S Chapter 32

It was closing in on lunch time as the stagecoach carrying Nick, Elizabeth, the Widow Tinsdale and a gentleman traveling to Nevada rolled into Blythe Junction. Nick wasted no time climbing out of the coach after the man who was heading to Nevada got out. He then helped the women out and took their suitcases from the driver. He and Elizabeth wouldn't have any luggage at all only Nick had insisted on getting Elizabeth some new clothes, along with a change of clothes for himself before leaving Fremont.

"There's no boarding house as such," Nick told Widow Tinsdale as he led the women towards the small café. "However, there are a few rooms above the café. Let's hope there's a couple available." Soon the three of them were standing in the middle of the cafe' watching as a stout looking woman walked out of the kitchen.

"May I help you?" Mrs. Muller-a gray haired woman in her early fifties, smiled at her customers.

"We need a couple of rooms; one of them needs two beds." Nick looked towards a flight of stairs that led up to the rooms.

"You're in luck. I have two available that will do." She went back into the kitchen, and then came back out carrying two sets of keys. She handed them to Nick. The café owner would have started visiting with her guests only Nick had already thanked her for the keys and headed for the stairs. Once they reached the first room, he handed the key to the good widow. "Elizabeth will, most likely, spend the night at her brother's. However, I can't guarantee that. You may wind up with a roommate." He again thanked the widow for coming along.

"I don't mind." The good widow disappeared into the room while Nick put his luggage in the second room. Afterwards, he and Elizabeth went to the livery stable and rented a buggy for the afternoon.

"We can eat at the café first." Nick told Elizabeth as he helped her into the buggy.

"Only if you're hungry. I'm too nervous. Besides, once we get to Cliff's he'll probably insist on feeding us." That was one thing she had liked about her brother. He might not have much of a backbone only he never let anyone go hungry if he could help it. She said as much.

"I can wait." Nick lifted the reins. Soon they were leaving town and headed towards Cliff's house. Nothing was said as they passed by the few buildings in Blythe Junction; the silence continued as trees began appearing-growing in number the farther they got away from town.

Then, out of the blue, Elizabeth made Nick's day when she laid her hand on his arm and turned her face towards him. "No matter what he says, I'll let you court me… and we can make the courtship as long or as short as you want it. As I told your mother, you're a good one. I'd be crazy to turn you away."

"Let's hope for the best then." Nick smiled; though, a more serious look replaced the smile as Cliff Hyatt's home came into sight. The man was sitting on the porch whittling on a piece of wood. "He must have got the wire you sent from Hayden and the one you sent from Fremont, looks like he's waiting for us." Nick wasn't surprised when Elizabeth stiffened ever so slightly and turned her face forward. By the time Nick drew the buggy to a stop in front of the Hyatt home, Cliff was standing on the bottom step.

"Was wondering if you'd be here in time to eat lunch with me," Cliff looked at his sister once Nick helped Elizabeth out of the buggy. He remembered the first wire he'd received from his sister. He didn't like realizing Elizabeth was still having problems with her eyes, but he said nothing. It's not like he could change what had happened.

For her part, Elizabeth kept a hold of Nick's arm. Her continued blurred vision was something Nick was determined to have a specialist look at first chance they got. "We are, and we're hungry." In spite of her nerves, Elizabeth figured she might as well confess that one to her brother. After all, her stomach was starting to growl.

Cliff led them into the house and then into the dining room. "It's just soup and crackers." He grabbed a few bowls out of his cupboard, along with a few utensils.

"It's fine." Nick said as he pulled a chair out for Elizabeth. Soon the three of them were seated at the table. Once Elizabeth blessed the food, they started eating. The first few minutes were filled with silence. Only when Cliff spoke was the silence broken.

"Elizabeth's wire said you wished to seriously court her. You didn't come here to actually ask my permission, did you? I mean, she's a grown woman. Why come to me?" Cliff's confusion could be seen in his eyes as he looked upon the Stockton rancher.

Nick sat back in his chair and, after a moment, shrugged his shoulders. "We weren't sure how you'd react to us doing such a thing…especially if it winds up being a short courtship." He looked at Elizabeth and then back to Cliff. "We don't want any unnecessary trouble if we can avoid it."

Cliff, who had been thinking a lot about that very fact since getting the wire from his sister, shook his head. "I won't lie and say I'm overly thrilled with the idea, but who am I to say what is acceptable or not. Remember, I arranged a marriage for her in a country where that sort of thing just isn't done. Well, not on a regular basis it's not. Also, for the most part, you and your family have a sound reputation." Slowly, he put his spoon down as he had another thought come to him. "May I assume you also want to know if I'll be writing to Cass about this?"

Nick and Elizabeth both visibly stiffened, and then did their best to relax. "The thought has crossed our minds." Elizabeth spoke up, feeling like-as Cliff's sister-she needed to answer the question.

Cliff looked out the window that he was sitting next to and then back at his sister and her beau. "I won't say a thing unless the two of you actually marry. I mean, it wouldn't do me any good to keep silent about that one. If the two of you actually marry, he'll find out no matter what. I mean, sis here would be marrying into one of the richest families in California. That news would be in many, if not all, of the newspapers. Even if he didn't read it himself, guards would-and they like to talk about life on the outside. Cass says he thinks they do it to try and make the prisoners more miserable than they already are."

"It will be our problem then." Nick laid his hand on Elizabeth's. "I mean, if he sent someone after anyone, it would be me."

Cliff shook his head. "Not necessarily, he flat out hates your family- especially Jarrod-even if he's not justified in doing so. However, there might be a way to keep Cass…." he paused-wondering how right the thought he'd just had was.

"A way to keep Cass from hurting me or my family?" Nick leaned forward, keeping his eyes on Cliff. Elizabeth was keeping her face towards her brother as well.

"To keep him from hurting Elizabeth. If Cass did anything that led to you or your family being hurt or killed, my sister would suffer. That is, if she marries you, she would. That is one thing I do not want." Cliff spoke bluntly; he wanted to make sure Nick understood it was Elizabeth's well-being he was first and foremost concerned with.

Nick asked as he wrapped his arm around Elizabeth, as if he meant to protect her and his family at all costs. "Start talking."