Albert sighed heavily and ran a tired hand back through his hair. He needed help around the store but he couldn't afford to hire any new help.
"Kat!"
He looked up to see Kathryn slipping into the mercantile. Johnny and Megan approached her excitedly.
"Kat, Kat! When are you going to read to us next?" Megan demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
Kathryn chuckled and kneeling down to their eye level answered, "Oh… I don't know. Let me talk with Ms. Barkley and we'll see when you can come over next."
Megan giggled. "Don't you mean Miss Audra?"
Kathryn smiled. "Indeed I do. Now, I have to talk with your Grandpa, okay?"
Both kids nodded and after hugging her goodbye ran off.
Kathryn approached the counter. "Mr. Thompson." She greeted.
He smiled in greeting. "Good afternoon Kathryn. What can I do for you?"
Kathryn placed on the counter a hat, jacket, and boots. "You left these in my room when you visited. I came to return them."
Mr. Thompson sighed in frustration. "Kathryn, they were a gift!"
"Mr. Thompson-"
"Albert."
Kathryn smiled. "Albert." She conceded. "I'm appreciative but… I don't accept charity."
"Again…" He stated with patience that only a grandfather could possess. "They weren't a gesture of charity, they were a gift."
Kathryn took a deep breath. "Thank you. I… I'm not… used… to gifts. And, though I understand these are gifts I'd like to return the favor. Why don't you let me work here? You don't have to pay me. I'm already working for the Barkleys and they pay me very well. I'm also doing some odd jobs for Mrs. Barkley. So… do we have a deal?"
Mr. Thompson sighed in defeat. "… This doesn't sit right with me. These are gifts. They don't require a favor and certainly not one that requires you to work without receiving wages. Unfortunately, I do need help and… I just don't have the money to hire new help."
"So… is that a yes?"
Albert nodded. "When can I expect you?"
"I'll see what my schedule allows." She told him and turning around made to walk out of the mercantile.
"Ms. Quinn!"
Kathryn turned back around to see Albert holding up the jacket, hat, and boots.
"Did you forget something?"
—
Kathryn whistled as she dismounted from Vacquero. She smiled fondly as she looked over her… gifts. Sitting down on a nearby hay bale she put her new boots on and wiggling her toes allowed a pleased smile to grace her lips. She placed her old pair on the hay bale next to her. Shrugging out of her jacket she placed it on the hay bale as well as her hat. She slipped into her new jacket with a satisfied sigh. And placing her new hat on her head, she tipped it with a gratified smirk.
Hearing a low whistle she whipped around.
"I guess you won't be needing Audra's old boots."
Kathryn ducked her head.
"Too late Miss Quinn. Once again, you are as red as your hair."
Kathryn shyly raised her head. "Aren't you supposed to be a gentleman Mr. Barkley?"
He sighed in frustration. "Jarrod. Not Mr. Barkley. Jarrod. Say it with me. Jair-rid."
Kathryn gallantly tried to hide a smile but let a little one appear. "Mr. JARROD Barkley."
He sighed again, this time fondly. "I guess that'll have to do for now."
Kathryn bowed, tipping her hat to him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I better get going before your brother decides to realize that I left the ranch."
"WHERE IS MISS QUINN?!"
She scrunched her face up at the angered shout.
She was in trouble.
"Too late."
—
"She can't just disappear like that. Doc said three weeks."
"Doc said that before he knew Kathryn Nick and her… personality-"
"You mean her stubbornness." Nick interrupted his brother.
Heath sighed in frustration. "Yes Nick I mean her stubbornness. And now that Doc has realized his mistake, namely that you can't tell that girl not to do something, she'll do it anyway, he has amended his orders."
"I know, I know. For those three weeks that were SUPPOSED to be bed rest she has to take it easy. But he said bed rest for a reason."
Heath tiredly scrubbed at his face. "I know Nick. And believe you me I wish she was heeding his orders and taking three weeks of bed rest too."
"Too? I don't care what happens to that infuriating, stubborn, troublesome-"
"HYAH!"
"Miss Quinn, just WHAT do you think you are doing?!"
Heath shook his head, his expression a thundercloud. "She can't hear you from here Nick. But I think I know what she's doing." He nodded his head in the direction she was racing.
Nick followed his brother's gaze. "Jake…" He growled then with his own "Hyah!" He and Heath raced after Kathryn.
—
Jake had lassoed the steer but was having a difficult time reining it in. He gritted his teeth in frustration as he tugged harshly on the rope, without any luck. He DID growl when he heard a feminine voice shout his name. He turned in his saddle to yell at her-
And was promptly yanked from his horse.
As he held on to the rope for dear life the steer raced off, dragging him across the ground.
"Jake! Let GO of the rope!"
