People can Change
Ch. 15
Scott laid in bed staring out the open window. He could hear his daughter talking outside to Jarrod's wife, and it made him wish that much more that his own wife would be okay. Why couldn't his uncle leave him and Juliet alone? So, what if his wife was half Indian; it didn't matter to him, so why did his uncle let it bother him. He closed his eyes and sighed. He spoke softly, "The past sure has caught up to me and is giving me a good beating."
Jarrod had just walked in and barely heard what Scott said. He could only begin to imagine what it was like to know if your wife was in danger and there was nothing you could do. Jarrod walked over to the chair near the bed and sat down.
Scott opened his eyes to find Jarrod staring at him. He felt like a young child caught doing something he shouldn't have done.
"How long have you been away from Juliet?" Jarrod asked.
"Almost three years. Trying to mend fences with my relatives; needless to say it didn't work out like I planned."
"Why?" Jarrod asked confused. The man he had last seen would not have bothered trying to mend fences.
Scott closed his eyes as he said, "Mr. Barkley, I wanted what your family had. Not the money for that I had, but the warmth, love, closeness and courage your family has. It was not something I never ever had. I hurt your family and the people in this area, and there is nothing I can do to change that; but I will not give Juliet cause to regret loving me."
Jarrod looked out the window then back at Scott before answering, "Juliet loves you that much has been clear since she first arrived here. I too can see how you change, but how did you end up in this area?"
"Honestly, like I said I just remember twisting and turning down all kinds of paths; I was running for my life doing my best not to get caught by a member of my family. Where is my son?"
"Abby is holding him. He fell asleep and Catalan is talking a mile a minute to my wife. We have just been trying to keep her mind off the fact Juliet is not here." Jarrod said.
"One of my biggest regrets was losing you and your family as friends." Scott said.
"You never lost my friendship, at least not all of it. Scott, your family is always welcomed here. Don't worry, I have talked to my whole family about this." Jarrod spoke the last sentence when he saw the apprehensive look on Scott's face about being welcomed here. "And don't worry about Juliet and Audra; I know Nick, Heath, Rod, and James will find them."
Scott smiled and began to chuckle as he thought back on the one time a man tried to force himself on her.
"What's funny?" Jarrod asked.
Scott began to tell the story to Jarrod and soon the two were laughing. It felt good be start over with Jarrod. This time he was not going to do anything to lose the friendship he had just regained.
/
Hank, Mo and Slick rode up the path looking all over trying to spot Audra and Juliet. They planned on killing Juliet and holding Audra for money. Hank figured once that 'slut' was out the picture, Scott would go back to the way he had been. It never entered Hank's mind that Scott had wanted to change and would not ever go back to the pompous idiot he had been.
Nick, Heath, Rod and James had kicked their horses into a gallop when they had come around the bend and spotted Hank and the two men with him. No one spoke as they got closer and closer to their target; while they were getting closer they all pulled out their rifles. Just in case the three men didn't listen to what they wanted; and that was to take all three back to jail. They caught up at in a small meadow.
Hank and his men heard the horses coming up behind them and stopped their horses. Dismounting they turned to see four very angry men slowing down as they came closer to them.
Hank waited until they were close enough and had dismounted, before he began speaking. "Hello, boys."
"Where are Audra and Juliet?" Nick barked out. There was no denying the man who spoke was Scott's uncle. Nick couldn't help but wonder if it was this man's wife that had order the whipping that Scott had endured.
Hank spoke with venom seeping in his voice, "I don't know and that 'slut' has ruined my nephew and I will have her killed. As the other one you can have her."
Heath, James and Rod had to hold Nick back from going after Scott's uncle. They had to do this by the law, but everyone felt sick to their stomachs when Hank talked about his plan. Once they thought Nick was calmed down they let him go. Nick took two steps forward and forcing Hank to take a few steps back causing the man to fall into an old well.
As much as he hated this man for what he had done Nick knew they had to let the law deal with Hank. Nick tried to grab Hank's wrist but it was too late; Hank fell head first into the hole and the impact his head had when he hit the ground snapped the man's neck killing him instantly. Nick went and got his rope off his horse; made a loop, hooked one of Hank's leg and retrieved his body.
While this was happening Heath and Rod tied up Mo and Slick who had eagerly given themselves up. James helped Rod get the men on their horses and Heath helped Nick put Hank over Hank saddle.