me warm!”

“Oh, she can be maddening at times. Well, you sure ya got enough sleep?”

“Yes, Ma’am, slept just fine.”

Apparently, Mrs. Wixton was not an early riser. It took three calls from Mrs. Terrell to get the woman moving to be ready to leave on time. Mr. Carlson seemed annoyed this morning, but the man seemed annoyed since they’d first boarded the stage. Perhaps it was the assumption that they would not be leaving according to schedule. The man sat fidgeting in his chair, fingers clenching the handle of a valise that was never far from his grasp. He looked lost without that newspaper to crackle and snap as he turned the pages. Johnny could never figure out anyone would want to make that much noise.

Lexi was quiet this morning even as she and Johnny, again, took the small table off to the side of the room. They both avoided small talk. However, she did ask him how he slept out in the drafty barn.

“Did you sleep well, Mr. Lancer?” Lexi asked, knowing their every word was analyzed and dissected by Mrs. Wixton.

“Slept fine. So did the cat,” he smiled, and she offered him a giggle.

Mrs. Wixton huffed in disapproval.

*****

 “Hey, looks like they’re gonna be right on time! Can see the dust risin’ off the road where they’re passin’ through that valley. I’d give anythin’ to know what Lancer’s doin’ on that stage. Maybe he’s got business an’ he’s got a lotta cash on him!”

“Don’t matter what he’s doin’ on that stage an’ how much money he’s got on him. He’s gonna pay for what he did! That’s all I care about!”

“Well, he don’t know it yet, but Mr. Murdoch Lancer is about ta pay for what he done ta us! Don’t you worry none about that, Cole, he’ll pay! C’mon, boys, ya know what ta do! Let’s go!”

*****

The morning passed slowly. There was no conversation amongst the passengers, civil or not. Buford Carlson stared at the paper folded on his lap but did not bother to read it. His little pig-eyes lost in the folds of his face held a constant glare. Mrs. Wixton wore the same expression that she had last night when she objected to Lexi’s defiance regarding a chaperone. Johnny wondered just how long the woman could sit there with her lips pursed before the muscles in her face cramped.

Johnny glanced at Lexie. She sat composed and unreadable. The girl had spirit, and he knew that would be an asset, should the time ever come for her to need it.

And the time was about at hand. The driver pulled up hard on the reins as the six-horse team skidded to a stop before dragging the stage over the log that had fallen across the road. Johnny risked a look out the window, able to see what was happening. The team hadn’t come to a stop, yet before four armed men halted the stage horses with their pistols aimed at the driver.

Johnny quickly took his Colt from his holster and handed it to Lexie. “Can you hide this in your skirts?”

“Quick, give it here!” she whispered as she pulled at the waistband of her skirt, which prompted a gasp from Mrs. Wixton. “This is where I keep my valuables!” Lexie whispered to Johnny and ignored the gasp of shock.

Indeed, Miss Monroe had come prepared for her travels. Sewn inside her skirt was a pocket, not unlike a money pouch, and barely enough to accommodate the Colt. 

“Here, this, too,” Johnny said as he handed her a small leather bag with a drawstring. Quickly, Johnny took off the holster and shoved it into the corner of the seat behind Lexi.

“Don’t get any notions ‘bout runnin’ off, Driver! You stay right where you are an’ no one’ll get hurt! Everyone outta the stage!”

Lexi adjusted the pocket and tugged her skirt in place, then pulled her shawl around her just as the door was thrown open, and a man with a gun ordered them out of the stage. She only hoped the folds of her shirt and shawl covered any sign of the gun.

“Hurry up! Out! Now!”

Mrs. Wixton began to complain, something about wayward young men when the man with the pistol put a quick stop to the protest.

“Shut up, Lady! Out!”

Mrs. Wixton gasped with the typical “Well I never!…” 

“No, ma’am, an’ I doubt ya never will…” as he scrutinized her prudish face. “Now get outta that stage!” he bellowed.

At the audacious comment, she gasped again, appalled at the lack of manners shown to her by this young upstart! Why, in my day… but her thoughts stopped there as she rose from her seat and stood in the doorway of the stage with her hand out for help. Johnny could see the outlaw roll his eyes, then he grabbed the outstretched hand and pulled her out of the coach to stand, a bit shaken, in the dusty road.

Carlson was next as he exited, visibly upset.

“Well, looky here, boys! Look what we have here!” The outlaw ogled Lexi as she stepped down, purposely refusing the hand there to help. She turned a cold eye on the man then turned away. 

“You! Come on outta there!” The man cocked his gun and pointed it at Johnny’s head. He jumped down, landing lightly on the ground and took in the threat, then calmly asked: “What’d ya want? It’s hot an’ we need to get goin’.”

“That station attendant said he’s supposed ta be here! Where’s Murdoch Lancer?” one of the men asked.

“Lancer? I knew you would have something to do with this!” Mrs. Wixton sneered as she turned to look at Johnny. Well, lady, ya just told ‘em who I am…

Forcing the calm to remain on his face, he looked at the four men. “He’s my ol’ man. What’d ya want with him?”

“Lucas, what’d we gonna do? Was supposed to be the ol’ man on the stage!”

Lucas McKenna, leader of the gang, looked at the passengers standing in the road.

His decision made, he told Carlson and Mrs. Wixton to get back into the stage.

“Driver, get goin’!”

The driver hesitated. “I can’t leave any passengers behind! Against company policy!”

“Against company policy, huh? How would you like ta be dead?”

Without further delay, the driver got the team moving around the downed tree and left, leaving Johnny and Lexi standing in the road with four armed men.

Lucas nodded to Johnny. “Max, search him, make sure he ain’t armed.” Noting there was no pistol on his hip didn’t mean there wouldn’t be another weapon hidden in his coat.

Johnny leveled a cold stare as the man approached him. There wasn’t much he could do at the moment, and he hoped that his Colt wouldn’t be discovered stuffed under Lexi’s skirt. He was glad he left his holster in the coach; there would be a slight chance he would get it back.

He glanced at Lexi. She did not cower, did not show fear, and for that, Johnny was grateful. Maybe, between the two of us… he thought as the search was quickly finished.

“He’s clean, Lucas!”

“What’re we doin’, Lucas?” Joe Quin asked. “We ain’t got Lancer…”

“Yeah, but we got his pup, an’ we just picked us up some insurance!” Lucas laughed as he looked the girl over from the top of her head to the tips of the shoes that peeked out from under her dress. She didn’t look like she’d be giving them any trouble, and he dismissed her immediately.

“Mount up! You, missy,” he said to Lexi, “are ridin’ with me!” He slid his foot out of the stirrup to let her step up behind him. She made a mental note to sit with enough space between them to not betray the Colt under her skirt. 

Max tied Johnny’s hands in front of him and steered him to Joe’s horse to mount up behind.

He nudged Johnny in the back with the barrel of his revolver. “Don’t you try nothing, ya hear? I’m right behind ya with this here gun aimed at your back!”

Johnny turned to lock a cold stare on the man with the gun. “That supposed to scare me?” he asked flippantly and smirked as the unshaven face flushed red and turned to break the visual contact.  Johnny mounted the horse behind Joe as Max stood seething over the fact that an unarmed, restrained man laughed at him and made him feel like a fool.

Johnny figured he would have to wait until he had any answers. All he could do at the moment was to watch and listen. He peered over Joe’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of Lexi riding behind the man who appeared to be the leader of this motley gang. She rode with her back straight and with the ease of a woman familiar and comfortable riding astride. And, to her credit, she remained quiet.

Riding late into the afternoon, they stopped to rest the horses. It would be dark in a few hours and limit their travel in the steep, rocky terrain. None of the men spoke. However, all of them sized up the ‘little lady’. Johnny hoped he had her pegged correctly. He didn’t think she would tolerate unwanted attention from any of them.

He studied the men around him, and could read their looks as if they stood up, one by one, and laid claim to all their sins. Johnny had seen it hundreds of times, hell, probably more like thousands, and he’d come close to becoming one of them. He was not the same Johnny Madrid he was in his earlier gunfighting days. Time and experience taught him much of being on the right and wrong side of things. He learned from his days of riding with Pardee; he learned he did not want to be the kind of man he rode with today.

But, now Johnny had to wonder how Murdoch was involved in all of this. What did these men want with the ol’ man? He intended to find out, one way or another, and he would get an answer. He just hoped he wouldn’t get in too much trouble getting it.

*****

“Why ya lookin’ for my ol’ man?” Johnny asked Lucas McKenna as they sat around the fire. Having taken a meager meal of jerky and beans, the other three men crawled into their bedrolls as McKenna took the first watch.

“You really got no idea, do ya?” Lucas asked, searching the face for the truth.

“Wouldn’ta asked if I knew,” Johnny answered softly, holding the eye contact.

“Well, your father took pleasure in ruining what took my pa years ta build. Oh, sure, it wasn’t as grand as the hacienda Murdoch Lancer built, but it was home an’ Pa made it what it was.” As Lucas talked, Johnny could see the mad begin to build and start to run a wild course. It was like watching a prairie fire race unchecked, charring everything in its path.

“My pa was gonna buy stock up in Stockton an’ Murdoch bought it right out from under him! An’ he dammed up the water, so our ranch dried up. Dried to dust! My pa worked himself to death, tryin’ everything he knew to fix what Murdoch Lancer was destroyin’ an’ it finally killed him! Murdoch Lancer murdered my father as if he’d taken a gun an’ shot him!

“Cole Tanner, there, he’s my cousin. His mother was my father’s sister. An’ Joe an’ Max worked on our ranch, so they all have a vested interest in what happens here. We all wanna see justice served for what Murdoch Lancer took from us! An’ now we will. We got you!”  McKenna sneered.

“So ya think cuz ya got me that Murdoch’s gonna give ya what ya want?” Johnny laughed out loud. “Well, I hate ta tell ya that you’re wrong. Sorry to give ya the bad news, but Murdoch Lancer doesn’t care what happens to me. Or haven’t ya heard? I’m the son he’d rather forget about, the problem he didn’t wanna deal with. Hell, what would he care about the halfbreed son he whelped with some Mexican woman? I ain’t been nothin’ but a big disappointment to him since the day I was born.”

McKenna wondered if the things Johnny had told him were true. And he shoved those thoughts aside, but it was too late.

Johnny had seen the uncertainty before his captor had regained his control. This gave Johnny the ammunition he would need. Just keep him wonderin’…

Lucas McKenna gave Johnny a withering stare. “Get some sleep. We’re breakin’ camp at sunup,” he ordered.

Johnny smiled as plans for undermining the man’s beliefs and credibility began to swirl in his head. Settling down, he turned to where Lexi lay next to him on the ground and pulled a blanket up to cover her shoulder.

“What you told him, was it true? Your pa doesn’t care about you?” she whispered.

“Talk about it in the mornin’. Get some sleep,” he said softly.

*****

True to McKenna’s word, they moved out at dawn, traveling south, back the way they’d come on the coach. Johnny had the feeling they would try and lure Murdoch into a trap using him. And they would use Lexi to keep him in line. So, the only logical thing he could do would be to wait for a chance to escape. The hitch in the plan was Lexi. Would Johnny be able to keep both of them safe? And how would she travel on foot with those shoes on her feet, not to mention that dress? Their only hope would be to take a horse, and that was cutting the chance for a successful escape to less than half.

Hey, Lancer, chances are what I’m used to. Every time I faced a man in the street, I took a chance. What’s the matter with you? Too much easy livin’, that’s the matter! Straighten up, or you’re gonna die, along with that innocent girl…

Johnny mulled the little talk with Madrid around in his head. The more he talked with Lexi, the more impressed he was with her. There was grit in her that many people did not possess. On the verge of womanhood, her body had not caught up with her advanced mind. It appeared almost skinny and had not yet filled out into that of an adult woman. 

