Chapter Seventeen

Previously:

When it came to Dr. Lloyd, he been one hundred percent accurate in everything he'd said. Not one man, woman or child that was walking around Modesto took any real notice of his departure. If anything, the most he got was greetings, along with the normal 'How are you doing?' question. Only Sheriff Langston, who had been doing some paperwork but stood up long enough to look out the window and see the doctor exit the medical office, froze. He hadn't seen 'that sign' for quite a while. He hurried and put the paperwork inside his desk, stepped outside and made it appear as if he was simply making his rounds. Though, he hit the nail on the head as he thought 'I bet everything I own I wind up at the Douglas farm.'

"It was me he was shooting at." Bear, who was standing in the living room with Fen, Heath and Jarrod, told Sheriff Langston just as Nick and Leah entered the room. "Ten to one he was hired by either the banker or his friend, Mr. Stokes." The fact that he had to make such a statement upset him as much as it did the rest of the group only… as much as they'd hoped things would be different- the doctor had been unable to save the would-be assassin.

"My bet is on the banker." Nick sat down on the couch and set his crutches against the side of the furniture. "Mr. Stokes is fairly successful only not enough to hire any type of professional killer….and I get the distinct feeling all of you think that's what the man upstairs was."

Jarrod and Heath backed up Nick when it came to what he'd just said while Bear nodded his head and told everyone in the room of his various close calls. "I know I saw his face a few times before heading home- two of those times I was almost killed by what I feel I can say would have been classified as 'an unfortunate accident'. Someone wants me dead and, if Danny says it's Mr. Justin and Mr. Stokes, I believe him."

"I do too." The sheriff growled and admitted he'd seen Mr. Justin literally pulling Mr. Stokes into the bank via a side door in the alley. "T actually only saw Mr. Justin's arm, but I'd know that arm anywhere. Besides that, the man snapped 'you fool' at Mr. Stokes as he pulled him inside. Before you ask," He looked around the room. "Mr. Stokes couldn't have seen me; his back was towards me when I passed by the alley."

"What we've got to do is force those two to do something themselves." Heath spoke up. "Something that can, and will be, used in a court of law."

"My sentiments exactly." Jarrod nodded, as did they all. "Any ideas?"

"Yes." Bear rested his hands on his hips. "Let them see me in town and 'just happen' to overhear what I say. Then, keep an eye on them."

"That's dangerous!" Anna, who had been in the kitchen, stepped into the room. "I mean, who can say they don't have other men looking for you? Who says you could get to town without getting shot?"

"Not if I go into town hidden in the back of a wagon, one that either Jarrod or Heath is driving." Bear replied as he looked at Fen, Jarrod and Heath. He went on to say exactly what was on his mind. By the time he finished, everyone agreed he had a good idea-even Anna, though she did it grudgingly.

"I'll leave now, taking the dead man with me. I'll keep him covered and go straight to the undertaker's place. That man lives outside of town so, if anything, I'll only get a few stares-not the whole town looking. Give me a good two hours before you head in. We don't want it to be crystal clear that we've had any chance to talk to each other or to connect the dead man to you." Sheriff Langston said as he exited the room.

Once he had taken the dead man out of the house and was gone, Nick excused himself and headed for the kitchen-said he was hungry.

"Bet it's not only food on his mind," Jarrod chuckled as his hot-tempered brother slipped out of the room…and then busted up laughing when Fen muttered that he hoped they were right.

While Jarrod, Heath, Fen and Bear continued talking, Nick had made his way into the kitchen and was visiting with Leah. Though, as an excuse to stay in the kitchen, he was actually seeing what he could do to help.

Leah couldn't help but smile. No man she'd ever met had ever stepped foot into the kitchen and offered any help just so he could talk to her. "You always this helpful?" She handed him a potato peeler and gestured towards the table where a bowl of freshly washed potatoes were.

"No, I'm usually too busy on the ranch to be of any help in the kitchen, just ask Silas-he's a long employee who knows our family well." He paused then asked, "You thought about what I asked you before? I mean, about letting me court you once this is over." He stopped peeling the potato, put it down and, with the help of the crutches made it over to where Leah stood near the kitchen counter and smiled at Leah; his dimples reached out and grabbed her once more.

"I have." Leah smiled back as she began cutting the tomatoes that sat on the counter. "And, I think I'd like that very much – even if it's going to feel a bit strange."

Nick started to frown a little when she said the word strange only it quickly disappeared. "Well, like I said before, I'm not trying to turn you into your twin. So, we should be fine…right?" He was back to smiling.

"I'd say so. Only," she looked at the potatoes. "If you want supper on time, I need those potatoes peeled if you're staying." Her eyes added 'I'll be too distracted to do any cooking preparations.'

It made Nick smile even wider as he gave her a mock salute. "Can't have supper delayed, can we?" He chuckled as he went back to the table and began peeling the potatoes once more – the whole time he was planning what the two of them could do once this mess was over and Fen had moved himself and Leah to the place he'd bought just outside of Stockton.