TAKING CHANCES 
                                        By Mary
Teaser:

Ned Logan rode his horse at a causal pace down the road. It was a beautiful day in Kentucky as usual as he looked around at the country side as he rode. Even though the Jockey Club had voted in his favor for breeding of his Andulsian or "Spanish Stallion" horse, there was still quite a bit of opposition to it. Megan Boone had warned him of the threats that were being made against him by some of the horse farmers in the area. "Lexington is a good and quiet town" he had said to Megan, but she was still concerned about the things she had heard in town. Ned believed what Megan had said, but had buried it in the back of his mind. A fact that he may soon wish he had not.
 
 

The story:

Ned had said good-bye to Megan Boone after an enjoyable lunch with her. He always enjoyed her company and she was no doubt a beautiful woman and smart woman. She had expressed great concern about the rumors that were going around town over their lunch. "You remember what I told you Ned. I will keep my ears and eyes open for anything new" were Megan's exact words to him. These were his thoughts as he climbed upon his horse to head home. It was around 1 p.m. and there was still work to be done before supper. Ned knew there was truth to what Megan had told him. He knew that some of the horse farmers were upset about his wanting to breed the Andulsian or "Spanish Stallion" horse and that threats were made, even though the Jockey Club had voted in his favor. He also knew that most of the farmers and the good citizens of Lexington were in his favor.

"Jeremy, you're supposed to be helping me with the hay wagon today by the south gate". Sean was waiting impatiently by the stable for Jeremy. "I'm coming". Jeremy didn't want Sean to know he had been with Alice in the stable grooming Chicory. He said his good-bye to Alice and ran out to meet Sean. It was around 1 p.m. when Sean and Jeremy headed out to work near the South gate.
Sean knew in his head that Marita would be leaving the farm today via the South gate because she was stopping at a friend's house on the way home, so he had planned to work out by the South gate. It would be no problem to excuse himself for a few minutes from the work and Jeremy to walk Marita to her friend's house or at least part way. The thought of spending some time with Marita brought a smile to his face as he mounted his horse and rode on ahead of Jeremy and the hay wagon.

Ned rode along the road that led out of the town that would eventually lead to the South gate of his farm. His attention was drawn to two men on the road up ahead of him., one of them seemed to be hurt. Ned quickened the horse's pace and came upon the men. He got down from his horse and approached the men. "Do you need some help?" Without turning from the fallen man, the other man leaning over him spoke to Ned "Yes sir, my brother was thrown from his horse". Ned came up behind the men to see what he could do to help. Ned felt an arm grab his shoulder. Before Ned could react, the other man's foot was in his abdomen bring Ned to his knees. The third man hit him across the face and Ned fell to the ground. Two of the men dragged him to his feet and they continued their assault on him. "We feel that you need a little encouragement to change you're mind about breeding your Spanish Stallion horse". Ned felt the blows to his abdomen and to his head. He thought he felt a rib crack. He was only half conscious when they finally let him fall to the ground and he laid on the ground on his stomach unable to move. The men kicked him a few more times in the side, but Ned didn't move. He knew at this point that if they thought he was unconscious or dead that they would stop their assault. "That should make him change his mind" the one man said. "If this doesn't change his mind, he has those two daughters, especially the older one, that we could use to help change his mind". The men all laughed and pushed Ned into the high grass just off the road, chased his horse off, and got on their horses and rode away. Ned laid there wanting to scream "no, don't hurt my daughters", but he couldn't. He tried to remember anything about the men he could and he willed himself to stay alive and survive this horrible attack for his daughters' sake. Those were his last thoughts before he lost conscious.

It was round 3 o'clock when Sean saw Marita coming towards him near the South gate. "Jeremy, I'll back in a little bit. I need to talk to Marita about some business". Jeremy watched as Sean ran to the road to walk beside Marita. He could see there was an attraction between the two of them. He also knew that society would never accept them as a couple and Sean's involvement with politics would only make things worse.

Sean came up beside Marita on the road. "May I walk with you at least part way to your friend's house?" Marita smiled at him. He was such a handsome man. Whenever he was around, he always made her feel better and made her heart skip a beat or two. She didn't realize he was talking to her until he lightly touched her on the arm. "Marita, are you okay?" "Yes, I'm fine Sean. I was just thinking about something, it's not important". Sean gave her a puzzled look and then repeated what he had just said to her. He very much wanted her opinion on what to do about a situation in town that was brought to him to help resolve. For awhile they walked and talked together. They were enjoying their time alone together without having to worry about someone seeing them or picking up on some sign that might give them away. After about a half an hour though, Marita new she had to pick her pace to get to her friend's house. She had promised she would be there to help her friend, Susan, plan her wedding. "Sean, I think you should probably go back now. Susan's house is maybe only another ten minutes away." Sean nodded in agreement knowing that Marita right". He looked around to make sure no one was around and then quickly took her in his arms and kissed her. She enjoyed being in his arms if only for a moment or two. Before she wanted it to end, he had let her go and he himself had turned to go. She stood there awhile and watched as he walked at a quick pace back towards the field where he was working. Marita started to walk backwards so she could watch Sean a little longer. Because she was not watching behind her, she walked off the road and into the high grass and tripped over something in the grass.

Sean was walking quickly back to the field to meet Jeremy and finish up work for the day. He hated leaving Marita, but he knew in his heart she was right. He was lost in thought when he heard her screaming his name. He turned and like a shot was running back full speed to her. His heart was in his throat thinking something had happened to her. When he came upon her, the sight in front of him was nothing he could have imagined. Marita had her shawl off and was holding it over the deep gash on the side of his father's head and his right hand was twisted at the wrist at an unnature angle. Marita stared up at Sean and spoke unsteadily "I tripped over...over him". Sean stared down at his father. "Sean, Sean" Marita was calling him. The sound of her voice got his attention and got him moving. "I'm going to get help. We'll need a wagon to get him back to the house. Don't let him move Marita, please". Sean turned and ran towards the field as fast as he could.

Ned was vaguely aware of a pressure on his head. He tried to speak. "Mr. Logan, please try not to move. Sean went to get help." Ned knew the voice. He knew it was Marita's. He knew he had to get tell her. She had to warn Alice and Lexy. "Alice and Lexy, you have to help them, Marita". Ned tried to think clearly to talk clearly, but he couldn't. His head hurt so bad. He knew Marita had heard him. He lost consciousness again knowing that Marita would help his children.

Jeremy saw Sean running in the distance and knew instantly something wrong. He dropped his pitchfork and ran to meet him. "Jeremy take my horse and go towards the house. Isaac should be in the fields with the horses and he will probably be the first person you see. Tell him I need help on the road to town via the South gate and then ride into town and get the doctor". Jeremy hesitated only a moment with a questioning look in his face. "It's my Pa Jeremy, he has been hurt". Jeremy jumped on Sean's horse and rode for the house. "Hurry Jeremy, hurry Jeremy". Sean jumped on the wagon and headed back to help Ned. He pushed the horses as hard as he could and prayed that his father would live.

Isaac and Clay were working with Gauntlet. The big race was growing closer and Clay wanted Gauntlet to be ready. Isaac had said something and they both laughed out loud. Isaac spotted Jeremy riding hard and coming towards them. "I wonder what this is about" Isaac said to Clay and Clay shook his head and stepped away from Isaac and headed towards Jeremy. "Jeremy what's wrong, why are you riding Chicory so hard?" "Clay, it's your Pa! He's hurt! Sean sent me to get help. He said he would need help lifting him into the wagon. He said to tell you they are on the road that leads to town via the South gate. I'm going to town to get the doctor and bring him back to the house". Jeremy was gone before Clay could say anything. Clay jumped on Gauntlet and headed to help Sean with his Pa. Isaac ran for his horse and started out after Jeremy.

