People can Change

Ch. 7

Half an hour later Juliet, her children, along with Jarrod and his family arrived at the Barkley house. Juliet's mouth dropped as she looked at the large and beautiful dwelling, not quite a mansion, but regal and austere yet with a feeling of home and family. All of a sudden she felt out of place she never interacted with people of wealth.

Grant it, her husband had wealth but they chose to live a very simply way of life. On the few occasions that they were around wealthier people, she could never relax, even if the people were nice. She just didn't feel she fitted into the picture with them. It wasn't long before Juliet and her children dismounted. She had to smile when a man nearby had offered to put her horses in the barn for her.

"Thanks, but I'll do it. Our horses don't like strangers dealing with them." Juliet's smile lit up her whole face.

The ranch hand nodded and watched as Juliet and her children went to the barn. He could tell that the small family was tired and he admired that they kept putting on foot in front of the other.

Jarrod's wife and children went on into the house, while Jarrod waited for the lady he assumed was Juliet and her children. He didn't have to wait too long before they were coming towards him.

"I assume that you are Juliet." Jarrod said as soon as she was close to him.

Juliet nodded as she held her son and said, "Shouldn't we go inside. As it is my son has fallen asleep and Catalan is tired. I am sure your family has lots of questions for me."

Jarrod nodded, as that was very true. He walked in front of them as they headed to the house. He couldn't help but notice the subtle native Indian features in her face. He remembered the smile that almost came to his face, when he looked back at Juliet and saw the shock on her face when she saw the size of the house. He wondered about this lady and he found himself thinking much more positively about Scott and the hope that the man had indeed changed for the better.

Jarrod escorted Juliet and her children to the front room and was not surprised to see his family and Mark wanting.

Juliet was silent as she looked at everyone in the room. She felt out of place dressed in a simple calico dress and brown riding jacket, compared to the rather more nice looking clothes on the Barkleys. The last person she saw was Mark and she grinned as she said, "It's nice to see your face again."

"Hello, Mrs. Breckenridge." Mark said grinning.

"I told you call me, Juliet." Juliet replied.

"Mommy?" Catalan asked.

Juliet kneeled down beside her daughter and asked, "What is it?"

"I need to go the outhouse." Catalan whispered in her mom's ear.

Juliet chuckled and looked back at the group asking, "Where is the outhouse? My daughter needs to use it."

Abby laughed, "I'll show her ma'am. We have an indoor water closet. It's much better than an outhouse, you want to see it?" volunteered an excited and friendly Abby.

Catalan smiled happily and took Abby by the hand. Juliet stood back up and sighed as she asked the one question she dreaded hearing the answer, "Is my husband still alive?"

Victoria felt sorry for the wife that stood in front of them as she answered, "Yes, he is, but, Dr. Merar says, he is only hanging on by a thread."

Juliet just wanted to lay down and sleep. Her mind would not settle down enough to allow her to get decent amount of sleep while they were on the road. Regardless of that, Juliet knew she wouldn't get any sleep until she saw Scott; so she asked, "Where is he? I want to see him."

Audra stood up and spoke, "I'll show you to where he is."

"You're Audra, right?" Juliet asked before Audra could move at all.

"Yes, I am." Audra wasn't sure what to think as Juliet asked that question.

"Scott always said he was proud of the way you stood up for what you believed in. He admired you for having the guts for willing to go through with what you said you would do." Juliet smiled at Audra then spoke again, "Now lead me to my man."

Audra chuckled and led the way to the guest bedroom. Even though she was a bit nervous when she found out that Juliet was coming to Stockton, Juliet presence now put her at ease.

/

Hank, Slick, Rick, and Mo all were on their way to Stockton to deal with the thorn that was in Hank's side. Slick, and Mo were just as mean minded as their boss was at least that is the feeling Rick got from them. Rick, when told where they were going and why wanted to ride out with Tim, but Tim got him to promise to go with them to give Juliet a chance of surviving whatever the boss man had in mind.

As Rick listened to the plan, he found himself wanting to gag. Were these men really dumb enough to think you could get way with kidnapping? Rick shook his head and found himself doing something he hadn't done since he was a kid that thought he knew everything; he sent a prayer upwards.

Hank on the other hand was allowing himself to get even madder at his nephew. Scott had the nerve to actually want to change. Scott said he wanted to marry for love, not money when the subject of marriage was brought up. Hank wanted to know what love had to do with marriage. He married for money and got a wife who did everything he told that woman to do. Scott was an idiot for marrying for love, he should have just settled on a marriage of convenience; for money.