Chapter Three

The music rang through Stockton's social hall, as Heath and Maggie danced. As they glided over the floor, Heath could see Audra and his mother talking to the Martins and Miss Rebecca McGraw. For a while he had hoped Will and Audra would get serious with each other, but that thought went out the window the day Will began courting Rebecca seriously. The couple was now engaged. As one song ended and another started, Heath watched as the Martins left Victoria and Audra. He and Maggie started dancing again only Heath couldn't help but stare as Nick entered the social hall, though he hoped it was a good sign.

Nick's appearance shocked not only Heath, but the rest of the Barkleys, along with everyone else in attendance. The hot tempered rancher had not set foot near any social gathering since the day Iris had died. The fact that he was present now had more than one tongue wagging.

Victoria would have been overjoyed to see Nick at the social if he hadn't been wearing such a serious look upon his face. Mentally, she sighed. If only he would find someone again, she'd make herself be quiet no matter what if he did. "Hello, Nick." She smiled as her middle son found his way to the table where she and Audra sat, and took a seat.

"It's great to see you here, Nick." Audra smiled wide and did her best to make sure Nick could hear the sincerity in her voice. She didn't want to find him leaving the social before he'd had time to really enjoy it.

"Thanks." Nick gave her a smile before looking over the dancers. Soon he saw Heath and Marissa. Once he found them, he kept his eyes upon them. As he watched it dawned upon Victoria just why Nick had shown up to the summer social, and it made her sigh once more. He was still convinced Maggie's cousins would show up and cause trouble. That being the case, he had only shown up in order to keep an eye on his brother and Maggie. While she was ninety-five percent sure this was the case, she simply echoed Audra's sentiments. She wasn't surprised when Nick only shrugged his shoulders and said he figured it was about time he came to one.

"I don't believe it." Maggie, who had seen Nick enter, looked from Heath to Nick and then back to Heath. "After what I was told, I didn't think I'd see Nick here tonight."

Like his mother, Heath had figured out why Nick was there. "Is there any way you can find out what your cousins are up to now a days? I know Nick's worried about them showing up and causing us trouble and, to be honest, I'm just as concerned."

Maggie didn't want to think about anything her cousins might pull, not at the moment anyway. "We'll talk about that later, okay?"

Duly chastised, Heath nodded, "Sorry, never meant for it to sound like I wanted you to do it this very minute." He then changed subjects and continued dancing with Maggie.

Nick might have preferred to continue keeping an eye on Heath and Maggie only Fred Madden stepped into the hall and was looking around. It made one uneasy and Nick even more uncomfortable. He stood up from the table, where Audra and his mother were still talking, and walked over to the lawman who was now standing next to the door way.

"Anything wrong, Fred?" Nick asked as he stood next to his friend.

Like everyone else, Fred was surprised to see Nick at the social; still he was glad. "May I talk to you outside?" He asked as he took his gaze off the dancing couples and looked at Nick. It was a request that was met with no argument. Soon Nick and Fred were walking around the outside of the building.

As much as Nick wanted to enjoy the comfortable breeze that was blowing, he couldn't. "I'll ask you again, Fred. What's wrong?"

Again, Fred was grateful Nick had actually shown up at the social. He'd have hated to pull Heath out seeing how he actually had Miss Hamilton with him. "I was walking by the telegraph office and Charlie pulled me inside. He wanted me to find 'one of the Barkleys' and give them this. It's from Jarrod."

Nick felt his heart skip a beat and he quickly took the telegram from the sheriff. As he read the telegram he felt his blood begin to boil. Paul and Tyrell had hired an attorney to contest Adam Hamilton's will and were going to fight to get the land away from the Barkleys. Jarrod had found out by accident. Since he was on his honeymoon, he was recommending an attorney and promising to pick up the fight if it wasn't settled by the time he and his bride got home which wouldn't be for quite some time. Jarrod also stressed that they should do everything they could to protect Maggie; he didn't trust Paul and Tyrell. Silently, Nick asked, "Who does?"

"If you see Tyrell and Paul actually in town, Fred, let me or Heath know, please." Nick put the telegram in his pocket, as he told the lawman of its contents.

Fred believed Maggie and the Barkleys when they said they were shocked and surprised when Adam Hamilton had left them the land; he also knew what a dangerous mix Tyrell, Paul and the Barkley brothers were. "I will though I bet, ten to one, they don't bother unless they lose the legal fight. That could take a few months."

Nick looked back towards the social hall. From where he stood he could see through the front door and watched Heath and Maggie still dancing; they were talking and laughing. For a split second time seemed to roll backwards and he could see him and Iris dancing instead, only when Fred cleared his throat did Nick come back to the present. "Probably," Nick acknowledged, but didn't hesitate to repeat his request. "Just tell one of us, please."

"I promise," Fred replied, "but why don't you go back inside and enjoy yourself for a change?"

Nick shook his head and gave Fred a half smile. "Not much for dancing these days, think I'll just stay out here and walk around a bit." He then turned and walked leaving Fred with nothing to do but make his rounds and pray for his friends.