Chapter Eleven
Georgia sat in her wheelchair next to the chair that Jarrod was sitting in, the one closest to the living room entrance. Nick stood next to the fireplace, Heath stood beside the sofa, while Victoria and Audra sat on the sofa. The ride home had been uneventful except for the conversation Jarrod and Georgia had shared, now Georgia found herself feeling very much out of place as she looked around the room. During the Civil War, and before they'd left Colorado, Jarrod had talked about his father and mother's hard work and how it had benefited the family, but to see the house and everything…it was all so overwhelming.
"If we had received the telegrams the Hammer's sent," Victoria smiled politely at Georgia, "We would have contacted you, would have made room for you, and if Jarrod had known he would have found a way to do something about the situation."
Georgia gave the family a small smile as she looked at each of them again and nodded slightly, "So Jarrod assures me," she looked at Jarrod with the a look that begged him to understand why she was leaning on his word. He smiled kindly upon her and patted her hand slightly in an effort to ease her still, somewhat, troubled mind.
'So Jarrod assures me', the family wasn't surprised to hear the implied message, one that said 'I have to take his work as I don't know you'. Victoria stood up and broke the uncomfortable silence that had fallen upon them. "It's been a long day for the two of you." She said as she looked from Georgia to Jarrod then, speaking to Heath, she continued, "Why don't you show them to the room we've fixed up for them. Later, we'll have supper."
Heath stepped away from the sofa. "Yes, mother," he answered as Jarrod stood up and took a hold of his wife's chair. Once the three had left the room, Victoria turned to Nick, who had been, other than welcoming Jarrod home and saying what was equivalent to 'hello again' to Georgia, uncharacteristically quiet during the conversation. Since both Jarrod and Nick had written about Georgia during the Civil War, Victoria feared that, maybe, Nick was holding back a secret the family should know.
"What's wrong? And don't tell me nothing; I can tell something is bothering you. If there's something about Georgia, something that we should know," Victoria said as she gave him one of her hard penetrating stares, the kind that usually got her children to break down and confess whatever they were holding back, "tell us now!"
Nick wanted to tell his mother that she was imagining things; that is, he wanted to tell her nothing was bothering him. Only she'd see right through him if he did that. So, he did the only thing he could honestly say without saying anything. "Don't worry," he told her as he clasped his hand upon her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze, "As far as I know, there's nothin' about Georgia we need to worry about. Now," he let go of his mother's shoulder, "I need to go outside and get back to work."
Victoria would have stopped her middle son and demanded to know why his eyes held such a haunted look in them only, just as she started to open her mouth, Silas walked into room. That gave Nick the time he needed to get out of the house without further questioning.
~oOo~
Georgia sat by the bedroom window and looked out. While the corral was barely visible, she could see it, along with Nick and the other men who were in the process of breaking in some horses. Without warning she found herself filled with resentment, though she quickly chastised herself. It wasn't her brother in law's fault the blasted war had taken place, wasn't his fault so many deaths had occurred. It wasn't his fault… Without realizing it Georgia cut off her train of thought and let out a long drawn out sigh. This naturally caught Jarrod's attention. He'd just finished looking around the room to make sure everything had been transferred to the new room.
"What is it?" He asked quickly walking over to window and followed her gaze. His heart skipped a beat when he saw what, and who, she was looking at. "He regrets the past as much as you and I both do."
Georgia didn't doubt that for a moment, though all of a sudden she was tired and said as much. "I know supper isn't all that far away only I really need to lie down. If I'm still asleep when it's ready," she said as she looked at Jarrod apologetically, "would you give my apologizes to your family?"
Jarrod didn't like the idea of her missing a meal only understood how tiring long trips could be, and meeting his family hadn't been easy. Especially when seeing one of them, unintentionally, brought back memories one would rather forget.
"I'd be happy too." Jarrod smiled lovingly as he followed Georgia, who wheeled herself over to the bed. He helped her up onto the bed and smiled down upon her.
"Jarrod," Georgia, now lying on the pillows with the covers over her, reached out and laid her hand on his.
"Yes," Jarrod answered his concern for her showing in his eyes.
"Thanks," She gave his hand a squeeze as she thought of his promise that he wouldn't attempt to try anything unless she made the first move, "for everything and for understanding, even if you don't like it."
Jarrod didn't say anything for a moment. He didn't like it. He wanted nothing more than to lie with his wife and know her in every sense a man could. However, after so many years, he knew that if he and Georgia were ever to be a couple in more than name only, he'd have to be patient. "You just rest and don't worry about anything else for now." he leaned over and gave her quick peck on the forehead, "I'll see you later." He then straightened up and left the room.
Once he had the door closed, Jarrod leaned his back up against the wall, took a deep breath and then headed for his study. Maybe he could find something to keep himself busy until supper.
