Chapter 28

As Jarrod listened to his rancher brother surprisingly incorporate Audra's suggestion into his orders for this newest hand, he considered that he was going to have to have a talk with the young man himself. That, however, would need to take place in private.

As Nick began to wind down, and his target had yet to say a word, Jarrod glanced around the room to be sure they were still alone before speaking up. "Heath, it might have been easier if you had stayed in the house. Would have given us the cover we needed to be able to talk."

"Couldn't."

Jarrod was about to promote his point with more force when he saw something in the quiet blue eyes. Something he couldn't quite read, but which told him the blond had said all he was going to say on the matter. Maybe all he was able to say.

They locked gazes for a moment, and then with a slight tilt and sideways jerk of his head, he conceded the point. "Alright Heath, alright."

He turned to Nick. "If you think he's heard you well enough, and you're done with him for the moment, I'd like a few moments in private to speak with my client."

He thought he was going to get an argument, then Nick shrugged, delivered a meaningful glare at the man on the bed, and turned to leave. As his spurs sang against the wooden floor, he heard the soft drawl.

"Please, tell your mother I'm very grateful for all she's done … Doc told me. Let her know I meant no disrespect … just couldn't stay in there. And make her see Silas wasn't at fault. Don't want to cause any trouble for him."

Nicked laughed. "Don't worry about that old man. There's not much he could do that would cause him any real trouble with Mother, short of maybe murdering one of us. And that only if it wasn't somewhat justified.

"I'll let her know. You just remember what I said about the next few days … or I'll turn her loose to deal with you directly. She might not be as fond of you as she is of Silas …."

He walked off chuckling.

Jarrod shot him an appreciative glance, before turning back to Heath, and the conversation he needed to have. He was surprised when the man beat him to it.

"You got the ruling you wanted?"

Took the attorney a moment to understand. "No, Heath. I haven't even filed the request."

"I thought you said that was the first thing you needed to do. You change the plan?"

"Not at all. I just needed to wait until I knew there was still a reason to file."

Seeing the confusion on the man's face, he was struck with a sudden understanding of its source.

"You don't get it do you? You really don't get it. In spite of what the doc told you, and what Nick just said. You don't get it." He paused a moment to collect himself.

"We had no idea whether you were going to survive … you very nearly didn't. Mother wasn't upset that you turned down her hospitality. She was scared that after three days of fighting to keep you alive, you were going to undo all that work and put your life at risk again. She was worried about you."

He waited a moment, as he watched the confusion turn to surprise … then to remorse. "I didn't know … I'm sorry. Never meant for her to worry. Guess I didn't know it was quite that serious. I'm sorry to have caused worry for any of you."

He couldn't find further words.

Maybe Sawyer was right after all. His friend doesn't see much value in his own life.

He took a moment to choose his words. "We were worried … all of us. By … our … choice. It was not, and is not, your fault. We place great value on life … all life … but especially on the life of anyone we respect and admire. Like you."

He waited for that to penetrate before continuing. "I … we … ask nothing in return, except assurances from you that you never again will ignore an injury or illness. If, for any reason, you are not feeling one-hundred percent we want to know about it." He paused again. "Do you understand?"

The play of emotions across the cowboy's face would have been comical if only the situation were less serious. The answer came sooner than he expected.

"I understand."

"Fine. Now that that is out of the way, I have something else I need to cover with you. I feel it is only fair to let you know. Nick and Dr. Merar saw the scars on your back … it couldn't be avoided."

He ignored the flinch and the look of fear that accompanied it.

"Not too many places a person receives the kind of treatment that produces scars like that. Process of elimination … I guessed Carterson. I didn't want either of them to be left thinking it might be the other most likely option. So, I shared that piece of your history."

Seeing his client about to protest, he hastened to add, "That and no more … and only with the two of them. Just that you were there and that you had told me nothing that would suggest there was any other likely scenario. And, that I believed you. Nick was understandably shocked, but he didn't take much convincing."

A moment's further consideration and he thought to explain further. "Knowing my brother as I do, I doubt he'll broach the subject with you. Not unless you raise it first. And the truth is, he won't care if you don't. You will come to learn that Nick either trusts people, or he doesn't … and he does neither by halves.

"He has decided to trust you. Unless you do something to break that trust, you will have it forever. If you break it, there will be nothing you can do to get it back."

Blue met blue without either breaking contact.

"I suspect the two of you are not dissimilar in that way." He gave the tan-colored-pant-leg-encased limb a light slap. "Since I've been assured by the good doctor that your recovery is no longer in doubt … if you follow orders … I plan to head to town today to file that same request and get this action started. You rest easy now, you hear?"

He walked out without waiting for a reply. There was work to get done.

Boy howdy, it's not like I was planning to chase after wild horses. Just needed out of that house.

He let his mind wander back over the conversations with the two brothers and found it quickly took him to thoughts of his mama. The sadness engulfed him before he could get his defenses in place, and he fought to keep the tears at bay.

