Chapter 3

Jarrod got very lucky. He was able to see the judge right away, and the man didn't hold it against him that his motion was not on legal paper (although he wanted a proper copy deposited with the court as soon as practicable). The judge signed the order, and Jarrod took off for Mitchell Cambridge's house.

The man lived in a style very much like the Barkleys. He was widowed with one son, Andy, only 22 years old. Jarrod didn't know the boy well, although he did know Cambridge. Cambridge and the Barkleys had had legal disputes before, and Jarrod had a couple disputes with him on behalf of other clients, but it wasn't all an adversarial relationship. On social occasions, they had gotten along pretty well.

As Jarrod rode up to the Cambridge house, he found it very quiet. No hands were around at all, and it was even Mitchell who answered the door. He was about five foot eight, very heavy, a little over 50 years old. "Well, Jarrod, this is a surprise. Come on in."

Jarrod went inside, removing his hat. "Mitchell, kinda quiet around here, isn't it?"

"Lots of work going on out in the field," Cambridge said as he closed the door. "What can I do for you?"

Jarrod took the papers out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He gave Cambridge one set. "You've probably been expecting this."

Cambridge saw the motion for injunction. "Yes, I have."

Jarrod handed him the temporary restraining order. "Maybe not this."

Cambridge read it and frowned. "Why this?"

"Come on, Mitchell. You know some of your men have been encroaching on Mrs. Carmichael's property."

"It's my property."

"Not until a court says it is. And Andy was out there just a few hours ago, right up to the house."

Cambridge looked angry now. "That's not so."

"Nick saw him, Mitchell. I just got the TRO half an hour ago. You have to keep your men and your son off the Carmichael property."

Cambridge huffed unhappily. "I'll give this to my attorney. We'll see what happens then."

"The TRO expires in ten days, but we should have a hearing on the motion for injunction before then. That's when you'll have to decide if you want to sue. If the judge grants the injunction, you'll have to keep your men clear of the Carmichael property for as long as he says."

Cambridge just glared at him.

"Unless we can reach some kind of agreement in the meantime," Jarrod said.

"The only agreement that will satisfy me is if the Carmichael woman vacates and turns the property over to me."

"Why are you in such a hurry, Mitchell?" Jarrod asked. "Seems to me you've had 20 years to bring this all up, and now all of a sudden you can't wait a few weeks to have it decided."

"I need the property, and it's rightfully mine," Cambridge said.

"What do you need it for? You have plenty of property as it is."

"It's mine, and I want it," Cambridge said. "That's all you need to know."

Jarrod sighed. "All right, but it seems to me you could at least let Catherine Carmichael live out her life at the home she shared with her late husband. How would you like it if someone insisted you give up the land you shared with Amelia?"

"Not very much, but that's beside the point," Cambridge said. "Now, Jarrod, you've served me with what you have to serve." Cambridge pulled the front door open.

"I trust Catherine won't have to worry about any visits from any of your men while this TRO is in effect," Jarrod said.

"I know what a court order means, Jarrod. We'll hash this out when the injunction is set for hearing, and if I have to sue to get title to that land, I'll sue. Good day."

Jarrod nodded a good-bye, put his hat on and left.

XXXXXXX

"Fifteen-two and I'm out," Catherine said.

Nick moaned. "How much do I owe you now?"

"Two thousand and three hundred dollars."

Their cribbage game was interrupted by the sound of a horse approaching. Nick held a hand up – he wanted Catherine to stay seated at the kitchen table. He got up and went to the door, his gun drawn. He looked out the window there, and reholstered his gun.

"It's Jarrod," he said.

Nick opened the door, and in a couple moments, Jarrod came in.

"Good news," Jarrod said, removing his hat, smiling. "I got the TRO and served it on Mitchell Cambridge. That should make sure you have peace and quiet and no visits from his men until the hearing on the injunction."

"I'll believe it when I see it," Nick said.

"Cambridge is a difficult man, but he won't disobey a court order," Jarrod said. "It could land him in jail. How have you two been? Or maybe I should ask, Nick, how much money have you lost?"

Catherine laughed. "Only twenty-three hundred dollars, but I think he was about to suggest double or nothing."

"I better get you out of here before you lose the ranch," Jarrod said.

Catherine's smile faded a bit. Nick noticed. "Actually, Jarrod, I was thinking I'd stay overnight and have you send a couple of the hands over tomorrow," he said. "Catherine has a pretty nice bunkhouse, and I'd be here just in case some of Cambridge's men didn't get the message."

Jarrod understood. "Is that all right with you, Catherine? Nick snores pretty loud, you know."

Catherine smiled again. "I'd be glad for the company, boys."

"Well, then," Jarrod said. "I'll leave you to your cribbage game and see who Heath wants to send over in the morning. Catherine, try not to worry about these legal proceedings. They're to protect you, and to make Mitchell Cambridge put up or shut up."

"And to get me clear title to my land," she said.

"That's the plan," Jarrod said.

Jarrod left again and in a few moments they heard him riding away.

"He's a good man, your brother," Catherine said and began shuffling the cards again.

"Yeah, he's quite a lot to live up to," Nick said and sat down again.

"Certainly you haven't been trying," Catherine said. "I mean, you're a good man yourself. You don't have to live up to his achievements. You have your own."

Nick smiled. "I'm not Jarrod."

"He's not you," Catherine said.

"You always did favor me, didn't you?" Nick asked.

"Well, I knew you always did feel a little intimidated by your big brother," Catherine said and handed Nick the cards.

Nick shuffled the cards himself. "Who says?"

"You did, all the time, at least until you took over the ranch. Then you came into yourself, or at least then you came to realize what a man you were. You and Jarrod are very different men, but both very good men and very talented at what you do."

"Now you're flattering me."

"No, not really. Just being sure you knew that I noticed how well you've done for yourself, especially since your father was killed. Not the same little contrary kid who used to come to my house while skipping school."

Nick smiled and began to deal. "All right. Double or nothing."