Another Chance

Disclaimer: This story is fictional. Some of the things that happened or will happen with Jim are inspired by bits and pieces of my life. Parts of the character are fictional as well. All other characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. This is gay romance between teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their true love of each other so if that offends you, please discontinue reading. Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned. Continual reading could cause a knock at your door.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. This story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. Some people have compared my writing style to that of Mr. Todd's and for that, I am flattered. While Another Chance does pay tribute to "Riding Lessons", it is a story of its own and has its own plot and agenda. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don't hesitate to email me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com . Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help.

Another Chance

Chapter 47

Chris got off the radio and told Jim that as far as his dad knows, no one should be following them. Joe told them to hang on and he made a right turn through a snow covered field. He saw the car try to follow only to get stuck. Joe exhaled when he saw the car stop moving. Chris called his dad and told him where the car was stuck and the boys went to the ranch.

They thought about staying in the office until Archer showed up, but Jackson told them that Vince beefed up security as a precaution. Jim was walking with Chris to the horse barn and Jon came up to him. "Had another dream with your dad in it. He told me to be extra diligent when it comes to his boys. Vince didn't tell me anything of what's going on, but he told all of us to be ready for anything."

"Yeah, someone is out to hurt Joe and maybe me. There's this gay-bashing gang and I know they want Joe in the hospital before Christmas. I just don't know why him," Jim's eyes were moist.

"Are you boys planning to stick together, then?" Jon asked.

"No, Chris and I are going riding so that we can talk. Please keep an eye on Joe, he's very important to me," Jim asked as he gave Jon a hug.

As Jim grabbed Gold and Aurixi, Chris asked who the guy Jim hugged was. Jim explained in great detail of who he was and how they met. Joe was working with Sunshine when Jon walked over to him. "I hear you keep finding trouble," Jon chuckled.

"More like trouble likes to hunt me down," Joe corrected.

"Yeah, Jim's upset and asked me to keep an eye on you. I promise you, with the Sheriff Department, the Police Department, Vince and myself, nothing is going to happen to you."

"You make me sound more important than the President," Joe chuckled.

"Maybe you are, I know that you are to your family and friends, especially Jim. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were his brother," Jon kidded.

"Maybe because I am," Joe smiled. Jon smiled back.

"So, how old is this horse? He looks almost ready to start riding."

"He's seven months old. Jackson said that he's growing rather quickly, but I should still wait to put too much weight on him as his bones need to fully develop," Joe replied.

"Only seven months? I would have guessed a little older."

"Jim said that Gold grew rather quickly, too. Of course, Jim wasn't even fifteen yet so he was lighter, but he was able to start riding Gold at two and a half years of age."

"Well three years is a guideline, some horses need to be older and some can be ridden sooner," Jackson stated as he and Archer were walking towards them.

"Can you tell me anything special about the car that was following you?" Archer asked.

"It wasn't still stuck in the snow?" Joe was surprised.

"No, looks like someone pulled him out. Did you get a look at the driver?"

"He was too far back and only the thing I can tell you about the car was what Chris already told you."

"Well, thanks anyway. I have someone checking on any Nova owned in this area. Any speculation of its year, that would help," Archer was trying.

"Jim might have a better guess than I would. He's with Chris and Chris still has the radio on him," Joe suggested.

Archer called Chris and asked to speak with Jim. Jim told him what he could about the Nova and handed the radio back to Chris. Chris stuck the radio in his pocket not realizing how he placed it.

Archer heard Jim ask, "So you were raped?"

Chris looked at Jim, "Promise this is just between us? I'm not ready to tell my dad. I'm not sure how he will react." Chris started crying.

"As I keep telling you, anything that you tell me is just between us unless a crime is involved. Then I need to tell someone who can stop it," Jim explained. "I told Zac that you are safe while you are with us, so if you are being raped, I will give you until you and your dad leave before I say anything. I really want to be your friend, Chris, but being a friend means that when something bad is happening to you, I take action to get it stopped."

"I know, and I really want to tell someone, but I'm a bit embarrassed and scared," tears were welling in Chris's eyes.

"I can understand being scared. I don't know how you feel because I've never experienced what I think you've gone through. I don't understand being embarrassed though. You were a victim and that's not your fault. I'm here for you, when you're ready."

