Yesterday's Fire

Chapter 26

...

They spotted the sorrel far off, standing alone in the shallow meandering stream ahead of them, his white stocking feet and nose deep in the cold water, and his reins loose and dragging. Sam hushed the others and pulled his spyglass and scanned the willows and trees along the bank, shaking his head when he spotted no one. Kenzie was anxious, her fear high since hearing the distant sound of gunfire, but a sharp look from Callen kept her from charging forward, knowing he was right to be cautious.

"That's Wheeler's horse," she whispered to Callen.

The birch trees they'd just ridden through gave them some cover, all of them savvy about the need for surprise. Sam motioned that he was moving off to the right to scout, and Callen indicated he was going left to do the same, which left Kenzie watching for any movement that might endanger them. Getting off her gray, she tied him up and slipped her rifle free of the scabbard, taking up position beside one of the older trees and watching for any sign of the men who had Deeks. The muscles in her neck and shoulders were knotted with tension, the gunshots having frightened her badly, and she wanted so desperately to find him. Had he tried to escape? Had they shot him down for it? Her thoughts wouldn't stay still, her mind full of disturbing images of when she'd found him the last time. But the gunshots had been a while ago and had seemed to come from high up on the plateau that now loomed over them, and it confused her to find Wheeler's horse here, adding to her anxiety.

She had been so determined to find him it had driven most of her personal thoughts from her mind, but now she found it hard to breathe as she waited. A light gust of wind made the leaves tremble around her and she couldn't help but think of her time with him, remembering the comfort she had found in his arms as they lay among the birch trees at the ranch. She could almost feel the caress of his fingers on her cheek and how it felt when he toyed with her hair, a feeling of serenity settling over her whenever he held her. She never tired of watching his eyes as he looked at her, the change in color, the expressive depth in them when he made love to her, or the way they brightened when he laughed. The thought of never kissing him or touching him again, of not being able to run her hands over his lithe body, to feel his muscles moving beneath her made her feel bereft, the loss too much to bear. She had fought her need for him for so long, fearing some sort of loss of control. She'd thought she wanted nothing to do with him, her anger ruling every thought, but now she had to face the possibility that he had been taken from her forever and now it was that fear she fought against.

Callen's signal had her quickly wiping at her tears, as she saw Sam leading the horse out of the creek. Untying her gray, she led him toward where they waited, using the time to control her emotions, to focus on the meaning of the loose, rider less horse.

"No sign of anyone," Callen said softly. "Sam's backtracking the sorrel."

She mounted without a word and followed him as they moved toward the low hills below the plateau, the land rising toward the desolate land above them. Thick stands of birch and alder masked the trail up, split by glades of sparse grasses moving slowly in the warm breeze. A part of her wanted nothing more than to race her gray up to the crest of the plateau as fast as he could carry her, but the other part was afraid of what she might find. She had always charged through life, and being tentative now surprised her, but she couldn't deny her fear and Callen seemed to sense it, watching her as they climbed higher.

"G."

Sam had pulled up and pointed ahead to the far end of a long stand of birch trees. Another lone horse stood watching them. The animal tossed its head a couple of times before looking back and turning, slowly walking in a tight circle until they could see the burden it carried.

"Deeks!"

She screamed his name as she kicked her gray into a mad dash to reach him. Callen raced beside her on one side and Sam on the other. The mare didn't move, simply waited for them, snorting almost indignantly when they reached her. Deeks hung limply against the side of his mare, the chain between the manacles looped over the saddle horn and his knees sagging almost to the ground. Blood soaked his lower left leg and foot, and Kenzie felt white hot anger as she leaped from her horse, but suddenly became tentative again as she started towards him, fear taking her breath away. Gathering herself, she reach for him, brushing the tangled mess of hair from his face, now streaked with dirt and sweat, instantly relieved when she felt the warmth of his skin. Sam pressed in and lifted him enough for Callen to pull his hands free and then they lowered him to the ground. She sank down next to him and pulled him to her, cradling his head in the crook of her arm as she stroked his cheek, trying to get him to wake. He moaned softly when Callen held a canteen to his lips, the small amount of water he took in reviving him a bit, even though most of it spilled down his chin. When Sam tried to tend to the wound in his leg, he shuddered and woke, gasping out a breath, his eyes wild until she spoke his name.

