E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

  "Compliments of that bloody cur of yours. I finally managed to put a bullet in him. I hope he died."

  "Sorry to disappoint you, Brad, but he's recovering quite nicely."

  "That's a shame. Enough of the small talk. Grab one of those larger candles and get up the stairs. You're going to get dressed and we're going to Black Rock."

  "Why do you want to go to Black Rock?"

  "We are going home, my dear wife. We don't belong here. Now stop wasting time and get up those stairs."

  Roxanne started up the stairs with Brad following, keeping the gun aimed at her back. She needed to stall for time, but didn't want to anger him too much. He'd probably just conk her on the head and carry her out.

  There was a silk screen in the bedroom and Roxanne stepped behind it to put on some jeans and a shirt. While dressing she tried to get him talking as a distraction to how long she was taking,

  "What do think is going to happen at Black Rock? Surely you aren't planning to try and go back through the stone."

  "That's exactly what we're going to do."

  "What makes you think it will work?"

  "You will make it work."

  "Even if we manage to get the time portal open, we have no idea where in time we may end up. We could go forwards or back too far."

  "I'll take my chance."

  "How did you meet Edie and what does she have to do with all this?"

  "Jealous, Darling?"

  "Don't be ridiculous. I'm only curious."

  "Edie's a whore, a very greedy little whore. Davidson paid her to find you and help me get you out of the house."

  "Why are you so obsessed with owning Black Rock? I have some money, but I'm not wealthy and most of the money goes back into the running of the ranch."

  "The mine, my dear. The gold mine will help bring my home back to what it once was and with Black Rock and The Wellman Ranch combined, it will be the finest in the country."

  "Black Rock Mine played out years ago."

  "I don't think so. Your grandfather only used hand tools to mine. With dynamite, much more gold could be found."

  "That's a gamble."

  "I think not."

  "Is Davidson going to send us back through the rock?"

  Brad laughed. "I don't think Davidson will be doing anything anymore."

  "You killed him?"

  "Never mind, we've wasted enough time. Come out from behind there. We're leaving now."

  There was a taxi waiting in the drive as they left the house. Brad pulled her close and shoved the gun into her rib cage.

  "Remember, if you say anything to the driver, I'll not only blow your pretty little ribs apart, but put a bullet in his head. Understand?"

  "Yes."

  Brad had the driver stop at almost the same spot that the big truck had picked up herself and Collin. After the driver had driven away, Brad motioned her up the hill. Pushing against her back with the gun to hurry her up.

  Roxanne's mind worked overtime trying to come up with something that would thwart this lunatic's plan. There was no way she was going into that rock with him. The violent storm had passed, but she could see lightening flashing over the huge black rock. Roxanne knew when she put her hands on it the portal would open. Unlike in the past, she felt no compunction to go to the stone.

  Deciding to take her chance, she took off at a run, hoping to use the boulders strewn around as cover. Brad reacted much faster than she'd expected and the bullet grazed her arm at almost the same time she heard the gun discharge. It stunned her and she fell to the ground. He ran to her and grabbed her injured arm, causing her to cry out.

  "Get on your feet and walk over to that devil rock." He gritted through his teeth.

  "Why don't I just sign the papers and you can leave me here."

  "No, you're my wife and you're coming back with me. I didn't kill your old man and go through all this for the mine alone. You belong to me.

  Roxanne stared at him, horrified. "You killed Papa?

  "Yes, and if you don't get that rock open, I'll kill you too. Now get on with it."

  He pushed her against the stone. "Go on, do whatever you did before to get the damned thing open!"

  He was standing close with the gun pointed at her side. Anger and hatred raged inside her knowing this greedy, evil man had killed her papa. Running her hands over the surface, she saw the rock start to dissolve. She had to do something before it was too late. Raising her elbow, she brought it back against his face with all the power she could muster. She managed to clip his nose. He yelled and jumped back, giving her just enough time to run for the other side of the rock. He fired the gun and the bullet hit the rock just as she dived behind it.