In a low tone that Archer could barely hear, Chris responded, "Yeah, I know, and thank you for being a good friend. I'll say something to my dad before we head home, I know you're right. It's just so hard to tell him. He'll go ballistic. It started about a month after we moved here. At first it was little things like he wanted to suck my penis or rub my rear. After a few months, he told me that I had to start sucking his. At first, I refused but he put his hands on my jaws just right to force my mouth open, then he had sex with my face."

Chris started crying and Archer was getting mad. He had his suspicions who did this, but he wasn't sure. He needed Chris to say who was doing this. He tried calling Chris on the radio, but since the mike on the one Chris had was keyed, Archer couldn't get through.

Chris continued, "Last year, he decided that sucking wasn't good enough anymore and he pushed his pecker up my rear. I have never felt so much pain."

Archer looked at Jackson wanting to ask if he had a horse he could use, but he didn't have a clue where Jim and Chris were. He heard Jim starting to talk. "That's because he didn't care about you. But then, if he did, he wouldn't have raped you in the first place. This has been going on almost three years? Why haven't you said something to your dad?"

"I was told that if I did, he would claim that it never happened and who would believe a kid over an adult. Especially since... never mind," Chris said.

Archer heard Jim get a little stern with his son, "No, not never mind. I'm here for you and I need to tell someone, either your dad, Wallace, or...wait. You just told me who it was."

"No I didn't," Chris refuted.

"Yes you did, when I mentioned Wallace's name, you started shaking. Your dad needs to know, Chris," Jim stated.

Archer heard his son start crying and admit that Wallace had been abusing him. "THAT SON OF A BITCH!!!" Archer yelled. Then he called the sheriff and told him about the conversation he overheard from his son. Next, he flipped a button on his radio. "WALLACE! You son of a bitch, you better be there," he spoke with vile.

"What's up Nick, you sound pissed," Wallace came back.

"You son of a bitch, I just overheard my son telling someone what you did to him. You better turn yourself in, or better yet, let me hunt you down."

"Now Nick, you can't believe everything that your son says. I swear, I never raped him."

"Bull shit or you wouldn't have known what I was referring to. And what took so long for you to drop my son off yesterday? He said that you told him to take a shower."

"That's right, he was a little dirty and..." Wallace started.

"If you're innocent, turn yourself in. And if you don't I will hunt you down like the animal that you are. The sheriff is aware of the conversation that I overheard."

Archer closed the channel to Wallace and opened the one back to his son to see if anything else was said. He heard a little rustling and then Chris's voice, "Oh crap, I accidentally had the mike keyed the whole time. Dad probably heard..." and the radio went dead.

Archer keyed his radio, "Yeah Chris, I heard and you were right, Wallace did deny it. Don't worry, I believe you and wished that you would have told me when it first started happening." Chris couldn't believe how hard his dad was crying.

"I'm sorry Dad," Chris spoke into the radio. "Jim and I are coming in so we can talk. I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, and don't ever keep something like this from me again, please. I can't protect you if I'm not aware."

"I promise," Chris said crying.

As they rode up to the barn, Archer was waiting. He grabbed Chris and hugged him tight, practically pulling him off the horse. "I hate to bail on you boys, but the Sheriff is sending another deputy out. He wants Chris and me to come in and file formal charges against Wallace. After that, we will be back out unless Chris would rather..."

Archer didn't get to finish his sentence. Chris stopped him, stating that he enjoyed being with the Bolts. Archer assured them that he and Chris would be back at the house when they were done.

Jim and Joe drove home with a deputy in tow. She told them to drive as fast as they felt comfortable so they could get home as quick as possible. Like Jim, this was Joe's first winter to be driving in, so he wasn't even doing the speed limit. The deputy pulled them over. "What's wrong?" Joe asked.

"My ninety-eight year old grandma drives faster than you and she's blind in one eye and can't see out of the other," the deputy joked.

"Sorry, I'm still getting used to driving in winter," Joe stated.

"If I take point, think you can keep up?" the deputy asked.

"What if you hit black ice and go skidding?" Joe was nervous. "Jim?"

"I am a little more experienced, but not by much," Jim offered, then looking at the deputy, "You go skidding on ice, I'm heading for the field."

With that, the deputy took point, Joe got in back to make him feel important and they had an escort all the way home. Joe looked at the speedometer a couple times and it made him nervous seeing eighty-five on the digital dash. The deputy did slow down at intersections but she didn't stop until she was at the Bolt residence.