"Deeks, it's me," she said as she pulled him back into her arms.

"Kenzie? Hey...thanks for the caramels," he said weakly.

He smiled softly up at her before he became agitated, panic darkening his eyes and he struggled to get to his feet. "They're gonna kill Josie. I gotta stop 'em."

"Cavalry is headin' there now," Callen assured him, holding him down until he stopped resisting.

"The cavalry?" He asked, wincing as Sam ripped his pant leg open to get to the gunshot wound.

"They came to help us make sure Thurston didn't hang you," Callen said.

He stared at Callen, looking bewildered by his comment, and then glanced up at Kenzie for confirmation.

"We found Wheeler's sorrel," Callen said. "From what Kenzie told us, he don't seem like the kind of man to lose his horse."

Deeks let out a long sigh and looked away, slumping limply in Kenzie's arms.

"I killed him with his own knife," he said quietly.

"And Thurston?" Sam asked.

"He's up there," Deeks said raising his hands weakly, gesturing toward the pale plateau.

"You killed 'em both?" Callen looked surprised and so did Sam.

"No...No. Shot 'im in the leg when he came at me," he murmured, finally looking up at Callen. "I left him there. For you. Had to get to Josie."

"Well, I'll be damned," Callen said and stared at Sam.

"I need to make sure Josie's okay," Deeks said. "Let me do that and I'll go along peaceful. No trouble."

"You think we're gonna arrest you?" Callen asked.

"I killed the sheriff. Spect that's a hangin' offense," he replied with resignation. "Don't matter. One more death sentence won't make no difference."

"Can't hang ya, kid. I need you as a witness like I said before," Callen said with a smirk. "Got a warrant for Thurston's arrest. The next trial you go to will be his, if you're finally willin' to testify."

"You're not gonna arrest me?" He asked, looking from one to the other.

"No...we ain't," Sam replied.

"But I killed Sheriff Wheeler," he replied roughly, his eyes dark with disbelief.

"We figure you were fightin' for your life," Sam said. "Ain't that right?"

"Yeah...but what about the fire at Thurston's ranch?"

"I think he wants to be arrested, Sam," Callen said.

"Told ya he was cantankerous," he replied, yanking his bandana down tight over the bloody leg wound.

"Sam!" Kenzie snapped when Deeks cried out.

"What? He's still bleedin'," Sam replied sharply.

Callen knelt beside him and offered the canteen again, and Deeks muttered a thank you and began to drink.

"Go easy, kid," Callen said gently, finally wrenching it away.

"Can I go to the Atwood's now?" He asked wearily. "I gotta know if she's still alive. Won't know what ta tell George and Joe if she ain't. Don't know exactly how I'll live with it either."

Sam squeezed his good leg, giving him a long look as Callen offered him a hand up. He clasped it with both of his, finally managing to get to his feet with their help, swaying a little and leaning against Kenzie. His closeness made her heart quicken and she let out a long relieved breath and wrapped a strong arm around him, holding him against her until the marshals helped him up into the saddle. She'd felt his muscles quiver when she held him, and could see how weak he was as one hand gripped the pommel while bracing himself with the other on the neck of his sturdy mare.

"You sure you can stay on all the way to the Atwood's?" Callen asked, looking doubtful.

"Made it this far didn't I?" He said, sounding surly and breathless.

"Yeah and how long did that mare of yours drag you after you passed out?" Sam asked, sounding a bit testy himself.

"If I ain't under arrest I'm leavin'," Deeks said, and turned Sheila toward the trail down the mountain.

"You gonna be able to get him back up if he falls off again?" Callen asked Kenzie, who was surprised at both men's growing concern.

"He's lost a lot of blood, but he's too damn stubborn to stop," Sam said as they all watched him struggle to stay in the saddle when he kicked Sheila into a slow lope.

"One of us should go with you, Kenzie," Callen said. "If Thurston's wounded, he won't be any trouble for Sam."

"Why do I have to be the one to go get the bastard?" Sam asked, his exasperation making Kenzie smile as she mounted her gray and swung him around to follow Deeks.