She said she could shoot, and where he hadn’t any proof of it, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was true. If the plan he was putting together in his head came to fruition, the issue would definitely be put to the test. Then suddenly he had to smile at Madrid’s words. …that innocent girl… and Johnny had to wonder just how innocent she really was.

They were taking more time to rest. The trail through the mountains was treacherous, and the horses needed more breaks and water if they were to get out of there alive.

Johnny sat on the ground, hands tied, next to Lexi as the four men discussed their options for capturing Murdoch Lancer. With only an occasional glance in their direction, Johnny and Lexi talked between themselves without interruption. 

“Well, Johnny, what about it?” Lexi asked as she watched him study the four men.

“What about what?” he returned the question, appearing as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“What you said about your father, that you’re nothing to him, or were you trying to throw McKenna off until you could think of something else?”

Johnny turned to her and smiled. “Is what you said true? Can ya use a gun?”

Lexi’s grin grew, and she was about to answer when Max Shaw called out.

“Hey! What’re you two talkin’ about over there?” He left the others and stomped over to the prisoners. He kicked Johnny’s leg, drawing a grunt from the bound man, and Lexi jumped to her feet to confront the bully.

“You’re an awfully big man when someone’s tied up, aren’t you?” Lexi confronted the bully, her eyes blazing fire.

Johnny knew the situation had the potential to go south very quickly, and there wasn’t much he could do about it trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey.

“Lexi, it’s alright…,” he began.

“No, it’s not alright!” she said with malice laced in her words.

Lucas, Joe, and Cole stopped their talking at the interruption and turned to enjoy the show, their attention now focused on Lexi and anxious to see what would happen next. They didn’t have to wait long.

Max reached out to grab Lexi’s arm, but he never made contact, Lexi struck with a hard open hand slap to his face, and before he could recover, she landed the sweetest uppercut to Max’s chin that Johnny had ever seen. The man’s head jerked back as his teeth snapped shut, biting his tongue in the process.

The others howled in laughter as Max spit blood, embarrassed to have been bested by a petite girl. He raised his head and glared at her as McKenna ordered Max away. Max gave Lexi one last glare and seemed to issue a growl, but it didn’t appear to faze her as she glared back defiantly, her back straight and rigid.

“Don’t you ever try that again!” Lexi sneered as Max walked away. She then sat down at Johnny’s side. 

Not prim and proper, but damn strong for one her size! And Johnny had to hide the smile that threatened to give him away.

That was the first time a woman had physically stood up for him, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. He was the one used to putting himself in danger for others, and this did not sit well with him, tied up or not.

“Did ya hurt your hand, Lexi?” Johnny asked as she settled herself, calming the adrenaline that had begun to flow.

“Yes, a little, but I’m not letting them know! Besides, it was worth it!” and she awarded Johnny with a smile. In truth, the pain was creeping up her arm, and she could only hope there had been no damage. She would know shortly. “You thinking at all about escaping, Johnny?”

“Thinkin’ on it, but gotta wait for the right time. We’ll keep watch tonight, maybe the guard’ll decide to take a little siesta when he takes his turn. You up for helpin’ me with that?”

“You just say the word, Johnny, and I’ll be ready!” she whispered enthusiastically. 

Johnny couldn’t help but wonder about her, then he grinned. “Ya got quite a temper, don’t ya.”

“Papa always said my temper would get me in trouble one day. Guess he was right…” she replied sheepishly, prompting another laugh from him.

Well, Lancer, this is gonna be interestin’, but don’t worry, I’ll be with ya, too! And Madrid smiled.

*****

The first thing Johnny did that morning when he woke was to check Lexi’s hand. There was a slight discoloration on her knuckles and just a touch of swelling, but he didn’t think there was much damage.

“How’s the hand, Lexi?” Johnny quietly asked as they stopped to rest the horses a few hours later.

She smiled. “It’s fine, just a little sore, but it was still worth it!” Lexi was near to laughing.

*****

The territory they passed through was unfamiliar. Johnny had never been this far north. If they were to escape, especially on foot, help had to be close, someplace where he could notify Murdoch what had happened or risk wandering through the mountains with the possibility of never getting out. Armed with only his pistol tucked under Lexi’s skirt and the knife in his boot, their chances weren’t good, but neither were they if an attempt wasn’t made at all. 

Lucas McKenna watched his prisoner from under the brim of the hat he pulled low on his head. Had Johnny been telling the truth when he told of his father’s contempt for his son? He couldn’t figure it out. Then he grinned to himself. Maybe that ol’ Murdoch Lancer don’t ‘have it all’ with a cub like this one! Sounds ta me that Johnny ain’t one to be too proud of! And the thought pleased him, after all, Lancer took everything from his father, from him…

Johnny had a niggling in the back of his brain, a feeling trouble was close at hand, and he needed to get control of it before Lexi got herself into something she wouldn’t be able to handle. 

“Lexi, I know you think you can handle just about anything, but I don’t think you really know what we’re up against here,” Johnny began.

“Johnny, you don’t know me very well, but I can tell you that this isn’t unfamiliar to me. See, my Grandaddy had been feuding with his neighbors for years. The feud got passed down to my family, and let me tell you that we Monroes are nothing to be taken lightly! I do know what we’re up against. I only wish that you could trust me on that.” She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

Johnny hesitated for a moment before he spoke. “Back aways, there was a sign half-covered with brush. Live Oak is about ten miles down this trail. If we can get away, it’s gonna be rough travel, but I figure we can make it. You up for it?” he tentatively asked.

“You just try and stop me!” she answered with a sassy wink.

*****

Johnny was aware that Lucas McKenna had been watching him, and again, he smirked as he caught the man’s eye.

“Boy, oh boy, McKenna, hope ya ain’t too disappointed when Murdoch laughs in your face. He’ll prob’ly thank you for takin’ me off his hands! Hell, bet he’d even give ya a reward!” Johnny was laughing at him, and it was getting under McKenna’s skin. 

A bright red shade crept up into Lucas’ face; the color complimented his eyes, Johnny thought with a laugh he didn’t bother to suppress. 

Lucas cringed when Johnny laughed at his expense. “Yeah, an’ maybe I oughtta shoot ya right now!” His temper getting the best of what control he thought he had.

Johnny smirked as he raised his brows. He knew he was pushing his luck, but he needed McKenna to be angry. An angry man was a careless man and didn’t think as clearly he should.

“Yeah, ya could shoot me, but then, that’d be murder an’ a man of your … ahem, integrity couldn’t be committin’ murder… now could he?” With one last insolent grin, Johnny turned away, effectively ignoring the man and raised the fury of that one’s demeanor another notch. 

The afternoon stretched long for them all. Lucas McKenna’s foul mood affected everyone, and where his men were irritated with the boss’ temper, it grated on them that Johnny was not.

“Hey, Lancer, where’s your gun? Did your daddy take it away from you?” Max Shaw joked as they sat around the fire that night.

“What does it matter to you? Ya let this little bitty girl rattle your brains last night. You best be concerned with what she’s gonna do to you, not me!” And again, the other three laughed, and Lexi seemed to glow with the convoluted appraisal.

“Ohhh, Johnny,” Lexi giggled, “old Max looks like a bear with a sore paw!”

“Yeah, he does, don’t he?” Johnny smiled.

*****

 “Cole, you take first watch, then Max an’ Joe take the last. Get some sleep, we’re gonna need it.” Lucas settled down in his bedroll. Max, Cole, and Joe sat drinking coffee to ward off the chill of the mountain air. Max let his attention wander over the prisoners covered with a blanket. His eyes squinted, and Cole chuckled.

“Let it go, Max! Save your mad for old man Lancer!”

Johnny couldn’t help but laugh. Then he settled himself down to wait. He watched from under lowered lashes as Cole made a fresh pot of coffee then sat on a rock off to the side. As the night sounds began their serenade, the camp quieted. They rested while they could; tomorrow, they would make up time.

Johnny estimated more than an hour passed. Cole Tanner seemed mesmerized by the flames and not particularly interested in keeping an eye on him and Lexi.

“You awake, Lexi?” he whispered as she turned his way in an excellent imitation of a sleeping woman. Cole did not look their way.

“Don’t think he can see you too good from where he’s at. Lean down an’ take the knife from my right boot. Quiet…”

He bent his knee, bringing the boot within reach, and she slid her hand down his leg and grasped the handle, drawing the blade out to hold while she cut the ropes that bound his hands. Then they lay still until it was time.

“Guess I’ll take my turn. It’s early, but I can’t sleep. Might as well let ya get some extra shut-eye,” Max grumbled to Cole as they switched guard duty. Cole gratefully accepted and crawled into his bedroll. Max settled in with a cup of coffee and leaned against the rock. The hot brew slid down his throat like a soothing balm. He was tied in knots, his temper strained against the weakening hold, and he just plain struggled to keep himself in check. Sooner or later, he would have it out with that Lancer pup. Hell, the kid didn’t even carry a pistol. He’s gonna need gun ta back him up with the mouth he’s got…

A satisfying consolation washed over him with that thought. Yup, me an’ that kid’s gonna have it out. He might be a Lancer, but that don’t make him right… And he, too, stared into the fire now a bit more at ease as he thought about the gratification he’d have out of making the kid eat crow.

*****

It had been almost two hours, Johnny guessed, that Max had taken his turn on guard duty and knew the time had come. He watched as the head bobbed, then the man’s chin rested on his chest.

“Lexi, ya ready? Better gimme my gun,” Johnny whispered. He was answered with a nod of her head, and she reached under her skirt and handed Johnny the Colt. Then she put a hand on his arm and a finger to her lips. Uh oh, what’s she gonna do? He thought.

Lexi kicked the blanket off. When it drew no attention from Max, she and Johnny stood, picked up the bedroll, and with all the stealth they could manage, they made their way down the trail. It was risky, but until dawn broke, they couldn’t chance the noise of taking off across country or the danger that presented. They would have to stay on the trail.

Once they made it out of camp, they picked up as much speed as was possible with the shoes Lexi wore. Not gonna get very far with her walkin’ in them things. Gotta think of somethin’ else… 

*****

The voices exploded in the cold mountain air. Lucas McKenna’s temper blew up, and the expletives heaped upon his men flowed down the mountainside. 

Johnny didn’t bother to hide his smile. The man was an idiot. He let it be known they would now be looking for the missing prisoners. Had he kept his mouth shut, it would have so much easier to catch them. Now Johnny and Lexi knew they would have to leave the trail. It would be dawn very soon, and Johnny figured he had just enough time to wipe out the tracks on the dusty road and take cover.

*****  

Johnny kept a close watch on Lexi. She appeared to handle their dilemma well, but then, there weren’t bullets flying over their heads… yet. She had kept her wits about her knowing these were dangerous men pursuing them, and Johnny thought that just maybe she would be up to aid in their escape. If the opportunity presented itself, perhaps she would lend a hand in their defense against those men. 

They waited together under a rock ledge, protected from sight by dense foliage and boulders, and listened for their pursuers to ride past. And it wasn’t long before the four men were above them on the trail.

“Lucas, them tracks just faded out! There ain’t nothin’ out here…” Max complained.

“Shut up, Max! If you’d have done your job, we wouldn’t be out here tryin’ ta find ‘em! Now get goin’ an’ look! If we don’t find ‘em soon, we’re gonna split up. Get goin’!”

Johnny couldn’t see the man’s face, but he heard the grumbles. Ol’ Max wasn’t any too happy as they rode farther down the dusty trail looking for footprints that weren’t there.

“C’mon, Lexi, we can stay closer ta the road goin’ this way. Figure it’s only five or so miles ta Live Oak an’ maybe we can get help.” They turned west for a bit then traveled south away from but parallel with the trail toward Live Oak and possibly to help.

