Chapter Sixteen

Detective Burns stood next to the fireplace in the Barkley mansion watching as Nick, who had arrived home just a few moments before, poured himself a drink. The detective had, upon arriving in Stockton and asking question, headed straight for Jarrod's office hoping the French woman who worked for Mr. Barkley might know Miss Lacaise. He might not have only the livery stable worker had told him 'there's a French woman working for Jarrod Barkley. 'The way she talks she's met more than a few French people in her life. Maybe she can help you.' Only, when he'd arrived at the attorney's office he had found it locked up tight. That being the case, he'd headed straight for the ranch only to find he'd have to deal with the attorney's hot tempered brother.

"He was right and wrong. Shelly does lives here and, yes, she works for my brother." Nick said once he'd handed the gentleman a drink. "Though, she's not here at the moment, won't be for some time. She went on vacation with some friends." He wasn't about to tell him what he'd asked Jarrod, and then Audra, to do. "Besides, what makes you think talking to her would do any good? I mean, being French doesn't guarantee you know every French person in the state." Nick took a swallow of his drink and looked at Detective Burns.

Detective Burns didn't appreciate being told something he already knew and said as much. "I know it doesn't, but I've been paid well to turn over every stone I can find in an attempt to find the young woman." The fact that he wasn't exactly rushing time to get the job done was beside the point.

"I'll do what you ask, Nick, but if anyone shows up in the next two weeks, do what you can to get them to leave town without starting a fight to do it!" Jarrod, after putting his heart back in his chest, told Nick. "After all, if I and Audra are going to hide Shelly up at our lodge, you can at least do what you can to stay out of jail!" Remembering Jarrod's words, Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Shelly has said more than once it's been quite some time since she talked to anyone with French blood running through their veins; just ask my mother or Heath. They've heard her say the same thing."

Detective Burns frowned slightly and shook his head. "You have a solid reputation Mr. Barkley. I'll take your word on it. However, I'll be in town up to three weeks, depending on my associates that is. I have other business to take care of. If Miss LaBaron arrives back before I leave, I would appreciate talking to her anyway."

"Sure thing," Nick smiled politely as he watched the detective leave the living room and walk out the front door. No sooner had the good gentleman shut the door than Nick was running up the stairs to let his mother know he was heading to the lodge. If the detective was going to be in Stockton that long, they had to work something else out. Afterwards, he'd make sure Heath and everyone else knew that his blond haired brother was in charge of the ranch until Nick returned.

~oOo~

Michelle, who had been unable to sleep, stood on the porch, her arms folded, looking up at the stars which were just poking their heads through the thick, black blanket that had slowly appeared in the sky. Looking back over her life, she could see that her mother had tried more than once to expose her to one experience or another, but her father had stepped in the majority of the time and vetoed her ideas. It infuriated Michelle even more. Though, at the moment, her father and his choices had been pushed aside as she thought about the different men who had asked her dance when she was at a social, in church or talked to her when they'd come into the law office.

Meeting so many people, even making a few friends, had been an eye opener when it came to just how many types of men were out there. It was the main reason she'd allowed Nick to continue courting her. He was indeed a gentleman in spite of the gambling and drinking he did. However, the fact that Jarrod was also interested in her, but had hidden those feelings in order not to hurt his brother, had shaken her up. Truth be told, up to the minute Jarrod had kissed her she'd been in complete denial that she had any inkling she'd been interested in anyone but Nick. However, in retrospect, she could see it all too clearly.

"I need these papers ready to filing by tomorrow afternoon. Will it be a problem?" Jarrod asked as he walked up to Michelle's desk and handed her a couple of pages.

"It shouldn't be." Michelle took the papers from Jarrod and, setting them down, asked how his day was going.

"Fine, though it would be better if I didn't have to eat lunch with Mr. Charles. The man was almost as bad as the Marquee when it came to the way he looked down at people. Jarrod would have liked nothing better than to tell the man to get lost only he'd already agreed to handle the legal end of one of the business deals the man had.

"You would always come down sick." Michelle grinned as she looked towards the window and the recently opened café that could be seen from where she sat.

Jarrod started smiling and laughing. His laughter, the way his eyes were sparkling and his laughter had all reached out and grabbed Michelle for a split second. However, just like Jarrod had done, she pushed it quickly away. She'd told herself that she had eyes only for Nick.

"Are you okay?" Audra poked her head out of the door, bringing Michelle out of her thoughts. She'd awoken to find Michelle's bed empty and had panicked. While she was relieved that "Miss LaBaron" was simply on the porch, Audra was afraid there was a major problem.

"I'll be fine." Michelle smiled as she turned back toward the door. "I was just coming back inside. Thanks for asking anyway." There was no way she was going to confide in a young girl who acted as if her candle was out most of the time.

Audra was sure Michelle wasn't telling her everything, only she didn't press subject. It was too late to do such a thing, perhaps an opportunity would present itself in the morning.