CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

The Interrogation

Nick had a productive afternoon on the ranch. He got caught up on the goings on and had a chance to chat with both Sam and McColl. Even though he could've worked late, he returned home on time, satisfied that the ranch had ran quite well while he'd been gone. McColl, of course, was the one responsible for that, but Duke was quick to say that Sam had been a great help and was already respected by the men. Nick insisted McColl take the rest of the week off and enjoy some time with his wife.

Nick rode Coco to the stables, where Ciego happily took him from Nick. "Give that horse some special treats," Nick said.

"I will, boss. I will."

Nick smiled as he ran up onto the porch and pulled the door open. "Isabella!" he yelled.

Isabella ran in from the library. Before she could say anything, Nick attached his lips to hers and held her tight.

Soon, the boys were hanging on him as well.

Nick laughed and released Isabella. It was then he caught his mother's glare. His heart dropped.

"Hello, Mother," he said, and kissed her cheek.

"Get in here," Victoria ordered, pointing to the library.

Isabella blew him a kiss and wrangled the boys outside.

"I want to know what's going on in Roseville," Victoria stated firmly, closing the door after them.

Nick tried to remember. So many things had happened. He scratched his head. "Let's see. Uh, Sweeny, Diego, and O'Connell tried to break into the big house. I heard 'em upstairs and ran up. Diego was coming in the balcony door to Margaret's bedroom, and I pulled a gun on him. But then JR came in behind me and I turned to see who it was, and Diego jumped off the balcony."

Victoria eyed him. "Go on."

Nick took in a deep breath. "Heath got shot—"

"What?!"

"Heath, uh, Heath got shot," Nick said, avoiding his mother's eyes. "He's okay. Just a flesh wound."

"Nicholas Jonathan Barkley! Why didn't you tell me that when you first got home?"

Nick shrugged. "I needed to get to work."

"Where did he get shot?"

"Just outside the back door. He was checking out there."

"Where," Victoria said, her eyes about to pop out of her head, "on his body, did he get shot?"

"Here. In the arm." Nick pointed at his lower arm. "It took off a few inches of skin."

"A few inches of skin!" Victoria shook her head. "Did he see a doctor?"

"Jarrod was gonna take him today."

"When was he shot?"

"On Monday."

"Today is Wednesday. Why didn't you get him to a doctor before now?"

Nick swallowed. He didn't like being scolded. He went to the beverage cart and poured himself a drink, then sat in a chair. Finally, he met his mother's eyes. "You'd understand if you lived in Roseville. The doctor there is useless. Worse than useless. Today was the first chance we had for Heath to go to Sacramento to see a real doctor."

"What was more important than his arm?"

Nick scowled. "I had a ranch to run, Mother. I had to get Harris, one of the hands, trained quickly to act as foreman. There was a lot of things goin' on."

Victoria tossed a telegram at Nick. "Can you explain that?"

Nick read the telegram. "Heath out 2wks. Wedding Oct20 at ranch?" He grinned. "Great! October twentieth, huh? That's about what, a bit more than three weeks away?"

"Why is Heath out for two weeks?"

Nick shrugged. "I don't know. They probably saw the doctor in Sacramento and he said so."

"Why is he marrying that girl? He hasn't known her that long."

Nick chuckled. "Mother, if you saw them together, you'd understand."

"I thought you and Jarrod didn't care much for her."

Nick shrugged. "That was before we knew her. She's good for Heath."

"Is there anything else you're forgetting to tell me?"

Nick considered. "Probably, but I don't remember right now. I'll let you know if I remember."

"The next time one of my children is shot or hurt or sick or in danger, you had better tell me immediately."

"I'm sorry, Mother. That was two days ago, and I've had other things on my mind."

Victoria continued to glare at him.

"What?" Nick asked. "I told you everything I remember."

"Is she with child?"

Nick stared at his mother. She already knew Isabella was with child. As much as she was showing, everyone knew.

"Well?"

Nick scratched his head. "Who?"

"Margaret."

"No! Of course not!"

"Then why the rush on the wedding?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "Mother, please. It's a really long story, and I'd like to get a bath so we can have dinner. Can I tell you more later?"

"You're sure she's not with child?"

Nick threw his hands in the air. "How the hell could I possibly be sure? Huh? I ain't been sleeping in their bedroom—"

"Their bedroom?"

Nick caught his breath. Of course he let that slip. "Margaret's bedroom."

Victoria's eyebrow rose. "So, Heath is sleeping in her bedroom?"

"Yes, Mother. He sleeps on the floor—fully dressed—so he can protect her."

"And you don't think—"

"Heath said it wasn't possible, and he has no reason to lie to me." Nick shook his head. "And what business is that of mine—or yours—anyway?" He met his mother's eyes, daring her to continue.

