Chapter Thirteen

Heath and Jarrod were standing on the porch of the boarding house discussing the fact that they were supposed to be heading home the next day, along with the fact that they both felt strongly that Conners and Miller would have to make a move soon, along with the fact that Mr. Tagen could show up any minute.

"I'm sure they were supposed to have you by now." Jarrod, who was still very worried for his naturally quiet brother, looked around even as he spoke. "In fact, I'm shocked Mr. Tagen hasn't returned yet."

"Stagecoach had more wheel trouble, and he's too lazy to help." A loud voice behind them made both brothers jump, and they whirled around.

"Nick!" Jarrod looked at his departed brother in exasperation. "You could at least give us a warning you're here. And, what do you mean, the coach has had more problems?" Even as he asked the question, a look appeared in Jarrod eyes, one the asked the question 'aren't you going to get into trouble with someone?'

When it came to surprising his brothers, Nick only chuckled. However, when he began talking, he was dead serious. "Playing around with those wheels was the only thing I could do to buy the two of you more time, and you need it." Nick went on to tell Jarrod and Heath everything he'd heard Conners and Miller discuss, including the fact that they planned on sending Heath a note telling him that if he didn't go to Mr. Tagen's house, by himself, that harm would not only come to Jarrod, but to Carlotta as well. "You can't go there alone, Heath. I don't know if I've delayed Michael Tagen long enough or not, doesn't really matter. Those two men are eager to make points with their boss. I wouldn't put it past them to murder you and then come up with a false story to give Tagen."

Heath didn't want Carlotta in the middle of the trouble, and he sure the blazes didn't want Jarrod hurt simply because he'd come to Modesto to join him. However, before he could say anything, Jarrod was talking. "Don't even think about it, Heath! This time you will not deal with anything by yourself!" When a flash of guilt flashed through Nick's eyes, Jarrod was quick to set him straight as well. "What happened in the past is in the past, Nick. We forgave you, now forgive yourself as well." He then turned the matter back to Conners and Miller. "I think we need to talk to Benjamin. I know for a fact that he's over at the store. I'll go get him only, Heath," Jarrod looked his brother in the eye, "I am only going to get him and come right back here. We can all discuss this then. Promise me if, by chance, you happen to get any note from Conners and Miller before I get back, you will wait for me. After all, the store isn't that far away."

Heath didn't like it, but he also knew Jarrod wouldn't leave until he was sure Heath would do as he asked. "Fine, but hurry. If I do get such a note, I'm not going to stand around for very long."

"Deal," Jarrod turned and practically flew down the steps and down the street.

After Jarrod had disappeared down the road, Heath looked at Nick. He could tell there was something else on Nick's mind. "Out with it, and don't tell me there's nothing wrong."

Nick growled, "I just hate not being able to do more. It things comes down to it, I want to be able to fight alongside Jarrod and you. As it is," Nick growled as he leaned against the boarding house's front wall. "I'm not allowed 'to touch any living thing'." The frustration Nick felt could be heard in his voice.

Heath couldn't help but grin. "Nick you're doing more for us now than you realize. I mean, with your eyes, your ability to hear and see things we can't, we might just be able to bring an end to Tagen's plans without too much trouble."

Nick sighed. "I hope so, still…maybe…" he got a look of someone deep in thought. Heath didn't like the look that came into Nick's eyes and went to ask him just what on earth he was planning when rock flew through the air and landed near Heath's feet. Heath, who had jumped backwards just a little, bent over and picked it up.

"From Conners, isn't it?" Nick was standing next to Heath in no time flat.

"If you don't want your lawyer brother or Carlotta hurt…." Heath began reading. By the time he was through, he was more than relieved to see Jarrod and Benjamin hurrying his way. "It looks…" Heath turned his head to talk to Nick only to find his hot tempered brother gone. He might have started thinking of all the possible reasons Nick would just disappear like that only Jarrod and Benjamin were almost to the boarding house.

~ooo~

The wind had begun to howl when Nick appeared near some trees that stood behind Michael Tagen's home. He had watched as Conners and Miller ran as fast as they could down the street and up the steps that led to the side door of the home. It hadn't been long until Nick saw the two men through a window whose curtains were wide open. The fact that they were in one of the bedrooms was a given by the sight of a tall, brown, dresser that set in the room. When he saw Heath approaching the house-which startled him as it hadn't been all that long since he'd left his blonde haired brother, Nick started moving forward only to find a hand on his arm. He turned his head, not surprised to see a red headed, round faced gentleman who stood five feet seven inches and went by the name of Gideon standing next to him…or was Nick supposed to say 'angel'?

Gideon, who had been given the job of helping Nick adjust to life on the other side, gave the hot tempered rancher a look of exasperation. "I don't know exactly what you had in mind only there's no use going in there. I told you; you can only do so much from this side. There are many things out of our hands, whether we like it or not."

"Those men and Tagen plan on killing Heath; maybe even Jarrod too once he shows up. Plus, I'm sure neither of my brothers would appreciate it if I didn't include Benjamin Mason on that list as well. What do you want me to do? Just sit here and wait to see if we're getting some newcomers or not?" When Gideon fidgeted slightly, Nick exploded and, in spite of what he'd told Heath, Nick threw the rulebook out the window-as it were. "You can stand around and wait if you want, I'm not going to…no matter what you threaten me with!" He disappeared before Gideon could say another word.

Gideon covered his eyes and groaned. "How come I get the funniest feeling Nick Barkley is going to get away with bending the rules, and how come I think I'm going to be stuck working with him for a while?" The moment he muttered the words, Gideon was sure he heard other spirits laughing...which only had him uttering a few other words.