Chapter Eighteen

Jarrod sat behind his desk while Nick pulled a chair away from the south wall and moved it closer. He insisted Ruth have the seat while he remained standing behind her. It did not pass by Jarrod that Nick was resting his hands upon Ruth's' shoulders with a very protective look about him. His brother's behavior only served to raise Jarrod's curiosity.

"So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Jarrod looked at his brother and their guest.

Nick started to reply, only to have Ruth lift her hand and lay it on top of his. While she'd appreciated his help at Jim's house, Ruth had no intention of making Nick tell any part of the story again. "No, I'll tell him why." She kept a hold of Nick's hand and she repeated the whole story to Jarrod. By the time she was done Jarrod looked as stunned and shocked as her uncle had.

"We need to know how to get Timothy his money-when it becomes available-without tipping our hand too soon." Nick spoke up after Ruth had finished speaking.

Jarrod leaned back in his chair, all the while keeping his eyes on Nick and Ruth. "Do you have any proof of your true identity? Not that I doubt you," Jarrod was quick to add when he saw fury begin to appear in Nick's eyes. "The thing is, since you're not his mother, we would need to get you legally appointed as Timothy's guardian before we do anything and, before you ask, I can get that done quietly and without a lot of publicity. I know the judge well. Successfully caring and providing for your brother for ten years more than justifies his granting our request without actually doing anything in any courtroom."

"Are you sure?" Ruth asked, filling more than a bit anxious at the thought of Timothy being taken from her.

Jarrod smiled and nodded. "As sure as I can be; that is, if you have any proof of what you say."

Ruth thought for a moment and then sighed. "I have our family Bible. It shows each and every one of our family's names and birth dates, but all that would proof is I'm not lying when I say my parents gave two of their daughters the same name, but in different places, when it comes to the name 'Ruth'."

Jarrod smiled. "If you'll give me the bible, I'll go out on a ledge and talk to the judge privately. For right now, I'm sure I can convince him to give you guardianship even without any other proof of both your true identities and relationship; however, I know he'll say we'll have to think of a way to get more proof. When it comes to your uncle and the money in the Carson City Bank," Jarrod's smile faded. "I have a few ideas, but I'd like to toss them around for a bit before I say anything. For now," Jarrod paused and then looked at Nick. "I'd say Miss Randall and her 'son' remain on the ranch. Don't tell anyone you're his mother." Jarrod looked at Ruth. "Just let them assume it when they hear him call you mother, mama or whatever it is that he calls you. As slim as the chances are, I don't want to run the risk that someone in, or passing through, Stockton might actually know your uncle somehow. If such person exists, they'd be bound to innocently reveal it to him. I'll also contact some of my friends in the Pinkerton agency. I'll ask them to find anything and everything they can when it comes to Kyle Randall. And," Jarrod looked at Nick and said, "I know mother well enough. It won't take her long to know something isn't right. If she figures it out before I get home, just ask her to wait until we're all together to discuss the matter."

Nick didn't have to ask why Jarrod made the request. Audra had started having weekly 'tea parties'-as it were- with some of her friends…and it was her turn to play hostess. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Thanks," Ruth managed to reply as she tried to relax-she'd tensed up without even realizing it.

"You're more than welcome." Jarrod smiled and then looked at Nick. "I'm not a doctor only I suggest you get this young lady to the ranch and let her rest for now."

Nick grinned and kept his hand on Ruth's shoulder even as she stood up. "Don't worry dear brother; I have every intention of doing that very thing." He headed for his brother's office door, after Ruth had thanked Jarrod again.

~oOo~

"Why don't you court Mama?" Timothy asked as he did the chores around the barn that Heath had given him; the young lad had just seen Victoria Barkley return home and his thoughts had been turned to his own mother. "Not that I don't like Mister Nick. He's not so bad." Timothy added, thinking back to the train and how safe he'd felt while Nick held him and he slept.

Heath couldn't help but chuckle as he shook his head. "Ruth is a good woman; I'll not deny that. Only," Heath said as he brought the sledgehammer down upon the horseshoe he was working on. "I don't want to court anyone right now."

"Because of your leg?" Timothy asked as he finished the last assignment given him.

Heath shook his head and gave Timothy a crooked smile. "Leg's got nothing to do with it; either a woman can take me with it or leave me alone. That's the only two choices they'd have. I'm just not interested in settling down yet is all. Besides, you just admitted Nick's a good man. So, don't beat a dead horse."

Shock leapt upon the young boy's face. "Why on earth would I do such a thing?"

"Just a way of saying something has been asked about, or done, far too many times." Heath answered as he began finished with the horseshoe and began putting the tools away, telling Timothy it was time for him to meet Victoria. "McColl said she wanted to meet you the moment she got home from the Martins." Heath said, remembering how the foreman had stopped Heath, once he and Timothy had arrived at the ranch.

Timothy bit his tongue to keep from saying anything. He'd never been one to mingle much with anyone, something Heath had seen for himself when Timothy hid behind him when McColl had approached him. "Don't worry," Heath's lopsided grin appeared as he and Timothy walked out the barn door. "She doesn't bite."

Timothy chuckled a little, and promised himself to disappear into whatever bedroom the Barkleys gave to him the first chance he got.