People can Change

Ch. 1

Scott leaned forward doing his best to hold onto the saddle. He had gone back to his Uncle and Aunt's ranch hoping to patch things up with them, only find himself running the last two and a half years trying to stay alive. He wanted to go back to Juliet but knew if he went to her they would both likely to end up dead from a bullet from one of his relatives' gun. It was that thought that kept him from running back to her.

Looking back on his past, Scott sighed in regret about the lengths he had gone to achieve what he thought he needed. After he left Stockton he couldn't shake the desire to want what the Barkleys had. Some might think he was crazy to think like that, because he was quite wealthy, but he wasn't thinking about their land or their money. He was thinking about the warmth, love, closeness and courage they all had, especially Audra.

It was her loyalty to her neighbors and her courage that got him to thinking. It was then he decided he needed to look at things differently and set goals, ones that helped him to start, slowly, changing his ways. The path had not been easy, but he had done just that; changed.

It was after he'd turned his life around that he'd met his wife. However, they'd kept quiet about their marriage out of fear his uncle who disliked the two of them together. The only reason he could think of was that his uncle hated the fact that Scott had changed and didn't want believe in the same things that he had, all his life. If his Uncle knew he and Juliet had wed... Scott shivered as he did his best not to think about what the man would do if he found Juliet. His uncle had a big dislike of Juliet, though neither Scott nor Juliet knew why. She had helped Scott out in a lot of ways, and now his goal was to do his best for her, Catalan, and the child she had been carrying when he left. Perhaps that's what his uncle despised so much. That for once in Scott's life he was happy and something else was the centre of his universe.

Scott took his hand away from his side and saw the blood was once again oozing from his side. He looked up then blinked as he found himself looking onto the old familiar pasture. He fast realized he was close to the Barkley's ranch.

Sighing he turned left to where he knew the road was. As much as he knew he needed help he didn't think they would welcome him into their home; especially after what he had done. Still, in his condition, what choice did he have? All he could do was hope. Even if it ended up being the place he would die. If he did, he knew the Barkleys were good people and would at least let his beloved Juliet know of what had become of him.

Scott moved slowly forward and soon found himself on the road. Taking one last look back on the place he once was welcomed at. At the last minute, he decided he couldn't go there, not back there and look at the faces he had betrayed. That being the case, Scott turned his horse in the opposite way away from the Barkleys ranch and started down the road.

Heath and Nick had been delayed in town, but instead of waiting out the storm that had started up just as they finished their business for the day; they decided to go ahead and head on home. They saw the stranger leaning forward on his horse slowly making his way towards them. It wasn't long before they were beside the rider. Nick caught the man as he fell off his horse. Both men got the shock of their lives when they realized who it was.

Scott opened his eyes and found Nick looking at him. Sighing, Scott tried to straighten up but found he could not do it. He understood the guarded look that came upon Nick's face and spoke, "I didn't go anywhere near your family's house. I promise. I came out of the woods nearby." Scott found himself fighting to stay awake, "If you will help straighten me up, I'll be on my way."

Nick and Heath knew that Scott wouldn't make it if he had to ride much longer. Though, they were apprehensive of what the man might have been up to, they were more curious as to why he'd been shot and by whom. If the man thought they leave him wounded and out in this weather, he had another thing coming, they just weren't that kind of folks.

"No, you'll come back to the house with us." Nick said as he and Heath helped him back up into his saddle. Nick then swung up behind him, handing the reigns of Nick's horse to Heath so he could lead it. That way Scott was sure to stay in the saddle.

"Can't… you and your family… you have to hate me...can't blame you though." Scott said as he tried once again to straighten himself up and though he did manage to pull himself up it wasn't but a few seconds later did he find himself falling again; this time though Nick was able to stop him. However, he and Heath were both shocked to hear Scott whisper, "Have...to...get back…to Juliet...and my children..." Scott then lost the battle to stay conscious.

Nick and Heath looked at each other. Scott Breckenridge, the wealthy financer who had almost taken the land belonging to many farmers around Stockton had married and had children? They couldn't believe their ears. Nick took a hold of the horse's reins and turned the horse around while Heath led Coco for him. They started the short journey to the house. The whole time both of them wondered about the last line he'd said. Why was he here, wounded and not with this Juliet, who they assumed was his wife, and his children? They hoped that, once the doctor took care of him, Scott would wake up and give them the answers.

/

The sun was beginning to set as Juliet came down the side of the mountain. Even though she was barely five feet she was still able to do the work of any man. She'd been working with her animals most of the day. After the work had been done, Juliet mounted her horse and started on the path that led back to her cabin, the words 'Where ever you will go, I go' rang in her mind.

It has almost been three years since she had said these words to Scott, only to have Scott leave and telling her to wait until he sent word for her to follow him. There was only one problem; no word had ever come and Catalan was beginning to ask where her daddy was. On the other hand Catalan's brother, Scott Jr., was just too young to ask about his daddy. Juliet sighed as the cabin came in view as she once again prayed that she would get word soon.

As Juliet came around the cabin she spotted her friend Jackie and Catalan playing. Jackie stood only 4' 5'', but like Juliet she didn't take anything from anyone. She didn't mind driving her wagon out here to help her friend Juliet out to watch the children, while she worked. Jackie loved watching Catalan and Scott Jr., though she wished that Juliet would accept the fact that this husband she talked about, this Scott, must be dead. That is, if he was the kind of man Juliet said he was then he would have sent word by now or returned.

Anytime that subject was brought up Juliet's mouth shut tighter than a drum. Her face would lose all motion and then she would simply walk away. Jackie turned her head as she spotted Juliet from the corner of her eye.

Juliet dismounted in time to catch Catalan, who had starting running towards her mother the moment she came into sight. Catalan immediately brought a smile to Juliet's face. She loved Catalan just as much as she loved Scott. She shook her head in order to push Scott to the back of her mind for the time being.

Jackie walked up to Juliet holding the sleeping baby boy in her arms and gave Juliet a hug. "It's good to see you back where you belong."

"I belong beside Scott not here. Catalan and Jr. deserve their father." Juliet thought but only gave her best friend a smile as she asked, "How is your husband?"

Jackie saw the touch of sadness in her friend's eyes, but knew better then to ask Juliet to talk about it. Why do that? She already knew where Juliet's mind was. Instead she answered, "He's doing great. He's out on a job right now, but is due back in a few days." Her husband was the deputy in the small town of Churchville.

"I'll put Lightning in the barn, and we'll go inside and eat supper." Juliet looked up and saw storm clouds gathering in the sky. "You might want to stay the night, so you don't get caught in this storm."

Jackie nodded as her one free hand covered her belly; though she wasn't showing yet she didn't want to risk losing her unborn child. Catalan was put back on the ground following her auntie and baby brother into the house.

Juliet looked up into the sky and whispered in prayer, "Come back soon."