*****

Murdoch Lancer was feeling guilty. He knew Johnny didn’t like the business end of ranching. He had made it clear he would rather Murdoch or Scott handle that part of the business. But, Johnny was a third owner of one hundred thousand acres; it was part of the package. It was just, well, the puppy dog eyes that Johnny turned on his father, just like when he was two and had been reprimanded for something he’d done. Little Johnny would look into his Papi’s face with those large, deep blue eyes, and Murdoch would melt.

That naughty two-year-old with those brilliant eyes had been taken away from Murdoch, and now that Johnny was back home, it was just as hard to resist them. Murdoch smiled as a thought occurred to him… he was feeling better… and he began to make some plans.

His reverie was interrupted by pounding on the front door. The pounding continued signaling an issue. A serious issue. What’s wrong? It sounds important… Murdoch pulled the door open as Val stood, out of breath, and looking troubled.

“Val, what is it?”

“Mr. Lancer, the stage Johnny was takin’ ta Paradise… it got in, but Johnny wasn’t on it…”

*****

Johnny kept close to her. He couldn’t believe she was still on her feet, but she was limping. He looped his arm around her, taking some of her weight.

“I’m alright. Maybe a little rest, though?” Lexi asked. “Well, I have to tell you, Johnny, I’ve done my share of traipsing all over the woods and mountains, but… never in shoes like these!” She gave a strained laugh.

“Ya can’t go without shoes on your feet. We need ta figure out somethin’ better or risk you breakin’ an ankle. Gotta be somethin’ we can do ta make it easier for ya. Just don’t take them off cuz ya might not get ‘em on again,” he said in sympathy.

“I’ll be alright. I’m tougher than I look!” she said with a wink.

“Don’t doubt that one little bit!” Johnny snickered with an encouraging smile.

*****

They had traveled the rest of the afternoon, but Johnny knew they had to stop. Lexi was done for the day and didn’t know how she made it this far. He was lucky enough to catch a rabbit, and they risked a fire in the shelter of rocks. It was early, the sun was still bright, but that would serve them well, no one would see the fire while the sky was still light. Fortunately, the wind was taking any scent of smoke far to the south. 

Johnny tended the fire, carefully avoiding the fuel that produced smoke. They would cook the rabbit without the glow of flames to give away their location like a beacon in the dark. And who knew? With some food in their bellies and rest, maybe tomorrow they would get out of these mountains and into a town to send a message to Murdoch.

The rabbit sizzled on the spit as the grease dripped into the flames. Lexi watched as the meat turned from red to brown, anticipating the feast. Suddenly she tensed.

“Johnny?”

“Yeah?”

“You cleaned up after you gutted the rabbit, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.  Washed it away in the stream. Why?”

“I just got this funny feeling…”

To Johnny’s dismay, Lexi’s ‘funny feeling’ matched the one that had just surged through him. Slowly rising to his feet, he scoured their surroundings and caught a sight that chilled him through to his bones. The brush rustled, and a snort interrupted the quiet as a grizzly ambled in their direction; the broad, sensitive snout turned up and tested the air. Sniffing the breeze, it swung its massive head in their direction and made a bee-line for what was to have been their camp.

“How fast can ya climb a tree, Lexi? Cuz we got company an’ I don’t think he’s gonna share that rabbit! Get goin’!” Johnny pulled her to her feet, then raced to a pile of large boulders and pushed her to the top. He scrambled up after her and steered her over to one of many trees growing out of the rock. They were not as big as he would have liked, but at a time like this, he wasn’t going to be too picky. Johnny laced his fingers together as Lexi stepped into his hands, and he boosted her into the tree.

He could only hope that she got control of the skirts that impeded her ascent as the bear broke into the camp and followed the movements across the small clearing and onto the rocks. He saw the bear track their scent and come to stand under their tree.

“Lexi! Get movin’! CLIMB!”

“Johnny, my skirts, I can’t hold on and climb too!” She frantically reached above her and lost a handful of material as she teetered after losing her balance, threatening to propel her off the perch. The clothing cascaded down, covering Johnny in soft linen as her layers of petticoats descended, and Johnny found himself quite literally under her dress.

“LEXI! MOVE!” came his muffled reply, and Johnny had no other choice than to lift her upward with a hand on her backside to the next higher branch. 

She yelped in surprise as his hand touched her bloomer-covered derriere but could only ignore the intrusion as she grabbed a higher limb and held on, pulling her feet up under her to stand, and lift the barrier from around Johnny’s upper body. 

“More! Lexi, up higher! He’s makin’ a grab for my boots!”

The bear lunged at that moment, taking a swipe and left a deep gouge across the leather top with four-inch claws.

“Damn! Keep goin’, higher!” Johnny urged as he felt the tree begin to sway. The enormous front paws pushed at the trunk, the claws, sharp and angry, scratched into the bark ripping away chunks in its fury. The growls became bellows as the grizzly took out his frustrations on the tree. Johnny grabbed for a branch, but it broke off in his hand. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but he’d do the best he could under the dire circumstances.

Fighting for balance, Johnny looped an arm around the trunk and landed a jab to the bear’s chest with the broken weapon.

“Did you get him, Johnny?” Lexi asked breathlessly.

“Yeah, but… not… where I wanted…” His breathing was uneven and harsh.

“Shoot it, Johnny!” Lexi gasped.

“This Colt won’t do it, need a rifle…” Johnny reached for his gun, but it wasn’t there. He saw it lying on the ground where it had fallen during the hasty retreat into the tree.

They couldn’t keep this up much longer. He made another jab catching the bear in the face, and it roared in pain, the force of the enraged bellow reverberating through the air with tangible vibrations. It clawed frantically and ripped the branch out of Johnny’s hand, flinging it back into the camp. And the bear went after it.

“Lexi, keep quiet; maybe if we don’t move, he won’t come back…” Johnny whispered, knowing that wasn’t about to happen.

The bear pounced on the branch and clamped his teeth around it. The dry wood splintered in the deadly fangs. But, a second later, the beast caught the scent of the rabbit, still on the spit over the fire. A great paw knocked the meat into the flames then attempted to scoop it out, its hunger over-riding its fear of the small blaze. A second swipe only served to escalate the bear’s vexation as the flames burst in a bright flash, and the long, thick hair ignited. The huge paw was alight like a torch. The flames spread quickly, searing the hide and leaving behind an awful stench. He screamed in agony as he bit at the pain and headed into the brush.

*****

Murdoch and Scott Lancer rented horses at the livery on the north side of Sacramento. They would make Yuba City in less than two days if they traveled hard. There should be some word at the sheriff’s office, more information on the holdup, if the four men had been caught and Johnny found. The stage driver reported hearing them state they’d been after Murdoch Lancer but had settled on taking Johnny.

Well, this is one time when Madrid isn’t to blame… Murdoch thought, but with the next musings, Murdoch was glad for Madrid. He could very possibly keep Johnny Lancer alive.

“Scott, I just can’t figure out who would do this! If someone has a grudge against me, why take Johnny? It just makes no sense at all!” The worry and frustration began to boil over.

“Taking Johnny would only compound their trouble! I just hope he doesn’t go too far and gets himself hurt,” Scott mused. Or killed…

Scott had mulled it over in his mind and could come up with nothing. Since the boys had been home these last two years, there hadn’t been any trouble, so it had to be some incident from before he and Johnny arrived. All he could do was to be there for Murdoch and help to get his brother back. His brother! They had just found each other, had just begun to live as brothers… and love as brothers. And Scott vowed he would not lose that connection with the man he used to doubt but now held in very high regard… and cherished.

*****

“Hey, Lucas, ya hear that? What the hell was it?” Cole Tanner asked as the horrific howl echoed in the chilled mountain air.

“Grizzly. Wonder if he found what we been lookin’ for…” All four men felt the shiver trail down the spines at the thought of Johnny Lancer and the girl attacked by the bear.

Let’s go…” McKenna said quietly.

*****

 “Think it’s safe to get down, Johnny?” Lexi whispered.

“Better give it a few minutes. Can’t see that bear, but that doesn’t mean he ain’t out there. These bears are pretty smart. Can’t see very well, but that ol’ nose sure makes up for it. They have more patience than a man does, they’ll wait a long time…” Johnny ceased the narrative. He didn’t want to say anything to possibly alarm Lexi, although, so far, she was holding up quite well.

“That bear was so big! We have bears in Kentucky but nothing near that size!” Lexi breathed out in amazement. 

“Yeah, he’s a big boy,” Johnny murmured absently as he scoured the brush around them for signs of the bear. His heart slowed to normal, and he looked down at his ruined boot. Damn, just got these broke in… he thought, but then, better it was his boots and not his leg. Those claws were lethal and could inflict a life-ending slash in a split second.

It was a slow and quiet descent from the tree. Johnny didn’t know how badly the bear was burned, but he did know an injured bear was twice as dangerous. Just be on the lookout…

“C’mon, Lexi, we hafta get outta here.” Johnny retrieved his Colt, and the blanket, then the pair left the little camp in the opposite direction taken by the wounded bear.

*****

Lucas McKenna and his men made camp at dusk. Weary from hard travel and irritable with frayed nerves and constant bullying from their boss, the three grumbled as they settled down for the night.

“Tomorrow, we split up. There’s four of us an’ only two of them, an’ they’re on foot an’ unarmed. They can’t be all that far away, so be ready to take ‘em.”

McKenna’s men nodded, none of them saying anything. This wasn’t the easy job they thought it would be.

*****

They huddled together in a small hollow in the rocks. Darkness descended, and Johnny pulled the blanket around them. With no fire to warm them, they had to rely on each other and one bedroll.

“Your brothers… they’re in Kentucky, ain’t they?” Johnny asked.

Lexi turned to stare up in his face, a puzzled expression knitted her brow, “Yes, why do you ask, Johnny?”

“Well, they prob’bly wouldn’t appreciate us out here alone with only one blanket,” Johnny said with a slight smile. “Just don’t tell them I was under your skirt, too!”

Lexi laughed a bit. “No, I don’t suppose they would. But they do understand survival, though.”

“Good, cuz I don’t think I’m up for defendin’ myself against a grizzly and four protective brothers!” he said with a sigh of relief. Johnny looked down at her, snuggled against his side, and smiled. “Ya did real good taday, Lexi. I bet if you had different clothes, we could make good time.”

“Yes, I’m not all that enthused about these duds, either. Oh, they’re pretty enough but not very functional out here. In all honesty, I would rather be dressed in my brother’s hand-me-down clothes and barefoot!” Lexi giggled.

Johnny raised his brow at the statement causing her to laugh.

“I’m serious, Johnny, I spent more than half my life with mud squishing between my toes. That kind of thing stays with a person and isn’t as offensive as some may think!”

“I know what ya mean. Never had shoes when I was a kid. More times than not, we didn’t have food. I know what it is ta go without,” Johnny said as he stared off into the night.

 Confused, she had to ask. “What do you mean you didn’t have food or shoes? Isn’t your father a well-to-do rancher?”

“…Yeah…” 

“Would you tell me about it?” she asked, sensing there was a story there.

“Well, there ain’t that much to tell. My mother took me when I was two and headed back to Mexico. She took whatever work she could find; it never paid much, so we went hungry a lot. That’s about it. A short, boring story. Mierda! Oh, hey, … sorry. Didn’t mean ta say that in front of you. It’s not… well, it’s not anything I should be sayin’ in the company of a lady.” Johnny looked away from her.

“Johnny Lancer! Have you not been listening to me? I told you that I have four brothers! There isn’t anything, and I mean anything that I haven’t heard! So, what does it mean? It’s Spanish, isn’t it?” 

Johnny turned back to her and couldn’t help but smile. She looked like a little girl with a tidbit of information that she knew she shouldn’t have. And that made him laugh.

“Well, what does it mean?” she asked with wide eyes.

“You really wanna know?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t! Now, what does it mean?”

“Well, it means shit.”

“Is that all?!”

Johnny nodded once and laughed again.

“Spanish is a pretty language. It’s almost musical!” She leaned her head back on his shoulder. “Say it again…” she sighed.

