The trio rode slowly into the small town, Jake swaying in the saddle. Nick and Belle flanked the young man, ready to catch him if he actually did fall. They pulled to a halt in front of the doctor's office and helped Jake off his horse before tethering their mounts and the four Morgans.
The bell rang as they entered and a middle-aged balding man came out from the back room. He noticed the bandage on Jake's head and quickly gestured for them to follow him back through the door.
"Bring him on in. I'm Doc Sanders. What happened?"
"Ambushed by horse thieves," Nick said brusquely as they helped Jake onto the examining table. "Both he and the lady here were injured."
The doctor nodded as he efficiently started unwrapping Jake's bandage. "And where are you hurt, young lady?"
"Just a graze over the ribs. Nothing serious." Belle tried to stand up straighter, and grimaced at the pain in her side. Nick gave her a stern glance.
"Take care of both of them, will you, doc?" Nick requested. "Belle, I'm off to the sheriff's office. You stay here with Jake. And do what the doc tells you."
Belle gave him a nod. "Yes, sir, boss," she said with a smile. Nick answered with a smile of his own before heading out of the office in search of the local sheriff. He wondered what he was going to do about these feelings he had developed for the pretty blonde cowgirl. His mind wandered back to other women he'd known and courted, Sabrina, Hester, Michelle… He shook his head. Not a very impressive list. Belle was in a different league altogether and Nick wasn't sure how to approach her. Being the boss had its privileges but that wasn't one of them. If he asked Belle to go out, Nick wanted to make sure she was saying yes to him as a man, not because she was afraid to say no to the boss. Well, there'd be plenty of time to worry about that later, right now he needed to report the stolen horses to the sheriff.
It didn't take long to give the sheriff an account of what happened the previous night and Nick went back to the doctor's office to check on Belle and Jake.
"I'd certainly prefer the young man not to travel for a day or two," Dr. Sanders said.
Jake struggled to sit up. "I'm all right, boss. Honest."
Nick laid a friendly hand on the young cowboy's shoulder. "I know you are, Jake," he replied reassuringly, "but let's humour the doc, okay?"
"And I'd recommend the young lady take it easy, as well," the doctor continued. "Her wound isn't serious, but you don't want to tear any of the stitches." He fixed his gaze of Belle. "You can have them removed in a week or so."
Nick paid the doctor and helped the unsteady Jake out the door.
"Well, reckon we'd better find rooms for a couple nights," the tall rancher said, looking down the street for the nearest hotel. He spotted one at the end of the block. "Jake, I'll take you down and get you settled. Belle, why don't you wait here with the horses and I'll be right back to help you take them to the livery."
Belle nodded. "I'll be right here, Nick."
The blonde leaned up against the hitching rail and rubbed her roan's forehead under the bridle while she waited for Nick to return and reflected again how lucky she was to work for the Barkleys. It wasn't often you found someone who cared as much for the welfare of his employees as Nick Barkley did. Now she only had to make sure she didn't mess it up by making eyes at the boss when she had finally earned his respect. Coco nudged her hand, wanting some of the same attention as Rusty. Belle obligingly stroked his nose. "I hope you realize how lucky you are, horse."
Nick returned after a few minutes. "Got us a couple rooms," he told Belle. "Jake's under orders to take it easy and not move until we get back." He mounted Coco and took the leads of the Morgans. "Grab Jake's horse and we'll go get them settled."
Belle took the reins of Jake's bay before mounting stiffly and followed Nick down the street to the livery stable. A tall, middle-aged man came over to greet them. He ran an appraising eye over the horses.
"Nice looking animals," he commented as Nick and Belle dismounted.
"That's a fact," Nick agreed. "Got room for us to put them up a couple nights?"
The man shook his head. "No room in the stable, but plenty of space in the corral. Three bits for the lot."
Nick handed the man a dollar. "Make sure they get a good measure of grain," he instructed. "We're staying at the hotel up the street under the name of Barkley."
The man quickly pocketed the money and took the Morgans' leads. "I'll take care of it myself," he promised.
