Chapter 2

Nick was not happy with being told he'd have to stay in bed for at least a few days until his new wife reminded him how nice it would be to spend more time together, especially since they would be busy soon with round up and the cattle drive. Heath couldn't help but laugh as Abby sweet-talked Nick into peacefully accepting his fate.

"Should've had her around a long time ago. Would have saved us a lot of grief," Jarrod commented to the rest of the family.

Heath was busy with managing the ranch. Nick was eager for a full report each night, and Heath was only too happy to oblige. Nick didn't question Heath's decisions, having learned since his brother had come to live with them that Heath had a good head on his shoulders. Sure, he made mistakes, but they were rare, and Nick trusted Heath.

Heath had all but forgotten about their new neighbors for the next few weeks until he was out checking fence posts early one morning. He looked up to see someone riding in the valley below and it took him a few minutes to figure out who it was. He smiled as he watched Ella Sommers and her horse glide across the way. Her long dark hair left a trail behind her, and he swore he could hear her laughing. Since Nick was up and about more, Heath decided perhaps it would be a good time to visit the new neighbors. Jonathon had seen Heath in town the day before and asked him to come by one day that week to talk about finishing the cabinets in the kitchen. Jeb, the previous owner, had hired Heath to help him replace the cabinets. The old ones had seen better days. Heath helped until Jeb had his stroke. He offered to come in and finish but Jeb's wife asked him to wait, hoping Jeb would get better. It had been important for Jeb to be a part of the remodeling. When it became apparent Jeb would never get better, the spread was put up for sale.

Heath had decided to ride over to talk to Jonathon and maybe he would be lucky enough to see Ella. He tied Charger to the hitching post and walked up to the front door. He knocked and waited. The door opened and an older woman stood before him.

"Hello, my name's Heath Barkley and I'm here to see Mr. Sommers," he stated.

"Mr. Sommers isn't here. He's in town. You can come back later," the small woman said gruffly, closing the door.

"Wilma? Who is it?" came a voice from behind her. Ella appeared and smiled at Heath.

"Heath! It's so good to see you. Please, come in. What brings you over here?"

Heath walked inside, hat in his hand. Ella was dressed simply and her hair was put in a simple pony tail at the base of her neck. She wore an apron that showed her tiny waist.

"Jonathon mentioned something to me about finishing the cabinetry in the kitchen."

"Oh! He said you might come by. Come this way. I'm sorry for the mess. Wilma and I were baking some bread," Ella said as she led Heath into the kitchen. Wilma, apparently the Sommer's housekeeper, had returned to the kitchen and was busy kneading the dough. She watched Heath warily, making him feel conspicuous.

"Did you do the work?" Ella asked him, bringing his attention back to her. He noticed she had a small smudge of flour on her nose and he longed to reach out and wipe it off. He chanced a look at Wilma who continued to stare at him.

"I helped. Jeb, who lived here before, was good with wood working. His hands were weak though so I helped him with the installing. The wood he was using should still be in the shed out back."

"I'm not sure if it is or not. Wilma, do you know?" Ella asked, turning to the other woman.

"No, but I'm sure Mr. Sommers would know," she said, going back to her kneading.

"Well, he's not here to ask. I'll try to remember to ask him tonight. We just pulled a loaf of bread from the oven, would you like some?" Ella asked.

He wanted to say yes, but one glance at Wilma changed his mind.

"Not this time. I should get back," he replied. Ella walked him to the door and wished him a good day. Heath smiled and in one fluid motion, mounted Charger.

It was late, Audra knew it, but she couldn't bring herself to part from Luke's presence. They'd been on two dates, and she thought he was wonderful. He was so handsome and had the cutest smile, and he was so very attentive to her on each of their dates. If only she could convince her brothers what a wonderful man he was. At that thought, Audra frowned.

"Hey, what's that look for? Did I say something wrong?" Luke asked, his deep voice sending shivers up and down Audra's spine.

"Oh, no. I'm sorry, I guess I was letting my mind wander. What were you saying?" she asked, her big blue eyes searching his.

"Well, what I was saying wasn't as important as what I was wondering," he said softly. They were standing at the front door of the Barkley home, trying to say goodnight to one another.

"What were you wondering?" Audra asked, smiling.

"I was wondering what it would be like to kiss you..." his voice trailed off as he leaned in for a kiss. Audra's eyes closed in anticipation. Just as Luke's lips were about to touch hers, both straightened at the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Isn't it a little late, Audra?"

"Nick!" Audra said in surprise. She turned around and saw her older brother standing just outside the veranda doors, arms crossed and legs spread wide. She knew that stance. He was not happy with her. But at the moment she didn't care. How dare he?!

"He's right, Audra. I should go. I'll talk to you later," Luke said, giving her hand a squeeze. He tipped his hat to Nick who continued to scowl at him as he walked away.

Audra walked inside, barely able to keep herself from slamming the door and waking the entire household.

"How dare you Nick Barkley!"