*****

“Alright, here’s where we split up. Tanner, you go that way, I’ll take this way. Max an’ Joe, break off that way! If ya find ‘em, fire off three shots and the rest meet up with ya. Get goin’!”

*****

“Ouch! Dang shoes!” Lexi landed in a heap and rubbed her ankle. “Johnny, I’m sorry! I don’t know how much longer I can walk. I’m sorry!”

“Shhh, Lexi, we’ll just play by different rules, alright?” Johnny did his best to soothe her pain and ease her frustrations.

“Rules? Johnny, we’re running, there are no rules to running!” Her eyes held worry.

“The men after us are thinkin’ they’re still chasin’ us. We’re gonna change that. We ain’t runnin’ any more. We’re gonna fight. They don’t have any other choice now than to spread out; they can’t waste any more time stayin’ together. I figure we can set a trap and catch us a bad guy. What’d ya say?”

Through her pain, Lexi rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “What do you want me to do?” she asked with a grin.

*****

As Johnny predicted, the four men had split up. He watched from the cover of the rocks as Joe Quin followed the tracks that wove through boulders and brush, around trees, and to a stream. Then he stopped. 

The man canted his head as if listening, and a wicked leer crawled across his face. On the far side of the stream, fifty feet away, the girl perched on a rock, shoe next to her and rubbing her ankle. She mumbled to herself, and Joe could see, not only was she in a great deal of discomfort, she was just plain mad. Joe crept closer and kept behind cover as he listened to her tantrum.

Johnny made his way down and around Joe, walking silently to get into place. He could now hear Lexi as she carried out her role in the charade. Yup, she’s got some grit… and he couldn’t help the smile that slid into place.

Joe stepped into sight as Lexi’s gasp very convincingly slipped through her pretty lips.

“Where is he?” Joe whispered as he pointed his gun at her.

“Don’t you even mention his name to me! He left me! He just left me! Oh, put that thing away before you shoot yourself! Give me a hand. I hurt my ankle, and I can’t walk,” she pouted.

Sure is convincing… Johnny thought as he got closer. Luck was with him as the horse Joe had been riding did not give him away.

Poor Joe’s eyes were riveted on the slim ankle presented to his view as he stumbled across the stream. “Alright, Missy, where does it hurt?” He reached for the dainty limb, and Lexi let loose with another explosion of temper.

“My name is Lexi, not Missy!” Her eyes shot sparks of fire, and Joe pulled his hand away as if he’d been burned.

“Alright, alright!” Joe confronted the girl that held him steady in a foul glare. The swollen ankle looked painful, and he debated what he should do. He thought a little too long and didn’t hear the whisper of the stout branch Johnny swung through the air before it crashed into the side of his head and he fell bonelessly to the ground. 

“Well, Lexi, ya sure convinced him!” Johnny laughed as he disarmed Joe. Then he pulled Joe’s fringed leather coat from his limp body and unbuckled the man’s gun belt to loop it over the saddle horn. “C’mon, we got a horse an’ a rifle, that just tipped the odds in our favor.” Johnny gently scooped Lexi in his arms, carried her to the horse then lifted her into the saddle.

“How’s that ankle?” he asked once he swung up behind her, and they started to move out.

“I won’t lie about it, Johnny, it hurts some. I had to take my shoe off; it was starting to cut off circulation.”

“If we get far enough ahead of them, maybe you can soak it tanight in a stream. Should take the swelling down. While you’re doin’ that, I think we can make a pair of moccasins for ya outta this coat. Let’s go!” And Johnny turned the horse onto the trail heading toward Live Oak.

*****

Max Shaw was livid. He’d been made out a fool by a tiny slip of a girl and an unarmed man. To add salt to the festering wound, his friends had laughed at him, and to top it all off, he’d let their captives escape. Now he was alone in the middle of who knows where looking for those two, an unarmed man and a young girl. And he couldn’t find them. He didn’t think they’d vanished into thin air, so where the hell were they?

Shaw gulped water from his canteen, his mind whirling in circles, trying to decide where he should look. He’d found no tracks, no sign at all. The refreshing water slid down his throat, cutting the dust when suddenly the horse under him reared up on hind legs, successfully unseating the man as an enraged bellow pierced through the late afternoon air. The grizzly with the crippled paw was on Max before he could get to his feet and reach his rifle.

The long, deadly fangs bit through muscle, bone, and tendons eliciting a blood-curdling scream that silenced as quickly as it started but echoed in a horrific song of death between the mountains peaks.

*****

Johnny pulled up on the reins; the horse danced nervously under them as the heart-stopping wail ended. Johnny didn’t wait but nudged the horse on. He saw Lexi pale a bit; she knew what had happened but held her silence. There wasn’t anything they could do but to keep going. Get as many miles between them and the three remaining men with a vendetta against Murdoch. Johnny needed to get to Murdoch before their pursuers could use them as bait. He knew there was more to the story than Lucas McKenna had told him. Nothing the man said rang true. Murdoch Lancer was not that kind of man.

*****

Sheriff Ben Keller of Yuba City, considered the two dusty men as they came through the door. The older man was formidable, and he looked as if there was something important on his mind. Keller pegged the situation right.

“Sheriff, my name is Murdoch Lancer. This is my son, Scott.”

“Sheriff,” Scott said and waited for Murdoch to continue.

“There was a holdup on the stage going to Paradise. My son, Johnny, was taken by those responsible for that holdup. Have you found him?” Anxiety filled the question, questions of a father desperately searching for his son. 

“Sit down, Mr. Lancer. Would either of you like a cup of coffee?”

“No, thank you. Have you found my son?” This time, the question was harsh, brooking no small talk.

“Mr. Lancer, please, sit down, and we can talk…” the sheriff began again.

“I don’t want to sit! What do you know up to now?”

Keller knew he’d better get to the point. This man wanted answers, and Keller didn’t have any. “Right now, all we know is the stage was stopped, and from the testimony of the other two passengers, they wanted you, Mr. Lancer.”

“Do you know who they were? Did you get a name?” Murdoch was shocked. 

“No, there was no name mentioned. A fellow passenger, one Mrs. Mabel Wixton, identified your son as a Lancer and was not surprised that he would have something to do with the situation. The men that stopped the stage thought you were to be on it, but when they didn’t find you there, they took your son and a young woman, then sent the stage on its way. When it arrived in Paradise, they reported the incident, and a posse has been out looking ever since. My advice to you would be to stay here and wait.”

“I’m not waiting here or anywhere! I’m going to find my son!”  Murdoch declared, the glare in his eyes daring the sheriff to challenge him.

“Mr. Lancer, I can’t make you stay, but you have to know that it’s some pretty rugged country up there. I’m not going to lie to you, it doesn’t look very good for your boy, not many have made it out of there…” He hesitated as Murdoch reached for the doorknob.

Murdoch stopped and turned back to the sheriff. “Well, Sheriff Keller, you don’t know my son, he has a knack for beating the odds. I’ll check back to see if there’s any word before we leave town. Thank you.” 

Out on the boardwalk, Murdoch and Scott located the mercantile and made their way across the street for supplies. Each man was filled with the same mixture of emotions. Worry for Johnny, of course, first and foremost, but coming up quickly was a great appreciation for Madrid and the fact Johnny had lived with the Apache Indians for a time. With them, he learned how to survive.

It was odd, now, Murdoch thought. All those years he’d been looking for Johnny, then found that his son was none other than the legendary pistolero, Johnny Madrid. And he cursed the name. But since they had become a family, and gotten to know and love as a family, more and more Murdoch was growing to admire and… yes, love Madrid. Madrid had kept Johnny alive and would continue his duty to keep Johnny safe.

“Scott, we have to find them. Now that he has a girl to keep safe, he won’t be able to focus on just himself,” Murdoch said with frustration.

Scott took a deep breath. “Yes, that doesn’t change anything, though. We just need to get to them and get to the bottom of this. Val’s connections in Paradise never said anything about a girl. I just hope she’s not going to get him in any more trouble. She no doubt isn’t used to traipsing through the mountains, pursued by men bent on revenge or whatever it is they have against you.”

“He’s got his hands full, I know that. And we need to find him before they do.”

*****

Johnny looked down at Lexi’s ankle. The swelling had increased, and he knew she needed to be off the horse. He’d been scouting for a suitable campsite, and now it became a necessity. It was no longer an option.

“Ya alright, Lexi?” he asked softly.

“I’ll be fine, Johnny. After a little rest, I’ll be fine,” she said as a yawn escaped her.

“Lean back against me an’ close your eyes. Soon as we find someplace ta make camp, you can sleep an’ I’ll see if I can find some food. Lean back, Lexi.”

Resting her head on Johnny’s shoulder, she closed her eyes and was asleep in minutes.

*****

It was perfect. The stream was close, providing water and a place where Lexi could sit and soak her ankle. Though very cold, she found that in a short amount of time, the pain began to ebb, and hopefully, tomorrow morning, the swelling would be down. She watched as Johnny ripped apart the leather jacket he’d taken from Joe Quin.

With the sleeves removed, he worked on punching holes around the cuffs with the tip of his knife, a knife that rivaled any of the knives belonging to her brothers. Then she observed, fascinated now, as he used the fringe of the coat to lace through the holes to close up the end. It was skillfully done with no crease on the seam to chafe her toes. Then he took her shoes and pulled out the inner soles to place inside the moccasins. Next, he punched a few holes around the top and laced more fringe so they could be pulled tight around her leg and not fall off. The last thing was to stuff the toe with moss for a bit more protection against the seam.

“Cattail down works better’n moss, but it doesn’t grow around here. When ya get done soakin’, we can see how these fit,” he said, then handed Lexi her new gear.

“Johnny! My Lord! Thank you! They’ll be just fine!” she said as she took them from Johnny to inspect his handiwork.

“Should have something done ta the back, an extra piece sewn in ta make room for your heel, but I ain’t that good at the finer points of makin’ moccasins,” and a chuckle escaped him.

Lexi quickly pulled her foot out of the water and dried it on her petticoats. But Johnny stopped her to inspect her ankle, knowing it should be wrapped first.

“Think we need ta use some of your… your underthings ta wind around your ankle for support,” Johnny said quietly.

Lexi pulled up the hem of her dress as Johnny turned his head. “Why, Johnny Lancer! I think you’re embarrassed!” she laughed.

“No… no, not embarrassed. Seen plenty of ladies’ underwear, just wanted ta give you some privacy is all.” Turning back, he gave her his dazzling smile. And it took her breath away. 

Lexi had to break the contact and took a deep, cleansing breath. Oh, Lord, he’s handsome! She tore strips from the petticoats and handed them to Johnny as he wrapped her ankle tightly, then she eased her foot into the leather sleeve and sighed as she rolled her eyes in appreciation.

“It still ain’t the best, but it’ll hafta do till we get someplace ta get ya somethin’ decent ta wear,” he smiled apologetically.

“Johnny, you’ll never know just how good these feel! They’re like heaven!” Lexi pulled on the other moccasin and tried to get up.

“Hey there, hold up, Lexi, an’ don’t be tryin’ ta walk on that ankle just yet.” Johnny made his way to her side and scooped her up in his arms to deposit her on the blanket. She settled in and wiggled her toes, admiring the addition to her meager wardrobe.

“Here slip this on. It’ll help tanight with no fire,” and Johnny handed her the ‘vest’ of the heavy leather jacket with no sleeves. He picked up the saddlebags that belonged to Joe Quin, that, much to Johnny’s relief were filled with supplies. Mainly jerky, but that was more than they’d had for the last two days. Even the plainest of food would seem like a feast if one were hungry enough.

Johnny retrieved the second bedroll and sat down next to Lexi; then, he spread the blanket over them. Suddenly he stopped and turned to her, his face serious.

“You’re sure your brothers are still in Kentucky?” He held her stare but couldn’t hold back the laughter as a frown creased her forehead.

“Yes, they’re in Kentucky,” she said with a smile.

