People can Change

Ch. 12

Scott was laying in bed thinking on the past, once again. It pained him to think about what he was like back then, before Juliet, and the only thing he had been concerned with: money. He started changing when Juliet came into his life. He let his mind go back to that day.

The scorching sun was beating down on the small town and most people were staying inside as much as possible. Scott rode down the road towards the livery stable. His body ached; he was tired, but not as much as his drained and weary spirit. He stabled his horse and headed off to a nearby boarding house to get a room.

As Scott walked up the sidewalk he spotted her. Her dark brown hair danced in the small breeze that was blowing. She was talking to a couple and he found his feet not wanting to move. He knew it was impolite to stare, but that's exactly what he found himself doing; that's when she turned and looked at him.

He watched as she walked towards him.

"Hello, sir." The young woman said.

"Hi."

"Is there reason you are staring at me?" She asked.

Scott found himself going red as he said, "Only a poor one, Miss…"

"Call me Juliet. What's your poor excuse, Sir?"

"My name is Scott. The sight of your hair dancing in the breeze is breath taking." If it was possible his face went redder.

Juliet laughed and asked him to walk with her. She found herself wanting to talk to this gentleman; Scott even more.

Scott was drawn back to the present when the door opened. Nick and Heath stood there staring at him.

Scott sighed as he started speaking. "I'm sorry for being here. I know I am not wanted here, and as soon as I can, my family and I will leave."

Nick and Heath saw the eyes of a man who was exhausted. Part of them was still suspicious about what he may want. Heath, who had now taken a seat a chair in the corner of the room, spoke up, "Why were you in this area?"

"I was trying to make amends with my relatives, but ended up having to run. In all honesty I didn't realize where I was. I kept avoiding towns whenever it was possible."

"Who shot you and where did those marks come from?" Nick asked, as he stood nearby with his arms crossed.

"The scars come from a night beating my aunt had my cousin give me. As for the bullet wound; I was running from a group of my so called family. We ended up having a shootout. While I got some off, they hit me and then I took off. I am surprise they didn't find me before I ran into you all."

Just then Jarrod walked into the room. He had papers in his hands. He had heard what Scott said; Nick, Heath, and Jarrod all felt like they had been punched in the stomach. 'What kind of a family beats a family member?' was a question that ran through their minds.

Scott looked at the man he use to call his friend. The pain of his mistakes was hitting him hard. There was a time he was welcome here with warm embraces and smiles, but not anymore.

Nick looked at Jarrod and asked, "What do you have?"

"Telegrams; one is from Caroline and the other one from Cheyenne. Both telling us they are going to be a little bit longer then they planned on." Jarrod spoke as he handed them to Nick and Heath while holding a third one.

Heath asked, "What's in the third one?"

"It's from a lady named Jackie to Juliet; telling her that the ranch is doing well and she is getting close to having her first child. Who is this Jackie and where is Juliet? Normally, she is here with Scott." Jarrod responded.

"Jackie is one of the few friends Juliet has in our home town. Her husband is the deputy sheriff. As for Juliet, I sent her out of the room while I talked to your brothers. She is with Audra and our children. I told your brothers as soon as I can we will leave. I know I am not wanted here, but while I am here can I ask the three of you a favor?" Scott asked.

All three didn't know what this favor was but nodded their heads anyway. They hoped it was nothing bad; it wasn't.

"Keep an eye on my wife and children when they are not with me. I can't do much from this bed. Ya'll will never know how sorry I am about the past." Scott said.

Heath and his brother agreed to keep an eye on Juliet, even when they had to work they knew their mom and sister would help out. The pain and sadness in Scott's eyes was clear when he talked about his mistakes, but when he talked about his wife and children his eyes lit up. They didn't want him to lose his love and the peace he had obviously found.

/

Later that afternoon Juliet and Audra decided to leave the children with Victoria while they went on a ride. Audra decided even a mother needed a break just to breath. As they rode down the path, east from the house, Juliet asked, "Do you and your family hate Scott?"

Audra sighed, "I can't speak for my family, but as for me I was shocked to see him after so long. However, I don't hate him."

Juliet sighed in relief and spoke, "His family blames his change on me, but in all honesty he started changing after he left here. His family doesn't see anything wrong with the superior and selfish attitude."

Before Audra replied she noticed movement up ahead. They grew quiet and slowly started to turn around when three men quickly came out from the trees. While Audra didn't know the men; Juliet sure did. It was Hank, Mo, and Slick.

While Hank, Mo, and Slick were busy abducting Juliet and Audra, they failed to notice the two Modoc braves sitting on their horses not far from them. They knew the blonde haired lady was Heath's sister, but they didn't know the other people. The Modoc braves watched the group head off north then out of site. They rode south, planning on joining the rest of their group before going back to their village.