Twenty One

"Is he serious?" Nick, who stood in the study, not far from Jarrod's desk looked at his older brother. Jarrod had just finished telling Nick and Heath, who sat in a chair in front of the desk, one concern that the judge had brought up...and his brothers didn't like it.

Jarrod thought about how a man might react when he found out the huge amount of money he'd been expecting to get, not only went to another party, but that it happened due to the actions of another. And when Kyle Randall found out his nephew had survived thanks to Ruth's intervention, everything under the sky could very well break wide open. "Very serious and I have to agree. If there is as much money involved as Ruth said there is, her Uncle Kyle is going to resent her interference even more than he did before."

Nick's jaw hardened and his hands doubled up in fists before he had time to think about it. "He lays one finger on her and I'll..."

Jarrod held up his hand and pointed his finger at his hot tempered brother. "Don't say it, Nick. We need to keep our focus on protecting both Ruth and Timothy while the Pinkertons do their part in getting the proof we need. For now, all we can do is to keep our ears and eyes wide open without saying anything around Timothy. If anything is to be said to Ruth," Jarrod shrugged his shoulders and looked at his brothers. "I think one of you should talk to her."

Heath's lopsided grin appeared on his face as he looked at Nick. "If anything happens and you want me to talk to Timmy I will, but I think you best talk to Ruth." He wasn't about to add that he wasn't going to purposely do anything that would send Ruth thinking he had any feelings for her, other than the same concern he had for any of his family and friends.

"Talk about Ruth," Nick looked at the clock. "I'm supposed to take her out to dinner." He looked at Heath. "Mother said she'd watch Timmy, but I kind of promised Ruth I'd ask you to keep a close eye on him too."

Heath still had chores to get done, but he wasn't going to tell Nick that. Why should he? He knew that by taking Timothy along it would help the lad to continue to see that having a leg that was different didn't mean you had to stop living. "No problem, might want to have Ruth give a description of her uncle to the men, so they can keep an eye out just in case." Heath suggested as he stood up.

"Anything else?" Nick asked, keeping his eyes on Jarrod.

"Just be careful," Jarrod answered as he began looking through some papers on his desk. "From everything the two of you and Ruth have told us, we need to be on our guard if that man does find out the truth."

"You don't need to tell me that one." Nick said and then headed out of the room. Knowing Ruth was once again with Audra, he decided to go outside and get a few minor chores done before getting ready for his date with Ruth. He just hoped it Mr. Hills, the cafe owner, had hired more reliable help than the last time Nick had tried eating there. He didn't want to find himself having to take Ruth elsewhere.

~oOo~

"May I ask you something? That is, without you thinking I'm being overly nosey or anything?" Audra, who had only wanted to offer some of her jewelry, sat on her bed looking at Ruth, who sat on a chair next to her.

Ruth, who had politely declined Audra's offer, stiffened ever so slightly, not sure what would be coming if she answered in the affirmative. After a minute she nodded ever so slightly, "What do you want to know?"

"How on earth did you pass your brother off as your son for so long? I mean, I can see it for a few months, but ten years? You never had anyone question the relationship, not even one person?" Audra was trying to wrap her mind around that one.

An unsettled look came upon Ruth's face as she stood up and, walking over to the three by three foot window, rested her hands on the white windowpane. Looking outside, she could see Nick talking to McColl while Heath and Timothy could be seen off in the distance. She shuddered as she thought about the one time she'd actually been separated from her brother. It had only been for a few days, but it had seemed like an eternity. And, there were some who might condemn her for what she did to get him back. It was a story she was starting to think she needed to share with Nick sometime. After all, they were seeing each other. But Audra? The young woman was nice enough; that was true, and Ruth had no reason to doubt Nick or Heath when they said Audra was trustworthy. Still..."Does it really matter?" Ruth finally turned around and asked, not knowing how else to answer Audra's question. Well, since she didn't really want to share the story at the moment, Ruth didn't know how to answer the question without lying...and she didn't want to do that.

Audra, who had hoped to hear a good story, inwardly sighed. The answer to Ruth's question was a resounding 'no', and Audra knew it. As much as she wanted to press the issue, she could just hear the lecture she'd get once any of her family heard about it...and they would hear about it. That was one thing Audra was certain of. "No, it doesn't. I was just curious." Audra admitted.

The two might have continued talking, only a knock came on the door; it was Victoria. The Barkley matriarch needed Audra's help in the attic. "I'd invite you to help us sort out all the items donated for the charity auction tomorrow, but Nick has practically begged me to make sure you have time to get ready for your date."

Ruth found herself blushing as Victoria smiled at her. If it wasn't for the fact that the date was only forty five minutes away, Ruth would have insisted on helping the Barkley women anyway. As it was, she thanked Victoria, and then promised to help her with the actual auction itself...an offer Victoria was more than happy to accept.