He'd rather be dragged to death than listen to a woman. Especially THIS woman.
Kathryn huffed as she urged Vacquero to go faster. She should just leave Jake, he got himself into this situation, he could get himself out.
Yeah. Like she would do that.
With a tired sigh and a great deal of regret, she leaned down from her saddle and with a decisive stroke cut Jake's rope, effectively stopping Jake, who was face down in the dirt.
As John and a few of the other hands approached she gestured disgustedly at Jake and ordered, "Take care of him while I go fix his mess."
As she raced after the steer Nick and Heath arrived. Nick practically jumped from his saddle. "Jake! What did you think you were doing?! That steer wasn't giving us any trouble! I don't have the patience or a need for a show off!"
Jake leapt to his feet angrily. "What I want to know is why that… GIRL is still on this ranch! But I guess the more important question is… which Barkley's bed is she warming?" And was promptly knocked flat on his back.
Nick looked to Heath in surprise and was shocked into stunned speechlessness. There was murderous intent in his eyes and his face was an unrecognizable mask of hatred. "I don't care that we need the help Nick, he says one more word against Kathryn and he's OFF this ranch! And if you don't back me up," he continued when Nick opened his mouth to object, "I KNOW Jarrod will."
Nick tiredly rubbed a hand over his eyes. Being on the wrong side of one of his brothers was a big enough headache, being on both of their bad sides?... Not to mention his mother and sister would probably feel the same way… But, the issue still remained.
"Heath, the fact is we DO need the help. And that woman-"
"Kathryn."
Nick wearily met the fire in Heath's eyes. "Ms. Quinn is turning out to be more trouble than she's worth. Look at all the chaos that's happened since we hired her."
"You're blaming her for the trouble Jake's caused?!" Heath demanded, astonished.
Nick removed his hat and running his hand back through his hair answered, "We didn't have all this trouble before we hired her."
"So if we follow cause and effect, I'm the cause and the ensuing trouble is the effect."
Nick winced as Kathryn rejoined the group. She leaned down from her saddle and handed the roped steer to John who was glaring daggers at Nick.
"Ms. Quinn… I… I have to think of the ranch."
Heath winced at Nick's formality.
Kathryn scoffed. "Sure, Mr. Barkley, I COMPLETELY understand." She turned Vacquero around, turning her back to them.
"Kathryn! Wait!"
She turned around in the saddle as Heath approached her. "Don't you need to go back to the house?"
Kathryn smiled sadly. "Why? All my stuff's in my saddle bags." She explained, patting them. "I never leave the mansion without packing up all my stuff first." She nodded at Nick. "In case something like this happens."
Heath hung his head in shame. "I can't believe Nick would think that, that he would say-"
"Mr. Barkley."
Heath calmed minutely at Kathryn's gentle interruption. Giving her imploring baby blue eyes he beseeched her to "Please, don't leave the valley. Not yet anyway. Give Nick some time to REALLY think this through."
Kathryn REALLY wanted to ignore his pleading and those baby blues of his.
But found that she couldn't.
She capitulated. "Alright Mr. Barkley. He has until tomorrow morning. At which time, I WILL be leaving the valley."
Heath tipped his hat to her and turning back around, made his way over to Nick. As Kathryn made to leave she noticed John watching her with misty eyes. She gave him a gentle smile as she tipped her hat to him. He smiled, nodded, and tipped his hat in reply.
Kathryn admired the landscape in one last sweeping gaze and with a sad smile she urged Vacquero to race away.
Before her tears fell.
—
As Vacquero plodded into town Kathryn scrubbed at her eyes where the tears still remained.
She would have to get Raphael later. After all, she HAD told Mr. Heath Barkley she would wait in town and that was one place Raphael would certainly not be welcome. Though she didn't know why she was bothering to keep her word. There was no point. Mr. Nick Barkley wouldn't change his mind.
With a dejected spirit she glanced toward the saloon and, even though she had never taken a sip in her life and, until this day had never had any desire, the thought of a draught of strong spirits was tempting.
Scarily so.
She thought she had found it. The stars had shone so brightly here; the earth, work, and people had been… wonderful.
Dismounting Vacquero, she tied him to the hitching post, ignoring his panicked whinny. She knew he knew something was wrong but at this point in time she was more concerned about her emotional state than his.
Standing in front of the batwing doors she took a, what she hoped was an empowering breath, placed her hands on the polished wood and with a mighty push shoved the doors-
"KAT!"
Kathryn jerked as if she'd been shot and turning around saw Megan and Johnny running across the street towards her.
She hastily took a step back and glancing wearily at the wooden doors sent up a quick prayer to God of thanks and with a relieved smile turned to greet the excited children.
