Chapter 10

The family greeted the news of Jarrod and Melissa's engagement with excitement. All felt Melissa was a perfect match for the eldest Barkley son. She grew up in society and would be able to handle the situations the wife of a prominent lawyer would face. Yet, she was as sweet and unpretentious as they came, and in no way put on "airs."

Victoria was eager to plan a party to announce the engagement to all their friends in Stockton. Jarrod smiled at her enthusiasm and made arrangements with Melissa and her family to come out to the ranch for a visit to discuss wedding plans.

The wedding date had been set for September, only four months away. Jarrod was already clearing his calendar and planning their honeymoon. He hoped they could take a month together, traveling across the country. The Barkley rail car would provide the privacy needed for the newlyweds, and they would also be staying in some of the finest hotels along the way. Once they returned, they would live in San Francisco for the first year, allowing Melissa to continue her work at the San Francisco library. Meanwhile, a house would be built for them on Barkley land. Once it was ready, they would live primarily in Stockton.

Heath finished his work at the Sommers' ranch. Jonathon and Ella seemed pleased with the new cabinets. Although he missed going there every day, Heath was glad to have the job finished. His respect for Jonathon grew as he got to know the older man.

Nick was visibly relieved to have Heath back at his side. He knew Heath wouldn't dare interfere in anyone's marriage, yet Heath had fallen hard for Ella. He knew his disappointment had been keen.

The weeks passed without incident. Heath found himself in town one day getting supplies for the line shacks. He had been asked to stop by the post office to see if some of the things Victoria had ordered for the engagement party had arrived. His mind was on the horse auction he and Jonathon would be attending the following week. He walked into the small building and bumped into someone.

"Oh, excuse me," he said, then smiled with delight when he saw it was Ella. He tipped hat and smiled.

"Heath! It's good to see you. We just love the new cabinets!" she replied. Heath smiled at her enthusiasm. He couldn't help but notice how lovely she looked.

"I'm glad you do. How have you been?"

"Very well. Jonathon needed to pick up some supplies for the trip to the auction, and I decided to ride along."

There were quite a few people waiting in line, so Heath and Ella had a several minutes to talk.

"I can't wait for Jarrod and Melissa's engagement party! Audra tells me Melissa is a sweetheart. Actually, I'll be over to help your mother and Audra with a few things this afternoon."

"That's nice of you," Heath replied.

Finally, it was Ella's turn at the counter. Heath didn't pay much attention to the conversation between the clerk and Ella until Ella called his name.

"Heath, I'd like you to meet Miss Ellen Brooks. She's new to Stockton."

Heath removed his hat and greeted the young woman. She had dark hair and large blue eyes. Heath couldn't help but notice how attractive she was. Ella stepped aside as Heath asked for the Barkley mail. She had been speaking with Audra about finding someone for Heath and when she'd met Ellen the week before, she thought they would be cute together.

"Oh, I should be going. There's Jonathon. It was nice to see you both again!" Ella called to them as she left. Heath watched her walk out of the office and felt a twinge of jealousy as Jonathon bent down to kiss her cheek. Heath turned around and looked into the smiling eyes of Ellen Brooks. Heath surprised himself when he heard himself asking:

"Miss Brooks. It seems I have some time before I need to get back to the ranch. Would you be available for lunch?"

Ellen was also surprised at his invitation. She'd heard many good things about the Barkleys since she'd come to live in Stockton. She smiled and nodded, informing him she'd be ready to go in about a half hour. Heath said he'd be back, then went to the feed and seed to see if his supplies were ready. When he returned to the post office, he found Ellen ready. He offered his arm which she gladly accepted and walked to the hotel restaurant. Heath wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't been there, but he actually found himself enjoying her company. So much so, that he asked her to go on a picnic with him before he left for the auction. Ellen shyly agreed. She knew she could easily like Heath a lot and was eager to get to know him better.

Ella spent several hours that afternoon with Victoria and Audra. She hadn't had much of a chance to get to know the Barkley Matriarch, but found she was a wise and gracious woman. Audra left them alone for a few minutes and Ella couldn't resist asking a question that had been on her mind.

"Mrs. Barkley, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, Dear."

"I noticed you employ Silas. Has he always worked for you?"

"Since Jarrod was a baby. He's been a godsend."

"Did you ever employ any female house servants?" Ella asked hesitantly.

"No. Only Silas. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm sorry, I bothered you," Ella replied.

"Ella, is something on your mind?"

"It's silly."

"Not if it concerns you."

Ella found Victoria's friendliness her undoing and began to talk about her concerns with Wilma. Although the woman had never done anything inappropriate, Ella had noticed that she was always friendly to Jonathon but rather cold to her. She wanted a baby so badly and knew that Christine had conceived while using Wilma's herbs, but she got an uneasy feeling from her housekeeper. Victoria listened to her concerns. She didn't have any advice to offer, but just having someone to talk to helped Ella tremendously. She left the Barkley mansion that afternoon feeling relieved to have shared her growing burden.