  "Come back here, you stupid woman. You can't hide, I'll find you and it will be worse for you when I do."

  Roxanne crawled farther into the darkness, hoping he wouldn't be able to see her. The lightning over the rock increased and Roxanne tried to curl up as small as she could, hiding her face in her arms.

  She could hear his frantic search for her and he was getting closer. Each lightning flash made it possible to see him clearly. She only prayed that hunched against the rock she'd be virtually invisible in her dark clothes. She held her breath as his foot slid on the rocky ground close to her.

  "Roxanne! Roxanne, where are you?"

  Collin? Brad's footsteps moved away and she jumped up to follow.

  "Well, well, if it isn't O'Neal. Glad you could come and see Roxanne and I off."

  "Where is she, Wellman?"

  "Oh, don't worry. She's around. The first time I tried to kill you that horse got in the way. But there's nothing in the way now. I won't miss this time."

  Roxanne looked around the stone and saw Brad raise his arm to aim the gun. There was nowhere for Collin to take cover. Running as fast as she could, she plowed into Brad just as the gun went off. Collin jumped sideways at the same time and the bullet ripped through his side. The burning pain brought him to his knees.

  Looking up, he saw Wellman dissolving into the stone. He had Roxanne by the hand and was dragging her in after him. She was reaching towards Collin with her other hand, a look of desperation on her face. Ignoring the pain he got to his feet and ran to the rock. Grabbing her outstretched hand, he pulled as hard as could.

  Roxanne could see nothing. Brad had lost his grip on her, but she was being sucked into the stone. She felt Collin pulling on her other hand, but everything was fuzzy. The misty fog surrounded her. She called out to Collin in panic.

  "Collin, please don't let go! Pull me out!"

  Collin felt himself being dragged closer and knew he was losing the battle. If he hung on he'd go through the rock. If he let go, he'd lose Roxanne. He was determined that wasn't an option. He hung on and regardless of hurting her, pulled with every ounce of strength he had remaining.

  He went flying back onto the hard earth and Roxanne landed on top of him. The lightning disappeared and the stars came out. Collin sat up and hugged her close. As they watched, the rock became solid again.

  "Roxy, are you all right?" He saw the blood on her arm and his face went white. "Damn it you're hurt."

  "It's okay, Darling, it's only a scratch. He killed Papa, Collin. I hope he rots wherever he goes."

  "I rather suspected that he had. I'm sorry, Darlin. Are you sure you're not hurt badly?"

  "You're the one who's hurt, we need to get you to a doctor or one of those modern hospitals where they work miracles."

  A man came running towards them from the hillside. "O'Neal, are you injured?" Calhoun asked.

  "He's been shot."

  "Where's Wellman?"

  Roxanne pointed to the rock. "He went through…"

  "He disappeared behind the rock." Collin interrupted her.

  Several uniformed police offers came up the hill and Calhoun started barking orders.

  "Go behind the stone and see if you can pick up his trail. One of you men call for an ambulance." He looked down at Collin and ripped off
his shirtsleeve. Handing it to Roxanne, he instructed, "Hold this against the wound until the ambulance gets here."

  * * * * *

  When Collin awoke in the hospital, Roxanne stood beside the bed with a fresh white bandage on her arm and big smile on her face.

  "Welcome back, Darling. How do you feel?"

  "Groggy. You're looking mighty spry. What are you so happy about?"

  "The doctor says the bullet went straight through the muscle on your side and you're going to be fine."

  "Well, that's good news anyway."

  "Why so glum?"

  "Wellman got away."

  "He's gone, Collin. He can't hurt us anymore."

  "That's not true, Roxy. He could come back through that damn rock at anytime. I've a mind to tell William to blow the damn thing off the face of the earth."

  "You can't do that Collin?"

  "Why not?"

  There could be hundreds of people trapped in other times trying to get back home, just as you were, Darling. You can't deny them that chance."

  "I don't care about hundreds of people. I only care about keeping you safe."

  "That's not true and you know it. You care."

  "What about Wellman?"