Marita sat beside Ned. He was going in and out of consciousness. She knew this was a good sign. He kept mumbling Alice's and Lexy's names. She looked up when she heard the wagon coming towards her. Sean pulled the wagon to a stop beside them. "How he is doing?" Sean said fearing what Marita would say. "Sean, he keeps mumbling Alice's and Lexy's names." "I sent Jeremy for help. We have to wait until Clay and your Pa get here to move him. I don't want to further any internal injuries he may have." Sean willed Clay and Isaac to ride faster. The cut on his father's head looked terrible. He knew that it might easily become infected with him lying in the dirt and grass. He had no idea how long his father had laid here like this, but he was going to find out. He was going to find out who did this to him and why. Sean knew his father would never hurt anyone on purpose and he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to hurt him. At the sound of galloping hoofs, Sean stood up and waited for Clay followed by Isaac, quite a distance behind, to come to a stop. Clay dismounted from his horse and stood in disbelief. Sean grabbed him by the arm. "Clay, come on. I know how you feel, but we don't have time for this. He needs our help now!". Clay moved forward as did Isaac. The three of them gently lifted Ned into the wagon. He was mercifully unconscious so he wouldn't feel the pain. After Ned was securely in the wagon, Marita got in the back of the wagon with him. Sean grabbed the reins and pushed the horses as hard as he could towards the house.

Alice was overseeing dinner with the house servants. She knew the family would be coming soon for dinner and Pa should be back shortly from town. Actually, she thought he should have been home by now. Marita had left early to go to a friend's, so she would not be here for dinner. She had gone to set the table when she heard the fast approaching wagon. She headed towards the window to find out what was going on. She saw Clay riding Gauntlet, Isaac on his horse, and Marita riding in the back of the wagon. She knew immediately something was wrong. She headed for the front door to open it. "Oh my God! Sean, what happened?" "I'm not sure Alice, but I sent Jeremy after the doctor and we got to get him upstairs". They carried Ned up the stairs into his bedroom and onto his bed. Alice quickly ran to get some water and began wiping away the blood on Ned's head. She was afraid to do much else until the doctor arrived. Sean gently grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the side "Alice, where's Lexy?" "She's out playing with a friend. I'm not exactly sure where." Sean sighed and nodded. "I'll send someone out to look for her." Jeremy ran up the steps and into Ned's bedroom with the doctor behind him. Sean nodded to the doctor and he quickly began his work. Jeremy volunteered to go out and find Lexy and bring her back. Sean nodded and stood quietly in the corner of the room with Alice waiting for the doctor to do his work. The doctor finally turned after a few minutes and spoke to them "I'm going to need to put stitches in his head where the cut is. He has several cracked or broken ribs, but no puncture of either lung as far as I can tell, which is very good. His right hand is broken and I believe his right shoulder has been dislocated. I can't tell yet if there is any pressure on the brain. I believe you said he has been in and out of consciousness?" Sean nodded in agreement. "That is a good sign. I think he will be okay if he rests. I'm going to start the stitches now. I will need to wait until he is awake before I can relocate his shoulder. I believe he may have hurt his left leg also, although I can't be positive of the injury. I don't feel any broken bones, but the knee is swollen. He may have just sprained his knee. " Sean nodded again and the doctor turned to begin stitching Ned's head.

Alice and Sean proceeded downstairs to inform the rest of the family of Ned's injuries. The family was relieved to hear that he was going to be okay with proper rest. The front door open and Lexy ran in followed by Jeremy. Sean explained again Ned's injuries to Lexy and reassured her that he was going to be okay. Lexy was so scared the last time their Pa was hurt after the accident with the horse when he was unconscious for days and he didn't want her to be scared that bad again. "Can I see him?" Lexy asked. "Not yet, the doctor is working on him right now. When the doctor is done though." Sean knelt down and hugged Lexy. They were all quiet for a long moment and then Isaac spoke. "Marita, Sean, what happened?" Sean and Marita both started to speak at the same time, but Sean won out and told the story. Isaac shook his head. "There's one other thing that Sean didn't say that I think is important" Marita took a deep breath and continued. "He asked me to help Alice and Lexy and he kept mumbling their names". That caught Isaac's attention. "Honey, did he say anything else? Please, it's important that you remember." She thought for awhile. Her mind flashed back to that terrible moment of seeing Ned lying there on the ground. "No, I don't remember anything else, but that. He did, however, sound desperate. Once I told him I would, he seemed more calm." Isaac nodded that he understood. The doctor came down the steps and addressed them. "I put in the stitches. I would like to stay here tonight to watch over him. He is starting to wake up. He is going to be in a lot of pain, especially because of his ribs. I would like to relocate his shoulder when he is a little more aware of his surroundings. I also don't want to give him anything for pain until I get his shoulder relocated." They all said nothing until Lexy spoke. "Can we see him?" The doctor thought for a moment before speaking. "Yes, it will do him good." Jeremy, Alice, and Lexy went up to see Ned. Isaac had asked Sean and Clay to stay behind a minute.

Jeremy, Alice, and Lexy walked into Ned's room quietly. Ned was sleeping peacefully. His head was bandaged where the doctor had put the stitches in and his hand was in a splint along with his ribs wrapped. They sat down beside him, but did not talk. They wanted him to know that they were there for him. Ned began to stir slightly. He sensed the presence of his children. He opened his eyes and saw his daughters. He thanked God they were safe.

"Sean, Clay, I think your father was trying to warn Marita to watch over Alice and Lexy." They both stared at Isaac with questioning looks. "Look, someone obviously did this to Ned out of revenge for some reason. He was not robbed, so that only leaves revenge. I think that the men who did this to Ned threatened to harm your sisters". Sean and Clay looked at each other and then at Isaac. They knew that he was probably right. "We need to find out who would do this and why. Can you think of anything Ned would have done to hurt someone?". Neither one of them answered, but Isaac got his answer from behind him. "I think I know what's going on". Megan Boone was standing behind them. "I heard what happened in town and came right out. How is he?" They explained Ned's condition to her quickly and she nodded". "Why do you think this happened?" Sean asked almost hesitantly. He couldn't think what his father have did to deserve this. He was little bit afraid to hear the answer. "I told your father that there were threats made against him and that some of the horse farmers were against his breeding of his stud horse from Spain. I told Ned this before he left town today. He didn't seem to take me seriously. He thought the citizens of Lexington were too good for this kind of behavior." They were all silent again for awhile. Clay thought back to Asa Winters and how the distraught farmer had shot him because of William's mistakes at the bank. "Your father is a good man and would not intentionally set out to hurt anyone." Sean had anger in his eyes. This is the second time this particular horse had caused injury to his father. Sean knew it wasn't the horse's fault. "Where are you going Sean?" Clay put an arm on his brother's shoulder. "I'm going to town to see what I can find out. In the meantime, Isaac I think you and Marita should stay here tonight. If your right about Alice and Lexy, they need to be with someone at all times until we find out who did this to Pa. When Pa is fully awake, maybe he can tell us more." Sean turned and walked out.

Marita watched Sean go out the front door. She had heard the conversation and knew he was angry. She followed him out the front door. "Sean, please be careful and don't, don't do anything stupid. Your father needs you and I need you.'' Sean took the chance and hugged Marita on the front porch of the house. He didn't care right now what anyone saw. He needed to feel her in his arms and also to reassure her that it will all be okay. He held her for a long minute and then mounted his horse and headed towards town.

Ned was now fully awake. With the help of Clay and Isaac, the doctor had relocated his shoulder. The doctor was ready to give him some morphine when Ned stopped him. "Wait doctor, please give me a few minutes. I need to tell them what happened." The doctor nodded and left the room. Megan, Jeremy, Alice, Isaac, Clay, Marita, and Lexy were all present when he told the story. He told them what Isaac had figured out and what Megan had told them. He told them how this was supposed to be "encouragement" to him from breading his stud horse and that Alice and Lexy could always be harmed, especially Alice, if he continued with the breeding. Lexy spoke first. "I don't understand why people are mad at you." Ned tried to start to explain, but it was beginning to hurt too much to talk. He couldn't breathe deep without experiencing severe pain. "Isaac and Clay, please explain it to Lexy". They nodded and Alice went for the doctor. The doctor gave Ned the morphine and a sedative to help him sleep comfortably. After a few minutes, he was asleep. Alice said she would stay the night with him and call the doctor if there were any changes. The rest left the room and Alice sat down in the chair and watched her father sleep.

