People can Change
Ch. 11
As the first rays of the morning sun swept across Scott's face he opened his eyes. He turned his head and smiled when he saw Juliet lying beside him. So, last night hadn't been a dream; and this was a sight that he had missed waking up to for far too long. He thought, then looked around but didn't see his children. As he turned his face back to watch his sleeping wife he asked himself "How did I get so lucky?".
Juliet felt eyes on her and for a moment she thought she was laying in another of the bedrooms that the Barkleys had her and Catalan sharing. Thinking her daughter was the one staring, she mumbled, "Catalan, just a few more minutes, baby."
When she heard laughter, she opened again and looked into Scott's smiling face. "I am not our daughter." Scott said as kissed her pretty face and laughed again.
Juliet's face went red as the door opened and Catalan stood on the other side. Juliet motioned Catalan to come on to the bed as she stood up. She went over to a crib under the window, picked up Scott Jr. then went back to her husband side.
"Why was daddy laughing?" Catalan asked.
"Because of something I said." Juliet answered.
"Okay. When can we eat?" Catalan asked.
Juliet smiled as she replied to their daughter, "Let me get changed, then we will head on down to get breakfast." Juliet handed Jr. to his dad. She grabbed her robe, put it around her, and went back to the room she had been sharing with her daughter.
Catalan looked up at her daddy and asked, "Are you coming home?"
"When I get my strength back we all will go home." Scott said as he had his right arm around his daughter and tucked his son in closer to his side. If it was up to him he would not leave his family again, and he knew he had to talk to Jarrod and his brothers.
Juliet came back into the room, picked up their son and motioned for Catalan to follow her.
"We'll be back and I will let Silas know you are awake. Someone will bring you some soup to eat." Juliet said.
Scott nodded his head in agreement as he found himself not being able to speak. The sight of his wife with his children took his breath away.
Juliet left the room leaving her man alone with his thoughts.
/
Hank, Mo, and Slick sat around a café table waiting on their breakfast. They had kept to themselves last night in order to avoid any gossip getting back to Juliet. Little did they realize that Jarrod Barkley had noticed them and then ridden out last night to warn both families.
Jarrod was sitting in his office with paper work in front of him, but he couldn't help but think back on last night.
The moon was up as Jarrod pushed his horse onward. After he had told his wife what was happening, he got no argument about the late night ride. The miles seemed to keep on getting longer and when he saw the house in sight he sighed with a breath of relief. He stabled his horse and run up to the front door. Opening the door he found his mother and Juliet in the front room.
Juliet turned at the noise of the door opening and was shocked to see Jarrod standing there. He and his family had gone home after supper. Victoria was too concerned why her oldest was doing back here so late in the evening.
"Jarrod, what is wrong?" Victoria asked.
Jarrod told them what he'd heard and seen at the saloon. Juliet gasped and Jarrod knew then, he had made the correct decision in coming right away.
Victoria told Jarrod to go to his old bedroom, get some sleep, and after he had breakfast in to the morning he could go on home. Jarrod didn't argue as it was he began to feel tired.
A knock on the door brought him back to the present. Jarrod got up and he went to the door. He opened it and saw a messenger on the other side of the door. The boy handed him three telegrams then left once after Jarrod gave him a tip.
/
Juliet was sitting next to the bed as she looked at her husband. She knew he needed to be told of Jarrod's concerns, but found herself afraid that if she told him it would set him back.
Scott watched Juliet waiting for her to speak. Their children were playing with Audra because for whatever reason Juliet hadn't wanted them in the room when they talked. Scott sensed her tension, "Juliet, what is wrong?"
Juliet took a deep breath and said, "Hank, Slick, and Mo are in Stockton. They don't know you are here, but they know me and our children are. They are planning on kidnapping me, Scott. Rick stopped by before he went and joined Tim. He told us about Hank's plan and he thinks the reason your uncle hates me is because of my Indian blood."
Scott mouth hardened as he thought on his uncle. The man just could not accept Juliet and him being together. A shiver went through him as he thought about losing his wife.
"Get Mr. Nick and Mr. Heath Barkley for me, please?" Scott asked Juliet. He hated the fact he lost the friendship of the Barkleys, but he hoped they would still do him a favor.
Juliet nodded then quickly left the room. She understood why Scott called Nick and Heath Mr. Barkley, but she was hoping that in time he could get back the friendship he lost.