Chapter Eighteen

Michelle could hear the wind whipping through the trees outside. It had been rather late by the time she, Audra, Jarrod and Nick arrived home. The Barkleys had all gone to bed, as had she. The only problem was…she couldn't sleep without dreaming that she was standing on near a road that forked off into two directions with Nick on one road and Jarrod on the other. It was now five in the morning and she was standing in front of the fire that Silas had just built, the first fire to be build since she'd come to the ranch. She was tired, but not tired enough to go back to bed and risk having that same dream over again. When she heard the sounds of boots with no accompanying sound of spurs, she knew Heath was up which meant Nick would not be far behind.

"Yer up rather early ain't ya?" Heath, who had intended to go into the kitchen and get some morning coffee until he saw Michelle standing near the fireplace, asked as he sat down in the chair closet to the foyer.

"Couldn't sleep," Michelle kept her answer short, as she continued looking into the fire burning in the fireplace in front of her. "Thinking about that detective, father and," she hesitated before adding, "other things." She hoped he'd figure it was just Nick and the fact that the rancher had openly admitted he'd have a ring on her finger if she'd let him get her one, as she didn't feel like dealing with the family knowing it there was more than that going on at the moment. No, until she had a chance to talk to the detective, and then to Nick, she wasn't saying a word about Jarrod.

Heath, who had been keeping a closer eye on her than Michelle was aware of, knew something else was bothering Michelle even suspected what it might be. Though, he didn't press her to talk about it figuring that, as he could very well be wrong and, if he was, it was none of his business. "Well, I'm sure that detective will be more than happy you came back early. Like her, he looked liked he wanted to get his business over with yesterday."

Michelle, who had been living with the Barkleys for five months now, didn't doubt that one for a moment. She just hoped the man would leave her alone once he learned she'd left of her own accord. "I'm sure he does." She agreed as she turned her head away from the fireplace; she'd heard the sounds of spurs upon the stairs. Sure enough Nick, who was surprised to see Michelle up already, stepped into the front room.

"How about seeing if Silas has the coffee on or not," Nick asked Heath, and then turned his eyes towards Michelle. Heath nodded and, standing up, he left the room.

"You don't have to talk to the detective." Nick said as he walked towards Michelle. "I mean, you have moved on. You are living your own life without your father telling you what to do or dragging you through the mud."

Michelle knew Nick meant well, but she disagreed. What kind of life would she have if she was always looking over her shoulder? No, it would be better to let the cards fall where they may than to keep living her life having to do that. "Thanks for caring, Nick, but no, I'm talking to him."

Nick, who had been bothered by his own dreams due to that he wondered what she wanted to talk to him about, took a few steps and drew closer to her. "What did you need to talk to me about?" He asked the question, not understanding why he needed to wait until after the she dealt with Detective Burns to get an answer to that one.

Michelle closed her eyes for a moment and steadied her nerves. It wouldn't do any good to allow herself to become too emotional before she talked to the detective. "Please, Nick," Michelle opened her eyes and turned to face Nick, "I'd like to get this other business over with before we start talking about anything, and we do need to talk."

Nick didn't like it. It had to be something major if she wanted to get the detective out of her hair first. "What's wrong with talking about whatever's bothering you now?"

What was wrong with it? Michelle thought of all the various scenarios that could happen once he heard work wasn't the main reason Jarrod had suddenly gotten too busy to be around the ranch or in Stockton. She turned around and walked towards the window, not surprised to hear Nick following right behind her. She finally turned around and looked at Nick, who was naturally looking more than concerned than ever. She let out a long, drawn out breath and answered slowly, "There's nothing wrong with discussing what's on my mind now only I'm concerned if we talk that, when Detective Burns shows up, you might not be able to concentrate on the conversation that will take place. I mean, on the way back from the lodge you did say you wanted to be present when I talked to him."

Now Nick knew it was something serious. "Does it concern your father?" He asked, thinking if it did it was not a good idea to wait.

"No," Michelle answered as she rested her left hand on his upper right arm, "it has nothing to do with him, I promise."

"The moment that stupid detective leaves you'll l tell me what's bothering you?" Nick asked as he put his left hand onto of her hand resting on his arm; he didn't want to wait longer than he had to.

"Yes," Michelle answered slowly, praying for the best as she did so. The last thing she wanted was to be the cause of one brother turning on another brother.

"Fine, I won't say another word for now." Nick let go of her hand and she dropped it to her side as Victoria entered the room, and then watched as Nick greeted his mother before exiting the living room to go get his morning coffee.

Michelle watched as Victoria made her way to the sofa and sat down. With the way Victoria was looking at her, she couldn't help but wonder if she knew what Jarrod had been hiding from her, Michelle, and Nick. Just the thought made her rather uncomfortable and she turned her eyes back towards the fireplace.

Victoria, who had been told by Heath what Michelle planned on doing, chalked the uneasy feeling she'd been having up to that fact. She looked at Michelle and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Being honest with that detective isn't going to be easy. You're doing the right thing though, and I admire you for that."

Michelle, uncomfortable with the compliment as it reminded her that 'doing the right thing' would hurt Nick or Jarrod, maybe both. Admitting only that she had not slept well, Michelle excused herself saying that she needed to get a bit more rest before the detective showed.

Victoria, who had early morning commitments herself, made her way to the dining room where Nick and Heath were sitting and talking. Soon she was talking with them and looking forward to what she hoped would be turn out to be a very good day, in spite of the visit they'd have from Detective Burns.