Chapter Forty-Four

"Are ya sure this is what ya want, Ansel? Ya didn't even say goodbye to the lasses, ya great big coward. I'm sure even now they're cryin' their wee eyes out over ya. I know ya have always been a bit of a jackass but I never truly thought ya pure evil 'til now."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ance growled. "I didn't ask you to come with me and I wish you'd quit trying to be my second shadow."

"After today I'll be the only person who wants to be around ya, Ansel. Ya need to get your arse back to that ranch and the two women that love ya."

Ance rolled his eyes. "I plan on it! Damnation, Irish, why do you think I left so goddamn early? I'm going into town to pick up some traps for them damn coyotes and then I'll be heading back."

Irish blinked several times from atop his horse. "Ya mean ya aren't leavin' for good?"

"Hell no." Ance rubbed his neck. "I don't much care for sharing my feelings with you, but I need those two women, Irish, and I'm not too proud to admit that. I'm willing to give this settling down thing a try... given the amount of space and open sky at that ranch, it may not be so bad."

Ance had been on his way to Penelope's bedroom last night, had been standing just out in the hall, when he'd heard mother and daughter talking. Their conversation had made Ance realize, more so than ever, that he couldn't leave them. While he didn't appreciate being compared to a bunny, he also knew that sometimes, just sometimes, wild mustangs could be tamed... it just had to be their choice and not something forced about them.

Ance was choosing to stay.

He rubbed his face tiredly as town appeared in the distance. He hadn't slept last night as he'd thought so hard about the future and kept watch for the coyotes to come back. Now he was exhausted and having to deal with civilization. He really didn't like towns and people. And this would be a town full of people who didn't realize he didn't' appreciate small talk, being told hello, waving or any other contact really unless it was necessary.

Irish gasped and Ance quickly pulled his hand off his face. "What?" he demanded.

Irish's eye's were wide as he pointed at Ance's hand. "What be that glitterin' bit of gold I see upon your finger...."

Ance cursed. The darkness had kept it hidden before but now that the sun was rising of course Irish would spot the gold. Hell, he was an Irishman after all which meant he probably had a bit of leprechaun in him.

Ance glanced down at the ring he'd purchased before they'd left Grandy. Yeah, even then he'd known deep down that he wouldn't be going anywhere. "That's proof of my intention to stay."

"Did ya give Audrey one as well?"

"She'll find it when she wakes up."

"Ya mean ya did not speak with her? She didn't agree to wear your ring? Ya did not discuss things, Ansel?"

Ance grumbled and urged his mare faster. "No, I didn't discuss things. If she doesn't want the damn thing she can take it off. Now shut the hell up, Irish, before I slam my fist into your gap-toothed face."

***

Audrey woke the next morning with Penelope's elbow in her mouth. After disentangling herself from her slumbering daughter, Audrey rose from the bed and stretched out her back. She had animals to feed and chores to do since she'd given everyone else the day off.

She wondered if Ance and Irish would be willing to lend a hand. She was certain Ance would but the thought of Irish carrying a feed bucket was nearly enough to make her laugh out loud.

Slipping silently from the room, Audrey walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. The sunrise outside was bright and beautiful but the house was unusually quiet and something felt off. Bumps rose up on her skin as her hair stood on end.

Audrey rubbed her hands up and down her arms and scolded herself for being childish. Life had been so full of danger lately that she was still getting used to the fact that the danger had now passed and she didn't need to be on her guard.

Where was Ance? Audrey needed to speak to him. She needed to tell him that she would support any decision he made but that it was her hope that he would stay--that he would be what her daughter needed--what she needed.

"Ance?" she called out softly. "Ance, where are you?"

Thinking the man must still be on the porch asleep, Audrey headed out there and searched. She walked the length of the wraparound porch to no avail. There was no Ance. Panic rose within her. Surely he wouldn't just leave?! He wouldn't just take off in the night without so much as a goodbye for Penelope!

Audrey stormed back into the house. "Ance? Irish?" she called out, her voice echoing throughout the downstairs. She checked each and every room but there was no one....

Audrey sank down to her knees in the empty den. Her shoulders heaved, her body shook and hot, angry tears poured down her cheeks. Another man she loved had just left her life without so much as a goodbye... and this one had done so by choice. Audrey raised up her hands to cover her face and paused when she saw the golden band glittering there upon her finger.

What in the world? Where had that come from.....

Bootsteps on her wooden floors caused Audrey to still suddenly. It wasn't Ance, Irish or Penelope's steps. These steps were heavy and one foot was dragging a bit. A tongue clicked and a cold chuckle filled the air. A chuckle that froze Audrey's blood in her veins. "Why so blue, sweetheart? I tried telling you I was the only man for you and you just wouldn't listen. Now I've come back from the dead just to be with you."

Audrey lowered her hands and raised her face. Fear shot through her, followed by a strong dose of disbelief and disgust.

Standing before her, appearing quite smug, was none other than U.S. Marshal Rodger York--or what was left of him.

He was skinny, unkempt and his clothes were falling apart at the seams. But that wasn't the truly disturbing fact about the man. No, what caused her stomach to churn were the scars he was covered in. It truly appeared as if his skin had melted upon the right side of his face. His right eye was covered by a patch and a part of his lip was missing so that his teeth were visible even with his mouth closed.

