Slowly rolling over onto his back, Nick cracks open an eye and immediately closes it. He's had his share of hangovers before, but the throbbing in his head and sensitivity to light tell him this one ranks near the top of his worst ever. Especially when waking in a tent on the hard ground instead of in his nice bed. Back home he could relinquish himself to the softness of his bed and sleep it off, but not this time.
The Barkley's came to Indian Springs for their annual camping trip to enjoy the outdoors and a break from the never-ending ranch work. It was a tradition Tom and Victoria started when they were first married and one the family continued long after Tom's death. Spending the days fishing along the mountain stream and exploring the country-side were Nick's favorite parts of the trip. Although the visit to the logging camp was a close second. A night of music, dancing, and laughter complimented by a keg or two of beer which Nick and his brother Heath graciously helped drain. But this morning, his cotton mouth and queasy stomach tell him he imbibed way more than usual.
The last thing Nick remembers is arm wrestling one of the lumber jacks at the camp. It started with some good-humored joshing about how lumber jacks are stronger and more physically fit than soft living ranchers with their fine meals and fancy beds. "What's the hardest part of a rancher's day?" Nick remembers one man quipping. "Counting his cows while he falls asleep at night!"
Never one to cower to adversity, Nick posed a challenge of strength to show just how strong and hardworking ranchers are. One thing lead to another and soon Nick and another man faced each other across a worn plank table with sleeves rolled up in an arm wrestling match. A smile and a small chuckle escape Nick's mouth at the memory of his sweet victory.
Nick's glorious recollection is quickly interrupted by a soft moan from something or someone beside him. Snapping both eyes open despite the protest of his saturated brain, Nick cautiously turns his head to the side to find a dark-haired girl sleeping beside him. He blinks a few times thinking perhaps his deteriorated state is causing his eyes to play tricks on him. But it is no trick.
Fully awake and aware of his precarious situation, Nick gingerly lifts the blanket the two share - just enough to peek underneath. He breathes a small sigh of relief seeing that the girl is wearing her pantaloons and chemise and his own pants are still secure around his waist. Of course, that doesn't guarantee they spent a chaste night together. But it's better than waking to their disrobed bodies intertwined.
Rubbing his hands over his eyes, Nick silently chastises himself. What the hell did he do? He chances one more look over at the mysterious girl hoping to jog his memory. He looks at her sleeping face, but no recognition comes. He does, however, take note at how young she looks. How old is she? He wonders. Dear Lord, please let her be old enough! Nick prays.
He racks his brain going over the night before. She must be one of the girls brought up from the nearby town for the dance. A sister or daughter of one of the men who work at the camp, perhaps? He danced with several girls last night. Although great dance partners, none of them particularly caught his eye. Certainly not enough to bring her back to his tent for a night of whatever it was they did!
Soon his questions of impropriety fall to a feeling of dread and panic. Mother and Audra are sleeping in their own tent nearby! Oh, the scourge Victoria will lay down upon him when she discovers the guest in Nick's tent.
With desperation setting in, Nick stealthily slips out from under the blanket, grabs a shirt, and exits the tent. Pulling the shirt over his head, he walks quietly across the cold ground in his socks to Heath's tent.
"Heath!" Nick whispers hoarsely at the opening of Heath's tent. "Heath, wake up!"
"Go away." Answers a sleepy voice.
"Heath. I've got a problem and I need your help."
Heath pokes his disheveled blond head through the tent flap. "What kind of problem?"
"There is a girl in my tent." Nick enunciates each word to get his message across while keeping his voice low so no one else overhears.
"If you don't know what to do with a girl in your tent, then you do have a problem." Heath chuckles, starting to crawl back inside the tent.
"That's not the problem." Nick answers rolling his eyes. "The problem is I don't know who she is or how she got there."
"And just how am I supposed to help you with that?"
"I was hoping she might look familiar to you."
"All right. Give me a minute." Heath disappears back into his tent to dress and reappears none too happy with Nick's early morning mission.
As they approach Nick's tent, the flap opens and out steps the dark-haired girl with a blanket wrapped around her. "Oh, Morning Nick." She says with a sweet smile.
"Ah, morning." Nick smiles back trying to act relaxed even though his brain is screaming, who are you? "Did you, uh, sleep well?" Nick asks to fill the awkward silence and to see if her answer might divulge a hint as to how the heck she ended up in his tent.
"Mmmm-hmm. Very well. Thanks." She answers with a shy nod and smile. "Oh my, where are my manners, you must be Heath."
"Yes, ma'am." Heath replies politely. "And you are?"
"Emmeline. But everyone calls me Emmy."
"Nice to meet you Emmy."
"I was just headed over to the creek to wash up and get my dress. It should be dry by now."
Nick bites his tongue as questions fire through this head. Emmy? Emmy Who? Dress? What happened to her dress?
Seeing his brother frozen in a state of bewilderment, Heath steps in to save the conversation by pointing Emmy to the direction of the creek and saying they will see her later at breakfast.
"Boy Howdy, Nick." Heath comments as soon as Emmy is out of earshot. "She sure is pretty, but a little young, even for you."
"Well, do you recognize her or not!" Nick fires back, eyes blazing with a combination of anger, frustration, and a touch of embarrassment because he knows Heath is right.
"Can't say I do. But then I spent most of my time playing cards last night and I came back to camp before you did."
"Why can't I remember?" Nick squeezes his eyes shut saying her name over and over in the hopes of retrieving something, anything, about her from his brain. "I've got to remember and get her out of here before Mother or Audra find her."
"Nick!" Victoria's voice calls from across the camp.
"Sounds like it's too late. I recommend putting your boots on in case you have to make a run for it!" Heath winks and walks back to his tent imagining Nick's encounter with Victoria and smiling to himself.