People can Change
Ch. 16
Juliet and Audra sat around a small fire and watched the sun begin to set. Audra couldn't help but stare at Juliet. Here they were hiding away from those crazy men; who hated her because of her mixed blood. She didn't seem angry at the world for the amount of prejudice people seemed to have towards her or the half breeds.
"Why, Juliet?" Audra asked.
"Why, what?" Juliet asked as she rested her eyes.
"How come you don't hate the white man's society?" Audra asked.
"I guess it's because my parents taught me different. Don't get me wrong when I was a teenager, I had a problem with the attitude people seemed to have towards me, but then my mom talked to me. She said it was up to me weather I allowed their bad attitude to affect me; I chose not to allow that. I may have very few friends, but the ones I do I will have are good people and friends for life."
"Did Scott ever tell you what happened here the last time he had been here?" Audra asked.
"Yes, he did. It was shortly after we met. I had asked him a question about a comment he had made; that's when he had told me about his past. I did a little of my own background search and I found he hadn't lied to me about one thing. I think he saw a little of himself in Mark when we first met him; and that's why I think he stopped Mark that day in town."
Audra was going to reply to that when they heard a noise and immediately stopped talking. They gave one huge sigh of relief when Heath's head appeared in the opening of the cave.
"Oh lordy, am I glad to see you two." Heath said, as he sat down.
"Same here, big brother." Audra said as she jumped up and threw her arms around him.
"Let's rest tonight and we will head back home come daylight." Heath suggested, and then lay down on the ground. He found himself drained, but relieved knowing they were now safe.
"What happened to Hank and his men?" Juliet asked. When Heath answered she was not surprised.
"Hank fell down in an old well; he died when his head hit the ground. As for the men with him, Nick and the other search party with us will be taking them to the sheriff." Heath said, yawned then pulled his hat over his eyes and slept.
Audra and Juliet smiled at each other before they also laid down and fell asleep.
/
The sun was up and it was getting close to noon. Scott had had enough of lying in bed, so slowly he struggled out of bed. He was glad to be back in his clothes that Silas had brought to him yesterday. He made his way slowly down the stairs, but when he got down the steps he was met with the sight of Mrs. Barkley playing with his children.
Victoria looked up and was not surprise to see him out of bed. Doctor Merar had come yesterday and he was pleased to see Scott awake. He told Scott to take it easy for the next couple days, than he left promising to be back before he could give Scott a clearance to travel.
"Morning, Scott." Victoria greeted.
"Ah, afternoon, Ma'am," blushed Scott.
"Oh it's just gone noon, Scott, come sit down." Victoria said just as Catalan looked up from her game to see her dad.
Yes, Ma'am I would be glad to," Scott sat down in time to catch his daughter in his arms. He looked at Victoria and asked, "Is Heath back?"
"No, but I expect him soon."Victoria said just as the door opened revealing Heath, Juliet and Audra.
"MOMMYY!" Catalan yelled and ran to her mother before she was fully in the room.
Juliet caught her daughter and smiled, as she walked over to Scott and said, "Glad to see you up."
Scott nodded as he grabbed a hold of his wife. He couldn't seem to get enough of the sight of her.
Victoria and her children smiled at the sight of the small family. Victoria handed their son over to Scott and quietly ushered Heath and Audra out of the room to give the Breckenridges some much needed time alone.
Epilogue
It had been almost two years since that day Juliet had walked back into the Barkley's house to the sight of her husband sitting in the chair by the fireplace. Shortly after that Nick and Heath's own family arrived home and she got to know them. Just before Scott and she took their children back home to Churchville, they watch Audra get married.
At the reception they met her brother Gene and his fiancée Alexandra. Gene had proposed to her during their delayed visit; before arriving back in Stockton. Juliet loved watching her husband chat with a family he thought he would never be able to talk to again.
Now they were back for a visit and Juliet had to smile. Audra, Abby, Caroline, and Cheyenne were all excepting babies; but what made her smile was the fact she had yet to tell Scott the news she had to share with him.
Juliet walked over to where he was talking to Jarrod and whispered in his ear which caused him to whip around staring at her with his mouth opened.
Scott closed his mouth after a minute and asked, "Are you sure?"
Juliet nodded, grinning and then she yelped when Scott spun her around. Jarrod watch and had a feeling what Juliet had just told his friend, but asked anyways. He was not surprise and he smiled. Soon everyone was congratulating Scott and Juliet. Seven months later they had twin boys one named Jarrod William and his brother Daniel Collin.
The End.