"You two better hurry and decide," she yelled back. "Cause he's not waitin' for any of us."

"That's a pretty rough trail back down," Sam said. "Could hurt himself if he fell. Might lose our witness."

"Thurston won't get too far with a bullet in his leg," Callen reasoned as he mounted up. "It'll still be daylight by the time we get back."

"It'll serve him right anyway, seeing as what he did to Deeks up there last time," Sam said as he kicked his horse into line with Callen.

"Seems justified to leave 'im," Callen said. "Just for awhile."

"Let's go see if the kid fell off yet," Sam said as he urged his horse into a gallop.

"Wanna bet on that?" Callen asked.

"I'll take that bet."

"You sure?" Callen pestered. "Remember...you said it yourself. He's cantankerous."

"That bullet was fired right against his leg, G," Sam said quietly.

"And he still managed to take down the bastards," Callen said, shaking his head.

"He's damn tough," Sam agreed.

"Sounds like you're startin' to admire 'im," Callen smirked.

Sam shrugged and smiled. "Still think he's gonna fall off his horse."

...

Deeks had just caught another look from Callen when a rafter of turkeys flushed across the path of the horses making Kenzie's gray stumble into Sheila. Knocked off-balance, he would have fallen from the saddle if Marshal Hanna hadn't grabbed ahold of his shoulder and righted him, holding him on as they all got control of their horses. He was startled more by the lawman's actions than by the sudden disruption.

"You good?" Hanna asked, looking down at his leg with a critical eye.

"Yeah. Much obliged, Marshal," Deeks replied.

He'd kept his pain to himself on the trail, but a fall would have done him in, and been an embarrassment that he didn't want, especially in front of Kenzie.

"You coulda won your bet, Sam," Callen smirked, before drinking deeply from his canteen.

Deeks looked from one to the other, and was surprised to see the irritation on Marshal Hanna's face.

"You bet I'd fall off my horse?" Deeks asked, unsure whether it should make him angry or make him laugh, but he couldn't hold back a cocky grin.

"We're close now. Lettin' you fall would have slowed us up," Sam replied, shrugging as if it were unimportant.

Deeks mood darkened as he thought of what might be waiting for him at the ranch, and his smile dropped away as he urged his mare forward. Sam eased his horse in front to block him and when he looked at the man, he saw understanding and kindness, and it caught him off guard.

"Take some water first," Hanna said and offered him his canteen. "You been pushin' plenty hard and you ain't lookin' so good."

"Sorry you lost your bet," Deeks said after taking a drink.

"No you're not," Hanna laughed. "Callen is happy though. I gotta buy 'im a steak when we get back to Saratoga."

Deeks didn't reply, his urgency to get to the ranch still foremost in his mind. The others sensed it, especially Kenzie, who seemed almost as anxious as he was to get moving again.

"Keep an eye out now," Callen said as he led the way forward. "Lt. Hayes is a veteran. He woulda put out pickets. Hate to get shot by one of our own boys."

It wasn't long before the landscape became familiar, and along with it came a deep dread that caused Deeks more pain than he thought possible. It was if his heart was aching, and his limbs felt heavy as he tried to catch his breath, knowing he never would again if Josie had been killed. She had showed him so much kindness and his eyes filled with tears as he remembered the hugs she so generously gave him. He'd gotten such comfort from them and that was still a marvel to him. She was just a tiny thing, but strong and full of spirit and courage. How would George go on without her? And even though he knew what it felt like to lose your mother, he had no idea what he would say to Joe. Was the ranch even a home without her? Just the idea of it was staggering.

"Josie's tough," Kenzie said softly as she rode up close beside him.

"Gentle too," he replied, choking on the words.

He couldn't wait to know any longer, kicking Sheila hard, urging her to run. He quickly raced ahead of the others, crossing the shallows of the familiar creek and turning down the path to the meadow. As he rounded the edge of the birches, Callen was suddenly beside him, shielding him from a trooper he hadn't noticed who had edged his horse out of the trees, his rifle pointed and ready to fire.

"U.S. Marshal. Don't shoot," he yelled, his hand raised toward the man.

