Chapter 20

Excerpt from Ch 19

While Chelsie was grateful Nick wanted to keep a serious eye on her – and was extremely grateful he was allowing her to pass herself as his wife for awhile – she didn't want to feel like a trapped fox. "I've got to do something, Nick. I'll go stir crazy if I stay in your family's house all day."

"You still like animals as much as you did during the war? You still unafraid of hard work?" Nick started walking towards the bank.

"Yes, why?" Chelsie asked, somehow knowing what he was thinking.

"You can work for us, both in and out of the main house.

Chelsie was working up in the loft when she heard footsteps on the floor below. She quickly moved to the loft wall that was closest to her and took a cautious look below. She might not have reacted in such a manner only McColl and Barrett had chased a man the night before. The stranger had appeared to be trying to get to the house without being seen. When the two Barkley employees tried to get to him to find out who he was and what he wanted, the man had run. Unfortunately, it had been just dark enough that neither McColl nor Barrett had been able to get a definite description of the man. However, everyone on the ranch was convinced it was Thomas Lane-or someone connected to him. Relief flooded over her as she saw it was Jarrod who had entered the barn. She stepped away from the wall.

"Didn't think you were going to get back from town until tonight." She smiled down at the famous Stockton attorney.

"I didn't think I was." Jarrod, who had been looking around, watched as Chelsie climbed down the ladder. "Nick wasn't in the house; I had hoped he was out here."

"He and Heath had some fences to fix." Chelsie headed for the barn door. "Maybe one of you can tell Ciego and William they can relax-just a little." She tilted her head slightly.

Jarrod didn't have to ask what she was trying to get him to look at. William was the new hand the family had hired-he was working not forty feet from the barn. "If I go around to the back of the barn, I will find Ciego?"

"You would." Chelsie then had Jarrod doing his best not to laugh too much when she added, "Going on walks, or rides, with Nick is proving both exhilarating and frustrating." She headed for the garden. She wanted to check on tomatoes, corn and onions. They were her favorite food. So, while she helped keep an eye on the rest of the garden, she always checked those plants first.

"You and Nick seem to be spending a lot of time together." Jarrod bent over, picked up a rake left on the ground and leaned it against to a tree. He was going to have to get after someone-depending on if anyone would confess to being forgetful.

While a part of Chelsie was irritated at what felt like the beginning of a fatherly interrogation, most of her knew exactly why Jarrod was asking-and she couldn't honestly say she blamed him. After all, Nick was his brother and, from all Nick had told her, Jarrod had been the father figure in the family ever since Tom Barkley was killed. "Denying the obvious would be pointless. We are two old friends getting to know each other once more. Though, to be honest, I don't know what made you approach me on the matter. He's your sibling, not the other way around."

"He is at that.' Jarrod smiled. He would have said more only Silas, who had opened the door closest to the garden, called out and said Victoria wanted to see him. Seeing how Ciego and William were both nearby, he excused himself and went inside to see what his mother wanted. Once he had disappeared into the house, Chelsie straighten up, sitting on the back of her heels as she did so.

"This place is gorgeous!" Chelsie leaned forward on the horse Nick had given her shortly after their arrival to Stockton. The two were now on top of a hill and looking over a clearing where there were actually a couple of deer grazing. "How often do you see deer and other wild animals?" For whatever reason, she had not thought she'd see such a sight on the ranch.

"Depends on the time of the year," Nick dismounted, led his horse to a nearby tree, and then turned to face the clearing. It didn't take Chelsie long to dismount her own horse, tether the animal to another tree and join Nick.

Chelsie took a deep breath; it had rained a few hours before, and the air still held the smell of freshness in it. It felt rather refreshing. "It's quiet and peaceful here-sort of wish I could stand here-like this-forever."

'I'm surprised you didn't grab her….' Heath's voice rang in his ears. Nick hadn't lied when he said they'd both been too young only now..."You can...well, not this exact spot, only you could stay on the ranch forever. We could get married for..." He started to say more only to have Chelsie stop him.

"Nick," Chelsie reached out and touched his arm. "While I do have feelings for you-always have-I can not marry you….or anyone else. I just can't." A look of resignation and sadness filled her eyes as she lowered them.

Nick was bothered by the look in her eyes, and how softly she'd spoken the words. "Why? Tell me why, and I won't push you only help me understand."

Chelsie came out of her thoughts as she turned her head and saw Nick and Heath riding towards the house. She hadn't been able to get herself to answer his questions then only, out of all the men she'd ever met-she knew she needed to explain things to Nick-as she really did love him. She stood up and started towards the two brothers only to find herself screaming as she heard a shot ring out, and saw Nick fall off his horse.