CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Taking Care of Heath

Nick had a long chat with McColl, telling him about the drive, about the trouble in Sacramento, and about his need to help Heath for a couple of days.

"I understand," McColl said. "I'm glad you can go help him."

"I'll be back on the early train on Wednesday. You can have a couple of days off when I get back, okay?"

McColl grinned. "I just might take you up on that."

"Please do. You've been left holding the bag for far too long."

"Well, you bring that brother of yours home with you."

"I'll try," Nick said, "But the only chance that'll happen is if he brings Margaret with him."

"Then bring the girl!"

Nick's dimples finally appeared. "If I bring her, I'll probably hafta bring her daddy too."

"Good thing you got that big house." McColl's eyes sparkled.

Nick stood and slapped McColl's arm. "See you on Wednesday. I should be out there a little after noon."

"Go take care of your brother." McColl walked him to the door.

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Nick tried to relax on the train. Jarrod had gotten first class tickets for him, but even with the extra space, his long legs couldn't stretch out. His mind was still on all the things going on in Stockton. He had stopped to let Sam know he'd be gone for a couple of days but had only stayed for a minute. He was irritated with Sam, and he was pretty sure Sam realized it, although he hadn't said anything. He never had been good at masking his emotions. Then he went back home and argued with Isabella, which still had him upset. And, instead of spending the night with his wife after he'd been gone for a week, he was leaving town again and she had barely kissed him goodbye. She was as irritated with him as he was with her. Damn it! Nothing was going the way it was supposed to.

And now he was going to be gone for another couple of days. He just hated that his last memories of home were of arguing. He should've known better. He should've kept his big mouth shut. Isabella was never too hard on the boys, but he just didn't like them getting hit. Period. And if Heath said one cross word to him, he was shoving his fist down the boy's throat.

The conductor made his way down the aisle. "Next stop Roseville," he said to Nick.

"Thank you." Nick stood and took his bag off the overhead rack. He held onto the seat while the train slowed and was the first one off the train. He headed for the livery.

"Nick!"

Nick turned.

Heath ran toward him. "Hold up!"

"What're you doing here?"

"I brought you a horse," Heath said.

"Who's with Margaret?"

"JR and Elwood. I got Lopez watching the house. He and Harris and Rodriquez are the only hands I can trust." Heath shrugged. "Sad, ain't it?"

"Maybe you should be training Harris to be foreman."

Heath chuckled, although a bit nervously. "I actually talked to JR about that today. I'm gonna start working with him tomorrow." He looked at Nick. "You don't really think Sam will be back, do you?"

"I can't really say, but Jeannie is very happy with her new house."

"I gotta get the foreman house built here, too. That's the priority tomorrow." He shook his head. "I'd like to fire the whole mess of those hands. I ain't never seen such lazy bums in my life."

They reached the horses. Heath helped Nick tie his bag to the saddle, then grabbed Nick's hand. "Thank you for comin', big brother. I know you're busy, and I know I'm asking a lot. I'm sorry for doing that to ya."

Nick finally relaxed. He hugged Heath. "I'm glad I could come. How is Miss Margaret?"

"Good. I don't think she's as worried as I am, which is a good thing. I started teaching her how to shoot today. Do you think you could work with her a bit tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"She don't know nuttin'. Keep goin' over the safety rules with her. You gotta keep your eye on her. She could've blown her foot off this morning."

"I will, Heath."

Heath smiled. "I know you will, Nick. That's why I wanted you here. I know how you look after Isabella and those boys."

The mention of Isabella sent a dagger through Nick's heart. He really wished he'd made up with her before he'd left. He ached to hold her in his arms.

Nick mounted the horse Heath had brought, and the two made the short trip to the big house.

Lopez met them and took the horses.

"Everything okay?" Heath asked.

"Everything's quiet, boss."

"Good." Heath released a breath, and he and Nick went inside.

Elwood and JR were in the library, having a drink.

"Where's Margaret?" Heath demanded.

"She was tired, so I told her to go on up and go to bed." JR walked towards them and shook Nick's hand. "May I get you a drink?"

Heath turned and ran up the stairs.

A drink sounded great, but Nick thought he better go calm his brother first. "Let me go check on Heath."

"He's been kinda high strung since that drive," JR said.

"I know. I'll check on 'im."

"Elwood will show you your room."

"Thank you." It hadn't occurred to him where he'd be sleeping. Elwood led him up the stairs to the room next to Heath's, then showed him the bathroom. "Thank you," Nick said again. He left his bag in his room and went to find Heath.

Heath's room was empty, so he walked down the front hallway and took a left. The second door was open slightly, so Nick peeked in. It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light, but it appeared Margaret was asleep on the bed and Heath sat next to her, stroking her hair. "Everything okay?" Nick asked quietly.

In one motion, Heath swung around and faced Nick, his gun pointed at his brother.

Nick raised his hands. "Easy there, boy."

"Sorry." Heath put his gun back in the holster, kissed Margaret's forehead, and went out in the hallway with Nick. "See why the hell I can't count on JR to keep an eye on her?" he fumed.

Nick pulled him away from the open bedroom door. "She okay?"

"Yeah. But he just don't take the threat serious." Heath shook his head. "I made him promise me he wouldn't let Margaret out of his sight." He shook his head again. "You can see how that worked." Heath released a pent-up breath. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

"You need anything tonight?"

"No. Go ahead and get some sleep," Heath said. "I know it's been a long day."

"You gonna sleep?"

"Yep. Right on the floor next to her bed."

"What's JR think of that?"

"I have no idea. He saw me there last night and didn't say a word."

"Is this a different room?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. This is JR's room. When I came up here earlier tonight, he had both windows and the French doors to the balcony open in Margaret's room, where he's sleepin'. Like those idiots couldn't climb up there and waltz right into the house."

Nick rubbed his jaw. "I see what you mean." He squeezed Heath's shoulder. "I won't take my eyes off her," he promised.

"I know you won't."

"Except maybe when I go to the bathroom or she's dressing. You don't want me to watch her while she's dressing, do you?" Nick teased.

"She's got a private bathroom, and there ain't no windows in that bathroom. Just check it and make sure no one is hiding in there, and then wait right outside the door until she comes out."

"Okay, little brother. Try to get some rest. Goodnight." And they call me a mother hen.

"Goodnight, Nick. I'm glad you're here."

"Me too. See ya in the morning."

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