Clay and Isaac took Lexy downstairs while Marita got Megan and the doctor settled for the night in guest rooms. Isaac spoke first. "Lexy, there is the potential for the Andulsian to produce a horse that will win the Kentucky Derby. Some of the farmers can't afford to pay the stud fee for this opportunity, so they are going to try to stop your father anyway they can. As you know the Kentucky Derby is worth a lot of money and prestige and some people would do anything for those two things including hurt people who they felt stood in their way. Do you understand?" Lexy nodded and felt very sad. "Why are people like that? Pa bought the Andulsian fair and square, he worked hard to get where he is today. Don't people realize that! Don't people realize that he would help them if they asked him!" Lexy didn't mean to scream, but she was frustrated and angry. She turned and ran from the room. Clay and Isaac looked at each other. Isaac patted Clay on the back as he left the room to wait on the front porch for Sean.

Isaac was sitting on the front porch for a good hour before Sean finally returned home. Sean had put his horse away and walked up on the porch and sat beside Isaac. "Your father confirmed our suspicions about what happened. Did you find out anything in town?" Sean took a deep breath and shook his head no. "I'm not giving up. I'm going to find out who did this Pa". Isaac nodded his head in agreement. He understood how Sean felt. He was just as angry also about this, but Isaac knew there were other things to worry about. "Sean, we need to protect your sisters." Sean once again nodded again. They talked for a few minutes and then went back in the house together to tell the family of their plan to protect Alice and Lexy.

Ned's sleep wasn't easy. He was reliving the attack all over again in his sleep until the final blow to his head and he would wake up. Ned knew part of the problem was the morphine the doctor had given him. Even with the morphine, his rubs still hurt as did his head. He was awake now. Something was bothering him about the attack. His mind flashed back to the attack. There was something familiar about one of the men, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. He knew it wasn't anyone from the Winters clan. Vivian was running things now and she was too much of a lady to sink low enough to physical violence and she wouldn't let her man, John Turner, do it either. Besides, the Winters had enough money that they wouldn't feel threatened by the horse breeding at Logan Farms. "How are you feeling Mr. Logan?" the doctor quietly entered the room, so quiet in fact that Ned didn't hear him. "I've felt better doc!" "Are you in much pain?" "Only if I try to move" Ned said with a slight laugh. The doctor readied another shot of morphine for him and gave it to him. Ned gladly accepted it.

"Until we find out who did this, Alice and Lexy go no where by themselves. I want someone with them at all times." Alice stared at Sean, but did not object. She knew he was right. He didn't have to remind her of what happened to their father and the threat made against her and Lexy. The family was silent for a few moments and then Alice broke the silence. "I think we should all try and get some sleep." Clay and Sean both agreed and everyone left the study except Sean and Marita. Sean stood looking at the trophies and family pictures and sighed. Marita put her hand on his shoulder. "Sean, there was nothing that could have been done to stop this, you know that don't you? Megan tried to warn him." "I know Marita" was all that Sean said. They stood there silently for a long time hand in hand.
 
 

"I understand that you took care of Mr. Logan". The two men nodded. The man standing in front of them did not look happy. "I told you to deliver a message to him. I don't know say beat the man half to death and threaten his children!". One of the man spoke "We did what you asked. If you don't like the way we do things, you should have gotten someone else to help you. You paid us to stop Logan from breeding that horse and we will do that. Remember this, you are as guilty as we are for what is being done to the Logans! If we go down, you'll go down with us!" The two men walked out the door of the house. The man stood there alone. He could feel the blood draining from his face. His hand shook as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. Things had gone terribly wrong. He never intended for this to happen. He never wanted children threatened or Ned Logan physically hurt. He had gotten himself into a bad situation with no way out that he could see without harming himself. He didn't want to see anyone get hurt, but he certainly was not going to himself get hurt either.
 
 

Ned was trying to get out of bed the next morning. His shoulder and arm and hand hurt badly, not to mention his head and ribs. He found it hard to take a deep breath because of the pain. "Pa what are you doing?" Ned was halfway out of bed when Alice caught him literally. She laid him back down on the bed and called for the doctor. He no choice but to lay there and wait. The doctor entered the room and once again prepared to give Ned more morphine. "No doc, I can't". "Pa, you have to. You have to rest". "Alice, I can't lay in bed while someone is threatening my family. Furthermore, I have no desire to become a morphine addict". Alice was winning the argument only because the pain in his ribs was becoming more severe. "Give him the morphine, doctor!" "No" screamed Ned "I don't want it." Alice was fuming at this point and Sean, Clay, and Lexy were standing at the door. "Fine Pa, that's just fine! If you want to hurt yourself, go right ahead! After all, we don't need you, just like we didn't Ma after she died!" Alice pushed past her brothers and sister and stormed down the steps. Ned closed his eyes. His head hurt even more now. In the end, Ned lost the battle over the morphine and got another injection. Twenty minutes later, he was sleep again.
Jeremy was waiting for Alice at the bottom of the steps. Alice knew why Jeremy was there. She knew he had volunteered to watch over Alice whenever she went. This was fine with Alice. This would give them a chance to spend some time together. Alice looked at Jeremy and stormed out of the house with Jeremy right behind her. "Alice, will you slow down! I heard what happened up there. Actually, everyone in the whole house heard." Jeremy laughed a little in an attempt to get Alice to calm down. She stopped her walking and looked at Jeremy. Tears streamed down her face and he took her into his arms. All of the emotion of the last 24 hours that was building up inside of Alice had finally come out. Jeremy held her while she cried. He waited until she was settled before he spoke. "Alice, try to understand. Your father isn't the kind of man who can sit back and do nothing, especially when it comes to his family". Alice nodded her head in understanding and began to cry again. Jeremy did the only thing he could do for her, he held her again.

It was agreed that Clay would stay at the house and continue his training of Gauntlet, but more importantly keep an eye on Alice and Lexy, with Isaac's help. Sean rode Megan into town and dropped her off at the newspaper. "Sean, I will find out what I can. I will see you later this afternoon". Sean wanted to stop at the Jockey Club before heading to his office. He knew the news of his father's attack would be all over town already and he wanted to know what was being said.

The man sat alone at a table drinking his whiskey. He did not sleep well last night. He was up a good part of the night trying to find a way out of the situation he had created by hiring those men to take care of Ned Logan. Several of the members of the Jockey Club remarked earlier that he did not look well. He could imagine what he looked like now when he looked up and saw Sean Logan enter the bar area. He watched as Sean stopped to talk to a few men. He watched as he sat down to talk with Colonel Harry Griffith.

"How is your father doing Sean?" Harry had patted Sean's shoulder" "He's doing okay. Thanks" "Sean, I don't know what to tell you. I know some people were unhappy about the horse breeding, but the Jockey Club voted in his favor. I can't see anyone here getting upset enough about to want to hurt Ned or your sisters." Sean nodded and stood up "Someone here obviously is unhappy about it. Good day Colonel." "Sean, I have people asking questions. I want to help you find out who did this to your father. Your father is my friend." Sean smiled and quietly said thank you and left for his office.