Some things he wasn't about to share with anyone … even the lawyer. It wouldn't help to have someone see tears in his eyes, let alone rolling uncontrolled down his face. He forced himself to turn his thoughts to other things … like horses, and the soon-to-be-here court case.

It was waking up several hours later that made him aware he'd fallen asleep. He noticed the blanket covering him, and the other at the foot of the bed, correctly assuming someone had been by to check on him. He didn't know the someone, at Victoria's urging, was Jarrod. He guessed it didn't matter who … at the moment he had a more pressing concern.

He eased himself upright, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, closing his eyes to restore equilibrium, before bending over to slide on his boots, fleetingly thankful that their worn state made the task so much easier. He then gingerly made his way out the side door, to the multi-holer … and back.

Nope, I'm surely not planning on doing anything with wild horses … at least not today.

Having situated himself into a semi-reclining position, he returned his thoughts to the conversation of earlier in the day. It troubled him. He suspected Jarrod was correct: Nick did trust him. Wasn't sure he understood why, but what he understood even less was why earning his trust was so important … and then having it so … discomfiting. And then there were Jarrod's comments about Mrs. Barkley.

Why would she be concerned about me? I'm nothing to her. I am not, never have been and never will be, her son … or anyone else's for that matter. Never again.

He shook his head, attempting to dislodge those thoughts and refocus on the main issue.

Don't make sense … unless …. Maybe that was it.

He thought back on his much earlier conversation with her.

"Nick does the work …, but he's lost the joy. Somehow, I think you could help him find that again." Yes, maybe that was it. She would care about me if she thought I was of value to Nick. If Nick would suffer should anything happen to me. Makes sense, but I still don't see how she thinks I can make that much difference to her son.

Well, he's given me a job to do. I'll do it, as best I can. If that's a help to him, it's fine by me. Maybe I'll just take me a short nap … make sure I'm ready to start doing that job tomorrow.

Almost of their own volition his eyes drifted shut and the slow, steady breathing indicated he was indeed sound asleep.

Some hours later, as he approached the small room, Nick heard quiet voices coming from within.

Good, he's awake.

Barging through the door, he was met by that unnerving, somehow disapproving, look from Silas. The look that left him stammering.

"Oh … Silas … ah, Heath … just thought I'd uh … well you see …."

He stopped, his gloved hand grasping the back of his neck, as his head dropped down.

"Mr. Nick. We just be finishing here. Mr. Heath, he has finished the food I brung him, and it appears it be agreeing with him." He smiled at the young man.

"It seems Mr. Nick be wanting some time with you, so I be going now. I be bringing you some more to eat later. We need to be putting some meat on them bones."

He smiled again, before turning to Nick. The smile he gave him was somehow different … at the same time, both scathing and sympathetic. Like he disapproved of the rancher's inability to curb his enthusiasm, and at the same time, felt great empathy towards him for having to bear such an obvious character defect.

Nick looked after him for a moment before turning his attention back to what had brought him into the room in the first place.

"Heath. Good to see you looking better. I trust you took it easy today … got the rest you needed."

Barely pausing for breath, let alone a reply, he pressed on. "Just want to talk to you for a moment."

He pulled over the lone chair and flipping it around straddled it with his arms resting on the back. He met the blond's gaze … and held it.

"Heath, I know I've mentioned this before, but I need to be sure you understand. This ranch and all it encompasses is important to me … and important doesn't seem to be enough. It'd take Jarrod to find the right word. No matter … whatever the word … however important it may be … it's not as important as my family … or my brother.

"When Jarrod suggested it would be easier if you stayed in the house, he was right. Easier … and safer. I don't want you, even for a minute, to think your case matters to him more than you do. Jarrod values life … all life … even that of some of the scum he too often represents. Even if he believes a man is guilty, he'll take the case and plead for leniency … even mercy … if he can find the smallest shard of justification. He takes no pleasure from seeing a life end … doesn't matter if it's the life of a someone who deserves to die.

"I saw what you accomplished at Semple's. Have no doubt you can take care of yourself … and those around you. If you know the threat's there … can see whoever. But, I trust my brother. If he believes there is a good chance that you could be in danger, then, as far as I'm concerned, you are in danger.

"Don't know why you're refusing to stay in the house. Don't care. It's none of my business. All I'm asking is that you follow the rules we've put in place to keep people safe. Something happens to you, my brother will be hurting. I don't want that happening."

Hazel eyes drilled blue. He waited.

"I hear you, Nick. Got no desire to cause harm to Jarrod … or to you. Can't stay in that house … don't mean I can't be careful."

Blue drilled hazel.

"Fair enough. I think we understand each other."

He smiled. Wider. "Besides, I'm thinking it won't be all that long before it becomes obvious to everyone that the Barkley Ranch can't afford to lose you."

Neither knew how prophetic those words would prove.