Chapter 38: Game Over
The day Victoria Barkley arrived with her three sons in tow was a relief to Ben Cartwright. His worries of how to handle the romance between Audra and Heath were halted. The budding couple didn't act very much like a couple the moment Victoria Barkley stepped from the surrey and her feet touched Nevada ground.
Ben almost sighed out loud when he watched the way Heath Barkley greeted Victoria Barkley with the utmost respect of a son. Ben knew immediately the romance would die down as Audra and Heath tried to figure out a way to tell the Barkley family of their new relationship. It was going to be difficult for the two. However, Ben knew he needed Victoria to show him an example of how to raise a proper young lady.
Worry for Amy Gannon was another story. She realized her biggest mistake was underestimating Heath's feelings for Audra and overestimating her own enticement to men. Heath Barkley wasn't interested in the raven haired girl no matter how beautiful she was. His eyes were only on the blonde that the newly arrived Barkleys referred to as a sister.
Even Amy realized to remain tight lipped when it came to Audra's and Heath's romantic interest in one another. The Barkleys were rather fond of the two but not as a couple but as siblings. Heath was no longer touching Audra in any way but a brotherly manner. Audra was no longer flirting openly with Heath. Instead, the blondes were trying to avoid touching all together or even being close in proximity to one another.
The arrival of the Barkleys had all the Cartwrights on their toes about protecting Heath's and Audra's secret. Amy recalled the previous night's conversation with Audra.
It was the confrontation in the barn that set Amy to thinking of her play for Heath nights previously. Audra was currying Heath's horse, Charger, when Amy entered the barn. The barn was dimly lit when Amy first arrived. The Barkleys had not yet arrived to the Ponderosa when the confrontation took place. Heath was getting ready to head in to town to make sure the Barkleys made it safely on the train. Amy watched curiously the interaction of Heath and Audra.
Heath pulled Audra around to face him. Audra's arms went immediately around Heath's neck as she allowed the curry brush to hang limply from her hands.
"Are you wanting something, cowboy?" Audra teased with a flirtatious lilt in her voice.
"Mmmmhmmm, I sure do, pretty lady." Heath nuzzled Audra's neck. "Reckon' after today I won't get to steal kisses when I want to. I'm gonna miss being like this with you, Audra."
"I know." Audra leaned until her head rested against Heath's chest. "I wanted time with you so we could work it out."
"We worked it out in our hearts." Heath raked his hand over Audra's hair. "Don't mean they will accept it. I don't want to hurt them."
"Do you want to hurt me?" Audra looked up until their eyes met.
"Never." Heath ran his finger over Audra's cheek. "We'll figure it out. It may take some time but we will."
"I guess you better go to town and spend the night. You don't want to miss their early morning train." Audra released Heath before turning back to Charger.
Heath spun her around to face him once more. His mouth met hers as he pushed her against the wall of the stall. Amy couldn't believe how intense the kiss was. She felt faint just watching the way Heath kissed Audra. It was so much more than any kiss she had experienced. Her kissing Heath was a far cry from how Heath kissed Audra.
Audra blushed slightly when Heath released her. She had to inhale air to not feel like falling over. Heath winked as he let his grip on Audra go.
In his low drawl, Heath stepped away from Audra. "Don't want you to forget my kisses while the family is here."
With those words, Heath sauntered away confidently. The man sure knew how to keep a woman wanting him.
"He loves me, Amy." Audra never looked from the horse as she continued to brush the horse's long mane. "I know you think you can win him but this isn't a game. I love him."
Amy walked up to stare at Audra. "Has he said that to you? That he loves you?"
"No." Audra admitted as she looked over to the raven haired girl. "But I know Heath. Becoming friends first let me see a side he'd rarely show in front of the girls he pursues."
Amy chuckled despite the air of awkwardness . "I imagine Heath doesn't have to pursue long to catch the girl."
Audra tilted her head sideways thinking of the women Heath had been involved with since coming to the Barkley ranch. Each one he was after, Heath succeeded in wooing. Even if later those girls left due to circumstances of his birth. It was family that caused the girl to not be with Heath not Heath himself.
"He is rather charming when he wants to be." Audra put the currying brush up before sitting on a bail of hay. "Amy, I need you to understand that the Barkleys mean so much to me and to Heath. Heath had to prove himself over and over because of not being born to Mother. It wasn't something planned by the family but it seemed to happen any way. I was born to the right even if I'm a Cartwright. Heath wasn't. They can't know of Heath and I until we are ready to let them know. Not for me but please for Heath, don't speak of us."
Amy shook her head in understanding. "I'm not out to hurt your family. I tried to capture him. I'm the one that kissed Heath. He gave me a real angry talking to after."
"He told me." Audra could see how embarrassed Amy was. Before standing to leave, she added. "Let's just let it go. I'm nervous enough about my family coming. I really don't want to think about you making a play for Heath."
Amy held up her hand defensively in a surrendering pose. "I know when I'm beat."
"Like I said, it was never a game, Amy." Audra looked back over her shoulder at the girl.
Amy Gannon hated losing. However, she knew that Heath Barkley would never look at her the way she wanted him to. As a matter of fact, Amy wasn't wanting to have the blonde cowboy fall in love with her. She only wanted to have an adventure with wild cowboy. Heath was the most handsome man she had ever laid eye son. Amy was desiring to spend some time with him for fun alone. There was no plan in falling in love with Heath especially after hearing he was born to an unwed mother. If Audra was in love with the man, the game was over for Amy. Her intentions weren't as malicious as they seemed. Her intentions were merely to have experiences of kissing and dating the gorgeous cowboy. After all, it would make a great story to tell her friends back East of the handsome cowboy who she wooed and won.
Meeting one Barkley inparticular taught the girl quickly on not to play games with a person's heart. Amy had never had her heart broken. She was soon to find out how having your heart stomped on was no game.