Chapter 5

The subject of who Heath was taking to the dance was not brought up again, and he was glad. He would have a difficult time explaining to his family how he asked a married woman to go with him. Apparently, Nick hadn't known about Ella and Jonathon's marriage, or surely he would have said something. Then again, Harry had said Ella was Jonathon's daughter...a mistake anyone could have made because of the age difference. That was definitely the last time Heath would listen to Harry.

Heath dressed in his blue suit and string tie. He hated it. Jarrod was comfortable in fancy clothes. Even though Nick didn't like to wear them, he was more accustomed to wearing them than Heath thought he would ever be. He had decided he wasn't going to go to the dance at all until Audra had found out. She then begged him not to miss and to be her escort when she discovered he wasn't going with anyone either. She briefly explained that the one she'd wanted to attend the dance with had asked someone else. So Heath reluctantly agreed.

Nick and Abby had already left for town with Victoria. Jarrod was in San Francisco attending a birthday party for Melissa Ambers. They had been seeing one another for over a year and the family wondered if there could be a December wedding. When asked if that were a possibility, Jarrod would only smile and change the subject. He was as tightlipped as they came, especially when it came to his personal life.

"Audra, we're going to be late if you don't hurry," Heath called up the stairs.

"I'm coming," Audra replied as she stepped out of her room. She wore a dark blue dress that brought out the blue of her eyes. Heath smiled and gave her a small kiss on her cheek when she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Boy howdy. You'll be the prettiest girl there," Heath said.

"Thank you, Heath," Audra replied, giving him her sweetest smile.

Heath helped her into the small buggy and they rode most of the way into town in silence. Audra couldn't help but think how difficult it would be to see Lucy and Luke together. She had really liked Luke a lot.

Heath was having similar thoughts about Ella. He hoped she wouldn't be there. It was hard enough to imagine her married to Jonathon. The thing was, Heath liked Jonathon. He was a kind man who ran a ranch with authority and fairness. Nick and Heath had seen some of his stock and were impressed. There had been talk of perhaps mating the Barkley bull, Prince Oxford, with the Sommers' heifer, Lila.

Heath's thoughts were interrupted by Audra.

"You never said why you weren't going with anyone, Heath."

Heath sighed.

"It just wasn't going to work out," was his reply.

"How do you know unless you try?"

"I did try."

"Oh," Audra said, biting her lower lip. She decided to let the subject drop, much to Heath's relief. By the time they arrived, the dance was in full swing. Couples were gathered on the dance floor, and the small band was over to the left playing a waltz. Heath and Audra joined in, though both were feeling a bit sad. Nick and Abby were also among the dancers, and it was clear to see the love the newlyweds had for one another. Heath watched as Nick bent to whisper something in Abby's ear and watched as she smiled up at him. He couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy, wishing for the kind of love Nick and Abby shared. The music ended and another began right after. Nick, Abby, Heath and Audra ended up next to each other.

"Oh Audra, your dress is beautiful!" Abby commented.

"Thank you, Abby. That green is perfect for you. It really brings out your eyes," Audra replied and watched as Abby's cheeks turned pink.

"I thought the dress really brought out her-"Nick began.

"Nick Barkley, don't you dare!" Abby said, trying to hush her husband. He'd whispered in her ear earlier that he felt the dress accentuated her form perfectly. Nick laughed out loud and held his wife closer.

Movement at the door caused Heath to look over. Jonathon and Ella had just arrived. Ella wore a burgundy dress and her dark hair was attractively piled atop her head. She looked very sophisticated and beautiful. Heath sighed and Audra followed his gaze.

"Oh there's Ella. I'm so glad she could make it," Audra said.

"Uh huh."

"I'm going to go over to say hello. Do you want to come with me?"

"No, I think I'll get some punch," Heath replied. Or maybe something a little stronger, he thought.

