Riley's POV from Courageous Love

By Abigail G.

**This is Riley’s POV from directly after he went to hitch up the buggy to bring Lucy, Andi, and Sammy back to the ranch house in Courageous Love***

Riley pushed the heavy barn door open so quickly it banged against the wall. He hurried to get the horses prepared, watching his surroundings carefully. He urged Thunder from his stall, and quickly led the horse out of the barn. 

As he stepped outside, a twig snapping had him whirling around. He briefly saw the outline of a large, bearded man, arm beginning to swing towards his face before pain exploded and everything began to go black. Oh! God, no! Andi! God protect Andi!  

His last thoughts were of Andi as he slipped into unconsciousness. 

*****

Riley groaned as he tried to open his eyes. His left eye was swollen shut, but as he opened his right eye, the light caused a blinding headache to explode, pounding in his temples. He immediately squeezed his eye shut once again, and instead, carefully stretched his arms over his head. His ribs hurt with every breath, but he didn’t think any were broken. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he yet again opened his eye and struggled to a sitting position. His face felt stiff with dried blood, and his tongue clung to the roof of his mouth. He slowly stood, grunting with the new waves of pain that greeted him. He took a few staggering steps, realizing he’d been dragged back into the barn. 

Blast! He thought angrily. They stole the horses. He trudged into the yard, stumbled, regained his balance, then continued towards the door. A white piece of paper fluttered in the slight breeze. 

Riley squinted his good eye and his breath caught in his throat as he grew closer. The bold letter read, “AN EYE FOR AN EYE,” and it was signed with scrawling letters. --Procopio the Red Handed  

Riley let his head fall against the doorpost, and immediately regretted it as the pain from his earlier headache came back with a vengeance. “No! No, no, no!” 

His voice shattered the eerie silence. He blinked back tears. Oh, God, what do I do? Please, Keep Andi, Lucy, and Sammy safe. Lord, it’s when things seem impossible that you work the best. Please, show your power.  

Riley looked around again noticing for the first time that Tucker was nowhere to be seen. He could only hope the outlaws hadn’t gotten him as well. He turned to begin the long walk toward the Carter ranch. He prayed someone would be traveling the path, and he could hitch a ride. 

However, it didn’t matter. He had one mission that he vowed to himself he would accomplish. He would retrieve Andi safely. Besides, he had been given permission to court her. The only girl he’d ever cared about, and he was determined to do so. 

He’d been walking for about an hour when he caught a glimpse of a horse and rider headed his way in the distance. He picked up his pace until he was running. His sore body screaming in protest at every jarring step. When he came within shouting distance, Riley took a breath, then cupped his hands around his mouth.

“Excuse me, sir! I need help! Please I need help!” The shouting caused him to groan as his bruised ribs protested. The horses gait quickened to a gallop. Within minutes, the man was only a few feet away. 

“Riley, what’s wrong? Where’s the wagon?”

“Chad! They came! I tried to stop them, but they knocked me out!” 

Chad pulled his mount to a stop and studied Riley, his mouth slowly forming to the shape of an ‘O'. 

Riley then realized he hadn’t seen himself. He was thankful for that if Chad’s reaction was any indication. He saw the moment Chad realized what he was saying. 

“Riley,” His voice was desperate as he slid from Sky’s back, “Where’s Andi, and Lucy, and Sammy?” Riley looked away from the tortured look in Chad’s eye. 

“Gone.” He choked out, his voice scratchy. 

“When?” Chad’s face was already settling into a determined scowl. 

“Last night.” He whispered, waiting for the explosion. Chad didn’t disappoint. 

“Last night?” He roared, “They’ve been gone since last night and you just decided to come tell me?” 

Riley cringed as the drumbeat in his head pounded mercilessly. 

“I just came to. They knocked me out and beat me up. I’m sorry, Chad.” His voice was pitiful as the dust in the air had sucked any remaining moisture from his mouth. Sweat began burning his various abrasions as the morning sun rained down intently. 

“No, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I’m just mad.” Chad fished around in his saddle bags, finally pulling a canteen with a frustrated jerk. He dislodged rope, a broken pencil, and a few other items in the process and they tumbled to the ground. He held out the canteen. 

“Drink this and pour some over your head. Mother can’t see you like that.” 

Riley obeyed gratefully. The lukewarm water tasted heavenly, but he gritted his teeth as he dumped the bottle over his face. He rubbed his face gingerly, wincing when his fingers found new bruises. He finally wiped his face on his shirt, staining it with dark brown liquid. 

Chad studied him. “That’ll have to do. Come on.” 

Riley mounted behind Chad and the two reversed their course. Riley spilled everything he knew to Chad, who took it all in silently. They arrived at the Carter ranch and Chad begin giving blistering orders. He sent a ranch hand into town to wire Justin, another two over to Justin’s place to retrieve the note and look for anything Riley had missed. He sent a couple more to search the perimeter of the property to make sure nothing was overlooked. Finally, he turned to Riley. 

