Chapter 4

Nick came out of the library looking worn and unhappy, but when he saw his mother and Nancy in the living room, he tried to make his irritation go away. All he said as he came in was that, "I don't know, maybe life was better when I had to go to the lawyer in town. That oldest son of yours is driving me crazy."

Victoria smiled. "Well, you know what they say, Nick. Be careful what you wish for."

"At least you stopped arguing," Nancy said.

"You heard that, huh?" Nick asked.

"They heard you in the bunkhouse," Victoria said.

"I'm sorry," Nick said. "Jarrod just throws these legal things out at me, and I get so – "

Victoria held up one finger and stopped him. "We're not interested in what you were arguing about. You can pick it up again later with him if you want, but for now, let it go."

Nick grumbled, but then he saw Nancy smiling at him. "Would you like to take a walk?" he asked.

Nancy felt a little nervous about his asking, but she put it aside and said, "Yes."

Nick reached his hand to her and helped her up, saying, "We'll be back in a bit," and he ushered Nancy out the front door.

Victoria watched and wondered how this was going to go.

Once outside, they stepped down off the porch together, and Nick looked up at the sky. "It's a nice night," he said.

"Yes, beautiful," Nancy said.

Nick offered his arm, and they began to walk slowly. "So, how have you enjoyed your little vacation?"

"It's been wonderful," Nancy said. "But I wanted to talk to you about it, actually."

"How so?" Nick asked.

"I talked to Jarrod a lot about my property and my money situation. We're going to talk again tomorrow morning, and he's going to help me find an attorney close to home who can help me figure things out."

"Jarrod's a smart man, and he knows a lot of lawyers around the state. I'd say whatever he says, you can be confident in doing."

"I know. I think you're right. But getting that part settled in my mind – it's made me want to get back home and get started with it. I think I'm going to end up selling the ranch and moving somewhere where there are more people, where I can try to find what you already have."

"Me? What's that?"

"A loving family who's always close. People around you who care about you. I don't have a family, Nick. I want one."

Nick hesitated. He knew what he wanted to say, but he also knew that he could be really bad at saying it. "Maybe you'd think about moving down to Stockton," he ended up saying.

"Moving down here?" Nancy said.

"Well, it fills the bill. We have plenty of people, very good people, and the weather here is a lot better than up your way. And – I'd kinda like the chance to get to know you better."

Nancy was pleased with the way Nick put that. Without knowing it, it was exactly the way she felt about him. "I'd like that, too, Nick. Maybe moving down here to Stockton is what I'll end up doing."

They walked in silence for a few minutes more before Nick said, "Have you decided when you want me to take you home?"

"I think the day after tomorrow," Nancy said, "if that works out for you."

"It'll work out," Nick said, "but will you promise me something?"

"What's that?"

Nick stopped and turned toward her. "Will you write to me? I really want to be part of your life, Nancy. I want you to be part of mine. I don't want you to go away and never see me again."

Nancy smiled. "I'd love to write to you – if you write back."

"I will. I really do like you, Nancy," Nick said. "I really would like to – court you properly, if you come to Stockton."

Nancy nodded. "I'd like that, too."

Nick leaned close, and Nancy did not back away. Nick kissed her lightly on the lips. It was a lovely kiss. He realized then that he had already taken both her hands in his. He squeezed.

The End