Chapter Twenty One

Nick, who had been out riding, was just entering Clairton when he saw Heath and Steve hurrying towards him. He automatically stiffened before he quickly stopped his horse and dismounted. "What is it?" He asked as Heath and Steve stopped beside him.

"Sheriff Lund, Clay and the other men are going to be arriving in the next hour." Heath went onto to tell his hot tempered brother how a gentleman had been on a winter camping trip only to come racing to Clairton. "He came galloping into town and told us he'd seen Sheriff Lund, his deputy and the other men making camp."

Nick felt like there was more and demanded to know what else there was as he walked briskly towards the livery stable. "And don't tell me nothing,"

Heath gave Nick a crooked smile as he explained the gentleman had seen the deputy pull the sheriff away from the men riding with the two lawmen and then overheard a small part of what they were saying. "Sheriff Lund was talking rather soft, making it hard to hear what he was saying only," Heath shook his head. "He heard the deputy, Clay, loud and clear. The man was telling the sheriff 'you started this, you just make sure those men you paid keep their story straight!' Sounds like the sheriff is more than incompetent and protecting his deputy." He went on to say that more than one man was willing to help them after hearing what the additional witness was saying.

Nick's eyes blazed as he told Steve to go get James, along with the men who had offered their services. "We need to get them all placed strategically throughout town before Sheriff Lund, his deputy and the men riding with them get here! Tell the few business owners to lock up and tell every man, woman and child to go home and stay there until this is over!" A part of him hated doing that as he knew the empty town was sure to put Sheriff Lund and the men with him on high alert. At the same time, he didn't want any innocent bystanders to be hurt, or worse yet killed, because any skirmish that might take place.

"Yes, Nick!" Steve, who was more than willing to do as Nick asked, turned and left.

"What else is there?" Nick, who was surprised to see 'something' else in Heath's eyes, pressed his brother for some more answers.

Heath paused and then, with a crooked smile spreading across his face, shocked Nick. "It wasn't anyone from Clairton who saw and heard the men. It was Sheriff Paul Jacobson. He said he usually doesn't do any sort of winter campout only, after he got back from riding around the mountains, he was so uptight he thought being by himself-even in a winter camp, would help him think. He is waiting at the jailhouse. He didn't want to confront six men- maybe seven-by himself, and his campsite was closer to Clairton than Greenville."

It took Nick a few seconds to get his jaw off the road, and then he was hurrying to the jail, as he was more than elated to have the additional help from such a fine lawman. "Anything else you care to tell me before Sheriff Lund and the others get here?" Nick asked out of the side of his mouth as they neared the jailhouse.

"Only other thing can be discussed inside," Heath replied as he opened up the jailhouse door.

~oOo~

"What are you thinking about?" Vanessa walked up to Jarrod who had, upon his insistence, been moved a chair by the kitchen table…a request that had been granted only after Elmer had checked his 'cast'-and after Jarrod agreed not to argue about going back to the bed or couch after thirty minutes. "I can't take those casts off for another two weeks, and the ribs have to stay wrapped for another two after that. Like I said before, the materials I had to use aren't the best I'm only willing to push things so far." Those had been Elmer's exact words. Jarrod could see out the kitchen window, and it felt good to be sitting up for a change…even if the time would be limited.

"You," Jarrod turned his head away from the window and asked if she was all right. "You seemed a bit bent out of shape the other day…when Mathew said your food was the best he'd had in ages. It confused me, as I could see nothing wrong with the compliment."

Vanessa was shocked that she came across as 'bent out of shape', though she had to admit her mood had changed. She quickly assured Jarrod she hadn't been upset, though she admitted she'd laid in her bed for a long time simply thinking. "Some times something can be said that triggers another issue totally unrelated. Don't ask me why, only I've had it happen before." Her eyes asked if he had ever experienced the same thing.

Jarrod nodded ever so slightly. "I know how that can be."

She then sat down, shrugged her shoulders and looked down just a little. "It's not anything Elmer, Matthew or you have said. I think it's just getting to me…I mean, being stuck up here in the cabin or just outside of it-not knowing how many bounty hunters are looking for us. All the hours we've…" her voice trailing off as she was unsure how to confess the feelings she'd been struggling with.

Jarrod didn't have to ask her to finish her sentence as, somehow, he instinctively knew what she was unable to say. "I asked you if I could court you and – while it might not be the traditional courtship, that's exactly what we've been doing. Only, I'm sorry, I should have thought what that might bring about in a situation like this. That's something I would expect from Nick, not myself." He reached out and lay his hand on hers. "I have felt more alive since having you come back into my life than I have in a long time. You're intelligent, educated, a hard worker-yes, a wonderful cook and so much more. When I realized it wasn't going to work out between my brother and yourself, I should have admitted how attracted I was to you instead of allowing my feelings to remain in the back of my mind. I'd ask you to be my wife now only there's no one around to marry us." He looked at his wrist, leg and then felt the bandages around his chest. "And I'm afraid the honeymoon would have to be delayed."

Vanessa's face lit up. "You can still ask me."

"All right," Jarrod started grinning from ear to ear. "Vanessa Rodriquez, will you do me the pleasure of agreeing to be my wife…as soon as we can get out of here, prove our innocence and find a preacher."

"You bet I will! I just wish we didn't have to wait to get married." Vanessa stood up to walk around the table and at least give Jarrod a kiss. The two had just started to exchange the kiss when Matthew walked in; Elmer was behind him.

Jarrod, who had pulled away from Vanessa, was beaming and gave the two men no chance to say anything. "She said yes! We just have to wait until we get out of here to get married."

Now it was Matthew whose face was lit up as bright as any lamp. "Who says you have to wait to be man and wife?"

From behind Matthew came a growl,"Why don't you be quiet?!"