"Kat! Kat! What are you doing-"
"Thomas lost a tooth. I want to lose-"
Kathryn beamed. "Woah, woah cubs. One at a time. Actually," Grabbing their hands she looked both ways which Megan and Johnny had neglected to do in their excited rush to reach her and walking them back to the mercantile stated, "Let's continue reading."
"REALLY?!" Megan asked excitedly as Johnny's step gained a bounce.
Kathryn grinned broadly. "You bet."
It was, after all, the least she could do for the ones who had saved her from embarking down a path that, now that her heart and head weren't in so much turmoil, she realized she really hadn't wanted to explore.
—
As the bell above them rang gleefully the children instantly shouted their excitement to their grandfather.
"Grandpa!"
"Gwampa!"
"Kat's here!" They shouted in ecstatic unison.
Albert looked up from the books he was examining on the counter.
And his face lit up with a joy that rivaled his grandchildren's.
"Ms. Quinn! What do we owe this unexpected pleasure?" Albert inquired, coming around the counter to greet her as Megan and Johnny ran off to procure the book.
"Please Albert, since the kids are calling me Kat I think you can call me Kathryn."
"Very well, Kathryn. But you still haven't answered my question."
Kathryn glanced around and with a non-chalant shrug replied, "Had a few hours to myself. Came into town and was set upon by Meg and Johnny. I promised them I would read to them." She finished with a sheepish expression, avoiding mentioning her moment of weakness.
Albert chuckled. "Those little rascals. They sure have you wrapped around their little fingers."
"No more than their grandfather I suspect."
Albert held up his hands in surrender. "You'll brook no argument from me."
"Then after the kids have been pacified I'll put in some time with you." She told him.
"Ah lass… we JUST agreed on that a couple hours ago!"
"The sooner I start the sooner I can pay you back."
"Kathryn-"
"Kat! Kat! We found the book!"
Kathryn smiled and kneeling down to be at their level told them, "After we read I'm going to help your grandpa."
Johnny nodded his head with a serious expression. "That's good. 'Cause Gwampa needs help."
Kathryn quickly hid her smile as Albert's eyes widened. Apparently he thought he was hiding it well.
Well then, she had better get to work.
—
Kathryn noticed that as she read that a LOT of Albert's customers were listening to her as she read to Johnny and Megan. And a number of children had found their way to her side.
"It was high time to go, for the pool was getting quite crowded with the birds and animals that had fallen into it: there were a Duck and a Dodo, a Lory and an Eaglet, and several other curious creatures. Alice led the way, and the whole party swam to the shore. End of Chapter 2."
As she closed the book those gathered groaned in disappointment. As well as a few who had been, what they must have thought was discreetly, listening.
She handed the book to Megan who ran off to return it to its rightful place.
Standing up she addressed those gathered. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get to work."
As she positioned herself behind the counter, she found that people were jostling to reach her, not solely to purchase their items, but just to talk to her.
Kathryn plastered on a radiant smile and kept up the polite conversation, all the while wondering what exactly it was she had volunteered for.
—
Nick grumbled as he stalked down the boardwalk.
It wasn't his fault! He had to think of the ranch! Why couldn't his family see that?
After they had finished cleaning up the mess with the cattle, they had arrived home, at Heath's insistence. If Nick hadn't known better, he would have sworn that Heath was relieved to see that the mutt was still at the house. And, if Nick was honest, he was, too.
After Kathryn had disappeared from sight, Heath had rounded on him.
"Where is your head, Nick?!" He exploded.
Nick was taken aback. This was not Heath; Heath was quiet, gentle, calm.
"Boy, that was the most stupid decision you've made in a long time." He stated, putting emphasis on long.
That snapped Nick out of his shock.
"And what, Heath, was my last stupid decision?" He demanded, the hands wincing. They knew that tone. He was trying to keep his explosive temper under control.
Heath met his gaze and stated simply, "Not trusting me."
Nick had no reply for that. Heath, knowing this, turned and shouted, "Let's clean this mess up!" As he walked away, he added, "At least one mess."
And what a mess it had been. Thanks to Jake's antics, since the bull was loose, they had to recapture it in order to round up the other cattle.
And Nick realized just what an asset Kathryn was. When she saw a problem, rather than ask for permission, she took control and things got done. The other hands were too immovable in the order of command to act on their own. The way Kathryn did it, she commanded respect, for such a tiny, little thing, without disrespecting the authority of the Barkleys.
As it was, Nick had been constantly interrupted with questions of "Where do you want me?" "What do you want me to do next?" Thus causing Nick to ground his teeth and constantly remind himself that he needed the help, he couldn't kill them. And it didn't help that Heath had given him the cold shoulder and silent treatment the whole time. Nick had constantly been trying to make Heath engage with him. For his efforts, he received grunts as answers and quick efficiency, as if Heath couldn't wait to get away from him.