When they got out of the vehicle, she looked at Joe, "That's how you drive."

"You are nuts! There is no way I would have driven that fast with the potential for ice on the road."

"That reminds me," she started to say, then turned to Jim, "Can I see your license and registration?"

"What?" Jim couldn't believe she just asked that.

"I clocked you in excess of eighty miles an hour. I watched you run stop signs and red lights," the deputy stated.

"You told me to keep up with you, that's all I was doing," Jim protested.

"Relax kid, I'm just messing with you. If I were serious, I would have cuffed you and frisked you. We were well over the speed limit so that would have given you the night in jail," the deputy responded with a smile. Then she told Jim to get inside and smacked him on the ass.

"I'm going up to my room to change clothes," Joe said as he started up the stairs. Jim was following him. At the top of the stairs, Jim went into his room and Joe started opening the door to his. Once his door was opened, Joe yelled out, "MOM!!! Has anyone come up stairs today?"

"No why?" Heather asked as she started up the stairs.

"He's dead, Buster is dead and his stuffings are scattered around the room," Joe sobbed.

Heather got to Joe's room and saw the body, just an empty shell. His innards literally scattered around the room. She put her arms around Joe and called the deputy upstairs immediately.

The deputy ran upstairs and looked at what was left of the body. The keenness of the cut told her that a very sharp knife was used for this. She started looking at the window. If no one came upstairs, it had to be how whoever got inside.

Joe got on his phone and called the Jones's residence. When that voice he recognized so very much answered, Joe cried into the phone, "He's dead. Buster was sliced from between his legs all the way to his head and everything was pulled out and thrown around my room."

"What? I'm not dead, you're talking to me," Buster responded.

"Someone broke into my room and gutted the bear you gave me," Joe sobbed.

"I'm coming over," Buster declared and hung up the phone.

When Buster's mom dropped him off, he ran into the house and up to Joe's room. He couldn't believe how much stuffing was in that bear. Joe's room looked like it had snowed a couple of inches inside. He wrapped his arms around Joe.

"Hey Buster," the deputy said when she came back inside and up the stairs. "That your mom that dropped you off?"

"Yeah, so what happened here?" Buster inquired.

"Near as I can tell, someone found a way to scale the wall outside. The exterior looks like a log cabin and I saw what looks like four puncture marks in each log. A crowbar or something similar was used to push the window up. You can see where the window was locked and the screws were stripped out. May I suggest you get a board cut to size, paint it to match the window frame and use that? If you do it right, it'll look natural and no one will get in again."

"Think I might do that with all my windows," Heather stated.

"That's what I do at my house. Also, the Sheriff and Archer are on their way here. Nobody touch anything. The Sheriff is having the CSI unit come out. Maybe they can get prints, DNA or some kind of trace evidence to prove who did this."

"Thank you," Heather politely responded and did her best to move the boys downstairs. They wanted to watch once the CSI guys got there to see if they really did things like on TV.

"Whoever did this is gutsy doing it in broad daylight. Sorry about your bear, kid, but rather it be that bear than you, Buster or anyone else," the deputy was somewhat sympathetic.

"Yeah, me too, but Buster gave that to me," Joe was still crying.

"I can get you another one," Buster offered, kissing Joe tenderly on the neck.

"Thanks, but it won't have the same meaning as that bear and I wouldn't want you to spend that much again without that same meaning," Joe was holding Buster tight.

"As straight as that cut is, I think I can fix this bear once the crime lab is done with it. He'll have an extra seam, but with another shirt, you probably won't notice," the deputy offered. "Would you like that?" Joe just nodded his head.

When the Sheriff and Archer got to the house, the deputy filled them in on everything. A CSI team was just a few minutes behind them. They picked up every bit of stuffing and found sharp pieces of glass on the bed waiting for Joe to lie on.

Jim looked at Archer, "Where's Chris?"

"He's still writing out exactly what that bastard did to him. And thank you for talking to him. I don't know how much longer that would have gone on before he snapped. I wish that Chris would have come to me sooner or that I would have paid better attention and noticed the signs that he was being abused."

"I think it's harder to see the signs when it's your family," Jim suggested.

"But I'm trained to see them, like at Thanksgiving, Wallace was at the house. He asked Chris to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Chris looked at him and simply said that he didn't feel like it. I sensed something was up, but ignored it."