Rodger reached out his hand and she saw that it too had been badly burned and scarred. "Don't shy away from me now, Audrey. You did this to me. You shoved me into that fire and did this to my face. I'm truly a thing of nightmares now."

Was Audrey dreaming? That had to be it. She had to still be asleep and this was just another of her nightmares! Rodger York was dead! Ance had seen his grave!! "You're dead," Audrey stated as she got to her feet, glancing around for anything that could be used as a weapon, while fully aware of the gun on Rodger's hip.

Rodger chuckled coldly his lips pulling back in a sneer as his icy blue eye flashed with cold, unfiltered hatred. "You're right. U.S. Marshal Rodger York is dead. What choice did I have but to talk to doctor into agreeing to announce me dead and have me buried? My career was ruined since no one is going to trust a man who looks like a monster. My career was all I had other than you and now you are what's left."

Audrey took a step back. "You're crazy, Rodger. I wouldn't have you after Alexander was murdered, I wouldn't have you after Penelope was taken, what in the world makes you think I'd have you now when I know that all of that was because of you?"

Rodger shook his head. "I did all of that for us! I did it so we could be together!" he bellowed. He reached his hand up and yanked off his hat and Audrey blanched when she realized that scars covered his head as well and his hair only grew in patches along the right side. "Can't you see that we're meant to be, Audrey?"

"No, Rodger. I can't see that," Audrey stated firmly, despite the fear causing her voice to tremble. This man was completely insane. "I don't want to be with you. You killed my husband. You had my daughter taken. You've lied to me, hit me and threatened me and laughed at me when I learned what you truly were." Audrey backed up as she spoke. She reached behind her and gripped the iron fire poker. "Why would I want to be with you?"

Rodger took a step forward and Audrey held up her free hand. "Stop!" she ordered and surprisingly he did. His eyes went down to her hand and Audrey realized he'd seen the golden band that was upon her finger--a band that she didn't truly understand nor know what it was doing there!

"You're married?!" he exclaimed. "Who? Who did you marry? The big one? Ansel Adams? I'll kill him, Audrey! You are mine! Mine! Do you hear me?!"

Audrey let out a cry of shock as Rodger lunged for her she grabbed up the poker. Rodger was on her too quickly and he shoved her back against the wall as the poker clattered to the floor. The air left Audrey's lungs in a rush as her back struck the unforgiving wood.

"I'm going to have you before I kill you, you bitch! You should have been mine all along," Rodger hissed, his hot breath putrid against her skin. Audrey shook with fear and disgust as he rubbed his smooth, scarred cheek against her face. "You smell good," he whispered, his hips rocking against hers as he held her firmly against the wall.

"You stink," she gasped, just before she threw her head forward and bashed it against his. Rodger let out a howl of pain and stumbled backward as he clutched at his recently healed burn scars. Audrey's intention had been to hit him and run for her rifle but she hadn't been quite prepared for how badly the blow would addle her as well.

She stumbled out of the den, gripping the wall and went to the back door with Rodger bellowing behind her and his dragging steps catching up. She saw her rifle but before she could grab it, a hand closed around her hair and yanked her back.

Audrey cried out with pain as she was tossed through the air and landed upon the floor with a resounding thud. Her breath left and she heaved when Rodger's boot connected sharply with her chest. Audrey curled up into a ball to protect herself.

"I will have you!" Rodger growled. He grabbed her by her hair and then slammed her face into the wood floor. Blood filled Audrey's mouth and pain radiated through her nose. Her mind went blank as her vision swam and she fought to hold onto consciousness.

"Mama?" Penelope's frightened voice filled the air. "Mama!" she cried out louder.

"There's the little brat bitch now." Rodger stood and Audrey knew he was going to Penelope. "And without her brace.. The little cripple can't run away!" Audrey tried to clear her vision but her head still swam. Pain radiated through her chest each time she drew a breath and it felt as if she were being stabbed.

But she had to save her daughter.

"Get your hands off me!" Penelope cried out. "Mama!"

Audrey dragged herself across the floor. Her bleeding nose and mouth left puddles on the floor that she smeared across the wood as she slid through them.

The sound of a hand striking flesh was followed by Penelope crying out with pain. It fueled Audrey to find the strength to move faster. She reached up a hand, sweat slicked her skin when the pain in her chest nearly became too much. Audrey grabbed the rifle, rolled onto her back and pulled herself up against the wall so she was sitting.

"Hey Rodger?" she called.

The man paused, his hand raised and poised to smack Penelope once again. Slowly he turned as he stood straight. "What?" he snapped. There was a sneer on his face but it quickly disappeared when he saw her. "Audrey, no...."

Audrey pulled the trigger. She screamed in pain as the recoil of the rifle rushed through her. But Rodger didn't scream. Audrey's aim had been true and he was now sporting a hole through the left side of his chest.

Rodger fell to the floor instantly. A sobbing Penelope rushed to Audrey, crawling across the floor and throwing herself into her mama's arms. Audrey ignored the pain and held the girl close. "Mama, is he dead?" Penelope whispered. "Why do bad men keep coming?"

Audrey kissed her hair, the pain in her chest and head nearly more than she could handle. "He's dead, Penelope. And I promise I'll always protect you from the bad men, baby girl. Always."