"How dare I what? You should have been home an hour ago!"

"I am a grown woman who can do as she pleases. You had no right to embarrass me that way!"

"I have every right, Audra! You're my sister, and I'm not going to let you ruin your life with-"

"I wasn't doing anything, Nick! And I don't see how I can have the chance to ruin my life because of all of you! I wish you'd all just leave me alone!"

With those words, Audra ran up the stairs. Nick could hear her crying and hoped no one would wake up. He knew he should have waited until she'd come inside before confronting her, but he wasn't one to be patient. Good thing his shoulder was still bothering him, causing him to need a drink to help ease the pain or no one would have known that Audra was staying out way too late. Jarrod was in San Francisco and Heath was sound asleep. And mother...

"Nick, did you have to interrupt them?"

Nick looked up to see his mother at the top of the landing.

"Sorry, Mother. It's just...she was coming home too late. She needed a reminder that just because she is a grown woman-"

"Nick! I agree with you that she came home too late. But I was waiting up for her and was going to speak with her about it," Victoria said, cutting him off. Nick could tell she wasn't happy with him.

"You should get back to bed. Is your shoulder bothering you? Do you need some of the pain medicine Dr. Merar left for you?"

"No...I'll be fine," Nick replied walking up the stairs. As he reached his mother he stopped and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry. I'll try not to interfere next time," he said softly.

"Oh, you'll interfere alright. I just hope Audra will forgive you. I know we all still think of her as a little girl we need to protect, but she needs to feel like a woman, Nick. And you're not helping her."

Nick thought on his mother's words. He knew she was right, but still...

He made his way to his and Abby's room and gently got into bed. Abby was awake though and snuggled close to him.

"Is everything okay?" she asked sleepily.

"Yeah. But I'll tell you this, Abby Barkley. You better not give me a passel of girls. I want boys...all boys. I don't think I can handle girls."

"Alright, Nick. I promise to do my best."

"Good!"

Abby's breathing evened out, and Nick tried to get comfortable. He looked over at his wife, the moonlight shining on her face. Okay, so maybe girls weren't so bad. His wife was a girl, wasn't she? He smiled and then drifted off to sleep.

Three mornings in a row Heath watched as Ella Sommers rode on her big bay. She seemed as though she were one with the animal, her body gliding along with the horse as they rode full gallop. That she was an excellent horsewoman was evident.

Heath wanted so badly to join her, but something always held him back. He enjoyed solitude at times and wondered if she felt the same way. Watching her ride was almost a spiritual experience for him. The look of peace and contentment on her face filled him with such joy.

Ella always seemed to notice him at some point. She would wave and smile, then ride on as though it were the most normal thing in the world for Heath to be watching her. Most young girls Heath knew would have been trying to get his attention by now, but Ella accepted his presence and left it at that.

One morning, Heath sat up on the ridge waiting for Ella to pass by him. The sun grew high in the sky, and it was clear she wouldn't be coming. It concerned him, because she'd never missed a morning in almost a month. Not seeing Ella had put a damper on his mood. It was amazing to him how much he looked forward to seeing her, when they'd only spoken so briefly. He didn't know much about her at all, and yet felt he did know her well.

The next morning, Ella was back, and Heath couldn't resist joining her for the ride. She smiled at him and with an almost imperceptible nod of her head, challenged him and Charger to a race. He agreed, and they were off.

Up the hill and around the tree, Ella stayed in the lead for most of the way. Heath and Charger were definitely being given a run for their money, but in the end, Ella and her bay were not a match for them. Ella conceded defeat gracefully, but Heath could tell she was a bit put out by having lost.

"Your horse is magnificent!" Ella said, swinging down from her horse in one smooth motion. She was dressed in loose fitting black slacks and a cream colored blouse. Her cheeks were tinged pink, and Heath thought she looked beautiful. Her hat had fallen off of her head and hung around her neck.

"Thank you. I have to say yours is too. What's her name?"

"Carrington."

"It's good to see you back today," he said as he petted the horse's mane.

"Back?" Ella asked, as she gave her horse a carrot. She passed one to Heath to give to Charger.

"You missed yesterday."

Ella felt her cheeks heat, and Heath noticed her blush.

"I was...not able to ride yesterday," she said, unable to meet his eyes. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and Heath wondered why. He couldn't have known that Ella hadn't been feeling well the day before. Her womanly time had come and the first day was always difficult for her.

"Oh," was all he said, and tried to think of something else to talk about. "How long have you had Carrington?"

"Almost three years," Ella answered, giving her horse a pat. "A gift from my father."

"Your father has a good eye for horses. She's one of the best I've seen."

"Thank you."

They walked their horses, each feeling comfortable with the silence. Heath remembered the dance that was coming up and almost asked Ella if she would go with him when she began to speak.

"Thanks for the race, Heath. I really must get going. I promised Audra I'd accompany her to the orphanage today. It was nice seeing you again!" And with that she mounted and rode off. Heath was left staring after her, grinning.