The man breathed a sigh of relief when he say Sean Logan leave the Jockey Club. He waited for a moment and went over to the table where Harry Griffith was sitting and sat down in the seat that Sean Logan had just left empty. The man spoke to Harry Griffith as calmly as possible. "Did Sean say how his father was?" Harry regarded the man a moment. Something in the man's tone of voice put Harry on guard immediately. "Sean said he was doing okay. He also said that the men who attacked Ned threatened to hurt his daughters if he continued with the horse breeding." The man swallowed hard. He had to keep his composure in front of Harry Griffith, but he had to know if the Logans knew of his involvement in this. "That so, is he going to continue with the horse breeding?" the man said. Harry nodded his head and told the man that, as far as he knew, Ned was still going to breed the Andulsian. "Well, I hope they keep a close eye on Alice. I wouldn't want to see anything happen to her since she seems to be their next target if Ned doesn't stop the horse breeding." The man said sincerely. The man finished his drink and then stood up to leave. "When you see Sean again, give him my regards and tell him how very truly sorry I am about Ned". The man left and Harry looked after him. Harry sat at the table for a moment and thought and then stared after the man in disbelief. He needed to see Sean right away. He now had a pretty good idea of who had attacked Ned. He had to tell Sean of his suspicions and why he suspected Bonner James, the editor of Megan Boone's newspaper of being the man behind the attack on Ned.
 
 

It had been about four hours since the argument with her father and Alice felt terrible about the whole thing. She only got so angry with him because she cared so much about him. She knew there was no sense in trying to talk to him until the morphine had worn off again. Alice went and sat beside her father's bed as he slept.

Colonel Griffith knocked at the door of Sean's office and waited. "Colonel, that was quick, I just talked to you about a half an hour ago." Harry closed the door and locked it and then sat down across from Sean. Sean looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. "Colonel, what is going on here?" Harry took a deep breath and began. "Sean, I think that Bonner James is behind what happened to your father. Before you say anything, I want you to hear me out. Bonner came up to me after you left the club and we talked. Sean, he knew about the threat to your sisters. He particularly mentioned that Alice was next and that you had better keep a close on her." "Harry, Megan was at the house when we talked about this and probably heard us talking about it." Harry nodded in understanding. "I'll give you that, but Sean it sounded like a threat to me and he was very nervous. Sean, I think I'm right about this. If I am right, there something else that you need to consider also." Harry hesitated for a moment and then continued. "Sean, if Bonner James is behind this, it is possible that Megan Boone may be a part of this also." Sean sat back in his chair. He tried to take in what Colonel Harry Griffith was saying, but just couldn't believe it. Sean felt anger building inside of him. The thought of Megan even being involved in this whole thing, someone whom both he and his father trusted, made the fire glow brighter. Sean closed his eyes trying to control himself. "Sean, I know this is shock, but you must keep in mind that Megan could be totally innocent. Bonner was also very anxious to know if your father had planned on continuing with the horse breeding." Sean swallowed hard. He knew the Colonel was right. "What do we do Harry?" "We need to find out first if Megan is involved in what happened to your father and if she has anything to gain by your father not breeding the Andulsian. We also need to find out if Bonner has anything to gain by the same thing. I think, Sean, that we should confront Megan Boone in front of your father to see what her reaction is." Sean once again nodded. "Okay, tomorrow evening. I'll invite Megan out to dinner at the house. Pa should be up and around by then." "Fine, I'll see you tomorrow night then. Try to stay calm in the meantime and don't mention any of this to anyone. Take care Sean". Sean buried his head in his hands after Harry left. He willed himself to stay calm.

Ned woke up in the early evening. This was the best he had felt since the attack. Doc Owens had just entered the room with a present for Ned. "Mr. Logan, you are looking better. Come tomorrow morning, you need to get up and get moving, carefully." I want to you to use this cane until that knee feels better." "I guess I don't have a choice." The doctor smiled at him and began his examination. Ned grunted responses to the pain that the doctor was causing, especially in his chest. "Mr. Logan, I definitely think it is safe for you to get up, but take it easy. It's going to hurt to take deep breaths or laugh especially for awhile with those broken ribs. No horse riding obviously for at least a month." "A month! No way Doc, I can't do that! I have a farm to run." "Ned, if you try to get on a horse before that time, you could easily displace one of the fractured ribs and puncture a lung and die. That is as honest and simple as I can put it." "I'll make sure he doesn't get on a horse!" Alice was standing behind them at the door waiting patiently for the doctor to finish. "Good Alice, your father needs looking after evidently. I'm heading for home now. I think your father is out of danger now and, if you need me, send for me." "Yes, thank you. Clay is downstairs and he'll be happy to see you out." The doctor put his hat on, tipped it slightly to Alice, and left. Ned and Alice both started to speak at the same time. They both chuckled a moment and then Alice began again. "Pa, I'm sorry I got mad at you earlier over you not wanting to take the morphine. It's just after the last time when you wouldn't wake up, I was afraid we were going to lose you again if you did something you weren't supposed to do." Ned padded the side of his bed and Alice sat down beside him. "Lexy, you might want to come in and hear this too." Lexy slid into the room and sat down beside her sister. "Ladies, I am a stubborn man, sometimes too stubborn for my own good. When you become mothers someday, you'll understand. Nothing is more important in this world to me than you children. I can't lay here when I know someone wants to hurt one of you. Now, I will do what the doctor asks because I love all of you and I want to be around to see my grandchildren." Ned kissed each of his daughters on the forehead and they left his room. A sudden flashback hit Ned as he ran his hand through his hair. He knew one of the men's voices. He was sure of it.

Marita was helping Alice with the breakfast dishes. By 8 a.m., the whole family had eaten and Alice had taken breakfast up to his father. For the past two days, Alice had not been allowed to go anywhere by herself and she accepted that. Most of the time, Jeremy was her guardian and she especially like that, but this morning Jeremy went into town early with Sean to deliver a dinner invitation to Megan Boone for this evening. Marita must have been thinking the same thought as Alice, but she spoke it. "Sean was very quiet when he came home late last night." "I don't like when he is quiet like that, it usually means he is stewing about something." Both women laughed and continued their work.

Ned was slowly getting out of bed with Isaac's help. No man could ask for a better best friend than Isaac. They had shared many happy times together and sad times. The times were more happy than said though. Ned wondered if Isaac worried about the relationship that was developing between Sean and Isaac's daughter. Ned knew that Isaac was as easygoing as they come and thought of Sean like a son, just as he thought of Marita like another daughter. Ned didn't have the courage to ask Isaac if he could accept their children's relationship if it bloomed into a full blown relationship. Ned himself had mixed feeling about the relationship. He knew what would happen to his son's future if this relationship happened. He knew this society would never accept an interracial relationship, but he knew he could and he knew his family would. These are the times that he missed his deceased wife, Libby, even more. With Isaac's help, Ned was dressed and taking his first steps with the cane the doctor had left for him. It still hurt to put pressure on his leg. His right shoulder was still in the sling and his hand in a well secure splint. They would both be probably immobilized like this for at least six weeks. He was lucky the doctor told him only a month with no horseback riding.

It had been a busy morning at the newspaper and Megan's editor, Bonner James, did not come in today. Megan looked up from her desk to see Sean Logan and Jeremy Bradford entering the newspaper office. "Sean, Jeremy what brings you two handsome gentlemen to my office?" Jeremy blushed a little at Megan's comments. He was embarrassed that someone of Megan Boone's stature thought that he was handsome. Sean, on the other hand, showed no response. Megan sensed the seriousness of Sean and knew something was wrong. "What I can do for you Sean?" "Megan, we would like to invite you to dinner at our house this evening. Pa is feeling better and we are going to have a little celebration." "I would love to come Sean." Sean smiled a cool smile at Megan. "Good. I'll send Jeremy for you at 8 o'clock". "That will be fine. I'll see you both later then.". Sean tipped his hat and he and Jeremy left. Megan watched the two men go. There was definitely something wrong with Sean, maybe he found something out about the attack on his father. Megan brushed off the thought for now and went back to her work.
 

Marita was waiting for Sean and Jeremy when they got back from the newspaper office. "How is everything going here?" Sean asked while extending his arm to Marita so they could walk. "Your father is still giving Alice a hard time, but I think it does them both good." Sean and Marita both laughed because they both knew how stubborn a Logan could be. "Your father is having a hard time walking with a cane not to mention not being able to be on a horse for at least a month." They laughed again and walked until they were far enough away from the house where no one would see them. Sean wanted very much to tell Marita the truth about the dinner invitation to Megan, but Harry was very adamant that no one no until tonight. He stopped walking and turned and hugged Marita hard. He needed to be near her right now, after all she was the only one he could talk to.
 