Deeks felt a brief flash of fear, but he saw the trooper lower his weapon as he raced past him, ignoring the curses of the marshal as he galloped into the meadow. More troopers were standing along the fence and he knew he should slow down, but he saw a body on the ground and all other thoughts vanished.

"Josie!"

Shouting her name, he thundered toward the gate, barely holding on, his strength ebbing badly. He saw him just as he began to slide from the saddle, and Sheila slowed of her own accord, turning in a circle as he grasped at her mane. George caught him as he fell, easing him to the ground as he yelled for Joe.

"Easy, son," he said.

"Josie? Is she okay George? Did they hurt her?" Grabbing his shirt, desperate to know.

"She's fine, son," George assured him calmly. "We surprised the bastards Thurston sent."

"They sure as hell weren't expectin' nobody to fight back," Joe said as he knelt beside him. "Mama and Coot already had that Gus fella tied up in the barn when we got here last night."

"They didn't hurt 'er?" Not quite able to believe what they were saying.

"She's okay, but mad as the devil. Mighty worried about you," George said as the marshals and Kenzie surrounded them. "Lieutenant Hayes told us what happened."

"Not all of it," Callen said, looking exasperated as he stared down at Deeks.

"You don't know nothin' about following orders do you?" Sam stormed. "That trooper almost shot you."

"You quit yellin' at him," Josie said as she pushed between the two lawmen. "Can't you see he's wounded?"

"Yes ma'am," Sam replied. "Tell him that. He's the one seems to forget. Already fell off his horse once."

"Thought you said you never fall off your horse, brother," Joe laughed as he and George pulled him to his feet.

"Mighta lied about that," he said with a tired smile, feeling lighter now that he was surrounded by the people he cared about.

"I was so afraid for you, Marty," Josie said softly.

She quickly brushed at the tears on her cheeks as she stared at him, her hands nervously touching his and frowning at the heavy iron manacles that still dragged at his wrists. She patted his chest and smiled, finally reaching up to gently touch his face before she wrapped him in a hug.

"I was scared they killed you," he whispered, the weight of all that had happened causing him to sag wearily in her arms.

"George..." She said quickly and he felt strong hands holding him up.

Joe helped his father as they slowly walked him toward the house, pausing when they passed the troopers tying the bodies of Wheeler's deputies over the backs of their horses. He felt no sympathy for the men. They hadn't even questioned their orders, but had come here willingly with murder in their hearts. So he turned away, gingerly limping up the few steps and stopping on the porch to look out over the place that offered so much comfort and had become a haven for him. He'd almost lost that, and he reminded himself to appreciate every day he spent here.

"Good to see they didn't hang you, Mr. Deeks," Lieutenant Hayes said as he joined the circle. "I wanted to meet the man who rescued Miss Blye. She spoke highly of you."

"Can't really shake your hand proper with these on," Deeks replied as he held up his manacled hands. "But I wanna thank you for comin' to help Josie."

"Your family had it all well in hand by the time we got here. And one of my men might be able to help you with those," Hayes said. "Claims to have escaped from prison in France a couple of times. Good at picking locks, apparently. Laroche, you're needed."

The Frenchman made quick work of the manacles, even though he was eyeing Kenzie most of the time, who hovered close by, looking more impatient then he'd ever seen her. Deeks couldn't fault him for his interest in her, admiring her himself, and still amazed that he had survived and that they were together again. Josie fussed over the bruised raw skin around his wrists, asking him questions and worrying over him, making it hard to keep from smiling. He stood numbly happy as they talked and moved around him, silently staring at each one in turn, trying to convince himself that this was all real.

He was terribly tired and heard Sam telling George that he'd lost a lot of blood, wondering why and how the man had come to care what was happening with him. Callen simply watched him, but he wasn't sure why and couldn't figure what he was thinking. He'd been surprised when the marshals had caught up with them, leaving Thurston to fend for himself, and that brought back all the terrors the man had caused him. He seemed to lose focus all at once and the sound of everyone's voices became muted and distant as painful images clouded his mind. He stared down at what remained of the bloodstains on his hands, his fingernails choked almost black with the sheriff's last moments. It had happened so quickly and he'd had no time to consider what he was doing, he'd just acted, unwilling to submit to what the men had planned. He remembered the feeling of rage he'd felt when Thurston hit him with the lariat, his determination to resist overpowering. Wheeler had made the mistake of underestimating him, thinking him too badly hurt to fight back, believing they'd terrorized him into submission, and the sheriff had paid for it with his life. Now he just longed to wash the man's blood from his trembling hands, finding it hard to remain standing, his leg almost numb and unable to bear much of his weight.

