Chapter Nine

By the time Nick and Marguerite, who had headed east after leaving the yard, finally made camp after the sun had long since set. They'd ridden more miles than Marguerite thought possible. Now, they sat around a campfire at the base of the foothills. Nick was cooking an unlucky rabbit that had crossed their path just after they'd stopped for the night. From the way Marguerite was staring into the fire and playing with her empty cup, Nick knew she had something on her mind.

"Speak up; if we're to be married for any amount of time, we should be able to talk to each other." Nick sat next to her, slowly rotating the meat on the makeshift spit he had created over the hot coals.

Marguerite shrugged her shoulders and kept her eyes on the fire. "I meant every word I said to you in the barn. That's why I didn't fight you when you came barreling out of the house," she started talking slowly, "However, I've been thinking and what if your brother tries to have something like kidnapping charges laid against you? I mean, I am a minor. Or what if they disown you for doing this? I don't want to get what I want at the cost of you either running from the law or losing your family.No one with any level of maturity and brains would ask that of anyone." Marguerite looked at Nick and shook her head. "We should go back. I'd rather spend my life in an unasked for marriage than to see any of the above happen."

Nick smiled from ear to ear as he laid his free hand on hers. He had pretty well figured he knew what was on her mind. It was nice to know he'd been proven correct. However, her not wanting to put him at odds with the law or his family only made the desire to continue to get to know her better, and to help her, grow immensely. "Jarrod's not going to go to the law and press charges against me, trust me on that one. The family won't disown me either. As far as going back," Nick sighed, "Look I know running off isn't exactly what one would call a good way to handle things only the truth is, I like you. I like you a lot. Yes, in two years you still might want that divorce-and," he sighed, "I'll give it to you if you do. Only maybe, who knows, we could actually find ourselves really in love with each other, and you won't want one. If we go back," Nick sighed again, "how are we ever going to know?"

Marguerite, who had enjoyed Nick's friendship since she arrived on the ranch, thought for a moment, and then slowly smiled. "There is another way, a more responsible way for us to handle this. One, I freely admit, I should have thought about when you said Jarrod might say no."

"And that would be?" Nick was willing to listen to any ideas she had, as he had to admit, he wasn't all that comfortable with the path they were taking.

"Have you never been to a wedding?" Marguerite began smiling from ear to ear and explaining.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Nick was working in the south pasture, when he recalled the morning conversation with Jarrod, his mother and him sitting around the breakfast table after Marguerite, Heath and Audra had left. The tone of the conversation had changed drastically once they had left the room.

"I didn't say that." Jarrod put down his fork and kept his eye on Nick. "I simply pointed out that you've been working from sun up to sunset since you and Marguerite returned. If you are really okay with everything, why are you running yourself into the ground?"

When Nick did not answer at first, Victoria spoke up. "Jarrod's right; you've been running yourself ragged. What's the problem?"

Nick started at his mother and Jarrod. He couldn't believe his ears. How could they ask such a thing? He pushed his chair back and stood up. When he spoke, he made no attempt to hide his disgust. "I never said I was okay with everything." He glared at Jarrod and his mother. "That is something you two simply assumed when I came back and apologized for my childish decision of running off with Marguerite. When it comes to the work hours I've been keeping, what did you expect me to do? What else was I supposed to do when taking Marguerite on rides and such was no longer an option? Now, if you'll excuse me, I don't believe we have the time to visit. Don't we have to be at the church this afternoon? I need to get some work done before then." He stated in a flat tone of voice as he turned and walked briskly out of the room, never once mentioning the many, secret meetings, he and Marguerite had had. Meeting secretly was the only way they had to continue to get to know each other and make plans. How was he supposed to mention them without being accused of being childish again?

Looking at his watch, Nick hurried and put away his tools. He had a wedding to get ready for. Not an hour later he stood in his room getting ready…and moment later Jarrod, who had been uneasy all morning, was knocking on the door.

"Nick?" Jarrod stepped into the room and looked at his brother. "I'm sorry about this morning. In fact, I'm sorry you got hurt. I honestly made the decision I thought was best for everyone involved."

Nick, who was tying his tie, stopped for a split second and then went back to tying his tie. He didn't doubt Jarrod for a moment. "Everyone does that." He turned and looked at his brother. "Just do me a favor and remember that. I mean, remember we all do what we think is best." He then left the room, the conversation he and Marguerite had had four months ago, along with all the secret meetings, replayed themselves in his mind once more. They continued to play on his mind as he made his way to the church.