Chapter 21: Girls and Gossip
After shaving, Heath brushed his teeth. He was glad the hotel had some nice bath houses near. He knew the trail was going to be dusty. Heading off with a clean shave and a clean body helped make him more relaxed. He was glad to be getting on with the trip. The sooner they got to meet the Cartwrights; the sooner they could head back to their own ranch. Perhaps then some kind of normalcy would come back to their lives.
Turning in the luggage and putting the bedrolls on, he had noticed Audra had only taken one fancy dress and a simpler change in clothing to carry along on the one day journey. Heath felt guilty for barking orders at her. Because of his wanting to make amends, Heath retrieved the green shawl Audra had purchased as a gift for their mother. At least, Audra would be a little less perturbed knowing he was trying to make amends. Heath rolled the shawl in paper before sticking it inside his own bedroll.
Audra and Heath ate breakfast in silence. He glanced at her noticing her hair was in a simple pony tail. It surprised him as Audra never seemed to go without her hair neatly in place and fixed. Today, her hair was more wavy due to a simple bath without much fuss over things. Even on their family's long camping trip, Audra had fussed with her hair some. Not today. She looked simple and not like her usual self. Heath chuckled to himself at the word 'simple' and Audra being in the same thought. The girl couldn't pull of simple if she were in a feed sack.
Glancing up from her food, Audra noticed Heath's strong handsome features. To her, he was the most beautiful of the Barkley boys. Audra almost chuckled at that description. Heath would be blushing and saying a female was beautiful; a man was not. However, Audra couldn't think of any other way to describe Heath Barkley. He was beautiful. It was a masculine beautiful that Audra knew most of the girls in Stockton noticed. Too bad, a lot of the people still held prejudices about Heath even after a year.
Feeling odd about her new noticing of Heath's fine features, Audra thought back to some of the girls in Stockton. Many times, the young ladies would gather to comment on men. Of course, they used other explanations for the meetings such as gathering food for less fortunate, making Christmas ornaments to decorate Stockton or a church social.
The Barkley brothers were always the topic of conversation. Jarrod was the handsome lawyer that any sophisticated young lady would want to have as a husband. He was the one most wanted for marriage. Nick was equally sought after. Thinking of Nick, Audra smiled. All the girls were wooed by him. They talked of his rugged handsome looks. Eugene was even spoke of being such a great catch for a husband when he finished his schooling. However, most young ladies supposed he'd be swept off his feet by someone from his college area. Heath was the one most girls giggled about. They seem to be transported back to girly teen year when Heath was brought up.
Their mothers would be shocked at some of the things Audra had heard being whispered about the blonde Barkley. The girls thought they were so clever with their whispers. They had thought they kept them from Audra's ears. Too many times Audra had heard their crude remarks of wanting to do unlady like things with the newest Barkley boy. Of course, they all agreed he was not marriage material. Yet, they wouldn't mind if Heath broke them like he was known to break a wild stallion. No lady would dare speak of such things. Yet, these girls had thought they had done so in secret.
Audra remembered being appalled by the girls' words when she had headed to walk into the room. None of the girls had met Heath at that time. It wasn't the first time Audra had heard her friends discussing her brothers. However, it was to be the first time the girls had brought up Heath. The fact was it would not be the last.
The giggling brood didn't know she was there. Nor did they realize she had ever been. Audra had rushed away embarrassed by all she heard that day. Wishing she had not eaves dropped allowing her curiosity to get the best of her, she had Silas send them away with her apology.
The six young ladies were gathered making decorations for Stockton's fourth of July celebration. Audra had went to get some more refreshments. When she started to come into the room, the girls were all sitting around on the floor of the Barkley's parlor. The girls had decided to meet there in hopes of catching a glimpse of one of the Barkley brothers. They were pleased to find out Eugene was in town as well.
"I think Jarrod is the most strikingly handsome man in these parts." Abigail Sanders took a drink from her lemonade. "He looks so inspiring in his gentleman suits."
"True." Clara Mason agreed but added. "However, Nick is truly ruggedly handsome. I think he is more handsome as far as the type I prefer."
"He's aggressive though." Bonnie Sawyer added. She glanced around the group. "Well, he'd not do anything you'd not want him to. But the man has to be told when to stop or he'd keep going."
A few nodded their heads with mischievous smiles on their faces. It seems Nick Barkley had been kissing at least three of the young ladies before.
