Chapter 7

"Grandparents?" Nora slowly stood to her feet and walked over to the couple, her nerves tingling all over. "Hello, I'm Nora."

The woman stood there stiffly in her finery as she responded. "Elvira Worthington. And this is my husband, Charles." They must have come in answer to the letter she sent several weeks ago, but why hadn't they let anyone know of their arrival?

The man stepped forward. Looking at him, Nora could tell he had health problems as he stooped a little and was using a cane. She recalled the letter that had been addressed to her mother regarding a stroke. A smile formed on his wrinkled face as tears filled his eyes. "You are the spitting image of your mother." His arms opened and enveloped Nora into them, holding her for a brief moment, her heart overflowing at the embrace and feeling of belonging.

"It's nice to meet you, Grandmother, Grandfather," Nora said as she stepped back with a nod at the woman who did not look like the hugging type, noticing how odd it sounded on her tongue to use the titles. "Let me introduce you to everyone. This is Victoria Barkley."

"So pleased to meet you both," Victoria said cheerfully as she stepped forward and shook both of their hands.

"And this is her daughter Audra and her son Dr. Eugene Barkley. You met Jarrod." She listened as they all exchanged pleasantries and then stepped over to Gabby. "And this is my sister, your granddaughter, Gabrielle."

"Gabrielle is here also? We were not aware." The accusation was clear.

Elvira's surprise turned to confusion when Gabby didn't rise to greet them. "It's nice to meet you both," Gabby responded with a smile.

"Gabby has only recently arrived. She was injured a few days ago. You will excuse her for not standing up," Eugene added.

"Injured? Good heavens! I don't know how any of you survive in this wild country."

Charles ambled over to the chair and slightly leaned down with a twinkle in his eyes. "Nice to meet you, Gabby. I'll take that hug when you are feeling better." A wink followed his statement, and Gabby liked him immediately.

It was at that moment that Nick and Heath both came bursting through the door.

"I'm sure it was your turn, Nick."

"It sure as heck wasn't! Why, it was only three days ago..." he said loudly, putting out three fingers before noticing they had company and removing his hat. "I'm... sorry. Didn't know we had company," he added in a normal tone.

"And these are Victoria's other sons. Heath and Nick," Nora stated as she leaned up and kissed Nick's cheek to her grandmother's horror.

"Leonor! Taking such liberties!"

"How do," Heath said with a dip of his chin. Nick only gave a greeting nod.

"Nick and I are married," Nora said as she noticed the shocked look on Elvira's face.

"Married?! You didn't mention that in your letter."

"We weren't married then."

Victoria seeing the uneasiness in the situation, spoke. "I'm sorry we didn't know you were coming. We would have had a room all ready for you."

"You did not receive my letter?" Mrs. Worthington sounded appalled that such a thing could have happened.

"No, we did not, but it isn't a problem. I will have Silas get a room ready shortly. Would you like some refreshments?"

"A cup of tea would be nice. As for the room, we have made arrangements at the hotel in town. But thank you," Elvira replied stiffly. Nora knew she shouldn't be happy at the announcement, but she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. All these years she had wanted to meet her grandparents, but she was grateful that this unyielding woman wouldn't be sleeping under their roof. And yet she was drawn to the charming man that was her grandfather. It was easy to see who her sweet, sainted mama took after.

With all the commotion, Gabby didn't notice that Heath had walked to the side of her chair and put his hand on the back of it until he spoke. "It's good to see you up and around."

"Thank you. I hardly expected all this uproar, or I might have stayed in my room," she softly replied bringing the smile that she had come to fancy. "I've... missed our reading time," she added hesitantly.

"Me too," he responded bringing joy to her heart. "I thought perhaps you should be resting more in the afternoon. Maybe tomorrow?"

"I would like that." Gabby was happy that he wasn't avoiding her, or at least he was gentleman enough not to say so.

They both grew quiet as they heard Nora speaking. "We are certainly glad that you are here." She hoped the little white lie would be forgiven. "How long will you stay?"

"Our original plan was to only remain a few days, but perhaps we will be here longer. You see, we thought to have you come home to Boston with us, Leonor. Of course, we had no idea that you are a married woman. Thank goodness for that work hand at the house you used to live in for sending us to the ranch when we stopped there first." Her wording left Nora feeling guilty over something she had no control over. When she hadn't received a reply letter all those weeks ago, she had no reason to think she should send them a change of address. Something about this woman made her feel as if she should be apologizing when she hadn't done anything wrong.

