Nick nursed his beer at Harry's Saloon with a nagging feeling he was forgetting something. The last few days at the ranch had been horrible. Ever since Jarrod announced he would no longer handle the ranch business it was up to Nick to handle all of the paperwork and Nick hated paperwork.

His father had taught Nick how to do the paperwork and contracts but after his father had been killed Jarrod took that task over to help Nick out. But now Nick was once again saddled with the paperwork although Heath had been helping him.

Nick sipped his beer as he knew they had two rather huge contracts coming up that needed to be renewed and he absolutely dreaded dealing with them. Nick knew all he needed to do was go by Jarrod's office and set up the arrangement with his brother but that would be admitting he could not do it.

Nick felt that it was only right that Jarrod handle all of the ranch's legal business since he was an attorney after all. Besides it wasn't like he was helping him or Heath every day at the ranch. Oh sure every once in a blue moon Jarrod would tag along on a cattle drive or help with daily ranch chores but that was few and far between.

Nick sighed as he took another large drink of his beer. Now his mother was doing all the bookkeeping and accounting and Nick did not think that was right at all. He told her it wasn't right for her to do it since she was the matriarch but she insisted on doing it. Besides she argued that Jarrod had all the bookkeeping updated and payroll was already done for the month.

Nick looked around the saloon and wondered where everyone was at.

"Harry, where is everyone at?" Nick motioned around the empty bar.

Harry huffed, "At the Pool Emporium, I guess."

Nick frowned at Harry, "Where?"

"The Pool Emporium, it opened up a few days ago."

"Hmph, I've been too busy with ranch work to do anything the last few days," Nick growled.

"From what I have heard it is a very nice place with five billiard's tables, live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and a large selection of liquor and beer." Harry sighed, "They're killing me slowly."

"I'll never leave ya Harry."

Harry smiled, "Well it's good to know one of the Barkley brothers will have my back."

Nick frowned again, "Now what is that supposed to mean?"

"You have been working haven't you?" Nick nodded his head yes. "Your brother Jarrod hasn't missed a night since it opened."

Nick bellowed, "What?"

Harry nodded his head, "Billy told me he was in there Thursday and Friday night playing pool and won some money. I saw him leaving there last night after midnight and I saw him again leaving there earlier today."

Nick slammed his fist on the bar startling Harry. "Sorry Harry. I can't believe it. He hands over all the ranch work to me and mother so he can go out every night? I don't think so." Nick finished his beer and paid Harry.

Nick stomped his way over to his brother's law office. He knew his mother could not save Jarrod or take his side if he confronted his brother now. He walked into the office and was greeted by Jarrod's secretary.

"Oh, hello Mr. Barkley," Edith stuttered. Jarrod had informed her of what had happened and his family, namely Nick could no longer barge in on him uninvited.

"Edith," Nick said as he walked to Jarrod's inner office door.

"He's not in there Mr. Barkley."

Nick stopped and turned to face Edith. She was an older woman not particularly pretty but according to Jarrod she was one of the best secretaries he had ever hired.

Nick put his hands on his hips and asked, "Well where he is?"

Edith knew but based on what her employer had told her she knew she could not tell his brother. "He went to lunch."

Nick looked at Edith and knew she was lying to him but decided not to question her. He turned and sat down on the couch and said, "Fine, I'll just wait for him." He plopped down on the couch as he folded his arms on his chest.

"I'm not sure when he'll be back Mr. Barkley."

"I don't mind waiting."

Edith sighed as she knew there was most likely going to be a loud discussion between the brothers.

Nick put his boots on the small table and tipped his hat over his eyes while he waited on Jarrod.

An hour and a half later Jarrod appeared and frowned when he heard the familiar snoring of his brother. He looked at Edith and hoped his hostile brother had not given her too much trouble. He sighed as he knocked Nick's boots off his table waking up the cowboy.

"Hey, watch..." Nick stopped when he saw Jarrod. "Glad to see you finally decided to show up to work." Nick stood up and looked at his brother.

"What do you want Nick?" Jarrod questioned.

"We need to talk."

"I told you if you wanted to talk about the ranch you need to make an appointment." Jarrod turned but Nick grabbed his arm and whirled him back around. Jarrod pushed Nick's hand off his jacket and growled, "Make an appointment."

Nick glared at his brother as he spat, "This has nothing to do with the ranch, not that you care about that any longer."

Jarrod glared at Nick and noticed Edith out of the corner of his eye. She had a scared look on her face and he decided to save her.

"Edith, why don't you call it a day? I can handle anything that comes up."

Edith smiled sheepishly, "Are you sure Mr. Barkley?"

Jarrod gave her a wide grin as he winked at her, "Yes, now go on and see those grandchildren of yours."

Edith smiled at the mention of her grandchildren and hurriedly gathered her things together. "Thank you Mr. Barkley. I'll see you in the morning." She quickly left leaving the two brothers alone.

Jarrod turned back around and roared, "Don't ever talk to me like that again in my office in front of my employee."

Jarrod's outburst caught Nick off guard for a moment before he finally responded, "Yes sir Mr. Barkley," Nick said as sarcastically as he could.

Jarrod bristled at tone of Nick's voice but decided to ignore it for the time being. Instead he went into his office with Nick following closely behind him.

Jarrod sat at his desk and asked sarcastically, "What do you want?"