"Why did Thurston shoot you like that?" Sam's soft voice close beside him, cutting through the fog he was experiencing.

"Wheeler did it after I tried to escape and warn Josie," he mumbled. "Told me he used to do it to his slaves to punish 'em for runnin' away."

He could almost feel the big black man go rigid beside him, his eyes full of deadly anger, and he wondered what the marshal would do to Wheeler if he were still alive.

"Man got what he deserved then," Sam said roughly.

"Thanks for savin' my boy," George said as he came up behind the two marshals.

"We didn't," Callen told him, still watching him intently. "He saved himself."

"What happened to that bastard Thurston?" Joe asked, looking at him and then the marshals.

"Spendin' some time alone tryin' to figure how Deeks got the best of 'im," Callen smirked.

"He's gonna be real happy to see us when we go back to get 'im," Sam said.

"Where the hell is he?" Joe demanded.

"I left him where he left me," Deeks said quietly as Kenzie stepped up and took his hand.

The Atwoods turned to stare at him, and he could see the questions in their eyes, but he didn't want to talk anymore. He was too tired and growing dizzy from the pain. He saw Kenzie and Josie share a look and then they were on either side of him, guiding him into the solitude of the house and away from the questions about a man he just wanted to forget. He was limping badly as they led him to the daybed by the fireplace, and moaned softly as he sank down on the familiar bed. Kenzie pushed a strand of hair from his eyes and he leaned his head against her, wrapping his arms around her as she pulled him close.

"Best lie down now," Josie urged softly. "Let me clean and stitch that wound. It looks bad."

He stretched out on the bed, letting the two women tend him as they had done before, only this time he was conscious and could watch them. Josie was focused and he smiled softly when her brow furrowed in concentration as she washed the blood from his hands and bandaged his wrists, patting his arm gently when she finished. This time he was able to watch Kenzie's determination as she cleaned away the grime that coated his face, her eyes dark and shimmering with a glaze of tears whenever she looked at him.

"Don't cry, Sweetness," he whispered. "I want you to be happy."

"I am happy," she said as a tear spilled over. "I just don't know how to stop being afraid for you."

"I'm safe now. I'm home, Kenzie," he said, his smile widening as he mouthed the words he never thought he'd say. "And I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."

"You saved each other," Josie said, sitting down beside him with her kit in her hands. "That's a strong bond. A loving bond. Forged in hard times. Now you need to learn about yourselves when no one's tryin' to kill you."

"Not sure I know what that feels like, but I'm willin' to give it a try," Deeks said quietly. "How 'bout you, Sweetness?"

"Sounds good right now," Kenzie replied, letting out a weary sigh.

"Better hold onto her, Marty. I'm about to clean this nasty looking bullet wound," Josie warned.

He rode out what he thought was the worst of it, never taking his eyes off Kenzie as she held his hands. When Josie poured whiskey over the open wound, the fiery pain shocked him, taking his breath away, and his vision faded. When he opened his eyes, Joe was gripping his shoulder and George stood behind Josie with his hands on her shoulders as she finished bandaging the wound.

"You fainted again," Kenzie said, biting at her lip.

"I told you before, men don't faint," he protested.

"Ya screamed again, too. Nearly spooked all the soldier boys' horses," Joe said.

"They gone?" Deeks asked.

"Takin' the deputies' bodies back to town, along with Gus," Joe replied.

"Was it bad?" He asked, looking steadily at George, who's face betrayed the anger he still held.

"They were stupid," Joe answered.

"Thought the two of 'em were in the house," George said gruffly. "Yelled for Josie to come out. Had their rifles pointed at the door."

"We were all in the barn," Joe said. "Tryin' to get that Gus fella to tell us why he pulled a gun on Coot last night."