  "I don't want to think about Brad anymore and I don't want to talk about him. He can't hurt us anymore. And he'd be a fool to come back, the police will arrest him for killing Davidson."

  "He killed Davidson?"

  "Yes. Let's not talk about Brad anymore."

  "All right, we'll forget him for now. What do you want to talk about?"

  "Us, or maybe this wondrous hospital. It's fantastic, Collin. I've never seen anything like it."

  Collin laughed and then held his side. "Ouch, don't make me laugh, Darlin."

  Taking her hand he turned serious. "I want to talk about us too. I love, Roxanne. I've loved you since the first time I saw you, but was too stubborn to admit it."

  Roxanne swallowed hard, as the tears slipped down her cheeks. "I love you too, Collin. I've waited so long to hear you say those words."

  "Will you make an honest man of me? Marry me?"

  She smiled and started to answer, but was interrupted by a tall man entering the room. He was dressed in a dark suit and had just a touch of gray at his temples. With him was a petite redhead with a wide smile.

  "Devin! Why you old son of a gun. What are you doing here? And Maggie, you look beautiful."

  "I flew in to meet my little sister." He gave Roxanne a long look before turning back to Collin. "And Maggie never lets me out of her sight for a minute." Maggie punched his arm and Collin laughed, again holding his side and groaning.

  "The doctor says you're going to be okay. I'm certainly glad to hear it. And Collin, thank you for finding Roxanne and bringing her home."

  Roxanne moved quietly towards the door and exited the room. She didn't want to meet this handsome stranger with the warm smile. My brother, how am I to bear it. Tears filled her eyes and she raced down the corridor to the little chapel where earlier she'd prayed that Collin would be okay.

  Someone came in and sat beside her and she looked up into a pair of eyes as blue as her own. She didn't know what to say to this man, her brother.

  "Don't cry, little sis. I promise to go away and never bother you again just as soon as I have my say. Will you listen?"

  Roxanne nodded.

  "When you were kidnapped, you were too little to remember me, but I remember you. I was ten and you were my baby sister and the biggest pain in the butt." He laughed and Roxanne couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.

  "I can imagine."

  "When you were gone, I felt guilty. Like I'd done something to cause it. It took me a long time to realize that it had nothing to do with me. It was an open wound for all of us for a very long time."

  "I don't know what to say."

  "Come to lunch at the ranch next Sunday. Give us a chance. I know Dad can be an ass. In fact, he'd be the first to admit it. He's also very kind and loving. Try to understand. When you disappeared, his grief just about killed him. Then there were all the imposters. Three to be exact, all claimed to be his long lost daughter. Every time one was proved not to be, I watched that wound reopen and fester."

  "I'm sorry, but…"

  "Please, just hear me out. He became wary of anyone claiming to be Roxanne. It wasn't like that at the beginning. He welcomed the first one with open arms. It nearly killed him and Mom when she turned out to be a fraud. You know, Mom is going crazy knowing you're here and refusing to see them. She hasn't spoken a word to Dad since she found out."

  "Please come on Sunday, if not for Mom, then for me. Give me a chance to get reacquainted with you. Give me a chance to show how much I love my little sister. Please."

  Tears filled her eyes and she whispered, "okay."

  Reaching out, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle hug. Roxanne lost control and sobbed into his jacket, as he patted her back and whispered reassurance.

  * * * * *

  Driving out to the ranch on Sunday, Roxanne was unusually quiet and Collin attributed it to nerves.

  "It'll be okay, Darlin. If you're too uncomfortable, we'll just leave."

  "I'm not worried about that, Collin."

  "What then? It's not Lobo." Glancing in the back seat at the dog sitting there, he grinned. "So out with it, what's making you so quiet?"

  "It's Black Rock. This ranch was my home for my entire life. Now strangers are living here. I know they're my family and Devin is wonderful, but it just seems very strange to me."

  Reaching over and squeezing her hand, he asked if she wanted to go back and forget the lunch.

