Chapter 6

They had been on the trail for three weeks and hoped to be home by the next day. Heath was eager to get home so that he could see Cassie and Nick too felt eager to finish up the trip. This had been a good cattle drive and both men were satisfied with the results. Nick's mind wandered back to their stay in Baxter. They usually stopped overnight to replenish supplies and visit the saloons. Things had been going well until Heath noticed some familiar faces.

"Uh oh."

Nick looked over at his younger brother and said, "Uh oh, what?"

Heath jerked his head toward the door and Nick looked over to see several men entering. He recognized them immediately, but just turned back to nurse his drink.

"They're from Morton's, aren't they?"

"Yep."

"Sure hope they don't want trouble. Maybe we should just leave."

"I'm not leavin' until I finish my drink. We'll just ignore them-"

"Well, well, well. Lookie who we got here. Some Barkley's. How nice. Headed home to mama?" It was the taller of the three men. Paddy was his name if Heath recalled correctly. He was slimy looking, and Heath wondered if he didn't slither under rocks to sleep at night.

Nick and Heath both tensed. Neither was wanting a fight. They just wanted to finish their drinks in peace and leave. But it seemed the other "gentleman" wasn't going to make it easy for them.

"Hear tell you gotta female ranch hand workin' for ya now. She here?" Paddy said, looking around. "Wouldn't mind havin' a drink with her. Maybe I could persuade her to join our crew. Is she a looker?"

Heath glanced over at Nick and could see his temper was almost to the boiling point. Almost, but not quite. They might still be able to make out of here without a fight.

"Guess it wouldn't matter if she was. On the trail, any woman is worth havin'. Ain't that right, Barkley?"

Nick had had enough. Nick planted his fist in the jaw of Paddy. Heath, never one to just sit by, took out the one closest to him. Nick punched the third man while Paddy got to his feet.

"Guess I hit a sore spot, Barkley. She must be good for you to defend her like that!"

Nick turned to Paddy and began pummeling him with his fist. The other two men had decided they didn't really want anymore and backed away. Heath pulled Nick off Paddy, who, with a last punch from Nick, fell to the floor unconscious. Wanting to get out of the saloon before the law showed up, Heath threw a bunch of bills on the bar and said, "That oughta cover any damages plus our drinks."

The bar tender, still looking shocked at what had happened, just nodded his head. Heath led Nick out and noticed the other man holding his side. Paddy had gotten quite a few punches in and Nick was now feeling the effects.

"You all right?"

Nick nodded. He didn't think anything was broken, but he was going to feel the effects of that fight for the rest of the trip.

"Guess you'll be heading into town to see Cassie." This was the first Nick had spoken in a while.

Heath smiled. "Yep. Boy howdy. Next month can't come soon enough for me."

Nick didn't comment. He was wishing he had someone waiting for him at home too. His thoughts turned to Emma, but he wouldn't let them stay there. She was his employee and he needed to think of her that way. Heath had noticed that his older brother had been quiet on this trip. It was so unlike him that Heath wondered if he hadn't been hurt more seriously in the fight with Morton's ranch hands. Nick hadn't even made a comment about the beans last night.

"You feelin' all right?"

Nick looked over at his brother and said, "Yeah. Shouldn't I be?"

"You've just been quiet is all."

Nick sighed. "Noticed, huh?" Heath wanted to snort, "How could I not?" but refrained.

"Got something on your mind?" he asked instead.

Nick shook his head. "Nothing I want to share right now."

Heath found himself wanting to press further but held back. He chuckled to himself when he thought about Nick being quiet and Heath doing all the talking.

The next day, the dusty cowboys entered the yard and were met by Ciego. He came forward to help with stabling the horses.

"How's it been going around here?" Heath asked Ciego.

"All's quiet. Nothing much going on," Ciego said as he removed Charger's saddle.

"I'm gonna run on in and wash up. Wanna get to town as soon as I can."

