*Macklin and Alderson are, of course, from Court Martial.
Chapter Six
Previously:Victoria couldn't help but wonder about Hannah's grandmother and mother, and promised herself to ask Hannah about them, just not at that moment. She might have changed her mind only she could tell how hard Hannah was concentrating on the drawing, Audra and Chad. She didn't want to interfere what looked like it would be a wonderful work of art once it was completed. Knowing she had an appointment in town to keep, Victoria stood up. Though, as she did so, she couldn't help but comment, "As good as you are at drawing, you might want to think about trying to draw something you can sell. I'm sure many people would love to have one of your pictures if they're all as good as that one."
It was all Hannah could do to keep drawing and not show how Victoria's words had actually affected her.
~oOo~
Heath stood underneath one of the few tall Oak trees in the area they were moving the cattle; he was watching as Nick sat on a nearby boulder. His brother had just lit a cigarette and looked a thousand miles away. Slowly, Heath made his way to Nick. "I'm here if you need to talk."
Nick removed the cigarette from his lips and, tapping it so as to get the ashes to fall to the ground, turned his head to look at Heath. Ever since he'd really accepted Heath as a brother, the two of them had talked about everything and anything. He knew he could trust Heath with his life. Maybe that's why it was so hard to say nothing, and keep him in the dark. Then again, there was one thing he could talk about…the first reason he had allowed himself to get into the situation he was in. "Heis a Barkley, and everyone knows he's my son by now." Nick took another drag on his cigarette.
Heath amazed Nick when he said quietly, "But he isn't yours by blood."
Nick stared at Heath, though he didn't know why. The blonde haired cowboy was one of the most observant men he knew. "Don't repeat that, or I'll flat out deny it."
"Who is his father? What did Hannah say or do to make you willing to marry her and claim him as yours?" Heath didn't like the idea that his brother may have once more allowed himself to be used by a beautiful woman.
He was astounded when Nick turned sharply and barked in a low warning tone, "Don't go blaming Hannah for anything. She's not the one who started this." He then turned his attention to the scenery in front of him…which included the cows they were moving. "I'm sorry Heath, I really am, but I can't…and I mean,can't…tell you anything else right now. If I could I would believe me. And," he sighed, "forget what I just said. You do what you want to with my confession only, if you share it, know this," his shoulders slumped forward ever so slightly, "I'll have to turn the ranch over to you and take Hannah, along with Chad and leave…and don't ask me where we'd go because I don't know."
Heath's eyes widened. His brother would turn his back on the ranch? He would take his wife and son and go to some undisclosed place if his confession was shared? If there had been any doubt in Heath's mind that was something serious was going on, Nick's words confirmed it. However, Heath knew Nick very well; his gut told him that Nick must have a very good reason for not sharing the information. "I'll say nothing of our conversation tonight; you have my word even if you didn't ask for it. Though, I do ask that you explain everything as soon as you feel like you can."
Nick, who had been very visibly uptight, felt the majority of tension he'd been feeling drain out of him. Heath's word was as good as gold; his words would not be repeated. "Of course," Though, thinking of the past, Nick sighed. "I'm sorry, Heath. I never wanted you to ever be in a spot where you could say nothing on my account again. It wasn't fair back then, and it's not fair now. I just…" Nick let out an exasperated, frustrated, breath.
Heath didn't have to ask what Nick was talking about. He gave him a crooked smile, "I know. Don't worry about it." He then walked away, saying he was going to lie down.
~oOo~
The house was as quiet as could be when Jarrod opened the front door and stepped inside. It made him wonder where the women and Chad were. That is, until his mother walked out of the dining room. "Jarrod! You're home early." Victoria was smiling from ear to ear as she greeted her oldest son.
"After the morning I had," Jarrod said as he walked into the living room and set his briefcase down on the top of the piano, "I decided to take the afternoon off."
"I thought you had a lull in work; did that change?" Victoria asked as she watched Jarrod walk over to where the decanter sat and pour himself a drink.
"Yes and no." Jarrod answered as he swallowed the sherry, not his favorite drink by all means, but all they had at the moment.
Victoria frowned slightly as she walked over to the sofa, sat down, gestured to the other side of it as a way of inviting Jarrod to join her and asked, "What do you mean?"
Jarrod didn't answer until he'd sat down on the opposite side of the sofa. "I had a visitor."
By the look of one who had mixed emotions, Victoria knew whoever the visitor was had not exactly been someone Jarrod wanted to see. "Who was it?" She asked when it became apparent Jarrod wasn't saying anything else.
"*Macklin," He finally answered as he turned his head and looked at his mother.
Her eyes widened and she felt her heart skip a beat. "The federal agent who pulled you into helping the government get a confession out of *Alderson?"
"One and the same," Jarrod replied leaning forward, clasping his hands together as he did so.
"What did he want?" Victoria asked, not sure she really wanted an answer, but knowing she needed one…and Jarrod needed to talk. She could see that by the tired look in his eyes.
"I don't know; he only stopped in long enough to make an appointment with me, one where we can have more time to talk." Jarrod answered as lowered his head and rubbed his neck, an action that had his mother offering to give him a neck rub. "I guess I shouldn't say I don't know anything. He did say he would be heading to Wyoming after our visit."
Jarrod and Victoria continued to visit unaware that Hannah had been at the top of the stairs and heard everything… nor did they see her turn around and disappear down the hall and into the room she now shared with Nick.