"You never want to think something like that can happen in your own family, or at least that is what I've heard. So is Wallace in custody?" Jim asked.

"No, the bastard dumped his patrol car at the county line. Sheriff Stewart won't let me officially search for him. I understand his reasoning, but I am also glad that he's giving me two weeks off to help Chris or whatever else I may need."

"So you won't be watching my family?" Jim inquired.

"Yes, my `vacation' doesn't start until this is over. Hopefully, Wallace is behind bars by then, but if not," Archer started. Then he looked at Jim and smiled, "You're stuck with me, kid."

"I like being stuck with you. Told my mom that no one can ever replace my dad, but you start dating her, you would make a nice fill-in," Jim confessed.

"I know, she told me and I would like to maybe date her after this is all over. You have a great mom, and Chris seems to like her. I'm guessing I have your permission," Archer was enjoying this chat.

"Mind you, I'm not looking for a dad, but Joe and I will be graduating and maybe going off to school, or Joe anyway, I've already been accepted to go to school here in Cody. I know Mom has many friends who would make sure she would never be lonely, but I would really like someone who was with her. And I wouldn't get upset if I did start calling you Dad," Jim informed Archer. They watched as the CSI team vacuumed Joe's room to make sure they had everything. Joe cringed when they pulled a crusty sock from under his bed.

"This looks like..." one of the CSIs started to say.

"It is, can you put it back?" Joe asked. He didn't want to explain what he had been using that for in front of everybody. Jim smiled knowingly at Joe and Heather's eyes bugged out of her head. Buster just whispered in Joe's ear that he might have a mate to that sock. "Guess we should have gone downstairs like Mom tried to get us doing."

The female deputy asked if she could look in Jim's and Heather's bedrooms. Jim wasn't sure why she wanted to, but he gave her permission. After she took a peek in both rooms, she asked the Sheriff if she could run an errand before he and Archer went back to the office. He nodded his head and she left.

The CSIs finished up and left. The Sheriff told Archer that he was heading back to the office and would see him there after the other deputy returned. Archer nodded his head. Once she returned, Archer left and she headed up to the bedrooms with her purchase. Jim watched as she put two boards in each window to make sure they couldn't be opened from the outside. "Can't paint them until spring or summer, but now I know no one will break in again without breaking glass," she stated.

"What do I owe you for the boards?" Heather asked.

"You don't owe me anything. When I told my boss that I was going to do this, he told me to save the receipt and turn it in."

"I'll hate seeing him retire, but I'm sure his replacement will do a good job," Heather stated.

"Especially if his replacement is Nick. Everyone keeps telling him that he should run. Did you know that Stewart was the Undersheriff when the last sheriff resigned?" the deputy was telling, "The County Commissioners asked him to stand in until the election and it was an overwhelming support for him to remain the Sheriff come election time."

"How long has he been Sheriff?" Jim asked.

"He was appointed in October of 2005, but he's been doing law enforcement for over twenty years," the deputy told him.

It was almost two hours before Chris and Archer returned. Chris was clinging to his dad and looked like he was crying. "You gonna be alwhite?" Austin asked.

"Yeah, eventually. I already feel better knowing that my dad knows the secret I've been hiding," Chris responded.

"Shouldn't hide secwets, especially from dads," Austin advised.

"You are so right, little man," Chris gave Austin a smile.

"I not a man, I is still just a boy," Austin told him. Chris smiled.

"Not my place, but isn't his speech..." Archer started to ask.

"We thought so but the speech therapist said that his English is developing slower than normal because he has to speak Japanese more than half the time, being in a Japanese school. If we wanted to send him to a school that speaks English, the closest one is two hours each way. The Therapist says to give him a year and he'll probably be up to speed."

"Anata wa kuruma o purei shitaidesu ka?" Austin asked in Japanese and smiled.

"Um, what did you just say?" Chris inquired.

"He's showing off how well he speaks Japanese," Brant informed them. "He wants to know if you want to play cars."

"How do you say I'd love to?" Chris requested.

"Watashi wa shitaidesu," Austin answered.

"Did he just say a bad word?" Chris asked.

"Watashi means I or me," Austin told him.

"No, the other word," Chris looked at his dad.

"Just come on, we pway in Jim's room," Austin grabbed Chris's hand.

