Chapter Nineteen

Victoria had just sent Timothy into the kitchen to ask Silas for a cookie, when the front door opened and Nick, along with Ruth, entered the house. Victoria had to admit that Heath had not been exaggerating when he said Ruth Randall Duncan was beautiful; though, Heath had warned Victoria not to call Ruth by her ex-husband's last name. "I wouldn't be surprised if she asks Jarrod if she can legally drop the name once this mess is over," had been Heath's exact words.

"Hello, Mother." Nick smiled and then introduced Ruth.

By the look in Nick's eyes, Victoria could see Nick was smitten with the young woman. That fact did not surprise her; however, since the young woman was divorced and had a child, Victoria hoped that Nick would be cautious. Even as she thought that, Victoria had to mentally shake her head. When it came to her middle son, "women" and "cautious" weren't exactly words that were known to connect with each other. "Welcome to our home. May I get you something to drink?" Victoria asked, largely because their guest looked like she could use it.

"Thanks, but no thank you." Ruth smiled and then apologized. "It's been a long trip; I'd like to simply lie down for a few minute." She wasn't lying, though Ruth knew it was more the stress of having to repeat her story to Jarrod that really had her wanting to simply take some quiet time for herself.

"Of course, dear," Victoria answered just as Silas began walking up the stairs. "Silas, would you please show our visitor to the guest room?" She then gave a brief explanation when it came to the fact that Ruth and Timothy would share a room. "It's rather large though and, after some discussion, we do have a much smaller room that could also be turned into a bedroom. So, the two of you won't have to share one room very long."

"That's fine, Mrs. Barkley, really." Ruth smiled as she followed Silas up the stairs, thinking on the numerous nights she and Timothy had shared a room…and often times the room didn't exactly have very much space.

Once Ruth was out of sight, Victoria looked at Nick. The fact that there was something he wasn't saying, was something else she could see in his eyes, and she didn't like being kept in the dark. Taking a deep breath, she asked in a tone more serious than she'd used in a long time, "What's going on?"

Nick couldn't help but chuckle. Jarrod and he should have known Victoria would see right through him the moment he walked in the door and ask such a question the first chance she got. Still, right or wrong, Nick was grateful for the request Jarrod had made. Nick walked over to the table that held the family's drinks and, picking up the canister holding his whiskey in it. He told her what Jarrod had requested. "It really is better for us to do as Jarrod said and wait." Nick told her as he poured some of the whisky into a small glass. "But believe me when I say; it's imperative we plan on Ruth and Timothy being long term guests, meaning they need to stay here for more than a few weeks."

Victoria frowned. Long term guests? More than a few weeks? She didn't like the sound of that. That is, she didn't like it not knowing the whys behind the extended stay. Still, if Jarrod had asked that they wait until he arrived home, she would do as he wished. "The moment your brother gets home, we're going to have a meeting." Victoria said and then excused herself saying she was going to help Silas take some lemonade out to Audra and her friends who moved their party to the rose garden. Thus, Nick had more time to think on Ruth, Timothy and one man whom he, Nick, wanted to get alone for just five minutes.

~oOo~

Timothy, who had finished the cookies and milk Silas had given him, made his way outside and began looking around. It wasn't long before he saw Nick and Heath talking near the corral. When the pair turned and looked his way, Timothy wasn't surprised when both a mixture of concern and annoyance appeared on Nick face, probably because the loud rancher knew Timothy had been given some jobs to do inside the house.

"And just what do you think you're doing outside." Nick took a step forward and folded his arms as he looked down at Timothy.

Timothy looked at Heath, almost as if to see if the blonde haired cowboy would get him out of trouble. He sighed as he realized Heath was backing Nick up even in his silence. "I did most of what was asked of me. I wanted to see the ranch, so I took a little break." Timothy answered quietly as his eyes turned downwards.

Both Nick and Heath sighed. They understood the need to be outside all too well. However, before either brother had a chance to say anything Jarrod rode up to the house. Nick turned to Heath. "How about giving the lad a break and going ahead and take him on a short ride? I need to go inside." He then hurried towards their home.

Timothy climbed onto the corral fence. "Mama's afraid of something." He said as he sat down on top of the fence and looked at Heath, who wasn't surprised to hear the young boy make the statement. Heath had learned quickly just how bright and intuitive Timothy was.

"What makes you say that?" Heath asked, wanting to know just what the young boy had noticed-since neither, he, Nick nor Ruth had said anything since arriving in Stockton.

"Her eyes," Timothy shrugged his shoulders. "They were starting to smile; especially when she's around Nick, only now they're tired again."

Heath couldn't help but stare just a little. He might have known how smart young Timothy was, but he hadn't known the young boy was that observant. Yet, he knew Timothy was right. Ruth was tired. However, Heath knew of nothing anyone could do but to support her as they worked on dealing with the situation. "She'll be fine. You'll see. Now," Heath stepped away from the fence, "Let's go for a ride around the ranch."

It was a suggestion that had Timothy flying off the fence and joining Heath, who had headed for the stables.