Audra wandered off into the crowd, toward them and Heath made his way to the refreshment table. Victoria was nearby, speaking with some of the committee members. She smiled to Heath, and he nodded her way. Heath was on his second glass of punch when Nick patted him on the shoulder. Abby had wandered over to where Audra and Ella were talking.

"How's the punch?" he asked.

"Weak," Heath said, causing Nick to laugh.

"Probably just as well. Hey, isn't that Ella Sommers? How come you didn't ask her?"

"Well, I didn't think her husband would have approved."

"Her husband? She's married? To who? And why did her father bring her-"

"Jonathon's not her father, Nick," Heath replied pointedly. It took only a moment for Nick to understand.

"You mean she's married to him?" Nick said, shocked. "Why, she's the same age as Audra! And he's old enough to be her-"

"Yeah, I know," Heath interrupted him.

"When did you find out she was married?"

Heath hesitated before saying, "When I asked her to the dance."

Nick's eyes widened. He remembered how Heath's face had brightened that day they'd seen Ella in town.

"Sorry, Heath."

Heath shrugged, but didn't look in Nick's direction. Another dance had started and Ella and Jonathon were participating. Ella smiled at her husband, and Heath turned away. He didn't feel like being a witness to their marital bliss.

Audra and Abby joined the men. Abby asked Heath if he'd dance with her, and he agreed. He steered them toward the opposite side of the dance floor, away from Ella. Audra had told Abby she wanted to talk to Nick so her sister-in-law had taken it upon herself to give them the opportunity.

"Nick? Would you dance with me?" Audra asked.

Nick showed some surprise but gladly took his sister in his arms. Audra took a few moments to work up enough courage.

"I wanted to apologize for how I've been treating you lately, Nick," Audra said softly. Nick, who'd been watching Heath, who was trying not to watch Ella, looked at his younger sister.

"It's alright, Audra. I know I deserved some of it. I shouldn't have interrupted you and Connelly that night."

At the mention of Luke's name, Audra looked around. She hadn't seen him or Lucy at the dance yet, and she admitted she was relieved.

"You were right. I shouldn't have been out so late. I knew that. It's just..."Audra faltered.

"It's just what?" Nick asked, bending his head to catch her words, grateful she was being so open with him

"When Father died, you and Jarrod took over his role in my life. I didn't mind it at the time. In a way I found it comforting. But now that I'm older...I just wish you'd both be my brothers. I miss him, Nick. More now than I did when I was younger."

Nick hugged Audra closer to himself.

"I know. I feel the same way sometimes."

Audra caught a glimpse of Ella with Jonathon and decided to ask Nick a question that had been on her mind.

"Nick, have you ever liked any of the men I've dated?"

Nick was happy that he and Audra had finally settled things and was reluctant to do anything to jeopardize that. Yet he knew she was expecting him to answer truthfully.

"I have to say, there's really been only one I've liked."

"Who?"

Nick smiled a little and turned Audra around. She had a clear view of Carl Wheeler standing at the punch table. He had been looking their way, but as soon as their eyes met, Carl turned away.

"Oh, Nick! How could Carl be the only one you liked? He tried to manipulate me, and he almost got you and Josiah Freeman killed! And all over some silly sheep," Audra replied angrily.

Josiah Freemen had lost the sheep to Nick in a poker game on purpose, thinking Nick was actually Jarrod. Josiah needed help getting his sheep to market, and thought no one would challenge the Barkleys. Nick eventually agreed to help, and Carl Wheeler, a childhood friend of Nick's, took exception to the fact that he would allow sheep in the Valley. Carl and Nick had come to terms with their differences, but Audra had never forgiven him for his actions.

"He's not so bad. Maybe you should give him another chance?" Nick suggested.

"I don't know, Nick. I don't know if I can forgive him for what he did."

"Maybe if you talked to him, you could."

The dance ended. Audra promised Nick she'd think about what he'd said. He kissed her cheek, then went to find his wife. He hoped to convince her they'd stayed long enough. He was eager to get her home and spend some time with her alone. It was rare for the entire family to all be gone at once and Nick wanted to take advantage of it.