Saturday was upon them quicker than they realized. The boys did their work and hurried home so they could get ready for the Christmas party. Archer looked at Chris, "We were invited to this almost last minute. I hope it doesn't upset you if everyone else gets presents and we don't."

"As far as I'm concerned, being with you is my present," Chris stated and gave his dad a hug.

Once at the party, everyone was having the usual good time. Chris walked up to Jackson, "Great party, but ummmm..."

"You need to use the restroom? House is unlocked but if you just need to piss, there's a dying bush that I think most of the hands use. It's just outside the door and to the right, almost the corner of the barn," Jackson informed him. Chris ran outside and found the bush.

"Hello Chris," he heard coming from behind him as he was pissing.

Everyone heard Chris yell, "DAD, HE's..." and then nothing. Archer ran outside to see Wallace with his hand over Chris's mouth. He had a gun in Chris's side. Jim was just inside the barn and called the Sheriff Department directly. The deputy who had spent time with them answered. He told her that Wallace was at the ranch and had Chris. After he hung up, he went to where they keep the rifles the hands use locked. Fortunately, Zac had given him a key.

"Let my son go Wallace, or so help me," Archer warned.

"I know that you have your gun on you, why don't you place it on the ground and kick it over to me," Wallace ordered. Archer carefully pulled out his pistol and did as Wallace said.

"You have my gun now, you don't need Chris. Let him go," Archer demanded.

"Oh no, I do need Chris. Without him, I doubt I can make it out of the county, let alone the state. And then we can have some fun," Wallace snickered.

Jim thought about aiming the rifle at Wallace, but he didn't want to risk hitting Chris. Sheriff's cars were coming down the lane and Wallace made a mistake of taking a quick glance in their direction. Jim handed the rifle to Archer while Wallace wasn't looking. When Wallace looked back, Archer had the rifle aimed at him. "You won't fire and risk hitting your son," Wallace stated.

"I'm aimed right between your eyes, son of a bitch. And you know that I never miss where I'm aimed. I want to kill you so bad, but that would be too quick. Let my son go or I will shoot," Archer told him in a low steady voice letting Wallace know that he means business.

The Sheriff and a few deputies came to where they were having their "stand-off." Seeing that he didn't stand a chance, Wallace pushed Chris towards Archer and dropped his pistol. Chris ran to his dad and hugged him. Archer handed the rifle back to Jim and thanked him. Then he placed his arms around his son and said other than a trial, it was over. He also told him that he might want to zip up his fly.

After the Sheriff and deputies left with Wallace, the party got back underway. Jackson stood on a chair. "Well, I hope that didn't dampen anyone's spirit, I've been saving some good news that I received, so hopefully it will revive those spirits. My Dad called and said that he went to the hospital for his treatment but they didn't want to treat him anymore."

Those that have met Jack were shocked, not only by the hospital not wanting to treat him but by Jackson calling this good news. "By your faces, I'm guessing what you're all thinking. See, the hospital doesn't want to treat him because they can't find one bit of cancer. I'm not sure how it disappeared, but I'm calling it a Christmas miracle." Everyone started rejoicing.

"Now, where's my helper at? I think it's time to open presents," Jackson stated and started looking around the room. Austin started jumping up and down. "There you are. We have a lot of presents to give so why don't you grab one and I'll show you who to give it to'"

Austin grabbed a present and Jackson described the person, knowing Austin wouldn't know their names. Austin ran the present to the person Jackson indicated, handed them the present and said, "Merîkurisumasu."

"That means Merry Christmas, if you didn't understand, or at least that's what his mom told me when he said it to me," Jackson informed them.

Austin pulled out a present and Jackson thought he would need another helper since it was his. "I hand to Mom so I can open when done. I half job to do," Austin said cutely.

Chris was surprised when Austin came up to him with a present. He looked at Austin and said, "Merîkurisumasu to you" before Austin got to say it. Austin smiled.

"I think you have a new friend there," Archer told his son.

"He's a little cutie. Makes me wish I were older and married so my wife and I could have one."

"Whoa, let's not rush things, I'm not ready to be a grandpa any time soon," Archer chuckled and hugged his son. Austin brought Archer's present next.

Heather opened her present from Jackson and it was a horsehead lamp like what she got last year from Marilyn. It seems someone had let him know that one was broken. Marilyn and Vince were given a pair of tickets to watch the Dallas Cowboys play their opening game next season. Jim didn't know what to expect. He didn't owe Jackson for a horse or vehicle, and the box that Austin handed him wasn't very big. As Jim started to open it, Jackson walked over. "I hope that you don't mind, but you won't be getting a check for your car. I kind of intercepted it with your mother's help." Jim looked in the box and it was a car key. Identical to the one he already had.

