Chapter Eleven

Bea Gyver slowly opened her eyes. At first, her eyes were unfocused and she was slightly disoriented. As Bea's vision cleared, she was able to see Elizabeth sitting in between the bed she lay on and the one that Paul Gyver had been laid. It took a minute for the older woman to remember the conversation she'd had in the wagon. "Thought I was imagining you," She smiled when Elizabeth looked over at her. "My husband and I are indebted to you and your husband."

Elizabeth did her best to smile-as she just knew the woman was going to start asking questions…and some of them Elizabeth knew would make her nervous. "It was no problem. You needed help, and we could help. Doc came by a few hours ago. Both of your fevers have broken. We've been waiting for you to wake up."

Bea tried to sit up. However, due to her weakened condition, she was unable to. Elizabeth, who was already on her feet, helped the woman. "Doc also says you'll be a few more days in recovering."

"Where are we?" A deep baritone behind her made Elizabeth whirl around. She was relieved to see the older gentleman was awake. Out of him and his wife, he'd given them the worst scare.

"Taylorsville." She replied as she also helped him sit up. "My husband and I brought you here after we found you."

"How long have we been here?" Paul asked her once she'd stepped away from the bed.

"Almost a week, glad to have you on your way to recovery." Elizabeth gave them a genuine smile-as she and Nick had been happy when the doctor had said the couple would survive their ordeal.

Paul and his wife both studied Elizabeth; it made her a bit uncomfortable. Finally, Paul smiled. "I thank you and your husband-you are from around here?"

"No," Elizabeth glanced towards the door, wishing Nick would walk in the door; he should be walking in any time. "We were just trying to decide where the best place to move was."

Paul and Bea looked at each other. They both had a knack of reading people, and there was something not right here. If they had gotten a bad feeling along with realizing that, they'd have simply thanked Elizabeth again and said nothing more. Only they both felt strongly they were dealing with a good woman and, if she was good, chances were high her husband was too. Not knowing his wife had already given Elizabeth their names, Paul gave them to Elizabeth again. "May I ask yours?"

Elizabeth felt her palms sweating just a little. How was the man going to respond when she answered him? It was a question that Elizabeth did not answer - as Nick opened the door and stepped inside just in time to catch the question. Due to Elizabeth and the doctor constantly taking care of the couple, his working odd jobs to earn some more money or waiting for Elizabeth to pay his bail (he'd landed in jail after he'd wound up drunker than a skunk and getting involved in a fight the second night in town) Nick didn't know where he and Elizabeth stood with each other, but that didn't matter. For the moment, they were still married. "Jonathon and Elizabeth Gyver." Nick shut the door behind him and then closed the gap between himself and Elizabeth. He couldn't help but chuckle at the shocked looks that appeared on the older couple's face. "Only, no, we're not going to tell you we're related to you. We're not."

Paul grinned wide as he looked at the gentleman who had just entered the room. The stranger stood tall and straight; his gloved hands and wet bandana spoke of a man who knew how to work. He liked that. "Your wife tells us the two of you are trying to decide where to live."

Nick turned his head and looked at Elizabeth. The fact that she'd given the couple that information made it so he figured he'd just gotten his answer-the answer he'd been hoping for. At least, it's what he was thinking. He thought about smiling from ear to ear only that could be saved for later…when he confirmed his suspicions. "We were, tossing a few places around including Kingsville, Wyoming."

Bea and Paul stiffened just a little while their eyes widened. They looked at each other, as if they were silently communicating. It reminded Nick of the way he and his brothers 'talked' sometimes. That sent a strong shot of guilt through him, though he actually hid it well for a change.

Finally, Paul and Bea gave each other slight nods. Paul turned his head and looked at the couple in front of him. "If you want, you can come with us. My son has said more than once he is always in need of a good ranch-hand. As I'm sure you're aware, Wyoming has wide open places. The towns aren't exactly close to each other. It's a good place to start over."

Now it was Nick who stiffened and looked at his wife. Elizabeth shook her head just a little while her eyes sent the message 'I told them nothing about the past.' "I'd appreciate that." Nick let out a deep breath and then asked that he and Elizabeth be excused. "It's been a long day and now that you're awake, there's no need for either one of us to be in here."

"God bless you, both." Bea was beaming as the couple left. "We might not be related to them, but," she smiled as she gazed upon her husband, "I'd say they'll blend right in."

Paul wasn't as sure as his wife, but he was very hopeful. He nodded. "I think so too."

While Paul and Bea talked, Nick had wasted no time in taking Elizabeth by the arm and firmly, but gently, leading her to the room they'd been taking turns using. Once inside, he shut the door. As he did so, every single word and action that had taken place since they'd left Cliff's raced through his mind. The last week's activities passed his eyes a bit slower. Even with as busy as they'd been, he'd still been getting small hints that Elizabeth was seriously interested in continuing their relationship. Since his getting drunk and fighting hadn't seemed to faze her, Nick took a deep breath and turned around with the intention of asking her what she'd decided. Only he didn't have to. He got his answer when Elizabeth stepped towards him.

"It's been a long time." She spoke quietly, with an look in her eyes that said 'I can't believe it only I'm more than nervous.'

Nick smiled and took a hold of her hand. "Don't worry. We'll be fine." He smiled wide as he led her away from the door.