A/N I have to apologize. I did not realize there was a mistake that wasn't corrected in Chapter One. Eliza was NOT leaving the only town she'd ever lived in. That was something that went uncaught as the chapter was worked on. She's actually lived in TWO places. Where the other place was will come out in another chapter. I'm sorry for the oversight.

Chapter Three

There was very little noise in the yard as Nick and Heath both stepped out of the bunkhouse. "Where's McColl and Barrett?" Nick was more than irritated. The two men were supposed to have been back over an hour ago, and their help was needed. It's not like they had a full crew at the moment. If they had, he wouldn't have been so antsy.

Heath was just as anxious as Nick, but he saw no reason to allow himself to get up in arms either. "They'll be here; they're as trustworthy as they come. You know that." He told Nick as they headed for the house only to stop and turn around as they heard horses approaching. As they did so, they're eyes widened at the sight that met their eyes. It wasn't every day they saw McColl or Barrett bringing a beautiful young woman to the ranch…and the dark red headed woman dressed in a simple blue gingham dress was definitely beautiful.

"You stare long enough and Rose is bound to see you and poke your eyes out." Heath turned his head and chuckled at his brother.

"Just because Rose and I are starting to see each other more; I'm not blind." Nick growled, but quickly put a smile on his face as McColl, Barrett and the stranger rode up. He and Rose might be seeing each other more, but nothing was set in stone.

On the other hand, Heath was more curious about the reason for the men bringing the stranger to the house, than he was about sizing up her looks…even though he freely admitted to himself she was easy on the eyes. "Wondered what was taking so long," Nick grinned at McColl as the man dismounted his horse.

McColl shot Nick a look that said 'if Rose succeeds in taming you, I'll be surprised' and then said, "This young lady's name is Eliza; she's in need of some help. I told her you and your family might hire her for a little while." He wasn't surprised when Nick started grinning from ear to ear, and Heath simply kept quiet and looked at the young woman.

"I only need a way to earn some money." Eliza spoke up. "I don't have much left, and I only have a small amount of time I can stay. I need to go soon."

Nick frowned, as did Heath. Like McColl and Barrett, they could see the young woman was nervous and a bit on edge. Naturally that made the two brothers think someone must be looking for her. "Come on inside," Nick turned and headed towards the house. "We can talk to mother."

Eliza looked at McColl and Barrett, once again thanking them for breakfast and their help. She then followed Heath who was also heading towards the house. She might have thought on her current plight only, as she watched Nick and Heath walking, Eliza found herself again thinking back to the war and the men who had stopped by her mother's home. It might not have bothered her only-as she watched the two brothers walk-she had the most unsettling feeling that one, if not both, of them had passed by her mother's home. That, of course, had her thinking about the soldier who had extended the offer of help anytime and anywhere they needed it.

"I am crazy." Eliza thought as she continued following Nick and Heath. "I am asking for temporary work from people I don't know so I can continue looking for a former soldier I only met three or four times. Land sakes! I was so young, I can't even give an accurate description of him or what age he was. He could have been anywhere from fourteen to twenty one for all I know. A name and a town is all I have for sure." She was brought out of her thoughts when Nick opened the door and held it open for her; Heath had entered the home just ahead of her and walked into the living room.

"MOTHER!" Nick bellowed, causing Eliza to start just a little, something Nick was quick to apologize for. However, before he could do anything but apologize his mother and Audra appeared at the top of the stairs. Both women were surprised to see a young woman in the house…especially since Nick and Heath hadn't left the ranch.

"This is Eliza; she came in with Barrett and McColl." Nick explained once his mother and Audra reached the bottom of the steps. He went on to explain how their visitor was looking for temporary employment.

Like everyone else, the two women could tell something was amiss. "Come on in, dear." Victoria gestured towards the living room where Eugene was reading from a medical book. Soon Victoria was sitting in the chair nearest the living room entrance while Heath stood next to the fireplace. Audra and Eliza sat on the sofa while Nick sat on a chair near Heath, and Eugene put away the book.

"Like I said, she needs work. I…" Nick started to speak only to have his mother interrupt him.

"I believe the young lady can speak for herself, Nick." Victoria turned her eyes to Eliza and asked with concern in her eyes. "If you can tell us what's going on; maybe we can help you. Though, I would appreciate having your full name." Victoria's eyes silently reprimanded Nick and Heath for not getting that bit of information.

Eliza could see the genuine concern in her hostess' eyes and she could feel the sincerity that her words held. A portion of Eliza told her to tell Mrs. Barkley everything, but she couldn't see how telling them anything would help; only the man she sought could help her. Her cousin had told her that, and her cousin had no reason to lie.

Eliza sat up straight and clasped her hands as she looked upon the Barkleys. "My name is Eliza Klampton, and I believe you would help me; really I do. But..." she hesitated, not sure of what to do-as she feared they might not give her a job if she didn't reveal all.

"But?" Heath, who had to throw his poker face on to keep the fact that he remembered her name-along with being one of the soldiers who had stopped at her mother's house, now got the uneasy feeling they were all about to find out how it felt to have a cannonball dropped on them, asked.

After a brief moment, Eliza decided she'd at least tell them why she needed a job. "I need to find someone." She then began talking about the soldiers who had passed her mother's home.

Naturally, it got everyone's attention. However, the more she talked about the visits and the individual soldiers, the more Heath was pretty sure he knew exactly who she was looking for. Sure enough shock waves were sent though everyone but Heath when she said, "I can't really remember what he looks like but I have to get to Strawberry; I have to find Heath Thomson."