Grabbing her side of the blanket, Lexi chuckled as she pulled it up to her neck and munched a piece of jerky. They ate in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Lexi enjoyed the feel of her new duds, and Johnny’s mind wandered back to their first meeting. Prim and proper? And he grinned.

“What are you laughing at, Johnny?” she asked.

“You.”

“Me? What did I do that has you in a fit?” Now, she was completely puzzled.

“Oh, just thinkin’ when we first got on that stage, wonderin’ if you were as prim an’ proper as ya looked.” He smiled as he looked down into her face.

“Oh? Is that right?” Lexi asked with a sharply raised brow.

He nodded. 

“And what do you think now, Mr. Lancer?” she asked as she turned her little nose up at him.

Now, he laughed openly. “I’m thinkin’ that ya could be under the right circumstances… but I’m glad ya ain’t. Think I’d rather deal with that ol’ grizzly with a burned paw then four rowdy brothers after my hide, though!”

“Oh, as long as I’m around, they’d probably only call you names. See, they’re afraid of me. Are you afraid of a few names, Johnny?” The tiny grin grew and turned up the corners of her lips. She knew full well if her brothers ever found out they had slept together, even though fully clothed, the four would no doubt do more than just call him names.

He huffed. “Been called names all my life. Nothin’ new to me.”

Lexi stopped her grin and sobered. “What do you mean, Johnny? Why would anyone call you names?”

He didn’t want to get into it tonight, and he hesitated before he spoke. “It’s nothin’, Lexi. Go to sleep. We’re gonna leave early in the mornin’ an’ see if we can’t get into Live Oak.” Johnny sighed. “La niña tiene agallas,” he murmured softly.

She smiled. “What did you say?”

“The girl has guts. Them brothers did a good job helpin’ ta raise you. ‘Night”

*****

Murdoch pushed his way into the sheriff’s office. He was filled with trepidation, but he knew he had to set that aside. He needed to find his strength. It was strange, he thought, how easy it was to think there would be nothing you couldn’t handle. Nothing was impossible… and when it came to your children, the worry compounded many times over. It made a parent all the more determined to keep a child safe from harm, no matter how old they were. They did not have to be toddlers or even in their teens. No matter what the age, they would forever be your children. And now, knowing his son was in serious trouble,  Murdoch Lancer had to fight the urge to charge out of town and find his son. He never would he let his fear show to others. It would stay inside him, always, until it came to his sons. 

“Sheriff, we’re about to move out. Has there been anything new?” he asked.

The sheriff sighed, knowing there was nothing to report. This man standing before him would more than likely be met with heartbreak.

“No, Mr. Lancer, nothing. Only that there is to be a posse going out from Paradise. Wish I had something more to tell you, but…” There were no words he could say that was not already said. “Good luck. I hope your search will be a successful one.” That was it. The words sounded empty even to his own ears.

Murdoch nodded once then he and Scott shut the door behind them, mounted up and left town.

*****

No one was there. The town was deserted. Johnny studied the empty streets and broken windows. Nothing was there, but there was still apprehension. How many men got themselves very dead rushing headlong into something they assumed was safe? It wasn’t happening to Madrid. He had the girl to think of now. He’d seen young men that ached for the excitement, had rushed into the fray, and that foolish move had gotten them killed. Johnny never felt that need. Had he ever been that young?

He shook himself free of those thoughts to focus on a different approach. Live Oak was dead, and he almost laughed at the thought. Dead, just like the sign lost in the brush he’d seen back on the trail. He gave it another thought and decided on bypassing the town; they wouldn’t find anything they could use, and he knew they would be wasting precious time if they stayed there. He sighed and reining the horse around, they skirted the town to make their way toward Yuba City.

*****

They buried the remains of Max Shaw’s body, not believing the damage the grizzly inflicted on the corpse. Lucas McKenna and Cole Tanner dug the grave but knew it was futile; the bear would return. But they did their best, then moved on to find Joe. They would not separate again.

They found Max’s horse, then Joe on foot, and Lucas now had more serious issues. Johnny Lancer was now armed. How had this simple undertaking gone so horribly wrong? All he’d been after was justice for his father; now Max was dead. Well, he’d get justice for Max, too.

“C’mon, boys, this trail is widening out. Must be somethin’ up ahead. Maybe a town,” he said, and just maybe they’d find Johnny Lancer and the girl.

*****

 “I have to tell you, Johnny, there’s a lot more to you than you let on,” Lexi said as she leaned back against his chest as they rode.

“Yeah? What makes ya think that?” he asked softly, trying to keep focused on their surroundings and not on the soft body leaning against his. They didn’t know where the other three men were. They could be close, and this horse wasn’t going much further, carrying the two of them in the mountainous terrain.

“Oh, just the way you never backed down around those men, even though your hands were tied, and there were four of them.”

“That don’t mean nothin’. Could be plain fulla bluff. Gotta say, my mouth has gotten me in considerable trouble before!” he responded with a laugh.

“No, I wouldn’t say bluff. The look in your eyes said a lot, Johnny. You made them look away, and they wouldn’t meet your eyes. Where did you learn that?”

“Well, growin’ up alone ya learn ta take care of yourself, or ya die. That’s it,” he said, hoping she would let it go.

“How did you survive all alone?” she persisted.

Johnny sighed loudly. “Ya ain’t gonna let this drop, are ya?”

Lexi giggled. “Reckon I’m not. Tell me, Johnny.”

Oh, hell! He sighed again. “I learned how ta steal when I was young. No one was gonna hire a halfbreed kid an’ pay him. It was tough at first, till I learned how ta not get caught. When I was about ten, I got my hands on a gun an’ practiced until I learned how ta use it. An’ after that, I started sellin’ my gun. That’s about it, Lexi.”

“Johnny, I don’t understand. Didn’t your father care?” Lexi wasn’t sure she liked this Mr. Lancer one little bit!

“He didn’t know,” Johnny said quietly. “He didn’t know where I was after my mother left him. He hired the Pinkerton agency an’ they looked until his money ran out an’ they don’t work for free. About two years ago, they finally found me an’ I went home. Been there ever since.” He hadn’t lied about his early years; he just didn’t tell her all of it.

“You were mistreated when you were a boy?”

Johnny laughed. “Let’s just say most folks don’t like halfbreeds.”

“Even now?”

“Even now, especially now.”

“Too bad they don’t see what I see,” Lexi said, she closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.

*****

 “Lucas! Lucas, look right down there!” Cody pointed and handed Lucas the spyglass. Following the extended arm, Lucas found their escaped prisoners through the lens, and a smile crawled across his face.

“Alright, you two, this time, I don’t want any mistakes! We need to surround ‘em as best we can. Let’s go an’ don’t make any noise!”

*****

 “We need ta give this horse a rest an’ some water. There’s a creek where we can stop.” Johnny slid off the horse and led it to the grassy bank. He held out his arms as Lexi leaned down into them. Then he carried her to the base of a tree and set her down.

“Johnny, my ankle feels much better. I don’t think you need to carry me anymore!”

“That sprain was pretty bad. It’d be best if ya don’t use it for a while, trust me. Almost came up lame once tryin’ ta rush the healin’ too fast.” Johnny settled her on the ground, then stood and looked around. “We need somethin’ ta eat. If I can scare up a rabbit, maybe we can get it cooked before dark. Then we’ll put the fire out just in case they’re close enough ta see it.”

He started a fire and gathered wood to get a sufficient bank of coals. Lexi watched as he worked, prompting another string of questions.

“You sure know your way around the woods. Where did you learn all that?”

Johnny had to laugh. Sure is curious… “Well, ya learn the hard way an’ a few nights sleepin’ in the cold makes ya figure it out in a hurry. That, an’ I used ta live with the Apaches for a while. I learned a lot from them,” he said as he gave her his best Johnny Madrid Lancer smile.

“Johnny! Apaches? They’re savages! Didn’t they try to kill you?” Lexi’s eyes were wide as shock and surprise filled her mind.

“Not exactly. First off, I gotta tell ya they ain’t any more savage than some whites I’ve met. Guess they wanted to see if I was worth savin’. They beat the heck outta me until they realized I wasn’t gonna back down. Then they took me into their tribe. Musta wanted ta make sure I’d be worth the trouble,” he said with a laugh. “I gotta get movin’, Lexi. Ya sure you’ll be alright alone for a while?”

Thankful that, for the moment, she didn’t have more questions, he left Lexi with the rifle, and went in search of their meal.

Checking his Colt, Johnny started into the brush after making sure that the rifle was loaded should the need arise. She appeared comfortable handling the Winchester, and it eased many of the worries he had for her. 

Being the hunter and the hunted, the need for stealth was paramount. One wrong move could ensure there would be no dinner, or once again secure them a role as a prisoner. Neither one was an acceptable option. Just keep your mind on what you’re doin’ and an eye open for… 

“Hands up, Lancer!” McKenna called out. “Throw down your gun an’ we’ll try ta not kill you!” he said as his demonic grin slid into place.

Johnny stood a minute, not moving, and not doing what he was told. He knew he was surrounded and, as if to confirm the fact, a rifle barrel pressed into his back with enough force to produce a grunt.

“The man said, drop your gun!” the voice behind him snarled.

Johnny grinned. “Care ta take it from me, maldito bastardo (damn bastard)?” Johnny provoked, hoping to rile the man enough to make a move. But a second barrel gouged into his back. McKenna came from behind the cover of rocks to stand before Johnny and grabbed the Colt from his belt. Only then did Johnny turn to face his captors.

A smile grew across his face as he saw Joe. “How’s the head? Oh, hey, ya got a real nice horse an’ your jacket worked out just fine, ha, hope ya weren’t too cold last night!” Johnny laughed, but his words held no humor. He wanted to make them mad, try something that he could make into a fight.

The repeated nudge did the trick as the gun again, dug into his back muscles. He whirled around and grabbed the rifle barrel, then pointed it at Cody Tanner. The gun went off as Cody caught the bullet in the arm; unfortunately, it was only a graze. Johnny swung a tightly balled fist and made contact with Joe Quin’s jaw. The man went down, falling heavily in the dust. Lucas McKenna slammed his rifle stock on Johnny’s head, above his left eye. The pain exploded, and he fell bonelessly to the ground.

McKenna glared at Joe. “What’d ya do that for? You had the rifle on him! How could ya let that go wrong? Take care of Cody, an’ don’t hurt yourself! Or him, either!”

Quin rose to his feet, unsteady for a minute, but quickly regained his senses. His mad exploded when he saw Johnny on the ground.

“Don’t even think about it, Joe! He’s not gonna be any use to us if you beat him ta death! Just help get him back to camp! Take care of Cody’s arm first!”

McKenna watched the man on the ground. He was more trouble than McKenna thought he’d be. Should have left him on that stage! From here on out, there would be a guard on him at all times if McKenna had to do it himself. No more slacking off. This was not the way to make Murdoch Lancer pay.

*****

The rifle shot resonated through the mountains and echoed off the granite peaks. Lexi, physically shaken by the shot, watched nervously for Johnny’s return back to camp. But she knew in her heart there was trouble. That was a rifle shot, and Johnny had only his pistol. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as she readied the Winchester in her grip. Hands sweaty, she did her best to stop the tremors that now ran down her spine.

*****

Murdoch and Scott pulled their horses to a halt. The rifle shot was far away, but it pierced each man with cold dread. Who fired that shot… and what were they shooting at? Did they hit their target?

“We need to get up there, Murdoch,” Scott said, knowing in his heart that his brother was in trouble.

“Yes, we do, but that shot was a good distance away, and we can’t risk these horses, or we’ll never get out of here, Scott. We need to keep a clear head. Come on, son. We’ll find him.” 

*****

They pulled Johnny to his feet and gave him a minute to clear the cobwebs. A steady trickle of blood dripped down the side of his face in an irritating ooze, and the ache in his skull pounded mercilessly. He stumbled as he put one foot in front of the other, and the rifle barrel, again, dug into his back as a bruise began to form.