It was Rebecca Simms who spoke next. "Eugene has turned into a handsome man as well."
"Oh yes." The girls agreed in unison causing a chorus of chuckles.
"I danced with him at the Christmas dance." Bonnie smiled. "He's rather shy. However, I can tell he's going to be similar to Jarrod with his gentleman ways. He will not have the slick words that Jarrod uses though."
Pearl Buckman fidgeted shyly. She desperately wanted to be a part of her friends. She always felt like the ugly duckling in a pond of beautiful swans. "Have any of you laid eyes on the new one?"
The girls all stared at one another. Abigail tried to whisper but wasn't successful."You mean the one they call Heath. The one not belonging to Victoria Barkley?"
Pearl nodded as she twisted a blue ribbon nervously around her finger. "I saw him riding up with Nick the other day when they came to help father. As you know, father had been sick a week or so ago."
"You did?" Clara moved closer. "Was he dark haired like Nick and Jarrod or more the coloring of Eugene?"
"Was he tall?" Rebecca interjected. "Or more the size of Eugene. Which is not short but average."
Pearl glanced up as her face reddened. "He was the coloring of Audra."
"Blonde!" Abigail spoke a little too loudly. "I never thought of that."
Pearl was usually the one that had little to add to the conversations of the group of young ladies. However, she loved the fact she was center of attention. She smiled as she added. "He is about the height of Jarrod. However, he's more muscular than all of the brothers."
"Muscular." Clara squeaked. "How would you know?"
"I happen to see him with his shirt off." Pearl bit her lip as her face reddened at her admittance. "Father asked the boys to help unload some supplies. Well, as you know, it has been very hot. Most of the men were removing their shirts by the time they got half way. That included Nick and the new Barkley. I couldn't help but steal glances at Nick. He is quite the fine creature. No one saw me. I was hid behind the porch column. I dear say, I then saw Heath pull off his shirt and I was mesmerized." Pearl continued noticing the girls were all leaning to hear her. "He's got chest hair and his muscles are finely toned. But…"
"What?" Clara insisted. "Tell us."
"I studied him well." Pearl sighed. She realized how terrible she had acted that day. However, the girls were all listening to her for once. Therefore, she continued. "I couldn't help it. The men didn't notice or didn't care but he had very faint scarring on his back as if he'd been scratched or whipped. It didn't take from his back muscles though. It was faded scars that had to be from long ago. As I said, not really that noticeable unless someone was staring." Pearl blushed realizing she had been staring much longer than she should've been. She made an excuse. "He is by far the best looking to me."
"I can't believe you studied him that long." Abigail rolled her eyes. "I think you're exaggerating. There is no way the boy is that good looking. Jarrod, Nick, and Eugene are simply too handsome to compare to a half Barkley."
Audra started to protest and send Abigail away but thought better of it. She wouldn't want to embarrass Pearl. The girl rarely spoke up.
Pearl crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't say that Abby. The Barkleys would flog you. We should not speak of him in such a way. It isn't right. He seemed like a nice young man."
Bonnie shook her head. "Be careful, Abby. My brothers said that Nick is protective of Heath. His fists have knocked many a man backwards for calling Heath crass names."
"Fine." Abigail conceded. "Still. He can't be that handsome."
"He is I tell you." Pearl shook her head. "You have to see him. He's like an angel in the face with a body that was made by the devil himself. I'm sure of it. After all, I was tempted to stare."
"Pearl!" Rebecca scolded. "I can't believe you said that."
Before the girls could say anything else, a loud booming voice came from the front room. Audra stepped back to hide more from their sight. Nick sauntered in bellowing out at someone.
"I said it can't be done!" Nick's spurs jingled as he marched in the room. He didn't notice the girls settled on the floor in the corner of the room.
"Let him try." Jarrod was right alongside of Nick. He noticed the girls as he tilted his head. "Ladies."
All the girls smiled as the two entered the parlor. Eugene was with them as well. He smiled shyly. Nick winked at them before turning his attention back to his brothers. speaking loudly to Jarrod, Nick continued his tirade.
"He'll get his fool neck broke." Nick leaned against the mantle angrily. Jarrod winked at Eugene knowing how protective Nick was over Heath. It was ironic that Nick was like a mother hen over their fair haired brother considering Heath had lived a much more difficult life than anyone of them.
The girls all were enamored as the three brothers stood talking in their view. None of the girls dared to speak in fear the men would remember they were there and leave.