"This looks like..." Jim started almost confused.

"The insurance company couldn't get you a newer car since you had the most recent model, and they refused to cover having the dragon painted on the hood. I found an identical car, same color and everything only less miles and the insurance paid for it. Lucked out that it uses the exact same key. My present is having the dragon painted on the hood again. And Danny and CJ couldn't make it out this year like they had hoped, but they covered your insurance for a year. Your car was delivered to your house about an hour ago."

"Jackson, you're the best," Jim said hugging him.

"Da best," Austin repeated as he pulled a blue toy Challenger out of his box. He saw a dragon painted on its hood and showed it to Jim. "It's your car."

"A toy version of it, isn't it?" Jim asked.

"We pway cars, you can use it if you want," Austin offered. Jim kissed Austin on the top of the head.

"Jackson, I don't know if I can accept this," Zac stated.

"Yes you can. CJ and Danny paid half, the truck is all yours," Jackson smiled.

"See, I told you. I knew Jackson would give it to you," Jim got excited.

Zac was teary-eyed, "You've given us so much already."

"Well, I've been blessed, between what my parents have given me, how much CJ and Danny have helped me, what this ranch has provided, and an unnamed financial source, I have more money than I know what to do with, so I want to share it with those I care about."

Joe was looking down and Jackson approached him, "Didn't you like your present?"

"I never received one," Joe answered.

"You didn't?" Jackson asked. "Wonder what happened to it." Suddenly Joe felt something touching his shoulder. He turned and almost jumped when he saw what looked like a teddy bear, standing beside him. It had on a sky blue shirt that said Buster. When Joe stood up, the "teddy bear" wrapped its arms around him and gave him a hug. Joe pulled the head off and gave Buster a big kiss.

"You wouldn't let me buy you another bear, so Jackson bought this costume and we got you this," Buster said handing Joe a package. Joe opened it and it was a little teddy bear wearing jeans, a green western shirt and a cowboy hat. It was riding a palomino. Joe thanked Jackson and kissed Buster. He also told Buster that he had to wear the bear outfit whenever he comes to sleep over.

Jackson walked over to see what Chris and Archer thought of their presents. "I didn't know what the two of you liked, so I'm hoping you liked what I bought for you."

"Fact that we got anything, we should be happy," Chris started. "How'd you know what size cowboy boots to get for me?"

"I know what size Jim wears and you looked a size smaller when you were standing beside him. And I knew that if I guessed wrong, I can exchange them for the right size."

"And this hat?" Archer asked.

"If you're gonna be a sheriff in cowboy country, you need a good cowboy hat," Jackson insisted.

"Somebody has been talking to you, I take it."

"To be blunt, I've heard talk, no one else plans to run because everyone thinks you should be the Sheriff. If you don't run, you are a fool. Don't get me wrong, Stewart has done an awesome job in the position and we hate seeing him retire, but everybody thinks that you are the best choice to fill his shoes."

"So I keep hearing. Not wanting to be a fool, I guess I better let them know," Archer stated. Jackson announced that Archer agreed to run for Sheriff and the whole room started whooping and hollering. Archer just chuckled.

Sunday morning, Jim and Zac were downstairs making breakfast. Chris came down wearing only shorts, "What smells so good? It woke me up."

"It's called breakfast, and if you're going to the ranch with us, I hope you plan to wear more than that. You'll freeze your butt off and then how will you sit?" Zac kidded with him.

"How long until you leave?" Chris asked.

"If Joe and your dad are ready, in about thirty minutes. If not, then Jim and Joe will be coming out when they are and I'm leaving in thirty minutes."

"You must have slept good last night. I didn't hear you tossing and turning like the other nights," Jim commented.

"Think it was the best night I've had since we moved to Cody. Can't tell you how relaxed I feel not hiding that secret and knowing he's behind bars. Honestly, though, I'm scared about when the trial comes up. I'll have to sit in that chair and tell everyone what he did," Chris started to look like he was going to cry.

"That's enough, no need to explain. Just remember, you were the victim and none of this was your fault. His lawyer may try and make it seem like it was, but you were twelve at the time he started and he's an adult. What could you do?" Jim assured Chris.