“Let’s go inside and get you really cleaned up, then discuss our next move.” He turned, but Riley stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“Chad! Let’s go! We’ve got to find Andi! I don’t care about cleaning up! I’m fine! I need Andi!” Riley whirled and slammed his fist into the top rail of the corral fence, it split under the pressure. He felt strong hands grab him from behind. 

“Riley! Cool your heels, boy! Get inside and get cleaned up. You can’t help anything if you flip your lid. Now, go. Not an option.”

“Yes, sir.” Riley turned to go in the house.

“And ask someone to take a look at your hand while your at it!” 

Riley looked down and noticed his bloody, scraped knuckles. He was tempted to argue, but knew it would do no good. “Yes, sir.” 

He entered the house and took a deep breath to calm his nerves and get a grip on his temper. He had always been even keeled, but with Andi’s life hanging in the balance, he had lost it. He now struggled to gain control once again. 

“Ay! Ay! Ay! Señor Riley, qué te ha pasado?” Luisa immediately began tugging him into the sitting room. Riley had caught a little of what she said, but had no idea the whole question. Andi had tried to teach him several times, but it hadn’t helped much. 

“English, Luisa. I don’t know what you said.” 

“What happened to you?” She repeated, unable to look away. 

He contemplated her question. How much should he reveal. “I got beat up at Justin’s house. Several men beat me up.” Luisa waved a hand at the sofa. 

“Sit, sit. Is Señorita Andrea, y Lucy, y el niño safe?” 

“No, the men took them.” Luisa clutched her neck and began muttering in Spanish. 

“Stay, I will get water.” She returned and began to clean Riley’s face with a soft cloth, muttering apologies when he winced. 

“Y tú mano? Ay!” 

“What about my hand?” Riley looked down, then remembered. Luisa gently bathed his hand as well. 

“I would also recommend you change your clothing before the Señora sees you.” Riley nodded. 

“I will. Thanks a lot, Luisa.” He slipped out of the house again. He hurried to his bunk house and changed into a clean shirt and pants. Lord! What am I gonna do? Suddenly, an idea began to form in his head. 

“Chad!” He rushed out of the bunkhouse, still buttoning his shirt. He saw Chad talking with someone and ran to interrupt. This was far more important. Chad turned to look over his shoulder just as Riley jogged up. 

“Chad! I got the perfect idea! I want to look into Procopio’s past records. Everything we’ve known about him and--”

“Riley! Button your shirt!” 

For the first time, Riley looked toward the person Chad was previously engaged with. Elizabeth Carter stood, tears tracking down her cheeks, regarding him. He felt himself blush as the tips of his ears began to tingle. He turned immediately to obey Chad’s orders.

“Sorry, ma’am.” Chad turned him slowly and pushed back his shirt revealing his purple painted ribs. 

“Any of ‘em broken?” 

“No, sir.” 

Chad eyed him, then nodded. “Mother, as you saw, Riley was beaten by them before he came here. They knocked him out, and I doubt they intended him to wake up any time soon. We are still figuring out how to go after them.” 

“But, Chad, I have an idea,” Riley re-entered the conversation, “If we can find an old relative, I could pretend to be a relative and we know he loves money, so I could take some money and get in. Then get Andi, Sammy, and Lucy out safely.” 

“What if you get some facts wrong, or he figures it out, Riley. He’ll kill you! You’re playin’ with fire, boy!” 

“I’d rather play with fire, than Andi get burned.” Riley held Chad’s gaze evenly. 

Chad heaved a sigh. “It may be our only option. Mother, why don’t you go rest, I’m sure Justin will be on his way soon. We have files to gather.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea, son. Riley, are you alright?” 

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you. I’ll get the horse saddled to go into town, Chad.”

“No, Riley, you’re too beat up. It will raise too many questions. I’m sending Mitch. The sheriff will have some files.” Chad raised a hand before Riley could argue. “Also, Justin had files that he brought here that we can be going through. I don’t like it. This is dangerous for you, but it also could be our only option.”

“I’m willing, Chad. I can’t do nothing.” 

They searched for the remainder of the afternoon. A wire came in that stated Justin would be returning early in the morning with all the files he could get his hands on. That night, after Chad had forced him to retire to his room, Riley allowed a few tears to slip out as he sent a desperate prayer heavenward. 

*****

Riley hadn’t kept track of the days since the kidnapping, he had barely slept. Everyday felt like new torture. Justin was sitting at the table drinking coffee and pouring over the files when Riley entered the house. 

“Did you even sleep last night?” Justin jumped, his head jerking up.

“Oh. Hi, Riley. Yes, I slept for a couple hours. Have a cup.” Justin nodded toward the steaming pot. Riley helped himself, then sat down beside Justin who handed him a file. He had just begun to focus when Chad entered the room, immediately going for the coffee. 

“Morning, Chad.” Justin’s greeting lacked any enthusiasm. Chad grunted in response.  He gulped down half his steaming cup before sitting down. Silence reigned for the next while, only broken when one refilled their coffee. 