Nick and Belle fastened the reins of their mounts to the corral fence before removing their bedrolls and saddlebags. Leaving the horses in the hosteller's care, they started back to the hotel. A loud snort and whinny from inside the stable made Belle freeze in her tracks.
"Nick, that sounds awfully familiar."
Nick nodded. "Think we need to take a look."
Still carrying their gear, Nick and Belle made their way into the stable. Two fine-featured equine faces poised on elegantly arched necks peered at them from over the stall doors. The grey snorted and tossed her mane.
"Reckon we came to the right place," Nick growled.
"Yep." Belle watched the Arabians for a moment. "Not the smartest horse thieves, stopping so close to where they bushwhacked us." She looked over at Nick, who was watching his horses with a grim expression. "What are we gonna do about it?"
Nick turned on his heel and stalked outside. "You," he said, grabbing her gear, "are going over to that café across the street for a nice long cup of coffee while making sure our horses stay put." He shouldered her saddlebags. "I'm gonna take this stuff to the hotel and then go see the sheriff again."
"Will do, Nick," Belle said.
"And don't go after them by yourself if you see them being moved," Nick warned.
Belle smiled. "Yes, sir, boss." Nick watched appreciatively as she walked across the street, telling himself he was just making sure she got there all right. He strode quickly down the sidewalk back to the hotel. Taking the gear upstairs, he was gratified to find young Jake fast asleep, his breathing deep and even. One less thing to worry about while he was taking care of those no-good horse thieves.
Nick carefully stowed the bedrolls and saddlebags in an out-of-the-way corner before returning to the sheriff's office. He found the lawman sitting behind his desk looking through a stack of wanted posters.
"Found my horses, sheriff," Nick said shortly. "They're over at the livery. Got one of my hands keeping an eye out so they stay put."
The sheriff pushed his hat back off his forehead. "You don't say? Well, I guess we can go compare them to your bill of sale and you can take them back. It'll make my day a whole lot easier."
Nick placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "Oh, I don't think so," he said with a warning tone in his voice. "We still gotta find those hombres that took them and shot my friends. Not gonna leave them loose to try the same thing when we leave here."
The sheriff sighed and got to his feet. "You've got a point, Mr. Barkley. But I gotta make sure those are the same horses first. Then we'll get a description of who brought them in and go find them. Will that satisfy you?"
"I'll let you know." Nick's spurs jingled as he left the office. The sheriff had to hurry to keep up with Nick's long strides; the tall rancher wasn't one to waste time. He walked straight into the livery and stopped in front of the Arabians. "Right there." Nick pulled the bill of sale from his pocket, handed it to the sheriff and waited impatiently while the lawman scrutinized both paper and horses.
He handed the paper back to Nick. "Same horses, all right. Hey, Sam," he called to the hosteller who had just entered the stable. "What did the fellows look like who brought in these here horses?"
Sam pushed back his hat and scratched his head. "Well, now, there were two of them, about medium build. The dark one, he had a bit of a limp and the other had the orangest hair I've ever seen. Said they'd be back for their horses around dinnertime."
"Thanks, Sam." The sheriff led Nick out of the stable. "I'll round up my deputy and be back just before dinner. Where can I find you, Mr. Barkley?"
Nick jerked a thumb in the direction of the café. "Right across there, keeping an eye on this place in case they come back early."
The sheriff nodded. "See you in about an hour, then."
Nick walked across to the café and pulled up a chair across from Belle. "Got a description of those horse thieves," he told her. "One dark, the other a redhead. Dark one has a limp." He nodded to the waitress' offer of coffee. "Sheriff'll meet us in about an hour."
Belle also nodded for a refill. "And until then?"
Nick took a drink, a foreboding expression on his face. "Until then, we wait and make sure they don't come back earlier than expected."
The silence grew as they sipped their coffee and waited.
"How was Jake when you took our gear over?" Belle asked.
Nick smiled at the thought of the earnest young man. "Sound asleep. Probably the best place for him right now."
