There was no mistaking Nick's eagerness as they entered the saloon that evening. Heath made a mental note to keep a close eye on his big brother as Nick's high spirits sometimes landed the dark haired rancher in trouble, usually dragging his blond brother along with him.
Nick surveyed the crowded room.
"What do you say, Heath?" announced the tall cowboy, clapping his brother on the back. "Time to let loose and have some fun without any interfering females to get in our way. How about a bottle of whiskey and a game of cards?'
"I dunno, Nick," Heath said as he followed his brother to the bar to procure a bottle and a couple glasses, "you still owe me twenty dollars from last time we played."
"Ah." Nick waved a dismissive hand. "You know I'm good for it." His eyes scanned the room and lit upon a table in the back. "Let's go see if Clem and James'll play a couple hands."
The cowboys in question invited the two Barkleys to pull up a chair and as Nick shuffled the deck and stakes were agreed on, Heath reflected on Nick's comment of 'no interfering females'. He was sure Nick was referring to Belle and really couldn't see why Nick was having such a hard time accepting the cowgirl. Heath had never seen her shirk at her job and it wasn't as if the women in the Barkley family were a couple of shrinking violets. Then again, what was that old saying about someone protesting too much? Belle was certainly pretty enough to catch a man's eye even though Heath viewed her as more of a colleague than with any romantic interest. But Nick…Nick had been with his share of softer, more genteel types and none of them seemed to stick around for long. Maybe what his big brother needed was a woman who was more of a challenge, just like the pretty cowhand currently working for them. Heath wasn't much for matchmaking, but if he just sat around, there was no way Nick would ever let Belle get close enough for him to really get to know her. Heath considered what approach he might take throughout the next few hands, his inattention causing Nick to gleefully rake in a few pots. Then Clem made a disastrous bet and when Nick won that one too, he lay down his cards.
"You've about cleaned me out," Clem complained good-naturedly. "Reckon I should stop while I still have a couple dollars to my name. I'd say it was a pleasure, but…"
James pushed back from the table as well. "Think I'm done, too. Catch you later, boys."
Nick just snickered as he got ready to deal the next hand. Then Heath spotted a familiar form enter the saloon and glanced over at Nick. Well, safe living had never gotten anyone anywhere.
"Hey, Belle," the blond called out. "Come join us for a few hands." He ignored the irate glare he knew Nick was giving him and saw Belle hesitate a moment, then she made her way over.
"What the devil do you think you're doing, boy?" Nick growled.
"Three players is always better than two, Nick," Heath replied, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Nick looked about to give a scathing retort, then schooled himself into his best poker face as Belle sat down. "Might as well pull up a chair," he grumbled.
.
Belle surveyed the room, looking for anyone she knew. Then she heard her name called and looked over to the table where she saw none other than Nick Barkley. Heath gestured, inviting her to play a few hands of cards with them. Just her luck to pick the same place as the bosses. She couldn't miss the hostile look Nick was giving his blond brother and reflected that it must take a lot of guts and patience to survive living with Nick.
Belle almost turned around and walked back outside. But then she had second thoughts. She was tired of Nick's superior attitude, tired of his chauvinistic manner and if Heath had the guts to invite her over to their table for some poker, how could she say no? Belle was there on her own time and she'd be damned if she let the likes of Heath's pig-headed brother spoil her evening. With that thought, Belle squared her shoulders and walked over, taking a vacant seat before Nick issued the invitation to sit down.
"Don't mind if I do," she replied with a smile for both men. Nick's dark scowl just made her smile wider. It just might be fun to shove that attitude of Nick's back where it belonged.
As the evening passed, Heath was hard put to think of a more cutthroat game of cards. He won a few, lost a few, but Nick and Belle didn't really even notice, so focused were they on cleaning each other out. Heath finally got tired of feeling like a third wheel and excused himself to head home. Nick only muttered a preoccupied, " 'Night," before intently staring at his rival's face, hoping she'd give something away. Belle's "Have a good night, boss," was a little more focused, but she didn't look up from her cards. Heath just shook his head and left them to their game.
About an hour later, Belle lay down her cards with a flourish. "Four ladies," she announced triumphantly. "Beats your full house."
"Hmph," was all Nick said as he reached for the bottle to pour himself another drink. He slammed the bottle down in disgust when he realized it was empty.
Belle pushed back her chair. "Don't worry, boss," she said in a cheeky tone that was designed to irritate, "I think I can afford another." She grabbed a bill from her stack of winnings and headed toward the bar, taking pleasure in the sound of Nick's grumbling behind her. Belle was thoroughly enjoying herself. It wasn't as if she was cleaning up, in fact, she thought Nick might be a little ahead. But every time she won, it just seemed to rankle Nick that much more.
A tall, thin man with a long handlebar moustache who Belle noticed giving her what he obviously thought was a dashing smile for the last half hour blocked her way.
"And where are you going, little lady?"
Belle tried to go around him, but he stepped in front of her again.
