Dinner was unusually quiet tonight as the subject they wanted to discuss had sent word he would not be coming home for dinner. All the ranch hand told Victoria was what Jarrod told him, he would not be coming home for dinner but he would be home later.

Nick sighed in disgust as he knew what was waiting for him in the study; contracts. He usually went into town on Friday nights for a game of poker and went to visit Big Annie's afterwards. Now instead he had the tedious task of going through the ranch contracts. No matter what his mother said Nick didn't think it was fair and planned on telling his older brother just that the next time he saw him.

Heath was also upset because his Friday night plans had to be changed as well. He was not looking forward to hearing Nick complain all night like he did the night before. The blonde headed rancher knew he would be going to bed with another headache.

"Why is everyone so quiet?" Victoria questioned.

Audra held in a giggle as her brothers glared at her. "I think it's about time Jarrod started socializing again."

Victoria smiled at her daughter and agreed, "As do I dear." She motioned with her head, "These two on the other hand are not too happy about it."

Nick huffed, "No I'm not!"

Heath added, "I'm glad Jarrod is getting out but I sure hate going over those contracts with someone who is so loud."

Victoria and Audra laughed while Nick glared at his blonde headed brother. "If that's the case I'll leave you alone while you go through the contracts."

Heath quickly responded, "No that is quite alright. I can always stick cotton in my ears."

Victoria and Audra laughed again but Nick did not find any humor in it. "So while he is out gallivanting around town we're stuck here going over contracts?"

Victoria replied, "What your brother does or does not do is none of our business. But now that the shoe is on the other foot you'll experience what he has dealt with for the last several years."

Heath replied, "Guess that makes sense but why do we have to do this tonight?"

Nick replied angrily, "Because the deadline is the first which is in two days. And if we don't get back to them we lose the contract."

"Oh," was all Heath said.

"It can't be that hard. I'm sure Jarrod did all the preliminary work before he handed it off to you and Nick." Audra added.

Heath said quietly, "I certainly hope so."

Victoria smirked knowing both of her son's plans for the evening had been ruined. She was curious as to why Jarrod was not joining them for dinner. He did not say anything to her this morning so she knew whatever it was had come up suddenly. Maybe he had a date?

"Mother?" Audra called again.

Victoria shook her head to clear her thoughts, "Yes Audra?"

"Did Jarrod say why he wasn't coming home for dinner?"

"No, it was Jamie, the ranch hand who informed me of Jarrod's plans. He simply said he would not be coming home for dinner but that he would be home later."

Audra grinned, "Maybe he is taking Sally out for dinner since he is taking her to the dance tomorrow."

Nick asked, "Sally? The waitress from the Cattleman's?"

Audra beamed, "Yes. She was quite excited when she told me about it yesterday."

Heath frowned as he knew Nick was taken with Sally but he had never asked her out. "Looks like Brother Jarrod isn't wasting any time with his socializing."

Nick huffed, "Hmph."

Victoria frowned not understanding why Nick was upset, "What's wrong Nick?"

Nick just glared at his mother while Heath answered much to Nick's chagrin, "Nick is sweet on Sally."

Nick whirled to face Heath, "No, I'm not!" He pointed his finger at Heath accusingly.

Heath smirked at Nick, "Yes you are. Every time we go to town you HAVE to go to the Cattleman's for one reason or another."

Audra laughed at her brother's exchange, "Why didn't you ask her out Nick?"

Nick faced his sister and bellowed, "I'm not sweet on her."

Victoria joined the banter and said, "Well for someone who's not sweet on the young lady you're not acting as such."

Nick huffed as he finally gave in, "Fine. I admit I like her but she was always working or taking care of her mother and we never really had a chance to talk."

Victoria smiled tenderly at Nick, "Did she give you any inclination that she may be sweet on you?"

Heath laughed out loud, "Nope."

Nick glared at Heath, "Watch it boy."

Heath laughed again, "She told him once to quieten down because he was being too loud." The family all laughed at Heath's remark.

Nick had enough and threw his napkin down on his plate as he got up and angrily said, "I'm going to look at the contracts." He faced Heath, "I'll be waiting on you boy." Nick stomped out.

Heath hung his head knowing he would pay for sharing that information but it had been worth it.

"I'll speak to him Heath and see if I can't calm him down." Victoria said.

"It'll be okay mother," Heath winked at her as he got up to join Nick leaving Victoria and Audra sitting at the dinner table.

Audra spoke quietly, "I didn't mean to start any trouble mother."

Victoria smiled at Audra, "I know that. And if Nick's angry with anyone it should be himself for not asking Sally out before."

Audra smiled, "Just the same I think it is marvelous Jarrod has decided to start getting out more."

Victoria patted Audra's hand, "I do too." They heard Nick holler and Victoria rolled her eyes, "although we all may need cotton to stick in our ears before this is over." Both women laughed.

Jarrod smiled widely as he sank the last ball and collected his winnings. He walked over to the bar and paid his bill leaving a large tip with it. As he walked to the livery stable to get Jingo he whistled as he thought of tonight's events.

He had ran into Sally at lunch and asked to escort her to dinner which she gladly accepted. He had seen Jamie in town so he sent a message to his mother letting her know not to expect him for dinner.

When he arrived to Sally's small house she surprised him by cooking a meal for them. Sally's mother showed up unannounced and Sally did not have the heart to turn her mother away or Jarrod so she cooked dinner for all of them.

Jarrod did not care for Sally's mother as she was overbearing and very pushy. But it was not his place to say anything so he just pasted on his most charming smile during dinner. As he left for the night Sally apologized for the change in plans and her mother. Jarrod just smiled and said it was quite alright and that she could make it up to him tomorrow night at the dance which caused the pretty waitress to blush and Jarrod to chuckle.

As Jarrod walked to the livery stable he saw the Pool Emporium full of people so he decided to make a short detour. It was early and with tomorrow being Saturday he could sleep in if he stayed out too late.

One of the men from the night before recognized Jarrod immediately and goaded Jarrod into letting him try to win his money back from the night before. At first the man was getting the best of Jarrod but as he continued to drink the worse he got. Jarrod knew if he could wait him out he would eventually win his money back and more.

Jarrod was rewarded handsomely when the poor fellow had gotten so drunk he could barely stand up let alone bend over the billiard's table to shoot pool. Jarrod had tried to end the game a few times but the man balked. Jarrod once again bested the man and walked out of the Emporium with fifteen dollars.

He thought wryly, if my law practice fails I could always become a professional pool hustler, causing Jarrod to laugh out loud.