Belle nodded in agreement. She liked Jake and was very glad he hadn't been seriously injured. She looked up and found Nick watching her. Their eyes met and the intensity of Nick's gaze took her breath away. There was so much personality in those hazel eyes, so much of the charisma and self-assurance that was Nick Barkley, Belle felt overwhelmed and quickly glanced away.
Belle had never felt this level of attraction for any man before and it was unnerving, to say the least. When they got back to Stockton, Belle figured she'd have to make sure her jobs took her to the other end of the ranch from the handsome cowboy if she wanted to retain any semblance of professionalism in her job. She wasn't sure what she'd do if Nick were to express the same kind of interest she was feeling for him. But she didn't think she had to worry. Nick likely had his pick of the eligible ladies of proper social standing; a trail-dusty cowhand wouldn't be much competition.
Her reverie was broken by a gruff "Look over there." Belle looked out the window in the direction Nick indicated. Two men were making their way to the livery, one with a limp and the other with curly red hair poking out from under his hat. "Doesn't seem like they're waiting 'til dinnertime," Nick growled, pushing back his chair. "C'mon."
Belle followed Nick out of the café. The dark haired rancher stalked across the street, blonde cowgirl on his heels.
"Hold it right there!"
The two horse thieves whirled as they drew their guns. Nick squeezed off a shot before the redhead even cleared leather, pitching him backward. The other horsethief's pistol spat and kicked up a puff of dust at Nick's feet. Belle fired and the man stared uncomprehendingly at the blossom of red growing on the front of his shirt before he toppled over, joining his friend lying in the street.
Belle holstered her weapon and joined Nick, who was silently regarding the men on the ground.
The sheriff rushed up, followed by a crowd of curious townsfolk. "I see you got your horse thieves," he remarked. "Reckon I'll find enough witnesses to say it was self-defense."
"Reckon so. They're in your hands now, sheriff." Nick glared contemptuously at the still forms lying in the dirt before looking back at the lawman. "We'll be at the hotel if you need us. Come on, Belle."
Belle inclined her head. "Sheriff," she acknowledged as she walked past.
"Ma'am," he said, tipping his hat, wondering a bit at the lady in cowboy garb.
Belle caught up to Nick. "Jake's gonna feel left out he slept through all the action."
Nick chuckled. "Well, he saw more than enough action last night, enough to make a good story to tell the ladies."
"Is that all you cowboys think about?" Belle challenged as they walked into the hotel saloon. "How to charm the ladies?"
"No, not all," Nick replied as he signaled the bartender for a couple drinks. "Sometimes we think about horses, cattle, whiskey," he held up his glass at the last and took a contemplative drink, "but charming the ladies does rank up there," he finished with a rakish grin. "I take it you've been on the receiving end a few times?"
"Oh, a few," Belle admitted. "None worth mentioning, though." Belle gave Nick a covert glance. If he tried charming her, now that would be worth mentioning. Belle quickly looked back at her hands before Nick could catch her staring.
"Don't see too many ladies in a place like this who don't work here."
Belle looked over at the source of the voice. The stranger wore a black jacket with string tie and his boots and gunbelt were too polished to ever have seen hard use. Belle sighed and rested her head in her hands.
"Do you ever get a chance to have a drink in peace?" Nick asked, chuckling.
"No, not often," Belle answered wearily.
"I'll stand you a round, little lady," the man went on, seemingly oblivious to Nick and Belle's exchange.
"No thanks," was Belle's curt reply.
The man tipped his hat. "If you change your mind…" he started then made a wise retreat as Nick gave him a dark look.
Belle favored Nick with one of those smiles he was coming to cherish. "Thanks, Nick, I didn't really feel like having to chase him off myself."
"Think nothing of it," Nick replied dismissively. He wondered if he could find a way to charm this lady without ending up in the 'nothing worth mentioning' category. "You had my back earlier, just returning the favor."
Belle smiled again and Nick experienced a fierce longing to take her into his arms. But he held himself back and they just finished the rest of their drinks in companionable silence.