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herself
blushing in the dim light; glad Jed could not clearly see her
flushed face.
    Thunder and lightning shook the skies and
rattled everything in the house. It was a bad one. She prayed the
livestock were safe. It was so loud she almost shouted at Jed. “How
long do you think this will last?”
    “Don’t know, but at least we aren’t caught
out in this mess.” He yelled back. Stormy was standing close to Jed
so they could hear each other over the roar of the heavy rains
hitting the roof. A loud ear piercing bang sounded as lightning
struck the fence pole at the entrance to the ranch and lightening
filled the sky. Stormy jumped and Jed instinctively reached out and
caught her. He held her tight and comforted her with soothing words
she could barely hear as the entourage of thunder kept clapping
overhead.
    She let herself revel in his arms and stayed
there for quite a long time. After a while the thunder and rain
slowed to a nice steady rain; the kind good for crops and a nice
fresh smell. The raging storm in the sky was over but now there was
a raging storm inside her; one that still needed to be
quenched.
    “Stormy, there is something I need to tell
you,” Jed started, but Stormy never found out what it was. A loud
knock at the door stopped any confessions Jed had been about to
make. Jed opened the door to find Jake standing there.
    Jake was in a hurry. “The corral was struck
by lightning and one side is on fire. We need help now.” His eyes
took in the blanket and bare chest, but said nothing for now.
    Jed threw down the blanket and grabbed the
still wet shirt from a chair. Both Stormy and Jed ran from the
house to the corral and worked together to help ranch hands save
the other three sides. Some of the horses had bolted, but when the
storm was completely over they could easily be found.
    After Stormy was back at home, she wondered
how Jake knew Jed was with her during the storm. And she also
wondered what the man she had started to trust with her heart was
about to reveal.

Chapter 11
    The weather had a chill to it, but the fields
smelled fresh after the downpour. It was almost the season to get
the rest of the fall crops brought in as well as making
preparations for the upcoming winter. As soon as the grounds dry
from the rain they should get started. Carmen showed Stormy what
needed to be done from the home front and the ranch hands would
take care of the rest.
    It was Saturday and Stormy had insisted Katy
Marie help her hang out the laundry. Even children need to learn
some responsibilities, Stormy reasoned. Although some of the
grounds were a bit muddy, the sun was shining brightly and it would
dry the clothes in no time. They were almost done with the chore
when Stormy felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She had
the strangest feeling she was being watch. If it was Jake following
her again she would soon put a stop to it!
    Katie Marie screamed. “Help. Stormy…” But
before Stormy could get around the sheets hanging on the line, she
too was grabbed from behind. She fought and struggled but to no
avail. Soon she was dragged to a horse and thrown over it. She
could see Katy Marie being hoisted up on another. Oh dear God! It
was Indians! They were being taken by Indians. She never thought
she would wish for Jake but right now she would gladly take being
stalked by him. The last thing Stormy saw was Carmen in the top
bedroom window screaming her head off. Carmen would tell Jed and
they would come get them. Yes, Jed and Jake would rescue them.
    The ride was fast and furious as five braves
left the ranch with Katy Marie and Stormy. All kinds of things were
going through Stormy’s mind and most of them were too horrible to
dwell on. She had to get Katy Marie free, she just had to.
    After a few hours ride the Indian camp came
into view. Immediately she and Katie were taken into a large tepee.
Their hands were now tied behind them and their feet bound as well.
So far Katie Marie was scared speechless