Chapter Six

Jarrod and Heath rode in silence once they'd left Triton's city limits. Both were still fuming over the fact that the 'good' doctor-who had dropped in to discuss a matter with the sheriff only to give Jarrod and Heath a mouthful of the same kind of talk he'd given Cassie. That is, once he'd learned who they were. Though, Jarrod assured Sheriff Beldon that he – Jarrod-would be back to question the lawman's prisoner and asked the gentleman not to tell his prisoner that Jarrod hadn't been the one hurt by the prisoner's actions. While Sheriff Beldon didn't understand that reasoning, he agreed because of Jarrod's sound reputation-something the good man admitted to knowing since he traveled every chance he got.

"So, she fired you after you had a look at his face?" Jarrod, who had caught contradicting statements from the 'doctor', and wanted a few things clarified, looked at the man the same way he would have if the man had been on the witness stand. He wasn't impressed when the 'medical expert' stuttered and tried to come up with a valid reason for his words when, no, he hadn't checked his patient first.

Heath, who was grateful the wind that was blowing was not a cold one, glanced at Jarrod. "No matter how bad it is or isn't, this isn't your fault."

"I know." Jarrod sighed and glanced at Heath. "Only I feel horrible for Nick. He was hurt because that idiot back there in the jail cell had to have simply heard his last name and assumed things. Well, it's the only option that makes any sense to me." He had to duck to miss a tree branch as he spoke.

Heath started to say something only to stop as Cassie's house came into view. Since Nick and she were sitting on the porch laughing and talking-and the porch faced the road the two brothers were on – there was no problem seeing the couple. Cassie wore a simple gray dress while her hair rested on the back of her head in a bun. Nick sat to the left. Even though they weren't close, Jarrod and Heath could still see their brother's gloved hands and the sunglasses he wore. Their hearts sunk…as they took it to mean the doctor's wild guesses had been right. Nick was badly scarred, totally blind and needed protection from the sun. For a moment, they said nothing. Finally, Jarrod nudged his horse forward; Heath did the same.

For Nick's part he was enjoying the fresh air and Cassie's company. Not only was she beautiful, but she was a wonderful cook and had a great sense of humor. All those traits and the nice weather was helping with the situation he was now facing. Due to a comment, Cassie had just made, his mind went back to when the bandages first came off his eyes for good.

"Well?" Cassie, who stepped away from Nick, asked anxiously once Nick had opened his eyes and blinked a few times.

'Mother would tell me to I was fortunate, that this could be so much worse' Nickthought, though out loud he simply asked Cassie to step closer.

Nervously, Cassie did as he asked, though she asked why as she did so.

Nick smiled, "I knew you had to be beautiful only it's nice to have that fact verified."

Cassie blushed at the compliment only she was more than concerned because she'd had to step closer to him before it was made. "How much can you see? I mean, how well can you see?"

Nick let out a frustrated breath. "Very well- if you're this close. Before, you were blurry. If you'd been any farther back, I'd not have been able to see you at all. It's like there's a black wall after a certain point."

Cassie stepped even closer and set her hand on his shoulder. "Maybe an eye specialist could help things get even better." She might not have made the comment only Nick had already told her of his family's more than successful ranch. A family like that could easily afford a specialist. At least, for his sake, she was hoping she wasn't making a wrong assumption.

Nick, who had stopped laughing, grew serious as he changed the topic they'd been laughing over and went to the one they'd been discussing that morning -after Mary had come by and then left. ""I only asked you to consider it. In spite of these," he held out his gloved hands and then pointed to the sunglasses on his face. "I'm ready to go home. When Mary visited this morning, she said the people in Triton are saying we have at least have a common law marriage. I know why I didn't confirm it or deny it, and I won't ask why you didn't. That discussion can be had later. Only, because we didn't speak, the talk is going to continue." He paused and let out a concerned sigh and took a hold of her hand; he noticed she didn't pull away. "Letting the talk stand would enable you to come to Stockton with me without them thinking another thing about it." I know what you've said in the past about your reputation around here, only I've been in a saloon more than once-and been gossiped about a lot. My family and I can help you get a new start." He shook his head and then continued. "I fear what some of those men in Triton's saloon – and ones like them- may very well…" He let go of her hand and stopped talking when he heard the sound of horses approaching. He turned his face towards the sound. "Who is it?"

"Don't know, I don't recognize them." She then began describing the two riders. Immediately she knew Nick didn't need any more information – as Nick had sat straight up the moment she started verbalizing what their two visitors looked like. "Friends? Family?" She asked as she kept her eyes on the approaching men.

"Family and best friends, my brothers to be exact. At least, that's who it sounds like from what you've told me." Nick- who wasn't surprised that Jarrod and Heath were looking for him- stood up, as did Cassie.

Jarrod and Heath stopped their horses a good five feet from the edge of the porch. "Hello, Nick." Jarrod leaned forward in his saddle, relieved the doctor had been flat out wrong when it came to 'a face full of scars'. He then confessed he and Heath had talked to the sheriff, enabling them to know where to find Nick. "It's good to see you up and around."

"It's good to be up. Though, please, dismount your horses and at least come to the edge of the porch, if not on it. I'd like to be able to see you while we talk – and we do need to talk."

"You have some vision then, in spite of what Dr. Thomas was claiming in town?" Jarrod -not surprised the 'good doctor' had been wrong about that as well - asked the question even as he and Heath dismounted and stepped closer to the edge of the porch. They might have gone up onto the porch instead only they figured they'd just have to walk back down the steps in order to take the horses to the barn.

Somehow, Nick wasn't surprised to hear Dr. Thomas was gossiping. "Man needs to lose his license." Nick growled before explaining the limitations he currently lived with. "As far as scars go," He removed his gloves and showed the palms of his hands to his brothers.

"I've seen far, far worse." Heath spoke up.

Jarrod agreed. "There's no need for the gloves. I don't think anyone would give you any grief over that."

Nick slid his gloves back on and sighed. If his older brother had been a hundred sure, he would have said so. "You don't think, but you don't know." He then removed the sunglasses, enabling them to see the area around his eyes and the bridge of his nose. It was all Jarrod and Heath could do not to show the anger they felt towards Mr. Winters. While the scarring wasn't horrible, it was still concerning. "Where did you get those?" Jarrod pointed at the sunglasses.

Nick put the pair of glasses back on as he answered, and then nodded towards the front door. "Go put up your horses, and then come inside. Cassie and I have been talking about various items. Some of it we need to share with you."

"About Jack Winters and Mr. Tydell?" Jarrod asked as he and Heath stepped away from the porch.

Nick was shocked to hear Jarrod put the two names in the same sentence. "Mr. Winters? Yes. Mr. Tydell? Not unless you're going to tie them together for us." He opened the front door, and kept it open while Cassie went inside. He then followed her, knowing Jarrod and Heath would enter soon enough.