Johnny suddenly stopped walking and growled a low, cold warning, making Joe Quin think twice about giving him another nudge with the barrel. “Get that thing outta my back, or you’re gonna be wearin’ it…” The glare from glacial eyes backed the threat.

“Get movin’, Lancer,” was all Quin could say.

Johnny stood his ground, not moving for a minute as his cold stare did its job. Joe Quin looked away. Inwardly, Johnny smiled.

Lucas pulled Joe aside for a private conversation, then Joe broke away and trotted off through the brush.

“Alright, Lancer, get movin’,” Lucas snarled.

The well-placed bullet knocked Lucas McKenna’s hat off his head, and Lexi cocked the rifle with more than capable hands. Temporarily stunned, McKenna bent to pick up the ruined hat and examined it.

“Next one is going to be two inches lower if you don’t drop your guns, now!” she explained as if talking to errant children.

“Well, I just don’t think so, little lady. I think you’re the one that needs to drop that gun before you hurt someone,” Lucas said with an evil smile.

“Lexi,” Johnny said softly, “Ya better drop it,” and he nodded behind her as Joe reached out to wrap his arms around her small body, grab the Winchester and pull it from her grasp. 

Lexi sent Joe a withering glare, then took a step toward Johnny when Joe grabbed her arm in a tight grip. It was a mistake he would never make again. One arm full of girl, the other with the rifle he’d taken from her, Lexi turned quickly and delivered a searing slap to his face, just as she had to Max. Joe stumbled back, causing Johnny to laugh out loud.

“Keep your hands off me!” Lexi railed, and her temper flared

“Settle down! All of ya!” Lucas’ raised voice flooded through the camp. He reached out to give Johnny a shove forward, his annoyance growing with every word spoken by all of them.

“Johnny,” Lexi held out an arm, indicating he take a place on the blanket. He sagged to the ground and leaned his back against the tree.

“You do what I say, Lancer! I’m callin’ the shots here!” Lucas growled.

“An’ a fine job you’re doin’, too. You’re down one man an’ got another wounded. Good job, pendejo! I’m tired, shuddup an’ lemme alone.”  Johnny leaned his head against the tree to level a defiant glare through half-lidded eyes at the man whose nerves were fraying by the minute. The belligerent smile on Johnny’s face did not help McKenna’s frame of mind, and, again, Lucas thought he should have left this man on the stage. 

Lexi sat at Johnny’s side. She put her fingers under his chin and tipped his head her way to check the ugly gash. Clucking her tongue, she reached for her petticoats and tore off a length to clean the blood from his face.

“He’s in charge, Johnny. There’s three men against you, and he still had to hit you to get control. Doesn’t sound like much of a man to me. Why, where I come from, you’d be permitted to defend yourself, not ganged up on, and hit from behind. It takes a real coward to pull something like that!” She shot McKenna a look of disgust and laughed to herself. That was one whopper of a lie she just told, however, McKenna didn’t need to know it.

Johnny kept his attention on Lucas and waited for him to crack. Lexi’s baited words hit a nerve, and it wouldn’t be long before the man’s control left him entirely, and Johnny knew it would be up to him to keep her safe. He caught her eye and gave her a minuscule shake of his throbbing head.

“Well, there, Mr. Lucas, now that ya got me, what’d ya gonna do with me? If ya look at this real hard an’ if you’re honest with yourself, I’m useless to ya. You’re puttin’ up with all this trouble for nothin’. An’ ya got one of your men killed.” Johnny smiled and shook his head. “Estúpido,” he said.

*****

 “That was two shots, now nothing. What do you think, Murdoch?” Scott asked.

“We keep going. We’re closer now. If it’s Johnny, we’ll be there soon to help.” But Murdoch wondered if it would be in time.

*****

 “Ya know, Lancer, I don’t think I believe you,” Lucas said, watching Johnny as Lexi cleaned the gash.

“Yeah? Why is that?”

Damn that grin! “Why would ya escape if you weren’t tryin’ to get back an’ warn your father?” Lucas had it all worked out.

Johnny sighed as if bored with the talk. “Let’s just say I don’t like gettin’ pushed around. Ha, you know what my ol’ man did ta yours. He took what he wanted an’ said ‘ta hell with the rest’, just like he did with me. He doesn’t wanna put up with me either. It’s just the way he is,” Johnny said with an annoying smirk. “But, you’ll find that out for yourself. That is if ya ain’t too stupid.”

“Put your hands out, Lancer!” Lucas said. Then he tied Johnny tightly with a length of rope. The rough binding bit into his flesh, but Johnny wouldn’t give McKenna the satisfaction of letting him see the discomfort. He just kept on smiling, knowing it was getting under McKenna’s skin.

“Ya know, Lexi, I caught a wild horse once. He was big an’ strong, had a attitude, an’ a strong spirit. So, I tossed a saddle on his back an’ thought by the end of the day that I’d have me one fine horse!” Johnny laughed a bit as he glanced at Lexi, then settled his sight off into the mountains as if recalling a sweet memory. “Well, know what I ended up with at the end of that day? Three busted ribs, a concussion an’ a headache that lasted six weeks. An’ I let that horse go before he killed me, or I killed him.” Johnny slowly turned cold eyes to wash over McKenna along with another insolent grin. 

Lucas McKenna was stretched to his limits. He could take no more. “Shuddup!” he screamed at Johnny. Lexi fought the impulse to get up and go after Lucas, but Johnny grabbed her arm, forcing her to remain seated.

“You can yell all ya want, McKenna, it ain’t gonna change a thing. Ya still got nothin’!” Johnny laughed out loud, pushing McKenna further toward the edge.

And Lucas snapped. He lunged for Johnny and yanked him to his feet. Johnny stumbled, and Lucas latched on to a handful of Johnny’s hair, pulling his head back as he reached to his side for his knife. The wicked blade gleamed in the sunlight.

Ignoring the explosion in his head, set off by the attack, Johnny again burst into laughter, knowing that in the next second or two, he would make his move. One of them was going to die, but the answer at this second was yet unknown as he felt the blade pierce the skin on his neck.

*****

 “Murdoch! We have to move now! It’s getting ugly down there, and I don’t think Johnny has much more time!” Scott aimed his rifle into the camp and sighted on the man now holding his brother. He wouldn’t think twice about shooting the man, not when Johnny’s life was at stake.

“Scott, you stay here and don’t let that man out of your sight! I’m going down there! If it gets too bad, pull the trigger!” Before Scott could voice his objection, Murdoch was gone, and Scott could not call him back without giving themselves away. Now, all he could do was wait. Wait and hope that when this ended, he still had his brother and father.

*****

 “It’s not so funny now, is it, Lancer?” McKenna, shaking with rage, said as he barked in Johnny’s ear.

“Yeah, gotta tell ya, it’s still pretty funny…”

Lucas emitted a feral growl.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” The new voice boomed into the camp, filled with authority and command.

McKenna, Cole Tanner, and Joe Quin were taken unaware as Murdoch Lancer stormed through the trees and brush, pistol in hand, and ready to shoot.

With the need to continue the ruse, Johnny leveled a blistering glare at his father. “What’re you doin’ here? Didn’t trust me with the ranch business? Have ta see what I’m doin’ every second, ol’ man?!”

The venom and hate in the words hit Murdoch with an unexpected punch, and momentarily Murdoch Lancer was stunned. But it suddenly lit a memory, and he remembered his words spoken to Johnny, words of warning but spewed in unrestrained black emotion, words making Johnny want to leave Lancer, but only because the Strykers were waiting for him… to kill him… Was that going on here? Could it be Johnny’s warning? It was a fleeting thought, and Murdoch went with it.

“I’ve found, Johnny, that I can’t trust you… with anything!” Murdoch turned to Lucas. “Who are you, and what has he done this time?” Then Murdoch turned back to Johnny. “I’ll bail you out this one last time, then I want you off the ranch and gone… for good!”

Never in his life so happy to be raked over the coals, Johnny grinned the irritating grin that had, in the past, set Murdoch into a rage. “Well, ol man, this time it ain’t me, you’re the one he wants.” Johnny could feel the tremors as they raced through McKenna’s body. He had to do something soon, the knife at his throat was cutting deeper with every second.

“Tell him, McKenna! Remind him what he did ta your father! Maybe I’ll even help ya kill…” And Johnny made his move.

*****

Scott’s heart thundered in his chest as he watched the knife still at his brother’s throat. A few seconds later, he saw Murdoch march into the camp as if he were a Brigadier General in charge of his troops. Murdoch had taken them all by surprise, eliciting a gasp from Lexi and left Cole and Joe fumbling for their guns. Scott could hear the raised voices, his finger tightening on the Winchester’s trigger. And then his brother exploded into action, and Scott took his shot.

*****

Johnny pushed back and rammed his elbow into Lucas’ belly. The knife sliced deeper through his skin, leaving a trail of blood to wash down Johnny’s neck onto his shirt, but his momentum swung McKenna around enough for him to launch a double-fisted blow to his jaw. The man hit the ground and lay still. Joe Quin drew his pistol, a second before Murdoch moved to cover them, but a shot rang out, and the gun seemed to fly from Quin’s fingers as if it had wings. It was a rifle whose report rang through the mountain air.

Johnny couldn’t help but smile. Scott. He swayed a bit on his feet, and Lexi limped forward, shooting Murdoch a withering glare.

“Johnny, you’re bleeding again!” She bent to rip another length of petticoat from her dwindling supply.

Murdoch went to Johnny’s side to lend a steadying hand when Lexi stepped in front of him. He kept walking and brushed past her. Johnny came first!

“I think you’d better leave him alone, Mister Lancer!” she sneered, her eyes lit with fire.

Johnny smiled, this time, a sincere smile. “Whoa, there, Lexi! He’s one of the good guys!”

Lexi stared, confused. What had Johnny just said?

Scott raced into camp, revolver in one hand, rifle in the other, and pointed at Quin, Tanner, and Lucas. Giving the scene a cursory once over, Scott went to his brother’s side.

“Well, brother, I see your penchant for finding trouble is right on track! Can’t leave you for more than a minute before I need to rescue you!” Scott laughed.

“Yeah, Boston, don’t know what I’d do without ya!” He turned to Murdoch. “Thanks, Murdoch! Don’t know what I’d do without you either!”

Murdoch could only laugh. “Let’s get you tended, Johnny, and you two can tell us all about this… mess!”

*****

Lexi stood without moving as Scott secured Cole Tanner and Joe Quin back-to-back and tied to a tree. He then dragged Lucas McKenna to another tree and secured him tightly.

Murdoch settled next to Johnny on the blanket where he and Lexi had been before everything broke loose. He examined his son, wincing as he got a closer look at the gash on Johnny’s head and the cut on his neck.

“Johnny, this gash is going to need a few stitches, but I think if the bleeding stops on your neck, you can get by with just a bandage. I’ve got a needle and thread in my saddlebags. Scott, can you get the horses and bring them down here, please?”

“Yes, sir,” Scott nodded and left.

Murdoch, for the first time, addressed Lexi, not really sure about the reception he received when he got into their camp. “Miss, are you alright?” he asked, but wondered at her hostility.

When she didn’t answer, Johnny smiled at her. “Confused, ain’tcha? Well, let me make the introductions. Lexi, this is my father, Murdoch Lancer, Murdoch, this’s Lexington Monroe.”

“Miss Monroe, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I hope you are alright and haven’t been too inconvenienced. We can help you get to your destination once you are rested and able to travel,” Murdoch offered. He couldn’t help but wonder why the girl was staring a hole through him. Her eyes seemed to pierce into his heart.

Lexi tore her stare away, then turned to Johnny and met his amused grin. “So, what you said about him, it was just to get under McKenna’s skin?”

