Emily was ready for sleep. Having a house full of guests, laying her mother-in-law in her grave, then carrying – and sharing - Audra's awful secret left her beyond tired. After Heath and his family left for home and Jarrod's family was starting to, she climbed the stairs to see if Daniel would let her tuck him in but he was already asleep. She knocked softly and opened Carrie's door and bid her a good night. She did the same with Tom and with Will. Then she looked in on Julia who was fast asleep under her blanket. Emily herself didn't wait for Nick before she, too, climbed into bed. Sleep came easy but she kept waking up.
Jarrod had stayed behind after Jane and their children had walked to the guesthouse for bed. He and Nick sat in the parlor, talking in low tones. Sometime later, Emily woke to the sound of the front door opening and closing and the lock being secured. Then she sat up and waited for Nick.
Moments later, he slipped into the room and saw her through the darkness, sitting, waiting.
"I thought you'd be asleep," he said.
"I can't sleep. I keep waking up."
He sat on her side of the bed and started undressing, boots first.
"You knew about this last night, didn't you?" he asked.
"Yes, Nick."
He stopped for a moment. He was going to ask her why she didn't tell him then but he knew why.
"I would really like to find Charles and show him some Barkley justice," he said, his voice tired.
"I know that," she said.
He stood, walked to his side of the bed, finished undressing, and dropped his clothes on the chair next to the bed, then got under the covers next to her.
"I put Julia to bed," he said.
"Thank you."
"I couldn't get her into her nightgown."
"What?" she asked.
"She's sleeping in her dress," he confessed.
Emily chuckled softly. "I'm sure she'll live," she said, and slipped down under the blankets, snuggling close.
They lay close together in silence for a few minutes while Nick played with her hair.
Then, "Em?"
"Hm?"
"I was thinking, that is, Jarrod and I were talking," he said haltingly and Emily knew he was afraid of how she would react to what he was about to say. "Well, it's a big house and a big ranch and now with Mother gone, well, I was thinking, maybe you could use some help running things, at least for awhile"
The room was very dark and he couldn't see her face but Nick could tell she was smiling. She was smiling because she had the same idea.
"It would have to be someone who's good with children," she warned.
Nick played along, relieved. "But someone who knows ranch business," he added.
"And can help host social events with people of power and influence," Emily countered.
They were quiet a moment before Nick spoke again.
"Think she'll go for it?" he asked.
Emily considered for a moment. "I think she's coming around," Emily said, "and if we ask her in front of the kids, she might feel more inclined to agree."
Now Nick was smiling. He stopped playing with her hair and pulled her in tight with his arm. "You're kind of sneaky, aren't you?" he teased.
"Yes, I am. And you are a good man, Nick Barkley," and she readjusted her head against his shoulder and fell fast asleep.