The rest of the week dragged on.
Heath couldn't offer any details about who had attacked him. He had bedded down for the night, heard a rustle, came awake in a "world of pain."
Kathryn had been right about Heath's bed rest. Everyone had united to keep the young man confined to bed; his room was a different matter.
Which is where Kathryn found him; outside, in the stable.
"And what do you think you're doing?"
Heath turned with a sheepish grin, like a boy with his hand caught in the cooke jar. "Ah, come on, Kat; Doc said I was healing nicely."
She stiffened slightly. Since Niles, Heath had taken to using the nickname more often than not and she was still getting used to it. "And you don't think your brothers will have my hide, because I know you didn't inform either of them of this little excursion."
His eyes turned pleading. "Come on, just one little ride," he pleaded.
She bit her lip. He wasn't wrong. Merar had said Heath's injuries were on the mend, he had even claimed that Heath would be up and about in no time, decreeing three more days of bed rest, just to be safe. However, he should be in bed, if for no other reason than he had imposed it on her when she had been healing.
Those baby blues though... and that hesitant, shy smile...
Her decision was made when Victoria's voice rang across the yard. "Heath Barkley, you are not too old or big for me to take you over my knee if I find you in that stable."
Well, at least Nick came by his... forcefulness, honestly.
They received word that the new herd would be ready for pickup in Hanford.
Nick ran a frustrated hand through his hair, slapping his left leg with his hat. "We don't have much time to get ready."
"The fencing is all good to go, Nick. We just need the herd," Heath soothed.
Nick whirled to face him. "We don't have time to get more hands for the drive. We have to leave in the next few days; otherwise, we run the risk of missing Audra's birthday."
Said young lady gasped and with fierceness belied by the mischievous sparkle in her pretty eyes growled "You wouldn't dare."
As Jarrod chuckled and Heath beamed, Nick gestured at Audra, sitting next to her mother, who couldn't quite hide her own grin, on the couch. "Exactly my point!"
"Speaking of birthdays," Audra stated, searching for and finding Kathryn by the door leading out to the garden "When's your's Kathryn?"
Kathryn smiled. "Don't worry about it, Miss Audra. It's already come and gone." She chuckled at Audra's scandalized gasp.
"And just when was it, young lady?" Jarrod inquired with an amused grin.
She turned to him with a mile-wide smile "I spent my birthday breaking in a stallion." As looks of realization graced the assembled family members she shrugged "So really, I got the best birthday present I've had in a long time."
"Well, that won't do," huffed Audra, turning thoughtful. "If I recall correctly, you went straight to your campsite after helping with John. I don't even want to think what passed for dinner that night."
They all chuckled at that, including Kathryn.
"And that most certainly means you didn't have any cake!" Now, she looked like someone had just destroyed her favorite gown; the shock, disbelief, anguish...
"Audra," Kathryn came to kneel in front of her — pointedly ignoring Jarrod's affronted gasp at having dropped the "Miss" — and clasping her hands, assured her "I swear, it really was the best birthday I've had in a long time. I can't even remember the last time I had cake for my birthday." She could, but she wasn't going to dwell on that particular memory.
As she opened her mouth to protest further, Kathryn changed the subject "So, tell me, what are you wanting for your birthday? Because I'll need to come up with a suitable bribe for Albert to make sure whatever is is arrives on time."
And they continued to discuss plans, while a certain young lady was scheming.
Kathryn stayed alert, keeping her attention focused on the figure riding at the head of their little group.
He was boiling mad; which, to Kathryn, meant he wasn't paying attention and more likely to get himself into trouble.
All the work she had done to get Heath home so Nick wouldn't be so distracted had been wasted.
"Nick, you've already said it yourself, we don't have enough hands."
"We've made do with less."
"Not this late in the year." Heath wasn't shouting, but Kathryn could detect the hard edge to his words and starting to appear in his voice.
Apparently, Nick could also.
"Watch yourself, Heath." He growled.
Kathryn watched the exchange apprehensively; their eyes flaming and mouths set in matching lines of stubborn determination.
Heath broke first; Kathryn's eyebrow arching in shocked disbelief as he calmly told Nick. "I'm not going."
Nick was not as calm.
"You're not going?! Haven't we been talking nonstop about how short of men we are and you're not going?!" Nick demanded as he thundered.
"If me not going makes it that much worse, maybe you should think about waiting."
And, of course, Nick had taken that as a challenge.
Which is why they were all riding along quietly, save for the soft squeaking of the wagon wheels — as if they also didn't want to gain Nick's attention.
And his anger.
"Kathryn! Get up here! I have a job for you!" Nick bellowed.
Kathryn sighed. This was going to be a long four days.
Kathryn, Nick and John ambled down the boardwalk in Hanford.
They had met with the seller and, after confirming with the bill of sale, they were being led to where the herd was. Nick was obviously itching to leave as soon as possible.
"3,500 head of cattle... what was Heath thinking?! He knows we're shorthanded and he buys 3,500 cattle?!"
"In all fairness, sir, he did purchase them before he was attacked. He probably thought he'd be on the drive and with you both on it, there wouldn't be a problem." Kathryn defended.