"Would you be willing to go to court with me? I may need to hear those words again?" Chris asked.

"I'm your friend, if I am able, you have my word that I will be there," Jim promised.

Chris ran upstairs and took ten minutes to dress. He came downstairs and scarfed down what was left of the food, but he was ready when Jim and Zac headed for the door. As they were walking out the door, Joe and Archer were coming out of the Bolts' house. "We were just coming to see if you were ready. Normally, you're already over here," Joe commented.

"My fault, they waited for me to get dressed and eat breakfast," Chris confessed.

"How are you feeling?" Archer asked looking at Chris.

"Best I've slept in a while, but thinking of the trial makes me nervous," Chris admitted.

"Then do yourself a favor and don't think about the trial until you have to. He knows that we have him, so he may plead guilty and not have a trial," Archer advised his son.

"Thanks Dad. So, to change the subject, when are you going to start dating Mrs. Bolt?"

Archer laughed. "Right to the point. Who says that I plan to?"

"Please, I'm fifteen, not blind. I see how the two of you look at each other. Wouldn't surprise me if you slept in her bed."

"He doesn't. I've woken up during the night a few times. Going downstairs to grab a glass of milk, he's startled me. Heard him call out your mom's name a couple of times but then I think he was introducing Mom to her," Joe informed him.

"Yeah he hasn't done that since his last girlfriend. She was so wrong for him, though. Seems when he gets attracted to someone, he starts dreaming of Mom. When I was ten, he really loved this one deputy. He was seeing her for a couple years and his dream switched from Mom to her. He really loved her," Chris was telling.

"What happened?" Joe asked.

"The Governor was in the area and someone tried to assassinate him. She took the bullet and didn't make it. Dad took it hard and resigned. Said that he couldn't work in that same office again. It was a week later that he received a phone call to come here. If he was introducing your mom..." Chris stopped when he looked at his dad.

Archer was looking down as his son related that story. "Her name was Elizabeth," he spoke softly.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't even think how telling that would make you feel," Chris apologized.

"It's alright, she deserves to be remembered just like you talked about her. Shall we head to the ranch? Chris, you ride with them and take a radio. I'm going to wait before I leave. Maybe your stalker will follow again if I'm not there."

As they were getting in the vehicle, Jim walked up to Archer, "When you love, you really love, don't you?" Archer just smiled. "I think that you and Mom deserve each other. I know that she misses Dad more than she lets on, for my sake. But ever since she met you, she's had a twinkle in her eye that I haven't seen since Dad was killed. I almost think that if you proposed today, she would say yes."

Archer chuckled. "I think we need time to get to know each other better. With Christine, I knew she was right from the very first moment. With Elizabeth, I loved her very much but felt like Christine wouldn't approve. That's why we dated for so long. Then she was killed and I put up barriers. I've had a few girlfriends over the last three years. None of them could even scratch the barriers. Then I met your mom and my barriers melted away. I had a sense that Christine was totally approving, but I want to give your mom time to know me as well as me know her. Do you understand?"

"Sure Dad," Jim chuckled as he got into the truck. Archer just shook his head and smiled.

"So, what were you and my son talking about," Heather asked causing Archer to jump.

"Us, he thinks that I should ask you to marry me right now," Archer told her straight up.

"Wow, he moves fast, doesn't he. If you did, part of me would want to say yes, but the sensible side says that we haven't even dated yet. I think we should learn more about each other, and there are things that we would need to discuss," Heather said.

"That's pretty much what I told him. Heather Bolt, I don't date unless I'm hoping to eventually marry, and I would love to date you."

"Why Nicholas B. Archer, you take my breath away. I think I like where this is heading. I better get in the house so you can head to the ranch."

Suddenly the radio started making noise, "Dad that Nova is behind us. Have you left yet?"

"I gotta go, see you when we get home," Archer said as he jumped in his car and took off. "I'm on my way. Stick to the roads and I will get behind him."

It was five minutes before Archer was behind the Nova. Zac's truck had four wheel drive so once he saw Archer behind the Nova, he took to a field. The boy driving the Nova didn't learn the first time and tried to follow. Sure enough, he got stuck again. Archer's car was a Chevy Tahoe with four wheel drive, so he was there when the Nova got stuck.