Ned had made it down the steps and was greeted by a kiss from Alice. "Pa, it's so wonderful to see you up and around, even if it is slow." Ned nodded and smiled at Alice. "Alice, what is going on here? It looks like you are preparing for a special dinner." "Pa, Sean invited Megan Boone and Colonel Griffith to dinner this evening and you know that Megan has her eye on you." Ned nodded and smiled again at the thought of Megan. He had his eye on Megan Boone also and he thought this be the perfect opportunity tonight to express his desire to further his relationship with Megan. "I'll be in my study for awhile going over some papers. When Marita gets back, tell her I would like to see her so we can get started on some changes that will need to be made." Ned walked gingerly towards his study and sat down in his chair. He was going to need Marita's help more than ever now because of the broken hand. It was going to be a long, long few weeks he groaned to himself.

The day went by quickly at the Logan house. Marita and Ned had drawn up plans of how things at the farm were going to be handled while Ned was so called out of commission. He was dressed and sitting in the study again when Megan and the Colonel arrived. Alice had shown them into the study where they had drinks while waiting for dinner to be served. Ned crossed the floor and kissed Megan lightly on the cheek and pulled out the chair so she could be seated. He offered Harry a cigar and all of them got comfortable. "Well Ned, you look good as could be expected for what happened." Ned nodded and chuckled. He tried to look presentable, but the sling and bandage around his head made it difficult. "Thank you Harry and you look very well yourself." Sean entered the study and poured himself a drink. He looked directly at Megan with cold staring eyes. Megan sensed the tension in Sean right away as did Ned and this immediately concerned him. He had never known Sean not to like Megan. Megan was instrumental in helping Sean at his new job and finding the specialist in head injuries to help him after Ned's accident with the Andulsian a few weeks back. Alice entered the study and announced that dinner was served. The gentleman allowed Megan to go first and Ned had asked Sean to stay behind a minute. "Son, is there something wrong or something on your mind?" Sean did not answer right away and Ned knew that there definitely was something wrong with his oldest son. "Sean, I saw the look you gave Megan when you entered the room. Now, I'll ask you again, is there something on your mind that you would like to discuss?" Sean looked at his father with an almost pleading look on his face. "Pa, can we talk about this later. I want to tell you what's going on, but I can't right now. Pa, we will have to talk later." Ned stood there a moment longer and watched his son leave the room.

"The dinner was wonderful Alice and the company was wonderful as well." Megan had enjoyed herself here tonight. Ned had a wonderful family and he had done such a good job with his daughters since his wife died. Megan occasionally looked across the table at Sean and Harry Griffith talking. Whatever was bothering Sean, Harry Griffith knew about it and maybe even had a part in it. Megan, however, didn't have to wonder much longer because the time had come for Sean to make his announcement. Sean stood up from the table and addressed his family and friends. Everyone had stopped their separate conversations to give Sean their full attention. Marita looked at her father questioningly and he shrugged his shoulders. Sean took a deep breath and looked directly at Megan when he spoke. "Megan, I'll be blunt with what I'm about to say. We have reason to believe that your editor, Bonner James, was part of the attack on my father and I also have my suspicions that you might have been in on it. Is there anything you would like to tell us?" Megan sat stunned looking at Sean, as did everyone else at the table except for Colonel Griffith. Megan looked at Ned, who sat there looking as stunned as everyone else, and stood up from the table to face her accuser. "Sean, what are you talking about. I would never do anything to hurt your father and just because Bonner works for me and may be involved in this doesn't mean that I am. How could you stand there and accuse me of doing this! What brought you to this conclusion." It was now Harry's turns to stand up. Ned sat at the table seemingly unmoved by what was going on around him. "Megan, I did some checking on Bonner and you and I found out that you are one of the financial backers for Bonner at his farm that would lose quite a bit of money in stud fees because of Ned breeding his Andulsian." Megan could not believe what she was hearing nor could she believe the look on the faces of the Logan family. "The farm that Bonner is running was my father's. Besides being a doctor, my father raised horses just like half of the families in this town. Yes, I am a backer of Bonner's because I retain an interest in what used to be my father's farm, and I will lose money if people bring their mares to Ned, but I would never do anything to hurt Ned or this family! You forgot that I was the one who warned Ned about the threats!" "Where did you that information at Megan?" Sean spoke in an even voice as approached Megan. When Megan did not answer right away, Ned got up from the table. He knew that things could quickly get out of hand. Sean slammed his fist on the table and screamed at Megan. "How did you know that Megan!" "Sean, that is enough! Settle down now!" Ned was now standing between Sean and Megan, afraid of what might happen because of the anger building in Sean, but Sean was not going to be stopped. "Since you won't answer the question, I'll answer it for you! You knew because you were the one who said it and you set my father up!" "I didn't do this to your father and, as far as answering your question, I'm not exactly sure where it came from. I have reporters who pick up things all the time and tell me what they here, but I will find out who said it. What brings you to the conclusion that Bonner or I are involved?" "Bonner spoke to me at the Jockey Club the other day and he seemed very nervous, like someone who was in a lot of trouble." Harry was his calm self when he spoke to Megan. He had already come to the conclusion that they were probably wrong about Megan being involved. "He knew specifically that Alice was the next target when no one but this family and me knew it. Everyone knew that a general threat had been made against the Logan daughters, but not Alice in particular." Megan closed her eyes and once again couldn't believe what she was hearing. Someone had specifically threatened Alice and the Logans believed she was behind it. Megan suddenly felt very sad inside and then realization hit her too. "I didn't know either that Alice was specifically threatened, but I swear to you I have nothing to do with this. I'm going to prove it to you anyway I can." Megan left the room and headed for the front door. Ned asked Isaac to go with her and take her home because he needed to talk his family. A very real and frightening thought had entered Ned's mind.
The whole family gathered in the Ned's study. They all winced as they watched Ned slowly sit in his chair and groan unconsciously a little bit with the pain. Harry Griffith had stayed behind to offer his opinion about Megan. Ned rubbed his eyes, his shoulder and hand were hurting, and he was tiring very quickly. "Sean, I think we are wrong about Megan. I believe that Bonner is involved , but I don't believe Megan is. Did you see the look on her face when I mentioned about Alice being threatened in particular. The realization that Bonner was involved had sunk in and she also realized at that point why we think she was involved. She didn't act like a guilty woman to me." "I have to agree Harry, Sean. Megan was visibly upset when she heard about Alice. Now I know you could probably come up with some very good reasons to explain it, but I feel the same way as Harry." Ned let his words sink in with his family, but he also knew that Sean may not be swayed so easily.

Alice was growing tired of Jeremy following her around all the time. She very much cared for Jeremy and liked being with him most of the time, however, she missed having time to herself to work in the garden or go riding. It had been almost a week since the attack on her father and all had been quiet. The horse breeding was continuing as scheduled with no problems. Jeremy was sitting on a bench in the garden watching Alice cut some flowers to put on the table for dinner. Alice glanced over at Jeremy and he smiled back. "Jeremy, lets go for a ride, after all it's such a beautiful morning."

Bonner kept looking back at Megan's office. When she came in this morning, she was very quiet and immediately went to her office and closed the door. He finally decided that it was time to find out if everything was okay with her. Megan heard the knock at her office door and felt a quick moment of dread. She knew it would be Bonner wondering why her door was closed. She mentally kicked herself for doing that, but she needed the privacy to think about all that was said at the Logan house last night including how to prove her innocence and how to handle Bonner. "Come in Bonner, I know it's you." "Megan, I was just wondering if everything was okay. You have your door closed and that usually means something is wrong." "No, nothing is wrong Bonner, I was just thinking about my father and the farm. How are things going with the farm?" Bonner was taken back by the question. Megan never asked about the farm, not since she sold the majority of it to him years ago." "Everything's fine with the farm, why do you ask?" "Like I said, I was just thinking about my father and how much he loved the horses. Being a doctor was his first love, but horses were definitely his second." They were both quiet for a few moments and then Bonner excused himself to get back to work and closed the door to her office again. Once her door was closed, he leaned against the door and closed his eyes. This situation was getting worse and worse. He now was strongly suspicious that Megan knew something was wrong and it would only be a matter of time before she asked to see the books on the running of the farm. He willed himself to stay calm and not panic. Megan didn't know anything yet.

