Archer sighed in frustration as Nick was once again late for the meeting. Nick was the one who had requested this meeting to talk about another contract coming up and he was nowhere to be found. Phil could certainly understand Jarrod's frustration in dealing with his brother; Nick was loud and although he knew how to run a ranch he certainly didn't know anything about the business end of running a ranch, especially a ranch as big as the Barkley's.
Archer glanced at the clock on his wall and groaned. He would give Nick another twenty minutes before he left. It wasn't like he had any other plans or clients it was the principle of the matter. Nick had been late before but never this late. Nick wanted to talk to Archer and requested a late afternoon appointment to coincide with his weekly trip to Harry's and Big Annie's but Archer had a feeling Nick's late arrival had something to do with his big brother arriving in town earlier today.
The meeting with Jarrod Barkley earlier went pretty well he thought considering their past dealings. Archer was well aware how Jarrod felt about him but he really didn't care it was Jarrod's family he was working for, not him. He knew he could not reveal that Jarrod held a good bit of shares of Barkley Sierra since that would be violating the client attorney privilege but he knew he could reveal who Jarrod's newest clients were.
Nick came storming through Archer's door out of breath, "Sorry I'm late Phil." Nick sat down heavily in the chairs as he took off his hat. Phil's office was not a fancy as Jarrod's but it was nice enough for Nick.
Archer smiled and said, "Quite alright, I know you're a very busy person Nick."
Nick grinned widely, "Yeah well I got held up unexpectedly."
Archer held back the smirk knowing it was most likely Jarrod's appearance that had caused Nick's delay. "Are you having problems at the Ranch?"
"No nothing like that." Nick paused as he put his hat on Archer's desk. "Jarrod came home and my mother went on and on like he'd been gone for months instead of a few weeks." Nick rolled his eyes.
Archer smiled inwardly as he knew Nick was fed up with Jarrod as much as he was. "I'm sure your mother was happy to have all of her children in the house at one time."
Nick huffed, "Yeah I guess so. But his current gal invited the entire family to the VIP Room at the Pool Emporium and based on what I've heard it is quite fancy."
Archer nodded his head at Nick. He had not had the privilege of experiencing the VIP area as of yet but from what he had heard it is quite luxurious. "That was nice of her considering."
Nick frowned at Phil and asked, "Considering what?"
Archer knew he had gotten Nick's attention now, "Jarrod didn't tell the family?"
Nick was still frowning, "Tell the family what? Did he get engaged?"
Archer smiled as he responded, "Not that I know of but that would explain everything."
Nick was now completely frustrated with Phil, "You're talking in circles Phil, just tell me what you've heard."
"According to what I've heard your brother has agreed to be The Harris Company's attorney."
Nick didn't see a problem with that since his brother had wanted to concentrate on his law practice. "So? That's why he quit handling the Ranch business to expand his law practices."
Archer realized Nick had no clue who or what The Harris Company was or who they were. "I guess I thought you'd be more upset about that."
Nick was thoroughly confused now, "Why? I know my brother at times has had rather questionable clients from time to time."
Archer laughed as he knew Jarrod had an arrangement with Big Annie and her girls and always wondered how the girls paid Jarrod's rather sizable fees. "Yes I have often wondered what the arrangement was between Big Annie and her girls regarding your brother's attorney fees."
"Hmph. Let's just say if mother knew how he was getting paid she would use his halo on him in not a very nice way." Both men laughed at Nick's comment.
"Well I am glad to know there is no bad blood between you and your brother because of his newest clients."
Nick quit laughing and said, "Spit it out Phil. What is going on with Jarrod's newest client that would make you think it would cause trouble."
"I take it you have no idea who The Harris Company is?" Nick shook his head no. "The Harris Company owns all The Pool Emporium's located in California and Nevada. The word on the street is they are talking about starting a franchise so they can expand to more states, namely New York." Archer watched Nick intently but it was obvious the rancher was completely in the dark. "The Harris Company is owned by Samantha Harris' father and it's a family run business..."
Finally it hit Nick and he exploded as he jumped up, "A family run business?"
Archer nodded his head and said, "Yes."
"How could he?" Nick asked angrily as he paced in Archer's office.
Archer shrugged his shoulders at Nick and said, "May have something to do with the young lady your brother has been courting."
Nick stopped pacing and glared at Archer, "Is this Samantha related to the Harris family?"
Archer almost laughed at how slow and dim witted Nick could really be, "Yes, she is the youngest child with two older brothers I believe."