"I thought Heath was good at breaking horses." Eugene asked as he sat down on one of the sofas. He smiled at the girls as he stared their way.
"HE'S THE BEST." Nick added quickly causing a slight jump in Eugene. "Doesn't matter if he's busting a horse or gentling it. Heath can break him. But he's determined to break the bronc this time."
The girls all glanced to each other at hearing the newest addition to the family's name. Then they heard the sound of the man in question's voice.
"Boy howdy." The blonde was being followed into the room by one of the ranch hands. The females' eyes all landed on the blonde. He had his head down. The ranch hand attempted to help him as Heath pushed the man away.
"What did you do, boy?" Nick rushed to Heath, who had a patch of blood on his side.
"It's fine. Just a scratch is all." Heath threw his hat down as he spoke. "I was thrown off …."
"I told you to stay off that horse!" Nick bellowed again. He grabbed at Heath's shirt and pulled it open. "Are you okay?" Nick shook his head as he studied his brother's side. "I guess it is a scratch." Nick added after making Heath allow him to carefully inspect his side.
Heath looked up to notice the group of females. His tan face turned pink as he swatted Nick's hands away. "I'm fine."
Heath pulled his shirt back together before heading out the door quickly from the girls prying eyes.
"He broke the horse, Boss." The ranch hand stated as if that was what counted.
"I thought he said the horse threw him." Jarrod arched his eyebrow. "That's why Heath's hurt."
"Yes." The ranch hand chuckled. "That was before Heath got back on the horse and broke it."
"Come on." Nick grabbed Eugene by the back of the neck, who had not taken his eyes from the girls since he entered even to ask about Heath earlier. Nick pulled his little brother up from the chair. "Let's go check on that stubborn brother of ours."
Jarrod laughed as he followed his brothers and the ranch hand back out to check on their stubborn blonde haired brother.
Pearl turned around to face all the girls. She smiled victoriously. "I told you."
"I'd not marry him." Rebecca shifted around haughtily. "He's very rough acting. Kind of hard to tell who was the ranch hand and who was the Barkley. You can tell about the other boys that they are Barkleys by their upbringing."
"Did you see his eyes though?" Clara said in a singsong voice. "They were so blue. When he looked this way, I felt faint."
"It's not surprising since he favors Audra as Pearl said." Bonnie sighed out. "He was very beautiful."
"Men aren't beautiful." Clara rolled her eyes.
"Well, that one is." Bonnie argued. "Not that I'd consider marrying him due to his past."
Audra was getting angry and was about to barge in but halted at the next words from the girls.
"He's not marriage material at all." Abigail had a glint in her eyes. She was tired of Pearl being the center of attention. Abigail was used to being the one with the best conversation. "But I'd love to been that horse with those thighs touching me."
"Abby!" All the girls squealed. "I can't believe you. Your mother would fall over knowing you used such words."
"Don't tell me that you all weren't thinking that you wouldn't mind Heath breaking you in." Abigail, who was always trying to shock the pack of girls chuckled at their dropped mouths. She added to cause more of reaction. "And I bet those faint scars on his back are scratch marks a few females put there. We all can imagine how wild he is. I bet that man has been with a lot of women."
Audra turned and ran from the room embarrassed at Abigail's brashness. Ladies didn't talk like that.
Suddenly, Audra dismayed at the memory of the way Abigail had embarrassed them all. Audra didn't like the words used by the girls about Heath. After that, she quit inviting them over accept for Pearl. The girl had taken up for Heath.
As Audra stirred her food around, the words of Abigail haunted her more than embarrassed her now. She thought of how it felt with Heath's body against hers the night before. She thought of how very innocent she was but still had such thoughts. Abigail was probably correct in her assumption of Heath. Not about the scars. Those were from him being in Carterson. However, she was sure that Heath had been with many women. For some reason, that fact made her angry yet frightened her at the same time.
"You done?" Heath asked breaking Audra out of her thoughts. "If we want to make it to the Cartwrights before our family gets suspicious, we best be headin' out before it gets any later. Gettin' to Akinville will take a day from us already."
A/N I erased and edited the chapter. It was a little more crass than I meant for it to be. However, I am trying to show how Audra begins to think of Heath in ways inappropriate for a lady. The feelings are new to a girl of 19, who has been protected from such things. The words of the girls were to show that Audra is battling with similar thoughts of Heath as a man.