Ella awoke, feeling dizzy and unsettled. Jonathon had left for the morning already, but his side of the bed was still warm, so she knew he hadn't been gone long. She began to dress for the day, and it was then she noticed the blood. The truth hit her hard: another month had passed, and she still had not conceived a child. She began to cry but continued to dress. Usually the first day of her cycle was the worst, and she couldn't get out of bed. Today, she pushed herself, not wanting to stay inside.

She walked downstairs and out the front door. She didn't bother with breakfast but instructed Sam, one of the hands that was working in the barn, to saddle Carrington. Once she mounted her horse, Ella rode toward the west. When she was clear of the fence line, she nudged Carrington into a full gallop. The tears in her eyes streamed down her face, but she didn't bother to wipe them away.

Because Ella was distracted, she didn't slow Carrington down and took a turn too quickly. With a cry of alarm, she fell from the horse's back and landed on the hard ground. The wind was knocked out of her, and she succumbed to unconsciousness.

Heath was at one of the line shacks reloading it with supplies. His thoughts were on Ellen and the picnic they'd been on the day before. He thought he could really like this girl. She had shyly admitted that she didn't know how to ride a horse. She'd grown up in a large city and her parents hadn't felt she needed to learn to ride horseback. Ellen had always wanted to learn, and Heath found her an eager pupil.

He heard a horse and looked up to see Carrington approaching him. He called to the horse in a soft voice and then grabbed the reins. Noting the saddle, he looked around for Ella. Heath mounted Charger and led Carrington behind him. He went back in the direction Carrington had come. His heart stopped when he saw Ella's unconscious form. He went quickly to her side and began to call out her name.

"Ella," he said with urgency. He felt for broken bones but didn't think there were any. He could tell she was breathing and sighed when he heard her moan.

"Jonathon?" she said softly.

"No, it's Heath. Ella, can you hear me?"

Ella's eyes opened. She blinked a few times before asking, "What happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. Does anything hurt?"

Ella thought for a minute.

"No. The last thing I remember was falling. I think I'm okay now. If you could help me up?"

Heath helped her to her feet and steadied her. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her mind.

"Let's get you home."

Ella didn't argue with him and allowed him to help her mount her horse.

"You sure you can ride?" Heath asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Yes. Just don't go too fast," she replied, bringing a hand up to her head which was beginning to pound.

They rode to the Sommers' Ranch in slowly. Heath would ask her a question every so often to help her stay awake.

Jonathon was just coming from the barn when he saw Ella and Heath enter the yard. His face paled and he ran toward them.

"Ella! What happened?" he asked, directing his question to Heath.

"I fell off my horse," Ella answered before Heath could say anything as she allowed her husband to help her off Carrington.

"I was near one of our line shacks when Carrington came galloping by riderless. I knew something had to be wrong, so I went in search of Ella. I found her unconscious."

"Sam!" Jonathon called and Heath didn't miss the way Ella jumped.

"Jonathon, not so loud," she begged.

"I'm sorry, Honey," Jonathon apologized. Sam had come running at his employer's call.

"You wanted me, sir?"

"Ride into town and get the doc."

"No, Jonathon. I'm ok. I just want to go lie down," Ella said softly.

"Go, Sam and hurry. Let's get you inside," he said to Ella, picking her up in his arms. He turned back to Heath. "Thank you."

"Anytime. You'll let us know how she is?" Heath asked, reluctant to leave, but knowing he would just be in the way if he stayed.

"Of course."

Jonathon took Ella up to their room and Wilma, having seen them coming, followed. Jonathon asked her to brew some tea, and she gladly complied.

Jonathon placed Ella on the bed and helped her get undressed. He slipped a white cotton nightgown over her head, then tucked her in bed.

"I'm sorry, Jonathon," Ella whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It's ok, honey. But I wish you'd be more careful. What if you are expecting?"

"I'm not," came the flat reply. Wilma was waiting outside the door, unable to contain her smile. She took a deep breath, then entered the room. Jonathon asked her to put the tray down and leave them alone.

Jonathon gathered his crying wife in his arms.

"Shhh, it's ok, honey. Shhh," he whispered over and over. Ella eventually calmed down and pushed from her husband's arms to lie back down.

"I think it's time for another visit to Dr. Milton," Jonathon said softly. Ella nodded.

"I'll let Heath know we can't go to the auction."

"No," Ella protested. "I can go by myself."

"I don't want you going to San Francisco alone," Jonathon said firmly.

"Then I'll ask Audra to go with me. We've been wanting to go to San Francisco to do some shopping anyway. The last time we saw Dr. Milton, he said we could stop in any time. Please, Jonathon. I want you to go on this trip. We need to find a mate for Carrington soon."

Jonathon sighed and reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. Dr. Merar arrived a short time later and checked Ella over. He declared she was fine, not even suffering a concussion. Jonathon thanked the doctor then went back to sit with his wife.