"I don't like it."

Nick tried to tamp down his temper. "You don't have to like it."

"What aren't you telling me, Nick?"

Nick emptied his drink and stood. "I have no idea."

"Don't keep things from me."

"I'm not!" Nick growled. "I'm taking a bath." He stormed out of the room.

Victoria watched him leave, wondering what he wasn't telling her.

XXXXX

Heath and Margaret snuggled in the backseat of the surrey as Jarrod drove them back to the big house. While Heath and Margaret completed their shopping, Jarrod had visited the prosecuting attorney and turned over the wine bottle and a menu he'd taken, as well as the list of employees Heath had collected.

Margaret examined her diamond ring. Heath had told her to pick out anything she wanted, but she just wanted a simple solitaire—and not too big of one. She finally chose a diamond that was just over one carat on a simple gold band. "It's beautiful," she said.

Then they had visited a gun shop, and, with Heath's input, Margaret chose a small revolver. All-in-all, it had been a successful trip.

Margaret leaned back into Heath's arms and enjoyed the ride.

They stopped at the telegraph office in Roseville—where they had two telegrams waiting. Caroline stated she would be there by the twentieth and would travel by train with her brother. She'd send their itinerary when she knew it. Victoria said she'd love to host the wedding on the twentieth.

The sun was setting as they arrived at the big house.

JR met them on the porch. "How did it go?"

Margaret smiled. "Great, Daddy."

"Perhaps a drink is in order?" JR asked.

"Sounds good to me," Jarrod stated.

Heath squeezed Margaret's hand and followed the two older men into the house.

JR served the men a drink, and they all sat in the library. "So, tell me."

Margaret knelt next to him. "Look, Daddy."

JR examined her ring. "It's beautiful, sweetheart." He kissed her hair.

"Do you have any plans for October twentieth?" Heath asked.

JR grinned. "I hope I do now."

"I think we have it set," Heath said. "October twentieth at the Barkley Ranch."

"Is that okay, Daddy?"

"There's a horse auction that day," JR stated, "But I will be happy to miss it." He picked up his humidor and passed it around. Jarrod chose a cigar, but Heath passed. "What else did you get done?"

Jarrod lit his cigar. "I believe Margaret ordered her wedding dress—"

"Oh, Daddy, you will love it. It's midnight teal—a dark teal—and is made of silk. Really gorgeous."

JR nodded.

"And Heath ordered a suit—" Jarrod again prompted.

"It matches my dress, Daddy. It's cream with midnight teal trim."

Jarrod grinned. "And we found a handgun for Margaret."

"She won't need that now, will she?" JR asked, looking at Heath.

"I'm glad she has it," Heath stated.

"Oh," Jarrod said, releasing a cloud of smoke. "We saw the doctor."

"And?" JR prompted.

Jarrod glanced at Heath, who didn't seem to want to say anything either. "The doc said we've been doing all the right things, but he thinks it will take up to six weeks to heal." He lifted his eyebrows. "And the doctor does not want Heath outside for the next two weeks, after which he wants to see him again to see if he's healed enough."

JR frowned and looked at Heath.

"He said as long as I covered it, I could go out," Heath stated.

Jarrod scowled at Heath. "But not to work. He said you were not to do any dirty work of any kind, nor were you to use that arm for anything more strenuous than eating, until he saw you again." He looked at JR. "He said he absolutely was not to work for at least two weeks, and then only after he was cleared by the doctor."

JR nodded. "I hate to hear that, but we will do as the doctor says."

"I heal fast. And I can cover it when I'm—"

"NO!" JR said firmly. "Absolutely not."

Heath glared at Jarrod, which made Jarrod chuckle. Being the oldest had its advantages.

"How did Harris do today?" Jarrod asked.

"Excellent. The men seem to respect him, and they made good progress on the foreman's house." JR looked from Jarrod to Heath. "Do you think Sam will be willing to come back?"

"We can't speak for Sam," Jarrod said. "That has to be up to Sam."

JR nodded.

"I'll work with Harris tomorrow on inventory," Heath stated.

JR nodded again. He leaned back in his chair and puffed on his cigar.

Margaret yawned. "Would it be okay if I took a bath and went to bed?"

"Yes," JR stated. "Good night."

Heath stood. "I'll stay in your room." He didn't look at JR for permission. He emptied his drink and followed her up the stairs and to her room first to gather her clothes. They returned to JR's room, where Margaret still slept. Heath checked to make sure no one was in the bathroom, under the bed, or behind the curtains.

"Everything okay?" Margaret asked.

Heath pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Soon, their mouths met. "Wonderful," he said after several minutes. "Never been better."

XXXXX