“Yeah, had ta keep him off balance…”

“McKenna?!” Murdoch’s mind scrambled, trying to make sense out of why anyone named McKenna would want to kidnap Johnny. “Son, what’s going on?” Murdoch looked at the unconscious man tied to the tree, now seeing the resemblance to the man he knew a few years ago.

“Let’s wait’ll Scott gets back an’ I don’t hafta go through it twice. My head’s poundin’ now,” Johnny said with a smile.

*****

Scott handed Murdoch his saddlebags, checked the bindings on McKenna, Tanner, and Quin, then returned to his brother’s side, and watched Murdoch begin to stitch the wound on Johnny’s head.

“You should have taken the laudanum, Johnny,” Murdoch said as he watched the sweat bead on his son’s forehead.

“I’m fine, you’ll be done in a few minutes anyway…” Johnny stopped and sucked in a deep breath as the needle pierced through his skin.

“Sorry, Johnny, almost finished. I want to make sure this won’t leave much of a scar so small stitches and a little more time is required to make it right.”

“It’s okay, just get it done. Besides, it ain’t like I don’t have any scars,” Johnny said with a huff, sitting still while Murdoch set the last thread into place.

“There, that wasn’t too bad, was it, son?” Murdoch sat back with a smile. “Just a little cleaning, and you’ll be as good as new!” He used water from his canteen and a clean bandana to wash away any dried blood and grime. “How’s that feel, Johnny?”

“Other’n feelin’ like I got kicked in the head by a horse, I’m fine,” Johnny said with a sigh.

“Good, then while you relax, you can tell us what happened, brother,” Scott said as he eyed the three men tied to the trees.

Johnny leaned back and looked over at Lucas McKenna, as a massive bruise began to blossom and color the side of his jaw. The man was just showing signs of coming into consciousness.

“Got on the stage, an’ next time ya make me do this kinda stuff, I’m ridin’ Barranca! Anyway, got on the stage an’ had about twenty-five or thirty miles ta go ta Paradise. These three, an’ another one, stopped the stage thinkin’ you were on it. They took us,” Johnny nodded at Lexi, “ an’ sent the stage on its way. They took me ta get ta you an’ Lexi cuz they thought havin’ her along would keep me in line.” 

Scott laughed. “It’s obvious they didn’t know who they had taken. I bet it didn’t take them long to wish they’d have left you on the stage, did it?”

Johnny couldn’t help but laugh until Murdoch spoke up.

“Johnny, you said there was another man. What happened to him?”

He met his father’s eyes. “Bear.”  Both he and Lexi again heard the blood-curdling screams that filled the mountain air and bounce from one peak to the next only to suddenly stop with the realization a man had been killed and probably eaten.

Scott paled, and Murdoch nodded his head and looked away. Both men imagining a horrific death, but grateful it was not Johnny on the menu.

“We managed to escape an’ hightailed it outta their camp. Stayed ahead of ‘em, too. Was able ta take out ol’ Joe, thanks ta Lexi here,” Johnny smiled at her, and she winked. “Took his coat, rifle an’ horse and started makin’ time back ta Live Oak thinkin’ ta try an get word ta you. But that didn’t work out. Live Oak’s a ghost town. So, we kept comin’ south. But they caught up with us. Then you got here.”

Johnny looked at Murdoch and had to ask. “You knew his ol’ man? Lucas said that you had some troubles between you.”

A frown creased Murdoch’s forehead. “There were no troubles,” he turned to look into Lucas’ face. “There were no troubles between your father and me. I don’t understand, boy. Why would you say we had…”

Lucas, now fully aware, choked out the words that threatened to stick in his throat. “ You killed my father! You killed him just like puttin’ a gun to his head an’ pullin’ the trigger, Lancer! Stole those cattle he needed! He had to get those cattle! An’ what about that water you dammed up? Without that water, our place just burned up! My Pa worked till it killed him! You killed my Pa!”

Murdoch was stunned but quickly gained his composure. “I’m afraid, boy, that’s not what happened. Your father had his problems, he got in a poker game and lost the money for the cattle before I ever got there. The water was dammed, yes, but it wasn’t by me. Harry Nielson moved into the valley and caused…”

“You’re lyin’, Lancer! Shut up!” Lucas bellowed.

Scott walked to Lucas and pulled the bandana from around his neck, then without a word, gagged him, pulling the neckerchief tight and knotted it tighter. Returning to Murdoch and Johnny, he asked: “What happened to him, Murdoch?”

“Liam McKenna certainly had his troubles, but they were as much his own making as anything else. It was difficult to watch his decline, and he was eventually found dead. He drank himself to death. With no water and no cattle, the man lost interest in living, drowned his sorrows in a bottle, and died.” Murdoch turned to see Lucas sitting quietly now, and staring off into the mountains.

“I need to make him understand…” 

“Murdoch, he ain’t gonna believe you no matter what ya say. Leave him be for a while an’ maybe he’ll simmer down,” Johnny said, hoping he was right, but knowing otherwise.

“We’ll make camp here tonight. Johnny, I want you to take it easy. That gash was deep, and you need to rest. And there will be no discussion about it! For once, just do as I ask… please?”

Johnny smirked but inwardly was thankful. The pounding in his head had reached ‘stampede’ proportions, and his stomach rolled as if wanting to empty.

Lexi sat quietly, attempting to put pieces of this complex puzzle together. Now, she felt a bit guilty for greeting Mr. Lancer as she did. She watched as Johnny’s eyes closed, then approached the mountain of a man.

“Mr. Lancer, I believe I owe you an apology, sir,” Lexington Monroe began.

Murdoch stopped his preparations for their supper to meet her eyes but with a question in his.

“I am afraid that Johnny was so very convincing with Mr. McKenna over there, that he had me fooled entirely! Please accept my sincere apology!” Lexy asked, her eyes confirming her plea.

Murdoch could only smile. “Miss Monroe, there is no need to apologize, but if it makes you feel better, I accept! I know how persuasive my son can be!” he said with a chuckle.

They decided to let Johnny sleep. He could eat when he woke up. Murdoch, Lexi, and Scott sat away from Johnny as they shared a meal of beans and rabbit. The Lancers watched as Lexi ravenously made short work of the food on her plate.

“Well, Lexi, could you fill us in on the events of the last several days? Johnny has a tendency to simplify his adventures, and we never really know what happens when he’s alone,” Scott explained and settled in to hear what the girl had to say.

Lexington Monroe pushed her plate aside as she relayed the long and sometimes nightmarish incidents since being taken captive.

“These men stopped the stage, thinking that you, Mr. Lancer, were a passenger. When they found you weren’t there, they took Johnny to get to you, and took me thinking they would use me to keep Johnny in line.” Lexi reiterated the events Johnny had told them but with more detail. Scott huffed.

“Well,” Lexi continued, “I think they got more than they bargained for because Johnny wasn’t acting like the terrified prisoner they were expecting.” Lexi smiled as she recalled the exasperation that more than once clouded Lucas McKenna’s features. “Johnny wouldn’t back down, even tied up as he was when they taunted him. In fact, he made them look away. But we escaped and were able to stay hidden from them when those four came after us. He found our food, but we never got to eat it because of the bear.”

The revelation made both Murdoch and Scott sit forward with wide eyes. “But neither of you were hurt, were you?” Murdoch asked as worry etched his face. 

“The only casualty was Johnny’s boot. As we were climbing the tree, the bear hooked a claw on his boot. But after he made it out from under my skirt…”

“Excuse me?!” Murdoch exclaimed with horrified eyes. Where he knew his son was a virile young man with a very healthy… appetite, he was appalled thinking Johnny would… in a tree?

Lexi laughed. “No, no, Mr. Lancer! He was pushing me up the tree, the bear was after us, and I had a difficult time keeping my skirt out of the way and climb too, I kept stepping on it. Almost lost my balance and had to grab a branch but dropped my handful of skirt, and it landed down over his head!”

Scott looked at Murdoch and couldn’t call back the laugh that escaped him, but covering that laugh with a cough, he pulled himself together.

“Hey, Boston, you try climbin’ a tree with a bear grabbin’ at your boots!” Johnny mumbled from across the camp.

Murdoch rose and knelt by Johnny’s side. “Are you able to eat, John?” 

“Later, gotta make sure she tells ya everything. Lexi, ya missed the part about you punchin’ Max in the chin…” he mumbled, never opening his eyes.

Now Scott did laugh. “You, ahh, you punched one of them in the chin? I think I’d like to hear about that.”

Lexi blushed and proceeded to tell the Lancers what had transpired. By the end of the telling, both Scott and Murdoch dissolved into laughter as Lexi flexed her fist.

“Johnny took care of Joe, and we got his rifle, horse, and jacket. He made me these moccasins out of Joe’s coat after I sprained my ankle!” Lexi straightened her legs and wiggled her toes to show off the footwear. 

Murdoch was impressed by the fact that, even on the run, Johnny could improvise as he went along. The ability to find solutions to issues had helped him to survive. And for that, Murdoch was thankful. He was amazed at the job Johnny had done with the moccasins. They protected Lexi’s feet, and she seemed comfortable enough. That’s Johnny! Always helping out… Murdoch thought.

Scott smiled, not at all surprised by his brother’s talents.

The evening passed as Murdoch, Scott, and Lexi talked. Johnny had fallen deeply asleep and did not wake up until morning. Lucas McKenna, Cole Tanner, and Joe Quin were quiet as they reflected on their fate. What would they do now that they were caught? Lucas mulled the situation over. The Lancers would turn them over to the law and rightfully so… He needed a plan.

*****

The pounding in his head woke him as a groan escaped from his lips. Fortunately for him, neither Scott nor Murdoch heard. Johnny opened his eyes and looked around the camp. Noting that Lucas and his men were sleeping, as were Murdoch and Scott, Johnny carefully got his feet under him and stood to assess his condition. He made his way into the brush, took care of his needs, then put on a pot of coffee. He smiled as his gaze fell on Lexi as she slept. She had grit. She never backed down, didn’t show her fear, and she stepped up to a challenge. Johnny was impressed.

He sat with his cup of coffee and appeared to be ignoring the three men tied to the trees. His demeanor was deceiving as he noted every move they made. Johnny watched for signs, he saw their eyes, McKenna’s especially, they were seething, boiling with rage, and Johnny knew it only a matter of time before McKenna would explode. After stewing all night, his plans ruined by the man responsible for his father’s death, Lucas, now beyond any reason, would take his revenge, one way or another. Johnny had seen it before.

Murdoch and Scott began to rouse. They saw to their needs, then Scott checked his pistol and started for the three men tied to the trees.

“Scott?” Johnny said, softly cautioning his brother.

Scott saw the look in his brother’s eyes and knew there was something on his mind. “Are you expecting trouble, Johnny?”

“Yup.”

Scott nodded, checked his revolver again, then turned back to the three men. He walked behind Tanner, untied the binding, and came to stand in front of the man. “Now, I have to warn you, Mr. Tanner, this gun has a touchy trigger so don’t try anything stupid.”

Johnny couldn’t help but smile at the sarcasm directed at someone other than him. Scott had the gift when it came to insults that made one think for a moment before he realized that he’d been humiliated. 

Murdoch came to Johnny’s side and, with a critical eye, looked him over. “How do you feel this morning, son?”

“Would you believe me if I said I’m fine?” Johnny said with a crooked grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Murdoch harrumphed. “No, I don’t believe I would! I’ll get some breakfast started.”

Johnny turned to see Lexi stir and open her eyes. “Mornin’, Lexi,” he said softly.

“Good morning, Johnny, how are you this morning?”

“I’m fine. Did ya sleep alright?”

“Yes, thank you, I did!” Lexi stood and adjusted her clothing. “I think I’ll go wash up. Be right back!” she said with a smile and headed to the stream. 

Scott returned with his charge, then settled him down by the tree, however, this time, Scott tied his hands in front of him. He knelt behind Joe Quin and cut the ropes that held him secure.