Nick just nodded. He was brushing down Coco when he heard someone say, "Welcome back!" Nick turned around and saw Emma talking with Heath. They spoke only for a moment, then Emma came into the barn. Her eyes met Nick's briefly before taking over for Ciego, who was going to hitch up the buggy for Heath. Charger was put in his stall and given some well-deserved oats.

"How was the drive?" Emma asked.

"Good. Things go okay around here?"

"No problems."

Emma watched Nick as he brushed Coco. She had heard several of the hands joke about the fact Nick talked all the time. But whenever she was around him, he was quiet. Maybe he wasn't pleased with her work. Wouldn't he say something though? Emma shrugged mentally and walked into the tack room. Nick heard the door close softly and sighed. Coco was put in the stall and Nick walked toward the house, suddenly feeling very lonely.

Jarrod was finishing up some last minute business at the office. It was getting rather late but he had to make a short trip to San Francisco the next morning so there were details that needed to be worked out.

He had a trial coming up and hoped that it wouldn't last too long. Heath's wedding was just three weeks away and then after that, the plans would begin in earnest for Audra's and Malcolm's wedding. Victoria had taken the news about Audra's move better than Jarrod thought she would have. He was certain many tears would be shed but was thankful his prediction to Malcolm about his mother wanting Audra's happiness had been true.

There was a knock at the door. Jarrod glanced at the clock on the wall and was surprised that someone would come to his office at this time of night. His thoughts went to Sarah and quickened his pace toward the door. When he opened it, there stood Ann Wilder.

She was wearing one of her most appealing dresses, at least she thought so. It fit her slim figure perfectly, accentuating each and every curve. She smiled her most winning smile at Jarrod and walked into the room.

"Mrs. Wilder, is there something I can do for you?"

"A drink would be nice. It is rather hot, wouldn't you say?"

Jarrod raised an eyebrow as he turned to pour his unexpected guest a drink. She accepted it and the seat offered to her.

"What can I do for you?" he repeated, sitting on the edge of his desk. He admitted he was a bit annoyed. Sarah was waiting for him at home, and he wanted to finish up as soon as he could.

"I came by to drop off these papers you wanted me to sign."

Jarrod took the offered papers and laid them on his desk.

"You didn't need to bring them back so quickly."

"Oh, but I know how busy you are," she said, batting her long eyelashes. "Working rather late, aren't you?"

Jarrod was in no mood for small talk and was trying to think of a polite way to finish up this visit. Ann Wilder was about his age and was recently widowed. She had married an older man who left her with quite a bit of money. She had passed through Stockton while on her way to visit a sister in Sacramento but had gotten off the train on a whim and fallen in love with the small town. Jarrod was helping her get her affairs in order and secure a small home west of the city.

"I'm leaving town tomorrow on business. Just trying to finish up some last minute details." Maybe she would get the hint? he thought.

Ann tried not to look disappointed. She had passed by his office earlier and had hoped that since he was working late, they would have a chance to "talk". She had rushed home and changed into her favorite gown, grabbed the papers she hurriedly signed and was delighted to see his office light still on. But apparently, he was eager to get back to work.

Ann stood and contemplated her next move. She decided to be open about her interest in him and hoped that he would feel the same. She knew he was married but didn't think that little woman who was obviously with child could keep a man like Jarrod happy.

Jarrod, ever the gentleman, escorted Ann to the door. He reached for the doorknob and was startled when Ann put her hand on his. He looked at her questioningly. She leaned forward and said in a breathy voice, "Do you really want me to leave?"

If she had pulled a gun on him, he couldn't have been more shocked. He'd seen saloon girls who weren't as forward as she was.

Just so she wouldn't mistake the meaning of his words, he stepped back and said rather firmly, "I'm a happily married man, Mrs. Wilder."

Ann batted her long eyelashes again before saying, "Well, if that ever is not the case, I trust you'll look me up."

Jarrod watched her open the door and close it behind her. He walked back to his desk and sat down. He still had a few things to finish up but decided to take them home. He wanted to see his wife. He would stay up a little later if he needed to. He gathered his papers and was on Jingo in no time, headed toward the Ranch.