Chapter Four

Reminder: The story has gone from 1880 back to 1877

"I never said that." Nick said as he and Jarrod, climbed out of the stagecoach they'd been riding in. "I just said it would be easier if went directly to the Walters' ranch and got my business over with while you took care of your legal obligations. It's not like you need me at the city offices."

"No, I guess I don't." Jarrod said as he reached in the stagecoach and grabbed his briefcase that he'd almost forgotten. "I'll see you tonight." He said as he then turned and walked down the main street of Abbottsville. Nick headed for the livery stable where he hoped to find the horse his uncle had promised to leave there for him. Nick would have preferred to have put Coco in the railroad car when he rode the train to Reno and then ride the animal to Abbottsville, but he and Jarrod were pressed for time…and the stagecoach was faster. Soon Nick had the promised horse and was riding out of town and towards the ranch that belonged to one Henry Walters a red headed gentleman who was known to be a good businessman.

The five miles he had to travel to the ranch were filled with beautiful trees and some wild life…which made up for the not so pretty brown and grayish rocks that could be seen dotting the landscape. The ride proved peaceful enough and time passed fast enough. Before long he was standing on the porch of the Walters' two story house. While it was not as majestic as the Barkley's home, it was still quite impressive and had four bedrooms. Nick went to knock on the door only to have Mr. Walters' son-nineteen year old Lyman- come around the corner of the house. The boy's hair was as red as his father's only he stood six feet tall, unlike his father who stood five feet nine inches.

"May I help you, sir?" Lyman asked with a smile on his face; he always wore a smile when company was around. He didn't want to be blamed for chasing any of his father's friends or customers away.

Nick introduced himself and asked if Henry was around. "He was expecting me for another hour or so, I admit." Nick told the lad. "However, the train my brother and I rode into Reno was ahead of schedule, as was the stagecoach. That part, the train and stagecoach being ahead of schedule, had been quite the pleasant surprise to both he and Jarrod. Usually those two things were famous for being late if anything.

"Come on in," Lyman opened the front door and let Nick in. Once inside Nick looked around. The living room into which they stepped was larger than Nick thought necessary, only he wasn't about to say so. He could see an archway in the upper left hand corner of the room. With no door attached to it, Nick could tell it led into a dining room. There was a matching archway in the upper right hand corner. He assumed it led to such rooms as a study, along with a staircase. There had to be a staircase as he saw no way to get to the second floor from where he stood.

"I'll get father. Take a seat on the sofa if you wish." Lyman said as he disappeared through the archway on the right.

Nick might have done just that, only a young brown haired girl who looked to be around twenty-one or twenty-two walked out of the kitchen. She jerked backwards in surprise and then apologized. "I didn't know we had company."

"Your brother let me in, Miss." Nick explained. "I've got business with your father." He wondered at the lightning fast look of anger that passed over her eyes and then left.

"Henry Walters is my uncle; Lyman is my cousin." She stated flatly and with a look of indifference in her eyes. "The name is Teresa Farrell, not miss." She paused and then softened the tone in her voice. "Sorry, there was no reason for me to be so abrupt with you; you're a stranger to this house and don't know the relations between those living here. May I get you something to drink?"

Nick couldn't help but wonder what sort of relationship the young lady had with her relatives to react the way she had. Still, he was too polite to ask. "Do you have any whiskey?"

"Uncle Henry keeps that kind of drink in his study. I'm afraid the only drinks I can get you are water, milk or lemonade." Teresa answered.

Nick was thirsty, so he smiled and told her he'd simply take a glass of water for the moment. Teresa left and then returned with the water. By the time he drank it, Henry Walters had entered the room. Teresa took the glass from Nick and excused herself.

"I appreciate you coming clear from Stockton to look at these horses, Mr. Barkley. Even after your uncle said you might be willing to look at them, I feared the distance would make it unprofitable for you to do so. Most of them are in the corral."

"I'm afraid if I was looking at them for myself, I wouldn't be here. I only came as a favor to some friends of mine back in California. They're the ones interested; just family situations at the moment prevent them from coming." Nick didn't add that he thought his friends would be wasting their money as they could get just as good horses in California. "Though, what do you mean 'most of them'? I thought you had all the horses they were interested."

"All but one, he escaped up into the mountains the other day. My son and his friend have located the area he's in. I was hoping to get your help in rounding him up today, if possible. He's an extraordinary one; I'd hate to lose the profit he'd bring me." Henry told him.

Nick wasn't sure he really wanted to go chase down a stallion at the moment. Of course, he still had to look at the horses the man did have. "I'll let you know after I check these other horses out." He said and then asked if Henry minded if he, Nick, went and did just that.

"Of course not, help yourself." Henry answered as he told Nick which corral the horses were in. As he left the house and headed for the corral, Nick got the funny feeling he was being watched.