"I hit 'im in the head with a shovel before he could fire," Josie said as if it were nothing.

"Where is Coot?" Kenzie asked, both of them realizing they hadn't seen the old man.

"Headed home early this mornin'," George said. "Didn't figure he was needed once we was back and had Gus tied up."

"Thurston wanted to use your place while he rebuilt his ranch," Deeks said, still angry. "If you hadn't gotten home last night..."

"Time to look ahead, son," George said. "And be thankful we're all alive and together again."

"And that Thurston won't be bothering you no more," Marshal Callen said as he stepped inside.

"Think he's still alive?" Deeks asked, unable to mask his concern over what it would mean if the man died.

"Won't let it come back on you if he ain't," Sam Hanna said, leaving Deeks confused and full of questions he didn't know how to ask.

"We're about to head up there and find out," Callen said. "Before we go, can I talk to Deeks alone?"

The Atwoods headed back outside to give them some privacy, but Kenzie stayed by his side, eyeing the two marshals defiantly as she entwined her fingers with his.

"I think she's stayin'," Deeks smiled over at her, and then blinked sleepily at Callen, unsure what was coming. "Now say what ya gotta say."

"Wasn't sure about you when we first met," Callen said. "Figured you'd be trouble somewhere down the road."

"That weren't far wrong," Sam said, but he was smiling.

"Thought I mighta had to face you in a gunfight," Callen continued.

"You'd a lost," Deeks said quietly.

"You sure about that?" Callen replied evenly.

"Yeah, I am."

"Cocky and cantankerous," Sam huffed out.

"No need to find out now," Callen said easily. "You come out on the right side of the law, kid. Foiled Thurston's plans and survived whatever he threw at you. You looked out for people. Fought for 'em."

"And you saved Kenzie's life," Sam added.

"That why you been so nice to me?"

"She's important to us," Callen said. "Started thinkin' differently about you after that."

"Me too," Kenzie said softly and pulled his hand into her lap.

"What's this really about?" Deeks asked, still a bit uneasy around the men.

"I know you don't trust lawmen much, and I don't blame ya after what Wheeler just did to you," Callen said. "But I think you'd make a good one."

"A lawman? Ya want me to put on a badge?" Deeks sputtered, and simply stared at the man, completely thunderstruck by the idea.

"Saratoga Springs is gonna need a new sheriff, and I'd be happy to put in a good word for you," Callen said quickly.

"You're serious," Deeks finally said.

"Think about it," the marshal replied. "Heal up and testify against Thurston at his trial and you'll see that the law does get it right most times."

"Unless the judge gets paid off, or is a drunken ol' reprobate..." Deeks replied with disgust.

"The law needs honest men, Deeks," Sam said. "Tips the scales to the good guys."

"Thought you had the notion I was a bad guy," Deeks said.

"I mighta been mistaken about that," Callen confessed.

"Never thought I'd hear a lawman admit he was wrong," Deeks said, starting to smile and warming to the praise they offered.

"Most of the time, we ain't," Sam said, sounding a little surly.

"Sam thinks he's right all the time," Callen laughed.

"We were all wrong about you Deeks," Kenzie said. "Me most of all."

"You think I'd make a good sheriff?" Deeks asked her with a lop-sided grin.

"Yeah, but I thought you wanted to stick around here?" Kenzie looked openly curious and it made him realize he had a lot to think about.

"Kenzie's right. Guess I ain't quite ready to make that decision just yet," Deeks said as he searched Callen's face for his reaction. "Not sure what I'm gonna do. You sure I ain't gonna be charged if you find Thurston dead up there?"

"You have my word," Callen replied.

"Weren't a hard choice to leave 'im," Sam added. "There's all kinds of justice. Some just takes longer than others."

Deeks was growing quite tired and Kenzie realized it and stood to shield him from the marshals. She walked them out as they argued over who had won their bet, his mind jumbled with everything that had happened and with the decisions he was facing. Those marshals had made the choice to back him, to make sure he stayed free and it felt good to have them on his side.