Megan closed her eyes when Bonner left her office. There was no doubt in her mind the Bonner was part of the plot against the Logans and that he must be in some kind of trouble to let things get this far. She willed herself to remember who was the first one that told her of the threats against Ned. It had to be Bonner, she thought, because they usually have breakfast together and she remembered hearing it in the morning. Megan left her office and left the newspaper without saying where she was going. She didn't want Bonner to know that she was heading to see Ned Logan.

Ned was getting around better, although he was quite upset with the allegations against Megan. In his heart, he knew that Megan was innocent, but proving that to his family may be a little bit more difficult and his family had to accept Megan if his plans were going to move forward. The fresh air felt good to Ned. He was feeling much better physically today, but still wanted to be careful to not cause any more injury to himself. He watched in the distance as Jeremy and Alice went horseback riding. He found himself a little bit jealous because he couldn't ride a horse right now, but he headed for the stable to talk to Isaac.

Jeremy was having a hard time keeping up with Alice. He may have competed in a horse race once, but she was still the better rider and Jeremy knew that, as did Alice. Alice knew the countryside better than Jeremy and knew she could easily lose Jeremy up around the next bend on the trail and that is exactly what she did. Alice slowed her horse when Jeremy was out of sight. She needed just a few minutes to herself. Jeremy couldn't find Alice anywhere on the trail they were on. He went off the trail searching for her, but still couldn't find her. Panic was setting in and he headed back to the house in order to get help to find Alice.

Alice came through the trees and ended up on the South road back towards the house. She knew that Jeremy would be mad as well as her father for doing what she did, but they would just have to understand. Alice was so lost in thought that she didn't hear or see the three men come up on her from behind. One of the man grabbed Alice around the waist and put a hand over her mouth so she couldn't scream. "Your Pa should have heeded the first warning we gave him." The men laughed as she struggled to break free from the man holding her, but couldn't. One of the men got on his horse and the other man handled Alice up to him. Alice continued her fruitless struggle as she was forced on the horse. The man kicked and the horse took off galloping. They rode down the road and back again at the fast pace. Alice tried not to be afraid but, the more they rode and the faster they rode, the more afraid she got. The man stopped the horse again in front of his friends. "That's enough messing around, let's get this over with. Logan was warned what was going to happen if he didn't stop the horse breeding so let's do it." Before any of them could do anything to Alice, a wagon came up the road at the men quickly almost at an out of control pace. The other two men got on their horses and the three of them started to ride away. One of the men was not paying attention to what was in front of him and hit into a tree branch. He was thrown from his horse and landed hard on the ground. He laid there dazed as the wagon pulled up to him. The man's friends had stopped and headed back towards the wagon, as they were not going to leave their friend behind. Megan got down from her wagon to check on the man who lay on the ground . He was a young man, but she couldn't make out his face because of the bandana he wore around his face. The voice, however, when he mumbled sounded familiar. She knew that the other men had Alice still. She looked up to see the men riding back towards her and to see Alice thrown by the man from the horse and hit the ground. Megan jumped back her wagon and headed towards the Alice and the two other men turned around and rode for the woods. Megan knew it was a distraction to give their injured friend time to gather her senses, but she had to help Alice. Megan pulled her wagon up beside Alice and jumped from it, landing beside Alice. She saw blood on the ground beside Alice's head and placed her hand underneath Alice's head. Ti feel for the wound, which she found. She also found a rock on which Alice must have hit her head on when she hit the ground. "Alice, can you hear me, it's Megan Boone! Alice! Alice!" Megan had helped her father with enough of his patients over the years to know that Alice probably had at least a concussion if not a more serious head injury, but only time would tell that for sure. Megan heard galloping steps behind her and saw Mr. Timothy Barnes, one of her reports, stop behind her. "Tim, I need your help getting her into the wagon." Tim nodded and helped Megan carry Alice to the wagon and gently placed her in. "Tim, go to town and get Donald. Tell him Alice Logan has suffered a head injury and is unconscious. Tim nodded that he understood and was gone. Megan headed her wagon towards the Logans feeling very scared for Alice. She now knew how Sean felt when he was bring his father back, no wonder he was so angry.

Ned and Isaac saw Jeremy riding hard towards them with no sign of Alice. Ned's heart went to his stomach when he saw him. Jeremy pulled to a stop in front of them. "I can't find Alice anywhere, we...we were riding and she just took off." Ned didn't say a word, but instead headed to get his horse. "Ned, where are you going?" Isaac ran after Ned and stood between him and his horse. "I can't stand here and do nothing when....when something could have happened to Alice." "Ned, you're not going to Alice any good if you hurt self again trying to find her. I know it's hard, but you have to stay here." Ned spoke calmly. "No, I'm coming with you to find her." The two men stood there for a moment and then finally Isaac stepped aside because he knew he would do the same thing if it were one of his children.

Marita and Sean were walking hand and hand until they came to what had become their private spot. These meetings were becoming more frequent, maybe too frequent. Someone would surely start to notice them being missing so much, but he didn't care. He needed to be with her right now. He needed to feel her reassuring him and that everything was going to be okay. They sat on the ground in their spot and she held him as all of the emotion of the last week that he had inside came out.

Ned was getting ready to mount his horse when they heard the wagon coming towards them. "Pa, that looks like Megan Boone. Why is she driving that way?" Clay didn't wait for Ned to answer and started out for the wagon. Clay came up beside the wagon and saw Alice lying in the back as they headed for the house. Megan continued towards the house and Clay went towards his father. "Pa, it's Alice. She's in the back of the wagon and she hurt." Ned didn't say a word , but headed straight for the house. He walked as fast as he could, ignoring the pain in his leg and ribs.