"Brother Nick!" Nick snapped his head up to see Jarrod striding toward him, a big smile on his face.
Nick smiled gratefully. "Boy, howdy, am I glad to see you." He stated as Jarrod reached him.
Jarrod's smile wavered slightly. "Something the matter?"
"Heath's been ignoring me ever since I fired Ms. Quinn." Nick answered non-chalantly.
Jarrod's smile completely disappeared. "I must not have heard you right Nick. You did what?"
Nick heaved a great sigh. "Jake was causing trouble with the bull and I realized that Ms. Quinn needed to leave the ranch." At Jarrod's heated glare, Nick groaned. "Not you, too, Pappy."
Jarrod pinched the bridge of his nose. "You don't realize just how big a mistake you just made."
Nick stared at him in disbelief. "What is it with that woman? Because of her, I have you and Heath jumping down my throat and I don't like it."
Jarrod stared in disbelief as he asked, with a note of incredulity that he couldn't completely hide "Nick, where is your head at?" Nick flinched as he echoed Heath. "Did you even hear what you said just now? Jake," he made sure that anger accompanied the emphasis, "was causing trouble, but it's Kathryn who has to leave?" As he finished, Nick saw pure fear fill his brother's eyes. His gaze lowered as he started to mumble, thinking out loud "I didn't see her pass my office on her way to the train depot. That must mean she's still getting her things together. I might still have time to talk her out of leaving."
"She's here in town."
When Jarrod whipped his head up, Nick continued "Well, uh, turns out that Heath, he, uh, asked her not to leave just yet. She, she told him she'd stay the night, but... tomorrow morning... Raph's still at the house!" He bumbled under his brother's ire.
Jarrod nodded his head thoughtfully. "Heath deserves something for his quick thinking. I'll need to remember that." And he walked past Nick.
Nick had had enough. "And where are you going?!"
Jarrod stopped. After a moment, he turned, slowly, back around to face his brother, his eyes sparking. "I'm going to the mercantile. It seems Miss Quinn was up quite early and made a stop there this morning before work. Because when I found her in the barn before you headed out, she had on new boots, a new jacket and hat. And they weren't hand-me-downs. I'm going to see if Albert may know where she's hiding out."
"I'm coming with you." Nick made to follow, but stopped at Jarrod's... growl.
"I think you've done quite enough, Nicholas." His smug smile showing his vicious satisfaction at how Nick squirmed.
"Please Pappy, not you, too." He begged again, his head bowed in contrition. "Heath's been ignoring me all afternoon if it doesn't involve the ranch, and when he does pay attention, he's not talking to me."
Jarrod was still livid, and now that he knew he had time to talk to and convince Kathryn he let out a long-suffering sigh. "I know Heath likes her. You know that, too, I don't understand why you're so-"
"He said it was the most stupid decision I've made in a long time." Nick interrupted, almost too quiet for Jarrod to hear.
Jarrod stopped and tried to think what decisions Nick made that Heath would consider stupid. When it came to the ranch, Nick and Heath were cut of the same cloth, agreeing on almost everything. And when they didn't — for the good of the ranch — they pushed aside their bruised egos. And, he wouldn't say always, but more often that not, worked together expertly.
"And what decision was he talking about?"
"… Me not trusting him." Nick finally admitted, defeat in his voice and the slump of his shoulders.
Ah, now it made sense. Jarrod smiled sympathetically. He was still angry, but his brother was hurting. Nick hated that he had doubted Heath; it was probably why he was Heath's greatest defender. His hold on his anger lessened somewhat. He wasn't ready to let go of it completely. He'd follow Heath's lead on that.
Sighing in defeat he turned around and walking away, called over his shoulder "For your sake, you better hope she's in a listening mood when we find her."
—
When they stepped into the mercantile, it was to utter chaos.
Albert was a fair man, he had fair prices and good quality merchandise, and seemed to always be in stock. His business was good, he always had customers.
But this? The Barley men were a little taken aback.
"What did we miss?" Nick asked Jarrod under his breath.
Jarrod opened his mouth in shock, shrugged his shoulders and looked to where the mayhem seemed to be most concentrated. When he found the source, his eyebrows rose and his mouth snapped shut as he shook his head, dumbfounded.
—
Kathryn heard the bell ring over the door.
She kept her head down for a moment longer, breathing evenly to temper down her rising annoyance. It seemed that everyone who walked through that door wanted to talk... to her.
She wasn't a people person. She tolerated them, yes. This, however, was pushing her limit.
Looking up, she plastered on a smile.
It turned cold when Jarrod Barkley, wearing his "lawyer" charming smile greeted "Hello, Kathryn. We need to talk."