The boy jumped out of the Nova and started running. Wasn't easy running in the snow, but Archer jumped out of his vehicle and started chasing him. Archer was starting to get close when a rope flew over his head and closed around his arms. The boy kept running and a guy on a horse looked at Archer. "Why were you chasing that boy?" the man asked.

"I'm a deputy and was in pursuit of a suspect until you intervened," Archer was obviously pissed.

"OH, I recognize you now. I'm sorry Deputy Archer. I just seen a boy running for his life with a man chasing him. I didn't realize," the man offered as an apology while he loosened the rope.

"I'll let you off this time, but you ever do that again, I will arrest you for obstruction," Archer warned and then headed for his vehicle. He called the office and ordered a truck to come pick up the Nova. Then he started searching through the Nova for clues as to its owner or driver.

"Chris, Ask Joe if he knows a Ronald Snow," Archer said into his radio.

"He said no, but a new guy came to the school two months ago and is in his first class. His name is Donnie Snow. Joe also said that Donnie has always been so quiet but nice," Chris came back.

"OK, you boys go to the ranch and don't leave there until I get there. You should be safe. After the Nova is picked up, I'm going to see about picking up Ronald or Donnie. I almost had the driver, so I'll recognize him if I see him."

After the tow truck and another deputy were there, Archer headed to the address on the registration. I boy looking a little older than the boy Archer had chased, but very much resembling him came to the door wearing just a sheet around his waist. "Are you Ronald Snow?" Archer asked

"Fore I answer, jul' tell me who the hell you are?" the boy answered.

Archer pulled out his ID and showed the boy his badge. "I'm Deputy Archer and I'm looking for your brother, I believe."

"Shit, what has Donnie gone and done now? I'm Ronnie," the boy answered.

"Was he driving your Nova?" Archer asked.

"He better not've totaled it. Bad nough he got it wheel deep in snow t'other day and I had to pull him out. I told im that car was too much fer `im ta handle and he said that he slid on ice right into that field. Think it's funny though that tracks were in front of the car..."

"No, your car isn't totaled, but it is heading to the Sheriff's Department. Seems your brother might be part of a..." Archer was interrupted.

"Who was at the door and when are you coming back?" a young man about Ronnie's age, Archer guessed, came out of the bedroom totally naked.

"This here is Deputy Archer. He's looking fer Dipshit Donnie," Ronnie said. The other young man freaked and ran back into the bedroom. "That's my love," Ronnie said with a smile.

"I take it that Donnie doesn't approve of your relationship with him?" Archer asked.

"Ain't never said nothin' to me, why?"

"Are you aware that he's part of a gay-bashing group?"

"Donnie? Shit naw, I think he's gay too. He keeps a'saying that he need to git some boy in his class named Joe. I think he's in love with `im."

"Do you know where he is? Or one of his parents?"

"His parents?" Ronnie started to laugh. "The old man took off when Donnie was born, said one rugrat was too many. If he don't like kids, he should git fixed er keep that pecker in his pants. And Ma, she hung herself two months ago. Donnie moved in with me."

"I see. Have you heard from your brother in the last hour?" Archer asked.

"Shit no, and if my car is headin' fer the Sheriff's Department, I mightn't see him for a while. He knows I will kick his ass so hard he'll hafta open `is shirt ta take a shit."

Ronnie's phone rang as Archer was getting ready to say something. Ronnie put it on speaker. "Dipshit, what have you done? I have a deputy here telling me that my car is being towed."

"Some guy was chasing me, I slid on ice again and got stuck. I had to ditch the car and take off on foot. I got away from him though. I'm sorry Ronnie, I'll pay whatever to get your car out," Donnie was crying.

"Quit your fuckin' cryin', ya baby and gitchur ass home. I won't kick it lessen you make me wait."

"What if the guy looked through the car and found out where I live? I don't know if I can come home. I'm scared Ronnie."

"Fuckwad, no one is gonna hurtcha here `cept maybe me. I said gitchur fucking ass home. I give you half an hour. If I have to look fer you, you won't be able to sit down when I git done. You git me boy?"

"Fine, I'll be home in ten minutes and I hope a hundred dollars is enough to get your car back. It's all that I have left," Donnie continued crying.

Ronnie hung up and asked Archer if he wanted a beer while he went to get dressed. Archer refused the beer but did wait inside. He hoped that Donnie wouldn't notice his Tahoe sitting down in the parking lot.

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