Chapter Four

People were walking up and down the boardwalks that ran through the main part of Stockton, though not as many as there were normally. That part surprised Nick as he drove the wagon though town, though he didn't dwell on it. As he drew near Jarrod's office, Nick was surprised to see his older brother walking towards the building. "Thought you had court this morning," Nick pulled on the reins and stopped the wagon, making it so he was looking straight at Jarrod, who had stepped onto the boardwalk and then stood still once he saw who was coming towards him.

"I did, but the case got postponed. Figured I'd get some work done in my office before heading home," Jarrod glanced at the wagon. "If you're going be getting a lot of supplies, you'll have to go to Jackson's store. The hardware store is temporarily closed."

"Thanks for telling me. See you tonight." Nick tapped the horses and drove away.

Jarrod might have followed Nick, as he was convinced Nick was up to something only he couldn't; Fred Madden was heading his way. That being the case, Jarrod disappeared into his office and waited for the sheriff. He didn't have to wait very long. Soon Fred was entering the famous attorney's law office and asking Jarrod's secretary if he could talk to her boss.

"Come on in, Fred!" Jarrod, who was seated behind his desk, called through his slightly opened door. Once the sheriff was sitting in front of the desk, Jarrod asked how he could help him.

Not knowing McColl had returned early and talked to the Barkleys already, Fred told Jarrod he'd received a telegram that morning, and then repeated what Jarrod already knew. "I don't know what her aunt and uncle want from me. She hasn't broken any laws, and they freely admit she left of her own free will. Still, I sent word back I'd keep my eyes out and talk to you." Fred gave Jarrod a look that said 'do I need to explain why I came to you instead of Nick?'

Jarrod almost told Fred that the missing woman was somewhere in Stockton, but-since no laws had been broken-he decided he'd simply corner Nick once both of them were home. "I'll keep my eyes open." Jarrod promised Fred before the lawman turned the topic to the fact that there was a man sitting in a jail cell who needed a good attorney.

While Jarrod was talking to Fred, Nick was pulling up to Dr. Merar's office. The gentleman stepped out not two seconds later. Nick wasn't sure if it was relief or irritation he saw in the physician's eyes.

"Your package is at my new house. Hotel was full up last night, and I needed my office. I'd appreciate if you go and get it…like yesterday." Dr. Merar, who hadn't appreciated being put in the middle as it were, hurried away, saying he'd received news he was needed elsewhere.

"I'm crazy." Nick muttered as he brought the reins in his hands down. He wasted no time in picking up a few supplies, and then headed for the Merar's home…which was a mile out of town. Once again, Nick's mind replayed a memory with Magdalena in it.

Nick stood inside 'the big top', next to the circus bleachers, and watched as Magdalena rode her horse around in a circle…only she was practicing going from a standing position to hanging from the side of the horse, holding onto the reins with one hand while keeping one foot in its stirrup. He was afraid her foot would slip and she'd lose her grip on the reins; neither one happened.

"Why do you do that?" Nick asked once Magdalena had finished and walked over to where he was standing, after having one of the other performers lead the horse away.

Magdalena glanced towards the opening of the tent and the disappearing horse and then back at Nick. "Why do you own a ranch? Why do you go on long, dusty cattle drives?" She then shrugged her shoulders. "If the feeling for anything is strong enough in a person, they will do whatever is calling them." She gave him a look that asked 'do you want to debate that idea?'

Nick chuckled as he remembered doing just that with her. Though, they were simply have fun 'poking each other'-as it were- her uncle had come on and told them to stop the fighting. Nick came out of his thoughts and shook his head as he pulled around to the back of Dr. Merar's home. It was surrounded by trees…had to be the only spot within miles that had this many trees in one spot. "Another why question, huh boy?" Nick loved trees, but not this many behind one's own house. Then again, with his present task; maybe, it was a good thing.

He hadn't even got halfway up the steps and the door was opening. Magdalena had always worn her hair up, even at the doctor's office. So, he was surprised to see her pitch black hair hanging loose. A part of it hung behind her back while some was draped over her shoulders; all of it hang almost to her waist. She was leaning on the pair of crutches the doctor had given her. "Are you sure you want to do this? Your family will not be happy if they find out I've taken refuge on the ranch, especially with our history."

Nick flicked his wrist though the air. "We'll worry about my family once we get you out to the line shack I was telling you about. For now, we need to get out of here. Jarrod isn't in court like I thought he'd be. I'll get your things and put them under the tarp that's covering the supplies; you can hide underneath it until we're out of town."

"Do we have to go through town? Can't we simply go around it?" Magdalena didn't like the idea of risking anyone stopping Nick and then, for whatever reason, looking under the tarp.

"We'll be wasting too much time if we do that. Now," Nick stepped into the house after Magdalena had moved onto the porch and grabbed her few belongings. "Let's get you hidden in the wagon." It wasn't long before he had the few possessions and Magdalena under the tarp. Soon he was driving the wagon away from the good doctor's home and back towards Stockton.

As he hoped, no one paid him much attention as he drove the wagon down the streets. Though, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jarrod's office and saw his brother standing on the other side of the window of the building. He also saw the look of suspicion in Jarrod's eyes. "Good thing I'm talking to the family when I get home' Nick thought 'I'd never be able to keep Jarrod in the dark for long. For that matter, the rest would catch on soon enough as well.'