  "No, I promised I'd be there." She forced a smile for him. "It will be fine, Collin. Don't worry."

  He drove into the ranch yard and helped her from the car with Lobo bounding out and chasing around in circles.

  "He's happy to be here, at least." Collin teased.

  Roxanne giggled at the dog's silly antics and then stilled as she looked at the house. It was well cared for and comfortable looking. The passing of years hadn't changed it much at all. She swallowed back her tears, determined not to cry.

  The front door opened and a woman came across the porch to them. Roxanne gasped. It was the woman from her locket. She stopped in front of Roxanne and looked her over. Tears streamed down her pretty face and there was a hunger in her blue eyes that startled Roxanne.

  "My baby…my baby is home." She clasped Roxanne against her breast as though she would never let go.

  This was the last thing Roxanne had expected and when the woman pushed back, Roxanne smile at her.

  "Hello, are you Mrs. O'Malley?"

  "Yes, my darling girl, I am, but it's Mom to you. Come on in and meet the rest of the brood."

  She ushered Roxanne into the house and Devin stood and gave her a big bear hug. Maggie too gave her a welcome hug and a bright smile. Her younger brother and sister looked very much alike. Both had dark hair and gray eyes with a sprinkling of freckles across their noses. They both smiled and mumbled soft hellos.

  She was looking forward to getting to know them. William stood and bid her welcome, but then remained silent. Lunch was noisy with everyone asking her question after question—her favorite color, what she liked to eat and when she was going to marry Collin. This last caused her to blush and Collin laughed.

  "We'll marry as soon as I can drag her to a courthouse."

  "Oh, no you don't. You'll be married right here on Black Rock and If Roxanne will permit me, I'd love to make the arrangements." Rowena said with a happy smile.

  "That would be very nice, but it's Roxanne's decision and one she doesn't have to make right now." Collin intervened.

  Rowena grinned. "Well of course she can't decide right now in this mad house. Why the poor girl's head is probably spinning."

  Lisa smiled shyly at Roxanne. "Do you ride?"

  "Does she ride? You bet she rides. She even taught me to ride."


  "You!" Evan laughed so hard at this statement he almost fell off his chair."

  "Evan, try to contain your amusement." William admonished with a twinkle in his eyes.

  "However did you manage to get him on a horse, dear?" Rowena looked truly astonished.

  Roxanne looked around the table at the amused faces and wondered if she were missing something. "He just agreed to have me teach him."

  Devin looked from Collin to Roxanne and shook his head in amazement. "It's amazing what a man will do for love."

  Collin just smiled and the rest of the lunch passed cheerfully. Rowena made her promise to come again the following Sunday and she agreed, looking forward to it.

  "We'll have you choose a horse and go riding. Would you like that?"

  She looked into Rowena's hopeful eyes. "I'd love it."

  As she and Collin were leaving, William came out to the porch and asked to have a word with her. Collin called Lobo and they went to the car to wait.

  "Will you do an old man a favor before you leave?"

  Roxanne answered cautiously. "If I can."

  "Come over here, little girl, and let your Daddy hold you for a minute."

  Roxanne hesitated. Seeing the glimmer of tears in his eyes, she moved close and he hugged her tightly. After a moment she pushed back.

  "I need to go, Collin's waiting." She started down the steps and he stopped her.

  "Wait, please. I have no right to ask, but I'm begging you to forgive me. I know Devin got you to come today and that you only came to meet Rowena and the kids." His shoulders shook with sobs and he had to take a deep breath before he could continue.

  "I loved you so much that when you disappeared, I went a little crazy. Then when someone came claiming to be you, I thought God had finally answered my prayers. She was a fraud and that almost killed your mother and me. But, that wasn't the end. We went through that two more times."

  "I know, Devin told me. I'm sorry for that."

  "The problem was that after the last one, I lost faith. I told myself you were dead and would never be returning. I convinced myself of it. That part of me that had lived with hope, died. When Collin first told me about you, I refused to open that part of myself again. I knew if I did and it wasn't really you, it would kill me…literally."