Chapter 35

NOTE: Back to present

Victoria kissed the baby's forehead. She closed her eyes and prayed that they would not only find Jarrod but the whole mess with the missing gold and Hyatt's murder would be over soon. Tori Beth needed her father. She was sure that Jarrod needed Tori Beth even more.

Jarrod walked into the small two room cabin, which he was sharing with Heath and Allie Kay. The three had decided to rent a cabin on the outskirts of town rather than a hotel room. Heath had figured staying away from the center of town was better for the three of them. Jarrod agreed with his younger brother. He found himself doing that more often than not.

Allie Kay never entered in to town. Heath had forbid it as she would be seen as a weakness of the two cowboys, Thomas and Heath Thomson. Allie Kay didn't mind staying back at the cabin. She had Heath for company on most nights. However, the blonde gunman was back to visiting saloon girls while pretending she was only a good friend.

Jarrod shook his head sadly when he noticed the chocolate cake sitting in the center of the small table in the old kitchen. He glanced at Allie Kay sitting in an old rocking chair by the rock fireplace. She was mending clothing.

"Is Heath coming home tonight?" Allie Kay looked up hopefully. "He never came last night or the night before. I made his favorite cake for his birthday. Hannah and Rachel told me he liked chocolate cake. They also told me when it would be his twenty-fourth birthday."

That was the most Jarrod had heard the young woman speak at least to him. He had often seen Allie Kay and Heath talking many an evening. It seemed they both relished in each other's company. Jarrod also enjoyed speaking with Heath many an evening. They had become as close as any brothers could even if as close as if they were raised together. The two brothers had began to rely on each other for survival more than both would admit.

Jarrod knew she was desperately seeking information about Heath. He pulled up a chair to sit next to her. "He should be home later, Allie Kay."

Allie Kay bit her lip to stop it from trembling. "He's been with that Lupe again. Ain't he?"

Jarrod decided not to answer her. Instead, he used his own question to let the girl draw her own conclusion.

"Allie, has Heath made any promises to you? Has there been any type of comittment made between the two of you?" Jarrod took her hand trying to comfort her. It was obvious her heart was breaking.

"No." Allie Kay admitted in a whisper. "You wouldn't understand, Thomas?"

"I do more than you know." Jarrod raked a finger over her cheek. "Heath is afraid of admitting he cares for anyone."

Allie Kay sucked in a deep breath. "I reckon he don't ask me to stay. I can only blame myself if I do."

"That's true. If you want, you can go back to the Barkley ranch. You know that. Heath and I came up with a great story to tell Mr. Archer if it were to come to that." Jarrod leaned back as he watched the girl wipe a tear from her eye. "My family would take good care of you, Allie Kay. Heath said Nick promised him he would. Nick don't make promises lightly."

"I reckon I best get to cooking supper. If Heath don't come home tonight, you and I will have a nice dessert after we eat." Allie Kay said no more as she headed towards the stove in the corner of the room.

Jarrod lit a cheap cigar as he watched Allie Kay busy herself preparing a meal for them. Heath was good to the girl as far as keeping her needs met. Heath made sure the girl had anything he could afford to give her. Sadly, Jarrod realized that all Allie Kay wanted was Heath's heart.

"I need to head back to town. Heath wanted me to check on you. He's in a poker game to get us more money for this weekend's big game." Jarrod stood up and placed his old battered tan Stetson on his head.

He left for the saloon where he knew Heath would be finishing up the game. Jarrod had to admit the last six months were interesting if nothing else. Heath had taught him about poker more than Jarrod ever thought he'd need to know. Ironically, Thomas Thomson was getting better at playing poker than his younger brother. Jarrod Barkley, the lawyer, knew how to read people for his court cases. Now Thomas Thomson was told by Heath to use that skill in reading a man when playing cards. It worked. Thomas Thomson could make a living as a gambler if he had to. However, Jarrod Barkley missed his daughter and his family. This wasn't a life he planned to keep much longer if he could figure out how to remember the events of the day of Cass Hyatt's death.

Thomas Thomson sauntered into the saloon. Barbara gave him a wary look then nodded to where Heath stood with two other men. It seems the two men had Heath backed against the bar counter. Heath didn't seem too worried about it. Thomas knew his brother wouldn't be pulling his gun. The two men either knew that as well or were too ignorant to realize the danger they were in while confronting the younger Thomson.

Thomas grinned mischievously as he walked silently nearer to his younger brother. This was going to be fun for him. He'd always wanted to test his new persona. Seems like today was as good as any. Thomas tipped his hat over his eyes as he cautiously approached the two men accosting his younger brother.

"I want to know where Jarrod is now?" Nick clenched his fist tightly as he stepped closer to Heath.

He had put up with Heath's arrogant answers long enough. He was tired of the boy pushing his buttons.

"Haven't you heard? Jarrod Barkley is dead." Heath leaned his elbows back on the counter of the bar. "Saw him die myself."

Nick grabbed Heath by the collar. "I don't believe you!"

Eugene stood about half a foot behind Nick. "I don't either. We came here wanting to know the truth."

"Come on. Let me hear it." Nick twisted his fingers tighter into Heath's shirt collar.

"Well, you just name the tune and I'll start humming it." Heath winked as he reminded Nick of his words almost two years ago.

"Don't push me, Heath. I've landed a fist or two before to you. I'll do it again if you don't give me some answers." Nick's jaw muscle twitched.

This little brother of his could be infuriating due to his cocky attitude. Nick and Eugene had been traveling too far and too long to have to put up with Heath's arrogant answers.

Nick halted when he heard the pulling of a trigger. He glanced around to see his youngest brother staring wide eyed as a pistol touched the side of his head. Nick couldn't see the man's face but he saw the man's beard and long hair beneath his tattered tan Stetson.

The man's voice deeply warned. "Don't even try to go for your gun. Let go of my little brother or I'll have to shoot yours. "

"Easy, Mr…" Nick held his stance as he glanced back at the strange man.

"Thomson. My name is Thomas Thomson. I don't take kindly to someone threatening my little brother." Jarrod made his voice deeper as he spoke. He needed to get Nick and Eugene somewhere besides a bar full of people.

Eugene and Nick both felt shock run through them. Heath had an older brother? That wasn't in the Pinkerton report nor had Heath mentioned it. However, now wasn't the time for family history to be discussed. They were desperate to find Jarrod to help with the Knights of the Golden Circle.

"Neither do I." Nick growled out as he let the knowledge of the man claiming Heath as a brother be put aside for the time being. He didn't cotton to a gun being held against the side of Eugene's head.

"Then I suggest you release my brother or things could get a might bit ugly for you and this young fella." Jarrod could tell by Heath's smirk that the boy was about to bust out laughing at Jarrod's fake voice.

Nick let loose of Heath's collar. Heath straightened his collar as he addressed the beautiful redheaded bar owner. "Barbara, do you think we can talk somewhere private like?"

Barbara nodded to a room behind the bar. "Use my office, boys. Take your time but don't leave me a mess to clean up." She looked defiantly at Nick when she added. "Blood stains too easily."