“Chad! Justin! I got it! Chano Ortega! He’s Procopio’s brother-in-law. He apparently died, but he had a son! I can say I’m the son and, and--Oh! I don’t know, but it will work!” At Riley’s outburst, Chad’s coffee sloshed over the side of his cup and left a brown trail from his collar down into his pants. He slammed his cup down and stood, irritation etching a frown on his brow. 

“All I ask for is some peace and quiet! Good grief!” Chad groused as he dabbed at the stain marring his shirt. 

“Woah, Chad. Riley may be onto something. Of course, we need more details, but it could work.” Justin rubbed his hands along his week of stubble as he drifted off in thought. Chad picked up the remainder of his coffee and tilted the cup.

“Riley, Chad! It will work!” At Justin’s shout, the glass clinked loudly against Chad’s tooth. He gagged as the coffee poured out of his mouth, down his clothes, and all over the floor. The glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. Chad rubbed his lip and tooth that had taken the brunt of the hit. Justin and Riley stared, open-mouthed. 

“I’m going to change.” Chad enunciated each word through clenched teeth. Magically, Luisa swept into the room with a room and some cloths. The mess was cleaned up in a few moments. The whole while, Luisa muttered in Spanish. 

“Sleep! If you would only get some sleep these things would not happen!” 

“Sorry, Luisa. Thank you so much for everything!” Justin soothed their irate housekeeper. Suddenly, Riley heard a faint bark from outside. Am I hearing things? Wait! No! There it is again! That sounds like--Tucker? Riley bolted from the room and out of the house. Sure enough, Tucker was jumping around, yapping. His coat was mangled with burrs, and he had some open cuts. He was limping badly, but something shiny around his neck caught Riley’s attention. He fell to his knees, gathering the dog in his arms. A locket? Riley unclasped the locket from the dogs neck and opened it gently. He gasped. It was Andi’s locket. She was safe! She was alive! Riley buried his face into the dog’s fur, and for the first time, allowed his tears to flow unchecked. Thank you, God! Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

“Thank you, Lord!” Riley turned to see Justin watching him, eyes glued to the locket. 

“Tucker knows where they are, Justin! He can take us there. As much as I’d like to now, Tucker has to rest.” 

“That’s fine, we have to get our plan prepared the rest of the way anyway.” Luisa then exited the house. 

“Oh! Pobre perro!” She quickly scooped the dog into her arms and went into the bath house, soothing the dog in Spanish. 

“Yes, poor dog indeed, but he’ll be treated like a king in there.” Justin smiled. “Now come on, let’s finish this and leave early in the morning.” Chad was sitting at the table again when they entered. Justin spilled the info, and Chad was only thrilled to help out. The brothers headed into town and into Fresno bank. 

Peter Wilson, bank president, was readily willing to help after hearing everything. 

“After everything that girl has done for me, I would do anything for Andrea!” They arranged the two money bags, and they left the bank. That night, everyone’s hopes were high as they went over the plan one more time. 

“Okay, so you tell him you are Ramon, son of Chano, that he was hurt after robbing the bank five days ago. Tell him Chano told you to bring him the money. He can’t resist that. Then hang out until you find Andi, Lucy, and Sammy. Find a way to get them all out safely, and we will wait and pray for you. Let’s all pray one more time. Lord, we are asking you to guide Riley, protect him, as well as Andi, Lucy, and Sammy. Lord, lead them out of this bondage safely we pray. Amen.” 

Riley finally slept more than two hours that night, but woke up while it was still dark the next morning. Everything was prepared for him. He had a paint horse with a limp, saddle bags stuffed with the money, and clothes dirty and rumpled. Then, he and Tucker set off. He tracked through the woods, branches snagging at his clothes, and brush so dense he couldn’t see five feet in front of him; however, nothing slowed his pace as he followed Tucker. Finally, about mid day, he spotted some men. Those must be Procopio’s men! 

“Tucker! Go home, boy. Go home.” Riley gave the dog one last pat, then sent him on his way. He took a deep breath. God! Help me!  He staggered up toward the men, loudly. The men came to meet him. 

“What are you doing here?” When Riley didn’t respond, the man shoved him. 

“I’m here to see Procopio.” Riley claimed, boldly. The man shoved him again, knocking him down. 

“What is your name?” He shouted, angrily. 

“I will only talk to Procopio!” Riley returned, hotly. The other man drew back and kicked him in the stomach, hard. Riley grunted, but stood, slightly stooped. 

“I will only talk to Procopio.” He repeated. 

“Come. Stupid gringo.” The man jerked Riley along roughly. Finally, They entered a camp. Riley immediately caught sight of Andi, and everything else faded. She looked dirty and worn out, but her spirit was unbroken. He fully intended to keep it that way. He watched her for a couple more seconds before a hard shove brought his attention back to what was before him. He raised his head, and was looking Procopio the Red Handed face-to-face….

***We all know what happens next, but if you don’t, find out in Courageous Love***