Nick sat down and huffed, "He walks away from the ranch to concentrate on his law practice and I knew something else was up." Nick slammed his fist on Phil's desk. "Well I guess I need to pay a visit to The Pool Emporium." Nick got up but Archer beat him to the door.
Archer tried to calm Nick down as he was in no mood to bail the rancher out of jail tonight. "Nick don't do anything you'll regret later."
Nick smiled at Archer, "I'm just going to visit with this Miss Harris that's all." Nick walked past Archer grinning. Phil went back to his desk and wondered if he should alert the sheriff there could be trouble or not. Nick Barkley was a hot head but Phil knew Nick would never harm a woman so he decided to close his office and wait for the fallout.
Jarrod had just left the Pool Emporium to go back to his office and do some work before their date later tonight. He had informed Sam his family was thrilled at the prospect of spending the evening in the VIP room. She would make sure the chef cooked the finest hors d'oeuvres for the Barkley's. She had already informed her manager that the VIP room would be booked for a private meeting Monday night so he would not double book it.
She was going over the books when she heard the doors open and the jingling of spurs. Since it was still early in the afternoon there was only two other customers in the bar.
She looked up and smiled warmly at the cowboy.
Nick looked at Sam and wondered if this was Jarrod's new lady. She was definitely pretty if not beautiful. Jarrod always had good taste in women and he never had any trouble in regards to dating them. Jarrod knew he was handsome and good with words and used it to his advantage. Nick had called him out on this a few times before and Jarrod would of course deny Nick's accusations simply saying women preferred men who had manners.
Sam frowned slightly as the cowboy approached her. She didn't like the way he was looking at her and she suddenly wished Jarrod was still there. Her manager was in the back restocking and the two customers were too drunk to do anything. He seemed familiar but for the life of Sam she could not figure out why. She reached under the bar and was glad the shotgun was there just in case.
Sam pasted on her best smile and asked politely, "May I help you?"
Nick froze for a brief second when Sam smiled at him, this woman was breathtaking. He hoped it was not his brother's lady friend. He took off his hat and gave her his best smile, "Yes I certainly hope so." Nick leaned on the bar hoping to get closer to Sam. "I am looking for the owner of this fine establishment, Miss Harris."
Sam frowned at Nick and wondered what he wanted with her. She looked at him and thought he probably didn't have the money to rent out the VIP room and she knew he wasn't looking for a job. Sam looked the cowboy again and there was something about this man but she didn't know what it was although she knew she didn't have to worry about him doing something stupid or dangerous.
Sam smiled once again at Nick and said, "I'm Sam Harris."
Nick frowned immediately. Damn it he should have known. Nick offered her his hand and said as politely as he could, "I'm Nick Barkley, I believe you are acquaintances with my brother, Jarrod."
Sam smiled and said, "Well it's nice to finally meet some of Jarrod's family." Sam took his hand and shook it. "Can I get you a drink Mr. Barkley?"
Nick smiled, "Please and it's Nick."
"Very well Nick. You may call me Sam." Sam turned her back to Nick and poured him a whiskey. Jarrod had told her of his brothers and Sam could not believe this was the same hot headed brother Jarrod had told her about.
Sam placed the glass in front of Nick and asked, "Well now that you've found me Nick, what can I do for you?"
Nick gulped down his whiskey and was shocked at the taste. Usually in saloons the whiskey was at best some rock gut whiskey but this was smooth like they had at the ranch. How he wished this beautiful woman was not tangled up with his brother right now.
"I have it on good authority my brother is working for your family."
Sam frowned at Nick and wondered how he had heard. Jarrod had decided not to tell the family until Sam had met them. She decided to find out exactly what Nick knew before she revealed anything to him. "Who told you that Nick?"
Nick smiled once again, "A very good source of mine."
Sam tried to think who would know this besides Jarrod, herself and her family. And why would this person tell Nick Barkley of all people...she stopped in mid-thought. Whoever told Nick knew it would upset him given Jarrod's recent run-in with his brother.
"I am sorry to disappoint you Nick but what my family has or has not discussed with Jarrod is really none of your business." She smiled politely at Nick but noticed the immediate scowl on his face at her answer.
Nick glared at Sam as he spoke, "On the contrary it is my business since he's my brother and I'm merely looking out for him."
Sam chuckled quietly to herself. Nick was trying to get her to say something but he didn't know she had been used to smooth talking strangers. "I think that is very noble of you to have your brother's back but as said before what my family has or has not discussed with Jarrod is none of your business."
"Nick what are you up to?" Jarrod bellowed as he walked in the Emporium.