Chapter Ten

The Barkley home rang with the music, as Michelle made her way through the crowd that had gathered at the Barkley home. She was amazed at just how many people were gathered. For all her father's wealth, he'd never had this many people at their home. That is, ones that looked as if they were actually beaming with happiness.

"Shelly," Audra smiled at Michelle as the young woman finally found her way to Audra, Victoria and some of their friends. "I thought Nick said the two of you were going to spend the evening dancing. Where is he?" Audra asked as she looked around the room.

"McColl came and got him. It seems like one of the cows decided to birth their calf early." Michelle answered as she sat down next to Victoria. The long time foreman had apologized for crashing the party and then explained that it looked as if the birth was going to be a difficult one. Naturally, Nick had apologized to Michelle, who told him to go take care of business…as babies of any kind refused to listen to the definition of a schedule.

"I'm sorry. I know how much Nick was looking forward to the party, as I'm sure you were." Audra spoke up.

Before Michelle had a chance to reply to Audra, Jarrod walked up and made the same observation as his sister had, and received the same answer. Jarrod was about to suggest that she simply dance with someone else when his sister shocked him when she piped up. "You shouldn't have to sit on the sidelines the whole time. Jarrod could dance with you right now and then, later, I'm sure someone else would be more than happy to dance with you."

Seeing the shock on Jarrod's face Michelle hesitated, all the time wondering who put all the air into Audra's head. Of course, she was too polite to think that out loud. "I don't know."

"It's no trouble." Jarrod smiled to cover up the irritation he felt towards Audra. "My sister's right. You shouldn't have to sit on the sidelines." He held out his hand. "Shall we?"

"Fine, but you explain to Nick why I was on the dance floor when I promised the first dance to him." Michelle gave in and stood up.

"If he was doing anything but helping a cow who has bad timing," Jarrod told her as they began dancing with the Barkleys' guest, "I wouldn't have gone a long with it. I would tell you to wait and keep that promise. As it is, who knows how long Nick will be."

Without half thinking, Michelle began asking Jarrod questions that she'd had since she'd finished reading one of the books in the study. The book happened to be one of his law books from his college days. It surprised Jarrod that she had not only read the book, but seemed to have learned quite a bit from it, though he was more than happy to answer her questions. "Now," he smiled as the music ended, "I think we should put books and questions aside and enjoy the rest of the party." Then, thinking of Nick, Jarrod chuckled, "I'm sure that brother of mine wouldn't appreciate it if he thought you missed out on the party due to discussions on the law."

Michelle laughed and agreed, and then started to mingle with the other guests while Jarrod made his way to Fred Madden, who stood off to the side of the room. "What's wrong Fred, aren't you enjoying the party?" Jarrod asked as he saw a rather uneasy look in Fred's eyes.

"Oh, I'm enjoying the party well enough." Fred answered as he turned to his attention to Jarrod. Jarrod's concern grew when the sheriff asked if the two of them could talk in the study, though he didn't question the lawman until the two were alone.

"What's this about, Fred?" Jarrod asked as stood with his back to the study window.

Fred admitted to receiving another request that he keep his eye open for "one Michelle Lecaise". "Jarrod, by law I should say something."

Jarrod felt his heart skip a beat. Over the past few months, Michelle had slowly become a rather good friend to his family, and Nick, in spite of the fact that he didn't seem to getting to third base with Michelle yet, was still very vocal to the family about how he felt about Michelle. "Fred, she doesn't want to be found. I told you everything." Jarrod was caught off guard as a sudden wave of panic washed over him, one that said he had to protect Michelle from her father at all costs. He had to convince Fred to remain silent. "If you want to talk to her again, go ahead and talk. She hasn't changed her mind. If you say anything, she'll just bolt. As long as she hasn't committed any crime why should you have to say something?"

"Well, I…." Fred started to answer only the very woman he'd been talking about open the study door and step inside.

"I'm sorry," Michelle apologized. "I didn't know you were in here." She went on to explain she was looking for a book for one of Victoria's friends. "Your mother promised Mrs. Whittaker she could borrow the book the other day." When she saw the uneasy look in both Fred's and Jarrod's eyes, she assumed the worst and asked nervously, "My father knows I'm here doesn't he?"

"No," both Jarrod and Fred answered at the same time. "But I've received a request to keep my eyes wide open for you." Fred admitted. He was surprised, but not shocked after what Jarrod had told him in the past, when pure panic filled Michelle's eyes.

"You can't tell anyone anything, please!" She moved across the floor and stood next to Jarrod and the lawman. "I'm dead if you do."

Due to the sheer fear Jarrod heard in her voice, he, without thinking, laid his hand on Michelle's shoulder. "We told you before," he looked at Fred, "no one is going to say a word, are they Fred?" His eyes bore into Fred; urgency in them.

Fred, who felt his heart go out to the young woman, shook his head. "Well, if I'm asked, I can honestly say I've never seen anyone that fit the description they sent me and have never heard of anyone going by the name of Lecaise." He saw relief appear in Michelle's eyes just as he turned to leave the room, "I'm going back to the party." He then exited the room.

Once Fred was gone, Michelle dropped to the couch and bowed her head. "Everything was going so well, I almost forgot my father would still be looking for me." Her voice was just above a whisper.

Jarrod sat down and, laying his hand again on her shoulders, assured her that he and his family would do their best to protect her.

Michelle lifted her had up and looked into Jarrod's eyes. "I once told your mother I hoped I had not brought trouble to your home. After what Sheriff Madden just confessed, I find myself with that same fear once more."

Jarrod said nothing at first, not because he would blame Michelle if her father caused any problems for his family for hiding Michelle, should he learn of her whereabouts, but because he had the same feeling he'd had in his office fall over him once more. He quickly lowered his hand and assured her she need not worry about that one. "Now why don't you go rejoin the party while I go check on Nick and that calf?"

Michelle hesitated only a second before agreeing it was a good idea and exiting the room. Once she was gone, and he'd headed out the door, Jarrod analyzed the feelings that kept coming over him. After a few minutes, Jarrod decided that, with his brothers, his mother and his sister all keeping an eye out for Michelle, there was only one thing for him to do. He had to find a believably reason to leave town and go to his offices in San Francisco.