Isaac and Clay gently carried Alice up the stairs and to her room. Megan quickly went to work to help Alice until the doctor could arrive. She felt her abdomen for any signs of internal injury and checked her pupils for dilation just like her father had taught her to do. She felt and saw no signs of internal bleeding or brain bleeding, but she was not a doctor and she would wait for him before she said anything to the Logans about Alice's condition. Ned sat on the bed beside his daughter and realized that all he could do was wait. "Ned, I'm sure she is going to be okay." Ned didn't respond or take his eyes off his daughter. He held the towel over the cut on the back of her head with ice in it as Megan had instructed and did not say a word. A half hour later, Dr. Donald Owens came in the room and began his examination. He came to the same conclusion that Megan did, that Alice would be okay and that she had a concussion besides the cut on the back of her head. "Once she wakes up, keep her away for awhile. When she falls back asleep, wake her every hour for the next 10 hours to make sure she is okay. I'll stay the night again to check on her first thing in the morning." Clay nodded that he understood and said that he would see that someone was with her all the time. Ned finally addressed his family that were present in the room. "Lexy, will you stay with your sister for a little bit. I'll see the rest of you in my study." Ned kissed Alice lightly on the head and then Lexy on the cheek. The family assembled in the study and Ned closed the door. Now, that he knew Alice was going to be okay, Ned's temper flared and he turned on Jeremy. "You were supposed to be with Alice! Why weren't you with her!" Jeremy took one to many seconds to answer. "I trusted you to watch out for my daughter and you let this happen!" Clay stepped between Ned and his father, afraid of what his father might do. "Pa, calm down, it's not Jeremy fault." Ned glared at his son, but he heard him out. "Pa, Alice lost Jeremy on purpose because she wanted to be by herself. Alice knew that he couldn't keep up with her and that's why she did it. It hasn't been easy for her this past week you know, between what happened to you and the threats, she was probably pretty frustrated." Ned backed away from his son and sat down in his chair. Everyone left the room except Megan. She came over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. "Ned, this isn't your fault either." Ned grasped one of Megan's hand and gently kissed it. "Maybe it is my fault, I should have stopped the breeding and this wouldn't have happened." "No Ned, that is not who you are and Alice wouldn't have wanted you to stop either. If you would have stopped the breeding, what kind of message would that have sent to your children? It would have sent the message that these kind of people can get away with this kind of thing because we let them. You did what you had to do and your children understand that and you will also." Megan kissed him on the cheek and left the room. She closed the door and turned to see Sean standing in front of her. "Excuse me Sean, I need to go and talk to someone." "Megan, wait a minute. I believe I owe you an apology, can we please talk." Megan nodded and they went into the dining room. Sean pulled out the chair and Megan gladly took the seat. "First of all, thank you for helping Alice today and I'm sorry I accused you of being involved in this." "Sean, in case you haven't noticed, I care very much for your father and, like I said the other night, I would never do anything to hurt this family." Sean smiled and nodded . "What made you change your mind, Sean." "In one word, Marita. She saw before I did that you care for Pa and she pointed out some things that I missed the other night." Megan stood up from the table, nodded, and patted Sean's arm. "You be sure and give her a kiss for me." Megan gave Sean a reassuring look and Sean understood. "Sean, I was on my way over here to talk to your father who in turn hopefully would talk some sense into you. Anyway, I talked to Bonner today and I think you and Harry are right. He seemed very nervous and just about fell over when I asked him how the farm was running. I think he is in financial trouble among other things. I think he hired those men to do this to your family to stop Ned from breeding the Andulsian because he needs the money that Ned is taking away from him. One of the men that attacked Alice today was hurt, so we may know soon enough who one of them is because he is going to need a doctor." Sean listened carefully to what Megan was saying and agreed with her. "It's late Megan, why don't you stay the night." "Thank you Sean, I would like that and I would like to sit with Alice for awhile." Sean nodded again and Megan went up the stairs to Alice's room.

The next morning, Alice was feeling awake and feeling better. Dr. Owens had checked her one last time and headed to his office. Megan had a message waiting for her that Bonner would be out of town until tomorrow on a story for the newspaper. Megan silently cursed to herself at the timing of Bonner leaving town and also hoped that he hadn't left for good. Ned came up behind her and kissed her on the cheek. "I just came down from checking on Alice and she seems to be back to her old self, although she is still obviously upset about what happened yesterday. We talked a little bit about it and she assures me that she will not leave this house without someone being with her." "That's good Ned...I have decided to confront Bonner when he gets back. He is out of town on newspaper business, I hope." Ned escorted Megan into his study and they sat down. "I'm not sure that is a good idea. If he is behind this, there is no stopping him from hurting you or getting the people he hired to hurt you. No, if you want to confront Bonner, I want to be there with you." Megan nodded just as a knock came at the door. Tina, one of the downstairs servants brought a message and gave it to Ned. "It's from Dr. Owens, it seems that Bonner's son came to see him this morning with injuries he sustained when he fell off his horse yesterday. He wasn't clear about the horse accident and seemed very agitated. There were also two other men with him that he never seen before that brought him in." Ned folded the note and placed it in his pocket. "They definitely sound like the men who hurt Alice yesterday." Ned agreed as his temper once again flared. "Megan Boone, may I escort you back to town. I think we will go see the sheriff."

Alice was sitting up in bed holding Jeremy's hand. "Jeremy, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I thought it would be okay and I wanted some time by myself." "I can understand you wanting to spend some time alone, but I wish you would have told me and not just lost me like you did." "Was Pa really made at you?" "He was at first, but Clay calmed him down and he understands. Hopefully, this whole thing will be over soon."

Marita and Sean were in the tobacco barn sharing a few stolen moments without the worry of someone seeing them. They knew it was almost lunch time and that the workers would be going for lunch. "Pa told me that he and Megan were going to the town to see the sheriff about Bonner. It seems that his son showed up at Doc Owens this morning after falling off his horse and he was with two other men that he didn't know." "Do they think those are the men that attacked your father and Alice." "I think so and now it's just a matter of getting Bonner and his son to admit to it." They sat in silence for awhile just holding each other. Marita wanted to bring up the idea of telling their fathers about their relationship, but now was not the time. She decided that she would wait to discuss it until the danger had passed, although she hated to keep things from her father. "I need to get back to work, your father and I are working on the books. I want to get a good start on them before he gets back from town." Sean helped her up and they left the tobacco barn together.

After Ned and Megan left the sheriff's office, they had lunch at the hotel. Ned was walking better and with less pain. He still wore the sling on his arm and shoulder to protect the fractured hand. The bandage was off of his head and the stitches would probably come out in a few days. Getting up and sitting down were still painful though and he did them carefully. He enjoyed Megan's company very much and his feelings for her were growing more and more each day. He liked the idea of courting her and he now had serious thoughts of asking for her hand in marriage. The sheriff had agreed to wait until tomorrow to talk to Bonner's son and his friends, so they could do nothing but wait until Bonner arrived back in town. While they ate lunch, they made plans to confront Bonner and have the sheriff arrest Bonner's son and his friends at almost the same time. After lunch was over, Ned escorted Megan back to the newspaper. They kissed good-bye and Ned headed back to the farm.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was uneventful at the Logan house. Everyone was quiet through dinner, knowing that tomorrow could bring an end to this situation and all of their lives could get back to normal. Ned wanted to tell his family about his plan to propose to Megan and asked all of them to join him in the study. Marita and Isaac had stayed for supper as they did quite often and also joined the Logan family in the study. Ned stood behind his desk and addressed his family. He looked at the faces of the people he cared most about in this world and was proud of each and everyone of them. "I have something to tell all of you and I hope you will be accepting of the idea. I have decided to ask for Megan Boone's hand in marriage." Ned waited for his family to react. All of his children took their turns hugging him and expressed their approval as did Marita. Isaac shook his hand and slapped him on the back. "I know this is going to be quite a change for everyone and...." Alice spoke before Ned could finish. "Pa, we all like Megan and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we'll do our best to accept her and make her part of our family." All nodded or mumbled agreement and Ned nodded back and sat down. "When are you going to ask her?" Lexy asked as Ned pulled her onto his lap. "I think maybe tomorrow Sweetie." Lexy hugged her father again and went to help Alice clear the dinner dishes. Ned sat in his chair relieved. He knew it was not going to be easy for his family to adjust to Megan being part of this family, especially for Lexy, but he knew it would work out."

The next morning, the family once again ate in silence. They all knew what Ned was going to do today and each one wanted to go with him. Ned had decided that Sean and Clay would stay here and continue their daily routines, that Lexy was not to leave the house today for any reason, and that Alice and Jeremy would go with him to town to buy supplies while he and Megan confronted Bonner. Ned figured that Alice would be safest in town around a lot of people while shopping for supplies and it would help Alice mentally to be doing something rather than just sitting in the house doing nothing. Although Sean and Clay didn't like their father's request, they would do as he asked.

Megan was waiting outside of the newspaper for Ned when he pulled up in the carriage with Jeremy and Alice in the back. Ned was a handsome man on any given day, but today he looked exceptionally handsome. Ned brought the horse to a stop in front of Megan. "I just came from the sheriff's office and he and his men picked up Bonner's son and his two friends this morning. Bonner's son told the sheriff that Bonner should be back soon, if he wasn't already there. The sheriff is questioning them now and will let us know what he finds out." Megan climbed into the carriage and they headed for Bonner's place. Ned no longer had to worry about Alice being safe, so he agreed to take her and Jeremy with them out to Bonner's place. They rode in silence until they reached the farm. Ned helped Megan down from the wagon as well as Alice. The four of them went to the front door and Megan knocked. "Bonner, it's me, Megan, are you here? The front door slowly opened and Bonner was standing there. Ned felt himself flush with anger at the site of the man who had caused so much trouble for his family. Bonner swallowed hard at the sight of Ned Logan standing at his front door. He had not seen Ned since his hired help had attacked him and he never figured that he would have to face Ned Logan. "Why don't you all come in and wait in the living room." "Ned and I would like to have a word with you in private." Bonner nodded and headed for his study. "I want you and Alice to stay put and Jeremy, if anything happens to us, you take Alice and leave. Do you understand me?" "Yes sir." Ned escorted Megan into Bonner's study and closed the door, leaving Alice and Jeremy staring after them. Alice looked around the big room. She looked at the furnishings in the room that were in need of dusting and the swords on the wall. She saw the rifle over the fireplace, which was a standard in every home. Jeremy extended his arm and they sat down on the chairs and waited.