He'd made his own choice up on that plateau, letting Thurston live despite all the pain he'd caused. He had been sorely tempted, and it would have been easy, to just shoot the sonofabitch and leave him for the buzzards. Up there, holding that gun on him and seeing the hatred in the man's eyes almost made him pull the trigger, but he hadn't. Now he realized it was because he had changed. He wasn't the same man he'd been when Thurston had taken him the first time. The people he'd come to know, Kenzie, the Atwoods, Hand and Little Shield and even the marshals, had all played a part in that change and he was suddenly very grateful to all of them. He had something to live for now, people to watch over and to love, and he wanted nothing more than to know them all better and to look at life differently than he had in the past. He had found two lawmen he trusted. He had a family to call his own and a woman he couldn't get enough of, and who cared for him in return. He had men who were now his brothers and a man and a woman who called him son.

He was almost asleep when he smelled the soft scent of lavender as Kenzie laid her hand on his chest and bent over to kiss him softly on the lips.

"You stayin'?" He murmured, barely opening his eyes.

"I'll go wherever you go," she whispered.

"Good to know, Sweetness. Good to know."

...

...

Epilogue

...

"You been mighty quiet, son," George said, as he rode up beside him and looked out over the slow moving herd of black cattle. "Thinkin' about Thurston again?"

"I wanna forget 'im, but can't seem to get 'im outa my head," Deeks replied.

"It's been a month, son," George said, sounding worried.

"I know how he felt out there...how terrified he was."

"But you kept goin'...kept on fightin' to live," George replied earnestly. "He didn't."

"Didn't think I'd ever say this, but I feel sorry for 'im...for what he went through," he confessed. "He was desperate...I know what that feels like."

"You sorry you didn't shoot him up there?"

"Maybe I wanted him to suffer like I did," Deeks replied. "To feel what it's like to have no hope."

"But you found something deep inside yourself that wouldn't let you give up," George said. "You walked through that fire, son, and came out stronger on the other side."

"Never thought about the knife," Deeks said. "Callen told me it looked like he just walked 'round and 'round Wheeler and musta sat by his body for a long while before..."

"It was his choice."

"Always thought he was a coward," Deeks said softly. "Not sure about that now. Takes guts to cut your own throat."

"You told me once he wanted you to yield," George said gently. "In the end, you didn't...he did."

Deeks nodded and watched George ride over to Josie and he looked for Kenzie, finding her near the front of the small herd, and she waved to him. She always seemed to keep watch over him as he did her and he never tired of finding her looking at him with those deep dark mysterious eyes.

They were almost there now and he could see the layers of smoke from the village drifting out over the meadow, and found he was anxious to walk among the Arapaho again. George had asked him what marriage gift he should give to Red Bird's family and this small herd of Angus was what he had suggested, knowing food was always scarce. He heard the whooping before he saw the hunters streak out of the village, but his eyes locked on the singular figure of Hand, his long hair flowing out behind him as he raced his black stallion ahead of the others. He had three eagle feathers jutting out from behind his head, and his buckskins were elaborately decorated with blue and yellow stars, a long breastplate of bone covering his chest. Deeks heard Kenzie gasp and he felt a bit jealous all of a sudden, but she turned and smiled excitedly at him as the herd began to run, and the Arapaho quickly surrounded them, taking down a few with bow and arrow for the feast to come.

"Crazy Bear," Hand shouted as he pulled his horse up in front of them. "White Eagle tell us you fall off horse again."

"He was shot," Josie said sharply and Hand stopped smiling to look curiously at her.

"You are White Eagle's néínoo...mother?" He asked.

"Name's Josie, Hand," George told him. "Best watch your manners around her."

"You are welcome here, néínoo," Hand said quite formally, looking rather shyly at her. "Grandfather offers you a lodge. Tipi will always be here for you and Talks-to-Horses."

"What about me?" Deeks asked with a grin. "I ain't alone no more. This is Kenzie."

"Why you walk with this ugly man?" Hand asked her with a broad smile. "He has no horses, just one old mare."

"I kinda like that old mare," she said. "And I'm kinda partial to his blue eyes."

"Arapaho women like to see him naked. He like it, too," Hand told her, grinning until Deeks charged Sheila at him.

