Chapter Seven
"Here's a nice spot." Nick had invited Michelle and Audra to go on a picnic with him, and had driven the survey to a pond that sat roughly five miles from the Barkley home. Michelle had only accepted after getting him to agree to invite Audra along too. He chalked it up to her wanting a chaperone, pointing to the fact that Michelle couldn't throw away everything from her upbringing.
"It's beautiful." Michelle said, looking around the area they'd driven to while Nick helped her and Audra down. The pond was trees that stood around close to half of the pond, while a clearing sat on the side that held no trees. The breeze that was blowing through the air was quite comfortable too.
"I'm going to pick some flowers." Audra said as she hurried into the nearby field, close enough to be in sight but far enough out of ear shot. Nick thought his sister did it simply because she wanted to give him time to court Michelle, only he found out different when Michelle sat down on a log and began talking.
"I asked her before we ever left to give us some space so we can talk frankly with each other." Michelle said as she looked from Audra, who was busy looking at whatever flowers she could find, to Nick. "I know you are looking to court me."
Nick, taken aback by her bluntness, sat down on another small log. "I was hoping to. Is there a problem with that?"
You be honest with him. That way, no matter what happens, you two still have the friendship. Jarrod's words came back to Michelle as she rested her arms on her lap. "I like you Nick. You're an upstanding and honorable man." She went onto tell him what she'd told Jarrod. "That conversation took place in the study two weeks ago. I have been doing some serious thinking since then. I love the bookkeeping I am doing. I realize I always have and, looking back at it, I highly resented it when father would hire someone else to do it. I resented it even more when we came here to America, and he went behind me always checking my work. Yesterday, Jarrod asked me if I'd be willing to work as a part-time secretary in his office. He said he wouldn't mind if I used the last name your mother and I came up with, to keep my father off my trail. I accepted the job. Besides, we barely know each other."
While Nick was surprised, he was not shocked when it came to Jarrod's job offer. He'd seen how well she'd handled bookkeeping and filing etc. She also had a point when she said they barely knew each other. "So, we take time to get to know each other while we're courting. After all, courting doesn't mean we have to get married, and who says you'd have to give the job up?"
Michelle smiled and shook her head. "I do not know Nick, even with time I can't help but feel we could only be friends. You are a part of the land, and it shows. And, in spite of my father's attitude, there is nothing wrong with it as long as you do your best."
"And you're not?" Nick asked with a bit of doubt in his voice. "Not every woman could turn her back on the life of ease your father was giving you and then work the way you have." He knew that because he'd seen her do everything from beat a rug to mucking out a stall….even if she did look quite funny and awkward doing it.
Michelle sighed and shook her head. "I am having my eyes opened more and more it is true, but to live the rest of my life on a ranch? I do not know that I could do it. Don't get me wrong." She hurried on as she saw a look of hurt come into his eyes. "I don't mind being here and helping out. I wouldn't mind coming here for a few days, visiting and even helping out after I've moved away from the ranch. In fact, I'd love it. I just don't know that I can be the kind of woman you need."
"Just when are you thinking to leave? Where would you live? It's only been here five weeks. I'm sure your father is still trying to find you." Nick asked concerned that he and his family would be unable to protect her if she wasn't living nearby. The thought of not being able to do that, protect her that is, made him more than a bit nervous.
Her father, Michelle cringed at the idea that she'd had to flee from him and, truth be told, was still struggling with the fact that she knew that her life depended on severing all ties with the man. "I am sure he is." Michelle let out a soft sigh as she turned her attention to the pond. "For now, your mother says I can continue living with your family, though I will go by the name of Michelle LaBaron instead, maybe even take on the nickname of Shelly. Your mother's already told McColl and the regular hands to call me Miss LaBaron." Since the family was just getting around to hiring their seasonal help, she and Victoria decided it would be better if the new help never heard her called by the name of Lacaise. "Can we continue getting to know each other? I suppose if you want to say you're courting me would be fine as long as you understand that I cannot promise that anything but a good friendship would come from it." Michelle asked as she turned her face back to Nick.
Nick smiled wide. He wasn't about to tell her no. After all, given time, she might find that she actually enjoyed life the ranch…and fall in love with him. At least, that was the hope he was going to hold onto. "Of course," he said as he pointed towards the basket she, Audra, and Silas had packed for the three of them, "we can take as much time as we need to get to know each other. Only, for now, I think we'd best call that sister of mine over and eat. The chicken will catch cold if we don't."
Michelle chuckled and agreed, and then insisted on being the one to go out into the clearing where Audra was roaming around and get her.