"Why don't I take you somewhere more suited for a lady of your caliber?" he went on, twirling his moustache. "You should be drinking champagne from fine crystal, not swilling rotgut in a place like this."
"No thanks," was her curt reply, and she pushed passed him, only to feel a hand grab a particular portion of her anatomy. Belle turned and planted a fist straight into Moustache's nose, blood flowing onto his pristine white shirt.
Belle felt arms grab her from behind and realized the moustached dandy was not alone. She heard Nick's roar of "Hey, hands off the lady!" as she stamped hard on the foot of the man holding her, then everything else was mostly a blur. She got in a few more solid hits before flying backwards into the bar. Belle picked herself off the floor and saw Moustache was out cold. Nick was just delivering a hefty blow and Belle saw another man come at Nick from the back, attempting to blindside him. She quickly grabbed a half-full bottle from the bar and broke it over the head of Nick's assailant, dropping him instantly. Nick, having laid out his own adversary, turned and gave Belle a roguish grin, which she shared.
That was when the sheriff arrived.
.
Belle drew her knees up to her chest and rested her chin, watching Nick pace. Really, she should have just turned around and walked out of that saloon. But she hadn't and now… Well, with the way her luck was running that night, at least it was a good thing they weren't playing poker any more.
"Can't you be still for a minute?" she snapped in exasperation. "You're just making my head hurt worse."
"I'm making your head hurt?" Nick bellowed in response. The volume just intensified the pounding. "If you hadn't taken a swing at that guy, we wouldn't be in here!"
"And what was I supposed to do?" she retorted tartly. "Let him put his hands wherever he wanted without making a fuss? I'm not that kind of girl! Besides, I didn't ask for your help. I was handling him just fine on my own."
Nick snorted. "And his two friends, too, no doubt."
Belle closed her eyes, trying to ease the throbbing behind them. There was no way she was going to admit she was glad for the help, at least, not to Nick's face, but she was secretly flattered Nick had stood up for her.
Belle opened her eyes again as she heard the outer door unbolted.
"I always enjoy being welcomed home by having a deputy meet me at the train station." There was a twinkle in the blue eyes of the dark haired man standing on the other side of the bars beside the sheriff. Belle guessed he must be the oldest Barkley brother, the lawyer. His next statement confirmed her suspicion. "Well, brother Nick, what do you have to say for yourself, dragging this lovely lady into a bar brawl?"
Belle looked down at the stained and blood-spattered shirt she wore and, without a mirror, could only guess that the bruises on her face probably matched the ones on Nick's. 'Lovely lady' was definitely not an apt description. Again, Belle cursed her luck at making yet another great first impression on one of her employers.
"I'll have you know, Jarrod, that she," Nick pointed an accusing finger at the cowgirl sitting on the cot by the wall of the cell, "threw the first punch. But I have to admit it was under extreme provocation. Couldn't very well leave Belle to fight all by herself."
"Of course not, Nick," Jarrod said, amusement evident on his face, "you're a model of chivalry."
Sheriff Madden unlocked the cell door. "I talked to the witnesses, everyone agreed you were justified in starting the fight, Miss Martin, and Nick was just coming to your aid." He stepped aside to let Belle and Nick exit. "Sorry I had to put you in the same cell, but with Fowler serving his 15 days and the men who assaulted you…"
"I understand, Sheriff," Belle assured him. Nick just huffed.
"Be sure those gents sleeping it off back there will have a hefty fine to pay, even if you decide not to press charges," the sheriff told them as he walked them to the door. Nick glanced at Belle. Well, she had been the offended party.
"I'll think about it," Belle told the lawman, "but I think they've been well punished." She couldn't help grinning at Nick, even though it made her face hurt. "Between the two of us, I don't think they'll be walking straight for a little while." Belle was gratified when Nick gave her an answering grin.
Standing in front of the sheriff's office, Jarrod turned to the two miscreants. "Considering the late hour, we should see you home, Miss Martin. Where do you live?"
"At the ranch."
Not sure he heard properly, Jarrod asked, "What's that, Nick?"
Nick turned an aggravated look on Jarrod. "I said, she stays out at the ranch. She…well, Heath hired her. She works for us."
Jarrod could see Nick was irked by that fact for some reason and couldn't resist pushing the other man's buttons, just a little. He extended a hand to Belle. "Well, then, I'm even more pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm sure Heath is thankful Nick has someone else to get in trouble with."
Belle laughed as she shook Jarrod's hand. "I just hope he wasn't expecting me to keep Nick out of trouble."
Nick glared at both of them as they walked down the street to retrieve their horses. Jarrod, watching Nick out of the corner of his eye, couldn't help a chuckle. "Oh, don't worry. My brother Heath is a reasonable man. He doesn't expect miracles."
"If you two are finished," Nick scowled, "we should be heading home. Can't keep Pappy up past his bedtime."
Jarrod was still chuckling. It seemed this pretty new employee of the Barkleys was getting under Nick's skin. Being a betting man, Jarrod wondered what sort of odds he could lay on Nick's current exasperation turning into a different kind of regard.