Nick whirled on her. "The amount of heads he purchased did not change since then. He knew how many, he was cleared by the doc and he refused to come along!"
Kathryn took a fortifying breath. She knew he was upset. Heath was his other half and this battle of wills was painful to watch, but honestly? The man was throwing a tantrum and if he couldn't control it before-
"Howdy there... Kathryn, was it?"
She turned around slowly, preparing to lay into whoever it was. Nick wasn't the only one upset; and if there was one thing that had been said time and again, it was that her temper was a blaze that could rival the fiery color of her hair.
But as she warily watched the young man approach, she decided to bank her anger because gosh, darn it, she knew she had seen him before! Her mind whirred as she took in his black hair, his vivid blue eyes, that smile-
She beamed as recognition dawned. "You helped me in Niles!" Approaching him, she became hesitant. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't remember-"
He waved dismissively. "No worries. You had a lot on your mind."
Kathryn heard a throat being cleared aggressively behind her.
She rolled her eyes. "Mr. Barkley, this is someone who helped me get your brother to the doctor." Angling herself to allow Nick to approach she admitted. "His name, however, escapes me at the moment."
He quirked a smile and doffing his hat at Kathryn, introduced himself. "The name's Charles; however, I also answer to Chuck. Glad I could be of assistance. Although, the young lady had things well in hand." He gave her a conspiratorial wink. "But I don't see anyone here that's injured, so what brings you to Hanford?"
"I don't see how that's any of your concern." Nick growled.
Kathryn rolled her eyes and would have elbowed him in the ribs, but she caught herself before she followed through. That was too... familiar... an action between employee and employer.
Chuck beamed. "Pardon the nosiness, sir. I was just on my way to the saloon to see if they knew anything about the herd grazing outside of town. If there's a cattle drive, I was going to see if they needed any extra hands. I'm... between jobs currently and could use the work."
"Just you? What am I, chopped liver?"
Kathryn gulped as the man approached; he had riotous blonde curls that were just this side of being too long, blue eyes that rivaled the sky, a debonair smile and the way he swaggered up exuded confidence.
Chuck turned to him with a fond eye roll. "My apologies, sir. My friend — though he constantly makes me question that title — and I are looking for work."
"And... your friend's name?" Did that quiet, meek squeak really come from her?! It must have, the way John was smiling.
Having his full attention, she almost missed his answer. "The name's Cody, ma'am." He introduced, sweeping his hat from his head and giving a formal bow. Returning it and effectively recapturing his unruly curls he inquired "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" Before she could reply, Chuck did it for her. "This is Kathryn, the lady I was telling you about from Niles."
Cody quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well then, I am very happy to make your acquaintance. Chuck can't sing enough of your praises."
She was not blushing. The nonexistent wind was very cold and whipping at her cheeks.
"Sir-" John began as Nick cut him off with a growled "No."
Catching Kathryn's look of irritation directed at him, he added, still growling "I don't know them. There's no one who can vouch for them-"
"I'll vouch." She supplied.
He grinned wolfishly. "For both of them? You just met Cody and you couldn't even remember Charles' name." He pointed out, self-satisfied.
She crossed her arms. "Far be it from me to tell you how to run the ranch, Mr. Barkley; but, if I recall correctly, your brother did say something about giving someone," she made sure to heavily emphasize, staring right at Nick, "A job just because he had won same brother a bet." As Nick opened his mouth to say... she had no idea, she continued. "Chuck helped me get your brother to the doctor in Niles. He didn't have to. He also didn't have to help me bring that behemoth of a brother of yours into the building, but he did. Where I come from, someone does you a good turn, you repay in kind."
"And where exactly are you from?"
She ignored that. They didn't need to know. And the longer she kept that particular secret, the better off she'd be.
"And Charles did you two good turns; so, by my reckoning, that covers him and his... friend." She finished slowly, not looking at either man, but staring Nick down, ignoring her flaming face.
Nick was glaring.
Kathryn turned her attention to John and gave a small tilt of her head at Nick.
He got the message and pulling Nick aside, began whispering what, Kathryn hoped, was a reminder of how short handed they were.
"I hope we're not causing you any trouble Kathryn." The way her name sounded, rolling off his tongue made her feel like she was in front of a fire, all warm and down to her toes she felt-
She whipped around and almost plowed straight into him, he had been standing so close. "Not at all, sir."
"Cody," he interrupted with a soft, amused smile.
Her knees were in danger of failing her. Determined not to make a fool of herself in front of him, she straightened her spine. "Cody; he's just in a foul mood. He's... off balance."
That, had been close. It was not her place to divulge what was going on in the Barkley family, let alone to someone she had just met! The only reason she was aware of what was going on was because, for some reason, the Barkleys involved her in their personal, private family matters.
She'd have to keep a more careful watch of her loose tongue.
"So, shall we follow you back?" He asked, a small, beguiling smile making dimples appear.
When she squeaked out a "sure" he grinned broadly, turned to Chuck and slapping him warmly on the back said "Let me go get our things." Rushing back the way he'd came, he turned and shouted over his shoulder "Don't let her leave without me!"
Chuck looked at Kathryn, saw the look in her eyes and knew that it had worked.
"You get used to him."