"Your original plan?" Gabby asked, seeing how frustrated her sister was becoming and trying to take the heat off her. "Have you changed your plans, then?"

Elvira walked over to the chair she was sitting in and looked down, Gabby seeing a woman who was used to having her way. Charles limped back to her side and the couple made eye contact and nodded.

"Yes. We didn't know you were here, Gabrielle when we arranged this trip. Our plan was to have Leonor accompany us back home, however, as she is married, that will not do. So, instead, we will wait for your recovery and would like to bring you back to Boston with us."

###

Propped up in her bed again, Gabby tried to get comfortable.

Her grandparent's disclosure had flabbergasted her, making her uneasy. Gene noticed the change in her demeanor and took charge of the situation- telling everyone that his patient needed to rest. Then he and Audra had helped her back upstairs to her room. Audra had removed herself to go help with their company, but Gene remained and now pulled up a chair to the side of her bed.

"Well, that was a jolt."

Gene took her hand in his. "Can I get you something for pain?"

"Not just yet. I'm actually not having much discomfort, but I will let you know. Thank you, Gene, for rescuing me from that situation."

"It wasn't fair of them to drop it on you like that. I knew you needed time to process their demand. It certainly wasn't a request."

"Yes. I definitely need time to think it over...Gene, how soon can I travel?"

Cocking his head, Gene replied. "You aren't seriously considering going back with that dragon lady, are you?" His wording brought a laugh, and then a wince.

"She is my grandmother whom I have always wanted to get to know and was denied the opportunity. Yes, she is quite... severe... but Grandfather reminds me of Mama." Her eyes grew soft as she thought of her darling mother. "And maybe I can get past her harshness to be with his kindness- does that make sense?"

"Sounds like you already made up your mind to go."

"No, but I am mulling it over."

Standing, Gene patted her hand. "Then I will let you do that. To answer your question, in about a week if you are cautious. We will bring you a tray up soon, and then milady, you will take your medicine and get some rest. It's been a tiring day for you."

"Yes, doctor," she replied with a bright smile as he left the room, then sat with her thoughts.

###

Their meal was spent with a lot of conversation around him, but Heath remained quiet. Something about these people coming from Boston and wanting Gabby to return with them didn't sit right. She had only been here a short time and he was just getting to know her and now she might be leaving.

Of course, he had no knowledge of how she was feeling about everything. Gene had rushed her upstairs almost as soon as Mrs. Worthington's words were spoken, and she hadn't had time to answer. He knew it was selfish, but he hoped she would decline the invitation.

"I guess I should have told you sooner," Nora said, "but there really hasn't been time. Grandmother, Grandfather, you are going to be great-grandparents in a few months."

"Is that so?" Charles replied, his green eyes sparkling. "Well, congratulations you two."

"That's dreadfully fast, isn't it?" Elvira responded; her innuendo was transparent.

"By my calculations, I am 6 weeks today. We had thought to wait a while when we married over two months ago before having children, but God had other plans." Her words were said sweetly, Nick taking her hand and smiling at her, but the meaning was clear. This woman who shared her blood was insufferably intolerant and Nora hoped Gabby would see that and stay here.

"If you will excuse me," Heath said as he stood and placed his napkin on the table, quickly mounting the stairs to get away from that female before saying something he would regret.

###

The knock came soon after Gabby had polished everything off on her tray. "Come in," she called, happy to see it was Heath on the other side of the door.

"Looks like I got here right on time. Let me take that for you." Lifting the tray from her lap, he placed it in the hallway and returned to her room, sitting in the chair that Gene had vacated earlier.

"Supper was wonderful. Please thank Silas for me."

"Will do. I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier."

"You mean with the dragon lady?"

His smile was almost imperceptible, but Gabby detected it. "You probably shouldn't call your grandmother that."

"I didn't, Gene did." A nod was his response.

"About her offer, I don't think you should go to Boston."

His words were tender, but Gabby had a problem with anyone telling her what she should and shouldn't do. "Is that right?" she said stiffly, crossing her arms in front of her.

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"Really?" Heath didn't know her well enough to realize he was crossing a line.

"She doesn't seem to be a very loving woman and I don't want you to get hurt."