Megan waited until Ned closed the door before she began. "Bonner, I want to see the books. I suspect that this farm has been losing money. Am I right?" Bonner poured himself a drink and sat down at his desk. He knew now that it was all over and that Megan knew what was going on at the farm and what he had done to the Logans. It was now Ned's turn to speak. "The sheriff arrested your son this morning and the men you hired to attack me and threaten my daughters." "My son had nothing to do with this." "Yes he did Bonner. He was one of the men who attacked Alice Logan yesterday and got hurt when he ran into a tree branch trying to escape." Bonner slammed his fist off the desk and Ned took a protective stance in front of Megan. "What proof do you have that it was my son!" "I recognized his voice as did Ned when he attacked him. It took awhile for Ned to finally place the voice, but he did this morning at the sheriff's office. Why did you do it Bonner? If you needed help, you could have come to me!" Megan's voice was filled with disappointment and sadness that her friend and editor could do such a thing. Bonner looked at the both of them and opened the top drawer of his desk as he spoke. "Ned, I wanted them to send you a warning and that is all, but I never thought that they would do what they did to you or threaten your family. That was not my intention, I just needed you to stop breeding your Andulsian. If you would have stopped breeding your horse, I could have made enough in stud fees to keep this farm going. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way and I have nothing else left to lose." Bonner pulled out the pistol he kept in the top drawer of his desk and pointed it at Ned. He walked around the desk and stopped in front of him. "What are you going to do Bonner, kill all of us. I thought you were a respectable man, a decent man who wouldn't hurt woman and children." "I am Ned under normal circumstances, but when you are a man down on his luck and have nothing to lose, things change." Bonner brought his knee up into Ned's stomach before Ned could move. He doubled over and Bonner kicked him again in the side in the ribs that were already injured, bringing him to the floor. Ned let out a scream as Bonner kicked him again in the side while he laid on the floor. Ned laid on the floor withering in pain from Bonner's assault. He knew he was all but helpless to stop Bonner from killing him or Megan, but knew he had to try. Bonner stood over Ned pointing the gun at him.

Alice and Jeremy both stood up when they heard Ned's scream. "Jeremy go into town and get the sheriff." "No Alice, I'm staying with you and helping your father. You stay here!" Jeremy opened the door to the study and stopped. When Bonner saw the door opened, he aimed the gun at the door. "Hold it right there son." Bonner looked at all of them for a moment and then pointed the gun back down at Ned. "If any of you move, I shoot him right now." Megan and Jeremy didn't dare make a move, knowing full well that Bonner would do it. Bonner continued to point the gun and Ned" "Do you know what you have done to me Ned! You have ruined me!" "You ruined yourself Bonner!" Ned snarled back at him. The pain in his ribs was starting to ease a little bit, but he still needed to buy time to stop Bonner. Bonner was completely gone now. Everything good about him was gone. Ned had to make his move soon in order to save Megan, Jeremy, and Alice, but time ran out before Ned was strong enough to move. "I am sorry about this Ned." Bonner cocked the pistol and moved his finger towards the trigger, but his finger never made it there. A shot rang out in the room and Bonner looked down to see blood coming from his chest. At the site of the blood coming from his own chest, he dropped the gun on the floor. He looked up one last time at Megan and then fell to the floor. Megan bent down beside Ned and grabbed Bonner's pistol. "Ned, are you okay/" Ned nodded and asked Megan to help to his feet. Meanwhile, Jeremy had taken the rifle out of a stunned Alice's hands, unloaded it and laid it against the wall. Jeremy caught Alice before she fell to the floor and held her as she cried. Jeremy did his best to soothe her. "It's alright Alice, it's over, it's over." Ned knelt down at his daughter's side and kissed the back of her head and cried with them. It ripped his heart out to see his daughter like this and he knew what Alice was going to face in the coming days with dealing with taking another person's life, no matter what the circumstances. Megan had confirmed that Bonner was dead and said that she would go for the sheriff and send a message to the rest of Ned's family letting them know what is going on. Jeremy helped Ned and Alice to their feet and led them out of the study and into the living room, Jeremy then went back to the study and closed the door.

Megan arrived back with the sheriff and his men approximately an hour later and they took care of Bonner. Dr. Owens looked at both Alice and Ned and gave instructions for Alice to be taken home immediately and put to bed. He gave her a sleeping powder to help her sleep. Dr. Owens had rewrapped Ned's ribs again, but Ned rejected the morphine the doctor had wanted to give him. Dr. Owens said he would stop by his home later and administer the morphine, fully understanding why he had rejected it now. Jeremy had taken Alice back home and Ned told them he would be there as soon as he could. The sheriff told Megan and Ned what Bonner's son had told them about his father hiring the two men to frighten Ned into stopping the breeding and that he paid them well to do it. Bonner's son confirmed what they already knew, that Megan was not involved in this. Megan knew that the sheriff asking this was part of his job and did not take offense. The sheriff assured Ned that no charges would be filed against Alice for her killing Bonner then Ned shook the sheriff's hand and Megan helped him get to his feet. It was Megan's turn to extend her arm to Ned and he accepted. Megan smiled at him and they headed towards the carriage for home.

With each passing day and week, Alice slowly returned to her normal self. There were some days when she would hardly speak and Ned knew that was all part of the process of healing. He and Alice had talked quite often about what happened that day, a little over a month ago, at Bonner's place, but he knew that only time would heal the wound that this had caused. He had seen it too many times during the war and had been a part of it, unfortunately. Jeremy and Alice grew even closer still during this time and Ned was in agreement with the relationship. Jeremy was a good young man and, although he had his share of problems, he finally felt that Jeremy was on the right track to make something of his life. Ned and Megan continued to see each other and Ned knew that he had put off long enough asking for Megan's hand. He sent a message to town for Megan to join him for dinner this evening, which she accepted. The dinner was lively with the whole Logan family present, including Marita and Isaac. After dinner was finished, Ned and Megan went into his study. He got them both drinks and he tried to settle himself down. He placed his drink on the desk and took Megan's from her. He grasped both of her hands as he spoke. "Megan, you look absolutely beautiful tonight and I have something I want to ask you." Megan looked into his hands and knew what he was going to ask before he did. She smiled at him and he proceeded. "Megan, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Megan smiled at him and simply answered him "Yes, it would be my honor." They kissed for a long moment before the door to the study came crashing open. Clay, who had accidently turned the handle, was the first who crashed to the floor followed by the rest of his family landing on top of him. Ned and Megan laughed at them as they untangled themselves. Once they were all on the feet, Ned spoke to them trying his best to contain his excitement. "Well, as you all very well know by now, Megan has agreed to marry me." The whole family offered them their congratulations and began the celebration. Ned told them to go ahead and that he would be along in a moment. He picked up Libby's picture from its spot on his desk and stared it. He would always love her and no one would ever change that, but he loved Megan also. He somehow knew that Libby approved of Megan. He knew that Libby would always have a part of his heart, but Megan was now in his heart also. Ned put down Libby's picture and joined his family and friends in the celebration. The future was going to be good to him and his family, he just knew it.

The End.
 

Note: This is the first fanfic story I ever wrote and I hope everyone liked it. Please send your comments to me at krista@usaor.net. I want to thank my best friend, Donna, for her help with this story. Thanks------Mary