Chapter Seventeen
As the storm clouds gathered outside his Tennessee home, the now gray haired, Kyle Randall stood by his home office's window drinking a glass of whiskey. While he did not have an overly large build, Mister Randall still had a way of holding himself that intimidated many. Of course, not many had seen that side of him. With his smooth talking tongue, the "gentleman" had perfected the art of getting what he wanted simply by giving people around him an allusion of what they wanted to see. Not knowing what his sister-in-law, the late Patience Barkley Randall had told the sheriff, Kyle thought the only person that had cause to suspect he was more than he led others to believe of him, was his niece, Ruth Randall.
Kyle hadn't seen Anna Ruth Randall in years and had seldom thought about her. Only now, with the day that he'd inherit his brother's mass fortune drawing closer, Kyle had found himself thinking more about his niece, though he didn't know why. It's not like he had anything to fear from her. An evil chuckle escaped his lips as he thought on how her baby brother had died within forty eight hours after he'd stormed away from his late sister's home and how Anna Ruth had been left in the care of the Lees. The child dying saved him from trying to find a way to get rid of him, and the Lees had, most likely, made the young woman's life a living nightmare. He quit laughing though as he thought on the money in the Carson City Bank. He had tried to get the money earlier, but the law had not budged. They'd told him it didn't matter if he had proof no sons had survived. They said his brother's will specified a waiting period of ten years after the war…and that was final. Kyle growled; he had no choice but to bide his time and then take the necessary papers back to the courts if he wanted to get the money. He took another swallow of his liquor and cursed softly. At least he had the comfort of knowing the money wasn't going anywhere.
~oOo~
Jarrod stood on the Stockton's railroad station and listened to the sound of a train whistle. Moments later the train holding his brothers and their guests was pulling in. Jarrod might not be as curious as all get out, only Nick had sent a second telegram… and the hot tempered rancher had specifically asked Jarrod to be there to meet them. Nick hadn't had to say something was up; Jarrod knew something was amiss simply for the fact that Nick never would have asked Jarrod to set aside his work to meet them at the station if there wasn't. After all, Victoria, Audra or even Silas was just as capable of meeting the train just as he was.
"Jarrod!" Nick's booming voice rang through the air, causing Jarrod to turn to his right. He could see Heath walking hand in hand with a young boy. Jarrod didn't have to wonder why the boy was attached to Heath; it was obvious the boy had problems similar to the newest Barkley, nor was he surprised to see Nick holding the hand of a very beautiful young woman. Though, Jarrod found himself wondering just how close the two could have gotten in a mere two weeks time.
"So, dear brother," Jarrod smiled at Ruth and Timothy. "I will assume these are the guests you wrote the family about."
"They are." Nick answered as he introduced Ruth followed by Timothy.
Having been told to simply call him Jarrod, Ruth held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Jarrod." After shaking hands with Jarrod, she introduced Timothy as well.
Nick then asked Heath if he minded taking Timothy to the ranch while he and Ruth visited Jarrod.
"I was right." Jarrod thought as he heard Nick ask the question and Heath answering, in the affirmative. He then watched as Heath and Timothy went to get the horses out of the animal boxcar.
"So," said Jarrod, once Timothy was out of earshot and before looking at Nick and Ruth. "Just what is up, and don't tell me nothing."
The look in Jarrod's eyes as he made the statement, had Nick chuckling; one would think Jarrod knew him. Keeping a hold of Ruth's hand, Nick started walking towards his horse which Heath was now leading towards him. Even though he highly doubted anyone connected to Kyle Randall was around, the hot tempered rancher did not wish to take any chances. If he did that it might push the Barkley luck a bit too far. "Not here," Nick told his brother, who had quickly caught up with Nick. "We need to talk to you in your office."
Jarrod continued wondering what was up as he walked towards Jingo, who was tethered to a nearby hitching post while Nick mounted his horse and then reached down to help Ruth up. Soon she was sitting behind him and wrapping her arms around Nick's waist.
"Mama, you're not coming to the ranch with us?" Timothy, who was seated on Charger, in front of Heath, looked at his sister; she'd assured him it was okay to continue calling her mama if he wanted too. Due to their situation, the two had never really been apart, and it frightened him.
"Nick and I need to talk to his brother, Jarrod. You'll be fine; Heath will watch out for you." Ruth smiled at Timothy.
Timothy looked back at Heath and then at his mother, Nick and Jarrod. "We finally got good friends, don't we, mama?"
The three Barkley brothers felt their hearts go out to Ruth and Timothy when Timothy asked his question; though, it hit Nick and Heath just a little bit harder due to the fact that the young boy's question told them Ruth had not exaggerated how life had been for her and her baby brother. "Yes, we have."
Timothy again looked at Heath and Nick. He then looked at his "mother" and asked, "Are we going to stay in Stockton?"
Ruth felt Nick slip his one hand over hers while his other one held the reins to his horse. She didn't answer for a moment, knowing Nick was silently telling her there was no need to leave Stockton any time soon. "For awhile at least," she answered as a smile spread from one side of her face to the other.