Just a note to the readers: I always imagined Jonathon looking like George Clooney. GC is currently 60 and I think looks wonderful for his age.

Chapter 20

Heath lounged in a chair next to the bed, watching his wife sleep. He'd donned pants and his shirt hung open, leaving his chest bare in the dawn light. He shifted, crossing his bare feet, lacing his fingers across his midriff. The sun was just beginning to rise. Heath normally watched from the back of the house, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand, but he felt he should stay in today. He didn't want Ellen to wake up alone. He watched as she began to stir, and smiled slightly as she stretched lazily, one long leg sticking out from beneath the covers.

She opened her eyes and looked around. Heath could tell she was feeling disoriented for a moment. When she saw him, she pulled the covers up a bit higher.

"Morning," Heath greeted.

"Morning."

"Sleep well?" he asked, watching her closely. The sun was up enough for him to see her face.

"Yes. I was tired," Ellen replied, her cheeks flushing just a bit. In truth, she was exhausted. She hadn't known she'd feel so tired the next morning, and she was a bit sore.

"Breakfast won't be for another hour or so. You've got time to get a bath if you want."

Ellen smiled her thanks but didn't move from the bed. She was feeling shy, though for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. Heath had seen, and touched, every part of her the night before. Heath sensed her unease and wanted to help her feel more comfortable. He thought about leaving the room so she could dress but realized they couldn't live like strangers. They were married...husband and wife.

"We haven't talked about it, but I was wondering what you wanted to do about your job at the post office?" Heath asked, unable to keep from glancing at Ellen's exposed leg. Ellen noticed but did nothing to cover it up. She found she was enjoying the affect she was having on Heath.

"If you don't want me to work there any longer, I would be fine with that. I feel I should give Mr. Parsons some notice though." Ellen wiggled her toes, delighted that Heath had focused on them.

"Heath?" Ellen asked, when he didn't respond.

"Hmm?"

"Is it alright if I continue to work at the post office?"

Heath dragged his eyes to Ellen's, only to have them go right back to her leg. It was too much for him and he sat on the bed next to her.

"If you want to, that's fine. I'll take you into town," he replied, pushing some of her hair behind her ear.

"You don't have to. I can just take a buggy," she said, staring at Heath's lips. She looked into his eyes and saw his desire for her.

"No...I want to," he whispered.

"You want to what?" she asked softly.

Heath cleared his throat. "I want to take you. What time do you have to be there?"

"Not until nine. Mr. Parsons sorts through the mail himself. He just needs me there to wait on the customers."

"Alright," Heath said, leaning in for a kiss. Ellen gladly accepted it, placing her hands on his bare chest.

"Are you hungry?" Heath asked, as he began to nuzzle her neck. Ellen closed her eyes.

"Not for food," she said.

"Good. Me either," he whispered and covered her body with his own. He had made the decision the night before to be the best husband to Ellen he could be. This was a perfect place to start.

"You're telling me that she did nothing wrong?!"

Jarrod watched the heated exchange between Jonathon Sommers and Stockton's District Attorney, Mark Bromley. He was glad the ladies weren't present. Melissa and Ella were doing some shopping, allowing the men to discuss what charges, if any, could be brought against Wilma for what she'd done.

"Morally? Yes, Wilma Patterson was wrong. But legally? I'm sorry Mr. Sommers, she's committed no crime. Your wife admitted she willingly took herbs from your housekeeper. In fact, she asked for the herbs."

"But she didn't ask to take herbs that would prevent her from having a child! Wilma knew Ella wanted to have a baby!"

Mark looked to Jarrod, silently asking for help. Jarrod nodded, then addressed Jonathon.

"Jonathon, I know this is frustrating. Mark is right. Legally, you don't have a case. Wilma's long gone. Be thankful you found out before something more serious happened."

Jonathon was seething. He had expected a warrant to be issued for Wilma, not to be told the woman was free to live however she chose. He and Ella had spent the rest of the weekend talking about what had happened. He explained how his grief over Christine had driven him almost to the point of madness. His drunkenness led to his affair with Wilma. He regretted not dismissing her and didn't try to offer excuses as to why he hadn't. He begged Ella's forgiveness for his mistake. He loved her and only her. He was deeply ashamed of his actions.

Knowing their marriage was on more sure footing, Jonathon asked Ella about pressing charges against Wilma. She agreed to pursue it but was eager to put everything behind them and start over. Dr. Merar had checked Ella over, but could find no ill effects of the herbs Wilma had used. He suspected once the herbs were out of Ella's system, she would be able to conceive.

"I'm sorry," Jonathon apologized to Jarrod and Mark. "This entire situation has been upsetting. I've let my temper get the best of me."

"You've nothing to apologize for," Mark said. "I can't imagine what you've been through. Jarrod is right. You should try to put it behind you. Be thankful the woman is gone."

Jonathon nodded. He thanked the men and went to find his wife, eager to get home. He wanted their life to get back to normal as soon as possible.

Three weeks after his marriage to Ellen found Heath on a small cattle drive with Nick and Jonathon. The Army was setting up a small fort near La Grange and had arranged to buy cattle to be used for meat from both the Barkley and Sommers Ranches. Things went well for the first several days out, but it didn't escape anyone's notice that things were strained between Nick and Heath. The Barkley hands generally gave their bosses a wide berth, doing their jobs on their own as much as they could and only asking a question if absolutely necessary. Jonathon figured it wasn't his business.

It was late on their third night on the trail. The day had been grueling as a summer storm had caused the cattle to be restless. Once it passed, the herd settled down, but there was still some worry that they would be spooked again. By the time they made camp that night, no one had gotten any rest. Nerves were frayed and the situation between Nick and Heath didn't help anyone at all.

Those that weren't on night duty were washing up at the small lake nearby before turning in. Heath and Jonathon had gone down with the hands, while Nick finished making camp.

"Water's nice and cold," Heath commented as he poured himself a cup of coffee, feeling refreshed after returning from the lake.

"Uh huh," was all Nick said.

"I can finish up here if you wanna go on down," Heath said.

"I'm almost done," Nick replied. Heath decided it was time to put the matter to bed, once and for all.

"Nick," he said, waiting until Nick looked at him before going on. "I want to make things right between us. The strain isn't good for men or the family."

"How do you propose to put things right?" Nick asked returning his gaze to the task before him, not even looking at his brother.

"What do you want me to do, Nick?" Heath asked, feeling frustrated. "Go to Ellen and tell her I don't love her? Tell her I'm in love with another man's wife and since I can't have Ella, I used Ellen to take her place? Do you really want me to do that? How will that help anything? It will just hurt Ellen, and I won't do that to her. I may not be in love with my wife, but I do care for her!" Heath stalked off, angry with himself and with Nick.

Nick's shoulders sagged. He knew he'd pushed too far. Heath was reaching out, and he was pushing him away. Nick headed off in the direction he'd seen Heath go, unaware that Jonathon had heard every word spoken by the brothers.