“I certainly hope you paid attention when I informed Mr. Tanner about the hair-trigger on my gun. I would hate to have to shoot you because you were not listening to the rules.” Scott motioned with his Colt for Quin to move off into the brush.

Johnny met Lucas’ glare, and he laughed, knowing it would get under the man’s skin. Lucas had not simmered down. His eyes blazed as they held Johnny in a cold stare, then moved to Murdoch. Johnny swore he could see the hate swirl around McKenna’s head. When Scott took him into the bushes, maybe Johnny would tag along. It was clear the man was not to be trusted.

Minutes later, Scott, with Quin under guard, walked into the camp. As he did with Tanner, Scott tied the man’s hands in front. Then he moved to McKenna.

“Mr. McKenna, I don’t believe I need to warn you. You’ve already heard it twice.” Scott stepped behind the man and stopped. “You seemed to have had a bit of an accident, Mr. McKenna,” he said as he sliced through the blood-slicked ropes around Lucas’ wrists.

Johnny rose to his feet and crossed the camp to cover Scott. “Think I’ll just follow, not that I don’t trust ya or anything, McKenna,” Johnny quipped as his mocking words, again, did their job.

“What the hell? Am I on display or somethin’?” McKenna railed as the irritation prickled and shredded the last of his confidence.

“Oh, we, ah, we promise not ta peek!” Johnny smirked. Then the smile disappeared. “Get movin’,” he said with a low, cold voice.

Murdoch kept an eye on Tanner and Quin. Since Scott and Johnny went with Lucas, Cole and Joe kept making eye contact, and Murdoch wondered what was going on.

“You boys having second thoughts about what you’re trying to accomplish? Because I can prove what I said yesterday. If you two knew Liam McKenna at all, you know that I told the truth.” Murdoch leveled them with an honest stare, and both looked away. 

*****

“It appears Mr. McKenna was in dire straights, brother,” Scott said as they waited for Lucas to finish his business. “His wrists are raw from his struggles, trying to get loose.”

“Just watch yourself, Boston. He’s plannin’ somethin’, I can see it in his eyes,” Johnny warned in a low voice.      

Lucas turned and led the way into camp, followed by Scott and Johnny. Scott motioned him to his place on the ground by the tree, keeping his gun on the man while he sat.

“Murdoch, I think Mr. McKenna needs tending,” Scott said as he nodded to the raw and bleeding skin. 

Murdoch looked at the torn flesh, then met the hate-filled glare on the young man’s face. “I wish you would listen to reason, Lucas. That didn’t have to happen.”

“You got nothin’ to tell me, Lancer! Nothin’ you say will make any difference!”

Murdoch retrieved his saddlebags and pulled out bandages and a tin of salve, then knelt by McKenna’s side.

“Let me take a look at your arms,” Murdoch said softly, then he waited.

“You get away from me!” And Lucas launched himself at Murdoch, grabbing Murdoch’s gun as they rolled on the ground. Scott fired into the air, wanting to startle Lucas as he toppled Murdoch, and the two wrestled for the sidearm. 

Murdoch wasn’t as quick. McKenna’s fingers wrapped around the butt of the pistol, holding it in a death grip to bring it to Murdoch’s head when a shot rang out. Lucas yelped in pain as the gun fell from his grasp. He clutched at his arm as the blood seeped between his fingers.

“Next time, I won’t be as hospitable. Won’t be aimin’ for your arm.” The warning was clear. Johnny lowered his Colt as he helped Murdoch to his feet. “You alright, ol’ man?” he asked, watching as Murdoch gained his senses and stood on shaky legs.

“Yes, son, I’m fine. Thank you, Johnny.” Murdoch came to stand before the young man on the ground, Johnny’s hand tightened on his gun, but Lucas, grinding his teeth against the pain, did nothing except to level a hate-filled glare into Murdoch’s eyes.

“Lucas, I told you the truth. I did not kill your father. I did not have anything to do with the circumstances surrounding his death. If you cannot accept that, then I pity you. Your father was a troubled man who made poor choices. That’s all there was to it. I am going to take you into Yuba City and turn you over to the Sheriff there. It will be up to Johnny and Lexi to press charges. There is a law against kidnapping.”

Murdoch stared at the son of Liam McKenna, then turned and walked away.

Lexi heard the commotion and came running, her hair a tangled, damp mess around her face and across her shoulders, the dress partially buttoned with the top three hanging open. Stopping just outside of their camp after hearing the shots, she took in the scene before her, and smiled in relief, realizing that none of the Lancers had been injured.

“Johnny! What happened?” she gasped as she ran to Johnny’s side. “You’re alright?” Looking him over, she sighed when she found no new injury to him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It seems like ol’ Lucas here can’t keep himself outta trouble.”

Johnny nodded to Lucas, huddled on the ground holding his right arm. “Guess we’ll be takin’ him inta Yuba City an’ turn him over ta the law there. Let’s get somethin’ ta eat, then we’ll be movin’ out.” 

Suddenly conscious of her disheveled state, Lexi turned her back and made for the cover of bushes to button her dress and fix her hair.

Before he took the time to eat, Johnny sat on his bedroll with a cup of coffee as he cleaned and reloaded the Colt. His fingers worked with a will of their own, every move executed with precision and infinite care. A gentle caress.

After tending to the wound in Lucas’ arm, they saddled up and headed south toward Yuba City and the law. Murdoch took the lead. McKenna, Tanner, and Quin behind, Scott, with Lexi riding double, then Johnny brought up the rear.

Murdoch Lancer studied the road ahead. He knew they were getting close to their destination. Yuba City was five or so miles away. With both his sons riding behind watching McKenna and his two men, he felt confident they would make it into town without further incident. And if they were lucky, they would be on their way home in the morning. He would assist Miss Monroe in making her connections and see to it that Johnny was checked over by the local doctor; if all was well, they would be home in a few days.

He wondered what would happen to McKenna. The young man did not want to hear the truth leading up to his father’s death. It was understandable that a boy would not want to admit his father had serious issues, issues severe enough to have caused his demise. But, sooner or later, Lucas would have to face the facts and accept what was. And Murdoch became curious; could he help this boy overcome the obstacles that prevented him from living out a normal and healthy life?

*****

Lucas watched the man riding ahead of him. Lancer sat straight in the saddle. For an old man, he was keeping the pace and did not appear to be suffering from the rough travel. It was a shame, Lucas thought. He wanted to see the great Murdoch Lancer hurt in some way. Anything to bring him pain. Lucas wanted revenge for his father, and he promised himself the old man would pay for his sins. He would pay for the death of Liam McKenna. One way or another, he would pay.

The trail ahead grew narrow. Tall pines on either side disguised the rocky dropoff on the left and covered the steep incline on the right. And Lucas began to plan.

“Tell me, Lexi, and I don’t mean to pry, but what were you doing on the stage by yourself? I would think that your family would have objections to you traveling alone,” Scott asked. Johnny laughed, but Scott waited for Lexi’s reply. He felt her tense behind him, and the arms flexed around his waist.

“Scott, are you one of those that think a woman is not capable of taking care of herself?” The question had a bite.

Again, Johnny smirked.

Recovering quickly, Scott replied. “I thought they would be worried. You’re obviously late in meeting your connection. Is there someone waiting for you?”

“Mr. Lancer, I can assure you that I can take care of myself!”

“Take it easy, Lexi,” Johnny said before the young woman got it in her head to attack Boston like she did poor ol’ Max. “Scott’s just tryin’ ta help. He don’t mean nothin’ by it.”

“Indeed, I do not. I am sorry to have offended you. My apologies, Miss Monroe. It is not typical for a young woman to be traveling alone, that’s all.”

Lexi sighed. “I’m sorry, Scott. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. It’s just, well, I guess I’m not ‘typical’.”

Johnny laughed out loud. “You said a mouthful there! Scott, ya shoulda seen ol’ Max when Lexi landed that uppercut on his chin! She sure took care of him!” Johnny’s laughter rang in the chilly mountain air, and Lucas made his move.

With a hard kick to the horse’s flanks, Lucas charged his horse into the back of Murdoch’s gelding, knocking Lancer to the ground perilously close to the dropoff. Reining his horse in an attempt to trample the old man, Lucas then took off and could only hope he’d inflicted damage that would result in the old man’s death. Then Lancer would be dead, just like my pa!

Johnny kicked the horse into a gallop after McKenna, leaving Scott to cover Tanner and Quin. Johnny rode hard, not sparing the horse, and gained ground on Lucas. McKenna, looking over his right shoulder as Johnny pulled alongside on the left, never heard the approach until it was too late. He felt the blow as Johnny launched himself into his back, and they fell to the ground in a tangled heap. Johnny recovered first, grabbing Lucas by the front of his shirt and, with a blow to the jaw, rendered McKenna senseless. 

Johnny herded McKenna back to the others, the boy’s shoulders slumped in defeat, head sagging against his chest. Jumping from his saddle, Johnny ran to where Murdoch sat on a boulder, resting.

“You alright, Murdoch?” he asked quietly, worry etched on his face.

“Yes, Johnny, I’m fine,” Murdoch imitated Johnny’s stock answer. “Just a little shaken, but I’m fine.”

Johnny turned to Lucas. The words were soft, deceptively so, but the glare held a promise of bodily harm. “You try anything, an’ I mean anything, you’re gonna have a third eye.”

*****

Jelly delivered the telegram to Lexi. She read the missive and smiled. Then she took in the faces of those around her. “Well, Mr. Lancer, Scott, I want to thank you for your help, but I must be on my way soon. Cousin Helen is waiting for me, and I guess I’ve delayed our visit long enough.” Extending her small hand, Murdoch took it in his.

“It has been a pleasure knowing, Miss Monroe, and I hope to see you again.”

Lexi stood before Scott and, again, extended her hand. Scott took it in his and brought the dainty fingers to his lips and kissed them gently.

“It has been an honor, Lexi. Oh, and thank you!” Scott added.

A puzzled frown creased Lexi’s face. “I don’t understand, Scott. Thank me for what exactly?”

“Taking care of my brother, what else?” he responded with a laugh.

“I think you have it the other way around, Scott. Johnny took good care of me!”

“A regular Sir Lancelot, was he?” Scott said with a raised brow.

“Indeed, he was!”

“Hey, who’s this Lancelot fella, Scott? Some friend a yours from Boston?”

“No, Johnny, he’s… never mind, I’ll explain later. You’d better get Miss Monroe into town so she can catch the train,” Scott said as he winked at Lexi.

“Yeah, okay. Ya ready ta leave? Got all your things?” Johnny asked as he bestowed her with ‘the smile’.

“Yes, thank you, Johnny, everything is in the buggy.” She smiled as she turned toward Murdoch and Scott. “Thank you again for everything!”

Johnny stopped as he went out the door. “Might be a little late, Murdoch. Gotta stop at the bootmaker and have him do something with these boots. Hate breakin’ in new ones!” and they were out the door.

*****

“I never expected to make so many new friends on this trip! I want you to know that I will never forget you!”

The train belched out a plume of white steam.

Johnny smiled as he watched her eyes and wondered why he never noticed how green they were before, then he grinned. “You sure your brothers are still back in Kentucky?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. Why do you ask, Johnny?”

“Cuz I don’t think they’d like it too much if they saw me do this…” He stepped closer and brushed a soft kiss over her cheek. “Don’t want them beatin’ the heck outta me,” he said softly.

“I wouldn’t let them, Johnny! I wouldn’t let them.” Lexi laughed as she boarded the train and found a seat. She leaned out the window, her eyes a bit blurry from tears. “Johnny, thank you…, please take care of yourself!”

The whistle sounded a second time as the train began to move and soon was chugging down the tracks.

Prim? Nope. Proper? Nope. But she’s gonna make some man one helluva wife- just so he watches out for that uppercut!

And Johnny Lancer smiled.

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~ end ~

Written May 2019/Edited June 2020

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