Hand was too fast and turned his horse and whooped, racing back toward the village with Deeks on his tail. He found it hard to stay mad at the man and finally eased his mare down to a trot when he saw Joe walking toward him with Red Bird. She was dressed in an almost white buckskin dress with long fringe and tiny silver cones that jingled softly as she walked and Joe wore a heavily decorated golden buckskin shirt, his face one wide smile. Little Shield was scolding Hand when he jumped down to hug his brother, and saw the big Arapaho ride back out to escort George and Josie into camp. He was suddenly surrounded by a large group of men and women, all smiling and he got some hearty pats on the back and shoulders as a welcome back.

"The people thank you for the black cattle," Little Shield said as he laid a hand on his shoulder. "Good to have big feast after marriage ceremony."

"The people been pretty hungry," Joe said quietly.

Red Bird stayed quiet and became quite shy when George and Josie dismounted and came to greet Joe. He quietly introduced them to Red Bird and she was very respectful to Josie, but wouldn't look at George at all, which Deeks could tell confused him.

"It's their custom, Papa," Joe explained. "Unless you brought that horse I asked you to."

George nodded and untied the lead rope on the string of horses he'd brought as gifts.

"Red Bird, this little filly is for you," he said softly as he led over a red and white pinto with a bald face and one blue eye.

"This is good gift, Bear," Hand said behind him as he watched the girl's eyes light up. "Now Red Bird can talk with him."

Josie followed with a beautiful quilt she had been working on up until the day they started this journey. The red and white design was her own, the quilt covered with flying birds and garlands of leaves and flowers. She gave it to Red Bird and hugged her tightly while Little Shield's daughters surrounded them, jostling each other to see the quilt and admiring her workmanship.

"Chief Little Shield, this one's for you," George said as he untied a big speckled white and black Appaloosa with a black mane and tail.

Deeks couldn't remember ever seeing Little Shield smile, but he was making up for it now, speaking softly in Arapaho to the animal as he ran his hands over the neck and shoulder of the big stallion. Josie broke away from the group of women and came up to Hand, reaching up to pat his cheek and Deeks swore the big man blushed.

"Beecét...you fought to save both my sons and George and I will never forget that," Josie said, hugging the surprised Arapaho, who for once couldn't think of a thing to say.

"We want you to have one of our best broodmares. She'll give you plenty of horses so you can marry. It's about time a good lookin' man like you found a wife," Josie said, making everyone laugh when Little Shield told them what she'd said.

The emotion on the big Arapaho's face surprised him as he took the rope from Josie's hand, and Deeks turned to Little Shield, whose expression had softened.

"His mother die when he was young boy," the old man said. "Joe is brother now like you, so his mother is now Beecét's mother."

"Hope he likes hugs," Deeks laughed, but knew just how the big Arapaho felt.

The soft pounding of drums began and Little Shield began a lilting chant, while others shook rattles and his daughters pressed a variety of gifts into Josie and George's hands. Joe and Red Bird were led to a large painted tipi, and several of the elders spoke, the last being Little Shield. He spoke to Joe and then to Red Bird and then he prayed to all four directions, all in Arapaho, but none of them needed to understand the words because Joe looked so happy.

"White Eagle and Red Bird married now," Little Shield finally announced in English and that was the end of it.

More gifts were given and soon the smell of roasting beef wafted over the little encampment, and the people gathered around the fires to share stories and enjoy the feast. Deeks was touched by how simple it all had been, standing apart and watching. He had been alone for a long time until he'd stumbled on Hand tied up to that tree. The encounter had changed his life, and he had become part of two much different families and today they had become one and he was proud to call it his own.

"Never seen you smile this much," Kenzie said as she came up to stand beside him, running her hand up under the new buckskin jacket Hand had given him.

"This makes me happy," he replied, pulling her around to face him. "You make me happy and that's somethin' I never ever want to end."

"Don't plan on goin' anywhere unless you do," she said before he silenced her with a kiss.

"Just back to the ranch with one little detour," he said. "Go with me?"

"Anywhere and always," she whispered. "Gonna tell me where?"

"Need to see a man about a wolf."

"I got a feeling our life together is gonna be anything but ordinary."

...

...

The end

Thanks to everyone who followed this journey back in time. I appreciated all of your comments and insights and especially your encouragement.

Until next time,

Sweet Lu