"You don't think I should get to know my family? The family that I dreamed of meeting since I was a little girl?" This was unbelievable.

"Gabby, that isn't what I said."

"This conversation is over."

"Gabby..."

"I've made up my mind to go to Boston with my grandparents. End of discussion. Now, I'm feeling quite tired- could you please send Eugene in? I'm in need of some medication."

Heath stood there staring at her flashing eyes. She was beautiful when angry, but he didn't like being the one to make her that way. He wanted to try and apologize but if he did, he would end up telling her the truth of the matter- that he was starting to have feelings for her, and that was the real reason he wanted her to stay. And now wasn't the right time to reveal that.

"Goodnight, Gabby."

The words were soft and sad as he took one more look and turned to leave her room, never seeing the tears that formed in her eyes or hearing her response.

"Goodnight, Cowboy."

###

Nora was quiet as she and Nick prepared for bed. He was growing concerned about his pregnant wife. It was apparent that the stress of Gabby's injury and subsequent care had tired her, and now Gabby had decided to leave town with their grandparents. She had told her sister of her decision only moments ago. Walking over, Nick slowly turned her to face him.

"I love you."

The words brought a slight smile, but the sadness in her eyes overshadowed it. "I love you too, Nick." She said the statement and then walked away from him across the room when he tried to embrace her. He recognized that it wasn't for the first time. "I can't believe Gabby is leaving so soon. She just arrived..."

"You have a week to spend with her before she goes..."

Nora spun around. "A week?! 7 days? That's no time at all..." Her eyes were angry as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Please don't get upset. It can't be good for you... or the baby." The words were gentle.

"Speaking of which, I had hoped Gabby would be here when she comes..."

"It is months away. Gabby can make a trip back. We will arrange for it."

"I've just missed her so much. You couldn't begin to understand. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight." The words came as a dismissal as Nora climbed into their bed, turning her back to his side. Nick wanted to hold her close but knew that tonight it was best to leave her alone. She was angry and hurt and only time would heal that. He did hope that she wouldn't continue to push him away though as he needed to be near her.

"Goodnight, my love," he said softly as he bent over and lightly kissed her cheek with no response before walking around and climbing into his side of the bed, sighing as he pulled the covers over him.

###

Nick wasn't the only one having problems this night. After his visit with Gabby, Heath had gone to the barn for a while to do some organizing but was now on his bed fully dressed and staring at the ceiling. His head lay on his right arm, his left draped across his stomach.

The announcement from Nora's sister that she planned to leave had left him unsettled with no way to fix the situation. Yes, he could share his feelings with her, but how would she take that now that her decision was made? Most likely it would only make her angrier than she was when he left her room earlier.

Heath thought about that. Her icy green eyes had turned a darker shade and her cheeks had pinkened. With her arms crossed in front of her, he knew she thought she must look like a force to be reckoned with, but all Heath saw was the bottom lip stuck between her teeth like a sulking child. She had no way of knowing how tempting she was in that action, and how he managed to stop from going to her bed and kissing her he would never know.

But it did cross his mind.

Gabby had only been here a few days and Heath couldn't stop thinking about her. How she would feel in his arms. How her lips would taste. How her hair would feel as he ran his fingers through it. How soft her skin would be to his touch.

Turning roughing on the bed, Heath adjusted his pillow to get comfortable. This wouldn't do at all. Nick had mentioned a new breeder that he wanted to go consider north of Sacramento. Maybe Heath would leave for a few days to get his head on straight.

He certainly couldn't go on like this.

###

Gabby thought late into the night about her decision and wondered if it was the right one. Had she only decided to leave because of Heath's words? Because he had made her angry? Of course, she wanted to get to know her grandparents, but was there another reason for her choice?

It wasn't hard to admit to herself that she liked Heath and enjoyed his company, but Gabby didn't want to be in a relationship. Perhaps that is what really drove her determination to leave- to get away from the feelings she was having for him. To nip things in the bud before someone got hurt.

Departing on good terms was optimal, so she would talk to him tomorrow and apologize for her anger earlier. Heath had been kind to her the last few days so it's the least she could do. And she wouldn't be leaving for a week, so hopefully they could still spend some time together before they had to say goodbye- as friends.

And yet, as she finally started to doze off, her last thoughts were of blue eyes and a crooked smile that made her heart pound.