Chapter 31

Ella closed the door to her bedroom and leaned against it. She was so very tired. Not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, tired in every way for a human being to be tired. She, Drew, Heath and Jarrod had just arrived in Stockton.

Jonathon had been gone a week. Jarrod had made it to Oregon with only days to spare. Once the will was finalized, Jonathon seemed to fade quickly. Ella had known his death was inevitable, but it still came as a complete shock to her.

In what she deemed in her heart as an immoral amount of time, she was saying the familiar phrase, "I do" to another man. Heath stood to her right, but thankfully did not take her hand. When Ella heard the words, "By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife," she tensed. She expected to hear, "You may now kiss the bride." She knew she'd burst into tears and was doing everything possible to keep herself under control. Thankfully, those words never came. What she didn't know was that Heath had instructed the judge that Jarrod had procured for the ceremony to leave that part off. He knew this marriage was only to protect Ella and Drew from her brother. She in no way wanted to be married to Heath, and he didn't want to make things any more difficult for her than they needed to be.

The funeral was difficult, but the reading of the will would forever be burned into her mind. Charles's face had turned so many shades of purple, that Ella would have laughed if the situation hadn't been what it was. She couldn't help but gain some satisfaction that her selfish brother would get nothing from Jonathon's estate. Because Ella and Heath were already married, all of the property that Ella had inherited now belonged to him. A clause was put in at Jarrod's insistence that if anyone tried to contest the will in any way, that person would receive nothing.

Jarrod had traveled up in the Barkley private rail car, and that is what they had used when they returned to Stockton. Ella, unsure of what to pack, had taken Heath's suggestion to bring only what they needed. Her nephew, Jeffery, could send the rest later.

Drew had been withdrawn since his father's death. He seemed to shadow Ella at every turn, but she didn't mind.

The train ride to Stockton seemed long, but in reality, they made good time. Ella was thankful for the privacy they had, not having to worry about mingling with other passengers. One of the porters had called her "Mrs. Barkley", and that was enough to start the tears that were already close to the surface. So Ella stayed in the private car, Heath bringing her meals to her. She knew it was unfair to Drew to keep him cooped up, and Heath must have thought the same thing. He and Jarrod would often take Drew to the dining car for his meals or for a snack. The small trips did wonders for the boy's attitude.

Once, the day before they arrived in Stockton, Heath asked Jarrod to take Drew so he could have a few minutes with Ella alone.

"I thought we should talk about what happens when we get to Stockton," Heath began.

Ella didn't answer but waited patiently for Heath to continue.

"I think you and Drew should go to your ranch."

"Why?" she couldn't help but ask.

"You both need a chance to grieve. I know Mother would love to have you both at our place and believe me when I say you are welcome there. I just think you two need some time alone."

"What about the family who is living there now? I don't want to put them out."

"Jarrod said they moved back east. You know Jonathon had left Jarrod in charge of finding tenants, and he hadn't had a chance to look yet. So the place is all yours again."

Heath paused, seeming unsure of whether he should go on or not. He finally decided to say what had been on his heart.

"Even though you and I are married, in your heart, you are still married to Jonathon. I just wanted you to know I don't expect anything from you. We'll just see how things go."

Heath had left her alone then. Ella knew he and the others wouldn't be gone long, so she did nothing to stop the tears that flowed. She had been trying to be brave in front of Drew, but since she was alone she could let her guard down, just for a little while. She had been a little worried about what would happen when they returned to Stockton. Legally, she was Heath's wife. He could have expected her to become his wife in every way, but he had just assured her he didn't have that intent.

Now Ella stood in the bedroom that she had once shared with Jonathon. She looked around the familiar room, images of the time they'd spent together coming forth in her mind's eye. She'd loved living here with Jonathon. It was where Drew had been conceived, where he had been born. Unbidden, the memory of Wilma's attack showed itself. Ella closed her eyes, willing the horrible images away.

Although Ella's things had been taken to this bedroom, she knew she couldn't stay there. She took what she would need for the night, then went to check on Drew. He was fast asleep, a fact for which she was thankful. She then went to the third bedroom and changed into her nightgown. The bed wasn't as comfortable, but it would have to do. Ella's last thought before sleep overtook her, was how she wished Jonathon were there to hold her.

"I cannot believe it."

"Now Nick'"

"Don't 'now Nick' me! I knew something was going to happen! I could feel it in my gut. But I never expected this!"

Nick and Abby were readying for bed. A telegram had been sent earlier in the week asking Nick to have the surrey, a couple of wagons and some of the hands available for Heath's return. It was puzzling to him why Heath would need wagons, but Nick just shrugged and did as he was asked. Nick greeted Jarrod, accepting his brother's thanks for bringing Jingo into town. Jarrod wasted no time mounting and heading home to Melissa and the new baby. Nick's eyes widened when he saw Ella Sommers step down from the Barkley private railcar. They widened even further when he was told about Jonathon's death. He gave his condolences to Ella, who nodded her thanks. Drew accepted Nick's greeting but didn't say anything other than "hello".

Heath asked Nick if Nick would be available to talk later that evening?

"You know you're welcome anytime," was all Nick said. He helped to load up the wagons with Ella and Drew's things then proceeded to the Sommer's ranch. It didn't take long to have everything unloaded. Nick watched with a raised eyebrow as Heath told Ella he'd be by the next day.

Several hours later, Heath and Nick were in the barn. Heath told Nick everything that had happened, from the real reason Jonathon had asked for Heath's visit, to the informal wedding ceremony the morning of the funeral.

Now, hours later, as Nick relayed the events to his wife, he was still in shock.

"Isn't it strange how things work out?" Abby asked.

"What do you mean?" Nick replied.

"Heath was in love with Ella at one time, but because she was married, she was off limits. Now, they are married to each other!"

"Well, it isn't much of a marriage. She's living at her ranch, and Heath's living at his."

"For now."

"Her husband just died, Abby! I'd hope that, if and when I die, you'll at least wait till I'm cold before you up and marry someone else!" Nick said, feeling a bit put out. Abby smiled at him as she climbed into the bed.

"No need to worry about that, Nick. I would wait at least a week before I married someone else."

"A week!" Nick said, feeling outraged.

"Shh! You'll wake the children!" Abby admonished him.

"Hmph," was Nick's reply. Abby leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, then whispered in his ear. Nick pretended not to hear what she said, but Abby knew she had his attention.

A while later as they fell asleep, Nick said, "Apology accepted."